they vanish somewhere near the tail. Alternating with these are patches of 

 black, which commence just behind the jaw, two being larger than the rest. 

 The sides of the head are striped with black, while the lower jaw and throat 

 are white. In the shape of the head and general appearance, this snake 

 resembles the common British grass snake. Specimens of this species were 

 taken in all three provinces. One was caught in the temple yard at Yii-lin 

 Fu, but usually they were found along the banks of streams and rivers. 



The second species fCoIuber—or Elaphis—dioneJ was secured only at Yti-lin 

 Fu. This is a prettily-marked variety, which varies in colour from a rich 

 orange-brown to a dull grey-brown according to the time since the skin was 

 shed. The markings commencing in the shape of a U, behind the head, 

 extend in transverse bars down the back. The edge of each bar is darker 

 than the rest. On either side of the body occur rows of dots, also with 

 darkened edges. These alternate with the ends of the transverse bars. 

 Besides these markings, two broad lines of a slightly darker shade than the 

 ground colour extend from the head along either side of the back to the tail. 

 This species is very common in the Ordos Desert and in the loess country of 

 the adjacent provinces. It may frequently be found in the houses of towns 

 and villages, to which it is probably attracted by the abundance of rats, mice 

 and sparrows (see coloured plate) . 



The third species {Zamenis spinalis) was secured only in Kansu. Here a 

 single specimen was caught on the bank of a large stream. This species 

 somewhat resembles Coluber dione in colour, but is more whip-like in shape and 

 is differently marked. It has three white stripes down the back, and there are 

 white markings on the head. Though the specimen in question was caught 

 on the side of a stream in a valley, the snake cannot be said to frequent such 

 places. I have seen it in mountainous country in Shansi, on the top of rocky 

 ridges far removed from any water. It is, however, rather a rare species. 



All these three species are non-poisonous. There seems to be only one 

 poisonous snake in North China, namely, a species of viper {Ancistrodon 

 intermedius). This is the common Central Asiatic form. Fortunately for the 

 inhabitants it is very rare in these provinces. No specimens were met with 

 on the present expedition. 



Three species of lizards were added to the collection. 



The dullard lizard [Eremias ar^us) was noticed in all three provinces, 

 though very few specimens were taken. A very common species, it is 

 particularly abundant in the Ordos. It is frequently seen along the sides of 

 the road in the loess country. The species is very widely distributed. 



110 



