In the country round Yti-lin Fu a good series of the little sand- 

 inhabiting lizard {Phrynocephalus frontalis) was secured. I have not met 

 this little lizard anywhere but in, and on the borders of, the Ordos Desert. 

 Here it may be seen in great numbers during the warmer months of the 

 year. These little creatures are very pugnacious, and indulge in desperate 

 battles with one another. They have a peculiar habit of rapidly curling and 

 uncurling their tails over their backs. This action looks very venomous, and is 

 strongly suggestive of the vicious swishing of the scorpion's deadly caudal 

 weapon. This lizard is of a general sandy colour above, with creamy under- 

 parts. Blotches of a darker shade occur over the body, and extending along 

 the tail grow darker, finally ending in a series of black rings. The last half 

 inch of the tail is black. The under surface of the tail is pale vermilion, 

 while a crimson-mauve patch occurs behind each fore-limb. The head is 

 shaped like that of a toad, the eyes being black with white eyelids. It makes 

 holes in the sand in which it shelters at night, or when threatened with danger. 



The remaining species of lizard is the little gecko {Gecko japonicus), 

 which frequents buildings, temples, and caves. It may also be found in 

 crevices in loess or rocky cliffs. It is perfectly smooth-skinned, and is free 

 from frills of any sort. In colour it is a dull mottled grey, admirably adapted 

 to protect it from discovery, as it clings to the surface of brick wall or rocky 

 cliff. Some eggs of this species were found in a temple. Several of these 

 were hatched out in the course of a few weeks. The Chinese greatly 

 fear this little creature, crediting it with being venomous. In reality it is a 

 great boon, as it keeps the houses clear of all kinds of vermin. It is nocturnal 

 in its habits. The Chinese name is ** Hsieh-hu," meaning " scorpion tiger." 

 This name is given because the gecko is supposed to eat scorpions. 



The only other reptile secured on the expedition was a species of 

 mud-tortoise {Trionyx sinensis). This species abounds in some of the tributaries 

 of the Yellow River in Shensi. Here it may be seen floating in the quiet 

 waters below rapids, or basking in the sun on the muddy banks. It also 

 exists in the Yellow River itself. Some were secured in the fish market 

 in Ho-nan Fu, in Honan. Others were taken in the rivers near Yen-an 

 Fu, in Shensi. The Chinese esteem these ugly creatures a great delicacy ; 

 and certainly, when properly cooked, they are quite palatable. At the 

 same time, it is considered a foul beast, and is emblematic of all that is 

 vile. These mud tortoises are extremely vicious, snapping angrily at the 

 hand when disturbed. They are capable of making a noise, and I have 

 heard them scream when being killed for the table. 



ni 



