220 Dr. A. Giinther on Reptiles and Fishes 
1. LIZzARDs. 
Eumeces xanthi. 
This species 1s of special interest inasmuch as it is most 
closely alited to the Californian Humeces Skiltontanus, from 
which it is barely distinguishable by a somewhat different 
coloration and by the postfrontals being widely separate from 
each other, whilst they are more or less in contact in the 
American form. 
Snout of moderate length. Nasal small, followed by a 
postnasal, which forms a suture with the first two labials; 
anterior loreal forming a suture with the frontonasal; four 
supraoculars, the three anterior in contact with the vertical ; 
occipitals entirely separated by the central occipital; two 
pairs of nuchals; seventh upper labial largest ; two or three 
very obtuse tubercles on the anterior border of the ear, which 
is smaller than a dorsal scale; two azygos postmentals. 
Twenty-four or twenty-six scales round the body, the dorsal 
much broader than the lateral and ventral. Limbs over- 
lapping when pressed against the body; the length of the 
hind limb is contained twice and a half to twice and two 
thirds in the distance from snout to vent. A median series 
of transversely enlarged subcaudals, Dark olive above, with 
a black lateral band extending from the loreal region to the 
tail; this band is bordered above and below by a light streak, 
which again has a blackish margin. Four series of dorsal 
scales separate the two lateral bands. Sometimes a light 
longitudinal band edged with black runs along the median 
line of the back and of the tail. Belly greenish blue. 
Four specimens were collected by Mr. Pratt at Ichang, of 
which the largest is 64 inches long, the trunk and head 
measuring 2$ inches. 
2. SNAKES. 
Achalinus rufescens, Bler. 
This snake was described from a deteriorated bleached 
specimen ; in the fresh state it is of a uniform black. 
Several specimens were found by Mr. Pratt at Ichang. 
Ablabes chinensis. 
This species belongs to that group of the genus of which 
Ablabes melanocephalus is the type; it comes nearest to 
Ablabes Humberti, having like that species ten upper labial 
shields, the eighth of which is excluded from the labial mar- 
