1870.] MR. R. SWINHOE ON THE REPTILES OF CHINA. 239 
about the towns and villages of South China. The Aborigines appear 
to have no peculiar Dog of their own. 
“Choo (Pig).—Ears small, hoofs short. The white-necked variety 
is looked on with dislike.’ These small white and pied Pigs are 
reared in great quantity in Hainan, and a large trade is done in them 
with Canton, where the larger black race of South China, with long 
head and drooping ears, hollow back, and hanging belly, is compa- 
ratively scarce. It is the Hainan Pig that has been introduced into 
England, through Canton, as the ‘‘small China Pig ;’’ and there is 
certainly a strong family likeness between the pretty Hainan race 
and the Berkshire breed at home. 
*‘ Mao (or Domestic Cat).—Cannot endure fleas or lice on its skin, 
Cats that have nine holes inside the mouth will catch Rats the four 
seasons through.’ The Cats that I saw in the towns of Hainan were 
of the small short-haired race reared in Canton and throughout 
Southern China—very similar to the ordinary London Cat, but 
rather smaller. 
3. List of Reptiles and Batrachians collected in the Island 
of Hainan (China), with Notes. By Roserr Swinnoer, 
F.Z.8. 
I. Sauria. 
1, VARANUS DRACENA (L.); Giinther, Reptiles of Brit. Ind. p. 65. 
This large Lizard appears to be common in the interior of Hainan, 
and is eaten by the Chinese. I procured the skin of a good-sized 
specimen, and the foot of a smaller one. Dr. Giinther has deter- 
mined them to be of this species, which before was only known to 
occur in India, from Nepaul to Ceylon. I have not met with it in 
any other part of China. 
2. MABOUIA CHINENSIS (Gray); Giinth. op. et. p. 83. 
The Chinese Skink is common in Hainan, and in China generally 
south of the Yangtsze. It is also abundant in Formosa, and in the 
dry sandy millet-fields of the Pescadore Islands, where, however, it 
seems always to remain of a small size. The large Chinese specimens 
are sometimes richly marked with orange on the sides of the neck. 
3. Perrp1a Peroni (Dum. et Bibr.); Giinth. op. czt. p. 110. 
The noisy House-gecko, Gecko japonicus (Dum. et Bibr.), did not 
enliven the walls of houses in Kiungchow city ; but in its place this 
small species was occasionally seen. It seems to be silent. The best 
specimen I have brought was captured on the wall of the Taotai’s 
waiting-hall at night. It was catching the flies attracted by the 
light of a lamp. Dr. Giinther quotes this species as occurring in 
Mauritius, Penang, and Ceylon; but this is its first occurrence 
within Chinese bounds. 
