CHAP. X.] THE PAL^ARCTIC REGION. 227 



procyonoidcs), an animal confined to North Cliiua, Japan, and 

 the Amoor Valley, and having no close allies in any other part 

 of the globe. In the distance are some deer, a group of animals 

 very abundant and varied in this part of the Palcearctic region. 



R&ptihs and Amphibia. — Eeptiles are scarce in North China, 

 only four or five species of snakes, a lizard and one of the Geck- 

 otidse occurring in the country round Pekin. The genus Halys 

 is the most characteristic form of snake, while Callophis, an 

 oriental genus, extends to Japan. Among lizards, Plestiodon, 

 Mayhouya, Taciiydromus, and Gccho reach Japan, the two latter 

 being very characteristic of the Oriental region. 



Amphibia are more abundant and interesting ; Eynohius, 

 Onyclwdactyhis, and Sicholdtia (Salamandrida;') being peculiar 

 to it, while most of the European genera are also represented. 



Frcsh-ivater Fish. — Of these there are a few peculiar genera ; 

 fis Pkcoglossus (Salmonidfe) from Japan; Achilognathus, Fscu- 

 doperilampus, Ochdobius, and Opsariichthys (Cyprinidse) ; and 

 there are many other Chinese Cyprinid^Te belonging to the border 

 land of the Palrearctic and Oriental regions. 



Insects — The butterflies of this sub-region exhibit the same 

 mixture of tropical and temperate forms as the birds. Most of 

 the common European genera are represented, and there are 

 species of Parnassius in Japan and the Amoor. Isodcma, a 

 peculiar genus of Nymphalid?e is found near Ningpo, just within 

 our limits ; and Scricinns, one of the most beautiful genera of 

 PapilionidcC is peculiar to North Chiua, where four species occur, 

 thus balancing the Thais and Doritis of Europe. The genus 

 Z€2')hyrus (Lycfcnida^) is well represented by six species in Japan 

 and the Amoor, against two in Europe. Papilio parts and 

 P. hianor, magnificent insects of wholly tropical appearance, 

 abound near Pekin, and allied forms inhabit Japan and the 

 Amoor, as well as P. demctrius and P. alcinous belonging to 

 the " I*rotenor " gro\ip of the Himalayas. Other tropical genera 

 occurring in Japan, the Amoor, or North China are, Pebis, 

 JVeope, Mycalesis, Yp)thimia (Satyridae) ; Thaumantis (]\Ior- 

 phidse), at Shanghae ; Euripus, Neptis, Athyma (Nymphalida;) ; 

 Te/'ias (Pieridre) ; and the above-mentioned Papilionida). 



Q 2 



