16 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CHINA 



Lizards of various kinds are fairly common, amongst 

 the commonest in the north being the spotted lizard 

 (Eremias argus) and the little gecko, the latter inhabiting 

 the dwellings of man. In the south occur the blue-tailed 

 skink (Eumeces chinensis) and its near relative the elegant 

 skink (E. elegans). Another fairly common form is the 

 long-tailed lizard (Tachydrorhus septentrionalis). 



Of the turtle family China contains several forms, in- 

 cluding the mud-turtle, some terrapins, and tortoises. 

 Marine turtles are to be taken at times in the China seas, 

 or are washed ashore occasionally on the southern coasts. 



There is no need to do more than mention the little 

 Yangtse alligator here, as we have already referred to it. 

 The only other member of this family, the Crocodilidae, 

 which occurs in China is the estuarine crocodile, which is 

 to be found in the rivers of the extreme south. Its scientific 

 name is Crocodilus porosus. The difference between the 

 alligators and the crocodiles, externally, is twofold. The 

 alligator has a much broader snout than the crocodile, while 

 its fourth tooth from the front in the lower jaw fits into a 

 pit in the upper jaw, that of the crocodile into a knotch. 



The amphibians in China are represented by numerous 

 species of frogs and toads, or tailless batrachians, as they 

 are usually called, as well as by a few newts and salamanders. 

 The tailless batrachians greatly predominate, however. 

 Remarkable forms are the little fire-bellied toads (Bombina), 

 the little tree toads {HyJa), and the great tree-frog 

 (Rhacophorus), which is as large as a good sized toad and. 

 has its long toes webbed and knobbed at the tips, thus 

 enabling it to climb with ability. In the hills and 

 mountains of Fukien and Chekiang a huge frog, not unlike 

 a bullfrog, occurs amongst the damp rocks at the very 

 summits of the ridges and peaks. Everywhere the edible 

 frog, the smaller brown frogs, and the Asiatic common toad 

 are to be found. In the north Radde's toad, a beautifully 

 marked species is very common. 



The commonest of the Urodcla, or amphibians with 

 tails, is the Chinese newt (Diemictylus orientalis). A very 

 handsome spotted salamander also occurs. 



Mention shold be made of the remarkable giant salam- 

 ander (Megalobatrachus davidi), which, with the Japanese 

 form, M. japonicus, is the largest of the present day 

 amphibians. This creature has been recorded from. Central 

 China, a closly related form occuring in the east. Both are 

 very rare, at least in collections. The Japanese form is 



