8856 



Reptiles. 



shadow, and that the general could proceed and make short work of 

 them. The brave warrior was delighted at the project, and promised, 

 should the plot succeed, that he would recommend the lizard to the 

 emperor for distinction. The lizard was as good as his word, and 

 next morning large numbers of his tribe were observed making their 

 way to the Fungshan Hien ; and in a few days rumour reached the 

 anxious general that the enemy were dying off by scores, and that their 

 strength was fast reducing to a shadow. Whereupon he gathered his 

 troops together, and soon succeeded in cutting to pieces the miserable 

 remnant of the once invincible rebel band. The warrior returned 

 elate from his victory. The lizard was at his usual spot on the wall, 

 and chuckled louder than ever at the success of his plans, claiming for 

 himself and four-footed companions the promised distinction. The 

 general was true to his word, and memorialized the emperor on the 

 subject, who graciously ordained that henceforth the tribe of Formosan 

 Geckos should receive the rank of generals, and be respected by all 

 classes of men. The Geckos, on hearing the good news announced, 

 assembled and chuckled in concert ; and since then every house pos- 

 sesses its small family of miniature generals, who manoeuvre about the 

 walls and destroy the mosquitoes and other insect pests that plague 

 the colonists as successfully as their forefathers did the rebels ; and 

 when the thunder roars and the lightning flashes they think of the 

 valiant deeds of their ancestors, and, in the true spirit of generals, 

 chuckle louder than usual at what reminds them of the din of battle. 



7. Mabouia chinensis, Gray. 



8. lapalura Swinhonis, Gllnther. 



9. Coluber rufodorsatus, Cant. 



10. Simotes Swinhonis, Gimther, Brit. Mas. Cat. 1863. 



11. Tropidonotus annularis, Hallow. 



12. T. stolatus, L. 



13. Bungarus semifasciatus, Kuhl. 



14. Pelamis bicolor, Schneid. 



15. Halys Blomhoffi, Bote. 



Robert Swinhoe. 



Note on Young Vipers entering the Mouth of the Parent Reptile. — The late John 

 Galley, shepherd, of Cossey, in Norfolk, related the following anecdote to his son, who 

 repeated it to me, and having full confidence in my informant's accuracy, I have taken 

 down his statement, which is as follows : — John Galley saw a viper at Swaunington, in 

 Norfolk, surrounded by several young ones ; the parent reptile, perceiving itself to be 



