ENG-1954 — Page 318

THE GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING

The sea-snakes are all poisonous, but they are inoffensive and do not

not attack bathers. Although breathers of atmospheric air, their tails are vertically flattened (paddle-like) and they are equipped for a thoroughly aquatic existence.

A specimen of Bennett's Water-Snake, Enhydris bennetti (Gray) was discovered at Ping Shan in the New Territories on April 21st, 1954 (J. D. Romer). Known only from Hainan and Southern China, this is the first definite record of the species occurring in Hong Kong.

Lizards are frequently seen in the Colony and are represented by four families-the geckoes, the skinks, the Agamids and the typical lizards. The most familiar is the common house-lizard, known as Bowring's Gecko. This active creature may be seen throughout the warm weather both inside and outside buildings. It is mostly nocturnal, feeding on insects and other small creatures. The majority of lizards in the Colony belong to a family, the members of which are known as skinks. They vary in size from a few inches to over a foot and are to be found on both cultivated and uncultivated land all over the Colony. They are stream-lined in appear- ance, exceedingly active, and fond of basking in the

sun.

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