oe) - - eae - ore. Aer eaot > a ~ Sar SG Lt a “ : S is NN a ee eI Sai ne cote ees mre Cae Veer “ = COLOMBO MUSEUM. GUIDE TO THE COLLECTIONS. PREFACE. = SHE first Guide to the Colombo Museum for the use GN) Of visitors was compiled by Mr. Amyrald Haly in 1886 ; a second, abridged edition of it was printed in 1895. having the additional advantage of illustrations. Most of the principal objects will be found mentioned in the text. One rather important omission may be noted here. Among the examples of Tamil jewellery referred to on page 17, attention should have been directed to the “ Thali,” the marriage emblem of the Tamil race, which is worn round the neck mounted upon a more or less elaborate necklace. The collection of rocks and minerals has been entirely re- arranged and greatly augmented by the Director of the Mineral Survey, Mr. A, K. Coomaraswamy, B.Sc., who has kindly written the account of the rocks and minerals of Ceylon for this Guide (see page 50). In the compilation of the rest of the Guide I have had the assistance of the Museum staff, more particularly Mr. Gerard A. Joseph, Secretary and Librarian ; Mr, H. M. Gunasekara, Assistant Librarian; and Mr. H. F. Fernando, Taxidermist. ARTHUR WILLEY, February 9, 1905. Director, Colombo Museum. ‘ . - + . a * . - ’ oo - . 4 ry a 4 = ‘ . a 7 ra . . + et 5 4 4 49 wt 3 ‘ ate 5 he y - ‘ : ‘ ily F ies eee o * Ri tire ¥; seater | Fase - - z ¢ « LF Ae, Lod Sake C {hae > Poke Shs (eae AT s s ty G7? - ta : 2 tS ‘ oO 5 “ Stal r f t 5 26) ve i ; { mietc frites Witicss he 7 18 bas Sek * >. 4 an A ERM LE 7 ta (Evers Pg. J ie i 4 a PLE * 4 y . Ui s Men ci hee Myr AG, wit igelinu (Rahs A ’ > ) : -_ ° » ° Fr = (HR: : | At, rd | Ev) SD p! irae f ee : : sr SEP yrs Cote ate ore ‘ ? ee ia ee pet el Tae uel ca ed ee Halts en, Pytgaeea! df SR aaa ie aa. err ie joregg afte iice is ; . cs ; Se ak HOR SLE Pare ‘ = 4 = Savi Mir i ete “a 5 BD) iMighwah < 7 ipa a uae vile aE aides ei-O | 9 ene Seamer eate T08 a ae 2 2 ees ct fies Sat ar icdsts ae altcek Bet: aC a 4 Po late SPP des |! Sie Rts oes eri fe ro ir POLICE POLICE COLOMBO MUSEUM. PLAN OF THE GROUND FLOOR. (For explanation see Text.) TAXIDERMIST’S ROOM ScaLE: 16 Feer To 1 Incu. MINERAL West East GALLERY OFFICE TOMBSTONES OFFICE ROOM a | Oo — 5 a re) z 8 STONE aa E [>] 20 - GALLERY 2 cy B 7 CANNON pees fda a: CENTRAL HALL 2? LIBRARY [| {eee READING (i MU Ul OMOL0D | JOO GUUOHD SuT 10 WAIF me at wane . Fe oa \ COLOMBO MUSEUM. PLAN OF THE UPPER FLOOR. a rh 4 ’ ’ ie pat * : Pt " 4 4 3 al £ ’ WwW rj eee 4 . " yw Be ane = 0 Rac == ns a oe 7 rt " Z e: i i _% . ; he : ea ly na ‘] | bs ‘y Ga = nt , cae ry | Che 4 “2 > 1] , avex A GUE TO * THY, COLLECTIONS IN THE COLOMBO MUSEUM. INTRODUCTION. MIHE collections of objects of antique, local, and general interest which are exhibited in the Colombo Museum are intended to illustrate solely the products of human ingenuity and cultivation, and the forms of nature as manifested in the Island of Ceylon and its dependencies. With few exceptions, which are specially noted where they occur, nothing is shown in the galleries which has not been found in the country or in the surrounding seas. Owing to considerations of space on the ground floor, the various Buddhistical, Ethnographical, and Archeological exhibits are not arranged in such a strictly systematic manner as could be desired. The Zoological collections occupy the upper floor of the Museum, The Mineral Gallery is situated at the back of the main building. If reference be made to the ground plan of the Museum it will be seen that the rooms to the right of the entrance hall are assigned to the Library and Reading Room. The Library contains an exhaustive assemblage of books bearing directly or indirectly upon the religion, agriculture, archeology,and natural history of Ceylon. There is also a valuable collection of native literature in the form of Ola Manuscripts, relating in one form or another chiefly to B 105-04 Cae) the Buddhist Scriptures. These documents are written in Sinhalese characters by hand with a pointed iron stylus, upon properly prepared slips of palm-leaves called “ ola,” and are com- posed either in Sanskrit, in Pali, or in Elu, the pure Sinhalese language. The ola leaves which are employed for the transcription of the Sinhalese texts are made from the fan-shaped fronds of the Talipot Palm (Corypha umbraculifera), which grows principally in the Kandyan Districts; those adapted for Tamil usage by school children and others are commonly made from the similarly shaped leaves of the Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabelliformis), which is especially abundant in the northern parts of the Island. The Palmyra Olas are narrower, thicker, and less pliable than the Talipot Olas. The manuscripts are often consulted by Buddhist priests and other readers who frequent the Library, and may be inspected, if desired, on application being made to the Librarian. CENTRAL HALL. The first case to meet the eye of the visitor entering the Museum is that which is placed under the archway before the main stair- case. It affords a characteristic display of images of Gautama Buddha, These figures are executed in brass, bronze, wood, and ivory, and they represent the Founder of Buddhism (who lived about the fifth century B.C.) in three principal attitudes—sedent, erect, and recumbent. The head is generally surmounted by a five-rayed emblem called “sirispota,” which symbolizes the sacred flame, On the top of the case there is a large wooden dagaba or relic case. The ancient dagabas at Anuradhapura and elsewhere are immense structures supposed to have been erected over various relics of Buddha and his disciples. Representations of the dagaba on a small scale, in wood, metal, and ivory, are commonly used as emblems or as reliquaries, just as the small effigies of Buddhaare portable copies of the gigantic statues which are scattered about the country. The lower portion of this case contains, on the front side, a selection of Matara Jewellery, dating, at least with regard to the designs, from the Dutch period (1655-1796 a.D.). The collection comprises necklaces, brooches, hair ornaments, &c. Most of the pieces are parures of the so-called Matara diamonds (zircons), white sapphires, and black tourmalines, in a silver or silver-gilt setting, manufactured by native jewellers at Matara, Galle, and Colombo, findre & Sieich LP és TALIPOT PALM. [To face page 2. Gian) On the other side of this table case there is a miscellaneous display of Tamil silver waist-bands, charms, a Mudaliyar’s dress sword, &e. Products of the Palmyra’ Palm,—This palm grows in the low-lying dry parts of the Island. There are extensive native plantations in the Northern Province, especially in the Jaffna Peninsula and the outlying islands. It shares with the Cocoanut Palm and the Date Palm the distinction of providing more serviceable commodities for the use of man than any other single species in the vegetable kingdom. As already mentioned, the leaves are employed in the manufacture of olas; they are also used for fences, thatching, fans, mats, hats, baskets, water balers, and umbrellas. The fruits ripen in the months of August and September, when they fall to the ground, and are sometimes eaten raw, but more generally roasted [W. Ferguson]. They vary in qualities of colour, smell, taste, and shape. From the fleshy part of the fruit a sweet farinaceous jelly is prepared, called Palmyra Pulp or “ yunatoo.” The nuts are sown under loose sandy soil, and the very young subterranean saplings, after being cleaned and dried, yield the Palmyra Flour. Palmyra Toddy is prepared from the sap of the flower buds, which are tapped by the toddy drawers during the months of November and December, the rainy season of the Northern Province. Sugar or “jaggery ” is prepared from sweet toddy,7.e., from the palm juice which has been prevented from undergoing fermenta- tion by coating the inside of the toddy receiver with lime or * ¢hunam,” On the top of the case there are models of a Jaffna bungalow with Palmyra Roofing, a shelter for watchers in the paddy fields, a manger, and a platform for grain. The Palmyra Palm is dicecious, 7.¢., the male and female flowers are on different trees. Ina plantation half the trees will be male and half female. The female tree yields superior timber and a greater quantity of toddy than the male tree. The model of the Palmyra Palm and other articles in this case were presented by Sir W. C. Twynam, K.C.M.G. Commercial Products.—Until 1880 coffee was the staple export since the British occupation. During the Dutch administration the Government held a monopoly of the cultivation of cinnamon, but this industry is fast disappearing under competition with other countries, The Cinnamon Gardens of Colombo are noted for the extreme rarity of the cinnamon shrubs, whole plantations (fs) of which have been removed during the past ten years to make room for building purposes. From 1880 to 1886 Ceylon passed through a financial crisis in consequence of the failure of the coffee trees, which were destroyed by a fungoid disease caused by an organism named Hemileia vastatrizx, for which no cure could be found. During this time cinchona and tea planting came into being, and Ceylon is now chiefly famous throughout the world for the excellence of its tea. Other products of importance are cacao, cinchona, cardamoms, and rubber. More than sixty varieties of rice or “ paddy” are grown in the Island, all of which, with one exception(the variety called “ el-vi”’), require more or less continual irrigation. Another grain of great importance to the poorer natives is that which is called millet or “kurakkan” (Hleusine coracana). This isgrown on waste lands called ‘“‘chena,” a corruption of the Sinhalese word “ hena,” meaning ground prepared for cultivation at intervals of several years by the cutting and burning of jungle. The arecanut is the fruit of the Areca Palm, the tall slender stems of whichafford a pleasing contrast with the unending groves of cocoanut palms. It is used for chewing with the betel leaf, and also has some medicinal value. Native tobacco is extensively cultivated in various parts of the Island. On the top of the case are specimens of the gum of the cashew or caju tree (Anacardium occidentale), a common tree yielding an edible nut, but not endemic, having, it is thought, been introduced from Brazil by the Portuguese ; and the resin of the tree called “hal” in Sinhalese (Vateria acuminata). Products of the Cocoanut Palm.—The objects exhibited in this case have on the whole a familiar homely appearance, and bear eloquent testimony to the world-wide importance of the tree upon which, in the first instance, the wealth of the Island largely depends. Almost every part of the tree subserves some useful purpose, and its general commercial value far exceeds that of the Palmyra Palm. It begins to bear fruit at about the tenth year, and a single tree may yield about seventy nuts annually. It is moncecious, 7.¢., male and female flowers are on the same tree, so that every tree in a plantation will be fertile. Most compounds of bungalows in Colombo are planted with cocoanut palms, which can only be cut down by tenants upon payment of ten rupees for each tree. The husk of the fruit yields coir fibre, the shell can be used for drinking vessels, bowls often handsomely carved, spoons, charcoal, Caos &c. The kernel is largely used in cookery, being grated fine by an instrument called a cocoanut scraper, after which milk can be expressed from it; when dried in the sun it is known as copra, from which oil is extracted, the residue being used as cattle food. The leaves are plaited to form cadjans for thatching roofs, also baskets; and the trunk yields good timber. The young fruit, called “kurumba,” furnishes food and ‘drink. The sap of the unopened flower supplies toddy, arrack, and jaggery. The dried frond of the palm is twisted into a bundle and used as a torch. These torches are often employed for purposes of illumination on festival occasions, being known as “ chulu ” lights, a corruption of the Sinhalese word “ huluatta.” Torches are also furnished by the spathes of the tlowers, called “ kolapuwa.” The midribs of the leaflets are tied into bundles and form excellent besoms, called “ekel” brooms, a corruption of the Tamil word “ireku,’ meaning the midrib of a palm leaf. The preparation of coir fibre is an important industry in the Western and Southern Provinces. The following account taken from Dr. Shortt’s Monograph of the Cocoanut Palm applies equally to the methods in use in Ceylon as to the districts in India, to which he refers more particularly :— “The husks, removed from the nuts, are collected and thrown into pits containing water to soak, and kept there till decompo- sition sets in.” [Along the railway from Colombo to Galle many portions of the backwaters and estuaries are fenced in for this purpose. ] ‘The coir, when taken out of the pit, is beaten with stout sticks to break up the adhesion and free the fibre from impurities. Next it is hand-rubbed”’......... and ‘‘ subsequently rolled into loose pads of about a finger’s thickness preparatory to being twisted into yarn by the palms of the hands.” In the bottom sheif is shown the apparatus employed in the distillation of arrack, and on the top of the case there is a similar apparatus in native pottery. Fisheries and Transport,—Many of the models in this case were made for the Chicago Exhibition of 1893. On the top shelf are shown models of a bullock cart, a Kandyan grain store, fish traps, a rattan bridge, and a “chekku” or oil mill for expressing oil from copraand for the manufacture of gingelly oil. The “chekku” consists of a huge mortar sunk deeply into the ground and made of stone inthe Western Province, or of tamarind wood in the North-Central Province ; in this a heavy pestle revolves, being worked by a horizontal lever driven round by a bull or a pairof bulls. A man usually sits on the lever to increase the weight of the pestle. Ci} On the second shelf there are more models of carts and hackeries, a mud house, and a large native sailing craft called a ‘“‘dhoney.”’ Onthe third shelf there are models of “ kattumarams,”’ a Negombo canal ‘‘padda” boat, and a boat used in the Pearl Fishery with representations of the crew and divers. The white man in the stern holding asuspicious looking bottlein a compromising attitude is the doctor preparing a dose of medicine. On the last shelf there are models of outrigger boats, fishing and passenger boats, a double canoe, and a river raft. There is also a set of chank shells (Zurbinella pyrum) and several rings cut from this shell. The chank fishery at Jaffna has been an important source of revenue. During some years as many as three millions of these shells have been exported annually to Caleutta, where they are used for the manufacture of temple conches and of chank jewellery which is destroyed at funerals. Other noteworthy exhibits on this shelf are a pearl diver’s coir basket which has been actually in use, presented by J. Hornell, Esq., Marine Biologist, and a pearl diver’s sinking stone from the Pearl Fishery of 1904, presented by the Hon. Mr. E. F. im Thurn, C.B., C.M.G., then Lieutenant-Governor. The chank shells and rings were presented by Sir William Twynam. Objects from the Maldive Islands.—The Maldive Islands are an archipelago of coral atolls inhabited by a Mohammedan popu- lationruled by a Sultan of ancient lineage, who pays annual tribute to the Ceylon Government. The Maldivians are an artistic people, the commonest articles in daily use being elegantly shaped, carved, and lacquered. They make use of Huropean glassware and earthenware, but protect their dishes and plates and glasses “fin boxes or cupholders of the most elegant designs and elaborate carving and colouring. Their boats are also elaborately decorated when new. On State festivals the capital, Malé, presents a most gay appearance, the roofs of the houses being covered with richly coloured cloths, and all the streets profusely decorated with bunting and curious models of modern steam vessels and little kiosks furnished with chess tables, the whole being brilliantly illuminated at night, when the Sultan, amidst a profusion of fire- works, and preceded by his band, visits the numerous mosques ” [A. Haly]. The Maldivian sea-going sailing vessels, called buggalows, are often to be seen in Colombo Harbour, and the view from the end of the breakwater of one of these boats entering the harbour during the north-east monsoon is highly picturesque. . ——- = SMES SS ALIA nae PILLOW AND LACQUERED STAND. -MAKING LACE MALDIVIAN (Total height, 1 foot 2 inches.) (To Jue page 6. RICE MEASURE. PLATE BOX. BOTTLE BOX. (Diameter, 11 inches.) MEDICINE BOX FLOWER BOX. INK BOX. (Height, 8} inches.) MALDIVIAN LACQUERED BOXES. To face page 7.) GE.) The model of a ship with a mat sail in Case VI. represents, the kind of boat used for traffic between the numerous islands of the Maldive group. The models in Case VIII. were presented by the Sultan of the Maldives, and do not include a copy of the typical Maldivian buggalow, which is built on characteristic lines unlike anything shown in these cases. In Case VIII. there are two finely lacquered drums, spears, and musical instruments. In Case VI. the chess boards, spinning tops, stands for lace pillows, Nautilus _ shell spoens, weighing scales, and nautical instruments are among the more noteworthy objects exhibited. The lac employed in decorating the fancy boxes, dish covers, drums, sticks, spears, and stands isimported into the Maldives from India. The patterns into which it is worked, as well as the designs followed in wood and stone carving (see below, Maldivian Tombstones), appear to be exclusively Maldivian. Many of the objects in Case VI. were presented by H.C. P. Bell, Hsq., C.C.S., Archeological Commissioner. The rest formed part of, a collection of Maldivian articles exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893, and were presented by Sultan Ibrahim Noorudin Iskander, Sultan of the Maldives from 1882 to 1893. Masks and Musical Instruments,—Masks are used in plays, masquerades, and devil-dancing. Their invention is attributed to the god of curiosities. Those representing various diseases are said to be employed by devil-dancers to exercise the devils who occasion the sickness. Their construction appears to be based upon the principle of eradicating disease from the system by the homeopathic method of counterfeit presentments. In spite of their grotesque character and of the fact that they can be made to order at the present day, these masks possess a profound interest as affording a clue to the origin of the ancient masks used in the Greek plays. The Oriental masks of the demons have been regarded as the prototypes of the Birds of Aristophanes, the Giants of Pollux, and the frightful forms of Lucian [Upham]. “The mask is the type of the Metempsychosis, the great pivot of Oriental doctrine, exhibiting to the spectator, scenically, the changes and forms which in different stages of mundane existence attach to the vital principle.”.......- ““Had masks originated with the Greeks, it is fair to conclude that, instead of such frightful specimens which abound in every museum, they would have given the human form as they have beautifully embodied it in their painting and sculpture ; hence the physiognomical character of the masks may be said to decide their origin and locality to the East” [Upham]. © 8.5) The Maha Kéla Sanni Yaka, or Yaksha, represented by the composite mask in the centre of the case and again over the top of Case VIII.,* is the great Demon of Fatal Diseases, all of which are attributed directly to devilish derangements of the three humours, wind, phlegm, and bile. The Gopolu, or Gopola Yaka, is the Demon of Cattle, and all cattle sickness is supposed to proceedfrom him. Heis represented with horns and tusks and a garment of leaves. The Gara, or Garra Yaka, is the demon who possesses newly- built houses, and before a house can be finally occupied a cere- mony called Gara Yaka Maduwa is generally performed. This ceremony is presumably equivalent to the European house- warming. Stniyama or Huniyama is the art of sorcery, bewitching by spells and incantations. The word is sometimes anglicized into Hooniyan, this being the name given to evils inflicted by a man upon his neighbour or enemy by the agency of charms. In Hooniyan charms a smallimage of wax or wood is made torepresent the person whose death or injury is desired. “A few hairs of his head, some chippings of his finger nails, and a thread or two from a cloth worn by him, and sometimes a handful of sand from a place on which he has left his footprint, are required.” The image is then submitted to aceremony called Jiwama (“ endowing with life”) performed by a Kattadiya or sorcerer, who recites mystical wordsover it. Nails made of a composition of five different metals—gold, silver, copper, tin, and lead—are driven into the image through the joints, the heart, and the head, and the name of the victim is marked on the image, which is then buried in the ground under a stile or at some other spot where the victim is likely to pass over it. ‘The passing over, or Panna-wana-wa, is essential to the success of the charm. t . This Hooniyan charm, or Sunniyan Yaka, as the specimen is labelled in the case, is of particular interest on account of its world- wide application in the practice of witchcraft. On the top of the case, besides more demon masks, there are large masks called the King and the Queen. These are used in the native masquerades called K6lama. The lower portion of the case contains a collection of musical instruments, The drums are of various kinds, the more charac- teristic being the flat drum or timbrel called Rabana; the bobbin-shaped drum called Udikkiya or Udakiya ; Tammettama, * This Kéla Sanni Yaka was presented by Mr. Justice H. L. Wendt. { The account given above of the Hooniyan charm is taken from an article “On Demonology and Witchcraft in Ceylon,” by Dandris de Silva Gooneratne, Mndaliyar, in the Journ. Ceylon R, Asiat. Soc., vol. IV., 1865-6, pp. 1-1 17. GM) two drums fastened together as kettle drums ; Demala-beré, Tamil tom-tom ; Yak-beré, demon tom-tom. The Rabana is beaten by women seated in a group round it on occasions of family rejoicing. Among the stringed instruments are to be noted the Wenawa or Vina, the Indian lute, an instrument with a good twang, the resonator consisting of a cocoanut shell with a skin stretched across it. The Bandarinha and Viola, presented by H. Holsinger, Esq., are used by the Mechanics* of Ceylon to accompany their Lusitanian dances. There are also a couple of marionettes, employed in a form of entertainment much in vogue among the Sinhalese. — Other exhibits in the Central Hallinclude two stands of Kandyan Spears with lacquered shafts, together with Kandyan blunderbusses and processional fans. On the top of Case VIII. there isan interesting relic of the early conflicts between the British and the Kandyans in the form of a British drum said to have been captured by the latter. On a small stand at the foot of the staircase there are some antique cannon balls, probably of Portuguese origin, which were unearthed at Medamahanuwara, near Kandy, a place which is noted for the existence of a cave in which the last King of Kandy took refuge after his flight from the British, and where he was captured in 1815. MEDIA-VAL ROOM. CASE IX. Ivory Carvings.—This case contains a varied and valuable collection of objects made principally of ivory. The specimens which are worthy of attention include fan handles in ivory and ebony, combs, panels, dagabas, &c. The large boxes are carved and shaped after Dutch designs. The art of making the compressible scent sprinklers is said to be a secret confined to one family of ivory workers in the Kegalla District. The little figures of the last King of Kandy, two of his Ministers or Adigars, and the Chief Priest are said to be contemporary portraits. Sri Wikrama Raja Sinha was the last king of the Suluwansa or Lower Dynasty. He came to the throne of Kandy in 1798 and reigned until 1815, when he was deposed chiefly on account of his cruelty. The ivory statuettes of Ehelapolaand his wifearealso of considerable interest. Ehelapola became First Adigar of the King of Kandy in 1812. He * The Mechanics of Ceylon are a class of artisans, shoemakers, tailors, blacksmiths, craftsmen of Portuguese descent, speaking a lingo of their own, Portuguese with an admixture of Tamil and Sinhalese. Cf. Mr. C. M. Fernando’s article on the Music of Ceylon in Journ. Ceylon R. Asiat.Soc., vol. XIIT., 1893-1894, pp. 183-189- Cc 105-04 ( 10 ) wasalso Dissave of Sabaragamuwa. Having disobeyed an order to proceed to Kandy his family was imprisoned by order of the king, and subsequently his children were beheaded in front of the Maha Vishnu Dewale at Kandy and his wife was drowned in the tank at Bogambra, near Kandy. This incident is known as the Khelapola Tragedy, and constitutes a favourite theme on the modern Sinhalese stage. On the lowest shelf of this case there are some more ivory statuettes of Buddha, ivory flutes, and a richly carved rattle mounted on a lacquered stick. There is alsoa handsome ivory Udakiya (without skins) lent by P. E, Pieris, Esq., C.C.S., and an antique ivory cigar mouthpiece with receptacle for an extra cigar, presented by Mr. E. R. Goone- ratne, Gate Mudaliyar. The quaintly-shaped and lacquered pill boxes and the ola book covers with the signs of the zodiac deserve notice. The ivory dagabas are reliquaries or karanduwas, the dome being screwed upon the base so that it can be removed and a cavity disclosed in which any small object of veneration or votive offering can be deposited. CASE X. Besides the numerous examples of Kandyan embossed metal work which are exhibited in this case, the most striking object is a silver model of the shrine containing the Dalada or Tooth of Buddha, the reputed original of which is preserved in the Dalada Maligawa at Kandy. This famous Tooth Relic has played an important part in the political history of Ceylon. It is esteemed by Buddhists as the palladium of the country and symbolizes the inviolability of the Buddhist religion. Itisrelated that the sacred relic was originally rescued by the sage Khema from the great teacher’s funeral pyre at Kusinagara and given by him to Brahma- datta, King of Kalinga, about 2,500 years ago. It was eventually brought to Ceylon from Southern India by a Brahman Princess of Kalinga, concealed in the folds of her hair, about the years 310-313 A.D., during the reign of Sri Megahavarna at Anuradha- pura, where it was wont to be publicly exposed on sacred days with gorgeous ceremonies. When the relic was first brought to Ceylon its adventures were recorded in a work called the Dhatuwansa or Chronicle of the Tooth, written in Elu, the classical language of the Sinhalese. The tooth is said to represent the left upper canine or eye-tooth. The legend runs that after all at- tempts which have been made to destroy the sacred emblem, it has reappeared resting upon a lotus flower, where it now reposes. Parakrama Bahu I., surnamed the Great, built a temple for it at KANDY. TOOTH. E OF THE TEMPL [V0 face puge 10. MODEL OF THK TOOTH RELIC, To tace paye 11). ( FE) Pulastipura, the modern Polonnaruwa, between the years 1190 and 1195. About the year 1246 a.p. Vijaya Bahu III. enshrined it at Dambadeniya, whence some forty years later Bhuvaneka Bahu I. removed it to Yapahu. Thence it followed the fortunes of the Suluwansa Dynasty to successive capitals, Kurunegala, Gampola, and Kotte near Colombo. In the year 1560 A.D. it is said to have been captured by the Portuguese and taken to Goa, where it was pounded in a mortar and consumed in a brazier, but Phcenix-like it rose again from its ashes and is now at Kandy.* The vicissitudes of the Tooth Relic are matters of speculation and controversy, but its political importance as a national palladium during the dynastic periods seems to be beyond doubt. The model here shown was exhibited at Chicago in 1893. The same shelf contains a handsome display of silverware, amongst which may be specially noted the large silver dagaba exhibited at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886: two large boxes of beaten silver embossed with deities and. scroll work ; a large spherical silver box with intricate design in high relief ; an elegant silver chatty; a silver chalice for sandalwood ; and a silver scent diffuser of the kind used for sprinkling guests at wedding ceremonies and for spraying coffins in funeral proces- sions. There isalsoa finely worked brassdagaba. The leaf-shaped tassels hanging round the top of the dagabas represent the leaves of the sacred Bo-tree (Ficus religiosa). On the next shelf below a large series of brass bowls called “chembu” is shown. Some of them are further adorned by the inlaying of alternating strips of beaten silver and copper. The bottom shelf contains further examples of Kandyan brasswork, especially betel trays and rice tables, prominent among them being an antique Kandyan rice table presented by A. K. Coomaraswamy, Esq., Director of the Mineralogical Survey of Ceylon. | The upper shelves of the case contain on one side a set of embossed silver and brass plates, and a pair of carved silver ola covers with ola manuscript descriptive of one of the Jatakas or . Births of Buddha. On the other side there are some examples of wood carving, a carved calamander cocoanut scraper from Panadure, between Colombo and Galle ; sweetmeat moulds or jaggery boards ; game boards called ‘‘chonka boards,” in which the seeds of the * Cf. Memoir on the History of the Tooth Relic of Ceylon, by J, Gerson da Cunha, 1875. ( 2 ) “olinda” (Abrus precatorius) or any other suitable seeds or shells are placed in two depressions at the ends, and the players have to make the circuit of the board from pit to pit along the sides without occupying the same hole at one time. The player who gets the seeds home first wins. On the end-wall of the case there are some carved wooden sweetmeat pats. Hanging from the top of the case down the middle is a richly embroidered silk cloth said to have been worn by the wife of Molligoda, the Second Adigar of the last King of Kandy. CASES XI. AND XIV. Embroidered Cloths.—The narrow wall case contains examples of dress worn by the old aristocracy of the low country. In the centre is a hat of peculiar shape, somewhat boat-shaped, called “ Jagalatta Toppiya,” used by Rajapakse, Chief Mudaliyar of Mahabadde, 1701 A.D. There is also a Mudaliyar’s dress sword and a sword with hilt and scabbard of richly carved tortoise-shell dating from the end of the 18th century, lent by Tudor Rajapakse, Esq. On the top shelf there are some Dutch swords. In the case corresponding to this on the opposite side of the room (Case XIV.) some further examples of woven cloths are shown, including a handsome old embroidered Kandyan betel bag, which was formerly carried slung at the side from the shoulder. There are also some gold embroidered Chetty costumes. CASE XII. This case contains an assortment of antique objects in brass and bronze, among the more interesting of which are three Sinhalese water clocks; cocoanut oil lamps; elephant bells ; karanduwas (dagabas); Pattini bangles, hollow armlets and anklets with a slot along one side and pellets inside, used in dances on festival occasions such as peraheras, in honour of Pattini Deviyo, the goddess of chastity ; epaulettes, also worn by dancers. The Sinhalese water clock isa clepsydra, consisting of a copper bowl, of larger and smaller sizes, with a small pinhole in the bottom and with or without silver datum marks let in at the sides. The bowl is set floating ina clay water chatty, the water gradually entering through the pinhole aperture until a datum level is reached, and eventually the bowl sinks. In the larger of the clocks shown with graduations the water reaches the level of the highest datum mark in exactly forty-eight minutes. The Sinhalese hour or “ peya” consists of twenty-four minutes, z{ And 20n/ 07) ‘VUHHVUAd "IVONNVY WHHL :AGNVH NI NOISSHOOUd LSIHAGNa \" Phd: a be lol — “ate > <= ci) and the day and night are divided into thirty “peyas” each. The water clock is called “ pe-tetiya.’”* On the top of the case there are some interesting examples of old Sinhalese domestic wood carving, an art which. has almost if not entirely fallen into disuse. The series includes carved cocoanut ladles and spoons with more or less ornate wooden handles, carved wooden spoon racks, and a cocoanut scraper. CASE XIII. This case contains a large series of boxes and implements employed in the services of the arecanut and tobacco. The arecanut is the principal ingredient in that form of indulgence known as betel chewing. A fragment of a nut with other spices is wrapped up in a betel (pepper) leaf and eaten. Then the finger is dipped in slaked lime called chunam and placed upon the back of the tongue, or sometimes a spoon or spatula may be employed for this purpose. The lime is kept in metal boxes, called chunam boxes, which are elegantly shaped, embossed, and inlaid. The box is suspended by a chain, at the end of which, when complete, are carried a small silver or brass earpick, a toothpick, and a spatula. The very large chunam boxes be- longed to important personages and were carried by an attendant, The arecanut is cut into slices by an instrument, resembling a nut cracker in shape, called an arecanut cutter, The handles of these cutters afford considerable scope for artistic display, as will be seen by an examination of the large series here shown. Elderly persons with failing powers of mastication are in the habit of pounding their betel bolus before consuming it. For this purpose they use a small pestle and mortar called a_ betel pounder, several of which are exhibited. Above the chunam boxes there are some antique jewel boxes made from Dutch designs in brass and copper, embossed and engraved in various patterns. These are known as Dutch boxes, other examples of which are to be found in the Ivory Case and in Case XV. Below the shelf containing the arecanut cutters there is a large series of brass tobacco boxes, These have also been made from Dutch designs, some of them having been actually manu- factured in Holland, whence they were brought here during the Dutch Administration. * Further information on “Sinhalese Measures of Time” is contained in an article by Mr. Herbert White, C.C.S., in The Orientalist, vol. III., 1888-1889, p. 75 : and in a paper by Mr. F. H. Modder on Sinhalese Weights and Measures, in Journ. Ceylon R. Asiat. Soc., vol, XII., 1892, pp. 173-202. ( 4) The bottom shelf of the case contains some more metal bowls, trays, and goblets. The picture on the wall over the case is a temple drawing representing an incident in the life of Buddha. CASE XV. A portion of this case contains a number of “ Dutch boxes,” many of which, however, have been made in more recent times. They are made with different kinds of wood—satinwood, cala- mander, and ebony—and are variously carved and inlaid with ivory, brass, tortoise-shell, and porcupine quills. The original native wood carving has largely given way to the manufacture of these articles and of ebony and cocoanut elephants. There is also shown here a well-executed carving of a tortoise in calamander wood, the most valuable wood in Ceylon. 3esides the boxes there are some examples of carved combs and hairpins in tortoise-shell and in horn. On the other side of the case some examples of painted Kandyan pottery are shown. There are three classes of unglazed pottery in Ceylon, namely, the plain Village pottery, comprising the water chatties, cooking bowls, and curry dishes of every-day use; secondly, the painted pottery of Kandy; and lastly, the Grotesque pottery of Matara, examples of which are placed upon the top of the case. This pottery possesses features of ethno- graphic interest in spite of its grotesqueness ; it is made and sold chiefly during the time of the Dondra Fair in the summer months. CASE XVI. Kandyan Knives and Swords,—Here are shown numerous swords and daggers used by the Kandyans during the later Dynastic Period and still worn on State occasions. Many of them are highly ornate at the hilt, and the scabbard and base of the blade are often richly damascened. The handle isfrequently carved out of ivory, horn, and black coral, and the sheath in some cases is covered with carved tortoise-shell. At the base of the blade ina few instances the figure of a lion in brass is let into the steel. ‘This seems to be of the nature of heraldry. ; Some of the dagger sheaths contain in addition to the dagger a receptacle for a stylus for writing upon the ola slip. On the top shelf there is a set of Kandyan Village jewellery in the form of numerous brass and glass bangles ; and some old Dutch swords and powder-horns. On the top of the case are some antique spear heads. = : a me = =— . = 7 \ * sx Z c | 5 . = x 4 - “ke »-. 7 See ae : 7 4s ice F : 2 : = Can | : 7 ae 1 \: ¥ ve | Py ed 7 : % - « = 2 eee : : 5 f - . + ; : " . \ cr, . ‘ .—3+ 7 a } Be _ 7 ; ' . ; i 4 | i | rf fa at ese = r | by I . a : ig i o a4 2 a : F | [ey And anf op SCYUOMS GHATNOSNI ASHTVHNIS a kins @ SAD wie? = Staten Ques eons paren 2 323 a es “sey AP aa Bee bk arte c = Lor aoa srgrat = 2g re peor ag ee 4: Deas! ts chs kona t pra wr Pe ey es Ai ae Ae ee Go) TABLE CASE XVII. A rather heterogeneous assortment of ancient odds and ends is provisionally placed in this case, gold and silver fragments, beads, and gems from the ruined citiesof Ceylon. The excavations which have been carried on for many years under the direction of the Archeological Commissioner have not led to any sensational discovery of buried treasure. Such precious relics as have been unearthed have on the whole been disappointing so far as their intrinsic value is concerned. In the reverse half of this case there is an ola horoscope and a copper sannas or deed conveying a grant of land to a Kandyan temple by the last King of Kandy. There is also shown an ebony weighing lever, called Tulappadi in Tamil, still used by traders in the Vanni and Jaffna, presented by J. P. Lewis, Esq., C.C.S. In the glass box over the case there are two old swords, with Sinhalese legends dating from the years 1374 and 1416 inscribed uponthem. The inscriptions relate that the swords were presented by the Rajas reigning during the years mentioned (1917 in the Buddhist Era = 1374 in the Christian Hra; 1959 A.B. = 1416 A.D.) in the town of Jayawardhanapura (the modern Kotte, which lies in the outskirts of Colombo) to two members of an aristocratic family upon their appointment as generals. These interesting swords were presented to the Museum by Mr. C. M. Fernando, Crown Counsel. TABLE CASE XVIII. Containing a valuable collection of coins which have at one time beencurrentin Ceylon. ‘The coins fall into two classes, namely, the ancient Sinhalese currency, comprising the coins of the Kings of Ceylon ; and the foreign coins introduced to this Island by traders from the days of the Roman Emperors down to the estab- lishment of British Rule. The devices on the coins of the Sinhalese Kings represent on the obverse the king standing, holding a lotus flower in his right hand and a kind of sceptre, sometimes called the trisul emblem, of questionable significance, in his left hand. On the reverse the same figure is repeated in a sitting attitude with the name of the king inscribed to the left of the figure in Nagari- Sanskrit characters. It has been a too common practice to forge counterfeits of the gold coins for the purpose of deceiving collectors. The most ancient coins represented in the collection are rectan- gular pieces of silver with or without figures of animals punched upon them, called Eldlings, which have been found during the excavation of the ruined cities. (16 ) Among the rarer Sinhalese dynastic coins may be mentioned the Lion Coin and the Setu Bull Coin, examples of both of which are exhibited. ‘To these may be added the very rare gold Lankeswara coin of Vijaya Bahu, lent by P. E. Pieris, Esq., 0.C.S. Among the foreign coins may be noted the Roman and Arabian coins, Venetian gold sequins, Portuguese silver tangas or tangams, and gold San Thomé coin, the Dutch dukatoons and silver and copper stuivers, and challies minted by various States in the Dutch Confederation. Some of the Dutch copper coins were actually minted in Ceylon, at Colombo, Galle, and Trincomalee. These are marked with the letters C, G, and T, respectively. The establishment of the Dutch United East India Company (Ostindische Vereenigde Compagnie, indicated on the coins by the monogram &) on the Island of Ceylon dates from the year 1655 and lasted until 1802, when the Island was formally ceded to the British (who had occupied it in 1796) by the Treaty of Amiens. The copper ingots issued by the Dutch, of the value of 4} stuivers, are a singular form of money. The general name applied to the ancient Sinhalese coins is ‘““massa.” ‘They appear to date only from the year 1153 A.D. to 1296 A.D. The common copper coins of the Dutch of small value were called challies, a corruption of the Sinhalese word “salliya” (plural “ salli’’), meaning money orcashin general. The smallest coin now in use, value half a cent, is still called “tamba-salliya,” “tamba’’ meaning copper. The proper coins of the Sinhalese King during the famous captivity of Robert Knox (1659-1679) were fanams of the size of a spangle. Another interesting form of money is afforded by the Larins or Fish-hook money. These are said to have originated at a place called Lari or Laristan on the Persian Gulf. They were formerly made in the Maldive Islands, and were also in use in Ceylon in Knox’s time, anybody being allowed to make them. Portuguese copper tangams were also current. Further information on the ancient coins of Ceylon is contained in the well-known memoir by Professor T. W. Rhys Davids “ On the Ancient Coins and Measures of Ceylon,” published in 1877 in the International Numismata Orientalia (London, Triibner & Co.). . The ancient beads, coins,and dice discovered at Anuradhapura, Mihintale, and elsewhere have been described and figured by Mr. H. C. P. Bell, C.C.S., the Archzxological Commissioner, in his ( iW ) Fourth Progress Report on the excavations at Anuradhapura and. the North-Central Province (Sessional Papers, 1892). In the large glass shade over this case are shown numerous ancient images, mostly sedent figures of Buddha, including eight thin gold images of Buddha, filled with clay, from Panduwas Nuwara, and above these a similar gold figure from Tissamaharama and gold and crystal dagabas from Anuradhapura. At each end of the cover inside there is a bronze Buddha on a throne backed by a well executed arch called “makara torana.” These are called “ Enthroned Buddhas.” There are also figures of Krishna playing with a ball, and of the goddess Pattini, the latter from Trincomalee. On the top of the case there is a large sedent bronze Buddha of unique design in the attitude of teaching, holding a flower (?) inthe lefthand. This was discovered twelve miles from Badulla along the new road to Batticaloa, and was presented by G. F. K. Horsfall, Esq., in 1876. On either side of this image there are two common village coloured wood-carvings, one representing a large cobra, the other Buddha seated upon the folds of a cobra and protected by its expanded hood. The latter is called a “ Serpent-canopied Buddha.” TABLE CASE XIX. A selection of silverware occupies the two halves of this case, and in the glass shade above there is a set of Tamil silver bangles, anklets, and toe rings. Besides some richly damascened Kandyan knives, embossed silver tobacco boxes, and Dutch relic in the form of a silver plate presented by a former Dutch Governor of Ceylon to the person named in the inscription, the principal object in the case is a pair of handsome silver ola covers with bejewelled button. They consist of bars of wood painted with dagaba devices on the under side and overlaid with sheets of beaten silver. TABLE CASE XX. Examples of Chetty, Tamil, Sinhalese, and Moorish Jewellery.— The large gold ornaments are represented here by silver-gilt replicas. ‘“ Chetty” or “Chitty” is the name applied in India to all members of the trading castes in the Madras Provinces. The Colombo Chetties, a caste from Tinnevelly, emigrated to Ceylon about the middle of the sixteenth century. Their language and customs are Tamil. From an ethnographical point of view among the most interesting objects in this case are the Sinhalese “ nawaratna ” rings set with the nine principal gems, or as near an approximation as is possible or can be afforded. The nine gems stand for the nine planets (including sun and moon), and the ring is worn as a corrective D 105-04 C BO for horoscopic purposes ; for example, it isworn bya person born under an unfavourable star, and its constant usage is supposed to avert disasters. STONE GALLERY. Many remarkable remains of fallen greatness, illustrating the stupendous grandeur of the ancient religious monuments of Ceylon during the palmy days of militant Buddhism, are exhibited in this gallery. The statues, pillars, friezes, and slabs are carved out of gneiss, the country rock of Ceylon, some of them, however, consisting almost entirely of crystalline limestone. Among the more notable pieces are the three principal archxo- logical treasures of the Colombo Museum mounied in position along the centre of the room. Facing the south window atthe front end of the gallery is a perforated carved slab, 4 feet 8 inches high, 2 feet 10 inches wide, and 7 inches thick, known as the Yapahu window, from Yapahu or Yapahuwa, a village in the North-Western Province, about twenty miles north of Kurunegala. It consists of a single block of gneiss cut into the semblance of a frame, which surrounds a composite hieroglyph consisting of forty-five circles in five vertical rows joined together in a moniliform pattern, each circle containing an emblematic figure repeated on both sides of the stone. The matrix of the slab between the carved portions was removed by the artist who designed and executed this unique triumph of stone tracery. In the 13th and 14th centuries there was a royal palace at Yapahu, and the hall of the palace was lighted by two of these tracery windows of exquisite workmanship. We are told by Mr. F. H. Modder that one of these windows “ was perfect in 1850, but the other had fallen and its fragments were seattered around. The remaining one would doubtless have soon shared its fate had not Mr. O’Grady, then Government Agent of the North-Western Province, removed it to Kurunegala.......... Thence it was transported to Colombo, and now occupies a prominent place among the archzological exhibits at the Museum.” The human figures in the lowest circles represent "grotesque manikins, above these are nautch girls, then animals, some of which are provided with a trunk and appear to represent the fabulous “ gaja-sinha” or elephant-lion. The star-shaped radiating emblems are the “ dharma-chakra ” symbols, the wheel or circle of the laws and teaching of Buddha. The birds in the top row are the “hansa” or sacred birds, usually represented by geese, sometimes by conventional representations of birds.* * For further remarks quoted from an article by Mr. John Bailey, C.C.S., who explored the ruins in 1850, see the paper by Mr. F. H. Modder on “ Ancient Cities and Temples in the Kurunegala District : Yapahuwa.” Journ, Ceylon R. Asiat. Soc., vol, XTII., 1893, pp. 97-113. wistnaenth aeons en terornneer nance ned aaah Seve ks High = atte ty a “a, Oa, a 5 4 z feo po} E ‘ fires eee) 4 if? j i i OMe NR nes Hehe shalt, Waanaiy prairies nn casa vi Hl Wes e\ hon ) sr ARE: oii | 2 a > Semertencon pik, o,% ta = . fe THE YAPAHU STONE WINDOW. [To fuce page 18. Ss Pay | | : ‘Ms ee tel eae | _ re as : \ re | eeted ae a if : 4 <¢ i Ji oe’ i “al % a (et end anf oy ‘VMOUVNNOTOd 4O NOIT GAL (Cts) The next megalith which claims attention is the colossal figure of a lion called the Lion of Polonnaruwa. This relic of the past -is exceptionally valuable and interesting, because there is a Sinhalese inscription on each side near the base giving the date and purport of the monument. Upon it was placed the throne of King Nissanka Malla, a Chakrawarti or Emperor of Kalinga lineage, who was the Lankeswara or Overlord of Lanka (Ceylon) during the years 1187-1196 A.D. The lion formerly stood in the Council or Audience Hall of the King at Polonnaruwa, whence it was removed to the Colombo Museum about thirty years ago. The ancient name of the city was Pulastipura, the modern name is Topawewa, meaning the tank where the ruined topes or stupas are. It is, however, commonly known as Polonnaruwa, an Elu term of doubtful derivation adopted by Sir Emerson Tennent (Ceylon, vol. II., 1847). The ruins were re-discovered in 1820, and all that remained of the Audience Hall where the inscriptions were found were ‘48 large stone pillars with carved capitals supported on a’stone platform, round the base of which are sculptured a row of lions.” The great lion-throne “ was lying almost entirely buried at some distance from the Hall, and was set up with great difficulty ; it had probably been thrown out of the Hall by the Tamils when they took Pulastipura, and may formerly have stood between the inscribed pillars.’”’* The inscription on the left side of the lion is terminated by the figure of a fish, a symbol of good omen. The adventures of the lion during its transport from Polonnaruwa to Colombo are recounted by Sir William Gregory (Autobiography, second edit., 1894, p. 343), who was at that time (1872-1877) Governor of Ceylon: “ Hvery mishap attended the transfer of this huge stone beast. Its first dray fell to pieces beneath its weight. On descending from the elevated ground where it stood the two elephants attached to it pulled over-vigorously, and the dray and the lion and the elephants flew apart in different directions. It had then to be drawn over a difficult jungle path a distance of fifteen miles from the main road; but the elephants had now learned their business, and these obstacles were surmounted. But * A facsimile of the inscription on the left of the lion, with translation, is given by Professor T. W. Rhys Davids in his paper on “ Inscriptions at the Audience Hall of Parakrama Bahu, Pulastipura, Ceylon,” in the Indian Anti- quary, vol. II., 1873, pp. 246-249. Pulastipura was the capital of Ceylon from the end of the eighth to the beginning of the fourteenth century. Previously Anuradhapura had been the capital for over a thousand years. Pulastipura enjoyed its period of greatest magnificence during the long reign of Parakrama Bahu I., surnamed the Great, in the latter half of the twelfth century, preceding the reign of Nissanka Malla. ( 20) when it reached the high road the worst of all remained. The wooden bridges, constructed to sustain a moderate load, were quite unable to bear the combined weight of the lion and the dray, and the banks were precipitous and deep. But this, too, was overcome by digging out asloping passage to the bed of the river and another on the opposite side. The elephants with their immense strength and sagacity sustained the strain of letting down the lion, and easily drew it up again. Much of this took place in the solitary jungle, but when the inhabited regions were approached, the whole country turned out in amazement......... “The procession of elephants, the lion decked with wreaths and flowers, was a magnificent sight. The tom-tommer from each village joined the cortege. The headman of the district asked permission for his little boy to ride the monster into Matale, whence he was to be conveyed by rail to Colombo. The lion now stands calmly in the Museum, and few know, or could understand if told, all the cares it caused and the excitement it created. It is a most valuable archeological record, and would have been undoubtedly destroyed ere this had it not been removed.” The risk of destruction referred to by Sir William Gregory in the foregoing quotation is demonstrated by the fracture on the left side of the head, which is said to have been perpetrated by enter- prising burglars ignorant of the solid nature of dynastic art who hoped to find treasure hidden within the penetralia of the body. From the base of the forefoot to the crown of the head the lion stands six feet. The third object of distinction is an elaborately carved pillar which has been recently set up behind the great lion. This is called the Medagoda Pillar, and formerly stood in the Pattini Dewale at Medagoda, six miles below Ruanwella, in the Province of Sabaragamuwa, not far from Yatiyantota. An excellent drawing of this pillar, accompanied by a lucid description quoted below, is contained in the “ Report on the Kegalla District of the Province of Sabaragamuwa,” by H. C.P. Bell, Esq., C.C.S., Archeological Commissioner (Sessional Papers, 1892, p. 58): “The monolith must originally have been squared to 1 ft. 2 in., the size it assumes across the lion’s breast, lotus bosses, and capital fillet. Rising octagonally from the back of a broad-faced couchant lion of con- ventional type, with frilled mane and raised tail, the shaft slides gradually into the rectangular by a semi-expanded calyx mould- ing. Half way up relief is given by a bordered fillet 2 in. in breadth, slightly projecting, carved with a single flower pattern repeated round the pillar. From the fillet depend on each face twoconcentric ......... pearl-bead strings. A few inches above this ——s f y > 1 oe ee iveee a le “8 geo STATUE OF PARAKRAMA BAHU AT POLONNARUWA, Vo face page 21.) (eee) band stand out from alternate faces full-blown lotus, knops, 5 in. in circumference, with ornamentation resembling much the Tudor flower upon the intervening sides. Where the pillar becomes square there are further loops of pearls, four on each side. A lower capital of ogee moulding, separated by narrow horizontal fillets, and finished with ovolos and a rectangular band, is sur- mounted by a four-faced makara and a lowabacus, From the centre of the roundlet moulding on all four sides drops the garlanded chakra symbol.” Other noteworthy stone carvings in this gallery are the Janitor Stones from Hanguranketa presented by OC. H.de Soysa, Esq., placed before and behind the cement base upon which the Yapahu window now stands ; amystie square stone called yantra-eal, with twenty-five holes, from Anuradhapura, supposed to be a base stone sometimes called a yogi stone (cf. H. C. P. Bell, Seventh Report on Anuradhapura, Sessional Papers, 1896, p. 13) ; the Naga Stone from Anuradhapura, mounted against the east wall, portraying a large seven-headed cobra in high relief; friezes from Horana; figures of Ganesa, the elephant-god, from Horana, presented by Sir C. P. Layard ; marble statue of Buddha from Tissamaharama, presented by Sir C. P. Layard; friezes and capitals from Anuradhapura ; statue of Buddha in spongy gneiss from Ambagamuwa, presented by Hon. Mr. R. B. Downall (against the west wall) ; cast of the gigantic statue of Parakrama Bahu the Great at Polonnaruwa; cast of a remarkable Processional Moonstone from Anuradhapura (below the south window). The moonstones, perhaps so called in consequence of their semilunar shape, are employed assteps leading into the porticos of the temples. They are often of fine design and execution, and are characteristic of Sinhalese Buddhist architecture. In the cast exhibited here there is a central lotus flower surrounded by concentric processions of hansas and other animals. In front of the stone lion there is another simple Lotus Moonstone from Hanguranketa, presented in 1878 by C. H. de Soysa, Esq. Attention may now be directed to the four wall cases in this room, three of which contain ethnographical models, and the fourth a valuable collection of ancient bronzes. CASE XXI. Models of a Kandyan Chief or Ratemahatmaya and of a Buddhist priest with begging bowl ; a temple tapestry hangs at the back of the case. CASE XXII. A Low-country Chief or Mudaliyar and a Sinhalese bride. Ca cd CASE XXIII. . A man and woman of the Veddas, the aboriginal hunting caste or hill tribe of Ceylon. The bark-cloth bag hanging against the side of the case is made from the bark of the upas tree, Antiaris toxicaria, called “riti’” in Sinhalese, “metavil’’in Tamil, belonging to the same natural order (Urticacezx) as the Bread-fruit and Jak- fruit trees. The Veddas used to be an interesting race of forest haunting nomads, but they are rapidly falling victims to civilization, exchanging their ancient skill as bowmen and woodmen for a more sordid if less precarious existence dwindling towards extinction. They are chiefly to be found in the Province of Uva, but it is possible to tramp through the Province from top to bottom without seeing a sign of a Vedda. Occasionally persons are paraded as Veddas, but when seen away from their natural environment the effect must be pitiful rather than picturesque. All the models were executed by a local modeller, Mr. R. G. Andriesz. CASE XXIV. Ancient Bronzes.—On the top shelf a three-branched candela- brum from Munisseram, presented by Hon. Mr. F. R. Saunders ; below this a pair of gold-plated bronze curtain frames from Kotte near Colombo, lent by P. E. Pieris, Esq., C.C.S. ; numerous minia- ture bronze figures of gods and animals from Dondra Head ; bronze lamps from Munisseram. On the bottom shelf the central object is a large bronze Kothali or drinking goblet, with spout fashioned after the manner of an elephant’s head and trunk, from Ratnapura, lent by P. E. Pieris, Esq.; also an ancient bronze tripod from Kuru- negala ; bronze hansas or sacred birds from Munisseram ; a heavy bronze Contemplation Box with thirty compartments, some of which contain a few coins and other offerings, presented by the Royal Asiatic Society. SOUTH VERANDAH. Passing through the doorway at the side of the Bronze Case on to the South Verandah, a Portugese cannon dredged up in the Colombo Harbour in 1888 is an important relic of the Portuguese occupation of thecountry. Here isalso exhibited a polished pillar of Ceylon gneiss from the Mahara quarries employed in the con- struction of the Colombo Breakwater, presented by John Kyle, Esq. Returning through the Stone Gallery to the WEST VERANDAH a number of inscribed stones will be found, together with two or three Dutch and Portuguese tombstones. ‘The work of collect- ing and collating the numerous ancient inscriptions scattered over “ny ahnd sons or) ‘NOTADO AO SHNIDINORVY AHL * SVACHA 5 B4punG, Sy yay a rte Agee ete “~ ——-. 4 o ae 2 er | ’ eu PETIGAMMANA PILLAR, Yo face page 2 } a) | ( 23) the Island was properly organized during the Governorship of Sir William Gregory, when Dr. P. Goldschmidt was appointed Archeological Commissioner to the Government of Ceylon in 1874. His reports were published as Sessional Papers from 1875 until his death in 1877. Dr. Goldschmidt was followed by Dr, Edward Mitller, who compiled a valuable manual on “ Ancient Inscriptions in Ceylon” (London, 1883), illustrated by a separate quarto book of plates. Dr. Miiller left Ceylon in 1881, and was succeeded, after an interval, as Archzological Commissioner by Mr. H. C. P. Bell, C.C.S., under whose direction the work of excavation, discovery, and transcription has been continued from 1890 to the present time. The great slabs placed against the back wall of the verandah are of interest on account of their antiquity and the characters employed. The first one, propped up lengthwise on the ground, is the oldest inscription that has been discovered at Anuradha- pura, from the Ruanweli Dagaba.* It relates to the restoration of certain temples during the reign of King Gaja Bahu (113-125 AS Ds Jo The upright slab next to the Ruanweli Slab is known as the Tissamaharama Slab, from Tissamaharama near Hambantota in the Southern Province. It is almost completely preserved, and according to Dr. Miiller “is the finest specimen we have of an inscription of the fourth century A.D.” Adjoining this slab is a narrow flattened stone with an inscrip- tion on both faces. The inscription is headed on the obverse side by a symbol of the sun and on the reverse by a crescent representing the moon, the sun and moon being the usual royal signs. It is a grant of land to a temple, and concludes (on the reverse side) with a life-size figure of a crow in sunk relief. This is the Petigammana Pillar found half buried in a garden within a few miles of Gampola.t Many of these inscribed pillars dating from the tenth century bear, at the top, engravings of the sun and moon as symbols of royalty [Rhys Davids] or eternity and, at the bottom, the dog and crow as symbols of instability [Miiller] or meanness; anyone violating the property of the priesthood renders himself liable te the penalty of being re-born in the low condition of one of these animals [Goldschmidt]. The translation of the Petigammana inscription, according to Mr. Bell, ends with the usual curse: “* Anyone who disputes this [grant will be born] a crow.” * Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 5, p. 27, and Plate 5. t Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 67, p. 43, and Plate 67. { H.C. P. Bell, Report on the Kegalla District, 1892, p. 79, with plate. ( 24) In the middle of the outer side of the verandah there is a large slab, the Dondra Slab,* recording the grant of land to the Temple of Vishnu at Dondra Head in the fourteenth century. This slab and the Dondra Pillart at the front outer corner of the verandah are of particular interest on account of their association with Dondra Head near Matara in the Southern Province, the most southerly point of Ceylon. ‘Like Cape Comorin on the Continent of India,” says Professor Rhys Davids (Indian Antiquary, I., 1872, p. 329), “Dondra Head has always been a place of pilgrimage, and seems to have derived its sanctity from its being the extreme southerly point of land, where the known and firm earth ceases, and man — looks out upon the ocean—the ever-moving, the impassable, the infinite.” ‘Opposite to the Dondra Slab is the Mahakalattewa Pillar, from the bund of a tank of that name six miles from Anuradhapura on the road to Galkulam. It is remarkable for its perfect preser- vation, not a single letter missing; the inscription is on all four sides.t Occasionally other symbols besides those mentioned above are engraved upon the pillars, such as a cobra and a priest’s fan. The latter occurs, for example, on the Kongollewa Pillar§ (placed near to the Dondra Slab). The stone slab bearing the Royal Arms of Portugal was found at Menikkadawara in the Kegalla District by Mr. H. C, P. Bell (Kegalla Report, 1892, p. 31, and plate). Leaving now the West Verandah one crosses the Stone Gallery to the | NORTH VERANDAH at the back of the Museum, where more tombstones, capitals, - inscriptions, &c., will be met with. Here may be noted quaint Portuguese tombstones||; a couple of Maldivian tombstones characteristically carved in coralline limestone; a ‘‘ dressed stone” with a Tamil inscription of the fifteenth century from the Kota- gama vihare, found by Mr. Bell, who remarks upon the singularity of discovering a Tamil inscription in the heart of a Sinhalese district; thisis called the Kotagama Tamil Slab{ ; another stone * Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 163, p.71. First translated by Rhys Davids. Journ. Ceylon R, Asiat. Soc., vol. V., 1870-1871, p. 25. : + Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 159, p. 69. Rhys Davids, oc. cit., 1872, p. 57. { Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 110, p. 55, with plates 110 A-110D. § Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 112, p. 55. Kongollewa lies about two miles north of Madawachchi in the North-Central Province. || A fully illustrated and historical account of these tombstones will be found in.a paper on “ Portuguese Inscriptions in Ceylon,” by Mr. J. P. Lewis, C.C.S., to be published shortly in the Journ. Ceylon R, Asiat. Soc. q H.C. P. Bell. Report, Kegalla District, 1892, pp. 68 and 85, with figure on plate facing p. 72. PZ obid aon OF, EHUNUGALLA SLAB. (Photograph by H, C. P. Bell, Esq.) (Zo face page 24. “4, are VANAGALA VIHARE, ll DE AMB FROM AND J N DOOR . v) WOOD! sq.) E > Be Mei Ogukrs (Photographs b V0 Jace puge 25.) ( 3) slab in a corner of the verandah bearing a short Sinhalese inscrip- tion with representations of sun (an orb) and the moon (a crescent) is called the Ehunugalla Slab*; it records a benefaction to a monastery. Close to this stone is an ancient carved wooden door from Dewanagala in the Kegaila District. The solid wings of this door and the left jamb of its frame were found among the lumber underneath the vihare. There are ten plain panels enclosed by framework in high relief carved in a foliage scroll. The carving of the jamb is described as follows: “ Between an outer beading and inner splayed edge of lotus petals runs a long narrow panel with gracefully intertwined double scroll of creeper, separating four figures all different from each other. A space half moulded, half panelled, in flower design, intervenes between it and the base panel, in which is placed beside a tree an elephant with head and right forefoot raised and curled trunk.’ The door, which was presented by F. H. Price, Esq., in 1890, was reconstructed at the Colombo Museum. The cross beam on the top with the drooping lotus capitals was brought from the Pinna- wala Vihare.t Next tothe wooden door are two carved wooden pillars mounted as door posts. They belonged toa set of seven balcony pillars found under the eaves of the porch of the Kumbukgama Vihare.§ Opposite to the wooden door are casts of two Peacock Pillars from Anuradhapura. At the other end of the verandah there is a large wooden rice trough or paddy pounder, in which the paddy which has previously been trodden out of the corn by bullocks is beatenand husked. Next to this is an old carved rice mortar from Ratnapura, like those in constant use at the present day, in which the rice is pounded into flour. ‘BUDDHA SHED. In the palm-thatched shed in the grounds behind the Museum further important stone antiquities are exhibited. Chief among these is the large sedent Buddha found by Mr. Bell in the jungle near the Nuwarawewa tank at Anuradhapura.| ‘ This Buddha,” wrote Mr. Bell in 1890, “is admittedly the finest yet brought to light at Anuradhapura. The wonderful sharpness * H.C. P. Bell. Report, Kegalla District, 1592, p. 76, with figure on plate facing p. 72. + Id., p. 49. ¢ H.C. P. Bell, op cit., p. 38. § Id., p. 22, with figure on plate. || H. C. P. Bell. First Report on Archzological Survey of Anuradhapura, Sessional Papers, 1890, p. 4 [742]. It is known as the Zoluwila Buddha, from the hamlet of Toluwila. which adjoins the Nuwarawewa buud at the spot where the statue was found, B 103-04 ( 26 ) and depth of the features, the softness of expression, the symmetry and repose of the body give the image a tout ensemble which contrasts markedly with the stolid ‘figure-head’ appearance so characteristic of these Buddhas in stone.” In front of the Buddha there is a large moonstone of unique and admirable design, embossed with wreaths, festoons, and garlands, a pair of fabulous creatures (makaras) at the sides, and a pair of two-fold representations of the Svi-patula or sacred footprints near the base. This is called the Floral Moonstone of Hanguranketa, and was presented to the Museum in 1894 by Lady De Soysa. The representations of the footprint of Buddha, called Syi- patula, or Sri-pada, of which there are several in this shed carved in stone, are of considerable interest. The best of them is that which is known as the Koddaikeni Stone, a double Sri-pada (like the rest) covered with symbols. The signs on the toes are called swastika, the radiant emblem in the centre is the dharma-chakra, in front of which are a couple of flags, at the side a fish-hook behind a flower vase, a conch shell, a fan, a pair of fishes repre- senting Pisces, one of the signs of the zodiac ; a complicated cry ptie emblem occupies the centre of the heel, and on one side of this opposite to the fishes are the trisul emblems. The exact interpre- tation of the symbolism of this stone has not yet been attempted.” Another curious relic is the limestone image representing aman standing in the jaws of a monster, sent by Mr. C. A. Murray from Tissamaharama in 1892. The moonstone and carved steps, with janitors and terminals, which have been arranged at the entrance to the shed, arrived here from Anuradhapura in the years 1882 and 1884.t The stone discs placed round the convex side of the large Hanguranketa moonstone are described as mural ornaments from Anuradhapura. SIGIRIYA FRESCOES. On the walls flanking the main staircase will be found copies of the celebrated frescoes discovered in a cave or pocket of the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya near Dambulla. Sigiriya, the lion rock, rises abruptly from the plains of the North-Central Province to a height of about four hundred feet, with an area of little more than an acre at the summit. It is said to have been fortified by the Sinhalese parricide King Kasyapa, who ascended the throne 475 A.D. and fled to the rock after having immured his * Of. Memorandum by Messrs. J. P. Lewis and G. M. Fowler, with plate, in Journ. Ceylon R. Asiat. Soc., vol. XI., 1889-1890, Proceedings, pp. bxii, lxiii. + Cf. Administration Reports of the Museum for 1882 (p. 110 D) and 1884(p,18 D). ‘gz abnd aang ‘VALIHIDIS HO MOOU HULYOd LNALIONY taco i_—= = ind - 4 ‘ a ese Reo > ¥=< (2a) father King Dhatu Sen, whose capital was Anuradhapura. Kasvapa made Sigiriya his capital, and took refuge there for eighteen years. On the western face of the rock chambers have been scooped out, and in one of these, 160 feet from the ground, protected from sun and rain, ancient frescoes were painted upon stucco plastered upon the smooth surface, and still remain in an excellent state of preservation. The ancient approaches to the summit and to the chambers having fallen into decay, the rock once more became nearly inaccessible and, according to local tradition, the haunt of “yakku” ordemons. It was however tackled by more than one adventurous climber during the latter half of last century, and in June, 1889, Mr. Alex. Murray of the Public Works Depart- ment succeeded in reaching the pocket containing the frescoes and in making the tracings of them, which he coloured as nearly as possible like the originals. He hasleftit upon record that the work of copying took him from sunrise to sunset every day for a week lying at full length on his back. A Buddhist priest who visited the chamber gave it as his opinion that the pictures must be the portraits of some of King Kasyapa’s queens. The portraits are arranged singly and in couples, the latter representing a maid offering the sacred lotus on a tray to her mistress. During the last ten years excavations have been carried on at Sigiriya under the direction of the Archzological Commissioner, and fresh copies of the frescoes have been made under his super- vision in oil colours, but these have not yet been exhi ited in the Museum. PALS wl; ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS. In the grounds at the back of the Museum a few live animals indigenous in Ceylon are placed on exhibition in temporary shelters. The mammals include a leopard, bears, a tiger cat (Felis viverrina), a jackal, palm or toddy cats, civet cats, porcupines, a bandicoot rat, mouse deer, hog deer, &c. The birdsare represented by a pelican ibis presented by Her Excellency Lady Blake, a pelican, purple herons, Malay bitterns, India koels, Brahminy kites, scops owl,.and an Alexandrine paroquet. A young rufous-bellied hawk-eagle has been loaned by His Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G., F.Z.8.). A small tank contains some monitors or water lizards, called “kabaragoya” in Sinhalese, and in a small cage there is a chameleon from Chilaw. On the other side of the block of buildings in which the Mineral Gallery is situated (see plan) there are two sheds containing respectively, the skeleton of a sperm whale or cachalot (Physeter macrocephalus) and of the whalebone whale (Balanoplera indica). The carcases of whalesare stranded from time to time on the shores of Ceylon. Some of them seem to have met their death at the hands of whalers and to have drifted by gale and current to Ceylon. A whalebone whale was washed ashore in Weligam Bay in August, 1884,such bones as were recovered being placed on the front verandah of the Natural History Gallery upstairs; another carcase drifted ashore at Ambalangoda in September, 1894; the almost complete skeleton was brought to the Museum, and is the one now lying in the large cadjan shed; it measured 65 feet in length. This species of whales has the distinction of being the largest of all known animals, living or extinct. A spermaceti whale or cachalot stranded on the south coast of Mannar in September, 1889; its remains are now exhibited in the smaller shed, with the exception of the lower jaw, which dropped into the sea while the work of salvage was proceeding and was lost. Another carcase arrived at Athuruwila near Bentota in June, 1904, in a high state of decomposition ; the lower jaw, which alone carries the functional teeth, was missing. In November, 1904, another decomposed sperm whale minus the lower jaw was stranded at Mount Lavinia. The teeth of the upper jaw of the _ sperm whale are vestigial structures imbedded in the gum. At the foot of the main staircase leading to the upper floor of the Museum there may be seen a small glass case containing GROUP OF § 3UR loninyny se : F SAMBUR (Cervus unicolor) AND WILD BOAR (Sus cristutus) (Vo face puge 28. LoAeNae uss © Gite Suk, EE ai | Be es ee [62 chnd sanf of “(srumd snaaypdouiiog) SKAMNOW ANV ‘(supind sijag) GAVdOAT ‘(sivv snita)) AAI GALLOdS C2) living insects, leaf insects of the genus Phylliwm, remarkable for their general resemblance to the leaves of the guava, on which they are fed. The males are smaller than the females, less numerous, and carry two long feelers or antenne, held backwards, nearly as long as the body. The females lay their eggs, which resemble seeds, freely, and the young hatch out without difficulty- The Natural History Collection comprises representatives of the fishes, amphibia, reptiles, birds, mammals, insects, crustacea, and mollusea occurring within the zoological province of Ceylon. The centre of the gallery is occupied by a jungle scene containing sambur deer, commonly known as elk, a wild boar, a crocodile, peacock, and several smaller birds. Most of the specimens were obtained from the Hambantota District in the Southern Province, where all of the species are to be found. Opposite to this group, over the head of the staircase, is a group of spotted deer, leopard, and monkeys, the material for which was also obtained from the same locality. The monkeys on the tree overhead belong to the common low-country species of the Maritime Provinces, Semnopithecus priamus. BIRDS. The birds of Ceylon comprise large numbers of migratory species, which visit the Island during the north-east monsoon, but do not breed here; the chief bird of this kind is the Flamingo. Then there are numerous resident species, which are indigenous to Ceylon, but occur also in the Indian Peninsula and elsewhere ; the chief bird of this kind is the Peafowl. There are no fewer than forty-nine endemic species, which are peculiar to Ceylon, not being found beyond the confines of the Island; the chief bird of this kind is the Ceylon Jungle-fowl. Lastly, there are a few occasional visitors, which do not come regularly, putting ashore here through stress of weather ; the chief bird of this kind is the Frigate-bird. BIRD CASE I. Turning to the left (east) from the staircase the first bird case, beginning from the top shelf in front, contains representatives of the Frogmouths (Podargide); the Trogons (Trogonide); the Cuckoos, Koels, Malkohas, and Coucals (Cuculide) ; Paroquetsand Loriquets (Psittacidee); Owls (Strigide). The Ceylonese Frog- mouth (Batrachostomus moniliger), which also occurs in Travan- core, is a remarkable bird on account of the oddness of its gape, curiously resembling the mouth of a frog. Of the cuckoos, the genus Swrniculus, represented by the species S. /ugubris, the Drongo Cuckoo, is remarkable for its extraordinary resemblance to a Drongo or King Crow (Dicrurus). It is said to lay its eggs ( 30 ) in the nests of King Crows, and the latter have been actually observed in the act of feeding a young Surniculus.* This there- fore appears to be an example of natural mimicry. The Red-faced Malkoha (Phenicophaés pyrrhocephalus) is pecu- liar to Ceylon,t as is also the Ceylonese Coucal (Centropus chlororhynchus). Both of these species inhabit dense and damp forests. The Common Coucal or Crow-pheasant (Centropus sinensis) is known locally as the Jungle Crow. It is a familiar bird in the low-country jungles and in the vicinity of villages, its chestnut-coloured wings offering a handsome contrast to the glossy black body. It is a ground-feeding bird, eating insects, lizards, and small snakes. The Indian Koel (Hudynamis honorata) is another familiar Indo-Ceylonese bird. In the breeding season, from March till July, its cry of ku-il kw-il, increasing in intensity and ascending in the scale, is to be heard in almost every grove [Blanford, dc., p. 229]. In Ceylon it is known to Europeans as the Brain-fever bird, on account of the persistency of its cry. It feeds on fruit, and, like the cuckoos, is parasitic in its nesting habits, laying its eggs in May and June in the nests of crows, generally the Indian or Gray Crow (Corvus splendens), less frequently in those of the Black Crow (Corvus macrorhynchus). The crows bring up the koels, which at times eject the young crows from the nest after they have been hatched [Blanford]. The male is black through- out; the female is spotted with white. The principal parrot of Ceylon is sometimes called the Alexan- drine Paroquet (Palwornis eupatria), coloured green, with (in the male) a broad rose-pink collar round the nape. Thelittle Ceylonese Loriquet (Loriculus indicus) is peculiar to Ceylon. The parrot which is commonly used as a cage bird by the natives of Ceylon is the Rose-ringed Paroquet (Palwornis torquatus). Of the owls which are shown in the bottom shelf, the Ceylon Bay Owl (Photodilus assimilis), peculiar to Ceylon, is to be noted on account of its rarity, being found only in the hills round Kandy. The Demon bird, or “Ulama” of Ceylon, so-called on account of its dreadful moaning hoot, is commonly identified with Huhua nepalensis (= Bubo nipalensis) and also with Syrnium indrani. In the other half of this case, commencing at the top, are shown the Barbets (Capitonide), of which the Yellow-fronted Barbet (Cyanops flavifrons) and the pretty little Ceylon Barbet (Yantho- lema rubricapilla) are peculiar to the Island; Indian Rollers * Blanford, W.T. Birds of India, 1895, vol. ILI. p. 224. + The distribution of the different species of birds is indivated in red upon the small maps plaved below the specimens. Ge (Coraciade) ;* Bee-eaters (Meropide) ; Kingfishers (Alcedinide) ; Hornbillst (Bucerotids), two species, one of which (Lophoceros gingalensis) is peculiar ; Hoopoes (Upupide) ; Swifts (Cypselide), one of which, the Edible-nest Swiftlet (Collocalia fuciphaga), builds the well-known edible nests in caves, small cups made of grass, moss, and feathers cemented together by inspissated saliva [Blanford, /.c., p. 177] ; Nightjars (Caprimulgide), which lay their eggs on the ground without any nest. BIRD CASE II. The second case alongside the first contains some of the Doves and Pigeons (Columbide), including Turtur risorius, the Ring- dove, and Columba intermedia, the Indian Rock Pigeon, from which all the breeds of domestic pigeons peculiar to India are derived. The Galline or true game birds of Ceylon belong to the Pheasant family (Phasianide). First in order and importance comes the Peafowl, referred to and exhibited elsewhere ; then the endemic Ceylon Jungle-fow!l (Gallus lafayetti), characterized by its peculiar call and by the yellow patch in the centre of the comb of the male; the endemic Ceylon Spur-fowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata), which only occurs in the southern half of the Island ; finally the Quails and Partridges. The Gray Partridge (Francoli- nus pondicerianus) is common in India, but is only found in the northern half of Ceylon and in the small islands (Delft, Iranativu, &e.) off the Jaffna Peninsula. The Painted Partridge (F. pictus), unrepresented in the Museum collection, is another Indo- Ceylonese bird localized in Ceylon to the highlands or patanas between Nuwara Eliya and Badulla. The Three-toed Quails, represented here by two female Bustard Quails (Turniz pugnaz), belong to a separate order, Hemipodii, and family, Turnicide. The females are larger and more highly coloured than the males, and “the ordinary conduct of the sexes during the period of incubation is reversed, for the male alone sits on the eggs and tends the young brood, whilst the females wander about, uttering a purring call that serves as a challenge, and fight each other” [Blanford, Faun. Ind. Birds, vol. IV., p. 150}. Of the Rails, Crakes, Moorhens, and Watercocks (Rallide), Baillon’s Crake (Porzana pusilla) is to be noted for its rarity in Ceylon ; the Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) ranges from Great * The Indian Roller (Coracias indica) is common at Jaffna, Anuradhapura, &c., and is known to Europeans as the Low-country Jay, but it is a Picarian bird related to the Bee-eaters and Kingfishers, not a Passerine bird of the Crow family. It is fond of perching on telegraph wires. jy The Hornbills of the Ethiopian, Oriental, and Papuan regions are the representatives of the Toucans (Rhamphastide) of South America, and are sometimes popularly confounded with the latter. ( 32 ) Britain through Europe, Asia,and Africa, and occurs in the tanks of Ceylon, though rare; finally, the Purple Moorhen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) is a handsome Indo-Ceylonese bird common in parts of the low-country. The bottom shelf in front commences the series of Limicoline birds, Plovers and Snipes and their allies. The Stone Curlew (Gdicnemus scolopax) is a north-east migrant to Ceylon, the Great Stone Plover (Hsacus recurvirostris) is a resident shore bird ; both belong'to one family, the Gidienemidz. The Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola), another shore bird, which also breeds in Ceylon, is the sole type of the family Dromadide. In the reverse half of this case, commencing from the top, will be found Courier Plovers and Swallow Plovers, shore birds of the family Glareolide ; Water Pheasants (Hydrophasianus chirurgus), Parridz, a common low-country bird: the Turnstone, Lapwings, Plovers, Oyster-catcher, Stilt,* Avocet,t Curlew, Whimbrel, Sandpipers,t{ and Stints, all shore birds and waders belonging tothe family Charadriide; Woodcock (Scolopax rusticula), arare migrant, and Snipes (Scolopacidz), of which the best known are the Pintail Snipe (Gallinago stenura), a north-east migrant common from September to April, and the Painted Snipe (Rostratula capensis), a resident of the low country, widely distributed in South Asia and Africa. Many of the shore birds, like the sea birds, gulls, and terns, have a very wide distribution. The circum-littoral range of the Turnstone (Strepsilas interpres) throughout both hemispheres is remarkable. The Oyster-catcher (Hematopus ostralegus) is con- fined to the Old World. The range of the Gray Plover (Squatarola helvetica) is world-wide ; it breeds in the far north and isa winter * visitor to India, Ceylon, and Burma [Blanford}. BIRD CASES III. AND IV. The next couple of bird cases contain the one a group of Acci- pitrine birds,§ Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Kestrels ; the other a group of Peafowl (Pavo cristatus). This latter is the principal game bird of Ceylon, and in fact the most stately bird in the Island. A frequent ornament in parks and gardens in Europe, it lives here in its native haunts. It feeds and nests upon the ground, but roosts in the topmost branches of trees, whence it * Shown in another case (see below). + An occasional migrant, not in the Museum collection. t The Sandpipers are well known locally by the colloquial Sinhalese name “ siri-biri”; they are also sometimes called Snippets, because they somewhat re- semble Snipes in their habits. § Other Accipitrine birds, Harriers and Falcons, are shown in another case (see below). AFOWL. PE face page 32. u {1 °~ Oo wa surveys the country round and is consequently difficult to approach. A male in perfect plumage is shown perched upon a tree ; a dun-coloured female and a partridge-like young are placed on the floor of the case. BIRD CASE V. Passing now towards the other side of the gallery the remaining bird cases may be inspected, commencing with the case next to the stairs facing the Sambur and Boar Group. Here are some of the Passerine birds. The order Passeres comprises about one- third of the entire avian fauna of Ceylon. The front half of this case contains Orioles (Oriolidx), represented by the brilliant yellow-bodied black-headed Oriolus melanocephalus ; Mynas and Starlings (Sturnide), of which three are peculiar, namely, the Ceylon Myna, known to ornithologists as the Ceylon Grackle* (Hulabes ptilogenys), the common Ceylonese Myna (Acridotheres melanosternus), which is used extensively asa cage bird by the boutique-keepers and other residents, and the White-headed Myna or Starling (Sturnornis senex), an inhabitant of the mountain forests of Ceylon ; Thrushes and Black-birds (Turdidez), of which the Ceylon Black-bird (Merula kinnis?), a resident of the forests above 2,500 feet, the Butf-breasted Ceylon Thrush (Oveocincla imbricata), and the Spotted Thrush (Oreocincla spiloptera) are peculiar ; Flycatchers (Muscicapidz), of which the Ceylonese Blue Flycatcher (Stoparola sordida) is endemic, while the Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisz), locally known as the Ceylon Bird of Paradise, is an exquisite and highly characteristic Indo- Ceylonese resident. The Paradise Flycatcher is not uncommon, though it is rarely seen about Colombo. The male bird undergoes remarkable changes of plumage, which are illustrated by the specimens exhibited. After the autumn moult of the second year the male has the whole head and crest glossy black [throat brown, breast ashy, belly white], and the whole upper plumage rich chestnut; the median tail feathers grow toa great length, and are retained till May or June, when they are cast. After the autumn moult of the third year the chestnut plumage is again assumed, and also the long median tail feathers, but the whole lower plumage from the throat down- wards is pure white, the breast being sharply demarcated from the black throat. After this moult a gradual transition to the white upper plumage takes place, the wings and tail being the first parts to be affected, but the change toa complete white plumage is not affected till the moult of the fourth autumn. After this moult the male bird is fully adult, and perma- nently retains the white plumage ; the head, neck, and crest are glossy bluish black ; the whole body plumage white.t * This species is placed by Mr. E. W. Oates (Fauna Brit, Ind., Birds, vol. I.. p. 513) in a separate family, the Eulabetide, t Oates, E. W. Fauna Brit. Ind., Birds, vol. IT., 1890, p. 46. F 105-04 ((, 34 ) Just as the Indo-Ceylonese Peafowl is replaced in Burma by a distinet species (Pavo muticus) which ranges southwards to Java, so the Paradise Flycatcher of India and Ceylon is represented in Burma by an allied species (Terpsiphone affinis). The robins are closely related to the flycatchers on the one hand and to the thrushes on the other. The Black Robin (Thamnobia Julicata) and the Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis) are, next to the crows, the sparrows, and the babblers, the commonest birds in Colombo and throughout the Island; the Long-tailed Robin, known to ornithologists by its Hindustani name ‘‘ Shama,” is a shy jungle-bird. In the reverse half of the case are shown Weaver birds and Munia Finches (Ploceidz), the Hill Munia (Uroloncha kelaartt) being peculiar; Sparrows (Fringillide), the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) ranging from Great Britain to South Asia; Swallows (Hirundinidz) ; Wagtails and Pipits (Motacillide) : the Gray-headed Wagtail (Motacilla borealis) ranges all over Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and may be seen on the Galle Face Parade during the north-east season from September to May; Larks (Alaudide); Sun birds* (Nectariniide) and Flower-peckers (Diceide), the former with long bills, the latter with short bills, both families being distinguished from all other Passerine birds by the serration of both mandibles of the beak ; the Indian Pitta or Ground Thrush (Pittide), a characteristic north-east migrant. Finally, the bottom shelf of the case contains the Woodpeckersft (Picide), a very distinct family of birds well represented in Ceylon. The type skins of Legge’s Woodpecker (Brachypternus intermedius) were presented by Sir W. H. Gregory. This variety is believed to be a hybrid between the Golden-backed Woodpecker (B. aurantius), and the common Red-backed Woodpecker (B. erythronotus), which is peculiar to Ceylon. Layard’s Wood- pecker (Chrysocolaptes stricklandt) is also confined to Ceylon. BIRD CASE VI. The case adjoining the one just described, commencing from the top of the reverse side, contains more Passerine birds, namely, the Crows, Jays, and Titmice (Corvide), the Ceylonese Jay (Cissa ornata), coloured chestnut and blue, being endemic, This bird is sometimes known as the Ceylon Magpie. It is a forest bird of ps, habits, fesning a good deal on the ground [Oates]. * The Sun Hae are the representatives in the Old World of the eid a birds of the New World. and like the latter can poise themselves on the wing while extracting nectar from flowers. They are frequently seen in Colombo feeding npon the Hibiscus flowers. + The Woodpeckers are Picarian birds, not Passerine, ( 35) The Babblers (Crateropodide) of Ceylon are remarkable for the large number of endemic species, namely, the Ceylonese Rufous Babbler (Crateropus rufescens), the Ashy-headed Babbler (C. cinereifrons), the Ceylonese Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus melanurus), the Ceylon Yellow-eyed, black-billed Babbler (Pyctorhis nasalis), the Brown-capped or Quaker Babbler (Pellorneum fuscicapillum) occurring between 5,000 and 6,000 feet elevation, the Ceylon Black-fronted Wren Babbler (Rhopocichla nigrifrons), the Ceylon Arrenga or Whistling Thrush (Arrenga blight), rare at 4,000 feet, the Ceylon Shortwing or Ant Thrush (Hlaphrornis pallisert), and the Ceylon White-eye (Zosterops ceylonensis) occurring above 1,500 feet. | The Bulbuls also belong to the Crateropodidx, of which they form a sub-family, Brachypodine. They are shown at the bottom and continued on the top shelf of the front side of the case. The Yellow-eared Bulbul (Kelaartia penicillata) is endemic. Next follow the Drongos or King Crows (Dicruride), so called because of their remarkable habit of persecuting the crows, which are double their size. They pursue and chivvy the crows on the wing with no other apparent object than pure love of mischief ; they also frequently perch upon the backs of cattle. The species which is especially tyrannical with regard to the crows is the Black Drongo (Dicrurus ater). Another exhibited species (D. leucopygialis) is confined to Ceylon,while the Racket-tailed Drongo (Dissemurus paradiseus) is distinguished by the great elongation of the lateral tail feathers with their spatulate tips. The Warblers (Sylviidee) represent another extensive family of small birds, the most remarkable of those which occur in Ceylon being the Indian Tailor bird (Orthotomus sutorius), a nest of which with the leaf-edges sewn together is exhibited. Lastly, the Shrikes and Minivets (Laniide) complete the display in thiscase. The Orange Minivet (Pericrocotus flammeus) bears a strong resemblance to the oriole in the general colour-pattern of the plumage. BIRD CASES VII. AND VIII. These cases contain groups of birds arranged according to habits and distribution, but without reference to their position in classi- fication. One of them consists of a selection of birds from the Vanni District of the Northern Province, that portion of the Province which stretches between the settlements of Mullaittivu and Vavuniya. The other isa group of Waders and Divers, com- prising Flamingoes, Stilts, Herons, Darter, &c.* The Flamingo * The Cormorants (exhibited in the adjoining case and also in Bird Vase XII., see below) of the genus Phalacrocorar are allied to the Darters, and form with the latter the family Phalacrocoracid, diving and fishing birds, C865 (Phenicopterus voseus) is a north-east migrant to Ceylon frequent- ing the salt lakes of the Hambantota and Mullaittivu Districts, Lt is essentially gregarious, living and breeding in large colonies. The movements of a flock are remarkably concerted, and at the least alarm they rise with one consent like a pink cloud across the horizon. The three specimens exhibited are females in different stages of plumage. The Darter (Plotus melanogaster) is sometimes called the Snake bird, on account of its long serpentine neck, which is persistently kinked. The method of feeding was described by Mr. W. A. Forbes as follows* :—‘‘The darters feed entirely under water, Swimming with its wings half-expanded, though locomotion is effected entirely by the feet, the bird pursues its prey witha peculiar darting or jerky action of the head and neck, which may be com- pared to that ofa man poising a spear or harpoon before throwing it. Arrived within striking distance the darter suddenly trans- fixes the fish on the tip of its beak with marvellous dexterity, and then immediately comes to the surface, where the fish is shaken off the beak, thrown upwards, and swallowed, usually head first.” When swimming at the surface the body is submerged, only the head and neck projecting above the water. The darters are common about the tanks of Ceylon. When resting ona tree the wings are held expanded as shown. The stomach of this bird is provided with a dense hairy plug or sieve guarding the entrance to the small intestine. BIRD CASES IX. - XII. The remaining birds which are placed on exhibition are shown in the recess facing the Sambur and Boar Group. In Case IX.are the birds of largest bulk occurring in the Island, gigantesque Storks and Herons, Spoonbills, and Pelican Ibis or Painted Stork. Case X. contains Harriers (Falconidz) and Bitterns (Ardeidw, the Heron family). The Malay Bittern (Gorsachius melanolophus) is a north- east migrant to Ceylon, arriving towards the end of October and beginning of November, and fugitive specimens are frequently captured about this time in Colombo, sometimes landing in the streets of the Fort and in the ball-room of Queen’s House. Case XI. contains Gannets or Boobies (Sulide), oceanic birds sometimes taken here, and Ibis (Ibidide), tank birds. Finally, Case XII. contains Ducks and Teals (Anatide), Terns and Gulls (Laride), Frigate birds (Fregatide), Cormorants and Darters (Phalacrocoracidie), Pelicans (Pelecanide). * W. A. Forbes, On some points on the Anatomy of the Indian Darter (Plotus melanogaster) and on the Mechanism of the Neck in the Darters (Plotus), in con- nection with their habits, P. Zool. Soc., London, 1882, pp. 208-212. FLAMINGOES AND OTHER WADERS. [To face page 36, t iP ee hea Se aes Ge LO RR ih eA‘ ' 1 i ‘ " ri > ; - : ay i : i he ¥ « ‘ Gi F ' i rag Pi 3 ae ey 4 a j : ‘ eed Sy ' Ber, ee ~~ ee “i . fe ae bd oa) ( 37) MAMMALS. Besides the mammals living in the grounds and those which have been mentioned above in connection with the groups in the centre of the gallery, further examples are shown in the western alcove. Several of the eighty species of mammals recorded from Ceylon possess insular characteristics ; even such a large creature as the sambur is said to differ in some respects from its Indian co-type, but there is nothing like the same degree of endemicity among the mammals as has been remarked for the birds. As distinctive Ceylonese mammals may be mentioned the Golden Paradoxure or Palm Civet (Paradoxurus aureus) and the Ruddy Mungoose (Herpestes smithi), both of which are called by the same Sinhalese name “ Hotambuwa.” There are two principal kinds of monkeys in Ceylon, called res- pectively in the native language “ Rilawa”’ and “ Wandura,” referred to by Knox in the anglicized terms “ Rillows” and ‘‘ Wanderows.” . The former are the Macaques (Macacus pileatus), with cheek pouches ; the latter are the Langurs, comprising several species of the genus Semnopithecus, monkeys destitute of cheek pouches. Troops of “ Rillows” and “ Wanderows” may sometimes be seen on the same tree, but as arule they keep to themselves. There are three distinct species of ‘‘Wanderows” in Ceylon. The commonestis the Madras Langur or Crested Monkey (Semnopithe- cus priamus), which frequents the low-lying forests of the dry maritime districts of the North, Kast,and South. In addition to the crest of hair on the head this monkey is further distinguished by the fringe of long black hairs of the eyebrows, known as the supra-orbital fringe. The Purple-faced Monkey (S. cephalopterus) is without the crest and fringe ; it inhabits the damp forests of the West at low and moderate elevations up to about 1,000 feet. Finally, the Bear Monkey (S. wrsinus), described as endemic, is the monkey of the mountains, occurring in the country round Nuwara Eliya. Itis closely related to S. cephalopterus,* of which it may be a hill variety, and from which it is distinguished by its longer and denser fur. The remarkable Prosimian family of the Lemurs, whose head- quarters are in Madagascar, is represented in Ceylon by a single species, Loris gracilis, a small tailless, large-eyed, nocturnal, arboreal creature of retiring habits, sometimes called the Ceylon Sloth. It is omnivorous, feeding upon young leaves, insects, * A young live Bear Monkey presented by J. Spearman Armstrong, Esq., from Kotagala, and a Purple-faced Monkey from Horana, are exhibited in the grounds at the back of the Museum. ( 38 ) spiders, birds’ eggs, birds, and lizards. It will also eat plantains and boiled rice, and will drink milk, but is not easy to keep alive in captivity unless taken young and reared with great care. The skeleton of an elephant shot by H. W. Varian, Esq., said to be the largest recorded from Ceylon, is remarkable for the small size of the tusks, which are reduced to meretushes. The skull of a large tusker is, however, shown below. Tuskers are rare in Ceylon, and are believed to be the descendants of imported Indian elephants. Another elephant skull in section is lying on the floor next to the skeleton of the sambur. There are also skeletons of the wild buffalo, wild boar, and the bear. Of the other stuffed animals, a pair of large leopards, the bear, the otter, and the pangolin may be noted specially. The Indian Pangolin or Scaly Ant-eater (Wanis pentadactyla)is one of the most curious mammals found in Ceylon. It is a nocturnal burrowing animal not often seen ; its jaws are destitute of teeth (Edentata), and its tongue is exceedingly long and vermiform, adapted for penetrating into the burrows of termites or white ants, upon which it feeds. Its scales are sometimes employed for making imitation tortoise- shell combs. One such comb, presented by H. J. V. Ekanayake. Esq., of Balapitiya, is exhibited. The Indian Pangolin is repre- sented in Burma by an allied species UW. javanica, which ranges through the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Celebes.- There is also a Chinese Pangolin (MW. aurita) in Nepal, Assam, Southern China, and Formosa. Several species of the same genus occur in Africa. There are three sorts of lying mammals in Ceylon, namely, the Fruit Bats or Flying Foxes (Pteropodide), the small Insectivorous Bats (Microchiroptera), and the Flying Squirrel, Pteromys oral (Rodentia Sciuridze). The Insectivorous Bats comprise the Leaf- nosed Bats (Rhinolophide); the Vampire Bats (Nycteridz), which feed upon frogs, rats, and smaller bats, as well as insects; the Pipistrelles (Vespertilionide) ; and the Sheath-tailed Bats (Embal- lonuride). The Flying Squirrel has approximately the same general distribution throughout India, Burma, and Ceylon as the Flying Fox (Pteropus medius), inhabits the same districts, and is also frugivorous and nocturnal. It is not however gregarious, and does not suspend itself head downwards, as do the fruit bats and other bats, but rests in the ordinary attitudes of arboreal mammals, : The aquatic mammalia (Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, and Dugongs) are represented by an excellent set of dugongs, male. female, and young,andaskeleton. The female specimen exhibited is 10 ft. long ; it wascaptured at Kayts near Jaffna. The Dugong ¥ Te KRAALIN( ANT LEPH 1D) (10 Face page 38 ( 39) (Halicore dugong) is a gentle creature feeding on seaweeds ; it allows itself to be handled and killed without resistance. It occurs off the north-west coast of Ceylon near Jaffna and Mannar, and ranges from East Africa to Australia. Kelaart, one of the pioneer naturalists of Ceylon, says that he saw shoals of them on the coast of Arippu during the Ceylon pear! fisheries of 1835 and 1836, but they are now scarce. The order Sirenia, to which the dugong belongs, is represented in tropical America by the manatee. The tusks of the dugong are the two upper incisors, which, with two or three molars on each side of both jaws, are the only teeth found in adults. On the top of the Dugong Case is the skeleton of a rare cetacean, Pseudorca crassidens, the Lincolnshire Killer, prepared from a specimen caught at Moratuwa in 1891, the first recorded from Indian seas. It is said to feed on cuttle fish, whereas the true grampus or killer attacks and kills the largest whales. The Lincolnshire Killer owes its common name to the circumstance that its skeleton was first discovered in a Lincolnshire fen. Besides this skeleton there is a stuffed specimen of a dolphin caught at Negombo in 1883. Its identification is somewhat | uncertain, but it appears to be closely similar to Elliot’s Dolphin (Steno perniger). The smaller mammals of Ceylon (apart from the bats and lemur) comprise many species of the Rodent order (Squirrels, Rats, Mice, Hares, and Poreupines). The little squirrel which is a familiar figure on the trunks and branches of trees in Colombo is called Sciurus palmarum. The larger tree-squirrel of the low-country jungles in dry districts is Sciurus macrurus, locally known as the Rock Squirrel or “* Danduléna.” The largest rat is the Bandicoot or Pig Rat (Nesocia bandicota), found in all parts of the Island from the sea-level to Nuwara Eliya. It exceeds a foot in length, exclusive of the tail. Next to this in size and interest comes the Gerbille or Antelope Rat (Gerbillus indicus), afield rat. The common House Rat and the Mouse have been introduced here as to all other parts of the world. The Musk Rat is more properly called the Musk Shrew (Crocidura murina) ; it is nota Rodent, but belongs to the family of Shrews (Soricidz) in the order Insectivora, It is common in bungalows, outhouses, and compounds in Colombo, and often it appears in the roads at nightfall. It is pale gray in colour, utters a characteristic squeak, and hasa long, tapering snout. Finally, the Black-naped Hare (Lepus nigricollis), the Chevrotain or Mouse Deer (Tragulus meminna), and the Muntjac or Rib-faced Barking Deer (Cervulus muntjac), commonly called the Red Deer, must be mentioned. ( 40 ) REPTILES AND AMPHIBIA. The collection of reptiles and amphibia is contained under glass shades over the table cases. The largest reptiles are the Cro- codiles, Monitors, and the Python. There are two species of cro- codiles in Ceylon, the Tank Crocodile (Cvocodilus palustris), with a comparatively short snout, and the River Crocodile (C. porosus), with a longer and narrower snout. The former is represented by the skull of a large specimen from the Minneri tank,* the latter by a young stuffed specimen in the Sambur and Boar Group. There are also two species of monitors, the large Water Lizard or “ Kabaragoya ” (Varanus salvator), of which a skeleton is exhibi- ted in the gallery and some live specimens in the grounds ; and secondly, the Land Monitor (V. bengalensis), a smaller species, which lays its eggs in the nests of termites. Some eighty-one species of snakes have been recorded from Ceylon, including twenty-six seasnakes (Hydrophide). The latter are all poisonous, but of the land snakes only six or seven are poisonous, the most deadly being the Cobra (Naa tripudians), the Tic Polonga or Russell’s Viper (Vipera russelli), and the Bungarums or Kraits (Bungarus ceylonicus and B. cowruleus).t Examples of these are shown over the second table case to the left of the staircase. The Crotaline or Pit Vipers, so called on account of the existence of a deep pit of unknown significance on each side of the snout between the eyes and the nostrils, are not fatal to man. They are represented in Ceylon by the “ Karawala”’ (Ancistrodon hypnale) and the Green Polonga (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus). There is a very common non-poisonous snake which mimics the dreaded Bungarus ceylonicus in its scheme of coloration, namely, white transverse bands upon a dark ground colour, and is sometimes mistaken for it when seen at a distance or when examined casually. This is Lycodon aulicus, a snake which is frequently found trespassing in bungalows in Colombo, The Bungarus occurs chiefly up-country in the country round Peradeniya, Dimbula, Balangoda, and elsewhere. A large Python molurus is mounted in the east alcove; some Hydrophide are shown over the third case; the snakes on the fifth case include a large Green Polonga and a large Tic Polonga, somewhat faded ; over the sixth case are the Whip snakes (Dry- ophis); the “Pol-mal Karawala” (Chrysopelea ornata), which when fresh shows bright red spots along the back, reputed poisonous, but in reality harmless and of gentle disposition ; the fresh-water * Placed on a bench in the east alcove. + B. cwruleus has only been recorded from Jaffna, G Colour variations of Rhinophis blythii. UROPELTID, 105-04. Head end. 3 is \ : > j \ way, 0) 1S BBLS S464 84 OS AS See Seen AE Head from Tail end. Abnornial above. head. Rhinophis trevelyanus, Head-shields of Uvopeltis grandis. UROPELTID A. (PABh) or estuarine snake (Cerberus rhynchops,) which, like another fresh-water snake, Topidonotus plumbicolor, has a viperine look but is quite harmless; anda rare fresh-water snake, Gerardia prevostiana, from the Kelani river, caught twenty yearsago. Over the seventh case will be found a large specimen of the common Rat-snake (Zamenis mucosus); another snake which attains a length of five feet and a wide girth is Dipsas forstenii, of which only a half-sized example is shown. This snake is represented in Ceylon by two varieties, the typical variety, brown with angular oblique black bars, and the red variety, uniformly rich reddish- chocolate above without black bars, paler roseate flush below; a fine example obtained from Nambapana in September, 1904, is shown. It is called locally the Lé-polonga (Blood-polonga), and is reputed poisonous. On a bench in the fish-gallery or east alcove there are skeletons of the python, of asea snake, Distira stokesii, from the Pearl Banks, presented by Captain Donnan, and of a monitor lizard. - The remaining smaller snakes and lizards are placed over table cases near the western end of the gallery. These are chiefly interesting on account of the relatively large number of endemic forms, species of lizards of the genera Oeratophora, Lyrvocephalus, Otocryptis, Cophotis, and Acontias being peculiar to the Island; examples of these are shown over Table Case XVII. Endemic species of snakes belonging to the genera Aspidur'aand Rhinophis, as well as specimens of Lycodon aulicus, to which reference has been made above, are exhibited over Case XVIII. The snake Cylindrophis maculatus is also a peculiar species, and is the one to which the native name “ Depat-naya” (two-headed snake) is specially applied, though the term is equally applicable to Rhino- phis and allied snakes. The hinder end of the body of these snakes is truncated, and bears superficial resemblance to a head. The colour, yellowish on dark brown, varies considerably, especially in the case of Rhinophis blythi (see illustrations). ‘The giant tortoise from Aldabra, Testudo elephantina, shown on the far side of the Peacock Case, does not belong to Ceylon, but lived here for many years in the grounds of the gilla called “Uplands” in Mutwal, near Colombo. It was found here at the time of the British occupation in 1796, and had become thoroughly: acclimatized.* It died in March, 1894. A striking display of large marine turtles caught off the coast of Ceylon is to be seen under the large platform in the eastern or * The Hog-deer (Cervus porcinus), of which two living specimens are shown in the grounds, is another example of an acclimatized animal, introduced from India during the Dutch administration into the Kalutara District, where it now occurs, (. 44° ) fish aleove. The edible turtle, Chelone mydas, attaining a length of four feet, is herbivorous.* The loggerhead turtle, Thalasso- chelys caretta, is obtained by harpooning and netting by the natives of Iranativu and elsewhere off the coast ; it is carnivorous, feeding on crustaceans and molluscs. The leathery turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, Was presented by C. H.de Soysa, Hsq.; it is not common. Finally, a specimen of the tortoise-shell turtle, Chelone imbricata, and a young edible turtle, are shown in small tanks on either side of the staircase. Some of the Amphibians of Ceylonare shown over Table Case IV., next to the Hagle Group. The large bull-frog is Rana tigrina, the common toad Bufo melanostictus. The common frog of the Colombo lake is Rana hexadactyla. The tree-frog,t lvalus adspersus, peculiar to Ceylon, has been found at Pattipola, 6,200 feet, and is one of the rarest frogs existing. The climbing frogs of the genus Rhacophorus attach their foam-like nests to the leaves of shrubs and trees overhanging water, into which the tadpoles drop when they hatch. The most singular batrachian occurring in the hills of Ceylon above 2,000 or 3,000 feet is the worm-like, legless ‘ salamander,” { Ichthyophis glutinosus. It burrows in soft mud ; the female lays eggs of large size, and coils round the clump of eggs until they are hatched. The larve are aquatic, and are provided with a respiratory orifice or spivaculwm on each side of the neck. The development has been worked out by two Swiss naturalists, Drs, Fritz and Paul Sarasin. FISHES. A large series of sharks and bony fishes is shown in the eastern alcove of the gallery. The largest and rarest is the huge shark which rests upon the platform along the centre of the room. This is a specimen of the Basking Shark (Rhinodon typicus), 23 feet long, caught at Moratuwa in 1883. This species has also been obtained off the Seychelles and the Cape of Good Hope; it was first recorded from the west coast of Ceylon by Mr. Amyrald Haly, the former Director of the Colombo Museum. In spite of its bulk the specimen shown is not full-size, and it is a harmless shark. It is regarded as one of the gems of the entire collection. * Chelonia virgata is synonymous with Chelone mydas {| Boulenger }. + The true tree-frogs of the family Hylide are not represented in Ceylon. { The tailed batrachians (newts and salamanders) form the order Urodela, which is unrepresented in Ceylon ; the tailless batrachians (frogs and toads) form the order Anura; the legless batrachians or the oxcilians belong to the order Apoda, NEST OF CLIMBING FROG. (COLOMBO.) (Rhacophorus maculatus.) [Vo saute page 44. vi nah, hy at Tent e ¢ 6° Unfortunately the form of the mouth is lost in the mounted Specimen; when fresh the width of the mouth was 3 feet, but shrunk to lft. 1lin.in drying. ‘‘ When fresh the lower jaw was quite straight and flat......... and considerably in advance of the upper, so that the band of teeth in the lower jaw was quite uncovered.” The teeth in both jaws consisted of eleven (in the upper) to fourteen (in the lower) rows of minute, sharp, recurved denticles, of equal size, 2 millimeters long.* Another specimen, 18 feet long, was taken at Negombo in March, 1889, and was presented to the British Museum by the Government of Ceylon. In the same year one was caught, 22 feet long, off Madras, andis now exhibited in the Madras Museum. At the end of the platform three other stuffed sharks are lying on their sides; that to the right of the Rhinodon is a fine specimen of the Hammer-headed Shark (Zygena malleus), characterized by the shape of the rostrum, which is drawn out sideways into two hammer-shaped lobes, at the ends of which are the eyes with the nostrils near to the eyes; that to the left of the Rhinodon is the Tiger Shark or Tope (Galeocerdo rayneri), distinguished by its formidable notched teeth, This shark is said to be exceedingly fierce and very cunning, swelling itself out so as to appear like a floating mass of animal substance, in order to decoy its prey. Behind the Rhinodon there lies another shark, 9 feet long, named Ginglymostoma miilleri, Ginther. Below the front window, at the back of the Rhinodon, is another interesting shark, A lopecias, or Alopias vulpes, the Fox or Thresher Shark, which was rescued by Mr. Haly from the Colombo market in February, 1884. Against the adjoining north window are two sharks of the saw- fish family; the larger specimen is an example of Pristis cuspi- datus, the smaller is Pristis perrotteti. These differ from one another in the position of the first dorsal fin and in the armature of the rostrum, a considerable portion of the base of which is destitute of teeth in P. cuspidatus. A few more sharks are preserved in spirits in the adjacent wall case, The skates and rays next invite attention. Over the wall cases beside the north window are two examples of a large Sting Ray (Zrygon uarnak), and in the bottom shelf of the left wall case is a Thorny-backed Ray, said to be common in the Indian eet called Urogymnus es In a trough on the * Of. A. Haly. Occurrence of Rhinodon ie Smith, on the West Gonat of Ceylon, Ann. Nat. Hist, (fifth series), vol. XII., 1883, pp. 48-49. t G&. Day, F. Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, vol. L., p. 33. t &. Note vy A. Haly in the “ Taueobanian 1886, vol. I., p. 167. ( 46 ) south-east verandah is a young specimen of the “ Two-horned ” Skate (Dicerobatus eregoodoo), exhibited with the lower side up displaying the gill-clefts with the gills showing through. In another trough on the opposite north-east verandah is another well-preserved Sting Ray of the species T’rygon sephen, and near to this is a young Beaked Ray (Aétobatis narinari). The skates and rays feed largely upon crabs and molluscs. The fairly numerous specimens of Teleostean or bony fishes which are exhibited in the wall cases are somewhat remarkable on account of the well-preserved colour markings, which in many cases have retained their freshness after the lapse of several years,, in a gum and glycerine mixture adopted by Mr. Haly. Against the window beside the Thresher Shark is a good example of the Swordfish (Histiophorus gladius). The large stuffed fish in the bottom shelf of the adjoining wall case is a Wrasse (Labride). The parrot wrasses, fishes of brilliant colours, feeding in the neighbourhood of coral reefs at Galle, for example, with parrot- like beak consisting of teeth soldered together, belong to the genus Pseudoscarus of the Wrasse family. ‘The ‘ Red Mullet” of the Colombo market is Serranus sonnerati, of the Perch family. The Seirfish, the staple fish food of Colombo, belongs to the Mackerel family (Scombridz), and is named Cybiwm guttatum.* The jumping fishes to be seen about the rocks at Mount Lavinia and Galle are blennies of the genus Salarias; and the mud- skippers of Negombo are gobies of the genus Periophthalmus. The principal fresh-water fishes of Ceylon are the Carps (Cypri- nid), including the Indian game fish called the Mahseer (Barbus tor), the Ophiocephali, tank-fishes, the Labyrinthici or “ climbing perches” (Anabas scandens and Polyacanthus signatus), and the Catfishes (Siluride). One genus of catfishes, Arius, called “anguluwa” in Sinhalese, occurring at Panadure, Kalutara, and elsewhere, has the remarkable peculiarity that the males carry the eggs, 15-20 in number, in their mouths until they are hatched. INSECTS. ' The Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are shown in eight table cases placed near the Kagle and Peacock Groups. The Moths or Nocturnal Lepidoptera commence in Table Case II. with the family Saturniide, the caterpillars of which spin silken cocoons in which they pupate and from which they emerge in the adult orimago phase of their life-history. This family comprises the largest moths found in Ceylon, namely, the Lunar Moth *Not exhibited. There is an extensive tunny fishery (Zhynnus thunnina) off Balapitiya during the north-east monsoon, and the fish are daily sent to Colombo. Salarias Andersoni. [To face page 46. ee (Actias selene), green with a dark bordered whitish circle in the centre of each wing and with long swallow-tailed hind wings ; the Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas), deep chocolate with oblique trans- lucent windows in each wing ; the Tussur Silk Moth (Anthercea paphia), rich yellow with a transparent round window in each wing. The Bombycide and Eupterotide complete this side of the case. The other side contains the Sphingide, which include among many species the Death’s Head Moths of the genus Aciie- rontia, the caterpillars of which stridulate, uttering a clicking sound by rubbing their jaws together ; and the Clear-wing Moths (Cephonodes hylas), which sometimes become a pest in cultivated districts. All the caterpillars of this family are provided with a horn-like appendage on the back near the end of the abdomen. Case III. opens with the N otodontidzand closes with the Arctiide. The Syntomide, which follow the Notodontidz, include some very common species, while the Zygzenide bear the appearance of butterflies, which they further resemble by their habit of flying about during the day. Case IV. continues the Arctiide and commences the extensive family of the Noctuids, the latter being continued in Case V., which contains several handsome moths, eg., Phyllodes consobrina with leaf-shaped forewings, and Ophideres salaminia, which seems to mimic a Sphingid moth. Case VI. contains Uraniide, Epiplemidz, Geometride, and the commencement of the Pyralidz or shining moths. Case VII. con- tinues the Pyralide and concludes with a few Microlepidoptera of the family Tineidz. On the other side of this case are shown some dragon-flies (Neuroptera). Finally, Cases IX. and X., placed alongside in the central space, are devoted to the butterflies, which include a fine series of the Leaf Butterfly, Kallima philarchus. In addition to the exhibited Lepidoptera the Museum possesses a large duplicate students’ collection containing many rare species not shown in the cases. This may be inspected on application. There are, on the other hand, many moths recorded from Ceylon which have not yet found their way to the Museum collection. The other orders of the insects of Ceylon have not been worked out so thoroughly as the Lepidoptera. They are represented in the table cases near the west end of the gallery, and are subject to re-arrangement. Orthoptera (locusts, stick insects, cockroaches, and mantids) and Coccide (mealy bugs) are shown in Cases XV. and XVI ; Coleoptera in Case XVII.; Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps), with a couple of black flies mimicking a eg and a bee respectively, in Case XVIII. ( 4 9 The Museum is largely indebted for many specimens in the Insect Department to Mr. E. E. Green, the Government Ento- mologist,and to Messrs. F. M. Mackwood and O. 8. Wickwar, who -have also devoted much time to the arrangement of the duplicate collections of Butterflies, Moths, and Hymenoptera. CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS. Some Crustaceans (crabs, hermit crabs, prawns, barnacles) will be found among the table cases, chiefly on the tops of the cases. Marine Shells and Land Shells are contained in the table cases surrounding the central group. The marine shells of Ceylon are not remarkable for their exceptional variety and abundance. Ceylon follows far behind many other localities of the Indo- Pacific Region in the richness of its Marine Molluscan Fauna, but a sufficient compensation is afforded by the presence of the celebrated pearl banks. On the other hand, the land shells of Ceylon are highly pecu- liar, and comprise many endemic species. The largest snails of the Island belong to a genus, Acavus, which is confined to Ceylon. Mr. Oliver Collett, F.R.M.S., who lived for some years at Amba- gamuwa, was a great collector and connoisseur of the land-shells of Ceylon, and published three “Contributions to Ceylon Malacology” in the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (vols. XV.-XVI., 1897-1900). On his death, which occurred prema- turely in 1902, his collection was purchased by the Government of Ceylon for the Colombo Museum and forms a valuable students’ collection, which can be viewed on application. It contains several species still unnamed. PEARL BANKS AND CORAL REEFS. A number of specimens in Table Cases I. and VIII., some of which were presented long ago by Captain Donnan, many more having been added recently by Mr. James Hornell, Marine Biologist and Inspector of Pearl Banks, illustrate the natural history of the banks or paars which afford anchorage tothe pearl oyster. Prior to the year 1903 there had been no pear! fishery for twelve years, and in 1902 a special mission, consisting of Professor W. A. Herdman, F.R.S., assisted by Mr. James Hornell, was appointed to report on the Pearl Oyster Fisheries of the Gulf of Mannar. “The animal (Margaritifera vulgaris, Schum.=Avicula fucata,Gould) is not a true oyster, but belongs to the family Aviculiday, and is therefore more nearly related to the Mussels (Mytilus) than to the Oysters (Ostvea) of our British seas. One very notable character of great practical importance, in which it differs from ( 49 ) Ostrea, is that the pearl oyster, like our common mussels, has a ‘byssus’ or bundle of tough threads by which it can attach itself to rocks or other foreign objects.” * The collection shows pearl oysters from several paars in various stages of growth, and other organisms, corals, pennatulids, sponges, sea urchins, &¢., which also grow on the pearl banks in association with the pearl oysters. Of special interest are the specimens prepared in spirits showing pearls 77 situ. Large specimens of stone corals (Madreporaria), sea shrubs (Gorgonacea), black corals (Antipatharia), and leathery corals (Alcyonacea) from Galle and the Maldive Islands are exhibited in wall cases in the fish aleove and on the south verandah. Those from the Maldive Islands were presented by Mr. J. Stanley Gardiner, M.A., who organized an expedition for the investigation of the coral atolls of the Maldives in the years 1899-1900.t The dried corals which are exhibited are the basal and axial skeletons secreted by the soft parts of the living coral polyps. These form large colonies by a peculiar process of budding and branching, and deposit the mineral substances which they have absorbed from the sea water so as to form the wonderful growths which remain after the living tissues have been removed. The Madreporaria are the reef-building corals forming extensive reets at Galle and off Jaffna, and especially at the Maldive Islands, which are themselves partially elevated coral reefs. The pearl banks are not coral reefs, but sandbanks, formed of sandstone and concretions upon which isolated corals grow without forming reefs, * Of. Report to the Government of Ceylon on the Pearl Oyster Fisheries of the Gulf of Mannar, by W. A. Herdman, D.Sc., F.R.S., with supplementary reports upon the Marine Biology of Ceylon by other naturalists. Published by the Royal Society, Part I., London, 1903. Professor Herdman and Mr. Hornell arrived in Ceylon in January, 1902, and the former left in the following April. Since then the work has been carried on locally by Mr. Hornell. § The Fauna and Geography of the Maldive and Laccadive Archipelagoes. Edited by J. Stanely Gardiner. Vols, I. and IT., 1901-1905 (Cambridge University Press). H 105-04 ( 50 ) THE ROCKS AND MINERALS OF CEYLON. By A. K. COOMARASWAMY, B.Sc., Director, Mineralogical Survey of Ceylon. I—ROCKS. THE rocks of Ceylon are known as Granulites, or, using the term in its widest sense, as Gneisses; they belong to the same series as that which Mr. Holland has named in Southern India the Charnockite Series, The rocks are crystalline and show con- spicuous mineral banding (foliation), and are very varied in mineral composition. Rocks of igneous origin form by far the greater part of the Charnockite Series in Ceylon, although it is possible that amongst these rocks there are some of sedimentary origin now highly metamorphosed and incorporated with the others. The bedded appearance so suggestive of sedimentary rocks is in this respect deceptive, and is due to the banded structure produced by flowing movements in the _hetero- geneous magma during its consolidation. No fossils occur in any of the crystalline rocks. The most characteristic types of rock exhibited inelude ‘vranular quartz rock, consisting essentially of quartz, but often with minute quantities of felspar and garnet; leptynites, composed of quartz and felspar, and very often containing an abundance of garnet ; typical charnockite, essentially composed of felspar quartz and hypersthene; pyroxene granulites, characterized by the presence of pyroxene (hypersthene or augite or both) with felspar (usually triclinic) and with or without orthoclase, quartz, or garnet ; amongst these are rocks with the mineral composition of norites, diorites, and gabbros ; there are also more basic types consisting almost entirely of pyroxene, amphibole, and garnet ; these dark heavy rocks frequently occur as lenticular bands and inclusions in the more acid types. Coarse-grained pegmatites of an intrusive character are found in dykes and veins crossing or parallel to the foliation of the other rocks ; in them the minerals quartz, orthoclase, mica, and hornblende are most characteristic ; the quartz and felspar are often intergrown as in graphic granite, The crystalline limestones are found in wide or narrow bands interbedded with the other rocks, often separated from them by a zone of heavy dark green rocks composed essentially of pyroxene and mica, often with spinel. The limestones ( 1) themselves vary much in purity and in dolomitic character ; the minerals most frequently occurring and indeed nearly always present are forsterite and phlogopite; graphite is frequently abundant in small flakes; other accessory minerals include pyrite, blue apatite, spinel, amphibole, chondrodite, scapolite, &c. Of inclusions in the limestones there are (a) aggregates of the characteristic accessory minerals ; (0) inclusions of rocks indis- tinguishable from the pyroxene granulites except for the usual presence of scapolite and sphene. Certain rocks composed essentially of pyroxene with scapolite, amphibole, mica, calcite, and sphene occur sparingly in bands interbedded with the other rocks; separating limestone from granulite ; or as inclusions in the limestones. The Galle Group,—aA group of rocks allied to these but distin- guished by the presence of wollastonite is found at Galle. These rocks include types composed of pyroxene, scapolite, sphene, wollastonite, and graphite, and all transitions from these to rocks composed of quartz and felspars. There are also remarkably coarse dykes composed essentially of orthoclase, quartz, and wollastonite, crossing the foliation; the individuals of wollas- tonite, moulding the idiomorphic crystals of quartz and ortho- clase, are sometimes as much as 3 feet in length, The name Balangoda group is given to a series of granitic rocks, intrusive in the Charnockite Series or granulites; the granites - occur in dykes and lenticular masses, the best exposures so far known being in the Balangoda district. The principal types include zircon granite, allanite-granite or pegmatite, magnetite granite, and granite without accessory minerals. But although not yet discovered in situ (except thorianite, which occurred very sparingly in a pegmatite vein at Gampola, and ilmenite, which is common in several types), the following additional minerals are almost certainly derived from rocks of the Balangoda group: baddeleyite, beryl, cassiterite, chrysoberyl, fergusonite, geikielite, ilmenite, rutile, some spinels, thorianite, thorite, topaz, and some tourmaline. Rocks which arealteration products of those already mentioned include bands of chert (opaline chalcedonic rock), which usually occurs replacing the carbonates of the crystalline limestones, minerals such as spinel and graphite remaining in the chert unaltered. Laterite (cabook) is a typical decomposition product of the granulites, and is of interest on account of its use as a build- ing material, and on account of its chemical composition, consist~ ing largely of aluminium hydrate. Various ¢lays, including kaolin (china clay, “ kirimeti,” “ makul”) are derived from the ( 52) decomposition of the granulites, especially from their felspathie elements. Volcanic rocks are very sparingly represented in Ceylon. A typical dolerite (probably occurring as a dyke) from Kallodai, Eastern Province, is represented in the collection. A few other dykes are said to have been met with in Ceylon. No lavas or tuffs occur, and, with the exception of a few hot springs, no signs of volcanic activity are found. Denudation has been so long at work that only the most deep-seated rocks are now exposed at the surface. Of sedimentary rocks, we have (a) river gravels, sands, and alluvial clays (used for brick making) deposited by rivers. In the gravels are found the gems which have been derived from the crystalline rocks ; many have not yet been found in situ. (b) Marine deposits, including coralline raised beaches, blown sand, &e. Fossil shells and corals are abundant in the raised beaches which are found all round the coast and often some little way inland, but never very far above the present level of the sea. II.—_MINERALS. Before proceeding to refer in systematic order to the nature and mode of occurrence of particular minerals it will be useful to consider briefly their nature and mode of formation. Regarded from this point of view the minerals of Ceylon fall into three main groups, which are not, however, separated from each other by any rigid line of demarcation :— A.—Minerals composing or associated with the crystalline rocks, B.—Vein minerals. C.—Minerals which are alteration products of other minerals and rocks. The first class includes those whose origin is for the most part directly igneous (7.¢., the majority of Ceylonese minerals), and which occur as original minerals in the granulites and crystalline limestones. Many of these have crystallized from an actually molten or viscous magma, others perhaps from masses of rocks existing merely in a state akin to fusion, some being developed as the result of contact interaction between the limestones and granulites when both possessed a high temperature, whilst others forming pegmatite veins may even have crystallized from heated vapours or liquids saturated with mineral matter. When suitable conditions prevail, these minerals each assume definite and charac- teristic crystalline forms ; this has, however, rarely been the case in the granulites themselves, where an irregular “ granulitic” structure usually prevails; in the crystalline limestones, however. Ce. grils Pe ava PLUMBAGO MINE, To Face page 58.) (58 a the accessory minerals have more often been able to crystallize in their own forms ; for an example see Fig. 1, an octahedral crystal of spinel. Such “idiomorphic” erystals are commonly known in Ceylon as “ devil-cut.” It is interesting to note that of all the gem minerals so famous in Ceylon few have yet been found in situ. New records of the occurrence of these minerals in their parent rock is much desired. Nearly all the gems of Ceylon, moonstone excepted, are obtained from the river gravels of the Ratnapura, Rakwana, Galle, and Morawak Korale Districts; but some are found in superficial deposits whose situation on hill slopes shows that the contained minerals must oceur in sity at no very distant spot. Fig 1.—Octahedral crystal of spinel. Minerals of the second class include the greater part of the graphite of Ceylon and perhaps a considerable part of the mica. Associated with the graphite are often found some of the minerals characteristic of the granulites, such as quartz and felspar. True veins of pure quartz are rarely met with in Ceylon. Minerals of the third class include the deposits of iron ore (limonite) and manganese ore (psilomelane), which are everywhere common as decomposition products of the granulites ; and also the minerals hydrargillite and limonite composing laterite. A few minerals occur in Ceylon which have not been found elsewhere; these are thorianite, geikielite, and serendibite. The mineral baddeleyite was first found in Ceylon, but has since been met with in Brazil. Further notes on the more important minerals will be found below, where a list of all the minerals known to occur in Ceylon is given. Graphite, C.—Graphite or plumbago is the most important mineral product of Ceylon. Its compositionis pure carbon. It is found in veins and nests in the crystalline rocks, occurring often i in a fibrous or flaky form, the flakes being arranged at right angles to the wall of the vein (see Fig. 2). The veins vary in width from less thanan eighth of an inch to several feet. Some are found to follow the foliation planes of the various rocks, others cross them and ramify in all directions. Much smaller quantities of graphite occur as flakes in many of the granulites and in the crystalline linrestones, when it usually forms small tabular six-sided crystals with well-developed basal cleavage. In these cases the graphite behaves like the other accessory minerals, and there is no reason to suppose that it has been subsequently introduced, Fig. 2.—Vein graphite surrounding a portion of included matrix (white leptynite). It is clear, however, that the graphite occurring in veins has been deposited at atime posterior to the consolidation of the granulites. The veins are often of the most typical character. Usually they consist of pure graphite (sometimes there is evidence of more than one period of deposition ina zoned structure of the vein) ; some- times the vein shows a central zone of quartz or pyrite with graphite on either hand, sometimes the graphite is more irregularly associated with minerals such as felspar quartz and mica and with fragments of the surrounding rock. Metamorphism of the surrounding rocks near the veins is found only on a very small scale ; the rock surfaces in immediate contact with the veins are not impregnated with scales and flakes of graphite toa greater depth than half an inch. Nor do. we find that the quartz and other minerals associated with the graphite veins Cio a are filled with disseminated graphite; the latter occurs only in strings or scales occupying obvious cavities or cracks in the quartz. It seems that the deposition of graphite has been subsequent to the formation of the pegmatite veins, though following the same or similar paths in some cases. As regards the source of the graphite, we see at once that its presence cannot be ascribed to the metamorphism of beds of coal or other carbonaceous deposits, and indeed that the graphite can have had no direct organic source and is most probably of entirely inorganic origin. Like other minerals found in veins, it must have been deposited from vapours or liquids saturated with mineral (in this case carboniferous) matter; for we cannot suppose that the graphite was introduced in the form of dykes of molten carbon. Sulphur, 8.—Oceurs as a decomposition product of pyrite in small quantities. Gold, Au.—Small quantities of native gold are of rare occur- rence in streams, sands, and alluvial deposits, but there is little prospect of its ever becoming of commercial importance. Salt, NaCl.—Obtained by the evaporation of sea waterin natural and artificial lakes, known as “ lewaya.”’ Cinnabar, Hgs. Pyrite, FeS,.—Common as an accessory mineral in granulites and crystalline limestones. Marcasite, FeS,. ‘ Pyrrhotite, Fe, ,S,.—Occasionally as an accessory mineral in crystalline limestones and in charnockite. Ice, H,0.—Frost is sometimes experienced in the hills. Fig 3.—Corundum. Corundum, Al,O,,.—Corundumis the most important of the gem minerals of Ceylon. When red it is known as ruby ; when blue as Sapphire ; when purple as oriental amethyst ; when yellow as oriental topaz ; colourless varieties are also found. The peculiar character of ‘star sapphires ” is‘due to the presence of regularly distributed minute inclusions arranged along the lines of growth, producing the appearance known as “ silk ;” a six-rayed star is seen when the crystalis viewed in the direction of its vertical axis. Coarser varieties of corundum are used as emery, for which pur- pose a good deal is obtained in Southern India. Corundum is found in the river gravels of Ceylon in more or less rounded and waterworn six-sided crystals, which are either prismatic or doubly pyramidal in character. Only two localities are known in Ceylon where corundum occurs in the parent rock. In one case (Talatu-oya) blue hexa- gonal crystals occurred in a narrow band of rock composed essen- tially of orthoclase, microperthite, and oligoclase. In the other (Haldummulla) violet or purplish hexagonal crystals are found in a corundum-sillimanite rock (of which a large specimen is exhibited), but not actually in situ. In Southern India corundum occurs (a) in felspathic rocks as a direct product of the magma; (0%) in certain aluminous rocks, probably as the result of contact metamorphism. Specimens of these rocks are shown in the collection. In Burma rubies are found in the erystalline limestones, which in other respects closely resemble those of Ceylon. Hematite, Fe,0,-—Less usual than limonite as an iron ore derived from the decomposition of the granulitie rocks. Limonite, 2Fe,0,3H,0.—The common ore of iron in Ceylon, and formerly extensively worked. Almost always found as a product of the decomposition of the granulites. Hydrargillite, A1,0,3H,0.—Forms, with limoiite, the greater part of ordinary laterite (cabook), Cassiterite, SnO,. Rutile, TiO,. Thorianite, ThO,+U0,.— ‘his newly-discovered mineral, peculiar to Ceylon, is of great commercial importance owing to the use of thoria in the manufacture of incandescent gas mantles. It oceurs in very heavy black cubic crystals at Bambarabotuwa, where over a ton has been obtained. It is valued at £600 sterling per ton. It is of great scientific interest too, on account of its chemical composition, one or more new elements being possibly present ; it contains also a large amount of occluded helium. Though radio-active, there is no more than a trace of radium present. Baddeleyite, ZrO .. Quartz, Si0,.—Very abundant throughout the Charnockite Series. The purple variety is amethyst. Drusy groups from (BF) cavities in crystalline limestone at Welimada. Doubly terminated erystals not rare in gem washings. Fig. 4 shows the ordinary hexagonal prisms of quartz. Fig. 4.—Quartz hexagonal prisms, Chert, SiO,.—An opaline chalcedonic rock usually replacing crystalline limestone. Chalcedony, SiO,. Opal, SiO, +H,0.—In some cases a rock consisting entirely of common opal is found with the less pure cherty varieties. Psilomelane, MnO+Mn0O,H,O.—Commonly associated with limonite and hematite in veins and aggregates resulting from the decomposition of the granulites. Spinel, (MgFe)OA1,0,;.—Blue, green, and red spinels (especially the latter, known as Balas rnby) are used as gems, Small well- formed octahedra (see Fig. 1, page 53) of spinel, usually pink, are common in the crystalline limestones. Green spinel occasionally occurs in granulites, and frequently in the heavy dark green rocks associated with junctions of limestone and granulite. The gem spinels are obtained from the gravels, but are probably derived from the crystalline limestones. Magnetite, FeEOFe,0,.—Common as an accessory mineral in the granulites ; also in limestones. Chromite, FeOCr,03. Chrysoberyl, BEOA],0,.—Includes cat’s-eye and alexandrite. This important gem stone sometimes occurs in large individuals, exhibiting characteristic twinnirg. The beautiful chatoyance of the cat’s-eye is perhaps due to the presence of fine tubular cavities arranged symmetrically in the crystal. (The much less valuable I 105-04 (, 58) “ coast ” or quartz cat’s-eye is of a quite different character, consist- ing of quartz with included silky fibres of asbestos.) The green alexandrite appears red by transmitted light and generally also by candle light, but green by reflected light or daylight. Calcite, CaCO,.—In the erystalline limestones. Dolomite (CaMg)CO..—In the crystalline limestone ; sometimes forming with calcite parallel or ramifying intergrowths. Forsterite, Mg,Si0,.—This colourless mineral is characteristic of the crystalline limestones, where it is extremely abundant. The individuals are usually small. An unusually large crystal in limestone is exhibited; also some very flattened crystals of a superficially dark colour. Incipient superficial decomposition often gives a dark colour to the crystals. Clinohumite,Mg,(MgF),(Si0,),.—This beautiful yellow mineral is of rare occurrence in the crystalline limestones. Pyrozenes : (1) Hypersthene (FeMg)Si0,.—One of the most characteristic minerals of the Charnockite Series. (2) Diopside (CaMg)Si0,.—A colourless to pale green pyroxene characteristic of the crystalline limestones. (3) Manganhedenbergite, Ca(FeMn(Si0,),.—Characteristic of the Galle group,and probably common in similar rocks elsewhere. (4) Augite, CaMgFe(Si0,). +MgFe(AlFe),(Si0;),.. — Charac- teristic of many pyroxene granulites. (5) Wollastonite, CaSiO,.—Characteristic of the rocks of Galle, in which it occurs disseminated, and also in very large individuals in coarse pegmatite veins. It has not yet been found elsewhere in Ceylon. Amphiboles : (1) Tremolite, CaMg,(Si0,),.—Includes colourless and pale amphiboles associated with the crystalline limestones. (2) Horneblende, Ca(MgFe),(Si0,), &¢.—Includes dark amphi- boles occurring in the crystalline limestones and the dark green amphiboles characteristic of many of the more basic varieties or granulites and of contact zones. Ilmenite, FeTiO.,.—Of widespread occurrence ; the commonest ingredient of nd@mbu and black sand. One exceptional and very large specimen is shown. Geikielite, MgTiO,.—Not known except in Ceylon, where it was found in gem refuse. Titanite (Sphene), CaTiSiO ,— Characteristic of the rocks of the Galle group; common in junction rocks, &c¢. Talc (Steatite), H.Mg,(Si0,),.—To be distinguished from mica, Rare as an accessory mineral in crystalline limestones, Cae) _ Serpentine, H,Mg,Si,0,.—Not infrequent as a decomposition product. of forsterite. ‘: Apophyllite, (HK),Ca(Si0;)2H,0. Topaz, (AIF),Si0,.—Commonly found in gem gravels ; yeaa. colourless, or pink, the latter variety known as king topaz. The colourless varieties are wrongly knownas watersapphires. The pale greenish-blue.varietiesarecutas aquamarine. Not met with im s¢tu. Andalusite, Al(A10)Si0,. Kyanite, (Al0),Si0.,.—Has only been found in dredgings made by Professor Herdman off the coast of Ceylon. Sillimanite, Al,Si0,.—Very rarely in good crystals in gem gravels. Sillimanite is in some districts a common constituent of the garnetiferous leptynites, the rocks then resembling the khondalites of Southern India, of which specimens are exhibited. Fine coarse sillimanite rocks occur near Haldummulla, the sillimanite being disposed in sheaf-like and radiating aggregates. The associated minerals are corundum, garnet, orthoclase-micro- perthite, ilmenite, and rutile. See also under Corundum. Kaolinite (China Clay), H,A1,8i,0,.—Common as a decom- position product of orthoclase. Felspars : (1) Orthoclase, KAISi,0, affords the well-known moonstone ; it occurs in large but well-cleaved crystals in certain acid granulites associated with crystalline limestones in the Dumbara district, Central Province. Various pegmatites also, consisting of quartz and orthoclase, yield moonstone of a poor quality. Large indivi- duals of idiomorphic orthoclase occur in pegmatite veins at Galle. An intergrowth of orthoclase with albite is the most usual felspar of the less basic granulites. The silvery sheen so characteristic of moonstone is probably the result of the presence of excessively minute inclusions of kaolin, the products of incipient decom- position. The bluish-white opalescence of moonstone is best seen when the crystal is viewed in a direction at right angles to the basal plane, i.2., when regarding one of the planes of easy cleavage ; the stone should always be so cut that the flat base of the finished cabochon gem is parallel to this surface, in order that the opales- cence may be central and as conspicuous as possible. (2) Plagioclase (Lime-Soda Felspars).—These are commonly characteristic of many of the granulites, but are rarely of large size. A fine blue opalescence has occasionally been observed in the plagioclase felspars, but none of size suitable for yielding gems have been found. (3) Microcline, KAIS,0,.—Rarer than orthoclase in the granu- lites. Loe Micas.—Ceylonese micas are of some importance from a com- mercial point of view. They include muscovite, biotite, and phlogopite :— (1) Muscovite, H,KA1,(Si0,), occurs but sparingly in Ceylon, and not in crystals large or flawless enough to be of commercial value. (2) Biotite, (KH),(MgFe),(AlFe),(Si0,), is chiefly found in smiil crystals as a microscopic constituent of various rocks belonging to the Charnockite Series; but a part of vein mica also belongs to biotite. (3) PAlogopite, (K,H,Mg,F),;Mg,Al(Si0,), is by far the most important of Veylonese micas. Minute pale or golden crystals are almostalways common in the crystalline limestones. Larger mica crystals occur in veins and bands associated usually with junction of granulite and crystalline limsstone. ‘hese micas are rarely colourless, being more usually brown, reddish, bottle-green, or amber-coloured. The largest crystals found have been two or three feet in diameter. ‘he veins are usually one or two feet in width, and are composed of numerous “books” or crystals of mica which are generally more or less idiomorphic, having a clear- cut hexagonal outline. Mica is used for the peepholes of stoves, for lamp chimneys, aud very largely for electrical appliances, &c.; comminuted mica dust is of use as a non-conducting packing. Mica has long been used in the Hast for ornamental purposes, also for medicine. Fine crystals of mica from the Kandy District are exhibited. Fig. 5.—Tourmaline, Tourmaline.—A borosilicate of alumina with magnesia iron and alkalis. Black varieties associated with quartz are not uncommon. C361") The greater part of the foramalli of gemmers belongs properly to zircon. Serendibite—A borosilicate of alumina and lime with magnesia and alkalis. Found only in Ceylon. Insmall crystalsin diopside rock at the junction oflimestone and granulite. Dumbara district, Central Province. Scapolite, Ca,Al,Si,0,;Na,Al,Si,0,,Cl.—Abundant in the wollastonite-scapolite gneisses of Galle; common in limestone- granulite junction rocks. Sometimes an accessory mineral in limestones. Stilbite, (Na,Ca)Al,Si,0,,6H,0.—In minute crystals; from Nilhene, near Baddegama, Southern Province. Zoisite, Ca. A1,(AlOH)(Si0,);. Allanite, (CiFe),(AlCeFe),(A10H)(SiO,),.—In coarse granitic dykes near Balangoda. Beryl, Be, Al,(SiO.;)g.—The pale varieties of emerald known as aquamarine are abundant in gemgravels. Ceylon specimens with the true emerald colour have been very rarely met with. Cordierite (Iolite), (MgFe),Al,Si,0, ,—Inrolled crystals known as water sapphire. Many stones, however, known as water sapphire belong to topaz, and are colourless. Garnets.—Several types of garnet occur in Ceylon. Amongst these are probably— Cinnamon stone, Ca,Al1,(Si0,),.—Not known in situ. Pyrope, Mg,A1,(Si0,)s. These inc!ude the red and pink- Almandite, Fe, Al,(Si0,)5. | ish-red garnets so Common in and Spessartite, Mn.Al,(Si0,),. ) characteristic of the granulites. Fig. 6.—Zircon. Zircon, ZrSi0,.—A very abundant mineral in Ceylon; occurs in the granulites as a microscopic constituent; near Balangoda ( 62 ) occurs abundantly in large idiomorphie crystals in a zircon granite. Common in gem washings, and usually well crystallized. Colour various : brown, yellowish, green. The colourless varieties are known as Matara diamonds; the coloured as jargoon and hyacinth, used as gems. Thorite, ThSiO,. Apatite, Ca,(CaF)(PO,),.—A microscopic constituent of many granulites. Blue apatite is very characteristic of the crystalline limestones. Fergusonite, (YErCe)(NbTa)O,. Anhydrite, CaSO,. Uraninite (Pitchblende).—Uranate of lead, the chief source of radium. Not certainly known to occur in Ceylon, as all supposed specimens may be thorianite. The above forms a complete list of the minerals at present known to occur in Ceylon; the discovery of others may -be expected ; minerals of the samarskite and zschynite groups are probably present. For further information as to the rocks and minerals the following works may be consulted, amongst others :— Weinschenck, E. Zur Kenntniss der Graphitlagerstatten ; Die Graphitlagerstitten der Insel Ceylons. Zeit. fur prakt. Geol.: 1900, p. 174. Griinling, F. Ueber die Mineralvorkommen von Ceylon. - Zeit fur Kryst, vol. XXXIII., 1900, heft 3.5, pp. 209-239. . Coomaraswamy, A. K. The Crystalline Limestones of Ceylon. Quart. Journ. Geol. Soe., vol. LVIII., 1902, pp. 399-422. Coomaraswamy, A. K. The Point de Galle Group (Ceylon); Wollastonite-scapolite Gneisses. Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., vol. LVIII., 1902, pp. 680-689. III—ROCKS OF SECONDARY ORIGIN. Of these, Laterite (cabook) is perhaps the most important. It commonly occurs overlying quite unaltered granulites, forming a mantle varying from a few feet to many yards in thickness in different places, but is of rather local distribution. When dug itis soft, but as it hardens on exposure it forms a useful building stone. Typical laterite is a decomposition product of the rocks beneath, and is especially characteristic of tropical lands. Laterites are usually found to consist of a fine-grained scaly aggregate of hydrargillite or similar aluminium hydrate, with also ferrous ( 63 ) hydrate varying in amount according to the nature of the parent rock. When the latter contained free quartz, it is found in the laterite in angular grains. Various Clays, including kaolin (China clay), are also found, and are also decomposition products of the granulitic rocks. ‘Chey differ chiefly from laterite in consisting rather of aluminium silicates than of aluminium hydrate. Cherts and common-opal rock are sparingly found, often in association with crystalline limestones, and can sometimes be shown to have been formed by pseudo-morphous replacement of the latter ; specimens occur containing the phlogopite, graphite, and spinel of the original crystalline limestone, as well as others in which remains of the partially disintegrated carbonates can still be seen. Travertine (tufa) is a secondary deposit of carbonate of lime (apparently sometimes containing magnesium carbonate as well) removed in solution from the beds of crystalline limestone; but these deposits are but rarely found in large quantity. IV.—FOSSILS AND RECENT SEDIMENTARY ROCKS. Even less is known of these than of the crystalline rocks. A belt of raised beach deposits is almost everywhere to be traced around the coast, extending to no great height above sea level. The material composing the deposit varies from a sandstone cemented by caleareous material to a rubbly rock composed entirely of the débris of corals and other calcareous organisms. A series of recent marine fossils from Palanti-aar is exhibited, and includes shells in a caleareous breccia, and well-preserved remains of crabs in nodules of mud. There are also fossil chank shells from the Kadurawala coast ; the latter are regularly quarried in the recent deposits of the Jaffna District. An interesting specimen of a bone and shell breccia from the floor of a Vedda cave is exhibited ; but little is known, however, as to the occurrence of really ancient cave deposits; masses of stalactite are rarely found in caves in the crystalline limestones. In addition to the recent marine sedimentary deposits, there are river gravels and alluviums. Thick beds of the former are of somewhat rare occurrence, but rivers, large or small, are not infrequently bordered by strips of alluvial deposits, and when they leave behind the mountain country, and with it their often torrential character, debouch upon extensive alluvial plains where fine silty muds are still deposited in times of flood. The fine muds thus laid down are of great value in the manufacture of bricks and the coarser kinds of earthenware. ( 64 ) V.—GEMS AND GEMMING. The gems of Ceylon are of such general interest that it will be worth while to give a brief account of the manner in which they are obtained. With the exception of moonstone and some garnets, none are obtained 7n situ, though all of course are derived from the crystalline rocks where they originally crystallized, like the other minerals accompanying them. It is however popularly and erroneously supposed that they have grown where found, and that small and flawed gems are merely immature. The gems (of which a tabulated list is given below) are obtained from gravels which have been deposited by streams and rivers ; gemming is now only carried on in the Ratnapura District of the A GEM PIT. Province of Sabaragamuwa and the Galle District of the Southern Province ; buta little is done near Hatton in the Central Province, and a good many gems were formerly obtained near Nuwara Eliya and in the Horton Plains. Many districts are now moreor less exhausted. The process of gemming is briefly as follows :— A pit is sunk where gem-bearing deposits of gravels are known to occur; a typical section would show five or six feet of muddy alluvium, resting on a deposit of gem-bearing gravel not more than one or two feet thick, and called the i/lam, below which is the malawa, the decomposed (usually kaolinized) country rock, but gravels are of course obtained at various depths, from the actual surface to fifty or sixty feet below. Occasionally two beds of 7//am CRer 2) are found, separated by a band of clay. However this may be, the zllam is removed from the pit and subsequently washed in a ““vemming basket.” This is made of cane, and is of conical form, about 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep, and has a rim about 23 inches wide. The washer stands in about 2 feet of water, and holding the basket in the water gives it a turning movement, depressing the rim below the water once in every turn, so that the lighter stones are washed over its edge by the centrifugal movement. Fifteen or twenty basketfuls are thus washed, and the residue, consisting only of gems and other heavy minerals,examined. The remaining material, usually thrown away, is called namobu; it often contains minerals of scientific interest, and further, it isin this way that the heavy minerals such as thorianite, containing rare elements, are obtained. TABULAR LIST OF GEMS FOUND IN CEYLON. Corundum.—TIneludes sapphire (blue), ruby (red), star sapphire, and star ruby. White sapphires have had their original pale blue or yellow colour discharged by burning. Rubies are almost always burnt in order to discharge in the same way any trace of blue colour. Yellow sapphires are “oriental topaz,” and violet coloured ones oriental amethyst. Pinkish-yellow stones are called “king topaz.” Quartz.—Includes rock crystal, amethyst, cairngorm, smoky quartz, &c. Spinel.—Green, blue, red. The pink and red varieties are called balas ruby ; the blue, spinel sapphire. Chrysoberyl.—Green and yellow ; includes cat’s-eye and alex- andrite. Topaz.—Colourless, erroneously called water sapphire; rarely yellow; pale sea-green, cut as aquamarine. Othoclase-Feldspar.—Includes moonstone, quarried from the matrix in the Central Province. Tourmaline. — Brown and brownish-green and yellow; see zircon. Bery/.—Pale sea-green, cut as aquamarine (true aquamarine) ; the true emerald colour is extremely rare in Ceylon. Cordierite.—Blue, the true water sapphire ; rarely seen. Garnet. — Red, pinkish-red, and brownish-yellow (cinnamon stone). Zircon.—Green, yellow; the colourless “ Matara diamonds”’ are got by burning pale zircons and so driving off the colour. Most of the material called toramalli by gemmers is actually zircon, and not tourmaline. K 105-04 ( 66 ) VI.—ARRANGEMENT OF THE MINERAL GALLERY. Of the four wall cases, those facing the entrance are devoted to rocks ; the two right and left of the door to plumbago, iron ores, mica, kaolin, &c. Of the seven table cases, the five window cases contain the systematic collection of Ceylon minerals, beginning with the elements in the first case on the left-hand, and ending with zircons, &c., in the fifth case on the right. The two central cases contain the recent fossils, and collections of a general character illustrating the geology and mineralogy of Ceylon. Some largeand interesting specimens are also accommodated on the floor. Geo- logical photographs and others illustrating the processes of gemming and iron smelting are hung upon the walls. The collec- tion has been arranged and largely added to by the staff of the Mineralogical Survey in 1903 and 1904. GIANT TORTOISE OF ALDABRA, (See page 43.) SPOLIA ZEYLANICA, 67 ON THE PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA COLLECTED BY MR. E. ERNEST GREEN IN CEYLON. By P. CAMERON. Plates A and B. INTRODUCTION. HE Ichneumonide and other Parasitic Hymenoptera are— as Dr. Sharp remarks in his volume on Insects (Cambridge Nat. Hist. Series) —“ One of the most neglected of the great groups of Insects, though perhaps of greater economic importance to mankind than any other.” Besides the truly parasitic families, the group is usually made to inelude the gall-flies—insects which must be considered as inimical to mankind. It is, however, with the former families—those that prey upon the vegetarian insects—that we are chiefly concerned and that form the principal subject-matter of Mr. Cameron’s paper. The importance of the Parasitic Hymenoptera will be recog- nized when it is understood that there is probably not a single vegetarian insect that does not constitute the host of one or more species of these parasites. Dr. Sharp states (doc. cit.) that the destructive “winter moth” (a serious pest of fruit trees) is known to be attacked by sixty-three distinct species of Hymen- opterous parasites. This neglect—by the generality of entomologists—must be attributed partly to the difficulties of determination and partly to their somewhat uninteresting exterior, for the family does not rank among its members many beautiful or remarkable forms. But the lack of conspicuous external beauty is amply compen- sated by the interest and complexity of their habits and development. In spite of this comparative neglect, nearly 6,000 species of Ichneumonidz have been described. By far the greater number of species undergo their early development inside the bodies of their hosts. The adult female is usually provided with a prominent slender ovipositor, by means of which the eggs are inserted into the tissues of the victim. The resulting larve subsist upon the juices (the lymph or blood), taking up all the L 8(17)05 68 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA, nourishment that should go to the building up of the tissues of the host, until eventually the latter dies of inanition, This collapse seldom occurs until the contained parasite (or parasites) is ready to undergo transformation into the pupal state. In the Ichneumonidse proper the full-grown larva usually spins a compact cocoon either within the carcass of its victim or by the side of it. The early stages of these parasites are not invariably passed within the body of the host. Three distinct conditions have been noticed :— (1) Both egg and larva may be interior. (2) The egg may be exterior and the larva interior. (3) Egg and larva may both be completely exterior. This last condition may be observed in the case of the parasite of one of our principal tea pests, the “Tea Tortrix” (Capua coffearia, Niet.) The egg of-this useful little parasite is attached to the back of the caterpillar, just behind the head. The young grub fixes itself in the same position and completes its growth, fully exposed, except for the leafy shelter constructed by the host. It is noticeable that even those species that attach their eggs to the surface of the caterpillarsare still provided with a well-developed piercing ovipositor. With the parasite of the Tortrix this weapon is employed in piercing the leafy covering which conceals the victim. It is remarkable, also, that the periodical moulting of the caterpillar does not dislodge the parasite. Besides true insects, spiders are subject to the attacks of Ichneumon flies. K. E. G. FIRST PAPER. Our knowledge of the Hymenoptera of Ceylon, and more parti- cularly of the plant-feeding and parasitic species, is very limited. There is a paper by the Russian Entomologist V. Motsulsky in the Bull. de la Soc. Imp. des Natur. de Moscow, XXXVI., 1863, wherein sixty-one parasitic species are described, ineclud- ing many new genera. The descriptions, however, leave much to be desired, while it is doubtful if many of the species have been referred to their proper genera. Motsulsky, for example, describes two species of Microgaster, but all the species I have seen, or have been described by recent writers, belong, not to Microgaster, but to the allied genus Apanteles. Consequently one is in doubt if the species described by Motsulsky belong to Microgaster as now limited, or to Apanteles, or even to some new genus; as is probably the case with the species I have in this PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 69 paper doubtfully referred to Microgaster. The same remark applies to the species of Microgaster described by Walker. The systematic position of some of the genera described by the Russian Hymenopierist is also doubtful in some cases. Thus his genus Calliopteroma, referred by him to the Jchnewmonide, belongs to the Encyrtide (Chalcidide) according to that eminent authority Dr. Wm. H. Ashmead, cf. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus, XXIII.,152. The late Mr. Francis Walker described (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1860, V1.), a number of species and some new genera, none of which I have been able to identify, nor has Dr. Ashmead, /.c., been able to refer them to their proper tribes. I donot know where Walker’s types are. Apparently they are not in the British Museum, otherwise Col. C. T. Bingham would have described the aculeates in his work on the Aculeate Hymenoptera of British India and Ceylon. In that work he has merely reproduced Walker’s descrip- tions. Ihave myself (Manchester Memoirs) describeda few species taken by Mr. G. A. J. Rothney and by Col. Yerbury, and in Proce. U.S. Nat. Mus. XVIII., Dr. Ashmead has described some species, mostly reared from Lepidoptera and Coccide, taken or bred by Mr. Green. And some species have been described by J. O. Westwood in his Thesaurus Entomologicus Oxoniensis. From what I have said it is evident that our information regarding the Hymenoptera of Ceylon is of a very restricted nature—a remark that applies with even more force to Southern India. The following species are here described :— SIRICIDA. 1. Xiphydria striatifrons, n. sp. BETHYLINA, Epyris foveatus, n. sp. 3. Rhacoteleia pilosa, n. g. et sp. > bo CHALCIDIDA. 4, Spilomegastigmus ruficeps, n. g. et sp. EVANIID. Evania interstitialis, n. sp. Evania peradeniy®, n. sp. Gasteruption tricoloratum, n. sp. Gasteruption ceylonicum, n. sp. ieee iia : AGA'THIDINA. 9. Agathis kandyensis, n. sp. 10. Agathis oya, n. sp. 11. Agathis ceylonicus, n. sp. 12. Microdus greeni, n. sp. 32. SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. CHELONINA. Chelonus tricoloratus, n. sp. Phomerotoma hendecasisella, n. sp. CARDIOCHILINA. Ernestiella nigromaculata, n. g. et sp. MICROGASTERIN &. Microgaster carinicollis, n. sp. BRACONIN &. Iphiaulax xanthopsis, n. sp. Iphiaulax fulvopilosus, n. sp. Iphiaulax greeni, n. sp. Iphiaulax ernesti, n. sp. Iphiaulax kirbyi, n. sp. Iphiaulax erythroura, n. sp. Iphiaulax haragamensis, n. sp. Rhacospathius striolatus, n. g. et sp. Philomacroplea basimacula, n. g. et sp. RHOGADINA. Paraspinaria pilosa, n. g. et sp. Holcobracon fulvus, n. g. et sp. Tropobracon luteus, n. g. et sp. Troporhogas spilonotus, n. g. et sp. Troporhogas albipes, n. sp. Troporhogas maculipennis, n. sp. Troporhogas tricolor, n. sp. Troporhogas ruficeps, n. sp. Troporhogas lateralis, n. sp. Troporhogas trimaculata, n. sp. CRYPTIN A Bathycrisis striaticollis, n. g. et sp. SIRICID A. 1.—NXiphydria striatifrons, sp. nov. Plate A, fig. 1. Black, a large irregular mark, broader than long,on the face, two small irregular oblique marks above the antenna, a line on the inner eye orbits, with a rounded projecting point in the middle and dilated above ; on the outer side the line is continued halt way up the eyes, the upper part projecting obliquely outwards, a large mark on the top of the temples, irregularly narrowed on the inner side, the base and lower side of the propleure, the apex, two small spots on the base of the scutellum,asmallanda large mark PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 7 closely united on the sides of the post-scutellum, a longish mark on the sides of the firstabdominal segment, asmallone on the third and fifth, a slightly larger one on the fourth, a large, long, oblique one on the penultimate, and an oblique mark, transverse behind, more irregular at the base, and narrowed to a point below on the last abdominal segment, and a thin curved narrow line on the top of the mesopleurz, white. Legs dark red, the coxe marked with white ; the hind tibiz darker, their base and the metatarsus white, the other joints of the hind tarsi, blackish. The inner side of the mandibles dark rufous. Wings hyaline, highly iridescent, the nervures and stigma black, &. Length 11°5 mm. Pundalu-oya, February. Front furrowed in the middle, the furrow widest above; closely, distinctly striated, the striz becoming strongest below and extend- ing on to the face. Vertex smooth, shining. Middle lobe of mesonotum closely rugose ; the apex reticulated; the lateral lobes irregularly transversely striated. Scutellum coarsely rugose at the base, the rest smooth and shining. Apex of propleure sparsely, the mesopleure more closely and strongly punctured throughout. Transverse marginal nervure received very shortly beyond the second transverse cubital, which is roundly curved towards the base of the wings; both the recurrent nervures are received near the apex of the basal third of the cellule. The antennz are 15-jointed, have the flagellum thickly covered with ashort, black, stiff pubescence and taper distinctly and gra- dually towards the apex. This species may be known from the two known Indian species (X. 4-maculata, Cam. & orientalis, West.) by the antenne being 15-jointed, in addition to the other specific differences. BETHYLIN 43. 2.—Epyris (2) foveatus, sp. nov. Black, shining, the mandibles,antenne, and legsrufotestaceous ; wings hyaline, the basal nervures and costa testaceous, the stigma and stigmal branch darker coloured; the head, thorax, and ventral surface covered with longish fuscous hair, 6. Length 4 mm. Peradeniya, May. Flagellum of antenne densely covered with long white pubes- cence, as long as the thorax ; scape about four timesas long as its thickness at the apex; pedicle longer than wide fully half the length of the first flagellar joint, which is of the length of the second ; the last two joints are darker coloured, about three times 12 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. longer than thick. Parapsidal furrows and the transverse furrow at the base of scutellum wide and deep. Post-scutellum with a deep, semi-circular fovea in the centre at the base. A deep trans- verse furrow at the base of the metanotum, widened laterally and bounded at the apex by astout keel. Metanotum witha stout keel down the middle, stoutly transversely striated ; the apical slope finely transversely striated in the middle. Pro-and meso-pleure smooth ; a deep oval fovea near the centre of the mesopleure, with a smaller one below ; shortly beyond the middle is a deep depression finely striated in the centre, rounded below, where it is wider than it is above. Metapleure finely, closely striated. First abdominal stoutly keeled in the middle at the base and with a narrower keel on either side; the apex testaceous. Fore legs and femora slender. Apical tooth of mandibles long, sharply pointed, the others indistinct. Clypeus projecting, roundly narrowed at the apex. Basal abscissa of radius straight, obli- quely sloped ; the apical roundly curved. This is not a true Hpyris ; but having only asingle 6, I do not care to found a new genus on it. It has practically only one long tooth on the mandibles, and in the clypeus projecting at the apex it differs from the typical species. KRhacoteleia, gen. nov. Sub-marginal nervure long, longer than the others united, marginal nervure very short, half the length of the stigmal, which has aknob atthe end, the post marginal aboutthree times the length of stigmal branch. Antenne 13-jointed, the last six forming a club. Mesonotum and scutellum flat, the parapsidal furrows distinct, erenulated. Abdomen longish, longer than the head and thorax united, convex above and below, the sides margined ; sessile, the basal segment strongly striated, the striz distinct and clearly separated ; the base of the second segment depressed, stout- ly striated ; the base of the first clearly margined. Mesopleure largely and deeply excavated. Scutellum broader than long, transverse at the base and apex, where there isa crenulated furrow. The third abdominal segment is longer than the second and fourth, which are about the same size. Antenne inserted immediately over the mouth; the scape long. Legs slender, all the tibize one- spurred, the basal joint of hind tibie as long as the others united, about three times longer than the second. Metanotum rugosely punctured, shorter than the scutellum, depressed and transverse at the apex. The head is large, rounded in front, transverse behind; the occiput margined ; temples wide ; ocelli in a triangle. the hinder PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA, 73 almost touching the eyes. Prothorax small. Malar space large. HKyes gradually narrowed from above downwards. The wings, when folded, do not reach to the apex of the abdomen. Allied to Macroteleia and Chromoteleia ; from the former it may be known by the stigmal vein issuing from near the sub- marginal, the marginal being very short as it is in Chromoteleia, but that has two distinct basal cellules; from both it may be known by the strongly striated basal segments of the abdomen. 3.—Rhacoteleia pilosa, sp. nov. Plate A, fig. 2. Black, covered with white pubescence, the antennz except the apical five or six joints and the legs, except the coxe rufo- testaceous, wings hyaline, the nervures testaceous, 6 and @. Length 4 mm. Peradeniya, August. Vertex finely, closely aciculated ; the front irregularly rugosely punctured; malar space closely, obliquely striated. Apex of mandibles broadly rufous. Hind edge of vertex closely, finely reticulated ; occiput shining, finely closely, transversely striated. Mesonotum and seutellum with shallow moderately close, round punctures, thickly covered with white pubescence ; lateral lobes of mesonotum clearly separated from the middle one; on the outer side they are bordered by a crenulated furrow. Apex of scutellum bordered by a smooth, shining keel. The depression bordering its sides with stout clearly-separated keels. Pleurz finely rugose, the mesopleural depression shining, bare, its sides obseurely striated. The third and following abdominal segments distinctly closely punctured. Mesosternum strongly closely punctured. Ventral surface of abdomen closely punctured, thickly covered with white pubescence. The pedicle of the antenne is about three times longer than thick ; the first joint of flagellum is longer than the second and not quite double the length of the pedicle. The club is clearly defined ; its last joint conical. The apices of the abdominal segments are smooth and shining ; the ovipositor is longer than usual. The 6 appears to have the front more strongly rugosely reticulated than the &. CHALCIDIDA. Spilomegastigmus, gen. nov. Mandibles bidentate, the teeth blunt. Head and thorax smooth, the mesonotum only slightly transversely striated. Scutellum smooth, without a transverse furrow. Antenne long, the scape 74 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA, slender, its apex reaching to the hinder ocelli. Hypopygium long, plough-share shaped. Legs long and slender. Apex of elypeus roundly incised. This new genus cannot wel] be confounded with any of the described genera of Megastigmine. It comes nearest to Megas- tigmus, which may be known from it by the punctured seutellum with a transverse furrow at the apex, by the distinctly 3-dentate mandibles and by the shorter antennal scape, the top of which does not reach to the ocelli. Characteristic is the spotted abdomen, the red head and the thorax, and the projecting cultriform hypopygium. 4,—Spilomegastigmus ruficeps, sp. Nov. Plate A, fig. 3. Black, the head, antennal scape, prothorax, mesonotum, the upper part of the mesopleure at the base, and scutellum, red ; the legs yellow, the femora slightly tinged with rufous; on the sides of the abdomen are four yellow marks, the second is larger and rounder than the others, the apical two longer and narrower than the basal, the wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma black ; there is a slightly oblique cloud, narrowed below, at the stigma, ?. Length 6; ovipositor 11 mm. Kandy, July. Front excavated in the middle with a keel down the centre, the sides roundly convex, projecting beyond the eyes; infuscated. Head much wider than the thorax. Mandibles and sides of clypeus black. Mesonotum transversely striated, but not closely orstrongly. Scutellum perfectly smooth. Mesopleurze obscurely striated. Sheath of ovipositor fringed with long black hair. EVANIIDA. 5}.—Hvania interstitialis, sp. nov. Red ; the head and abdomen, except the petiole, black, the four front legs and hind coxe rufous, the rest of hind legs black. except the trochanters which are red, mixed with black, the basal half of metatarsus and calearia which are testaceous and a broad band on the base of the tibize, which is white; wings hyaline, the nervures black, the seven or eight basal joints of antennz testaceous beneath, 6. Length 5 mm. Pundalu-oya, October. Antennal scape as longas the following two joints united ; the pedicle and first joint of flagellum as long as the second united. Head thickly covered with white pile; the front and vertex smooth and shining ; the face, oral region and malar space closely, PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. iB strongly striated. Apex of clypeus and of cheeks rufo-testaceous. Mandibles yellow, tinged with testaceous, the teeth black. Hind ocelli separated from each other by a distinctly greater distance than they are from the eyes, which very slightly converge above. Middle lobe of mesonotum with some large scattered punctures ; the lateral lobes more closely and finely punctured. Scutellum smooth in the centre, the rest bearing large, round, clearly sepa- rated punctures. Metanotum closely, reticulated, punctured. Propleurz smooth, the apex closely striated, the base below with a few short keels. The dilated lower part of the mesopleure with shallow,clearly separated round punctures; the edges crenulated. Sternal process distinctly diverging; the branches stout and rounded at the apex. Abdominal petiole longer than the rest of the abdomen, its apical half with scattered punctures, which give it a rough appearance. On the base of the hind coxe behind is a smooth shining, raised, elongate space, clearly defined from the punctured parts and having at the apex a projecting keel, when pressed together the coxe appear to be united. Tibiz minutely, sparsely spinose. The long spur of the hind tibiz reaches to shortly beyond the middle of the metatarsus. Pronotum transverse in the middle at the base; the sides broadly rounded, slightly projecting. Cheeks not quite so long as the antennal scape, parapsidal furrows deep, smooth clearly defined. Apical abscissa of radius broadly rounded; recurrent nervure interstitial, as is also the transverse median; the cubitus is largely bullated at the transverse cubital nervure. There is a keel on the upper two-thirds of the face, down the centre. Allied to #. dolichopus, Schl. 6.—Hvania peradeniye, sp. nov. Length 4 mm. é. Peradeniya, August. This species is black with the thorax red as in the preceding species. The two may be separated thus :— Recurrent nervure interstitial, oral region rufous at the apex, face strongly striated and weakly keeled in the middle, hind coxze rufous above, interstitialis. Recurrent nervure received beyond the transverse cubital, oral region entirely black, face weakly striated and strongly keeled in the centre, hind cox black above, peradeniye. Scape and pedicle of antennz rufous. Scape of antenne not much longer than the first joint of flagellum, which is, with the pedicle, as long as the second. Face closely, weakly striated; a stout keel on the upper two-thirds; malar space rather strongly, obliquely striated; thickly covered with white pubescence. M S(17)05 76 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA, Front and vertex smooth and shining. Hind ocelli separated from each other by a slightly greater distance than they are from the eyes, which converge very slightly above. Shoulders broadly rounded. Mesonotum with a regular row of punctures on the inner side of the furrows and a less regular one on the outer ; the lateral lobes minutely closely punctured in the centre. Seutellum with a broad smooth band in the middle, the sides strongly punctured. Hinder division of propleure rugosely punctured. Mesopleurze with round closely pressed punctures, except for an oblique smooth band in the middle and a smaller triangular space on the upper side at the apex. Anterior tibie and tarsi testaceous, middle trochanters pale testaceous; the middle coxe and the underside of the hinder pair at the base rufous ; the base of the hind tibiz and of the hind tarsi white ; the spurs testaceous; the long spur of the hinder about two- thirds of the length of the metatarsus; tibiz and tarsi sparsely spinose. Recurrent nervure received shortly beyond the trans- verse cubital; lower part of the apical abscissa of the radius broadly, roundly curved. Abdominal petiole above finely closely striated; the sides with two stout keels, which become stouter towards the apex. Hind coxe aboveat the base coarsely punctured, the middle closely obliquely striated. Apical branches of metasternal process, straight, obliquely diverging. Comes close to H. erythrosoma, Sch., also from Ceylon. It may be known inter alia from our species by its perfectly smooth abdominal petiole. 7.— Gasleruption tricoloratum, sp. nov. Black, densely covered with silvery pubescence ; the four front cox black, the femora rufo-testaceous, the tibiz fuscous, broadly white at the base, the fore tarsi white, the middle white, infus- cated at the apex, the hind legs black, except for a narrow white band near the base of the tibiz. Mandibles testaceous, tinged with yellow in the middle, the teeth darker coloured ; palpi pale testaceous, wings clear hyaline, the nervures black: apex of ovipositor testaceous, ?. Length 12 mm. ; ovipositor 12 mm. Peradeniya, May. Head smooth and shining, covered with a silvery pile. Hind ocelli separated from each other by the length of the antennal scape. Thorax thickly covered with silvery pubescence; the pro- and mesonotum with round, clearly separated shallow punctures ; opaque, granular. Scutellum with a row of round, deep fever along the sides. Metanotum with a deep shining PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 77 furrow down the middle; the rest irregularly reticulated. The third joint of the antenne is about one half the length of the fourth, and twice the length of the pedicle. Apical half of mesepleure obscurely reticulated ; on the apex is a deep, shining, smooth furrow. Second discoidal cellule divided. 8.—Gasleruption ceylonicum, sp. Nov. Black, the mesopleurz and mesosternum ferruginous ; the legs black, the fore coxe ferruginous, the fore femora fuscous ; the base of the fore tibiz and of the tarsi more broadly, white ; the hind tibie white on the under side at the base. Wings clear hyaline, the nervures black, the second discoidal cellule divided, ®. Length 13 mm.; terebra 13 mm. Pundalu-ova. Febrnary. Third joint of antenne as long as the scape, more than half the length of the fourth and not twice the length of the pedicle. Mandibles rufous. Centre of clypeus covered with pale golden pubescence. Hind ocelli separated by the length of the third antennal joint. Thorax thickly covered with silvery pubescence. Pronotum stoutly keeled down the middle. Middle lobe of mesonotum closely finely transversely striated ; the apex coarsely, irregularly reticulated ; the furrows bordering the middle lobe crenulated ; the furrows bordering the scutellum indistinct. Metanotum closely transversely reticulated and with a smooth line down the middle. Shoulders with strong, stout teeth; the part behind these closely, irregularly reticulated, the middle depression crenulated. Lower half of mesopleure reticulated. AGATHIDIN A. 9.—Agathis kandyensis, sp. nov. Luteous, the antennex, the hind tibiz and the hind tarsi black ; wings hyaline, the base tinged with yellow, a large cloud at the base of the stigma, broadest behind and the apex from near the second cubital cellule dark smoky, the hind wings with a faint smoky cloud at the apex, 6. Length 7 mm. Kandy, May to August. Head covered with short fuscous hair, lower part of occiput and the malar space distinctly keeled. Pro- and mesothorax closely and rather strongly punctured ; the middle lobe raised in the centre, depressed on either side. Scutellum strongly and closely punctured ; its apex roundly projecting. Base of metanotum obliquely depressed, irregularly reticulated ; the middle strongly irregularly areolated ; the central area irregular; 78 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. that next to the spiracular triangular, with a curved keel on the innerside; the apical slope bordered by are which are widest below ; the centre with some irreguiar keels. Pleure strongly and closely punctured ; the crenulated furrow on the mesopleure — wide, with strong striz ; there isan oblique keel on the centre of the metapleure. 10.—Agathis oyd, sp. nov. Length 7°38 mm., ? and 6. Kandy, July and August. Pundalu-oya, May. This species is very similar to the preceding ; it may be known by the apex only of the hind tibie being black; by the middle lobe of mesonotum being smooth and not raised in the centre, by the central area on the metanotum being distinctly divided into a large basal and a smalier apical area; it is joined to the base of the metanotum by a V-shaped area ; the lateral area is triangular; on the apical slope is a V-shaped area bordered by a more irregular V-shaped one. Wings yellowish hyaline, with the costa, stigma, and nervures yellow on the hyaline parts ; the first cloud commences at the transverse basal and median nervures, and is narrowed in front, the apical at the end of the stigma; the nervures in the hind wings are yellow, with a slight cloud at the apex. Parapsidal furrows faintly striated. 11.—Agathis ceylonicus, sp. nov. Luteous, the greater part of the vertex, upper part of occiput, the third and following segments of abdomen and the hind tibixw and tarsi, black; the wings yellowish hyaline, the apex witha fuscous cloud, commencing at the end of the radial cellule ; there is a small square black mark at the base of the stigma, °. Length 7 mm. Kandy, July. The black antennz thickly covered with short, stiff pubescence ; they are brownish towards the apex. Face and clypeus thickly covered with white, the upper part of vertex and occiput with fuscous pubescence, Thorax smooth and shining, above thickly covered with white pubescence. Apex of scutellum bifoveate, the fovexre shallow. On the base of the metanotum are three small are, the central the smaller, with the sides rounded narrowed towards the base, the lateral longer, obliquely narrowed towards the apex ; outside these is a triangular area with the apex on the inner side; the central area on the apical slope is triangular ; the two aree outside this are open below ; the outer area large, with three angles on the outer side. PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 79 12.— Microdus greent, sp. nov. Ferruginous, the vertex and more or less of mesonotum may be infuseated or blackish, antennal scape rufous ; the basal half of ‘the flagellum black, the apical testaceous, tinged with yellow : wings yellowish hyaline to the base of the stigma, beyond that dark fuscous, the first and second cubital cellules and a curved cloud below hyaline; the stigma and apical nervures black ; the hind tarsi infuscated; the basal three segments of abdomen and the base of the fourth strongly closely longitudinally, striated.? Length 10mm. terebra 9 mm. Kandy, July and August. Head smooth, sparsely pilose; the lower part of the front deeply bifoveate ; the space separating the two fovee triangular. Thorax smooth and shining ; the parapsidal furrows deep, smooth. On the base of the metanotum is a curved furrow forming a closed area and having a straight keel in the centre, dividing itintotwo. From its centre two stout keels run to the apex of the segment forming an elongated area, obliquely narrowed at the base. Pleurze smooth, the metapleure densely pilose, the lower edge bordered by a stout waved furrow. Mesosternal furrow wide, deep, widened at the apex and with some stout transverse keels. This species is probably variable as regards the amount of black on the vertex, thorax, and apex of abdomen. The antennz are longer than the body. CHELONINA. 13.—Chelonus tricoloratus, sp. nov. Black, the antennal scape, and pedicle rufous; the anterior legs, middle coxe and trochanters, and posterior trochanters rufo- testaceous, two spots near the base of the abdomen and a broad band at the base of the hind tibiz pale testaceous. Wings hyaline to the base of the radius, fuscous beyond it; the nervures and stigma black. Antenne 23-jointed, &. Length 4 mm. Trincomalee Col. Yerbury. Head and thorax closely finely rugose, covered with a minute white pubescence. Mesonotum closely reticulated. Scutellum with some, not very distinct longitudinal strie. Metanotum irregularly reticulated, more strongly on the apex than on the base of the basal division; the apical slope shining, smooth, reticulated above. Base of abdomen longitudinally striated ; the striz are not numerous and become weaker towards the apex. Pleure closely reticulated. 80 SPOLIA ZEYLANIGA. 14.—Phanerotoma hendecasisella, sp. nov. Pallid ferruginous to pale testaceous, the apical segment ferruginous: antenne infuscated at the apex: wings clear hyaline, the stigma and nervures fuscous, the former paler at the base and apex, 6 and &. ‘Length 3 to 4 mm. Peradeniya July to December. Bred from beans (Canavalia, sp.) bored by minute pyralid (/) and from buds of Jasminwm pubescens infested by larve of Hende- casis duplifascialis, Hmpsn. Antenne 23-jointed, longer than the body. Head shagreened ; temples roundly narrowed, occiput deeply roundly ineised; cly- peus shining, almost smooth, thickly covered with long pale hair; its sides above with a large, deep fovea. Mesonotum coarsely shagreened, its apex obscurely striated ; parapsidal furrows only indicated. The suture at the base of scutellum crenulated. Scutellum triangular ; its lateral slope stoutly obliquely striated ; at its apex is a broad shining black transverse stripe. Meta- notum more coarsely shagreened—almost punctured—than the mesonotum: there is a not very strong transverse keel across the middle, above the apical slope; the sides below this project into a blunt tooth or tubercle. Apex of propleure obscurely striated ; the lower part, at the apex, depressed, witha few distinct short keels. Basal two segments of abdomen shagreened ; the apical at the base finely, closely reticulated—punctured, the middle and, to a less extent, the apex, finely, closely, longitudi- nally striated ; the dorsal sutures obscurely crenulated. Second cubital cellule much narrowed at the apex, the nervures almost touching there; the basal abscissa of the radius bounding it is straight and sharply oblique, the abscissa of the cubitus broadly roundly curved, pale at the base ; the recurrent nervure intersti- tial; it and the first transverse cubital nervure are pale, but quite clearly defined. The apex of the hind femora and the hind tibie ferruginous; the extreme base of the latter anda broad band above the middle are pallid, almost white. The basal depression . of the abdomen is bordered by a keel, which is very faint, if not absent from the middle. The first and second abscisse of the radius are roundly curved downwards, the two forming an arc of a circle; the first trans- verse cubital nervure is straight, oblique to the stigma, then bends to run along side it to the radius, which it joins close to its base, quite close to the stigma. The wings are unclouded and highly iridescent. The second transverse cubital nervure is very faint and not half the length of the recurrent nervure. PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. Sl CARDIOCHILINA, Ernestiella, gen. nov. Eyes pilose. Malar space large. Front not much excavated, without keels. Second cubital cellule large, much longer than wide, wider at the base that at the apex; radius roundly eurved towards the costa. ‘Transverse median nervure received in the first cubital cellule, clearly distant from the transverse basal; the recurrent nervure received in the first cubital cellule. Radial cellule in hind wings divided. Metanotum areolated. Suturi- form articulation distinct. Abdomen short: ovipositor short. Trophi elongate. The first and second cubital cellules are separated. Parapsidal furrows deep, the mesonotum distinctly trilobate : the scutellum raised, not keeled. Areolalarge,7-angled. Theface is notso much lengthened as in Agathis, the malar space being about one-third of the length of the eyes. Apex of clypeus broadly rounded: it is separated from the face by a furrow and is broader than long. Anal nervure in fore wings interstitial. Antenne about 40- jointed. Prodiscoidal cellule open at apex ; there is a large cellule at the base of hind wings. Hind ecalcaria long. 15.—Ernestiella nigromaculata, sp. nov. Luteous,a large broad mark enclosing the ocelli, three large marks on the mesonotum, the central the larger, the greater part of the mesosternum, the antenne and mandibular teeth, black ; wings hyaline, the apex broadly infuscated, stigma black, yellowish at the base; the nervures testaceous, the radius pale at the base. Smooth, shining covered with pale hair. Parapsidal furrows crenulated at theapex. Scutellar depression with six stout keels, Behind the large 7-angled area on the metanotum are two small ones obliquely narrowed behind: on the sides three large irregular ones ; on the sides of the apical slope a large one, obliquely narrowed on the outer side, the apex of the middle transverse. Metapleurze obscurely reticulated. First discoidal cellule at apex half the width it isat the base. Propleurze deeply excavated, striated below. Length 6 mm. Pundalun-oya, March, MICROGASTERIN A. 16.—Microgasler (?) carinicollis, sp. nov. Areolet large, rounded in front, transverse below ; cubitus dis- tinct, radius faint at the base; three cubital cells. Antenne stout, longer than the body, 19-jointed. Clypeus not separated from the face, foveate at the sides above. Scutellar depression, with a row of stout keels; the apex is bordered by a similar row of keels. 82 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA, Metanotum keeled down the middle ; the apical slope stoutly reti- culated, almost areolated ; eyes villose ; malar space large. First abdominal segment with the central area bordered by keels and with ashorter keelin the centre. Suturiform articulation distinct. Mesopleural furrow wanting. Tibial spurs short, about one-fourth of the length of the metatarsus. There is a narrow, but distinct keel round the centre of the prothorax. Radius and ecubitus in hind wings indistinct. Shortly below the middle of the mesopleu- re is a furrow which bifurcates at the apex. On the mesonotum, in the centre, are three furrows, central being the shorter and it isalso less distinct. Apices of tarsal joints spinose. Black : palpiand four front legs testaceous ; the hind femora and the abdomen, except at the base, red; the basal two-thirds of the hind tibie and the calcaria white, wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, the latter white at the base. Head and thorax densely covered with white pubescence, almost opaque. Metano- tum depressed at the base. The depression at base of post- scutellum with four stout keels. Post-scutellum depressed at the base. Frontal depression clearly separated, deep, stoutly keeled inthe middle. Last joint of tarsi one-half longer than penultimate. Length nearly 5 mm. Thisspecies comes closest to Microgaster as now defined, but is not quite typical. Bred from larva of Dasychira securis. June. BRACONINA. 17.—Iphiaulax zanthopsis, sp. nov. Luteous, the face, oral region, malar space and inner upper eys orbits, yellow; the antennz very long, black ; hind tarsi fuscous ; wings yellowish hyaline to the middle of the transverse basal nervure ; beyond that blackish-fuscous ; the upper part of the first cubital cellule and a spot below the first transverse cubital nervure hyaline ; basal half of stigma luteous, ¢. Length 11; terebra 4 mm, Elephant Pass, March. Face smooth, densely covered with long pale hair. Frontal furrow narrow; vertex thickly covered with long fuscous hair. Thorax smooth; impunctate, the median segment thickly covered with long pale hair. Abdomen ovate, broader than the thorax, short ; the area on the first segment longitudinally rugosely striolated ;a keel in the centre; basal depression smooth. Basalarea onthe second segment closely striated, not much narrowed towards the apex; not limited at the apex; the rest of the segment and the third closely, strongly, rugosely, punctured ; the lateral depression PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 83 oblique, large, deep, striated ; suturiform articulation, wide, deep, striated ; the third segment is closely rugosely punctured ; the furrow on its apex is obscurely striated ; the fourth segment is punctured, but not closely or strongly; the furrow at its base wide, deep, striated ; that on itsapex crenulated. The fifth and following segments smooth ; the apical two are yellowish; on the centre of the fifth is a deep wide furrow on the apical half ; on the sides, at the base, is a wide curved striated furrow. 18.—Iphiaulax fulvopilosus, sp. nov. Luteous, the antenne black; wings yellowish-hyaline, to near the transverse basal nervure, beyond that dark fulvous; a hyaline cloud occupying the greater part of the first cubital cellule and a smaller one along the outer side of the recurrent nervure ; the base of the stigma fulvous. Pubescence dense, fulvous, ?. Length 17; terebra 6 mm. Kandy, June. Front and vertex sparsely, the face thickly covered with long fulvous pubescence. Tips of mandibles black. Palpi fulvous, covered with fulvous hair. Middle of raised part of first abdomi- nal segment stoutly keeled from near the base; its apex strongly punctured. Basal area on second segment large, triangular, obliquely striated, the oblique strize, united by curved short ones, forming irregular reticulations; the sides of the segment at the base depressed, without oblique furrows ; its apical part and the other segments all over closely, longitudinally striated. Suturi- form articulation narrow, deep, striated, not cleft at the sides ; the furrows on the following three segments are wider and more dilated in the middle ; the basal four segments together are as long as the thorax. Legsstout; the basal four joints of the fore tarsi as long as the tibiz. Theabdomen thickly covered with fulvous pubescence. 19.—Iphiaulax greeni, sp. nov. Black, the scape of antenne, head, thorax, and four front legs red; wings dark fuscons, the nervures and stigma black, ¢. Length 11; terebra 17 to18 mm. Peradeniya, August and November. Face rugosely punctured, a smooth line, gradually widened towards the apex in the centre; sparsely covered with long fuscous hair; frontal furrow shallow. First abdominal segment in the centre with four stout irregular longitudinal keels ; the outer two unite into one which goes to the apex; the sides of the raised central part margined ; on the sides of the central keels are irregu- lar, more or less transverse keels ; the lateral depressions irregularly transversely striated, The area on the second segment is long, N 8(17)05 84 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. reaching beyond the middle of the segment, becoming gradually narrowed to a fine point and continued to the apex by a keel ; its base is irregularly longitudinally striated ; the depression border- ing it closely strongly transversely striated ; on the outer side is a long pyriform fovea. Suturiform articulation wide, closely, strongly striated; the furrow on the apex of the third segment and on the base of the fourth are striated ; on the apex of the fourth is a smooth furrow; the third segment is strongly and closely striated, but not so strongly, as the second; the fourth is more finely and closely striated. Hind tibie and tarsi densely covered with black hair. Apex of sheaths of ovipositor white. Apical abscissa of radius curved, slightly longer than the basal two united; received in the apex of the first cubital cellule, clearly distant from the first transverse cubital nervure. 20.—Iphiaulax ernesti, sp. nov. Head and thorax red; the four front legs yellow, their coxz tinged with rufous, hind legs fuscous black; wings fuscous, hyaline, highly iridescent, the nervures and stigma black, ¢. Length 8; terebra 12 mm. Peradeniya, October. Face rugose, thickly covered with long fuscous hair. Temples obliquely narrowed. Antennal scape rufous, about fourtimes longer than thick, of equal width throughout. Front deeply furrowed. Middle area of first segment with two keels, which unite into one shortly beyond the middle; its sides margined and there is a curved keel which runs from the central two before they unite ; the lateral furrows with some scattered transverse keels. The area on the second segment becomes gradually narrowed to a fine point shortly beyond the middle; the base finely, distinetly striated; the depression bordering it has some transverse, not very distinct, strie ; outside it are four curved longitudinal strie ; the fovea on the outer side is rounded at the apex and is of equal width. The third segment is closely, strongly longitudinally striated ; the suturiform articulation, the furrow at the apex of the third and at the base of the fourth are striated ; that on the apex of the fourth is smooth ; there is a J-shaped striated furrow on the sides of the second segment at the base ; the basal two-thirds of the fourth segment is finely, longitudinally striated. A much smaller and more slenderly-built species than J. green; the fore legs are yellow, not rufous ; the antennal scape is more slender and does not project at the apex, and the first and second abdominal segments are finely sparsely striated, not coarsely striated and reticulated. PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 85 21.—Iphiaulax Kirby, sp. nov. Luteous ; antennze black ; wings yellowish-hyaline, the apex with a fuscous border ; the base and apex of stigma black, the rest of it and the nervures yellow, a small black cloud at the base of the first cubital cellule, between the radius and the cubitus, ?. Length 9 mm.; terebra 7 mm. Kandy. Sparsely covered with fulvous pubescence. Face irregularly rugose, covered with pale pubescence. Front and vertex smooth and shining, bare; the former deeply depressed with a deep, clearly defined furrow in the centre. First and second abscissa of radius united equal in length to the third; the cloud at the stigma may be continued along the basal abscissa of cubitus. Middle area of first abdominal segment irregularly, longitudinally striated, intermixed with some transverse striz ; the lateral de- pression with some transverse keels ; the second segment coarsely reticulated in the middle ; the basal area triangular, smooth ; the oblique furrow on the lateral depression crenulated ; the keel at the basal area short, indistinct. Suturiform articulation stoutly crenulated, as are also the furrows on the apex of the third and fourth segments ; they are closely punctured. 22.—Iphiaulax erythroura, sp. nov. Plate A, fig. 7. Head, thorax, antennal scape and four front legs rufotestaceous ; the abdomen black, the fifth and following segments bright ferruginous, the hypopygium paler, more yellowish at the base ; wings yellowish-hyaline, paler at the apex; the middle tibize covered thickly with pale pubescence; the hinder still more thickly with longer black hair, ?. Length 12 mm.; terebra 17 mm. Kandy. Antennal scape thickly covered with long fulvous hair. Face coarsely rugosely reticulated. Thorax smooth and shining ; the apex of median segment black. The central area of basal segment of abdomen stoutly keeled in the middle; the keel bordered by stout oblique striz. The second segment is strongly longitudinally striated ; the basal area small, triangular, smooth, followed by a stout keel which runs to the smooth apex ; the third is similarly striated, but with a broader smooth apical area; both segments are depressed laterally; the suturiform articulation wide, deep; on the fourth segment, shortly behind the middle, is a trans- verse furrow which is irregularly striated in the middle. The basal abscissa of the radius is broadly roundly curved towards 86 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. the stigma; transverse median nervure received shortly beyond the transverse basal. Occiput transverse in the middle, the sides broadly rounded. Characteristic of this species is the broadly rounded basal abscissa—not straight and oblique as usual—of the radius and the fact of the transverse median nervure being received shortly beyond the transverse basal. The recurrent nervure is inter- stitial. The densely haired hind tibiz are also noteworthy. 23.—Iphiaulax haragamensis, sp. nov. Black; the base and basal half of the sides of the ventral surface lacteous ; wings fuscous-hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, ?. Length 7; terebra 1°5 mm. Haragam, July. Head covered with longish hair, fuscous, silvery on the lower part of the face. Front and vertex smooth ; the former deeply furrowed. A reddish spot above each antenna. Palpi black, covered with white pubescence. The pleure and the scutellar region marked withrufous. The first and basal half of the second abdominal segment coarsely rugosely punctured ; the following three strongly, closely, longitudinally striated ; the furrows are more closely striated ; the last segment white-lead coloured, finely, closely, transversely striated. Abdomen broad, ovate, as long as the head and thorax united ; the area on the base of second segment indistinct, smooth at the base, the apex finely striated. Rhacospathius, gen. nov. Plate A, fig. 4. Transverse median nervure in fore wings received beyond the transverse basal. Metanotum with three large closed arezx at the base ; the central keel bifurcates at the apex, forming a triangular area open at the apex; the rest of the segment and the pleura — striated. Otherwise as in Spathius. 24.—Rhacospathius striolatus, sp. nov. Black, the basal two-thirds of the second abdominal segment and the legs red, the fore legs paler, more yellowish in tint. Wings hyaline, the stigma and nervures fuscous, ?. Length 7 ; terebra 5 mm. Kandy, October. Mesonotum, except at the base of the central lobe, closely, strongly, irregularly reticulated. Scutellum minutely aciculated, the sides with arow of fover, Metanotum irregularly striated and PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 87 reticulated ; the basal aree smooth at the base, the sides furrowed ; the inner side finely, closely striated along the central keel; the apical slope irregularly rugosely striated. Propleure strongly obliquely, the upper part of the mesopleure longitudinally striated; the lower part, near the base, finely, closely, slightly, obliquely striated ; the apex rugosely punctured. Basal two-thirds of mesosternum bordered by a deep furrow. Abdominal petiole closely, strongly striated. Probrachial nervure in hind wings interstitial ; the third abscissa of radius longer than the basal two united. Face, except for a smooth shining line in the centre, closely transversely striated ; the front closely striated, except at the sides; the vertex and temples smooth and shining. Legs sparsely haired ; the hind coxe striated on the outer side, Philomacroplea, gen. nov. Apex of sixth abdominal segment broadly, deeply, roundly incised in the middle. First abdominal segment sessile, excavat- ed at the base, keeled on the top; it,and the second segment, keeled down the middle; the sutures of the segments narrow: the apical segments are curled downwards ; the abdomen short, broad, not unlike the abdomen of Chelonus. Metanotum smooth and shining, stoutly keeled down the middle. Parapsidal furrows distinct, deep, crenulated. Last joint of hind tarsi not much dilated, as long as the second. Ovipositor short, broad. Antennz longer than the body, the second joint of flagellum about twice longer than thick. Malar space large, furrowed down the middle. Third abscissa of radius about three or four times longer than the basal two united. Temples obliquelynarrowed. “i, a! 4 a Te _— i,t ® oc oe ye a wi sy tse ee fa tte Bi i 5 ee a ve eat ¥ os % 7 . SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. Plate BE West,Newman ad.nat.lith. HYMENOPTERA. PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 143 EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES illustrating Mr. P. Cameron's Paper on Phytophagous and Parasitic Hymenoptera. PLATE A. PAGE 1.—Xiphydria striatifrons os Pes 70 2.—Rhacoteleia pilosa see ari 73 3.—Spilomegastigmus ruficeps wt a 74 4,—Rhacospathius striolatus ae ae 86 5.—Troporhogas maculipennis ase it 94 6.—Holeobracon fulvus fee es 90 7.—Iphiaulax erythroura ahs wee 85 8.—Troporhogas tricolor “ee a 94 9.-—Paraspinaria pilosa as “ee 88 10.—Deniya pleuralis... es ssav) SOS 11.—Aluina erythropus ae saat ge OZ 12.—Skeatia acutilineata ss eee 0c 13.—Buodias rufipes... ae Sse OG 14.—Fenenias erythropus She woos vehe PLATE B. 1.—Friona rufipes Ne bas ane er acl) 2.—Melcha erythropus Se caer) ey 3.—EHarrana lutea “Ae eae see — eh 4.—Bathythrix rubriornatus Pe See ).—Bathythrix striatus a oe Bb 6.—Clitiga excavata ... site Ruled Abe 7.—Clitiga forticornis ... Aas ala a $.—Hehthromorpha ornatipes ses eG) 9.—Charitopimpla annulipes oes PE BSL, 10.—Philopsyche albobalteata es loo 11.—Tanera annulipes ... cas ppl (Fa 12,—Erythrotheronia flavolineata sve 134 13.—Spilophion maculipennis oe sone lea 14.—Lissopimpla rufipes re oe _ 140 144 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED AT HAKGALA, CEYLON. By F. WALL, C.M.Z.S., CAPTAIN, I.M.S. Fyzabad, United Provinces, India. HROUGH the kindness of Mr. Nock I have received two collections of snakes at different times from Hakgala, Ceylon (5,600 feet). The number of species included is small (6), and all are common; nevertheless, collections such as these are of distinct value with reference to distribution. It will be seen also that some very interesting information has been gleaned from the numerous specimens of Aspidura trachyprocta and Ancistrodon hypnale. have omitted to give measurements, as the specimens were all preserved in spirit, and under these conditions do not lend themselves to accurate investigation. Aspidura trachyprocta. (48 specimens. ) With reference to this species I notice Gunther says (Rept. Brit. Ind., p. 203): ‘‘ This species is nearly as common in Ceylon as A. brachyorrhos.” In the locality of Hakgala A. trachy- procta is evidently not only vastly more numerous than A. brachy- orrhos, but by far the commonest snake to be met with at all. No single specimen of A. brachyorrhos was included. Food.—Several specimens had their stomachs distended witha soft putty-like mass, the nature of which I could not determine. Once I thought I could distinguish a slug, and once agrub. On four occasions without doubt the ingested material consisted of earth-worms. I never found traces of any hard-cased insects. Breeding.—The ovarian follicles are normally about } inch in length. In one specimen I found 8 follicles (4 in each ovary), about } inch long, and in another 6 (3 in each ovary) about the same size, and these appeared to be impregnated. The dates of both are not known. A third specimen obtained on the 10th of August, 1904, had 14 follicles (6 in one ovary and 8 in the other) enlarged to ,2, of an inch. The smallest specimens, which I believe were hatchlings, measured 4} and 4,% inches. The latter were found in company with an adalt female on the 10th of SNAKES COLLECTED AT HAKGALA, CEYLON. 145 August. The adult, however, showed nothing unusual upon anatomical investigation. The navel involved 2 shields in both cases. In the 6 10 ventrals intervened between the navel and the anal shield, in the ? 7. Sexes.—Of the 48 specimens collected, 21 were males and 27 females. Without actually measuring them, I think there is no doubt that the females were usually larger. Adult males had all the scales about the anal region keeled. In the median rows these were tuberculate, and often bi, tri, or pluridentate, and in the lowest lateral rows markedly spinose, with the points directed backwards. The spines were hooked, reminding one forcibly of rose-thorns, and were attached by a long base to the anterior three-fifths of each scale. In young males, or at least in some, the keels were obtusely tuberculate as in females. The tails of the males were longer, and the subcaudals varied from 21-26, whereas in females these shields numbered from 1]-16. The ventrals in males were however 135-148, against 139-151 in females. Scale peculiarities.—The scales anteriorly (two head-lengths behind the head) number 15, mid-body 15, posteriorly (two head- lengths before vent) 15, keels were absent in all these situations. The vertebral row was the narrowest of the series, and the ultimate row very slightly largest. The supracaudals were in odd rows, as is the rule where the subcaudals are entire. The first subcaudal was as often divided as entire. Abnormalities. —One specimen had no preocular. The upper postocular was confluent with the parietal in one. The labials were 7, of which the 4th only touched the eye on one side in one specimen ; 7 with the 5th only touching the eye on the left side in two specimens. One very aberrant specimen requires special remark, viz., a male in which the subcaudals numbered only 16. In addition the scales anteriorly (two head-lengths behind the head were ‘15 or 14, mid-body 18, posteriorly (two head-lengths before the vent) 13. Investigation showed that the 2nd and 3rd rows above the ventrals blended on both sides, one rather before the other, at the site I select to count the scales anteriorly. The large row occasioned by this coalescence divided and blended two or three times before the rows were finally established as 13. One sees the same vacillation frequently exhibited in snakes whose scales normally reduce in number, as for instance in T'ropidonotus piscator, where the scales number 19 in the anterior and mid- body, and 17 posteriorly. In all other respects this specimen was normal, and so probably does not deserve specific isolation. 146 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. Colour.—Uniform or nearly uniform black, or blackish dorsally, or varying shades of brown, olive-brown, or olive-green more or less spotted or speckled blackish. The spots vertebrally and laterally have a tendency to confluence, and may form lines, Belly pale yellowish, yellow, ochraceous, or ruddy, sparsely or profusely spotted, speckled, or marbled with black. Tropidonotus stolatus. One female killed on the 12th September, 1904, besides containing a much digested frog was found to be pregnant. There were 8 eggs (6 in one ovary and 2 in the other). The ventrals were 139, subcaudals 66, of which the 32nd, 50th, 51st, 59th, and 60th were entire. As in Malabar specimens the labials were 8, with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th touching the eye. The nasals were in contact with the Ist and 2nd labials, a very unusual character in Indian examples of this species. Usually it is only the Ist labial that is apposed to the nasal. Zamenis MUCOSUS. One specimen about one-third grown, with nothing remarkable to mention. Naia tripudians. I received the head of one of this species, which is uncommon at the same altitude in India. Ancistrodon hypnale. Twenty-seven specimens of this species were collected, so that it must be a very common snake in this locality. Food.—It evidently subsists mainly upon the skink, Lygosoma taprobanense, as no fewer than 11 specimens contained one or more of these lizards, or in some instances the tails only. I also found in the stomach of 5 examples small soft-shelled eggs about half an inch long, probably lacertine, but possibly ophidian. From one male specimen one such was seen protruding from the anus, which I extracted and examined. It consisted of the egg envelope only, compressed, and wrinkled longitudinally, but with no opening that I could discover, so that it was a mystery to me how the contents had been absorbed unless by a process of exosmosis. I floated it in water, teased out the wrinkles, and examined it most closely, then cut it carefully from pole to pole and re-examined it from the interior, but could find no sus- picion of a breach in its continuity. Birds’ eggs are occasionally passed entire “* per anum,” but are more frequently, I believe, wholly dissolved by the digestive juices. Perhaps the coriaceous investment of ova such as this offers a greater resistance to the SNAKES COLLECTED AT HAKGALA, CEYLON. 147 action of the alimentary secretions than the calcareous envelope of the former. One specimen contained about two inches of the tail of a lizard such as a Calotes. Two others contained frogs in a condition too dissolved to identify, and in one example I found a snake Aspidura (trachyprocta). Breeding.—Three specimens were pregnant, but unfortunately the dates of capture were not noted in any instance. The prospective mothers measured 1 ft. 2 in., 11} in., and 11} in. Two contained 6, and one 4 immature eggs. Sexes.—Of the 27 specimens 10 were males, 13 females, and in 4 the sex was doubtful owing to mutilation. Both sexes appear to grow to about the same length, and the tails also show little, if any, disparity. The ventrals and subcaudals were as follows :— Ventrals 6 123-131 (?); subcaudals 29-37 Ventrals 2 121-138 —; subcaudals 27-36 In 7 at least out of 9 males the tails were bent over ventrally in a hook-like manner, but in no single female was this seen. The clasper of the male was bifid on each side as in other members of the family Viperide, and was surmounted with the usual array of falciform tentacles. The testicles were not nearly so elongate as is the rule in snakes, but, as in some other vipers I know, were oval in form, I could discern no difference in colouration between the sexes, nor were the keels more pro- nounced in the scales of males. Scale peculiarities —One or two things deserve notice. The nasal shield touches only one labial, viz., the first, and this often is produced upwards behind the nasal to meet the supraloreal, or when this is not the case one or more minute intercalary scales occupy this situation. The lowest preocular is often entire, often broken up into two. The swbhocular may be entire, in which case it meets the 3rd and 4th labials, or a small portion is often detached anteriorly. The 2nd labial variably contributes to the formation of the loreal pit, often it does not do so, a separate furrowed scale lying above furnishing a floor to the pit. The scales are anteriorly (2 head lengths behind the head) 17, midbody 17, and posteriorly (2 head lengths in front of the vent) 17. Abnormalities.—In one example there were 9 /abials on the left side. The swblinguals touched 2 infralabials only in 3 specimens. The 5th swhcaudal was entire in one example, and the 8th, 9th, and 10th in another. , Vipera russelli. Two small specimens were procured, showing that in Ceylon as in India this species sometimes ascends to a considerable elevation, though really an inhabitant of the plains. x 8(17)05 148 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. NOTES CHIEFLY ON BIRDS SEEN AT THE PEARL FISHERY CAMP, MARCH AND APRIL, 1905. By W. E. Warr. ‘TDIRD-LIFE in the dry littoral zone of the north-western part of the Island possesses many distinctive features, and as the birds which for three-quarters of the yearare left in undisturbed possession of the camp site do not appear to be scared away by the bustle during the fishery, one constantly saw forms or marked habits unnoticed elsewhere. Among the flocks of Brahminy Kites and Gray Crows which gathered over the offal on the beach, one generally saw two or three Marsh Harriers (Circus eruginosus). The Common and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters (Merops viridis and phillipensis) chose the same unsavoury haunts to feast on the swarms of flies. There was a foetid pool fed by the drain which carried off the refuse water from Mr. Dixon’s oyster-washing machine. Here they might be seen not only hawking for insects on the surface, but dipping their beaks into the water, probably to fish out the drowned maggots which were carried down in myriads. On the short walk from my bungalow just above the beach to the Kachcheri a few hundred yards iniand I invariably met with the Rufous Rumped Shrike (Lanius caniceps) flitting among the mustard trees. ‘This bird, which is I believe almost confined to the Manaar District, was one of the commonestincamp. Towards the end of the Fishery while out on an evening stroll with Mr. Ferguson we saw one attack a large rat-snake. The bird swooped down into some high grass near the road, and we watched to see what it had caught. Immediately a six-foot rat-snake came out into the open, followed by the shrike, which pecked viciously at its head. The snake made straight for a hollow tree close by, up which it disappeared, and the bird, catching sight of us, flew away. It had probably been driving off the intruder from its nest, but the wonder is that a bird no larger than a thrush cowed such a big snake. Between the Governor’s and the Government Agent’s bungalows lay asmall openspace on which stood two or three gnarled trees. These were frequently occupied by a few Chestnut-headed Bee- eaters (I. Swinhoti) and a pair of Hoopoes (Upupa ceylonensis). BIRDS SEEN AT THE PEARL FISHERY CAMP. 149 Close by was asandy bank, in the side of which a pariah belong- ing to Mr. Dixon had excavated some burrows wherein she brought up a litter of puppies. I noticed that another pariah had dug a similar burrow in the bluff above the Government kottu. They were doubtless made for the sake of coolness and shade, which could not be obtained otherwise. I wonder whether the jackal, or any species of wild dog, is ever in the habit of making such lairs: whether in fact this was a reversion to the instincts of the fox or an adaptation to environment. No one that I asked had noticed pariahs elsewhere make burrows like these. The neighbourhood of the tani set apart for drinking water was a favourite roosting-place fora large flock of the Lesser White Egret. A few Whistling Teal occasionally came there, while the strip of jungle on the north sheltered several pairs of the Gray Indian Dove (Turlur risorius). A solitary Grey Heron (A. cinerea) used often to fish in the shallows at the head of the tank. To the south of this tank on the opposite side of the cart track leading to the Manaar road lay several insignificant little tanks irrigating a small tract of fields which during the fishery lay fallow. In the small trees and bushes which fringed the water the Black Drongos (D. atra) had their headquarters, while on two occasions I saw a pair of the pretty little Yellow-fronted Woodpecker (Picus mahrattensis) round some Euphorbias which grew near one of the tiny bunds. South of the camp, the bare tidal flats of the lagoon at the river mouth were the happy hunting grounds of innumerable waders, from the Large Stone Plover tothe Little Stint. Several species of tern flocked here, sometimes accompanied by a colony of the beautiful Brown-headed Gull, which usually kept to the sand-spit on the south side of the bar. On the northern bank, in the face of the sand cliff just under the Governor’s bungalow, a large Fish Owl (Ketupa ceylonensis) had his burrow, at the entrance of which he used to sit of an evening blinking and ruffing his plumage until it was time for him to fly off on his rounds. A little further up the river I occasionally met with the Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) skimming along under the bank. Of other noticeable birds, a species of Sky-lark could be heard twittering inthe air any morning, and a Gray Partridge (Ortyg- ornis pondiceriana) might be found on the outskirts of the camp. A large Fish-eagle came several times to the lagoon ; whether it was H. leucogaster, or P. ichthyewius I never got close enough to ascertain. I also heard of the occurrence of a Pariah Kite (Milvus govinda), but did not see it myself. 150 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. In conclusion I would express the hope that some one possess- ing a good knowledge of ornithology could spare a visit to the camp when a pearl fishery is in progress. My observations were made at odd intervals during two very busy months ; my know- ledge of birds is limited, and if it had not been for Mr. Ferguson, who knows the Natural History of the district well, and in whose company I saw practically all the species mentioned, I should have been, in many cases, uncertain of my identification. The circumstances are particularly favourable for observation. Most of the birds have paired before their quiet isinvaded. They are unwilling to leave the breeding-places they have chosen, and soon become accustomed to the busy crowd, which passes them by unheeded. For the species that feed on insects and carrion there is the attraction of a food supply, the like of which they can find nowhere else. An official at the camp, however good his knowledge of the subject might be, has but little leisure. To the ornithologist an interesting but out-of-the-way district is rendered easily accessible by the steamers which during the fishery run from Colombo to the camp. His visit could not fail to be of interest to himself. and would, I feel sure, add considerably to the knowledge of the avi-fauna of Ceylon. KANDYAN HORN COMBS. 151 KANDYAN HORN COMBS. By ANANDA K. COOMARASWAMY, B.Sc., AND ETHEL M. COOMARASWAMY. With three Plates and two text-figures. S its title shows, the present paper has no reference to the merely ornamental fortoise-shell combs now worn by the low-country Sinhalese (a comparatively modern fashion), nor to the practical and beautifully carved zvory combs formerly used, and still often preserved in Kandyan families ; theseivory combs are pretty well known and are seen in most collections; there is a fine series of them in the Colombo Museum. Horn combs, though more generally used, are less familiar, but in some respects even more interesting than the ivory ones ; for the latter, though for the most part certainly made in Ceylon, sometimes seem to show Dravidian influence, and at any rate are often very like Indian combs of the same type, while the horn combs are more purely native in form and decoration. A short account of the making of the ordinary 10-cent horn comb (Pl. B, fig. 3), used even by the poorest classes,* will now be given. The horn comb-makers are men of low caste, Rodiyas in the Bandarawela district for example, and blacksmiths (achari caste) near Kandy. At Ratnapura and Balangoda the work is done by Beruwayas and Durayas ; it is never done by goiyas, who would consider it very degrading. The pictures and descrip- tion apply specially to the manufacture of combs by Rodiyas near Bandarawela. The combs are made of buffalo horn cut transversely, the tops of the horns being used for tool and knife handles and the like. The usual tools of the horn comb-maker include a small adze (14 inch cutting edge), a coarse rasp, one or two knives, a marking awl, a vice, two or three saws, a file, and one or two tools for incising patterns ; the iron tools are made by local blacksmiths. A flat piece of horn is sawn off and cut roughly into the shape of the comb, and then made thinner with adze and rasp (PI. A, fig. 1), and the shaping then finished with a knife. Next the guide lines for the inner ends of the teeth and for the patterns * Those who are better off would now use ordinary European-made combs, instead of decorated horn or ivory ones of native make. 152 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. are scored with the marking awl, which is a small bone tool with a sharp point inserted near one end. The comb is now set in the vice, which is held conveniently against a stone by pressure of the worker’s leg (Pl. A, fig. 2). The vice (fig. I.) consists of two pieces of wood tied together near one end, and having a wedge inserted at the other, which, when it is driven in, causes the short ends to grip very tightly whatever is placed between them. The vice is usually orna- mented with a little primitive carving. The teeth are now ent (P1.. A, fig. 2), first on one side, small teeth with a fine saw, then on the other, coarse teeth with a thicker saw ; these teeth are cut very regularly and with astonishing quickness. Each tooth is next filed back and front to make its edges smooth. Finally the comb is taken out of the vice and a simple pattern incised with a chisel-shaped iron tool, as in the upper comb (PI. B, fig. 3), or Cc Fig. I. A, the vice, length 114 inches (Bandarawela District). B and C, two pattern-marking tools (Pallebedde, Atakalan Korale, Province of Sabaragamuwa) (reduced ). with a two or three-pointed tool asin the lower comb (Pl. B, fig. 3). The pointed tools (B and ©) in fig. I. were used in ornamenting the comb last referred to, which was made at Pallebedde, Atakalan Korale, Province of Sabaragamuwa. Last of all the comb is polished by rubbing with wood ashes and horn shavings. More elaborately carved and pierced horn combs are sometimes met with, but their actual manufacture has not been seen by us, and it is very doubtful if they are any longer made. The comb shown in fig. [I. is pierced, and deeply carved with a characteristic Kandyan pattern. Fig. 4, Pl. B, shows a more elaborate comb, carved and pierced with the nari lata (woman creeper) design. The nari latd is a well known and interesting Kandyan pattern, consisting essentially of a female figure holding a creeper in each hand. In the horn comb shown the figure seems almost to spring from the tree itself, suggesting a possible origin of the design in the idea ofa sacred tree with its KANDYAN HORN COMBS. ] 53 in-dwelling or guardian spirit ; but in other examples the lower part of the figure is fully developed, and the dress carefully indicated (as for example on an embroidered betel bag in our possession), and the pattern is a good deal less suggestive of a mythological origin ; it seems likely, however, that it may once have had a symbolical significance of the sort suggested. The design is a very usual one and is found on all sorts of Kandyan decorative work. A still more elaborate comb is seen in fig. 5, Pl. C3; this unusually large comb is carved and pierced with a hansa putuva design (geese with intertwined necks), and four heads of makaras in the corners, and inlaid as well with ivory pegs, square for one bird and round for the other. This hansa putuva is also a well known Kandyan design; it may be found for example on such Orr a> Se est Bd) : aN a2, Ea ain Fig. II.—Carved and pierced horn comb, Ratnapura District, x 2. —_ various things as key plates, embroidered betel bags, and painted pottery. It will be seen that these decorated horn combs are striking and appropriate in character, and varied and individual in their ornamentation, and it is a reproach to the modern Sinhalese that there is now-a-days so little demand for good home- made wares of this or any kind. Nots.—Since this paper on Horn Combs was written it has occurred to us that the nari lata design so frequently seen in Kandyan decorative art may possibly be derived from the early representations of the goddess Siri (Lakshmi), seated on a lotus and holding lotus flowers in either hand. If so, the abundance of foliage is a late rather than a primitive feature; but its 154 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. development from the original simple sprays appears quite natural considering the fondness for “ creeper” decoration shown in Kandyan design. On this view the most elaborate types, in which human faces appear like flowers amongst the foliage (the main stems of which are always grasped in the two hands of the seated figure), would be a still later development, A. K, C. EH. M. C. DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. PLATE A, Rodiyas making Horn Combs at Ella, near Bandarawela. Fig. 1.—Using the rasp; a vice, knives, and other tools are seen in the foreground, ready for use. Fig. 2.—Cutting the teeth ; an adze is seen on the right. PLATE B. Fig. 3.—Above : horn comb made by Rodiyas at Ella; incised pattern done with a chisel-shaped tool. Below: horn comb made at Pallebedde (Sab.) ; incised pattern done with the three-pointed tool shown in the text, fig. I. x §. Authors’ collection. | Fig. 4.—Horn comb carved and pierced with nazi laté design. x 4. Kegalla Kachcheri collection. PLATE C. Fig. 5.—Horn comb carved and pierced with hansa putuva design and four heads of makaras, and inlaid with ivory pegs. x 8. Authors’ collection. Fig. 6—Another example of the ndri latd design, from an embroidered betel bag. x 3}. Authors’ collection. The embroidery is chain stitch in red and white cotton on (Kandyan) blue cotton. Compare this with fig. 4, Pl. B. ZHYLANICA. SPOLIA ‘(vVAN) VITA LY Sai00 NUOH DYNIMVIL SVAIGOU he ay CS AE ¢ . La, y J " ‘ , ‘ ‘ iv) a if ae eo ee ye ‘ | A. > gee py ah Pp ot. npr ie ‘ aA Sa . Me ay. ye hal Ae 45 Os he ity a as | ‘ ss ¢ 4 ie ,= * —) ry r ire sh wal ; Je 2 xi ty ts Me - - Pda v eit ] Fs" “4 , ¥ ely ’ 4 real ‘ i: Mu. HLIM "402900)]0) rwayoyovy v)vbhoy ‘NDISAGC VYLVT lYVvN dWO0 NYOH GHOUNId GNY GHYACVO ‘SaWoo NUOH NOWWO’ Vy OE Taek 7) “ tir, Yes ®, <= plZ) iWMMINANAEAL 4) fu “ =< c G v ¥, YW \" Z + e ~~ _— Sar A 7, —— ; ‘ Ss > La a VK wt i oe Wi : oad icolera, 64 =) eh lax, ww = i 598 ig * a ie >>: ka + iS =i 1 DSS Neg ats) a E = |) HP) {Ole Yo) \inte 4 a | Q Z, = 19 J i, (eee @'= 6 A >? vi. ; | q * ) id £ , ’ ae 4 re he TY . CARVED AND PIERCED HORN COMB WITH HANSA PUTUVA NARI LATA DESIGN ON EMBROIDERED BETEL BAG. Lo be compared with fig. 4, Plate B, aa eh Lise a oN) NOTES. 155 NOTES. 1. On the Loris in captivity.a—With any wild animal in ecapti- vity the first and most important thing to find out is what food is most likely to suit its taste. And with a very small nocturnal beast, such as the Loris, concerning whose habits I imagine that but little is Known, this is not at first easy. A list of what I have found Loris eat and thrive on, and of what I have known him eat and not thrive on, may therefore be of interest. First of all, I am convinced that the Loris is by nature purely insectivorous, and even carnivorous. If not fed for a day or so he will eat plantains, pumpkins, boiled rice, &c., so will a hungry leopard eat rice, or a starving man his boots, but not with any marked gusto. What a Loris really enjoys is a heavy meal of grasshoppers ; all varieties seem to be equally appreciated, from the large brown red-underwinged piéce de résistance to the thin pale green “salad.” Ihave known a Loris eat 60 mixed grasshoppers at a sitting. Crickets, moths, ordinary flies, most beetles, and cock- roaches are all accepted eagerly ; while the rather horrid skill with which a loris seizes and manipulates a strongly struggling gecko seems to suggest that this is a not unfamiliar prey. Worms, brightly-coloured butterflies, certain evil-coloured beetles, and meat, such as chicken, beef, &c., are rejected, some- times rather indignantly, and I have known the brown shell- backed variety of cockroach (I do not know its name) make a Loris very sick. About a teaspoonful of water a day seems to be the correct quantity of liquid, but I fancy the little beast can go fora long time without any drink at all ; he must often have to do without it in the hot windy weather from June to September. After food, perhaps the next most important subject is medicine. With the Loris I have only experienced two forms of ill-health, diarrhoea and cramp, and both seem curable by the same remedy, viz., opium, taken in the form of laudanum; three drops in a teaspoonful of milk and water is in my experience a safe dose, and it can be repeated twice in a day if the patient can be got to take it ; he can be forced to do so of course, but he is rather frail. we 8(17)05 156 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. If moral characteristics be added to physical, the Loris is very high in the scale ; for his manners are excellent, rather like those of an old-fashioned child who does not play, but takes his pleasure in some more dignified manner. For the Loris never plays; life is for him a very serious matter. Except the Pan- golin, all other animals I have kept or known, play, all but the Loris. If one comes to think of it, any Loris who in his natural haunts attracted attention by frisking about and playing, would very soon be snapped up by an owl or other enemy, for he is very weak, and very slow, and his safety, like that of a new boy in a public school, must depend almost entirely on unostentatious self-effacement. Hence his good manners. But besides modesty he has one other means of defence, and a very curious one indeed it is. For he imitates a cobra. Before relating the instance in which I saw this done, I must supportmy testimony by the only reference to this habit that I know of. Sinhalese of the North-Central Province have several times told me little stories about the “ Unahapuluwa,” and I have thought them far-fetched and absurd. And among the stories of its habits told me by jungle men has been this : “ That the Loris copies the sound of the cobra as a means of self-defence.” Now that I have had an opportunity of testing this story and of finding it true, the other yarns do not seem so absurd. It happened this way. I was sitting in the verandah spoiling my eyes by reading by the last flicker of afterglow, when I heard the regular breathing sound made by acobra when he inflatesand deflates his body. A cobra moving ordinarily, or hunting anything much weaker than himself, does not make this sound, but only when with expanded hood he sits up to fight. With the breathing sound came the occasional quick hiss of a strike. So I got up and took a stick, for I thought that a cobra might be attacking my Loris, who was not in his cage, but only tethered to the top of it. The sound came from my room, where, although it was dusk, there was plenty of light to kill a snake. As I went into the room I looked at the cage, which was on the floor, and on the top of it I saw the outline of a cobra sitting up with hood expanded, and threatening a cat who crouched about sixfeetaway. This wasthe Loris, who, with hisarms and shoulders hunched up, was a sufficiently good imitation of a cobra to take me in, as he swayed on his long legs, and every now and then let out a perfect cobra’s hiss. As I have said, it was dusk at the time, but the Loris is nocturnal, so that his expedient would rarely be NOTES. 157 required except in the dusk or dark; and the sound was a perfect imitation. I may mention that I have kept snakes, including a cobra, and am therefore the less likely to be easily deceived by a bad imitation. And, as I said above, the native legend bears me out. Another native legend concerning the Loris, which obtains universal acceptation in the North-Central Province, is that he kills peafowl by creeping slowly up their backs when they are roosting, and then, twining his long arms round the poor bird’s neck, clings on until he has bitten to the brain. The Loris is a charming and most original pet; his fault is peevishness. But any one who has seen one thrust his long arm into a bottle full of grasshoppers, pick one out and eat it like a radish ; who has seen one sit on the table at dinner and catch the moths and “ poochies ” that fly against the lamp; or has felt one climb up his face and pounce into his moustache as into an insect—will agree with me that our not so very distant cousin is as fascinating a being as any in the forests of Ceylon. JOHN STILL. Anuradhapura, February 27, 1905. 2. On the larval habits of the butterfly, Parata alexis, Fabr. Peradeniya, 27th March, 1905.—It is not often that the larve of Hesperide (“ Skipper” butterflies) occur in large numbers in | close proximity to each other. Parata alexis appears to be an exception in this respect. On the 19th March I observed a fair- sized tree of Pongamia glabra that had been completely defoliated by the larve of this butterfly. So much so that they had been compelled to descend and pupate amongst the foliage of the shrubs below, for lack of shelter on the tree itself. There must have been many hundreds of these pupz within a space of a few square yards. From 50 pupze—collected at haphazard— there emerged 18 males and 16 females; the remainder failed. The flies were disclosed on two successive days (March 24 and 25). On the first day 5 males and 12 females appeared ; on the second day, 13 males and 4 females, the proportion of the sexes being almost exactly reversed. EK. ERNEST GREEN. 3. Curious behaviour of a snake in captivity. Peradeniya, 27th March, 1905.—A small example of Coluber helena which has been an occupant of my vivarium for several weeks, and has 158 SPOLIA ZEYLANIOA. hitherto exhibited a gentle and even timid disposition, commenced to behave in a quite extraordinary manner to-day. On looking into the cage I found it tightly coiled round atoad many times too large for its capacity, visibly constricting it, but not attempting to swallow it. It presently abandoned the toad and then struck out wildly at anything that approached it, including my hand, though I have previously repeatedly handled it with impunity. The excited helena then—without any provocation—seized a large “‘ Whip-snake” by the middle of the body, around which it instantly coiled itself in a tight knot, remaining in that position for half an hour—its head free, but its body tightly constricted— defying all attempts of the whip-snake (which appeared greatly inconvenienced) to dislodge it. When offered a small lizard— as a distraction—it bit at it viciously, but would not retain it. A large T'ropidonotus stolatus was next assailed in the same manner, but that snake easily threw it off. In the intervals of these attacks it moved about the cage with the anterior part of its body laterally compressed and twisted to one side, thereby displaying to unusual advantage the white lateral ocelli. The constricting habit was most marked, and is probably employed when capturing prey ; but I have not yet detected it in the act of feeding. K, ERNEST GREEN. 4. On the nesting of the snake, Bungarus ceylonicus.—I have received specimens of some eggs and young snakes which I have identified as Bungarus ceylonicus, Giinth. My correspondent tells me that they were found in a shallow depression, beneath a wood-pile, in the month of January, 1905. ‘Both parents were curled up in the hollow (made like a duck’s nest, but not lined in any way, just scooped and hollowed out of earth), and under them were lots of eggs and little snakes.” The eggs have a soft leathery shell and are lightly agglutinated together. They are cylindrical, with rounded ends, varying in length from 29 to 35 mm., with a breadth of 17 mm, The young snakes are brownish black above, with well-defined white annuli; white beneath. The two specimens in my possession show 24 and 16 annuli respectively, exclusive of the broad fascia across the head and the white tip to the tail. They measure 230 and 260 mm. in length. Even at this early age the vertebral row of broad hexagonal scales is well demarked. The parent snakes were unfortunately destroyed without any measurements being taken. KE. ERNEST GREEN. NOTES. 159 5. Millipede killed by Reduviid bug.—While watching a large millipede crawling over my lawn I noticed an immature specimen (nymph) of the Reduviid bug (Physorhynchus linnet, Stal.) following and manceuvring about it. Suddenly the bug closed and fastened upon the hinder extremity of the millipede, plunging its proboscis into the intersegmental tissue on the ventral surface between the legs. The millipede immediately writhed about apparently in great pain, but failed to dislodge its enemy. It tried to crawl away, but rather more than half the body and limbs were paralyzed. After feeding for about a minute the bug left its victim, which I then picked up and confined in a box, meaning to note how soon the paralyzing effects would pass off. Twelve hours later the millipede, instead of having recovered, was found to be quite dead. The victim measures 53 inches in length with a proportionate thickness. The predatory bug was scarcely } of an inch long. The bite of many of the Reduviid bugs is—as I have experienced—extremely painful; but I was astonished to find its action so fatal in this case. The poison evidently acted directly upon the ventral nerve cord. Peradeniya, May, 1905. K. ERNEST GREEN. 6. Remedies adopted against the Paddy Fly.—One of the great- est enemies of the paddy plant (Oryza sativa) is the so-called rice sapper or paddy fly (Leptocorisa varicornis), called in the vernacular goyan-messa. The common remedy adopted against this pest is smoking the fields by smother-burning vegetable refuse to windward. The suffocating effect of the dense smoke that is thus raised is some- times intensified by adding to the burning mass such substances as tar, sulphur, tobacco, leaf, and margosa oil (from Azadirachta indica). The paddy fly is believed to object strongly to the odour of resin, and for this reason cultivators often draw a rope saturated in melted resin across the field. The flies are sometimes captured by means of “ bird-lime,” in the following manner. A winnow smeared with the sticky latex of the jak tree (Artocarpus integrifolia) is fixed to the end of a pole and drawn over thetips of the plants. Thefliesas they are captured are collected in a pot strung to the waist of the operator and after- wards destroyed. The process is carried on in the early morning or late in the evening. A method of decoy is also employed thus. An earthenware 160 SPOLIA ZEYLANIOA. pot riddled with holes is set up in the field with a burning lamp inside, The flies collect round the heated pot and are thus destroyed. But there are often extraordinary “ remedies ” (favoured by the more superstitious) carried out through the agency of the village soothsayer. One form of this is where the soothsayer, choosing his day and hour, enters the field with some tender cocoanut leaves plaited into a rough mat or “ ola,” and supervises the erection of a tiny booth or “ mal-messa” on which a floral offering is placed. In this booth the soothsayer burns some camphor, while he indulges in a weird incantation. The final act in this ceremony consists of the stretching of ropes from the mal-messa to various points in the boundaries of the field. The following is another form of charming. The soothsayer, as before choosing his day and hour, proceeds to the field clothed in spotless white, erects a mal-messa on which he gets some rice boiled in cocoanut milk (the expressed juice of the kernel of the cocoanut), and not the liquid contents of the cocoanut as generally understood, and then with a branch from the inflorescence of the areca palm proceeds to sprinkle the liquid from the boiling pot over the fleld, muttering incantations the while. A variation of this last consists in sprinkling charmed water from a new clay pot by means of the twig of a lime tree. In some Catholic villages it is the custom to carry a few paddy flies tothe nearest church, there to be anathematized, and let loose again in the field to influence the colony of pests to quit. For much of the information in this note Iam indebted to Mr. P. Samaranayaka, late Agricultural Instructor, now of the Veteri- nary Department. C. DRIEBERG. Government Stock Garden, June 15, 1905. — 7. The Lacteal Tract of Loris gracilis—In Flower and Lydekker’s well-known “ Introduction to the Study of Mammals” (London, 1891) it is pointed out that in the order Primates “there are always two mamme in the pectoral region, except in Chi- romys”’ (l.c., p. 681). The long-tailed African lemurs of the genus Galago have four teats, namely, two pectoral and two inguinal (/.c., p. 690). In the tailless Oriental lemurs belonging to the sub-family Lorisinz there are said to be two pectoral mamme only (/.c., p. 691). Chiromys, the Aye-aye of Madagascar, has two inguinal mamme only (/.c., p. 695). NOTES. 161 In a much more recent treatise on Mammalia by Dr. Max Weber (Die Siugetiere, Jena, 1904) the statement that the Lorisine are distinguished from the Galagine, among other cha- racters, by the possession of two pectoral teats only, is repeated on p. 760 of that work, xz / ee Mi 5 Ff i yy, Pr ch { A | dy NW oer y Swift : Wf eee <= LEI LAT. = i IT, NS ZN Ee We ( A rath, | \\ \ in —— ane Al 7 Me Xl We Ay . IX wt ul V4 i EA e\\' UG We WY, NU A we ew Situs mammarum of Loris gracilis, Ceylon. The villagers who, Iam told, procure the Loris in Ceylon, while snaring monkeys for purposes of trade, occasionally bring them alive to Colombo for sale. I have recently procured two females, each carrying a young Lorisine clasped to her bosom. LEach of 162 SPOLIA ZEYLANIOCA the mothers had four equal pendulous mamme placed conse- cutively in two pairs in the posterior pectoral (below the last rib) and in the anterior abdominal regions, surrounded by a nearly hairless tract. Each teat is about a quarter of an inch in length; the anterior pair is distant about one inch and a quarter from the axillary region ; the posterior pair is about two and a half inches from the inguinal region. The tetramerous arrangement of the teats in the Loris gracilis of Ceylon is a constant character, and may be observed in young females as well as in females during lactation. ‘he more primi- tive mammals of the orders Edentata and Sirenia, represented in Ceylon by the pangolin and the dugong respectively, have only one pair of teats in the axillary region, but this fact does not militate against the idea that the four teats of Loris may bea primitive feature, at least within the limits of its own order. Not only the organization but the strictly arboreal habits of the Loris suggest that it is a creature of remote antiquity. Whether the character of the lacteal tract affords a further indication of this may be a matter of opinion, but the numerical data should be correctly given. The plurality of teats is remarkable also on account of the fact that the Loris, like bats and monkeys generally, only produces one young ata birth, which remains clamped to the parent by its extraordinary prehensile limbs until able to look after itself. ARTHUR WILLEY, Colombo, July, 1905. SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 163 HELMINTHES FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE COLOMBO MUSEUM. By Dr. O. VON LINSTOW. ( Gottingen.) With three Plates. HIS report on Parasitic Worms from Ceylon is a continuation part IV. (1904). of my description of Nematodes in Spolia Zeylanica, vol. I., There are altogether in the second consignment which was sent to me fifty-one species, of which thirty belong to the Nematoda, one to the Acanthocephala, seven to the Trematoda, and thirteen to the Cestoda; of these, thirty are described as new, and three new genera of Cestoda have had to be established, The following species are dealt with :— bo no 89 bo LO Pian be N Se Re ee ee ee Costar Pw We S © os OM oem oo Ne NEMATODA, Ascaris spiculigera, Rud., from Plotus melanogaster. Ascaris fissicollis, n.sp., from Haliastur indus. Ascaris coronata, n.sp., from Ardeola Grayt. Ascaris brachycheilos, n.sp., from Tropidonotus asperrimus. Physaloptera brevispiculum, n.sp., from Felis rubiginosa. Spiroptera secretoria, n.sp., from Plotus melanogaster. Spiroptera orca, n.sp., from Manis pentadactyla. Spiroptera sanguinolenta, Rud., from Canis familiaris. Sptroptera, spec. ? from Cittacincla macroura. Spiroptera, spec. ? from Pawo cristatus. Spiroptera, spec. ? from Sciurus palmarum. Heterakis pusilla, n.sp., from Gallus Lafayettt. Heterakis granulosa, n.sp., from Gallus gallinaceus. Strongylus digitatus, n.sp., from Bos taurus. Kalicephalus willeyi, v. Linst., from Typhlops braminus. Oxyuris megaloon, n.sp., from Hemidactylus Leschenaultir. Oxysoma falcatum, n.sp., from Nicoria trijuga. Dispharagus macrolaimus, n.sp., from Plotus melanogaster. Sclerostomum equinum, Miiller, from Hquus caballus. Ankylostomum minimum, n.sp., from Felis rubiginosa. Ankylostomum trigonocephalum, Rud., from Canis familiaris. Syngamus trachealis, v. Sieb., from Gallus gallinaceus. Filaria ? Zschokkei, Meyer, from Manis pentadactyla. Filaria immitis, Leidy, from Canis familiaris. 8(17)05 ol. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48 49. 50. 51. SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. Filaria piscicola, nu.sp., from Marine Fish. Filaria equina, Abilg., from Equus caballus. Filaria digitata, n.sp., from Bos indicus. Filaria tuberosa, v. Linst., from Mabwuia carinata. Filaria flavescens, Castellani and Willey, from Calotes versicolor. Trichocephalus discolor, nu.sp., from Bos indicus. Tetradenos tiara, v. Linstow = Ctenocephalus tiara, v. Linst. ACANTHOCEPHALA. Echinorhynchus tener, n.sp., from Spilornis cheela. TREMATODA. Lyperosomum squamatum,n.sp.,from Dissura episcopus. Distomum, spec. ? from Plotus melanogaster. Distomum hepaticum, L., from Bos indicus. Paramphistomum calicophoron, Fisch., from Bos indicus. Paramphistomum gracile, Fisch., from Bos indicus. Gastrothylax crumenifer, Crepl., from Bos bubalus. Tristomum megacotyle, n.sp., from Histiophorus. CESTODA. Hymenolepis septaria, n.sp., from Upupa ceylonensis. Hymenolepis clausa, n.sp., from Dendrocygna javanica. Hymenolepis spinosa, n.sp., from Rostratula capensis. Dipylidium caninum, L., from Canis familiaris. Tenia, spec. ? from Haliastur indus. Diorchis occlusa, n.sp., from Phenicopterus roseus. Davainea polycalcaria, n.sp., from Corvus macrorhynchus. Diplochetos volvulus, n.gen. et sp., from Lobipluvia malabarica. Ophryocotyle ceylonica, n.sp., from Lophoceros gingalensis. Brochocephalus paradoxus,n.gen. etsp., from A’gialitis mongolica. Cittotenia bursaria, n.sp., from Lepus nigricollis. Ichthyotenia cryptobothrium, n.sp., from Chrysopelea ornata. Aphanobothrium catenatum, n.gen. et sp., from Phenicopterus TOSeuUs. I.—NEMATODA. Ascaris. The definition given previously (S. Z., part 1V., p. 91) is to be amended in so far that the intestinal ccecum lies dorsad of the cesophagus ; the cesophageal gland is produced backwards ventral to the intestine. 1.—Ascaris spiculigera, Rud. From the csophagus and stomach of the Darter, Plotus melanogaster, L.; Wirawila, Southern Province. 2.—Ascaris fissicollis, n.sp. Pl. I, figs. 1-2. From intestine of the Brahminy Kite, Haliastur indus, Bodd.; Nedunkeni, Northern Province. HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 165 Three females, 15, 34, and 36 mm. long, 0°79-1'25 mm. wide. Cuticle annulate; behind the lips the annulation is so deep that the contours appear fringed. Lips with intermediate lips; without teeth ; dorsal lip semi-circular, ‘083 mm. x ‘11 mm.” the two papille lie in front ; intermediate lips obtusely conical, attenuate from the middle, with an outer groove. Cisophagus §, acuminate tail ,),.t Eggs thin-shelled, spherical, 065 mm.; the small vitellus distant from the shell. 3.—Ascaris coronata, n.sp. J2iL Uy ate ok From the csophagus and stomach of the Nestling Pond Heron, Ardeola Grayi, Sykes ; Tissamaharama. Cuticle narrowly annulate ; lips edentulous with large trian- gular interlabia ; dorsal lips nearly circular, ‘065 x -078, with two inner anterior prominences ; papille anterior; cesophagus ¢. Male, 17 x :79; tail conical, very short, ;4;. On each side of the caudal extremity 17 pre-anal papille in a row becoming more closely placed behind ; post-anal papille absent; the cirri are 2°37 mm. long, straight, the end bent falciform. Female, 26 x 1:5; tail rounded, anus nearly terminal ; at the posterior end a small finger-shaped appendix ; the vulva lies in front of the middle, dividing the body in the ratio 7: 15; eggs immature. 4.— Ascaris brachychetlos, n.sp. Pl. IIL., fig. 48. From intestine of Tvropidonotus asperrimus, Boulenger ; Colombo, Cuticle smooth ; lips depressed, dentiferous, with small conical interlabia; pulp emarginate; papille large; dorsal lip 078 x -177; cesophagus ;},- 1; ; tail in male 545, in female ;3,, rounded in both sexes carrying a small terminal appendix. Male, 55 x *83; cirri broad, curved like a sabre, rounded at the end, 1:19 x :035; at each side of the tail three very small pre-anal and two post-anal papille; the last of the latter lies dorsally exactly at the hinder end of the body dorsad of the styliform appendix. Female, 104 x 1°58; anus nearly terminal ; vulva near the end of the anterior third, dividing the length in the ratio 14: 39 ; eggs spherical, thick-shelled, closely beset with small granules, 086 mm. * All measurements are in millimetres, and the length always precedes the breadth. } These are fractions of the total body length throughout. 166 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. d.—Physaloptera brevispiculum, n.sp. Pl. L, fig. 4. From stomach of Felis rubiginosa, Geoffr.; Kandy. Cuticle finely annulate ; head end with a thickened cuticular collar from which two round lips protrude, each of which carries three small peaks at the summit; at the tail end there is a simi- lar preputium-like cuticular ring from which the tail emerges ; cesophagus z=. Male, 11:1 x °95, with rounded tail 344 ; at each side of the cloacal orifice four stalked papille ; behind these four paired ventral post-anal papilla, unstalked, in successive couples; cirri very short, feebly curved, ‘79-81. Female, 11-4 x 1:06; tail conical, 545; eggs thick-shelled, 036 x ‘0381. P. preputialis, v. Linst., which occurs in Felis catus in Brazil, has a similar caudal sheath with a body length of 21-30 mm. 6.—Spiroptera secretoria, n.sp. PIS, feb} From esophagus and stomach of Plotus melanogaster, L. ; Wirawila ; in company with Ascaris spiculigera. Dimensions up to 382 x 1:6, but all specimens immature; both ends strongly attenuated ; cuticle annulate; some are larve in process of exuviation. At the head a dorsally placed obtusely conical papilla; in a circle behind this are six roundish papilla, and behind these in the submedian lines four truncate papille with a very small one at the inner side. Alongside the cesophagus runs a long gland containing a long granular secretion often projecting through the orifice which lies close behind the papille. Tail short ‘with small finger-shaped appendix; lateral lines strongly developed, one-fifth of the diameter of the body, enclosing a lateral canal. 7.—Spiroptera orca, D.sp. Pl. L., figs. 6-8. From stomach of Manis pentadactyla, L.; Horana. Cuticle annulate; head with two large lips placed dorsal and ventral, expanded in front; behind these in the submedian lines four finger-shaped procumbent processes. The mouth leads into a vestibule, ‘2 mm. long; csophagus in the male 4, in the female s+; coarse cuticular rings ‘053 apart, fine rings ‘0054 mm. apart. HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 167 Male, 25 x °71; tail involute; cirri long; the left cirrus measured 3:74 mm. in a young specimen of 11°8 mm., ¢.e. nearly one-third of the body length; the right cirrus is broader and much shorter, ‘57 mm.; on each side there are four pre-anal and two post-anal papille, large and round; tail rounded, 5. Female, 32 x ‘95; tail rounded, 2,; vulva lies behind the middle dividing the body in the ratio 7: 5; immature eggs elliptical, 044 x :026; mature, flattened at the poles, ‘047 x :029, barrel-shaped, surrounded in front and behind by a raised hoop. 8.—Spiroptera sanguinolenta, Rud. From cesophagus of Canis familiaris, L.; Colombo. Cf. A. Railliet, Traité de zoologie médicale, Paris, 1895, pp. 536-538, figs. 373-375. 9.—Spiroptera, spec. ? From intestine of Long-tailed Robin, Cittacincla macrouwra, Gmel.; Nedunkeni. One entire and one half specimen spirally wound, not to be identified. 10.—Spiroptera, spec. ? From csophagus of Pavo cristatus, L.; Buttuwa. Three imperfectly preserved fragments. 11.—Spiroptera, spec. ? From peritoneum of Sciwrus palmarum, 1..; Colombo. Fragments of a female. 12.—Heterakis pusilla, n.sp. PL. L, fig. 9. From rectal coeca of Jungle Fowl, Gallus Lafayetti; Mamadu, Northern Province. Head with small roundish lips; cuticle smooth; cesophagus thickened, club-shaped behind, in the male 1}, in the femaie are Male, 5 x 0°19; tail »',, finely pointed, adhering to the ventral side by a granular, opaque cement; cirri very unequal, the left 0°53, the right 0°15; in front of the cloacal orifice a round sucker, and behind this, on each side, four large post-anal papille, of which the last lies at a greater distance from the third than the three anterior from each other. Female, 5:13 x 0°24; tail gis. very long and pointed ; vulva far behind the middle, the pre-genital region to the post-genital region as 12: 5; eggs, thick-shelled, 0:065 x 0-031. 168 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 13.—Heterakis granulosa, n.sp. Pl. III., fig. 49. Intestine of domestic fowl, Gallus gallinaceus, L. ; Colombo. Cuticle annulate ; head with three low semi-circular lips; tail pointed. Male, 27 x 0:59; cesophagus |, ; tail Jj); the two straight rod-shaped cirri, 0°57; sucker long, oval, with a small circular groove behind, and surrounded by granulations ; on each side three pre-anal and six post-anal papille, of which the most anterior is transversely elliptical, the fourth, seventh, and ninth spherical and marginal ; radial muscles pass to the sucker. Female, 55 x 0°79; wsophagus ;,; tail ~,; vaginal orifice immediately in front of the middle dividing the body in the proportion 16: 17; eggs thick-shelled, 0:078 x 0042. 14.—Strongylus digitatus, n.sp. Pl. L., fig. 10. Stomach of Bos indicus ; Colombo. Cuticle without longitudinal lines, but with very fine annu- lation; head attenuate, mouth surrounded by four papille ; cesophagus of male +, of female ,', ; the nerve ring surrounds the cesophagus at the limit of the first and second quarters and below it the porus excretorius opens. Male, 24 x 0°36; cirri very long, 4°54, coalescent throughout their entire length and thickened fusiform at the end; the lateral lobes of the bursa are curved claw-like inwardly; each lobe is supported by six ribs, of which one lies at the inner margin, two side by side at the hinder border, and three in a group at the outer margin ; there is no median lobe; the end of the body is rounded with a pair of finger-shaped, slightly curved hyaline cuticular lobes. Female, 29 x 0:47; genital orifice lies far back dividing the body in the ratio 8: 1; tail pointed, ;j53 eggs 0097 x 0:053. Eleven species of Strongylus have been found in Bos taurus, the European domestic ox ; ten of them have short cirri; only Strongylus filicollis, Rud., has long cirri, but in this species the cuticle shows 18 longitudinal ridges. 15.—Kalicephalus willeyi, v. Linst. Rectum of Typhlops braminus, Russell ; Colombo. Cf. O. v. Linstow, Spol. Zeyl., vol. I., part IV., 1904, pp. 99-100 pl. L, figs. 14-18. HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 169 16.—Ozyuris megaloon, n.sp. Intestine of Gecko, Hemidactylus leschenaultii, Dum. et Bibr. Mamadu. Females only in the collection, 6°52 x 0°91; cuticle deeply annulate; head with three small lips; cesophagus <, narrow, ending behind in a spheroidal bulb; tail conically pointed, + ; eggs very large, 0:083 x 0:047. Oxysoma. Head with three or more lips ; cesophagus witha spheroidal bulb behind ; male with two equal cirri and three paired pre-anal papille ; number of post-anal papille variable; tail in both sexes finely pointed; Secernentes-Meromyaria ; in reptiles and amphibia. 17.—Oxysoma falcatum, n.sp. Pl. IIL., figs. 50-51. Intestine of the Tortoise, Nicoria trijuga, Schweigg. ; Colombo. Cuticle smooth; head broadly rounded with six stalked papille ; the stalks are divided giving off an inner branch ; behind the head are four large papille in the submedian lines ; cesophagus thin, in the male oe, female me the bulb is embraced by the cup-shaped commencement of the intestine ; excretory pore behind the middle of the cesophagus dividing the latter in the ratio 21 : 16. Male, 11°6 x 0°55; tail 54, bent hook-like towards the ventral surface ; cirri equal, falciform, very broad before the middle, 0°44, pointed at the end; three pre-anal and five post-anal papille (paired). Female, 141 x 0°56; tail 54; genital orifice behind the middle dividing the body as 5 : 3 ; the vagina runs forwards ; eggs 0°14 x 0-097. Dispharagus. Head with two lips; in the region of the so-called neck the cuticle shows four longitudinal pleats; male with two unequal cirri ; on each side of the tail four pre-anal papille; it belongs to the Secernentes-Polymyaria; occurring in the cesophagus, stomach, and gastric submucosa of birds, 18. —Dispharagus macrolaimus, nusp. Stomach ofthe Darter, Plotus melanogaster, L. ; Wirawila. Females only in the collection, 7°3-11°4 x 0°28-0°47 ; cuticle annulate, with elevated lateral lines; head with two small, conical, rounded lips; the mouth leads into a long vestibule ; 170 SPOLIA ZBYLANICA. cesophagus very long, ais ae RANGA ae Spee, — Say PMNS hy iL seated ran! Kis PMP Wr alli att fate.) 80): oil od) ze fetaegor at. eyes esi x mbrieih ws itinlign ss wi Dh eal eorien 901 Pee eae > vig Ba at fe ‘ . & oe Aish Grie as olive tie) ren \eten SV nee gare cis a Jadinge mp elrani 2s eusaatie, Bee aise Fe eerie Hew ited anos ioe lquntl erttnpeygeigl BUT © Serene fg sige’ O72 apis crepe Leer oe pec es, a tet + sores Ron & to olgatage. 5 sos? aii ahaa ee tl ack Pe ere aeons aitestil, meas ipa gary at 2 Pete) ao no aie ah ws * “ 7s hy aot) x yah: Smee andi hayes. on Rai Lm ol oi Aap haar re ane ween 4 pars ibe a's i Sede G Ree | ey ' - i } : shi co oR Sit? See " tae “aon: eke oy * aan fn! Lae » co re SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. ISSUED BY THE COLOMBO MUSEUM, CHY LON. VOLUME Iil. COLOMBO: G. J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON. —_— 1906. ss 7 "ind wi : n / pia a 4 Lae AS ane ; mee 3 i. ; ae oF ero CONTENTS OF VOLUME IT. Part [X.—Marcg, 1905. Guide to the Antiquities, Minerals, and Natural History Collections bo in the Colombo Museum Part X.—OcrosBeEr, 1905. Cameron, P.— On the Phytophagous and Parasitic Hymenoptera collected by Mr. E. Ernest Green in Ceylon (First Paper) Cameron, P.— Idem (Gecond Paper) Wall, F.— Notes on Snakes collected at Hakgalla, Ceylon Wait, W. E.— Notes chiefly on Birds seen at the Pearl Fishery me March and April, 1905. Se Coomaraswamy, A. K. and Ethel M.— Kandyan Horn Combs Notes.— 1. On the Zoris in captivity. John Still “ct 2. On the larval habits of the Butterfly, Parata alexis, Fabr. E. E. Green oe vee 3. Curious behaviour of a eenen in apie. E. E. Green.. 4. On the nesting of the Snake Bungarus ceylonicus. H. E. Green nee . Millipede killed by a Bedagud Bug. E. E. Green ore Remedies adopted against the Paddy Fly. C. Drieberg... 7. The Lacteal Tract of Loris gracilis. A. Willey a Part XI.—Janvuary, 1906. Linstow, O. von— Helminthes from the collection of the Colombo Museum... Annandale, N.— New and interesting Lizards in the Colombo Museum Annandale, N.— Stalked Barnacles Levene Pedunculata) in the Colombo Museum a ws Notes.— 1. Lacteal Tract of Oriental Lorisine. N. Annandale 2. Curious action of a Toad when confronted by a Snake. j EK. E. Green zs On the constricting habit of Coluber alain EB. B. Green ... Scorpion stings. KH. EH. Green : one Minerals new or rare in Ceylon. A. K. Coomaraswamy oR PAGE 144 148 151 155 157 157 158 159 159 160 163 189 193 196 196 197 197 198 ( Senn 6. Recent Marine Clays at Kuchaveli,Ceylon. A. K. Cooma- raswamy out a; 7. Contributions to the Geology of Ceylon. A. K. Coomara- swamy .

Oy a ia beeae aes ee (Dene Vag) 5 b a Sed a AG sei I Oak) : aus r hae a aoe © od AR AES WE Saree Pem its ¥ SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. A Quarterly Publication designed to promote a knowledge of the Natural History of Ceylon (exclusive of Botany) for the information of residents in the Island, and also for the advance- ment of Science. It will contain Records and Contributions, together with Notes, Abstracts, and Reviews, relating to the economic and systematic knowledge of the natural resources (Zoology, Anthropology, Geology) of the Island-and of the surrounding seas. Each Volume will consist of four Parts, the size of which will depend on circumstances, and the Parts will be published as near to the quarter days as possible. The Journal will be illustrated by line-blocks, balf-tone blocks, and lithographic plates. Authors will receive 25 copies of their contributions gratis, or 50 copies if desired. Subscription, Rs. 5 perannum ; single copies, Re. 1:25; post free. Communications should be addressed to the Director, Colombo Museum. Complete sets of this Journal may also be obtained from Messrs. R. Friedlander and Sohn, 1], Carlstrasse, Berlin, N.W. ~, ISSUED BY CEYLON. SPOLTA ZEYLANICA, THEHE COLOMBO MUSEUM, Vou. III.—PArRT X. OCTOBER, 1905. CONTENTS. 1. Cameron, P.— On the Phytophagous and Parasitic Hymenoptera collected by Mr. E. Ernest Green in Ceylon (First Paper) 2. Cameron, P.— On the Phytophagousand Parasitic Hymenoptera collected by Mr. E. Ernest Green in Ceylon (Second Paper) ... 3. Wall, F.— Notes on Snakes collected at Hakgalla, Ceylon 4, Wait, W. E.— Notes chiefly on Birds seen at the Pearl Fishery Some March and April, 1905 are Bs 5, Coomaraswamy, A. K. and Ethel M.— Kandyan Horn Combs ... ose 6. Notes.—J. Still, E. B. Green, C. Drieberg, A. Willey With Plates and Illustrations. COLOMBO : PAGE 67 98 1i4 [For Rate of Subscription and other Information see back of Cover. ] GEORGE J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON. 1905. SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. A Quarterly Publication designed to promote a knowledge of the Natural History of Ceylon (exclusive of Botany) for the information of residents in the Island, and also for the advance- ment of Science. It will contain Records and Contributions, together with Notes, Abstracts, and Reviews, relating to the economic and systematic knowledge of the natural resources (Goology, Anthropology, Geology) of the Island and of the surronnding seas. Each Volume will consist of four Parts, the size of which will depend on circumstances, and the Parts will be published as near to the quarter days as possible. The Journal will be illustrated by line-blocks, balf-tone blocks, and lithographic plates. Authors will receive 25 copies of their contributions gratis, or 50 copies if desired. Subscription, Rs. 5 perannum ; single copies, Re. 1:25; post free, Communications should be addressed to the Director, Colombo Museum, Complete sets of this Journal may also be obtained from Messrs. R. Friedlander and Sohn, 11, Carlstrasse, Berlin, N.W.; from Mr. Bernard Quaritch, 15, Piccadilly, London; and from Messrs. Wyman & Sons, Ltd., Fetter Lane, London, K.C. es SPOLTA ZEYLANICA. ISSUED BY 1906. = THE COLOMBO MUSEUM, CEYLON. Vou. III.—ParRT XI. JANUARY, 1906. CONTENTS. PAGE 1. Linstow, Dr. O. von— Helminthes from the collection of the Colombo Museum 163 2. Annandale, N.— New and interesting Lizards in the Colombo Museum ... 189 3. Annandale, N.— Stalked Barnacles (Cirripedia Pedunculata) in the Colombo Museum .., See eee 193 4. Notes.—N. Annandale, E. E. Green, A. K, Coomaraswamy, C. Drieberg, T. B. Fletcher — ase 196 With Plates and Illustrations. [For Rate of Subscription and other Information see back of Cover. COLOMBO : GEORGE J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON. fr SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. A Quarterly Publication designed to promote a knowledge of the Natural History of Ceylon (exclusive of Botany) for the information of residents in the Island, and also for the advance- ment of Science. It will contain Records and Contributions, together with Notes, Abstracts, and Reviews, relating to the economic and systematic knowledge of the natural resources (Zoology, Anthropology, Topography, Geology) of the Island and of the surrounding seas. Each Volume will consist of four Parts, the size of which will depend on circumstances, and the Parts will be published as near to the quarter days as possible. The Journal will be illustrated by line-blocks, balf-tone blocks, and lithographic plates. Authors will receive 25 copies of their contributions gratis, or 50 copies if desired. Subscription, Rs. 5 perannum ; single copies, Re. 1°25; post free. Communications should be addressed to the Director, Colombo Museum, Complete sets of this Journal may also be obtained from Messrs. R. Friedlander and Sohn, 1], Carlstrasse, Berlin, N.W.; from Mr. Bernard Quaritch, 15, Piccadilly, London; and from Messrs. Wyman & Sons, Ltd., Fetter Lane, London, E.C. SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. ISSUED BY THE COLOMBO MUSEUM, = > CEYLON. Vou. I1].—Part XII. APRIL, 1906. CONTENTS. PAGE Doflein, Dr. F. (Munich)— Termite Truffics ase Abe ae 203 Cameron, P.— Description of a new species of “‘ Opius” from Ceylon... 210 Notes.—J. P. Lewis, A. K. Coomaraswamy, E, H. Green, O. S. Wickwar, A. Willey, J, Still me eee 211 With Plates and Illustrations. [For Rate of Subscription and other Information see back of Cover. } COLOMBO : GEORGE J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON, 1906, ye aieae Padyor) To tiie S ‘ce = . \ TT : be ie) \ y sf ng YF 4 til \ at I ° \ , ig ; ; y Nl ; - - oa , La - - . - we - i m & - P - X ‘ a+ ’ 7 - 7 2 - an & i ‘ » od ? Vi s Ws 54s - ae A me a9 - mr Mp js = Sy Fee es ‘eye 3 RE Leip Sis 5 p ya an iy ata . wit ew is 2 ‘ : A ok y Ce oH pd a SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. A Quarterly Publication designed to promote a knowledge of the Natural History of Ceylon (exclusive of Botany) for the information of residents in the Island, and also for the advance- ment of Science. It will contain Records and Contributions, together with Notes, Abstracts, and Reviews, relating to the economic and systematic knowledge of the natural resources (Zoology, Anthropology, Topography, Geology) of the Island and of the surrounding seas. Each Volume will consist of four Parts, the size of which will depend on circumstances, and the Parts will be published as near to the quarter days as possible. The Journal will be illustrated by line-blocks, balf-tone blocks, and lithographic plates. Authors will receive 25 copies of their contributions gratis, or 50 copies if desired. Subscription, Rs. 5 perannum ; single copies, Re. 1:25; post free. Communications should be addressed to the Director, Colombo Museum. Complete sets of this Journal may also be obtained from Messrs. R. 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