CONTENTS OF THIS NU M 8 E R—(contd.).
Miscellaneous Notkis-
I New Langurs from too Indian Empire 9?&
■J On the 10 d of the Desert Gerbille {Gerbdlm Tmrriance). By
E. Comber 978
i». Hger attacking a Bear. By Lt.-Col. L. L. Fentou $79
4. A fight between a Panther and a Hyasna. By \\\ M. F. Pen-
delbury . *. ♦ .. .. 979
.".. Mottled Pole-cat (Pvtorms wrmaticm) at Bannti. By Major
II. A. F. Magrnth ".. . .. flho
'i V good head ot HodgsonV WiW Sheep (\\\t7t n Hate*) Uy
GApt.F. M. Bailey 98t/
7. rbeBeroiv By C. B- Mo*«ridpe 081
S Habits of the Takin -. 981
i* A good Chinkara or Indian Gazelle head- By Major R. M
Burton,i.A - 981'
10 The Wall Creeper ^TSishodrmna **wrttria) in Lyallpur. By A.
B. Affken - ... S8S
11 Seasonal change of plumage of the Indian White-Eye. B\
Capt. G- A. Perrean, P.K B. (4th Gurkha Kiflesl 988
1 2 Shr ifci-B 1 Larders. By D. Dewar, i .c.s 986
15 Common My na {A . trisHg) feeding young of Pie! Myoa (5.
contra) and neeung habits of the Common Pariah Kite (J/.
gcvinda^ and Brahmin y Kite (//. Indus). By CLas. M.
Tnglis .... 9S5
N Change ot plumage of the Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow (Pai>w
cinnammneuz). By Capt. G. A. Perreau. F.Z.S. ..,. 986
16 The nesting of a few somewhat rare birds near 51 how. By Lt.-
Col. K. M. Betham .., ...... - * 988
16. Birds' Nesting In Oarhwal. By S. L. Whymper 990
17 Breeding of the Masked Wagtaii {Motacilla personate) in
Kashmir. By Col. L- L. Fenton 992
18 A note on the nesting of the Besra Sparrow Hawk QAccipUev
virgetus) and the Andaman Night-Jar (Ceprimnlgvs andavta-
nwi(s) in the Andaman**. By P. F. \Vickh»m 992
IS Note on Ingiie's Bush Quail (JUimtpardia- inglisi, Grant). By
Chas. M. lnglip H9S
3ft Nesting of the Ibis Bill QlbldorhyHchu* strut ktrsi). By
Capt. F. M.Bailey. ( With « Plate) - 998
2\ The Snipe-billed Godwit 994
82. Second ocnurrence of the Snipe-hilled Godwit in Assam. By
E. C Stuart Baker - * .« 994
28. Occurrence of the Losaer Florlcan or Likh (Syphtoti* a^rita)
outof Season. By K. R 99&
34. Late breeding of the Indian Little Grebe QPodicipes albi-
nuttni*)- l *7 Chas. 6). lnglip i»9*j
* *.
JOURNAL
OP THE
BOMBAY
IJateaJ Hisforg ^tuty.
Vol. XIX. BOMBAY. N 0- 4,
\ POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN
SNAKES.
Illustrated by Coloured Plate» and Diagrams.
by
Major F. Wall, I. M. 8., C. M. Z. S.
Part XII with Plate XII and Diagram and Map.
( Continued from page 563 of this Volume.)
The genus Dendroplm as now understood comprises at least 11
>pecies, distributed in Southern Asia between India and Indo-China,
hi >ugh the Malayan Archipelago to Eastern Australia. Of these
peoies 6 occur within our Indian limits, mz. (J) pictus (Eastern
bengal, Eastern Himalayas, Irrawaddy-Salween basin, and Tenasserim
nd further East to Indo-China), (2) grandoculis (Hills of Southern
ndia), (3) bifrenalis (Ceylon and Travancore Hills, Ferguson!
4) vaudolineatus (Ceylon), (5) and (6) yorei* and proarckosf (Brahma-
utra basing.
Until 1890 several other species were included which have now
een grouped together on characters affecting dentition under a
sparate genus called Dendrelaphis by Mr. Boulenger. This genus
icludes '6 species found in Indian Territory, viz. (I) tristis (Penin-
jilar India, Eastern Himalayas, Brahmaputra Valley and Ceylon) ;
I) subocularis (Hills of Upper Burma) : and (3) biloreatus% (Brahma-
utra Basin).
* Described by me in this Journal, Vol. XIX., p. 829. t Described by me in this
wraal, Vol. XIX., p. 827.
X Described by me in this Journal, Vol. XVIII , p. 273.
1
776 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
The specie.-* of both genera are very much alike, so much so indeed
that some have been much confused. For instance every author
who wrote before Mr. Boulenger's present classification was inaugura-
ted, alluded to I hndrelaphis Isvistis^ and Dendrophis p ictus as one
and the same snake nnder the latter title, and the confusion did not
end here, for every writer since has committed the same mistake,
I have heard doubts expressed in some quarters as to the justifica-
tion for the recognition of the two genera just referred to, but a-
I have a series of skulls of the types of both, I am in a position to be*
able not only to affirm that the differences claimed exist, but to add
others in snpport. Mr. Bonlenger divided the species on characcer-
affecting the maxillary teeth, grouping together those in which tht j
teeth enlarged posteriorly under the heading DendrophU, and thot*
in which they rednced posteriorly under the title Deiiilrdiphis.
Figures A. and B. taken from the skulls of specimens of both obtain-
ed at Pashok in the Eastern Himalayas illustrate the differences ii
dentition, but I find in addition, that there are decideJ differences ii
the shape of the nasal bones, and also in the ridge:* for mnscnla
attachment on the parietal bones of each [see Diagram and tfgs. A. am
B.). The confusion in litem t lire between Z>. tnstis and IX pictus jus
referred to makes it difficult for nie to speak very positively on th
distribution of these species, but L present the facts as they appear t
me, with the hopfi that our reader^ who are in a position to do r
will send me specimens that will enable me to confirm or refute then
DENDRELAPH1.S TRISTIS (Daudin.;
The Indian /I ronzt -Harked Tree Snake.
History. — The first reference to this snake was made by Rnsseli ov<
a century ago. In 171JG* he figured and remarked upon a specimt
from Hyderabad (Deccan). In lHOl f he figured and referred to tv
others from Bombay and Tranquebar.
JXomenetatvre -— («) Svientijic. — The generic name from the Orei
deyopw a tree, and e\a<f>t$ snake, \va» introduced by Mr. Boulenger
l&yO. Tristis, the specific title from the Latin " tad " was confer r
by Daudirt in lb03 in allusion to its sombre colouration.
(b) English. — The Common Indian Bronze- Backed Tree Snake
* Ind. Keep. Voi. l,p. :iti and Plate XXXI. f Voi. 1 1, pp. 2y and oU and PL
XXV and XXVI.
J POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. Ill
Bronze Back. I have heard it alluded to as the painted tree snake, but
since all the species are alike in the carulean adornment which
suggested the term painted, this adjective is equally applicable to all.
(e) Vernacular. — In Ceylon Ferguson* says it is called ** haldanda."
Mr. E. E. Green interrogated two intelligent Singhalese with respect
to this term, and they said they knew a snake of this name which
they described as " a very swiftly moving snake of a dark-brown
colour," and said it had a yellow belly. The word is from " hal " rice
and " danda " a stick or whip. The connection is not very obvious
but an observation of Annandale and Robinson's with regard to the
snake IX p ictus suggests itself. They remark that it is often found
among bushes at the edge of rice fields. One of the two men above
referred to told Sir. Green it is also called *' katta-kaluwa," meaning
black mouthed, but whether this name is rightly applied to this
species seems dubious, as it does not appear appropriate. Ferguson f
mentions this term in his list of Singhalese names for snakes, but
without specifying the species.
Confusion iti vernacular nomenclature with regard to snakes is
great, thus we find another Singhalese name, viz, " ahaetulla " wrongly
applied to this species. Linnet in 1754, Laurenti § in 1768 and
others since have made use of the term in reference to the snake now
identified by Bonlenger as 7A pirtus, but it is clear that the word
emanating from Ceylon refers rather to the Ceylon snake tristis.
There is however, now, 1 think no doubt that *' ahaetulla " is the correct
Singhalese name for the green whip-snake (Dryophis mycterizans),
the word implying eyeplucker being synonymous with the t4 kan-
kotti-pambu " of the Tamils inSnnthern India. Further confusion has
arisen with regard to the name " kumberi-muken. " RnsselllT connects
this name with the snake 7>. t rid is, and many others subsequently
have followed him, but I think there can be no doubt that it is
correctly applied to the green whip-snake (I), myeterizans). TW
name meaning " snouted tree snake " obviously suggests the green
whip-snake, and is quite inappropriate to the common bronze-back.
Moreover, in u printed copy of a lecture on snakes delivered some
years ago by tbe Rev. Fr. Bertram, s. J., of which I have a copy,
this authority says "I believe these two different names (kan-
* Kept, fauna of Ceylon, 1877, p. 26. t loc. cit. p. 40. J Mub. Ad. tfrid. p. 35.
riate XXII., fi£. 3. § Syn. Kept. p. 7'X \ Ind. Serp. Vol. I, p. 30 aitf Plate XXXI.
778 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX,
kotti-pambu and kamberi-mukken) denote the same snake ; for.
while the kan-kotti-pambu is acknowledged by all to be the
green tree-snake, there is no other tree-snake with an elongated
snout which would justify the name kamberi-mukken." Further,
the Revd. C. Leigh, s. .r., who has 13 years* experience of Trichinopoly.
recently wrote to me in response to my enquiries that green whip-
snakes were frequently kept in captivity at St. Joseph's College, and
the students and visitors repeatedly applied the name kamberi-
mnkken," " patchai-pambn " and " kan-kotti-pambu" to this species.*
Jerlonf mentions " chitooriki-pambu " as one of the names iu use
in Southern India, and Dr. J. li. Henderson tells me he has known
it called " panaiyeri-pambu " meaning palmyra snake in the same part
of India. According to Russellt it is called u rooka '* in Mahratti,
" croobra" about Hyderabad (Deccan), "maniar" about Bombay,
and " mancas " in Guzerat. Mr. E. Muir tells me that at Kama, Ben-
gal, it is called " bet anchora " which means " lacerated with a cane."
In Gannanore I heard it called " villooni " from the Malayalam
villoo a bow (see legends hereafter).
Colour and markings. — Dorsally the body is uniformly purple
brown, bronze-brown or rarely ruddy-brown, except for the vertebral
region which is usually more or less distinctly lighter, and the last
row and a half of scales in the flanks, which are yellowish. The
vertebral stripe invohes the vertebral and half the next mw. It
may be conspicuous in the whole body length, or only anteriorly.
In the neck and fore body a series of oblique, black streaks, often
paired, and usually more or less broken up are always more or less
evident. A yellow flank stripe passes from the neck to the vent. It i*
bordered above by a blackish, somewhat indistinct line, but unlike
pictus is not bordered below by a black line running along the edge oi
the ventrals.
When the snake under excitement dilates itself, small oblique
patches of light sky blue on each scale on the back are brought into
view, especially noticeable and brilliant in the forebody. Each
patch of blue is broadly edged with black anteriorly, and posteriorly
and placed on the lower half of each scale so that it is usually com-
•Tiie confusion is on a par with the Singhalese '«karawella," wrongly ascribed bv
Guuiher to the Ceylon pit viper {Ancistrodtm liypnah). Subsequent authors repeated the
mistake on bis authority, but there is uow no doubt, I believe, that it is properly applied to
the Ceylon kr*it (Btrngarw cqUniru*). f .1. A. S. Bengal XXII, p. 523. loc. cit.
A POPULAR TREA TJSE ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 779
pletely concealed by the overlapping of the scale below it. In our Plate
(figures 3 and 4) this ornamentation is not done justice to, the blue
being neither bright enough nor broad enough. The head is coloured
above like the back, but the npper lip is yellow, creamy-buff, or
opalescent abrnptly demarcated above. There is a roundish yellow
spot in the suture between the parietal shields (not shown by oui
artist), thin black edges to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th supralabials (some-
times the 1st also), and a somewhat obscure, narrow, black postocular
streak not or hardly extending to the neck. The belly is uniform
Creamy-yellow, pale-greyish, greenish, or bluish green.
The markings to which special attention is to be paid are (1) The
interparietal spot ; (2) The light vertebral stripe ; (3) The black
posterior margins to the anterior supralabials ; (4) The narrow, short,
and often obscure black postocular streak and (5) a more or less obvious
black line separating the dorsal brown from the yellow flank stripe.
I find these present (except (1) and (2) in a single example from
Marmagoa) in all the specimens I have examined from the
localities mentioned hereafter under distribution, and none of these
are present in specimens of Dendrophis pictus. In the Eastern
Himalayas where these two species are associated {on slopes below
Darjeeling) I saw many specimens last year, and learnt to discriminate
between them at a glance, by the marks above referred to.
Dimensions. — The longest measurement I know is 3 feet 9 inches.
I obtained a specimen of this length in Trichinopoly.
General characters. — The Indian bronze-back is remarkably elegant
in colouration, and form. Its head is rather elongate, snout bluntly
rounded, nostril small, and the eye large and lustrons with a golden
iris and round pupil. The neck is very distinctly constricted, the body
long, slender, smooth, and rather depressed (i.e., flattened from above
downwards). The belly is conspicuously ridged on either side as in
Chrysopelea ornata. An unusually long tapering tail accounts for
nearly one-third the total length of the snake. This appendage is
ridged beneath in the same manner as the belly.
Identification. — The dnal combination of enlarged vertebrals, and
ridged ventrals (see Diagram I, figs. F and G) proclaims any snake
either a Dendrophis or Dendrelapltis^ so that it remains to distinguish
this species from others in these two genera. Only 6 of these have 15
780 JOTJRNAL.BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
rows of scales in midbody, and tbe differences between them will be
seen at a glance at the following table.
■D
o
T3 a
£•2
.a
©
fcO
™^**
"I
i a
as
S3
en 13
a, bo
s 6 5
«-■
c
a>
1 "*
•3
a
<
2
a
JO
CO
a
to" «
eS « .
« -g ©
1 .normally 1th
3th & lith.
2 l5tu & Oth
!
Name of species. [
16
J5
Yes ...
Yefi ...
177 to 211..
154 to 171 .
IS1 to 153 ...
144 to 155 ...
Dendrophis picttts.
.. bifrennlii*.
15
.N'o ...lf.8toI9T ...
2
115 to 134
1 ,'ftth & 6th ...
DemlrelapJtis irittis.
15
? 167 to 172 ...
|
2
74 to 105 ...
1 |.1th
fii'bocidar ;.
10
? [174 to l$b ...
<j
117 to 1S4 .
] [4tb. oth&Cth
., grandociL''
15
Yes ...
184 to 195 ...
1
141 to 153...
1 4th ( 5fh&Cfh..
1
, prmrcftn*.
The most important characters to distinguish tr/sti* from its allies
are tlie narrow vertebials in which the length very distinctly exceeds
the breadth, and only two labials touching the eye. To -urn up then
any snake in which the vertebra Is are enlarged, but obviously longer
than broad, with ridged ventral s, 15 scale rows in midbody, (?".€.,
between snout and vent) and two labials touching the ej*e is Dendrela-
pfiis trisiis.
Haunts. — The common Indian bronze-back like all its allies
lives almost entirely in bushes and trees, I became most familiar
with it in Trichinopoly in iny early Indian days, when I spent a good
deal of my leisure time birdsnesting. During my daily excursions I
frequently came across it, and have indeed met as many as three or
four in a single outing. I frequently discovered it lying on a branch,
when peering through low scrub, and if the snake lay still the chances
were it would escape detection, looking extremely like a small branch
itself. There is no doubt that its colouration is decidedly protective.
An observation of Mr. E. E. Green's in a recent letter exemplifies
this. He says — on the 6th of September 1903, he *• placed a branch
with green foliage in the snake's cage. .Formerly all the different
snakes coiled up together amongst the dry foliage of a dead branch,
but now they have sorted themselves, the green whip snakes {Diy-
ophis mycterizans) have moved on to the green branch while the Ttq-
A POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 781
pidonotus and Dendrophis (Dendrelaphis, F. W.) — both brown snakes
— have remained on the dead branch."
Often gazing up into trees a movement in the foliage twenty or more
feet above drew my attention to a snake which when shot proved to
be this species. I encountered it more than once in holes in trees,
sometimes detecting the snake from the gr ound level with its head
peering forth, or when aloft investigating a likely hole for a bird's
nest. Under the latter circumstances a cane thrust into the hole and
briskly stirred about effected its exit. Once the snake vacated its
quarters so hastily that it fell to the ground On one occasion in
Colombo, 1 discovered one in the open, and pursued it but it got
into grass, and disappeared beneath a log. With some difficulty the
log was overturned, but the snake could not be &een, and yet the ground
was such that it was impossible for it to have escaped in any direction
unseen. After u considerable search a narrow hole was discovered in
the log in which the snake proved to have taken refuge. On more
than one occasion I have found its slough entwined among the twigs
of a crow's nest, which it had evidently visited with the intention of
disencumbering itself of a worn-out vestment, as the slough was per-
fect or nearly "so. On one of these oocasions I found the snake in a
hole in the same tree, and matched it with the slough.
It not infrequently comes to the ground, and I have often flushed
one near the base of a tree, and seen it disappear up the trunk like a
flash befoie I had time to recover the start that such an encounter always
gives me. Dr. Henderson, too, remarks in a letter to me that he thinks
it visits the ground more often than the whip-snake (D. mycterizans).
It frequently clambers into the creepers about bungalows, and from
here creeps on to the tiles,
Disposition,— Though Gvinther * says of it " When old it is rather
ferocious and bites readily " my experience goes to show that it is a
timid snake, usually making off with great despatch when alarmed.
I have never been struck at by the specimens I have met face to
face, or rudely evicted from holes in trees. The specimens I have
handled, too, have never attempted to bite me, but it gives me little
chanoe of ascertaining its temper, for if liberated with the object of
being played with, it takes advantage of its release so precipitatelyi
and moves with such speed, that the captive of one minute has regained
* Kept. Brit. India, p. 297.
782 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY,, Vol. XI7C.
its liberty the next, and is lost among the branches of the nearest
tree. Mr. E. E. Green says that specimens lie has kept have alway?
been quite gentle and never attempted to bite when handled. Dr. J. E.
Henderson, in a, recent letter to me, remarks that in captivity it
becomes very tame and inoffensive. Mr. Ingleby quoted by Fergu-
son says that it is a very lively, and plucky snake, and the fact that
Mr. E. E. Green found one devouring a large blood-sucker lizard
(Calotes versicolor), a most truculent creature when brought to bay
sufficiently establishes its reputation for courage, when hunger presses.
Habits. — In a former paper of this series I made some remarks
upon " flying "snakes (Under Ckrysopdea ornata in Vol. XIII). It
is probable that the common Indian bronze-back cau undertake feats
of the same nature, for it is endowed with the same peculiar ridges on
the belly, that are seen in ChrysopeUa ; further, its close ally Vendro-
phis pirtus is one of those snakes that has been reported to spring
(fly) from heights. So iar as tristh is concerned, however, the
evidence, though suggestive is not so well authenticated. Though
neither Dr. Willey nor Mr. E. E. Green are aware of any native
stories cf springing or " flying " snakes in Ceylon. Pridham* speak?
of a snake called by the natives *' ahedoella, " and says : " The move-
ments of this snake are rapid, and from its power of springing it is
called a flying snake." The evidence seems pretty clear therefore
that a " flying " snake exists in Ceylon, but there would appear to be
a mistake in the diagnosis of the species for '" ahedoella *" is the
Singalese name for the green whip-snake. ( Dryophus mycteri-
zans) a for commoner snake which has no reputation for springing
as far as I am aware in any of the Provinces included within its
wide distribution, and has an entirely different conformation of bell}
shields. So far as Southern India is concerned Dr. J. R. Henderson
tells me that *' There is a common belief that D. pictus (by which
he means D. tristis) can jump, but I have never seen it do so. "
Its movements are surprisingly rapid as already remarked. It is
truly astonishing with what speed it can ascend an almost bare tree
trunk from the ground, and disappear in the branohes above. I
have seen this several times, and it has always struck me that its speed
in ascent is as rapid as its movements along the flat. Mr. E. E. Green
has been struck hy its restless habit and the quickness of its movements.
* Cejlon and its Dependencies, p. 750.
A POPULAR TREA TISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 783
The tenacity with which it can maintain its hold in foliage under
most disadvantageous circumstances I have more than once been
witness to. I managed to hustle one on one occasion to the extreme
tips of the branches of a small neem tree, but though the slender
twigs swayed boisterously under its weight and movements, it remain-
ed firmly snspended nntil I dislodged it with a stick.
Any opportunities of exhibiting its natatory powers are probably rare,
but that these are creditable seems certain, for I once encountered one
(unless it was D. pictus) on a small island in Ohilka Lake, fullv 2 miles
from the main land.
Food. — This tree-snake appears to me to subsist under natural
conditions chiefly on lizards, bnt does not disdain other reptilian tare.
Mr. E. E. Green tells me that in captivity " it feeds readily upon small
lizards (Agawidw, Gedwnidm, and Scinridw)". He saw one once take
and eat a gecko which it swallowed immediately alive. He also
once encountered one eating a frill-grown "blood-sucker" lizard*
(Calotes versicolor) and tells inefuither that young examples are said
to feed on grasshoppers. Ferguson qnotes Mr. Ingleby as saying that
it is very keen after frogs, and parlicnlarly tree frogs. Mr. C. Beadon
tells me that he once fonnd one eating a blind snake (Typhlops sp.)
which returned to its kill after having been once disturhpd 0»
occasion it will attack and plunder birds' nests. I once witnessed
an encounter between this snake and a pair of black-backed robins
{Thamnotoa fulicata) in the Borella Cemetery in Colombo. My atten-
tion was attracted by the distressed behaviour of the birds, which I
approached cantionsly, and saw on the ground- between a gronp of
gravestones a tristis with its head well erected. L was so near that 1
both saw and heard more tban one peck delivered (it appeared to me
on the head) by the birds in their agitated flights to and fro. An
incautions movement on my part, and the snake had slipped away,
and no amonnt of search could reveal its whereabouts. In a croton
bnsh within a yard or two of the encounter I found the robin's nest
with eggs. Specimens in the Madras Museumf have fed freely. One
ate 7l» toads and 1 lizard between the 12th August and 31st March ;
another 114 trogs from the 1st April to the 21st January following : a
third 18 frogs between the 13th February and 3 1st of March ; and a
fourth 104 frogs, presnmably dnring the year.
* Spol ZeyUnica. April l»u6, p. 220. f Administration Keport, Madias Govt. Hus., 189047.
2
784 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Slouffhing. — Some excellent notes on this little studied function were
made in the Madras Museum some vears ago.* During the official
year l<Si)6 one shed its skin on the 2nd April, 6th May, 28th June,
27th July and 2!»th October. Another on the 13th May, 16th June,
21st July and 17th October. In a third instance a specimen which
was acquired on the 12th August sloughed un the 24th October.
Now, it is very curious, and apparently something beyond coincidence,
that in all three cases there was no desquamation in the months of
August and September, though in the first two cases there had been
a regular ecdysis in several preceding months.
Breeding. — My notes are very meagre in this direction, hut suffi-
cient to show that the species is ovoviviparous. I received a gravid $
on the 29th February 1901 from Mr. Angus Kinloch (Kil Kotagiri,
Nilgiris). It measured o feet 1J hiohes, and contained 7 nearly
mature eggs, from 1-J to lj inches long, aud about -f^ inch broad.
Mr. E. E. Green had a specimen which laid 4 eggs in its cage on the
11th January lUOb', and died next day when 2 more eggs were found
in the oviduct. These were all sent to me. The smallest measured
1^ X J inches, and the largest If X ^| inches. In cutting open
egg I found an embryo coiled up in a spiral fashion, lying in an
elliptical chamber situated in the upper part of the yolk substance,
and midway between the two poles. The embryo I judged might be
an inch and a half long when unravelled. Its head with the primary
cerebral vesicle, eye and lower jaw were well developed, as was also
the heart, so that it was in just about the same stage of development,
that I noted in the case of the Assam species Demlrophis proarehos, at
exovution. t
c ®o
lflgg showing embryo of Dendrelaphus tristis from
a specimen from Ceylon. (Natural bize.)
Though the species is obviously oviparous it is probable that minute
* Administration Report, 1896-97.
t Since wru ing this I have received another gravid 5 from Mr, Green from Pera-
deniya (Ceylon) killed at the end of January and containing 7 nearly mature eggs.
A POPULAR TREA TIRE ON THE COMMON INDIA N SNAKES, 785
embryo are already in process of formation at the time that the eggs
tire extruded, for in an allied speoies in Assam (proarchos, Wall) I
found embryos in the eggs when laid, and noted that I conld see the
head and eye and rudiment of lower jaw, and oould observe the heart
beating. Further observations are reqnired to ascertain if tristis lays
i*ggs in which the embryos are equally well developed.
Leaends. — There is a £enoral belief among the natives of bonthern
'J C? O
India that the Common Indian bronze-back is fatally poisonons.
Russell* records the belief as prevalent in his time, and says that his
<nake-catcher professed to have known two men killed by it, the bite
prodncing immediate giddiness and death in two clays. There is no
reason to reject this snake-man's story, for as I have more than once
remarked in these papers deaths do occur from the bites of perfectly
harmless snakes. Such fatalities are dne to cardiac syncope due to
fright. In Bengal too as I am informed by Mr. E. Muir (Kalna) the
natives say it is very poisonons and attacks without provocation,
Llussellf also mentions the belief among natives that this snake having
bitten a person ascends a tree near the pyre to watch with vindictive
satisfaction the smoke rising from the corpse of its victim, after
which it descends. I heard this same story in Oeylon, bnt was never
able to discover exactly which snake it was that was credited with this
malignant spirit. Dr. J. R. Henderson tells ine the belief is still
prevalent in Sonthem India, and he has known a mock fnneral with
an effigy organised to save the bitten subject, for when the snake
descends from the tree the poison it i« supposed to have injected
leaves the body, and the otherwise doomed person recovers.
In Cannanore there was another strange belief among the natives
who said that this snake could thrust its tail into the ground,
balance thereon, and assnme the form of a bow, hence their name for
it " villoonie " from " villoo " a bow. I was never able to nnderstand
with what object it i» supposed to evince this strange hehavionr.
Distribution. (A) Geographical. — The evidence at my command
points to this being undoubtedly *the common speoies to be found in
the Indian Peninsular and I believe it exists here to the exclnsion of
Dsndrophis pictus as far East as Bengal. My earlier notes on the
>pecies are unfortunately deficient in the matter of precise colour,
and markings, but I can say with certainty that this is the snake I
* Loc. cit. f Vol. II, p. 30, t -Loc. cit., Vol. II, p. 81.
786 JOURNAL, BOMB AY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
was familiar with in Trichinopoly, and J have taken it in Cannanore.
It is certain, however, that the specimens taken in the localities
mentioned in the attached map are Iristis, and not pictus.
(b) Local. — It is a common snake in Ceylon (Ferguson, Haly ;.
It is very common about Trichinopoly and Cannanore. Ferguson
says it is common in the Plains and Hills about Travancore * and
Mr. Millard tells me also about Matheran. Mr. JE. Muir reports it
as one of the common snakes about Kalna in Bengal, and has sent
me specimens. Jerdon says it is abundant in all parts of the
country, but with this I cannot: agree. It appeal's to me to be
uncommon in the plains to the north of the Tapti Rivers. I do not
think it occurs in the Indus Basin at all, except near the month oi
that river. Blanford, collecting for 8 years at Ajmer, failed to
obtain a specimen. The Ganges Vallev is too, I believe, outside its
limits, except at the Eastern part near the Delta. It has not been
recorded from Central India, nor seemingly from the Central Pro-
vinces. It is qnite common in the Eastern Himalayas (circa 2,500
to 5,000 feet) in the vicinity of Darieeling.
Lepidosis. Rostral. — Touches shields ; the rostro-nasal, and rost.ro-
internasal sutures subeqnal. Tnternasals— Two : the suture between
them equal to, or nearly equal to that between the prefrontal fellows,
and rather shorter than the inter naso-prsefrontal sutures. Prw-
fronials. — Two : the sutures between them equal to, or rather greater
than, the pnelronto frontal sutures : in contact with inter nasal,
postnasal, loreal, prseocular, supraocular and frontal. Frontal. —
Touches 6 shields ; the fronto-supraocular sutures three to four times
the fronto-parietal sutures. Supraoculars.— As long as the frontal,
and about as broad along a line connecting the centres of the eyes.
Nasals. — Two, completely divided ; the nostril placed almost entirely
in the anterior shield : in contact with the 1st and 2nd supralabials.
Loreal. — One elongate, twice or more than twice as long as high,
about as long as the two nasals taken together. Prceocular — One,
barely reaching the top of the head. Posloeulars—Tvto. Temporals —
Two, elongate. Supralabials.— Normally 9 with the oth and 6th
touohing the eyef. InfralaUals. — 6, the 6th much the largest, as
• Bombay N. H. Jourl., Vol. X f p. 6.
t This i3 so in 26 out of 29 specimens I have noted npon. In 2 instances these shields
are not recorded, and in a single example the 4th just touches the eye on both sides. In oDe
of the 26, there ate 8 shields on one side only, the 4th and 5th touching the eye.
A POPULAR TREA TISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 787
long on the 3 preceding shields, in contact with two scales behind; the
5th and 6th tonohing the posterior sublinguals. Sublinguals. — Two
pairs ; the posterior decidedly longer. Costals. — 15 at a point two
head-lengths behind the head, and to well beyond midbody, when
they reduce to 13, and then to 11 or even 9, before the vent. The
reduction from 15 to 13 is due to the absorption of the 4th scale above
the ventrals into the rcw above or below ; that from 13 to 11 results
from a fusion of the 5th and 6th rows above the ventrals ;
and when the number further reduces to 9, the 5th row is absorbed
into one of the adjacent rows. The vertebrals are enlarged, but
they are very distinotly longer than broad in midbody, they arise in
t;hft neck by a fusion of 3 rows, thus differing from the genus
Bungarus, where they gradually develop from a single row pro-
gressively enlarging, and unlike the genns Bungarus they cease above
the anus. The ultimate row is much enlarged considerably exceeding
the vertebral in breadth. Keels are absent everywhere. Apical pits
are present, and single. Ventrals. — 168 to 197, varying in number
with locality * ; sharply ridged (keeled) on each side. Anal divided.
Subcaudals divided, 115 to 1 46 ; keeled like the ventrals. Dentition^
Maxillary. — 17 to 22 : the first 3 or 4 progressively increasing, the
posterior, 3 or 4 compressed and progressively decreasing, so that the
last is abont two- thirds the length of the longest in the series.
Palatine. — 11 to 14, subequal, and as long as the longest maxillary.
Pterygoid. 19 to 24 (except the Kil Kotagiri specimen whiohhas 28
and 29) ; smaller than the palatine. Mandibular.— W to 2t> (ubually
20 to 22) ; the first 3 or 4 progressively increasing, the posterior
gradually decreasing. The length of the articular process equals ihe
length from the articular notch (see fig. A. 6) to abont the 4th
tooth.
DENDROPHIS F1CTUS (Gmelin).
The Himalo- Malayan Bronzeback.
Nomenclature, (a) Scientific. — The generio name from the SevSpo-r
a tree and o^ty a snake, was applied by Boie iu 1827 ; the specific
* In 19 specimens from various parts of India other than the JEa8U.ru Himalayas, they
art; 168 to 192. In 9 Eastern Himalayan example? thty are 190 to 197.
f This ib baBed on 10 skulls in my collection from Pashok (Eastern Himalayas;,
Madras, Matheran, and Kil Kotagiri (Kilgiri Hills).
788 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIX,
from the Latin meaning " painted " was given by Gmelin in 1788
in allusion to the sky blue patches on the scales seen in this, and
other species of the genera Dendrophis. and Dendrelapkis.
(h) English. — In contradistinction to the last I think it should be
called the Himalo-Malayan bronze-back.
\c) Vernacular. — In the Patani-Malav States Annandnle and
Robinson* say it is culled '• ular lidi ". " nlar ''-snake, and " lidi " the
midrib of the cocoanut palm. They remark that the appropriateness
of the name is realized when one sees a leaf of this palm from below,
with the midrib black against the sky, and an apparent light space
on either side of it, due to the comparative narrowness of the leaflet:*
where they leave it.
Colour and markings. — Dorsal ly the snake is uniform bronze-biown
down to the middle of the penultimate row, where a faint black line
abruptly demarcates the dorsal colour from a yellow flank stripe.
The costal scales where overlapped, exhibit a patch of sky bine bor-
dered with black before and behind. These are usually concealed,
but when the snake dilates itself become very conspicuously apparent.
The head is coloured like the dorsum above, rhis hue abruptly giving
place to yellow on the side of the face- A very conspicuous, broad,
black band behind the eye passes back to the side at the body, and
is continued in the whole body length as a conspicuous black line on
the edge of the ventrals, bordering the yellow flank stripe below and
rendering it specially evident. The belly is uniformly yelh»w,
greyish, or greenish.
It will be noticed that many of the distinctive marks seen in
Dendrelapkis trislis are absent, rh. y the light vertebral stripe, the
interparietal spot, and the black margins to the anterior supralabial>.
On the other hand, a very distinct, broad postocnlar band is to he
seen in picius passing well down the body, and the light flank stripe,,
is bordered below bv a black line. These colour differences were
noted by me 10 years ago on comparing Burmese with Sonth Indian
examples, and made me think the two snakes probably different, but
I was deterred from declaring my conviction, folding but one difference
in Iepidosis, viz., the contact of the -upralabials wirh the eye. Shire
this I have learnt that there is a very noticealde difference between
* Faecic. >I.*lay, BatracJi hd ; Espt., October 19fli>,
A POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 789
the two in the development of the vertebrals, and still more recently
in the dentition.
I may mention here that the sky bine adornment just referred to
is not of sexual import, since it is to be seen in both sexes from the
earliest ages, and at all seasons.
In the Andaman Islands a snake of this genus occurs which has
hitherto been considered merely a variety of piclvs, but which mav
prove to be a distinct species. It is referred to by Blyth in his book
"The Andaman Islanders" (p. Mo) as heing remarkably rich
coloured, green, and variegated, and appears to be common accord-
ing to this authority. Stoliczka* also speaks of it as being common,
and says it is a " beautifully bright yellowish and green during life,
each scale blackish in the posterior hali. " The same authority f *<ivs
that the usual continental form inhabits the Nicobars. and the (W>,
but the green form is peculiar to the Andamans. It is not however
the only form found in this last Insular group, since Dr. Annandale
has sent me a specimen very similar to the Burmese form except that
the postocular stripe is narrow and obscure, the scales are heavily out-
lined with black and there is no black line in the flanks at the edge of
the ventrals. He remarks that the majority of the specimens from
these Islands are of the green variety, z".<?., andamanensit*
Anderson I describes this green variety in greater detail than the
other authorities alluded To. He says it is grass-green above, each
scale with u broad black margin, and the ventrals with a black margin,
as far as the keel. The black margins of the scales, are so broad that
when body is at rest, by the overlapping of the scales, the whole side of
the body appears black. A black line beginning iu ttm lore reappear-
behind the eye, and extends to the neck where it becomes broken up
into spots.
I have not seen this form in life, but in spirit it appears uniform
Oxford hlue. acquiring just the same hue that many other ^reeii
snakes (Dryophis, Lachesis, Dipsachmorphus cyarteus, etc.,) do in spirit
owing, I believe, to the green colouring matter dissolving out. The
preservative certainly acquires* a distinctly greenish tinge. In the
specimen I examined only the 5th and 6th labials touched the eye,
and the last ventral was divided. If these two characters are constant
* J. A. S. Bengal XXXIX, p. 193. t J. A. S. Bengal XLII, p. 163.
+ P- 2.S. 1671, p. 184.
7S0 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIX.
there is no doubt that the snake should rank as a defiuite species. A
study of the dentition would decide the point.
Dimpnsions.—T\\Q largest specimen of the typical variety I know of
is the one oollected by Evans and myself in Rangoon, whioh measured
\ feet 3 inches.
General characters. — Practically identical with those enumerated
under D, trhth. I know of nothing special calling for remark :
except that the tail appears to be relatively longer than in tristu,
being usually fnlly one-third the total length of the snake, and oflen
rather longer. The tongue is red with black tips (Flower).
[dentifiration. — The remnrks made under D. tristis are applicable
here. A combination of the following characters will establish its
identity: — (1) Vertebrals enlarged, and as broad as long or nearly so
inmidbody; (2) Ridged ventral shields ; (3) Scales in 15 rows in
midbody ; (4) Divided anal ; and (5) Subcaudal shields 131 to 153.
As this snake is by far the commonest of the species in the genera
Dendrophis and Dendrelaphis within the territory referred to here-
after, it is probable that any snake with the first two characters just
mentioned will prove to be pictus.
Haunts. — Its haunts are precisely those of its common Indian ally
tristis. That it will leave its arboreal environment, in quest of food
ib shown by Flower who found a marsh haunting frog Rarta macro-
dactyla in the stomach of one specimen. In Burma it was found in
trees, and bushes, in verandah oreepers, the trellis-woik screens
around tennis-courts, and similar situations usually, and Annandale
remarks that in the Malay States it is more usually found in hushes
n^sir the ground than in trees.
Disposition. — I believe it is a timid, inoffensive reptile, much like
it:, Indian cousin tristis. A specimen I had in captivity was notably
so, for when first caught by the tail it did not venture to menace or
bite, but merely struggled to escape. In its cage it retired to the fur-
thest part when the glass was approached, and could not be ronsed to
anger by drumming on the glass or waving objects before it.
Habits.— Its springing ("flying") habit is, I think, clearly esta-
blished. Shelford, who remarked upon this extraordinary habit*
mentioned Dendrophis pktus as one of the species credited by the
" Prol. Zool. Soc. Lond.. 1906, p. 227.
. 1 POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 791
natives of Sarawak with the power of springing, and Dr. Annandale
writing to me some time back told me that he had witnessed the
flight of a Dendrophis pictus between two trees in the Malay States,
and caught the snake in his butterfly net.
Food. — The only specimen of eight collected in Burma which
had recently fed, contained a tree frog, ana FJower has kuown
Rana macrodactyla, a marsh frog taken. I suspect that its gas-
tronomic tastes are much the same as those of tristis.
Breeding.— I have no breeding events to chronicle from any
source.
Dtstrifjuthn. (a) Geographical. — Variety typzca, occurs in the
Eastern Himalayas about Sikkim up to an altitude of about 4,000 feet,
probably the plains of Eastern Bengal, but I am not certain of this,
Assam probably,* but I am not certain; one specimen I collected I
referred with some doubt to this species, the Irrawaddy-Salween
Basins (The Andamans, Nicobarsand Cocos ?), f Indo China, Malay
Peninsula, and the Malay Archipelago from Sumatra to the
Philippines.
It is impossible to say whether the snake reported by Stoliczkat
as common in the Himalayas, in Kumaon and Sutlej is pictus. or truth.
I have never met with a specimen from the Western Himalayas,
and this is the only allusion I can find of such in literature.
T think I am justified in doubting the habitat of Colonel Beddome's
specimen in the British Museum said to be from the Anainallays.
* The common species in this province is proarclios (Wall) which is described in a paper
appearing in this number (p. 827) on the snakes of Assam.
t I have lately received a specimen from the Andamans from Dr. H. Amiandale. In
coloration and markings it was very like iristis, except that there was no interparietal spot,
and no light vertebral streak. Having prepared the skull I find that it combines the
characters of pictus and trist is, and this being so, I think one has no course open to one bnt
to concede to it the rank of a very closely allied but distinct species. I await further speci-
mens before describing this in detail.
t My reasons for doubting thie record are that at least six other Eimulo-Burniese snakes
are recorded from South India o-i the sole authority of Beddomc ; these are TrcpidomduM
parallels, 1\ subminiattts, himalayanm, Lycodon jara , bimotes splendid**, and liungaru*
fasciatus. Beddome evidently received Bnakesfrom the Extern Himalayas and Burma because
he presented the following nnakes to the British ilueenm from these localities: Simvie*
aiboclnclus, S. ci-«en?al«.v, and Dipsatlomorphus hexagonotu*. It seems probable, therefore,
that the sis spjcfcs first enuroer&ttd and also a Dendrop'tis pktus wera likewise collected in
Bornu, or th» Eastern Himalayas, and inadvertently mised with his South Indian
oolle tion.-,
3
792 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
This is the only record of this snake from Peninsular India (exclud-
ing Bengal), and until another specimen is forthcoming the
record is best ignored.*
Variety. — Andamanensis appears to be peculiar to the Andaman
Islands.
(b) Local. — Variety typica inhabits the plains and low hills
ascending to a level of about 4,000 fecst (Stoliczka says C,000 feet). It
is fairly abundant in the Sikkim Himalayas. In Upper Burma ( tfhamo)
Ander?on reported it common, but two of the three specimens
collected by him are obviously the species, subsequently described
by Boulenger as distinct, viz., subocularis. Evans and I found
it by no means common in Lower Burma, acquiring but 6 specimens
out of a total of about 753 snakes. In t v ie Malay Peninsula Flower
aays it i=s by no means rare, and Annandale and Robinson refer to
it as probably the most abundant snake in the cultivated parts of the
Malay States. Variety Andamanends is said to be common in the
Andamans.
Lipidosis. — The scale characters are so extremely similar to
those of tristis that I need not repeat what I have said under that
species. The two differences tbat I have been able to discover are (1)
that three supralabiala, the 4th, 5th and Gtli usually, but by no means
always, touch the eye and (2) that the vertebrals are as broad, or
nearly as broad as long in the middle of the body.
Dentition, {a) Maxillary. — 20 or 21 ; the first 3 or 4 progressively
increasing in length, the posterior 3 or 4 decidedly more ccmpn ssed,
but not longer than the preceding- (b) Palatine. — I'd or 14, subequal
and as long as the maxillary. (c) Pterygoid 20 to z&, subequal,
smaller than the palatine, (d) Mandibular. — 20 to 22 ; tbe first 3 or
4 progressively increasing in length, t! t e series then very gradually
decreasing posteriorly.
Osteology. — The shape of the natal bones (fig. B c) is strikingly dif-
ferent from that of tristis, so are also the ridges on the parietal bone
(fio- B d). The length of the articular process of the dentary (B f)
equals the distance from the articular notch to about the 8th tooth.
( To be continued).
* J. A. & Bengal, XL, p. 431.
793
ON A LOCAL FORM OF THE CHINESE TODDY-CAT
TAKEN IN NORTH BURMA BY CAPT. A. W. KEMMIS.
BURMA MILITARY POLICE.
BY
R. C. Wkoughton.
Paguma larvata intrudem, subsp. n.
A local race of P f areata of the Lower Yangtse Valley from which
it differs in the exaggeration of the white markings of the head
and neck.
Size about the same as in typical P. larvata.,
Fur rather short (40 mm. on the hack), coarse and rather harsh.
General colour a buffy shade of * Isabella': underfur and basal uiie-
third of individual haiis pale drab, median third of latter black,
terminal third 'buff.* Face black, a median white stripe fr.»m the
nose over the vertex to the level of the shoulders a deiauhed white
patch on the back seems to indicate a tendency to a still further
prolongation backwards, of this median white line (in an Ichang
specimen, this white extends at most to the base of the neck) ; the
usual white spots on the cheeks and above the eyes; the white spot
at the base of the ear produced backwards as far as the Iwse of the
neck and merging interiorly into tl e white throat pitch. Ears and
chin black. Whole throat pure white. Hands, ftet and distal hsilf of
tail black, basal half of tail like back, ventral surface whitish, indivi-
dual hairs on anterior half blackibh basallv for half tl.eir lencrth
bases of hairs on posterior half of belly dirty white.
Skull not differing niiittrially fn.m that of a slightly younger
iudividual from Kiukiang on the Yangtse R., except in being some-
what larger.
Dimensions of the type — Head and body, 600 mm. ; tail, 575 ;
hindfoot, 90.
Skull : greatest length, 118 ; basilar length, 110; greatest breadth,
105 ; upper carnassial 7*8x8'i>, first upper molar ti x 7 o.
Habitat — Sima near Myit, yina — North Burma.
Type— Adult female— B. M. No. 9, 7, 2t», 6. Original Number
6. Collected on 19th November 19U8 by Capt. A. VV. K ennuis.
794 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XI X
Burma Military Police, and presented by him to the Natural History
Museum.
The Indian type of Paguma is grayi (and its races) the distribution
of which is given by Blantbrd (Mammals No. 55) as " Throughout the
Eastern Himalayas in Assam, Sikkhim, and Nepal and as far east as
Simla." The Malayan animal is P. leucomystaw Gray, and it is
therefore most interesting to find the present form of the Chinese
I areata group in North Burma rather than some form allied to either
grayi or leucomy state*
1 would venture to appeal to members serving in Burma to try and
obtain specimens and help to solve the question how far sonth
intrudens goes before it is displaced by P. leuccvnystax.
795
PHEASANT SHOOTING ROUND ABOUT HILL STATIONS
IN NORTHERN INDIA.
BY
** Pine Marten."
Most of the hill stations of Northern India are situated on the
lower ranges of the Himalayas, the elevation varying from 6,000 to
#,000 feet. It is the lot of many of us in the Punjab to gather
together our belongiugs at the advent of the hot weather, and having
sorted them a bit, paok up a certain portion and track to the hills
there to remain for from 5 to 7 months. This exodus from the plains
is looked upon with mingled feelings; some think they are in for
a bad time and mean to just exist, as far as any sort of amusement is
concerned until the next cold weather, when they will be able to
return to polo, races, gymkhana, etc. : others mean to enjoy th«
various diversions there are to be had near at hand in the station
itself. A few having to go to a hill station instead of getting leave
and roaming in or beyond Kashmir on shikar intent make up their
minds to take full advantage of anything that mny be had in the
way of shikar in their neighbourhood. In hill shooting near a
station you will not get much unless you take every advantage of
information and go out and prospect yourself before the shooting
season commences. In one station there may be only chnkor to be
shot, but at others there may he a mnch greater variety, such as
leopard, black bear, gooral, karker ( *' kukur " as the natives call him),
pig (there will probably be no rideable country within 20 miles at
least) of Pine Marten, whose skins are excellent, if you get at them
directly you arrive on the hills in April and again October, kalij
and koklass pheasants, and in a few places the beautiful " Moonal "
pheasant called by the natives " Leveet," last but by no means least
the ubiquitous chukor, the most sporting of the whole lot. I have
also shot the true English wood-pigeon* and woodooek, the former I
imagine only a winter visitor. 1 saw one kept in a cage by natives as
a pet.
Of the above oategory the pheasants only are of present interest, so
I will first give a brief description of the birds or rather of the kalij
• The true *' English wood-pigeon ■* Cohtmba patumbus, is replaced in the Himalayas by
the Eastern Woodpigeon, Cotumbu easioiig—Em.
796 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
and koklass, the *' moonar' being too well known, as it is not infre-
quently seen adorning ladies' headgear or made into screens, etc.
The kalij (Germans alhicristatus) known to the natives as the
u cooquer " is a very handsome hird, the two sexes being quite distinct
as to colouring. The male (as I have a fully grown young one before
me, I will describe him), weight t lbs., back green, forehead black,
feathers tipped with brown merging into a dull brown crest, the
largest feather of which is If in. long; tl:e head and upper part of
neck have not yet moulted, a red arc round the eye dotted over with
tiny black feathery the arc reaches from the ear to nostril ; ear
coverts black, lower part of neck wing coverts and over upper
part of thorax metallic green, merging into feathers in which the
metallic lustie is intensified and each feather having a white border
about \ of an inch broad : this continues to the tail which is triangular
in shape while the bird is at rest, the centre feathers tapering to a
fine point and overlying the outer feathers ; lovrer part of neck and
chest ashy giey merging into feathers of a darker hue which oover the
ahdomen. The female lias a general olive brown colouring and is
a^so crested. These birds subsist chiefly on the seeds of various wild
plants and shrubs, being very partial to the seeds of the wild dog-
rose ; they also devour grubs, caterpillars and the like.
The halij, as a rule, lives lower down than the koklass and is a
lover of dense cover, and is seldom found far from it, so that when
alarmed he may plunge into it, and if pursued scuttles about like a
hare turning and twisting and enly taking to wing as a very last
resort ; the young birds oi tl e year rise far more readily, and if they
have previously not been molested by man usually peroh in a tree
emitting a whirring, scolding chuckle as they rise, and geuerally con-
tinuing it for a iew n.cir.euts after alighting. When once in a tree
(they usually select the one with densest foliage near at hand)
they remain immoveable until either dislodged by a stone, or the
sportsman's or cne cf his assistant's eyes fall on him, and then know-
ing as if by iiing!c that he is seen, he splutters out or" the tree and
dashes downwards, almost invariably alighting on the ground. When
roused a second time even the young ones usually do not pitch in
trees, hut make oft* down the khud.
The old birds are wonderfully cunning in districts where they are
at all shot at, instead of perching in a tree they often make off
PHEASANT SHOOTING IN NORTHERN INDIA. 797
straight down the khud, steering themselves dexterously between
dense cover, or if they elect to perch, which they only do when
flushed 03- a dog, they rise almost noiselessly, and take their depar-
ture in the game manner on the approach of man, giving a very
difficult snapshot to the gunner, the only result from his point of
view being the falling of a few twigs and leaves.
The koklass (Pucrasia macrolopha), a far more sporting bird than
the kalij and weighing nearly half as much again, lives higher up
where the Paludasgrow (a species of pine tree, only growing at about
7,0Cl) feet — at least I have not come across them lower down). They
are very partial to the courses of streams and small plateanx on the
sides of hills. They also live on herries and insects, but get a different-
variety of each in their more elevated haunts. The two sexes are
verv dissimilar, the ccck-bird being even more handsome than the
male kalij ; both varieties are crested, hut the crest of the adult male
koktass is jet black, whereas the crest of the adult of the other is
white, the general colouring helow is silver grey merging into
slatey grey on the back ; head and upper part of the neck jet black
with a wnite patch on each cheek. The hen is a much more
homely looking bird, the general colouring brown with lighter shade>
on the under-surface, a sporting looking hird withal and more massive
looking than her mate. In the shooting season, the old cocks are
almost always found by themselves ; the old hens may have their
whole brood numbering usually 4 to 8 with thein 3 or sometimes a
single young bird, but are seldom solitary. The yonng birds are often
found in couples. In shooting, if your dog puts up an old cock, do
not trouble to look for any more hirds near him, but if it be an old
hen or a young one, make the dog range first ahove, where the first
bird rose, then well to either side, and lastly below. I have never
seen either these or the kalij run down hill for any distance.
Wow for the description of a day ? s shooting, when fate was kind,
one of the days on which all went well. There is a tremendous amount
of Inch in the sort of shooting I am about to describe, and a lot of hard
work. About 4-30 a.m., I heir a voice which says:*'sare char
bajee," and it seldom has to be repeated for me at this time of the year,
which is October, as previous shooting and prospecting seems to have
sharpened my senses ; possibly exercise has made my liver a few sizes
smaller, hence I am less somnolent. It will not be licjht nntil 6 a.m.
798 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
but I like to have plenty of time over a light breakfast, as I shall not
eat again until 12 noon ; also there is a long tramp before the shooting
ground is reached : 5-15, and 1 am ready lor the khud side. My two
companions for the day are a sturdy hill native and a little brown
and white spaniel, the sort so common among the men in the British
regiments in the Punjab. She was selected when six weeks old, and
commenced her training shortly afterwards, and is now almost perfect
as a gnn dog. The brilliant moon which now lights our way as we
scramble op a narrow hill-path was not in evidence when I retired tv
bed at .10-30 last evening, but now it is so bright that even nnder
the trees we are not qnite at a loss to follow the narrow path. The hill
man goes first, as in spite of nnmerous tramps of this kind, I know
the native of the >oil will follow the main path much better than I
can, and will lead ine to our destination in spite of various cattle
tracks that cries cross uur road, which is after all only a rather larger
cattle track. The average hill native has an eye for hilly countrv
that the British-born ruler of the land will seldom equal in spite of
much practice. It is not surprising, as most of ns are brought up
under widely different circmnstances.
In the meantime, we have travelled a long way, and the stars in the
East are paling and the moon begins to have a washed-out appear
ance ; however, we can take it easy now, as we are quite high np
enough for the koklass. A few minutes later and the small birds
begin to chirp and along the crest of the hill we are on, comes a
resh breeze in fitful gusts, the usual harbinger of dawn at the^
altitudes. It will die away soon, and in fine weather the leaves hardly
stir again until the evening. The breeze brings down a few brown
and curled silver birch leaves, making one think of autumn, and 1
eould wish many more of other kinds were down as well.
We push on a bit and reach a small plateau, the head of three
nnllahs, and now as the light grows stronger, every moment we
sit down to listen, hoping to hear the prate, prate of the koklass
somewhere below us. and shortly after the wail of the last marauding
jackal has died away, far down in the valle}' below, we hear the longed-
for sound, something like, only far softer than that emitted by the bazaar
moorghi, when she is looking for a place to deposit her egg, not
like the cackle she makes when it is laid. Now we must be as quick
as possible, or this will be the only brood we shall hear calling. We
PHEASANT SHOOTING IN NORTHERN IN,DIA. 799
hastily look round for the easiest way to them, and then the native
beckons me and we make off. He well knows I wish him to keep wide
of them until well beneath them, and then work up towards them.
In ten m inures we are below them, then we proceed more cautiously
down into the bed of the now dry torrent. Here I halt, and turning
round j meet the bright questioning eyes of my little »paniel, no need
to speak ; a wave of the hand and she is off, going at full speed. She
makes a cast 100 yards in front of u», and a little above, and then
returns going at top speed all the time until reaching a ledge in
the middle of the water-course, she suddenly stops and turns. A two
seconds' examination of the ground with her nose, and up she goes
straight up the nullah bed and is soon lost to sight amidst boulders
and overhanging foliage. I hear nothing for a minute, and then yap,
yap, with a peculiar intonation that I know means pheasant running
ahead of me, as well as if she spoke. The next second there is a whirr
of rushing wings, and out dash two birds almost simultaneously.
They are straight above us, and must see us immediately they
clear the tree-tops, huf not a jot do they care, their object
is the khud below us, and down they come, straight as a die,
with outspread motionless wings. I shoot at the first far in front
as I know from experience I shall have to turn my quickest to get a
shoi at the other. As I turn, the first bird hits a rock by my feet,
the second bird was still clear of trees when I fired, but he disappears,
but greatly to our surprise we see him again for a second as he tops
the trees, moving straight upwards, and then tarns over and falls with
a crash. This is a bit of luck, for had he not towered we should have
lost him. The spaniel has meantime rushed down to us, noses the bird
near my feet, and then hpr eyes follow ine. She hears the crash
below and is off. I tell the nathe to follow, as it is far down, and the
bird is large for her to carry ; but she appeals again in a few minutes
and lays the bird at my feet, and then lies panting and wagging her
tail. I whistle for the native and he returns, and picking up the birds
makes his way after me, scrambling up the torrent bed. On reaching
the place where the birds rose, I again wave the spaniel forward ; she
dashes hither and thither for a minute and is then off again towards
the crest, and very soon there is another yap, yap, and I get a glimpse
of a bird topping the trees and then just time for a snap as he swishes
past me, this time between the trees. I cannot hear or see any resnlt v
4
800 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
but will look later, as the spaniel instead of returning to me remains
above, giving a harsh woof every few seconds.
I know wbat that means well enough. One of the birds is sitting on
the lower branches of a tree probably wondering why this funny
looking new sort of jackal is behaving in such an unusual manner,
and thinking everything is not as it should be, makes up his mind to
join his companions below. I am warned by a flutter and the change
in the dog"s voice, but before I can get myself into position to shoot,
the bird is past me and goes on its way rejoicing. Now, although it is
a long way back I do not like leaving the third bird I shot at without
having a look ronnd, where he might have fallen, as I was pretty oer-
tain I was on him, when I pulled the trigger r so down we go again
but all we find are two or three feathers, so we conclude that probably
if he fell at all it was far down in the valley below, and I oonsole
myself by thinking if he is badly wounded he will make a good
meal for some jackal to-night, and not be left long to linger in pain.
The sun must be up by thi3 time, bnt we cannot tell for certain here,
as the nullah is on the north side of the ridge. We make our way
over a ridge intending in enter the next small nnllah, scarcely hoping
now to hear birds calling as the time for this is nearly over. However,
we are pleasantly surprised, and are soon off after another " snide,"
fortunately in a splendid place — a small plateau covered witb bushes
overhung by an almost perpendicular piece of khud.
On coining below the plateau, I rest for a minute for breath, and
then push on waving the little bitch forward. Tbese birds have evident-
ly been running about all over the place, feeding, and the spainel
clearly shows by her flashing stern, a*id eager movements that scent
is abundant, but she finds a difficulty in hitting off the line. The next
second she stops dead before a bush, looking over her shonlder at
me, and at my nod dashes in and out, bundles a young koklass
which rising ten yards from me makes off, but gets no further than
the edge of the plateau, probably as easy a shot as one ever gets
o+ a trnl; Item
The faithful spaniel retrieves the bird and then returns to the
hushes, and after some feathering around, strikes a line for the steep
khud side. Up and up she bounds, never missing her footing and
never faltering. Now she is lost from view but a second or two later her
voioe is heard, and almost at once out hurry three birds ; the first shot
PHEASANT SHOOTING IN NORTHERN 1KT>IA. ' 801
crumples up one as he comes towards me, the secon 1 is nearly over-
head as 1 fire, and he goes on apparently unscathed. We clamber
up by a circuitous route and arrive at the top of the ridge again and
sit thfire for a minute wondering which will be the best way to go now
as the sun is well up and there is no ohance of hearing any more birds'
calling. In the distance we hear the tap, tap of the woodman's axe,
and soon a mighty crash denotes that some stately Palnda will no
longer grace these mighty forests ; but what is of more immediate
interest foHowing on the crash there rings out the cry of several
male koklass far down in the valley below. The cry is far differ-
ent to that of the bird found in English coverts. All the same, they
respond to the same stimulus as their distant cousins in their western
home ; for who has not heard the cock-pheasants in a home covert
set crowing by a suiden noise, such as the first clap of thunder of
a storm.
This determines our way, so down we start until we come to a path
my man knows of. The spaniel is encouraged to range chiefly above
the path, as if she flushes any birds below they will most certainly
escape nnshot at. We work along ronnd the valley, bnt although
we know there must be birds somewhere, the little lady cannot find a
scrap of scent until after a long search. On rounding a bend, she
suddenly makes upwards, and I lose sight of her, A long wait, and
then a distant yap ; a minute later and a dark form is seen gliding
downwards between the trees and curving away towards the side of the
nullah. I fire as he comes, but tin intervening branches are the only
things at all injured, so I swing well ahead and fire again, but only
realize as I press the trigger that the bird is putting on the brake hard
with the intention of alighting on tha side of the nullah. Down rushes
the spaniel panting and exhauste.1, so I show her a pool of water in
which she wallows for a moment and then jumps out refreshed and ready
for anything, so I put her on the place where I last saw the pheasant,
and without hesitation she dashes up and over a ridge dividing this
from tho next small nullah. 1 follow round below her hastily ; three,
four, five minutes pass, and 1 have visions of her lying beside a dead
pheasant that she is loo exhausted to carry ; bnt not so ; she again gives
tongue, and again the wily old bird dashes down. I swing on to him,
and continuing the swing, catch him in the open space between two
trees, although at the moment of pulling the tiigger I could not see
802 JOURNAL, HOMBAY NATURAL, HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
him. What a handsome bird and what spurs! Even a game cock
might have envied them.
On retracing our steps (this bird had gone buck) I notice the rotting
trunk of a tree with small pieces of the rotted wood .scattered under-
neath it. I pause to examine it, and the hill man says that is what the
pheasant was feeding on, and went further to explain that large insects
bore holes in the rotten wood, and the pheasants dig them out and
eat them. A further walk along the path and a .-?£ iff climb up to the
ridge and another cock-pheasant is added to our hag, and yet another
got away unshot at : there did not seem to be anything but solitary
old cocks here.
Now for some light refreshment and a rest tor a couple of hours
in the shade, then I wake my slumbering companion, and we proceed
plunging downwards through the jungle, reaching a well-worn path
after an hour's tramp.
We have now left the haunts ot the koldass. They seldom come as
low as this in October, but we shall here find — nearer the haunts of
man — the kalij ; we can see the tin rooms of the Gali from whence we
started, about five miles away in the distance, and we now wend
our way in that direction hoping to pick up a kalij or two on the
way. The khud here is broken up into a series of small nullahs
separated by sharp ridge» ; in the nullahs the vegetation is dense
and rank, while on the ridges there are only somewhat, stunted
fir trees, but the bareness is made up for by the ground being
carpeted in places by the blue gentian which grows only on the
bare ridges. We now come to a level piece of ground about an acre
in extent, in which the forest officer has a nnrsery of deodars.
Into these the little lady makes a dash, and during the next minute
or two I am kept busy. Six birds rise almost simultaneously, one comes
baok towards me and the remainder make off for che khud side. I let
go one barrel at the first-mentioned, but he passes on; so quickly swing-
ing round the second barrel is directed at one just as he disappears
behind a tree, a lot of leaves tall, and three or four feathers drift out on
the breeze ; my man following a hurried direction from me has made
his way round and up the khud, as if he heads off the birds that have
^one that way, one or two of the young ones may squat in the bushes
between him and me. In the meantime two more birds rise and
make off to join the rest, but I have got a bit more forward and on
PHEASANT SHOOTING IN NORTHERN INDIA. 803
better terms with them. However, in stepping forward, one foot sinks
into a hole, that was evidently intended for a young deodar, but not
occupied. I raise myself on my knee and give the last bird a parting
shot. He responds, crashing into a dense brake of wild raspberry and
other bushes. The man above now shouts that a wounded bird has
rnn past him, so I scramble up to where he is, getting severely
scratched in the process. I put the bitch on the line, but she dashes
over a ridge and 1 again hear her voice and the noise of wings
faintly in the distance ; hut nothing oomes our way, so I whistle her
back, scramble a hundred yards higher up than w"here the bird was
last seen, and wave her into a thick tangle of bushes, where she
very shortly strikes the right line, and after a tremendous hunt
I twice see the bird that has evidently got the outer end of its
wing broken — -jump into the air to escape the dog. However, she at
last catches him, and returns gleefully, as she loves catching a runner
belter than anything : she places him at my feet and without a second's
hesitation, he is up and off again ; so there follows another chase
which ends sooner than the last, and this time I take good care to
take the bird from her mouth.
It is no good looking for any of the birds that come this way now,
so we retrace onr steps, picking up the bird which had lodged in the
brambles,
A little later on rounding a spur, a deep densely wooded nullah
meets our view, the spaniel plunges into the undergrowth, and shortly
after there is a very excited, prolonged yapping, very different to the
short noteshe gives when after a pheasant. 1, hoping it may be kar-
ker, scramble into a commanding position, and the next second 20
yards below me a male karker bounds into view. I aim well forward
and fire, and shortly after hear a gurgling grunt, which tells me the
shots have reached their mark. My man arrives on the scene before
J do, and " halluls " the pretty little brown fellow. We then hang
him up in a tree to be fetched later on and proceed. The sun is
now rapidly sinking towards the summits of a distant range, so we
hurry on a bit, and 1, thinking we shall not find anything else now
as this part is very much frequented by natives, unload my gun and
hand it to my attendant ; but just before emerging on to the main
road where I expect to find my pony, the spaniel makes a sudden rnsli
npthe khud, and two young kalijs rise ; one sits in a thick tree voci-
804 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
ferating noisily, while the other alights cot thirty yards off ; the one
in the tree clutters out hi response to a stone with a tremendous
scolding and whining. I acconnt for him, and then put the dog on
the other. He also rises into a tree, making as much noise as hfe
brother. Unfortunately he departs from below me, bnt only goes about
£0 yards the other side of the path an 1 nights again. I follow, but
again he moves, and tt is time he w'ngs his way far down the khnd,
not giving me a chance. I t ursre no further as the dusk is gathering
fast, even yonng kalij are seldom as tame as this. I expect it is owing
to their having lived nea- this frequented path.
We now emerge on to the main road, and I am glad to rest for a few
minutes and empty the contents of my Thermos bottle (which
thesy ;e has brought) down my throat ; meanwhile the '* pahari ** lays
the pheasants ont in a row, and goes off to «;et two men to fetch the
karker. 1 run my eye over the bag, noting the sexns, and as tar
as I can judge the ages of the birds. The first to attract attention
are the two old cock koklass: no doubt about their not being this
year's birds. I expeut tl ey are birds of 3 or 4 years* old, judging
from their short sharp spurc. One of the remaining kokla&s is
undoubtedly an old hen ju&t over the n.oult. The end of her breast-
bone hardly gives at all to pressure ; t:ie remaining three koklass
are l.iids of the year. The ka ij are one forward young cock, one old
hen, and one young hen. Such is v hat I would terra at home my
modest bag, nin« pheasants and an animal smaller than a roe deer
bnt as shooting goes round a l.ill ttatien, I am highly satisfied with
my oue gun, oue man and one dog day !
805
A NEW BLIND SNAKE FROM THE WESTERN
HIMALAYAS.
BY
Majok F. Wall, LM.S., C.M.Z.S.
Typhlops mackinnonu
I have lately received from Mr. P. W. Mackinnon, Mussoorie
(circa, 6,000 ft.), a single specimen of a blind snake hitherto unde-
rlined which I propose to designate Typhlops mackinnonL It was
rescued from the clutches of a fowl which evidently intended to
swallow it hut in spite of rongh treatment is very little damaged.
Although the species has np till now escaped recognition, and is
only known from this single specimen, I have good reason to believe
that it is not uncommon. Five years ago whilst in Mussoorie, the site
for a new building was being prepared near the library (circa, 7,000 ft.)
necessitating deep and extensive disturbance of the soil. On one
occasion I found tiie workmen had encountered two or three dozen
blind snakes in their hurrowiug operations, and killed them, Most of
these, though only some 6 to 8 inches long,
were hopelessly mutilated, or cnt np into*
several pieces, but I retched three or four
specimens in good preservation. These I put
into spirit, but unfortunately being engaged
in other work, set aside, and did not identify,
and the bottle containing them was left
behind when J j acfced up. I think it extre-
mely probable that all these specimens wore
the s ame as that now described.
Description.— Length <»g inches. Snont
rounded, and moderated projecting. Nos-
trils latera . Eye distinct, i . ■>:>tor of body
cne forty-sixth the total Ien«'u:. / : ' *;*
Jiostral. — About one-third tho biw. '•
(spec iiov.mx 4 the head, extending backwards to the ie\~
of the eyes. Afasals. — Nearly divided, the suture ahove the nostril
fails to meet the ros'ial, t*ie lower suture passes to the 2nd labial ; not
meeting behln.l the rjstral* Prefrontal, Frontal, Interparietal,
m& JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vot.XIX.
Supraoculars and Parietal s subequal and broader than the dorsal
scales. Prceocular nearly as large as the ocular, in contact with the
2nd and 3rd labials. Ocular in contact with 3rd and 4th labials.
Subocular absent. Temporal single. Labials four. Costafo in 1 9 rows
(excluding the ventral row which is subequal to them, in size ) ;
decidedly broader than long. A spine at end -of tail. Colour — Pur-
pli.sh-browii above, lighter below. Chin and mouth white.
It will be 3f j en thai the species most closely resembles T. porrectus
but differs in that the rostral extends back to the level of the eyes,
there is a short suture above the nostril and the diameter of the body
is 4 \j the total length (in porrectus it is /„ to } (U ).
807
THE SEROWS, GORALS AND TAKINS OF BRITISH
INDIA AND THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
BY
r. i. pocock, f.l.s., f.z.s., superintendent of the
Zoological Society's Garden**, London.
Part L— Introductory Remarks ufon the Structural Charac-
ters of Serovvs, Gorals and Takins and Descriptions
of the Known Sfecies of Takins (Bvdorcas).
{With 2 Plates,)
Serows, Gorals and Takins are three well-marked genera belonging
to a group of ruminant ungulates commonly called goat-antelopes from
the intermediate position they are supposed to hold between goats and
the anomalous assemblage known in popular rather than in
scientific language as antelopes. Associated with these three forms are
the chamois, which ranges from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus and the
so-called -Rocky Mountain Goat of North America. It is from the
scientific name of the chamois, Rupieapra, that this gronp takes hV
designation of Rupicaprine Antelopes. Like most of the divisions ol
Bovidse, the family containing the Sheep, Goats, Antelopes and Cattle,
the Rupicaprinse are not easy to define, except by the ennmeration of a
complex of positive and negative features which exclude them from the
other divisions. Horns are present in both sexes and are only a little
smaller in the females than in the males ; they are finely, never coarsely,
ridged and liaving no anterior or posterior crest, and are snbeylindrical
in section ; typically they are short, and comparatively slender, and
incline with a backward and more or less outward cnrvature over
the occiput, but in the chamois they are erect, with an abrupt
terminal hook. These characters break down more or less in the Takin,
in which the horns in the adults are longer, very massive at the base
and project at first outward from the side of the head, then form a
sudden backward curvature. Nevertheless the horns in the Takin start
as simple backwardly directed upgrowths and begin to bend ontward
and downwards at the base when they are comparable in relative size^
and shape to the horns of the Goral. They then may be said in their
growth to go through the stage which persists in the Goral, just as the
horns of the Cape Buffalo and of the Gnu pass through in their deve-
lopment a transitory stage which characterises the less specialised
808 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TUBAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol XIX.
kind of horn in the ox tribe in the first instance and of other antelopes
in the second instance. The fact that somewhat the same style of
horns has been acqnired by some Bnffalos, by Guns, by Takins and by
Musk Oxen is forming oonclnsive evidence that the actual mode oi
growth in horns must not be regarded necessarily as a sign of kinship
nor yet as a reason for considering species with different horn-growth as
distantly related on that account.
Therefore, coming to the point that concerns us now, since the
similarity between the horns of Takins and of Gnus cannot be held
to be a sign of affinity between these two genera, so also it cannot in
itself be regarded as a sign of affinity between Takins and Musk Oxen
nor as a reason for separating Takins from Gorals. Hodgson, it may
be added, long ago thought, that the shape of the horns in the
Takins pointed to relationship between this animal and Gnus and
Musk Oxen.
It is needless in a work of this desoription to compare Rupicaprinse
in detail with all the other sub-families of Bovidae that have been
instituted. Suffice it that they may be distinguished from the goats,
Caprinae, to which they are probably most nearly related by the absence
of the anterior crest on the horns such as is seen in the Markhor
(Caprafalconeri) and the Thar (Hemitragus jemlaicus) and of the large
knobs on the front of the horn observable in the Himalavan Ibex
( Capra sibirica). For the rest the Rupicaprines have the ears long
or short, narrow or wide. The tail is usually short, but in some Gorals
is fairly long and furnished with a long terminal tuft. False
hoofs are always present. In external form Serows and Gorals
are very much alike apart from size, and no one wonld guess from
their appearance how different they are in the structure of the
skulls. Nor would anyone suppose from a comparison of the skins
of living specimens that Gorals ar^ not so very remote from Takins,
judging from sknll characters.
By external features the three would naturally be classified as
follows : —
a. Body 'large and heavy ; legs thick and strong,
especially the forelegs below the knee;
ears short with strong rounded upper
rim ; summit of the muzzle above the
nostrils hairy ; horns arising laterally
THE SEROWS, GORALS AND TAKINS OF BRITISH INDIA. 80i>
bent slightly downwards, then sharply re-
curved, thickened at the base Budorcas,
b. Body strong but light; legs longer and thinner
especially below the knae ; ears long, much
more pointed ; summit of muzzle above the
nostrils smooth and naked; horns arising
on the top of the head and inclined back-
wards nearly parallel with each other in a
direction a little inclined to the plane of the
face, gradually narrowed from base to point.
a 1 . Smaller ; no gland on the face in front of
fc he eye Ncemorhedus.
bi. Larger ; a distinct gland in front of the eye Capricornis.
By their skull characters the three genera may be arranged a?
follows : —
a. Maxillae and lacrymals forming a long sutural
union with the nasals which have a trans-
verse lightly arched, not angular, and deep-
ly emarginate suture with the frontals;
lacrymals with a distinct and large pit ; pro-
file of skull viewed from above conical the
upper rim of the orbits not concealing the
zygomatic arch and no decided angulation of
the maxilla above the molar teeth. Frontal
region and horns as in the Goral {Ncemorlie-
dus) ... ... ... ... ... Cavrtcornu.
b. Maxilla* not forming a long sutural union
with the nasals and almost a small por-
tion of the lacrymal abutting against the
nasals bo that the angle formed between
the maxillaj and the nasals is only re-
motely separated from the antero-lateral
angle of the frontal the suture between
the frontals and the nasals deeply and
angularly emarginate; no deep depression
en the lacrymal bone ; skull when viewed
from above much less conical in outline
in the adult owing to the projection cf
K10 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XJX.
the orbits which conceal the zygomatic arch
and to the presence of a swelling on the
maxilla above the molar teeth.
a 1 . Frontal and parietal regions of* the skull
forming an evenly convex curve, the
horns projecting backwards and upwards,
nearly following the plane of the face
and subparallel to each other Ncemorhedus.
h 1 . Frontal and parietal regions of the skull not
forming a gentle curve, owing to the pre-
sence of a large upright long crest sup-
porting the homs, which project laterally
from its sides with a downward followed
by a backward curvature JBudorcan.
It may be added that the deep-seated differences between the
skulls of Serows (Caprteornis) and G orals (Nwmorhedus) are to a
slight extent bridged over in the Japanese Serow named Capricornulu*
vrispus in which only a very small area of the lacrymal touches the
nasal, so that the anterolateral angle of the frontal is not ver\
remote from the upper edge of the maxilla. The latter, however,
forms a long union with the nasal and the lacrymal is fitted as in the
typical Serows.
A few words must now be added by way of explanation of the
generic names adopted in this work. Owing partly to the introduc-
tion and sustained use of inadmissible names and partly to failure to
appreciate the value of the structural differences between Serows and
Gorals, there has been much needless confusion in the generic*
nomenclature of these two animals. The history of all this oonfnsion
would be too long to tell in a paper like the present, especially since
1 have already set it forth at some length in the Annals ami
Magazine of Natural Historr for Februarv 190b. All that need bt
said is that originally Gorals and Serows were grouped together undei
Nvemorhedus by Hamilton, Smith, Hodgson and others. The firs-
author to distinguish them by generic names was Ogilby in 1S3<»
who called Serows Capricornis and Gorals Kemas and abolishec
Nmmorhedus which he had no power or right to do since by it
original definition it must stand for one of them. Moreover, Kemas o
rather Centos had been previously employed for a section of ruminan
THE SEROWS, GORALS AND TAKINS OF BRITISH INDIA, 811
Bovidse which did not include the Gorals at all. Hence the name
could not be applied to those animals. Quite wisely and reasonably,
therefore, Gray, when he revised the group in a series of papers
dating from 1843 to 1852, reserved Caprkornis for the Serows and
substituted Ncemorhedus for Kemas for the Gorals. Thus more than
sixty years ago the nasnes of these two genera were fixed in strict
-accordance with all the rules of nomenclature and common sense. A
thousand pities was it therefore that Blantbrd, when writing his classic
volume on the Mammals of India, put everything wrong again by
ignoring Gray's decision and going back to the point from which
this author started, namely to Ogilby. But recognising that
Ncemorhedus must stand either for Serows or Gorals, he abolished
Capricornis* used Ncemorhedus instead and reserved the inadmissihle
name Cemas for the Gorals. That Blanford's example was followed by
most of his successors is not a surprising thing. But it was not followed
by all for the question of the names was confused still further by
Mr. Lydekker who in 1900 rightly dropped Kemas as inadmissible for
the Gorals and wrongly vesiculated a name long consigned to oblivion,
namely, Mortragus, which was given by Gray in 1871 to the Chinese
Goral called caudatus by Milne Edwards, a species very closely allied
to the one described in the following pages as Ncemorhedus griseus*
These few words of introduction on the nomenclature of Serows and
Gorals adopted in the following pages are, I think, rendered necessary
by the fact that sportsmen and naturalists in India will otherwise be at
i loss to understand the reasons for setting aside the nomenclature in
Blanford's monograph and also in Mr. Lydekker's Great and Small
* Although I clearly pointed all this out early in 1908, my friend Mr. Lydekker still
tdheres to the modified version of Blanford's uomeclature he had adopted (see P.Z. S., Dec.
908, p. 94 1 > on the pretest that it was justified by duration of use. This argument, coming
rom the author who had substituted the practically unknown aud never previonely adopted
•ame Urotragus for the familiar term Kemas is a little quaint. Moreover, although I
hculd uot admit that the argument had any validity, even if true, it happens to be demon -
trably untrue. For Capiicornis was used exclusively for the Serows in 1836, whereas
Ncemorhedus was not used exclusively for them, so far as I have ascertained, until 189].
iven if, as 1 suspect. Mr. Lydekker relies upon « frequency '* instead of '" duration" all that
can say is that the statement may be true or false. I take it that Mr. Lydekker will no
lore attempt to substantiate it thau I shall to disprove it by counting the numbsr of times
bat Capricorni* aud Ncemorhedus have been applied exclusively to Serows In zoological
teratnre ; bnt 1 heve a shrewd suspicion that Caprlcomls would come out a long way
rat since it was need over and over again, in the sense in which I have used it, by that
iost voluminous writer Pere Heude in the nineties of the last century.
812 JOURNAL^BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Game of India, the two volumes to which they are most likely to have
access for reference. In this paper, therefore, as in my previous ones,
T follow Gray in calling the Serows Caprwornis and the Gorals
Ncemorhedm. With regard to the generic name Bvdorcas for the
Takins there has happily been no difference of opinion amongst authors.
Genus BudotCQs, Hodg.
Hodgson, Journ. Asiatic Soc., Bengal, xix, p. 65, pis. I— III, 1850 :
A. M. Edward's Rech. Mamm.
A large heavily built aberrant genus of " goat-antelopes " which by
the structure of the skull seems to be an exaggeration rather of the
Goral ( NcemorheduR) type than of the Serow (Capricornis) type. As in
the Goral, for example, the face-gland is absent and the lacrymal bone
has no pit for its lodgment. Moreover the upper portion of the maxilla
between the upper end of the preinaxilla and the lacrymal is
much narrowed and forms no decided sutural union with the nasal,
although almost in contact with it : the nasal itself projects fairly
forward from its deeply emarginate suture with the frontal which is
separated from the maxilla by a narrow space occupied by a piece of
the lacrymal. In other particulars, however, the skull differs con-
siderably not only from that of the G"nil but also from that of the
Serow, the differences being chiefly due to variations connected
with the exceptional size and shape of the horn. Thus instead of
forming a continuous curve with the frontal and occipital regions as
in the other two genera mentioned, the area between the horns is
elevated to form a stout, strong crest, which descends vertically behind
them in the direction of the occipital ridge. From the sides of this crest
arise the horns which are thickened and nearly in contact at the base
where they move outwards, downwards (or forwards), then take an
abrupt curve upwards (or backwards) in the same direction as the plane
of the face. Viewed from above also the outline of the skull is more
Goral-like than Serow-Iike owing to the prominence of the orbit*
making a constriction in front of them, and this is followed
by another constriction of the maxilla just in front of the uppei
row of cheek teeth. The shape of the head follows that of the
skull, the nasal region being high and erected and the moutt
heavy with thick lips. The legs are remarkable for their stout-
ness, especially those of the front pair, the portion below the kneej
being exceptionally short and thick; the hoofs are broad and th<
THE SER0W8, GORALS AND TAKINS OF BRITISH INDIA, 813
false-hoofs large ; the back is narrow and the abdomen full. The
tail is short, broad and bushy. Although the resemblances in
external form between Talcins, and Serows is obscured by the great
thickness of the legs, which are exceptionally short and stout below
the knee in the Taking, nevertheless there is an unmistakable similarity
between the two in attitude and general form. They stand straight up
on the legs with the fetlocks and hoofs almost in line with the cannon
bones above them. The bead is carried normally with the neck
nearly in line with the back, and the line of the back is broken by the
slightly elevated withers and by the arch of the spine which rises in
the middle of the back to about the height of the withers. From that
point however the back slopes right away down to the root of the tail,
the cronp being very low and the tail set on nearly on a level with the
lower edge of the neck when the latter projects forwards. This gives
to the hind quarters a characteristic look of weakness which is
enhanced by the Ci cow-hacked " appearance of the hind legs and by
the suggestion of dragging about these limbs as the animal walks.
Heavily built and entirely lacking the lightness of limb and body to
which Serows and Gorals owe their activity, Takins are slow and delibe-
rate in their movements and both ascend and descend rocks in a
ponderous manner without any of the spring observable in monntam
goats and antelopes. Those features, however, which, apart from the
horns, detract most from their likeness to Serows and Gorals are the
ears, which, instead of being long and as has been expressed donkey-
like, are quite short and broad with a nearly semicircnlarly rounded
npper rim and a much straigbter lower rim. Finally the muzzle,
instead of being bare, slimy and wet above, at least half way back to
the corner of the nostril, is covered with short hair above, only the
front of it and the area round the nostrils being naked. Almost exactly
similar differences exist between the muzzles of yaks and others of the
ox-tribe. It seems probable that the hairiness of the mnzzle is
associated in these two otherwise widely dissimilar ruminants, with life
at high altitudes where the snow in winter has to be scraped away to
get at the vegetation beneath.
The above given description of the shape of the TaUin has been
taken from observation of a living animal, the first bronght alive to
Europe, which was presented to the Zoological Society by Mr. Olande
White, C.M.Z.S., through whose instrumentality it was procured in
814 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Bhotan. If the description be compared with some published plates
representing the full figure of the animal a useful object lesson may
be learnt regarding the futility of the efforts to depict the real appear-
ance of an animal from a flat or mounted skin. For instance in the
Proceedings of the Zoological Society, 1853, pi. XXXVI, Wolf
represents a Takin as a noble looking beast, full of fire and spirit
with a magnificently earned head, while in quite a recent number
of the same periodical (1908, pi. XLIII), there is a figure of the
animal which politeness permits one to describe as a ludicrous
caricature. Very much better is Milne Edward's figure in his classic
work Eecherchers des Memiferes, pi. 74. Indeed so good in the
main is this illustration that one cannot but surmise that it was taken
from a sketch of the living animal submitted by Fere David, its
discoverer, to the French zoologist.
Young Takin sometimes differs considerably from the adult in
colour. In the species described by Milne Edwai*ds for example,
namely B. iib€ianus y while the adult bull is mostly a golden yellow
and the cow grey, the young is fairly uniformly reddish brown,
the pale tint being gradually acquired with growth. The heavy thick
set build, however, is as manifest in the calf as in the full grown
animal. The horns begin to arise, as in cattle, wide apart towards the
angles of the forehead and grow upwards and slightly obliquely out-
wards for several inches before beginning to show traces of an out-
ward bend at the base, which is the first indication of the curvature
characteristic of the adult. This process was observed in the young
Bhotau individual now r living in the Zoological Gardens iu London.
The two species of Takin that have heen hitherto distinguished
differ as follows : —
a. Head for the most part dark brown or blackish
with no definite and isolated black patch on
the nose below the eyes ; horns not distinctly
ridged in the adult and showing an abrupt up-
ward curvature ... ... ... ... taxicolor.
Iu Head yellow or grey with a very definite and
isolated black patch upon the nose below the
eyes ; horns, sometimes at all events, distinctly
ridged in the adult and more evenly and less
angularly curved ... ... .„ ... tibetanw.
THESEROWS, GORALS AND TAKINS OF BRITISH INDIA. 815
Budorcar taxicolor, Hodgson.
Hodgson, Journ. Asiatic Society, Bengal, XIX, pp. 65-75, pis.
I — 111,1850; Hume, Pro. Zool. Society, London, 1887, p. 48c,
figs, 1-3; Blanford, Mamm. British India, p. 515, 1891 ; Lydekker,
Pro. Zool. Society, London, 1908, p. 796, fig. 168 ; and of other
authors.
The colour of this species is evidently subject to a good deal of
variation. According to Hodgson the entire body both above and at,
the sides is yellowish grey, thus suggesting the name " taxicolor " or
badger-coloured ; but the quantity of grey is variable, the whole
animal being sometimes uniformly black owing to the absence of the
grey, which results from the basal two-thirds of each hair being of a
straw tint with the apical third black. The whole of the head and
neck, the greater part of the belly, the tail and legs are black. It
>eems probable that the difference in the body-colour Hodgson points
out is of a seasonal nature. The newly growing hairs showing only
their apical third would give a black appearance to the pilage, but as
the basal pale portion appeared gradually above the surface of the
rikin the colour would become at the same timfi more and more
yellowish. This suggestion is borne out by Hume's account. He
says the black or blackish heads are constant from kids to the
largest males and females ; but in some cases the body is yellowish
dun, almost as in Milne Edward's plate of B, tibetanus, while in others
it is deep reddish brown with a great deal of black intermingled, and
sometimes intermediate shades occur. Hume adds that in his opinion
these differences are not due to age or sex but to season. Both Hume
and Hodgson agree that there is no sexual dimorphism in colour,
the male and female being alike in this respect.
In the mounted male specimen in the British Museum the head
as far back as a line lying behind the horns and ears is blackish
brown ; while the whole of the neck both above and at the sides,
the withers and back half way down the sides and the croup are
yellowish tawny or fawn, the tail, the outside of the thigh, the lower
half of the body and of the shoulders, and the legs are blackish
brown. There is in this specimen a dark spinal stripe extending from
the occiput to the root of the tail ; but whether the spinal stripe
always extends as far forwards as in this example there is not
sufficient evidence to show,
6
816 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
The coat is thick and longish and clings to the body, being no-
where distinctly woolly. On the body it measures, according to Hodg-
son, from If to 2 inches in length and in the males it forms a distinct
crest along the throat, abont 3 inches in length, and grows on the
gullet in the form of a beard, 5 or more inches long. The height at
the shonlders, according to Hodgson, is 42 inches in the male and 36
inches in the female. In both sexes the length of the head from
between the horns to the nose is rather -ess than half the height at
the withers.
The horns vary considerably in length as the following tahle
shows : —
Length
along
Curve.
Basal
Cirmra- '
ference.
25
13
24*
12|
22£
13£
22
13
20
12
m
11
164
9
16
9^
10
10
16
10
Between
Tips.
11£
}
Ui
9^
12|
102
12
15
8*
8
£
Authority.
Ward (largest recorded),
Hume.
Hodgson.
Ward (smallest recorded, but \
doubtful for the race).
|
1
J- Hume
!
)
Hodgson.
It mmt be added that the smallest horns recorded in the table above,
as measured by Hnme, were regarded by him as belonging to yonnger
males than those of the larger size. There can, I think, be little donbt
however tbat they belonged to females. Hnme was evidently
puzzled by the growth stages of the horns in this genus, for a
frontlet he figured under the belief that it represented the horns of a
fine old female, seems to have belonged to a subadnlt animal with the
TBESEROWS, GOEALS AND TAKINS OF BRITTSB INDIA. 817
horns more widely separated at the base than in the other frontlets
known to him and without the marked thickening on the brow and
much less sharply recurved. Hume did not believe that horns of
this type could be converted by growth into those of the other type :
but he was not aware that precisely analogous changes take place with
growth in the horns of gnus ( Connochcetes).
In his recent paper on Takins, published in 1908, Mr. liydekker
relied for particulars of Mishmi Hill species mainly upon a stuffed
specimen in the British Museum, and did not apparently consult
Hodgson and Hume for information as to the colour and other charac-
ters. He says, for example, that the precise shoulder height is not
ascertainable, although Hodgson records it for both sexes. And one
of the characters cited as distinguishing the Mishmi Hills species
(B. taxicolor) from the Sze-chuen form (B. tibetanus) is the absence of
distinct beard in the male of the former. Hodgson on the contrary
expressly says that there is a distinct maue along the throat and a
heard 5 inches long in the male, and this is shown not only in the
plate accompanying his description but also in the plate by Wolf,
published hy Gray (Pro. Zool. Soc, Lond., pi. XXXVI).
His description of the colour too applies only to one specimen and
gives no idea of the variation with respect to this character upon
which both Hodgson and Hume lay stress. Moreover, although he
says the horns are stouter in B. taxicolor than is B. tibetanus.
measurements given by Rowland Ward hardly substantiate the state-
ment, as may he seen by comparing the dimensions of those horns
of B. tibetanus recorded helow with those of B. taxicolor mentioned
above.
The two forms indeed are not nearJy so distinct irom one another
as Mr. Lyddeker's descriptions would lead one to suppose, and
it is quite possible that Milne Edwards was after all right in regarding
them merely as local races of one and the same species.
As a local race of Budorcas taxicolor, Mr. Lydekker has recentlv
described the Takin from Bhotan, naming it B. taxicolor white?
in honour of its discoverer, Mr. J. Claude White, C. M. G. (The
Field, 1907, p. 887 ; Pro. Zool. Soc, London, 1908, p. 798, fig. 170).
According to the describer the chief claim to distinction of this race
r«sts upon the smaller size of the horns. In the skull of an old
818 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, VoL XIX,
bull for example Mr. Lydekker judges that the horns would not
have measured when unworn more than 15 or 16 inches along the
curvature, whereas in the male of the typical form the length is from
about 20 to 25 inches. As the skulls figured by Mr. Lydekker show, this
difference in length depends upon the greater shortness of the basal
horizontal position of the horn in the Bhotan as compared with the
\ssamese Takin rather than in the greater shortness of the recurved
terminal portion. For instance in the skull of the Assamese Takin
figured the extreme length of the basal horizontal portion is just
about equal to the greatest inter-orbital width of the skull, whereas
in the figured skull ot the Bhotan specimen, the basal horizontal
portion of the horn is markedly less than the inter-orbital width of
the skull, this inter-orhital width being approximately the same in the
two skulls. Skulls of young male* and females of the Bhotan Takin
are correspondingly smaller.
Unfortnnately detailed comparison between the sknlls of the two
races was not possible. The two agree, however, in general colora-
tion, in the darkness of the head and the extension of the spinal
stripe from the occiput to the tail. In a young female presented
to the Zoological Society by Mr. J. Claude White and now living in
the Gardens in Regents Park, the coloration is practically the same
as that of the adult bull of thp Assamese species mounted in the
British Museum — the specimen from which Mr. Lydekker's concep-
tion of tbe coloration of the typical torm of B. taxiealor was derived —
except that there is quite a considerable amount of yellowish brown
hairs on the forehead and cheeks, so that there is no sharp line of
demarcation between the colours of the head and the neck, such as is
seen in the stuffed example in the British Museum. Whether this
difference holds good in all cases it is impossible to say without further
material wherewith to check it ; bnt considering the great variation
in colour exhibited by the typical Assamese Takin, it would be rash
to assume constancy in all cases for the coloration of the head noticed
up to the present time only in one young female specimen.
Budorcas tibetanus, A. M. Edwds.
Budorcas taxiida tibetanus, A. Milne Edwards, Rech. Maram., p.
H67, pis. 74-79, 1874.
Budorcas sinensis, Lydekker, in Rowland Ward's Records of Big
Game, p. 350, 1907, and in Pro. Zool. Soc, London, 1908, p. 795.
THE SEROWS.GORALS AND 2'AKINS OF BRITISH INDIA. «1<*
Budorcas taxicolor mitchelliy Lydekker, The Field, ]90£, p. 790 :
id. Pro. Zool. Soc., London, 1908, p. 797.
Budorcas tibetarms, Lydekker, loc cit y p. 797.
Colour of the adult male a rich golden yellow in summer and grev
in winter on the head, forequarters and over the greater part of the
body, though clouded here and there with iron-grey, and passing into
iron-grey or nearly black upon the limbs both externally and intemallv.
Ears and tail blackish ; a large black patch covering the lower
portion of the muzzle below the eyes. A dark spinal stripe extend.-,
backwards from the withers. The female resembles the male to a
great extent, but instead of being golden yellow, the colour
is decidedly grey. Overlooking the fact that Milne EdwartU
described the female as grey, Mr. Lydekker described the grey
Sze-chuen Takin as a distinct race under the name Budomi*
taxicolor mitchelli. It should be noticed that the figure ot the type
published by Milne Edwards represents the legs as black from abov^
the knees and hoofs, whereas in the specimens in the British
Museum above described they are iron-grey. There is, however no
properly localized material to show whether this difference ha* anv
systematic significance or not. A further point is this. The skull
ot the Sze-chuen Takin figured by Mr. Lydekker in J 90o' (I*. Z. S
L909, fig. 169) is very different from the one shown in Milne
Edward's work (pi. 77) ; the orbits especially and the angle of the
maxilla being much more prominent. This, however, mav perliajjb be
accounted for by the difference in age of the two animal*, MnV
Edward's being much the younger of the two. Lastly, Mr. Lydekkei
lightly says the horns of the example* of this species in the British
Museum are more slender than in the Mishmi Hills specie;, fj. taxk-olor.
But the measurements given by Rowlaud Ward hardly support the
\iew that the horns of all Chinese and Tibetan specimen- are thinner
than in Assamese examples.
The greatest circumference, lor instance, in three specimen.-, from
Kansu in China and from Tibet, one of the latter beiuo 1
C5
ere
David's specimen in the Paris Museum, are 11$, lij, 12£, whereas th<*
much larger number of measurements takeu from Assamese material
show the average circumference to be somewhere between 11 and ig»
one, perhaps a female, being lOg and only one reaching 13. Hence
820 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
the difference is not very great, even if it exists at all — a fact which
suggests that the specimen of B. tibeianus in the British Museum
which Mr. Lydekker and I have described, would seem to be an
example with exceptionally thin horns. The annexed figure of
the frontlet and horns of this specimen shows not only that the
horns are thinner, more arched and more distinctly ridded in
B. tibetanus than in B. taxicolor, but that the skull itself is consider-
ably narrower in proportion to its width in the former than in the latter.
The full measurements given by Ward are as follows : —
Length along
curve.
Basal
circumference.
**£» Locality.
Sex.
20£
m
11£
12*
1H
11^ | Kansu (China)
12£ Tibet
i
S
The name sinensis which figures in the synonyms of B. taxkolor
appears in print for the first time, so far as I know, in Rowland Ward's
Records of Big Game, 1907. Since it is there accompanied by measure-
ments, the name must stand if the Takin from the locality mentioned,
namely Kansu in China, proves to be racially separable from the one
Milne Edwards described. Mr. Lydekker, however, says that the
example in the Tring Museum to which the name sinensis was first
applied is identical with the Sze-chuen specimens he saw described
and figured in lDOb'. If this be &o, and if the differences above
mentioned that undeniably subsist between the figures and descriptions of
the animals described respectively by Milne Edwards and Mr. Lydek-
ker turn out to be of systematic importance, sufficient to justify
nominal recognition, the name sinensis will have to be retained
for those specimens examined by Mr. Lydekker which were shot
by Mr. Brooks in Sze-chuen and are now exhibited in the British
Museum, as well as for the type in the Tring Museum from Kansa.
According to Milne Edwards the young of this specie is
brownish red and gradually assumes the pale tint of the adult with
advancing years.
THE SEROWS, G0RAL8 AND TAKINS OF BRITISH INDIA. 821
These Takins live in Sze-chuen on very steep and wooded slopes
of the highest mountains and only leave them at night to feed. In
winter they ascend to the very elevated and treeless summits where
coarse dry grass is found in abundance on the slopes exposed to & ■»
sun. Although usually found alone or in small troops, it seems that
in June they collect together in larger numbers. The voice is a deep
bugle-like note, and the alarm ory is a loud whistle through the nose.
( To be continued.)
822
NOTE ON THE SEROW (NKEMORHEBUS BUBAL 1-
NUS) FROM THE CHUMBI VALLEY.
BY
Captain F. M. Bailey.
(With a Plate.)
The three photographs of Serows on Plate B were taken in the
Uhumbi Valley where the animal is not uncommon.
No. 1 is of a young animal captured on 16th July 190b. I wa^
only able to keep it in captivity for a short time as it escaped .
Nos. 2 and 3 are of an adult male captured on the 22nd April this
year. Th is animal only lived for two days and was very wild and
dangerous, making sudden rushes at any one who approached, and
striking with hi:r> horns which were very sharp. The photographs
show the characteristic attitude which this animal adopts ; the legs
appear to be sprawling about, the cletts in the hoots are much opened,
and the head is thrust forward with the horns lying back along the
neck. The skin and skull of the animal in the photograph lias been
given to the Edinburgh Museum aud a description of it by Mr.
Pocock, f.z.k., is to appear in this journal. The following are tlie
measurements of this specimen ;■ — Head and body f>2". Tail withom
end hairs 4£", ear (j|", height at shoulder 34".
On the 2uth June 11)07 an adult female was captured, which 1 wa*
able to keep for about a fortnight, after which she died when giving
birth to a single young one. This animal although it would eat from
the hand wa* al&o very dangeroiib, and it was unsafe to approach
within reach of its tether. The three Ser ows mentioned above were
captured at an altitude of about 10,000 ieet. The Tibetan name for
the Serow is " Gva-ra."
823
NOTE UPON THE SKIN AND SKULL OF A SEROW OBTAINED
BY CAPT. F. BAILEY AT CHUMBI IN TIBET.
BY
R. I. Pocock, F.L.S., F.Z.S.,
Superintendent of the Zoological Society's Gardens, London.
At the request of Mr. W. S. Millard and of Capt. F. Bailey I examined, at
Rowland Ward's in Piccadilly, the skin and skull of a Serow obtained by
Capt. Bailey at Chumbi, near Sikkim, at an altitude of 10,000 feet, and now.
I understand, exhibited in the Edinburgh Museum. Although the animal
appears to me to belong to the same race of Serows as the form described by
Hodgson from Nepal as Antilqpe thar, remains of Serows so seldom come to
hand for examination that I think a descriptive note of the characters of
this animal is worth publishing. I may add that there is an example of
Serow in the British Museum from Sikkim which was procured by Dr. Blan-
ford. This animal was correctly identified by Blanford with Hodgson's
species and presents practically the same features as Capt. Bailey's example,
except that the belly is not white along the middle line. I have reason to'
think this difference may be a matter of age.
According to the paper I recently wrote upon the Serows of the Himalayas
and Straits Settlements, Capt. Bailey's specimen should he called Capricornis
Sumatraensis thar ; or if any one prefers to regard the Himalayan Serows as
specifically distinct from Sumatran and Malaccan Serows, it may be called
more shortly Capricornis thar.
Prevailing colour black on the head, neck and body, the hasaJ portion of the
hairs on the body and the posterior part of the mane white, towards the belly
and on the outerside of the thighs the black passes gradually into rufous
brown ; a brownish tinge on the backs of the ears and on the sides of the
upper lip. The front of the upper lip and the chin white ; the white of the
chin passing a short distance back along the lower edge of the jaw but not
continued nearly as far as the throat patch which consists of a pair of white
spots. The black on the shoulders is continued down the outerside of the
foreleg nearly to the knee. Similarly the rufous black hue of the outerside of
the thigh up to the root of the tail extends down the outerside of the hind-
leg to the hock. The legs below the knees and hocks both outside and
inside are dirty white ; on the hind leg the white of the innerside extends
upwards to the groin and involves also the front of the leg below the stifle
(knee) joint : innerside of foreleg also whitish up to the breast. Middle line of
belly and chest and the whorls of hair on the breast white. Tail black with som*
grey hair.
Capt. Bailey has kindly supplied me with the following dimensions of the
animal before it was skinned :■ —
Height at shoulder _. 34 inches.
Length of body and head 50
7
824 JOURNAL. BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Length of tail (without end haii) 4£ inches.
Length of ear 6*
Skull belonging to the low, flatfish type characteristic of Nepalese Serows.
owing to the transverse and longitudinal flatness of the frontal bones above the
orbits. The following .u-e some of its dimensions in millimetres (25 mm. -
1 inch) as compared with those of a skull from Nepal : —
Clmmbi.
Nepal.
i Length from basi-oceipital sutme to top of premaxilla; ...
! Width across zygomata
maxilla-
bet ween orbit-
Length of frontals along middle line
of nasals aloii!* middle line ..
Width across nasal-
preraaxilfee (maximum)
Height from alveoliw of molar 2 to top of frontal ..
premolar- to top of nasal
i Length of cheek tee ih „. ...
'Median length of palate
Width of palate between la*t molar
i .. ,. front premolars ...
Width of last mohir .. ,. ... , #i
Length
230
241
118
128
87
08
75
87
105
!05
88
93
40
47
5u
51
90
94
78
84
94
87
164
167
55
52
34
as
U\
1G
20
2d
The horns measure 185 ram. (= 7-j inches) in length and 120 mm. (= 4^
inches) in basal circumference.
These measurements show certain differences between the two skulls, but onh
such as are I think attributable to individual variation or to age. Thus the
greater length of the cheek-teeth in the Chumbi specimen which is smaller in
almost all respects than the Nepal example is I believe a matter of age. Again
it will be noticed that although the posteiior width of the palate is greater in
the smaller skull, the width of the last molar is correspondingly less, so that
the measurement taken to include the molars is almost the same in the two.
the truth I think being that the molar increases in width up to a certain point
i»f course with age and the palate correspondingly decreases in width. The
flatness of the rioill above alluded to is well shown by the measurements taken
from the alveoli of m- and ?m* :i to the summit of the frontals and nasals in a
vertical line above them. If these be compared with similar measurements
yielded by a skull of Rodon's Serow from Charaha in the Punjab and of th*
Kashmir Serow from Pir Punjab (see my paper /P. Z. S.. IP08. p. ISO) the valm-
of ihe difference will be appreciated.
825
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN UPPEH ASSAM.
BY
Major F. Wall, i.M.b., e.M.z.b.
Tart II. (With a Plate.)
( Continued from page fi2# of this Volume. "
Coluber prashms ( BIythJ.
1 had imt* specimen sent to me from near Jaipur (Namsang).* The
ventral* and subcaudals were 191+102. Anal divided. The scales
were W anteriorly and in midbody, 15 at a point, twn head-lengths
before the ami-.
Coluber radiatus (Schlegel).
* )ne killed by some Assamese boatmen was called bv them ** <room
jihitri ". f collected 41 specimens, of which 11 were from Sadiya, 2
from near Doom Dooma, and the rest from Dibrugarh. Of 25
specimens >exed 18 were 9 and 7£. My largest, were? 6'-0f", and
S 6'-0". Not only is the colour of the scales remarkable in this
-nake, but also that of the skin. The head in life is usually a copper
colour, or a hue not unlike that of dried orange peel, and this meroe*
io a duller tone on or close to the neck. Anteriorly the body is adorned
with black longitudinal stripe*, usually three in number on each side,
and progressively narrowing from above downwards ; the lowest often
interrupted. In a slough I found I noticed that these black marks
were faintly visible. The skin at this situation is chequered as shown
diagrammatically in the attached figure. The shaded squares are pitch
Mack, aqua-re* A are a pale blue-grey, and square B bright yellow.
The effect is very striking. The tips
of the tongue are black. On the 27 th
April two were reported as having
^ been seen in company playing to-
gether. One, the 9, was killed and
proved ro be gravid, the eggs being nearly matured. This is yet
another instance of the conjugal attachment of snakes, which has
come to my knowledge of recent years. The secretion of the ami
glands is oehraceous in colour.
One specimen brought in was bleeding profusely from the mouth
*s
Set remarks t,o thie locality under Trackischium monticola.
826 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Vol. XIX
nd on investigation I found two black leeches in the oral cavity.
This snake takes readily to water, and on one occasion mv wife and I
watched a large one swimming the river towards us. It breasted the
cnrrent, and though a strong flood was flowing, kept its position very
well, facing obliquely up stream, and making for a tangle of bush.
On another occasion a gentleman watched one swimming toward** his
boat from across the river, and when confronted by the boatmen, it
proceeded to contest the right of way, and by its truculence lost its
Hfe. My informant said that, when it landed it raised itself, and ex-
panded the neck in a contrary direction to that of the cobra, and was
very strikingly handsome. It is infested with the same parasite that
afflicts the Tropidonotus piscator and stolatus, Le. y the larval tapeworm
{Pterocercus sp.).
Other events, etc., of interest are as follows : —
Date.
•
0Q
•*»
an
a
h3
•
H
.3
1
■B
lb
"3
1
m
Remarks.
1907.
April 26th...
„ 27th
**•
9
5'-l"
ur
244
■a*
87
Contained 5eggs(4+l)l&f" X H.
May 2nd
„ lHh
f
4'-9"
5'-2|"
12"
229
233
88
94
Killed in native house.
., 16th .
9
4'-4"
...
248
...
Tail imperfect. Contained 5
eggs (4+2), l*r + i$".
„ 24th .
9
3'-9£"
8J"
248
83
June 3rd ...
9
4'-7i"
m*
247
93
„ 3rd .
9
4'-l0*"
i'-0"
...
•»*
„ 8th .
<?
4'-5"
*••
•••
»*■
1
. Hth
8
4'-l£"
9±"
231
88
„ 16th .
„ 26th .
M 27th .
9
9
5'-3"
l'-G"
246
94
***
Tail incomplete. Contained 7
Contained 9 eggs, 2" to 2$"]
long.
July 12th...
6
&-$"
r-or
228
89
XOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN UPPER ASSAM,
827
00
DO
73
Date.
J3
1
-»
Bemarks.
M
c
i—i
C
O
fi>
a
c5
V
-O
m
•J
H
o
S3
w
1907.
P
July 26th ,
a
4'-n$"
H*"
244
92
Oct. 27th .
$
6'-0"
l'-l"
■*•
...
„ 28th .
9
6'-6r
1'4>£"
250
89
1908.
Feb. 16th.
9
6'-0*"
lit*
240
85
,. 18th .
&
5'-0f"
111"
236
88
March 26th .
9
S'-IO^
...
... ...
April 13th .
5
6 / -0f w
l'-»l"
1
■a*
Contained 12 eggs ££"x ft"
May 21st .
9
5^"
...
...
Tail incomplete. Contained
8 eggs IF long. The first
and last 2-^" long.
Oct. 22nd .
$
&-V 1
...
i
...
Killed in a stable. Hair of
a small mammal in the
1
stomach.
Colvber porphyracevs (Cantor;.
Two specimens ; one from Sadiya and one from Namsang, near
Jaipur. Both quite typical.
Vendrophw pictus (Gmelin).
I obtained one $ specimen of what I think there can be no doubt
is this <pecies. The anal is divided, the ventrals 195, and costals 15
anteriorly and in midbody, 9 behind at a point two heads-lengths
before the vent.
Dendrophis proarchos (spec, nov.)
I collected 24 specimens of a snake of this genus which is certainly
entitled to rank as a distinct species hitherto not described. With the
exception of one from Sadiya, one from North Lakhinipur (Dejoo)
and one from near Doom Dooma, all were obtained around Dibrugarh.
The species is extremely like pictus, but differs in having the anal
shield entire and in the dentition. In no other species of this or the
nearly allied genus Dendrelaphhh the anal undivided. I have prepared
two skulls and the dentition is as follows. Maxillary 27 to 2$ teeth
828 JOURNAL. BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Vol. XIX.
the last # very distinctly enlarged, even I think more so than m pwttis.
Palatine 1;5 t» HI. Pterygoid 24 to 27. Mandibular 25 to 28,
4?
L have 3 skulls ot Z>. pktus, all from Eastern Himalayan ^specimens.
In these the maxillary teeth are 20 to 21, the palatine 13 to 14, the
pterygoid 21 to 26, and the mandibular 2i to 22. From these data
it will be seen that proarchos differs very considerably from pktus,
especially as regards the mamillary and mandibular teeth. I tabulate
the specimens as follows : —
Scales
i
J3
'3
' 7U
a
o
j 1907
May 4th
i ,. 20th
., 22nd.
,, 22na.
5J 27th.
„ 29th.
., 29th
Jane 1st.
, 1st.
, 15th
, 16th.
CS
■a
•2
a!
9
&
9
s'.syi i'-i*
3'-l " 1M-J*
3'
■8f
J§ -
•3.S
>»
•o
c
V4P
3'-oi" l'-3"
3 / -ll$^l'-4"
H-5f"
4M)| fc
3'-3"
3«
(^5
!'-$**
■ 190
143
15
i !
' 15
-
«
15
15
192
141
15
15
185
349
• **
...
•>
141
15
15
184
158
15
15
188
146
15
15
...
• *
15
15
■ **
...
15 j 15
**•
***
15 : 15
i
»••
•»•
1
... |
...
■£*»
§
Is
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
B,KMAKK<.
On the roof of a
house.
Contained 7 eggs 1 j"
to US".
S
Tail Imperfect. A
gecko in the stomach
Contained 8 eggs, &"
to »|" long
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN UPPER ASSAM. «
3
1907.
Oct. 14th.
■3
Scales.
; J3
tC5
J
*»
•w
s
UliMJRKS.
■* = ' ■ B ? £ ■a' 3
w
3 l'-ll|
i'th. 2 I 4'-qa"
19U6
Feb 10th.j 9 | 3'-4 "
Mar. llth.j #
!
April ISth.
*
May 8th... I 9
3'-7|"
2'-8£"
2'-10|"
Sept. 22nd.
Oct. 24th.
H-V-in—
1M)3"
188j 148
l'-3$"' 193i ...
15
15
15
15
I'-l^'f 195 142! IB
I ' !
l'-23*i 186 1431 15
.1 !
... | 187i ...
9
C-9J"] ... ,
i
c-ujrt ... .
192!
i
... 187!
15
16
15
15
15
»l
i
15 '
15
15
15
15
9
9 Tail slightly imper-
fect.
9 3 postoculars on both
sides.
9
9 ' Tail incomplete.
9
9 ! Tail incomplete.
9
DendropJUs gorei (spec, no v.)
(Figs. X to 3 of Plate).
I acquired two specimens of a new species of Dendrophis. une ot"
the types I sent to the British and the other to the Indian Museum.
The first specimen I had sent to me by Mr. 0. Gore from Jaipur
(Namsang).* It was a 9 , measuring 2 feet 8i inches, the tail account-
ing for 10J inches. The second was from near Dibrugarh (Atabari),
and was 2 feet 4J inches, the tail (8 inohes) being imperfect. I found
a gecko in the stomach.
Desrr/ptbn. — Rostral. — Touches t> shields, the rostro-internasal and
rostro-nasal sutures subequal, and about twice the rostro-labial.
Inter nasals. — Two ; the suture between thein | to J, that between the
prefrontal fellows, f to equal to the internaso-prsefrontals.
Praefi*ontaL — Two ; the suture between them rather greater than the
prefronto-frontal : in contact with the internasals, postnasal, loreal,
preeocular, supraocular and frontal. Frontal* — Touches 6 shields ; the
* For remarks on this locality see Trachischium monticola.
830 JOURNAL. BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY,Vol. XIX.
fronto-supraoculars more than twice the fronto-parietals. Supraoculars.
— As long as and rather broader than the frontal along a line connecting
the centres of the eyes. Nasals. — Divided ; subequal : in contact with
the 1st and 2nd supralabials. Loreals. — One : as long as the two nasals.
Pvceocularst— One, nearly touching the frontal. Eye. — Large, equals
its distance to the anterior edge of the nostril. Postoculars. — Two.
Temporalis. — One anterior. Supralabials. — 8, the 4th and 5th touching
the eye. Infralabials. — 6, the 6th very long, equalling the 4 preceding
shields taken together ; in contact with 2 scales behind. Sublinguals. —
Two pairs, the posterior longer than the anterior ; and in contact with
the 5th and 6th infralabials. VentraU. — 193 to 199. Anal. — Divided.
Subcaudah. — 132 ? (perhaps very slightly docked j. Costals. — Two
heads-lengths behind the head 13, midbody 13, two heads-lengths before
the anus 11. The rows reduce to 11 by a coalescence of the 4th and
5th rows above the ventrals. Vertehrals. — Very well developed,
as broad as long in midbody, as broad or broader than the last row.
Body. — Cylindrical. Colour. — Very like pictus. Dorsally bronze-brown
ending abruptly in the middle of the penultimate row, the overlapped
margins of the scales a bright sky-blue. A lighter vertebral stripft.
Belly, ultimate and lower half of penultimate rows greenish opales-
cent. Head ruddy-brown above with a well defined black postoculav
streak continued on to the forebody. Lips and chin greenish-
opalescent. Dentition. — For fear of damaging the specimens, [ only
investigated the maxillary teeth. 1 counted 20 on the right side, the
last 2 or 3 of which appeared to be slightly longest.
Dendrelaplm biloreatus (Wall).
The type specimen, the only one collected, came from JSadiya, and
was described and figured in this Journal (Vol. XVIII, p. 273). It is
now in the British Museum.
Simotes alOocinctux (Cantor).
Nine specimens came to bag. Three were from near Dibrugarh
(Maijan and Greenwood Estates), one from North Lakimpur (Dejoo),
one from near Tinsukia, three from Sadiya, and one from near Jaipur
(Namsang,, all of these belonged to variety typica (A of BoulengerV
Catalogue). In the Jaipur specimen the subcaudals were 47, in the
one from Dejoo 49, and in the one from Maijan 50 (Boulenger 51 to
69). A $ measuring 2 feet 5 J inches (the tail imperfect 4 inches )
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN UPPER ASSAM. 831
was gravid on the 10th of July and contained o eggs. The supra-
labials were 8, the 4th and 5th touching the eye in one specimen.
Simotes violaceus (Cantor).
Only two examples were obtained, one from near Tinsukia, and one
trom near Hal ein (Baroi). Both belong to variety D of Boulenger's
Catalogue (Vol. II, page 223). In both the ventrals and subcaudal*
were 177 -f* 31 (Boulenger : subcaudals 33 to 41). In one there
was a small median prefrontal.
Oligodon dorsalis (Gray).
A single specimen was sent me by Mr. Gore from Namsang,
W. Jaipur. This was a £ 12f inches long, the tail being 1J inches.
The ventrals were 173 and the subcaudals 29. The scales two heads-
lengths behind the head were 15, in midbody 15, and two heads-
lengths befcw the anus 13, as i« usual in this specie^
StTB-F AMIL Y — HOMALO PS VKJE .
Hypszrhina enhydris (Schneider).
One specimen from Dibrugarh was brought in to me, a £ 1 foot 10
inches long, the tail 5£ inches. It agrees with variety B of Boulenger's
Catalogue* (Vol. Ill, p. 7;. The ventrals and subcaudals were
153 + 74. The costal s were in 23 rows at a point two heads-lengths
behind the head, 21 in midbody, and 20 at a point two heads-length>
before the anus. The 3rd and 4th rows above the ventrals blended at
both steps reducing the rows from 23 to 1 9.
Sub-family — Djpsadomokphjka.
Dipsadomorphus gokool fGraj } ,
I got tour examples of this uncommon snake, threp in Dibrugarh,
and one from North Lakimpur (Dejoo). One of these was brought
alive, and behaved just like others of the genus with which I am
acquainted. All are very plucky snakes. This one coiled itself in the
typical figure of 8 fashion, and erected itself and poised, thus awaiting
an opportunity tu strike at me, quivering the tail with anger.
* I maj here mention that I received a similar specimen lately from Charaparan (Behar)
from Mr. H. Reid. Thia locality zoologically is part of that with which this paper deals.
Thecostals were 25, SI, Si, in the three sites corresponding to the above. The ventrals
anl subcaudals were 158 4-59. The stomach was much knuckled and thickened, and fall
of nematode worms which I think were Kalicephahts willey'u
fi
$32 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. Xi\
it struck our several rimes, but 1 find that if om» i** on the alrri
with these Miakes, one ran >ee and evado ihe stroke, nj that it
cannot be considered very rapid. With many Miukis mi rim nfchcr
hand one has no chance of avoiding the Mroke, *<nch for iu-raiiw •'-
Troptdon-ttus piseator and j&7te* earhiata.
a
1907
Mar.25th
i
;Apr-12th
a*
CO
fcO
9 2' 44"
eS
H
5f"
3
•JJ24. 87 21
9 2'-l0£" <#' 227, 93 I 21
Scales
m
.=> .
»J3
>»
hj*<C
•« £
rf5
ee-rj
■0
»
21
21
•227! 96 ■ 21 21
a S
.2 ?
■is
JtEMAHKS.
17
17 bupralabials ' 1 , the
3rd,4th f 5thssd6th
touching the ^ve on
left side.
17 ' Two pi'tBouuitir . A
mouse in stonrich.
It is to he noted than the scaler posteriorly I'wdiicp to 17 whhii i-
remarkable, as many of rhe species of thi-* . «;emi> have '21 -o»1p
rows in midbody, and in all except this thev reduce to l:"i. L l&w
now examined 10 specimens, and in only one did the >caie> reduce u>
15. The absorption of rows \< the same as in the other specie-. The
scales become 19 by the absorption of the uppermost into I;he
vertebral and very shortly afterward- the 3rd and 1th row** above
the ventrals coalesce.
Dipsadomorpttn nj/iodott (13oie).
A aingle specimen was -seen to fall (or ^prini> ?) from a j.alK
tree about 20 feet high in Dibrugarh and wa^ pursued and
killed. It conformed to variety* B oi Boulenger's Catalog!)*-
* I may here remark that laet year I obtained two well grown e^iuples of this snake
from Mr. Jacob from Jalpaiguri, which is hi the same Tract zoologically .»=■ tnat iu which
this paper refers. They were of ihe same variety as my -Assam spednien and agreed with
it in ihe lepidosis just referred to exempt that the ventrals andsubcau'lalh were25"i -J- 1-6 and
256 + 12"t. The absorption of the costal row s agreed except that in the step from » tv
17, the Uh row ah ve the ventrals was absorbed into one of the adjacent row.- Mr, Jacob
wrote that one of these '•pecimens was being attacked by a banded Kr:iit f/>«";/"r-'- fit--
••intHs), and lie shot the latter and then killed the former
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN UPPER ASSAM. 833
(Vol. Ill, p. 70). It wa> :i £ injuring A few H inche?, the
tail being 1 foot 1§ inche>. The ventrals and subcaudals were
2484-119. The scales at a point two heads-lengths behind the head
were in 23 rows, at midbody 23, and two heads-lengths before the anus
15. The reductions from 2?> to 21 and 17 to U were due ro the
absorption of the uppermost row into the vertebral, and that irom li»
to 17 to the absorption of the 3rd row above the ventrals into the
2nd on the right side, and the 1th on the left. AH three steps
occurred cl^e together.
Dipsadomorphus i/nuunuriatns (Wall.)
The type was described and figured in this Journal by me last
year (Vol. XVIII, p. 272), and was sent to the British Museum.
Since this I acquired a second specimen from the same locality, w:.,
near Tinsukia (Rangagara). This U now lodged in the Indian
Museum.
It measured 3 feet 5 J inches, the tail being i*f inches. It agrees
perfectly with the first example except that the ventrals and sub-
caudals are 237 + 118, and the supralahials are 8, the 3rd. 4th and
5th touching the eye on both sides.
The anterior palatine teeth are barely if at all enlarged.
Psammodyua&tes pidvemlenttui (Boie).
In all five specimens were acquired, three from Dibrugarh, one
from North Laklumpuv (Dejoo) and one from Jaipur. One of these
was the gravid 9 reported in this Journal (Vol. XVIII, p. 204),
which showed that the species is viviparous. I had live examples.
The one I kept some time in captivity was a truculent creature. Ir
struck at Captain Wright to whom I was indebted lor the
specimen, and subsequently struck at me on more than one occasion,
wounding me once in the finger when handling it. Prior to
striking, it erected itself and threw the forebody into a figure of 8,
much in the same way as the DipnadomurpJms do : another which my
wife encountered at dusk erected itself, and would doubtless have
struck if given the chance. I could not get my raged specimen to
eat, though I supplied it liberally with small frogs every day. A frog
too had been ^wallowed by one specimen that was brought to me dead.
In the flanks there are blotches of bright ochre, and velvety blac
834 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX,
which come prominently into view when the snake dilates itself. The
dentition in ray skulls is as follows :— Maxillary 2 or 3 small teeth
followed by 2 large and fang-like : succeeded by 5 or 6 small and
subequal, and then 2 large, grooved, obliquely placed, fang-like teeth,
Palato-pteiygoid, 8 to 10 + 22 to 25 ; small, subequal. Mandibular
2 or S small followed by two large and fang-like; then 13 to 16
small teeth.
Dry op his prasimtn (Boie).
Of six specimens, uiie was captured in Dibrugarh, one in Sadiya,
one near Jaipur (Namsang), and three in North Lakhimpur (Dejoo
and at foot of Duffla Hills). The Dibrugarh, Sadiya and Dejoo
specimens were green, w,, forma typka, the rest buff, or drab
colour. This latter is a distinct colour variety, which appears to
have escaped being christened. I propose for it the name ftavescens*
1908
End of
March
or eaily
April.
1 April
May
31st
Scales.
be
a
■a
t«
a.
S. 1 ^
S3
§■«
^ '
33
•O I
o 1
™ 1
0} <U
J3.J3
kH
.-,,
1^
& ED
g «
cs o
Bemaeks.
5'-7" I V-7±» I 20o| 167; 15 | 15
$
3'-9£"
3'-6j"
l'-5"
l'-H"
203
200
201
1,73}
174
171
15
15
15
15
15
11
M
13 'Buff variety, N. Lak-j
himpur. Contained I
3 eggs, \y X W'A
4th right supralabial
divided. |
I 205! 155| 15 I 15 I 13 |Buff variety. N. Lak-I
himpur.
Buff variety. Jaipur.
Green variety. Dibru-
garh. A gecko in
stomach.
Green variety. Sadiya.
The 3rd subcaudal
entire.
Green variety. Dejoo.
One loreal only on
left side : loreals 2
(1 + 1) on right side,
both confluent with I
subjacent labials.
In the eggs noted above, though so large, there was no trace of
embryos. It will be noticed that in the $ the costals reduce
posteriorly to 11, but in the 9 only to 13. This is no coincidence, for
209 i 159] 1o
15 11
15 11
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN UPPER ASSAM. 835
I find referring to many specimens 1 have examined from Darjeeling
and Burma that this appears constant.
The dentition in my two skulls does not appear to agree quite with
Boulenger's figure of D. mycterizans (Catalogue Vol. Ill, p. 177).
Maxilla.— 6 or 7 progressively lengthening teeth from before
backwards, then a short interspace followed by 3 or 4 minute teeth,
then a second gap followed by two large, subequal, grooved, fang-like
teeth. (In Boulenger's figure two suddenly enlarged fang-like teeth
succeed six small subequal ones in the front of the jaw.) Palalo-
pterygoid 10 + 20 or 21, small, subequal, slightly reducing posterior-
ly. Mandtlndar 5 or 6 rapidly increasing posteriorly ; then a short
gap followed by, from 12 to 14, small subequal teeth.
Sub-family — Elapinae.
Bungarus faseiatus (Schneider).
I acquired 22 examples. Two were from near Doom Dooma, one
from near Tinsukia, one from North Lakhimpur at foot of Duffla
Hills, and the rest from just around Dibrugarh. Of 11 sexed 5 were
£,6 <?.
1907.
Apr.llth
June 12th
„ 18th
i »
21st
1
! ™
C3
.
"5 i
1 A
*3
' 3
to
.
( v 1
a
r^5
c
1 -°
a
H
£
\ m 1
Kemahks.
„ 23rd
July 2nd
.. 13th
.. I 1 - 0£"
2'-10i"
4'- 1£"
£ 14'- 5"
# 3'-nr!
s 4'- on
9 13'- 0£"
2±»
231i
221
229 1
230
22fc
224
231
33
36
24
38
35
38'
A snake ( Tropidonntus stolatus) l'-9$"
long, lying at full length in gullet and
stomach.
Stomach full of scales and ventrals
of a snake otherwise completely
digested. Killed in the act of swal-
lowing a snake (Zamenis korros), 4
feet 2$ inches long.
Ventral and costal scales of a snake
recovered from the f cecal contents of
cloaca.
Tail incomplete. Reported in water,
and in the act of swallowing a fish.
Ventral and costal scales of a snake
recovered from f cecal contents of
cloaca.
836 JOURNAL. BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vot. XIX.
v
GT.'
Remarks,
•2
1907.
Oct, 18th
Nov.23rd
., 28th
Dec. 3rd
.1908
Apr.l3th
... 4th
May20th
Oct- 28th
9 '#- 8i"j HI" I 229: i!3! Pound in disused well, 2 temporals on
left side.
I "
9 |3'- *H"; ... | 230
I )
9 |4'- (i»| ... j ... |
?..".!
i Killed at night outside bungalow ; a skink
(Jf«Zw/"rt multifa&eiata) in stomach.
£ |4 # -11 v*'j 05" ! 227 1 ;i7|;"i eggs in the stomach are without!
I ! doubt snake's eggs and measured ££"
long. 3 of these were quite undamaged
Killed in house at night.
... I ... . Can hi rod alivo and sent to Fare!.
I !
5 jS*- 3-J" ... ! ... '' ... . Killed in syce's hut.
: i
A large speeinien preserved in a bottle was* sent to uie in the act
of swallowing a snake (Zanu-n'm mneosttx). The tail and abotit 2 inches
of the body wen; protruding from the mouth. The tail measured
I foot 4-J inches, indicating that rim dhaman was abotit 5 feet in
length. Mr. r. Gore told me rhar the first specimen lie ever saw
in Assam was in the act of swallowing another simke which was
grasped in rite middle of the body, and was struggling for liberty.
He also told me that he once knew this snake to bite a bnllock
which died about 20 minutes or so later. Major Leventon, I. M. S., told
me that he once killed a gravid 9 ft t Sibsagar, which measured 6 feet
II inches. Unfortunately he could not be oertain of the date.
This snake like all the other Kraits with which I am acquainted
l> singularly lethargie, and most dim cult to anger. I had many
brought to me alive, and had ample means of observing its dis-
position. I did my utmost to provoke one to strike but could not.
It simply lay where it was, and made no attempt to escape. When
irritated it hid its head lieneath its body. When taken by the tail,
and roughly shaken, it, simply flattened itself, and then buried its head
again beneath the body. When a >ttck was thrust quickly* at it, it
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED JN UPPER ASSAM. 837
merely n\ uided the thrust and when advanced towards it slowiv,
it mtaeted itself leisurely. Another large one was brought to me at mv
huspital by several urchins, who carried it balanced over a stick wiih
the result ihat every few yards it fell off, but it made no attempt at
escape and allowed itself to be taken up and dropped again and aonin.
I watched tin* noisy band of urchins for some minutes advancing up the
road, t then took it by the tail and earned it 300 yards or so home,
and worried it in every way to try to get it to strike, but it merely hid
its head beneurh its coils and lay before me unconcerned. Other speci-
men- helmed similarly.
\i< movement* are very slow, at any time, and it trequently happens
rhat rhe |)l:inters, who own motor cars, drive over them on the roads
ii. night. The specimen which was disturbed whilst eating a fish is
reported to have made off, and climbed a tree to the height of some 10
f*ot or so. It vra< knocked off by a luthi and killed.
The secretion of the anal glands is blackish, reminding one ut
Hipftmrial <-reani in appearance and consistency. The eve is black
-- in other kraits, the pupil not being visible.
TliN like many other snakes is yen- much infested with j.m-f.site*
1 round two different nematode worms in the stomach, which
Pr. Aiuimidale had identified for me as Kalk-ephalm wRUyi, and larva
■tnd immature forms of a species of Ascarh. There were many tape
-.vorm* toe) in the abdominal cavity usually convolnting themselves
beneath the lining membrane.
These are larval form* of n species
of Pterocercw. The maggot-like
parasite Poroeephalus hrotctlt wa-
also frequently found in the ab-
dominal cavity (see figure attached).
Dentition. — J cannot agree with
BoulengerV description of the fangs
(Catalogue Vol. Ill, page 365),
which he says are grooved in thi>
genus. He seems to suggest that
the fang is not tubular, but as far as
1 am aware the tangs of all poisonous
Indian, I m:iy say, Asian, snakes
are tubular. On the anterior lace of the tang< there is a shallow
Porocephalus brotali, Cx8.)
\. Profile C«) dorsal (6) ventrd borders.
B. Dorsal asject.
<.". YrMrtii aspect snowing booklets.
838 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIX.
groove, which is the seam marking the spot where the circumflexed
walls of the canal have become blended.
The maxilla has two moderate tubular fangs placed anteriorly side
by side (mile*- one has been shed). These are grooved on their
anterior faces. Behind these are (3 or 4) small subequal teeth, which
are grooved on their outer faces. Palato-pterygoid 12 + 11 or 12.
small, snbequal, grooved on their inner faces. Mandibular 16 or 17,
small, subequal, and grooved on their outer faces. It will be noticed
ia each case that the grooves are on the face opposite to the side
occupied by the <ac or tract, as the case may be, from which the
fang or teeth are produced.
Bunyarus lieidus (Cantor).
J had one specimen sent to me from Bindukuri near Tezpur
by Mr. A. E. Lloyd. This is much the largest specimen I have
ever seen measuring 3 leet '2 inches, the tail 3| inches. The ven-
trals and subcaudals were 215+37. The vertebrals were but
slightly enlarged, the length at midbody distinctly exceeding the
breadth. Mr. Lloyd told me he had had the specimen some 12
years, hoping some day to meet some one who could tell him what it
was. It had bitten a cooly woman on his Estate at about 10 o'clock
one night whilst *he sat under the eaves of the verandah of her hut
eating her evening meal. She was conscious the next morning, and
spoke in answer to the questions put to her concerning her accident.
She died some time (hiring that day, the hour he does not remember.
Unfortunately no records of her case were available after this long
lapse of time.* (Compare the Wrtebrals in fig. b* of our plate with
those of H. niyer in figure 7).
Hunyaras niyer (spec, nov.)
(Figs, 4 to 7 of Plate.)
1 have already reterred to this Krait as u definite and valid specie-
apart from lividus,f but as yet have not published a description in
detail. I collected 1) specimens, 7 in Dibrugarh,l from Sadiya, and
one from Jaipur.
* I may here record the receipt of a specimen of this Krait from Jalpaignri from
Mr. Jacob, I.F.S., since this locality is zoologically part of the Brahmaputra Valley, This
specimen was a youog one measuring 1 foot I£ inches. The ventials and subcaudals were
212 + 39. The vertebrals were but feebly enlarged.
t Poisonous Terrestrial Snakes of oov British Indian Dominions, 1908, pp. vii and 19.
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN UPPER ASSAM. 839
tc
. ...
Date.
rf3
•*3
c8
Remarks.
i<
s
IrH
a
O
CD
V
c6
a>
^
GC
J
P
&>
S
GO
*!*'»««%.
1907.
1 ...
2'-9"
...
225
53
Old spirit specimen.
April 23rd. ; g
3'-4f"
5*"
229
54
May 17th. ! $
2'-5 H
4*"
224
52
Found in a well.
June 18th. £
4 -0^,
6*"
216
51
9
Oct. 17th.
3'-3i"
"sr
223
53
Head and f orebody from Sadiya
Killed in a grain godown in the
1908.
bazaar at night.
June 1st... j $
■3'-10§"
6£"
221
55
.. i7th.! s
3'- 8"
6"
222
51
Killed at night, passing through
chowkidar's feet.
The snake is very much like lividus with which it was confused by
Sclater*. [ have examined two of the three examples he referred tc
which prove to be examples of niger; the third probably a true lividus
is no longer in the Indian Mnseum. I have now examined 18
specimens of niger, and 13 of lividus and find that in the former the
vertebrals are broader than long in the middle of the body, and
the ventrals and subcaudals are more numerous. In the latter the
vertebrals are but slightly enlarged on the body. Our artist has
shown them distinctly broader than is actually the case in figure
8 of our Plate. In all my specimens the length of these shields
exceeds the breadth at midbody. As in other Kraits the eye in
life is quite black so that the pupil cannot be seen. The tongue tips
too are white. The secretions of the anal glands is black.
Description — Rostral. — Touches 6 shields ; the rostro-internasal and
rostro-nasal sutures are subequal, and fully twice the length of the
rostro-labials. Internasals. — Two ; the suture between them is about
half that between the prefrontal fellows. JPrcefrontals.< — Two ; the
suture between them is rather greater than the internaso-prsefrontals ;
in contact with internasals, post-nasals, prseoculars, supraoculars, and
frontal. Frontal. — Touches 6 shields, the fronto-parietals rather the
longest. Supraoculars, — Length about g to |, the frontal, breadth less
than \ the frontal along a line connecting the centres of the eyes.
Nasals. — Divided ; in contact with 1st and 2nd supralabials.
Preeocular. — One, barely reaching crown. Postoculars* — Two.
Temporals. — One ; in contact with the 5th and 6th supralabials.
* Journal, As. 8oc., Bengal, Vol, LX>p. 246.
840 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Supralabials. — 7 ; the 2nd narrowest, distinctly more so than the 1st
and 3rd ; the 3rd and 4th touching the eye. Infralabials. — 4 ; the
4th largest, and in contact with two scales behind : the 3rd and 4th
touching the posterior sublinguals. Sublinguals. — Two pairs, the
anterior rather larger. Costah. — Two heads-lengths from head 15,
midbody 15, two heads-lengths before aims 15. Vertebrals well
developed, broader than long in midbodv. Keels absent. Apical pits
absent. Ventral 's. — 216 to 281. Anal, — Entire. Subcaudais. — 47
to 57, all entire. Colour. — Uniform black above, belly whitish, more
or less sullied, or mottled with slatish behind, especially beneath tail.
Sides of throat, chin, and lips some times tinged yellow. Dentition. —
Maxillary. — Two large tubular fangs side by side in front, succeeded
after a gap by 2 or 3 small c ubequal teeth grooved on their auterio-
external aspect. Palato-pterygoid 11 + 11, small, subequal ; the
posterior pterygoid gradually reducing in length ; grooved on their
inner faces. Mandibular 17, the 3rd, 4th and 5th rather longest,
grooved on their outer faces.
Naia trqmdians (Merrem).
Of 15 specimens collected, three were from ISadiya, two from near
Tinsukia (Rangagara), one from North Lakhimpur (Dejoo), two
from near Doom Dooma (Hansara), two trom near Jaipur, and the
rest from Dibrugarh. All of the specimens belonged to variety
fasciata, some being olive-brown and others blackish. Mr. C. Gore
tells me however that last year he killed a -specimen in his tea-
house at Barahapjan with perfect spectacles on the hood (var.
typica). Two specimens from Dibrugarh, and one from Jaipur
had the scales in 19 rows at inidbody. In all the rest there were
21, but whether the costals were 19 or 21 at midbody, they reduced
to 15 at a point two heads-lengths before the anus, except in one
instance when they came to 13, the rows ia inidbod} being 19.
One example had eaten a toad (Bufo melanostictus). Dentition. — In
two skulls before me this is as follows: — Maxillary. — A pair of
tubular fangs placed side by side anteriorly, followed after a gap by
one small tooth grooved on its outer side. Palato-pterygoid 7 to 8+11
to 15, small, subequal, grooved on their inner side. Mandibular 14,
the 3rd and 4th rather longest, grooved on their outer faces.
The cobra appears to be tar less common in Assam than it is in
most parts of India.
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN UPPER ASSAM. 841
J$aia bunyarus (Schlegel).
I only secured one specimen, though the hamadryad would appear
to be by no means uncommon in Assam. The one brought to me
was a S 11 feet 5 inches in length, the tail 2 feet 1J inches.
This was killed within 3 miles of Dibrugarh. The ventrals were 243,
and the subcaudals 93 ; the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th only of the latter being
entire. The scales at a point two heads-lengths behind the head
were 17, in midbody 15, and two heads- lengths beibre the anns 15.
The reduction from 17 to 15 vas brought about by the ooalescence
of the 4th and 5th rows above the ventrals. The vertebra] row was
slightly enlarged. It was olive-brown, rather darker in shade poste-
riorly, and had very obscnre light narrow bands which became much
more apparent on separating the scales. The fang was £ inch long.
Though unfortunate in acquiring specimens, I was able to collect a
good deal of information about this snake from various planters and
others.
Mr. Gardiner of Tezpur, who has captured specimens for the
Calcutta Zoological Gardens, was also successful in seouring the
living specimen sent last year to our Society's collection. He tells me
the Assamese call this and the cobra " fatty sap."
JVIr. J. H. Bandock told me that one was killed some years ago
at Margherita. which measured 14 feet 6 inches. Mr. N. C. Manders*
coolies killed another specimen of the same length at Talup
on the 17th October last year. I wrote to him about it, and
he sent me a sketch of the shields on the head which placed
the identification beyond question. This was found asleep in a
drain in the day-time by his coolies, and when disturbed, menaced
them with expanded hood. It was, he says, black with a pale
throat. His coolies, who are Indians, probably Santals, called it
" nag," and li nauk samp." He says this creature called to mind
another which was killed in or near the same drain abont 7 years
before, measuring abont 10 feet. This was a truculent beast that used
to stop the ooolies going along the road.
As regards food, Mr. Moore told me that he well remembers one
being killed in North Cachar which, when cut open, contained a
large monitor lizard. Here I may remark that another specimen killed
atBuxi Dooars last year, measuring 9 feet 11 J inches, was found to
have. swallowed a large monitor lizard 3 feet 9 inches long. Captain
842 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Mackenzie, my informant, says one of the sepoys of his detachment
was out after a khakur {Cervvlus muntjac). When he fired the
hamadryad went for him, and he fortunately shot it too.
I have for many years been trying to elicit information on the
breeding of this snake. Mr. A. J. Harrison told me that at Meckla
Nuddee (across the river above Dibrugarh) he has enconntered 3
hamadryad? in five years. One he saw in a hollow tree, on the ground
sitting on eggs. As he could not remember precisely the date, he sent
for two Miris who were with him at the time. They said it was in
the middle of May and that the eggs were about 30 in number.
Mr. Harrison shot the snake. These men said further that on their
way down to the Mills that day (l£th May), they had passed a similar
snake coiled upon her eggs, with her head up and hood dilated as
they passed. They said you may always be sure they have eggs
when they sit like that ready to strike.
Mr. W. A. Jacob, I. F. S., from whom 1 received a small hamadryad
from Jalpaigurj last year, told me that a pair of hamadryad were
reported as having been *' seen in copnia " and killed in a tea-garden
close to him at Jalpaiguri at the end of April or early May 1908. Mr,
Lister too, of Pashok near Darjeeling, told me that the natives around
him say that the hamadryad has young in April, and it appears a
female was killed there with 23 eggs in the abdomen.
Dentition. — This in my large specimen is as follows : — Mamillary, —
Two large tubular fangs side hy side anteriorly, followed after a gap
by 3 small teeth grooved on the outer sides. Palato-pterygoid 8 to 9
-f- 10 to 12, grooved on their inner faces. Mandibular 15, the 3rd
and 4th longest ; grooved on their outer faces. The poison gland
measured If" x f " X f/ high.
Callophis macclellandi (Reindardt) (var. nov. gorefy
I received three specimens of a new variety of this snake from
Mr. Gore from Jaipur.* This I propose to call gorei. The general
colour of the snake is similar to that of the other varieties, viz., a bright
berry-red.
It is peculiar in having no black rings round the body, and no black
vertebral line. This latter is replaced by a series of small distant blaok
spots, The type I sent to the British Museum and the second specimen
to our Society's collection. The type was a? 1 foot 10 inches long,
* See remarks oil locality under 1 ' rachitckium nwitUcvla.
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN VPPEM ASSAM, 843
the tail being I-J inches. The ventrals and snbcaudals were 241 + 46 .
The second was a £. The ventrals and subcaudals were 219 + 30.
The third very young, with 223 ventrals, and 31 subcaudals.
The type was sent to me alive. It exhibited a distaste to being
handled but could not be provoked to bite an object ; when taken by
the neck a good large drop of poison collected below the rostral
through which the tongue was protruded. It flattened itself posterior-
ly under excitement.
Amb l ycephalid.®.
Amblycephalus monticola (Cantor).
Two specimens were collected. One captured in Dibrugarh, and
the other at Jaipur. It is essentially a hill snake, so that it is re-
markable to find it in the plains as far distant from the hills as
Dibrugarh. The ventrals and subcaudals were 188 + 85, and
190 + ?. There is nothing special to remark upon, except that the
secretion of the anal glands is custard-like in colour and consistency.
Vipekim;.
Lachesis grammeus (Shaw).
The green pit-viper is not very common in the plains of Assam
1 got 7 specimens in all. One was from Jaipur, one from North
Lakhimpur (Joyhing), and the rest from around Dibrugarh. One
specimen was greenish-yellow with a mustard-yellow flank line.
In the Joyhing speoimen the flank line was chocolate and white as
noted in specimens from the Khasi Hills.
1907.
April 3rd..., $
Sept.
Nov. Sth...
May 7th...
9
9
. 1
DO
eS ■
•
TJ 1
s*
eS £S
-»i
*■* oS
6C
-*H
1 -S
a>
oS
2
1MH"
3§"
164
60
2'- 5£"
5"
••#
...
I 169
56
l'-10£"
.-.
169
66
...
.
1 175
55
Remarks.
Contained 2 eggs (1 in each
ovary), | w long.
A rat in stomach, and large
mass of matted hair in cloaca.
A mouse in the stomach.
One encountered in -November was found lying on a low bush in
jungle. It refused to bestir itself, though probed and hustled with a
stick. It Anally wreathed itself round the stick, and was removed
from the bush, but offered no malice.
844 JOURNAL BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY . Vol. XIX,
■m°.t
"* 2 ■* «* *» *>
— i C» — — M»
*~- — ' im oa „ _
— * C* r-4 ■* c«
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•ijuiuqe^
I *A\lBIHICf
■aoqmeo^ci
aequiaA \
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asqioeadas
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*•* • f* ^ CiQ CO
TJOjrflJ
at
o
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cl T5 ■"
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s
s
£
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2 S
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h »4
•raccr.cc>
O >M (M OO -^<
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN rrpPER ASSAM. 845
*raox
9) r4
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<n ©« e» ea c5 c» ea oaoiCTcaeameBcammca
846
THE COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA
(INCLUDING THOSE MET WITH IN THE HILL STATIONS
OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY).
BY
T. R. Bell, lf.s.
Part VII.
(Continued from page 682 of this Volume.}
45. Moduza procris, Cramer (fig. 9). — Male and female upperside rich
ferruginous red. Fore and hindwings with a series of short black transverse
lines at base, three on the fore, four on the hindwing ; on the hindwing these
lines occur in cellular area only and are very slender with a black spot in each
of the interspaces above them ; a white spot, varying in size, at apex of cell on
forewings ; a broad white, macular, slightly curved, common dascal band, set
iu a dusky background, interrupted anteriorly on forewing ; the spots in inter-
spaces 4, 5 and 6 are detached and slightly ont of line, the first very small.
Forewing : terminal margin somewhat broadly dusky black, the black prodnced
in conical shape inwardly in the interspaces and traversed by two slender,
lunular, pale lines. Hindwing : a postdiscal series ot transverse black spots
followed by an outer row of smaller spots, a subterminal lunular black line
and a narrow terminal black band : a pale, somewhat sinuous line interposed
between the subterminal and terminal markings. Underside with similar but
more clearly defined markings ; base of fore and basal two-thirds of the hind-
wing pale blue ; on the hindwing the white discal band with its dusky black
margins superposed on the blue area ; the postdiscal series of black spots on the
hindwing diffuse ; the sinuous lines traversing the black terminal margin on
both fore and hindwing broader, more prominent and the interspaces along
the extreme margin touched with white. Antennae black, ochraceous at apex ;
head, thorax and abdomen dark ferruginous red ; beneath bluish white. Exp.
62-78 mm.
Larva. — The body is cylindrical, with spined processes, laterally flattened
and somewhat fleshy, on segments 3 to 12. Head large, flat, surrounded with
2 rows of pointed spines, one inside the other, the spines of one row alternat-
ing with those of the other ; inside the spines, on the face, is a semicircle of 6
brownish-red rounded tubercles, inside these again are 4 more similar tubercles.
Segment 2 has a central row of 8 minute spines. Each segment 3-12 has a
subdorsal and a lateral pedicelled, laterally flattened bnnch of spines ; the sub-
dorsal bunch of segment 4 being the longest, directed up and somewhat out-
wards ; the subdorsal bunches of segments 3, 6, 11 and 12 are somewhat shorter
and directed upwards ; those of segments 7 and 8 are smaller again (of equal
size to each other) and are directed nearly horizontally outwards; the subdorsal
bunches of segments 5 and 6 are very small ; the lateral bunch of segment 3 is
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 847
equal in length to the subdorsal of segment 3 ; the rest of the lateral ones are
all a good deal shorter and subequal j segments 13 and 14 have each a sub-
dorsal bunch of small spines ; besides the foregoing bunches there is also a
spiracular line of small spines from segment 3 to 12 as well as a subapiracular
pair of minute spines on the same segments- Spiracles small, oval,
black. Surface of body somewhat roughened. Color of larva is a dirty
grey, often inclined to chestnut-brown, always with blackish blotches ;
there is a thin white dorsal line on segments 2-4 ; the subspiracular bunch
of spines of segment 6 are whitish yellow and rise from a white patch ; all
pedicels and spines are yellow-brown ; segments 11 and 12 are light yellow
laterally ; abdomen lighter in colour than dorsum. L : 32 mm. ; B : 4mm.
Pupa* — The pupa is angular with flattened expansions on head and on
dorsal line of abdomen. It is of the Aihyma {vide PI. 1, fig. 10 a) type, but
is more curved in the longitudinal axis ; the head processes are bent forward
and the ventral line of wings is convex as well as that of abdomen. The head
and segment 2 together are nearly square seen from above, slightly broader in
front, with two processes proceeding out in front, one from each eye ; these
processes are thick at origin, dilated each into a triangle, flattened above and
below, the two touching at the inner basal angles (their apices being nearest
the head) so as to leave a circular space between the touching angles and front
of head, the bases of the two triangles (their free front edges) being in the
same slightly curved line at right angles to longitudinal axis of puna ; thesp
processes are longer than segments 1 and 2 together. Segment 2 is flat dorsally.
Thorax is slightly keeled in the dorsal line and is evenlj- convex ; its surface
somewhat bumpy ; the shoulder ridges running out, each, into a lateral short,
sharp point ; wings expanded somewhat from just behind shoulders, the
lateral edge being sharp, curved up towards dorsum of segment 5, then evenly
down to end at segment 8. The pupa is broadest at segment 7-8. The surface
of each wing is somewhat concave in centre towards lateral edge of pupa.
The dorsal constriction behind thorax is prominent owing to segment 6 being
suddenly higher than segment fi : it overhangs segment 5 somewhat in fact, this
Midden height being produced by a somewhat large lateral tubercle and a low,
rough, dorsal carina or keel beginning at segment 6 and ending at segment 12,
its length separated into parts by the segment-divisions, these portions on
segments 10, 11, 12 being high, laterally much compressed and rectangular in
outline but low on segments 8 and 9 ; the lateral tubercles, existing only on
segments 6, 7, 8 are flat dorsally and perpendicular to the segment surface as
to their lateral faces. Segments 12 and 13 are dorsally flattened and slope
towards the cremaster ; the cremaster is very broadly triangular, hollowed out
dorsally owing to the prominent extensor ridges ; the ventral extensor ridges
also prominent. Spiracular expansions of segment 2 are small, round, some-
what spongy looking, golden in colour ; the other spiracles are rather large, oval,
brown. Surface of pupa slightly transversly creased -rugose with a few
isolated, very short, bright golden hairs ; a lateral coarse, low tubercle
10
848 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol XIX.
on segments 3, 4, 5. Colour of pupa is dull chestnut marked with whitish and
greyish in places rather obscurely ; surface of wings very dark ; border of wings
and antennas black ; some black lines on wings ; a ventral white chain-mark
down centre of abdomen. L : 24mm.: B : 11mm. at segment 7 ; at shoulders :
7*5mm.; across base of head-processes : 7mm.; L. of head-processes : 2'5mm.
Habits, — The egg is laid at the point of a leaf ; the young larva,
emerging, proceeds to eat the point, leaving the midrib untouched, in
a straight line at right angles to that midrib, throwing up a rampart
of its droppings and web along the eaten edge, thus separating the
free midrib from the leaf-surface. On this rib the larva sits, general-
ly slightly curled, and resembles the rampart so perfectly in coloura-
tion and, to a certain extent, in general aspect, that it is easily over-
looked. The very young larva prolongs the midrib by adding
particles of excrement to the point of it. It sticks to this method of
protection until the last stage, changing the leaf of course occasionally
if necessary. It generally goes to other leaves for food after the first
two stages but occasionally dines off the edges of its own particular
one. In the last stage it wanders about, being no longer so inconspi-
cuously coloured and may be found in the middle of a leaf anywhere
on the plant or tree when at rest. Even in this last stage, however,
it looks very like a bird-dropping at times when sitting with its head
bent back on its side, which is a favourite resting position. The
larva may even rest on the underside of a leaf in this last stage.
It wanders a little prior to pupation and finally fixes itself on to
the under surface of some leaf where it spins a copious wad
of silk to hang by. The pupa is fixed very rigidly to this
wad and hangs quite perpendicularly though with the body generally
somewhat curved and resembles much a freshly withered, red-brown,
rolled leaf or leaf-portion. The pnpa is occasionally attached to
a perpendioular stem or branch. There are generally two
or three, sometimes even as many as a dozen larvae on a single tree.
The butterfly is a strong flyer with the habits ot the Athyma group
(Pantoporia, Athyma, Limenitis\ that is it holds its wings horizontal,
sailing along for short intervals ; is fond of the sunlight and there-
fore frequents dry hill sides in the jungly parts of the country where
the monsoon is heavy. The males are as oommonly seen as the
females. Its distribution is Peninsular India in regions of heavy
eainfall ; Assam ; Uurma and Tenasserim, extending into the Malayan
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 849
Subregion. It will be found in Thana and in all hill stations of the
Bombay Presidency. The foodplant of the larva is Musscenda frondosa
the well known scandent shrub with the small red tubular flowers and
showy white calyx-segments resembling leaves in size and
development; Wendlandia essserta^ Dc, with opposite leaves, and
Wendlandia Notoniana^ Wall., with three-whorled leaves, both plants
generally shrubby in nature, sometimes growing to small trees and
found in somewhat dry situations ; Sarcocephalus missionis, Haviland, a
small tree with shiny long leaves and globular heads of closely grow-
ing greenish small flowers which affects the banks of rivers in North
Kanara. All three genera are belonging to the family of the liubiacece.
It also feeds upon Stephegyne parvifolia, Korth (Mytragyna, Korth.)
a large tree belonging to the same family known by the vernacular
name of Kalam.
46. A thy ma peri us, L, (Plate C, fig. 14") and (fig. 32).— Male and female
tipperride black (perhaps blackish brown in the female), wflh the following
white markings : forewing : a clavate, white discoidal streak, twice divided,
a cone-shaped large spot beyond ; a much curved discal macular band, the
spots composing it in interspaces ] , la, 2 broad, rectangular, in interspace 3
small, subtriangnlar, in interspace 4 circular or oval, in 5 and 6 elongate, shifted
obliquely inwards ; a postdiscal, sinuous line of transverse narrow spots and a
subterminal hne of obscnre, short lunules. Hindwing : discal band of fore-
wing continued snbbasally across, broad and not macular, traversed only by the
veins ; a postdiscal macular band, inwardly margined by a series of round
black dots and a subterminal line of obscnre lunnles as on the forewing.
Underside golden ochraceous yellow; the white markings as on the upperside, but
heavily margined and defined with black ; interspace la with subbasal and
interspace 1 with preapical patches fuliginous black on forewing ; postdiscal
band on hindwing margined inwardly with pale blue, bearing a superposed
series of black spots, the pale blue extended along the veins crossing the
band ; both fore and hindwing with a prominent terminal narrow black band ;
the cilia white alternated with brown. Antennae black ; head with a spot of
golden ochraceous between the eyes ; thorax with a band or two of bluish
spots anteriorly and posteriorly ; abdomen transversely narrowly barred bluish
white ; beneath : the palpi, thorax and abdomen pure white ; in the female
the abdomen has a double lateral row of minute black dots, Exp. 60-70mm.
Larva.— The shape is cylindrical like that of Modvsa ; there are three rows
of pedicelled spines, one subdorsal, one lateral and one subspiracnlar ; the
colour is greenish, the pedicels being red. The head is round, the face only
very slightly convex, with a marginal row of 8 sharp, simple, rather long
somewhat shiny dark brown spines directed out at right angles to the longi-
tndinal axis of larva ; inBide this row towards front is another row of 10 hard
850 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATVRAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
conical tubercles ; both rows reach down to the jaws ; the 2 central tubercles
are the longest ; inside the row of tubercles are, towards the top of face, two
hemispherical, rather large tubercles in a horizontal line and underneath
these again is a row of four across the face, the outside one on each side being
as large as the two in the line above, the central 2 smaller ; halfway down
each side of clypeus are two more tubercles, one diagonally below the other ;
the colour of the head is black, the spines being also black, the tubercles
yellow. Segment 2 has a subdorsal and lateral pair of very small yellow
tubercles. Each segment 3-13 has a subdorsal hard pedicel of small sharp
spines, those of segments 3 and 4 being equal and longer than any other :
perhaps that of the 4th is a trifle longer than that of 3rd ; those of segments
6, 8, 11 are nearly as long as these last ; those of 7 and 9 a little shorter, those
of 10 still shorter and those of the 5th segment shortest of all, being £ the
length of those of segment 4 ; those of segment 3, if laid on the body,
would overreach the head slightly. Each segment 4-12 has a lateral similar
spined pedicel, but much shorter, being only about § the length of the subdorsal
one ; and those of segment 12 are simple yellow spines. Each segment 3-13
has a subspiracular row of simple spines as well as a pedicel of spines eqnal
in length to the lateral ones, with the exception of that of segment 13 which
is somewhat smaller ; the subspiracular of segment 14 is represented by a
simple small yellow spine. This anal segment has four longish dorsal, simple
spines arranged, in a square, springing from a raised, hard callosity. Spiracles
are of ordinary size, black, with broad brown streak, flnsh. Body surface is
smooth and dull. Colour of body is dark yellowish green, the subdorsal and
lateral pedicels rising from purple circular marks, these marks meeting across
the back on segment 9; there are a lot of black dots in front and behind tbe
mark on segment 9 ; there are also a few black dots in front of bases of sub-
spiracular pedicels ; all pedicels are blood-red, the spines of the subdorsal ones
are black, those of the others are yellow. The subdorsal pedicels, except
those of segment 5, have black-tipped spinules below the top bunch. The
subdorsal pedicels of segments 4, 7, 9 are further apart than those
of others. Base of abdomen and legs dark red-brown ; belly greenish.
L. : 37 mm ; B : 5 mm ; L. of longest pedicels with spines : 3 mm.
Pupa. — The shape is that of Moduza procris except that the dorsal process
on segment 6 is broader and longer, the thoiax-apex more produced backwards
and the head-processes ear-shaped instead of triangular. Here the dorsal ridge
or caiina is flattened into square-topped expansions on segments 6-11 ; that
on segment 6 is the largest by a long way and the pupa is, therefore, highest at
that point ' it is sharp-edged and axe-shaped, the projection directed forwards,
the expansions of segments 7 and 8 really forming, in a way, part of it, being
quite small ; and situated on its hinder edge or slope ; those on segments 9, 10,
1 1 are quite separated from each other, somewhat toothlike, the first small-
est, the last largest. The thorax has the apex produced into a sharp-edged,
rounded peak, slightly overhanging segment 4, this peak being nearly as high
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF TEE PLAINS OF INDIA. 851
as the expansion on segment 6, the top of which it approaches, that is, the tops
of the two are nearer each other than the bases; the thorax is carinated and the
dorsal slope of pupa from its apex forward is gradual, falling suddenly at head-
vertex ; segment 2 flattened on dorsum ; head produced over each eye into a
sharp triangular ear-like process which curves outwards ; at each Bhoulder, on
the dorsoventral margin of pupa, is a two-toothed short process situated in the
plane joining the spiracular lines of pupa, separated from the point where
wing-expansion commences by a rounded sinus ; that point also slightly pro-
duced and flattened. The spiracles are ordinary. Surface smooth, shiny ; a
semicircle of four small conical tubercles anteriorly ; a small tubercle on seg-
ment 5 : segments 6, 7,8 somewhat carinated in dorsal line and with a small
lateral tubercle ; segments 9-12 with a minute subdorsal tubercle. Colour
red-brown, suffused with gold on the wing-cases and dorsum L: 25mm-
B : 10mm.
Habits. — The habits of the larva in all stages are the same as for
Moduza procris. The larva turns yellow, with greenish bine blotches,
before pupating. The pupa is formed on the underside of a leaf, very
generally low down near the ground. The butterflies generally fly
near the ground in the underwood and these, when caught, are mostly
females. They are probably bent on laying eggs. They have the same
flight as Moduza, but are more deliberate in their movements ; and
they are not quite so fond of the sun. Like Moduza, the insect
rests with outspread wings, generally at the tip of a leaf. Neither
of the two species light on the ground, though they may do so
occasionally on a hot day to get moisture. It is not very common
anywhere to catch or see, but the larvse can be found in large numbers
in some localities. These, however, are very liable to be parasitised
by ichneumons when small. The butterfly, when resting at nio-ht,
closes the wings over the back as do all of its type. The distribution
is " throughout the Himalayas ; the hills of Central, Eastern and
Western India, but not, as far as is known, in Ceylon ; Burma ;
Tenasserim, extending to Siam and the Malay Peninsula." The
food plants are belonging to the botanical family Euphorbiaeece which
includes many plants with milky juice. This insect confines itself
to the single genus Glochidion and has been bred on G. velutinum,
Wight and G. lanceolarium, Dalz., both undershrubs or small trees
the former with velvety long oval leaves, growing in the drier
localities at lower levels, the latter affecting the damper, higher parts
of the country, with longer, shiny, rather hard leaves, both with
inconspicuous greenish flowers in the axils of the leaves and round
852 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
flattened fruits dividing up into 3 or 4 parts from the centre, Both
these species are distributed throughout India in the hills.
47- Rablnda hordonia, Stott (Plate C., fig. 13 and fig. 11).— Male and
female upperside black with orange markings. Forewing : discoidal streak
broad, anteriorly twice indented, at apex extending into base of interspace 3 ;
posterior discal spots coalescent, forming an irregular obIique,short t broad band;
anterior spots also coalescent, oblique from costa ; a postdiscal, obscure, grey,
bicurved, transverse line and a very slender, also obscure, transverse sub terminal
line. Hindwing : a subbasal transverse broad band and a much narrower post-
discal band curved inwards at the ends; beyond this the black terminal margin
is traversed by a still blacker subterminal line. Underside chestnut-brown,
covered with short, slender transverse brown striae on the margin of the
orange markings which are similar to those on the upperside but broader,
paler and less clearly defined. Forewing : the pale transverse postdiscal and
orange subterminal lines of the upperside replaced by a postdiscal lilacine
narrow band, defined by somewhat crenulate chestnut-brown lines on either
side and a pale subterminal line. Hindwing : the base suffused with lilacine ;
the subbasal and postdiscal bands bordered outwardly by narrow lilacine
bands, the orange-yellow of the postdiscal band much obscured by the trans
verse brown strise ; the terminal margin with a sinuous, obscure, broad, lila
cine line. Antennse, head, thorax and abdomen black ; beneath, the palpi and
thorax greyish, abdomen ochraceous tn the dry-season form the markings
are similar, but very much broader ; on the npperside of the forewing the
postdiscal line generally and the subterminal line always clearly defined, the
former, sometimes, like the latter, orange-yellow. Underside paler, blurred,
the transverse short brown striae in many specimens covering nearly the
whole surface of the wings. Exp. 38-54mm.
The orange of the coloured figure is not bright enough, the black not deep
enough.
Egg. — It is shaped like a sea-urchin but is higher than broad ; the surface is
covered with rows of hexagonal cells with their bottoms concave and shiny,
each angle of each cell bearing an erect, minute, colourless spine ; there is a
small round depression on the top round which there are 7 of the hexagonal
cells, and there are 7 rows between it and the base of the egg. Colour azure
blue. B : about O. 8 mm.
Larva. — The body is more or less cylindrical but somewhat thickest at
middle ; there are small fleshy, short, conical tuberoles dorso-Iaterally on seg-
ments .-i, i, 6 and 12 ; the colour is grey -green with dark green diagonal markings.
The head is triangular, the apex rounded ; the clypeus small, triangular ; dull
olive -green in colour with a whitish cheek-stripe ; the surface covered with
little white tubercles bearing each a very short hair. The body surface is dull
and covered all over, as well as the belly, with tiny white tubercles bearing
each a short hair ; the anal segments have a few Bhort, erect, reddish hairs.
Anal flap with . tumid extremity, triangular in shape. The first pair of dorso-
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 853
lateral tubercles, on segment 3, ate very small ; the next, on segment 4, as also
the pair on segment 6, are longer and equal to each other ; the pair on segment
12 are as long as these last but thinner : all tubercles are set with short erect
hairs at their ends. Spiracles are nearly circular, small, shiny dark brown in
colour. The markings are as follows : there is a slightly raised subspiracular
fold of skin from segment 5 to segment 12, approaching nearest to the base of
legs on segments 7 and 8, being slightly curved ; there is a white dorsal line,
flanked by dark-green narrowly, from end to end of larva ; the space included
between the tubercles of segments 4 and 12, bounded laterally by a line con .
necting the bases of the former tubercles with the end of the fold on segment
5, then by the fold as far as front margin of segment 9, then by a line con
necting this point with the dorsal line at posterior margin of segment 1 1 is
green strongly suffused with grey ; all the body anterior to this space (which
may be called the saddle) and segment 8 (on the saddle) is light olive-green
getting whitish upwards ; the part of body after segment 8 below the saddle
as far as anal claspers is dark olive-green ; there is a black diagonal band
along the line separating this dark olive part from the grey-green saddle ; each
segment 6, 7, 8, 9 is marked laterally with a dark green diagonal stripe of
which that on segment 6 is often the best defined, the succeeding ones becom-
ing more and more indistinct. L : 25mm, ; B : 4mm.
Pupa.— The pupa is of the same shape as that of Neptis jumbah, though
smaller. The thorax is somewhat highly keeled in dorsal line, as also the
abdomen in the posterior part ; the wings are expanded laterally, the margin
(lateral margin of the pupa) being sharp and slightly waved ; the outer margin
of wings is also slightly waved. The front of the head is widely and shallowly
concave, sharp edged dorso-ventially, the vertex is slightly convex, the ascent
in dorsal line is slight. The dorsal slope of thorax is at 45° to the longitudinal
axis of pupa, the apex the same height as abdomen at segment 6, the wing-
expansion curve nearly rising to the same height as the apex of thorax
Cremaster flat and triangular with extensor ridges developed dorsally. Spiracles
ordinary in size, roundly oval, raised, dark brown. Surface of body extremely
finely rugose with transverse striae ; segment 5 with a flat, raised, rather large
subdorsal surface which is shiny mother-of-pearl ; segment 4 with two such
surfaces on each side, one subdorsal, the larger, the other, lateral, much smaller-
the thorax has two such raised surfaces in juxtaposition slightly anteriorly on
lateral margin, the anterior one the smaller and another just in front of these:
segment 2 has one such lateral spot ; the colour of the pupa is green, wings
darker, indications of diagonal bands on abdomen. L : 12 ; mm. ■ B : 4-5mm..
at widest part of wing expansion ; H : 4*2mm.
Habits.— The egg is laid on the top surface of a leaflet. The young
larva, emerging, cuts the midrib of the leaf nearly through, then cuts
the leaflets off at their bases, attaching them by silken threads to their
respective places, and cuts the pinnae through in several places,
854 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NA TUBAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
fastening in the same way with silks to prevent them becoming detached
and falling to the ground : so that the part of the leaf beyond
where the midrib is nearly cut through hangs down laxly and withers.
The egg larva cuts through the stalks of a few leaflets at the
point of one of the pinnae as often as not and, as it grows, con-
tinues the work. The full grown larva changes its leaf perhaps once
or even twice occasionally, treating it each time as above described.
It lies on the last pinna, hidden by the leaflets and other pinnse. It
oupates there also. The larva eats the withered leaves as I ong as they
are not too dry. It resembles them in colour very much and there is
no doubt that the ruse acts as a protection against predaceous spiders
and birds to a certain extent. The pupse however are much parasi-
tised by ichneumon wasps of small size : the ichneumon laying its eggs
in the larva. It would therefore be more correct to say that the latter
is parasitised and not the pupa. The butterfly never rises much above
the surface of thp ground and is a weak flier, generally resting on
the leaves of bushes in fairly thick places ; and also generally
somewhere in the neighbourhood of the foodplant of its larva. Thp
wings are held fully open or slightly inclined to the horizontal when
baskino- in the sun but they are closed over the back in dull weather
or wben the insect seeks protection. The flight is something after
the manner of an Athyma, the wings being hardly ever brought to
touch over the back though they are raised higher than in that genus
between the downward strokes. The insect is very fairly common in
places though perhaps not as plentiful as JVeptis eurynome and it is
also perhaps slightly scarcer in open country than that species. There
is another larva very much like this one which, however, ha> the
tubercles much more developed, in fact they are large enough to be
called spinous processes ; the head also has each lobe produced into a
small point; the description is as follows : —
Larva. — Is like that of hordonia in shape and markings and, to a certain ex-
tent, also in habits. The head is trapeze-shaped, the narrower end being the
vertex., and is divided down the middle by a depressed line ; the vertex of each
lobe is produced into a short blunt point, the two points not widely separated.
The four pairs of fleshy tubercles on segments 3, 4, 6 and 1 are thrice as long as
in R. hordonia and are directed slightly backwards, the tubercles of each segment
are not connected by a ridge as in that species. The spiracles and surface of
larva are the same. The colour is : a white dorsal line ; the " saddle " on dorsum
of segments 4-10 is brown-green or red-brown of varying shades in diffeient
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 85F.
specimens with similar diagonal Hues on segments 3-7 as in R. hordoma ; the head
and rest of the body are brown apple-green with the snbspiracular ridge light,
white on segments 1 1 and J2 ; the first pair of processes or projections are black
on the outside margins ; there are white lateral points or lines on segments 2-5 ;
a black line from base of each proleg runs up the anterior part of it to the
mbspiracular ridge which is preseut also on segments 5 and 6 ; belly lightish
green with a fine central dark line ; the colour may vary from light grey-green
to dark brown-red green. The length and breadth as for R. kordonia.
Pupa.— The pupa is not distinguishable from that of R. hordoma except that
the wiug expansion is perhaps slightly more curved up, the sinus in front of
head perhaps slightly shallower. Length and breadth and colour as in that
species.
Habits.— Are like those oUwrdonia but differ in that the larva lives
an opener life, not cutting leaflets in the same profusion as that species.
It pupates in a similar manner. Both walk in a halting manner.
Which of these two larva produces trne R. hordoma is still a moot
point. We have called the first by the name for the time being. It
is indeed rather difficult to find any difference between the insects
produced by the two. the more so since both butterflies are somewhat
variable according to season in oolonr and heaviness of black markings.
The male* have a sex-mark on the upperside of hindwing, about the
middle of the oostal area, which appears to be darker in the second
form than in the first. Further breeding will perhaps set the question
at rest but at present it is impossible to say with certainty whether
we have to do with different speoies or whether the larva is dimorphic.
There seems to be little reason for this latter supposition for the
larva? are found in the same place at the same seasons. The foodplants
however differ for, while the 6rst form is fonnd only on Acacia
pennata, Willd., with numerous small leaflets, the former affects
Alhizzia oderatissima, Benth. and Acacia concinna, Dc. also, the latter a
similar creeper to the first but growing in damper localities and having
less numerous, larger leaflets. Rahinda hordoma is spread over
Continental India from the Himalayas to Travancore ; Assam :
Burma ; Tenasserim, extending into the Malayan subregion.
Note.— For the uninitiated : ihe leaves of these Acacia creepers (all
extremely priokly or thorny) are said to be bipirmate, that is the
midrib bears a series of opposite branohlets or pinnce which bear in
their turn the leaflets, also opposite to each other and close together
while the pinnae are widely separated.
856 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol XIX.
48. Neptis eurynome, Westwood (fig. 13, underside and PI. C. Fig. 12,
male). — Male and female upper tide in the dry season are black, with pure
white markings. Forewing : discoidal streak clavaie. apicatly truncate, sub-
apically either notched or sometimes indistinctly divided ■ triangular spot
beyond broad, well-defined, acute at the apex, but not elongate ; discal
series of spots separate, not connate, each about twice as long as broad : postdis-
cal transverse series of small spots incomplete, but some are always present.
Hindwing : snbbasal band of even or nearly even width ; discal and snbter-
minal pale lines obacure ; postdiscal series of spots well separated, quad-
rate or subquadrate, very seldom narrow. Undermle from pale golden
ochraceous to dark ochraceous, almost chocolate ; white markings as on
upperside but broader and defit.ed with black. Forewing : interspaces la and
1 from base to near apex shaded with black, some transverse white markings
on either side of the transverse postdiscal series of small spots. Hindwing :
a streak of white on costal margin at base, a more slender white streak below
it ; the discal and subterminal pale lines of the upperside eplaced by narrow
white lines with still narrower margins of black. Antenna), head, thorax and
abdomen black ; the palpi, thorax and abdomen beneath dusky white. Exp.
44- 70mm.
The wet season form differs only in the narrowness of the white markings
and in the slightly darker ground-colour and broader black margins to the
spots and bands on the underside.
Larva. — The larva is not unlike that of Rakinda in shape, but is
different in aspect, being much rougher owing to more developed and
somewhat densely set tubercles all over the surface ; the place of the
points on segments 3, 4, 6, 12 is taken by bent fleshy processes, also
set with tubercles, each bearing a short hair, as do those of the body »
these tnbei-cles somewhat flattened and geneially curved out aid down-
wards; being flashy, they are to some extent eiectile ; the pair on segment
4 being moie than twice the length of the others, those on segment G the
smallest ; those of segment 4 are connected by a distinct sti sight ridge, those of
segments 3 and 6 also, but to a lesser degree ; the head is peihapsa little higher
than in the second form of Rakinda hordonla and the vertex points ate some-
what moie developed and sharp instead of blunt, and fuilher apart, divided
by a rounded sinus, thu surface a good deal rougher lubeiculale; clypeus
small as in the other ; the surface covered with tubeicles, of which one on
each side of clypeus-apex and two on middle of face of upper part of each
lobe much larger than the rest ; all tubeicles of head and body yellowish ;
the colour is similar, varying a good deal in shade, generally brown with the
saddle suffused with grey, a suffusion of ochreous mottled with bi-own and
with the stiipe on the place wheie the leg is or would be on segments fi, 6, 7.
The spiracles are similar, the anal flap tnmid, as in that species ; the subspira-
cular ledge is strongly developed on segments (!, 7, 8, and the tubeicles on it
longer and thorn-like, though thin : the doreal white line is piestnt, ( hough
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF TB E PLAINS OF INDIA. 857
thin ; the dark (^green, brown or chocolate), lateial region on segments 1 1, 12,
embracing the whole of segments 13, 1 4 is also here ; the diagonal stiipes alone
are indistinct above the ridge on segments 4-10 ; there are some greeny white or
cream-coloured lines on the lidge below spiracle of segment U . and very often,
./. some spots or a line of the same colour above
/5 / 2 ** ' * >ut tneafc may be entirely wanting ; the
tf^**' \ ""~""~~"T~ belly is the colour of the dark lateral portion
/ $k t$tffi> I ° f ^roents ,1 - 1 * witn a darker central line
^T^w F^JtzM ex cept on the front two segments where
/ Ji j ^^^ tne colour may be lighter in colour and
{**s^~ "*** *—/ more approaching that of the " saddle ". The
JtoT/to" length of the processes of segment 4 is 2mm„
and all processes are somewhat pronouncedly
spiny or tuberculous at extremities. Owing to the long processes the larva
looks thickest at segment 4, especially when at rest with its true legs bnnched
and the front of body from segment 7 forwatds raised and bent sharply at
segment 5 6, the face turned down, which is the usual position. L: ^lmm.-
B : 4mm. at middle.
Pupa,— This pupa is of the type of that of Ruhinda hordonia but is larger,
broader comparatively, generally stouter, the wings more expanded latetally
their dorsal margins more pronouncedly waved and the rounded toinal angle
produced upwards so as to be higher than the general surface of the pupa at
segment 6, the terminal margin, therefore, longer here than in that species ; thf
pupa is broadest at segment 6 ; the head-vertex is perpendicular lo longitudinal
axis of pupa and sepaiaied from the ventral surface by a distinct lidge which
is continued to the point of a short, stout, triangularly pytamidal projection
pointing out forwaids and lateially from each eye : the lateral ontline of the
pupa being formed by one side of the pyramid, another side making a ridge to
the base of antenna ; the head with segment 2 make an oblong solid, the upper
surface be'ng the flat second segment, the two prominen t eye-projections form-
ing the lower anterior cornars, the anterior face, the head-vertex, the under
surface being the fa^e of head which ish^re ventral; the base of each antenna is
slightly prominent foiming a small tubercular pi* jection poiniing fern aids; the
lateral outline of the pupa diveiges from the central axis slight! v from the
hinder maigin of segment 2 to the shoulder, where there is also a small p. omi-
nent tubercle pointing outwards, the wing expansion commencing immediately
afterwaids ; the doisal Hue of pupa ascends from segment 2 (which is pa allel
to longitudinal axis) at first at right angles to that axis for a shoit space,
then for about two-thirds the length at an angle of 45° in a slight curve to the
apex — the whole slightly carii ated, most highly at apex — whence it falls rather
suddenly and shortly to segment 4 and so to segment o, whence it rises ag.in
somewhat gently to near hinder margin of segment 6 — without carination — then
curving down in a qnarter circle cmve to cremaster— hei e, again, carinated
slightly, the carination being higher at the hinder margin of €ach segment
858 JOCRNAL, BOMBA Y NA TUHAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX
than at the front margin of the succeeding one ; in the ventral line the head is
convex, the wing-junction line is stiaight and the abdomen is curved after the
thickened end of wings ; the thorax is humped, that is, convexly prominent, the
hinder margin a quarter circle curve meeting the wing-line in a broad, open
ronnded angle of about 90°. Spiracles of segment 2 indicated by a small
oval ora*ige flat surface facing forwaids formed by the front maigin of segment
3, being raised in a short cnive above margin of segment 2 ; the rest of the
spiracles oval, hollow, dark brown, rather small. Surface of pupa somewhat
shiny, smooth, with a central dorso-lateral rather prominent, conical small tn-
bercle on segment 6 and an indication of a blunt one on segment 4. The
cremascer aa in .VepUH jumbah. The colour of the pupa is a pearly greenish
yellowish -white, the thoracic margin, wing-expansions, antennae, the venation
of wings, head -points, shoulders and dorsal line marked with olive brown :
there is also a brown spot at centre on each side of proboscis inside and a lar-
ger one opposite it on the other side joined by a brown line to the origin of
veins 3 and 4 on the wing, a fine brown transverse discal tine and a similar sub-
terminal line to wing the teiminal margin nariowly brown ; a golden suffusion
on abdomen above and below, especially on doisum of segment ■*, resembling
mother-of-pearl. L : 9mm. ; B : 6-5mm. across wing-expansion at segment 6 :
3mm. across head.
Habits — The egg is always laid on the upperside of a leaf and
generally at the point. The little larva on emerging, immediately,
after eating the egg-shell, proceeds to make a bed for itself upon the
extreme point of the midrib, gradually eating pieces of the leaf and
leaving it free ; it does not actually eat all the pieues but gnaws a lot
free and hangs them by silken threads from its perch. It does not. like
Rahmda hordonia, gnaw partially through the midrib and live amongst
the little pendent pieces, but sits quite openly on its bed. It eats
withered pieces of the leaf with apparent gusto like Rahmda. As the
larva grows it lengthens the free portion of the midrib by eating off
more and more surface of the leaf. After tl.e third moult, however, it
will generally gnaw the stem of a leaf or leaflet through partially, so
that it hangs down and withers, curling in the process : in this it sits,
wandering away to feed. The colour ot different larvse varies to match
the different shades of withered leaves. The larva is sluggish, walking
haltingly and resting very generally with the head turned round on the
side and with the face bowed. The pnpation takes place on the under-
side of a leaf or twig, as often as not from a perpendicular branchlet or
stalk and the attachment is strong and firm, so that the pupa hangb
rigidly : it wriggles when touohed. The butterfly has mnch the same
habits a* Rahmda hordonia and frequents much the same places
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 859
although, perhaps, it is the commoner of the two. It flies also in the
same manner, though somewhat stronger on the wing and rests in the
sun with the whole of the upperside visible : it closes the wings over
the back when it wishes to hide or during rain, or when it retires for
the night. The insect is found throughout the whole of Continental-
India and Ceylon ; in Assam, Burma and Tenasserim, and extends to
China and the Malayan subre«ion. Its foodplants are various species
of Leffuminosw, Tiliacecb, Malvacem, botanical families containing
Vetches, our English Lime-tree or Linden, and the Mallows respec-
tively. Generally the larva has been found on Cylista, Flemingia,
Mucuna, Xylia of the first family ; Grewia, Triumjetta and Corrhorus
of the second and Bwrbax of the third. The family Sterculiacete
gives another genus, namely Helkteres and the Oleaceca still another
Ma r pia fatida. So there is no lack of foodplants, and no reason why
the insects should be limited in its area of distribution.
4p- Neptis columella, Cramer. — Male and female upjjerside black with
white markings. Forewing: discoidal streak, widening towaids apex ; notched
preapically on the anterior maigin and obliquely truncate at apex spot
beyond laige, broadly triangular, well separated ; discal spots in paiis, varying
in size, spot of this series in interspace 1« always elongate ; spots in tiansverse
postdiscal series obscure, not all well defined, margined on both s.des with
deeper black than that of the ground-colour ; the space between the series
and the discal spots and also the terminal margin beyond it with obscure
transverse pale markings. Hindwing: costal margin bioadly greyish- brown ;
subbasal band not extending to costa, of varying width ; discal and subteiminal
pale transverse lines, the space between tbem darker than the giound- colour,
traversed by a prominent postdiscal seiies of spots of varying size. Cilia white
alternating with black. Underside ferrnginous brown ; white maikings as on the
upperside but broader : the pale mailing between the discal and postdiscal
series of spots, the subterminal maikings on the upperside of the fot owing
and the discal and subterminal pale lines on the upperside of the hind-
wing repiesented by pale Iunular tiansverse whitish maikings. The costal
margin of the hindwing above vein 8 very broad, especially in the female.
Antenna dark brown to black ; head, thorax and abdomen dark brownish
black ; beneath white. The dru season form has the white markings generally
broader and the ground-colour of the underside brighter. Exp. 6f.-76mm.
This Xepti* has not been bred, though it was once, it is thought, seen laying
eggs on a creeper of the genus Dalbergia.
Habits.— There is nothing to distinguish the imago ticomNeptisjumbak
in the general habits though it is much more of a jungle inseot than that
species. It exists in Western and Southern India and is recorded from
860 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NArURAL-.HlSTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Mahableshwar, Kanara and the Nilgiris ; also from Sikhim, Bhutan,
through the hills of Assam Burniah and Tenasseriuri to the Malay
Peninsula, Siam mid Sumatra. It will not be found in the true Plains.
50 Neptis jumbah, Moore. — Male and female similar to N. columella, but
with the following differences :— Cppermle fuliginous black, the inteispaces
between the v^ins deeper black, very conspicuous in certain lights, particularly
so between the subbasal and postdiscal markings on the hindwing ; the white
markings suffused with very pale bluish green ; the posterior two spcs of the
discal series of the foiewing subequai ; the postdiscal macular band on the
hindwing with a tendency to obsolescence, varying fiom a nairow seiies of
white lunules to a somewhat diffuse, transverse, nariow pale band. On the umler-
tide the ground-colour is paler than in A*, columella, the interspaces between the
veins conspicuously much darker ; the postdiscal and subterminal markings on
both fore and hindwings diffuse and very ill- defined. In the female the spots on
theforewing and the subbasal band on the hindwing are comparatively
broader than they are in the male ; ill the dry season form of both sexes, as
compared with the wet- sea son form often conspicuously broader. Antennas,
head, thorax and abdomen as in N. colume la. Exp. C2-70mm.
Egg. — The form is dome-shaped, broadest just above the base; there is a
six-sided depression in centre of top surrounded by seven similar six-sided
depressions and there are six rows of such depressions from top to base not
counting the central top one ; the walls of these pits are thin and there is a
thin, short, fine spine at each intersection : otherwise at each angle of depres-
sion ; the bottoms of the pits are concave, shiny and smooth. Tho colour of
the egg is green. The breadth is 1*1 mm., equal to the height.
Larva. — The body is the same shape as that of Neptis eurynome, exactly m
every particular, that is, thickest in the middle, though appearing to be thickest
about segment 4, where the longest pair of excrescences are. Head is trapeze-
shaped seen from in front, the vertex being the shortest side, the lateral lines
the longest ; the basal line across jaws is slighily cnrved ; the vertex is triangu-
larly indented, each lobe having a short pointed tubercle on the vertex ; the
surface is set with small, shortly- setiferous tnbercles : the colonr is red-brown, a
dark- brown check-stripe, with a similar line downcentieof face splitting down
the sides of clypeus. Segment 2 is a good deal narrower than head, and lower.
Segment 3 is larger in diameter than segment 2, similar, but with a well-defined
dorsal central ridge, ending in a small dorsolateral, brushy, fleshy tubercle or
process, rnnning across it at right angles to the body-axis, the ridge being as long
as the larva is broad at that point. Segment 4 has a similar ridge which, however,
is a great deal more developed and ends at each side in along, fleshy, anteriorly
and posteriorly compressed process which is shortly haired at tip: these processes
curve at first ont and then towards each other like a pair of horns, and aie as
long as the breadth of the body at the point where they are situated. Segment
5 has no processes or ridge. Segment 6 has a ridge parallel to those of segments
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 861
3 and 4 dorsally, but no processes except the abrupt ends of the ridge may be
called such. Segments 8-12 decrease gradually in diameter and the last has a
short, fleshy, subdoisal (or dorso-lateral) tubercle or pi o cess which curves
backwards, the two connected by a low ridge and set with short hairs. There
is a slight ridge subspiracularly on segments 5-8. Segments 13 and 14 slope
quickly in the doisal line to the narrowly rounded anal flap. Segments 10-12
never rest on the surface the laiva is on. Body surface coveied with very-
small, shortly setiferous yellow tnbercles. Spiracles oval, black. The colour
is rosy brown suffused with smoky dorsally on segments 4-8 ; ridge dark
on the front face, yellow on top; below a line from the lower anteiior
marginal corner of segment 8 to the base of the tubercles of segment 12, the
colour is deep velvety black-red which colour is that of the whole of segments
13 and 14 ; a smudge of same colour on lateral face of ridge of segment G ;
indistinct diagonal darkish bands laterally meeting on dorsum of segment 7 and
segment 8. running from base of prolegs of preceding segments backwaids ; on
the black-red portions of segments 10-12 there may be some bright large emeiald-
green marks which are not often absent ; there is a lightish dorsal line , belly a
little lighter than segments 13 and 14. L : 23 mm. ; B : 4-5 mm. at segment 4.
Pupa.- The Dupa is very similar in shape to that of EaUnda (but broader)
and of NeptU eurynome. Head and segment 2, nearly square seen from above,
broader than long, produced at the two front corners into a ventrally flattened
triangularly pyramidal short, broad, stont point, diiected out and foiwa cs ;
the front of head is slightly concavely curved and rather deep dorsoventrally ;
the dorsum of segment 2 is flat ; the wings aie expanded giadually fiom the
shoulders to segment 6, the lateral line somewhat concave in cenue and
ascending gradually until it is higher than dorsum of pupa at that segment ;
thorax large, carinated in dorsal line, ascending in that line from segment 2 to
the prominent though rounded apex, then descending lapidly to hinder ma] gin:
a slight dorsal constriction behind thorax ; wing surfaces inclined to each other
at an angle of 70° ; pupa highest at thorax-apex, broadest at Moment i\ ; (tie
dorsal line descends from thorax-apex to segment 6 front maigin, then rises
suddenly, to descend again gradually in a curve of a qnarter.circle to eiemaster ;
the abdomen is lowly keeled in the dorsal line, this keel being highei at the
hinder margin of each segment than at the front margin of the succeeding one.
Cremaster with strong dorsal and ventral extensor ridges, triangular, at right
angles to axis of pupa. Surface smooth, a small boss at spiracle of segment 2 and
a subdorsal conical, sharp tnbercleon segment 6. Spiracles oval, black, small pro-
minent. Colour dark red- brown to yellow- white, generally strongly sufinsed
with gold with a subdorsal gold patcli or spot on segments 2, 3, 4, 5. L : 1 6mm. ;
B : 8mra. ; at segment 6, at head front : 4 mm. ; H. at apex of thorax : 6mm.
Habits. — The egg is laid at the point of a leaf or leaflet. Jhe larva,
emerging, eats the midrib free, attaching bits of leaf by silks to the
rib which hang down loose, leaving the point of rib with a little wing
862 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
of leaf-surface on each side upon which it sits ; when full-grown cuts
off entire leaflets or leaves attaching them to stalk by silks and lives
on one of these hanging leaflets or leaves. The pupa is formed
hanging from the underside of a leaf or sometimes from the end of
the original midrib. The ways of the butterfly are very similar to
those of Neptis eurynoine or Neptis columella, but more like tl e lat-
ter in its habit of flying higher np than the former and in its liking
for jungly places ; it rests in a similar manner. The insect exists in
Bengal, Southern India, in Kanara and Travancore. the Nilgiris,
Ceylon, Burma, Tenasserim and the Andnmans. The foodplants are
many, even more numerous than those of Neptis eiirt/nome. It has
been fonnd on many Leguminosce, mostlv trees such as Xylia dolabri-
formis, Pongamia glabra, shrubs and creepers such as Dalbergke and
Wagatea spicata; on Malvacew, such as Bowbax malabaricum,
Thespesia pupuhtea, Hibiscus, &c. ; Tiliacew such as Grewia,
Ei&ocarpus, Rhamnacem such as Zizifphus, &c.
5»« Cjrestis thycdamas, Bohduval (Plate C, fig. 11).— Male and female
upperside white, in many specimens, pale ochraceous yellow, veins black. Fore-
wing with four very slender, irregularly sinuous transveise black lines, the
costal margin shaded with ochraceous at base and fuscous beyoud ; cell crossed
by three or four additional fine short lines ; a postdiscal very incomplete
series of white-centred broad fuscous rings in the interspaces, tinged with
ochraceous near the torn us and broadly interrupted in interspaces 3 and 4 ;
beyond this two uansveise black lines not reaching the doisal margin,
shaded with i'uscous between ; a pronounced subterminal black line ;
terminal margin black, the area between lilacine-grey ; cilia grey ; the apex
broadly shaded with fuscous. Hindwing with three transverse fine lines ; a
pair of postdiscal, broad, black lines shaded with light sepia-brown between,
forming a conspicuous band, the outer line broken and incomplete, followed by
two irregular fine black lines, a subterminal more pronounced black line and,
posteriorly, a narrow black terminal maigin ; dorsal margin broadly fuscous at
base ; apical half and the toinal aiea and lobe lich ochraceous with some
sepia-brown and black markings. Lnderside similar, the markings of the
upperside showing through by transparency ; the ochiaceons shading on
tornal area and dorsum of hindwing of less extent bnt the tornal lobe darker
ochraceous with a central round black spot. The markings both on under and
upperside vary little in depth of colour and breadth. In many specimens there
is a diffuse fuscous spot between the discal pair of transverse fine lines on fore-
wing. Antenna;, bead, thorax and abdomen with doisal and lateral black lines :
white below. -Exp. 48-70 mm.
Egg.— Is highly dome-shaped, almost conical, ridged longitudinally, with an
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 863
aperture at the top fitted with a deeply dentate flat cap like a cogged wheel, the
cogs fitting into corresponding openings round the top of the body of the egg,
the resulting teeth between the openings being the tops of the longitudinal rid-
ges. The colour is a greasy shiny yellow. The length would be slightly over 1mm
Lama (PI. 1 ., fig 7). — The form of the larva is spindle-shape, with a pair
of outward curved long horns on the head, a long, lecurved, doisal horn on
segment 6 and another, curved forwards, on segment 12 ; the colour is dark
hrown with a broad spiracular yellow band on segments 7-14. The head has
the face flat, the surface tubercular-rugose, each lobe having a long, outwardly
curved hoin, in the same plane as the face, on its vertex ; these horns first
diverge slightly and strongly and are separated at base by a small semi
circular sinus ; they are twice as long as the head is high, their surface as well a*
that of the rest of head set with small black setiferous tubercles ; colour of head
and horns brown -black, a line down centre of face as well as the back and inside
face of horns light brown ; a greenish-white cheek -stripe. Segment *J narrower
than head ; so is segment 3 ; rest of body is thicker than the head is broad
very slightly broadest in the middle ; anal end somewhat nanowed, the anal
segment sloping doisally consideiahly, square at extremity ; segment 6 has a
very stout, recurved, dorsal horn pointing backwards, longer than the body is
high and covered thickly with small conical setiferous tubercles, those en the
posterior face being longer and spine-like; segment Vi has a similar horn,
directed slightly backwards but curved forwards, the tip slightly recuived
tubercled throughout its length, the posterior tubercles longer : both these
hoins (on segments 6 and 12) aie dark brown in colour with a yellow annulus
before the point. Spiracles roundly oval, large, nearly flush, light biown in
colour. Suiface of body covered with small, shortly setiferous tubercles, the
tubercles black on the bodv and yellow on the yellow spiracular band Colour
of the body dark blown with a broad yellow-green spiiacular band from the
front maigin of segment 7 to the end of laiva, commencing broad and thin-
ning posteriorly ; belly watery leddish brown. L : 33 without horns, 36 mm.
with ; B : 4mm ; L. of head-horns : 4"5mm ; of horn on segment 6 : Jimm; of that
on segment 12 : 5mm.
Pupa (PL I, fig. 7 a.) — The pupa is a mixture between those of Apatura
eamibu and Mouuzaprocris in shape but has two longhead-processes staiting
out straight in front in the same plane as ventrum, curving up stiongly towards
dorsal plane, slightly sepaiated fiom each other at origin and at extremity but
closely applied to each other ihroughout most of iheir length; they are conical at
base, cylindrical afterwards and are set with minute tubercles, especially near the
tips. The thorax is highest near its hinder margin, slightly keeled in the dorsal
line, this line descending at 45° to longitudinal axis of pupa towards segment 4
to rise slowly from anteiior margin of segmetn 6, then rapidly from hinder
maigin of that segment, nearly peipendicularly to its foimer course, to the
anterior top angle of a trapeze-shaped, laterally flattened expansion of the
dorsal keel over segments 7 and 8. of which the posterior edge, parallel to the
12
864 JOURNAL, BOJJBA Y NATURAL BiSTORY SOCIETY, I ol. XIX.
anterior, is longer than the same and curves into the dorsal abdominal
carina behind, this carina soon merging into the dorsal surface : thus making
the abdomen appear somewhat lateially compressed ; the abdomen is slightly
curved, decreasing giadually in diameter fiom segment 8 to end ; the cremaster
and segment 14 are flattened doisally and ventrally and curved with a
depressed ellipiically shaped surface doisally, at the extremity of which are
fixed the little hcoklets for suspemicn : the ventral line is stiaight from
head to segment 12; wing suif aces meet at a veiy obtuse angle and their
dorsal edges are expanded veiy slightly irom shoulders to segment T.commenc
ing gradually ; the body is thickest at middle of thorax. Body smface more
or less smo .th, slightly shiny- Spiiacles not small. o\al. ordinary. Colour of
body is an olivaceous biown giey, finely veined daiker : sometimes red-brow«
L : :'2mn. over all ; of head-process : 4mm. ; B : 5mm.
Hahds — The little egg-larva opens the cap and emerges , does not
eat the egg-shell and lives on the underside of thy leaf in much the
same manner as the larva; of Athyma or Modvza, i. e., it eats the leaf
along the midrib at the tip generally, but sometimes along a side-rib
from the edge inwards. The egg is, by the way, nearly always
deposited on the underside of a young leaf. The larva does not always
lie on the free nb thus left, though it sometimes does so ; it eats
voraciously, and therefore grows rapidly. The pupa is formed
under a leaf or suspended from a staikor twig, hangs perpendicularly
down and is strongly attached. The trees chosen for laying are
large trees in young leaf as a very general rule, and the larva eats
young leaves only. The places chosen are fairly damp, airy locali-
ties in the jungles, generally in more or less open spots, that is, where
the jungle is not too thick, in fact, in such spots as are favourable to
the growth of the foodplants. The perfeot insect flies mostly with
its wings horizontally stretched keeping them in this position for »
longer time between strokes than any other butterfly we know ;
it is a somewhat frail insect, rather weak of flight, though quick
enough on the wing to escape or avoid capture with a certain ease,
and invariably rests with its wings widespread. It flies very high
at times and may he seen round the tops of very tall trees ; but the
flight is not sustained, indeed it may he said never to fly far. It rests
on the tops of leaves in the day-time, and is fond of the checkered
shade on sunny days; it often comes to the ground on roads, paths and
in beds of nalas to suck moisture in hot weather and is occasionally
found at flowers. The butterfly is not found in the plains, but exists
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF IXDIA. *ii6
everywhere in the jungle-clad hills from sea-level upwards. The
distribution is said to he Continental India generally, from the
Hima'ayas to Travancore in the hills, avoiding the hot dry plains
of Northern and Central India ; Assam, Burma, Tenasserim, extend-
ing to China and Japan. The food-plants of the larva are certain
fig-trees; those upon which it has been found are Fkus reliyiosa,
Linn., the Asvath or Prpal and Ficus hengulemis, Linn., the common
Banyan or Wad, both trees distributed throughout India and well
known to everybody. There aie three other species of Cyredis known
to the Indian Fauna and others in the Anstro-Malavan region and
Africa.
52- Junonia iphlta, Cramer (Plate A. fig. 6).— Male and female vppersM*
brown of varying depths of colour. Forewing : with one , air of subtasal and
one pair of apical, tiansveise, sinucus fasciae, the outeimost definii g the dis
cocellulars ; a short, broad, oblique fascia beyond to vein 4, its inner margin
disuse, its outer sinuous, but sharply defim d ; below vein 4, a sinuous transveise
fainter fascia, followed by a discal blackish fascia, Tery bi cad and difluse-
below costa, bordered by a row of faint oclJi and a postdiscal and subteiminal
snmar fascia, following the contour of the teimen. Hindwing with a slender
blackish loop near the apex of cellular area ;a broad inwardly diffuse, ou.wardlv
well-defined, short discal fascia in ccntijoualj^ »f *h* ^ ^ ibe fv^ing : a
series of postdiscal somewhat ochraceous ocelli with black pupils minutely
centered with white ; postdiscal and subteiminal bioad lines »« nn *1pW
wing. Underside brown with very broad darker brown fasciae the interspaces
between the markings irrorated with puiplish silvery scales. Forewing with
two siuuous fascifle en the basal half followed by a discal fascia, veiy broad
at the costal margin and decreasing in width to the dorsum, bearing on
its outer border a row of obscure ocelli. This is succeeded by a zig-zag
dark line and sinuous subteiminal and teiminal lines ; apex and tornal
area suffused with purplish silvery. Hindwing : two irregular dark brown,
very broad, curved t-hort fasciae near the base ; a straight, transveise,
promim m. narrow ochieous brown discal band defined outwaidly hy a black
line ; a transverse postdiscal dark-brown fascia, widest in the middle and
bearing outwardly a curved row cf ochreous brown, white-centied ocelli,
followed by a zig-zag dark line in continuation of that on the forewing : a
subliminal somewhat diffuse dark fascia and a terminal dark line. Antennee.
head, thorax and abdomen dark brown. The ground colour and even the
markings vary in shade, some specimens being almost ochreous- brown, the
ocelli often ochreous-ringed on the underside ; the tiansverse discal fascise on
the hindwing with one or two subcostal white spots, that in interspace 7
often large, and occasionally theie is one in the same position on the subbasal
transverse band. The vet- season insect, that is. the one appearing in the very
866 JOURNAL, BOMBA T NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
wet months, is darker in shade than the dry-season specimens, and fresh
individuals of that form often have the puipKsh silvery markings bright
burnished steely blue in eolour. The female also or the whole seems at all
times to be lighter in shade than the male, especially ou the underside.
Exp. 56-77 mm.
Larva. — The shape of the larva is cylindrical, the anal end rounded and high
the body is set with seven longitudinal rows of spinous softish pedicels, on*
of each row to each segment 3-1*2. The head is square from front view, tht
face somewhat convex, divided into two lobes by a considerably depiessed
central line ; surface covered with small white and yellow conical tubercles
bearing each one hair, one tubercle on the vertex of each lobe being much
larger than the rest and yellow, bearing a long hair ; colour black- bronze with
the vertex reddish. Segment 2 is not much narrower than the head and has a
row of longish, erect, forward-curved hairs and a spiiacular pair of small spiny
tubercles abnve the base of the legs which (the tubercles) are about 1 mm. in
length. Segments 3 and 4 have got these tubercles at bases of the legs also ;
segments 5 an 1 G hive got them in the place where the legs ought to be but
here they are both at the same height instead of one below the other as in
segments 2--J : segments 7-10 have them like these latter, segment 11 like the
former. Segments £>-! 1 have a dorsal, subdorsal, latetal and spiracular spine-
bearing pedicel, segments 3 and 4 only a subdorsal and lateral one, segment 12
has two dorsal ones, one near front margin, one near hinder maigiti (all the
other segments having them in the centre) besides ihe subdorsal, lateial and
spiracular ones; the 13th segment is plainly visible and has the subdorsal pedicels
only ; the anal segment only the lateial pedicel near the hindei edge. All
the pedicels are swollen at base, of equal length except the ones at the bases
of legs which are smaller ; the spines are hair-like and disposed megularly
along the pedicels and each pedicel ends in a fine, conical hair-like sjiine with
thickened base. Spiracles are rather small, shiny black, oval, laiaed. Surface
of body covered with minute, conical, white tubercles giving it a velvety
appearance. The colour is black and, when full-grown, it is laterally reddish
brown with an indistinct lightish spiiacular line ; dorsally, when full-grown,
also, it has a reddish brown tinge with a yellowish shade because of the
tubercles between the subdorsal pedicels of each segment ; belly same coloux
as back ; pedicels dirty watery yellowish, colour of spines brown. L: hX mm.;
B: 7 mm ; L. of pedicels :2 mm.
Pupa. — The pupa is of very ordinary nymphaline shape with slight conical
protuberance in iront of each eye, the surface with a few small conical tubercles
the colour dirty grey-brown in j-hades. Ihe head is sqnare in iicnt and
blunt dorso-ventially, each eye having a small conical tubercle in front of it
pointing straight out in front ■ the lateral outline of pupa slopes slightly out-
wards from head to shoulders, then hardly at all as far as & gment 7-8
after which the abdomen narrows to cremaster. The dorsal slope of segment
2 and thorax is the same and is about 45° to longitudinal axis of pupa ;
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF 1NDJA. 867
the thorax is somewhat decidedly convex ; the constriction behind is dorsaliy
considerable though wide, laterally very little ; the wings are not expanded
at all ; on the shoulder is a slight transverse ridge and a short way behind is
another ridge, below the wing-margin, at right angles to it. Spiracle of seg-
ment 2 narrow, raised, small, reddish ; the rest small, oval, raised slightly, light
brown in colour. The stoutest part of pupa is about front margin of segment
7 and the height at apex of thorax is about equal to the breadth there. Surface
smooth, finely aciculate (as if scratched with a needle) very slightly shiny ; a
lateral small conical tubercle on thorax ; a dorsal one on its apex ; a dorsal,
subdorsal, and lateral row on abdomen, one of each to each segment : none of
them prominent, some obsolescent, especially the posterior ones. Cremaster
stout, the dur al transverse section semicircular with twu strong ventral
extensor ridges. Colour a grey or dirty brownish -black ; a light spot on top
of head and another on each side of front of thorax. L : 18mm.; B : 8mm
Hahks— The egg is laid among the young leaves, either on top
or on the underside, really anywhere. The young larva commences
feeding on the young leaves, lying among them generally puttino- out
a few silks to protect itself by drawing the edges of leaves together
although this is done in a very perfunctory manner. When full
grown the larva lives anywhere on the plant: on the leaves,
on the stem, anywhere. It is sluggish in its movements and
drops to the ground, curling up when disturbed <so does the youncr
one when handled or touched) but not by a silk. The pupation take's
place generady somewhere near the ground on the underside of a
leaf, from a stick, from the underside of a ledge of rock.
&c. t and the colour harmonises well with the su rrn undines t
withered leaves, dead sticks and stones. The pupa is not
particularly firmly attached, or perhaps it would be more correct to
say that it is not rigidly attached for it hangs loosely and swings from
side to side, but never falls off. The butterfly is one of the commonest
insects throughout India both in the plains and hills from sea level np-
wards. Like all its near relations it does not rise much above the
ground though it can fly quite a long distance at times. It is generally
seen basking in the sun low down on a leaf with its wings half or wholly
open and it does not frequent the ground as much as the other members
of the genns. The flight is rapid, of the Neptu type at times, but more
decided and much stronger. The insect rests with its wings closed
over its back at night and, really, at all times when frightened and
not actnally basking or playing about. The larva feeds on a great
868 JOURNALJWMBA.Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
number of plants of the family Acanthacece which is an order confined
to the Tropics and containing some speoies which grow in great
profusion where they exist, sometimes covering the gronnd for miles
and miles with a dense growth of plants fifteen feet high and more
(Strobilardhes callosus and others of the jr<nus) in the hilly parts of
India. Some of the species upon which the caterpillar has heen
found are Strotnlanthes callosus, Nees. ; Jnsticia mlcrantha. Heyne :
Asteracantfia Umgifotia, Nees., &c. The distribution is given a*
throughout Indian limits, extending to China and Sumatra.
53. Junonfa lemonlas, Linn. (Plate A, fig. 3). — Male and female unper-
nide olive-brown. Forewing with four sinuous, short, black transveise bars
across cell -area, the outermost defining the discocellulars ; the space
between the middle pair of these bais, two spots beyond the apex of the
ceil, an outwardly angulated, sinuous, discal beries of spois. a postdiscal
interrupted seri-s of similar spots, } ell o with cr light ochiace<ut>; also an
ochraceous inner, subtermiual, anieiiorlj bmken line, itwardly margined with
dark browu ; a large discal black blue-centred, reddish ringed f.ctllus and a
much smaller r very obscure, brown, subapical ocellus between the discal and
postdiscal series of spots; finally adaik Ironn termir.&I line fdkwiiglhe
outline of the margin. Hindwing with a slender black loop in the apex of
cell-area, a large ocellus similar to Ihe discal one of ihe foi« WiEg tc.oss
interspaces 4. 5 and 6. often with its outer lings enclosing a much smaller ill-
formed ocellus anteriorly ; postdiscal. subterminal and teintinal daik brown
somewhat uinular lines. Cndervhlft in the vets- oson form o< hi£ cents bicwn.
Forewing : basal half crossed by three broad, pale, dark edged sinuous bands,
beyond which the angulated discal. the postdiscal, subtermiual and
terminal markings of the upperside show faintly thiough ; the dr.cal ocellus
as on the upperside but not ho clearly defined and without ihe bine centie.
Hindwing with three or four sinuous, ill-defined band-like, pale markings on
the basal half, the outer faiut bands coalescing; followed by a postdiscal dark
broad band traveised by a row of minute dots interrupted by two laige black
ocellar spots, and a faint subterminal, lunulas, brownish line. In Ihe dry acamn
form the ground-colour is ochraceous yellow, often ochiaceous red, the mark-
ings more obscure, the two laige black ucellar spots reduced to the bize of the
others in the row. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen dark brown ;
beneath, the palpi, thorax and abdomen pale dull ochraceous. Exp. ott-t^mm.
Lurva.— The shape and aiiangt-n.ent ot *-piiieb ib the tome as Umt of J. i^liUa
exactly. The head is bilobed. loundish, wiih the sides mere vi less paiallel to
each other ; shiny metallic daik blue in colour wnh a Mout il.oit lileicle
on vertex of each lube. The colour of body is pale black wi.h a dei per black
dorsal line; there is no subspiracular line ; all the tubercles or pedicels of spines
are metallic blue, the spinules dark ; the two tubercles or spines in ftout of
spiracles of segmeut -i are red-yellow as is also the neck. Surface of body
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 869
covered as usual sparsely with minute, whitish, setiferous tubercles. Spiracles
oval, dull black flush, of ordii avy size. L : :^6 mm. ; B : 7 mm.
Pupa. — There is nothing much to distinguish this fiom that of the preceding
species in colour or size so that no particular description has been kept.
Kahits. — The ha hits of the larva are much the same as those of
./. iphita and the method of pupation and choice cf locality also.
The style of flight of the imago is also similar as well as the other
habits. ! his species is. perhaps, less fond of absolute plain country
than either J. oritkya or J. hierta and is certainly not as numerous
as any of ihe other species where they «re fonnd ; it is more
an insect of the jungles than any of the others except J. iphita,
thongh this does not mean that it is anywhere confined to those jun-
gles. The foodplants — for there are probably many— all belong to
the same family as those of the last species. Plants the caterpillar
has been found on are flelsonia campestris, R., and Asteracantha longi-
folia, Nees.. the former a diffuse herb spreading over considerable
areas in the jungles, with sticky or glutinous leaves and flower-
bracts, the latter a herbaceous plant growing in damp places, with
whorls of sharp thorns, lanceolate leaves and blue flowers, very
common ; both of the in distributed throughout India as is also the
butterfly.
54. Junonia at lltes, Johumen. — Male and female vpperskU pale lavender-
brown, apical half of the wings paler. Forewir-g : cell with three transverse
short, sinuous, black bands, the outermost defining the discoceltulars ; a
similar short, somewhat broader band beyond apex of cell ; two tians verse
diacal dusky black fascise, the inner highly sinuous and outwardly angulate above
vein 4, the outer straighter. somewhat lunular boidered by a series of whitish
ovals with dusky or black centres ■ .he btack-centred spots in the interspaces
2, 5, 6 margined inwardly with rich ochreous yellow. Beyond this eeries of
ovals is a lunular narrow transveise dark band followed by sinuous sub terminal
and terminal dark lines. A pex of whig and terminal margins, more or less
broadly, slightly fuliginous ;cilliagiey. Hindwing: a short slender black loop
from vein t\ to 4 at apex of cell area ; two disc d sinuous transverse dark -fasciae in
continuation of those on ihe forewing ; followed by a series of dark-centred ovals
in interspaces 2-6, those in interspaces 2, 5. G with dark centres inwardly bordered
broadly with oc'ireons yellow ; postdiseal, subterminal and terminal dark lunular
lines ason the forewing. Cilia giey. lnder»ide Marine white, maikingas on
the uppeiside but very delicate, slender and somewhat obsolescent. In the dry
eeason f> rut, of the male the rows of oval ocelli aie only indicated by the yellow-
centied ovals. The most prominent marking is the inner discal fascia across the
wiugs ; this is much less sinuous than on the upperside and not angulated on the
870 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TORAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
forewing. In the females the markings are all heavier and more distinct, the
space between the various transverse fascias tinged with ochraceous. Exp.
55-66 mm
E 9ff- — The egg is barrel-shaped, with thirteen longitudinal ridges from top
to baae parallel to each other and not continued on to the flat top ; these ridges
under the lens are finely beaded and are thin, being one-fifih as broad as an
interspace at the middle of the egg ; the fiattish top has a small white lingin
the centre— the micropyle ; the surtace is otherwise shiny and smooth ; the
colour is dark green with all the ridges white.
Larva, — The larva resembles in shape that of J, iphita or any other membe
of the genus, the position of the spinous pedicels is also the same. These
spinous pedicels are : on segment *2, below the spiracle, on base of leg, two of
them, one above the other ; two at the same height, beside each other, on seg-
ments ?» and 4 in the same position : a triangle of thiee on segments f* and G,
where the base of the leg would be : two in a horizontal line and one helow ;
two in a line on base of pro-legs of segments 7-l0 ; two one below the* other on
segment 1 ! ; and a single one, subspiracular and slightly laiger, on segments 3-12.
all. except these last, dirty watery- white in colour and set with fine white hairs
as long as the pedicels in the subspiracular line ; beside these pedicels
there are : a dorsal, dorsolateral., supiaspiracular pedicel on segments 5-1 1 ; a
dorsolateral and supiaspiracular one on segments 3 and 4; a dorsolateral pedicel
on segments 13 and 14 ; two dorsal ones on segment 12, one near fiont margin,
one near hinder margin, as well as a dorsolateral and supraspiracular one : all
these pedicels above the subsphacular ones are of the same length, just under
2mm., are shiny blackish in colour and have two whorls of dark yellow-brown
spine let? on them, these spinelets being nearly as long as the pedicels them
selves ; segment 2 has ten simple, slightly-foiwaids curved spinous hahs along
the front margin, black and lather long. Surface of body is soft looking and
covered besides with lmm. long fine, pure white hairs, each hair springing from
a minute, pure white, circular tubercle (in these hairs lies the difference from
all other Junonia larva; mentioned). A narrow dorsal line and the whole
dorsum of segment 3 have no white hairs, fc-phacles are oval, black, with
shiny bordsra. The anal flap is nearly semi-circular in outline and somewhat
thickened at extremity where it is yellow-ochreous in coloui. Head rather
small, squarish, the vertex indented triangularly, making it somewhat bilobed :
the vertex of each lobe bears a couical, shining, ochreous tubercle surrounded
hy three or four small ones, each bearing a hair ; the hair of the large one always
long and white ; another small tubercle in the centre of each lobe-face ; some
stiff black hairs on upper part of face, some soft white ones about the base ;
colour of the head dark bronzy blackish hrown with rather a large, triangular
black clypeus ; labrum colourless; basal antennal joint ochreous, second joint
blackish. Neck dull greenish biacfe. The colour of the body is velvety black
looking, under the lens, somewhat shiny greenish- black ; abdomen lighter
blackish ; a subspiracular band sending a short spur up and forwards in front
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA, 871
of each spiracle, legs and prolegg all brownish ochreous. The whole larva
appears frosted-white on account of the presence of the small white hairs.
L : 40mm. ; B : 5mm.
Pupa. — The pupa is almost exactly the same shape as that of J. almana in
every way ; it differs mainly in the colour which is a dull light brown throughout
with the front faces of the tubercles somewhat darker and the hinder faces
somewhat lighter than the ground-colour ; head points, apex of thorax and
cremaster dark brown ; hinder half of segment 8 lighter than ground-colour ;
the apex of thorax is more pointed than that of J. almcuna being a conical point ;
the anterior dorsal slope from apex to front of pupa is straight instead of
convex as in that species ; the cremaster is smoothly triangular and has no
tubercles ; the whole pupa is slighter. Spiracles of segment 2 indicated by a
small semicircle of a light red-brown colour on the surface of front margin of
segment 3 ; the other spiracles are rather narrow, black, somewhat raised ovals.
The body is somewhat constricted about segment 5. L : 17*5 mm. ; B : G-25
mm. at shoulders and at segment 8.
Habits. — The habits of the fnll-grown caterpillar are very
similar to those of Jununia orithya in that it feeds upon low or
procumbent plants and is generally found lying fnil-stretched on a
perpendicular stem or stalk. The egg is laid on a stalk of grass,
on the dead stem of a plant, anywhere in fact as the foodplants
grow in great abundance in the spots chosen for ovipositing; the
little larva finds the proper plant without any trouble and lies on the
undersides of the leaves low down, and drops to the gronnd onrled up
when tonched, remaining for a considerable time in that position before
it regains confidence to move again. The pupa, as a rnle, is affixed
to a stem or leaf in some thick place, where the plants are close
together and mixed with many ether species, and, like the larva, is not
easy to find. The butterfly moves very much like the other members
of the genns, keeping mnch to the ground, and is fond cf visiting
flowers ; it is a somewhat weaker insect than any of the other species,
and is not found mnch in the jungles, keeping chiefly to the open
rice-fields and cultivated lands, especially where the ground is moist in
the neighbourhood of tanks and ponds ; it is commoner at »ea-level
from Thana southwards in the Bomhay Presidency than anywhere else
and is scarce in the jungles of the hills. The distribntion is the Terai
at the foot of the Himalayas from Kmnaon to 8ikhim : Eastern Bengal *
Central Provinces ; Kanara ; Ceylon ; Assam ; Burma ; Tenasserim ;
extending into the Malayan subregicn. The fcodplants are aeantha-
cecus like those of the other memhers of the genns ; these the larva
15
872 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
has been found on are Asteracantha longifolla y Nees., and a epecies of
JBarleria.
55* Junonia orlthya, Li?m. (Plate A, fig. 4 $, 4« $ ) — Male upperside ;
somewhat more than half forewing from base velvety black, apical half dull
fuliginous ; cell area with or without two short transverse orange bars ; a blue
patch above the tornus ; the outer margin of the basal black area obliquely
zigzag in a line from the middle of costa to the middle of vein 3, thence straight,
then incurved to middle of dorsal margin ; just outside it, between veins 2 and
3, a large ocellus, often obscure and surrounded by a margin of the basal black
area, sometimes prominently tinged with orange-yellow. Beyond basal black
area is a broad, white, irregularly oblique, discal band followed by a short, oblique,
preapical bar from costa ; a small black orange-ringed ocellus beneath the
bar ; a subterminal continuous line of white spots in the interspaces and ter-
minal jet-black, slender line, appearing double in some specimens; cilia alternately
dusky black and white. Hindwing blue- shaded with velvety black towards the
base; a postdiscal black and white or blue and white-centred orange, black-ringed
ocellns in interspace 2 ; another, minutely white- centred or not, similar to
this or completely black, round or oval, sometimes completely wanting, in inter-
space 5 ; the termen narrowly white bordered inside by a black line limiting the
blue area and traversed by a slender black line parallel to the black termen ;
cilia white. Underside forewing : basal half with three black-edged, sinuous
broad, ochraceous-orange transverse bands, followed by a pale discal band ;
ocelli, preapical bar, snbterminal and terminal markings, much as on the npper-
side ; the discal band margined inwardly by a broad, black angulated line, which
follows the outline of the black area of the upperside, here replaced by pale
grey. Hindwing irrorated with dusky scales on a greyish ground, crossed by
transverse subbasal and discal, slender, zigzag, brown lines and a postdiscal dark
shade on which are placed the two ocelli as on the npperside ; and sometimes a
black dot in each interspace 3 and 4; subterminal and terminal faint brown lines
and a brownish short streak tipped black at the tornal angle below the lower
ocellus. Female similar, with similar but more clearly defined, larger ocelli and
markings ; the hasal half of wings on the upperside f ulliginous brown, the blue
on hindwing sometimes obsolescent, though this is only found in specimens
from dry regions, those from places of heavy rainfall always having the blue
developed. Antennae brown, the npper surface white in the males ; head
reddish brown, thorax and abdomen above black ; palpi, thorax and abdomen
beneath dull white. Exp. 49-62mm.
Larva. — The caterpillar is of the same type as the rest of the genus. Head
roundish, bilobed, each lobe surmounted by a short, equilateral, conical
tubercle, the two diverging ; surface shiny, covered with small, white, truncated-
conical tubercles from each of which arises a curved, shiny, black, rather
long, stout hair ; the lobe- vertex tubercles, have lateral spinules or bristles;
clypeus of ordinary size, triangular, with the apical third orange; basal
ant en nal. joint light, second joint black ; colour of head otherwise black.
COMMON B VTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA . 873
Segment 2 has a row of six tubercles on the front margin of which the
lowest, subspiracular, is the longest and stoutest ; the next is the smallest and
situated in front of spiracle ; the subspiracular and spiracular tubercles art
yellow, the rest shiny black and spined. Segments 3 and 4 have a dorso-Iateral
supraspiracular and subspiracular tubercle or spine-bearing pedicel ; segment
12 is similar but has 2 dorsal pedicels, one near hinder margin, one near front
margin ; segments 13 and 14 are each provided with a dorso-Iateral pedicel.
Segments 5-11 are similar to segments 3 and 4, but have a dorsal pedicel in
addition. The little spines on the leg-bases are the same as described for
J. amies. All the pedicels are stout, longly conical, rigid, about 1 mm. in
length and covered sparsely with irregularly disposed spinelets: all shiny blue-
black, the extreme bases of the front subspiracular ones of segments 3 and 4
ochreous. Spiracles are large, oval, raised with light centres and shiny black
borders. Body surface covered with minute erect, black hairs. The colour of
the larva is leaden black, with the neck orange ; a jet-black, narrow, dorsal
band, spotted finely with white ; a white dorsolateral and supraspicular small
spot on the hinder margin of each segment ; the bases of supra and sub-
spiracular orange-surrounded tubercles are bordered above with yellowish
white ; there is a yellow-white, narrow band running along and beneath the
subspiracular tubercles the whole length of body ; the whole spiracular region
is sparsely spotted with white : all these white spots mentioned are tubercular,
that is, are slightly raised and each bears a little hair ; true legs shiny black :
prolegs blackish with an orange shade ; the belly is blackish purple. L : 30
mm.; B : 5mm.
Pupa.— Pupa is very much like the rest of those of the gen ns. It is perhaps
somewhat sleuderer than those of J. aJmana and J, iphita. It is more or less
concolorous, being a slatey dull grey all over. In size it is somewhat smaller,
than the other species.
Habits.— The larva has the habits of the genus; the full grown
larva is found in the early mornings lying along the stalks and stems
of upright plants in the places where its foodplant exists, for the plant
or plants it feeds on are generally fairly abundant in those localities ;
it probably feeds mainly at nights and retires to some hiding place
amongst the leaves and stems on or near the ground during the heat
of the day. The pupa is formed generally against the side of a stone
or rock low down, sometimes from a stalk or leaf, but this, it
has been observed, more rarely : this is due probably to the
perishable nature of the foodplants. The butterfly is found most
commonly in the open plains, frequenting chiefly flat, stony, more or
less uncultivable lands, especially flat, wind-swept, low plateaux
of the plains. It is a strong, fast flier, but rarely rises high above the
ground, where it invariably rests ; nor does it fly far at any time.
874 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
It is, like most of the Junonice, fond of visiting flowers and the female
oviposits generally on leaves lying on the ground or very close to it
or on flower-heads, the foodplants being small, low or proenmbent or
creeping herbs, some of them with very hard, rough leaves. These
plants are all belonging to the family Aeanthaeeoe as usnal for the
tfenus ; and those of them npou which the caterpillar has been found
are Jnstida procumbens, Linn.; Justicia mierantha, Heyne and
Lepidagatkis prostrata, Dalz.; this last growing on bare rocks in
extensive patches, the second on paths in fields and open places,
slightly taller and less creeping than Lepidagatkis and more snccnlent,
with little manve flowers ; the first somewhat similar, flowers pale
violet-pink ; all of them very common in Western India ; Justicia
procumlens spreads to Ceylon, Malay, and Australia, Lepidagatkis occur-
ring also in the snb- tropical Himalayas. The disiribntion of the
bntterfly is India, Ceylon, Assam, Burma, Tenasserim. extending to
China and the Malayan subregion.
56 Junonia hierta, Fabricius (Plate A., fig. 2, #).— Male upperside bright
yellow, Forewing : the costa with a broad triangular projection downwards
at the discocellulars, which may be sometimes wanting, the apex broadly, the
terminal margin and the dorsum with a triangular projection upwards near
the tornus, jet black ; this black margin narrows near the middle of the
termen and hears, on the apex, two short, transverse, preapical white streaks
crossed by the black veins, helow the inner one, an obsenre ocellus which may
be sometimes wanting. Hindwing : anterior half, and the terminal margin
black, the dorsum broadly shaded with ochraceous brown, the anterior black
area with a large brilliant blue central patch. Cilia of both wings, white
alternated with brown. Underside : forewing pale yellow : cell crossed
by three black- margined orange-yellow bands ; beyond the cell a short, broad,
irregular, jet-black (sometimes dusky-hrown) oblique band from costa to base
of vein 4 ; apex and dorsal margin broadly, termen in the middle narrowly
dusky brownish black with some obsenre paler markings ; a round jet-black
discal spot in interspace 2 and another smaller one in interspace 5. Hindwing
greyish yellow ; in the dry season form strongly irrorated with dusky scales ;
a prominent transverse brown discal fascia, its margins highly sinuous, a broad
brownish shade on the middle of termen ; some obscure lunular marks on the
basal area, a postdiscal line of minute dots, in the rains form sometimes
becoming ocellus like subterminal and terminal zigzag slender lines, pale brown.
Antenna} pale, head, thorax and abdomen dark brownish black ; beneath dull
ochraceous white. Female similar, the colours duller. Upperside forewing :
cell with a more or less complete black fascia and another at the discocellulars ;
blue-centred ; well-marked ocelli in interspaces 2 and 5 on the disc of the fore-
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF TEE PLAINS OF INDIA. 875
wing and smaller ocelli in interspaces 2 and 5 on the disc of the hindwing.
Fore and hindwings with a fairly well-defined snbterminal pale line, the blue
spot on the anterior black area of the hindwing smaller, with a lilac shade and
more ill-defined or entirely wanting ; the rest as in the male. Underside as in
the male, but generally with the markings heavier and more clearly defined.
Exp. 50-58mm.
Larva.— The caterpillar is similar to those of the other Junonim
in shape and in the disposition of the spines. Head covered with minute,
conical yellow tubercles, each bearing a seta on the summit, some few
setae rather longer than the rest, some few tubercles on vertex of each
lobe slightly larger than the rest, one in particular larger, yellow, bearing
a long white seta on it ; colour brown-yellow suffused with black in front ;
inside the semi-circle of eyes it is also black. The anal flap ends in a
-boss" which is rugose. Spiracles black, shiny, oval. Surface of body
covered with very minute, shortly setiferous, conical, yellow, tubercles.
Segment 2 has a snbspiracularlongish pedicel, a small supraspiracular one and
a row of four small, setiferous black tubercles down the centre on each side
The colour of the body is light greenish-brown, the major part of dorsum of
segments 3 and 4 velvety black as also the hinder part of segment 2, there
being a double yellow line behind the black of each segment, this yellow
broadest on segment 3 ; a sometimes obsolescent black dorsal hue ; a blackish
patch round the bases of subdorsal tubercles of segments 6-12; belly concolour-
ous with dorsum ; all the spinous pedicels (nearly equal in size, about |
breadth of head) are black in colour set with sparse brown spinelets ; all the true
legs and prolegs are dirty light brown, the former with black claws. L * 37mm •
B: 6mm. *'
Pupa. — Is long and rather narrow, coloured a sort of greyish brown-red.
Head, segment 2 and thorax together have the same dorsal curve from front
of pupa to apex of thorax, that is, that part of the pupal dorsal line is inclined
at about an angle of 45° to the longitudinal axis ; the thorax is somewhat
humped and evenly convex ; constriction behind thorax very moderate ;
abdomen circular in transverse section, thickest at segment 7, gradually decreas-
ing to end, the two last segments — segments 13 and 14 — being nearly at right
angles to the rest of body ; the 12th is suddenly a little narrower than the
11th ; the cremaster is very stout, flattened above and below, narrowly de-
pressed in ventral line, triangular in shape and of the same width as segment
13 at base. The ventral line of pupa is straight. Head is square in front
with two small points, one in front of each eye, the pupa broadening out
evenly as far as shoulders, where there is a small projection after which the
lateral line along the wings is slightly concave : the edges of wings (dorsal
margius) are very slightly expanded. Surface of pupa is somewhat rough
under the lens ; there is a row of very small dorsal tubercles on abdomen,
increasing in size backwards and a subdorsal row of larger ones as well as a
lateral row like the dorsal one, one tubercle of each row to each segment ;
876 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol.XIX.
there are none on segments 12 and 13 : on thorax, near hinder margin, there is
a subdorsal tubercle. The colour is greyish brown-red with the wings, posterior
portion of segment 8 and segment 12 lighter than the rest. The colour is nearly
black sometimes with the light parts nearly white. L : 16mm. ; B: 6mm.
Habits. —The habits are very much the same as those of Junonia
orithya in the larval and pupal states as well as for the ima°x>. The
latter is found in the same localities as J. orithya preferring, perhaps
more protection from wind and rain ; it is fond of sitting on paths and
open ground with its wings spread to the suu and does not rise far from
the gronnd though it is a qnick strong flier. When not baskino-
it rests with its wings closed and is then not easy to see, herein also
resembling ,/. orithya. The butterfly is not plentifnl in hilly, jungly
country, but is common in many parts of the open plains. The larva
Feeds on Acanthacew : it has been hred on Asteracantha longifoha, Nees.
The butterfly is found throughout Indian limits and extends to China.
s T . Jitnoal* d/ma<ut, Zmn, (Pi. A, fig. 5)— Dry season form.— Mate
and female uppermde rich orange-yellow. Forewing with a pale dusky and a
much darker, sometimes bluish, short, transverse bar with jet-black margins
across cell, another somewhat similar bar defining the discocellulars ; costal
margin, an inner and an outer subterminal l me and a terminal line, dusky black ;
a large minutely white-centred bluish ocellus ringed by slender ochraceous line
iind bordered by black in interspace 2 ; two similar but geminate ocelli with an
obscure pale spot above them and a short obligue blank or fa&y W ^^^^^ 6
them to the black on costa. Hindwing : a small minutely white-centred and
very slenderly black-ringed plum-coloured or bluish ocellus in interspace 2, with
a large yellow and black-ringed ocellus spreading over interspaces 4, 5, 6, the
centre inwardly brownish orange or bluish plum-coloured, outwardly blue and
black, with two white spots one below the other between the two colours ; then
postdiscal, subtei-minal and terminal black sinuous lines. Underside ochraceous
brown, often with a violet bloom, very variable in shade. In most specimens
the cell of the forewing is crossed by three dark sinuous bands, the outermost
along the discocellulars ; these are very faint in some ; both fore and hind-
wing crossed by a basal and a discal pale sinuous line margined outwardly
by a dark shade which is traversed by an obscure, somewhat obsolescent row of
dark spots and outwardly bounded by a subterminal pale sinuous line, the dark
shade in many cases spreading on the forewing to the 'eiminal edge of the
wing ; on the hindwing the subterminal line meets the discal in an acute angle
at the torn us ; the veins are generally slenderly ochreous on the basal half of
wings, the cilia also slightly ochreous. Antennae dark brown ; head, thorax and
abdomen more or less orange-brown ; paler beneath.
Wet season /om.— Male and female upperside similar, the black markings
deeper in colour ind heavier, the subterminal and terminal lines more clearly
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 877
defined, the veins narrowly dusky. Underside pale ochraceous. Forewing:
cell crossed by five sinuous dark-brown lines, a similar line on the discocelJulars
and another beyond it, both bent inwards at an angle and continued to the
dorsum, the space between them forming a discal broad fascia paling to whitish
posteriorly ; the post discal ocelli, suhterminal and terminal lines as on the
upperside but paler, Hindwing : a slender transverse, subbasal, dark line and
a discal, whitish, straight fascia in continuation of the one on the forewing ;
the postdiscal ocelli, the subterminal and terminal lines much as on the upper-
side but paler ; the anterior ocellus with a double iris and centre. Antennae
dark brown ; head, thorax and abdomen as in the dry-season form but slightly
darker. Exp. 54-62 trim.
These two forms do not only differ very strongly as to the colour of the
underside and superficially, in the pattern there, but also in the shape of the
wings ; the forewing in the dry-$ea»on form acquiring a very prominent hooked
apex ; the hindwing a considerable access to the length of the tornal angle or
tail; the full wet-season insects have neither the hooked apex nor the tail, though
of course there are many intermediate ones born at the change of the seasons.
Larva. — Shape like the other Jtmonice ; arrangement of spines also the same.
Head broad, heart-shaped, as broad as high ; surface shiny, covered with minute
white, setiferous tubercles, setae white ; on vertex of each lobe is one larger
yellow hair-bearing conical tubercle as also some smaller ones of the same
colour; a few black bristles on back margin ; colour of head black, apical half
of clypeus orange. Spiracles large, oval, shiny black. Surface of body covered
with minute white, setiferous tubercles, the setae black ; the surface velvety
looking; the segmental membrane are brownish and without tubercles.
Segment 2 with a collar of simple erect black hairs, a subspiracular sharp
spiniferons pedicel and a smaller one on base of leg. Anal flap ending in a
round, shiny black boss. Segments well marked. Segment 12 has the two
dorsal spines, a supraspiracular and subspiracular one but none on the ventral
face laterally as usual. The colour of the body is smoky black, the neck is
orange, the belly brownish, an obsolescent brownish subspiracular line ; the
spine-bearing pedicels black with dirty light orange spines with black tips to
them. L : 41mm. ; B : 5'5mm. ; L. of pedicels : 2mm. : all of the same length
except those on base of legs which are smaller.
Pupa.— Is of the usual type. Head square in front, half as long as broad
(length in the sense of pupal length), with a small, rather broad, rounded,
short point iu front of each eye ; vertex convex. Segment 2 the same length as
head with the front margin bent back in a small sinus towards hinder margin.
Thorax broadly and very slightly convex the slope of dorsal line at front margin
being in a plane at right angles to longitudinal axis of pupa, its apex hardly
higher than segment 4, its hinder margin a slight curve ; it is carinated
very slightly in dorsal line. The shoulders are slightly angulated with
another small tubercular point at origin of wing. The constriction behind
thorax moderate dorsally, wide and shallow laterally ; wing expanded ever so
878 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
slightly between the shoulder-tubercle and the one immediately behind it.
Pupa stoutest at segment 7/8 ; section of abdomen circular with the line of
junction of wings slightly prominent. Segment 12 suddenly narrower than
segment 11 ; segments 12-14 very short ; cremaster stout, short, square, with
strong ventral extensor ridges ; hair-hooklets at very extremity. Spiracular
expansions of segment 2 represented by little linear orange bodies, hardly
prominent ; the spiracles dull black, oval, rather small. Surface finely
roughened : velvety looking ; a dorsolateral conical tubercle on segments 3-11,
those on segments 4, 6-8 rather large ; a lateral aDd subspiracular similar,
smaller tubercle on segments 6, 7 and 8. Colour dark greyish green with black
and cream-coloured markings ; cremaster dark greasy-looking, red-brown ; a
broad band on hinder margin of segment 11 interrupted ventrally, two parallel
longitudinal ventral bands, a band on posterior margin of segment 8 continued
by a broad diagonal light brown band on wing, the posterior side of all dorso-
lateral tubercles except those of segments 9 and 10, some markings on segments
1-3, a dorsal blotch on segments 9 and 10, the underside of head : all cream-
coloured. L : 20mm. : T5 : 7*5mm.
Habits. — The ego- is laid on the underside of a leaf ; the larva lives
there, eating continuously and when fnll grown may be found any-
where on the plant. The pupa is formed on the underside of a leaf,
stalk or stem, or elsewhere, hangs freely :md is firmly fixed* The
colour of the pupa Is liable to little variation, the markings to none.
The butterfly is very common, possibly the commonest of the Jimoni&
in India and sometimes exists in great numbers in certain localities.
It is not quite so common in the jungles and hills as in the plains but
on the coast in the Konkan, just along the very base of the ghats, it
oocurs very abundantly in the end of the monsoon, frequenting the
neighbourhood of tanks and ponds, the banks of rivers, wet rice fields,
&c, where its food-plants or, properly speaking, certain of its food-
plants grow in profusion. One of these on which it is commonly found
is Asteracantha longifolla^ ^Nees., others are Hygwpkila, Barleria of
different species, and doubtless there are many others. All of them
belong to the family Acanthaceai* The butterfly is a strong flier, but,
like the others, never goes very far without settling, basks with its
wings open, but rests with them closed and nearly always on the
ground, often settling, when put up, after a short flight among leaves
and rubbish, after the manner of a Mdanitis, sideways, showing the
whole surface of the underside ot wings. This is, no doubt, the reason
why the dry season forms have the wonderful leaf-pattern, varying
in shade so much on the underside, the produced hooked apices to
COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 879
fore wing and tail to hindwing which blends so well with withered
leaves. It is difficult to imagine any other reason for the complete
change that comes over the form and markings of the insect than one
having its origin in a desire for protection. The bntterfly is found
thronghout Indian limits ; also in China and Japan and in the Malayan
subregion.
The pupaj of all the Junonice, when touched, move the body from
side to side with a slightly jerky motion, the bending taking placi*
in segment-margins 8/9, 9/10, 10/11, and each jerk produces a knook-
ing sound destined, there is little doubt, to frighten small enemie%
such a* flies, spiders, perhaps even lizards and small birds. It is
distinotly audible at close quarters.
The genus Junoma exists in the tropics of America, in Africa, India
and Australia and even further eastwards.
The Plates A, B and C have been published in Vol. XVI of the Journal.
No. 4 ; and Vol. XVII, Nos. 2 and 4. On second thoughts, it has been
thought advisable to re- write the descriptions of the butterflies formerly pub-
lished, notwithstanding what was said in paragraph 5 of the present papers
begun in the number issued on the 15th April 1909.
ERRATA.
[la the last part of this paper (No. 3, Vol. XIX), the following errata
occurred] :— -
Page 636, instead of Moduza prods ... read
under figure 9.
Page 636, instead of Cufapkaeida ... read
under figure 10.
Page 638, instead of Neptis cunyome .. . read
under figure 13 and
instead of Euthalia lepidca ... read
under figure 14 ; also, in the
same line insread of occidus ... read
Page 639, instead of Eulapte ... read
in line 14.
Page 640, instead of lubmtim ... read
in line 24 : and
instead of Mwsomda ... read
in line 38.
Page 046, instead of kyperbious ... read
in line 2.
Also add to Explanation or Plate facing PI. II. (Larvse).
" (All moth larvre) " under ' ' and above * Fig. 32.*
Moduza procris.
Cupha placida*
Neptis eurynome.
Euthalia lepidea.
ocellus.
Eulepts*
lubentina,
Mustosnda
hyperhiw.
14
880
SOME NOTES ON THE GIANT SQUIRRELS OF
INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON.
BY
R. C. Wroughton^ F.Z.S.
I had occasion recently to lay out, for comparison, all the speci-
mens of this group, in the Collection of the Natural History Museum,
S. Kensington, and to look up all the original descriptions of
species.
It seems to me that the publication of a few notes of- the result
of my examination would not only be of interest to members but might
induce some of them to obtain and present specimens through this
Society, to the National Collection, to help to fill up some of the
important gaps in that series.
Blanford, in his ' Mammals/ recognised three species, viz,, /Scmrus
mdmts t S. bicolor and S. macrurus. He there merely referred to
varieties, which occur in all three of these forms, without exactly
differentiating them, but, later, in the Journal of this Society (1897,
Vol. XI, p. 300), he accepted 4 forms of the first species mentioned
above under the names — (1) JS. indicus (s.s.) : <2.) S. indicus malabar-
kus ; (3) & indicus bengalensix ; and (4) S, indicus deatbatus : the
last two names were given by himself on that occasion.
In more recent years these Oriental Giant Squirrels have been
separated from JSciunts, in a genus by themselves, under the name of
Ratufa.
The members of this genus seem to be particularly plastic under
changes of environment, but at the same time the variation seems to
be quite uniform, under the same local conditions. Consequently, we
seem to find a form in a comparatively quite small local area differing,
slightly it may be, but, nevertheless, definitely and constantly, from
all its neighbours of the surrounding area, yet no intermediate stages
bridging this difference are forthcoming. The material at my dis-
posal for examination is insufficient to enable me to confidently state
this to be the case, but it is undoubtedly shadowed forth by the case
of Ratufa indica. Between the (practically) self-coloured indka of
the northern part of the Western Ghats and the much blackened
maxima of Travancore, etc., we have Blanford's bengaletisis of the
Ganges Valley. But I believe that when we have specimens from a
THE GIANT SQUIRRELS OF INDIA. BURMA & CEYLON. 881
sufficient number of localities it will be found that there is a paler and
a darker form of what is now typical indiea, each limited to its own
district. And that the Mysore form, intermediate between bengalensis
and maxima, will be found to be constant for its own area and there-
tore worthy of a name, equally with the other races. This is one of
the questions I would ask members to help us to solve.
Blanford recognises as inhabiting Ceylon a grizzled species &
macrurus (it should be macrovrm) and a black variety & tennantii (it
should be tennerdi), but, by some error, he has transposed the names.
True & macro urus is the black form and the grizzled one is tennenti.
It is true that Kelaart states the brown and grizzled forms to be
seasonal ones, but I have grave doubts of this; the analogy of
changes elsewhere would point to the brown as a seasonal form of the
Mack, it of any, but we have several instances in the genus of just
this difference separating definable local races. Here again members
can help with dated and ex$ci}y JocaVised zpeeimens and notes.
Jerdon and others state that the grizzled form ( R. macroitrus tennentt)
is also found on the mainland as- far north as Travancore and the
Nilgiris. There is a specimen labelled as from the Shevroy Hills
in the National Collection, but specimens, exactly localised and dated
are badly wanted, not only to prove the existence of this species on
the Mainland, but also, that being proved, to show whether it and
maxima occur together or have separate defined habitats.
The Giant Squirrel of the trans-Gangetic region is recorded by
Blanford as Oirolor, but this is most certainly a misnomer; that name
was given to the very distinct form found in Java. The name I have
adopted in this paper, viz., gigantea was actually based on specimens
from Assam. Unfortunately, the National Collection has nc speci-
mens from Assam, though it has quite a nice series from Sikhim and
Nepaul of the dark-brown western race macrurd'des.
I had hoped at first to deal, in this paper, with the whole. genus, but
so many forms, which I have never seen, Itave been named by
American naturalists, from Sumatra aud the Malay Archipelago, that
I had to give up the idea. I have, however, included in these notes
the forms of the Malay Peninsula.
Blanford lumps together the large black Assam gigantea and the
smaller Malay melanopepla, two forms which are markedly and con-
stantly distinct in severalother characters besides size. The latter, the
882 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol.XIZ.
type locality of which is Trong in Lower Siam, is undoubtedly found
in Tenasserim (it extends also southwards through the Malay Penin-
sula and beyond), but how far north it meets gigantea or whether
there are local races of either in Middle Burma we do not know, for
we have no specimens from between the extreme north of Upper
Burma, about Bhamo, and the extreme south of Tenasserim.
Further, at Trong, a quite distinct form (pyrsonota), closely allied
to the -K. affinis of Singapore, is found together with melanopepla.
Whether this species extends, changed or unchanged, into Burma .
we have no means of judging.
The very ' scrappy' nature of our National Collection ot working
specimens of Indian Mammals is greatly to be deplored, and I trust
means will be found in the early future to remedy it, but in the mean-
time, I venture to think that it is * up to ' the members of this Society
to lend a hand to close up some of these gaps, which I have indioated.
The following is a key to the species and sub-species which in my
opinion should be recognised, so far as present material enables us to
judge.
Key to the Genus Ratufa as represented in India. Burma and
(Ceylon.
1. Ears tufted (India, Ceylon ? N. Burma).
.4.— -Size smaller (Hindfoot = 75 ; *
Skull = 67). Lower portion of leg:-
yellowish white. Feet (or at least
toes) black. (Ceylon, H. India).
a. General colour black (1) hmcwwwo, Penn.
o. General oolour dark bay ... (*) m. ceylonica, Erxl.
«. General colour grizzled ... (3) m. tennenti, Blyth.
B, — Size larger (Hindfoot = 77— «0,
Skull - 72—75.)
a. Tip of tail and vertex between
ears white or pale buff.
a*. General colour yellowish buff
(SuratDangs) (4) deaU/ata, Blanf.
bK General colour hazel or bay.
a 2 . Tail red ; no black markings.
Measnrementfi in millimetre*.
THE GIANT SQUIRRELS OF INDIA, BURMA cfc CEYLON 883
on body. (Western Ghats
from Kanara to Bombay) ... (5) indica, Erxl (s,s.)
6 2 . Tail black* rump and
thighs blackish. (S. Granges
Basin) (6) i. bengcdensts, Blanf.
c 2 . Tail black; forelegs, shoul-
ders, rump, hindlegs and
oftenest a median dorsal line
black (Malabar) (7) /. maxima^ Schreb.
b. No white markings on tail or
head. Pale colour of inner side
of forelimbs never extending over
front of forearm.
aK Colour above black (Assam,
N. Burma) (8) gigantea, McCl. (s.s.)
bK Colour above dark brown
(Nepal, Sikhim). .(9) g. macruroides, Hodg.
II. Ears not tufted (Tenasserim, Lower Siam, Malay Peninsula,
&c.)
A— Shoulders, forelegs and thighs
black or at least dark brown. Pale
colour of inner side of fbrelimb
spreading over front of forearm —
a. Whole upper surface black.
a J . Colour of lower surface paler,
* ochraceous ' on belly, fading
to yellowish buff on throat aud
inner side of forelimbs,
a 2 . Skull wider, zygomatic
breadth at least 44 mm.
a 3 . Size smaller (Hindfoot
= 74: Skull =70) (Lower
Siam and Malay Penin-
sula) (J 0) melanopepta t Mil\.(s&*)
b' 3 . Size larger (Hindfoot —
76 ; Skulls 72) (Anambas
Islands) (11) »*. anambce, Mill.
884 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL B1ST0RY SOCIETY, VoL XIX,
b 2 . Skull narrower, zygomatic
breadth, 41. (Natuna Is-
lands) (12) nu anfntstkep*. Mill.
b 1 . Colour of lower surface
darker, at least 'tawny' on
belly, fading to * ochraceous
buff', palest on throat and
inner side of fore limbs.
a 2 . Larger (Hindfoot = 75 ;
Skull « 72*5) flslands of
Malacca Straits) « (13) »*. fretensis, Thos. and
Wrough.
bK Smaller (Hindfoot = 72 ;
Skull = 68-4) (Tioman Is-
land^ il4) »n. tiomanensk, Mill.
6. Shoulders, forelegs and thighs
darker than rest of body.
a 1 . Pale patch on vertex between
the ears; tail pale yellow (Java), (15) hirdor, Sparrm.
b 1 , No pale patch on vertex ;
tail dark (Sumatra &c.)
a 2 . Size larger (Hindfoot =
78 ; Skull = 68) (Snmatra).«(16)jooZZiate,MilL (s.s.)
b 2 . Size smaller (Hindfoot =
70; Skull - 68) (Banjak
Islands, West Coast of
Sumatra) I")* l <™ ata > Mdl *
£ —Shoulders, loins and legs not
darker than rest of body ; pale colour
of inner side of forelimbsnot extend-
ing over front side of forearms.
tt .~CoWir of belly white (Singapore: ^
Johor) (18) affini*, Kames. i&s.;
b Colour of belly yellow. m
fll Feet yelW (Malacca) (»)!«• """"^
bl. Feet dark (Sclangore ; north-
wa rds to Lower Siam (20) «. pyrsowta, JUL
THE GIANT SQUIRRELS OF JNDIA, BURMA & CEYLON. 88^
1. Ratufa macroura > Penn.
1769. Sciurus macrourus, Pennant. Ind, Zool. I., pi. 1.
1785. " ^Sciurus ceilonensis, Boddaert. Elench. An. p. 117.
Colour^ Above uniform black, below ' ochraceous buff.' Head
©chraceous buff except for the forehead, above the level of the eyes,
and a mark, shaped like an inverted * V ' on the cheek, between eye
and ear, black. A pale patch on the vertex between the ear?.
Forearnfc and hindlegs, below the upper thigh, buff. Hands and
feet black. Tail black.
£%uft.— Small. Nasals showing a slight expansion posteriorly in
the skull I have seen.
Dimensions — Head and body, 300 : tail, 340 : hindfoot, 75.
SkulL — Greatest length, 67 ; basilar length, 50 ; zygomatic breadth*
40 ; nasals, 20 ; diastema, 14*4 ; braincase breadth, 28*3 ; inter-
orbital breadth, 25*5 : upper moiar series, 13*2.
Synonymy. — There has been much confusion in the naming of this
species. Pennant, however, gave a figure of his S. macrowus which
admits of no doubt. It is a uniformly black animal with a yellow
belly and yellow fore and hindlegs, with black feet. — Boddaert's
ceilonensis was confessedly a renaming of macrourus.
All naturalists since then seem to have ignored this black form
altogether, and given the name macrourus to one of the other forms
and even to the continental jK. indica maxima. Blanford has, in his
8 Mammalia/ actually transposed the names macroura and tennenti.
Distribution, — Owing to this difficulty of exactly appreciating of
which particular form any given naturalist is treating, I have found it
impossible to localise the habitat of this form. Blanford declares it
to be a hill form, but I think this will prove to be a mistake and
typical R. macroura will be found to inhabit low-lying forests. Any
information which members can record on this point will be valuable.
2. Ratufa macroura ceylonica, Erxl.
1777. Sciurus vulgaris ceylonieus, Erxleben. Syst. Regn. An.
p. 416.
Colour. — Pattern exactly as in true macroura, but a dark ' bay '
everywhere substituted for the black in that form. Tail often with
white tipped hairs especially in distal f .
886 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. VoLXIX.
Skull. — As in true maeroitra.
Dimensions. — Probably as in true macroura, judging from the
specimens.
Distribution. — This form is represented in the National Collection
by two specimens received with the East India Company's Collection.
As already pointed out by Anderson (Zool. West. Yunnan p. 227) ;
these specimens though labelled Java are quite different from any-
thing known to occur in that island ; and I may add are certainly
indicated as coming from Ceylon by their yellow lower limbs, a
character found nowhere else. In what part of Ceylon this race is
found I cannot say nor even whether it extends to the mainland ; this
last I should very much doubt. This form is stated to be a seasonal
form by Kelaart and others, but basing on the analogy of similar
differences in other species I prefer to accept it provisionally as being
a local race until more definite proof to the contrary is forthcoming.
3. Katuja macroura tennenti^ Blyth.
1849. Sdurus tennentil Blyth, J. A. S. B. B., XV III., p. 600.
Colour, — Pattern as in true macroura and ceyloniea, but the ' bay * of
the latter so profusely grizzled with white (each hair being tipped with
white) as to be detected only by close examination. Buff of the fore
arms and hindlegs extending more on to the feet than in either of
the other two forms, so that only the toes remain black. Tail strongly
grizzled with white from its very base, in its distal half obscurely,
transversely barred black (or dark brown) and white, the bars each
about 6-7 mm. wide.
Skull. — Slightly larger and stouter than in the other races.
Dimensions. — External dimensions possibly slightly larger than in
macroura, though the hindfoot measurement does not materially differ
from that of the other races.
Synonymy. — The name as spelt by Blanlord (tennantii) is not
authorized. The name as first published by Blyth was "teanentiL" This
was obviously a misprint and 2 years later Blyth himself mentioned it
again as tennentiL
Distribution. — This is, I think, undoubtedly the high level form
(Kandy or higher). Jerdon quotes with some doubt instances of a pale
form or faded specimens of this race having been taken in Mysore and
on the Nilgiris and claims himself to have received it from Malabar.
TEE GIA^T SQUIRRELS OF INDIA, BURMA & CEYLON. 887
There is a flat skin in the National Collection collected by Mr. W. M.
Daly in the Shevroy Hills. It seems possible, therefore, that it occurs
in the Peninsula, but whether it is found on the same ground a.«
R. maxima or not remains to he shown.
4, Ratufa dealbata, Blanf.
1897. Scinvus indims dealbatus, Blanford, Journ. B.N.H.S. XI.,
p. 301.
Colour. — General colour of the back 'cream buff' darkening to
1 ochraceous buff ' posteriorly, the individual hairs ' drab ' for hall
their length basally, narrow paler line along middle of back ; of under
surface a buffj white. Ears clothed with long tawny ochraceous hairs
forming a tuft. Face, forearms, hands and feet huffy white. Proximai
i vf tail coloured like lower back, but the distal pale portions of hairs
being proportionately shorter, looking darker, remainder of tail white,
individual hairs white to their bases.
Skull—Short and broad, as compared with indica ; Nasals scarcely
narrowed posteriorly.
Dimensions.— Head and body, 370 ; tail, 417 ; hindfoot, 77 ; skull :
greatest length, 72 . basilar length, 55 ; zygomatic breadth, 47 ;
nasals, 24-5; diastema, 15; braincase breadth, 31; interorbital
breadth, 30*5 : upper molar series, 14*8.
Synonymy. — Blanford described this animal doubtfully as a sub-
species of indica y to which it is undoubtedly very closely allied. In
view of its totally different colour and the difference in the shape of
the nasals, a character which appears to be constant in the other races
of indica, I have ranked this as a distinct species.
Distribution. — I first found this animal in the Forests at the North
extremity of the Surat Dangs. Its range was apparently verv
limited, extending over little more than 100 square miles. A friend,
who has later visited the locality, tells me the race is now extinct, the
last individual having been killed and eaten in the famine of 1900.
5. Ratufa indica, Erxl.
1777. ticivvus indicus, Erxleben, Syst. Regn. An. p. 420,
1777. Sciurus purpureus, Zimmermann, Spec. Zool. Geoe. Uuad
p. 538. * *
1785. Scmrus bombayanus, Boddaert, Elencb. An. p. 117.
1831. Sciurtts elphinslonii, Sykes, P. Z. 8. p. 103.
15
88S JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX
Colour. — General colour of upper side bright * hazel, * basal half of
individual hairs drab, a narrow paler line along middle of back, obso-
lescent but recognizable; of the under surface 'cream buff*. Face
brownish white, approaching * clay colour*, a white patch on crown,
between the ears Ears covered with long hairs rather darker than
the back, forming a tuft. Tail basally coloured like back, fading
through ochraceous white to pure white, in last third of its length.
Hands and feet coloured like face forearms rather paler.
In a oommon variety ( baj takes the place of ( hazel * in the
general colour and the i*ale colouring on the tail is usually limited
to an orange- white tag at the extreme point.
Skull. — Large and stouts — The nasals narrowing posteriorly tor §
i heir length aud then widening again.
Dimensions. — Head and body, 400 ; tail, 425 : hindfoot, 78. The
first two measurements are those given by Erxleben and are probably
tairly correct. Skull; greatest length, 71; basilar length, 56;
zygomatic breadth, 4*45 ; nasals, 2*23 ; diastema, 15*6 ; braincase
breadth, 32 ; interorbital breadth, 28 ; upper molar series, 14'5.
Synonymy. — Erxleben's preface to his Syst. Regn. An. is dated
1776. So as a choice has to be made between his and Zimmermann's
names, 1 have followed Blanford in adopting indka as the older.
Both authors, as well as Boddaert, quote Pennant's * Bombay Sqnirrel*.
Sykes based his elphinstonii on three specimens now in the national
collection, two of which were the ' hazel * and one the * bay ' variety.
Distribution. — This race is found throughout the Ghats in the
Bombay Presidency. I have seen the ' hazel * variety often North of
Poona, but never the ' bay \ It is possible that more material will
•*how that the two varieties do not occur together, bnt are as
well marked geographical races as any of the others, in which
case the name of elphinstonii will be available, for the * hazel *
form by limitation, all the other names having undoubtedly been
based on the • bay * animal.
6. Hatufa indka bengalensis, Blanf.
1897. Sciurw indkus dengalensis, Blanford, Jonr. B. N. H, S.,
XX, p. 303.
Colour.— General colour as in the dark variety of true indka, bnt
THE GIANT SQUIRRELS OF INDIA, BURMA <fc OEYLON- 889
the tail, instead of being ccncolorons with the back, is black through-
out, except fcr a pale tip.
Skull. — Quite as in true indica.
Dimensions, — As in true indica.
Distribution* — Ratvfa indica seems to be peculiarly sensitive to the
action cf environment. Almost each Forest seems to harbour its own
variety, but, in any locality, the prevailing variety seems to be extra-
ordinarily constant in its characters. Blanford gives as the distribu-
tion of the present race " Western Bengal, Orissa, Chutia Nagpur, and
the Ncrthern Circars, * * * , Jaipnr and the neighbunrhccd cf
the Godaveri." A conple of specimens sent by Mr. Caccia, I. F. S.,
from Hoshangabad certainly are more like Mysore specimens than
hengalensis. I would venture to prophesy that when snfficient material
is available the habitat of hengalensis will be found to coincide closely
with the South side cf the Ganges Basin ; that a new name will have
to be fonnd for the race inhabiting the central portion of India.
7. Ratitfa indica maxima, Schreb.
1784. Sciurus maximus. Schreber. Sangth. [V. p. 784, pi.
ocxvii, B.
1786. Sciurus malabarkus, Sccpoli, Del. Faun. Flor. Ins.
1 1., p. 85.
Colour. — Colour (inclnding that of tail) as in hengalensis, but the
shoulders, rump and thighs, black (in seme specimens ; the black of
the shoulders and rump joined by a medial black line, so that, in
extreme cases, cnly the flanks remain * bay ' ).
Skull. — As in indica, in all essential characters, slightly larger in
size.
Dimensions.— Rather larger than indica. Hindfoot, 80. Skull :
greatest length, 77; basilar length, 60; zygomatic breadth, 49 ; nasals,
24; diastema, 16.5; braincase breadth, 33; interorbital breadth,
HO ; upper molar series, 1 5.
Synonymy. — Blanford adopts (B. N. H. S. Jcur. 1897, p. 302), tb©
later name malabarica which of conrse is inadmissible.
Distribution, — The main habitat of this race is the Malabar Coast.
How far it extends southwards towards Cape Comorin remains to
be dejided. It is stated that in the extreme south cf tbe Peninsula
the giant squirrels are represented by R. macroura tennentu t but
890 JOURNAL. BOMBA Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
whether any race of indiea is also present is not known. For the
present, Mysore must be included within the range of malabarica,
but the form found there seems to differ quite as much from typical
malabarica as it dees from typical bengalensis. When more material
is available, it will probably (joined with the form of the Godaverj
Valley), be separated as a quite constant geographical race.
8. Ratufa gigantea, McOl.
1839. Sehnrus gtganteus, McClelland (Horsfield), P. Z. S. p. 150.
Colour. — Above, entirely black, individual hairs paling to ' burnt
umber' at their bases; below, buff, individual hairs of the abdomen
however, black for their basal halves, giving a soiled appearance to
this part. Face coloured like back, cheeks, upwards to a line drawn
from the ear to the nose through the eye like the belly, except for
a dark horizontal streak below the eye. Two small black spots below
the chin.
Skull. — Longer than in macruroidev*
Dimensions. — Head and body, 417 : tail, 477 : hindfoot, 87.
Skull : greatest length, 80 ; basilar length, 62 .- zygomatic breadth,
49 : nasals, 26 ; diastema, 17.6 ; braincase breadth, 35.5 ; inter-
orbital breadth, 31 * upper molar series, 15.
Distribution. — The .species was described " from seven or eight
specimens " taken in Assam. The Natnral History Museum has no
specimen from that locality, but 2 skins from the N. Burma iron tier
and one from N. Siam show no variation and accord well with
McClelland 's description.
9. Ratufa macruroides, Hodgs.
1849. tieiurus macrtiroides, Hodgson, J. A. S. B. XVI1L, p. 775.
Colour. — General pattern exactly as in gigantea. Above, burnt
nmber : below ' ochraceous buff/ Hands, feet and tail rather darker
than back.
Skull. — -Kather smaller than in gigantea.
Dimensions. — As in gigantea proportionately shorter, about equal
in length to head and body. Skull : greatest length 77 ; basilar
length, 61 ; zygomatic breadth, 47.5 ; nasals, 24 ; diastema, 17 :
braincase brendt-h, 34 ; inlerorbihil breadth, 33 ; upper mola- series,
14*8.
THE GIANT SQUIRRELS OF INDIA, BURMA & CEYLON. 891
Synonymy. — The name macruroides was published first by Hodg-
son in 1844 (Calc. Journ. N. H. IV, p. 293), and thereafter two or
three times, without any description. In 1849, however, in a paper
on the Geography, &c, of Nepaul, he mentioned it in conneotion with
what may be technically accepted as a description. That the present
animal is the one referred to by Hodgson is proved by the series of
specimens in the National Collection presented bv him. No other
Ratufa is known from Nepal.
Distribution. — Besides Hodgson's Nepal specimens there is a speci-
men in the collection from Sikhim. From Assam eastwards it is
replaced by gigantea.
10. Ratufa melanopepla, Mill.
1900. Ratufa melanopepla, Miller, Prac. Wash. Ao. So. II. p. 71.
Colour. — Above, glossy black, basal half of individual hairs dark
reddish brown ; below * ochraceous ', bases of hairs blackish brown.
Face black; cheeks pale yellow (* cream buff* ), a black horizontal
streak behind whiskers and a black spot under the chin. Inner sides
of arms and legs buff, this pale colour spreading over outer side of
forearm. Hands, feet and tail black.
Skull. — As in gigantea but smaller ; bullce narrower.
Dimensions. — Head and body, 360 ; tail, 430 ; hindfoot, 75.
Skull : greatest length, 70 ; basilar length, 53 ; zygomatic breadth,
44 * nasals, 22 ; diastema, 15 ; braincase breadth, 31 ; interorbital
breadth, 28*5 ; upper molar series, 14.
Distribution. — The type Jooality is Trong, Lower Siam. The
Museum Collection contains specimens from Camboja, Lower Siam,
Tenasserim, Selanga Island and the Malay Peninsula as far south as
8elangore.
11. Ratufa melanopepla anambce, Mill.
1900. Ratufa anambce, Miller, Proc. Wash. Ac. So. II., p. 215.
I have seen no individual of this species and extract the following
details from Miller's original description. Ft is characterised especially
by its large size.
Colour. — " Cheeks, throat, sides of neck, inner surface of legs and
entire ventral surface of body rioh tawny yellow (cohraceous), paler
on throat, cheeks and sides of neck, richer on chest, the belly much
892 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
darkened by appearance at surface of blackish bases of hairs. Re-
mainder of pelage and entire tail glossy bine black, with the usual
reddish brown cast below the surface. '*
SkvlL — As in melanopepla. " bill ice narrower and more elevated
above surface of basi-occipital. "
Dimensions. — Head and body 374 ; tail 451 ; hindfoot 76. Sknll:
greatest length, 72 ; basilar length, 56 ; zygomatic breadth. 45; nasals
25 ; interorbital breadth, 26 : npper molar series, 14.
Synonymy. — As an island form Mr. Miller ranked this as a distinct
species, but in my opinion it is in every way more convenient to treat
it as a geographical race of the very similar melanopepla
Distribution. — Anambas Islands, South China Sea.
12. Ratufa melanopepla angusticeps, Mill.
1^01. Ratvfa angusticeps, Miller. Proc Wash. Ac. Sc. IU, p. 130.
The type specimen, the only one known, is in the Washington
Museum. 1 borrow the following details from Miller's original
description*
Colour. — ** Precisely like that of Ratvfa anamboz and 11. melano-
pepla."
Skull. — " Immediately recognisable by its general narrowness, but
particularly in the region of the anterior zygomatic roots. Audita!
bnllce narrower and more elongate than in R t inelanopepla and more
elevated above the basi-occipital. Lateral processes of basi-occipital
obsolete."
Dimensions.- -Head and body, 342; tail, 406; hindfoot, 74.
Skull : greatest length, 68*6 : basilar length, 52 : zygomatic breadth,
41; nasals, 22; diastema, 15*6: interorbital breadth, 27; npper
molar series, 14.
Synonymy. — I prefer to treat this form as a snb-species of melano-
pepta .
Distribution. — Lingnng Island, Natuna Archipelago. The only
individual yet found so far South.
] 3. Ratufa melanopepla fretensis, Thos. & W rough.
1909. Ratufa melanopepla fretensis, Thomas and Wroughton,
A. M. K. H. p. 535.
Colour. — As in melanopepla, bnt the pale portions markedly darker
THE GIANT SQUIRRELS OF JNDIA, BURMA <fe CEYLON. 893
than in that form. The abdomen and chest are * tawny * or even
darker and fade at most to * ochraceons buff ' on the cheeks and fore-
limb.
Skull, — As in melanopepla*
Dimensions.— Head and body, 370 ; tail, 430 ; hmdfoot, 76. Skull :
greatest length 72 5 ; basilar length, 55 ; zygomatic breadth, 46 :
nasals, 22 ; diastema, 16*4 ; braincase breadth, 32 ; interorbital breadth,
27 ; upper molar series, 13*1.
Distribution. — The type locality is Lungkawi Island, but it is also
found in Terutau and Penang Islands in the Straits of Malacca,
14. Ratufa melanoyiepla tiomanensis. Mill.
1900. Hatufa tiomanensis, Miller, Proc. Wash. Ac. So,, II.
p. 216.
Colour. — As mfratensis, but even darker.
Skull. — As in melanopepla.
Dimensions. — Head and body, 350 ; tail, 380; hindfoot 72.
Distribution. — Tioman Island on the East Coast of the Malay
Peninsula.
J 5, Ratufa bicolor. Sparrm.
1778. Sciurus bicolor , Sparrman, Gotheb. Vet. Svensk. Handl. I.,
p. 70.
1780. Sciurus javensis, Zimmermann, Geog. Gesch. II., p. 342.
18 L7. Sciurus albieeps, Desmarest, Nouv. Diet. H. N. X., p. 105.
1820. Sciurus leschenaxiltii. Desmarest, Mamra,, p. 335.
1835. Sciurus humeralis, Coulon, Mem. Soc. S. N. ^Neuich. I.,
p. 122.
Colour, — General colour of back very dark * bay ' (almost black),
bases of individual hairs black, paling to brown at tip of belly, chest
and throat and inside of thighs, and front of forearm, ' ochraceons
buff ', individual hairs with basal f black. Faoe coloured like back
but paling markedly above the level of the eyes ; cheeks dull white.
Dark spot under the chin. Sides of neck and inside of forelegs
bright * buff % the hairs unicoloured to their bases. Shoulders and
outside of upper arms black. Loins, thighs and basal portion of tail
(100 mm.) black, but the hairs coarsely tipped with white (grizzling
usually less, often absent, immediately at the base of the tail). Feet
894 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol XIX.
and hands black, some grizzling on the former. Tail [ beyond the
basal dark portion) bright l buff \
Skull. — As in melanopepla, but slightly larger.
Dimensions. — Head and body, 360 ; tail, 400 ; hindfoot, 75.
Skull : greatest length, 72 ; basilar length, 56 ; zygomatic breadth,
•45 ; nasals, 21 ; diastema, 17 ; braincase breadth, 31 ; interorbital
breadth, 28 ; upper molar series, 14.
Synonymy. — The names tricolor, and javensis refer undoubtedly to
typical bicolor. Desmarest no doubt had before him in 1817 an
abnormal individual with the normal paling of colour on the forehead
and vertex carried to extremes (such examples are probably not rare ;
there is in the Museum Collection a Siamese specimen of melanopepla
which has an almost white head, although normally in that species
no paling of colour on the crown is to be found). To some such spe-
cimen he gave the name albiceps. Two years later however, having
received normal specimens of bicolor, he described and named lesche-
naultii from them. Sciurus humeralis of Coulon, as shown by both
description and figure, is typical bicolor.
Distribution.* — Island of Java,
16. Ratufa palliata. Mill.
1902. Ratvfa palhata, Miller, Proc. Ac. N. S. Phil., p. 147.
Colottr. — General pattern as in bicolor, but pale area on vertex,
grizzling on loins and thighs absent, yellow on tail obsolescent.
Colour of back near * russet. ' when fresh, rapidly fading : lower sur-
face dirty yellowish, individual hairs brown with yellow tips. Face,
neck, arms and thighs dark brown, almost black. Cheeks, sides of
neck and inside of forelegs pale yellow. Throat and inner side of
hind legs like belly, usual dark spots under ohin. Tail coloured like
back but the hairs tipped whitish (showing when tail is flattened a
pale edging along its whole length.)
Skull. — As in bicolor, but anterior portion shorter; teeth rather
smaller.
Dimensions. — Head and body 345 ; tail 425 ; hindfoot 78. Skull :
greatest length, fitf ; basilar length, 53 ; zygomatic breadth, 42
nasals, 21 ; diastema, 16 ; braincase breadth, 33 ; interorbital breadth,
29 ; npper molar series, 12*8.
THE GIANT SQUIRRELS OF INDIA, BURMA <£ CEYLOX. 895
Distribution. — Type locality Indragiri River. It seems to range
along the whole East Coast of Sumatra.
17. Ratufa palliata Icenata. Mill.
1903. Ratufa latnata, Miller, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. XXVI., p. 720.
Colour, — Quite as in palliata, but the white tips of the hairs of the
tail rather longer, and therefore the white lateral edges of the spread
out tail more marked.
Skull. — Skull in size and form as in palliata : the premaxillarie«
extending farther behind posterior edge of nasals, palate narrower
relatively to its length than in typical palliata.
Dimensions.— Head and body, 330 ; tail, 400 ; hindfoot 68. Skull ;
greatest length, 68 ; basilar length, 52 : zygomatio breadth, 41 ;
nasals, 22 : interorbital breadth, 27 ; upper molar series, 13.
Synonymy— As an island form Miller ranks it as a species.
Distribution. — Ban jak and JBatu Islands, AVest Coast of Sumatra.
18. Ratufa affinis, Raff.
1822. Sciurusaffinifi, Raffles, Trans. Linn, Soc. XIII., p. 259.
Colour. — General colour above drab, individual hairs very shortly
tipped black, giving a minutely grizzled effect in certain lights, dorsal
colour becoming more and more ochraceous towards the flanks, till a
stripe about 1 5 mm. broad is pure * tawny ochraceous'. Colour of
lower surtace pure white. Tawny ochraceous of flanks extending on to
the forearms and hind legs. White of belly extending upward on the
thighs. Tail coloured like the back above, white (medially at least)
below. Hands and feet white.
Skull. — Skull small, but in form normal : nasals contracting pos-
teriorly to about two-thirds their length, then expanding to posterior
margin. In this oharacter resembling indica, etc., and differing from
melanopepla, etc.
Dimensions. — Head and body, 330; tail, 380; hindfoot, 70.
Skull ; greatest length, 67 ; basilar length, 51 : zygomatic breadth,
40 ; nasals, 21 ; diastema, 15 ; braincase breadth, 31 ; interorbital
breadth, 27 ; upper molar series, 13*5.
Habitat. — Singapore Island, extending northwards on main !anu
to Johor.
16
896 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
19. Ratufa ajfinis auriwnter^ Is. Geoff.
1831* Sciurus auriventer. Is. Geoffroi, Voy. Bel. lndes, p. 151
Colour. — General colour above as in affinis : below tawny ochraceous
of flanks, extending downwards and replacing white of affinis. Thigh
patch buffy white. Tail coloured above like the back : below, at least
medially, white. Hands and feet coloured like the belly.
Skull. — As in affinis.
Dimensions — As in a finis.
Synonymy. — The name auriventer was based on a specimen said to
have been brought from Java by M. Diard, who also collected in the
Peninsula. In other cases it has been fonnd that there has been con-
fusion in assigning the true locality to specimens collected by him.
Nothing resembling the description of auriventer has been found in
Java, while on the other hand it very well fits the present form, and
I follow Bonhote (A. M. N. H. 1900, p. 495), therefore in accepting
the name for this form.
Habitat. — All the specimens in the National Collection are labelled
" Malacca/' and, as the next form is found in ^olangore and thence
northwards as far as Trong in Lower Siam, this must mean the
Island of Malacca.
20. Ratufa affims pyrsonota, Mill.
1900. Ratufa pyrsonota. Miller, Proc. Wash. Ac. So. II., p. 75.
Colour. — General colour above grizzled ochraceons, individual
hairs slate grey at base ; below clear ochraceons. This is in fact a very
ochraceons coloured form of a finis , with very dark brown feet.
Skull. — As in affnis, but larger.
Dimensions. — Head and body, 350; tail, 400; hindfoot 75.
Skull : greatest length, 65 : basilar length, 51 ; zygomatic breadth,
41 ; nasals, 21 ; diastema, 16 ; braincase breadth, 32 : interorbital
hreadth, 26 ; npper molar series, 13.
Distribution. — The type locality is Trong in Lower Siam, but it
extends as far Sonth as Selangore.
897
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN THE JALPAIGURI
DISTRICT.
BY
Major F. Wall, I.M.S., C.M.Z.S.
( With a Map.)
Last year I received a collection of snakes from Mr. W. A. Jacob,
I.F.S., made by himself in tne Jalpaiguri District.
With two exceptions, viz t<t one Dipsadomorphns cynodon, which was
caught west of the Tista River, and the Naia bungarvs, which was
killed in the Buxa Division (2,000 ft. elevation), about 100 miles east
of the Tista, all were collected between 10 to 50 miles east of the
Tista, at altitudes varying from about 500 to 1,200 feet.
From this collection it would appear that the boundary between the
Bengal and Assam Tracts, north of the 25th parallel is placed too far to
the east by Blanford (see figure A). There can be little doubt that
this boundary should be the Tista River or still further west (see figure
B). It even seems probable that all the territory lying above the 25th
parallel east of Purneah should be included in the Assam Tract (see
interrupted red line in figure B). In support of this are the following
records. From the east Typhlops diardi and Simotes cydurus have
been found as far west as Purneah. Simotes atbocinctus as far west
as Kaliganj.
Of Indian snakes Polyodontophis Sagittarius is recorded as far east
as Darbangha, Simotes amensis to Kaliganj, Zamenis fasciolatus to
Monghyr, Dipsadomorphus forsteni and Bungarus emruleus to Purneah.
All of these records are based on specimens in the Indian Museum.
Typhlopid^e.
Typhlops diardi*
One adult specimen. The scale rows are 26 anteriorly and in
midbody, and 24 at a point two headslengths hefore the anus. The
reduction of rows is singular and due to a fusion of the 2nd and 3rd
rows and the 5th and 6th rows both on the right side of the median
ventral.
Colubrid^e.
Tropidonotus stolatus^
Seven examples.
898 JOURNAL, BOMB AT NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Tropidonotus piseator.
One specimen of variety quwcunciatus.
Psevdoxenodon macrops,
A single specimen.
Lycodon auUcua.
One specimen of variety D of Boulengei's Catalogue. The ventrals
and subcaudals 211 + 07. Anal divided.
Coluber cantons.
A single example. The costals are in 21 rows, two headslengths
behind the head and in midbody, 17 at a point two headslengths before
the anus. Ventrals and subcaudals 229 + 69. The 3rd supralabial
is not divided, and the 4th and 5th only touch the eye.
Dendrophis proarchotP (Wall).
2 examples. The costuls are in 15 rows anteriorly and in
midbody, 9 at a point two headslengths before the anus. The
ventrals and subcaudals 182 + 142 aud 192+ ?, the latter a9. The
anal is entire in both specimens and both entirely agree with the
many Assam specimens I have seen of this snake. The vertebral
are broader than long. The supralabials are 9, the 4th, 5th and 6th
touching the eye. The 9 contained 7 eggs but. the date of capture is
unfortunately not on record.
Simotes albocincttts.
One variety typica (Cantor*, and two of a variety calling for special
remark. It is most like juglandijer (Wall) (variety C of Boulenger's
Catalogue), but differs in that there are no black walnut-shaped spots.
A darker broad stripe 5 rows wide, runs down the middle of the
back, and a narrower dark stripe between the 3rd and 4th row;s
above the ventrals and there are no crossbars. I suggest the name
dorsolateral for it. It is probably only a modified form of
jvglandifer for a suggestion of the walnut marks is sometimes
noticeable here and there if looked for beneath a lens. The costals
are in 19 rows, anteriorly and in midbody, and 15 at a point two
headslengths before the anus. The ventrals and subcaudals are
var. typica 191+?, and in the others 170+30, and 162+39. The
supralabials in variety typica are £>, the 4th and 5th touching the
* A description of this snake appears in a paper on the Snakes of Assam in this Number,
page 827.
NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED IN JALPAWUR1 DIST. 899
eye on the right side, normal on the left. In both specimens of variety
dorsolateralis the 3rd supralabial is divided into an upper and a lower
part. (Hence the subocular of Bonlenger). In one of these the lower
fragment is not completely excluded from contact with the eye.
Dryophis prasinus.
Two examples. The costals are in 15 rows anteriorly, and in midbodv
and in the & come to 11 at a point two headslengths before the
anus. In the ? they reduce to 9 at the same site. The ventrals
and snbcaudals of the $ are 198+157? and of the 9 201+159.
There are two loreals in the & 1+1, three m the 9 1+1+1.
In the $ the 4th supralabial is not divided, but in the 9 it is so, that
the upper part only touches the eye.
Chrysopelea ornata.
One brilliantly coloured example of variety E of Boulenger's
Catalogue (HI, p. 198). The costals are in 17 rows anteriorly and
midbody, and 13 at a point two headslengths before the anus. The
ventrals and subcaudals are 215 X 1 12«? (tail slightly docked). The
last ventral as well as the anal is divided.
Dzpsadomorphus cynodon.
Two fine examples of variety A of Boulenger's Catalogne (III., p .
79.). The oostals are in 23 rows anteriorly, and in midbody, 15 at
a point two headslengths before the anus. The ventrals and sub-
candals are 255+ 126 and 256 + 123. One of these specimens was
being attacked by a banded krait (Bungarus faseiatus) which Mr.
Jacob shot.
Bungatrus lividus.
One small example. The vertebrals are very slightly enlarged.
The ventrals and subcaudals are 212+39.
Naia bungants.
One young specimen, abont 6 feet in length. The costals are 17
at a point two headslengths behind the head, 15 iu midbody and
15 at a point two headslengths before the anus. The ventrals and
snbcaudals are 251 + «0, of the latter the first to the fifth are entire,
the rest divided. It is blaok with narrow buff bands posteriorly.
Mr. Jacob tells me that a pair of hamadryads were reported to
900 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY^ Vol, XIX.
have been killed " in copula " on a tea garden olose to him at the
end of April or early in May last year.
VlPEKIDiE.
Lachesis gramineus.
A single specimen. The costal rows are 21 in the anterior and
middle parts of the body, 15 at a point two headslengths hefore the
anus. The ventrals and subcaudals 171 -h 57. It is greenish-yellow
in colour with a whitish flan k line. It had evidently eaten some mam-
mal for a mass of felt-like matted hair was protruding from the anus.
901
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CHITRAL.
(October 1902 to October 1903.*
BY
Capt. G. A. Perreau, F.Z.S. (4th Gurkhas).
It is not necessary for me to go into details about the country, as
Capt. H. Fulton has already done that in his notes, see Vol. XVI, p.
44, of this Journal. My area was small, being practically only the
ground about Drosh, tne main valley between Nagar and Chitral, and
the valley between Nagar and Ziarat. I certainly had one productive
but rapid trip up the Mastuj Valley, nearly as far as the Shandur Lake.
but most of my birds were got at under 7,000 ft. I commenced oper
ations soon after arrival, earlier, I fancy, than Capt. Fulton did: but.
on the other hand circumstances prevented me from doing as much a<-
I should have liked after August. My best thanks are due to Capt.
Fulton for allowing me to copy his rough notes before he left Chitral :
they were most useful.
I follow the numbers and nomenclature in " The Fauna of
British India — Birds ". Except where otherwise mentioned identi-
fication was made from skins. Those whioh come under Vol. II.
(with a few at the end of Vol. I, put in to fill up a box), slightly under
two hundred, were sent to the Society. The remainder were retained
by me for the purpose of substituting proper labels for my rough
ones, which were of no use without my notes. These skins (ovei
250) were destroyed by mice, a warning to send off things quickly.
However the only doubtful ones were amongst the lot sent. My besi
thanks are due to Mr. E. Comber for checking them at the British
Musenm (Natural History), and to Mr. N. B. Kin near for kindh
clearing up some doubtful points by looking up specimen^ in the
Society's collection.
lam sure Capt. Fulton will not mind my q noting his records in
cases where I have not observed the bird myself. It makes it much
easier for future observers to have all records together. In spite of
Mr. Comber's opinion, I think that the list from Chitral is still very
incomplete. See also Vol XVI., p. 744 and Vol. XVIII., p. lgtf
for additions to Capt. Fulton's above-mentioned notes. Species marked
902 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
with an asterisk are not recorded by Capt. Fulton, who recorded none
of which he did not make a skin.
Family— CORVmffi.
(4) Corvus macrorhynchus — (The Jungle Grow.)
Common all the year round near Drosh. There was a pied one generally
about the Fort ; some breed close, some appear to go higher.
* (5) Corvus frugilegus.- — (The Rook.")
Arrived in flocks on Lower Drosh farm about mid-March and went offi at
the end of April.
(9) Corvus monedula — (The Jackdaw.)
Small parties arrived and departed with the rooks. I have no doubt that
more caref nl observation (or perhaps more shooting) would add to the list
of "crows."
(10) Pica ruetica — (The Magpie.)
Fairly common in December as low down in the main valley as Ghaira
under 4.500 feet. Saw numbers courting in the Mastuj valley in May.
(*24) Garrulus lanceolatus — (The Black-throated Jay.)
Very common all the year round; down to 4,000 feet in winter. Chifcralis
often hawk it with a sparrow-hawk, with little success as a rule ; it is hard to
drive out of cover.
(28) Nudfraga muUipunctata—(Tiiv Larger Spotted Nut-crackek.)
No skin obtained; one was sent in to me from Utzen about 7,£00 feet, the
condition allowed easy identification, but the skin was a bad failure. I saw
two in June in the Drosh nullah at about the same height. Fulton records it
from Pattison.
* (29) Graculus eremila — {The Red-billed Chough.)
Common along the main valley at about 5,000 feet from November till
March. I saw them at no other time.
(30) Pyrrhocorax alpinus — (The Yellow- billed Chough.)
Like the last but coming down lower and staying later. Villagers at Ayon
offered to take me to a nesting place, statii g that it was a good way off and up,
and that the nests were nearly inaccessible. Nearly inaccessible for a Chitrah
means a great deal and anyhow I conld not go just then. One of my skins had
black legs with yellow not red, showing through the joints, not sexed.
SUBFAMILY— PARING.
The Tits are very fairly represented, but I think the list can be added to.
The first time I tried the ** Sanatorium " above Drosh, about 6 0»«0 ft., I saw lots
of Red-headed Tits (or a near relation), it was early in December ; having
got enough to keep us busy I left them till later. I did not see them again
though I tried for them several times. I do like watching a hunting party of
tits on their rounds, at least two or three sorts in goodly cumbers accom-
panied by Goldcrests. Tree-creepers. Nuthatches, and a few Woodpeckers.
iCOTHS ON THE B/RDS OF CHtriiAL. 903
They are all so busy and tame and there is such a pleasant twittering going on
all the time.
(3 ) far us artwps (The Indian Grey Tit.)
I found this bhd airly common all the year round near Drosh, 4 f 00 ft. and
two pairs nested in holes in walls in rhe C .mmym- iat lines in Lower Drosh.
(37) sEgitiutliHtuH Ivcoyeny*— (The White chekkicd Tit.)
I never obtained this bird, though I may have seen it. Fulton records it as
common ir the Icwer valley.
(4 V) i 0/thofiJnuuiH n.e atiolophvtt— (The Crfbted Black Tit).
Veiy common fiom 5,(K feet up in the cedars.
(4T) Lopophtnds rHJinuchaliv — (The Simla Bi ack Tit.)
Same :\n the last. They are generally found together.
(N. S) Cj t?u<te>i li>m<cJiau/cux~ (Chinese IIluk Tit.)
This is an entiiely new species discovered by Capt. Fulton. I did not meet
it. He only found it at Shost lii.OOo ft ) where theie weie nmnbeis in the
dense sc. ub in the i iver lied in July. He describes it as being like the European
Blue Tit but less bright.
Family— CRATEROPODIUffi.
As might be expected, this family is pooily represented, but the list would
prol>:ib)y be increased a little by beating in the undergrowth in the lower part
of the valley.
('. 1) / rochalojpterum si>iii'e— (Tub Western Variegated Laughing- Thrush.)
I only got one at Nagar in November. There were piobal.ly lots about
which would have been found with beating. Fulton lecords them as common.
(S9> 7 rochatopkrum timatum— (The Himalayan Streaked Lalghing-
Thhuph.)
Vei-y common up to about 6.0D0 feet. Like others of their family they go
about in little parties, but they differ in their method of getting fium dee to
tree ov more often fiom bush io bush. Babblers and other Langh in « -Thrushes
work up a tiee to the top and then *' diibble n across to the next by sailing on
open wings to the foot of it. 7'. Ibieatum woik up to the top, du a perpendi-
cular dead diop totbe ground, and then i-apioly ** dribble " across to the next
by doing a hurried «• scuttle ", half hop. half fly along the ground. They often
scuttle back in apparent alarm, even when more than half way across the open
practice in jinking I suppose. Pioficitncy in jinking mus* mean a gi eat deal
to thrm as they usually inhabit a fairly open country abounding in hawks.
But the foiest dwelling birds do just the same. Chitralis only ha w\ them
when there is absolutely nothing else to be raised ; it is nearly impossible to
flush them once they have spotted the game. I know no biid harder to hold
alive in the hand : a novice has less chance of success than he has of success-
fully girthing up a hill pony. A small party makes a very interesting addition
to an aviary, but the aviculturist with a weak heart is warned off, the oft-repeat-
ed impression that some bird has fallen off his peich iu a fit is trying. Also
17
904 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIK.
catching them out with a butterfly net may be regarded as a very severe trial
of temper and patience; they hide and jink in an almost impossible wa> .
The " drop" is marvellous, it looks sheer straight, which it cannot be because of
the branches. I fear this is rather an avicultural note, will try not to let it
occur again.
Oates is of opinion that the subfamily Crateropodidce * l probably derive no
portion of their food directly from trees, " my observations do not agree with
this.
(187) Myiophenevs temmincki — (The Himalayan Whistling-Thrush.)
Common.
(2(59) Hypsipetes psaroides— -(The Himalayan Black Bulbul.)
Common summer visitor arriving at the end of April.
^(283) Molpastes intermedins — (The Punjab Red- vented Bulbul.)
No skin. Only one pair was seen summer visitors ; they nested on thv
Lower Drosh farm. Practically certain to have been this variety of Red-vented
Bulbul.
(284) Molpastes leucogenys — (The White-cheeked Bulbul.)
A few present in the winter up to 4,500 feet : numbers greatly increased b.v
summer visitors ; only partial migrants. I fancy, arriving in March. They
range only slightly higher in summei
Family— SlTTIDiE.
(320) SUta kafthmiremis — (Brookf's Nuthatch.)
No skin but I identified from the dead biid. Saw some in December and
again in May a little over 6,000 feet at the Sanatorium above Drosh among
the tits. Not seen again. Fulton reports them as common towards Dir.
(323) Sitta hucopste— (The White-cheekkd Nuthatch.)
Very common in winter down to 6 .('00 feet among the tits.
Family— DICUURlDiE.
(327) Dicrurus ater— (The Black Drongo.)
Very common summer visitor up to 5,5(0 feet. Arrives in mid-April,
Family — CERTHIDiE .
(H41) Cerihia Mmalayana — (The Himalayan Tree-Creeper.)
Common in winter down to »\000 feet, of ten seen among the tits A few
were seen in December as low as 4,500 feet and some were seen at 7,000 feet in
June.
(348) Tichodroma muraria — (The Wall-Creeper.)
Common down to 4 000 feet in winter arriving in October, leaving in earlv
May. One pair (apparently) hung about Drosh fort till early July. Eager,
but vain search was made for the nest, I fancy they were weakhnga resting
as they re-appeared without young in September,
°(352) A norihvra neglecta—(Tu E Kash MIR W ren.)
Common in winter about Drosh down to 4,000 feet, seemed to have left !>y
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CBITRAL. 905
April. The owner of a Sparrow Hawk in want of something to do often hunts
them. Beating the little beggarout ^if possible) provides the chief excitement,
the hawk being seldom wanted.
* (.?)-■ — A tailed wren.
In December about the Lower Drosh farm (about 4,200 feet I think) there
were several wrens with long tails hanging about for some time. My two
skinners were not at that time up to small birds, and I, thinking they would
improve in this line sooner than they did (they never became reallj reliabh
with small birds), rather put off shooting small birds, which I thought I could
get later. In January I awoke to the fact that these birds were probably a
prize. I never saw them again.
Family— REGULIDJE.
s (358) Regulus cristatus — (The Goldcrest.)
Very common in winter down to 6,000 feet in the cedar forests in parties with
tits. A few were seen as low as Drosh Fort. It was also seen in Juneabo\e
Drosh at about 7,500 feet.
Family— SYLVIIDJE.
I confess to having shied off Warblers, I fancy Capt. Fulton did too. Thanks
to Mr. Oates, the identification of a clean, fresh-killed adult specimen is not so
formidable as it appears. I am sorry that I did not procure the ones that even
I, a tyro in warblers, could discern, without shooting, as being diffeient specie^
There were only a few such in the main valley, but I saw quite a dozen on m\
trip up the Mastuj Valley. I only tool* two skins, which I briefly mention
below. I saw birds very like the English Blackcap, Nightingale and Sedgt-
Warbler.
(401) Sylvia althcea — (Hume's Lesser White-throated Warbler.)
~(408) Phylloscopus tndicus.— (Olivaceous Willow- Warbler.^
Botb from near Mastuj. In parts the river bed is covered with reeds and
willow ; small undergrowth covers the banks, an ideal place for warblers.
( 41 8 ) Phylloscopus humii— (Hume's Willow- Warbler.)
Not noted by me. Fulton obtained one in April at 10,000 feet and one in
September at 6,000 feet.
Family— LANIIDJE .
(473) Lanius vittatus — (The Bay-backed Shrike.)
Very common summer visitor, arriving the end of April np to 6,000 feet.
(476) Lanius erythronotus — (The Rufous-backrd Shrike.)
Very common summer visitor, arriving beginning of April up to 7.000 feet.
(477) Lanius Uphronotus — (The Grey-backed Shrike.)
I did not meet this bird. F niton states that he got one specimen in April at
Drosh, bnt is rather doubtful as to his identification being correct.
(495) Pericrocotm brevirostris — (The Short-billed Minivet.)
Very common summer visitor. First seen on 9th April at 4,000 feet in Main
Valley - common for about a month after at about 4,500 feet ; then it went up
to 6,000 feet except a few stray birds.
J6 JOU/iNAL, BOMBAY NATUHAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Family— ORIOLIUffi.
(518) Oriclus l.und'>o— {The Indian Uriole.)
Very common summer visitor, arriving beginning ot Way uj> to about 5,000
feet, or perhaps higher as I met it at Keshan.
*(528) Pastor roseu* — (The Rose-coloured Starling.)
No skin.— It was abundant round Chitral Fort in January.
°(53 ) Sturnw porphyrtmotu* — (The Ci ntral-Apian Starling.)
The only skins I took were in Jinjoiet nullah ab« ut 7,5<»0 feet in November.
I have down a remark " common at abouc 4J50U feet from November to April ••
and a similar remark against the next mentioned species, of which 1 only took
skins in March at Kesun about 4 , F U0 feet. It is quite i.rohable that ti-is remark
should apply only to the latter—* 1 ?, mendritri. The birds aie ^distinguishable
except in the I and. a starling was undoubtedly common in thv,se months. It
was probably mrnzfrei i as Fulton makes a similar remark about that bird and
my prophyrmiotm were got higher «p. On the other hand both Fu lion's skins
were taken in Febiuary. so both spi cies may have been present low down in
winter. On going over my rough field note-book, 1 note a Central-Asian
Starling billed on 2nd April at Drosh.
(532) Stttrnus menzU-ri — (The Common Indian Starling.)
Ss3 above. It is more than likely that other similar starlings were present
but remained nnnoticed by either of us.
(542) Agro»*ur yhtriuws.- (The Daurian Mvna.)
Not met with by me. Fulton got one crck out of a flock of some 17 birds*
on 16th July at the head of the Tuvikho Valley at 11 .«■• feet.
(544) Teme'mchus pugod rum — (The Black- headed Myna.)
Very common summer visitor, arriving end of April up to 6,t00 feet.
(549) Acritiutheres tristts — (The Common Myna.)
Present all the year fiom 4.000 feet Eid not n.eet it higher than 6,0U0 feet.
Fam i ly — XL USCIC A PI DM,
°(557) Afvsricapa grisola — (The Spotted Flycatcher.)
Fairly common at 7,000 feet in summer, not noticed in winter. They
were breeding in June at Baradam 7,f 0i> ftet.
(558) liemickelhlon tubiricu — ('I he Sooty Flycaichfr )
Procured at 7.500 feet at Baradam, where it was breeding in June.
(561) Syplna jwria— (The European Red-breasted Fly catcher.)
First seen 14th April when some half-dozen pairs were seen in Lower Drosh.
A few were generally to be seen lor about a month after. One pa r the only
ones I saw during the summer, bred in the Upper Ihosh gaiden. Fulton
remarks that it is common in the orchards of Lower Clitial duiirtg the winter
and as late as mid-April, and that possibly it is a resident. Probably local
migration will explain this.
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CH1TRAL. 907
(589) Jheonax ru/ceiwfe»-(THE Rcfous-tailed Flycatcher.)
Fairly common at the Sanatorium nearly 7,0' feet in laie May; it bred tr ere
later. Fulton records geltii g one at 4 Oi feet in April so it is pcbi-blj
migratory to a certain extent.
(598) Ttrsiphom, parudim — (The Indian Pakadisr Flycatcher.)
No skin taken. Summer visitor, not numerous, nor seen as high as Drosb
First seen end of April.
Family— TURDIIXffi.
The waste stretches along the main valley between the cultivated bits on
the side streams provide grand ground for finches, accentors, and especial \
for chat-like birds. Keeping in view that such birds have always been of tht
greatest interest to me, that the river, orchards, and cultivated lands could be
worked on the same day, and that my job necessitated freqnent trips up and
down the main valley, it is small wonder that such gronnd received a good
deal more than its fair share of attention, especially during March and April,
the spring migratory season. My notes fnlly meet my requirements as regards
dates, &c, of arrival, departure, occurience. nesting observations. &c; bnt the}
sadly fail in the few instances where descriptions are required. In the case of
the Chats my notes give the impression of having been bothered by the
variations of plumage, N. pieata an 1 S. pies hunka being the offenders. Mention
is made of a mixed manage, but the name of the lady is unaccountably
omitted. I must content myself with leaving disputed points alone. I hope
these remarks will induce some other sojourner in Chitral or similar district
to take up the question. I wish I had made a larger series of skins.
(6 -8) Pratineola ciprata — (The Common-pied Bosh-Chat.)
Not seen hy me. See also P. maura. Capt. Fulton remarks as under : —
*' A resident. I obtained specimens among the scrub on the banks of the
streams at 6.000 feet in the Bimboret nalla in February. I did not see them
again till September, when large nnmbers arrived at Drosh evidently migrating
south. I believe they breed in the conntry."
This remark was originally made against P. maura, but was subsequently
corrected by him to refer to caprata.
(610) PraVncota maura — ( The Indian Bush-Chat.)
A few were observed near Drosh in March, but the bulk of them arrived
early in April. Most went further north or scattered, but a few bred
between Drosh and Chitral, at least three pairs. Capt. Fulton added this to his
original list at the same time that he made the correction abont P. caprata
His amended remark reads : —
" I obtained one male only of this species in the Golan Valley in May at
6,000 feet."
Knowing both these chats well, I could hardly help thinking that Capt.
Fulton had made a slip in their names. Mr. Kinnear kindly iooked up his
specimens and found four maura and one enpraia y so it is evident that in his
correction alluded to, maura should read caprata and vice vena.
908 JOURNAL, BOMBAY. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
s (6 18) Saxicola picata — ( The Pied-Chat.)
Arrived mid- April. Common. Breeds in the country about 5,000 feet upwards
(619) Saxicola capistrata — (The White-headed Chat.)
Not recorded by me. though I am not at all sure that I did not see it putting
it down as a variety of S. picata. Fulton records it : —
-'I obtained specimens at elevations of 7,0(>0 to 11,000 feet during May. June
and July. In May I found a nest at 7,500 feet at the foot of a small shrub."
(620) Saxicola opittholewa — (Strickland's Chat.)
By far the commonest Chat. First seen late in March, large numbers arrived
early in April, scattered in early May, began to collect again with their young
early in October. Bred from 5.000 up. many along the banks of the main river.
The cock of my "mixed marriage" belonged to this species. The lien" I am
nearly sure, belonged to S. picata. The hens of this species are very
much darker than and easily distinguishable at sight from those of picata.
Nests with young were common early in June.
~(62l) Saxicola pleschanka — (The Siberian Chat.)
Arrives a trifle earlier and is not so common, otherwise the remarks concern-
ing optstlioleuca apply also to this chat.
s (624) Saxicola ananthr — (The Wheatear Chat.)
Not common. First seen 2nd April. One pair nested on the Lower Drosh
farm about 4,200 feet.
s (628) Saxicola chrysopygia-— (The Red -i ailed Chat.)
Rare, only a few seen in January and early February, near Drosh by the
river on a waste stretch about 4,300 feet.
(630) Hemcunts maculatus— (The West ebk Spotted Fokktail.)
Common on side streams, down to 4,000 feet in winter and a bit higher in
summer. Breeds about 5,000 feet upwards.
(637) Microcicfda scouleri—{TuK Little Fokktail.)
Common in winter down to 4,000 feet on side streams. Disappeared from
mid- April till early in September. The Drosh Fort pair hung about till the end
of June, when they too vanished after giving us false hopes of finding the nest.
I have frequently seen them (in Chitral and elsewhere) plunge into the water :
in fact. I think, they get most of their food in this way. They always go up
stream and apparently run along the bottom perhaps aided a bit by their
wings, which seem to be kept half -open. I have seen them go up a steepish
rock half-a-dozen times in abont as many minutes, resting a little at the top
and then flying to the bottom for another trip up, the water little more than
covering the bird, but coming down with a force which, one would think,
would render successful ascent on the apparently slippery surface impossible.
I have seen them plunge but not so often in deeper and stiller water. They are
not shy birds to start with, and, by only advancing when they are under water,
one can get quite close. Fulton states that he never saw them plunge, and
that they seemed to stick more to scrub, seldom being near the water like H.
maculatus. My subsequent trapping experiences give the explanation of this.
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CEITRAL. 909
i.e., that he did not see them feeding. They only feed in the morning (fairly
early), about mid-day, and then again in the evening, retiring to adjoining scrub
for siesta between whiles. Of course this only applies to my experiences, i. e.
between November and March. About 3 p.m. one day I marked one going
into a small bush on a bare cliff overhanging the main bianchof a stream near
here. To the best of my belief he did not move till 6 p. m., when he came
down to feed. I am sure my presence had nothing to do with his stopping
there. I was some way off on the other side of the stream bed (fairly wide
just there), trying to trap White-capped Redstarts on the other minor bifurcation
of the stream, which was not his hunting ground at all. Several times after, a
stone thrown into that bush from above at non-feeding times found him at
home. The one specimen caught at last did not survive long, not enough
individual attention at first I fear. His larger relative, though I did not succeed
in even getting him on boardship, did very well in my aviaries ; this bird is also
•fiven to siestas, but they are shorter.
(638) Chimarrhornis leitcocephalus—(THK White-capped Redstart.)
Fairly common in winter along streams down to 4,000 feet, going up higher in
April. Seen in June about 6,500 feet. Fulton states that it is common in summer
by streams from 7,000 to 12,000 feet. Like other stream-hunting birds it seems
to divide off the stream into stretches. Each bird (or pair) sticks to it's own
stretch, fighting off intruders.
(639) RvUcUla frontalis — (The Blue-frokted Redstart.),
No specimen obtained, but an unidentified Redstart twice noted near Drosh
in February, belonged I am nearly sure to this species, which I afterwards
got tc know well, as an occasional winter visitor to my station.
(642) Ruliciltu erythronoia— (Eversmann's Redstart.)
Very common down to 4,000 on the waste stretches bushed parts in winter
from November to February. Not seen after middle of March.
(644) RuUeilla rufiventrh — (The Indian Redstart.)
First seen in mid-April about 4.500 feet round Chitral Fort where it was fairly
common and remained so for a short time. It was common up the Mastuj
Valley in Ma>. Not seen again till September when it was fairly common
round Drosh.
(644 a). Rutic'lla phoenicura. — (The European Redstart. 11 ,
This is the first authentic specimen of this Redstart that has been recorded
from British India, according to Mr. Comber. I only met with it ,at Buni up
the Mastuj Valley, where it was common on both my visits in the middle
of May. I only took three skins.
(645) RuticUla eryihrogaster — (Guldenstadt's Redstart.)
Only seen (bar one pair) in March and April, when it was common on the
river and sidp streams about 4,500 feet. One pair hung about Lower Drosh till
the end of June, giving us vain hopes of finding the nest. A pair (I fancy the
same) were frequenting the same place in September. This attractive and
conspicuous Redstart has. as Oates remarks, much the same habits as the
910 JOURNAL, BOMBA i XA WR I C HISTORY SOCIETY, Vet XIX.
White-capped. It certainly also frequents rocky hill sides as l»ng as they are
fairly close to water, I observed it hawking flies at a gieat height which I
have never seen the White -capped do.
(646) /£hffucorai*f*tLgina8u*—(TnK Plumbeous Rei>start.)
Resident. Common in winter from 5,^00 feet down and in summer from
4,000 to 6,000 feet possibly higher, but I do not think this biid moves up and
down very much, though in India I have met both this and the White-capped in
the plain? at the edge of the foot-hills. The lien's heho like tail is most
fascinating to watch. The cock has a charming little soug. a fact 1 was
unaware of till I kept them in my aviaries where the cocks were incessantly
singing at each other through the very necassary wire separating them. The
White-caps often f onght hut neve r sang.
(647) Cganwuhi meetca — (The Indian Blue-throat.)
Not observed by me. Fulton records it as passing through Drosh going
south in September and October.
° (651) Calliope pector Uix— {The Himalayan Ruby-throat.)
Two were put up out of a wheat fijld and the cock bagged, when after quail
near Chitral Fort on 2 1st Apiil. No mure were -seen, bnt birds of habits like
this and the last are easily missed. The cock, as I have since ascertained, has
a beantifnl song.
(657) Adelur caruleic*!pkvlu--(THE Blue-headed Robin.)
Not observed till eacly in Mjirch, wnen tbty were common from 4,0 feet
upwards. They began to move higher up in April, but were present all the
summer from 6,000 up. Major Sealy found a nest in a crevice under a fallen
tree on 3 1st Miy on Kaogol about 7,0u0feet It contained fonr eggs of the
type recorded by Wardlaw R unsay.
(677) Aferuta alriijutaris — (The Black-thkoated Ouzel.)
Very common from 4,5*10 feet upwards irom March till May, appeariug
again in October.
(67o) Merula umcolor — (Tickell's Odzel.)
No skin taken though several were shot and identified. Very common from
March to May. Began to go up higher in May. A pair seeu in June at 7,500
above Drosh. Seen again low down in end of September.
(61J1 ) Petro/jhilu cinclorhtfnca— ( Blu e-headed R< >ck Thrush.)
No skin. It is a bird I know well. Several pairs were seen in the summer
in different places at about 7,000 feet or under. I saw it again with young in
not fully adult plumage low down in October, 1 cannot understand my
missing it on its way up. Fulton records it at 7,0n0 feet in May. MacMahon
I believe, records the occurrence of the Chestnut belhed Rock-ThrnBh (/*-
trylhrogastra), but I cannot help thinking he misnamed this bird (cinccr
hyncu) a mistake commonly made.
(693) Petrophilu ryunu*— (The Western Blue Rock-Thrush.)
First seen at the end of April, when it became very common till the end of
May when they seemed to scatter. It remained f airly common from 4/&00, up
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CH1TRAL. 911
all the summer breed i- g even at the lower elevation. They began to collect
again id the maia valley in September.
^694) MotMcola xttxat'dfa — (The Rock-Thrush.)
Not met with by me. Fulton records obtaining two females in Septembei
and October at 7,000 feet. " The former with an egg." Doubtless a precocious
youngster.
(69,>) Tur*lu* vitstivorus — (The Missel-Thrush.)
Common in winter down to 4,500 feet and in summer down to about 6,500
feet, at which altitude I found a nest with four young on 28ih May. Fulton
records a nest at 12,000 feet, the bird, nests with four eggs, and tree being
covered with snow ou 26th April.
Probably other thrushes will be recorded. I am nearly sure that I saw Red-
wings in February near Drosh.
(70J) ductus tutiattcm— (The Bkown Dipper.)
Go-nmon from 4,0K) feet up, going a bit higher in summer, A nest was
found at Baori at 4,000 feet on 15th Mxrch with four practically fully fledged
young aud another at Ayon on tfth April at 4,500 feet with 5 voting in the
down.
* (712) Accentor mpifomis— (The Eastern Alpine Accentor.)
Fairly common round Drosh in November and March not lower thau fi.000
feet, very common in small straggling flocks down to 4,500 feet along the roads
from December to February. One was seen at 7,5 0, above Drosh on 8th April.
(716) fhurrakalem atrigularis — (The Black-throated Accentor.)
Common in small parties of a dozen or so round Drosh down to 4.000 feet ,
from November to Mareh. A few seen in pairs to April about 5,000 feet.
(71?) rharrkakm fulmwem— (The Bkown Accentor.)
Not quite so commou, arrives a little later, departing eailier and keeps a
bit higher, not seen in April, otherwise similar to above.
Family— PLOCEIDiE.
(73 4 ) Vroloncha malabar/ca — (The Whi te-th roated Muni a.)
No skin. Only one small flock seen below Drosh on 3rd May. Fulton
records them common in summer up to 4,000 feet.
Family— FRINGILLIDiE.
The list of " finches " is fairly long, but I am sure it can be added to.
(740) CorcoLkrauxtes humii — (Hume's Hawfinch.)
Not obtained, but I think I saw it near Gairat in May. Fulton records two
specimens from Drosh in May, and believes that it breeds m the comitr*.
*(74l) Pycnorhamphus icteroides— (The Black and Yellow Grosbeak.)
Not uncommon in the cedar forests, down to about 6/.00 feet in winter.
° (7 15 1 Pyrrhula aurantiae a ~-(TBE Orange Bullfinch.)
Only one hen obt lined, sent in to me from Utzum abont 7,600 feet on 2itth
March. A cock Bullfinch hung abont the inside of Chitral Fort for most of
January, I only saw it once, but believe it belonged to this species.
18
912 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
(754) Propasser thura — (The White-browed Hose-Finch.)
Not observed by me. Fulton records obtaining one cock on 30th April in
Pattison nallah at 9,000 feet.
(755) Propasser pulclierrimus — (The Beautiful Rose-Finch.)
Not observed by me. Fulton records them common during April in the
cedar forests between 6,000 and 10,000 feet, not seen in summer.
(757^ Propasser grandis — (The Red- mantled Rose-Finch.)
A few were met with in January and April about 4,500 feet on the waste
stretches. Fulton records them as fairly common on the wooded ridges from
7,000 to 9,000 feet in late April and early May.
(761) Carpodacus erythrinns — (The Common Rose-Finch.)
Very common in large flocks at about 4.500 feet at end of April and
beginning of May. Seen up the Mastuj Valley in mid-May. Fulton records
them common at the head of the Tnrikho Valley from 15,000 to 16,000 feet
probably breeding there, and common in winter round Drosh.
(762) Carpodacus severtzovi — (Severtzoi-f's Rose-Finch.)
Not met with by me. Fulton records a good many at Gharagar at 13,000
feet just below the snow -line on 10th July.
* (763) Erythrospiza githaginea —(The Desert-Finch.)
One specimen obtained. Xofc so common as the next species.
(764) Erythrospisa mongolica — (The Mongolian Dehert-Finch.)
There were large flocks present in the main valley near Ghairat and
further in March, April, and May. A few were seen in November. These
flocks contained smaller flocks of two somewhat similar birds, differing a bit in
habits. One species, mongolica, was far commoner than the other githaginea*
Falton records getting a pair at the head of the Turikho Valley at 10,000 feet
on 9th July.
(764a) RJiodopechys mnguinea.
Not seen by me. Fulton saw two (of which he got one) at Roah in the
Turikho Valley at 10.000 feet which constitutes the first record within Indian
limits.
(764b) Rhodo8pi r a obsoleta.
No skin. A few were several times seen in November just above the junc-
tion of the Shishikho with the main river. They used to be procurable alive
most winters in Pindi or Lahore under the name of " Kabul Gulabi," but
I have heard of none for the last few years. I believe they have since been
recorded from Quetta, so my omission to procure a skin is not of much
consequence.
(767) Carduelis caniceps — (The Himalayan Gold-Finch.)
Fairly common in small flocks at about 4,500 feet in the winter from
November to March, collecting in large flocks in April previous to going further
up the hill. Seen in large flocks at Buni in mid- May. Fulton records them as
common in summer at about 12,000 feet, breeding in July.
NOTES ON TBE BIRDS OF CE1TRAL. 913
(768) Callacantlus burtoni — (The Red-browed Finch.)
Not observed by me. Fulton records it as summer visitor, getting specimens
in the Deodars in August from 8.000 to 9,000 feet.
(770.) Acanthis brevirostris — (The Eastern Twite.)
Not observed by me. Fulton records it as fairly common on the high
grazing grounds from 10,000 to 14,000 feet in July and August ; he obtained
a nest at 13,000 feet.
(771) Metoponia ptmlla — (The Gold-fronted Finch.)
Fairly common in small flocks at about 4,500 feet from November to March
collecting in large flocks, probably increased by new arrivals in April, a few seen
in May at that height. Fulton records them common on the Turikho at 12,000
feet where they were nesting in July.
* (774) Fringilla motUifrmgilla.—(TuK Brambling.)
Only observed in April wheu large flocks passed through Drosh on their
way north.
(776) Passer domesticus—(TiiF, House-Sparrow.)
Arrive end of April (first seen 20th), beginning to leave early in October,
very common at about 4,500 feet. Nested mostly in holes in trees, only a few
apparently finding sites in the houses, such being previously occupied by P.
montanus. Several colonies were found nesting fairly high up in the smaller
branches of trees in the orchards. The nest consisted of a large untidy ball
of straw, in the middle of which was the nest proper of hay and the usual
rubbish ; the entrance at the side was not easy to detect. Fulton noted it
as far up the valley as Sanoghar 7,800 feet.
(778) Passer hlspamohrms — (The Spanish Sparrow.)
Very common in large flocks round Drosh in October and November, not
seen in winter nor in summer. Arrived in large flocks right at the end of April
staying only about a fortnight.
(779) Passer monlanus — (The Tree Sparrow.)
Very common all the year, from 4,000 feet up, nesting from April to August,
mostly in buildings, as far as snch accommodation went. My notes tally
exactly with Fulton's.
(780) Passer cinnamomem — (The Cinnamon Tree Sparrow.)
Fairly common in small parties in the lower wooded valleys at 4.000 feet in
winter. Fairly large flocks seen near Drosh in April. Met breeding in May at
about 6,000 feet, not seen lower than this in summer.
(787) Fringillauda sordida — (Stoliczka's Mountain- Finch.)
Several small flocks seen near Drosh at about 5,000 feet in early April. Fulton
records having seen them at 6,000 feet in April and May, and found them
common at 10,000 to 14,000 feet in July.
(788) Fringillauda hrandti — (Brandt's Mountaix-Ftnch.)
Not observed hy me. Fulton found them numerous in Bangol at 13,000 feet
up in July, but saw them nowhere else.
* (790) Emberizafucata —(The Grey-headed Bunting.)
So skin. I shot and identified this bird at Keshan in the Mastuj Valley
914 JOURNA L, BOMBA Y \A TDRAL HIS rORY SOCIETY, Vol. XXX.
in May, fairly common. Not observed elsewhere, bin; maj~ have been
present.
e (792) Emberiza leucowphala — (The Pine- Bunting.)
Common about Drosh in December and January becoming very common in
February and March. None seen in Api i\ or later.
(7'.*3) Ernb*riza atewarO — (The White-capped Bunting.)
Not seen in winter. Were very common in the main valley at about 5,000
feet towards the eud of April and a bit higher up in May. Breed iu June aud
July as low as 5,500 feet not uncommon.
(794) E'tiberizn xtrtwheyi — (The Eastern Meadow-Bcnting.)
Common inwi-iter down to 4,000 feet from October to early May, when
they go higher up, probably found above ** 00M feet, according to my notes.
Fulton saw numerous young in June and July at 0,000 to 14.00 » feet.
° (795) Enberiza bnchammi — (The (xkey-necked Bunting.)
Only one cock obtained in May at 5,00» feet; but there were probably
others also feeding with the flocks of stewarti and Rtrachryi. It is very likely
that other bcntiigs were also present but undetected.
* (7 *9) Embwiz* melanocephala — (The Black-headed Bunting.)
No skin preserved and identification not quite certain. They were com-
mon about Drosh in late October. The skins I took were not " in plumage"
and were destroyed by some puppies. However, I got to know this bird well
afterwards through keeping it alive, and am nearly sure mv identification
was correct.
(H00) Hmbenza lute >l . — (The Red headed Bunting.)
Only one pair obtained on 2nd and 3rd May near Drosh, no more seen till
late September when, what I am nearly sure was this species, were fairly
common. Fulton records them as arriving towards the end of March on the
northward migration.
(8 tl) Lmherizt rutila — (The Chestnut Bunting.)
Not met with by me. Fulton records obtaining only one male in the Golan
Valley at 7,« 00 feet in April.
Family— HIRUNDINID^.
(805) CheVdon htdimirienti* — (The Kashmir Martin.)
Common in summer, arriving in late April. Breeds about 4,500 feet.
(S08) Cotde ripar'M— (The Sand-Maktin.)
Not observed by me Fulton no es as common from April to October.
(810) Ptyonoprogne rupeMris~~{TnE Crag-Martin.)
Summer visitor, common, arrived early April, breeds from 4,500 feet.
Fulton met it at 13.000 feet.
°(8l3) Iliruvdo ruxtica — (The Swallow.)
Common summer visitor, arrived early May, breeds at 4,500 feet.
(824) ffirundo rufula — (The European Striated Swallow.)
Common summer visitor, arriving the end of March. Breeds from 4,000 feet.
Au unfinished nest was found on 8th May as low down as Nagar
NOTES 0:V THE BIRDS OF CfllTRAL. 915
Family— MOTACILLIOffi.
(826) Motacilla a/fia— (The White Wagtail.)
First seen early in April common ; breeds at about 5,000 feet. Fnlton
records it as present through the year from 4,' 00 to 10,000 feet, according to
season.
(829) M'-trifffla p*r*on'ita—(TiiK Marked Wagtail.)
Common throughout the year breeds at about 5, 1 00 feet in May-June.
9 (830) Mafarilla h&tttwm — (Hodgson's Pied Wagtail.)
FijBtobseived 2fth March but on sight wi'hout careful observation it is
except i»i Rummer, s^ like the laBt that it may have easily escaped observation
A specimen obtained en 2fth Maich had all the bank paits" jure black,
while another tilled on tbe 61 h Apiil hud only traces of blrck on those parts
as had otheiB killed some tirre Jafer Both species were breeding wilhin a few
yards of each other at Ay on in June, where boili weie crmiuon. There was
one case of aD apparent •* n ixed marriage " but they had young, and I did not
like to take the parents.
(832) Mo'nc'ilht mmi-tnopfi- (The Grey Wagtail.)
Present in the winter, but not common, about 4f00 feet. go : ng higher up in
summer. I^ge numbers present near Drosh in April. Breed as low down as
5,500 feet but commoner a hi* higher.
(8 "5) Afttac'llt hrmmn — (The Indian Blue-Headed Wagtail.)
Not refolded by me bnt I think some Wagtails 1 saw in April were of this
species. Fulton lecords them as passing through in numbers in April.
(83*0 VotttctUa citrolohhx — (Hodgson 1 ? Yellow- headed Wagtail.)
Arrived ia fair numbers at the end of March on the way up higher (or
f nrther north ). Some stay for the summer as loir as 6,< 00 feet but not
common, apparently breeding. Fulton met one pair at H'.OtlO feet in July.
Some of my specimens obtained in March (along with undonbted cttreolokhs)
had no trace of black on the upper parts and may, of course, be M. citreola.
(840) Anthu* trirfaii*— (THE TRKR-PlPlT.)
First observed at the beginning of April quite common at abont 4.500 feet in
Apiil and May. disappearing (probably to go higher) in June, re-aj pearing
eaily in September. Fulton believes it to be present through the year from
5,000 to 12000 f*et according to season.
* ($44) Anthu* aimitin — (The Brown Rock Pipit.)
A fairly common summer visitor, appearing at the beginning of April at
abont 4.50- » feet and breeding abont that height.
Aitthn*, -p. — ( A Pipit.)
A pipit was very common in winter at about 4,500 feet, disappearing in the
middle of March. Unfortnnatel v the only two skins I took were destroyed.
I put it down as A. sonKduH ; it was like A, mruilis, but not so large or bright,
and the third outer tail feathers were *■ pale-tipped," the legs were daik reddish-
brown*
9lft JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Vol. XIX
Family— ALAUDIDiL .
(855) Otocory* pvnicillata— (Gould's Horned Lark.)
There were two flocks of about a dozen each near Ohairat about 5,000 feet
in the early part of March. I saw a few near Laspur, pretty close to the
Shandur Luke in May. Fulton saw them at ] 3,000 feet at the head of the
Turikho in July.
(859) JManocorypha bimaculata—CTm; Eastern Callanijra Lark.)
Large flocks passed up the main valley during early March.
(860) Alanda arvrmis — (The Sky-Lark.)
Some present in the winter low down, very common in March, some present
in April after which they disappeared, probably going higher. Fulton obtained
fully fledged young at I ! ,0f'0 feet at the end of June.
(8t>2) Calandrella brarhydacttta — (The SnoRT-TOED Lark.)
Very common in small flocks in April as they pessed through Drosh.
Fulton notes their return southward, passing through Drosh in largs numbers
in first week of October.
(864) Calandrella tibetana — (Brooks's Short-toed Lark.)
Not observed by me. Fulton records two from Sonoghar (8,000 feet) in Mav.
* (865) Calandrella cc«*/>>osim— (Home's Short-toed Lark.)
Two obtained at Orgutz on I Oth May, indistinguishable at sight front
hrachydactyla. Seen in small flocks.
e (874) Galerita cristata— (The Created Lark.)
A not common summer visitor, arriving in mid- April, remaining to breed,
not seen much above 4.200 feet,
Family— PICID^:.
(946) Gecinus squamaius — (The West-Himalayan Scaly-bellied Green
Woodpecker.)
Common throughout the year from 4.000 feet up.
(961) D*ndrocopus himalayensis — (The Western Himalayan Pifd
Woodpecker.)
Common throughout the year from about 5,000 feet up.
(969) Den'lrocopits auriceps — (The Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker.)
Not observed by me. Fulton records it as common from 4,000 to 11,000 feet.
(1003) lynx torquilU—(TnE Common Wryneck.)
Only one specimen obtained at Drosh on 2nd May at about 4,300 feet.
Family— COUACIAD^.
(1 024) Coracian garrula — (T he European E olle e.)
Arrive the beginning of May, most pass on northward af ter a short stay, but
a fair number breed in the country. They seem far more secretive about their
nests than the Indian Roller. It was not till they had young (in mid-July)
that we discovered a nest in a tree in the cliff over hanging the river by Lower
Drosh, and then only by a fluke.
NOTES ON TEE BIRDS OF CBITRAL. 917
Family— MEROPID^.
(1029) Merops apiaster — (The European Bee- eater.)
Arrive the end of May, most passing on northward, but a number stay to
breed in the country at about 4,5u0 feet, young seen about in August. One
nest we dug out on 20th September contained a young bird, fully fledged : in
fact, it must have left the nest a long time.
Family— ALCEDINIRffi.
-(1035) Alcedo ispida — (The Common Kingfisher.)
Several were seen in April on the main river between Nagar and Kesun
Solitary birds were seen on the same part at intervals all the year.
Family— UPUPIDJE .
(1066) Upupa epops—(TnE European Hoopof.)
Fairly common summer visitor, first seen about 4,500 feet at the end or
March going up a good deal higher at the end of April. I met it some way
above Laspur in May.
Family— CYPSELID^E.
(1068) Cypselust melba — (The Alpine Swift.)
Common in summer passing overhead, arriving end of March.
(1069) Cypselus apus — (The European Swift.)
Very common summer visitor, arriving in mid- April,
Family— CUCULIDiE.
(11(H) Cuculw canorus — (The Cuckoo.)
Fairly common summer visitor from 4,500 feet up. first seen end of April.
Family— PSITTACIMI.
(1141) Palcsomis schhticeps — (The Slaty-headed Paroquet.)
Fairly common summer visitor at 4,000 feet up, arriving early in April.
Family— ASIONIDJE.
*(U56) Agio ottcs — The Long- eared Owl.
One specimen obtained at Drosh on 2nd Mfty.
(1159) Syrnium biddulphi — (Scully's Wood-Owl.)
Fairly common I fancy in winter about 4,500 feet, not observed in summer.
(1167) Buboignavus — (The Great Horned Owl or Eagle Owl.)
No skin, but there was a bird which could only have been of this Bpecies
hanging about the Lower Drosh farm for a week or bo in December.
Fulton records getting two in December in Drosh.
(1173) Scops p?«*— (The Scops Owl.)
Every orchard from 4,000 feet np seems to hold this bird in summer, not
noted in winter, the whistle-hoot " hoo-hoo " was first heard in April. I
took some young in down of various ages from a nest on 13th July, and
most charming pets the comical little chaps made.
918 JOCliXA L y BOMB A Y SA TURA L HIS TOR Y SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
*(U86) GltvcUl «m 6rorftVi— (The Collakfd Pigmy Owlet.)
Only one specimen obtained at about 5,000 feet in February. Probably
many other owls are present.
Family— VULTURID^E.
(1198) Neophron percnopteru* — The Egyptian Vulture or Lai.ge White
SCAVENGER VULTUKK.
No skiii, I lather fancy both species were piesent round Diosh in summer.
Family— FALCON I DM.
Chitral abounds m " ha^ks ** as one would expect, and lam sure the list
conld be doubled. It seems a ^hame to shoot some specit s. I still 1 egret
having shot a n.agn.fietnt Fisl ing Eagle at the inslit^ci <J a < hitiali who
feared for 1 is haw I- 8. Borne on tl e oibei band aie so m. melons that they
become a Durance and have to he tnated as veimin.
(lltiyj Gyp/etui burbutuA (The Bkakdiu Vulture or Xjammkrgeyer.)
No skin G mmoii > h.< oughout the year, down to 4, 1 U'J feet in winter.
(1208) tfieiwluis ptwruttux— (The Booted Eagle.)
This bold bn-d is common fiorn 4,nnU feet up. Chitralis dislike him im-
mensely, as his presence in the neighbourhood lendeis hawking an impossibility.
I have never seen one domesticated ( I hope falconeis will excuse my igno-
rance of con ect terms). In spite of its lai her clumsy build.it can put th**
fear of death into a ladeu shahin. which isi self a marvellous flyer.
° (1223) Huliittnit Ifiucoriphus— (Pallas's Fi^hing-Eaglk.)
One specimen obtained out ol a pair near Chitial Foit i n 10th May.
° (122:0 .Uilvox yovintik —[Tkk Common Pakiah Kite.)
No skin. I am under the impression that this and M. melanotic weie present
round Diosh in ihe summer but cannot be suie.
(123H) A/tint* rnelamni*— <Thi. Largkk Indian Kite.)
No skin Fulton iccoids one specimen obtained at R,0tiO feet on IGth April.
(1232). Elanny cflr«/w.-(TnE Bi.ack-wingi i> Kite)
Not observed by me though doubtless 1 r-aw it, as Fultcn says it is
common in summer in the lowtr wooded valleys.
(1233). i iron* mucrnrwi— (Thk Pale Harrier.)
Not observed by me, but there weie many haniers in the main valley in
Apiil and May. Fulton recoi-ds one ficm Diosh in April.
° (1-J3 ) Cirtu* Cf/urunx— Thk Hen Hakiui k.)
Two specimens obtained in Apiil and May below Diosh.
° (I2:j7) Circuit avuymonu* — (The Makph Hakkikk.)
Two specimens obtained in Apiil and May btlow Drush.
* (124:») A*t*r palumbtfiu*. — (The Goshawk.)
Not st-en by me. They aie caught in the higher ranges.
(1247) AcopitrT whuh- (The Sparrow Hawk)
Saw several of what weie probably this bit a in April and May. I saw a
good many fiesh caught ones obtained at no great height. Fulton gut it.
NOTES ON TEE BIRDS OF CE1TRAL. 919
(1255) Faloo peregrinalor—(Tim Shahin Falcon.)
Met with several times. Near Droah on 27th Apiil, I shot one which was
carrying a Myna. The Myna escaped when I shot the falcon. About the
finest flying spectacle I have ever seen was given by a wild bird hawking a
tame one. I do not think the owner was as pleased as I. To my mind
hawking crows with a Peregrine or Shahin is far finer than going for Chukor
with a Croehawk.
(1260) Falco subbuteo— (The Hobby.)
Not noted by me. Fulton records one from Keshan, 6,000 feet in May.
c (1-J64) JEsalon chicqwra— (The Turumti or Bed-headed Merlin.)
Not seen by me. At Keshan in May I saw one freshly caught near by.
(12G5) Tinnunculus alaudarius — (The Kestrel.)
Common throughout the year from 4,000 feet up, especially in March and
April.
Family— COLUMBIM3.
(1292) Columba intermedia — (The Indian Blue Rock-Pigeon.)
Flocks of Blue pigeon were common in the winter at about 5,000 feet, but
it was impossible to tell which form they belonged to, except those that were
shot I identified a good many beside those I shot myself. From December
to March only intermedia and rupeatris were obtained, in April only Itvta
were obtained. Fulton records intermedia as common up to 10.000 feet.
(1295) Columba Uvia— (The Blue Rock-Pigeon.)
(1294) Columba rupestris — (The Blue Hill- Pigeon.)
(1296) Columba leuconota — (The White-kellied Pigeon.)
Common in winter down to about 5.0' '0 feet. Fulton found them not un-
common in summer from 11,000 to 14,000 feet.
■" (1298) Palumbus casiotis— (The Eastern Wood-Pigeon, Ring-Dove.
mi Cosh at.)
Seen in the wooded parts in small parties in November and again in Mar
:it about 6,000 feet, and in larger parties in July.
(1305) Turtur ferrago— (The Indian Turtle-Dove.)
A common summer visitor from 4,000 feet up, arriving end of April.
(1307) Turtur swrate»s&— (The Spotted Dove.)
A common summer visitor arriving end of April, from 4,009 feet up.
(1309) Turtur cambayenm— (The Little Brown Dove.)
Ucmarks as for T. ferrago.
(1310) Turtur risorius — (The Indian Ring-Dove.)
Remarks as for T. ferrago.
Family— PBASIANID^.
(13^4) Pucrasiamacrolopha— (The Koklas or Pukras Pheasant.)
Not observed by me, but it is without doubt common, see Fulton's notes.
A hve bird caught at about 7,000 feet above Drosh was brought in to me in
November.
19
920 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX m
(134?) Lopkophorus refulgms. — (The Monal.)
No skin. Common in winter at 6 000 feet occasionally as low as 5,000 feet.
Fulton records it at 10,000 feet and higher in summer.
(1355) Coturnix communis — (The Common ok Grey Quail.)
Fair number continue passing through the country throughout April
aud May.
(1370) Caceabis chuoar — (The Chukor.)
Very common all the year, coming down as low as 4,000 feet in winter.
Fulton records it as high as 12.000 feet iu summer.
(1378) Tetraofjalhts himalayensis— (The Himalayan Snow-Cock.)
Common in wiuter as low dowu as 6.000 feet. Fulton records them with
young iu July between 15,000 and 16,000 feet.
Family— RALLUX&L
In all probability many species pass through on migration in April and
May. Two rails were brought in to me in May. Their coudition (crawli- g)
was no iuducement to prolonged identification. I put them down as Porzana
parva and P. marue'ta.
* (1402) Gi V iimla chloropus— (The Moorhen.)
One obtained at Nagar ou 30th March, fairly common passing through
iu May.
(1405) Fulica atra— (The Coot.)
One obtained at Drosh on 15th February, fairly common passiug through
iu eud of April aud beginning of May.
Family— OH ARADRIID.& .
(1436) Vane&lua vulgaris-~(TaE Lapwing or Perwit.)
Fairly common in winter in the main valley, not seen after May.
(1437) Chvttuxia g*eqaria — (The Sociable Lapwing.)
Remarks as for the Peewit.
° (1447) jEgiabtix tlubiu — (The Little Ringed Plover^
Fair number pass through in April.
* (1454) Aumenius arquata— (The Curlew.)
A few pass through at eud of April
(1460) Totanufs hypo eucus — (The Common Sandpiper.)
Specimens ouly obtained at end of April, evidently passing through.
(1461) Totanus glareola — (The Wood Sandpiper.)
Remarks as for T. kypoleucus.
(1462) Totanus ochropus — (The Green Sandpiper.)
Specimens obtained throughout the year at about 4,500 feet commonest' at
end of April They bred near Drosh.
* (1464) Tetanus calidris— (The Redshank.)
A few pass through at end of April
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CHITRAL. 921
(1471) Tringa minuta— (The Little Stint.)
Not observed by me. Fulton records them as common in April and May.
Un migration.
(1480) Phalaropus Jiyperboreus — (The Red-necked Phalarofe.)
Not noted by me. Fulton obtained one at Drosh on 14th September.
(1482) Scolopax rust icula — (The Woodcock.)
No sVin, noted at several places in the main valley during April. Fulton
records them as not numerous, but present all the year in the wooded valleys
of Lower ChitraL He found them in June at 7,000 feet and notes that thej
evidently breed in the country.
(1484) Gallinago ccelesti8—(TuE Fantail Snipe.)
A few were seen for about a week in early March Seen again and more
numerous from mid-April to end of May.
(I486) Gallinago 9olUaria~{TnE Himalayan Solitary Snipe.)
Not noted by me for certain, but am nearly sure I saw this bird at Drosh
in January and again near Ayon at 5,500 feet in April. Fulton records a few.
* (1487). Gallinago gattimda—(TuE Jack Snipe.)
A few present in the middle of May, on migration.
Family— LARIUffi.
(H9CI) Larus ridibund us— (The Laughing Gull.)
A few pass up from end of March to end of May.
' (1495) Larus cachinans— (The Yellow-legged Herring-Guli,.)
One obtained in January at Drosh.
° (1496) Hydrochelidon hybrids — (The Whiskered Tern.)
Fairly numerous in middle of May between Buni and Keshan. None seen
there a week later, apparently on migration.
~ (1499) Sterna anglica — (The Gull-billed Tern.)
A fair number of Terns passed up during end of April and May. Tho-^e
obtained (two) were of this species.
Family— PHALACROCORACID^.
* (1526) Phalacrocorax carbo — (The Large Cormorant.)
A few pass up in early March, more in April.
Family— ARDEHXS1.
el555) Ardeacinerea — (The Common Heron.)
A few passed through during April and May.
ft (1561) tferodias garzetta — (The Little Egret.)
One specimen only obtained below Drosh on 8th May. No more seen.
Family— ANATID-ffi.
(1583) Anser indicus— (The Barred-headed Goose.)
Not seen by me. but geese were heard passing in March. I saw the tamed
l»irds mentioned by Fulton.
922 JOURNAL. BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
(1592) Anas boscas — (The Mallakd.)
Pass southwards end of October, perhaps earlier, pass northwards during
March.
^(1593) Anas piiicilorhynclia — (The Spotted-hilled Deck.)
One out of a small party of four, undoubtedly of this species, was obtained
at Ayon on 6th February. I very much regret not having sent down tht
skin as its occurrence so far into the mountains is interesting ; future obser-
vers might keep a look-out for it in summer on the Shandur Lake , whert
1 believe a great many ducks and other water birds breed .
(1597) Nettivm crecca — (The Common Teal.)
Passing south in fair numbers at the end of October, probably earliei .
Passing north in larger numbers during March and Aoril. A few stav for
the winter.
(1599) Mareca penelope — (The Wigeok.)
Passes north during March and early April.
(1600) Dafila acuta— [The Pintail.)
Passes north during end of Februarj* and April.
" (1601) Querquedvla circia— (The Garganey ok Blue-wingei> Teal. )
Passes north during April and beginning of May.
(1602) Spatula clypmta — (Thi: Shovellkk.)
No skin. Observed in April.
923
A NEW SNAKE FROM ASSAM.
OLTGODON ERYTHRORHACHIS.
BY
Majob F. Wall, i.m.h., cm.z.s,
{With a Plate,)
Among other snakes sent to me from Namsang, Jaipur, Assam, by
Mr. C. Gore, I find one belonging to the genus Oliffodon y which has not
been previously described. It is a 9 ?, measuring ] toot 2| inches,
of which the tail accounts for 2§ inches.
LepidosL*. — Rostral touches 6 shields, the rostro-nasal and rostro-
interaasal sutures subecjual, and nearly twice the rostro-labials.
Tntemasals a pair, the suture between them nearly equal to that
between the prefrontal fellows, less than half the internaso-praefront-
iiK Prefrontals a pair, the suture between them less than half the
praefronto-frontals ; in contact with internasal, nasal, 2nd labial,
prseocular, supraoculai and frontal. Frontal touches 6 shields, the
supraocular sutures rather longest. Supraocidars length about
four-fifths, breadth les* than half that of froutal. Parietals touch
one postooular. Nasal* undivided, in contact with the 1st and 2nd
labials. Loreal absent, (perhaps confluent with the prefrontal). Prcu-
tttmlar one. Postoculars two. Temporal one, touching the 5th and 6th
labials. Supralabials 7 : the 3rd and 4th touching the eye. Infra-
labials 4, the 4th largest, and in contact with two scales behind. Sub-
linguals two pairs, the posterior about § rds the length of the
anterior, and in contact with the 4th only of the infralabial series.
( y ostah two head-lengths behind the head 15, midbody 15, two head-
lengths before the anus 13. In the reduction from 15 to 13, the 3rd
and 4tb rows above the ventrals unite. Vertebrals not enlarged.
Ultimate row bnrely enlarged. No keels. No apical pits. Ventrals
154, not angulate. Anal divided. Subcaudals 46 pairs.
Colour. — The dorsal ground colour is dark grey, but when looked
at closely, this effect is produced by a very fine powdering of black
specks on a light grey ground. A bright red vertebral band passes
from the nape to the tail tip, involving the vertebral, and one and a half
rows on each side. Narrow, black, light^edged cross-bars pass over
the back, 29 on the body, 7 on the tail, and become more or less
924 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
broken up in the flanks. The dorsal ground colour extends well on
to the sides of the ventrals. The head is marked with a dark band
over the prsetrontals which ra-appear below the eye, oblique streaks
from the parietals, behind the gape to the side of the neck, and an
elongate, sagittitbrm mark on tha nape, the apex of which meets thf
prefrontal band. The belly is whitish and handsomely adorned with
squarish black spots, for the most part laterally disposed. A median
red stripe passes along the belly and beneath the tail, disappearing
anteriorly before the throat.
925
HISTOBY OF THE SEA COCOA-NUT (LODOICEA
SECHELLARUM, Labill.).
BY
E. Blattee, S. J.
There is scarcely any other palm which has been so little known
and was yet the most celebrated formerly as the Sea Cocoa-nut or
Double Cocoa-nut 1 . The French call it Coco de mer, Coco de Salo-
mon, and Coco des Maldives, and it was known to the writers of the
16th and 17 th centuries under the names of Nux Medica and Cocoa
Maldivicus. Before the exploration of the Seychelles in 1743, by
order of Mahe de la Bourdonnais, then Governor of Mauritius, the
nuts were only known from having been found floating on the surface
of the Indian Ocean, and near the Maldive Islands, whence their
French name was derived, and even in the time of Ruraphius 2 the
nut was spoken of as the " mirum miraculum nature, quod princeps
est omnium marinarum rerum, quse rarse habentur". 3
The first European who described this famous fruit was the Portu-
guese Garcia d'Orta (Garcia ab Horto) 4 . He was physician to the
Viceroy at Goa for about 30 years. In this capacity he found leisure
for private study which he spent in the exploration and description of
the useful plants and drugs of the country. In 1563 he published the
results of his investigations in his " Coloquios da India ", 5 which
were soon translated into several modern languages, and into Latin by
* Other names for the same nut are: Narajde-bahri (Arab. Pars.); Jahari-narial (Bomb.);
Veule-on-si (Barm.); Darya-ka-narel (G«z Hind. Duk.); Mudu-pal (Sing.); Katal-tenna
(Malay.) ; Kaddet-taynga (Tam.) ; Samudrapu-tenkaya (Tel.) ; Coco das Maldivaa, Coco do
max (Portug.) ; Meercocos, Seecocos, Doppelte Cocosnuss, Wundernuss Salomon's, Maldi-
vische Nnss (Germ).
Bnmphins (Bumpf George Eberbard) was born at Hanau in 1627 and died in 1702. He
is called the «PliniuBindicas", because he described and figured a great number of plants
whilst stationed in Amboina. His manuscripts and drawings have been published in 6
volumes under the title « Herbarium amboinense", Amsterdam, 1741-1755.
Cf. Curtis, Bot. Mag., Vol. I. (new series) 2734—38, (1827),
- Cf. D. G. Dalgado, Clasaificacao Botanica das Flantas e Drogas descriptas nos " Coloquios
da India '• de Garcia d'Orta, Bombaim, 1894.
"• Garcia d'Orta, Coloquios da India, Goa, 1663.
The latest Portuguese edition was published in Lisbon in 1872.
926 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Clusius 1 in the year 1567. This work went through many edition^,
and it is in the one of 1605 that we read the following acconnt of the
" Coccus de Maldiva". 2 " This nnt, and especially the kernel, are re-
commended by the inhabitants of those Islands f Mai dive Islands;
as a remedy against poison. I have been told by many trustworthy
people that it proved nsefnl in colic, paralysis, epilepsy, and other
nervous diseases, and that the sick become immune against other
diseases, if they drink water that has been kept in the shell for some
time, and to which has been added a piece of the kernel. But as I have
no personal experience I am not inclined to believe in these things. I
had no time to make experiments and I prefer to use medicament^
whose virtues are known to me and shown by experience, as, e.g., the
bezoar stone, theriac, and many other medicines, than new ones which
are less reliable, because I do not know whether I have to adscribe to
imagination only what people say about the beneficent effects of that
nut. If. however, in the course of time, some facts will be verified, I
shall not feel ashamed to change my opinion. The skin of the nut i-
black and smoother than that of the common Cocoa-nut, mostly ovate
and not quite as round as the common nut. The kernel or inner pulp
is hard and white when dry, sometimes slightly pallescent, full of
cracks and very porons. The dose of the kernel is about 10 grains,
taken in wine or water, according to the nature of the disease.
The nuts are sometimes very large, ■ sometimes small but they are
always found thrown upon the shore. There is, besides, the common
1 Clueiue. Carolus (De le CI use, Charles) was bom at Antwerp in 1526 and died in 1609
His works are very numerous, for he not only published original descriptions of new plants,
bnt he translated into Latin works from the French, Spanish, and Portuguese, thus render-
ing a most important service in the diffusion of a knowledge of the plants that were known
in his day. Few men have Buffered more in following a favourite pursuit than Clusius. Be
has on this account been called * ( The Martyr of Botany". As early as his twenty-fourth
year, by excessive fatigue he contracted a dropsical disease. At the age of thirty-nine he
broke his right thigh during one of his botanical rambles, and a short time after his right
arm. Whilst at Vienun. he dislocated his left ankle, and eight years after this accident he
dislocated his right hip. For this he was treated unskilfully, and ever after he was obliged
to use crutches for snpport. During his exertions in the early part of his life he also con-
tracted a hernia, which troubled him io the end of his days. But his bodily infirmities
never diminished his mental activity, and he continued teaching and writing to the very
last.
2 '< Aromatum et Simplicium aliquot medicamentorum apud Indos nascentium Historia
conscripta a JD. ' ; arcia ab Horto, Proregis Iudioe Medico" in "Caroli Clusii Atrebatis
Exoticornm Libri Decern", pp. 190-192 (1605).
HISTORY OF THE SEA COCOA-NUT. 927
opinion that the Maldive Islands formed once part of a continent 1
which by an inundation of the sea disappeared, those islands alone
being left : the palms, however, that produced those nute, were
buried underground and the nuts themselves became petrified in th(*
way we find them now. Whether those palms belong to the same
genus as our nut is difficult to say, as nobody up to now was able to
see either the leaves or the stem of that plant. Only the nuts are
washed ashore, sometimes in pairs, sometimes single ; but nobody U
allowed to collect them on penalty of death, because everything that
is carried ashore belongs to the kino:. This oircumstance has added :i
good deal to the value of these nuts The pulp or medulla is then
removed and dried in the same manner as our " Copra," till it become**
hard like the one you see in the market. In this condition you might
easily mistake it for cheese." To this account Olusius adds the follow-
ing note : " I have >een vessels made of this nut in Lisbon as well n>
in other places ; they are usually more oblong and darker than those
made of the common Cocoa-nut, You can even find the dried medulla
of the nut in the market of Lisbon ; its virtues are highly praised and
it is preferred to almost all other alexipharmics. For this reason it i,-
sold very dear. But you can easily gather from onr author, how little
faith such fabulous virtues deserve."
Whilst Garcia d'Orta was staying at Goa, a Spaniard, Cristobal da
Costa (Christophorus a Costa), of the medical profession, left his home
with the only desire to " observe and study the various plants which
God had created for the benefit of man in the different countries and
provinces." On his tour he came to Goa where he met his colleague
Garcia d'Orta. From the personal intercourse with him as well a<
from d'Orta's book he received most of the information which some-
time after was published in Spanish and translated into Latin by
Clusius 2 in the year 1572. Regarding the Sea Cocoa-nut we read in
1 That India *nd the southern and central parts of Africa were united in Mesozoic times
into one great stretch of nearly continuous dry land is now proved by overwhelming evidence,
taken from the Jurassic fossils as well as from the Cretaceous deposits. The great
revolutions in physical geography, which took place towards the end of the Cretaceous and
during early Tertiary times resulted in the break-np of the old continent, and were
follow-d by the rise of the Himalayan range. It would be highly interesting to trace the
origin of the opinion expressed by Garcia d'Orta. Is it not possible that within historir
times those islands were sbaped into their present form ?
3 « Aromatum et nvdicamentorum in Orientali India nasceutimn historia, plur mum lncis
adfer- ns Us qu» a Doctore Garcia de Orta in hoc ^en. re scripta snnt anctor Christophoro
a Coetft, Medico et Cheirnrgo *» in •« Caroli Clneii Ksotioornm Libri Pecem *' (1605.)
20
928 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
his book : " The * Coccus de Malediva' is in such high esteem with
the natives of that Island and with the people of Malahar, not only
with the lower classes but also with kings aud princes, that in all sick-
ness they confide in that fruit as in a sacred anchor. They make of it
drinking cups in which there is a piece of the kernel hanging from
a small chain aud they are strongly convinced that whosoever ha:>
drunk water from such a cup, is immune against every poison and
disease. I saw, however, a good many that drank from those cups
and fell sick nevertheless. In spite of my careful observations I never
noticed that anybody was cured by such a drink. Some even assured
me that after a draught from such a cup the spleen and kidneys got
inflamed. The price of these nuts is, nevertheless, very great, a single
nut without any ornaments being sold for 50 and more gold pieces."
The fame of the Sea Cocoa-nut was so great in the 16th centurv that
it found a place in Camoens* famous epic (X 186).
" Nas ilhas da Maldiva nace a pranta
No profundo das aguas soberana
Cujo pomo coutra o veneno urgenie
He tido por antidoto excellente."
" O'er lone Maldivia's islets grows the plant,
Beueath profoundest seas, of sovereign might,
Whose pome of ev'ry Theriack is contest
By cunning leech of antidotes the best." (Burton).
Another acoount of the Sea Cocoa-nut and a description ot the
Maldive Islands we find in the "Itinerario " of John Huyghen Van
Linschoten ( 1596 ), who had spent five years ( 1584-89 ) in Gou
and had seen a great part of Eastern Asia. The following
quotation is taken from the edition of the '* Hakluyt Society" * :
" Right over against the Cape of Comoriin, 60 miles into the sea
westward, the Hands called Maldyva doe begin, and from this cape
on the north syde they lie under 7 degrees, and so reach south south-
east, till they come under 3 degrees on the south syde, whioh is 140
myles. Some say there are 11,C00 islands, but it is not certainely
The Voyage of John Hiighen Van Linschoten to the East Indies. From the old
English translation of 1598. The First Book containing his description of the Ea3t in two
volumes. Vol. I. 74-76. London 1885.
Linschoten was born at Haarlem (Holland) about the year 15C3 and died on the 8th
Febrnary 1011.
HISTORY OF THE SEA COCOA-NUT. 929
knowne, they can not be uumbred. The Inhabitants are like the
Malabares: some of these Hands are inhabited, and some not inhab-
ited, for they are very lowe, like the countrie of Cochin, Cranganor,
etc and some of them are so Jowe, that they are commonlie covered
with the sea : the Malabares say, that those Ilands in time past did
ioyne tast nnto the firme land of Malabar, and that the Sea in proves
ot tyme hath eaten them away. There is no merchandize to be had
in them, but only coqnen, which are Indian nuttes, and cayro,
which are the shelles of the same nuts, and that is the Indian hemp!
wherof they make ropes, cables, and other such like. . .
mere are some of these nuttes in the said Hand that are more
esteemed then all the nuttes in India, for that they are good against
all poyson, which are verie faire and great, and blackish : I saw some
that were presented unto the viceroy of India, as great as a vessel! of
~l canes measure, and cost above 300 Pardawen, whioh were to send
unto the King of* Spaine. Of this tree and her frnites, together with
the usage thereof I will discourse more at large in the declaring of
the Indian tre*es and fruites."
We are looking in vain for a more detailed description of the fruit
in the II volume of the Itinerario, where a great number of plam>
are described 1 .
The best account of the Maldives is that by Francois Pyrard 2 who
was shipwrecked there in 1601, His description contains also the
following short note on the Double Cocoa-nut : " The king hat,
besides his revenues, certain rights, e.g., everything that is found on
the seashore belongs to the king, and nobody has the courage to touch
anything of the kind in order to keep it, but all must bring what they
find to the king, whether it be a piece of a wrecked ship, pieces of
wood, a box or other things carried to the shore. The same obtains
1 Gulielmus Piso was so much disappointed at not finding the description promised
by Linschoten that he wrote : * J Promittens Nucis medicsa arborem Integra hiatoria
euarrare, in quo tamen velnt corvos hiantes nos eludit, vulgarem vero per tractor e decurrit
subsidiis in hanc mentem non excueatiB." Mantissa Aromatica in Clnsius, 1. c. p. 215.
* Pyrard was born at Laval towards 1 j75, travelled in the East Indies, was ship-
wrecked near the Maldives, fell into the hands of a Prince in Bengal, served two years in
the PortngueBe Army, and published on his return to France his** Diecours do voyage des
Francais aux Indes Orientales," Paris, 161!. A hetter edition by Bignon and Bergeron
appeared in 1616 under the title : "Voyages des francais aux Indes Orientales, Maldivesi
Molnques, et an Braail, de 1601 a 1C11.— We quote from the edition of 1679, Paris.
930 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX,
with regard to a certain nut which is sometimes washed ashore. It has
the size of a man's heat! and can be compared with two large melons
grown together. People call it Tavarcarre and they helieve that it
comes from a tree growing at the bottom of the sea, The Portuguese
call it * Cocos des Maldives \ It has medicinal properties and carries a
high prize. Very often, on account of this Tavarcarre, the servants
and officers of the king maltreat a poor man if he is suspected of having
found such a nut ; if somebody wants to take revenge on his neighbour
lie accuses him of having a nut in his possession, in order that his
house may be searched, and if somebody becomes rich on a sudden and
within a short time, people begin to say that he found a Tavarcarre,
as if this were a great treasure."
More credulous than Clusius and D'Orta as regards the wonderful
properties of the Sea Cocoa-nut is William Piso, a Dutch physician,
who had travelled in Brasil between 3636 and 1641. and who, by his
writings added considerably to the scientific knowledge of the West
Indies. He devotes a whole chapter written in elegant Latin to the
"Nux Medico Maldivensium, " , . He first of all excuses himself,
because he gives the figure of the fruit only instead of the wholp
plant; but nobody, he says, can expect the illustration of a plant which
has been devoured by the sea and is now growing at a depth of 16
fathoms. The introduction to the chapter gives a vivid idea of the high
esteem in which the Sea Cocoa-nnt was held in former centuries, and,
at the same time, of the way in which scientific subjects were treated 300
years ago. It runs as follows: "Amongst the immense benefits which
the Divine Providence has showered upon mankind during the last
centuries, one of the most valuable is the discovery of so mam
medicaments destined for the protection of the human race, because,
after the welfare of the soul, the health of the human body takes the
first place. With regard to the invention of iron machines, of which
our present age is boasting so much, I should rather say that they aw
for the ruin of the nations than for their welfare. Also the art of print-
ing, though it maybe specially fit for the preservation of literary monu-
ments, only favours the bad zeal (kakozelia) of unable scribblers.
Similarly, there is no reason why we should be proud of the booty ol
1 Golielmi Pisoms Mantissa Aroiqatica aive de Aromatum cardinalibas quatnor, ..t
Plantis aliquot Iudicie in Medicinam receptee, rrlatio nova. Caput XIX.
HISTORY OF THE SEA COCOA-NUT. 931
the Aerythraean Sea or of the gold mines of the Atlantis, because,
according to the highminded poet the yellow metal is more dangerous
than the iron.
Jamque uocens ferrum, ferroqne nooentius auruni
Prodierat ; prodit bellum, quod pugnat utroque.
(Ovidius Metamorphosios primo.^
But the glory of the European Argonauts can never be too loudlv
^ung ; they have discovered a new continent which was hidden for
centuries, they have unveiled the secrets of the sea and shown the way
to so many islands scattered in the Indian Ocean. By their effort- it
came about that almost
— — Omnis ferat omnia tellus,
and that foreign medicaments of high and rare value were introduced
into our country. Amongst them the Sea Gocoa-nut (Nux Medica
Maldivensis) occupies the first and foremost rank, whether we consider
its rareness or its prize and value, or finally its usefulness that was ever
praised."
As to the origin of the nut Piso gives two opinions. The common
people say that it grows on trees that are hidden in the sea, or which
were covered with water at the time of an inundation, or that had
their roots in the water as their natural medium. The more devout
hold a different view. They believe that the nut grows on an island
railed Pallays, which is invisible to those who want to find it, and
visible to others that do not know about it. From that island the nuts
are carried away by the ocean-currents and washed upon the shores of
rhe Maldives. The inhabitants of the Maldive Islands believe tnat
Pallays is the happiest of all the countries of the world, and that thi-
< levils and malicious geuii want to hide it before the eves of man.
Piso relates that Rudolf II, Emperor of Germany, offered 4,000
florins for a Sea Cocoa-nut, but the family Wolfered in whose posses-
sion the nut was, was not inclined to part with it. In the Maldivian
Islands the value of one nut was estimated at from 60-120 crowns ;
I nit those which measured as much in breadth as in length were the
most esteemed ; and those which attained a foot in diameter, were sold
lor 150 crowns : some kings have even been so greedy of obtaining
these fruits as to have given a loaded ship for a single one.
We can easily understand the great desire of many of becoming the
Imppy owner of such a nut, if we read the long' catalogue of case-
932 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BISTORT SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
drawn up by Piso, in which the JSux Medica is said to have played
snch an important part in the restoration of the diseased to their
former health. We cannot refrain from reproducing in this place for
the benefit of the " sons of iEscuIapius " at least two of the mam-
medical prescriptions which were believed in and followed in the 16th
;md 17th centuries :
In Peste et Febribus malignis Contagiosa.
Cocci Maldivensis 3J. Seminis Acetosffi mundati 9j. JSyrujn
e succo Granatorum acidorum, ant Scabiosae, aut floruni Tunicae Jj.
Diascordii Fracastorii gj. Decocti radicum Petasitidis, Scordii er
Scorzoneree, aut aquarum Boraginis, Buglossse, q. s. F. Potio.
In Dysenteria cruenta, et Torminibus : facta ante praeparatione
debita per Rheum et Clysteres.
Corticis intermedii Nncis Medico 31 (si desit, Medulla aut Putamen
vicem suppleat). Terr© Lcmnise, Lapidis Bezoartici Orientals er
Bistorts radicis ana 3J. Syr. de succo Portnlacse par urn, ad consib-
tentiam, Bol. F et insuper adjectis requisites, Coiiditum. Potio. et
similia.
The most complete historical account ot the Sea Cocoa-nut we find
in Rumphius (Herbarium Amboinense, VI, 210) who describe* th^
marvellous fruit under the Dutch name " Galappa Laut." The storie-
are fabulous enough, but in addition to it he tells us, that many othev
tales were related to him respecting it, too absurd to be repeated. The
Malay and Chinese sailors used to affirm that it was born upon a trer
deep under water, which was similar to the Cocoa-nut tree, and wa>
visible in placid bays, upon the coast of Sumatra, but that if they sought
to dive after the tree, it instantly disappeared. The Negro priests de-
clared it grew near the island of Java, where its leaves and branches
rose above the water, and in which a monstrous bird, or griffin, had h>
habitation, whence it nsed to sally forth nightly, and tear to piecec
elephants, tigers, and rhinoeeroces with its beak, the flesh of which ir
carried to its nest. Furthermore they avouched tbat ships were
attracted by the waves which surrounded this tree, and there retained,
the mariners falling a prey to this savage bird, so that the inhabitants
of the Indian Archipelago alv ays carefully avoided that spot. Rum
phius thinks that the Chinese as well as the natives of the Archipelago
have set, perhaps too high a value upon the medical properties of the
nut, considering it an antidote to ah poisons. The principal virtue
HISTORY OF THE SEA COCOA-NUT. 933
resided in the meat or albumen, whioh lines the nut, and which is »i
hard and corneous, as to be preserved for a length of time after the
embryo is destroyed. This substance was triturated with water in
vessels of porphyry, and, mingled with black and white, or red coral,
ebony, and stags' horns, was all drunk together. The great men
formed of the shell, which possesses fewer medicinal properties preci-
ous vessels, cutting off a transverse slice, which constitutes the lid ; in
this they put their tobacco, betel, lime, and whatever else they masti-
cate, believing they can never then be contaminated by anything
noxious. 1
With the discovery of the Seychelles in 1743, a new period began
for the Sea Cocoa-nut, the object of so many legends and superstition-.
La Bourdonnais 2 was the first to discover the tree on one of the Sey-
chelles Islands. He called it u Isle of Palms," now known by the name
of " Prashn." Later on the tree was also found on Curieuse and
Round Island. These are within half a mile of each other, mountain-
ous and rocky. Plant, the well known explorer of Port Natal, telk
us in what surroundings this noble palm is growing : " In the
Seychelles." he says, " I more nearly realized my preconceived idea>
of tropical vegetation than at any other place ;— the beaoh fringed with
common Cocoa-nuts ; the ravines and watercourses overhung witli
Bananas. Bamboos, the open ground full of Pineapples— miles of them
run wild ; the tops of the mountains covered with forests of Ehom
and Rosewood, interspersed with Tree-ferns of some 20-30 feet h^h.
and then these glorious Lodoiceee, with their leaves of fifteen to
twenty feet span, and trnnks reaching to the sky ; to say nothing of
groves of Cinnamon and Cloves and Bread-fruit, all new to me in thi*
their natural wildness and beauty." Harrison is not less enthusiastic
when he remarks: '* To hehold these trees growing in thousands,
close to each other, the sexes intermingled ; a numerous offspring
starting up on all sides, sheltered by the parent plants ; — the old ones
fallen into the sear and yellow leaf, and going fast to decay, to make
room for the young trees, presents to the eye a picture so mild and
pleasing, that it is difficult not to look upon them as animated subjects,
capable of enjoyment, and sensible of their condition."
1 G- Curtis, Botanical Magazine, 2734-88.
2 Hand de la Bourdonnais, born in 1699, died in 17:13.
934 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Although the tree hud been discovered at last, it still took a Jon^
rime before it was accurately described. Pierre Somierat 1 gave a
description of it, though not a very scientific one, when on his tonr to
New Guinea he landed upon the Isle des Palmier* (Praslin). He
was the first to introduce the tree into the Isle of France.
The description given by Bochon 2 does not add any new information.
It is, however, interesting to hear, that it was not uncommon as late
as 1759 to see the nuts sold for upwards of four hundred pounds ster-
ling each.
After this several botanists described the palm under different names :
Graolm called it Cocos maldivica 3 , Giseke, Borassus sonnerati 4 , Coin-
merson. Lodoicea Callipyge and Cocos maritima 5 . Persoon, Lodoicea
maldivica* 5 . At last La Billardiere was able to give a botanical des-
cription of it under its present name Lodoicea sechellarum 7 , to which
lie added figures trom specimens preserved in spirits, together with :i
representation of the tr^e from a drawing made in the Seychelles
Islands bv M. Lilet. The description is followed by an account of the
uses of the Palm, communicated to the Museum of Natural History at
Paris, by M. Queau-Quincy, ( 1 orrespondant pt Admin istrateur General
des Isles Seychelles. The description, however, was still deficient hi
many points, and it was to be expected that a botanist like W, J.
Hooker could find no rest before he had found out everything about
that interesting tree. " These accounts [of La Billardiere]" he writes
in 1827 ■'in conjunction with some nuts that Mr. Barclay and myself
received from our inestimable friend and correspondent, Charles
Telfair. Esq. of the Mauritius, only served to stimulate our curiosity :
and we requested Mr. Telfair, to procure, if possible, either from the
Palms that he informed us were cultivated in the Isle of France, or from
' P. Sonnerat, Voyage ii la Kbuv. Guinee, Paris 177C, I. p. 3-10, t. 3-7. Sonnem
bom towards 1745, died in 1814, spent the greatest part of his life in travels and scientific
observations.
'■ A. M. Rochon, Voyage a Madgaacar, II. 146.
ty*. also Bory de Saint- Vincent, Voyage dana les iles d' Af riqne. Ill, I5fi.24<>.
~ Gmelin, J. F. Systema Naturae, II., p. 5(j9.
<;/". also W illdenow, Species I'lantarnm IV. p. 402, n. ('»,
1 Giseke, Lin. Prael. Ord. nat , p. 86
Conamerson Mb II. and Palmarium Vol. 1. 1-1 j
Peraoon, C. H. Enchir II. t p 630.
La Billardiere in Annates du Mus. d' Hist. Nat. IX. p. 140. t. liJ.
' /" also Rprengel, Bystema Vegetabflinm II., p. G22.
HISTORY OF THE SEA COCOA-KUT. 935
the Seychelles Islands, such specimens as would enuble us to publish
more satisfactory delineations than had yet appeared. The Isle of France
Palms had not yet fructified ; but Mr. Telfair lost no time in begging
his friend J. Harrison, Esq., of the Seychelles, to obtain the necessary
specimens. With the utmost promptitude and kindness that gentleman
devoted several days to visiting, with a dozen of blacks, the Isles of
Praslin and Curieuse ; and in the midst of those little known islands,
lie not only made drawings from the living trees, but procured and
forwarded to us, through Mr. Telfair, the male and female spadices and
fruit, in different states, preserved in spirits, with leaves, a seedling
plant, and even a portion of the trunk. All these, except the fully
ripened fruit, arrived in safety. A perfect representation, therefore, of
the mature nut, is still wanting."
This want has been snpplied, in the meantime, by various botanists,
and the once so mysterious Sea Cocoa-nut tree is as well known as auy
other palm. We are not going to give a detailed description of tho tree,
as we are only concerned with its history, but we must mention a few
|K>ints of interest regarding its life-history and economic uses.
This magnificent palm requires a great length of time to arrive at
maturity. The shortest period before it puts forth its flower-buds is
oO years, and ISO years elapse before it attains its fnll growth. From
the age of 15-25 years it is in its greatest beauty, the leaves at this
period being much larger than they are later on. The stem grows
quite upright, straight as an iron pillar, and in the male trees frequently
attaius a hundred feet in height, the females being shorter. At the age
of 30 it first puts forth its blossoms, the males forming enormous catkins
about 3 feet in length, and 3 inches in diameter, while the females are
set on a strong zigzag stalk, from which hang four or five, or some-
times as many as eleven nuts, averaging about 40 lbs. weight each.
From the time of flowering to the maturation of the fruit, a period of
nearly 10 years elapses, the full size, however, being attained in about
4 years, at which time it is soft and full of a semi-transparent jelly-
like substance. The arrangements provided by nature for the roots
of this tree, are of a most peculiar kind. The base of the stem
is rounded, and fits into a natural bowl or socket about 2J feet in
diameter and 18 inches in depth. This bowl is pierced with hundreds
of small oval holes about the size of a thimble, with hollow tubes
corresponding on the outside, through whioh the roots penetrate the
21
936 JO URNAL, BOMB A Y NA TURA L HISTOR Y SOCI ETY, Vol. XTA .
ground on all sides, never however becoming attached to the bowl, their
partial elasticity affording an almost imperceptible but very necessary
" play " to the parent stem when struggling against the force of violent
gales. This bowl is of the same substance as the shell of the nut, onh
much thicker ; it rots very slowly, for it has been fouud quite perfect
and entire in every respect 60 years after the tree has been cut down.
The crown of the trunk, ie„ the heart o- the leaves is eaten like that
of the American Cabbage Palm (Oreodoxa regia). and otten preserved
in vinegar ; but it is less delicate and slightly bitter The trunk itself
after being split and cleared of its soft and fibrous part within, serves to
make water troughs, as well as palisades for surrounding houses and
gardens. The foliage is employed to thatch the root's of houses and
sheds, and even for the walls. With a hundred leaves a commodious
dwelling may be constructed, including even the partitions of* the
apartments, the doors and windows. The down which is attached to
the young leaves serves for filling mattrabses and pillows. Of the ribs
of the leaves and fibres of the petiole they make baskets and brooms.
The young foliage affords an excellent material for huts : for this purpose,
the unexpanded leaves only are taken, dried in the sun, and cut into
longitudinal strips, 2 or 3 lines in breadth, which are then plaited.
Of the nut are made vessels of different forms and uses. When
preserved whole and perforated in one or two places the shell serves
to carry water. Plates, dishes and drinking cups made of the nuts are
valuable from their great strength and durability, so that this kind of
utensil, in the Seychelles Islands, bears the name of tl Vaiselle de
Tlsle Prasliii." Amongst other articles, shaving dishes, hlack, beauti-
fully polished, set in silver aud carved, are made from them. 1
The marvellous medicinal properties which were ascribed to the
nuts by ancient physicians, both European and Asiatic, have been
recognized as fanciful nowadays and dependent s lely on the rarity of
the fruit. It is consequently no longer vaiu. d hy Europeans but it is
(according to Dymock) still in great repute am mg tne Arabs and native:-
of India as a tonic, preservative and alexipharmlc. Ainslie re'ate9 thai
in his time the Vytians occasionally prescribed the kernel given in
woman's milk, incases of typhus fever, the dose be'ng '■ a quarter of a
pagoda weight twice daily, "' and adds ' it is also reputed antiscorbutic
3 Vf Hooker, 1 c-
HISTORY OF THE SEA COCOA-NUT. 937
and antivenereal." Dymock mentions that in Bombay it is prescribed
as a tonic and febrifnge in combination with Lignnm colnbrinum
(the small branches of Strychnos colnbrina, L.). It is also believed to
possess several other properties. " Daryali-naryal " says S. A. Ravat,
" is corrupted in Bombay into Jehari-naryal which means ' poisonous
Oocoa-nut, ' and it is believed to be so by the common people. It is,
however, non-poisonons, and is commonly given to children, mixed with
the root of Nux vomica, for colic. It seems to act mechanically, like
Bismuth. " Rubbed np with water, it is giveu by natives to check
diarrhoea and vomiting, especially in cholera. Some believe that the
water of tbe green fruit or its soft kernel is antibilious and antacid when
taken after meals. 1
It is to be regretted that the tree is not cultivated, and that a prac-
tice has prevailed of cutting it down in order to get at the frnit and
tender leaves, and it is to be feared that this will lead to the extinction
of the Sea Cocoa-nut, which will become in reality as rare as it was
supposed to be by the travellers who picked up the first known speci-
mens of its nuts floating on the sea.
1 Cf. Watt. Diet, of Econ. Prod, of India, Vol. V. 88.
938
A FIRST LIST OF MOSSES FROM WESTERN INDIA.
KY
L. J. Sedgwick, i.cj.b.
During the last two years the writer has been sending to England
packets of specimens, which have in every case been indentified b\
Mr. H. N. Dixon, f.l.s., the well known English Bryologist. Where
necessary the latter has consulted various continental authorities, es-
pecially Dr. Brotherns, and M. Cardot, and with the first two has
named some new species. There still remain some undetermined,
and apparently new, species sent from Mahableshwar in February
last, bnt they will be inclnded, it is hoped, in a later list in this
journal. Besides the specimens collected by the writer there are
four gathered by Mr. R. M. Maxwell, I.C.S., in Kanara, a number of
specimen* gathered by Lt.-Col. K. R. Kirtikar, f.l.s., i.m.8. (retd.),
at various times dnring the last few years, and sent to the writer,
and a few gathered by Prof. AVoodrow about 1^95, and sent bv
Col. Kirtikar with his own.
Very little can be done in the way of identifying Indian mosses
in this country owing to the absence of literature, or type collections.
The only works dealing with Indian Bryology are (1) Mitten's Musci
India Orientalis, written in Latin and pnblished by the Linnean
Society in 1859, (2) Thwaites and Mitten's Mosses of Ceylon, (3) Con-
tributions to the Bryological Flora of theN.-W. Himalayas by V. F.
Brotherus, in the Acta Societati* Scientiarum Fenioa, Helsinefor»,
1S98, (4) Contributions to the Bryological Flora of S. India by the
same anthor, in Records oftheBot. Snrvey of India, Vol. 1., No. 12,
Calcutta, 1899. The first two are quite ont of date, but the last two
might prove of considerable nse. The mosses from S. India described
by Brotherns were collected by Dr. Walker in Coorg and Ceylon, and
as Mr. Dixon says (in an article on the earlier gatherings of the present
writer in the J. of B. for May), the mosses sent so far " naturally
exhibit a close relationship with these (z>., the Coorg mosses) as well
as with those of the Nilgiri Hills, and also, like them, indicate a
very promising bryological field of study." Those sent by Col.
Kirtikar as well as those representing the earlier collection of Prof.
Woodrow are mainly duplicates of specimens oollected by the writer,
A FIRST LIST OF MOSSES FROM WESTERN INDIA, «>H9
but the Knnara flora gives promise of an entirely different type.
This is no doubt due to the fact that in that district both the moun-
tains and the jungle approach mnch closer to the coast so that the
influence of sea breezes is combined with the high altitudes and heavy
rainfall of the whole mountain system of thf* Western Ghats.
The thanks of the present writer are dne to Mr, Dixon, and al-*o
to Mr. G.B. Savery of Exeter, without whose assistance no head-
way eonld have been made with the study of these most tacinating
plants.
In the list below the new species are marked with* and those the
;Vmt. of which was new withf
Pogonnlum almtlcs, P. Beaiav.
<'.. fr., Mahableswar, on banks, Wood.. Sedg.
This is the large oriental form mentioned in Dr. Braithwaite's British Moss
Flora.
Campylopns aureus, v. d. B. &, Lac.
Sterile, on the ground, Mahableshwar, Wood., Sedg.
Octoblepharum alhidtim t Hetlw.
c. fr., Ratnagiri. Wood. Matheran. Kirc. On a toddy palm, Khairne. Thana
District, Sedg.
+ FissttUm splachnobryoidm, Broth.
Sterile, Thana, Sedg. c. fr. on stones at Trimbakeshwar, Nasik District, Sed#.
The fruit was previouly unknown, and was described from the Trimbak
specimen by Mr. Dixon in J. of B., Vol. 47. May 1S09.
Fissidens (Semilimbidmm) Walheri, Broth.
On an earth bank in the Krishna R., Walva, Satara District, e. fr. Sedg.
On an earth bank in a torrent course, Waishakhare, Thana District, Sedg.
In both these cases the bank on which the moss was growing is submerged
in the rains, and it is probable that the moss will be found to be common in
such places.
Fissidens crenulalus, Mitt,
c. fr., on earth banks, Mahableshwar, Sedg.
Anmctangium Walheri, Broth.
On stones, Panchgani, sterile, Sedg.
Hymmostomum, pJentulum (Mitt.), Besch.
c. f r. on stones, Panchgani, Sedg.
Hyophila cylindriea. Hook.
Sterile and c. fr. (v. common) ** Poona," Wood. Bandra, Lonavla, Maha-
bleshwar. Kirt. Mahableshwar, Panchgani, Trimbakeshwar, Sedg.
940 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Barbula consanguinea, Thw. & Mitt
Sterile, on tiles in the Ganeshkhind Botanical Gardens, Sedg.
Calymperes Fordii, Besch.
Sterile, on tree trunks. Andheri, Sedg.
Pottia vemicosa. Hatnpe.
c fr. on a wall, Thana, Sedg.
MacromUrium sulcatum, Brid.
Sterile, Kanara, Max. "Poona". Wood. Matheran and Mahableshwar,
Kirt. On trees, v. common, Mahableshwar and Panchgani. Sedg. Often c. f r.
Trichostomum gtenophyUum, Mitt.
c. fr. on trees, Mahableshwar, Sedg.
Splachnobryitm indicitm. Hampe & C, M.
c f r. on fiower-pots, Thana, Sedg.
Ftmoria kygrometrica, Sibth
c. fr. v. common, " Poona *', Wood. Mahableshwar, Kirt. Lonavla, Maha-
bleshwar, always on sunny walls, Sedg.
Some of the gatherings approach the forms which have been called F.
Itptoda, Griff, and F. ntpalense, C. M., but these are probably inconstant and
local variations from the type.
^Bracliymmium Turgiuum, Broth.
(Dixon in Revue Bryologique 35e annee, 1908, No. 4, p. 94.)
c. fr. n. sp. type described from a gatheiing from timber of a small bridge,
Lonavla Also on branches of an Enphorbia, same place, and on trees. Lonavla
and TnmbakeBhwar, all Sedg. ; also Lonavla and Matheran, Kirt.
Brachymenium nepalmse. Hook.
c. f r. on walls, Lonavla, Sedg.
Brachymenium valkeri f Broth.
c. fr. on stones. Panchgani, Sedg.
Anomobryum cymbifolium, Broth.
(Bryum filiforme, Mitt.)
Sterile, on stones and trees, Mahableshwar, Panchgani. Lonavla, Trimbakesh-
war. Sedg.
Bryum coronatum, Schwaeg.
c. fr. v. common, on walls, almost everywhere, Sedg. " Poona " (1895) Wood.
Bryum strigosum, Wils.
t#. Wightii, Mitt.)
Sterile, Mahableshwar, Wood., Kirt., Sedg.
A FIRST LIST OF MOSSES FROM WESTERN INDIA. 941
* Br yum Ghateme, Broth. & Dixon (not yet described).
c. fr. Lonavla, on a small bridge, and at Mahableshwar on a small bridge,
Apparently always in sunny places and associated with Funaria hygrometrica.
A new species of the Areodyctyon group of Bryums, with lax rhomboidal
cells, and stont wine-red nerves, and a small upright, club-shaped capsule.
Pkiionotis revoluta, v. d. B. & Lac.
Common, always sterile. Mahableshwar, Kirt. and Sedg. Lonavla, Panchgani
and Trimbakeshwar, Sedg.
Erpodium mangi/era, C. M.
Sterile. On the bark of a jackfruit tree, Ghatkopar, Sedg.
Mr. Dixon in a long note in the J. of B. loc. cit. expresses as his opinion
based on a study of thia specimen together with those of E. mangifercc and E.
hellii. Mitt., in Mitten's own herbarium, and at the British Museum, that the
rwo specimens must be united.
c Pteryobryopsis Maxwellii, Cardot & Dixon.
it. sp. (Dixon in J. of B. loc. cit. p. 160).
On trees and rocks, Kanara, c.fr.. Maxwell, after whom it is named. On
cices, Mahableshwar, Sedg.
Pterobryopsis Walkeri, Broth.
On stones, Kanara, Maxwell. On trees, Mahableshwar, Sedg. Fruit unknown.
(First described as a new species sub nom. P. Kanarense by H. N. Dixon,
loc. cit., p. 163, but now referred to P. Walkeri.)
TrichosteUum monosttchum, Thw. & Mitt.
v.. fr., on tree roots, Mahableshwar, Sedg.
Sympys odon angustatus, (C. M.) *1aeg.
t: fr„ on trees, Mahablcshwa , Sedg.
Tracftopodiqpsis blanda, (Mitt.) Fleisch.
On trees, common, " Poona '* (1895), Wood. Matheran and Mahableshwar,
Kirt. Lonavla, Trimbakeshwar, Mahableshwar, Sedg. Always c. f r.
Meteoriopste squamosa, ^Hook.) Fleisch.
Sterile, on trees, Mahableshwar, Kirt. & Sedg.
Levierella fabroniacea, C M
e. fr., on trees, Trimbakeshwar, Sedg.
StereophylUtm tavoyense, (Hook.) Jaeg.
c. fr., on a tree, Wasind, Thana District, Sedg.
f Pinatella calcuttetms, (C. M.) Fleisch.
Sterile, Mahableshwar, Kirt. c. f r.. Mahableshwar, Sedg. The fruit is new
and has not yet been described. It does not fruit freely, and the fruit is
942 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. A'/A.
brittle, the capsules being small for so large a moss, cup-shaped, of a fuscous
colour, and produce from irregular positions on the branches on setas about
3 or 4 lines long, which grow at right angles to the pendnIo"«> branches.
Neckera andamana, C. ]VF.
On trees, Kanara, Max.
It is* hoped to bring out a second list in the course of a few month? . Iht
writer would be most grateful for specimens from any part of India. Mosses
are no tronble to collect, as they do not require pressing, mounting, or preserv-
ing in any way, and it does not matter in what manner or positions they are
packed.
M:\
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTIVE KEY TO THE FLORA OF THE PUNJAB
NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE AND KASHMIR.
Lieut.- Colonel 0. J. Bamber, f.l.k,
Indian Medical Service.
Part V.
( Continued from page 721 of this Volume,)
:<HRUF!S WITH ALTEENATE ExSTIPULATE SlMPLE LEAVES,
Petals Ununited.
Anona SQU&mCSa, large, nearly evergreen ; leaves 2-3 by £-1£ ins. ob
(\stard Apple, 8harifa t long, blunt or long pointed, base narrowed, bluish
Sitapfail.
Anonace.3:.
F. B. I.i.78.
The Plains as far north
as GtirdaSpur (Watt )
Farsetia Jacqne
jnontii,
FarfchKult, lathia.
CRUCIFERjE.
b\ B. 1. 1 MO.
The Plains in sandy
places, Sirsa.
Farsotla Samiltonii,
Faridbuti.
Crucifbrje.
F. B.I.i. 140.
The Plains.
■Shahptir (Dome).
*>5
green beneath, velvety when young, membranous,
stalked ; flowers white, 1 in. long, solitary on short
branchlets, sepals 3, small, tiiangnlar, united at th«
base, petals 3, outer 1 in. long, narrow-oblong, fleshy.
inner 3 minute or wanting ; stamens many, style one
fruit 2-4 ins. across, yellowish green, fleshy, edible,
covered with a yellowish green skin, tubercled like
crocodile skin, seeds many, oblong, brownish black
with a swelling at the notch. A native of the West
Indies cultivated for its fruit.
small ; branches rigid, hoary, with hairs flattened
to the twigs, twiggy ; leaves -}-l in., linear ; flowers
large in spikes, sepals 4, hairy, pointed, pouched at
the base, petals 4, half as long again as the sepals
with long stalks, stamens 6 ; capsules l$-2 ins. by
£-£ in. flattened, linear, sessile, valves flat, seeds
nearly round, broadly winged, in two series.
small, branches more rigid and woody and more
densely velvety than the last species, long, erect and
twiggy ; leaves linear, very narrow, flowers small in
long spicate racemes, sepals 4, hairy, blunt, margins
thin, papery, petals 4, ovate with a broad tip, a Kttle
longer than the sepals, long stalked, pink, stamens 6 ;
capsules linear £-1 by & in., seeds as above but in
one series.
944 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Sim ple Leaves.
ffarsotia »&yptiaea,
MnVi.
''imciPBR.4:.
F. B. I.i. 140.
Salt range (Edgeworth).
Choa Sairtan Shah(Douic). ,
Petals Ununited.
small, branches rigid, hoary, forked, iwiggy ; leaves
linear ; flowers in spikes, not close set, large, calyx
cylindrical, sepals 4, blunt, \-\ in., hoary, petals 4,
linear, blunt, twice as long as the sepals, stamens 6 ;
capsules i-£ by J---J- in.. brc»ad. erect, seeds as above in
series.
Dipterygium
glaUCU81,
CRUClFERiE.
F. B. I.i. 164,
Tho Plains.
Multan (Edge-worth).
small, branches many, widely separating ; smooth or
leaves and stem slightly rough with sticky glands ;
leaves £-£ in- long, ovate oblong, shortly stalked ;
flowers small, few in bracteate racemes, sepals short
4, petals 4, stamens 6, free, capsules £ in., drooping,
wrinkled transversely, seed solitary, winged.
Physorhyncus
vicus,
Crucifer^e.
b\ B. I. i. 165.
Salt range (Vieary),
brat- small, smooth, leafy ; leaves fleshy, 1-4 ins., ovate
oblong, lower stalked, upper linear- lanceolate, narrow-
ed at the base, running down the stem slightly t with
earshaped lobes, flowers large, white in long racemes,
sepals 4, erect, petals 4. stamens 6 ; capsules two
jointed §-% in. long, lower joint seedless, upper large,
ovoid, 2-ceJled, cells 2-4-seeded with long conical
beak, seeds flattened.
XylOSma ioagifoUum, see Trees, Alternate, Exstipulate, Simple.
Tamarix tallica,
Tamarisk,
Jhaw 9 pUchi t lai.
Tamariscineje.
P. B. I. i. 348.
The Plains.
Delhi, Lahore.
Tamarix aalvaa,
Kwa.
Tamariscike^e.
F. B. I. i. 248
North-Weste rn Frontier
Province.
Esakheyl.
large, branches slender jointed leaves minute, scale
like not sheathing, overlapping at first, distant later,
usually green ; flowers £ in. diam,, shortly stalked,
crowded in long slender spiked branched racemes,
white or pink, bracts shorter than the flowers, half
sheathing, membranous, short-pointed, sepals per-
sistent, triangular, blunt ; petals longer than the sepals,
stamens 5, styles 3 ; capsules £ in. long, narrowed
from an ovoid base.
medium size smooth, bluish green ; leaves minute,
scale-like, heart shaped, somewhat sheathing, bracts
equalling the flowers in length, linear, stigmas sessile,
in other respects like the last species.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
945
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Simple Leaves.
Petals Ununited.
Tamarix dioioa,
Kachle% t panch pilehi
Tamariscineje.
F.B I.i.249.
The Plains.
34y riearia germanlca,
Gliaz.
Tamawscine.*:.
P. B. I. i. 250.
Hazara, 7-8,000 ft.
(Barrett).
Sfcimmla laureola,
Ner y burru.
RUTACE^J.
K. B. L i. 499.
Himalaya, 6-10,000 ft.
Simla, Mahasu (Collctt).
Murree, Hazara (Barrett).
Citrus medlica
Lemon or Lime,
Nimbu.
Rutaceje.
P. B. I. i. 514.
the Plain?.
small, branches long drooping ; leaves minute, scale-
like, sheathing, greyish green with a broad white
margin, smooth, long-pointed ; flowers in two sexes.
purple pink in rather short compact stalked spikes,
bracts nearly as long as the flowers, triangular, long
pointed, reddish brown, stamens 10, styles 3 ; capsule
oblong, tapering, twice as long as the withered sepals
and petals.
medium size, branches many, parallel to the stem,
stem slender, with fine parallel lines, with blueish green
waxy gloss when young ; leaves small, linear-lanceo-
late, flowers small, pink-purple, on short stalks in
lateral or terminal spike-like racemes. 1-18 ins. long,
bracts ovate-lanceolate, three to four times as long as
the short flower stalks, with bvoad thin margins, sepals
5, ununited, lanceolate, equal in length to the petals,
petals 5, stamens 1 0, alternately long and short, united
for half their IeDgth stigmas 3, sessile ; seeds many,
with a tuft of hairs, usually stalked.
small, strongly aromatic, evergreen ; bark white,
stringy ; leaves oblong lanceolate, 3-6 ins. long,
smooth, gland-dotted, shining, crowded at the end of
branches; flowers male and female £ in. diam., white or
yellow, in crowded erect terminal branching racemes
l$-2 ins. loug, calyx persistent, 5-lobcd, petala 4-5.
oblong, much longer than the calyx, stamens 4-5,
imperfect in female flowers, stigma 2-5 lobed ; drupe
red, ovoid h-'£ in. long, with 2-5 one-seeded stones.
large, bark greenish grey, smooth, long axillary
spines ; leaves jointed to stalk, stalk often winged,
3-6 ins. by 1-24 ins., ovate lanceolate, smooth, lea-
thery ; flowers white, sweet- seented, solitary or in
axillary clusters, £-1 in. long, calyx cup-shaped, 3-5-
toothed or entire, petals 4-8, often tinged with pink,
oblong, fleshy, gland-dotted, stamens 20-40.; fruit
2-4 ins. long, ovoid oblong or round, rind thick or
thin, yellow when ripe, pulp cellular and juicy, usually
acid.
946 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY 80C1BTY. Vol XIX.
Shrubs with Aliuhnate Exstipulate SiMm: Leaves.
Olax nana,
F. B. I. i. 57C\
Himalaya to 5,000 f i.
Petals Ununited.
small, d warfetl by jungle tires, rout stuck woody
with annual ribbed shoots 2 ft. high ; leaves 1 £-2$ by
{-£ in., oblong-lanceolate, nearly sessile, smooth and
light green above, greenish with a bloom beneath,
margins turned back ; flowers nearly £ in. across, soli-
tary, calyx minute, increases in fruit, petals 3, oblong-
lanceolate, .stamens 3, staminodes 6-6, bifid, longer
than the stamens ; fruit, the size of a pea, round ,o n«-
-cinded.
GymnosPoria or
Celastrus,
Boyleana or spinosa
Gwula darim.
CelastbinevE
F. B. I. i. «20.
Himalaya to 3,(t00 1 1.
Salt range.
Hazara (Barrett \.
medium sm-, smooth, densely branching, stiii,
straight, axillary spines not bearing leaves ; leaves
smooth, ovate or round, ^-1£ ins. by £-1 in., toothed ;
flowers many, white in short axillary clusters, calyx
five lobed, lobes obtuse, minutely hinged, petals &,
rtblong, stamens 5 : capsule three-angled, j in. diam.,
cells three, seeds -J. half enclosed in :i red rieshv or.t«.r
t'oat.
Gymnospoila "Walli-
cbiana or
Celastras riffida
Patald
Celastrineje
F. B. I. i. 621.
North- West Frontier Pro
vince.
Peshawar.
Kawulpiml .
medium size, branches much zig-zagged, spines !■<{
ins. long, bearing leaves and flowers ; leaves 1-] | by
^-1 in., obovate, crenate, leathery, smooth ; flowers in
clusters shorter than the leaves ; fruit somewhat
inflated, three and one-seeded cells : in other respects
like the last species.
Gymnospoxia or
Ceiastms montana
Tal1iar % mareua,
wane.
Celastrine-3-;.
F. B. I.i.621.
The Plaint to 2,000 it.
iarge, branches stift and nearly straight, spines
axillary, stiaight, 1-2 ins. long, often bearing leave**
and flowers ; leaves 1-3 by ^-2 ins., linear, ovate to
roundly ovate, minutely toothed or not, leathery
flowers, in axillary or on the spines, much branched
clusters, shorter than the leaves, small, greenish white.
i tracts, calyx lobes and petals fringed ; fruit round or
ovoid, black, size of a pea, 1-3 celled, cells one-seeded ;
i a other respects like the last ^pofies.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
947
SiTfiuBf! with Alternate Exstjpclate Simple IiEavff.
Petals Ununited.
films Cottons
The T»i? tree,
Venetian Bnmaca,
Tnngtty bhan t tnng,
Anacakdtacb^.
F. B. I. ii. 9.
Himalaya, S-5,000 ft .
Hazara (Barrett).
Valleys below Si ml a.
(Collett!
Crotelaria SurUa,
Xhip* *&, ftarsan.
F. B. I. it. 66.
The Plains to 4,000 ft-
Sargodha (Dome).
large, bark reddish brown, branchlets red, yonng
parts grey woolly ; leaves 2-4 by H-3 ins., stalks. 1£-3
ins. long, ovate op round, polished above, slightly
woolly beneath : flowers very small, pale yellow, f$
in. diam., few on very slender long stalks forming loose
feathery, pale, purple bunches, sepals linear, oblong,
petals longer than the sepals, stamens 5, styles 3;
drupe £ in. long, compressed reddish covered with
white hairs. The wood under the name of Young
Fustic is much used in Europe for dyeing wool
scarlet ;or orange. The bark and leaves are used for
tanning.
small, branches numerous, stiff, ending sometimes
in spines, with fine pale felt ; leaves few, scattered,
almost sessile, ^-l| ins. long, silky, ovate or lanceo-
late ; flowers yellow 6-12 iu terminal racemes, flower
stalks very short with two bracteoles. calyx densely
silky, teeth lanceolate, corolla yellow with reddish
veins, hardly protruding, stamens 10, united, style
long, hairy above ; pod 3-4 seeded hardly longer than
the calyx, oblong, hairy. The fibre is sometimes
used in place of hemn.
Crotolarla albila,
LlSatTMlNOSJS.
F. B. I. ii. 71.
The Plains to 7,000 ft
Simla (Collett).
Crotolaria juncea,
Sanai, arjha tan.
F. B. I. ii. 79-
The Plains.
small, branches many, firm, round, slender, some-
what silky ; leaves nearly sessile, 1-2 ius. long, firm,
gland-dotted, narrow, oblong, smooth above, silky
beneath, flowers, £ iu. long, pale yellow, usually in
terminal racemes, calyx top-shaped, £ iu. long, thinly
silky, longer in fruit, teeth long. 3 lower liuear, 2 upper
broader and blunter ; corolla pale yellow, rarely tin-
ged with lilac, hardly protruding, stamens 10 united,
style long, hairy above ; pod |-| in. long, sessile, twice
as long as the ca!yx, smooth, oblong, seeds 6-12.
medium size, cultivated ; branches stiff, slender,
silky ; leaves at somewhat distant spaces, linear nr
oblong, 1 £-3 ins. long, both surfaces shiniug with short
brown silky hairs, flowers 1 in. long in 1 2-20 — flowered
racemes, 6-12 ins. long, bracts minute, linear, calyx
948 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Simple Leaves.
Petals Ununited.
A.«
in. long, covered with rusty velvety hairs, teeth
very deep, linear, corolla bright yellow, smooth, pro
truding a little out of the calyx, stamens 10, united
style long, hairy above; pod 1-1^ ins. long, covered
with silky hairs, seeds 10-15. The fibre is much used
for making cordage and sacking.
Itea nutans,
Lelarg >rhath.
Saxipk vgace^!
F. B. I. it 408.
Himalaya, 3-6,000 ft.
Sutlej Valley, 8uni
(Collett).
OsbQcUa stellata
Lagerstroemia i&dica ,
OPuntla Dillenii,
Prickly Pear t
Cactus,
Nagphana.
Cactace^:.
F. B. I.li. 657.
The Plains to 7,000 ft.
Native of South America.
large, bark dark grey, leaves 4-6 by H-2^ ins., ovate
oblong, long-pointed, glandular-toothed, leather}
dark green, shining above, leaf stalk 1-1£ ins. Um%
stout ; flowers white, £ c in. long, in clusters of 3-7
forming velvety, drooping racemes 4-8 ins. long,
calyx velvety, tube bell-shaped, lobes 5, persistent,
petals 5, twice the length of the calyx lobes, linear,
erect, stamens 5 ; capsule £ in. long, sepaiating into
2 valves through the cell partition and the style,
seeds many.
see Shrubs, Opposite, Exstipulate, Simple.
see Shrubs, Opposite, Exstipulate, Simple.
medium size, stem flat or round or angled, fleshy,
armed with barbed bristles in, clusters ; leaves fleshy,
soon falling off ; flowers orange red, solitary, sessile,
calyx lobes 3-many, small, overlapping, petals many,
free or shortly united below, stamens many; fruit
one celled, pulpy, seeds many, oblong or kidney
shaped ; coccus cacti, the cochineal insect lives on this
plant — It is much used for hedges.
Andxacfene ccrdif olia
Rurkni t gurgttli, ber&u,
EUPHORBIACEJE.
F- B. I. v. 283-
Himalaya, 5-8,000 ft.
Simla, Masbobra (Collett).
Ohanglagalli (Douie).
small, branches slender, round, smooth; leaves long
stalked, 1-3 £ by £-14 ins., thin, margin smooth, ovate
oblong, tip rounded, base rounded, stalk -;-£ iu. long,
Bowers £ in. diam. green on long, slender axillary stalks.
the males in clusters, females solitary, calyx 5 lobed
petals 5, stamens 5, females without petals, styles ?>.
divided into 2 long branches ; fruit ^ in, diam round
with a depression above, seeds (5, triangular.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
94D
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Simple Leaves.
Petal? United.
Ver nonia clnor ascens
Composite.
F. B. I. iii. 287.
The Plains.
The Salt range.
Waziristan, Baluchistan.
Fluehea ovalis,
Composite.
F. B. I, iii. 272.
The Salt range(Aitchison)
Flnchea WallicMaaa
CoMPOSITJE.
V. JB. I. iii. 272.
The Plains (Falconer and
Stewart)
Flnchea lanceolata,
Composite.
I\ B. I. iii. 272.
The Plains.
Flowers minute in Heads.
medium size, much branched, grey, velvety, Branches
grooved, white; leaves $-!£ ins., oblong, ronndetf
tapering to a narrow base, often with an abrupt tip.
sometimes toothed, gland-dotted, velvety on both
surfaces ; flowers purple in solitary heads, |in. diam..
on the ends of the branches of flat-topped clusters!
bracts ronnd the heads. £ in., in many series, linear,
inner longest, calyx of hairs (pappus) £ in., white,
persistent, corollas smooth, slender, all tubular, teeth
5, narrow, anther bases blnnt, style-arms long, hairy
all round, short pointed ; achenes (seeds) -fe in -.
5-ribbed, tapering to the base, covered with rather
stiff hairs.
large, branches with broad green toothed wings :
leaves 2- £ by £-1 in., sessile, oblong, coarsely toothed,
tips rounded , flowers white yellow or lilac in heads in
compound hairy terminal leafless flat clusters, heads
4- in. diam., discoid, flowers all tubular, outer bracts of
htads short-pointed, seeds small, 4-5-angled, smooth,
tuft of hairs on top, slender.
large, velvety with grands and hairy, branches not
winged ; leaves 1-2 ins. long, sessile, oblong and ovate
with broad tip, slightly toothed, rigid, nerves promi
neut above and below ; flowers white, yellow or lilac
in heads in compound terminal flat leafless clusters,
heads £ in. diam. ; flowers all tnbular, outer bracts of
heads woolly, somewhat pointed, seeds small, 4-5-
angled, tuft of hairs, reddish.
small, greyish, hairy, velvety, branches slender :
leaves 1-2, oblong, sessile, narrowed to the base
margin smooth or toothed at the tip, nerves oblique,
prominent on both surfaces ; flowers white, yellow or
lilac in heads in compound flat leafless clusters, head?
| in diam , longer than broad, bracts of heads short
rounded, blunt, outer ones with grey hairs. A weed
of cultivation. The leaves are aperient and are used
to adulterate senna.
950 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TURA L HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX .
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulatk Simple Jjvavk*.
Petals United.
Flowers minute in Head-.
Pluclwa axguta
Composite.
F. B. I. iii. 273.
The Plains (Aitchison)
Inula Oappa,
CO P03IT/B
F. B. I. ill. 295.
Himalaya, 4-6,nO0 ft.
Valleys bslow Simla
(Collett).
flizara (Barrett).
Inula cn&Pldata,
Composite.
F. B. I. iii. 396.
Himalnya, 4-7,000 ft.
Simla (Coliett).
Palicaiia orisPa
medium size, branches, stout, velvety with glandb ;
leav< s 1-1£ by £-§ in., sessile, lanceolate or ovate with
broad tips, coarsely toothed, base with ear shaped
projections or not ; flowers white, yellow or lilac in
heads stalked solitary or few, hardly in clusters, heads
|- 1 in. diam.. bracts of heads narrow, sharp pointed,
rigid.
medium size, scented, branches thick, densely wool-
ly as also are under surface of leaves and flower
clusters, leaves 3-6 by l-2f ins., leathery, sessile or
shortly stalked, toothed, silky velvety beneath, teeth
close set ; flowers all tubular or a few radiate, in many
heads ^ in. diam., yellow, in rounded clusters, bracts
ronnd the heads linear stiff, sharp-pointed, outer ones
shortest ; seeds £ 5 in,, silky, tufts of hairs (pappus)
£ in., grey, hairs thickened at the ends.
medium size, nearly smooth ; branches slender :
leaves 5 by 2 ins., stalked, ovate-lanceolate, thin, long
pointed, young velvety, old rongh above ; flowers
yellow, outer ones radiate, in many heads. £ in. diam.,
on slender stalks crowded in broad teimmal clusters,
bracts of heads linear, sharp -pointed, stiff, seeds ^ g in.,
tufts of hairs (pappus) £ in,, \ ellowish, hairs thickened
at the tip
see Herbs, Erect, Alternate. Exstipulate, Simple,
Toothed, Petals United.
PnlioaiOa ClauCOiCCna, «» Herbs, Erect, Alternate, Exstipnlate, Simple,
Toothed, Petals United.
Flowers not in Heads
Gaulthorla nnmmula- see Prostrate Shrubs, Alternate, Exstipnlate, Simple.
rioi&es,
GaultbOxia trtCO- see Pr08traCe Shrubs, Alternate, Exstipulate, Simple.
Pbylla,
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
Shrubs with Alternate Exstifulate Simple Leavkh.
Petals United.
951
CassioPo fastisriata,
EmcACELas.
P.B.I, iii. 459.
Himalaya, 10-14,000 ft.
Hattu CCollett).
Marali iBamber).
Rhododendron cam
panulatiwn,
gaggaryv, rmt
EeICACEjE.
F. B. I. iii. 466.
Himalaya, 9-14,000 ft.
The Chor (CoIIett).
Marali (Bambcr).
Rhododendron lepi.
dotuzn,
Talisfvr, taliori.
Ericaceae.
F.B.I, hi. 471.
Himalaya, 8-15,000 ft.
Simla, Jaeko, Hattu
{Collett).
Marali (Bamber).
Rhododendron
Anthopofifon,
Wichni) haizaban t tuzak-
izun.
EKICACE.E.
F. B. I. iii. 473.
Himalaya, 11-16,000 ft.
The Cher CCollett).
Marali (Bamber).
23
Flowers not in Heads.
small, dense tufts of parallel erect branches. 0-12
ins. high, leaves £ in. ovate oblong, overlapping, press-
ed against the blanches, thickened on the back.
hairy ; flowers white on solitary stalks or in twos or
fours ; sepals |-£ in., short-pointed, nearly smooth,
margins often toothed and membranous, corolla
i-$ in., widely bell-shaped, fleshy ; capsule round,
point depressed.
medium size, bark thin grey : leaves 3-5 ins. long,
oblong, rounded at both ends, crowded at the end of
branches, leathery, dark green, smooth above, cinna-
mon felted beneath ; flowers mauve in large clusters,
stalks as long as the corolla tube, bracts silky, calyx
teeth broadly triangular, small, corolla bell-shaped,
l-U by |-1 in., lobes 5, stamens 10 ; capsule cylindri-
cal, 1 in. long, curved ; seeds linear oblong, flattened.
The powdered leaves are mixed with tobacco and
llSPf) n.S finnfF in sv.l/la
small, scented, young parts covered with silvery and
golden scales, branches rough; leaves £-1 in. long,
ovate with broad tips, base narrow, nearly sessile at
the ends of branches, smooth above, silvery beneath ,
flowers red, yellow or purple, solitary or 2-3 together,
stalks i-l§ ins. long, very rough, calyx teeth oval,
corolla tube short, lobes round, spreading ±-£ in.lon^.
stamens 8-10, hairy below ; capsule £-£ by £-£ in.,
erect. The smoke of the leaves is used in native
medicine as a stimulant.
small, scented, branchlets rough and scaly : leaves
1-1 £ in. long, broad oblong, shining above, cinnamon
felted beneath, stalk £ ff -£ in. long ; flowers yellowish
white in small terminal clusters, calyx teeth oblong
thin, margins hairy, corolla tubular, mouth dilated,
tube £ in. long, lobes ovate with broad tips, spreading,
stamens G-8 ; capsule % in. long, ovoid. The leaves
are used for the same purpose as those of the last
species.
952 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Shrubs with Alternate Ex.^tipulate Simple Leaves.
Petai s United.
Hoesa iadica, see Trees. Alternate, Exstipulate, Simple.
Kyrsine africana
Bebrang t kakhuvt, thawt*
shad.
MyESINE^!.
F. Is. 1. iii. 511.
Salt Bange.
Himalaya, 1-8,500 ft
Simla (Collect).
Mtirree (Douiej.
small or large, branchlets rusty velvety ; leaves $-l£
ins. long, nearly sessile, lanceolate, gland dotted,
sharply toothed : flowers small, nearly sessile in
clusters of 3-8, calyx 4-lobed, free, persistent, corolla
4-lobed, rotate, stamens 4, stigma rounded, style 2-4
branched: beiry £ in. dia., red, ronnd, edible. The
fruit is sold in bazaars as a strong purging vermifuge.
Wyrsine semiserrata
jParivancty gogsa^ gtrnnta.
HYKSINE.3E.
F.B. I. iii. 611.
Himalaya 3-9,C00ft.
Simla, The Glen
(Collett).
large, bark ashy, smooth ; leaves 2-5 by £-1^ ins.,
smooth, leathery, lanceolate sharply toothed towards
the tip, gland dotted, stalk ^ n -j in. long ; flowers in
axillary clusters, stalks ■} in. long, calyx and corolla
I — rarely 5-lobed, / iT in. diam., stamens 4, mrely 5,
style with 2-4 flat spreading branches, berry red, ronnd
£-77 in. diam.
Esrtelia rotiusta,
JBuyabirang.
MYB8INEA.
F. B. I. iii. 616.
The Plains to 6,000 ft.
Near the Jumna.
Ardiaia husnulls,
Mybsine-e-
F. B. i. iii. 529.
The Plains to 6,000 ft. 1
large, bark brown with horizontal cracks on the
branches, and small warty excrescences ; leaves 3 £-7 by
2-3£ ins., oblong or lanceolate with broader tip, base
narrowed, margin undulate, short-pointed, ruBty velve-
ty beneath, nerves prominent, stalk glandular, usually
grooved ; flowers small in simple or clustered racemes
of 1-2 ins. in length, calyx 5-lobed, persistent, petals 5,
oblong, reflexed, stamens 5 on the petals, styleB Bhort
persistent ; fruit a dry berry, red, round with ribs and
crowned by the style ; seed usually one, round with a
hollow base. The fruit is used for the same purpose
as that of Myrsine africana.
large, smooth, branched ; leaves 4-8 by l$-3£ ins.,
oblong or ovate with broad tip, short pointed, leather y,
fleshy, margin smooth ; flowers pink, ^ in. diam., in
axillary clustered racemes, stalks 1-2 ins. long, bracts
soon falling off, calyx lobes 5, blunt, oval, corolla 5-
lobed stamens 5 ; fruit round, black when ripe, size of
a pea, crowned with the style, full of pink juice, seed
one.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
953
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipdlate Simple Leaver.
Reptcniabuxifclia,
Gurgnra.
Myksinje^i.
F. B.I.iii. 5S4.
Ptfshawar.
Salt Range.
Trans Indus Hills, 2-S,00(i
feet
Ehazya stricta,
Vena, gandera, vargalam.
■APOCTNACEjE.
F. B. T. iii, 640.
Salt Bange.
Peshawar.
Trans Indus Plains.
tferiuin oderum
Oleander,
KanSr, ganhira.
APOCTKACE.E.
F. B. I. iii. 654.
The Plains to 5,000 ft.
In dry ravines.
Haeara (Barrett),
Petais United.
large, spinous or not : branches grey ; leaves 1 £
by I in., shortly stalked, ovate with a broad blunt
tip, base nan-owed, margin smooth, recurved, leath-
ery, smooth above, slightly velvety beneath ; flowers
small, greenish yellow, sessile in axillary tufts, calyx
lobes 5 ; round, overlapping, corolla tube short, lobes
• r >, oblong, blunt, stamens 5, alternating with 5 pro-
cesses; fruit round, fleshy, edible, £4 in. diam., one—
or rarely two-seeded ; seed round with hollowed base.
small, smooth, stout, series of stems in clumps,
milky jnice from young parts ; leaves 3-4 by £-J in.,
oblong-lanceolate, short-pointed, sessile, leatheiy and
yellow when dry ; flowers white, in dense terminal
short axillary stoutly branched and shortly stalked
clusters, bracts awl-like and persistent, calyx short,
lobes 5, short pointed, corolla circular, tube cylindric
s in,, lobes 5, short, broad overlapping to the left,
stamens 5, above the middle of corolla tube, but not
protruding ; follicles two, erect, 2-3 by \ in., slightly
flattened, rather leathery, seeds £ in. long angularly
flattened, shortly winged. The leaves, flowers, and
fruit are used in rheumatism and other joint affec-
tions, the dried fruit is nsed to coagulate milk.
iiiecnuiu size, foarfc silvery grey, from young parts
a milky juice exudes ; leaves in whorls of three, 4-6
by £"1 i D -> linear lanceolate, thick, leathery, long
pointed, dark green shining above, rough and dotted
beneath, stalk short ; flowers red, pink, or white,
usually sweet scented, sometimes double^ in large
terminal branching clusters, sepals broad, awl-pointed,
corolla 1 \ ins. across, funnel shaped, lobes spreading,
rounded, overlapping to the left, tube f in. long, 5
fringed scales on throat, stamens inserted near the
mouth of the tube forming a cone, each prolonged up
in a long thread-like hairy appendage ; follicles narrow
6-9 by \-$ in., straight, united below ; seeds many,
crowned with a tuft of hairs, The leaves are poison-
ous to all animals but goats. An oil extracted from
the root bark is used in skin diseases, especially in
954 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIX.
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Simple Leaves.
Petals United.
leprosy. A yellow resm present in this plant is an
active heart poison.
Ehretia obtusifolia,
Chamrar, hart htzn&er,
hhabarra.
BORAGINACEjE-
F.B.I.iv.143.
Salt Range.
Eeliotropium zeyla-
nicum.
medium size : leaves oblong ovate with broad blunt
tip. 1-1 § ins. long, wedge shaped at the base ; flowers
larger than Ehretia laiv/s, which see under Trees,
Alternate, Exstipulate, Simple.
see Herbs, Erect, Alternate, Exstipulate, Simple,
Entire.
SeliOtroPilUU dasy- see Herbs, Erect, Alternate, Exstipulate, Simple,
carpum, Entire.
HeliOtropiTlia Bich- .see Herbs, Erect, Alternate, Exstipulate, Simple,
"Waldi. Entire.
Brevreria latifolia,
CoKVOLVtJLACB^;.
F. B. I. iv. 224.
The Plains of the
Western Punjab.
Cressa oretica,
CoNVOLVULACE-ffi.
F. B. I. iv. 225.
The Plaius.
Solanum dulcamara,
Woody Nightshade,
Hub a barik.
Solanace^:.
F. B. I- iv. 229
Himalaya, 4-8,000 ft.
Narkunda (Collett).
small, stiff, rough, much branched, densely silky ;
leaves j-f in., oblong with rounded ends, margins
entire : flowers £ in. sessile, pinkish. 1-3 together,
axillary, bracts small, calyx-lobes 5, long-pointed,
very silky ; corolla funnel-shaped barely 5-lobed.
folding at the angles, stamens 5 enclosed in the
corolla-tube, styles 2 nearly ununited from the base :
capsule 'i in., ovoid. 4-seedcd. seeds ovoid-oblong
smooth.
small, stem 6-18 ins. high ; leaves ^-^ in. long,
sessile, oblong, short pointed : flowers small, in termi-
nal spikes or clusters or sessile in the axils of upper
leaves, sepals £ in. long, equal, corolla £ in. long,
funnel-shaped, white or pink, lobes 5, reflexed,
stamens 5, project beyond the corolla, styles 2, linear ;
capsule 4 valved, seeds 4, smooth.
small, branches long, trailing, smooth or velvety
leaves 1-3 ins. long, ovate oblong or lobed, lonj
pointed, smooth, stalk 1 in. long : flowers purple, h-i
in. diam.,in loose hanging clusters, calyx teeth 5 blunt
}-, in. long, corolla lobes 5 curved back, stamens f
anther tips meeting above : berry -f in - diam., rounc
red. seeds many. >fe in dia., smooth.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
955
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Simple Leaves.
Solanum verbasci-
folium,
Kala mewa t tiarh, ola.
BOLANACEjSJ.
F. B. I. iv. 2S0.
The Plains to 5,000 ft.
Valleys below Simla
CCoIlett:.
"Witliania somnifera,
AghCitd, ah, ak#an.
30LAX*CEJS.
b\ B. I. iv, 239.
The Plains.
Lahore.
Withania coagulans
TIlc Cheesemafcer,
Pa nirband, spin bajja .
SOLANACE^E.
F. B. I. iv. 240.
The Plains to 3,000 ft.
Sutlej Valley (Collett).
Shahpnr CDouie).
Lycium europseum,
Kanguy mraly ehirchitta.
SoLANACE^.
F. B. I. iv. 240.
The Plains to 6,000 ft.
Lycium baxbarum,
Barghauna,
Solanace^e
F. B. I. iv. 241.
The Plains to 3,000 ft.
Lahore.
Petals United.
large, woolly with star-shaped hairs at end of
branches and flower stalks, bark light grey ; leaves 7-9
by 3-3, oblong, narrowed at both ends, margins
smooth, tip long. pointed ; flowers white. $-% in. diam..
crowded in stalked branched clusters, corolla woolly
without, stamens 5, anther tips meeting above : berry
5 in. diam., round, smooth yellow, seeds many. £ in.
diam.
small, thinly woolly, branches round .- leaves 2-4 ins.
long, ovate short pointed, stalk £4 in. ; flowers green-
ish yellow, axillary, sessile or shortly stalked in clust-
ers, or solitary, calyx in flower J in., in fruit £ in.,
bell-shaped, 5-6 toothed, in fruit enlarged and nearly
round, papery, corolla bell-shaped i-i in., lobes 3-6,
short ; berry round, ±-£ in. diam., seeds many. ,* r in!
diam. The root is narcotic and diuretic.
small, greyish from minute star-shaped hairs ;
leaves 1-2 ins. long, oblong, blunt, thick, narrowed at
the base, very shortly stalked ; flowers pale yellow,
mealy from the minute star-shaped hairs outside, ^ in.
diam. in short stalked hanging axillary clusters, calyx
I in. in flower, ~ in. in fruit, velvety, corolla bell-
shaped, lobes turned back ; berry and seeds as in the
last species W. somnifera. The fruit is emetic when
fresh, anodyne and carminative when dry.
small, spinous ; leaves £-1 in. long, often clustered
at the joints, linear-oblong ; flowers purplish white,
£ in. diam., solitary or in clusters at the joints, calyx
often 2 lipped, 5 teeth, not larger in fruit, £ in. corolla,
funnel-shaped, lobes 5-4, half the length of the tube,
stamens 5-4 on the corolla tube, smooth at the base
berry £ in. diam., nearly round, many seeded. The
berries are edible and considered to be aphrodisiac.
same as the last species except that the corolla
lobes are more than half as long as the tube.
956 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATO RAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Shrubs with Alternate Exstifulate Simple Leaves.
Pet\ls TTxited
LyCHLBl rutbexxiCUXXl, same as the last species except that the leaves are
KicJtar, kitservta. linear, calyx is 3-4 lobed and the stamens are hairy
SGLANACEiE. a t the base.
F. B. I. iv. 241.
Kashmir, 6-9,000 ft.
JDedonsea viscosa,
Sanaltajmend u^ghvrashe.
SAPINDACE-E!.
F. B. I. i. C97.
The Plains to 4,000 ft.
Salt Range.
Hazara. CBarrett).
Sosia Amherstiana
AM ARAN T AC Rffi.
F. B. I.iv.71fi.
Himalaya, 4 7,000 ft.
Simla (Collect)
Diktali in Giri Vallev.
JErua javanica
Boikalan.
Amarantace^.
F. B. I.iv. 727.
The Plains.
Eurotia coratoidce,
CHENOPOMACB-ffi.
F. B. I. v. 8.
Himalaya, 8-14,000 ft.
Petals None.
medium size, evergreen, young leaves and shoots
sticky with yellow resinous dots, smooth red branch-
iets ; leaves nearly sessile, l£-3 by ^-1 ins., lanceolate
with a broad tip to linear wedge shaped, leathery ;
flowers small, yellow in short terminal racemes,
sepals 5, ovate, petals none, stamens usually 8 . cap-
sule 3-(or 2-4) celled, valves winged on the back
wiDgs membranous round, broad : seeds 1-3. This
plant is often grown as a hedge plant.
medium size, scout, smooth, branches long, strag-
gling : leaves 3-7 by 1-4 ins., ovate, shortly stalked,
short pointed, base pointed or rounded, narrowed
into the stalk : floweis green with white margins,
4 in. diam., nearly sessile, crowded in axillary, simple
or branched spikes, never longer than the leaves, or
in branched terminal racemes, sexes usually separate,
sepals 5, rounded, concave, stamens 5, bracteoles 2-4 ;
berries ^ in. diam., round, red.
small , grey woolly, stem rounded, 2-3 ft., branched,
• in. thick : leaves 1-4 ins., flat or with margins curved
down, sessile or narrowed into the stalk, linear or
oblong ; flowers -/^ in. long, covered with white wool
in long spikes \ sexes usually separate, sepals 4-5,
woolly, stamens 4-5, joined below, alternating with
linear staminodes in a cup. styles short or long ; fruit
dry, ovoid, surrounded by the sepals with one seed.
small, grey with star-shaped hairs . leaves £-l£ ins.
long, linear-oblong, blunt, floral leaves narrower,
margin often curved down ; flowers minute, no petals,
fruiting bracts with long red brown silky hairs £ in.
long, stamens 4, sepals 4, in female flowers bracts 4,
joined together, stigmas 2, seed oue.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Simple Leaves.
Petals None.
957
Suteda t rnticcsa,
Ldna t aihasa^ znmm.
Chenofodiaceje.
F.B.I. v.l-.
The Plains
Salselafo:tila,
J/otilane, goralanc, ghitra
ChENOPODIACE-E.
F. B. I. v. 18
The Plains.
Salsola verrucosa,
CH EN OPODI ACE£!.
F. B. I. v. 18.
North-West Frontier
Province.
Daphne olooides,
Kutilal, shiny, Ttagmri
Thyme l je ac e^:.
F. B. I. v. 193.
Himalaya, 3*9,000 ft
Simla (Collett).
Hazara (Barrett).
Daphne caxmabina
Satpnra, mggi, jeku.
THTMEL.EACE-5!.
F. B. I. v. 193.
Himalaya, 5-7,000 ft.
Simla cColleti).
small, stem and branches slender, the latter many ;
leaves %~h in. long, linear and £ cylindrical blunt,
floral leaves very small, fleshy; flowers minute on leafy
spikes, bracteate and 2 bracteolate, 5 lobed. equal or
unequal, stamens 5, short ; styles 3. seed coat black
shining. The leaves are used in ophthalmia and used
in making coarse soda (sajji).
small, pale grey, much branched ; leaves minute
fleshy, nearly round, floral leaves longer overlapping ;
flowers small. 5 oblate, axillary or on sbort spikes,
bracteoles leaf -like, sepals 4-5, concave, ^ in. across,
silvery white, winged, stamens 5 or less on separate
flowers from those the 2-3 linear stigmas, which are
often turned down, the little flowers look like silver
stars among the leaves, galls \-'% in. diam., often found
on the branch lets. Manna is sometimes obtained from
the surface of the leaves and the plant is used in
making coarse soda.
large, stout, like the last species, but the flowers are
larger |-£ in. diam., dark-brown.
small, branches many, velvety ; leaves, sessile l-2£
ins. long, ovate or lanceolate with broad tip, sharp
pointed or blunt, sometimes a little hairy ; flowers
pinkish white, T \ in. long in terminal clusters, calyx
tubular, 4 spreading lobes, ovate, no bracts ; stamens
8 in two series nearly sessile ; fruit is a berry dry or
fleshy, -f-J in. long, orange or scarlet, seed one. The
leaves are poisonous to camels. The bark is consider-
ed to be an alterative and used in diseases of the
bones.
medium size, branches smooth, leafy at the tips ;
leaves 2-4 ins. long, nearly sessile, lanceolate, rather
leathery ; flowers sessile £ in. long, white in bracteate
terminal clusters, calyx tubular, woolly outside,
scented, lobes 4, ovate, stamens 8 in two series,
nearly sessile ■ berry £ in. long, ovoid, orange to red,
958 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Shrubs with Alternate Exstifulate Simple Leaves.
Petals None.
fleshy. The plant supplies a useful fibre which is
used in paper making, especially in Nepal paper.
Wikstrsexnia canes-
ecus,
Bhat nig(ji } ihUak.
TlilMELiEACE,*:.
F. h. J . v. 195.
Himalaya, 5-Sy)00 ft.
Narkandiij Patarnala
(Col kit).
Elseagnus umbel-
late,
GhaWj kankel m-ireh,
bawmetoa.
Eljeagnaceje.
F. B. I. v. 201.
Himalaya, 3-10,000 it.
Simla, Mash .bra ( Col-
lew).
Hazara (Barrett).
Hlppophae rhamnci-
des,
Sea Buckthorn,
Kola bUa, txe?'tiat\ sirma.
ELiEAGNACEiE.
F. B. I. v. 203.
Himalaya, in the beds of
streams, 7-1 2,000 ft.
Lahoul, Paugi.
Eippophao salicifolia,
Surchj akiir chuk, ehv,».a.
EliiEAGNACRE.
F. B- 1, v. 203.
Himalaya, 5-10,000 ft.
SutJej Valley (Coilett).
small, branches slender, silky, velvety ; leaves
1-3 ins., shortly stalked, oblong- lanceolate, thin, often
with a white bud in the axil ; flowers yellow or white
in axillary or terminal few clusters or spikes without
bracts, calyx tube j-i in. long, lobes 4, spreading,
short, blunt, scales 1-4 linear within the tube, stamens
8, short, within and upon the tube, in two rows ; fruit
i in. long, narrowly ovoid, black, within the calyx
tube at first. This plant is also used in paper making
and the fibre forms good cordage.
medium size, spinous, branches dark . leaves 1-3.
by A- J in., oblong lanceolate, blunt, smooth or with
star-shaped hairs above, silvery scaly beneath, stalk
! in. : flowers white, scented, silvery without, in small
axillary clusters, appearing with the leaves, calyx h in.
long, silvery, tube slender, funnel-shaped, teeth 4.
broadly triangular, stamens 4; fruit £ in. long, oblong
succulent, edible, stone bony, ribbed, woolly within.
The seeds and flowers are used as a stimulant in
coughs, and as a substitute for black pepper.
large, spinous, bark dark grey, rough with vertical
furrows, branches stiff with silvery twigs and leaves ;
leaves ^-2 ins. by £ G -± in., linear oblong to ovate with
broad tip, rather leathery, smooth above, felted
beneath with grey or rusty scales ; flowers male in
axillary clusters, female solitary, calyx in male in two
segments, in fomale two toothed, in male stamens 4 ,
fruit -j in. long, ovoid, orange or scarlet, succulent,
acid but edible, seed oblong, shining. The fruit is
very acid and used as a syrup for coughs.
large, spinous, willow-like, leaves 2-4 ins., linear
lanceolate dark green above, covered with stellate
biiirs and few scales, beneath otherwise like the last
species.
PLANTS OF TEE PUNJAB.
959
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Simple Leaves.
Petals None.
Osyris arbore
Balmi, dalima.
SANTALACEjE.
F. B. I. v. 232.
Himalaya, 1-7,000 ft.
Simla (Collett).
large, young shoots sharply 3-angled : leaves 1-2 ins.
long, nearly sessile, oblong-ovate, tip short-pointed ;
flowers very minute, yellow green, nearly sessile, calyx
3-4 lobed, male flowers in axillary clusters, female
one to three together on long stalks; fruit ^ in.,
round, yellow to red, seed one. round. The leaves
are made into Bischar tea, which is drunk in Ladak,
but is very nauseating.
EuPllOrfeia Timcalli, see Shrubs, Opposite, Exstipulate, Simple.
Sarcoccaprunifcrmls
EtTPHOBBI AC EjE .
F. B. 1. v. 266.
Himalaya. 5-9,000 ft.
Simla (Collett).
Hazara (Barrett).
Murree
small, smooth, evergreen, branches green, rounded ;
leaves ;>-4 by |- 1 in., nearly sessile, lanceolate, long
pointed, dark-gi-eeu, margin smooth; flowers £ in.
long, pale yellow in short axillary racemes ; male
flowers, sepals 4, oblong blunt, stamens 4, female
flowers, sepals 4-6 of small overlapping scales, styles 2,
long, recurved ; fruit £ in. long, ovoid, purple, stones
2-3.
Flucggia microcarPa
EWHOKBIACEJE.
F. B. I v. 328.
The Plains to 5,000 ft.
Valleys below Simla
(Collett).
large, smooth, branchlets angled, flattened ; leaves
in two rows, 1-3 ins. long, shortly stalked ovate or
round, thin ; flowers minute, yellow green, in dense
axillary clusters on separate stalks, male and female
flowers on different plants, male sepals 5, round,
oblong, concave, spreadiug, stamens 5, opposite sepals,
around 3 styles, long linear, erect, female shortly
stalked in clusters of 3-6, sepals erect, 5, styles 3-4
reflexed and each divided into 2 or 3, pointed narrow
lobes ; fruit £-£ in. diam., dry, a few ^ in., white
fleshy, minutely dotted, seeds 3-6, minutely dotted.
FlUCffgiaLeuCOpyrUS, same as last species, but branches twisted, spinous:
Edphorbiace^ leaves smaller lin. long at most, longer stalked.
F. B. I. v. 328.
The Plains.
Sails bastata
24
see Shrubs, Alternate, Stipulate, Simple.
960 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Simple Leaves.
Juniporus communis,
Juniper,
Palthar y lewar, pama
CONIFKR^!.
P. B. I. v. 646.
Himalaya, 5-14,000 ft.
Hat tu (Collett)
The Chor. (Bamber).
Petals None.
small, dense, erect, prostiate at high elevations*
greyish green ; leaves linear, £-§ in., straight in
threes, pointed, concave above, convex below, male
cones £ in. long, many, ovoid, female cones minnte
hud-like consisting of many overlapping braces, fruits
compound like a berry, purple black with a bloom,
the bracts just visible, seeds 3. The beuies are used
in the distillation of gin, also as a diuretic, the wood
and leaves are burnt in the Punjab for incense.
Juniporus pseudc-
sabina,
BHl, bhentri
Conifers.
h\ H. I. v. 646.
Himalaya, 9-15,000 ft.
Hazara (Barrett).
medium size, dark coloured bark ; leaves of two
kinds, those on lower branches £ in. long, linear,
sharp pointed, spreading, these on the teiminal
branchlets^ 5 in. lung., bioadly ovate, closely over-
lap pine, tips free, back keeled : fioweis like the last
species ; fruit erect, ovoid, ^-§ in., one seeded.
Juniperus recurva
WeePing Blue
Juniper,
BettuTj bUentra, guggal.
Conifers.
F. B. I. v. 647.
Himalaya, 7,500-15,001)1^
The Chor (Collett).
medium size to small prostrate shrub, blnish green,
branches twiggy with hanging branchlets ; leaves in
whorls of 3, 3 in. long, curved, linear, sharp pointed,
Hat and bluish green above, curved and pale green
below, cones terminal, male yellow ; fruit ovoid,
%-i in., dark purple, seed solitary. The smoke of the
burning green wood acts as a violent emetic, the leaves
and wood are burnt as incense.
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Lobed Leaves.
Petals Ununited.
Kibes Groasularia,
Rough Gooseberry,
Amlanch, kansi, teila.
Saxifragachle.
F. B. I. ii- 410.
Himalaya, 9-12,000 ft.
Pangi (Watt).
small, usually 3 prickles beneath each leaf axil,
stems smooth or with many prickly hairs ; leaves
nearly round with 3-5 lobes, often toothed, hairy
beneath ; flowers stalked in clusters of 1-3 flowers,
stalks with bracts at the base and 2 bracteoles at the
middle, calyx tube long, lobes 4-5 produced above the
fruit, petals 4-5, small, stamens 4-5 ; berry £ in. long
oblong, inedible, seeds several.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
Jt51
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulate Lobed Leaves.
Petals Ununited.
Ribes oriental©,
Koghak, nangJte.
SAXIFRAGACKE.
F. B. I- ii. 410.
Kashmir, 8-12,000 It.
Baltistan.
Kaghan.
medium size, sticky with glands and minutely
hairy ; leaves 1-1 J ins. diam., round kidney shaped,
minutely toothed, 3-5 lobed ; flowers small, greenish
in erect crowded racemes, bracts \ in. long, linear,
calyx tube hardly produced above the fruit, lobes
4-5, petals 4-5. stamens 4-5 ; berry \ in. long, yellow
ish red, velvety with minute glands, seeds several.
Sib s giaoiale,
Kukuliya, 'H<angle y durbui.
SAXIFRAGACE^aS .
F. B. I. ii. 410.
Himalaya, 7-12,000 ft.
Hattu (Collett).
The Chor (Bamber).
small, smooth, of ten epiphytic ; leaves 1-3 ins. diam.,
cordate, 3-b lobed, acute, often long pointed,
midlobe largest, pale beneath ; flowers greenish brown,
^ in. diam., in glandular racemes 1-2 in., long erect
in flower, hanging down in fruit, male and female
flowers usually on different plants, bracts narrowly
lanceolate, longer than the flower stalks, calyx lobes
oblong, 4-5, petals 4-5, stamens 4-5 ; berries | in. long .
smooth, red, sour, scarcely edible.
Kibes nigrum,
Black currant,
Mnradh, beli t fhahtekas
Saxifbagace,®.
F. B. I. ii. 411.
Himalaya, 7-12,000 ft.
Ohanglagalli (Douie).
The Chor. (Bamber).
small, velvety ; leaves scented, 2-4 ins. diam., long
stalked, lobes 3 or 5, smooth above, dotted with minute
yellow glands below : flowers green tinged with
purple, £ in. diam., stalks of lower flowers longest, in
smooth drooping racemes 2-3 in. long, calyx tube
produced above the fruit, gland dotted, lobes 4-5,
petals 4-5,stemens 4-5 ; berry £ in. diam., black, seeds
several. The fruit is as large and palatable as the
English Black Currant.
Kibes rubrum,
Bed currant,
Dak, phulanchj nabar.
8 AXIFKAGACE^ -
F. B. I. ii. 411.
Himalaya, 8-12,000 ft
Mahasu, Narkanda
(Collett).
Changlagalli (Douie).
small, nearly smooth ; leaves 2-3 ins. diam., long-
stalked, hairy at the base, ovate lobes, 3-5 acute,
toothed, smooth or with few hairs above ; flowers
greenish yellow, £ in. diam,, stalks shore, bractb
shorter than the stalks in smooth pendulous lacemes
3-6 ins. long ; calyx tube above the fruit, lobes short,
blunt, 4-5, petals 4-5 ; berry \ in. diam., red. rarely
black, smooth, too acid to be palatable.
962 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Vol. XIX.
Shrubs with ALfKRXATE Ex-stipulate Lobed. Leaves.
Petals Uniteij.
TricnolePls tifeetica,
Composite:.
F. B. I. iii. 882.
Northern Kashmir,
8-12,000 ft.
Solanuxn dulcamara,
Solannm indicnxn
Kan&yuH
RoLANACEiE
F.B. I.iv.8S4.
The Plains to 6,000 ft.
Valleys below Simla
(Collett).
Solannm Melongrena,
The Egg-plant,
Brinjal, bengtrn.
SOLANACE^I.
F. B. I . iv 235.
The Plains to 1,(*00 ft.
Solannxn coagulaus
Bari memhari, tingi.
SOLAKACE.2E.
F. B.I. v. 286.
The Plains.
Bicinus communis,
The Castor Oil Plant
At end, hedanjir^ harnauM
Euphorbiacks.
F.B. T. iv. 457.
The Plains.
small, branches clusteied above, slender, twiggy
ending in a stiff flower stalk with a small erect head ;
leaves 1-3 ins. long, sessile, leathery, very narrow
blunt, lobed, upper -|-1 by t \-£ in., ovate, linear,
margin not lobed : flowers scarlet, in heads £~$ in.
diam., bracts round heads, outer ovate, needle
pointed, inner lanceolate, needle pointed, ^ in. long,
corollas i in. : long : fruit (achenes) £ in. long, rather
ribbed, a brush of hairs on top of each achene -\ in.
long.
see Shrubs, Alternate, Exstipulate. Simple.
small, branches many, very prickly, prickles stout,
flattened, often recurved : leaves 3-ij by 1-4 ins.,
ovate, lobed, star-shaped hairs above, woolly beneath,
nerves prickly, stalk 1 in. long ; flowers f-1 in. diam.
in lateral woolly recemes r calyx ft lobed £ in. triangular,
very woolly, corolla lobes 5. broad triangular, woolly
without, stamens ft 3 forming a cone ; berry yellow,
\ in. diam., round, smooth, protruding beyond (he
calyx lobes, seeds £ in. diam., discoid. The root is
said to be aphrodisiac.
small, prickly or unarmed ; leaves .i-i> by 2-4 ins.,
stalk i in., ovate lobed. star-shaped hairs beneath :
flowers blue. 1-1 5 in. diam.. in short small clusters
calyx lobes ' r -^ in., oblong. linear, corolla shortly lobed,
stamens :"», forming a cone : berry 1-0 ins., purple
green. seed-< very many, discoid. Generally cultivated.
very like the last species, but the berry is only 1 in.
diam., and yellow. The fruit »s sometimes eaten fresh
or pickled.
Petals None.
large, stem hollow, young shoots bluish green ;
leaves 6-24 ins, diam., green to red, round, 5-7 lobed
lobes toothed, membranous, oblong to linear, sharp or
long-pointed, stalk 4-1 2 ins. long : flowers ^ in. diam.
in terminal erect branching recemes, male and female
on different plants, male flower, calyx membranous.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
963
Shrur.3 with Alternate Exstipulate Lobed Leaves.
Petals Nose.
3-5 segments, petals none, stamens very many, female
flower, calyx like a folding bract or spathe. soon fall-
ing off, ovary 3-celled. styles short or long, undivided
or in 2 or 3 parts : capsule \-\ in. long, oblong, smooth
or with tubercles, seeds 3. oblong, spotted. The oil
is used as a purgative, also as a lubricant and an ilium i-
nant. The plant is cultivated and is probably indige-
nous, and not a mere escape.
Nannor&ops Bltcfci-
ana,
Dwarf Palm,
Masri, Mlu.
Palmace^.
F. E. I. vi. 129.
5J.-W. Frontier Province.
Salt Range to 3,000 ft.
large, stem 8-10 ft. long, 4 ins. diam. : leaves 2-3 ft.
in diam., round, split into segments, stalk 6-12 ins.,
margins toothed, sheathing ; flowers small on a spike
(spadix) with branches and branchlets forming a
pyramid 2-3 ft. long, flowers in pairs, one sessile, the
other stalked, contained in a small spathe (sheathing
bract), the whole pyramid contained in a large spathe.
sepals and petals 3 each, stamens 3 or 6, drupe round,
size of a pea to a bullet, one-seeded. The leaves are
made into matting, baskets and cordage.
Shrub? with Alternate Stipulate Compound Leaves.
Petals Ununited.
small, evergreen, smooth ; leaves of 3-5 leaflets,
rarely one, stalk stout, leaflets 4-9 ins. long, ovate
lanceolate, blunt or pointed, dark-green, smooth ;
flowers white, scented, small in erect, terminal or
axillary, branched racemes, calyx 4-5 lobed, lobes
broad, petals 4-5, stamens 8-10 : fruit round with a
depression, £ in. diam., white or pink, pnlp sweetish,
edible. The twigs are used as tooths ticks.
Glycosmis penta-
phylla,
San nimbuypvtali.
girgitti*
Kutace.5:.
F. B. I. i. 49'J.
The Plaint; to 5,000 ft.
Kurraya exotica
Marc]mia t jnti t Iribmt.
RUTACE.E.
V. B. I. i. 502.
The Plains to 5,000 ft-
Sntlej Valley (Collett).
Eawnlpind
large, bark ash-coloured, smooth, young parts
velvety ; leaves 4-5 ins. long, leaflets 3-7. 1-3 ins. Jong,
shortly stalked, dark-green, smooth, ovate, oblique at
the base, notched at the tip or pointed, gland dotted ;
flowers white, scented, 1 in. long, in short axillary or
terminal clusters, rarely soEtsry, calyx 5-lobed, lobes
minute, short-pointed, petals 5, lanceolate, stamens
10 ; berry £-f in. long, ovoid, pointed at each end,
wrinkled, red, 1-2-seeded.
Mnrraya Esenlgii,
see Trees, Alternate, Exstipulate, Compound.
1*84 JOUXNA L, BOMBA Y NA TUBAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Vol. XIX.
Shbpw with Alternate Exstipijlate Compound Leaves.
Petals Ununited.
Llmcmia aci&isaima.
Belt.
RUTACE^,
F. B. I. i. 607.
The Plains to 4,000 ft.
Valleys below Simla
(Collett)
Ficrasma gaassioides,
Putlwriny titlm, hala
8IMARUBACE.E.
F. B. I. i. 520.
Himalaya, 8-5,000 ft.
Rhuerarviflora,
Sumac,
Tungla, tnmra.
ANACAKMACE.E.
F. B. I. ii.9.
Himalaya, 2-6,000 ft.
Rhus Mysorensls
J)a$arm y datan.
ANACARDIACE^.
F. B. I. ii. 9.
The Plains.
N.-W. Frontier Province.
Snlliman Range
8 6,000 ft
large, armed with long spines, smooth, white corkj
bark ; leaves 3-6 ins. long, stalk with broad wings,
leaflets 5-9, ^-] i ins. long, sessile, ovate lanceolate,
long-pointed, gland dotted, toothed, tip notched :
flowers white, scented, ^ in. diam., in short axillary,
often leafy racemes, calyx 4-Iobed, persistent, petals
4, gland dotted, larger than the calyx, stamens 8 ;
beiry ^ in. diam., round, yellow turning to purple,
acid, smooth, seeds 2-4.
large, branches spotted, stout, bark very bitter,
young parts velvety ; leaves 10-18 ins. long, leaflets
9-15, 2-4 ins. long, sessile, ovate lanceolate, long-
pointed, toothed, the lowest pair much the smallest :
flowers I in. across, green in axillary branching
recemes, calyx 4-5 lobed, very small, petals 4-5,
much larger than the calyx, leathery and persistent in
fruit, stamens 4-5, hairy at the base, fruit of 3-5
drupes, size of a pea, red or black, each one-seeded,
sometimes eaten. The baik, wood, and root are very
bitter, and might be nsed as a tonic instead of
Quassia.
medium size, bark grey smooth, young rusty
woolly ; leaves of 3 leaflets, stalk 1-2 ins., rusty woolly,
leaflets 1-3 by £-2 ins., the terminal one much the
largest and often narrowed into a margined stalk,
ovate with a broad tip, toothed, slightly hairy above,
rusty woolly beneath ; flowers yellow green, yV" 1 .
diam. in hairy terminal, often leafy, branching
racemes 12 ins. long, calyx lobes 4-6, ovate, hairy
without, petsls 4-6, twice as long as the calyx lobes,
oblong, stamens 4-10; drupe £ in. ovoid, shining
brown seed one. The fruit (tantarik) is sold in the
bazaar as substitute for tamarind.
small, branches springy, woody, often spinous,
branchlets scurfy ; leaves of 3 leaflets, stalk £-$ in.
scurfy, leaflets £-1* ins. long, terminal much the
largest, all sessile, scnrfy beneath, tinged with red :
flowers j 1 ^ in. diam. in slender scurfy taxillary or
terminal branching racemes, in other points like the
last species. The bark is sometimes used for tanning.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
965
Shrubs with Alternate Exstipulatr Compound Leaves.
Petals United.
Jasminnm hnmile,
Chamha 3 jai t thing.
Oleace^e.
F.B.I, iii. 602.
Himalaya 2-5,000 ft.
Salt Range.
Bimla CCoIlett\
Murree (Douie).
small, smooth, branches angular green ; leaves 2-4
ins. long, leaflets 2-10, 2-3 by £-t£ ins. ovate, acute
or blunt at both ends : flowers yellow in terminal
clusters, many, \-% in. long, calyx teeth 5, ^ in.
triangular, corolla united, lobes ^ by ^ in. flat circular.
5, stamens 2 in the corolla tnbe ; berries 2-lobed or 3-
lobed, oblong with rounded ends, seeds one in each
lobe. An aromatic essential oil is obtained fiom the
flowers by native perfumers.
EKECT HEEBS.
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Simple Leaves.
Leap Margins Entire.
Spergula arvensls,
Corn Spurrey,
Caryophyixackss.
F. B. 1. i. 2-13.
The Plains to 7,000 ft.
Simla (in corn fields)
(Collett).
Spererula pentandra,
Ca ryoph ym. acb^ .
F. B. I. i. 243.
The Plains to 7,000 ft.
(in corn fields).
SPererula rubra,
Sand Spurrey,
C aryophyll ace m .
F. B. I. i. 244.
The Plains.
Bhahpor (Douie).
Petals Ununited.
medium size, annual, branched from the root,
knotty, often sticky ; leaves linear £-2 ins. in opposite
clusters, half round, grooved below, rather fleshy,
stipules thin dry, small ; flowers £-£ in. diam., in
forked terminal clusters on long stalks, turned back
after flowering, sepals 5, blnnt, green, unjoined, petals
5, white, blunt slightly longer than the sepals, stamens
10, styles 5; capsule nearly round, shining, longer
than the calyx, opening by 5 valves , seeds many,
keeled or narrowly winged, granular.
much the same as the last species, but leaves bluish
green, not grooved below, petals sharp pointed, styles
3. seeds smooth flattened, broadly winged.
small, stems 6-8 ins. long, annual ; leaves £-1 in,
long, linear, flat, fleshy, stipules split, broad, silvery
flowers £-£ in. diam., pink or white, sepals 5, lanceo-
late, blunt, margins thin, dry. petals fi, ovate with,
broad tips, shorter than the sepals, stamens 5 or 10,
styles 3 ; capsule ovoid, longer than the calyx, seeds
many, pale brown, rough, not winged.
966 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NA TUBAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Simple Leaves.
Leaf Margins Entire.
Drymaria coxdata,
C ARYOPHYIX PlCEM .
F.B. I.i.244.
The Plains to 7,0uu ft.
Petals Ununited.
large, annual, smooth, found in shady moist places,
branches forking into two, slender, 1-2 ft. ; leaves
flat, stalked, ovate or round tipped with an abrupt
poinc, stipules of a few bristles, soon falling off ;
flowers ^-| in. diam.. in axillary or terminal clusters,
stalks slender, bracts with thin edges, sepals 5, green .
petals 5; two-lobed, lobes narrow, not longer than the
sepals . stamens 3-5. style short ; capsule 3-angIed
3-vaIved ; seeds one to many, round, flattened, rough
with hard projections.
Polycarpon Loeflia-
CAKYOPHYLLACE-S!
F. B. I. i. 245.
The Plains.
small, annual, smooth or velvety, common in
gardens and waste places : leaves flat,
long,
sharp-pointed or blunt , wedge shaped, linear-oblong,
stipules small, thin, soon falling off ; flowers £ in.diam.
in clusteis at the end of branches or in their forks,
sepals 5, keeled, petals 5. thin, notched or not, stamens
3-5. style divided into three ; capsule one -celled : seeds
many, ovoid, grooved.
Polycarpsea corvm
bosa,
CABYoPHYLL A CE.E.
F. B. I. i. 245
The Plains to 7,000 ft.
Giri Vally (Collett).
small, annnal or perennial, much branched, grey
woolly or velvety ; leaves £-1 in. long, flat, narrow
linear, long or short pointed or blunt, stipules lanceo-
late or awl-shaped, thin : flowers £ in. diam., white in
terminal silvery much branched clusters, sepals 5,
thin, lanceolate much longer than the petals and
capsule, often coloured, petals 5, maigin smooth or
2- toothed, stamens 5, style one. tip 3-toothed ; capsule
3-valved, seeds many, ovoid or flattened.
Fortulaea quadrifida
see Prostrate Herbs. Opposite, Stipulate, Simple
Leaves.
Uolliaero fcirta,
see Prostrate Herbs, Opposite, Stipulate, Simple
Leaves.
PLANTS OF TEE PUNJAB. 967
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Himple Leaves.
Leaf Margins Entire.
Arffostemma verti-
clllatnm,
RUBLACEA
F. B. I. iii. 48.
Hitnalaya 2-6,000 ft.
Simla (Collett).
Sedyotiahisplda
RtTBIACEjE.
P. B. I. iii. 60.
Himalaya to 5,000 ft.
Valleys below Simla
(Collett).
Hedyotis stipulata,
Oldenlandia corym
feosa,
RtTBIACEJS.
F. B.I. Hi. 64.
The Plains to 6,000 ft
Anuandale, Simla
(Collett).
Murree Hills (Dome).
Oldonlaadia aspera,
RUBIACBjE.
F.B.I, iii. 68.
The Plains.
25
Petals United.
small, annual, slender, nearly smooth, growing on
wet rocks ; leaves in fours, sessile, unequal, lanceolate
or ovate-lanceolate, 1-4 ins. long, stipules minute ;
flowers | in. diam. white , shining in terminal stalked
clusters, calyx 5-toothed, teeth short-pointed, corolla
wheel-shaped, 5-lobed, stamens 5, style slender, stigma
round ; capsule thin, 2-celled ; seeds many.
small, annual, stems angular, rough, much branched,
sometimes prostrate ; leaves sessile l§-2£ ins. long, very
variable in width, linear-lanceolate, short or long-
pointed, margins turned in, stipules very short with
many stiff bristles ; flowers small, white, 2-6 in sessile
axillary rounded clusters, calyx lobes 4, short-pointed,
persistent, roughly bristly, corolla bell-or-f unne] shap-
ed, lobes 4, ovate or linear, stamens 4 in the throat of
the corolla, style thread-like, stigma 2-lobed ; capsule
ovoid or round, 2-celled, seeds many, minute.
see Prostrate, Herbs, Opposite, Stipulate, Simple.
small, annual, slender, minutely bristly ; leaves £-2
ins. long, linear-lanceolate, short pointed, margins
often curved back, stipules small, thin, with long or
short teeth or bristles ; flowers white, small, solitary
on long slender axillary stalks, or 2-4 in a small
cluster, calyx-tube ovoid, teeth 4, narrow pointed,
corolla flat and circular topped, lobes 4, tube short,
stamens 4, within the corolla tube, style short, stigma
2-lobed ; capsule round, not ribbed, 2-celled, opening
at the top, seeds many, minute.
small, annual, thick, stem rough, branching in
threes ; leaves 2-3 ins. long, in clusters, narrow linear,
short pointed, margins turned under, leathery, stipules
thin with 1-3 terminal bristles ; flowers blue, £ in.
long, nearly sessile, solitary or in pairs on three
branching clusters, calyx teeth 4, much shorter than
the corolla tube, awl-shaped, corolla funnel-shaped,
tube x^ in. long, slender, lobes 4, stamens 4, within
968 JOURNAL, BOMBA ¥ NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Simple Leaves.
Leaf Margins Entire.
Petals United.
Oldenlanfiia coocinea
Rubiace^:.
F. B. I. in. 69.
Himalaya, 3-8,000 ft.
Simla on grassy slopes
(Collett).
Anctis calycina
RUBIACE^E.
P. B I. ii. 73,
Himalaya, 8-7,000 ft.
Simla, Mashobra,
(Collett).
Spermacoce strlcta
RUBIACE.E.
F. B. I. \U 200*
The Plains to 6,000 ft,
Valleys below Simla
(Collett),
the corolla tube, style short, stigma 2-lobed ; capsule
round, 5 in. diam- rough, seeds many, angled.
small, annual, slender, stem minutely bristly, often
unbranched ; leaves h-l§ in. long, distant in pairs,
narrowly lauceolate, short -pointed, rough, margins
curved back, stipules bristly : flowers scarlet, ^ in.
diam- axillary or terminal, solitary or 2-4 in small
clusters, stalks short, lengthened in fruit, calyx
teeth 4, very long, equal to the corolla tube, corolla
tube £ in. long, lobes oblong, stamens 4 in the tube,
style short, stigma 2-lobed : capsule oblong or round,
£--f in. long, seeds many, angled.
small, annual, slender, smooth, stems tufted. 4-
angled : leaves \-\ by j-i in,, ovate or ovate-lanceo-
late, shortly stalked, long-pointed, stipules thin with
short bristles on margins ; flowers small, white or
lilac, axillary or terminal, solitary on slender stalks
or 2-4 in a small cluster, calyx ovoid, teeth 4, minute,
widely separated in fruit, corolla short, tubular, 4
lobed, stamens 4. nearly sessile at the mouth of the
corolla tube, style slender, 2-branched projecting
capsules in pairs, opening at the top bv 2 valves, seed s
many, minute.
small, annual, stems and branches usually square,
angles rough with curved-back prickles : leaves 1-2 by
%-h in., linear or ovate, short-pointed, leathery, smooth
or rough, margins turned down, stipules joined to the
leaf stems forming a short tube with long marginal
bristles ; flowers white, many in dense rounded axillary
heads, bracteoles thread-like, longer than the calyx
calyx ovoid, teeth usually 4, linear, persistent, corolla
funnel-shaped, 4 lobed, £ in. long, lobes linear, acute .
stamens 4 on the throat of the corolla, style thread-
like, stigma round : capsule £ in. long, narrow at the
base, thin, crowned with the calyx teeth, dividing
into two one-seeded half fruits, seeds oblong, polished.
Rutola tibotic&
see Herbs. Erect, Opposite, Exstiplate. Simple.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
969
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Simple Leaves.
Leaf Margins Entire.
Mollugo stricta,
FicoiDE-a;.
F. B. I. ii. 663.
The Plains to 5,000 ft.
Valleys below Simla
(Collett).
Fouzolzia indica
r. pentandra,
P. birta,
Elatostemma pusil-
lum,
Bergfia ammanaloide
Elatine^;.
F. B. L i. 251.
The Plains in wet places*
Iznpations Roylei,
GBRAKIACEJB.
F. B. I. i. 468.
Himalaya, 6-8,000 ft.
Mahasu (Collett>
Changlagalli (Dome).
Petals Xone.
small, annual, smooth, much branched : leaves
|-1£ ins. long, narrowly lanceolate, nearly sessile, short-
pointed, stipules membranous, soon falling off ; flowers
At in. long, orange or pink, in many terminal branch-
ing clusters, sepals 5. j| in. long, distinct, persistent,
petals none, stamens 3-5, styles 3, short, ununited :
capsule round, within the persistent calyx, seeds
many, dark-brown, rough with minute points.
see Prostrate Herbs, Opposite, Stipulate, Simple.
see Herbs, Alternate, Stipulate, Simple, Entire.
Leaf 3Iakgins Toothed.
Petals Ununited.
small, annual, smooth or slightly hairy, lower
branches prostrate ; leaves ^-§ in. long, sessile, linear-
lanceolate, short-pointed, sharply toothed : flowers
^ in., sessile or nearly so, in dense clusters, sepals
5, lanceolate, toothed, petals 5, stamens h • capsule
5-celled, valves brittle, edges turned in, seeds ovoid,
many.
large, annual, smooth, stems succnlent : leaves
2£-6 ins. lanceolate, sharply toothed, teeth gland-
tipped, long pointed, stalked, stipules of gland- tipped
bristles ; flowers lj-l£ ins. long minus the spur, pale
pink in terminal racemes or clusters, sometimes bran-
ching racemes, sepals 3, 2 lateral minnte greenish,
one lower (lip) petal-like, coloured pink, cup-shaped
prolonged into a hollow curved spui \ in. long,
petals 3, one upper (standard) broad with a green
tip between the two side lobes, two lower (wings)
with lateral lobes, broad, notched on the margin
with a little hollow at the base within, stamens 5.
anthers cohering above the 5-toothed stigma with
filaments clasping the ovary : capsule linear, club-
shaped, beaked, nodding, 5-valved, the valves when
970 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Simple Leaves.
Leap Margins Toothed.
Petals Ununited.
Xmpatiess Tbomsoni
Geraniace^
F. B. I. i. 46y.
Inner range of the
Himalaya, 9-10,000 ft.
Impatiens sulcata
Gebaniace^.
F. B. I. i. 469.
Himalaya, 7-12,000 ft.
Simla Mahasu CCollett)
Impatio&s amplezi-
caulis,
Gesaniace^;.
F. B. I. i 469.
Himalaya, 6-12,000 ft.
Simla CCollett)
Eupfcoraa Hyporici-
folia,
EuPHORBIACEiE.
F. B. I. v. 249.
The Plains to 7,000 ft.
Simla CCollett).
Murree Valleys CDouie).
Euphorbia Emooi,
E UPHORBIACE^I .
F. B. I. v. 250
Himalaya, 4-7,600 ft.
Valleys below Simla
CCollett.)
Kulu, Chamba, Lahoul.
ripe, if shaken, curl up elastically and jerk out thi
numerous large broad seeds.
like the last species, but a little smaller, a little
bristle-like gland between the teeth on the leaf margin,
stipules or cushion-like tubercles, lateral sepals ovate-
lanceolate, spur long, upper petal not lobed, capsule
narrowly club-shaped.
large, like Impatient Roylet, but the stem grooved
flowers darker pink or purple, capsule longer, less
clubbed.
like Impatiens Tkomsom t but stem four-angled.
upper leaves alternate sessile, stem clasping, lower
leaves opposite, flowers fewer and smaller, capsule
hardly clubbed, 1-1 j ins. long.
Petals None
small, annual, slender, smooth, juice milky : leaves
£-1 by £-£ in., shortly stalked, oblong, tip rounded,
margins toothed except at the base, margins may be
reddish, stipules minute, bristly, divided or none :
flowers minute in terminal or axillary clusters, often
with two floral leaves at the base, 4 sepals or teeth 4
with 5 green glands in the angles, stamens several,
surrounding a 3-angIed ovary on a stalk hanging down
on one side, styles 3, very short, branched : capsule 3-
lobed, velvety, splitting into 3 valves, one smooth seed
in each cell.
small, annual, hairy, purplish, juice milky, branches,
straggling from the short stout stem ; leaves £-£ in.,
in rather distant pairs, green with a purple blotch,
oblong or linear-oblong, tip blunt, toothed-stipules
fringed ; flower clusters, nearly sessile and solitary .
-£g in. long, like the last species but glands purple
with white or rose colour ends, styles slender
PLANTS OF TEE PUNJAB.
971
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Simple Leaves.
Leaf Margins Toothed.
Petals None.
Euphorbia pilialifera
EUFHOBBIACE^.
F. B. I. V. 250.
The Plains tu 1,000 ft.
Valleys below
Simla (Collett).
Bhera (Dome).
capsule shortly stalked, smooth, slightly angled, seeds
angled with slight projections.
small, annual, juice milky, stem and branches 1-2 ft..
very hairy ; leaves $-1% ins. long, oblong-lanceolate,
tip sharp, stalked, toothed, stipules minute linear •
flower clusters ^ in. many in terminal and axillary,
sessile or stalked bunches, glands small, round ;
capsule j\ in. diam.. hairy, seeds ovoid, in other
respects like the other species of Euphorbia.
Euphprto ClarkOa&a, see Herbs, Piostrade , Opposite, Stipulate, Simple.
Urtica pilulifera,
rhe Roman Mettle,
Ubticace^j,
F. B. I. i. 548.
Himalaya, 5-7,000 ft.
Simla (Collett).
TJrtiea parviflora
UBTICACRS!.
F. B I. v. 548.
Himalaya, 5-12,000 ft.
Simla (Collett).
TXrtica dicica
The Enslisfc Nettle*
Urticace^;.
F. B. I. v. 548.
Salt range.
Himalaya, 7-lu,000 ft.
Simla, Hattu (Collett).
small, annual, covered with stinging hairs ; leaves
1-3 ins. long, ovate, teeth very long, often linear,
sharp-pointed, thin, stalked ; flowers green, minute,
male in slender branching spikes, female in round
heads, both on the same plant, male sepals 4, concave,
ovate, stamens 4, curled up in bud, straightening with
a jerk when the flower opens, female sepals 4, flat,
unequal, stigma of a small tuft of hairs ; carpel held
by the sepals, flattened. An introduced European
weed found near houses.
medium size, root perennial, stem annual, slender
but little branched, with blunt angles, covered with
stinging hairs ; leaves 2-4 by 1-2$ ins., ovate or lanceo-
late, long-pointed, wrinkled, teeth small, irregularly
jagged, stalk \-2 ins. long, stipules united, ovate-
oblong ; flowers green, minute in slender spreading
axillary and terminal brandling pyramidal clusters,
male and females on the same plant and like those of
the last species.
like the last, but often stouter, stem grooved, teeth
large, regular, stipules ununited, male and female
flowers on separate plants.
972 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Simple Leaves.
Leap Margins Toothed
Fileapeplol&ea,
Urticace^.
F. B. I. v. 554.
Upper Himalaya, Lahoul ,
Pllea nmbroaa,
Urticace^;.
F. B. I. v. 556.
Himalaya, 4-9,000 ft.
Simla in shady places
(Collett).
?Uea scripta
Urticace.^:.
F. B. I. v. 556.
Himalaya, 4-7,000 ft.
Simla, in shady places
(Collett).
Elatostemma
surotiloaiim
Petals None.
small, stem and branches 3-5 ins., tufted, succulent,
smooth ; leaves ^-f in. long, round, ovate, tip rounded,
margin toothed above the middle, rarely smooth, 3-
nerved, base wedge-shaped, stalk %~% in. long, stipules
minute ; flowers minute, green sessile in clusters on the
slender branches of stalked spreading, axillary racemes
2-4 ins. long, male and female flowers on the same
plant, male sepals 4. stamens 4, anthers white; female
sepals 3, unequal, stigma of a tuft of hairs : carpel
nearly round, minute, smooth.
large, hairy, leaves 3-5 by 2-3£ ins., ovate, broadly
toothed, base wedge-shaped, tip tail-like, sharp-
pointed, stalk 1-3 ins., stipules nearly persistent, large ;
flowere as in the last species, but dorsal female sepal
much the longest, achenes minute ^ in., pale, with a
raised intramarginal ridge.
large, smooth, branched ; leaves 3-10 by 1-3 ins.,
lanceolate narrowed to both ends, tip tail- like, teeth
small, shallow, stalk i-2 ins. long, stipules short ;
flowers like the last species, carpels rough.
see Herbs, Prostrate, Opposite, Stipulate, Simple.
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Lobed Leave3.
Fagonia arabica
or
erotica,
Jotva&a-
Zygophylla ce^-
F. B. I. i. 425,
Tbe Plains.
Common in fields.
Rawalpindi.
Fagonia Brusmieri,
Petals Ununited.
small, annual, green, spiny with glandular woody
branches ; leaves small one to three lobed, leaflets
linear, short pointed, stalk often leaf -like, stipules of
two spines longer than the leaflets ; flowers pale rose-
coloured, small on solitary stalks between the spines,
sepals 5, soon falling off, oblong-lanceolate, half the
length of the petals, petals 5, closed, soon falling off.
stamens 10, style and stigma undivided ; capsule
velvety, 5-cornered, 5-celled, two seeds in each cell.
see Herbs, Prostrate. Opposite. Stipulate. Simple.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
973
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Lobed Leaves.
Geranium pratense,
Cranes Bill,
Geraniace^.
F. B. I. i. 429.
Kashmir, 7-10,000 ft.
The ChoT near Simla.
Geranium rectum,
GERANIACE^!,
F. B. I. i. 4S9.
Kashmir.
Geranium coUlnum
GERANlACE^J.
F. B. I. i. 429.
Kashmir.
Geranium palustre,
or
grandlflorum,
GERANIACELS.
F. B. I. i, 480.
Kashmir.
Geranium
WalUcaianum,
GERANIACE^J.
F. B. I. i. 430.
Himalaya, 7-11,000 ft.
Simla (Collett).
il arret 1 (Douie).
Hazara (Barrett).
Petals Ununited.
medium size, stout, rootstock perennial, joints
swollen, hairs spreading ; leaves 2-3 ins. diam., some-
times alternate, round, cut into 7-9 segments, short-
pointed, stalks long, stipules small, lanceolate ; flowers
1 £-2 ins. diam., blue-purple in pairs on axillary bracte-
ate glandular and hairy stalks, sepals 5, long-tipped,
petals 5, stalked, alternate with 5 glands, spreading,
stamens 10, 5 long alternating with 5 short, filaments
flattened, narrowed upwards, united below, styles 5 ;
capsule 5-lobed and-celled, cells one- seeded, the
capsule and styles elongate, the styles curl up with
a jerk, ejecting the seeds.
medium size, rootstock stout, perennial, stem
slender, slightly hairy and leafy ; leaves 3-4 ins. diam.,
5-angled, 7-lobed, divided to below the middle, lobes
sharp-pointed, thin, slightly hairy on both surfaces,
long-stalked, stipules lanceolate ; flowers 1^ in. diam.
on long stalks, bracts awl-shaped ; the other characters
are like those of the last species.
small, woolly or glandular- velvety, stems many
unbranched, flowering 6-10 ins. high ; leaves sometimes
alternate, round, 5-7-lobed to below the middle,
segments wedge-shaped, blunt, 3-5 lobed, stipules small
ovate, short-pointed, flowers and capsule like G.
pratense above.
very like the last species, bnt taller with large
flowers 2 ins. diam. ; leaves 5-angled with .5 lobes
cut pinnately
large, perennial, hairy, root thick, stem stout much
branched ; leaves 3-4 ins. broad, 5-angled, deeply 3-5
lobed, segments long-pointed, sharply toothed, stalked,
stipules £-1 in. long, very broad, blunt ; flowers blue
purple, l£-2 ins. diam., on long stalks, bracts large,
sepals 5, euding in a long bristle, petals 5, tip broad
with a shallow notch, stamens, styles and capsule like
G. pratense above.
974 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Lohed Leave?.
Petals Ununited.
Geranium Tuberaria,
Geraniace^:.
F. B. I. i. 431.
Kashmir.
medium size, slender, hairy and glandular, root
tuberous, perennial ; leaves l$-3 ins. diam,, sometimes
alternate, round kidney-shaped, divided into 5-7 parts,
segments very spreading, much divided, ledical leaves
long-stalked, stipules variable ; fioweis 1 in. diam. in
nearly umbelled clusters of 2 surrounded with shortly
stalked leaves, main flower stalk very hairy and
glandular, bracts leafy, much divided, sepals 5, small,
blunt with a fine abrupt point, petals 5, large, round-
ed with a notch, stamens 5, filaments slender ; capsule
l-r-l£ ins. long, erect, hairy, styles veiy short, the
beaks do not separate as in other species.
'ieranium
Roberttanum,
Herb Robert,
Geraniace^i
F. B. I. i. 4S2.
Himalaya, 6-8,000 ft.
Kashmir, Narkanda
(Collett>
Murree CDouie).
medium size, annual or biennial, softly hairy.
usually gland ular and strongly scented, often red,
stem 1-2 ft. high, succulent ; leaves 1-3 ins. broad,
triangular oblong, cut to the base into 3-5 pinnately
lobed segments, central segment longest, lobes short-
pointed, stalk long, stipules ovate. £ in. long ;
fiowers £ in. diam., red pink streaked with white in
two flowered clusters on long stalks, sepals 5, broad,
long-pointed, petals o, narrow, smoothly stalked, twice
as long as the sepals, not notched, stamens 5 ; capsule
f-1 in. long, beaks separating upwards and attached
above by silky hairs.
Erolium clconhra,
Geraxxachls:.
F. B. 1. i. 434.
N.-W. Frontier Province,
Kohat.
small, annual, velvety and sticky, branches stout,
swollen at the joints ; leaves ovate, cut into two or
three segments, segments divided into small toothed
lobes, stipules ovate-lanceolate, long-pointed, thin,
dry ; flowers small, purple on long two- to many
flowered stalks, bracts thin, dry, finely hairy with an
abrupt point, sepals 5, ovate thin with 3 glandular
hairy nerves, ending in a long bristle-like point, petals
5, alternating with glands, broad at the tip, stamens
5, alternating with 5 staminodes, in other characters
like Geranium pratense except the beaks being pitted
at the top and the styles silky on the inner surface.
PLANTS OF THE PUNJAB.
975
Herbs erect with Opposite Stipulate Loeed Leave?
Petals Ununited.
Erodium malacoides
Geraniace^i
F. B. I. i. 435.
The Plains.
Attock, Feshawaur,
Hazara (Stewart.)
Rawalpindi.
Kot Fateh Khan <Douie).
small, annual, softly hairy, stem erect or widely
spreading ; leaves ovate oblong, blunt or sharp-point
ed, velvety, cut into three lobes only, not again sub-
divided, stipules large, thin, dry, blunt or sharp-
pointed ; flowers small, lilac on three-to many flower-
ed stalks, bracts ovate, thin, dry, finely hairy, sepals
o, thin, two outer 5-and three inner 3-nerved, the
bristle point hairy, petals 5, tip broad. 9-nerved,
stamens 5 with f> staminodes ; carpels stalked, 3-
angled, beaks 4-5 times as long as the cell, with stiff
brown hairs for 1 of its length, pits on benkfi with a
deep fold.
Cannabis aativa,
see Herbs, Erect, Alternate, Stipulate, Lobed.
(To be continued.)
976
REVIEW.
THE RHOPALOCERA OF JAVA {PIERIDjE).
M. C. Piepers and P. C. T. Snellen.
This volume is the first of a projected series; it is based on the work of the
first author, an official in Java, who collected there for many years.
The authors have apparently used English as their medium, without having
a sufficient acquaintance with it ; sentences framed in German or Dutch and
rendered imperfectly into English, make text which is not clear and the proof-
correcting has been very imperfectly done. The introduction deals with certain
biological subjects; the author states clearly that he is a determined opponent of
the mimicry theory, that the phenomenon of evolutionary atrophy in Lepidoptera
is neglected, that what he calls colour evolution proves the last statement,
that the usual conception of dry and wet season forms is erroneous and finally
that the hindwings of butterflies are disappearing in the process of evolutionary
atrophy He refers to the varying development of the anal horn of SpMngidce •
stating his belief that it is in process of disappearance by evolutionary atrophy,
equally he believes the prothoracic wings of some insects have existed and
disappeared, that in Rlwpalocera the fore-legs are going, that the hindwings are
getting smaller, "* while, probably by correlative influence", the size of the fore-
wings and the " whole corporal size of the Rhopalocera is strongly diminishing."
Finally the pigments of the wirigs of Rhopalocera are paling and there is a
tendency to the production of more black scales and so a darkening of the whole
wings. The author expresses strong opinions in regard to the late de Niceville's
views on wet and dry season forms and mentions " the wild exaggeration of
now-a-days in this respect". To most Entomologists, the author's opinions,
backed by no definite observations or research, will carry little weight and the
value of the work is not increased by the discursive introduction in which such
novel views are put forth, an expression apparently of the author's peculiar
point of view,
A total of 33 Fiends are listed as from Java and the author brings together
the recorded facts as to life-histories. It is perhaps typical of modern ento
mology that the authors cannot accept the usual generic or specific designa-
tions and that to use the volume one must first look up the synonymy
and ascertain what species, as generally known, they are discussing. The
genus Leptosla becomes JiipJua, Pieris includes species from Huphina,
Appias and Saletara of the Fauna of India; the genus Delias becomes
Thyca\ the last is due to Snellen, with whom Piepers is apparently not
in sympathy as he states " This genus is generally called Delias. But Mr.
Snellen is of opinion that the systematist need not count with the names given
by Hiibner c ." If entomologists who publish such works would
agree, all could use them with ease, but at present one has fiist to correlate the
REVIEW. 977
synonymy, no light task, before one can understand what species really are
being discussed. Iphias is what the Fauna of India calls Hebomoia, Callidryas
is our Gatopsilia and so on.
For the student of Indian entomology, the work is of interest on account of
its biological observations but the author's hostility to de Niceville tinges it
too strongly not to give rise to a feeling of distrust.
There are four beautiful coloured plates, in which larvae, pupae and butter-
flies not hitherto figured are beautifully portrayed. The authors have
designedly given forth this family as a " proof " or model of what the whole
series will be, in the hope of obtaining financial support. We fear the
author's peculiar views and confusing nomenclature will make the series rank
with other similar publications of great size and cost, which do little but add
entries to cumbersome literature references without assisting towards a greater
knowledge of the subject.
978
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
No. I.— NEW LANGURS FROM THE INDIAN EMPIRE.
In the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Vol. 4, ser. 8th, September
1909, Dr. D. G. Elliot in a paper on -Descriptions of apparently new
species and sub-species of Monkeys of the genera CaUicebus, Lagoihrix, Papio,
Pithecus, Cercopithecus, Erythrocebtts and Presbytis" describes three new species
of Langurs from within onr limits :—
(1) Presbytis melamera obtained at Cadu Gaung,Bhamo, N. Burma, collect-
ed by L. Fea.
(2) Presbytis crepuscula from Mooleyit, British Burma.
(3) Presbytis lania, shot in the Chumbi Valley, Tibet, by Lt. F. Bailey and
presented by the Bo. Nat. Hist. Society to the British Museum.
The types of the above arc all in the British Museum.
No. II.— ON THE FOOD OF THE DESERT GERBILLE
(GERB1LLUS HURRIANjE.}
In the Fauna of British India (Mammalia) Dr. Blanford remarks that the
Indian Desert Gerbille (Gerbilhis hitrriancc) " abounds in sandy desert or semi-
desert, and is particularly common in Sind " and '* it is commonly seen out in
the day, in the cold season at all events, and is by no means shy." There is
plenty of such country round Karachi, and it is very pretty to watch these '
attractive little field rats round their burrows. Their dinrnal expeditions are
however by no means confined to the cold season, as they are out and about
the whole year round, and on the absence of shyness, I can more than confirm
Dr. Blanford's remark, in fact I would go so far as to describe them as bold.
Watching a community of them this morning from behind a bush at some
fifteen yards distance, I walked boldly forward into the open to investigate a
wasp that was circling round some plants near them. There was naturally a
sudden disappearance of the gerbilles, but as I approched, the heads and
shoulders of two appeared again at the mouth of a hole not three yards before
me. I stopped, and they shewed no signs of alarm, for they — a mother and
half -grown young one — proceeded to fondle each other, licking one another's
faces in the most affectionate manner. On returning towards the bush I
turned and sat down in the open, not ten yards from the burrows, and as I did
so there were already half a dozen of them outside their holes. One cannot help
admiring one's jungle friends in such close proximity, but in doing so one is
liable to receive bitter shocks to one's feelings. On this occasion one was in
store for me, for I saw a full-grown gerbille scuttle away some distance and
return with a large lump of some dark stuff in its mouth. I had seen where
he had gone for it and went up to ascertain its nature. It proved to be a dry
piece of human excrement ! I again returned to my post of observation ; in a
few moments the gerbille reappeared and proceeded to demolish his unsavoury
meal. We must always be prepared to modify our opiuions when we come to
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 979
pry into the inner life of wild animals, but the process of doing so does not
always add to our respect for our jungle friends.
E. COMBER.
Karachi, 15th August 1909.
No. III.— TIGER ATTACKING A BEAR.
I do not ever remember to hare heard of a Tiger attacking a Bear until
last cold weather, when shooting in the Central Provinces. When making in-
quiries of an old Karmar, who spent his life in fishing and hunting, regarding
the game to be found in the district, he casually remarked that a lame bear
used to frequent a certain part of the jungle, but that it had quite recently
been killed and eaten by a tiger. He was.quite positive of the fact— in support
of which he advanced the evidence that he found the partially devoured remains
of the bear in the bed of the river and the sand showed ample evidence of
there having been a fierce struggle between it and a tiger which in the end
had come off victorious and made a meal off bis foe ! A few days afterwards
when passing the spot he pointed out some of the bear's hairs lying scattered
about the place— the carcase having been cleared away by animals. He said the
bear was a large one, but for a long time past— for he had often seen it in the
neighbourhood— he had noticed that it was lame. I had no reason for doubt
ing the man's words, but the incident was certainly a very unusnal one,
L. L. FENTON, Lt.-Col.
4th October 1909.
No. IV.— A FIGHT BETWEEN A HYJENA AND A PANTHER.
" In March 1908, a party of Royal Artillery Officers from Secunderabad
had a drive for tiger in the Mahadapore Taluka in His .Highness the Nizam's
Dominions near the village of Somnapally some 16 miles off the Godavery.
A tiger came out first and was bagged, shortly afterwards a panther came
out and received a flesh wound in the neck, after which it disappeared into a
deep cave. This was surrounded; and they soon heard the noise of a fight
going on inside spelling fighting, roaring, etc. The shikaries said that there was
a tiger in the cave which was killing the panther ; the officers tried for half an
hour to dislodge the animals by firing rifles and throwing fireworks into the
cave but without success. So leaving the officer who had wounded the panther
on guard, the other two went off to secure the dead tiger. Shortly afterwards
a small hysena came ont and was shot. The hysena was a female about 4 feet
6 inches in length and was somewhat badly scratched abont the face bnt other
wise uninjured. Next morning on returning to the cave a female panther,
about 5 feet 10 inches, was found lying just outside the cave stone dead. On
examination it was found that she had a flesh bnllet wound in the neck, which
was not sufficient to kill her, bnt she had been bitten in two places by the hysena
firstly through the loins, secondly through the kidneys and at the same time
injuring the spine, and there is little doubt that the panther died from these
980 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
injuries as the flesh wound in the neck was not nearly severe enough to cause
its death, although it might have done so in a few days if mortification had
set in."
The above gives us some reason to doubt if the gentlemen, one reads of
who pull hyjenas out of caves by the hind legs, were not luckier than they
knew.
W. M. F. PENDELBURY.
Jalna, 26^ October 1909.
No. V.— MOTTLED POLECAT {PUT0R1US SARMATICUS)
AT BASNU.
An example of the Mottled Polecat (Pmonus sarmaUcus) was recently
sent me by Mr. Harris. Assistant Commissioner and Political Agent, Bannu.
It had been caught bv Bannuchi Zemindars about three miles fiom Bannu in
sugar-cane crops.
Mr. Harris informs me that this is the second example brought to him by
the natives, the first having been caught in a desert tract under the hills ;
so the species is, possibly, not very rare in this district.
The one sent me I now have in captivity. It does not appeal* to be quite
up to the measurements given in the •* Fauna/' and may be an immature
specimen. It differs from the H Fauna's " description in having the muzzle
and chin white and the back of the head and nape a brownish white.
In habits it is sluggish and disposed to sleep all day, but at night becomes
active, running up and down its cage and tearing at the wire netting with
teeth and claws. When suddenly disturbed, by day. it becomes savage and
utters a growling noise, very similar to that of a fox-terrier pup of a few
weeks old when irritated.
It thrives on raw meat and milk, and dead birds are especially appreciated
being devoured bones and all. A live quail introduced into its cage, by day,
was not touched ; in fact, if anything, it appeared afraid of the intruder. I
have not yet heen ahle to secure a live rat with which to f urther test its
killing propensities.
H. A. F. MAGRATH. Major.
Bannu, September 1909.
Xo. VI.— A GOOD HEAD OF HODGSON'S WILD SHEEP.
{With a Plate.)
I send you a photograph of the head of an Ovis amnion hodgson* which
was shot at Dochen in Tihet in July 1907. The following are the measure-
ments of the horns : —
L ENGTH. ClHCUM F K HENCE.
Right. Left. Right. Left.
4b V 49" 19" 19"
V. M. BAILE1
Uyantsk Tiniir, Apiil 1909.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 981
No. VII.— THE SEEOW.
I see in our journal, Vol. XIX, No. 2, on page 519, among the Miscellaneous
Notes, one (No. IV) by H. Shaw Dunn on Serow.
He says he does not think that the rufous variety exists in Upper Burma.
Allow me to assure him that he is absolutely wrong, in fact I believe the
rufous variety is the only variety which exists in the Upper Chindwin.
I shot a Serow within 4 miles of Teslin in the Gangaw Sub-division—
an old male— rufous-red all over except for a black mane and tail and a
black line running along the length of his back. Also two some 60 miles further
north, one on the Nwaydoung— rufous-red— being a female the line along the
back not black but only a darker colour than the rest of the body, and one 10
miles from here, a small male of the same colour as the first above described.
I saw a Serow killed by wild dogs in the Lomegtoung, also one killed in the
same way some 140 miles north in the Mytha river and not more than 20
miles from Kalewa. Both were rufous-red, and you could no more have
called them black than you could white.
I had one of those I shot set up (head and neck) and I fancy Mr. Dunn
would alter his opinion were he, at any time, to pay a visit to Spencer House,
Stansted. Essex, where the head is now and where it would be shown him
with pleasure.
I am well aware that the black variety exists in most parts of Upper
Burma, and I believe it is the only variety in the Ruby Mines ; but that the
rufous variety also exists, there is no doubt. I saw a specimen of the black
in Mogok. set up head and neck, and could not at first believe it was shot in
Burma, so much did it differ from those I had seen and shot.
C. B. MOGGRIDGE,
Mandalav, November 2nd, 1909. Buhy MiM " District *
No. VIII.— HABITS OF THE TAKIN.
In connection with the recent arrival of the young Bhutan Takin in the
Zoological Society's Gardens, the following notes on its Chinese cousin, taken
from a letter written to me from Chentu, Sze-chuen, on 9th October 1908, by
the late Mr. J. W. Brooke, will be of interest, as very little has been previous-
ly recorded regarding the wild life of these curious ruminants. After refer-
ring to the great difficulty of approaching the animal, the writer states that in
Sze-chuen the Takin inhabits dense bamboo and rhododendron jungle on
extremely precipitous hillsides, where it is nearly always pouring with rain.
The elevation of these jungles is from 8,000 feet to 10,000 feet above sea level,
and here the males are to be found from October to May, except when driven
down by stress of weather. The females, on the other hand, descend to the
valleys during March, April and May to feed and rear their young. These are
suckled only for a fortnight after birth and very speedily become as active as
their parents, as is evident from their tracks, which may be seen in the most
982 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
precipitous situations. So steep, indeed, is the ground on which Takin of all
ages are usually found that Mr. Brooke was of opinion that they must aid
their ascent by hooking on to the rhododendron branches with their horns as
he could not otherwise imagine how they negotiated the smooth, steep places
on which their tracks may be seen. This, however, requires confirmation by
actual observation before it can be definitely accepted.
Takin go about, says my correspondent, in herds of from five to about fifty
head, and, according to the reports of native hunters, when a herd takes to
headlong flight all its members will follow the line of their leader, who may
even leap over a precipice. Old males are stated to attain a huge size,
Mr. Brooke mentioning that some of the tracks of their great clumsy hoof*
are 6 in. square. For a considerable part of the year they separate themselves
from the main herds which consist of females and young males. Here it may be
mentioned that information supplied to me by Capt. Malcolm McNeill confirms
the conclusion reached from the study of the specimens in the British Museum
that young females are much greyer than males of the same age.
The best time to shoot Takin, observes Mr. Brooke, is in winter, when the
heavy snow compels them to come down to the valleys ; but as the snow is
soon melted by the warm winds blowing from the plains, they are only to be
found low down during unusually long and heavy snowfalls. Throughout the
winter they will always be found on the wander, as if never contented with
a single grazing ground ; and if not found low down in the valleys are almost
impossible to hnnt successfully, ft will be observed that nothing is said bj
my correspondent as to the whereabouts of the Takin from May till October,
but I presume that Mr. Brooke ref erred only to the period during which he
was on the ground, and that, except for the aforesaid temporary descents, thej
haunt the bamboo and rhododendron jungle throughout the year, nnless it be
that they go still higher in summer.
As regards the young Bhutan male in the Regent's Park Zoological Gardens
the straightness of its horns gives it a much greater resemblance to a Serow
than is presented by older animals, when the horns have acquired their charac
teristic curvature. With its conspicuous broad dark dorsal stripe, the animal
looks, indeed, by no means unlike a light coloured " sport " of the Nepaulese
race of the Sumatran Serow ; and I have little doubt that the two animals are
nearly allied. In its present condition, at any rate, the colour of the coat of
the Bhutan animal is very different from that of either the male or female of
the older pair of the Sze-chuen species exhibited in the lower mammal gallery
of the Natural History Museum.
R.
(From « T7t£ Field " of SUt July 1909.)
No. IX.— A GOOD CHINKARA OR INDIAN GAZELLE HEAD.
In May 1909, Captain J. Hodgkinson, 5th Cavalry, shot a Chinkara, (Gazella
bennetti} near Montgomery, Punjab, with horns measuring 15 j inches in length
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 93ft
and 5 inches in girth. The horns were measured by myself with a steel tape
while still fresh and in the hands of a taxidermist in Meerut I have not
heard of any Chinkara head larger than this and doubt if such has been
obtained.
R. M. BURTON". Majob, la.
Meerut, llth September 190».
[Acceding to Kovvlanri Wards Ji.co.ds of Big Game, the record Indian Gazelle hud
measures lfg wiih a circumference . f 4| inches. It fael ngs t Mai-r P. C. Paiin Ano.her
head of theeame length but half an inch smaller in girth was killed at Ferozepore and fc
in the J! ess of the 14th Sikhs.— Editors*.]
Xo. X.— THE WALL CREEPER (TICBODROMA MUX ARIA) IN
LYALLPUR.
I am sending a bird I shot last weather i n this district (Lyallpnr) for iden-
tification. I first saw it in June at this place, Kotkhudayar. It spent its time
flying round the buildings here, which are all of bricks, and clinging to the sides
of the walls where it seemed cjuite at home. It was alone and made a plain-
tive cheeping noise which was repeated at intervals throughout the day. J
saw it at this bungalow for about four days when it disappeared. About three
or four days later I had occasion to go to a bungalow of mine which is about
18 miles from here when I saw the same bird again. At least I believe it must
have been the same. I shot it and have kept its skin. I have not seen any
more here since. If the skin is of any use to the Society you may keep it.
A. Tt AJTJKJKNT.
KOTKHDDAYAR 1\ u.,
Vta Chi'Not Road, August Ifiife, 1909.
[The bir<] eent is a Wall Creeper (Ticbodrmna murnria). and baa not often been found so
far s uth in India before Ve a rule this species keeps to the hill* and only descends t » the
plains during the cold weather In India this species is f on nd throughout the Himalayas
andthehilla f the frontier a d has been recorded during the eld weather from I&twah,
Bhutan, Dears and Defara — Editors.]
No. XL-SEASONAL CHAr^GE OF PLUMAGE OF THE JXDIAN
WHITE-EYE.
In May 1901 1 caught a White-eye {Zosterops palpebrom) which was visiting
my newly-built aviary to talk wilh some tame White-eyes I had. He had a
bright chestnut foreh ad I did not think much of it at the time as 1 did
not then well know this bird from a book point of view, though well acqua-
inted with it alive both wild and in captiwty. He died soon. Not long
af er, I looked up the book and was astonished to find no mention of a chest-
nut foreheaded Wuite-eye nor of a seasonal change of plumage. Till tl i* year
(1909) no other similarly Coloured ones have been observed by me, thoi gh
I must confess that I did not particnlarly look out for them and that in some
years I bad no opportunity of observing White-eyes at all.
27
384 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Vol. XJA.
About mid- April this yeav I noticed se\ eral with chestnut logheads, and
pointed this out to my bird friends in the Regiment, Major Sealy, a very keen
observer and field natuiahht and 3Ii. Kennedy a fellow avicultnnst. Wanting
a couple of pairs for my aviary I set a "drop-net" near a floweimg shru
the birds vi*ited and soon had a bird. I was iither disappointed to find it,
forehead only rusty coloured. I pnt it down as a hen, correct but a, fluke
Her mate (or rather a mate; was :aughi the next day, and he had a fine chest-
nut forehead. The hen died at once ; it is a bad season to '* meat oft " in and
I determined to wait for others till auiumn if tl.e cock cied. lie did not die.
so about 1st May I set the net again and caught ten in under two Lours and
could have caught more. All these and the others ftj ing about: uncaught h.»d
bright chestnut foreheads. In fact about this, time 1 taw none ihat weieno
coloured in this way. In plumage the sexes were indistn-gcibLabk, ba*
fonnd that I had five pairs. With the aid of a four-ccmpaitment wire c-;g
I separated out two true pairs and let go the rest. I am pretty certain iha
these birds had not then stalled ne-siing. though there wei3 several nests lows
in the station.
I left the station to go further up the hill where there are n*» Whrco-v^
on *2Gth May ; by that time I noticed my White-eyes were losing the.V chest-
nut. I returned on 6*.h June. 3Ime had lost -11 colour, and the wild one*-
I saw had iost theirs, but Major Sealy told me ihat he had lately seyn sorat
'* coloiued " ones abouc. I went up tiie hill again on the 8th June, returning
on the *i!)th June. I made a special search for coloured ones without success
A few days later Sir. Kennedy showed me a nest with young in hi-) compound
we watched the old birds feeding the young from a very short distance. The>
were normally coloured.
ily five are as til and as happy as their wild relations, but they roxnain com-
mon or garden Indian White-eyes ( Zosterops yulpebrvsu ) and charming a-
they ate, of no special interest to any one hut mjsclf. Still 1 have hopes thai
they will attempt breeding next year.
Of course. I know that to make a good record one ought to kill «nd send
down a skin. I plead laziness with a dash of sentiment. I make the record
■iuch as it is, as several thiugs strike me as curious about it. The mrd _s a very,
common one. why has such a change not bei.n recorded before ? I believe it ha*.
no« been recoi ded. How* was it ihat I noticed it in 1901 and then net
again till 1909 V I certainly did not keep a special look-out for it ; but the
rhesstnot is very noticeaole and I sot ~.o work lo catch my I90i bird on thai-
account. Both sexes don the chestnut, but keep it such a short time. Men
^ and womenj have been known to drop fine raiment soon afie" m r-rinionv.
i\iv f.no applj* a *>imjlar rej^ouinjj r is i. * species in the making .
U iJRLAr. Cavi'.. F.Z.S.
■khGiu-kh- Rif***.
V,\\.: ii, PUN-JAII, titli At/gnat l\n.\:
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 9K"»
No. XII - SHRIKES* LARDERS.
On page 539 of Volume XIX of the Society's Journal, the writer, who
reviews " Birds of the Plains." charges me with casting doubt on " the we]!,
recognised habit of the shrikes of storing their captures impaled on the thorns
of bushes." He says that it is a pity I ridicule " such previously undisputed
evidence." Finally he says ~* It is quite probable that some of the smaller
shrikes have not the habit of impaling their victims in this manner, but the
remarks (in • Birds of the Plains * ), ai e generalised for the whole family." Was
ever a writer more misrepresented than I have been ? What I did, and do.
iay. is that I have never set eyes upon such a larder, nor have I seen a shrikt
impale a victim. On the strength of this I added " I, therefore, think I ant
justified in suggesting that the habit of keeping a larder is probably restricted
to the larger species of shrike." I further stated that I would esteem it a
great favour if any one, who has seen a larder, would favour me with an account
of it. Yet again, I said " Let me not be mistaken. I do not say that butchei
birds never keep larders, for they undoubtedly do ; of this I am satisfied.*'
But let this misrepresentation pass. The important; point is the lardei^
The reviewer above referred to says that he has come across one. I am sure
that most of the readers of this Journal would like to have an account of it .
to be told in what part of the world it was found, to what species of shrike it
belonged, what was the nature of the meat stored therein, whether, as tlw
store of meat began to run low. it was replenished. I have never read an
account of such larders in India, so that I hope that those members of the
Society who have seen them will come forward. Owing to the ubiquity of
crows and ants in this country, I should imagine that the butcher bird, that
attempted to set up " shop," would find its bands pretty full in keeping its
stock intact. I should be very glad to hear how the shiike* in question over-
came the difficulty.
D. DEWAR.
Allahabad, Uh December lyot).
No. XIU.— COMMON MYNA (yi. TE/STIS) FEEDI^U YOUNU OF
PIED MYNA (S. CONTHA} AND NESTING HABITS OF
THE COMMON PARJAH KITE (M. G0V11SDA}
AND BKAHAUKY KITE (H. INDUS).
The other day I saw a common brown myna feeding the young of the pied
kind. A friend of mine also sent me the following interesting note some time
back. Have you ever noticed that the ordinary kite—the brown one— picks up
sticks from the ground to make a nest, whereas the Brahminy kite pulls them
off the growing tree, so the sticks he uses are much smaller than those used by
the other V
CHAS. M. IXGLIS.
Bach oni e Factory,
Lauekia Si:bai, P. 0., bth November 1909.
WJfi JOURNAL. bUMBA 1 SATCRAL B/STORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
"So. XIV.— CHANGE OF PLUMAGE OF THE CINNAMOK
TREE-SPARROW (PASSER CJNJSAMOMEUS).
^ I met this bird first in Chitral (1902-03). but only took skins m winter.
Captain Fulton's were also winter skins. All mine were nounal. In June
1906, 1 met this bird again in Kajiar, a little up in the hills m Chainha, one
March, beyond Dalhousie. I put it down as cimiamomem without considering
the matter much.
In June 19i>7, 1 \v;is trapping w. Kajiar with a view to collecting birds to
take home alive with me the following March. There were Cinnamon Tree-
Sparrows in abundance, but to my disappointment I could see none with any
signs of yellow on them, though there were numerous oolonies nesting. I
took away three nestlings, which turned out one cock and two hens, and an
adult cock. They showed no trace of yellow. The adult cock had a f un-
developed bib and the back and head were a fine cinnamon : so it could not
have been a bird of the year. The young take some time to reach this stage ;
my young cock had not attained this plumage fully when he died in March
1908. 1 certainly should have reported the occurrence of P. ruffians (or
assmdlis) but that I could get no skins. Since then I have learnt to mistrust
my skin-procuring propensity.
Caretul record was not kept of change of plumage, but by December 1907
all four birds " showed yellow'* and bright at that. They were uudoubted
Cinnamons. Had the Kajiar birds showed even a far duller yellow I could
not have helped noticing it, as I watched them pretty carefully. The yellow
was duller by March 1908 and it was duller still when thev went to Mr.
Tesche maker in England in May.
The above is a summary of a paper by me in the Avicultural Magazine,
Vol. VII, May number, 1909. In the same number. Mr. Teschemaker wrote
a paper on the successful breeding in captivity of this species. I give extracts
taking only those which concern change of colour, about which I made
mention to him before sending him the birds.
** Now, of eonrse, I was anxious to put this matter to the test, and, as
yellow is a colour not easily impaired by cage-life, I did not anticipate any
difficulty in the matter, and only retained the young male for the purpose of
observation."
" The adult male began to show his yellow breast about the middle of
December, apparently through an actual change of colour and not by casting
any feathers, and as an exhibitor offered to purchase a pair, and naturally
wanted the best birds, I sent him this bird. As bad luck would have it it died
■shortly after arrival, and with considerable reluctance. I therefore gave him
the remaining young male. I am unfortunately therefore only able to confirm
Captain Perreau's observation to this extent : namely, that the adult male
oertaiuly had a b i^ht yellow breast when I leceived it on the 4th May
(though it had faded somewhat, according to Captain Feireau, by that date) j
!.hat by the commencement of July it's bieast had become entirely grey, only
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 987
the cheeks retaining the chrome colour; that by the middle of December
there was every indication that the plumage of the former winter would be
renewed. On the other hand, Captain Perrean tells us that the young male
(which was ultimately killed by the adult male) also changed colour in
December, and this I cannot confirm because I have made careful enquiries
aud, as lately as the 3 1st March, it's present owner has informed me that theiv
is no indication of any change."
" I am hoping that this matter may still be cleared up beyond any possibility
of doubt, because Captain Perreau has just returned to India and will be able
to obtain a series of skins, and on the other hand, I hope to be able to keep an
eye on the birds which were bred in my aviary and record any change. 1 *
I hope he has been more successful with his records than T with my skins.
As to my young bird, I find the following note about it's decease : — '* Found
dead in a box, probably worried by old cock, no mistake as to which it is,
little yellow showing, bib not quite developed, back and head less so.**
He also gives the size of the eggs as being 72 mm. by 53 mm., and mentions
the female " with her yellow cheeks and richly coloured and striated wings."
Cinnamons do not visit us here even in winter, worse luck, we get JP.
domesticus, var. ind. instead, and he seems to increase every year. I spent
two " ten-days" further up the hill this year. I got no skins. I plead laziness
with extenuating circumstances. At the first place they were rare and only met
with when they were safe. There was no yellow on those I saw. In the
secoud place (Kajiar) they were extremely common but — there was a *' week"
on. Afternoons and evenings were occupied and I rather hegrudged giving up
even a part of my mornings to skinning. Also a gun attracts more attention
than a couple of " dropnets " and a small spring-net. I had not meant to do
any trapping at all, but was rather glad to find the mornings free and still
more glad that I had the above nets, not that they did much good for what
I specially desired, i.e. t black and yellow Grosbeaks and Cinnamons. I spent
three mornings at the latter in a place that had been used by transport mules
at the start of the " Camp " and which simply swarmed with these sparrows.
They were uncommonly cheeky and tame, but would have nothing to do with
my nets. I saw only two with yellow, old cocks, both had nests close with
young. They were practically in sight all the time ; the yellow was not over
bright aud was confined to the cheeks or may be sides of the neck. I saw
hens (and cocks too for that matter), feeding young at a distance that any
yellow even of the palest ashy would have been easily discernible even without
glasses.
I met with a tew in Dalhousie on the way through, some with nests m the
houses I visited. No yellow except on one cock, which was coloured like the
Kajiar yellow cocks.
Oates describes the hen as having the whole lower plumage pale ashy
yellow. He describes the cock of P. ruffians as only differing from that of
/'. eiunammeus in having " the cheeks and ear-coverts pure white and the
988 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
lower plumage ashy- white without a trace of yellow." He continues "the
females of the two species are indistinguishable. "*
In my birds the ear-coverts and cheeks of the cocks '* out of colour " were
ashy white rather than pure white and the lower plumage of the hens (especi-
ally the upper parts of it if I remember rightly) deserved (when in colour) a
higher attribute to the yellow than pale ashy. I have a kind of recollection
that my Chitral hens were distinctly yellow underneath, but one cannot count
much on memory for so many years buck, unless the leminiscence is backed
by some special reason. Bright '• reds " in the cock often find their counter-
part in yellows in the hen. but surely it seems curious (with passerine birds)
that Mich a dingy colour a« ashy grey (in the cock) should be replaced by pale
ashy yeDow (in the hen). I own to not having seen P. rutilans, alive or
dead.
This is a good deal longer than I intended, but I hope that colour theorists
at anv rate will find something of interest in it.
G. A. FERREAU. Cait.. e/z<,
Bakuo.., Punjab, 3wft August 1909
Si . XV— THE NESTING OF A FEW SOMEWHAT RARE
BIRDS NEAR MHOW.
The Indian Pitta {Pitta brachyura) — When going down the ghats, near
Mhow, ill July 1908, I came on this beautiful bird. I knew, therefore, it
must be breeding and I determined to find its nest. I had an idea that this
was located low down in brushwood. It was not, however, till Jun« 1909, that
I proved successful. My happy hunting ground is a bit of level ground, very
glade like in appearance, at the bottom of the ghats, vis., tallish trees, slight
undergrowth but not sufficient to impede one's view early in the monsoon, but
later very rank and thick. The Pitta is a very shy bird and does not give one
much time to watch him. I knew there were a certain number in this parti-
cular locality, as I had seen them flitting about, but how many pairs there
were I never could settle.
My method of birds' nesting is to mark down the nests while being built.
I know more or less when the season of the various birds come round. I then
watch them, If nesting one very soon spots it by watching, it is not long before
the nest is betrayed. I have pursued this system with marked success. Thf
great advantage of it is that one gets fresh clutches.
It was my intention to follow this practice with the Pittas. I visited my
happy hunting ground on two consecutive Sundays early in June, and met with
success, On these occasions, I left the Pittas alone, as I fancied they did not
breed till July. On the 27th June, having collected eggs from several nests,
marked down the previous Sunday, I turned my attention to the Pitta, and
told my orderly, who accompanied me to keep a sharp look-out. I had not
proceeded very far when I saw an untidy mass of twigs on the fork of a teak
MISCELLANEOUS NO'JES. 989
tree, with absolutely no concealment, about 12 feet off the ground. I did not
think much about it, but as it was so accessible, I told my orderly to go up and
investigate. To my intense pleasure and surprise, as he began to climb, out
flew a Pitta, and my search was rewarded. The nest contained 6 partially incu-
bated eggs. I had the nest taken down and examined it. First, a mass of
sticks is collected forming a foundation, on this the nest proper is built np .
It is compact and domed, oval in shape, with the entrance at one side. All the
material is welded together, skeleton leaves being largely employed. The in-
terior is neatly finished off and lined with roots, grass and such like. The whole
structure is abjut the size of a man's head and placed, as those were that I
found, on a bare fork, they are not difficult to see. On the same daj , my
oiderly found another nest, similarly situated, but some 30 feet up. This also
contained 6 partially incubated eggs. On the 4th July, I found two more nests
containing 3 and 4 eggs, respectively, which I left ■ while on the 11th Jul j.
I got 5 eggs from them, and found another containing young, and another.
I think, being built. The hen sits close and only moves when the climber
approaches. The nest really looks like a collection of old sticks, and does not
give one the impression of being in use. I am recording this rather fully,
a* the record in " Nests and Eggs " is so different. Possibly the bird's habits
differ in accordance with locality.
The Brown Flycatcher (A teeonax latirostris).— The breeding of this bird
has been reported before from Mhow. I only write to confirm its occurrence
I found it very common on the ghats and discovered its nest by Inck. T was
watching a Southern Yellow Pit (Macklolophas huphnotus) building, when
a little brown bird flew over me and settled on a bough, on noticing it, I found
it was building. Once the bird's habits are known, the discovery of the nest is
easy. It is usually situated some 20 or more feet from tue ground, being com-
pact and cup-shaped, a typical flycatcher's nest. Four eggs seem to be the
complement. I took nests on the 20th and fc7th June and 11th July.
The Black Hunting (iVelophus melanicterus.) — Very common on the
ghats, but I did not get many nests, as I looked in the wrong placet. 1
seldom came on this bird building. It affects two sites, one well concealed
under leaves and grass, the other unconcealed alongside roads, in steep cuttings.
When I discovered the latter fact, it was too late, for though I fonnd many
nests, the young were there or had flown.
The Cuckoo (Cuculus canorua). — I have already reported that the Cuckco
is very common on the ghats here during the monsoon. I had the pleasure
of getting an egg this year from the nest of the Black Bunting {Alelophw
melamcterus). On the i3th June, I found this bird building. The nest was
well concealed among some dry leaves on the ground. I visited the nest
again on the 20th, when I found it contained one Bunting's egg and one of the
Cuckoo.
The Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisu). — I found several
ne*ts of this beautiful flycatcher. I fancy if I had laid myself out I could
090 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol XIX.
have found many more. Most nests were within hand reach. I saw no birds
in white plumage.
The Painted Saxd-Grouse (Pterocles fasciatue)—! found a nest with
3 fresh eggs, which unfortunately got broken, on the I7th February 1909. in
some forest land. No nest to speak of.
The Larch: Grev-Headed Fisiiixi; Eai;lf. {Polioaehis ichthyaetus).—On
the 23rd October, I saw a pair of these birds on a very large jhil, some 3(»
miles from this. r l hey were very noisy, which attracted my attention. I
uoticed they were building and saw them " in copula." The nest was
placed on the very top of a fairly large tamarind tree, on a small island. J
did not go up to it, but from below it appeared to be a huge massive platform
of sticks. I sent my orderly out on the 7th November, when he obtained A
beautifully fresh eggs. He told me the birds were very bold, that he had 'u
take up a man with a long stiek to ward off their attacks. This is the only occa-
sion I have noticed these birds round here.
R. II. BETHAM, Lieut.-Col.,
The 101st Grenadiers.
Mhow, CX, Mi November 1909.
No. XVI.— BIRDS* NESTING IN GARHWAL.
The following notes of some nests obtained at the snows this year may be
of interest to some of your readers.
The Snow Partrid«h (Lerva mvicola)—! found four nests during June at
between thirteen and fourteen thousand feet ; five appear to be the full clutch,
and eggs were hard-set by the end of June, newly hatched chicks being seen
early in July. The nests were all placed under ovei hanging ledges and were
pretty well lined with moss and leaves ■ they are well coucealed and the bird
sits very close, but the cock-bird rather gives away the nest by calling and
strutting about in its vicinity, however they take a lot of finding even then.
r l he eggs are decidedly large for the size of the bird, measuring 2*2 by 1-43 o?»
an average. In the '•" Birds of India " the ground colour is given as white ; bus
out of 18 eggs there is only one that can be described as white, the ground
colour in all the others being a pale cafe-au4ait, and they are rather sparingly
speckled aiid spotted all over with reddish brown, much resembling (except in
beiug narrower) some eggs of the Koklass pheasant.
The White-winged Grosbeak {Pycnornmi>hus carneipes). Several pairs of
these birds were first observed at about eleven thousand feet, and they gradually
moved up to fourteen thousand and there we marked down two nests and got
three fresh eggs from each on June 28. One nest was in a birch about
fifteen feet up, and the other about six feet up in tali bushes of juniper.
Both nests were precisely similar and very curiously made, there being a
sort of outer fence of prickly twigs, then twisted grass and the inner lining
being entirely composed of strips of juniper bark. They were very wary and
took a long time building. I first saw the females carrying grass on June j I
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 991
I believe these birds have been found breeding at Kohat by Mr. Whitehead,
but I do not think they have been recorded from these parts befoie. Tin-
eggs measure 1 inch by -7 and are greenish grey, spotted and scrawled with
purplish black and with pale purplish markings.
Wall Creeper (Tichodroma muraria).—! found a nest in a boulder cliff at
twelve thousand feet, but they were feeding young on June 12, and the young
birds left the nest on June 27. when I secured one of them. The nest was*
nearly two feet inside wedged between two boulders and was a pad of wool
and hair and grass.
The Red-headed Bullfinch {Pyrrhula erythrocephald)—ODe nest wa**
taken at about twelve thousand feet, it was placed ten feet up in a small tree
and was made of thin twigs and beard moss (U&nea barbata) and lined witb
rather coarse roots. There were four fresh eggs on August 28, they
measure *8l by -56 and are a very pale greenish white, marked chiefly at the
larger end with pale purple and dark reddish brown. These eggs differ from
those of the European bullfinch in being very much paler hi ground colour,
and eggs of Pyrrhula aurantmca, taken by Col. Ward in Kashmir, are pure
white in ground colour and are very sparingly marked with reddish biown.
The Or\nge-barred Willow Warbler {PhyHoscopas pidcher) — This bird
was fairly common at thirteen thousand feet, but many nests were destroyed by
some bird or animal and only two clutches were secured. In one of these
clutches three eggs were unspotted white and the fourth had one single blotch
of pale brown only, so it would seem that pulcher occasionally lays white
eggs : all I have seen before were spotted with red. I have recorded this bird
as nesting before, up the Bhagirathi Valley.
Pink-bkowed Rosk-Fincii. (Propasser rhodochrous). — Several nests were
taken at twelve thousand feet in the latter half of August ; they were placed
low down in bushes and made of moss and diy grass and lined with hair. Tht
eggs are rather a dark blue with a few black spots and occasional hair lines. 1
found the Himalayan Ruby-throat {Calliope pectoralis) and the Blue-fronted
Redstart {RuUctlla frontalis) breeding freely at twelve thousand feet and up.
wards in the Niti Valley, and saw numbers of their nests. In " Nests and
Eggs of Indian Birds " the eggs of these birds, both of which breed in
precisely similar localities, appear to have got transposed ; it is Calliope that lay*
the greenish blue eggs and Huticilla frontalis the salmon-buff egg, Calliope lay*
sometimes unspotted eggs and sometimes faintly spotted with pale red, its nesi
is usually domed and is made entirely of dry grass. I only once saw a few
burhel hairs used. Ruticllla builds with moss and grass and lines thickly with
hair and wool. I was unable to secure the eggs of Grandala coJ (color, though
I am inclined to think they were commencing to pair towards the end of June.
They moved up to over sixteen thousand feet, and there we twice saw ;.
female apparently prospecting under rocks, but I had to leave those parts.
Jeoukote. 20th October 1909. fl. L, WHYMPER.
28
992
JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX
No. XVII.— BREEDING OF THE MASKED WAGTAIL
(MOTACILLA PERSONATA) IN KASHMIR.
In his list of birds of the Province of Kashmir, Col. Ward remarks on page
723, vol. xvii, No. 3, of the Society's Journal, that this bild breeds at elevations
of about 6,000 ft. to 8,000 ft. in Kashmir, and probably in Baltistan. In the 2nd
edition of *• Hume's Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds," it is recorded that Major
Wardlaw Kamsay found the bird breeding in Afghanistan throughout May and
June, and mention is made of one of the nests he found being placed in a recess
under a large stone near the edge of the water, and again in Oates' '* Fauna of
British India " ; it is stated that the eggs have not been described. It seems,
therefore, worth my recording that last year (1908), towards the end of June,
I found a pair of these birds building close to my tents at Aroo, in the Sidclar
Valley, Kashmir, elevation 9,000 feet. .If ter watching the birds carrying away
bits of grass, etc.. I discovered the newly commenced nest in a * kulmanch *
{Viburnum fatans) bush about two feet above the ground, and 100 yards or so
away from water. The bush was isolated with open ground all round, and over
and over again I saw the birds fly into it, while the building was in progress.
Before I left the camp, only one egg had been laid, so leaving it I later on sent
for the nest which then contained 5 eggs. The nest was a fairly deep cup
built of grass roots for a foundation and thoroughly well padded inside with
hair wool and bits of cotton, etc., picked up round the camp The eggs are
very freely speckled with small dusky spots : especially so at the larger end.
20t7i September 1909. L. L. FENTON, Col.
No. XVIII —A NOTE ON THE NESTING OF THE BESRA
SPARROW HAWK {ACCIPITER VIRGATUS) AND
THE ANDAMAN NIGHTJAR (CAPRWULGUS
ANDAMAN ICUS) IN THE ANDAMANS.
House crows not having yet been sentenced to transportation, an untidy
collection of sticks in the fork of a rain tree, although overhanging a road
to a small village, attracted my attention early in March this year, it contained
nothing, but was noted for future inspection. On the 21st March I visited
the spot again and found it contained two fresh eggs of the Besra Sparrow
Hawk, thinking this was probably the full complement for the Andamans, as
birds who should know better often play this trick on collectors here, I took
them, but secured another egg in the nest on the 25th, my first piece of good
fortune.
The jungle round here was a favourite hunting ground of mine, and I had
placed nesting boxes for the Andaman Shama in it. I had also noted another
stick nest in a rain tree not 100 yards away from the nest I had taken the
Sparrow Hawk's eggs from, and it was during one of my subsequent visits that
I found my little pair of Hawks were repairing this old home of theirs from
which I subsequently (28th April) took four eggs slightly incubated.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 998
The pluck of these little hawks in defence of their nest is wonderful, as, they
Nwoop down on the marauder and once one struck my *' topee ", as I was
watching the man at the nest, both male and female taking part in the attack :
but they also have patience, as this pair returned to their first nest and hatched
out their brood on the 14th June.
Three weeks to a month may therefore be taken as the length of time wild
birds take to produce another sitting of eggs if the first sitting is taken and
the following notes on the nesting of the Nightjar {Caprimulgus andamamcue)
appear to substantiate this. Two fresh eggs, laid on tl.c ground as usual,
taken on the 4th February 1907, and from a spot not a yard away, two more
fresh eggs taken on the 25th February 1907.
Eggs from another pair were taken on the 6th March 1907. and again from
a spot about two yards away, two more eggs slightly incubated on the 30th
March 1907.
In 1908 I obtained two more clutches from the above first pair of birds on
practically the same spot at an interval of about three weeks, but neither of
these pair ever made an attempt at a third brood. I never visited the place this
year, and I hope both pairs have raised their young in peace.
P. F. WICKHAM.
Pour Blaih, Andaman I?.
Aztgust 1909.
No. XIX.— NOTE ON INGLIS'S BUSH QUAIL {MICROPERDlX
INGLISI GRANT).
To prevent any nrisnndeistanding and to give honour where honour is due, I
must state that the above bird was first obtained by my friend Mr. A. M.
Primrose, nnless the old skin in the British Museum is the same species. He
sent me a pair of skins and then he and I together collected a series during a
visit I paid him , an account of the shooting of the same was published in the
Journal, at page 3 of this Volume.
CHAS. M. INGLIS.
Bauuownib Factory, Laiiekia Serai p.o.,
23rd Avgust 1909.
No. XX.-NESTING OF THE IBIS BILL {IBIDOUBYNCBUS
STRUTHEliSl).
{With a Plated
In 1900 I obtained one nest of this bird at Gyantse and a note regarding it
appeared in the Journal. This year I found several ne^ts but with one excep-
tion they were just hatching and I was unable to take the eggs. The accom-
panying photographs show the bird sitting on the nest and the nest with the
38
994 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. JSiA.
four eggs. The nest is made of small smooth flat stones and is situated on
the stony track at the side of the river. These photographs were taken at
Gyantse (1 \100 ft.) on the 2lst May this year. I also obtained a nest in the
Chumbi valley on the 18th May at an altitude of about 11,000 ft.
ii\ anisf, Tibet, June 1909. F. 31. BAILEY.
[The printers in reproducing the above photographs have lightened the background
behind the bird sitting on the nest, thus mating the bird move conspicuous. In the original
negative it was only with the greatest difficulty that the bird could be discovered, so
wonderfully did it and its ne^t .iflialgamate with it« surround ines. — Eds.]
No. XXI. -THE SNIPE-BILLED GODWIT.
Cn" The Ibis " for July 1909 Mr. H. E. Dresser records the uccurrence of
the Pseuiloscofopax tacyanotvshli ( Macrorhamphus semipalmatus, The Snipe-billed
Godwit of the '*' Fauna of British India ") in "Western Siberia. Two birds, a
male and female, were shot on 25th May 1908 *• not far from Sara in the valley
of the Irtysh, Tobolsk Government." The birds came into the hands of a
correspondent of Mr. S A. Bnturlin, who skinned them and in the oviduct of
the female found a fully coloured egg ready for laying. The bird was first
described by Blyth in 1 £48 f :nm a specimen obtained in the Calcutta Market.
No. XXII.— SEOOND OCCURRENCE OF THE SNIPE-BILLED
GODWIT IN ASSAM.
It is a good many years since I first recorded the occurrence of Macrorham-
phus semipalmalm in Assam but, until a few days ago when a small flock of
four were seen in Shillong, there has been no further record. This flock
appears to have been seen by two or three sportsmen in Shillong and finally
Major Wilson of the 8lh Gcorklias, hearing about them, went in pursuit and
coming across a pair shot one, fragments of which he was good enough to
send on to me. These and Major Wilson'^ description sufficed to enable me
to identify the bird as Macrorhamphns sermpalmatus, the Snipe-billed <«odwit.
Within Indian limits this Godwit appears only as a rare straggler, as a rule
in pairs or very small flocks but often singly. It may however be more or
less frequently overlooked though its conspicuously long bill combined with
its otherwise godwit like appearance would attract the attention of most
•■sportsmen interested in Field Ornithology.
Very little is known about the habits of this rare wader and its nidification
is also practically unknown though I possess a reputed pair of eggs taken by a
Japanese collector in Manchuria. Major Wilson describes its note as very
similar to that of the common Godwits.
K. C. STUART BAKER.
Shillonu, 24-th October ISOi'.
MISCELLANEOUS &OTES. 99a
No. XXIII.— OCCURRENCE OF THE LESSER FLOR1CAN OR
LIKH (SXPHEQTI& AUR1TA) OUT OF SEASON.
On reading Miscellaneous Note (XII) in Volume XIX, No. 1, of the Society's
Journal, I have been led to record this note about the occurrence of florican,
which, I did not at first think worth mentioning, as there is nothing very un-
usual in finding florican — stragglers of course — at other times than in the rains.
Last year I stopped at Wadhwau in Eathiavad on my way to Mahableshvar
and on the 1st November Mr, Strip, tbe Principal of the Girasin School.
Wadhwan, very kindly took me out black- buck shooting. 1 was stalking a
Chinkara* which had sat down in a cotton field and could not be seen and
was walking alongside a bullock-cart going in the usual narrowing circle, while
my son Vijayaraj ji was walking through the next cotton field. Just as he got
to the end of the field, to a patch of long green grass growing in a little
depression in the ground, he put up three florican, a female and two young
birds. We marked them down where they settled and then, with some beat-
ers, walked very carefully several times over this ground, but the florican
would not get up again. On returning to the spot where the birds had been
flushed originally, I put up the female again and shot it but could not find the
two smaller birds anywhere. We therefore gave up the search for them and
went on after black-buck. After going about three miles we came across
another florican, also a young bird, which I got. so that we saw on that day
four florican and bagged two.
I shot also a female florican at Kas in the JSatara district on the 21st
November 1908 quite close to the Kas Bungalow overlooking the Lake.
When florican are met without of season, tht-y are generally taktn to be
females. This, I think, is due to the change in the plumage of the cock birds
which exactly resembles that of the hens, when the coefcs have cast off their
wedding costume, which they only put on in the breeding season.
Bhuj, 2Uh September 1909. ft k
No. XXIV.— LATE BREEDING OF THE INDIAN LITTLE
GREBE (P0DWIPE8 ALBiPL&Xlg).
To-day I took a nest of the Indian Little Giebe which contained four
perfectly fresh eggs. The female which was on the n«st was in breeding
plumage but other birds in the same piece of water had assumed the cold
weather garb.
CHAS. M. INGLIS.
Baghowkie Factory, Laheria Serai P.O..
2Srd October \909.
* ■* Chinkard" ( fi*q>m ) Is I LeJieve * mteuomer for ■» ( khinifaru ' ( ^^iRT ) as the
little Gazelle is called in these parts, the latter name being derived from the sneeze like
sound which it utters when alarmed; '-chhink" (fe^) meaning a sneeze. It is alBO
ca.»ed "Kulpuncbhrf Haran " or black-taijed deer and "Katadia Haran " or red deer on
account uf its fawn colvur.
996 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol XIX
No. XXV.— INTELLIGENCE IN BIRDS.
In recording instance* of - maternal solicitude " and the •• injur* feigning
habit in birds" of various kinds I, for one, must confess that I never thought of
ascribing the action of the birds, to anything but instinct and it never struck
me, to watch more closely, to sec if reason plnyed any part, as llr. Do war
appears to have done.
However, whether the injury feigning habit, is due to insiincc or intelli-
gence, I leave to men more capable of passing opinions on the subject than
myself to solve the problem, but that in other matters, birds show a
tolerable amount of intelligence. I do not think there can be much doubt,
and a Couple of instances, which have come under my personal no rice ina\
bo of interest.
The first case is that of a King Crow. I was waning near the AVazirabad
Railway Station, in the Punjab, for a very dark and large Peregrine Falcon,
that I had noticed pass that way on three successive days, with my nets and
nooses and hoping it would pass again that day, and while sitting on ;t stone.
I watched a flock of mynahs, turning up leaves for worms. wMic on he
telegraph wires above, s,it a couple of King-Crows, a Roller and :i Hoopoe.
One of the mynahs, finally got a huge earth worm out, and the one next to it.
promptly made for it to take away the tit-bit. Suddenly there was heard,
close overhead the double note *• titu" twice repeated of a "shikra" {A,laditis).
The mynahs and hoopoe, were off like a shot for the nearest tree, leaving the
worm behind, when down came the King-Crow and secured the priA 1 have
frequently heard the King-Crow give this call and the imitation i> dimply
perfect, but never before nor since, have T known one to make such u«=e of hi*
powers of mimicry.
The second instance is that of a Peregrine Falcon. L was alter duck, in a
narrow water channel with a caste of peicgiines. and w^c had been vainly
trying to put up a gad wall. It had originally been flushed from a pond some
distance away and taken refuge from the two peregrines, which were in hot
pursuit, in this water cue, about 8 ft. wide, with sloping grassy banks. Tn vain
we threw bricks and mud at it. but it would not Jeave the water, and if it did. it
was only to fly ten yards or so. and drop in again the moment the falcons got
near. Up and down that cut we went for abom ren minutes, or mo!\ ; rill th<-
duck took to diving, and as the little head appeared close to the edge, one of
the falcons would make a dart for it. but only to find it gone, when she got
there. Both falcons had given up " waiting on,"' and were now seated on the
bank, close to the watci*s edge, hut flew the moment the head appeared an*l
made for it. The water was fairly clear and the dnck quite visible when near
the surface, and as it passed under one of ihe falcon**, she ran along the edge
beside it, not attempting to fly, and as the beak came up. in anions a lot of
grass, out shot a claw and grabbed it. I expected the duck to pull the falcon
into the water, but she seemed to have provided for this contingency, and hat)
a firm hold of the gra«< with her other foot. This feat struck me a* havmi;
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 997
been well worked out. and --he must have said to herself, after 10 minutes of
vainly darting too and fro. •• This is a poor sort of game, and each time I get
near enough to make a grab, the beastly thing disappears under water, and
where I dare not go, and now here it comes, making straight for this grassy bit,
where I have already had half a dozen shots at it. but it seems to see me in
time to get out of the way, so let me see if I can do better by keeping to
the ground and grabbing the head the moment it shows above the water, if
near enough to the bank, as it generally is."
What appears to me to be a case of very deep reasoning on the part of a
(xolden Eagle {A.chrysaefvs) was brought to my notice only a short time
ago.
I took a half fledged eyass from the nest in the middle of June last. On
the 16th of July she had her first fly or rather a very poor attempt at one.
but once having half flown, half tumbled out of the nest, I made for her, on
a tree, she was always experimenting, and with the help of a strong breeze, got
in some quite long flights, before the end of the month, till one day I lost all
trace of her. Seeing no signs of her the next day, I went up the hi 1 to some
cliffs, soiae2 to 3,000 feet above my bungalow, and was soon attracted ny her
call, and when I goz round the spur, to my horror, I found her with
two wild ones and presumably her parents, which flew off as I approached.
01? she went with them, and after vainly chasing them from ridge to ridge,
I was on the point of giving up the job of getting hev back as hopeless, but
I had fortunately taken my gun with me to shoot her, a crow to call her with.
en route, and as a last resort, thought I'd try peppering them, to get
them away from her, for they always circled round where she sat. I got to
within 50 yards or so of her and waited behind a rock, and as they passed
overhead, I gave them a charge each, and both went off very much faster than
mine could follow, and a^ soon as they were gone, mine came down to me.
without any trouble. Since then, my bird was once away fo- 6 days and
came back of her own accord, closely pursued bv the wild ones giving her a
very poor time of it.
I keep her always loose, but now she hardly dares to leave the bungalow, and
if she soars up to any height, she will suddenly be seen to drop, with closed
wings, and make straight for the bungalow, and two specks dropping from fhi
heavens after her. On one occasion, one of them caught her up and gave he •
a very nasty whack and sent feathers flying in all directions
Only a fortnight ago, these very birds did their best to entice mine away, so
why this sudden change in behaviour towards her now ° Could they possibly
connect the charge of shot, they each got into them, with her ? This is tht
only explanation I can give, strange as it seems, and if this is (he case, thei:
reasoning is certainly very sound. The jesses and bells could not be tin
reason, as she had them on when she first went off with them.
Then again, her returning to the bungalow, after being away for 6 days and
when in trouble with her parents, to my mind shows a certain amount of
998 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TVRAL HISTOR Y SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
reasoning power. Her natural impulse was to go off either with her parents or
on her own and enjoy to the full her newly acqnired powers of flight, and
hunt for herself, but when she found she could not catch anythiug.and more-
over got badly knocked about by her parents and was not so strong on the* wing
as she thought herself, she decided to return to the place where she had never
gone to bed hungry, nor been ill-treated. Surely this shows a certain amount
of intelligence. She knows my dogs and says nothing to them, bnt let a
stranger dog appear and I have some difficulty in keeping her from going for it,
and so long as the dog is in view, she does nothing but bait.
When first I taught her to come tu the lure and gave her food on the
ground, I had to be very cautious in all my dealings with her, and once she
got her talons into her prey. I had to be very careful how 1 approached, for
one foot invariably shot out and grabbed my gauntlet, while the
other held on to the crow. fcfhe seemmgh feared my taking it away
from her and resented my even coming near. Now she permits me to handle
her freely, even when feeding, and in the case of a bird, allows me to help her
pluck the feathers and twist it aud turn it about for her. It was instinct that
first taught her to protect her property, and I took a photograph to show the
way she covered up her food with her wings, and 1 hope to get another one
taken as soou as possible to show the difference in her demeanour now when
feeding She must have reasoned it out and said to herself *' There is no point
about my hiding my food from this man, he does not try to take it from me,
and moreover helps me to pluck the feathers, so I will let him handle my prey."
Crows mobbing an eagle, generally take good care to keep well above him, but
the moment the eagle happens to get above them, they very soon make tracks
for the nearest scrub. Of course I allude to the hunting eagles, such as the
Golden, the Bonellis or the various species of ^pizueti and not to the
Imperial and Taw try and other cariion feedeis which could not catch a crow
nndei* any circumstances. The crows know they aie perfectly safe while above
the eagle and moreover can rise as quick, if not quicker than he can. They
would not dare to mob a peregrine falcon out in the open.
If any body wishes to try the experiment, go to a place near any river
where crows are in the habit of roosting, and watch the place 5 or 4 days in
succession. The moment an eagle comes along, and Bonellis eagles, frequently
pay late visits to these corvine nolonies. up will rise hundreds of them and
mob him. A Peregrine comos along later and every crow will go helter skelter
for all he is worth- Yet why ? Both are enemies and both have come there
for the same purpose, viz.. to catch a crow for his dinner, so why not
run from both, or attack both? Is it instinct that has taught them, that
one is much heavier and slower in rising than the other, and they can
afford to play tricks with the one, which they would not dare wr.h the
other ?
& n eagle that has come down to a bait without the alightest hesitation the
first time, and been caught in a net and escaped, will never be so caught again
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 999
in a hurry. This was the case with a Hodgson's Hawk Eagle (S. nepalmsis) I
caught in Kashmir. I knew him well by;his wanting a crest and one wing
feather The former was noticed while sitting and the latter when flying
and he was always to be found in a deodar forest near my camp. The very
first day I saw him, I caught him within 2 minutes of putting up my net and a
pigeou behind it, but he escaped out of my hand shortly after. From that
time ou I tried him with nets and nooses, with fowls, doves, chikor and even
an irresistible rat, but all to no purpose, and nothing would induce him to
come again. Oue evening, however, I watched where he roosted for the night,
and before it was light next morning I had gone and set my nooses, with a rat
as the bait, and hid in a cave close at haud. As soon as it was sufficiently light
to see, he came down without hesitation and was caught.
It was instinct that led to his capture in the first instance and in the last—
a natural impulse, when hungry, to pounce on anything, more especially so,
when that thing appeared in difficulties aud unable to fly or get away ; but it
looks very like reason that kept him from coming, the dozen or so other times,
I tried for him. Sometimes he flew away as soon as I began putting up my
nooses or net, even a couple of hundred yards away, and at other times, he
simply sat on, but would not come down. When he saw me put up the net,
he said to himself: — ** Oh, there he is again at his old game, but I have been
there once, and never again*'.
On the last occasion, he had not seen me and came down at once. Some
birds show much more intelligence than others. I have known falcons to
come down full speed and pull up dead at the net and go to one side, or over
it, but would not go into it, whereas a pair of red-headed merlins (Ae. chi~
qtttra) on one occasion, actually seemed bent on being caught. The net had
been put up a little too taut and would not give or fall, and first the tiercel
came down, hit up against the net and fell back on to the ground; then he
made another attempt with the same result. In the meantime, the female
came down and fared no better, but the net gave a little this time, and the
sticks supporting it bent slightly. Then they both rau at it, to get to the
quail on the other side, got their heads through the mesheB and strained
and pulled and fluttered, but would not give up, till finally the sticks fell
and both were caught. A sparrow hawk {Accipiter nhm) I once caught in a net
over a quail, got out of a hole in the net, just as I got up to him, but came
down again 20 minutes later, for a sparrow, within 30 yards of where
he had been caught before, into the same net, . but did not get off that
time.
The irresistible impulse of going for anything in difficulties, I should
say was instinctive, but not to go for it, or pull up the moment the net is
spotted as something suspicious and to be avoided, I can only put down to
reason.
I do not wish to appear dogmatic, and only give these instances and my
theories, for what they are worth
29
1000 JOURNAL. BO MB AY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, VoL XIX
If I am wrong, I shall be only too glad to be put right, and urn quite open
to conviction, but so far I must admit that I still stick to my own opinion
that birds and beasts show much more intelligence and reasoning power than
we give them credit for.
C. H. DONALD, fjzjs
Bushahir State, Simla Dist., 20th September 1909.
No. XXVI.— EXTENSION OF THE HABITAT OF THE SAND
SNAKE (ERYX JACULUS).
Major O. A. Smith, among other snakes collected in Jhelum, has seni me
a single small specimen of the Sand Snake {Eryz jaculus). This widely
distributed species is reported by Boulenger (Cat. Vol. 1, p. 126) from th«
Ionian Islands and Greece in the West, Northern Africa, South West and
Central Asia as far North as Turkestan, to the Western Afghan Boundary.
Dr. Annandale has also recorded it fromSeistan (Mem. As. Soc. Bengal. Vol. 1
No. 10, p. 200). As far as lam aware, it has never been reported farther
east, so that its occurrence in the Indus Basin is a considerable extension of
its previously known zone of distribution. It appears to me extremely likelj
that it has been encountered in the Indus Basin before, but taken for its
common Indian relative E. conicus, but the shaip rostral transverse ridge,
which is not seen in comcm is very distinct in this specimen. There art
9 quite smooth scales between the eyes, and the costals number at a point two
heads-lengths behind the head 46, at midbody 52, and two heads -lengths before
the vent 36. The ventrals aie 189, and the subcaudals 30 of which the an-
terior 24 are entire. 1 he anal shield is entire and narrower than the ven-
trals (about two-thirds).
F. WALL. c.m.z.s., MA.TOK. ijijs
Chiteal, Lbth October 1909.
No. XXVII.—A SECOND SPECIMEN OF THE SNAKE OLlGODON
ERYTBROGASTER FROM THE EASTERN HIMALAYAS.
In 1907* Mr. Boulenger described this species from a single specimen obtained
at Nagarkote, Nepal (6,000 feet) which is now preserved in the Indian Musenm,
Calcutta. I have just received another specimen from Tindharia which must
have been collected at an altitude below 2,800 feet, and as no figure appeared
with the original description, I herewith attach outline drawings to show the
cephalic lepidosis.
I think there can be no doubt that this is the snake to which Dr. Gunther -f
refers which Hodgson obtained in Nepal and made coloured drawings of, which
he presented to the British Museum. Dr. Gunther at first referred these to
S. oetolmeatus, but subsequently expressed the opinion that they represented
a species up to that time unknown.
* Rec. Ind. Mils. Vol 1. pt. Hi. f Kept. Brit. Iml. 1864, p. 206.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
J 001
My specimen agrees well with
the type which I have examin-
ed. The following features
deserve special mention. The
costals are 17 in the anterior
and middle parts of the body.
and decrease to 13 posteriorly.
The absorption is effected
thus — from 17 to 15 the 3rd
and 4th rows above the vent-
rals on the right side, and the
4th and 5th on the left blend,
and from 15 to IS the 4th and
5th coalesce. (In this respect
this specimen differs from the
type, in which the rows reduce
to 15.) The rentrals are 165,
anal divided, and subcaudals in
57 pairs. There are 7 supra-
labials on both sides,and I think
Mr. Boulenger would have been
OUgodon erythrogasier ( x 2J. more correct if he had counted
those shields as 7 in the type (not 6), for he records the temporals in the type as
two, evidently taking the 6th supralabial for an inferior temporal. In my
specimen the 6th supralabial fails to bolder the lip on the right side (as one
sees sometimes in other species of OUgodon and Simotes), and has a small portion
detached on the right side. The temporal, too, I consider single as I do in the
type specimen.
The dentition is peculiar The maxilla supports 7 teeth on the left side,
and 8 on the right of the usual syncranterian type seen in Simotes and
OUgodon. There is a short edentulous space anteriorly. The palatine has 3
teeth on the left side and 2 on the right situated in the middle. The pterygoid
has a single very small tooth near the middle. The mandible has a short
edentnlous space anteiiorly, then 6 snbeqnal teeth on the right side (5 on the
left), then an edentulous interval followed by a single tooth.
F. WALL, c.m.z.s., Major, i.m.s.
Chitkal, 19tft November 1909.
No. XXVIII.— A VARIETY OF THE COMMON COBRA
(NAIA TR1PUDIANS) I- ROM CHITRAL.
On the 13th October a young cobra was brought in to me presenting
characters of so distinctive a nature that I at first thought it claimed
recognition as a variety distinct from any previously recorded. The first thing
to attract attention is its colouration. Thus it is olive-brown completely
1002 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX
banded with darker rings which are broader than the interspaces. The first
band is below the neck, and this and the second are black, the third blackish
brown, and the succeeding ones progressively lighter in colour, but lemain
apparent to the vent. On the belly, however, the hinder ones become less
apparent, and are lost before the vent. There is no suspicion of any marks
on the hood. I can find no differences in tbe lepidosis of this compared with
variety ti/pic«, except in the scale rows. These, however, are very singular.
numbering 19 at a point two heads-lenglhs behind (he head, 19 at midbody,
and 15 at a point two heady lengths before the vent.- The ventrals number
195, and the su ecaudate 69. I append a figure.
F. WALL, c.m.z.s., Major, i.mjs.
Chitral, Ihth October 1909.
No. XXIX.™ THE SNAKES OF KASHMIR.
During several visits to Kashmir I only came across four different kinds*
of snakes ; two poisonous and two harmless. Of the latter, one was the oidi
nary Dhuwan or Rat Snake (Ptyus rnucosus). The natives I questioned
in the matter, called it simply samp, i.e., " snake " i it seemed to have no
other local name. I saw no very large ones, and they struck me as being
of a somewhat darker colour than those I had seen in India. They were
fairly common in the main Valley. The other non poisonous snake I have
not as yet been able to identify, but as I have a bottled specimen I hope to
do so in a short time. I may merely state here that the snake is of slender
make, about 18 inches in length and of a general ashy brown colour. I only
found it in the SIddar Valley, above Pahlgam at an elevation of about 8,0u0' to
9,0 »0'. My natives could give it no local name.
The two venomous snakes were locally known as the Pohur and the Gnnas
respectively.
The Pahur is the common Himalayan viper, Anci>trodon hitimlayanua
described by * ajor Wall, I.MJ9., on pages 34 and 35 of his book on the Poisonous
Terrestrial Snakes of India and mentioned by Lawrence ou page 55 of his
* This s >eciicen proves to be an exceptional one, for since wri liny tbe above I have
acquired U more, in all of which the smle r.W3 are 21. Furtt.er in adult specimens all
the binds hre brown, and **eem to grow less distort with age. I have also examined
two specimen of this variety in onr Society's C Election, one from Aden, the other
from P^rac itar(N.W. Fr.nii^r). They cons* itute a variety of BoutengerB &£ca y and
the young agree with a specimen figured by Eichwald (Faun Casp-Cauc. Plate XX)
under the name i'omyvis axiana. — F. W.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1003
book " The Valley of Kashmir." Lawrence remarks that the bite of the Pohur
like that of the Giinas is said to be usually fatal. Colonel Unwin, whom Law
rence also quotes, believes the Po/mr to be deadly but is doubtful about the Gimas.
Lawrence, on the other hand, states, that he lost one of his suiveyors, who
was bitteu by a Gmius at Sonamarg. The descriptions given by both these
writers, are somewhat vague and meagre aud Colonel Unwin has, I think, got
rather mixed up iu applying the local names to his snakes. What he refers to
as the Pohur is, I am coufident, the larger of the two poisonous snakes which is
locally called the G&nas. Lawrence does not make the same mistake, hut passes
over Colonel Unwin's without comment Major Wall remarks in his book
with regard to Pohur, that he knows of only one authentic record of a
bite inflicted by this species. My own experience of it is as follows : — I found
it at higher altitude than the Gdaaa aud far commoner. It simply swarmed in
some localities ; for instance at Bikhtaor beyond Kauzilwan on the Gilgit road *
an open aud rather swampy plain just above the village was an especially favourite
locality for them ; also at Thaoba, the next village on the Kishengunga river *
again at Buj Margin the Siddar Valley above Pahlgam, hardly a day passed
without one or more being killed near my camp. I found them also in the Erin
uala : in fact, I imagine they are to be found on the slopes in almost every
pare of tne valley, only some localities are favoured by them more than others.
The first case I came across of a man being bitten by a Pvhur was in the Erin
nala. It was late in the evening when a man arrived at my camp for medicine.
The man who was bitten, he stated, was unable to walk. Having no perman-
ganate of potash with me. I sent him some concentrated vinegar lo rub into the
wound. When I saw him the next morning I found he had been bitten in the
foot ; his leg was much swollen with a ligature tied tight round it htfw th»
knees. The man was evidently in great pain, but said he was feeling better
than he did when he sent to me on the previous night. He had not made use
of the viuegar, but on the advice of a Goojar, he had applied a number of
leeches all round the seat of the wound which had considerably inhered him.
In a few days he had quite recovered. My next case was that of a Go«-jar, who
managed to limp up to my camp, in the Siddar Valley. Theie were (he uaual
symptoms, but there was less swelling than in the first case. The wound was
in the foot, the man having been bitten in the foot while cntiicg grass. I
treated him with permanganate of potash and he was all rijlit again in a day
or two. My worse case was that of a young fellow, who resided at Mundlan
in the Siddar Valley. He was bitten in the ankle, and sent for me as soon as
he reached home. I was with him in half an hour. His leg was much swollen
he had tied a ligature above the wound, and his mother was bathing his foot,
with a native concoction of mud and some kino of herb. After waging the
wound, I lanced it until the blood fiowed freely and then applied the permanga-
nate of potash. On the following morning, he was better and the next day
about again. A few days after this, while out shikaring a Goojar was brought
to me. He had been hitten some days before, on the point of the thumb*
1004 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
The usual swelling had disappeared but his thumb was quite black, the ball
being filled to bursting, with decomposed blood. He had never thought of
lancing it. I did thi3 and the permanganate of potash did the rest.
His thumb was saved, but it looked very like, mortification when I 6rst
saw it.
I made many inquiries, but never heard of a fatal result from a bite. The
permanganate of potash treatment certainly had good results. The natives
soon recognized this, even my shikari, who started by laughing at it, but all
the same, was one of the many applicants for a supply of it, when I was
leaving Kashmir.
The so-called Gunas or Ghanus of Kashmir is found at lower elevations as a
rule than the Pohur. It is a larger snake than the latter, of an ashy grey
colour, with 25 to 26 scales in the middle of the body. There is, in a
specimen I shot, some indistinct light brown markings at the back of the head.
The 13 or 14 central scales on the back are unmarked ; then comes a line of
the same Tght hrown colour, on either side, all down the back and the scales
extending from these coloured lines to the ventral scales, some six iu number
on either side, are all more or less marked with the same colour. All my speci-
mens were too much damaged for me to fix the identity of the snake with any
degree of certainty. A damaged skin, I possess, measures ~±1 inches in length.
The head is covered with small scales. As well as I can judge from Major
Wall's description I think the snake must be Yipera lebetma. The natives
declared that an old Gunas not Pohur as stated by Colonel Unwin, grew hairs
on its head. I offered a large reward for a hairy specimen, but with no result I
The natives state that the bite of a Gunas is generally fatal. I never came
across a case, but have no reason for doubting their word.
L. L. PBNTON. liT.-Coh.
N. Devon, 30th Septembtr li»u9.
No. XXX.— DO WILD ANIMALS DIE A NATURAL DEATH.
I was mnch interested in finding that Col. Evans has, on page 273 of
Vol. XIX of the Journal, taken up the question I started. Bnt before
writing any further I would like to point out that in my letter which he
refers to I have not been dealt with quite fairly by the printer's devil. He has
put iu stops which I do not think were in my letter and in one place he has
made me write •*' entirely Europeans, not the Natives of the jungles. "
What I wrote was * not only Europeans, but ike Natives of the jungles, "
which quite alters my letter as printed. My idea is that no wild
animal ever gets the chance of dying from old age, but is always killed off and
eaten by some other animal directly the powers that Nature has endowed him
with become impaired. Possibly disease carries them off, but if so what be-
comes of them, for dead animals are seldom met with, and in the case of such
as are found, death is ordinarily due to some violence that has been met with.
I would have said in the absence of the instances given by Col. Evans, death
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1005
ib always traceable to violence of some sort or other ; for I have never
come across any dead wild animals beyond the oDe mentioned in my first
letter (and even that one may have been killed by a snake) that has not been
killed by a tiger or met with a violent death of some sort or other. One does
read of animals retiring to some secluded spot to die in, but what secluded
spots are there that antelope (the animals that swarm in such numbers on the
hot plains of India) can retire to ? My question " Has any one ever come
across vultures feeding on a dead wild animal ?" of course, alludes to animals
that have died a natural death.
Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire,
Uh August, 1909.
W. G. BETHAM, i.p.s.
No. XXXI.— ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES.
(a) — The International Congress.
An International Congress of Entomology is to be held in 1910 at Brussels.
a little time before the International Congress of Zoology to be held at Graz.
This Congress will be the first for Entomology as a separate subject, and
resolutions made by the Congress will then be put before the Zoological
Congress.
An Indian Sub-committee has been formed of which the Honorary
Secretary of this Society is a member ; printed infoimation will be sent out to
all who are interested ; the Sub-committee are especially anxious to find a
delegate to represent India at the Congress, and hope to hear of some
member of the Society who is keen on Entomology and who will be in Europe
at that time and willing to attend the Congress, which meets from August 1st to
6th. The Sub-committee also wishes to obtain papers to be read at the Congress
and will be very glad to hear from members who will submit papers on any
branch of Entomology. The Congress is meant to discusss all aspects of
entomology, the applied as well as the technical, and it is hoped that such
important questions as insects and disease, insects in relation to man and
agricultnre will be a feature of the Congress. Papers may be sent to the
Honorary Secretary, or to the Chairman of the Indian Sub-committee, the
Imperial Entomologist at Pusa.
(6) — The Indian Nemopterid and its Food.
In ■• Indian Insect Life'* (p. 160) some notes were given upon the egg and larva
of the common hemopterid {Croce JiUpennis Westd) ; since that time, these
larvae have continued to flourish in captivity, and it has been found that their
food is the egg and immature stages of the common fish insect (Acrotelsa
coWon's, Fabr.) which is so abundant in houses ; to feed the former, the fish
insect is being bred also. The larva of Croce has not as yet developed the long
neck, characteristic of the larva figured in text- books : its development is
1006 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
slow, and it is apparently one-brooded, a whole year being occnpied by its
metamorphosis. The larva is small, soft and whitish in colour ; it is probably
extremely common in houses, but lives a retired life, being active at night.
Croee flilpennis larva, first ^t^ge-
AcrotaUa egg ( X 16)
The fish insect is fed wholly upon paper, and thrives on that diet ; its eggs
are soft, oval white eggs, laid, in captivity, among the paper loosely and not
adhering to each other on the paper. The nymphs are readily reared on
paper, and the whole life hiatory goes on in an ordinary bottle containing torn
up paper.
In the Pnsa Laboratory, which has been occupied only one year, there has
been a plague of fish insects which have multiplied enormously feeding on all
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1007
abels, papers, etc., which are not poisoned or shut up. This is likely to be due to
the fact that, as yet, Ciocejilipenms has not found the building to be a suitable
habitat, and the fish insect is breeding unchecked when, in an old building,
its enemy would also be in occupation. This may apply also to other enemies
of the fish insect if there are any ; the fish insect was brought into the Labora-
tory with records, etc.. and is extremely abundant now.
(c.) — Storage of Insects.
In a previous issue of this Jonrnal, some information was given about storage
of pinned insects. Another year's experience has shown that the paraffin-
napthalin box desciibed there has been almost entirely success! ul ; in three
boxes, out of over 150, mould appeared on a few specimens : no insects were
found attacking the specimens at all.
A modification of the box, in which an enamelled cork sheet, set in paraffin,
was put in the bottom of the box, and the paraffin-naphthalene mixture above,
has proved a failure, and the box, as originally made, is apparently the best. No
benzene or other chemical at all is applied to these boxes, and, in spite of a
very wet season, the collections have been better pieserved than in any previous
year
(d.) — Alcides.
The genus A hides, among the weevils, is known to contain several species
injurious to crops, and a new one has recently been added ; A colluris, Pasc.
has been reared from swellings found upon the stems of tur plants ( Cajanus
ittdif us ) ; these swellings are like galls, found upon the stem at soil level on
young plants at Dharwar farm. The grub is in the gall and pupates there, the
weevil emerging by biting through the gall. The insect is in no way a serious
pest, as it is not a common or abundant insect ; so little is known of weevil's
life-histories that this record is of interest ; the other two common species
of Alcides in India breed in cotton (Alctdes Icpardvs 01 ) ; and in species of
Sesbania used as shade for the growth of pan (Alcides bubo. F.), both being
destructive pests where they occur.
(e). — The Deccan Gbasshoppek.
Amongst ihe interesting occurrences of the year is the study of
the curious wingless Grasshopper of the Deccan, which has been
doing an increasing amount of damage, culminating in a fairly large outbreak
this year. The insect is a species of Orthacris of the Pyrgtmorphine
division of the Acridriidce ; five Indian species are described and the present
species is probably a new one.
It is, when mature, wingless, and resembles an ordinary hopper ; it is likely
to be one of the insects which, by coupling in a wingless and therefore ap-
parently immature condition, has given rise to r *he statement that there are
SO
1008 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY , Vol. XIX.
species in India which couple before completing the raatamorphosis and
passing through the last moult The other species associated with this be-
lief is the Rice Grasshopper (Hieroglyphic lanian, Fabr.) which has short-
winged mature forms, which look like nymphs but are really mature : thesp of
course couple and lay eggs while appearing to be nymphs.
(/.)— New Rhynchota.
Large numbers of new Rhynchota are still being described by-
Mr. Distant, the last series being in the Annates de la Societe' de Belgique,
where thirty species are added to the Indian fauna. The most interesting
are the three species of SuUla and two of Ara$us : these obscure families are
little collected or known in India, and there are probably many species to be
found in the moist hill tracts of India. Solda piwma Dist. described from
specimens that were mutilated by the Post Office in transit to England, was
found at Lebong on the boulders in the river over which the water pours
producing a thick growth on the sheltered underside of green moss, in which
lives a very peculiar fauna. The collector in the hills will find extremely
interesting material m such localities. The appendix volume of the Rhynchota
in which all the new species will be described, will be awaited with interest, aud
it is to be hoped that all who have collections of Rhynchota will have them
examined, and the new species sent to Mr. Distant for inclusion in this
volume.
iffh- Whj:re Civindkla Bkeki>.
Cicindelid beetles are common insects of the plains, occurring abundantly
in crops, waste-lands, and especially on flooded lands at the close of the rains.
While larvse which corresponded with Cicindeia larvae, in Europe have been
found in wet sand near rivers, they havo been so rarely found that they
could not represent the common species which occur in abundance. Recently
such larvse have been found in greatei abundance and under circumstances
that point to their being the common specie^ so abundant in the plains. The
larvse were found in land which had been whghtly waterlogged and so was
well compacted and solid after the rains closed: each larva lives in a vertical
tunnel, as is well-known, the tunnel ending at the surface in around hole ; when
one looks at the soil in which such larvae are living, one sees a small hole ;
watching it and then looking away at others, the original hole disappears and
cannot be seen : Cicindela laiva has come up, and its flat dar£ head has filled
up the top level with the soil ; if one move<. down goes the dcindda, and the
hole is at once obvious. Such holes are common in wet lands in October, and the
tunnels extend down about five inches into the soil : the Cicindela larva grips
anything that runs over by its recurved mandibles, which project over the
head; it then goes down with the victim, feeds on it, and placing the empty
skin on the flat head ascends to the snHVif$e and jerks the remains *way
clear of the opening of the tunnel.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTE J009
In September, the common species of Cicindela are extremely abundant as
beetles on wet alluvial lands near rivers, on the wetter parts of cultivated
lands where the soil is compact and are presumably laying the eggs from which
come the larvae to be found in late October, before which time the beetles are
dead.
Cicindela has not, in this countiy, been reared as yet; all our previous
attempts have been failures, but with a larger supply of material, we hope
to be more successful.
(1).— Attraction to Light.
In "Indian Insect Life "(p. 106) we have discussed this point, and those
who have read the interlude there may be interested in the subject. Forel,
the author of * The Senses of Insects," has there pointed out that the attrac-
tion of a bright light is probably due to the confusion produced iu the brain
of the insect by a concentrated point of light, an effect occurring in
Nature only from the sun which is overheard, while our lights are at
the insect's level. He also rightly points out that household insects are
not attracted by light, being accustomed to our artificial lights and not attract-
ed by them. On the other hand, moths especially are freely attracted by a
large white sheet, that is, an area of diffused white light, in preference to a
point of light.
A long series of experiments were made in India with coloured lights, but
they yielded little result of interest.
Another point is that the bulk of the insects which come to light are crepus-
cular soil insects, accustomed to fly in the dark and entirely unaccustomed to
a concentrated bright light.
We have found also that in oad weather, many insects come 10 light that do
not ordinarily do so, and we believe this is not so much the light as shelter
from the wind. Bees and dragon flies are quite common at lights in houses
in rough weather, wheieas they are never so found ordinarily ; the bees have
presumably been overtaken before they could reach the rest, and the dragon
flies, ordinarily sleeping out in an exposed position, are the first to feel a high
wind and be blown away.
Light traps are in fairly common use as against some pests, especially in the
tropics, but the opinion is often expressed that a light trap catches more
beneficial than injurious insects, and so does harm. We believe this to be
an entirely mistaken idea ; the ; parasites* that the light is supposed to
attract are usually winged ants.
(0. — The Eggs op Ougotoma.
Embiida are insects, of which not much is known, though they are
to be found in most localities in India. In the plains all attempts to rear
them have failed- but under more favourable circnmstances at Lebong, at
1010 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
an elevation 5,000 feet, OUgotoma mundwi lived for weeks in captivity
laying egg, freely. The egtjs are oval, pearly-white, laid singly or a few
together on the tree or the h ark under wMch they Hye .„ or ne&r ^ r
ramifymg tubes prepared by the insects. The young are white and
become pink as they grow older. We found colonies of these insects in all
stages nnderthe bark of a dead bee ; in captivity they lived quite well
feeding apparently upon the b ai k ; theie was no other food and the colony
throve and multiplied, laying eggs freely.
In the plains the colony died, despite all precantions. probably from the
altered conditions of moisture.
H. MAXWELL LEFROY
Agricultural Research Institute.
Pusa, Bengal. Decnnber. 1909.
No. XXXII —SOME NOTES OX THE PALM OREODOXA REGIA,
{With a Piute.)
Orentioxa regia, though a native of Cuba, is very commonly found cultivated
in Indian gardens. As might well be expected, it is tiealed of by many
botanists, but strange to say their descriptions sometimes widely differ from
one another, as will be seen from the following short account :
Bentham and Hooker* say that there are two complete spathes, the lower
one semi cylindrical a* long as the spadix, the upper one ensiform, split on
the ventral side. Kunth 2 mentions that theie i8 only one spathe. Scheffer 3
is also of the same opinion. In a specimen which I examined there are clearly
two spathes. The whole inflorescence, a compound spadix, is enclosed in a hig
complete spathe measuring .7-1" (f g La). A second incomplete spathe entiiely
sunounds the lower half of the complete spathe. The incomplete spathe is
l f -2" long on the ventral side and 9" on the dorsal (fig. I-&). The outer one is
incomplete in a later stage, but may have been complete in the beginning and
due to the faster growth of the inner spathe, left incomplete. In the beginning
of January when I observed the spathes, the inner one was about 1/ long and
the outer about b" At the end of June they attained their full development.
The incomplete spathe detaches itself from the inflorescence, leaving a scar
(fig I.-c\ sometime before the complete spathe opens. The complete spathe
opens ventrally by a slit (fig. 1-d).
Kunth says that the flower bearing branches of the spadix measure from
3" to 4". In my specimen they were from 2" to 6" long. The girth of the
main peduncle is 6" The primary as well as the secondary peduncles are
sciu vy. The length of the inflorescence is 2'- 3".
1 Genera pLintarnru , Vol. III. p. 898-900.
a Kunth in Humb et ,; ompl. nova (»en.et. Spec. pi. Vol I. p 244.
3 Scheffer in a manuscript note according to Beccari in 'Illnstrazione dialctme Palme
Visenti nel Giirdioo Botanico di Bnitenzorg in Annates du jardin Botanique de
Buitenzorg, Vol. II, p. 148. "
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, Hill
The flowers are unisexual. The male flowers are in pairs, while the female
flowers are solitary. Each female flower is situated between and below every
pair of male flowers.
The sepals are three, white, membranous, sab-orbicular and ohtuse. The
aestivation is imbricate (fig. HI.) Th^ sepals of female floweisare longer than
those of the male (figs. IV, VIII).
Beccari 1 meutions that it is not seldom to f nd a second whorl of petals, in
male flowers, alternating with the outer whorl of petals. I examined many
flowers, but did not notice the presence of this second whorl. The petals are
three, white, linear, oblong, obtuse, concave and longitudinally stiiated. The
estivation is vallate (fig. II.) The petals of the male flowers are longer than
those of the female (figs. IV, VIII).
The male flowers when closed are longer than broad (fg, IV). The anthers
are pinkish, sagittate and versatile (fig. VI). The stamens are ti-9, nine
predominating. The filaments are flattened at the base. A subglobose
pistilode. as big as a poppy seed, is situated in the centre of the flower, sur-
rounded by the whorl of stamens (fig.V-a). The pistilode is trilccular. The
pollen grains are more or less oval.
Bentham and Hooker 3 mention that the ovary is bilocular. I examined
many flowers and found the ovary to be tiilocular. Iu some, false dissepi-
ments were also observed (fig. IX). There are six stamiiiodes surrounding
the ovary and so to say forming a cnpule (fig. VII -a) I did not notice any
more details in the female flowers, as they had not opened when I examined
them.
J.P.MULLAN.m.a.
Bombay, 30th July, 1909.
No. XXXIII.— ENVIRONMENT VERSUS NATURAL SELECTION
AS THE CAUSE OF COLOURATION IN ANIMALS.
In the course of his very interesting paper " Some Nature Notes, " which
appeared on pp. 399 et *eq. of Vol. XIX, No. 2. of the Journal, Col. Burton
contributed some remarks bearing on the subject of protective colouration.
The author of that paper looks with suspicion upon the view geneially held
by naturalists and considers them f - rather far fetched". He quotes Mr.
Selous. the South African authority, in &uf port of the theory he opposes to
that of protective colouration, viz., the effect of enuronment.
This is a matter of great interest which, I believe, has not hitherto been
discussed in our Journal, and I hope, therefore, that I may be allowed to
trespass in a small measure on its pages.
The views of practical ohservers like Col. Burton and Mr. Selous are deserving
of the higbest consideration and they are fully entitled to an opinion, but.
1 Be-caiil c.
Bentham and Hooker 1. <x
1012 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
I venture to suggest that those who agree with them in this matter do so undei
a partial misconception of the foundations upon which the theory of protective
colouration is built. That there is such a misconception I hold to be proved
by the presence of the following sentences culled from the two authors.
Col. Burton, in the above quoted contribution, en page 401. writes " I am
inclined to think that colouration is far more due to environment, to the colour
of the surroundings and to climatic causes, than to sexual selection for protective
purposes. "
Mr. Selous, in his" African Nature Notes and Reminiscences" says, on page
5, line 1 . '* ... The colour of the leucoryx has not heen
brought about in order to serve as a protection against enemies. " (In both
cases the italics are mine.)
I think the misconception in either case is patent, though peihaps the word
sexual in the first quotation is a cleiical error and should read natural. It
appears to me that both authors have misunderstood the theory of protective
colouration by adaptation through natmal selection.
It is perhaps possible to agree that some naturalista have claimed to explain
too much by the light of this hypothesis, but, reading carefully through Mr.
Selous two chapters on protective colouration, the impression created is that
he rejects protective colouration altogether, though not positively stating
the fact.
Now it is quite possible that environment has some influence on the coloura-
tion of animals (though that has to be proved as well as the exact agency
through which it acts) ; but this iu no way affects the theory of protective
colouration, rather the contrary.
Every one will admit that if it is euvironment that influences colouration, it
must do so in a great variety of shades to account for the great differences in
the colour of animals inhabiting the same locality, e. g., tiger, sambar, sloth
hear, bison, etc., in India ; and the divergence is still more striking in South
Africa with the lion, the zebra, the buffalo and the various splendidly coloured
antelopes living in the same plains.
This being so, then either all animals, under this influence, should eventually
assume the same coats, or else external specific features must tend to disappear
as there is nothing to fix the colour, which may, at any time, be gradually
changed to any of the other colours brought about by the particular environ-
ment.
We here come to the *' clou :" there must be some force or influence to Jix
a particular colour and we have thut agency in natural selection.
Nothing is more certain than the fact that constant slight variations in dimen-
sions as well as in colour do crop up among animals of the same species.
Probably no two individuals are exactly alike in every lespect. No one will
quarrel, I think, with the assertion that no variation, however slight, can fail
to reach in some way on the oiganism in which it appeals. In the vast
majority of cases, however, this reaction is so infinitesimal that it may be
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1013
entirely neglected. But a point must come when it is no longer negligible, and
now its influence must inevitably be either harmful or beneficial to the anima*.
Here natural selection steps in. If the variation is definitely harmf ul it can-
not endure, if, on the contrary, it is beneficial it will be handed down and
become permanent. I leave out of count such variations that may arise by
correlation. These in no sense affect the argument, for it then becomes merely
a question of which of the correlated variations exercises the moie potent
influence.
The mere fact that animals are usually coloured in harmony with their
surroundings is no disproof of protective colouration as our authors would
infer, fur, obviously, to be protected by its colour the animal mmt be in harmony
tcUk its environment, subject to certain exceptions that will be dealt with anon.
No one, as far as I know, claims that an animal attains a certain colour or
marking in order that its colouration should serve as a protection. But rather
because it has tended towards a similarity with its environment, natmal selection
preserves and intensifies the similarity.
There can be little doubt that variations occur in a direction away from the
general colour scheme of the environment but it is exactly those variations
that natural selection tends to suppiess, unless they subserve some other and
more important purpose, or the same purpose in another way.
So it may be seen that it is precise^ where the hypothesis of protective
colouration might fail that that of colouration by the influence of the envi-
ronment would also fall short.
It is, however, quite possible that environment (in conjunction with other
causes) gives the first impetus towards protective colouration and this is then
seized upon and worked up by natural selection, which in itself, of course, is
incapable of initiating a vaiiation.
Unless it can be proved that it is of advantage in resisting climatic rigours,
there is no intrinsic value to an organism in being coloured in haimony with
its environment. But where such colour :is protective against its enemies or
facilitates the obtaining of its food, the benefit is distinct and it will be
perpetuated.
One of the points both authors wish to make in disproof of protective
colouration, is that it can only be effective when animals are motionless, and
that they betray themselves as soon as they stir, even if it be only a switch of
the tail. This is obvious and it cannot be contended that protective colour-
ation conceals the animal at all times and under all conditions. In the nature
of things this is out of the question for any being less well endowed than the
chameleon, and even that reptile requires a little time. But an attentive
perusal of Mr. Selous 1 book will show that protectively coloured animals do
benefit by their colouration. It must also be within the experience of eveiy
big game hunter to have intently gazed upon an animal whose coat blended
with the back ground without seeing it until it has suddenly dashed off, giving
no chance of a shot.
1014 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIX.
Animals that are protectively coloured are in the habit of remaining motion-
less when alarmed, thus unconsciously giving full play to their special safe
guard.
Again reading Mr, Scions' account of the manner in which lions stalk their
prey must convince one that these carnivora owe a great debt to the colour
of their skin and, what is more, that they understand how to take full advan-
tage of the fact.
To contend that colouration gives complete protection under all conditions
involvts one in the following reditctio ud ubhurtlum. The natural corollary to
the contention is that carnivorous animals would never secure any prey,
except by mere chance, and therefore, would rapidly disappear through starv-
ation, while at the same time, no herbivorous animal would ever escape from
a protectively coloured beast of prey and they too would all succumb.
It is to be presumed that the opponents of natuial selection (for that is
what it amounts to) admit that colouiation and markings in animals are the
result of a process of evolution and that the instinct to remain perfectly still
under danger is likewise brought about of evolution. Then, believing as they
do in the environment theory, *bey must hold that the two characteristics
were evolved separately and unconnectedly and yet eventually were united,
f or they are shared in the same, or almost the same-degree by every individ-
ual of the same species.
This is surely too much to concede. The two tiaits must have been
evolved together and the one as a complement to the other, as each apart
would be more or less useless, if not often harmful.
The theory of colouring induced by environment seems to me necessaiily to
exclude variation in colouiation. Once a species is coloured in haimony with
its surroundings and as a reavU ofthevt, they would not be able to vary much
thereafter, as the same influence, it must be presumed, would tend to biing
them back to the type.
But there i* nothing more certain than the fact that variations constantly
do occur, which variations if harmful will again disappear and if beneficial
will endure and become fixed into new types. If the new type has a distinct
advautage over the parent the latter will tend to disappear, otherwise the
variation becomes a well defined race or variety, and in course of time draws
further and more definitely apart and evolves into a new species — possibly
eventually into a new genus.
With colouration by environment new species could only arise when some
of the individuals of a species migrated tc new regions, the environments of
which would differ to a certain extent from that they h=ive left. But, as a
matter of fact, we know that new species arise in the same localities, the
original type often enduring side by side with the new.
It must not be forgotten that, as a rule, the evolutionary process is slow
and spread over a period of very many years.
Mr. Selous states that zebras, iinpala antelopes, giraffes, etc., are very striking
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. nn/J
objects in their natural surroundings and that, therefore, there can be no
question of protective colouration in their case. There seems to bo a diversity
of opinion on this subject, as shown by Colonel Burton in his quotation from
Sir Samnel Baker (page 403). However, even admitting that Mr. Selous is
right, it cripples his theory of colonration by environment at least as much.
This brings me to the weakest point of the enviroumem theory -it tails to
give a satisfactory cause for mimiciy. Mr. Selous attempts to prop his case
by one reference to those phenomena, but in my humble opinion, fails
entirely to achieve his object.
He describes a South African butterfly— -Precis flWaa3a~-which below v*
coloured in the exact resemblance of a dead leaf, but is bright hued above
(apparently a very similar insect to the: Indian genus Kullima). He explains
the markings of the undersnrface of the winga by the influence of the dead
leaves of the forest floor among which this butterfly settles. This indeed
must strike one as far fetched. One might admit that, through some at
present still mysterious agency, the environment of dead leaves could in-
fluence the butterfly to assume a universal sombre hne, or even a blotched
appearance vaguely resembling the colonr and shape of a dead leaf, but that
it can call into being markings closely copying the venation of a leaf and add a
short tail to the hind wing to represent the leaf stalk, is more than the imagin-
ation will rise to.
Then, too, how is one to account for the bright colours of the dorsal aspect
of the insect ? Is one to understand that the action of the environment is more
or less of a photographic nature and does not act on the npper surface because
the winga are nsually held applied together, or because they are turned away
from the dead leaves ? Accepting the influence of environment it seems more
reasonable to believe that the effect is through a reaction of the whole
vital organism and not merely on surfaces exposed.
Mr. Selous goes on to state that there seems no reason why butterflies in
South Africa should be protectively coloured as he has never seen a bird
attempt to catch a butterfly, but these insects have other enemies, lizards for
instance.
There are numberless examples of more or less perfect mimicry, some so
minutely accurate in every detail as to be absolutely inexplicable except by
adaptation for protective purposes working through natural selection.
And this adaptation mnst be not merely on the one side bnt interacting on
both — the prey and the preyer. The one becoming more and more perfect
for concealment while the other becomes more and more qualified to detect
the fraud.
At least no more plausible, no more convincing hypothesis, indeed no other
credible explanation, has as yet been suggested to my knowledge.
It was Bates, I think, who described an incident of which he was an eye
witness in South America. I write from memory and may be incorrect in
detail, but the main facts are accurate.
31
1016 JOVRNAL t BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIX.
Rites observed a species of mantis that closely imitated a leaf which found
itself in the tiack of an army of the terrible foraging ams of those regions.
Seeming awaic of its dangerous situation it lemained perfectly ineit, while the
anis ciawied over it and left it unmolested. Had it moved in the slightest
it would iuevilably have been to:nto pieces.
Again we have buttei flies that obtain compaiative immunity through their
close ie3emblance to other lepidoptera which are distasteful to animals that
prey on this class of insects. Otheis again mimic bee3 and wasps. Ceitain
spiders and mantids in this country arc fashioned so as to be indistinguishable
from ants without the very closest sciutiny. Other spiders escape detection
through their similarity to the particles of debris that conglomerate in their
webs and among which they squat motionless. Yet another Indian spider —
Pi'ucetia riruuma — is strikingly like the fiuit of a small shrub — Jatropha gossypt-
futia. It undoubtedly secures much of its living booty by squatting among
flowers and pouncing on unwary insect visitors in search of honey, they mistak-
ing the spider for the fruit. This spider does not restrict itself to the
shiub refenedto and may be found on other shiubs, therefore its colour and
marking cannot be due to environment. Besides why should it not resemble
the flowers of Jatropha, the latter are more striking, being red, the berry being
light-green traversed by a few whitish lines— all of which as well as the long
hairs on the stalk are admiially reproduced on the spider's abdomen and legs.
Let us now consider the baght and very showy colours of certain caterpil-
lars and Orthopteia, or of the laige spider common in many Indian jungles, a
very conspicuous object suspended in the middle of a large yellow viscous web
stretched across paths or dealings — Xephita 7natulutu. These colours cannot be
accounted for as induced by environment. They aie, however, explained by
natural selection, for they ate warning colour?. The creatures thus colomed
are distasteful to the enemies of allied animals for one reason or another, and
it is to their advantage to blazon abroad, that all that fly may know, the fact
that they are unsavoury — perchance poisonous.
That this is not mete speculation is proved by many recorded observations.
In the pages of our Journal some yeais ago (I have not access to my books at
present) a note was published on the subject of a bear in captivity, that held
brilliantly adorned locusts in ahhorencc. though inordinately fond of others
of more sober (protectively colomed 1 ) dress.
Numerous other facts of a like nature might be quoted, but I need onlj
refer the reader to the pages of Darwin and Wallace and I will content my-
self with one more and that perhaps the most striking of any, in support of
my thesis.
I ask how else than by the theory of protective colouration fostered by
natural selection is the extraordinarily faithful imitation by certain moths of
the excreta of birds to be explained. These moths usually lie on green leaves
just in the position chance -fallen excreta would take up. It requites a close
inspection to lecognibe the one fiom tho othe^ as any one who saw this
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1017
year's Darwin exhibit at the Natural History Museum at South Kensington will
testify to. And the resemblance in living specimens is si ill more deceptive.
Here, surely, no sketch of imagination can bring environmental colouration
into play — that would require the moths to be gieen.
To me the recital of the above arguments seem to prove conclusively that
whatever the effect of environment on the colouration of animals it cannot
explain all the known facts, whereas protective colouration (including wain
ing colours') through the agency of natural selection, does.
While on the subject of Colonel Burton's article peihaps I may bepemiitteti
to add a note to his remarks anent wanton slaughter by tigers.
Some years ago in Ganjam a tigress, accompanied by two cubs still too
young to do their own killing, butch eied four cows at different points teveial
furlongs apart in the same night. Only one was partly eaten and a native
shikari shot the tigress at this kill while I was preparing to sit over one of the
others, not having heard till too late that there were more than one. 1 he
explanation in this case may be that the mother was instructing her cubs in
the art of cattle killing.
a E. C. FISCHER.
Coimbatore, Ath December 1909.
Xo. XXXIV.-ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE BUTTERFLY
ATELLA ALC1PPE, CRAMER, IN TRAVANCORE.
Through the courtesy of the Director of the Government Museum, Tiivan-
drum. I have had sent me a specimen of the above butterfly, which was
captured by Mr. Hockin at Kalasagarem in June 390G. This is the fiist occur-
rence of this insect in Travancore. and 1 was not aware, uniil ihe hut number
of (he Journal appeared (No. 3. Vol. XIX), that it occurred in S. India at all
but Mr. Bell atates that it is very Iccal in Kanara.
We can now understand how the buiteifly reached Cey'on. which before
was inexplicable. When I described the Ceylon form under the name
A.ahsi/tpe race ceylonica (Vol. XIV. p. 716). the nearest habitat then Known
was Sikhim and the Andaman Islands. The specimen from Travancore
conforms to the type, and is markedly different from the Ccjlon race, which
is distinguished by the uniformly black apex to the foivwing. The late
Mr de Niceville gave a useful list of the known species of the group in his
paper entitled "On new and little known butterflies, mostly from the
Oriental region," Vol. XIV. p. 243.
N. MAXDERS, Lieut.-Col., f.zj?„ f.e.s.
Colombo, December 1909.
1018 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BISTORT SOCIETY, Vol XJX.
EXTRACTS FROM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETINGS OF
THE BALUCHISTAN NATCBAL HISTORY SOCIETY HEID IN
THE QUETTA MUSEUM AND LIBRARY EUILDHSG ON 29th
JULY, 26th AUGUST, 30th SEPTEMBER 4ND :?8th OCTOBER
(909.
29th Jaly 1909.
Read letter dated the 28th July I9f 9, from Major F. C. Webb- Ware, C.I.E..
and an extract from letter of the same date from Mr. G. H. Frost, regarding
the Quetta Cicada. The Honorary Secretary remarked that on the 3rd July
he found a pupa crawling on the ground and that the flying insect emerged in
an hour's time. He also remarked that all the flying insects in the station had
disappeared by about the 10th of the month.
Dated 20th July 1909.
Oear Mr. Gumming,
Your interesting note on the subject of the Cicada which recently appeared
in such numbers in Quetta. I have been connected with Quetta now for
nearly 20 years, but I certainly do not recollect the swarms or in fact any bui
isolated insects of this species. There is a small type of this same insect
which is common to Baluchistan, and is usually to be found where fairly long
grass grows. For instance, I have frequently seen it at Pishm. The pupa in.
I think, the larger number of cases emerges in its pupa covering from the
ground and climbs on to a branch of the nearest tree. You will always find
their holes below troes or bushes. The pupa then suns itself for a short period
and emerges from its covering which splits open down the back. After sunning
itself for some little time, the fully developed insect dries and then can take
to flight. The noise they make is due to the rapid vibration of a membrane
which is situated on either side of where the body and extremity join.
They emit three or four notes, and I dare say you noticed that the Cicada
on one tree always emit the same nolo. The most interesting fact to ascertain
is why ii is that these insects should have appeared in such uurubers this
year, also their method of propagating their species, etc. In Australia you
obtain various kinds of the same, but they run to 1 V to 2 inches long, and have
the most brilliant colouring, golf] being common. In Seistan the Cicada — a
small black type — used to give us considerable trouble by appearing uninvited
at dinner, — Yours sincerely.
V. C. WEBB-WARE.
Dear Sir,
I notice the black ants are carrying the eggs* uf the Cicada away and should
therefore be the means nf great reduction in the number that comes to rhr
larval stage.
i*u\} <;. (1. 1-KOftT.
BALUCHISTAN NAT. HIS. SOC. PROCEEDINGS. 1019
Read letter, dated the 16th July 1919, from Captain A. D. G. Ramsay to the
flon'blethe Agent to the Governor-General, suggesting that Bee-keeping be
tried as an experiment in Baluchistan ; also a note by the Honorary Secietary
to the effect that, although no honey bees had so far been found in Quetta, he
did not see why they should not thrive if imported. He added that honey wa>
procurable in parts of Chagai District. Mr. Porter remarked that honey waa
also to be found in Hindubagh and the Khojak. and that Mr. H. R. C. Dohbs.
the Offg. Revenue Commissioner, was in correspondence with him, with a view
to experimenting with Bee-keeping in Quetta. The members were of opinion
that they knew of no reason why the experiment should uot prove a success.
2\citk August 1909.
The Honorary Secretary then passed round for inspection :-
(1) A collection of vertebrate fossils, mostly from the Bugti country.
which had been kindly identified for the Museum by the Director, Geological
Survey of India, Calcutta.
(2) A collection of local butterflies and bugs kindly named bv Colonel CI.
Swinhoe and Mr. Waterhouse of the British Museum
(3) A wagtail returned by the Honorary Secretary, Bombay Natural
History Society, which had been identified by Dr. Hartert ofTringas rf «
female of Motactlta citreola or citreolades"
(4) A copy of " Saunder's Manual of British Birds. " purchased by the
Museum.
(5). A sample ( o inch cube ) of Baluchistan marble from the 2fahar
Nallah, near Quetta, presented by Mr. C. H. Dracott, with an analytical report
thereon by Mr. James Cleghom, Consulting Engineer.
Read letter No. Herb, 275-1-7, dated 17th Juno 1909, from the Superintend-
ent, Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, identifying a curious horned fruit found
at Ahmadkhanzai near Quetta, last March, as Startynia proboscidea.
The meeting was then thrown open to the members, and Lieutenant Bignell
reported that he had come across several Cicada during the 1st week of August
on the top of Tsut hill, a little over 10.000 feet.
There being no further business, friajor Goodwin thanked Mr. Dracott for
his gift of a sample of Baluchistan marble and for the analytical repoit he had
obtained on it. He then asked the members to do what they could to bring in
specimens of the various bugs of the country, many of which were new to
science, and reminded them that the birds were once again passing through
the country on migration and affording collectors a fresh opportunity of add-
ing to their knowledge of the avifauna of Baluchistan.
MH/i September 1909.
Head list of donation* made to the Museum during rhe month, the exhibit
themselves being passed round for the inspection of members except in lh«
case of three very interesting live snakes, a 9 feet Python, a Cobra ( in cage
1020 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIX.
and an Eryccjohnit, found by Mr. Flynn at the river Habb between SInd and
Baluchistan, which were placed on the table and viewed at a respectful distance
by some of the members who left their chairs for the time being. Of the other
exhibits, the most important were a Beech Marten from the Staff College, pre-
sented by Miss Tranaka, a Common Wryneck from Quetta, presented by
Lieutenant A. M. Lloyd, and a lot of butterflies from Ziarat, collected and
mounted by Mr. B. H. Ford.
Read note from the Hon'ble President, expressing his delight with Mr. Ford's
collection of butterflies.
Resolved that the thanks of the members be conveyed to Mr. Ford for his
valuable collection of butterflies.
Read appeals published by the Bombay Natmal History Society: —
(1) From Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker, asking for information as to the bleeding
of the rarer species of Grouse with eggs of all species either on loan or as
gifts in exchange, and for information as to the dates on which Woodcock, Snipe
and Jack Snipe are first and last shot in any part of India, the relative dates of
arrival and departure of Fantail and Pintails, and the proportion they form in
bags made at different times of the year.
(2 J From Professor Powell, of the Xorthcote Hospital. Bombay, for
large Earth Worms, either alive in some of the earth in which found or in
methylated spirits.
(3j From Mr. N. B. Kinnear. Keeper of the Museum. Bombay Natural
History Society —
(a) For beetles common or rate from all over the Indian Empire ; and
(fc) For information on the migration of birds.
Resolved that members be requested to do what they can to assist in the
above directions.
Read letter, dated 13th September 1909, from Mr. James Cleghorn. C.E.,
Consulting Engineer, Calcntta, to Mr. C. H. Dracott, reporting on the utility
of the Baluchistan marble for general building purposes.
Read note by Mr. C. H. Dracott, recording particulars regarding some
Psychidm larvse he had found at Hanna, and specimens of which were passed
round for inspection.
Read note from the Hon'ble Sir Henry McMahoti, stating that he had
ascertained, from the Zoological Society, London, that " Dresser's Birds of
Europe/' now out of print, was the best standard work on the Biids of
Europe, and that he was writing direct to Mr. Dresser, who has a few spare
copies, asking the terms on which he would let the Qnetta Museum have one
Read letter, No. 470, dated 16th September 1909, from Mr. Maxwell-Lefroy
embodying an interesting report on a specimen of the Lygaeid with pupa skin
and fly which was found by Mr. A. A. Flynn in Quetta last May, and had been
forwarded to Mr. Lef roy for favour of identification.
In addition to the donations received during the month, the Python {Python
tnolurus\ Cobra ( Naia tripudians), and Double Headed Snake {Eryx jokwi}
BALUCHISTAN NAT. BIS. SOC. PROCEEDINGS. -1021
exhibited alive by Mr. Flynn at the last meeting, and which had since been
killed and mounted by Mr. Flynn, were also passed round for the inspection of
such of the members who were absent on that occasion : while Mis. Drake
exhibited a curious pair of Markhor horns found on the Murdar Range, in
which one of the hoins was of the close spiral form after the Suheman type,
and the other had open curls, like that of the Astor type.
Read letter, No. 633, dated 9th October 190y, from Mr. Maxwell- Lefroy,
stating it was impossible to identify the P&ychiilae lanst piesmwd by
Mr. Dracott, but that he would do so later if any of them developed into
moths.
The Hon'ble President then concluded the meeting with a few remarks. He
suggested that the Samber head and other exhibits, not of local origin, which
had been placed in the Museum, be kept apart. He desired that the thanks of
the meeting be conveyed to Mulla Alif for the leopard skin he had sent in
and expressed a hope that it would not be long before another would be secured.
He further leferred to the appeals read at the last meeting, and expressed the
hope that members would respond by sending in their observations on the ar-
rival and departure, etc., of Woodcock and Suipe, and the migration of birds
in general, aud expressly asked that advantage be taken of the present shooting
season to secure and send in specimens of snipe, grouse, duck, hare, etc.
In conclusion he mentioned that when passing through Bombay on his return
from leave, the Honorary Secretary, Bombay Natural History Society, desired
him to thank the members of the Baluchistan Natural History Society for
their help to the Bombay Natuial History Societv.
Jo-um.Bomb i . st.Soc
Plate XII.
j- i
I <
-}'
J G del
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES, (Wall).
en, "Vu'OTno
Journ., Bombay Nat. Hist. 5oc.
Diagram I.
G
A
B 'y JX &
COMMON INDIAN SNAKES (Wall).
( Dendrelaph is triaf/i).
THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES.
Explanation of Diagram I,
k.—DE&DIlELAPHIS TRISTIS, jaws.
K.—DE$nROPUlS PICTUS, jaws*
(a) maxilla.
(b) dentary part ot mandible.
{e) nasal bones.
(d) ridges on parietal for muscilar attachments.
(e) articu'ar notch.
(/) articular process of dentary.
{g) articular part of mandible.
C. D. E.— Hbad Shiblijs.
A. S. Anterior su\.i igualr.
F. Frontal.
J n. Internasals.
Lor. Loreal.
M. Mental.
^ a. Nasals.
P-*. Parietals.
Po* Posfcoculars.
P**. Prajoculars.
frf- Prefrontal 5.
P. S. Posterior Sublinguals.
K. Rostra!.
S. Supraoculars.
T. Temporals.
1, 2, 3, etc. SupralabiaK
I, II, HI, <tc. Infralabials.
F. — Belly Shields.
Ven. Ventrals with ridges.
An. Anal.
Sub. Subcaudals with ridges.
G. H. — Body Scales.
C. Gostals.
Ver. Vertebrals.
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