%

(■r. N I. It A 1. ri. A 11 n I. ^

C II U S A N,

\VI I H II KM \UKS ON rilK

FLORA AM) FAUNA OF Til \T ISLAND

]U THEODORK CANTOR, M.D.

RK.NOAL MRDirAL SKRVICP..

[From tkf AsNu.ii and Maoazinf. of Natural Histokv, vol. is.

^HW VOKK

uotamcal
LON DON:

riiTNTin m kk maiu) and john k. ia^i.ok.

RKD I.ION lOfRT. FLKKT sTRRET.

184J.

ii K N !•; li \ I, I' !•: \ i \ K !•: s

or i.ll;i<AKM

NEW YOkK
C II U S A N, UOTAMCAL

QAKUiiN.

WITH IlKM MIKH ON TIIK

FLORA AM) I'M \\ Ol- rilAT iSj^VM)

TllK island 1)1" ("liusaii, or (inat ("husan, is situated on the
east coast ot'Cliina, hctwciMi lat. M) and .51° X. and Ion;,'. 122'
and \'2.\'^ K.* It is tin- ^rrcatcst and most inipctrtant of tlir
group of islands which hear that name, and is sc|)aiate(l from
the nearest main-land, Keeto I'oint, hy an arm of tlie sea,
about ten miles across, thickly studded with smaller islands,
varyiufr in extent fnini little slii^htly elevated rocks to islands
several miles in circumference. This unintcrni|)ted chain of
islands renders it necessary to look nj)on Chusan, and the
whole ^rou|) indeed, more as a part of the continent than as
islands. The extremes of temperature are more like those of
a continent than of an island. The aspect of Chusan is hilly,
beinjr traversed by steej) rocks in all directions, occasionally
surmounted hy peaks with intervcnin<r valleys. The rocks
belon-r to the tdiier volcanic series, chietly consistin;^ of clay-
stone, porphyry, aiul a number of varieties, of which Lieut.
;Ouchterlony in his statistical notes has given the following

J. description : —

^ "In portions of the elites on the south and north coasts the
rocks are observed to assume a columnar structure t, and
dvkes and nuisses of greenstone bur>t throuiih the beds of
clavstone on various points, indurating anil altering them to

^ a considerable extent. On the west coast the claystoiu- \un-

O"

^^ • .\n ob-iorviitorv rriH-tcd in IHU) near the cnciiicir camp \vn» •titii.'ited

^■— in :\li° 0' 10" N. and fJ'J*' II' K. Thi- vuriution ot" compass was found to be
r^ 2-33 E.. inagnciic dip 4"J-I(i. The cinunilVrcnce cf the islnnd i.n .'il J miles ;
fY- iu j{rinte-t l<n;:th alM)ijt '2'), its creatt-»t brcadtli l('i mile:'. The direction
^j of the island i«t from N.W . to S.h.

^ t Columnar >tructuie is also visible on IJuUUlo Liand, a short distance

to the soiithw.ird of Chusan.

>}.

N

4 Dr. Cantor on, the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

phyry assumes a slaty or laminated structure, and appears
to be quarried extensively, both for use on the island and
for exportation to the main-land, affording excellent slabs for
paving and for floors, and good blocks for common building
purposes. A coarse conglomerate is also to be seen interve-
nin'T between beds of the claystone, imbedding angular frag-
ments of many descriptions of igneous rocks and workable
porphyry, which is also quarried and made use of for pillars,
blocks for corn-mills, basement slabs, &c." — Calcutta Journal
of Nat. liist., vol. ii. p. 136.

As characteristic features in the island, may be mentioned
the absence of rivers, lakes and forests. The valleys are fer-
tihzed by numerous streamlets communicating with narrow
canals, which traverse the island, and serve both for agricul-
tural purposes as well as means of communication for want
of carriage-roads. All the canals, at least in several miles di-
stance round Ting-hae, the principal city of the island, dis-
charge their surplus into a common canal, which passing
through the city communicates with the sea.

The entire absence of forests appears to be of a comparative
recent date, to judge from certain passages in a letter written
by Mr. Cunningham in the year 170I, in which deer are men-
tioned as being in abundance, which circumstance would pre-
suppose a woody appearance of some part of Chusan at least.
The writer says, " The island in general abounds with all sorts
of provisions, such as cows, buffaloes, goats, deer, hogs, wild
and tame geese, ducks and hens, rice, wheat, calavances, cole-
worts, turnips, potatoes, carrots, beetach and spinach. Here
also the tea grows in great plenty on the tops of the hills, but
it is not in such esteem as that which grows on more moun-
tainous islands. Although this island is pretty well stored
with people, it is far from what it was in P. Martini's time, as
he describes Chusan. The rest of the circumjacent islands
are either desert or meanly inhabited by a few people, but all
of them stored with abundance of deer, for it is not long since
Chusan began to be peopled. It is true in Martini's days,
about fifty years ago, it was very populous for the space of
three or four years, at which time the fury of the Tartar con-
quest M as so great that they left it desolate, not sparing so
much as the mulberry-trees (for then they made a great deal
of raw silk here) ; and in this condition it continued till about
eighteen years ago."— Extracted from Harris's complete col-
lection of Voyages in Chinese Repository, vol. ix. p. 133.

Chusan, as\vell as most of the smaller islands, presented on
our first approach in July 1840, a striking and novel appear-

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 5

ance ; a crowded population manifested itself in the cultivation
of every spot which by art of man could be forced to admi-
nister to the first necessities of life. To meet the demand of
an over-population, every inch of ground is laid lindcr contri-
bution for the greatest possible amount of ])roducc ; in fact,
industry has increased the original arable land in the rich al-
luvial valleys by transforming the naked sides of the hills, co-
vered in many places by a barely one-foot-deep crust of dis-
integrated rock, into cuhivated terraces. The highest hill at
Chusan is not above 1 800 feet above the level of the sea ; the
rest are of a much less elevation, and admit in most places of
terrace-cultivation to their summit.

Position and climate warrant us, as before observed, to draw
the inference, that Chusan in its fauna and flora cannot ori-
ginally have differed materially from the opposite main-land,
though the absence of rivers, lakes, and lastly forests, cannot
but greatly influence either; in other words, the same animal
and vegetable productions may be presumed to exist in the
neighboiu'ing regions of the continent, but with greater va-
riety in forms and in numbers, inasmuch as both are affected
by the presence or absence of rivers, lakes, and forests. To
which should be added another consideration, the changes
which the original physical aspect of a country must undergo
by cultivation. Thus it may be assumed, that Chusan may
afford a criterion of the fauna and flora of the neighbouring
regions of China, but only to a limited extent.

In the cultivation at Chusan rice holds the first rank, and of
that there seem to be two varieties ; one cultivated in the valleys
by the aid of irrigation, another on the heights, where the pro-
tracted periodical falls of rain afford a substitute for the art dis-
played by the Chinese agriculturist. During our first occu-
pation of Chusan the rice-harvest commenced in the end of
August, but soon after a new crop was observed to spring up
between the drills or ridges of the old, which, irrigated partly
by the celebrated water-wheels, and partly by the subsequent
heavy showers of rain, seemed to promise another harvest be-
fore the setting-in of the winter season. The amount of the
produce is such as to enable the inhabitants to dispose of a
vast surplus, and this is the chief staple commodity, which is
exported either as paddy or converted into " sam-shoo," a
spirituous liquor distilled from rice. To judge by the number
of distilleries and the quantity of samshoo in store at Ting-hae,
it would seem that the city exports the greater quantity of rice
converted into that commodity. All other kinds of grain oc-
cupy a secondary rank, such as Holcus Sorghum (Barbadoes

6 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chiisan.

millet), Polygonum, of which several species are cultivated,
one of them for the sake of the blue dye it 3aelds, JoVs-tears
{Coix Lachryma), and maize. Of vegetables, Convolvulus Ba-
tatas (sweet potatoe) seems to be the greatest favourite with
the Chinese ; also Sohmum Melongena (brinjol), Chenopodium
(spinach), Nelunibiuin, Cncurbita maxima (pumpkin), water-
melons, ginger, and turnips. Of fruit-trees, apples, pears,
quinces, peaches, wainuts, grapes and citrons. Although both
fruit and vegetables thrive remarkably well, they are of a
very inferior descrijjtion ; rice, the stalf of life, has engrossed
all the care of the Chinese agriculturist, who looks upon all
other objects of cultivation as secondary. There seems how-
ever to be every reason to believe that most European sorts
of grain, vegetables and fruit would succeed at Chusan.

To the former vegetable productions are to be added, Thea
sinensis, Stillmgia sebifera^EheococcusVernicia, and Nicotiana.
Tea is grown exclusively for the consumption of the inhabi-
tants, and most of the houses and farms have either small
plots allotted to the shrub, or it is planted in hedges or on the
tine stone walls m ith which the houses are commonly sur-
rounded. The shrub was in flower in July, had ripe fruit at
the end of September, and flowered again at the commence-
ment of November. The tea at Chusan when seen in leaves
was even by judges considered to be of the black kind, but
when made into infusion its colour and flavour were those of
the green kind. On my inquiries from the farmers whether
they made black and green tea indiscriminately from the same
shrub, I was invariably told they gathered the leaves and pre-
pared them, such as they were, without paying any further
attention. The fact is, they are evidently not initiated in the
secrets of the manufacturing districts, and their tea is of such
inferior quality that it cannot form an article of commerce. A
gentleman of one of the commercial firms in Macao, wdio vi-
sited Chusan during our first occupation, informed me that
with great trouble he had contrived to collect some ninety
pounds of tea on the island, for which he paid a price far be-
yond its value, solely with a view to encourage the inhabitants
to establish commercial intercourse.

The fresh leaf is coarse and nearly 2^ inches in length.
The capsules either contain a single seed, and their outline is
then circular ; or two seeds, which make the outline resemble
the Arabic character of number 8 ; or seldom three, in which
case the outline acquires a blunt triangular shape.

Stillingia sebifera is cultivated to a considerable extent for
the sake of the tallow-like matter which covers the ripe fruit.

Dr. Cantor o/i the Flora and Fauna of Chnsan. 7

It flowers in the month of July and August, and the fruit ar-
rives at maturity in November, when the capsule containing
three seeds bursts open. The process by which the vegetable
tallow is secured is very simple. The seeds, after having been
taken out of the capsules, are thrown into large vessels of
boiling water, which, after being allowed to cool, leaves the
pure white hardened substance, insoluble in alcohol, on the
surface. The latter is again melted and formed into candles
over wicks of thin bamboo or straw, which have been length-
ways surrounded by a closely fitting spiral of thinner straw.
These candles, which are said to form a no small article of ex-
yjortation, are originally of a beautiful white colour, but some-
times dyed red ; they burn remarkably well, without any un-
pleasant smell, and notwithstanding the rudely made wick,
give a very good light. I have kept several of these caudles
exposed to the influence of the hot season in Calcutta, not-
withstanding which they did not lose their original hardness.
Stillingia sebifera has many years ago been introduced in
Bengal, where it seems to thrive remarkably well ; but Dr.
Roxburgh observes, that the temperature of the winter season
is not sufficiently low to allow the substance to congeal. This
seems also to be the case in Canton province, where the sub-
stance is mixed with animal tallow, and thus fabricated. I have
been informed that the tree is found in our northern terri-
tories, where there would seem to be no obstacle to prevent
the substance from being applied to oeconomical purposes and
as a useful vehicle for ointments, but I am not aware of such
experiments having been tried.

The cotton plant (with white flowers) succeeds very well,
and is grown in many places, but to a very limited extent,
and solely for the use of the cultivators ; and such is also the
case with tobacco. Small plantations of Elceococcus Vernicia,
Juss., are seen here and there. The varnish it yields, al-
though of inferior quality, is in great demand for furniture,
and indeed for all the frame-work of the houses.

On the sides of the hills, where the scantiness of soil or the
steepness is such as not to admit the plough, oaks and pines
are raised for fuel : either attain to but a small size. The oak,
I am informed by Mr. Griffith, is very like one which he dis-
covered in the Khasyah Hills. The leaves resemble those of
Quercus in/ectoria, while the sessile flowers approximate it to
Q. sessiflora. A few very fine large junipers are seen in gar-
dens. Firewood, vegetable and mineral coals, as well as tim-
ber, form articles of importation.

The agricultural implements at Chusan are of a description

8 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

superior to those used in the southern provinces, particularly
the plough, the winnow, and the chain-pumps. Although
the Chinese may be said to be pre-eminently an agricultural
nation, and it has been the policy of their government to en-
courage and acknowledge agriculture as one of the most
honourable pursuits, the eminence it has attained has been
somewhat overrated. In the mere mechanical parts, such as the
distribution of human labour in the cultivation of rice, and in
a few instances of adopting the simplest means, the Chinese
may be said to have arrived at perfection ; but in the higher
branches the Chinese are far behind the best European rural
CEconomists. It has been observed, that the small allotments
of land in China must necessarily preclude any attempt at ex-
tensive operations, and while the individual is confined to raise
a crop barely sufficient to maintain his own family, accommo-
dation of the crop to the soil is almost entirely out of the
question. As for the rest, nothing can be said of the agricul-
ture at Chusan that has not already been noticed elsewhere,
with one exception, and that is the unheard of and equally re-
pulsive means to which the inhabitants resort to obtain ma-
nure for the fields. Suffice it to say, that in Ting-hae the
inhabitants make a point of collecting the offiil, which in a
city it is the first duty to the health of the public to carry
away, as it is to decency to hide. Here every house-owner
not only makes this a source of traffic, for it is sold to the
tillers of the soil, but the consequence of this custom has ma-
nifested itself in the social state of the people and obliterated
all feeling of decorum*.

The period of our first occupation of Chusan, from the
commencement of July 1840 till March 1841, was too short
to affiard data sufficient to obtain the annual mean tempera-

* In a short and interesting topographical account of Chusan, published in
the * Chinese Repository,' vol. x. p. 32S, the following description of Ting-
hae is given : — " The city possesses no large gardens or squares, but a con-
siderable extent of open ground on the eastern side is devoted to the culti-
vation of rice. The canal, which nearly surrounds the city, sends a large
branch through a water-gate near the southern gate, which, dividing into
many branches, traverses the greater part in all directions. These branches
form several large pools of foul stagnant water, into which eveiy description
of filth was thrown, and the street-sewers also opening into the canals ren-
dered the latter extremely offensive, and during the warm weather caused a
most unpleasant smell throughout the city. Added to this source of malaria,
great numbers of large jars were placed at the corners of most of the streets
and in all vacant places, which were filled with a fermenting mass of animal
and vegetable offal, gathered from the houses and preserved for manuring
the fields in the neighbourhood ; as may be supposed, in some of those places
the stench was dreadful."

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 9

ture and that of the four seasons. As the day however is not
far distant when China will be no longer a field of specula-
tion but one of research, it is preferable to await the sure
results of continued meteorological observations, although the
following few extremes may suffice to show the range of the
thermometer. The observations were made in the open air in
the shade.

Highest. Lowest.

July 86° 79°

August 93 76

September 100 71

October 84 .58

On our first arrival in July the weather was very pleasant ;
the heat became oppressive towards the end of August, parti-
cularly at night, and remained so till the end of September,
when heavy and protracted showers of rain made their ap-
pearance and did not cease till the end of November. The
winter season commences in November, and I am informed
that snow fell in the end of December, and that the thermo-
meter sunk in January to 22°.

These great vicissitudes in climate manifest themselves in the
absence of the brilliancy of the Indian flora and the frequent
occurrence of true European forms. The Indian forms are of
stunted growth, and many of them, such as the palms and the
plantain, which are cultivated, do not arrive at maturity.
Among the beauties of the wild flowers are a caerulean Com-
meliiia and Plumbago, Ipomaa aerulea, a delicate lilac Aster,
Nelunibium, Oxalis striata, a white Clerodendron and a lilac
Lycium. In August ripe brambles and raspberries were found
on the sides of the hills. The strawberry, which is very plen-
tiful, was ripe in the commencement of August; the fruit is
insipid, and by the Chinese fancied to be poisonous*. The
plant was again in flower (of a rich gamboge colour) in the
middle of September.

The hop plant, which may almost be said to cover Chusan
and such of the surrounding islands as I had an opportunity
to visit, flowered in August, and was in fruit in September and
the commencement of October. When first I observed the
Humulus, I became anxious to ascertain if it might not origi-
nally have been introduced by the English during the time of
the Factory ; but the inquiries which Mr. Gutzlaff was kind
enough to make among the inhabitants, who, although it is

* A Fni(/aiin, probably the same, has been observed at Nagrcc, in Sii;-
kim, by J. W. Grant, Esq.

10 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

not used, have several names for the plant, have established it
beyond doubt to be indigenous. A group highly characteristic
of the flora of Chusan attracted my attention in a tea-plan-
tation ; it consisted of a tea-shrub entwined by a hop-plant and
surrounded by a strawberry, a bramble, Artemisia vulgaris ,
Hypericum perforatum, Viola canina, a pine, an oak, a plan-
tain, and a fan-palm.

The following list of plants, collected at random, some of
which I identified, with their genera, on the spot, while for
the rest I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Griffith, will
serve to give some features of the flora.

Plants flowering at Chusan in July, August and September.

A. EXOGEN^.

Ranvncvlacece.

Ranunculus sceleratus.
NelumbiacecE.

Nelumbium.
Cruciferce.

Thlaspi.

Brassica.

Sinapis.
Resedacece.

Reseda luteola ?
Tamaricacecc .

Tamarix.
ViolacecB.

Viola canina ?
SterculiacecE.

Sterculia.
Malvacece.

Gossypium.

Hibiscus.
Aurantiacece.

Citrus.
Ternstrcemiacece.

Thea chinensis.

Camellia.
Hypericacece.

Hypericum perforatum.

montanum ?

Aceracew.

Acer.
Vitacece.

Vitis vinifera.
Balsaminacem.

Balsamina.

Xanthoxylacea .

Xanthoxylura.
Oxalidaceee.

Oxalis stricta.
Celastraceee.

Ilex.

Euonyraus.
RhamnacecB.

Zizyphus .
AnacardiacecE.

Rhus.
Fabacece.

Phaseolus.

Melilotus.
Rosacea.

Rosa sinica.
PotentillecE.

Potentilla.

Rubus idaeus.

Chamsemorus.

Fragaria.

Geum rivale ?
Amygdale(E.

Amygdala persica.

Prunus.
Pomece.

Mains.

Pyrus.

Cydonia.

Eriobotrys japonica.
Lythracea.

Lagerstroemia indica.

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

11

Myrtacece.

MjTtus.

Punica Granatum.
Cucurbitacece.

Cucumis Melo.

(Red and white water melons.;

Cucurbita maxima.

lacrenaria.

Actinostemma (nov. ^"en.),
Griffith.
Portulacaceee.

Portulaca.
Illecebraceee.

Heruiaria (proj)e glabram).
Crassulacece.

Sedum.

Sempervivum.
HamamelaceoE.

Hamamelis.
AraliacecE.

Hedera Helix.

Panax aculeatus.
Apiacece.

Daucus Carota.

Carum.
Caprifoliacete.

Sambucus japonica.
CinchonacefB .

Psederia foetida.

Gardenia.
Compositas.

Aster.

Bidens.

Lactuca.

Gnaphalium.

Inula.

Senecio ?

Chrysanthemum.

Artemisia sinensis.
OleacecE.

Olea fragrans.
Jusminacece.

Jasrainum.
ConvolvulacecB.

Convolvulus Batatas.

Ipomsea cserulea.
Solanacece.

Solanum nigrum.

Dulcamara.

Solanum Mclongcna.

• Lycopersicum.

Datura fastuosa.

Nicotiana.

Ca})sicum.

Lycium.
Primuldccce.

Anagallis.
Lamiacece.

Rosmarinus officinalis.

Mentha.

Origanum.

Marrubium.
Verbenacea:.

Verbena.

Clerodendron.
Sesamea.

Sesamum.
Plumbaginecp.

Plumbago.
PlantaginecE.

Plantago.
Chenopodiacecc.

Chenopodium Bonus Henri-
cus.

Celosia cristata.
Begoniucea.

Begonia.
PolygonacecE.

Polygonum Fagopyrum.

Rumex Acetosa.

Rheum.
EleagneacecE.

Eleagnus.
Euphorbiacea .

Stillingia sebifera.

Elseococcus Vernicia.

Phyllanthus.
ChloranthacecE.

Chloranthus inconspicuus.
Salicacece.

Salix babylonica.

Urticacea.
Urtica.

Cannabis sativa.
Moras.
Ficus.
Humulus Lupulus

12 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

Cupuliferce.

Quercus.
JuglandacecB.

Juglans regia.
TaxacecE.

Salisburia adiantifolia.

Conifera .
Pin us.
Juniperus.
Cupressus.

B. Endogen^.

HydrocharacecE.

Hydrocharis Morsus ranse.
ScitaminecB.

Zingiber officinale.
OrchidacecB.

Herminium ?
Musacece.

Musa.
IridacecB.

Iris.

Pardanthus.
Liliacea;.

Lilium.

Allium.
Cominelinacece .

Commeliua.
Palmacece.

Raphis flabelliformis.

Areca Catechu.
Alismaceee.

Alisma Plantago.

Sagittaria.
PistiacecE.

Lemna.
GraminacecE.

Triticum.

Zea Mays.

Saccharum officinarum.

The causes ■which affect the fauna of Chusan have been no-
ticed in the preceding pages, and -we may, from these, infer its
poverty in variety of forms. It has been asserted that scarcely
any large wild beasts are found in the Chinese empire ; a
dense population, which may be said to be par excellence
agricultural, would a priori corroborate this opinion. At Chu-
san, which is comparatively a young colony, deer*, which
were plentiful in Mr. Cunningham's time, are at present en-
tirely unknown. Over-population cannot admit of the co-ex-

* It may as well be mentioned that two fine deer, Cervwt Axis, of which
the Chinese are very fond, were brought in 1840 in a junk from Formosa
to Chusan. One of thent, which I kept, died in the commencement of No-
vember, aj)t)arci;tly from the vicissitudes of the weather.

Bambusa.

Oryza.

Poa.

Coix Lachryrna.

Holcus Sorghum.

Setaria.

Panicum.

Andropogon.
Lycopodiaccce.

Lycopodium.
Filices.

FiHx.

Pteris.

Aspidium.

Lygodiura.

Nephrodium.

Asplenium.

Pleopeltis.
Musci.

Muscus hypnoides.
Lichenes.

Beeomyces ?
Algce.

Conferva.

Sargassum.
Fungi.

Agraricus.

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of CImsan. 13

istence of the larger domesticated animals : thus, the few bul-
locks which were found on our first occupation were solely-
used for agricultural purposes ; but there were neither buffa-
loes nor sheep, which latter (a broad-tailed kind) are said to
be plentiful all over China. The food of the people is chiefly
vegetable, and fish may be said to form the principal animal
food. Among the Mammalia there is at least one Indian spe-
cies, for several skins of the scaly ant-eater which I examined
at Chusan, and were said to have been procured on the island,
belonged to Manis pentadactyla, Linn. "This," Mr. Ogilby
observes in his interesting memoir on the Mammalogy of the
Himalayas, " the only species of the family known to inhabit
the continent of Asia, is found in the lower and less elevated
parts of the central regions ; but all the Edentata are essen-
tially inhabitants of the warmer parts of the earth, more espe-
cially of tropical America, and we cannot therefore expect to
find their forms reproduced in the Himalayas."

Scantity of forms is a striking feature in the ornithology of
Chusan, and it can scarcely be doubted that the absence of
forests is one of the principal causes. During my stay on the
island, 1 never saw nor heard of others having observed a bird
of prey. As before mentioned, the Chinese exist upon vege-
table food ; and when, which is very seldom the case, carrion
is exposed, it is soon discovered by the numerous half-re-
claimed dogs. The great care which the Chinese bestow upon
the burial of the remains of their dead may also be here no-
ticed. Nearly all of the birds which will be enumerated below
are very numerous, and among them there are some common
Europaean forms, such as the magpie, tree-sparrow (both also
occur in Japan), blackbird, and some which are equally com-
mon in Bengal, such as the little kingfisher, the drongo or
king crow, both of which were observed by Col. Sykes in the
Dukhun ; where also the common swallow of Chusan, which
leaves in August, Hirundo erythropygia, Sykes, " appeared in
millions in two successive years in the month of March in the
parade ground at Poona ; they rested a day or two only, and
were never seen in the same numbers." — Catalogue of Birds
in the Dukhun, Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1832, Pt. II. p. 83.

Of Chelonian Reptiles but two forms were found, one of
which, Trionyx tuberculatus, approaches closely to T. java-
nicus. None of the large Saurians occur, nor Monitors ; but
both the little Hemidactylus, which is very numerous, and
the Tiliqua are nearly allied to species inhabiting Bengal and
other parts of India. It has generally been beheved, that
China is infested with very few sei-pents. At Chusan, although
few in species, they are remarkably numerous. Naja, which

14 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of (Uiusan.

appears to be the only terrestrial ^'enomous serpent, as well
as the species of Lycodon, Co/ a her and Tropidonotus, are, as
pointed out in the descriptions, closely allied to Indian spe-
cies. Python Schneideri has hitherto been found only in Java,
Banca, Amboyna, and once at Malacca. All these, however,
are forms which characterize tropical Asia. I am told that
several species of Pelagic serpents occur in the Chusan Archi-
pelago. Although none have come under my observation,
there seems to be no doubt about their existence in the latter
locality, as they have been found at Japan ; and it may be ob-
served, that certain species of fish which form their favourite
prey are as plentiful as in the Bay of Bengal. The serpents
of Chusan are ditferent from those of Japan, w here their spe-
cific strength is in the same proportion to their numerical as
in the former island. M. Schlegel observes, that the terrestrial
serpents of Japan seem chiefly to represent Europaean forms,
while a species of the genus Trigonoceplialus is the only form
establishing analogy between the fauna (?) of Japan and that
of India or the tropical regions in general. (Fauna Japonica,
Ophidii, p. 82.) This is partly correct in as far as the genus
is concerned. But M. Schlegel has described another Japa-
nese serpent, Tropidonotus Fi6flA:ar/, which, to judge from the
description and figure, is very closely allied to T. surcjens and
to T. mcestus, both found in Bengal (Proceed. Zool. Soc.
1839), and perhaps, by the peculiarity of its integuments,
also to T. nifodorsatus of Chusan. In the Batrachian Rep-
tiles there exists a striking resemblance between the fauna of
Chusan and Japan : in both the frogs are European forms, the
toads not ; Bvfo gargarizans approaches to the Indian toad,
figured as B. dubia in General Hardwicke's ' Illustrations.'

With the Pelagic fishes but little opportunity was afforded
to become acquainted, as unfortunately the fishermen had fol-
lowed the example of most of the other inhabitants, who had
fled on our first occupation of Chusan in 1840. No other
nation derives so much nourishment from the sea and the
rivers as the Chinese. On the passage in June 1840 through
the Formosa Channel, along the provinces of Fokeen and
Chekeang, we daily fell in with hundreds of boats, a certain
number of which accompanied each fishing-junk of 200 to 300
tons burden. These craft anchor and send out their small
but fine-sailing little boats, each manned with four to six men,
who act in concert so as to form one long line of nets, distin-
guished at intervals by little flags attached to floating pieces
of bamboo. The time which must elapse before the nets can
become filled with fish is employed in angling with hook and
line. A few hawls were sufficient to fill the boats, which then

Dr. Cantor on tlw Flora and Fauna of ('Imsaii. 15

repair to their junk, the common receiver of their harvest.
To judge by the list oftishes of Macao given in Mr. Bridg-
man's ' Chrestomathy,' the Chinese sea must be rich in forms.
The following few came under my observation at Chusan : —

Clupea iiffinis, Gray Illust. Ind.
Zool.

Engraulis Hamiltonii, Gray Il-
lust. Ind. Zool.

Solea Zebra .''

Carcharias.

Trygon.

Labrax japonicus, Cuv.

Nebris.

Umbrina.

Haemulon.

Stroinateus albus, " Pomfret.'

niger, " Pomfret."

securifer, Cuv.

Trichiuris savala, Cuv.

To this may be added another small collection from the en-
trance of the river Peiho, for which I am indebted to Dr,
George Playfair : —

Labrax japonicus.
Mugil parsia, Ham.
Gobioides rubicunda, Ham.

Calliomorus Chaca, Ham.
Engraulis Hamiltonii.
Tetrodon.

Nearly all these forms inhabit also the Bay of Bengal and
other parts of the Indian Ocean.

Among the fishes inhabiting fresh water and estuaries, the
greater number are Indian forms : two species inhabit Bengal,
viz. Anabas scandens, Cuv., and Cyprinus daniconius, Ham.;
one is Javanese and three are Europaean ; among the latter is
an eel, which seems to be identical with Anguilla latirostris,
Yarrell.

The terrestrial and fluviatile Mollusks are remarkably rich
in forms, not only in point of variety but also in interest,
which will be seen by the excellent descriptions from the pen
of W. H. Benson, Esq. A few approach to Europaean forms ;
three are identical with Indian, viz. Helix^ tape'ma, Benson,
Planorbis compressus, Hutton, and Helix naninoides, which
last is also found at Singapore.

Among the Annelides occurs a remarkable form, with the
anterior part drawn out to the sides like the head of Zijycuna
or Cerambyx Fichtelii; another, but of a different species, was
first discovered by Mr. Griffith in 1836, found under stones in
the Naga Hills; a third species has been observed in Bengal.

Of the Crustacea, one approaches to an Europaean form, the
rest are tropical.

The Arachnida are remarkable for their numerical strength,
their habits, and the size to which some of them attain. Epe'ira
fasciaia, Walckenaer, appears to be the only Europaean spe-
cies inhabiting Chusan.

With regard to the Entomology of Chusan (a collection of

* Helix cestus, Benson, which inhabits the N.E. frontier of Bengal, is
very common about Macao and the islands in Canton river.

16 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Cimaan.

insects having been despatched to the Museum of the Hon. the
Court of Directors, and a dupHcate series by order of Govern-
ment to the Entomological Society of London), it must suffice
to state, that Indian forms prevail and Europaean forms are not
numerous. Many identical species occurred in the extensive
collections formed in the Khasyah Hills and Assam* in 1835-
36, by Messrs. M'Clelland and Griffith. Among the forms
characteristic of Chusan were a species of Tingis, a Centrotus,
and a brilliant golden green Agrion with black wings.

While engaged in examining and collecting objects of na-
tural history in China, microscopic zoology did not alto-
gether escape my attention. Sketches and notes were taken
as often as my scanty time would permit, with a view to ob-
tain some information about the geographical distribution of
these minute animal forms, the very existence of which would
have been a secret but for the revelation of the microscope.
Previous use of instruments enabled me to delineate faithfully
what I saw, and I have had the satisfaction to test the cor-
rectness of my sketches by comparing them after my return to
Calcutta with the beautiful plates of M. Ehrenberg. To attend
to anatomical structure, or the measurement of the animals
themselves, lay not in my plan ; partly because this branch
of zoology is not sufficiently familiar to me, but chiefly be-
cause the bustle of a camp-life is anything but calculated to
affijrd the otium indispensable to such studies. From com-
parison with M. Ehrenberg's great work upon Infusoria, it
would appear that most of the forms observed at the island of
Lantao, situated in the mouth of Canton river, and at Chusan,
also inhabit Europe f- A detailed list of the localities given by
Ehrenberg has been prefixed to those places Avhere the Chi-
nese animalcules were found.

The method I invariably followed in the examination was
this : I first took a sketch of the animalcules through single
lenses, of which my highest power was g^^th of an inch, and
then examined the object through a compound of 210 linear,
when I nearly always found the sketch to correspond. Unless
the powers of the single lenses are added in the sketches, they

* The richness and interest of the fauna and flora of the province of
Assam, which from its position is of our Indian dominions the one most
calcuhited to throw light upon the south-western part of China Proper
(Yunnan), may be inferred from the reports and collections of the two above-
named naturalists : Mr. Griffith has added further to our knowledge by the
botanical and zoological collections which he has continued forming by na-
tive collectors, trained and privately maintained by himself, in the Khasyah

Hills.

f See Dr. Ehrenberg's reflections on the extensive diffusion of species
among the Infusoria and their insensibility to climatic variations. — Taylor's
Scientific Memoirs. Part X. — Ed.

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 1 7

have been taken through the medium of ^'^ single lens and
210 linear compound.

The few forms I have added as " dubia" arc those to which
I have found none corresponding among Ehrcnberg's. To
G. W. Grant, Esq., an indefatigable microscopical observer,
who has kindly examined my sketches and notes of Chinese
animalcules, I am indebted for the following list of forms de-
scribed by M. Ehreuberg, which he has recognised as also
occurring in fresh water in and near Calcutta : —

Sphserosira vol vox. Na^^cula fulva.

Closterium turgidum. turgida.

Euglena longicauda. Vorticella patellina.

Epipyxis utriculus ? Coleps hirtus.

Arcelina aculeata. Lepadella emarginata.

Arthrodesmus quadricaudatus. Brachionus urceolaris.

Micrasterias hexagona.

From what has been stated, it will appear that Indian forms
(to which may be added a few Javanese) prevail in the fauna
of Chusan, and that European forms make but a secondary
feature. The climate of Chusan, as before observed, being
that of the nearest continent, it may be inferred that Indian
forms occur in central China (in those parts of course which,
ccpteris paribus, correspond with Chusan), the longitude of
which is less easterly, at least up to the 30th degree north, or
the latitude of that island. As the annual mean temperature
of Chusan is considerably below that of tropical countries,
it follows, that certain forms, and these among the lower
classes of animals, which hitherto have been considered pecu-
liar only to a tropical climate, are able to exist under a much
lower temperature, and thus possess a much less limited geo-
graphical range. In what exact latitude and longitude Euro-
pean forms commence, is, in the present state of our know-
ledge of the physical condition of China, impossible to de-
termine.

The following ably drawn up paper, which appeared in the
' Chinese Repository,' vol. iii., will serve to give a precise idea
of the attention paid by Europeans to the natural history of
China, from the days of the Jesuits up to the time of its pub-
lication (1834). It contains matter of general interest to na-
turalists, and may prove useful to those, who we may hope
will ere long be enabled to engage in active investigations in
that empire. " The Jesuits were the first Europeans, except
Marco Polo, who made any investigation in this field. For
nearly two centuries these men resided in China, and in the
course of their attempts to establish themselves here, they
travelled extensively throughout all the provinces. During

1 8 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

the reign of Kanghe, a period of sixty-one years, they were
permitted to investigate everything they deemed worthy of
notice, and the voluminous works they left bear testimony to
their diligence. Missions were established in all the principal
cities, and they were ably conducted by men who were well
versed in literature and in the arts and sciences, and who
would not have suffered by comparison with the best scholars
of Europe : and what might we expect to find in their works
concerning the natural history of China ? Judging by their
success in other departments, as topography, history, &c., we
might reasonably hope for full and faithful narrations of the
vegetable and animal productions, and also of the agriculture.
Concerning some of the more remarkable productions, as
bamboo, tea, &c., we have details of such length as to tire the
reader. They were not the men who would let anything pass
by them which could adorn their pages, or excite the wonder
of readers in other countries. But what do we find on peru-
sing their accounts ? So far as those descriptions are mere
translations of native authors, the defects are not to be charged
to the Jesuits. They wished to tell all they could concerning
China, and in their desire so to do, recorded many things
which further research would have convinced them were not
facts. These exaggerated statements have conspired to create
ideal notions of the character, policy and country of the Chi-
nese, which future travellers, we apprehend, will find erro-
neous. Among all their remarks on natural history we do not
find a single continued narration of facts which the author as-
serts as having come under his own eyes. There Avas no Lin-
naeus or Cuvier who would be satisfied with faithfully record-
ing the results of his own observation. If such had been the
case, the united labours of these 'fathers^ would have pre-
sented rich materials for compiling a work on the natural hi-
story of China, but which must now be reserved for others.
In considering the merits and demerits of these writers, how-
ever, we must remember that they lived in an age when the
public taste was satisfied with nothing but tales almost beyond
the bounds of belief Their accounts are not more improbable
than what we find in BufFon ; and these men flourished long
before his time. Besides, it was for their interest to portray
this country in as favourable an aspect as possible : their situ-
ation was such as required all the aid that interesting descrip-
tion could bring. The want of any well-digested work on na-
tural history also presented itself as a serious obstacle against
pursuing the science in a useful way. If observations M^ere
made, how could they be compared M'ith previous ones and
their relative importance ascertained ? This was a hindrance

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 19

of which we can hardly have a full conception in the present
advanced state of the science. With the want of books the pre-
carious tenure of the establishment of the Jesuits here may
also be adduced as a reason why so few turned their attention
to such subjects. Liable every moment to be driven out of the
country, the leaders would naturally bend all their energies
to secure that which had already been gained, and leave others
to narrate what was seen. The erroneous ideas concerning
the natural history of this country which have become current
among the great mass of readers in the West is a serious evil,
and one which has been occasioned chiefly by the exaggerated
statements of these early writers. Every author for the last
century who wished to write concerning China needed only
to open the volumes of the Jesuits, and long descriptions on
every subject met his eye. These he wrought into his own
phraseology, and spared not to enlarge or reduce them to suit
his own convenience. The consequence is, that the same
thoughts, being presented in many lights and by authors of
reputation, are received as accredited truths. An instance of
this is found in Malte-Brun^s ' Geography,' who states, on the
authority of a member of the Dutch embassy, ' that the Chi-
nese farmer yokes his wife and ass together at the plough ;'
and this is said in such a manner as to convey the idea that it
is a common occurrence ; while the instances of such brutality
are as rare in China as in Persia or India, or any other
country in the same state of civilization. Concerning the ac-
counts of the Jesuits in general, we may observe, that when
they are satisfactorily proved or disproved, and the truth
sifted from the rubbish which surrounds them, they will be
found to contain much valuable information ; but until they
have been carefully compared with renewed investigations,
they must be cautiously received. We will now proceed from
the works of the Jesuits, which for the most part were written
before the eighteenth century, to consider what has been done
by more recent observers. In 1750 Peter Osbeck came to
China as chaplain to a Swedish East Indiaman, and made
some discoveries in the vicinity of Canton. He was a disciple
of Linnaeus, and had imbibed his master's love for the works
of nature. The freedom allowed to foreigners at that time
enabled him to extend his researches in this hitherto unex-
plored field to a considerable distance round the city. He col-
lected many plants in the vicinity of Canton and the anchor-
age at Whampoa. The remembrance of his zeal and success
was perpetuated by Linnaeus in the Osbeckia chinetisis; and
a friend and assistant was remembered in the Torenia asiatica.
These, we believe, are the only instances of anv persons who

c2

20 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

came to China for only a single season, that improved the
opportunity to extend the knowledge of its natural history.
Other ports, as Shanghae and Amoy, were once open to
foreigners, but the desire for gain was then so strong as to en-
gross all the time of those who visited them. From the time
of Osbeck till the embassy under Macartney in 1793, we read
of none who explored these wide fields. No Tournefort or
Pursh was found who wovdd willingly endure the fatigues and
dangers of visiting China from a love of natural history. The
embassy under Lord Macartney was provided with competent
naturalists, and the advantages enjoyed were many ; yet the
results do not appear to have been considerable. In a journey
from Teentsin to Jeho (Zhehol) and then through Peking to
Canton, abundance of opportunities must have been presented
to enlarge our knowledge of this country. But the same
causes which will retard future labourers hindered the re-
searches of the members of this embassy; the jealousy of the
Chinese government prevented them from examining most
of the interesting objects which came in their way while tra-
velling through the country. The works of Staunton and
Barrow, however, contain many valuable notices of the natural
history of China ; and if the embassy did not open a more
favourable trade to its projectors, it enabled us to form more
correct ideas of the real aspect of the country, both in a poli-
tical and natural point of view. The remarks were such as
would naturally be made by those travelling in a circumscribed
manner, and relate principally to agriculture and the natural
scenery. The Dutch embassy to Peking in 1795 under Van
Braam does not appear to have made many remarks concern-
ing the natural history of the districts through which it passed.
From the time of that embassy to the one under Lord Am-
herst in 1816, very Httle w^as done in this branch of know-
ledge in China. When that expedition was proposed, the ad-
vantages that would accrue from having an able and scientific
naturalist were duly appreciated by the projectors. Such a
one was found in Dr. Abel, and the result showed that the ex-
pectations of those who recommended him were not ill found-
ed. Everything necessary to enable him to transport the
specimens, whether on shore or on board the ship, was done,
and no expense spared in affording him all the facilities pos-
sible during the journey. From Teentsin to the capital the
way was closely examined ; but from Peking to Canton few
observations were made or specimens collected, on account of
the rapidity of travelling. Besides, Dr. Abel was taken sick
on his return and prevented from personal research to the ex-
tent he wished. The gentlemen of the embassy, however,

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 2 1

brought him every specimen they saw worthy of notice. At
Canton, the whole collection of plants, minerals, and other
objects which had been collected were put on board H.M.S.
Alceste, the ship that brought the embassy to China. The
loss of that vessel in Gaspar Straits, and with her Dr. Abel's
entire collection and the notes appended to it, deprived the
world of much valuable information. Except a very few spe-
cimens he gave to some friends at Canton, everything he had
collected perished with the Alceste. Among these preserved
specimens Sir Joseph Banks found some new plants, one of
which, Abelia chinensis, commemorates the zeal of the natu-
ralist. Since this expedition nothing of importance has been
done in any department of natural history, excepting botany.
To this branch a few of the gentlemen attached to the Hon. E. I.
Company's factory have paid some attention. The Horticultu-
ral Society of London in 1819 sent out Mr. Kerr, a gardener,
to collect and buy living plants and send them home, but his
success was only partial. Many new plants have been discover-
ed among those which have been sent home by the residents at
Canton. The steady demand for these, both among foreigners
and natives, has induced the Chinese to bring rare plants to
this city; they are kept for sale at Fahte, the ' flower-gardens'
near Canton. The number of plants shipped to Europe and
America yearly is considerable, and the demand is increasing.
According to Livingstone, not one in a thousand reaches their
destination ; yet from the immense number sent in a long
course of years, we may safely infer, that one-half of all known
Chinese plants have been discovered and named in this way.
Great care is necessary to preserve them on board ship in a
voyage of such length, and from the want of this care con-
sequently many of them die. Different plants require such
different attention, that what saves one kills another. But
the number of names probably far exceeds the number of spe-
cies, for the Chinese gardeners are skilful in altering the ap-
pearance of flowers, and finding it for their interest so to do,
they devote much time to the pursuit. From this short sketch
it appears, that in the natural history of the Chinese empire
much remains to be done. The Chinese works on this sub-
ject are voluminous, and they contain dissertations on plants
of all kinds and qualities, chiefly those used in medicines ; on
gems, of which they are fond ; on quadrupeds, birds, fishes
and insects ; and even shells and moUusca are not overlooked
by them. On the same pages we also find accounts of tiger-
elephants, dragons, and other similar fantasies. The entire
range of natural science in the Chinese empire will require
thorough investigation, for what has been done needs to be

22 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusafi.

done again. Botany has attracted most attention, and the pro-
gress made in it from various sources is considerable ; but the
grasses, the cryptogamic plants and some other branches of
the study, are nearly unknown. The works of the Jesuits con-
tain notices of the larger animals of China, but with the other
branches of zoology we are imperfectly acquainted. The birds
and the fishes, the insects and the mollusca, will each afford
sufficient materials for many interesting volumes. Mineralogy
is on the same level; but the precious gems, the beautiful
crystals of quartz, the white copper and the gypsum seen in
Canton, show the abundance of its mineral treasures; the
variety of metals cannot be small, but their full extent cannot
be yet known. Of the geology of this empire very little know-
ledge has been gained by Europeans ; and of the organic re-
mains, which we may expect to be considerable from those
found in Ava and Siberia, still less is known. It will be ap-
parent then, that the investigation of China and its depen-
dencies w ill open a field of research that is unequalled in the
world. From Samarcand to Formosa and Japan, and from
Saghalien to Camboja, is a field, which is nearly unknown.
Peopled from the remotest antiquity with wandering nomades,
who have despised agriculture and employed themselves in
enslaving their neighbours, Tartary is about the same now as
it was a thousand years ago. China has undergone many al-
terations, and the face of the country, by increase of popula-
tion, has assumed the appearance of an extended garden, when
compared with the countries on the western boundary. We
hope this interesting and wide field will soon be carefully
surveyed in all its departments. The Chinese are not so
savage as the Ai-abs, nor so deceitful as the Moors, nor so
wandering as the North American Indians, in whose coun-
tries travellers have passed many years. From the appear-
ance of the times, we expect the Chinese empire will soon be
open to foreigners, and we trust that the naturalist will not be
slow to enter on a field abounding with objects worthy of his
attention."

It may perhaps not be deemed irrelevant to offer a short
account of the auspices under which the objects of the follow-
ing descriptive catalogue were collected. In the earlier part of
1840 the Supreme Government had determined upon despatch-
ing forces to China. The opportunity thus offered of seeing
service, and at the same time of visiting a field hitherto closed
to science, was too tempting to be allowed to pass, and I ven-
tured to solicit of the Rt. Hon. the Governor-General that I
might become attached as Assistant-Surgeon to one of the re-
giments about proceeding on the Eastern expedition. In the

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 23

mean time I had been ordered to march to the northern pro-
vinces with a detachment of H.M. troops, part of which had
been under my charge on their passage from England, and had
arrived in the vicinity of Hazareebaugh, when I was reheved
with orders to proceed to the Presidency. On my subsequent
return to Calcutta 1 received intimation that H.E. the Com-
mander-in-chief had been pleased to post me to H.M, 49th
regiment, then en route to join the expedition to the eastward.
In an interview with the lit. Hon. the Governor-General, I was
honoured with his Lordship's commands, that I should collect
objects of natural history for the Museum of the Honourable
the Court of Directors, to which effect I was to be furnished
with materials and instructions, that I should inquire among
the medical officers of the expedition if there were a bo-
tanist capable and willing to undertake the botanical ])art of
the future inquiries. I was further instructed to correspond
upon matters connected with my charge with his Lordship's
private secretary. Fully imbued as I was with a sense of the
high honour which his Lordship had been pleased to confer,
I became also aware of the responsibility it devolved upon
me. Hitherto my labours in natural history had been of a
strictly private nature, and to this as well as to the diffi-
culties which I have had to encounter, I have always attri-
buted the liberal encouragement with which my humble ex-
ertions have been received by some of the first philosophers.
During the few days which elapsed after my interview with his
Lordship, I was vigorously engaged in making arrangements
connected with the execution of my scientific mission, when
I was ordered to assume the medical charge of a detachment
of H.M. 26th regiment, with which I, the following day, em-
barked for China. My sudden departure from Calcutta pre-
vented me from obtaining his Lordship's instructions, and
also a number of articles absolutely necessary for preserving
objects of natural history, all of which were now to follow.
Our visits to Penang and Singapore enabled me indeed to
obtain a few of those necessaries, which, however, notwith-
standing their exorbitant prices, proved to be utterly ineffi-
cient. Nearly during the whole month of June 1840 we were
detained at the island of Lantao, in Canton River (Choo-
keang or Pearl River), wdiich aiforded me an opportunity of
becoming somewhat acquainted with the leading features of
the flora and fauna, and I commenced forming botanical and
zoological collections during the hours of leisure left by my
military duty. On our arrival at Chusan in July we had the
good fortune of landing our original number of troopsj all in

24 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

fine state of health, which I chiefly attribute to the excellent
arrangements of the commanding officer. Captain Paterson, of
H.M. 26th regiment. Shortly after I became exempted from
military duty as long as my services could be spared, agree-
ably to instructions upon the subject from H.E. the Com-
mander-in-chief of India. From the state in which I by this
time found the collections I had made shortly before at Lan-
tao, I was disagreeably apprised of the bad quality of my ma-
terials for preserving, though this was only the commence-
ment of subsequent mortification, felt on witnessing the de-
struction of objects nearly as fast as I contrived to collect
them. Time becoming precious as the season for collecting
was rapidly advancing, and the prospects of the arrival of a
supply of materials from Government being uncertain, I had
only one course left, to sketch the living objects. The illus-
trious Mr. MacLeay has observed, that the use of the pencil
and brush is as necessary to a naturalist as the power of read-
ing and writing. I felt the truth of these words at this junc-
ture, when I had no hopes of success in preserving collections,
though 1 was determined upon not altogether losing the op-
portunity. Not having received the instructions of the Rt.
Hon. the Governor-General as to the objects of my inquiries,
I directed them to general features, on the same principle as
the artist does who intends to produce a familiar likeness.
An entire though hasty outhne will better serve the purpose
than if he were to produce an elaborate representation of sin-
gle parts or features. 1 do not mean to deny that a thorough
study of any single branch of zoology may prove of the great-
est importance to throw light upon the physical condition of
a country ; but I am alluding to the peculiar position under
which I was placed in a field new to science. About the end
of August I was fortunate enough to receive a quantity of
spirits of wine and bottles, timely enough to save part of the
zoological collections from destruction. As I had not suc-
ceeded in my search for a botanist, I trained my servant to
assist me in collecting plants and seeds, while my own time
was divided between searching for specimens, sketching them,
and taking notes. At this period the dreadful extent of sick-
ness, ravaging during our first occupation of Chusan, render-
ed the assistance of every medical officer necessary, and I was
ordered from my residence to perform regimental duty with
H.M. 26th regiment. The Cameronians were encamped on
the slope of a steep hill, at a considerable distance from the
house in Ting-hae where I lived, among the collections. The
large building had been appropriated to the office of the chief

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 25

magistrate, and during my stay there I had the pleasure of
alFording medical assistance to the European establishment
as well as to a number of cases among natives connected with
that office, Avhich latter circumstance afforded some opportu-
nity of more closely observing the habits of the people. The
difficulties which the Chinese language imposes upon the
foreigner, the kindness of the Rev. Mr. Gutzlaif had in some
measure enabled me to obviate. I had put down and num-
bered all questions upon which I wished information, oppo-
site to which Mr. Gutzlaff had furnished the Chinese version.
The latter I produced in my excursions to the Chinese, who,
as they nearly all can read and write, seldom failed to write
a reply on a blank paper, to which I attached the number cor-
responding to my question, and was afterwards favoured by
Mr. Gutzlaff with a translation. That information of such a
kind must be used cum grano salts, it is scarcely necessary to
add. The bodily fatigue I had daily to encounter in the exe-
cution of my duty, the beyond description distressing nature
of the duty itself, I have reason to believe laid the foundation
of my subsequent severe illness. I had scarcely been relieved
from military duty and busily engaged in turning the short re-
maining season to the best possible account, M'hen I became
a victim to a violent cerebral fever, and was subsequently or-
dered to sea by the Medical Board at Chusan, in a state, I am
informed, which held out but slight prospect of my surviving.
I have now but to perform the pleasing task of expressing my
gratitude to Sir Gordon Bremer, K.C.B., Col. Mountain, C.B.
of H.M. 26th regiment, in addition to those officers on the ex-
pedition mentioned in the descriptions, to whose kindness,
during my sojourn at Chusan, I feel myself greatly indebted.
To G. A. Bushby, Esq., Chief Secretary to the Government of
India, I beg to express my best thanks for his great liberality,
which the important avocations of a high office never prevented
from rendering every assistance to facilitate my scientific task.
To J. W. Grant, Esq., B.C.S., I take this opportunity of ac-
knowledging the repeated and through years unaltered bene-
fits which I have derived from his extensive, but unassuming
knowledge of the natural histoiy of India. In placing the
Mollusks at the disposal of W. H. Benson, Esq., B.C.S., I
was guided by the conviction, that I could not turn them to
greater advantage to science ; and while I beg to offer my
best thanks for the liberality with which that distinguished
naturalist has met my request, his own descriptions carry the
best proof of the correctness of my estimate.

26 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

Animals observed at Chusan.
1. MAMMALIA.

Cheiroptera.

*VespertUio irretitus\. V. auriculis caplte brevioribus, rotundatis ;
trago lanceolate ; rostro brevi, obtuso, nigro ; labiis mentoque crini-
bus longioribus sparsim tectis ; vellere dorsi capitisque molli, brevi,
griseo-brunnescenti, abdominis pulvericolore ; membro virili maximo ;
Cauda corpus longitudine aequante, e membrana interfemorali, subtus
sparsim hirsuta, paululum exserta.

Ears rounded, shorter than the head ; tragus lanceolate ; muzzle
short, obtuse, black, the lips and chin with scattered, lengthy, bristly-
hairs ; fiu- of the back and head short, soft brownish gray, that of the
abdomen dust-coloured ; male genital organ highly developed ; tail as
long as the body, slightly protruding from the interfemoral mem-
brane, the abdominal surface of which is thinly covered with short
hair.

o^o , 1 I _ 4*4

Dentition : — Incis. jt^ ; canm. ^^y ; molar, gry-

Dimensions. inch. lin.

Length of the head h, 0

body ]| 1

tail 1 1

ear 0 2^

Breadth of the ear 0 2

Length of the tragus 0 1

Extent of the wings 8 0

Canina. Pachydermata.

Cams sinensis, Auct. Sus (var. sinensis Auctor.).

Felina. *Equus cahallus, Auct.

Felis domesticus, Auct. asinus.

*Felis ? RUMINANTIA,

Edentata. *Capra.

Manis pentadactyla, Linn. *JBos taurus, Auct.

2. AVESt.

Passerin^e, Conirostres.

Dentirostres. Pyrgita montana, Auct.

Lanius erythronotus. Vigors. Pastor cristatellus, Temm.

Dicrurus balicassius, Vieillot. Pica vulgaris, Auct.

Turdus merula, Auct. Syndactyles.

Philedon .'' Alcedo bengalensis, Gmelin.

Sylvia hippoldis, Temminck. Grall^e.

Fissirostres. Cultirostres.

Hirundo erythropygia, Sylies. Ardea — — — ?

* Animals marked with an asterisk have been sketched at Chusan in
1840 by Dr. Cantor, who has suppHed the names unless otherwise observed.

•f Irretire, from its being frequently arrested in the strong web of two
large spiders, Epe'ira bilineata and heraldica (vide infra), which circum-
stance has given rise to the common erroneous belief that those and similar
spiders feed upon bats.

X Identified by Edward Blyth, Esq.

Dr. Cantor on Ihe Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 27

3. REPTILIA.

Chelonia.

*Trionyx tuberculatus. T. testa triste olivacea, ocellis nigris tuber-
culisque crebris tectii ; iufni albo-viridescens ; laminis osseis quatuor.

Dark olive ; carapace with ocellated black spots and numerous tu-
bercles ; beneath greenish white ; four callosities.

*Emys muticus. E. testa fuscii; fascia Isete flava pone oculos no-
tatus ; sterno scutis duodecim composito, fusco-maculatis.

The shell brown ; behind the eyes a bright yellow band. Sternum
composed of twelve plates, with brown spots.

Sauria.

*Hemidactylus nanus. H. superne cinereus, strigis sagittalibus ni-
gris 5 — 6 ; Cauda annulis 6 — 7 ejusdem coloris cincta. Infra marga-
ritaceus.

Gray above, with five to six black arrow-shaped marks, and six to
seven rings of the same colour on the tail. Beneath pearl-coloured.

*Tiliqua rufo-guttata. T. superne senea, lineis serratis nigris qua-
tuor ornata ; lateribus pallide flavis, rubro permaculatis ; abdomine
pallide flavo.

Bronze-coloured above, with four black zigzag lines ; the sides
pale yellow, with numerous red spots. Beneath pale yellow.

Ophidia.

a. Venomous.

*Naja atra. N. superne atro-iridescens, lineis duplicibus trans-
versalibus flavis cincta ; abdomine in nonnuUis margaritaceo, in aliis
schistoso.

Iridescent black, with a number of distant transversal double lines
of a yellow colour. The abdominal surface in some of a pearl, in
others of a slaty colour.

b. Innocuous.

*Lycodon rufo-zonatus. L. superne brunneus fasciis pluribus trans-
versalibus rubris ornatus ; superficie abdominali margaritacea, caudali
nigro-maculata. 193 -1- 72.

Brown, with numerous transversal crimson bands ; the abdominal
surface pearl-coloured, spotted with black on the tail.

* Coluber dhumnades. C. superne niger, fascia flava media, simi-
libus duabus utrinque antice inclusus ; abdomine schistoso. 1 89 -|- 98,
199 -f 92.

Black, with a longitudinal yellow band in the middle and two on
either side, terminating with the anterior half of the back ; the ab-
dominal surface of a bluish black colour.

* Coluber mandarinus. C. suj)erne Isete scarlatinus, rhombulis flavis,
oris nigris albo-marginatis, crebro ornatus, guttis nigris irregularibus
albo-marginatis utrinque inclusus ; scutis abdominalibus margarita-
ceis, alterne nigris. 222 + 63.

Bright scarlet above, with numerous yellow lozenges, surrounded
with broad black brims, relieved with white edges ; on either side a

28 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

number of small irregular black marks edged with white ; the abdo-
minal surface pearl-coloured, chequered with black.

*Tropidonotus rvfodorsatus . T. (scutis Isevibus tectus) supra brun-
neo-cinereus, fasciis quatuor nigris antice interruptis seiiebusque
tribus summis rubro-marginatis ; subtiis Isete fiavus alterne niger,
178 + 52.

(Covered with smooth scales.) Brownish gray above, with four lon-
gitudinal black, on the anterior part interrupted, bands, and the three
upper rows of scales on the back edged with red ; beneath gamboge
chequered with black.

Python Schneideri, Merrera.

Batrachia.

*Rana temporaria, var. R. supern^ brunneo-viridis ; superficie in-
terna femorum parce nigro-maculata ; infra pallida fiava.

Brownish green above, with a few dark spots on the inner surface
of the thigh ; pale yellow beneath.

*Rana esculenta, var. R. superne brunneo-viridis, lineis tribus
pallid^ flavis, sequidistantibus, fasciisque pluribus irregularibus nigris
ornata ; abdomine flavo albescenti.

Brownish green above, with three parallel faint yellow lines, and a
number of irregular black transversal bands. The abdominal surface
whitish yellow.

*Hyla arborea, var. H. superne aureo-viridis, linea laterali nigra
utrinque inclusa ; subtus albo-flavescens.

Golden green above, with a brovvTiish black lateral line ; beneath
yellowish white.

*Bufo gargarizans. B. superne brunneo-canescens, tuberculis co-
nicis magnis, nigro-acuminatis tectus ; lateribus violaceo-canescenti-
bus ; abdomine albescenti nigro-maculato.

Grayish brown above, with numerous large conical tubercles with
black points ; the sides grayish lilac ; the abdominal surface buff,
speckled vsdth black.

4. PISCES.

ACANTHOPTERYGII.

Pharynginee labyrinthiformes.

Anabas scandens, Cuv.

*Macropodus ocellatus. M. brunneus, lateribus violaceis, post-
operculo nigro ocellato ; ala dorsali analique longissima ejusdem fere
magnitudinis, rufa, serugine marginata necnon punctata, radiorum
mollium apicibus nigris ; ala caudali late lanceolata, scarlatina aeru-
gine maculata.

D. 17 + 8 ; C. 12 ; A. 20 + 12 ; V. 1 -F- 5 ; P. 11 ; Br. 4.

Habitat. Streamlets and canals.

Brownish, with lilac sides, and a black ocellated spot on the gill-
cover ; the dorsal and anal fins very elongated, nearly of equal size,
of a reddish colour edged and spotted with verdigris ; their soft rays
with black points ; the caudal fins broad, lanceolate, of scarlet colour
with verdigris spots.

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 29

*Ophicephalus argus. O. dorso lateribusque virldi-brunnescenti-
bus, abdomine albo-rufescenti, ocellis crebris nigris lateralibus, supra
lineam lateralem albo-marginatis ; pinnis tiavis, nigro-maculatis.
D. 49 ; C. 14 ; A. 33 ; V. 1 + 5 ; P. 16 ; Br. 5.

Habitat. Streamlets, estuaries.

Brownish green back and sides, reddish white abdomen. Nume-
rous black ocellated spots edged with white above the lateral line ;
fins yeUow, spotted with black.

Mugil cephalotus, Cuv.
Habitat. Estuaries and sea.

GOBIOIDES.

*Periophthalmus modestus. P. brunneus, cinereo marmoratus ;
abdomine albo-cserulescenti, alis pallide flavis ; dorsali anteriori fas-
ciis nigris duabus omata ; radiis alarum nigro-punctatis.

D. 15 + 112; C. 13; A. 1 + 11 ; V. 1 + 5 ; P. 11 ; Br. 2.

Habitat. Along the coasts and banks of canals.

Brownish marbled with gray, minutely spotted with black. Ab-
domen bluish white. Fins faint yellow. The first dorsal with two
black bands, the second with a black band and the rays with black
spots. The caudal, ventral and pectoral with similar spot-s.

*Eleotris flammans. E. superne violaceo -brunneus ; ala dorsali
anteriori fasciis tribus undulatis violaceis, flammeo-marglnata; pos-
teriore fasciis undulatis quatuor nigris, radiis alarum aurantiacis,
apicibus nonnullis flammeis, aliis nigris ; ala caudali violaceo-canes-
centi, fasciis tribus cseruleis, radiorum flavorura apicibus flavis ; ala
anali aurantiaca, fasciis quinque nigris undulatis, radiorum brunne-
orum apicibus nigris; alis ventralibus pectoralibusque pallide violaceis,
radiorum flavorum apicibus nigris.

D. 6 + MO ; C. 15 ; A. 1 + 9 ; V. 1 -f- 5 ; P. 18 ; Br. 6.

Habitat. Canals, estuaries.

Dark lilac brown above ; the dorsal fins with orange spines and
rays, the anterior with three waved lilac bands and with flame-
coloured margin ; the second with four waved black bands ; the ex-
tremities of the rays partly black, partly flame-coloured. The caudal
grayish lilac, with three blackish blue arched bands ; rays yellow,
with black extremities. Anal orange-coloured, with five waved
black bands ; brown rays with black extremities ; the pectorals with
five arched black dotted lines.

Malacopterygii.

Cyprinidae.

*Cyprinus gibelioides. C. supra viridi-nigrescens, scutis lateralibus

majoribus argenteo-viridibus, viridi-nigrescenti marginatis, squamis

infra lineam lateralem argenteis obliteratis ; pinnarum radiis flavis,

apicibus nigris.

D. 2 -h 18 ; C. 19 ; A. 2 + 5 ; V. 9 ; P. 15 ; Br. 3.
Habitat. Streamlets, canals, estuaries.

30 Dr. Cantor on the F/oi'a and Fauna of Chusan.

Dark green above. The large scales on the sides silvery green,
edged with dark green ; below the lateral line the scales are silvery,
indistinct ; the rays of the fins yellow with black extremities.

Cyprinus auratus, Linn.

Leuciscus (Cyprinus) daniconius, Hamilton. Hab. Streamlets,
canals.

*Cohitis anguillicaudata. C. supra lineam lateralem, flava, olivaceo-
maculata, infra cinerea nigro-maculata ; abdomine flavo ; pinnarum
radiis flavis, nigro-punctatis, apicibus rubris ; pinna caudali longis-
sima, cirrhis decem.

D. 9; C. 9; A. 7; V. 6; P. 10; Br. 3.

Habitat. Ponds, streamlets, canals.

Yellow, with olive-brown clouded spots above the lateral line ;
below the latter gray, minutely spotted with black. Abdomen
yellow. The fin rays yellow, spotted with black, and with red ex-
tremities. The caudal fin much elongated. Cirrhi 10.

EsociD^.

* Hemiramphus intermedins. H. superne Isete viridis, lateribus ar-
genteis, abdomine albo, alls pallida flavis.

D. 14; C. 15; A. 16; V. 6; P. 11 ; Br. 10.?

Habitat. Sea, estuaries, canals.

Light green above, with silvery sides ; abdomen white. Fins
faint yellow.

SlLURID^.

*Silvrus punctatus. S. superne nitide olivaceo-viridescens sive
brunnescens, seriebus duabus punctorum nigrorum infra lineam late-
ralem ; abdomine albo-flavescenti ; alis dorsalibus, caudalibus anali-
busque nigris ; ventralibus albo-flavescentibus ; pectoralibus lat^
nigro-marginatis. Cirrhi -2-.

D. 5 ; C. 15 ; A. 80 ; P. 1 -I- 5 ; V. 14 ; Br. 5,

Habitat. Fresh and brackish water.

Shining olive-green or brown, with two rows of black minute dots
below the lateral line. The abdominal surface yellowish white. The
dorsal, caudal and anal fins black ; ventrals yellowish white ; pec-
torals the same colour, with a broad black brim.

Apodal Malacopterygii.
MurEenidse.

*Anguilla latirostris, Yarrell.

Habitat. Fresh and brackish water.

*Synbranchus grammicus. S. supra flavo-rufescens, infra lineam
lateralem albo-flavescens, toto corpore lineis nigris inscripto.

Habitat, Streamlets, canals, estuaries.

Reddish yeUow above the lateral line ; beneath buff, with nume-
rous black inscription-like lines all over the body.

Dr. Cantor oti the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 3 1

5. MOLLUSCA.
{Described by W. H. Benson, Esq., Bengal Civil Service.)
Gasteropoda.
Pulmonifera. Terrestria.

Incilaria f, nov. gen. Corpus elongatum, postic^ attenuatum,
repens, undique velo marginatum. Tentacula quatuor, superioribus
oculiferis, inferioribus integris. Foramen commune in latere dextro,
non procul ab extremitate antica veli situm.

"^Incilaria bilineata. Corpore livido, velo punctis maculisque fuscis
conspersis ornato, lineis duabus lateralibus, nigrescentibus, unica ob-
scuriore mediana strigata. Long, ad poll. 1-|.

Habitat, The earth, under roots, on trees and plants.

*'Helix ravida. Testa subglobosa, umbilicata, epidermide olivacea,
anfractibus sex transverse subplicatis, ultimo ventricoso, suturis im-
pressis, umbilico mediocri ; apertura suborbiculari elongatiuscula,
labio reflexo, tenui explanato, labro acuto. Axis 1'3, diam. 1'33.

Habitat. Trees, stones, rocks, earth.

"^ Helix tapeina, Journ. Asiatic Society, vol. v. p. 352. No. 7.

Habitat. N.E. frontier of Bengal. Rare at Chusan.

*Helix naninoides. Testa solidiuscula, subdiscoidea, superne ra-
diatim tenuiter striata, infra striis Isevigatis, distantibus ; spira de-
presso-conoidea, apice obtusato, planulato ; apertura transverse lunata,
labro obtuso, crasso, infra subreflexo.

Habitat. Singapore ; scarce at Chusan.

* Clausilia pluviatilis . Testa fusiformi pallide olivacea; spira atte-
nuata, crystallina, apice papillari ; anfractibus 14, medianis ventri-
cosioribus, omnibus leviter transverse striatis ; peristomate valde
reflexo planato, ad labii basin plica obliqua solida, sulcoque concur-
rente munito. Axis Tl poll.

Habitat. In the earth.

*Clausilia aculus. Testa subulata nitida, epidermide fuscescenti,
anfractibus 1 0 aut 1 1 , oblique leviter striatis ; apertura dentibus
duobus vel tribus munita, peristomate reflexo. Axis longior 0"65,
minor 0*5 poll.

Habitat. In the earth, on mossy stones, vi^alls and trees.

*Achatina erecta. Testa albida solidiuscula subulato-turrita, epi-
dermide foeda, scabra ; anfractibus octo, planulatis, suturis impressis ;
apice obtuso.

Habitat. Same localities, and in company with Clausilia aculus.
Common at Macao, w^here hovt^ever C. aculus is not found.

Aquatica.

*Planorbis papyraceus. Testa compressa, olivaceo-cornea, subpo-

lita, minutissime radiato-striata ; anfractu ultimo latiori, supra infra-

que sequaliter convexo ; peripheriii carinata, spiril basique ambabus

depressis, umbilicatis, umbilico inferiori arctiori ; labro superiori

t From incile, a gutter, with reference to the gutter-like channel which
divides the mantle from the foot.

32 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

valde prominente, semicirculari, inferiori recedente, recto. Diam. 0*4
poU.

Habitat. Canals, ponds, attached to Chara.

*Planorbis hemisphosrula. Testa nitida, olivaceo-coruea, supra
convexa, apice planulata, infra excavata, umbilico coarctato, peri-
pheria obtusa, nullo modo carinata. Diam. 0*25 poll.

Habitat. Same localities as P. papyraceus on Chara and Lemna.

Planorbis compressus, Hutton.

Habitat. Same localities as the preceding. Inhabits also Bengal.

*Lr/mncea plicatula. Testa elongato-ovata, cornea, scabriuscula ;
anfractu ultimo transverse plicatula, suturis impressis ; spira medio-
cri, apice acuto plerumque ferrugineo ; apertura infra patulante, basi
evasa.

Habitat. Ponds.

*Lymn(ea minor. Testa ovato-acuta, cornea, polita ; spira vix di-
midium testae efFormante, apice obtusiusculo ; anfractibusquatuor, su-
turis leviter impressis ; apertura ovata, plica columellse obsoleta.

Habitat. Same locality as the latter.

Tectibranchiata.

*Bull(ea caurina. Testa ovato-oblonga, alba, tenuissima, papyracea,
transverse eleganter minutissimeque striatula ; apertura auriformi
supra angustata, infra patulante ; labro apicem superante ; spira
nulla.

Habitat. Said to inhabit canals.

Pectinibranchiata .

*Paludina quadrata. Testa elongato-conoidea, crassa, epidermide
viridi-olivacea, anfractibus sex planulatis, leviter transverse plicatis,
longitudinaliter liratis ; liris subquinis ; apertura mediocri, intils al-
bida violacea ; umbilico arcto, peritremate nigrescente.

Habitat. Canals and ponds.

*Paludina lecythoides. Testa ovato-acuta, olivacea, anfractibus
sex aut septem rotundatis, transverse subplicatis ; suturis excavatis ;
apertura oblonga, peritremate subreflexo, nigro; apice acuto; umbi-
lico setate evanescente.

Habitat. Ditches and ponds.

*Paludina (Bithynia, Gray) longicornis . Testa ovato-conoidea,
cornea, polita, spira aperturam longitudine vix superante ; anfrac-
tibus quatuor, ultimo convexo, suturis minime depressis ; apertura
subrotunda, supra angulata ; peristomate subreflexo, nigrescente ;
labio crassissimo ; operculo testaceo, umbilico evanido ; apice ob-
tuso.

Habitat. In canals, attached to aquatic plants, stones, piles.

*Paludina (Bithynia) striatula. Testa ovato-acuta, cornea, polita ;
spira elongata ; anfractibus quinque convexiusculis, liris pluribus, in-
terdum inconspicuis, circumdatis ; suturis depressiusculis ; apice ob-
tusato ; peristomate reflexo nigrescenti, undato ; umbilico evanido ;
operculo calcareo.

Habitat. Same localities as the latter.

Dr. Cantor ou the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 33

Lagiinculn, nov. gen. Testa turbinatii, subglobosii, apertura majori,
intcg-ra, oblonga ; peristomate interrupto ; labio subreflexo ; umbilico
profundo tortuoso.

*Laguncula pulchella. Testa albido-glauca, ovato-globosa ; anfrac-
tibus convexis, lineis longitudinalibus elevatiusculis aliisque obliquis
decussatis instructis ; suturis impressis ; aperturti intus fascia latcl
pallide castanea ornata columellaque intus concolore.

Habitat. Said to inhabit canals.

*Melania cancellata. Testa elongato-turrita, olivacea, solidiuscula,
anfractibus novem convexiusculis, omnibus costulis frequentibus, ul-
timoque fasciis tribus elevatis basalibus munitis ; costulis liris pluri-
mis cancellatis ; suturis mediocriter excavatis ; apice eroso. Axis
I'O poll. V. paulo plus.

Habitat. Canals.

*Melania (Hemisinus ? Swainson) crebricostis. Testa elongato-
turrita, olivacea, tenui, anfractibus plurimis leviter convexis ; costis
frequentissimis albidis, Isevigatis, munitis, ultimo costulis evanidis,
balteo submediano, rugisque plurimis basalibus circumdato ; suturis
impressis ; columella subrecta ; basi leviter canaliculato-effusa ; labro
tenui, Isevi, subreflexo, apice decoUato. Axis testae decollata; 1 -05 poll.

Habitat. Found with the preceding, but scarce.

Batillariaf, nov. gen. Testa turrita, insculpta, rudi ; anfractibus
plurimis ; apertura oblonga, infra angustiore, basi truncata, evasa ;
labro sinuato, supra emarginato, infra provecto, labio supra callo
munito ; columella planata, basi incrassata, oblique truncata, cana-
lem vix efFormante ; operculo corneo, tenui, spirali, multiverticillato.

Batillaria zonalis {syn. Cerithium zonule, Lamarck, L'Ocean des An-
tilles ; C. zonule. Gray, China, Griif. Cuv. xii. pi. 14.). Testa elon-
gato-turrita, scabra, albida, fasciis fuscis ornata; anfractibus tredecim,
mediocriter convexis, costulis liris longitudinalibus decussatis, sujira
subnodulosis ; apertura intus fasciis fuscis strigata ; columella alba.
Axis 1-4 poll.

Habitat. The coast.

ACEPHALA.

Testacea.

*Arca galactodes. Testa subrhomboidea, tumida, subajquilaterali,
antice subangulata, postice rotundata, multiradiata ; radiis exilissi-
mis auctus rugas decussantibus ; cardine mediocri terminis exteriori-
bus angulatis ; natibus Isevibus remotiusculis, incurvatis ; margine
la2vi ; epidermide fusca. Lat. 0-75, long. 0'5 poll.

Habitat. Said to inhabit canals.

*Mytilus niger. Testa oblonga, trigona ; cardine unidentato ; na-
tibus sub incurvatis, decorticatis, sub epidermide albis, marginibus
purpurascentibus ; intus margaritaceo-splendida, margine purpureo.
Long. 3-4 poll, lat. 1-7.

Habitat. Said to inhabit canals.

*Dreissena purpurascens. Testa oblonga subquadrata, radiato-pli-

\ Batilla, a shovel, from ^ the lengthened form of the shell.' and the con-
formation of the base of the aperture.

D

34 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

cats., sub epidermide albo purpureoque ornata ; intus margaritacea ;
epidermide brunnea ; apice subincurvato, compressiusculo. Long.
1-5, lat. 0-8 poll.

Habitat. Said to inhabit canals.

*Modiola Senhousia. Testa transverse oblonga, subalata, gibba,
Iseviuscula ; antic6 angustata, postice dilatata, intvis iridescente ;
epidermide olivacea, obscure radiata ; ala, natibusque strigis flexuosis
spadiceis ornatis ; basi leviter emarginata. Long. 1*2, lat. 0*6 poU.

Habitat. Coasts of Chusan and Canton Province.

*Anodon gibbum. Testa fragili, ovata, tumida, antice rotundata,
postice subalata, extremitate postica subangulata ; natibus concen-
tricis rugosis, rugis paraUelis, subdistantibus, area postica radiis tri-
bus approximatis, leviter elevatis, rugosulis munita, margarita interius
albida versus apicem aurantio-tabescente, versus marginem purpureo
viridique splendide margaritacea ; margine fusco ; epidermide oli-
vacea, obscure radiata. Long. 2'0, lat. 3"2 poll.

Habitat. Canals.

*Unio {Theliderma, Swainson) Leaii, Gray. Testa crassa, sub-
ovata, compressa, umbonibus dentibusque cardinalibus extremitati
anticae angustiori approximatis ; valvse sinistrse dente cardinali inte-
riori margineque cardinfili pene parallelis, ilia versus dentem lateralem
mediocriter productum spectante ; valvse dextrse dente cardinali unico
crenato ; valvis intus minime profundis ; margarita iridescente, pal-
lide salmonis colore tincta ; natibus minime prominentibus ; rugis
seriebus duabus e linea umbonali divaricatis, posterioribus simplici-
bus, anterioribus, basalibusque nodid.osis, testam exteriorem munien-
tibus ; epidermide flavo-olivacea. Long. 2, lat. 3 poll.

Habitat. Said to inhabit fresh water at Chusan, and also Canton
River.

*Unio {Theliderma) divergens. Testa crassa, angulato- ovata, sub-
alata, tumidiuscula, facie externa tuberculato-plicata, rugis seriebus
duabus e linea umbonali divaricantibus, posterioribus simplicioribus,
anterioribus basalibusque plerumque nodulosis ; natibus mediocriter
prominentibus ; epidermide nigrescente, striis subimbricatis. Valvae
sinistrse dente cardinali interiori versus angulum marginis posterioris
basalisque spectante, ad latus exterius laminis pluribus munito, dente
exteriori pene obsoleto, brevi, a basi interioris divaricato ; dente la-
teral! brevi crasso. Long. 2" 65, lat. 3*5 poll.

*Corbicula fuscata. Testa cordata subinsequilaterali, fusco-virente,
tumidiuscula, polita, inttis et ad nates violacea, extrinseciis sulcis
crebris circumdata, rugis intersitis subimbricatis ; margine interiori
plerumque nigrescente; natibus decorticatis. Lat. 1*3, long. 1*15
poll.

Habitat. Canals.

Venus sinensis, Auct. Testa orbiculata, convexa, albida, margi-
nibus violaceis, denticulatis, extrinseciis radiis violaceis plicisque
concentricis exilissimis ornata ; disco plerumque feiTUgineo, dente
cardinali postico bifido, ssepe bilobato, laminae cardinalis extremitate
postica concava. Long. Vl , lat. 165 poll.

Habitat. Said to inhabit canals.

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chman. .35

* Sangtunolarin iridescens. Testa subclliptica, compressa, albida,
iridescente, versus apicem incarnata, exilissime transverse striata,
strlis obsoletis radiatim decussata ; latere postico subrostrato, sub-
angulato, antico lon<z;iore, rotundato.

Habitat. Said to inhabit canals.

*Novaculina constricta. Testa alba, tenui, transverse oblonga,
laeviuscula, extremitatibus rotundatis, radio mcdiano subconstricta,
epidermide olivaceo-flavescente, postice quasi capillis intertextis ad-
ha'rentibus vestita. Lat. 2'45, long. 0"75 poll.

Syn. Solen constrictus, Lamarck.

6. ANNELIDES.

HiRUDINIDiE.

*Bdella lineata. B. superne brunneo-viridescens, linea dorsali me-
dia aurantiaca, infra griseo-flavescens.

Greenish brown above, with an orange-coloured dorsal line ; be-
neath yellowish gray.

,? ?

7. CRUSTACEA.
Decapoda Brachyura.

*Carcinus olivaceus. C. supra olivaceo-viridescens ; infra albus ;
parte anteriore marginis intemi femoris spina armata.

Greenish olive above ; beneath white, with a single spine on the
anterior part of the internal margin of the femur.

*Sesarma tetragona. S. superne viridis, infra griseo-viridescens ;
brachiis manibusque rubris.

Carapace green ; sternum and legs greenish gray ; arms and claws
red.

Sesarma quadrata, M. Edwards.

Decapoda Macrura.

*Pal(Emon ornatus, Olivier. P. Isete griseo-viridescens ; supra ni-
gro-maculatus.

Light greenish gray ; carapace minutely dotted with black.

Stomapoda Unipeltata.
Squilla mantis, Fabricius.

Entomostraca Pcecilopoda.
Xyphosura.

Limulus

8. ARACHNIDA.
Araneid^.

*Attus chlorommatus. A. villosus brunneus, oculis anterioribus
mediis Isete viridibus ; cephalo-thoracis macula oculifera lata nigres-
cente, fasciam albam mediam hastseformem circumdante, abdomine
fascia lanceolata alba ornato. Long. poll, dimid.

Hairy, brownish ; the anterior centre pair of eyes light green ; the

D 2

36 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

broad oculiferous spot blackish, surrounding a white spear-shaped
mark ; the abdomen with a white lanceolate streak in the centre.

*Thomisus albinus. T. cephalothorace albo-virescenti, crista ocu-
lifera triangulari, aurantiaco-marginata, oculis ambobus anterioribus
rubris ; palpis maxillaribus pedibusque albo-virescentibus ; abdominis
albidi trapezoidis superficie superiore punctis quinque marginibusque
violaceis, angulis ambobus posterioribus castaneis. Long, ad lin. tres.

Cephalothorax greenish white, with a triangular raised oculiferous
crest with orange-coloured margins ; anterior pair of eyes crimson ;
maxillary palpi and feet greenish white ; abdomen whitish, in the
form of a trapezium ; the upper surface edged with lilac and with five
lilac points, the two posterior angles chestnut-brown.

*Thomisus hicoloratus. T. cephalothorace, paipis pedibusque hir-
sutis, gramineis, abdomine albo-virescente, linea longitudinali media
duabusque transversalibus nigris, punctisque quinque nigrescentibus
ornato. Long, ad lin. duas.

The hairy cephalothorax, palpi and feet grass -green ; abdomen
greenish white, with a longitudinal black line in the middle, divided
by two short distant transversal lines and with five dark points.

* Hypoplatea fasciata. H. schistosa, cephalothorace nigro radiato,
abdomine brunneo indistincte fasciato, linea apicali nigra emargi-
nata terminato, femoribus tibiisque nigro-fasciatis. Long. lin. sex.

Slate-coloured ; cephalothorax with black radiated lines ; abdo-
men indistinctly marked with brown, posteriorly terminated by a
black notched line ; femora and tibia black-banded.

*Latrodectus (?) Hmacidaf. L. flavescenti-griseus, cephalothoracis
macula oculifera majore arcuata nigra, thorace rhombulis duobus
brunneis, antice divergentibus, ornato ; abdomine fasciis brunneis
transversalibus quatuor diviso ; femoribus tibiisque nigro-fasciatis ;
pedibus brunneis. Long. poU. 1.

Yellowish gray, with a large black arched oculiferous spot ; on
the thorax tw^o anteriorly diverging brown lozenges ; the abdomen
with four brown transversal bands ; the legs black-banded ; the feet
brown.

*Uloborus curvicaudus. U. cephalothorace, palpis maxillaribus pe-
dibusque hirtis, flavo-brunnescentibus ; abdominis cylindrici, albo-
flavescentis, indistincte nigro-marmorati extremitate posteriore acu-
minata recurva. Long. lin. 5.

Cephalothorax and the hairy palpi and feet brownish yellow ; ab-
domen cjdindrical, yellowish white, indistinctly marbled with black ;
the posterior pointed extremity bent upwards.

*Tetragnatha (enea. T. cephalothorace palpisque maxillaribus hir-
sutis,flavo brunnescentibus; femoribus tibiisque viridibus.tarsis nigris,
hirsutis ; abdomine conico seneo, maculis nigris duabus basalibus,
lineisque nigris septem, quarum tres summse linea basali antice
junctse, ornato. Long, ad poll, dimid.

Cephalothorax and the hairy palpi brownish yellow ; the hairy fe-

f From the circunisUincc of its liaving been observed lo seize the slug,
Jncilariu bilmeata.

Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan. 37

mora and tibia; green ; feet black ; abdomen conical, green, bronze-
coloured, with two black spots near the base, longitudinally striped
with seven black lines, the three upper ones of which are united at
the base by a black transversal line.

*Epeira hU'meata. E. ccphalothorace femoribus pedibusque am-
bobus anterioribus brunneo-nigrescentibus; abdomine subfusco-canes-
centi, lineolis duabus undulatis nigris, postice convergentibus, infra
quas punctis summis sex ; palpis maxillaribus tibiisque ambabus an-
terioribus subfuscis, femoribus tibiisque ambabus posterioribus sub-
fuscis bifasciatis. Long. poll. 1*1.

Cephalothorax, thighs and feet of the two anterior pair brownish
black ; abdomen light grayish brown, with two waved, black, poste-
riorly converging lines, within which are six distant points ; the max-
illary palpi and tibiae of the two anterior pair light brown, with two
black bands on the joints.

*Epeira heraldica. E. maciilis oculiferis cephalothoracis, cano-hir-
suti, nigris ; abdomine brunneo-flavescente nigro-punctato, fasciis
tribus, quarum anteriore coronseformi, albo-flavescentibus transverse
ornato ; punctis sex summis ; pedibus nigris hirsutis femoribus tibiis-
que ambabus anterioribus albo-fasciatis. Long. poll. 1^.

Cephalothorax gray, hirsute ; oculiferous spots black ; abdomen
yellowish brown dotted with black, with six points above and with
three transversal whitish yellow bars ; feet black, hirsute ; the two
anterior pair of femora and tibia; with white bands.

Epe'irafasciata, Walckenaer.

HOLETRA.

*Phalangmm spiniferum. P. supra brunneum, protuberantia ocu-
lifera triangulo flavo inclusa, dorso flavo marginato, spina forti summa
armato ; subtiis flavo-albescens. Long. lin. 2.

Brown above ; the oculiferous protuberance enclosed within a yel-
low triangle ; the margins of the back spotted with yellow ; the up-
per part of the back surmounted by a strong spine : whitish yellow
beneath.

9. INSECTA.

Myriapoda Chilognatha.

luloidse.

*Polydesmus bicolor. P. nitide niger, lineis dorsalibus transversa-
libus rubris 19, mucroneque segment! penultimi rubro. Lon? ad
poll. 2.

Shining black, with nineteen red transversal lines, and the point
on the penultimate segment red.

ScUTIGERID^.

*Scutigera rufipes. S. pallide schistosa, segmentis dorsalibus ca-
rinatis novem, abdominalibus sedecim ; tarsis rufis. Long. poll, dimid.

Pale slate-coloured, with nine keeled dorsal, sixteen abdominal
segments ; tarsi red.

Scolopendra niorsitans, Auct.

38 Dr. Cantor on the Flora and Fauna of Chusan.

10. ANIMALCULA.

VoLVOCINA.

*Gyges granulura, Ehrenherg.
*Sph8erosira volvox, Ehr.
Closterina.

*Closterium trabecula, Ehr.
* turgidum, Ehr.

■ ? falcatum.

ASTASI^A.

*Euglena longicauda, Ehr.

DiNOBRYINA.

*Epipyxis utriculus, Ehr.
Arcellina.

*Arcella aculeata, Ehr.
Bacillaria.

*Desmidium Schwartzii, Ehr.

*■ hexaceros, Ehr.

*Xanthidium coronatum.

* hirsutum, Ehr.

*Arthrodesmus quadricaudatus,
Ehr.

*Micrasterias hexagona.

*Euastrum margaritiferum,^^.

* Jovis.

* integerrimum,iSAr.

*Navicula fulva, Ehr.

* gracilis, Ehr.

*Na\'icula sigma, Ehr.

* curvula, Ehr.

* S romanum.

* turgida, Ehr.

*Bacillaria vulgaris, Ehr.
*Cocconema gibbum, Ehr.

* cymbiforme, Ehr.

*Gomplionema truncatum. Eh.
*Cocconeis pediculus, Ehr.
*Gaillonella nummuloides. Eh.
* distans, Ehr.

VORTICELLINA.

*Vorticella patellina, Ehr.
Enchelia.

*Leucophrys patula, Ehr.
Colepina.

*Coleps hirtus, Ehr.
Trachelina.

*Traclielius vorax, Ehr.

* anas, Ehr.

* lamella, Ehr.

EUCHLANIDOTA.

*Lepadella emarginata, Ehr.
Brachion^a.

*Bracliinus urceolaris, Ehr.

DuBIA.

PRINTED BY R. AND J. E. TAYLOR, RED HON COURT, FLEET STREET.

QK 363.3 .C36

>'*"'Ji~2"' ^°'""'^»i Q"'<l«n Library

Cantor Theodore Ed/General features of ^^"

3 5185 00060 3900