aye LAA SAM ANN 4 bes Faia z ae SC Yintish = Hh Oy Sis: nt Way boda bed heey ae be pate bx " We yah ne FT) ih Mite i Wi Py vd iain ta ei ’ ks } fe Benet ta ya (i, Garena : renee Vee ee, BW t ib a aye er RTT. Gg, ) Wi iH dF ae Hath is 93 a) Mag y sie a ey it ay) Abt zy DSRNA NUM Nae Om pe) isaeets ek apt tees \ Y s SN 2° 4 | Fy, . Soin —— San esti I itt ki | we yy O SS YW, i AY s Up, ( il ? ! | E i! » Jae Act = = f) 4 a | pith. I Regi ih ws de aan ey we > Sy a _— Hi] | Say ; ga ill - Xp ‘1 > Fig nOle ciate Seeoee Gans ni ate Nene : 27 -) v- Ee | eer elo eee if 4 - re Son me eines, : ie es SOR Nie 73a. a a by Xe is) eo {8 Hagen O18 8 a elt it : ee ra j Sa Dnt fies Aaa a eee Ae y ¥ ie Lee mt THE JOURNAE ORV DHE Bompay Narurat History Sociury. Thirty-eight Plates and Ezghteen Woodcuts. Part I (Pages HX. MM. EDITED BY PHIPSON, G.M.2.S., AND Ww: Ss. MILLARD. Nv VOL. XIV. Consesting of Feve Parts and containing 1 to 196) ... » LI (CPages 197 to 408) «a. » LIT (Pages 409 to 637) ... » LV (Pages 639 to 828) uw. “i V (Index, éc.) eee PRINTED Jay ab) 181 13, Dates of Publication, eee eee eco see ese 600 coe Homban: \) 24th Jan., 1902. 24th May, 1902. 18th Oct., 1902, 10th, Feb., 1903. 30th May, 1903. San Mi Sha@nB at Ni Db Ais Sib EAM PRY ES Gi ERRATA. Bombay Natural History Society, Vol. XIV. Page 252, Title, line 2 from top, for ** Afghaniston * read “ Afghanistan.” Page 253, line 4 from bottom, for “ Du ” read Dun.” Page 255, \ine 1, for * Jual ” read “ Jubal”. Page 256, line 3 from bottom, for ‘* invenitit ” read “invenit.” Page 257, line 3 from top, for ** from” read “ for on.” Page 257, lines 10 and 11, for ** Thumb.” read “ Thumb,” Page 258; line il from top, for “ F. B. T.” read “ F. B. 1.” On Plate XXVI.—To note 9, add “ enlarged.” Page 259, line 12 from bottom, “ for Miguel’s ” read “ Miquel’s.” Page 260, about middle, for “ Diplozium ” read “ Diplaziwm.” Page 260, line 14. from bottom at end of line, ‘ equami” should be “ sguami.” Page 262, line 9 from bottom, “ deta ” should be “ dela.” Page 262, line 2, Inde ” should be “ I’Inde.” Page 265, line 16 from bottom, at end of the line, “ frond” should be “ fronds.” Page 287, line 13, for “* rufitarsis of the second recurrent nervure,” read “of the second recurrent nervure straight, oblique . . . vrufitarsis” Page 295, line 10, for “ apical ” read “ anterior.” Page 297, line 23, for “‘simllar ” read “ similar.” Page 298, line 7, delete “ Type placed in British Museum.” Page 298, line 15, for “ Seephanitidi” read ‘‘ Stephanitidi.” Page 301, line 5 from bottom of page, delete = “ P. poecilus, H. Schaff, 1844, 1. c. WET figs 69927 Page 302, line 14, for ‘“‘abelmoshus ” read “abelmoschus.” Page 303, line 6, delete ‘‘posteriorly ” after “‘ trituberculate.” Page 303, line 15, for “ Pl. X.” read “ Pl. A.” Page 303, line 7 from bottom of page, for “ Berge * read “ Beret.” Page 304, line 15, after ‘“‘due,” read ‘due),” Page 304, line 17, for “ Lybantine * read “ Hygiine.” Page 304, line 19, for “ fig. 15” read “ fig. 13.” Page 304, line 9 from bottom of page, insert semicolon after second. Page 304, line 8 from bottom of page, for “‘nimacute” read “ -ium acute.” Page 305, line 14, for “ fig. 13” read “ figs. 14 and 13.” Page 308, line 5, for “ Zanna dohrus ” read “ Zanna dohrni.” Page 401, line 3, should read—“ stated in Vol. IV of “ Birds ” of the Fauna of British India series to be probably fairly” : Page 436, line 12, from bottom of page for “ Pycnobreon ” read “ Pycnobracon.” Page 459, line 15, for “* Harrbagh ” read “‘ Harrabagh.” Page 459, line 16, for 21,51 ” read 24351.” Page 464, middle of page, for “‘ imordinate ”’ read “inordinate ” Page 466, line 2, for “ Hat ” read “ Hatu ”’ Page 466, line 8 from bottom, for “ Macleod’”’ read “ Macleod.’ iv ERRATA. Page 469, line 15 from bottom, for “ stalklets ” read “ stalkless. ° Page 470, line 5 from bottom, for “ II” read “11,” Page 470, line 2 from bottom, for “ T ” read ‘¢ Y.” Page 470, line 4 from bottom, for “11” read “10”, and alter the number of the succeeding species accordingly, down to the end of the genus, Page #71, last line, for “a n w one ” read “ a new one.” Page 471, line 4, for “and” read “to.” Page 474, line 11 from bottom, for *Filicine ” read “ Filicine.” Page 561, line 12 from bottom of page, for “ there” read “ three.” Page 561, line 11 from bottom of page, for “ Katretar™ read “ Kabutar.” Page 562, line 12 from bottom of page, for “ Phasisanidae ” read “ Phasianide.” Page 720, line 14, for “ MeDonel” read ‘* McDonell.” Page 720, line 3 from foot, insert a full stop after “ Hills.” Page 721, middle of page, after “ Beddome”’ delete “‘has therefore.” Page 7 Le line 11 from top, for “had” read “ have.” Page 722, line 11 from top, insert a comma after the first “ have.” Page 724, \ine 11, middle of page, for “ previlum” read “ prolimum.” Page 724, line 16 from bottom, for ‘‘n. sp.—Hope Plate VIII” read “ n. sp. Hope :—- Plate VIII.” Page 725, line 9 from top, for “ affino”’ read.“ affine.” Page 725, line 15 from bottom, for “sub patent” read “‘subpatent.” Page 726, middle of page, for ‘‘ fadyenoid ” read “ fadyenioid.” Page 727, line 2 from top, Desv. should be in italic. Page 727, middle of page, for “ Harris” read ‘* Harriss.” Page 730, line 9 from top, dele comma at end. Page 731, line 7 fom top, for “ criniate ” read “ erinite.” Page 731, line 15 from top, after “then ” insert * to”. Page 732, middle of page, after “ very” insert ‘ marked.” Page 735, line 18 from top, for ‘ var. 6” read “ var. 6.” Page 733, line 17 from top, the Greek » is too small. Page 733, line 17 from bottom, tor *'Kharsoli” read “ Kharsali.” Page 734, line 12 from bottom, the Greek » is too small.» Page 764, line 11 from bottom, for Greek v read Greek 3, Page 737, line 19 from bottom, for “ Harris” read “ Harriss.” Page 737, last line and word, for “ Gambel” reud “¢ Gamble.” Page 740, line 16 from top, “Afghan” should be in caps. Page 740, line 18 from top, for “ Harris.” rcad “ Harriss.” Page 740, line 22 from top, after “ valley ” insert a comma. Plate X X XJI—in the deseription—for “ Sovus’’ read ** Forus.” Page 741, line 3 from foot, for ‘* Pilicum” read “ Filicum.” Page 746, line 11 from top, for “ (——)” read “ [ ee Paye 746, line 4 from bottom, for “ mole” read “ mole.” Page 747, line 1, for “Sunw. der” read “Sw. under.” Page 749, line 21 from foot, for 1892” read “1872.” ERRATA, Vol. XIV, page 252, in Title, 2nd line from top: for ‘Afghaniston read ” ¢ Afghanistan.’ : 253, 4th line trom bottom : for ¢ Du’ read ‘ Din.’ 255, in Ist line: for ‘Jual’ read * Jubal.’ 256, in &rd line from the bottom : for *invenitit” read ‘invenit- 257, in 3rd line from top: for ‘from’ read ‘for on.” 257, in 10th and 11th lines : for ‘Thumb.’ read ‘Thumb.° 268, in 11th line from top: for ‘F. B. T. read‘ F. B. I.’ On Plate XX VI.—To note 9, add ‘ enlarged. Page 99 bh) 259, in 12th line from bottom : for ‘ Miguel’s” read ‘ Miquel’s,’ 260, about middle: for * Diploziwm’ read * Diplazium. 260, 14th line from bottom at end of line, ‘eguamé’ should be * squami.” 262, 9th line from bottom: ‘deta’ should be ‘dela.’ 262, in 2nd line from bottom ; ‘Inde’ should be ‘1’Inde,’ 265, 16th line from bottom: at end of the line: ‘frond” should be ‘fronds. 287, line 13: for “rufitarsis of the second recurrent nervure,” read ‘of the second recurrent nervure straight, obli- que . . . rufitarsis.” 401, line 3, should read—*stated in Vol. IV of “Birds” of the Fauna of British India series to be probably fairly ” GONTENTS OF VOLUME XIV. y PAGE TST OF CONTRIBUTORS .ccccesercer core. ces ccctesccssecercccorees roses TAT! ORME AHS)! eispbeitesseciccscauseriasesss« DU eS eat aaiat Tur Lites oF MAHABLESHWAR AND OTHERS. By W. P. heeds, A Cirirodee. OF THE ea OF San AND Boone By G. C. Dudgeon, F.z.8., with Notes by H. J. Elwes, F.ES., F.2.8., &c., and Additions by Sir George Hampson, Burt., B.A, F.ES., Tue Porsonous Pants or Bompay. By Lt.-Col. K. R. Kirtikar, LMS.) F.LS., Civil Surgeon, Rutnagiri. Part XOX : With Plate U) . Pebeee cosgoceceseesocat Wuciaselsasine Weep 20) MeEmotrs ON Ona Ratner By @ W. Rae F.ES (With Plates A, B and C).. casa lusvedude ne chean Dae steerer EO Tar Harwics or CeyLon. By Malcolm Die es Pie A and B).. PAPE N eet RBstet ete aie ioelels toceet Oe, NEW SPECIES OF Tennis Hveeopras By B ‘Major C Os &. Nike 13th Bo. Infantry. (With a Plate) .. Seaates vole masuceumente Lin Ue, Tan DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN PeasoNGe AND Now-poisonous Snakus. By Capt. 1°, Wall, 1m.s. (With Fellaige AW IB. (C)Gye ID ebkec copectecsecnocoosaecmcubece oostod cokes Ue) Tur Morus oF INDIA. SUPPLEMENTARY ee TO THE Voleue in“ Tue Favna or Britisn Inpra,” Series I., Part V. By Sir G. F. Hampson, Bart., F.2.S., FES. ...... . 103 Tue Ferns oF NortH- Tas Tenet ee C. W. Hope. Pe Titi thivs (Gramanaal| JbNetn, sebceoncaconotes beam odoosogadocsocaccccen. Els NovES ON SOME OF THE PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE Vinonts Garpens, Bombay, DURING THE past 8 Years. By Cavas}i DeMalalumiyalae tart lame en cucmaracses-csssseucciessnoreesca lO Tue BIrps OF THE MADHUBANI SUB-DIVISION OF THE DARBHANGA District, Trrnot, with Norrs oN SPECIES NOTICED ELSE- WHERE IN THE Drsrricr. By C. M. Inglis. Parr II. ...... 132 MMAR ANI RE MRUNTCHVIMUE ce ec recctessueckicsucos = coveoseeaacn LAO MisceLLANgEous Notes— 1.—-A Snake anda Fish. By Col. H. D, Olivier, R.z. .. ... 142 9.—Occurrence of the Laggar Falcon in Burmah. By K, C. Macdonald ...........cc2e see ceeeoeesesceess Beal uusaamele ae teen mua 3.—Birds’ Nesting rine Boone and plnct Here, By R. M. Betham, Major, 8th Bom. Infantry ........-seseeraceerees 143 vi CONTENTS. MisceELLaANEous Nores—contd. 4,—Hyzenas hunting with Jackals. By EH. O’Brien............ 146 5.—Strange behaviour of a Panther. By Geo. BH, Bright ... 146 6.—The Migration of Butterflies in tne Kangra Valley. By G. C. Dudgeon, F.£.S. Boon .. LA7 7.—Occurrence of the Biel aces oe Credle oa pogon) near Bombay. By HE. Comber ......... . 148 .8.—Oceurrence of the Bronze- ae Teal (Banta fiat) in Sind. By HE. Comber.. a se asese ad 9,—Habits of the Lungoor Monee “Ee th 7 ic yA 10,—Some notes on the Indian Hlephant. By C, “W. Aw Bruce, F.L.s., Forest Dept., Burmah ......... vont 11.—Probable Hybrid between the Indian Bae eles (ee risorius) and the Spotted Dove o urtur oe By G. Dalgliesh . Sbocdes 5 5G 12.—Occurrence of the Mute Bee (Dee gnus ln) in “Sind. By G. C. McMullen ............ Jie caleceoek eOG 13.—Wild Animals at Water. By R. G. Bae sauenciate sfap Seema 14.—Elephant Shooting in Upper Burma. By EH. R. Tandines 160 15.—Artifices practised by Bulbuls. By H. H. Aitken ...... 162 16.—On the deposits of Fossil remains of extinct Animals in the Sewalik Hills on the Punjab and North-West Provinces. By Lt.-Genl. W. Osborn, 1s8.c. ......... 163 17.,—Habits of the Indian Tree Magpie (Dendreitta rufa). By t= Genle Wie Osborni.SiCarseccceer. seviceesesivonsen ila 18.—Indian Sheep Dogs, and another Indian Dee By bike GenleoWe Osborne TSG ccs sues ss sll65 19.—Extract from the Annual Report of Ae act ee the Botanical Dept., Northern India, for the year 1900- 1901. By J. F. Duthie, Director, Botanical Dept., Wl Waele Soscs6eemcce ces -- 168 20.—-Hxtract from the Boo on ve Bota ee Opes tions in the Bombay Presidency for the year 1900- 1901. By G. A. Gammie, F.L.s., Officer in Charge of the Botanical Survey, Bombay Presidency ......... 169 21 —A Pied-Crested Cuckoo’s Egg ( Coccystes jacobinus) found in the nest of the Bengal Red-vented Bulbul (Molpastes bengalensis). By H. HE. Tooth......ccseccu 172 CONTENTS, vil PAGE, MiscetLansous Nores—coneld. — 92.—Unusual abundance of Sandgrouse at Deesa. By C. G. Nurse, Major, 13th Bombay Infantry ......... 2. dd 23.—The Masked Finfoot (Helzopais te in Guiae By A. M. Primrose.. Wasieses tacos aces) LO 94.—‘* Birds of Prey.” By C. EL Teak inesinesccsossml C4: 25.—Nesting of the Coot (Fulica atra) at Poon By RM: Betham, Major, 8th Bombay Infantry .. BS eek let 26.—The Flowering of Bamboos. By W. J. Putcher Se aseejsoui lian 27,—Mizration of Butterflies. By 0. G. Nurse, nie 13th Bombay Infantry ........ ay Al) 28, —Nidification of the Desert Sad. Die iene ie rum). By Harrington Bulkley.........::2++-sseseerer ees 179 9—The Banded Crake at Khandalla. By R. M. Betham, Major, Sth Bombay Infantry... IRR RESUS Spa srae USL) 30.—A Rare Snake. By Major A. H. MEM aoa Hee eoa LO 31.—On the New Species of Butterflies recently fetal by Mr. A. G. Butler. By aoe N. Manders, r.a.m.c... 182 32.—List of Birds’ Skins.. 305 .. 183 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ilomreie8 hele on he 16th eel 9th z si 20th August, 17th September and 19th November 1901......... 188 Tur Morus oF Inpia. SUPPLEMENTARY PAPER TO THE VOLUMES iw Tar Fauna or Brrrisu Invi,” Series IL., Part VI. By Sir G. F. Hampson, Bart., F.2.8., F.ES.sessssreseeerer seers 197 SNAKE Venoms: THEIR Poys1oLoGicAL AcTION AND ANTIDOTE. By George Lamb, Capt., M.B., LM.S.ecseseeseeeceesensescorseseee 220 On New aAnpD LirrLe-KNoWN BUTTERFLIES, MOSTLY FROM THE OrientaL Recion. By Lionel de Nicéville, F.z.S., C.M.Z.8., &o. (With Plate FF)... bod . 236 Tue Ferns or NortH- Wasnaan. eee By C. W. ee The IlI—The General List.. bans Epa meaded QusbCOGdO | CAae Dzscriptions or NEw Cuan. AND a on OF Fes COLLECTED BY Magor ©. 8. Nurse at DeEsA, SIMLA AND FrrozeporE. By P. Cameron. Part. (With a Plate)... 267 MeMorrs ON ORIENTAL RHYNCHOTA. a Ga W. ae F.ES. (With Plates A, B and C.)....0 cescceees Laer Notss on THE Hoc Deer 1n Bonus. 33 eG Cain G. H. Evans, A.v.D. (With 2 Plates)... Ld senetieascus le derseesesciOLe viii CONTENTS. Tae Harwics or CEYLON. a Malcolm Burr. (With Plates PAGE, A and B.).. ay saelaceneieceioee se Genel 2s scam OlO AlDs TO THE Mr aneeanio OF cree i Capt. F. Wall, 1 LMS. 337 A CaTaLoGuE or THE Heterocera oF SIKHIM AND Buuran. By G. C. Dudgeon, F.z.s., &e. With Notes by H. J. Elwes, F.z.s., F.E.S., &c., and Additions eh Sir Cee F. Hampson, Bart., B.A., F.ES., &c. Part XII.. BeccH bocdhG ooodoa ocaron,, GHAD NOTES ON SOME OF THE Baal INTRODUCED INTO THE vierone GARDENS, BOMBAY, DURING THE PAST 8 YEARS. oa Cavasji D. Mahaluxmiwala. Part II.. Uae ssc seccanten cen mOOO Tue Birps of THE MADHUBANI Sune -DIVISION OF THE Dae BHANGA District, TrRHUT, WITH NOTES oN SPECIES NOTICED ELSEWHERE IN THE District. By C. M. Inglis. Part ITI... 362 MiscELLanzous Nores— 1.—Some further notes on the Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyti- doceros Narcondami). (With a ie By Crake Cory (Chaplain)... 500 Be 2) 2.—On some Deep-sea F hes uollectod t DY y Mr. y. W. oan send inthe Sea of Oman. (With a Plate.) By GiwAc MBoulen Ger WEAR Ssececeneneecterlescisasscese eee emails 3.—Notes on some Lakhimpur Birds. By H.N. Coltart... 374 4,—The Occurrence of the White-faced Stiff Tail Duck at Mardan. By F.J. H. Barton, Major, Q. O. Corps of Guides .. Sore aA RCo Sade eubsnuarasddoaacsce: aS OS) 35 2 Re traoedinay aeaiide ae a ‘Suakes eae “(With a Plate jes By he Walls Capt: Misa con tececenccestseess-eeen ee 6.—Natural History Notes from Fryer’s Travels. By N. C. Macleod) i cco i lithe ss stewsacurcec.seoec ee tarese ean emmmeSTa GG 7.—Occurrence of the Avocet (Recurvrostra avocetta) near Poona. By R. M. Betham, Major, 8th Bom. Infantry. 386 8.—A novel method of catching a Jackal. By D. Thomson, Major, 28th Bombay Pioneers ......... wee. 886 9,—Travancore Snakes. By H. 8. Ferguson, F..s.. we. 386 10.—Sandgrouse in Northern Gujarat. By C. G. | Non, Major, 13th Bombay Infantry... eee Seceeee OO 11.—Tiger netting in Mysore. By S. M. hee LCISe. .. 388 12,—Birds collected in Hylakandy, Cachar. By Chas. UL. Inglis PPR eae seat OF seb eeeaetoee BOC neo GAG eee oeassee nest SO gen Ot bee 391 CONTENTS. ix MiIscELLANEOUS Nores—contd. 13.—The Masked Fin-Foot ( Heliopazs ey u Chas. ME mais ssn sescce . 392 14.—Nestiny cf the Coot (Pallina doom i an uM ie 392 Do. do. do. By A. M. Primrose... 392 Do. do. do. By W. Howard Camp- (elles Ssh sb sda GE 15.—Occurrence of the Sheldrake (TL. cornuta) and the Goos- ander (J/. castor) in the Darbhanga District, Tirhut. Dy Chass Merlino lish aah scene ue. . 893 1¢6.—Note on the habits of Raliina super ee DS | Shae a Gorsachius melanolophus, Blyth. By T. R. Bell ...... 395 17.—Cannibalism in Snakes. By W. 8. Millard, Hony. Sec- TED A | adn acoeeoacaadbodobos anole. scerencoce OOD 18.—Miscellaneous Notes on Birds’ Nera on Boous and elsewhere. By R. M. Betham, Major, 8th Bombay Infantry seseenaeeteseescoe cen settecseeenseceatssevesterserses OOO 19.—Pteromys tnornatus. By C. H. Donald ..............-0..00. 400 20.—Occurrence of the Red-breasted Merganser (Merganser serrator) near Quetia. By C. G. Nurse, Major, 13th Bombay: Infantry e.:5. css 5s. sccanco A010) 21.—Nesting of the Grey Pelican one phlepporen & in the Cuddapah District, Madras Presidency. By W. Howard Campbell ............... . 401 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Muurrnes held on the ith Dee 1901, 21st January, 18th February, 18th March, and 22nd Apri GO 2 isseeccemun een . 402 Tue Kriye-Cosra, on Hamapryap Nes ee (Cason, Ophiophagus elaps ui ie By Vety. cee GE Ryans. (With a Plate)... SG au AvOR BOER AUAEEaE w- 409 Descriptions or New eaeae AND Stacie OF Th, ee COLLECTED By Mayor C.G. Nurse at Dussa, Simna ann WEROZEPORE. By P. Cameron, Part Il. ...,...20.00....... 419 On New anv Lirrie-KNown BurrErriizs, MosTLy FROM THE OrrIENTAL Recion. By Lionel de Niceville, F.E.S., C.M.Z.S,, oc Meare ey ue lr ee ee ae sreveee 450 THE Ferns or Norta-Wesrern Invi. S C. W. Hope. Rant IlI—The General List wioiete etahelstataina erartclea claiclamel ae grams hs a cn MOURNE 2 x CONTENTS. Tae Burrerruiss or tHE Lucknow District. By Geo. W. V. de Rhe-Philipe ......... See GRaes cs Sed aicleabntv be «tab tresiteatematsdoeeses THE Morus or Inpia. SupPpLEMENTARY IE ara TO THE VOLUMES In “ Tue Fauna or British Inpra.”’ Series II., Part VII. Dyas Geek. Eampson, Dante miZas sii ensn) pc ssaeeeecmeton sae Les Formicipes DE L’Eurire pus InpEs nr pE Cryzan. Par AveustE Forrt, Part IX.. Sebo CLAM OROOS aap Capdoasendaocd. A CaTALOGUE OF THE ee OF ee AND TBAeTi By G. C. Dudgeon, F.z.s., &c. With Notes by H. J. Elwes, ¥.Z.8., F.E.S,, &c., and Additions by Sir George F. Hampson, Dalia As sEEAS2; mn OCcb arin Nol Dsus e oh. meio t tera eercneden Te Brrps or THE Mapuusant Sus-Drvision of THE DARBHANGA District, Tirsur, wirn Nores ON SPECIES NOTICED BLSE- WHERE IN THE District. By C. M, Inglis. Part IV.......... ''ae Cagu-Birps oF Caucurra. By F. Finn, Depy. Supdt., indian Wuseum\Calcuttal-oy....0eacse ee iseeerecuessseeee cence rie UATE) MR AOrivEry COLLET sacs. cnt ncocs ceases son Review—Gyats or Mosqortons. By Lieut sseloneven M. Gake I.MS- > F.R.C.S, OCB Der EMH DeL Lee OTe > CHE aese OO senoer HEeRlitsessesaer * MtscELLANEous NotEs— 1.—White Anis’ Castles. By G. P. Millett, nr.s. ......... 2.—Small Game shooting prospects : Western India. By HI. D. Olivier, Lt.-Col., r.u., ¥.z a tee Sa ee 3.—Curious course taken by ite Bysid Cornua or tongue Muscles in certain Woodpeckers. By 5, B. Osmaston, Deputy Conservator of Forests ..........-.ss0sceerssesces res 4,—Identification of Accipitrine Birds. By C, H. Donald... 5.—Note on the occurrence of certam Birds in South Sylhet. Lia Velo ils Jeaehambitolse) daAsrcnbancbcomancdace siaeneetee easine- ceneate 6,—Luthalia lepidea in Western Kumaon. By G. W. V. de une=Ibthine dec .cevansesesacesss Wane hereswesauntews 7.—A Man-eating earthen ( With al enn a W.A. Womauitinge wens -csectcecessieck sis: sce uetiosbshsieeeinestiate 8,—Notes on Birds’ Nodes in the es Sie ‘States oe Burmah, By H. H. Harington, Capt.......... 9.—Food of the Krait. By Geo. H. Evans, Vety. Major ... 5 10.—Notes on the occurrence of certain Birds in the Southern Shan States of Burma. By H. N. Thomson, r.z.s., ans Waste Craddock i. iskss55. eee ect dee latent meeneeeees DAT 600 CONTENTS. xi MisceniaNnous Nores—contd. 11.—Sword-Fish striking a ye By F. A. Smith, Capt., MADE Wins, Bos pqaces Ae apean oe NG re UENO 8) O00 12,—Notes on Birds near icin, ‘By T. E. Marshall, Capt., RaNuicamacaie ae eae te AO OIE 13.—Euryale po ay hese). fe Fr. i Fide. Pcccesicecees 606 14,—The Painted Sandgrouse (Pterocles fasciatus) and the Wood-Snipe (Gallinago nemoricola) in the Peshawar Valley. By F.J. H. Barton, Major, the Guides ... 606 15.—Occurrence of the Chestnut-headed Shortwing (Oligura castaneicoronata) and Nesting of the Black-chinned Yuhina ( Yuhina nigramentum) in Kumaon. By 8. L. | Whymper .esissceseceseecccnsccsnsscesssaeasenscsses ces cee 607 16.—* Indian Hobby ” and “ Bulbul.” By E, Ernest Green 608 17.—The Camel Bot Fly. By C. G. Nurse, Major, 13th Bombay Infantry ...1..00> erseecosanveccsesenecessenetees 609 18.—Nidification of Ogle’s Laughing Thrush (Dr ote nuchalis). By H. N. Coltart .. Soodeocnp acess . 609 19.—Note on a Species of Gordius erate in the Bey of a Mantis. es BE. Ernest Green, Govt. Entomologist, Ceylon .. GaN iaet ousisis qeeeea scare OO 20.—Robin eae in ene s [Neat ie Be Wieldicascrcsceeen OL 21.—Bat seizing a Shuttle-cock. By G. H. Coles............ 611 22,—Artifices practised by Bulbuls. By W. D. Cumming... 611 23—Crow and Koel’s Egg. By C. D. Lester, Capt. ......... 612 24,—Note on a Flying Squirrel (Pteromys oral) found in the g Thana District eens By G. M. Ryan, LF.s., F.LS.. RAAT sco) een eee nen eects casiveaseeas codes s/O1L2 25.—On Mothods ea 5 erates ee in ae ‘En tomological specimens. e Col. J. G. Pilcher, FRCS. Bet icmescocics sales cet a bectsatt 613 26.— Vipera Russelli faethe in eee c Wiss: Millard, Hon.Secy., Bombay Natural History Society. 614 27.—Drought-resisting Fodder Plants. By W. Wedderburn... 614 28.—Birds’ Nesting at Ootacamund. By R. M. Betham, Major, Sth Bombay Infantry ......csescssessceseeee serene 620 29.—Weevils in Mangocs. By H, H. Aitken ............s0020. 624 30.—Birds’ Nesting in Kumaon, By 8. L. Whymper......... 624 xii CONTENTS, PAGE MiscELLsaNEous Notes—coneld. | 31.—A_ Correction... Turdinulus Roberti. Suppression of Corythocichla squamata ms By HE. C. Stuart BakeryF Zs.) | GCs cas eteccest ses te sheeseneee O26 32,—Occurrence of the Mandarin ee in Ted “By IDS OE Stuart Baker, ¥.z.8., &c.. Ue lsbolsenus stiecrivenecoines oat O20, 33.—Merops apiaster breeding in | Bannon By C. G. Nurse, Major, 18th Bombay Infantry .................. 627 34,—Occurrence of the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuli dicey in ie Darbhanga District, Tirhut. By Chas. M. Inglis ... 627 39.—Notes on the Himalayan Nut-cracker (Nucifraga hemispila). By W. Osborn, Lt.-Genl., 1.8.C............. 628 36.—Food of the King-Cobra. By E. H. Aitken............--. 629 ProckepINGs oF THE Meretrnes held on the {dth July, 19th August and 23rd September 1902.............s.0c0sce00. 631 Tue Morus or Inpta. SUPPLEMENTARY PAPER TO THE VOLUMES “ Tae Fauna or British Inpra.” Series I1., Part VIII. By Sir G. H. Hampson, Bart., F.2.8., EVES. cc: deccovses sci aecsee) OOO InpiAN Ducks ayD THEIR AtuiEs. By E. C. Stuart Baker, THE ede ERFLIES OF cee By Major G. A. Leslie, R.E., and Lieut. W. H. Evans, r.u. NbAcoGeer seBoodoEnodecdaeactoncs WUE Les Formicripes pE L’Emprre pes INDES ET DE CEYLAN. Par INUGUSTE OREN, (arhieX cesses GG Notes ON Ceyton Burrerriizs. By Major XN. aoe F.Z.Se5 T.E.S. Lee ee ee or ee ee are @ eeecos pet pet eesage Fee 716 DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SEA SNAKE FROM ee oe G. A. Boulenger,wersss. \(iWeth ai Plate) (ence dee eet eeensechemaple. THE Ferns or Norra-Western Inpia. By C. W. Hope. Part HG ——The ‘General List) 35.3. .05cssen seeker sean caemeeteeee noes one DO THE ORIENTAL REGION AND rts PostTIoN IN ZOOLOGICAL Grocna- PHY. guile Combennk: Zs.) csaeeqsccewo ase Bee siecacee | NOOO RovucH NOTES oN THE MAMMALIA OF Gon By Cine i. Folton 758 A CataLogus oF THE Heterocera or SikHIM aND Buutan. By G. C, Dudgeon, F.£,s. With Notes by H. J. Elwes, F.8.8., &c., and Additions by Sir George F'. Hampson, Bart., B.A., F.E.S., Bic. Parte SUV dh. sac leit siseviaswapwaue eedenei daetae eeaeiee neem CONTENTS, xili PAGE Tae Birvs oF THE MADHUBANI SUB-DIVISION OF THE DARBHANGA District, TrrHut, with Norns oN SPECIES NOTICED ELSE- WHERE IN THE District. By C. M. Inglis. Part V ......... 764 Famine Foops. Dioscorea pentaphylla. By G. M. Ryan, Lr.s., NOTES ON SOME OF THE PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE VICTORIA GARDENS, BoMBAY, DURING THE PAST 8 YEARS. By Cavasji ID, Welelinecammeles Jeb O00 ice Oncaea sanqneencobecuoodocepeosne Uk DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS FROM THE ANDAMAN AND Nicopar IsLaNps 782 Dan ATE MR is A STERNDADE.....cescesent oe 804 Rin Gare Mrw@HARLESeWLARINS!) VeMHescaaccscvccdess cee scteeecee es. CUS MisceLiaNEous Norrs— 1.—The Identification of Accipitrine Birds. By C. H. Donald 805 9.—The Banded Crake (Rallina superciliaris). By R. M. Betham, Major, 8th Bombay Infantry.. ee coseepee moll 3.—The Eggs of the Long-billed Babbler (hina ee tilus), By E. C. Stuart Baker, £.2.8., &C......s00s0000+ « 814 4.—Curious site for nesting chosen by the Malabar Whist- ling Thrush (Myophoneus horsfieldi). By R. M. Betham, Major, 8th Bombay Infantry... soacac COLL) 5.—Notes on the Nidification of some birds, ae Nee ma Eggs of which have not been previously described. By B. B. Osmaston, 1.¥.s.... 3 . 815 6.—Bipedal locomotion of a Conloners ae E, Ernest Green... OL 7.—The Nidification ae the Eira oe sae “(Meto- ptdtus indicus). By Ernest Ei. Tooth.. soecag Oe 8.—The Himalayan Nut-cracker (Wuczfraga lami. By B. B. Osmaston.. = econ, (els) 9.—The Chestnut- herded Shorting Onna hats nata). By B. B. Osmaston.. Cebu doles e st eceue Oe. 10.—Some observations on Humenes eee a Huge Cretiniit.-Coly PB.CS., TM.S.2:):sassoccse<> 0 C 200 $F) ” 2 ” ” » D vee Asplenium Tenuifrons, Wallich, Plate XXII 506 ove eee Mackinnoni, Hope, in Journ. Bot., March 1896, Plate XXII ane _ FKilix-Femina, Bernh. forma Dinter (sp). Wall, Plate XXIV op Duthiei, Bedd., Plate XXV oon one The Pintail, Dafila acuta, , XII Oriental Butterflies, . FF 500 Asplenium squamigerum, Mett., Plate XXVI se odo 060 000 sos Hymenoptera from Deesa and Simla 500 600 S00 Oriental Rhynchota, Plate B ... one eve 500 aes 5p ae aes 5 5 Bue Cae ace S56 600 625 wae ove The Hog-Deer (Cervus por bnua): Plate A... A00 uae ese 200 5 (é m Dyer yexedse nce ec eae S08 eve ae 9 Ceylon Forficularia, Plate B ... sot 006 os oes S00 504 soc The Narcondam Hornbill Rhytidoceros narcondamé Parascolopsis townsends aes one 50 eve eve The Relative Proportions of a Snake and its ae 00 con 500 The Garganey or Blue-winged Teal, Querquedula ae Plate xls: S00 The King-Cobra, or Hamadryad— aia bungarus (Boulenger), Ophiophagus elaps (Giinther) ... ove S008 00 cae ase Aspidiwm marginatum, Wallich, “Plate XXVIT Senter soe eee INS) gs auriculatum, Swartz B. 5 lentum, Don Plate XXVIII... eon 500 BH eee C. ,, obliquum, Don Aspidium (Polystichum) acanthophyllum, Franchet, Plate XXIX ... A Man-eating Panther andits Kill ... 366 nae 50 ote The Pochard or Dun-Bird, Wyroca ferina .. exe ven ate a0 Distira henderson’. New Sea-snake from Rangoon ... 406 atic nae oo Nephrodiwm cochlesatum, Don., Plate XXX eee Bos) gmt 500 5p odontoloma, Moor., Plate XXXI 665) 8.900 ao elo. op ramosum, Hope., Plate XX XII 500 eee ace 500 000 € marginatum, Wall. (Sub Aspidiwm), Plate XXXIII Aaah! 086 6 motlliusculum, Wall, (under Aspidium), Plate XXXIV ‘O2S FON? Hy ‘snueders snusepetneyy uopuo T UAT out ay sorg Wt3a Fu alg VMd V9 a H 4 jep aspo7y a t) 20C ‘4ST 7 eN Aeguiog winoe JOURNAL OF THE ls CO Ug es gy OS a : dlatural History Society. Vol. XIV. BOMBAY. No. |. THE LILIES OF MAHABLESHWAR AND OTHERS. By W. P. Symonps, I.C.S8. (Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on 20th August 1901.) The word “lily” surprises in himself, as Count Smorltork said, an interesting study of no inconsiderable magnitude. Botanists use the word to denote either a member of the order Lilzacec, or a species of the genus Lilium of that order. If this paper were confined to the latter sense it would come to an abrupt end, like the chapter on Snakes in Ireland, as there are no true lilies in this Presidency. There is only one Lilium south of the Himalayas, the iarge white lily of the Nilgiris, Lilium neilgherrense. Lilium longiflorum is said by Firminger to flourish in gardens, and Mr. Woodrow says that Lilium auratum, the Golden-rayed lily of Japan, has been introduced into gardens in this Presidency, but seems to have died out. Lilies do not transplant well. The lilies of our gardens, like the wild lilies of Mahableshwar, are Amaryllids, members of the order Amaryllidew, which is put by botanists in a different series from Liliacew. The word lily is commonly used to denote any lily-like flower, generally, but not always, white, of the monocotyledonous or endogenous class, which consists of plants usually with hollow stems, parallel-veined leaves, and parts of flower in threes. This leaves out of account the water-lilies which belong to a class totally different. Shakespeare makes Perdita say :— Bold oxlips, and The crown imperial ; lilies of all kinds The flower-de-luce being one, 2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV The crown imperial is believed to be the imperial fritillary, which with the tulips is nearest to the true lily in botanical classification, but no one would ordinarily speak of a fritillary or a tulip asa lily. On the other hand, the flower-de-luce is alily only in name. The fleur- de-lis or royal lily of France is believed to have been originally an Tris, probably Iris pseudacorus, the Yellow Flag, or rather a white representative of that flower. With Shakespeare the lily is always pure white, the type being Lilium candidum of English gardens. Harry V. could hardly have referred to a yellow flower when he said to Katherine: “Shall we not? What sayest thou? My fair flower-de-luce ?”” To which she very properly replied: “ido not know dat.” The flower-de-luce was borne in the Arms of England for many years, and what is of more importance it still marks the north point of the compass-card. An old traveller writes: ‘“ But sailing further it veers its lily to the west,” which is just what happens on the voyage from India to Europe. There are no representatives of the order Irzdece south of the Himalayas and very few in our gardens, the Gladiolus, that much mis-provounced word of short syllables, being a notable exception. A little spotted flower, orange and red, Pardanthus, or Belamcauda, seems to have established itself on Singhar, a survival from the gardens that once flourished in that neglected spot. The place of the Iris is taken by the showy Canna belonging to the great tropical order Scitaminee. A member of this order, Kampferia scaposa, is called the Rice lily. Inthe month of September the plateau between Lonauli and Karli, on either side of the railway, is white with these delicate three-petalled flowers, Belonging to the same order one of the wild turmerics or arrowroots, Curcuma angustifolia, probably with beautiful coma of pink bracts, is often called the Khandala lily, and the orchid men of Mahableshwar commonly give this name to the wild ginger with yellow coma, or the white arrowroot, Another well-known plant which has no claim to the name but the whiteness of its spathe is the Cobra lily, Ariseema Murray?, a member of the order Arotdec, like the English Cuckoo- pint or Lords and Ladies, to which it is nearly related. Another plant of the same order often seen in windows at home is Richardia africana, called the Arum lily or Trumpet lily or Lily of the Nile, ee THE LILIES OF MAHABLESHWAR AND OTHERS. 3 But it is time we come to the Liliacew. Perhaps the commonest plant of the order at Mahableshwar is the little Indian squill, Scilla indica, which springs up everywhere in May, even on the much- ° trampled Golf-ground. ‘The uninitiated commonly refer to itas an orchid, probably confusing it with the white orchid Habenaria, which springs up a little later. It hasan upright raceme of small pinkish flowers with long purple stamens, and looked at closely each flower can be seen to have six petals (perianth-segments more properly), each pink with a green stripe down the middle, turned back like a Turk’s-cap or Martagon lily. The flower is a near relation of the wild hyaciuth or blue-bell of England. The fieshy green leaves with black spots are used as food, and poor people may now be seen gathering them near Yeraoda. A little pinkish-white star-like flower, Iphigenia indica, may be seen at the same time or a little later, and later still, when visitors have mostly left the hills, appears a pretty white flower with yellow anthers, Chlorophytum breviscapum. It may be seen in July, in compounds in Kirkee and near Yeraoda Jail, carpeting the ground like snowdrops, which it much resembles though not so tall. A taller species, Chlorophytum orchidastrum, bears similar flowers on a scape two feet high. This appears at Mahableshwar in the rains, and may also be found at Sakharpathar. Another lily which, though not seen’ at Mahableshwar, must on no account be passed over is the grand climber, Gloriosa superba, fitly described by its name. The long reflexed waved petals are scarlet and yellow. Tho only other members of the order at Mahableshwar are both climbers and very unlike lilies. Smilaz macrophylla has broad oval leaves with strong veins not parallel, insignificant greenish flowers, and conspicuous clusters of shining green berries, red when ripe. ‘The Asparagus creeper, Asparagus racemosus, has pointed cladodes in place of leaves and racemes of small white fragrant flowers. A standard Asparagus, with no tendency to climb, is found near Poona and is perhaps Asparagus Jacquemonti?, A lovely climber, Myrsiphyllum asparagoides, has lately been introduced into Bombay gardens. The lily of Mahableshwar gardens is the Blue African lily Agapanthus umbellatus, which belongs to the same tribe as the homely necessary onion and the intrusive garlic. It does not do well in lower regions, Hemerocallis fulua, the Day lily, is sometimes seen. It 4 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. somewhat resembles the Tiger lily. The commonest flower of the lily order in our gardens is the absurdly-named Tnbe-rose, Polyzena or Polyanthes ¢uberosa, really the tuberous-rooted Polyanthes. It is largely grown in native gardens. The other lilies are mostly foliage plants, Sikhim, 1800 feet up. Not common at the lower elevations. I obtained two specimens in July and August attracted to light. Genus CeLama, WIk. 1532. C. lativittata, Moore, (Piate II, Fra. 11.) Sikhim and Bhutan, 2500—3000 feet. I have four specimens which I took at Fagoo attracted to ight in August and October. I never captured it in Sikhim. Three of my specimens are males and have the antenne strongly pectinated. 1538. C. encausta, Hmpsn. Sikhim, 1800 feet. This is rather rare and my only epee were taken at Punkabaree at light in October. 1530. C. fasciata, W1k. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1800—38000 feet. A well marked species, not un- common. A fresh specimen of a male in perfect condition in my collection has dorsal tufts of pale brownish scales on the first and second abdominal segments and the extremity of the abdomen with a -- HETEROCERA OF SIKHIM AND BHOTAN. 7 buff-coloured tuft of long hairs over the claspers. It occurs from June to November. C. disticta, Hmpsn. Bhutan, 2500—3000 feet. Common at light i in May, June and ee 1526. C. astigma, Hmpsn. : Sikhim. Ihave not taken this. (The only Sikhim specimen I have seen, the type of the female, was taken by me at light at Darjee- ling in July.—H. J. £,) | C. ‘duplicilinea, Hmpsn. Sikhim, 6800 feet. Rare in August in Darjeeling station, 1528. C. internella, W1k. Bhutan, 2500 feet. I took two males of this species at F ag00 at light in August. 1541a. CC. erythrostigmata, Hmpsn. (PLATE II, Fra. 31. ) Bhutan, 3000 feet. I have only procured two specimens of this both taken at light in August at Fagoo. Pisaramedioronata, Hmpsn,, is synonymous, 1520. C. teniata, Snell. Bhutan, 3000 feet. Only one specimen, a female which I took in November 1894 at Fagoo. This may be referable to C. mesomelana, Hmpsn., but is pure white, not brownish-white. C. suffusa, Umpsa. Sikhim, 7000 feet. J have not seen a specimen. C. mesomelana, Hmpsn. Sikhim, I have not received this unless the insect I have fdentited as C. teeniata, Snell, isa female of it. The male only is described by Sir Geo. Hampson. (A very distinct pale brownish species with prominent black medial band.— G. F. /7. ) 1534a. C. marginata, Hmpsn. (Puate II, Fic. 27. ) Sikhim and Bhutan, 1800—8000 feet. I have several specimens of this from these two localities. I have also taken it in the Kangra Valley Punjab, It occurs in March, April, May, August, September and Octo- ber. It is therefore probably double-brooded. | 1527. Ci squalida, Staud. Sikhim and Bhutan, 2500 feet, Rather scarce in May and June at light, 8 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, 1531. C. pumila, Snell. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1800—2500 feet. Very common from March to July and again in September. 1523. C. fleauosa, Pouj. Sikhim and Bhutan, 6800 feet. Iam very doubtful concerning my identification of this species. I have one specimen marked J, confusalis, Dup., by Sir Geo. Hampson which I think may belong to this. (1 took a specimen on Tonglo in July which has been identified with Nola confusalis by Snellen. I have one of Moore’s types of WN. sikhima which appears to me different, though Sir G. Hampson considers it a synonym. ‘This form or species | took at Darjeeling on June 21st.— Jeb dhe. 10p) C. polia, Hmpsn. Sikhim, 7000 feet. I have not seen a specimen. C. pheochroa, Hmpsn. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1800 feet up. This occurs in great numbers at the commencement of the rains at Fagoo, and is of the small suffused form. Genus Nous, Leech. 1534e. NV. tenebrosa, Hmpsn. (Puare Il, Fic. 24.) Sikhim, 1800 feet ; Bhutan, 2500 feet. This is not rare at light in May and June. I have specimens also which I took in April, Septem- ber and November. N. loxoscta, Hmpsn. Sikhim. I have not seen a specimen. 1537. LN. brunella, Hmpsn. Sikhim and Bhutan. I have one specimen which I am, however, not sure about, but which corresponds fairly well with Hampson’s figure in Ill. Hot. IX. My specimen was taken at Fagoo at light in June. 1524a. N. punctilineata, Hmpsn. ( Prats Il, Fic. 25.) Bhutan. I obtained two females only at Fagoo at light, one of which bears the date July. 1535. NV. argentalis, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan. Occurs not commonly in July. (I have twelve specimens varying somewhat of this, some of which I took at Darjeeling in August, others from Miller’s, Knyvett’s and Atkinson’s collections, I should call it one of the commonest of the Nolince at HETEROCERA OF SIKHIM AND BHUTAN, 9 Darjeeling, perhaps some of them belong to the following, but only a specialist can name such insects with any certainty. —H. J. ee NN. melanota, Hmpsn. Sikhim and Bhutan. This species is so like the iast that I do not think it is really veparable. WV. argentalis has the markings more clouded and is larger, but the same markings can be traced in NV, mela- nota better defined. The postmedial line being punctiform is scarcely, I think, sufficiently characteristic. Itis found from 18.0 feet up to 7000 feet in Sikhim, and I have one specimen from Bhutan from 2500 feet. July to October are the months during which I have taken it. (Quite distinct ; much smaller ; antennze with the branches shorter and paler than WV, argentalis, patagia wholly white— G. F. H.) 1533. NN. distributa, W1k. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1800—3000 feet. This is a common species at light at Fagoo and is to be taken at light from May to September. I have a specimen from Kangra also, which difters from Sikhim speci- mens in having the forewing broader and shorter. N. tristicta, Hmpsnv. Sikhim and Bhutan, 6400 feet. This species is apparantly very nearly allied to MN. distributa and N. microphasma. I have one specimen taken in September at Rissoom and another, which Iam not quite sure belongs here, taken in June. 1534 6. N. microphasma, But]. (Puate II, Fic, 26.) Bhutan, 2500 feet. i have taken this at light in July and August. 1520 a. WN. laticincta, Hmpsn. ( Puare II, Fie. 28. ) Bhutan. The type which is now in the British Museum is the only specimen I have seen. 1534 d. N. nigrisparsa, Hmpsn. (Prats II, Fia. 21. ) Sikhim and Bhutan. Five specimens have been taken by me at light at from 1800—3000 feet, in May, August, October and November. Genus Pacitonota, Hmpsn. 15416. P. seminigra, Hmpsv. (Puate II, Fie. 30. ) Sikhim, 1800 feet ; Bhutan, 2500 feet. I have eight specimens, six of which were taken by me at light at Fagoo and one at Punkabaree. Three of my specimens are males and differ only from the female in having the antennz bipectinate, with the branches shorter towards the apex. It is on the wing in June, July and August, 3 10 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. Genus Me_anocrapuia, Hmpsn. M. tympanistis, Hmpsn. (Puate II, Fre. 22. ) Sikhim,1860 feet. I obtained two specimens at light at Punkabaree, one of which bears the date August 1897. It is attracted to light. Genus DraLitHoprERA, Hmpsn. 1545 a. D. gemmata, Hmpsn. (Prats II, Fic. 29. ) Sikhim, 1800 feet. I have nine specimens taken by me at light at Punkabaree in May, July, September and October, The fovea at the upper angle of the cell of the forewing in the male is partially hidden beneath a large tuft of metallic scales. Genus RasELia, Hiibr. 15456. BR. lignifera, Wk. Sikhim, 1860 feet ; Bhutan, 2000 feet. I first met with this insect in the larval stage in 1894, having discovered a colony of them upon a felled tree ai Fagoo. From these, six or seven perfect insects were obtained all emerging in December. The caterpillar has the appear- ance of a snowflake, as it is covered with a downlike easily detached substance similar to that found upon the larva of Epicopeia. The successive cast skins of the head are attached one above the other to a tuft of long hair behind the head. Subsequently at Punkabaree I obtained five more of the perfect insect in February, May, July, November and December. 1546. &. scripta, Moore. Sikhim, 7000 feet. Occurs but not commonly in Darjeeling in July and August. (This pretty and distinct species occurs from April to July at Darjeeling at light—H. J. EF.) 1547. RR. strigivena, Umpsn. Sikhim. I have only taken this on one occasion. It must be a rare species. (I never took this myself, the type came from Moller’s cellec- tion and seems very distinct.— H. J. E.) R. triangulalis, Leech. Sikhim. There is one female in the British Museum from my collection, but I have never taken it again. 1544. FR. argyria, Hmpsn. Sikkim. I never obtained this. {A well marked species of which I have but one specimen and do not know its date or exact locality. SE) HETEROCERA OF SIKHIM AND BHUTAN. 11 1549. R. ntida, Hmpsn. Sikhim, 1800 feet; Bhutan, 3000 feet. I obtained three males at light in November 1894 and 1897 at Fagco and Punkabaree. I have since taken one female in the Kangra Valley in September. The male has the antennee bipectinated. 1540 a. R. argentescens, Hmpsn. ( Puate II, Fic. 32. ) Sikhim and Bhutan, 3000 feet. A rare species of which I only obtained two females at light, one of which bears the date August. 1545. R. semirufa, Umpsn. Sikhim. - I have not received this species. (I have only one speci- men, the type which I believe came from Knyvett’s collection. — JG Sh, 185) 1547 a. R. cuneifera, Wik. (Prats II, Fie. 13.) Sikhim and Bhutan, 2500 feet. In my figure of this species the abdomen is represented as pargially dark-brown, this is incorrect. In the seven specimens in my collection it is greyish-white. My speci- mens were taken by me at light in April, May, June and August. I only once procured it at Badamtam, the others being all from Fagoo. Selca ruficosta, Hmpsn., is synonymous. 1522. R. denticulata, Moore. Sikhim. I have not taken this. (My specimens were taken at Darjeeling in August and have been compared with the type in the col- lection of Atkinson. Snellen has the same insect trom Java, —H. J. E.) 1548. &. aseripta, Hmpsn. Sikhim, 1800 feet. I took one male of this in September at Punkabaree. Sub-family LITHOSIAN A. Genus Nrosnavia, Hmpsn. 1379 a. N. scoteola, Hmpsn. Sikhim, 2600 feet. The type in the British Museum is from Dr. Pilcher’s collection. I have not met with the species. Genus Poxios1a, Hmpsn. 1381le. P. muricolor, WI1k., Sikhim, I have not taken this. 13816. P. punctivena, Hmpsn. Sikhim, 1800 feet. Rare at Punkabaree where | obtained three specimens only in June, July and September. ig JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, 1347. P. brunnea, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan 2500—6400 feet. “I have only one pair of this obtained at light in June and September. 1353. PP. cubitéfera, Hmpsn. Sikhim and Bhutan, 2500 feet. Occurs commonly at light from May to September at Fagoo. Genus Lexis, Wellen. L, julveola, HAmpsn. Sikhim, 2600 feet. Type in British Museum. Two specimens are recorded from Dr. Pilcher’s collection. Genus Mirauna, Moore. 1372. M. quadriplaga, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 2500-6700 feet. A common insect with a great range of distribution in this locality. It occurs from June to October. 1872b. MM. strigifera, Hmpsn. Sikhim. I have not obtained this. Genus InemA, Hiibn. 1363. JI. tortrécotdes, Wk. Sikhim and Bhutan, 2500 feet. Common in May, July, August and Octobere (Occurs at Mongpo in June.— H. J. E. ) 1373. JI. tumida, Wk. Sikhim and Bhutan, 2500 feet. I have taken this only in the latter locality from July to September. I have four males and four females in my collection all captured at light. 1374. JI. protuberans, Moore. Sikhim aud Bhutan, 1800—3000 feet. I have often taken the female of this species, but only once have I found a male. It is attracted to light in May, June, August, September and November. 1336. J. distorta, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 3000 feet up. CommoninJune, Males scarcer than females. 1329. TI. tetragona, W1k. Sikhim, 5000 feet. Ihave never taken this myself, but have two specimens brought in by collectors. (I have several from Méller’s and Knyvett’s collections taken in April, but never saw it alive myself. It yaries much in size and it looks as though two species were confused under this name.— H, J. LH.) HETEROCERA OF SIKHIM AND BHUTAN. 3 1331. I. venosa, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 3000—6800 feet. I have four specimens. This is either a variable species in markings or two of my specimens belong to another species. (I also think 1 have two species under this name but not enough of them to form an opinion upon. I have taken it in the Khasia hills in September at about 4000 feet.—H. J. E.) 1334. JI. plumbeomicans, Hmpsn. Sikhim, 4000 feet. I have not seen this. (I also have never seen this from Sikhim, the types are from the Naga hills. —H. J. E.) 1334b. I. brunnea, Moore. Sikhim, 7000 feet. Number 1347 in Hampson’s Moths of India is Poliosia brunnea, Moore, not this species. 1348. J. auriflua, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 3000 feet. I have only one pair taken in October. 1371. JL. vagesa, Moore. Sikhim, 1800 feet. I have only two females which I took at light in May and July. Both sexes are very common in the Kangra Valley Punjab, during the rains. (I have both sexes from Modller’s collection but never took it myself.—H. J. E. ) 1354. J. oblitterans, Feld. Sikhim and Bhutan, 6400 feet. I took two specimens at Rissoom in April attracted to light. Numbers 1355 and 1354 are the same species. : 1358. IL. conformis, W1k. Sikhim and Bhutan. ‘he neuration of the forewings of specimens from Sikhim differ from those from Kangra Valley. In the former veins, 10, 7, 8 and 9 arestalked in the order given with 6 from below the angle of the cell, but in the latter 10, 9, 8 and 7 is the eH. with 6 close to the origin of them. I, perdentata, Druce. Bhutan. I have two males corresponding with the figure in Cat. Lep. Phal. There isa deep groove in the forewing from the base along the lower sides of vein 2 and another below vein 38. The Bhutan specimens agree with the figure of the female in Hampson’s Plate, but the interspaces beyond the medial angled line are fuscous leaving the yeins rather broadly ochreous. The neuration is as follows :—Forewing; 14 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 2 from middle :of cell curved near the base, 3 and 4 en a long stalk, 6 from below angle, 7, 8 and 9 on a long stalk, 10 free, 11 and 12 anastomosing : hindwing normal. Taken at light in July and August, at Fagoo. 1352. JL. reticulata, Moore. Sikhim, 7000 feet. I have only one specimen in my collection which was taken by Dr, Pilcher in May. (I have two pairs of this distinct species but without exact indication of locality —H. J. EL.) 1362. J. guadrisignata, Moore. Sikhim. I do not know this, (1 cannot identify this trom Moore’s plate though I have one which Sir G. Hampson thought might be it—_H, J. LE.) 1368. J. terminalis, Moore. Sikhim. This also is not known tome. (I do not know on what grounds Sir G. Hampson treated L. semijusca, Elwes, P. Z. 8,, 1890 p. 20, fig. 204, as aform of /, termenalis. My type is most unlike Moore’s figure.—H. J. E.) 1366. J. cucullata, Moore. Bhutan, 2500 feet. [have one male taken in July which corresponds to this in the head and thoras being black and the forewing brown. There is no areole ; 10, 7, 8 and Y are stalked and 6 is from just below the angle of the cell. 1348a. J. chrysophleps, Hmpsn. (Puars I, Fie. 10) Bhutan, 3000 feet. The type inthe British Museum is the only specimen I have taken. 1342. I. fumidisca, Hmpsn. Sikhim. I have never received aspecimen. (I have two specimens so named by Sir G. Hampson from Méller’s collection, one of which seems to me identical with what he calls J. antica, but I have not examined the venation. Whether mine are the same as the types from Tenasserim is, I think, doubtful—H. J. 4.) 1341. J. vicaria, Wk. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1800—3000 feet. Common in June, July and August. J. antzca, WIk., is a synonym of this species. 1343. JI. griseola, Hibn. Sikhim and Bhutan. I have taken this in May, Juneand November at Funkabaree. HETEROCERA OF SIKHIM AND BHUTAN, 15 1850. I. wanthocraspis, Hmpsn. Sikhim. I have nothing to correspond with the figure given in Cat. Lep. Phal. Hampson. J. nigripars, Hmpsn., is a synonym. 1382. I, basinota, Moore. Sikhim. I have only one specimen taken in April by Dr. Pilcher (I have one from Moller taken in May, another from Knyvett. It seems rare.— 7], J. FE.) 1356a. I. nigripes, Hmpsn. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1800—2£000 feet. The ferewing of the male is broader and paler than that of the female. I have nine specimens, all taken in May at light. : 1370. I. nigripars, W1k. Sikhim. Ihave never received this from this locality but have recently taken it in the Kangra Valley. JL. pallens, Moore, is a synonym. (I have § specimens taken at Darjeeling in July and August referred to this by Sir G. Hampson. They vary a good deal and I cannot draw the line with certainty between some of them and L. reticulata, Moore, as identified by him and Mr. Butler, of which I have 4 from Moller’s collection. A Khasia specimen is also intermediate. 1 think they require further study —H. J. E.) 1338. J. varana, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 6700 feet. Ihave only one female which I took at Pasheteng. This was attracted to light in October. (This was not uncommon at light at Darjeeling during the rains of 1886.— Hf, J. E.) Genus CHrysorABpia, But]. 1327. C. viridata, WIk. Sikhim and Bhutan, 6000—7000 feet. I have taken this at light in June, July and September. (Taken by me at Darjeeling and at light on Tongloo, 1000 feet, in July and August— H. J. EL. ) 1328. C. divitta, Wk. Sikhim. Ihave not received this. (I have two males of C. dis- juncta, Moore, from Moller’s collection both taken in September and two females of what Sir G. Hampson has identified as C. bivitta, taken in May and June. Ido not believe they are sexes of the same species ; the patagia of the female being quite different, as are the markings of the forewings from those of C. désjuncta. As Walker says the 16 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, thorax of C. dcvitta has a green spot on each side, these females cannot in my opinion belong to that species and may require a new name, if, as I suppose, they are not the females of C. disjwncta.— EPI E:) 13280. C. aurantiaca, Hmpsn. Bhutan, 6700 feet. I took one male at Pasheteng in September attracted to light. ( Walker’s description of C. bévitta, I consider applies better to this species than to what Sir G. Hampson has identified with it, and I believe the name aurantzaca should be sunk as a synonym, The types were in Mr. Saunders’ collection from ‘“ Hindostan.” I have it from the Khasias whence many of Walker’s types came.— lala dh, J8p)) 13285. C. alpina, Hmpsn. Yatung, 10000 feet. This may probably occur at similar altitudes in Sikhim proper and Bhutan. The Chumbi Valley, in which Yatung lies, is situated on the Southern watershed of the Himalayas and possesses a similar fauna to that ef N. Sikhim. Genus Curysaneiia, Butl. 1325. C. magnifica, W1k. Sikhim, 7000 feet. I do not think this is uncommon in Sikhim, but I have only one specimen in my collection without date. (I have two pairs from Méller’s collection. The femalesare much larger than the males. Mr. Knyvett told me he had taken it at Jor-pokri at about 7000 feet on the road to Tongloo.— H. J. LE.) Genus Acytia, WIk. 1312. A. apicalis, Moore. Sikhim, 5500 feet. I have only procured two examples at Tukvar. I do not think it is separable from A. albefinis, Wik. The specimen remaining in my collection has the cilia of the hindwing white from the apex to vein 4, (I have one male and three females from Sikhim, of which two females only have some white on the cilia of the hindwing, A pair of A, albifinis from Sabathu, N.-W. Himalayas, have much more white, but 1 expect Mr. Dudgeon is right about their being varieties of the same species—H. J. £.) 1320. A. divisa, Moore. Sikhim. (A single specimen from Moller’s collection is exactly like those I have from the Khasias— H. J. E.) HETEROCERA OF SIKHIM AND BHUTAN. 17 1313. A. beema, Moore. Sikhim, 7000 feet. Rather scarce in Darjeelingin June. Mr. Elwes remarks that he took it at 5000 feet in May and at Darjeeling in June, bui; did not find it uncommon. 1308. A. metawantha, Hmpsn. (Plate Die jig lia): : Bhutan, 2500—3000 feet. The type in the British Museum is the only one I have procured. 1321, A. rufifrons, Moore. ‘Sikhim and Bhutan, 2500 feet. I took this at Fagoo in May at light. 1319. A. albocinerea, Moore. Sikhim, 7000 feet. Occurs in August in Darjeeling. (Seems rare as I have only three specimens which resemble A. sericeipennis closely, but have not the orange colour of that species. —Z. J. E.) 1809. A, prasena, Moore. Skhim and Bhutan. This species was included in she genus Macrobrochis inthe Moths of India, Vol. 11 ; it resembles MM. gigas, Wik., somewhat in markings. Not common from May to September. 1315. A. ramelana, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 5000—7000 feet. A common insect in Darjeeling down as far as Tukvar from June to September. (The females vary very much, in one, the spots of the forewing are absent, in another, they are almost obsolete on both wings. In the male the band of the forewing varies in size and shape.— H. J. EF.) 1316. A. dzpars, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 6700 feet. I have only one male from the last locality. It differs from the description given in that, the terminal half of the forewing is brown witha bluish metallic lustre. (I have a similar male from Atkinson’s collection which is distinct from my only female which has the markings of a male of A. ramelana. I havea third one (sex doubtful ) with yellowish hindwings, the same size and with similar markings to A. ramelana.— H. J. E.) 1314. A. maculata, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1800—2500 feet. Rare, I have only obtained four males and two females in April, July and August. In one female only a small black spot remains on the hindwing. ( I have three males anda female from Moller’s collection, but never took it myself.— Jie, Sha) 3 18 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, Genus Lrrnosta, Fabr. 1326. ZL. quadra, Linn. Sikhim, Occurrence based upon one abnormal specimen in the col- lection of Mr. Elwes. (I hardly think this specimen can be the same as J. quadra, but it is hardly fit to describe and we must hope that others will be found to settle the question of its identity.— H. J. E.) Genus Aaristus, W1k. 13806. A. guttivtta, WIk. Sikhim, 7000 feet. Not common at light in Darjeeling. (I found this common in 1886, but there is evidently much difference in the abundance of some species in different seasons.—H. J. LE.) Genus Sricrane, Hmpsn. 1390. SS. fractilinea, Snell. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1800—3000 feet. I have taken this at light in June, July and October. In all my specimens the medial band on the . forewing is continuous and unbroken. 4mene mult¢puncta, Hmpsn., is asynonym. ( Probably this is what I have as Oemene maculifascia, but I should not like to identify it with certainty— A. J. EL.) d£mene maculifascia, Moore, is placed in the genus Parasiccia by Hampson. Genus Loposasis, Hmpsn. 1598a. L. nivetmaculata, Hmpsn. Sikhim and Bhutan, 2500 feet. The type is the only specimen I have taken. Genus GarupiniA, Moore. 1400a. G. biplagiata, Hmpsn. Bhutan, 2500 feet. The type in the British Museum is the only specimen taken by me. Genus Hucyctorera, Hmpsn. 1394a. E. plagidiscea, Hmpsn. Bhutan, 2500 feet. I obtained two specimens only of this, one of which is in the British Museum. The one in my collection was at- tracted to light at Fagoo in July. Genus PapEntA, Moore. 1401la. P. duplicana, Wk. Bhutan, 2500—38000 feet. I took one specimen of an insect which seems intermediate between P. transversa, WIk. and P. duplicana, W1k., in March 1895 at Fagoo. The forewing is yellowish white with HETEROCERA OF SIKHIM AND BHUTAN. 19 cupreous narrow bands, the antemedial one being slightly angled below the cell, and the postmedial one arising from just beyond the middle of the costa and running obliquely to vein 2 where it is sharply angled downwards and continues parallel to the outer margin. Genus Oxacmz, Hmpsn. 1393. O. dissimilis, Hmpsn. Sikhim, Ihave not seen this. It is said to occur at 2800 feet. (I have the typefemale of this curious little species which must be very rare in Sikhim.— H. J. £.) 20 THE POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOMBAY. By Lieut.-Cotone. K. R. Kirtikar, I.M.S., F.L.S. ‘Crivin SurGEON, RaTNaAGIRi. Part XIX. (Wirth Pate U.) (Continued from page 623, Vol. XI.) DATURA FASTUOSA, Linn. NatuRAL ORDER—SOLANACES. Maratat:—8qt (Dhatixd), FAI (Dhitrd), aaa (Dhotard.) This is a herbaceous, coarse, rank-scented plant, with a colourless juice. Older parts of the plant, glabrous; younger and growing parts covered with evanescent whitish pubescence, otherwise known as “ silvery-down,” STEM.—it is irregularly zigzag ; 1-2 ft. high, even 4 or 5 ft. some= times ; rather succulent from containing much pith. Bark—polished, greenish generally, with a puplish tinge most marked at the nodes; at times slightly rough either with minute scattered hairs, or when without hairs, showing scars wherever any hair existed in the early stage of the bark. BraANcHES—divaricate ; marked with scars of fallen leaves. LEAVES—generally 5 to 6 inches long ; triangular or ovate, but acuminate always, even if rounded. LEAF-MARGIN sometimes entire, oftener with a few large lobes ; at times these large lobes have a few coarse short teeth. The leaves appear to the naked eye quite glabrous, but the magnifying- glass often shows a very minute pubescence on the upper as well as the under side of the leaf. The leaves, as a rule, are glaucous-green above, and paler beneath. he Mrp-r1s is prominent below, with a dash of purple; so are its main branches. The VeINs are pellucid ‘«sinuate and pinnate.” The leaves, says Clarke, are ‘‘ ovate entire or deeply toothed, glabrous.” (Hooker’s Fl. Br. Ind., Vol. IV, p. 242). PETIOLE—1-2 inches long. SrrpuLes—absent. FLOWERS—hermaphrodite, very large, solitary, erect from the node, but not axillary. Hooker remarks that the flower-buds in early stage are puberulous; so they are under a magnifying-glass, PrpuncLes—short stout, purplish, solitary. Bracts—absent. R.J.Budhavarkar del Mint ern Bros.Chromo hth. London. THE POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOMBAY. Datura fastusa linn Nat.Ord Solanacec. Alp Nok. Ste « THE POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOMBAY. 21 CALYX.—Tubular, free, 3 inches long, sometimes a little longer ; very minutely adpressed-pabescent: circumsciss, SEGMENTS—5 ; often only 3 or 4; 4-4 inch, wide; green, triangular, acuminate, acute. The lowermost portion 3-3 inch, persistent and enlarged in fruit. Lobes at apex $ inch long, ovate-lanceolate, according to some writers. COROLLA—tubular, funnel-shaped (otherwise called trumpet- shaped). Tuse—over 7 inches, generally, gradually widening upward. Lmp—recurved, 4 inches or more in diameter. Lopes—five ; pubes- cent on the back ; their plait or midrib terminating in a short linear or recurved acute tail. MstivatioN—plicate or valvate in funnel- part of the corolla ; and contorted at apex, 2.e., spirally twisted in bud, as also after the flower is fully open. ANDRCGCIUM, STA MENS —ineluded ; about as long as the corolla-tube. FinamEents—filiform ; adnate to the corolla-tube from base half- way up ; free further on. AntrHERs—linear ; bi-lobed ; each lobe nearly ? inch long. Dr. Trimen says they dehisce vertically, meaning of coarse—longitudznally. Connective—of the same length as the anther-lobes, filiform, _less than half the thickness of the filament. PoLLEN—white. GYNCCIUM, OVARY—papillose ; the papillae subsequently mature with progress of the pericarp of the fruit into sharp-pointed short prickles. Doubt- less most of the papillee are abortive. The ovary is superior, 2-celled, or imperfectly 4-celled ; seated on a yellowish Disk, 1-12 inch broad, and burying as much of the ovary in its substance. OvULES—numerous, on prominent peltate white placentas. PLACENTATION—axile. StyLe—linear, over six inches in length; at times half an inch longer than the stamens, at times half an inch shorter. Sticma—shortly two-lobed, often conical, mostly capitate ; 4 inch long, at times 3 inch. _ FRUIT—A capsule sub-globose, 4-celled, 4-valved, nodding on a curved peduncle ; supported at base on the reflected accrescent calyx. The pericarp is fleshy, green, covered with numerous scattered short 22 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. straight sharp conoid prickles, the base of the cone resting on the pericarp. 5 DenisceNcE—irregular (Trimen). Clarke describes it thus :— * Capsule sub-indehiscent, or irregularly dehiscent near the apex.”’ SEEDS—very numerous, somewhat compressed, sub-reniform, close-packed’; pale-brown when the fruit is mature and dry ; albuminous. Trimen says that the seeds are “nearly smooth.’ The general testimony, however, is that the outer coat or the cuticle of the seed-is ‘‘rugose.” It isso, not only when the seed is examined old and dry, but also when it is fresh, There is an excellent figure in Guy and Ferrier’s Med. Jurisprudence (page 534, 5th Hd., 1881), of the rough honey-combed cuticle of the dry seed of D. stramonium, a congener of the plant I am describing, the seed of which latter is not far different from that of D. fastuosa. A detailed description of the seed will be given further, where the Hmeryo is also described in detail. It is enough to say here that the embryo is curved round the central endosperm, that is to say the embryo is peripheric. In this the seed of D. fastuosa resembles in structure the seed of D. stramonium. GENERAL REMARKS. The description given above is mostly based on that of Dr. Trimen’s as published in Part III of his elaborate and exhaustive Flora of Ceylon, a work, which it is much to be regretted, he did not live to complete. The first part of his Flora of Ceylon was published in 1893, The second part appeared in 1894, and the third in 1895. The climate of Ceylon, where Dr. Trimen worked zealously from 1879 as the Director of the beautiful Gardens of Peradeniya, proved fatal to him. He died on the 16th October 1896 to the regret of the entire botanical world, without finishing his Flora of Ceylon. It was left to the venerable veteran botanist Sir Joseph Hooker to bring out the fourth and fifth parts of the work undertaken by Dr. Trimen. Dr. Trimen’s Ceylon Flora must be considered an elaborate supplement to Sir Joseph Hooker’s Standard Flora of British India, The latter is the conjoint work of several distinguished botanists, whereas the former is the work of a single hand, the product of the patient researches of a man possessed of a wide and marvellous capacity for original botanical work, THE POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOMBAY. 23 THE Synonyms of Datura fastuosa are numerous. I wish to devote a few lines to consider them with a view to show how the nomencla- ture of the Indian species of the Genus Datura has been determined by various European, American, and Indian botanists of note. It seems al] the more necessary to do so, as it will be seen from Clarke’s description of the N. O. Solanaceze (Hcoker’s Fl. Br. India, Vol. IV), that under Genus Datura, (pp. 242, 243), there are queries and doubtful varieties referred to, which are somewhat perplexing. It would be useful, therefore, to study page 720 of Fasciculus I of Sir Joseph Hooker’s Index Kewensis (1893), where we find the following synonyms for Datura fastuosa, Linn. :-— 1, D, Mgyptica, Vesl. &. | 8. D. levis, Schkuhr. 2. D.alba, Nees. 9. D. Metel, Mill. 3. OD. Bojeri, Delile. 16, D. muricata, Link, 4, D, dubia, Rich. 11. D. Nilhummatu, Dun, 5. D. humilis, Desf. 12. D.stramonium, Thunb. 6. D. hummatu, Bernh. 13, D. Wagmanni, Steud. Nom. 7, D. inoxia, Mill. Ed, IT; I. 484, The following are the synonyms of Datura Metel, Linn., as given in Hooker’s Index Kewensis :— 1, D. fruticosa, Hornem, &c. 3, D. timoriensis, Zipp. 2. D.guayaquilensis, H, K.& B. Under this head I may mention the synonyms of Datura Meteloides, D, C. ex. Dun., especially as Emeritus Professor Marshall Woodrow of Poona College of Science mentions D. Meteloides in his work on Gardening in India (p. 401, 3rd Ed. 1899, Bombay). They are as follows :— i. D.Metel, Moc, and Sesse, ex Dun. D, 9. Prod. xiii. 1, 2. D. Wrightii. The following are the synonyms of Datura stramonium, Linn., as given in Hooker’s Index Kewensis :— 1, D, Capensis, Bernh. 2. D. ferox, Nees. D, pseudo-stramonium, Sieb, 3. D. loricata, Sieb. D. tatula, Linn, 4, D, lurida, Salisd, 8, D. Wallichii, Dun., D. C. Dr. Norman Chevers in his Medical Jurisprudence for India mentions a species of Datura under the name of D, ferox, on the authority of Dr. W. Palmer, as found in India. In Hooker’s Index Kewensis, D. ferox is referred to China only. In Johnson’s Gardener’s D. parviflora, Salisb. SEO TEN 24 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. Dictionary also D. ferox is mentioned as a China plant, bearing white flowers. In Hooker’s Index Kewensis the following synonyms are given for D, ferox :— 1, D, Bertolinii, Parl, &e, 2. D. levis, Birtol, Fl.:Ltal &e. To sum up, although Clarke in Hooker’s F]. Br. India describes D. fastuosa and D, Metel as separate species as originally named by Linneus, Dr. Trimen says that the two species are scarcely sevarable (Flor. Ceylon, p. 238-239, Pt. ILI, 1895). Fltickiger and Hanbury hold the same view. They say that D. alba, Nees, appears to be scarcely distinct from D. fastuosa, Linn. PD, alba and D. stramonium according to these writers are different, as they say “the seeds of D. alba are very different-in appearance trom those of D. stramonium being of a light yellowish-brown, rather larger size, irregular in shape and somewhat shrivelled.” (Pharmacographia, p. 462, 2nd Ed., 1879). The Datura plant is mentioned in Amarkosh, one of the oldest Sanskrit Dictionaries extant. Its author’s name is Amarsinha. Horace H. Wilson, a celebrated Sanskrit scholar, in the preface to the first edition of his Sanskrit-Hnglish Dictionary (1819), has it that Amarsinha flourished in the fifth century A. D.; the same view is held by another eminent Sanskrit scholar, Professor Monier Williams of Oxford. He says that the Amarkosha of Buddha Amarsinha belongs to a period not later than A. D.500. (See “ Indian Wisdom,” Monier Williams, p. 171, Lond., 1875). Thus it will be seen that the Datura plant has been known in India for several centuries. There are many synonyms in Amarkosh for Datura. We are chiefly concerned with two of them. They are as follows :— 1. 3-4a=(UOnmatta). This Sanskrit word is changed by European writers into Hummatu through the Tamil word Umattaz. The same Sanskrit word is adopted by some European writers as Vil-hummatu through the Telugu word Na@lla-ummitte, or Nalla-umetta. 9. HIte—(Mdaiula). Vhis Sanskrit word is changed by some European writers into Metel. I may here mention that the term Metelordes, which is used by some European writers, seems to be derived from the Sanskrit word AlMd%y—=(Matulunga). It must be noted here that the three Sanskrit words mentioned above indicate the white- flowered plant. For in Raja Nighant and in Bhay-Prakash there is THE POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOMBAY. 25 the term ®S14q%—(Krishna-Dhattura)—Black Datura. It bears purple or violet flowers, single or double. Note, however, that the purple or violet colour is seen here and there on stems, nodes, and petioles, and on the outside only, of the single and double-flowered corollas. The inside of the corolla-tube is pure white, or cream-coloured. There is no Datura flower which is absolutely as black as charcsal. I find in Roxburgh’s Flora Indica {p. 188, Oarey’s Calcutta Ed.), that Ramphius gives D. rubra as a synonym of D. fastuosa of Willdenow. Moreover I find in Dr. Norman Chevers’ Med, Juris- prudence (p. 179, Calcutta Hd., 1870) that the purple species named in Sanskrit as Krishna-Dhattura is known in Bengal as kald@,1.e., black Datura, or as l4l, i.e., red Datura. In Western India, especially in the Konkan from where I am writing this paper, the k@/@ Datura means the purple or violet variety. The red variety is unknown here. At least, I have not seen it, in the town and island of Bombay, in Salsette, in the Satara District (Dekkan), nor in the very heart of the Konkan —namely Ratnagiri District. [have been in the Ratnagiri District since 15th May 1898, examining the local flora. I have found no red- flowered variety of Datura. The third variety of Datura mentioned in old Sanskrit works such as Raja-Nighanta, Bhayva-Prakasha and others is named Taye (Raja Dhattéira)—the Royal Datura, Probably this included the double- flowered varieties in the olden days when the Sanskrit writers saw the plants actually growing before them. Under the common head TIATAT (Raja Dhattira) are included Datura plants which bear white, bluish, purple or violet, yellow, or red flowers. I give the Sanskrit terms seriatim indicative of these colours, as follows :— 1. faq (Sita)—White, single and double-flowered, 2. #16 (Nila)—Blue or dark blue. Note that this Sanskrit word signifies blue or dark-blue inrelation to animals, plants, clouds, minerals, etc. From this appellation the Telugu name Nallé-Ummité appears to be derived ; and thence the name Nilhummatu of those European writers who studied the plant on the Malabar Coast where Telugu is spoken. _ This is probably the same as the following variety :— 3. FT (Krishna)—Purple or violet-flowered variety. This is the pame, I think, as Krishna-Dkattura—Datura fastuosa mentioned above, or perhaps, the double-flowered variety of it. 4 26 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. 4, ajq (Pita)—Yellow-flowered variety, single or double-flowered, or both. Both these varieties are found in India, I had them once in my garden in Thana. ‘The single-flowered yellow varieties as named by European and American botanists and horticulturists are as follows :— D. humilis (pale yellow) ; D. chlorantha and D. lutea (yellow). 5. oifgq (Lohita)—Red-coloured variety known in Bengal, accord- ing to Norman Chevers as a;s (Lal) datura, ¢.e., either of the colour of iron-rust, or that of blood. It may also mean “of the colour of copper.” I have not seen such a variety on this side of India. But Firminger of Calcutta has mentioned a double-flowered and a single- flowered variety also of the red or scarlet-flowered Datura named D. sanguinea (see p.531, Manual of Gardening, 4th Hd., Calcutta, 1890). Firminger says that the flowers of this variety are of a deep red colour. The plant “thrives wellin Ootacamund,” he adds. Nay, he says, this, that he obtained from Ootacamund plants of this deep-red-coloured variety of Datura for both the Calcutta Botanical Government Gardens and for his own private garden. But, says he, the plants soon perished seemingly unsuited to the climate of Calcutta. Note that the Caleutta Botanical Government Gardens, which I visited not long ago, are on alluvial soil on the banks of the Hooghly River in low-land regions ; whereas the plants bearing blood-red flowers were taken by Firminger for growth in Calcutta from the high-land plateau of Ootacamund, which is 6,000ft. above sea-level. Ido not know whether this red- flowered variety oxists in the beautiful gardens of Bangalore. Dr. Cameron’s elaborate catalogue of the plants growing or nursed in those gardens is just now not with me, or else I might have heen able to say something more with regard to the prevalence of the red-flowered variety in Southern India. Practically the red-flowered variety is extinct in Western India. If it could not live in the lowlands of Bengal, it cannot possibly live, or if at any time it lived in the low- lands of the Konkan, it could not survive. In this connection I must add that in Roxburgh’s Fl. Indica (op. ezt, p. 188), D. rubra (Rumph) ig mentioned as a synonym of D. fastuosa (Zinn). I gather from Hooker’s Index Kewensis (Fasc. I, p. 720) that in America, among the Columbian plants, there is the single-flowered D. coccinea and the single-flowered D. sanguinea of Peru. Then again, among the THE POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOMBAY. 27 double-flowered plants, there is the D. fastuosa—rubra of South America. The following note on D. sanguinea (Ruiz. et. Pav.) by M. Berthold Seeman, Naturalist, H. M.’s Herald, may perhaps interest my readers as an illustration of popular faith in the plant—a mere superstition—among the American Indians of Darien and of Choco, These superstitious people of tropical America prepare from the seeds of the plant a decoction, which is given to children to produce a state of excitement in which they are supposed to possess the power of discovering gold. In any place where the un- happy children happen to fall down, digging is commenced ; and as the soil nearly everywhere abounds with gold-dust, an amount of more or less value is obtained (p. 170, Vol. XI., Pharm. Journal 1852), This passage I find particularly worth quoting, as in India the administra- tion of datura seeds to unsuspecting victims is not for collecting gold likely to be found in Indian soil-dust, but for searching the pockets of travellers and shop-keepers and depriving them of the gold and silver that may be with or about them, after they are well stupified with Datura seeds administered in various articles of food and drink. This will be amply evident in my remarks to follow under the head of “ Poisonous Properties. ”’ I wish to dwell for a moment in naming the DoUBLE-FLOWERED varieties of the genus Datura, as in my experience I have found them of great garden-beauty, having grown them in my garden, in Thana and Ratnagiri. The double-flowered varieties have been named (by writers well worthy of recognition) as follows :— I, (a) Datura cornigera florepleno, WHITE (6) Datura Knightii. II, Purrie, Datura fastuosa—florepleno, III, Yettow, Datura chlorantha-florepleno, IV. PurpLe-Wuits, Datura fastuosa—rubra (S, America), Synonym—D,. Wagmanii (Hooker’s Ind. Kew.). It must be noted here that in the double-flowers of Datura of all colours the anther-bearing stamens are changed into petals or perianth either antherless, or bearing anther-lobes more or less modified, on the extreme margin of the inner corolla-tube. “ Indeed,” says Kerner, “there are grounds for believing that all petals are originally modified from stamens.” Be it noted here that double-flowers remain on the plant on which they grow, two or three days longer than the single-flowers, 28 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. I now proceed to say a few words about the Scent of the flowers. Opinions on this point vary ; there is the old saying :—“ Quot homines, tot sentent?ee—as many men, so many opinions. This is the same as saying in the gustatory line, de gustébus non disputandum.” Lindley says that the flowers of Datura are sweet-scented, especially at night. Note that the flowers of Datura of all kinds open about sunset, or just after, and close about or soon after sunrise. Bishop Hebr’s lines are well worth quoting here :— “The broad Datura bears her breast Of fragrant scent, a virgin white, A pearl amidst the realms of night.” These lines are somewhat differently worded in Rev. Mr. Nairne’s “ Flowering Plants of Western India” (p. 209, 1894), but the fragrance of the flowers is referred to. Mr. Donald McDonald says the Datura shrubs produce amidst a mass of elegant foliage large and fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers. ‘‘ Those flowers that are lasting may be taken under glass to impart a delicate yet powerful scent throughout the green-house.”* As regards the odour of the leaves of Datura the general testimony is that they are rank, smoky. The odour is characteristically offensive ; herbivorous animals shrink from it, says Kerner. Lauder Brunton says that the leaves have a heavy odour, which is strongest while they are drying, and of a mawkish faintly bitter nauseous taste. Over four hundred years ago John Gerarde, of London, made the following remarks on the Thorn-apple plant in an elaborate and wonderfully accurate work entitled ‘The Herball’ :—‘“ The flowers are of strong ponticke savour offending the head when smelled unto. * * * The herbe itselfe is of astrong savour and doth stuffe the head and causeth drowsinesse.” (P. 347). In Sowerby’s later work first published about the middle of the nineteenth century, and entitled “ British Poisonous Plants,” it is said that the leaves of D. stramonium have a slightly foetid odour, but the flowers are sweet- scented though producing stuper if their exhalations are breathed for any length of time. (P. 29, 2nd Hd., 1861, London). “The whole plant smells of bean meal.” (P. 134, Loudon’s Eneyclopcedia of Plants, 1829, London). The flowers, says Loudon, have an agreeable odour * See p. 37, 1895, “ Sweet-Scented Flowers,” THE POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOMBAY. 29 first, but if smelt long they become less agreeable, and are narcotic. Whether the odour of this flower or that of the several species or varieties of the Datura genus be considered sweet or otherwise, frag- rant or offensive, depends entirely on individual capacity to appreciate the differences or even the degrees of scents. Mr. J. Ch. Sawer, F.L.S., very wisely remarks, that ‘‘ odours are differently appreciated by ditferent people, and what pleases one person may have a reverse effect on another ; thus the strong odour of Tagetes patula (French marigold) and Tagetes erecta is not unpleasant to some, while others consider it very objectionable.’ (Odorographia ; Introduction, p. xvi, 1892, London.) The same remark may be applied to the Datura plants. Apart from the fact that the Datnra plants are rank weeds, grow- ing amidst hedges, fields and dunghills, where no human hand has sown them, often prevailing where they are not wanted, it is unques- tionable, that the Thorn-apple is artistically speaking, a plant of great beauty, and quite a garden-ornament. Dr. Christison of Edinburgh remarks in his work on Poisons (1845), that the Thorn-apple in his day had become quite an ornament of Hdinburgh Gardens, Firmin- ger of Calcutta, on the other hand, is quite of a different opinion, although he is an able writer on Gardening. He would destroy the Thorn-apple plants after their flowers cease to bloom. Jor, he says, ‘‘ they take up much room and look unsightly.” Evidently Firminger has not the artistic eye or talent of Ruskin, or even of Kerner, The latter observes, that in the Datura plant the various forms, and the distribution of the green leaves, young and old, on the surface of the stem is very characteristic. Their position and form aftord much room for observation. The unequal size of adjoining leaves on the same branch or stem is quite an artistic phenomenon. Looking down upon a horizontally projecting branch of the Datura plant, the larger and smaller leaves will be found arranged in quite a peculiar and striking manner. The smaller leaves are seen in the gaps between the larger ones. This mosaic-like fitting-together of larger and smaller leaves appears to be combined with the want of symmetry of the leaf-base most marked in the old long-stalked leaf.* It requires an artistic eye to appreciate these observations. It is not always that * See Kerner’s Nat, Hist, of Plants, Oliver’s English Version, Vol. I, p, 422, 1894. 30 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. a gardener’s eye is artistic. It appears from Loudon (op. cit), that the Stramonium plant was known to the Greeks as the mad- apple. It is not mentioned by Professor Daubeny in his Oxford Lectures on the Trees and Shrubs of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. POISONOUS PROPERTIES. All the species or their varieties hitherto known of the Datura genus are decidedly poisonous. ‘he purple or violet-coloured variety is more deadly. All writers, Huropean, American, or old Indian, are agreed that every part of the plant is deleterious to human life, The seeds are the most poisonous of all parts of the plant, wherever it grows, A detailed description of the seed, therefore, may not be out of place here. I give it on the authority of Dr. William Palmer (Norman Chevers’ Med, Jurisprudence for India, pp. 184—185, Cal- cutta Ed., 1870). It runs thus:—The seed is almost kidney-shaped ; its outline, angular ; its size is rather more than a quarter of an inch long, and rather less in width ; its colour greenish-brown when fresh, changing to yellow, I may add deep brown, when dry; it is attached to the placenta by a large white fleshy mass, which separates easily, leaving a deep furrow along half the length of the concave border of the seed; the outer surface of the seed is scabrous, almost reti- culate, except on the two compressed sides, where it has become almost glaucous from pressure of the neighbouring seeds; the convex border of the seed is thick and bulged, with a longitudinal depres- sion between the bulgings caused ky the compression of the two sides. When the seed is divided into two, by cutting with a knife placed in the furrow on the convex border, the testa is seen irregular and angular in outline, and the embryo is curved and twisted ina fleshy albumen. The active principle of the plant is an alkaloid once known as Daturine. The seed contains it in larger proportions than any other part of the plant weight for weight. The alkaloid was also known at one time as Daturia. Sohn says that commercial Daturine is frequently a mixture of Hyoscyamine and Atropine or the for- mer solely. Datura stramonium, he says, also contains Stra- monine which is an alkaloid like Hyoscyamine and Atropine, but it is not bitter. Hyoscyamine hasa sharp and disagreeable odour ; THE POISONOUS PLANTS OF BOMBAY. 31 Atropine has a disagreeable metallic taste.* Erhardt and Poehl dis- pute the identity of Atropine and Daturine, says Sohn. Professor Dra- gendorff says+ that “according to the more recent researches of Laden- burg, henbane contains two alkaloids, one of which Hyoscyamine, is isomeric with Atropine, and identical with Daturine and Duboisine.” Ladenburg distinguishes Hyoscyamine from Atropine by the melting- points of the alkaloids, and their gold-salts, Professor Schmiedeberg of the University of Strassburg sayst that Atropine occurs in Daturine of the Thorn-apple ; Hyoscyamine, which is isomeric with Atropine is also said to be contained in the Thorn apple. But he doubts the identity of Duboisine with Hyoscyamine.4 Dymock and his collaborateurs who have carefully examined the plant, say that Prof. EH. Schmidt and Mr. Schute have found, as the result of their researches, that the seeds of D. stramonium contain much Hyoscyamine, with smal] quan- tities of Atropine and Hyoscine (Apoth. Zig., 1890, 511). Stramonine is not mentioned along with these. But in Dymock’s Ph. Indica it is stated that M. Gérard has prepared a new fat acid, Daturic acid, from the seeds, which yield 25 per cent. oil when extracted by ether. Puri- fied with petroleum, this oil is of a peculiar greenish-yellow colour. M. Gérard places Daturic acid between Palmitic and Stearic -acids, They have analogous properties. Daturic acid crystallizes by cold from 85 per cent. alcohol giving groups of fine needles, It is fairly soluble in cold alcohol and very soluble in ether and benzene. I have po comments to offer on the quotations I have given above from celebrated pharmacological investigators; but I have yet to place before my readers the most recent opinions expressed by Dr. Murrelllj as regards the nature of the active principles found in the different species of the datura plant and some of its congeners such as Bella- donna, Hyoscyamus and Duboisia myoporoides. Dr. Murrell says that according to the old classification the active principles were as follows :— 1. Belladonna contained Atropine. 2. Hyoscyamus—Hyosciamine and Hyoscine. 3. Stramonium—Daturine. * See p. 14, Sohn’s Dictionary of the Active Principles of Plants, 1894, London, { Plant Analysis—English Translation by Greenish, p. 60, 1884, London. { Elements of Pharmacology, Dixon’s English Translation, Edinburgh, 1887, ¢ Pharmacographia Indica, p. 588, Vol. II., 1891, Bombay, by Dymock, Warden, ‘and Hooper. ; | A Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Pages 430—452, London, 1896, 32 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. “Ladenburg,” adds Dr. Murrell, “has re-investigated the matter and says there are only three natural mydriatic alkaloids,* They are as follows :~= 1. oval, the apices just meeting; the inner marginis armed beyond the contiguous part with two minute teeth. The 9 is unknown. Habitat,—Ceylon (Thwaites, in coll. Hope, ex-coll., Westwood), This species is closely allied to NV. aséatica (Borm.), but may be distinguished by the shape of the forceps, which are quite straight, seen from the side, and not undulating ; the penultimate dorsal segment is also unaimed, and the elytra are different in shape, as is also the pronotum, There is-a doubtful winged species of the genus known from Madagascar, but it is otherwise confined to the Neotropical Region. Genus 1.—PYGIDICRANA (Serville.) Large insects. General colour yellowish-brown, varied with black or yellow, Antsine with more than 25 segments. Pronotum scurcely as bioad as the head, oval-round, or more or Jess rectangular in shape. The elytra are well dev loped, rounded at the apex, The scniellum is triangular, always distinct. The wings ure developed, and in most species project more or less beyond the elytra. The abdomen is long and cylindrical, without tubercular folds on tle second and third segments ; the last segment large, broadened in the @, The forceps are stout, the branches usually move or less conical in the @ and incurved, armed with strong teeth at the base, more or less. flattened; in the Q they are simple, straight and unarmed, The feet are short; the femora broad and flat, the first tarsal segment is zuaycely, as Ioug as.the’ third, the second is small and cylindrical, Pygidicrana, Serville, 1831, Rev, Meth, atic 1839, Orth, 19, THE BARWIGS OF CEYLONG. 62°22. 769 Borm.,, 1900. Forf, 15, Dohrn, Kirb,, Karsch., Burr., Scudd, eu This genus may:be recognised by its large size, general colouration, long antenne and distinct scutellum, It contains a Jittle less than thirty species, of which five are known to occur in Ceylon. PYGIDICRANA. 1. Head broader than pronotum. 2. Wings showing beyond elytra, 3. Head testaceous above, the borders black, with a black median line... 1, PICTA, Guerin, 3°3. Head black above, witha cen- tral testaceous star-shaped mark, 2, MARMORICRURA, Ser. 2°2, Wings not showing beyond elytra, je) Bilytra unicolorous) <-.--ccccss--sseeses 3° NIETNERT, Dohrn. 3°3. Elytra yellow, edged with brown, 4. CUMINGIT, Dohrn, 1:1 Head narrower than pronotum.......... 5. ANGUS'ATA, Dohrn. PYGIDICRANA PICTA, Guérin. Medium sized, Head yellowish, with black borders, and a black central line ; mouth parts varied with black, The antenne have more than thirty segments, which are brownish, Pronotum slightly narrower than the head, yellowish, with two black longitudinal bands; the corners are rounded, Scutellum, small, plain-yellow. Elytra brown, with three pale lines, the middle one broken obliquely truncated at apex. Wings well developed, yellow, with the suture darker and the outer margin darker. Sternum uniform yellow, Feet yellow, the femora banded with black, the tibie with a few indistinct black marks, First tarsal segments longer than the third, Abdomen reddish-brown, smooth, the last segment broadened, darker in colour, granulated, the hinder bcrder rounded, slightly emarginate at the corners, which end in a sharp point. For- ceps black, flat beneath, keeled above, the branches stout, straight, gradually converging, to form a small narrow oval, granulated on the ‘nner margin at the part meeting near the apex, and then contiguous until the apex itself, where the points decussate. In the Q the branches are contiguous their whole length, and toothed on the inner side, _The whole body is pubescent. Length of the bod y............csssvee 6 2 27mm, i pete LOCO DSi ecenceesene wee & 7mm, Q 3-5 mm, ‘Pygidicrana picta Guérin,, Magasin de Zoolog., 1838, VIII 70, tab. 236, fig, 1. Dohrn, 1863, Stett. Eut. Zeit,, xxiv., 50. ; Borm, 1900, -Forf. 18, Habitat, —India, Madras (Guérin) ; Ceylon (Dohrn), Ceylon (Mus, Brux.). PYGIDICRANA MARMORICRURA, Serv. Large, General colour dull-black, the aifferent organs varied with light. testaceous, The head is dark-fuscous, with a testaceous patch in the centre 70- JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. of the occiput. Antenne with more than thirty segments, The pronotam is oval, narrower thn the head, pale-testaceous, with two parallel fusccus bands, The scutellum is distinct and testaceous, The elytra are large and broad, fuscous, with a testaceous spot. The visible part of the wings is testaceous, The feet are light-testaceous, with fuscous spots and markings. The body is cylindrical, black and shining, the last segment large and some- what dilated, especially in the g. The forceps are, in the @, stout, the branches contiguous at the base, dilated and flattened, but almost immediately diveiging, forming a so ewhat elongate oval, the branches meeting a little short of the apex, where there is a tooth, The branches are then contiguous to the apex itself, where they decussate. In the Q the branches of the forceps are cylindrical, and straight, contiguous, unarmed, the apices slightly decussating, The amount and depth of the coJouration varies very considerably, The forceps are usually black, but sometimes brownish, and often covered with golden hairs. g 2 Length of the body......... ..23-28 mm....... 23-25 mm, ‘ ,, LOTCEPS.......6. Soll Oe arssemee ereeoe (OD Pygidicrana marmoricrura, Serv., 1839, Orth., p. 20. Dohrn, 1863, Stett. Ent. Zeit., xxiv., 51. Scudd., 1876, Ent, Notes, V., p. 69. (nec Dubr., 1879, Ann. Mus, Civ, Gen., xiv,, p. 351=P, finschi,:Karsch.), Borm. 1900, Forf. 19. Pygidicrana marmoricauda, Sharp, 1895, Insects, I, 215. (Cambridge Nat. Hist.) This species appears to be extremely common in Java, There is a specimen in the Hope Collection, Oxford, labelled, “ Thwaites, Ceylon,” and I have received from Mr, Green asingle female that I refer with some doubt to this species, from Matale, VI., 97, from beneath loose bark on the stems of cocos- trees, Ae PYGIDICRANA NIETNERIT, Dohrn. “ Yellowish-fuscous, the antenne, feet and pectus testaceous, the latter with a dark spot in the middle of the segments; the head yellow markings ; the forceps redcish, with a yellow spot at the base; hairy. Length of body 20, breadth 3, length of forceps 44mm, Pygidicrana nietneri?, Dohrn, 1863, Stett, Ent. Zeit., xxiv, 53, Borm, 1900, Forf, 21. Head brownish-yellow, the frontal and occipital sutures bright-yellow, as also, parallel with these, two short stripes, like the underside and antenne, The hinder border is slightly rounded. Pronotum longer than broad, with parallel sides ; in the centre is a clear yellow furrvw, on each side of which is a small dimple, brown, the narrow border clearer, with stiff hairs. THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. 7 Scutellum broad, short, coloured and pubescent like the pronotum, Elytra somewhat longer than the pronotum, uniform-brown, with stiff hairs, Pectus bright-yellow, with a brown spot inthe middle of each segment, Feet uniform-yellow, with long hairs, the first tarsal segment longer than the third. Abdomen somewhat clearer than the elytra, especially the hinder borders of the segments, clothed entirely with fine grev hairs; the last dorsal segment is truncated in the middle of the hinder border, on the sides strongly (ausgebuchtet), slightly puckered up at the corners, Forceps straight, the underside flat and smooth, the upperside flat at the base, keeled towards the point, hairy, toothed on the inner side as far as the apex, reddish-brown, with a yellow spot at the base,” Habitat.—Ceylon (Nietner, Dohrn, B. M.), PYGIDICRANA CUMINGI, Dohrn, This is one of the smaller species of the genus. The head is dark, with a pale central spot; the pronotum is narrower than the head, oval, pale, with two parallel pale bands, The elytra «re ample, with a black border on each margin, broadest on the outside. The wings are not visible, The feet are uniform-testaceous in colour, The abdomen is black, broadens ing towards the apex, The last segment is large, each posterior angle being furnished with a small warty ridge in the ¢. In the 9 theanglesare simple, The forceps of the g are stout, the branches flattened and dilated, sub- contiguous, with a stout tooth on the outer margin near the base, the inner margin being unarmed ; near the apex the branches become more slender, and are curved upwards; at the apex the points meet, but the branches are curved asymmetrically, the left branch outwards, the right inwards, but the left branch is curved inwards strongly at the apex itself to meet the point of the right branch, In the 9 the branches of the forceps are stout and flattened, but simple and unarmed, contiguous throughout their length, decussating at the apex. d ? Length of the body...... 19°5-21 mm. 19-21 mm. 3 byt PROLEGP Shee iO seeceatseccuces 4 Pygidicrana cumingi, Dohrn, 1863, Stett. Ent, Zeit., xxiv,, 54. Borm, 1900. Forf, 21. This species was described by Dohrn from specimens from Ceylon, where it appears to be common. I have received numerous examples from Mr. Green from Punduloya, There is one specimen in the British Museum labelled “Ceylon”? The insect is adult in May, September to November, and I have larve from June and July. It is to be found under stones, loose bark, etc., and often comes in buildings. PYGIDiCRANA ANGUSTATA, Dohrn, I have not seen this species myself, and therefore give a translation of Dohrn’s description, 72 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, X1V. Reddish-black, the head marbled with yellowish, the antenne greyish, a median line and the margins of the pronotum, the scutellum, the suture _of the elytra to the base and a median spot on the elytra, the apices of the wings, and the feet yellow, the femora spotted with black, the margins of the abdominal segments reddish, Length of body 17, breadth 23, length of forceps 3mm, ¢&. Pygidicrana angustata, Dohrn, 1863, Stett. Ent. Zeit., xxiv., 56. Borm, 1900, For f. 23, Habitat—Ceylon (Neitner), Head with shallow sutures, yellowish-grey, marbled ; underside pale-yel- lowish-grey ; antenne grey, with thirty-seven segments, Pronotum longer than broad, the sides paralle!, brownish-black, the median line pale-yellow with a narrow furrow ; near the hinder border the line is broadened out into -a yellow triangle with a black central line ; the sides are yellow with a some- what dilated spot near the shoulder, The body is bristly, Scutellum narrow, elongated pale-yellow, Elytra somewhat longer than the pronotum, brown, with a long yellow central spot, and the basal half of the suture is yellow, Wings but slightly projecting, clear-yellow. Sternum yellow, with brown spots on the centre of the segments, Feet greyish-yellow, femora with two black stripes onthe anterior side, with one black spot beneath ; tibize with a black ring at the base, and a black line in front, :first tarsal segment l:-nger than the third. Abdomen brownish-black, clothed with silky hairs, with the exception of the last segment ; this is shining, finely punctulated, the hinder ‘border convex. Forceps smooth beneath, keeled above, curved to the points ‘inwards, reddish-brown, with a yellow spot above at the base, Q in the Berlin Museum. The most noticeable point in this species is that the head is narrower than the pronotum, The only other species in which this is so is P. liturata, Stal., an African form. PYGIDICRANA (?) DILATICAUDA (Motsch,) Elongated, depressed, shining-black ; last ten antennal segments, the edges of the abdominal segment, the forceps and cheeks more or less. reddish- yellow ; head subtransverse, subbilobed behind, transversely subimpressed, with three foveole ; fourth antennal segment equal to the third ; thorax slightly. narrower than the head, somewhat elongated, depressed, anteriorly with three faint longitudinal impressions, the hinder border arcuate, the margin slightly sinuate in the middle, the sides slightly elevated, with a distinct triangular scutellum, Elytra broader than the head, quadrate, pos- teriorly excised triangularly at the suture, the shoulders rounded ; wings pro- duced well beyond the elytra, coriaceous, shining-blackish, abdomen as broad as the elytra, scarcely dilated in the middle, depressed, sparsely punctulated, last segment broad, with a punctulation on each side, with a foveola in the middle, at the hinder margin with two impressions and two tubercles ; THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. 73 forceps a little longer than half the abdomen, laminiform, with a strong tooth at the base on the inner margin, dilated into an angle in the middle with three teeth, arched at the apex ; femora oval, stout. Long corp. 3 1, lat. 3 1, long forcip, 3 1, Des Montagnes de Nura Elia. | Forfiscelia dilaticauda, Motsch,, 1863, Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscou, xxxvi., 3, pp- 3 and 4, Lalia dilaticauda, Scudd., 1876, Proc. Bost, Soc. N. H.,, xviii., p. 319. Platylabia dilaticauda, Borm. 1900, Forf, 75. This species is totally unknown tome, Scudder places it in the genus Labia, but the presence of a distinct scutellum shows nearer affinity to Pygidicrana, as well as the: complicated and strongly toothed forceps. I have translated Motschulksy’s description word for word, He does not mention the sex, de Bormans places it in Platylabia as a “sehr zweifelhafte Art” and con- siders it related to Platylabia Major, Dohrn, Dohrn makes no mention of it in his Monograph. DIPLATYS, Serville. Body more or less depressed, Hyes very prominent, Antenne with 15-16 (occasionally 17) segments, Pronotum narrower than the head, nearly semicircular, the angles rounded. Scutellum small, Elytra ample, more than twice as long as the elytra, obliquely rounded at the apex. Wings project- ing well beyond the elytra, the membraneous folds showing at the suture, the exposed part being about half as long as the elytra, Abdomen cylindri- eal, in the @ dilated more or less near the apex. Second and third seg- ments beariug a lateral fold, often difficult to distinguish. In the 9Q the abdomen is attenvated nearer the apex, Forceps with the branches short and simple, in the @ slightly dilated at the base, contiguous or subcontiguous, unarmed, the apices meeting, In the female the branches are contiguous, conical, short and unarmed. Diplatys, Serville, 1831, Ann, Soc. Nat., xxii., 33, id., 1839. Orth., 50, Borm, 1900, Forf. 8, Scudd., Kirb., Burr. Nannopygia, Dohrn, 1863, Stett. Ent. Zeit., xxiv,, 60 (nec Kirb.) Dyscritina, Westw., 1881, Trans, Ent, Soc,, London, p, 601, pl. xxii., fig. 1 Green, 1898, Trans, Ent. Soc. London, 381. Cylindrogaster, Kirb. (partim), This remarkable genus 18 not likely to be confused with any other, except perhaps Cylindrogaster, Stal., from which it may be distinguished by the pre- sence of the lateral folds on tH second and third abdominal segmenis, I have not examined the type of Dohrn’s Nannopygia, but the description of his N. gersteckeri corresponds exactly with D. longisetosa, Westw., and I cannot refrain from regarding them as identical, Westwood described the 10 74 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, larva under the name Dyscritina, being unable to place it, owing to the extra- ordinary caudal segmented set, which have since been explained by Mr, Green’s observations, Mr, Green’s work upon the life-history and development of the two Ceylonese species has since become historic, and should be consulted by everybody iuterested in the subject, 1, Colour red, varied with fuscous ............1. GERSTACKERI, Dohrn, 1, 1. Colour black, varied with brown-and-white......2. NIGR/CEPS, Kirb. . DIPLATYS GERSTACKERI (Dohrn.)° Colour reddish-testaceous, varied with brown, Head te-taceous, sometimes darker anteriorly ; eyes prominent, black. Pronotum reddish, sometimes varied with brown, Elytra red, with an occasional brownish pa ch in the centre. Wings with the scale reddish, brownish on the outer border, Abdo- men durker-reddish, shining, Feet testaceous: the tubercles of the second and third segments are small and dificult to distinguish, Branches of the forceps stout, simple. oe LOng. COLpOTiS.......0.s0seeeseecee-seeee lO? 5-14°75 mm, aS HOBSONS qpetwopanacnceosact cbosos Ail? Zi) mmien. This species varies is colour froma uniform bright-red to a dull-brown in colour; the elytra may be plain-red or dull-brown, The whole body is pubescent. Nannopygia gersteckeri, Dohrn, 1863, Stett, Ent, Zeit, xxiv., p. 60. Scudd., 1876, Ent. Notes, V., 6¢. Kirb,, 1890, Linn,, Soc. Journ, Zool., XXIII , p. 508 Borm., 1894, Ann. Mus, Civ, Gen, (2), xiv., 372, id. 1900, Forf. 11. fa AR eS PU a DS es es * As to the identity of Nannopygia gersteckeri, Dohrn, and Diplaty longiserosa, Westw., I am indebted to Herr Dr Mobius, Director of the Konizl, Museum fiir Ndtaurkune of Berlin for the following notes, made by Herr Dr. Kuhlgatz, of the same museum, Dohrn’s type of Nannopygia gersteckeri is in the Berlin collection, “ Diplatys longisetosa, Westw., is very closely allied to this species, but not actually identical with it. \annopygia gersteckeri is entirely brunze-coloured with black eyes; in Diplatys longisetosa the head is black. The forceps increas a little more in thickness from the apex t) the bas than in Nannopygia gersteckert. The elytra of the latter are uniform in colour and broader ‘han in D, longise- tosa, in which on the two posterior third of the elytra there isa long blackish shadow) streak (at least in the two specimes in the Berlin Museum), Bh forms prob bly beléng to one and he same ginus (?). In structure they scarcely differ at all.’ From this it will appear that I was perfectly justified in rejecting Dchr:’s genus Nannopygia, as identical with the earlier Diplatys, but apparently the two s ecies are disiinct, though very closely allied: it is possi le that t ey may !e dimorp ic forms cf one species, v hich i doubtless moe r1 ss v riab e in size and colour. De Bor ans se; arates them by the form : f the last abdominal segment, wh'ch is scuare in Diplatys and scarcvly or not at all produced in Nannopygia; in the form:r the head is narrower behind, the se¢ nd tarsal segment is broader in the latter, I still prefer to regurd the two as one genus making .V. gersteckeri identical with D. longisetose and moving N. dohrni Kirb, to Carcinophora, q. v. THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. 75 Dyscritina longisetosa (larva), Westw., 1881, Trans. Ent. Soc., London, 601, pl) xxi, fig. 2. Green, 1896, Trans. Ent. Soc., London, 229, id, ibid,, 1898, 581. pl. xviii, figs. 4, 5, 16, pl. xix., figs, 9—14, Diplatys longisetosa, Burr,, 1848, Trans. Ent, Soc,, London, 388, Borm. 1900, Forf. 10, Patria-—eylon (Dohrn); Punduloya, Ceylon (Green), Ceylon (Thwaites in coll. Hope.) Mr, Green tells us that this species is:not uncommon in the district of Punduloya; in the larval stage, at least, it is to be found under stones, or under moss on rocks, or under loose bark on trees, It is extremely active, and the adult insect flies by night, and may be taken at light, DIPLATYS NIGRICEPS (Kirb.) General colour dull-black, palpi testaceous, Elytra slightly palerin the @ than inthe @. Scale of wings blackish, shorter than in the last species ; membraneous part ample, iridescent, Femora blackish, tibiz paler, blackish at the base, tarsi paler, Abdomen, in the @, slender, dilated at the apex ; in the ¥ shorter, attenuated towards the apex. Branches of tle forceps, ¢ simple, remote, gradually incurved to meet at the apex; of the @ simple, straight, conical. WOMSMEOLPOLIS eccwesesssos) O De sscctreavess . 7mm, ER EOLCIDIS) sexesaccevcece te Deceaceccess bcos (be Expanse of wings ......... 19. Cylindrogaster nigriceps, Kirb., 1890, Linn, Soc, Journ, Zool., xxiii., 507, Diplatys nigriceps, Burr., 1898, Trans, Ent. Soc,, London, 389, pl, XVIII. fig. 1—3 ; pl. XIX., figs, 6—8 and 15. Borm, 1900, Forf. 11. This species is quite distinct from the former, being very different in colour. The two species may also be separated in the larval stages by the colour; this species being considerably darker, with shorter caudal sete, Patria,—Hong Kong ; Bombay (Kirb., B.M.) ; Ceylon, Punduloya, Ceylon (Green). The type from Hong Kong has the pronotum varied with white. PLATYLABIA, Dohrn, Body strongly depressed. General colour bright-reddish-testaceous and shining-black, Antenne with 10-12 oblong segments ; pronotum narrower than the head ; second tarsal segment simple ; abdomen without the lateral tubercles on the secundand third segments. Elytra and wings well developed, 7% JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Sides of the abdomen parallel. Branches of the forceps remote at the base in both sexes, more or less depressed. Platylodia, Dohrn, 1867, Stett. Ent. Zeit., xxviii, 347, Kirb, Borm, 1900, Forf, 73. Latidophora, Scudd,, 1876, Proc, Bost., X. c, N. H., xviii, 297, Ent. Notes V., 37, Scudder proposed to change the name of this genus, as there already exist- eda genus Platylabus, Wesmiel, in Hymenoptera, 1845, but his suggestion was not adopted, He still maintains that it is desirable. This genus closely resembles Sparatta, and in the form of the antenne it approaches Labia, but it may be distinguished from either by the absence of the lateral folds on the second and third abdominal segments, PLATYLABIA THORACICA, Dohrn. Head dark-red-brown, the antenne paler; pronotum yellowish-brown, Elytra and wings black, well developed; sternum and feet yellow; abdomen and forceps yellowish-brown, darker near the apex, the anal segment with the hinder border straight; the pygidium in the ¢ is square, with a small point in the middle ; the forceps are flat, straight, with a tooth in the middle of the inner margin inthe ¢, curved gently in at the apex ; the forceps of the Q are the same as in the @, but without the median tooth, In Dohrn’s description the forceps are ‘ deutlich zweikantig” onthe inner margin, but Iam uncertain whether this may apply to the actual edges, or to two projections, Length of body, 4-5 mm, of the forceps 1-5 mm, (after Dohrn). Platylabia thoracica, Dohrn, 1867, Stett. Ent, Zeit., xxviii, 348, Borm, 1888, Ann. Mus, Civ. Gen. (2), vi. 436, id., 1694., op. cit, (2), xiv., 380,id., 1900. Forf, 73, Labidophora thoracica, Scudd., 1876, Ent. Notes, V., 61. Habitat.—Ceylon (Nietner, Dohrn), The specimens which I refer to this species are from Ceylon (Mus, Brussels), and Punduloya, X.97, and V., 97, and Peredeniya, VI., 98, (Green. in, coll, mea.), The species also is recorded from Penang (Dohrn), Aru Is, and Ternat (Durb), Burmah, Tenasserim (Borm,), Lombok and Java (coll, mea.). I have seen no specimens which correspond exactly with the above des- cription, which is taken straight from Dohrn, but have examined a number of specimens which apyear to belong to this species, in which the head and pronotum are both shining-black, The forceps are not exactly toothed on the inner margin, but are slightly dilated about the middle, which gives the appearance of two small teeth, The colouration of the head and pronotum THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. a0 is certainly very variable. The specimens which I have seen approach nearer to Pl. gestroz, Dubr., except in size, I cannot regard them as distinct from Pl, thoracica, ECHINOSOMA, Dohrn, Small, convex, pubescent, Antenne with nearly thirty segments, of which the first and third are of equal length, and the remainder very short, scarcely longer than broad. Pronotum barely as broad as the head. Elytra twice as Icng as the pronotum, Wings well developed, Abdomen short and broad, broadest in the middle. Forceps short, simple and incurved, almost semi- circular; inthe @ straight, or gently incurved in the Q. Feet short, not very slender, Echinosoma, Dohrn,, 1863, Stett. Ent, Zeit., xxiv., 63. Borm. 1900. Forf, 26, This genus may be recognised by the small, rounded, fully-winged, hairy insects, ECHINOSOMA PARVULUM, Dohrn, Dark ; the mouth parts, segments 2 and 16 of the antenne, and wings sternum and feet pale ; the wings have a dark spot at the apex, and the femora and tibie are dark at the base. The body is covered with yellow- ish pubescens, The head has the occipital suture very distinct, and is blackish-brown in colour ; the antenne are dark with the exception of the second and sixteenth segments which are pale ; pronotum dark with a pale central line and pale sides. The elytra are about twice as long, and are thickly granulated. Abdomen granulated and warty, dark-brown with indistinct reddish-brown specks, Length of the body 7 mm, 2 » forceps 1mm, 9, Echinosoma parvulum, Dohrn, 1863, Stett. Ent, Zeit., xxiv., 66. Borm, 1900. Forf, 29. This is the smallest species of the genus, and the only one known to occur in Ceylon; I know of no specimen other than the type of Dohrn in the Berlin Museum except one inthe B. M. The male is unknown, PSALIS, Serv. Body stout, antenne less than half the length of the body, with less than twenty segments, the first segment as long as segments 4-5-6 inclusive, Elytra and wings well developed. First tarsal segment equal to the other twa. Abdominal tubercles absent. Forceps simple, somewhat stout, arcuate, remote at the base in the @; in the Q stout, conical, subcontiguous, incurved at the tip. Psalis, (part) Serv., 189, Orh., 1831, Ann. Sci, Nat,, xxii,, 34, Borm, 1900. Forf. 36, This genus approaches more nearly to Labidura, It may be distinguished by its shorter antenne and shorter, simpler ¢ forceps, 78 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, PSALIS FEMORALIS (Dohrn.) Dark-brown; head black ; antenne fuscous or testaceous, very variable in colour, with at least 16 segments. Mouth pale ; eyes black ; pronotum chocolate-brown, very slightly narrower than the head, the anterior border straight, t e hinder bor errounded. Elytraampie chocolate-brown, shining, rou ded at the »pex ; wings projecting w ll beyond the elytra, of the sa e colour, but slightly paler at the base and along the suture. Feet pubescent, testaceous, sometimes ban ed with black, Abdomen dark-brown, not shining, with extremely fine granulations; anal segment squarein the @, attenuated in the Q Forceps, in the ¢, with the branches stout, not distant at the base, flat beneath, convex above, reddish-brown, denticulated along the inner margin, straight, slightly incurved at the apex, where they decussate; the right branch is incurved considerably more strongly than the left, Inthe 9 the branches are stout, straight, subcontiguous their whole length, the apices curved in and meeting. @ Q. oe 2 Length of body....... ad0d000 Settee tL OAT eens es SOUND 9-11°5 mm. Wength ior fOLcepsS.cesssssle teehee) aassconsectoee eee Labidura femoralis, Dohrn, 1863, Stett, Ent, Zeit., xxiv., 321, Seudd., 1876, Ent. Notes, V., 62. (nee Dubr,) Psalis femoralis, Borm,, 1888, Ann, Mus Civ. Gen, (2). VI., 434, id, 1894, op. cit., xiv., 378, id.,1900, Forf, 38. Habitat.—Ceylon (Dohrn) ; Ceylon, 1872 (Thwaites, in Mus. Hope) ; Pun- duloya, Galagedara, VII., 97 (Green, in coll, mea.). Occu s also in Burmah \ Borm.) Dohrn only describes the female, and the male has not been described before. The colour varies to some extent in density, but the general appearance of the insect is dark-brown, shi ng brightly ; the legs and a tenue vary very considerably in colour, The insect referred to as Labi- dura femoralis, Dohrn, by Dubrony, 1879, Ann, Mus, Civ. Gen., XIV., 353, is really Nunnopygia dohrni, Kirb., q. v. (Zo be continued.) 79 NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA, By Masor C. G. Nurs, 13TH BomBay Inrantry. (With a Plaie.) In my short paper on Sport and Natural History in Northern Gujarat, published in Vol. XIIJ., No, 2, of this journal, I promised to write a paper describing new species of Hymenoptera collected by myself during the past four years. This promise I am only able to partially redeem personally, as owing to the unexpected curtailment of my leave to Hurope, I had not the opportunity of comparing my specimens with those in other collections, I took home with me some 38,JU0 specimens, the result of about 32 years collecting, and among them it appears there were some 10 new genera, and over 100 new species. ‘The following paper contains, therefore, descriptions of a few only of the new species contained in my collection, but it will be followed by papers by Mr, P. Cameron, a well known authority on Hymenoptera, describing the new genera and the remaining species. I have described below only species of the families dealt with by Colonel Bingham in his Vol. I. of Hymenoptera of the Fauna of India Series, which appear to be undoubtedly new, Mr, Cameron’s paper will include a considerable number of new species of the same families, as well as of Hymenoptera Tarasitica, Tubulifera, &c. ‘Ihe present paper does not inciude the Apide, which will be dealt with later on. MUTILLA SONATA, 0. sp. d Head, pronotum, mesonotum, and abdomen finely, median segment coarsely, punctured ; eyes emarginate, three shallow groves on tke front, each terminating in an ocellus; median segment rounded and somewhat depressed posteriorly ; first abdominal segment rather short. Jet black ; head, thorax, and legs with sparse greyish pubescence ; abdomen with bands of tawny pubescence on apical margins of sezments }-5 ; apical segment with black pubescence. Wings fusco-hyaline tegulz black, nervures dark fuscous. Length 11 mm.; exp. 16 mm. Hapirat: Simla, Nearest to M. déscreta (Cam.) 80 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. MUTILLA KALLALA, 0. sp. & Head, thorax, including tegule, and first two abdominal segments somewhat coarsely, remaining abdominal segments finely, punctured ; head narrower than thorax, the portion near the ocelli somewhat raised, eyes small, and not emarginate ; median segment rather short, rounded; first abdominal segment long and sub-petiolate. Head, scape of antenne, thorax, legs, basal portion of first, and the whole of abdominal segments 5-6 black ; apical portion of first, and the whole of second (sometimes also of third and fourth) abdominal segments more or less orange red ; flagellum of antennee black variegated with red, above, red below ; the head, thorax, legs, abdomen, and scape of the antenne covered with a somewhat sparse greyish pubescence. Wings hyaline at base, apical portions fuscous; the radial, cubital, and second dis- coidal cells more or less hyaline ; tegulee black, nervures dark testaceous. Length 12 mm. exp. 20 mm. Hasirat: Deesa. Near M. argenteomaculata, in A. a. 6”, of Bingham’s Key. MUTILLA EKKA, 2. sp. 9 Head and thorax somewhat finely, abdomen very finely, punc- tured ; head rather wider than basal portion of thorax, the latter widening posteriorly ; first abdominal segment very short. Black, the thorax and abdomen, especially the latter, with a dark reddish tinge, the whole covered with a sparse greyish pubescence; second abdominal segment with two lateral ovate spots of cream-coloured pubescence, the spots diverging apically ; third segment with two smaller spots of snow-white pubescence, converging apically. Length 7 mm. Hapsitat: Deesa. In group C. of Bingham’s Key, forming a new section. MUTILLA CHOTA, 0. sp. Q@ Head and thorax closely and regularly, abdomen much more finely, punctured ; head very large, rounded above, half as wide again as thorax ; thorax rounded posteriorly, with a medial carina along apical portion. Black, thorax bright red ; mandibles, scape of antennz and front darker red; pubescence sparse, greyish ; two lateral spots, converging apically, of somewbat sparse greyish pubescence or pile or apical portion of second abdominal segment. . CAPYC.S.NURSE. _ Journ.Bomb. Nat.Hist.Soce. West,Newman lith. hiSwAy Gey SIMULTA. BK ROM DE RA MENOPTE Jal\g NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA, 81 Length 5 mm. Hasirat: Simla. In group B of Bingham’s Key; a d’. TIPHIA CONSCIA, 0. sp. Q With the exception of the median segment, which is smooth, the whole of the head, thorax, and abdomen are more or less punctured, the punctures somewhat sparse and shallow except on the pronotum ; median segment truncate posteriorly, with three longitudinal carine. Black, apical segments of abdomen testaceous, pubescence white but very sparse; forewing flavo-hyaline, hindwing clear hyaline, nervures and tegule testaceous, stigma dark brown. Length 7 ; Hasrrat: Deesa. This species comes nearest to T. hirsuta (Smith), but is a smailer insect, and differs in the sculpturing. TIPHIA NERVOSA, 0. sp. 6 The punctures as in Tiphia conscia, but it differs from that species in the following respects : the tibie and tarsi are more or less testaceous, both wings are clear hyaline, and the pubescence on the apical portion of the abdomen has a golden tinge. Length 8 ; exp. 12 mm. Hasirat : Deesa. Near to 7. conscia above, and it may be the ¢ of that species, but I do not like to describe it as such without more evidence than identity of habitat, as it differs considerably in general appearance. MYZINE HORTATA, N, Sp. @ Head and apical portion of mesonotum with scattered punc- tures, pronotum closely and more deeply punctured, basal portion of mesonotum smooth, median segment with very minute, and abdomen with fine but somewhat sparse, punctures; a shallow groove from between base of anteane to anterior ocellus, median segment with a deep longitudinal groove, narrowing posteriorly, not quite reaching the apex Black, with a sparse white pubescence, the spines on the legs testaceous; forewing light flavo-hyaline, hind wing clear hyaline, nervures and tegule dark testaceous, exp. 10 mm. Length 10; exp. 16 mm, HABiTaT : Deesa, 1] $2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. This species is nearest to MM. clar¢pennis (Bingh.), and would fit thus into Bingham’s Key. A, a’ Median segment smooth and shining, with a short trian- gular longitudinal impression at base ............clarépennts b3 Median segment opaque, finely rugose, with a longitudi- Nal LUELOW, iy tise; mid dle; waster deeusactaseacdeesl . hortata. ScoLIA PILA, Nn, sp. & Head, thorax, and abdomen somewhat sparsely punctured ; the portion of the front between the bases of antenn raised, a deep groove, widest posteriorly, from the anterior ocellus towards, but not reaching, the bases of antennee ; median segment short, broad, and truncate at apex. Black; the mandibles, except their tips, the centre of the clypeus, the antenne, legs, and apical abdominal segment, light red ; the clypeus, except the centre, a triangular spot above it, the portion of the head round the eyes, the pronotum, lateral margins of the mesonotum, the scutellum, postscutellum, and broad lateral maculee, covering nearly the whole of the dorsal portions of abdominal segments 2—5 (sometimes also 1st segment), yellow, the ventral portions of abdominal segments 2—5 have obscure yellow spots towards their apical margins laterally; wings with two cubital cells, bright flayo- hyaline at base, apical portions fuscous, nervures and tegule light red. Length 10; exp. 20 mm, Hasrrat: Deesa, This species would come in Bingham’s Key near S, elezabethe | (Bingh.), having antenne light red, but it is abundantly distinet, and. has quite a different general appearance. Pompitus PAUvLus, n. sp. Q Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth ; clypeus short and broad, its anterior margin slightly rounded, a deep groove from base of antennze to anterior ocellus, scutellum much raised, long and narrow; legs stout, anterior tarsi ciliated, intermediate and posterior tibie and tarsi spinose. Head and thorax black, abdomen, femora, tibiae, and tarsi of legs bright red, antenne dark red or reddish black; a line along both the inner NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA. 83 and outer orbits of the eyes, the posterior margin of the pronotum and sometimes a spot on the scutellum, pale. yellow ; head and thorax covered with sparse silvery pile, first abdominal segment with golden pile ; wings hyaline, infuscated at apex, tegule red, nervures black. Length 8; exp. 14 mm. Hapirat: Deesa. 3 = Nearest to P. acceptus (Bingh.). PoMPILUS CERTATOR, 0. sp. Q Head and thorax pruinose, giving it the appearance of being very minutely striate, abdomen smooth ; clypeus transverse anteriorly, head about twice as broad as pronotum, thorax narrow, median segment long, depressed and roundly truncate posteriorly, first abdo- minal segment subpetiolate, second ventral segment with a transverse furrow, legs extremely long and slender, almost destitute of spines. Black, the basal three abdominal segments red ; wings hyaline, forewing narrowly infuscated at apex, tegule black, nervures testaceous, The wings when seen in certain lights have a bluish tinge. é Similar, the sides of the clypeus and front, a line on the pronotum, a spot on the scutellum, and the apex of the median segment, yellowish white ; anterior tibiee and tarsi, and intermediate tibie red. Length 8; exp. 13 mm. Hapirat: Deesa, ; _, This species, having a ventral furrow on the second segment, comes into the Ferreola group of Pompilide, near to P. pedestr’s (Smith), POMPILUS ARRESTUS, N. sp. | & Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth ; clypeus transverse anteriorly its sides rounded, pronotum much depressed anteriorly, median segment rather short, roundly trancate posteriorly ; lees moderately stout, but not very long. Black, the base of the mandibles, sides of the clypeus and front, a line behind the eyes, the apex of the pronotum, a quadrate spot on the mesonotam, a smaller one on the scutellum, and a band at base of second, third, and fourth abdominal segments yellowish white ; the antenne and legs more or less red, tibial calcaria of intermediate and posterior legs, and base of posterior tibie whitish, Wings hyaline, narrowly infuseated at apex, tegule red, nervures blackish. This species seems somewhat variable. One of my speci- mens has the median segment covered with silvery, and the first 84 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, X1V abdominal segment with groyish, pile. The third cubital cell seems to vary considerably in size ; in one specimen this cell is petiolate on one side, and very much narrowed above on the other. Length 7-9 ; exp. 12-16 mm. Hasrrar: Deesa. This species would come in Bingham’s Key after P. capztosus (Smith). PoMPILUs BRUTUS, 0. sp. @ Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth, clypeus broad, slightly emargipate anteriorly, the sides rounded, eyes very slightly emarginate, an impressed line from between bases of antenne t) anterior ocellus ; pronotun short, its posterior portion slightly depressed, scutellum much raised, median segment rather long, with a median longitudinal groove posteriorly, first abdominal segment long, about half as wide at base as at apex, intermediate and posterior legs stout and very long, all tibiee and tarsi with minute spines. Red, the median segment, posterior coxee, and base of first abdominal segment, black, the median segment with sparse silvery pile; wings sub-hyaline, infuscated at apex and across recurrent nervures, tegulee red, nervures black. Length 12; exp. 22 mm. Haprrat: Deesa, POMPILUS CASSIUS, n. sp. © Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth, clypeus broad, emarginate onteriorly, an impressed line from base of antennee to anterior ocellus ; pronotum short, its posterior portion slightly depressed, median segment long, rounded and steeply sloped posteriorly and transversely striate, with a median longitudinal groove ; first abdominal segment subpetiolate, with a transverse furrow ; legs long and slender, tibie and tarsi sparsely spinose. Red, the median segment, intermediate and posterior coxze, and extreme base of first abdominal segment black ; a little silvery pile on coxe ; forewing sub-hyaline, hind wing hyaline, both wings infuscated at apex. Length 11; exp. 18 mm. HABITAT : eocn: PoMPILUS HORATIUS, n, sp. & Resembles P. casscus, above, but is smaller, and differs as follows : clypeus transverse anteriorly, median segment smooth and pilose, not NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA. 85 transversely striate, no furrow on second ventral segment, intermediate and posterior tarsi black, except at base ; both wings hyaline, infuscated at apex. The three species—P. brutus, horatéus, and cassius —herein described have a strong superficial resemblance, but in my opinion and that of Mr. Cameron they are distinct. They would come into Bingham’s Key as follows :— A; ¢. a. a’ Apex of scutellum incised in the middle ............horateus. 6° Apex of scutellum not incised.............0.s0ecer seee OrULUS. a> First cubital cellule more than twice the length of Second ; median segment not transversely striate. brutus. 6° First cubital cellule not twice the length of second ; median segment transversely striate ...........c008 CASS2US. CEROPALES JUDICATRIX, n. Sp. 2 g Vertex of head and mesonotum somewhat sparsely punctured, median segment and abdomen slightly pruinose ; clypeus very slightly concave at apex, the sides rounded ; head considerably wider than thorax, pronotum anteriorly with two lateral tubercles ; scutellum and postscutelluin very much raised, median segment compressed above, rather wider at apex than at base, steeply sloped, with a deep median longitudinal groove, the apex of the segment roundly truncate ; posterior legs remarkably long, the apex of the femora reaching as far as the apex of the abdomen ; eyes distinctly emarginate. Black ; the labrum, clypeus and face below the base of antennz, the scape and first joint of the flagellum below, the emarginations of the eyes, the tuber- cles, the posterior margin of the pronotum, apical margin of scutellum, the postscutellum, irregular apical bands, more or less medially inter- rupted, on abdominal segments 1—4, and the apical abdominal segment pale yellowish white ; first and second abdominal segments except at apex, and the legs, red, the latter with a few pale yellowish white markings ; antenne dark red below; wings hyaline, with a very slight fuscous or flavo-fuscous tinge ut apex ; tegule red, with a yellow spot, nervures black, reddish at base. Length 6-8; exp. 12—16 mm. Hastrat: Deesa. - This species would come after C. Clartpennds in Bingham’s Key. 86 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. GORYTES CAPITATUS, 0. sp. Q Clypeus smooth, front sparsely punctured, thorax and abdomen, more closely and deeply punctured, enclosed space at base of median segment longitudinally striate; eyes slightly convergent below, clypeus convex, transverse anteriorly, with a tooth at each angle below ; a deep groove from the base of the antenne: to the anterior ocellus, median segment sbort, rounded at apex, first abdominal segment short, but not sub-petiolate, the margins of the abdominal segments slightly constricted. Black ; the mandibles except at apex, the clypeus, scape of the antenna, a line along the inner orbits of the eyes, the apex cf the pronotum, sides of the mesonotum, the episternum, scutellum and postscutellum, a large oval spot on each side of the median segment, broad bands on the first, second, fourth, and fifth abdominal segments above, and of second ventral segment, yellow ; base of the first abdominal segment, and the cox, trochanters and femora of the legs, red; tibieze and tarsi yellow at base, black at apex ; wings hyaline, with a subapical fuscous spot, tegule red, nervures reddish black. Length 9; exp. 18 mm. Hapitat : Deesa. . This species would come in Bingham’s Key after G. amatorius (Smith), PHILANTHUS PUNJABENSIS, n. sp. Q Head somewhat sparsely, thorax more closely, punctured ; base of median segment and abdomen smooth and shining, clypeus bisinuate anteriorly, eyes sub-emarginate, converging above, median segment somewhat short, steeply sloped posteriorly, first abdominal segment sub petiolate. Black ; the mandibles, except their tips, the clypeus sides of the face, scape and first two joints of the flagellum of the antenne, an irregularly oval spot on the front behind the bases of the antennee (absent in some specimens), a spot behind the eyes, a line on the pronotum posteriorly, a line on the seutellum (sometimes the whole scutellum), the postscutellum, brosd lateral oval spots, some- times meeting and forming sub-marginal bands, on first and second abdominal segments, a narrow medially interrupted band on third, and broader bands on fourth to sixth segments bright yellow ; legs with the tibiae and tarsi yellow; the greater part of the coxz, trochanters, NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA, 87 and femora, black ; a little greyish pubescence on head and thorax and on abdomen below. Length 8—10 ; eap. 15—18 mm. Hapitat: Ferozepore. This species, which is very variable as regards the amount of yellow in different specimens, is nearest to P. sulphureus (Smith). PHILANTHAS SCRUTATOR, Nn. sp. _ 2 6 Head and thorax closely, abdomen sparsely, punctured ; slypeus arched anteriorly, eyes sub-emarginate, the bases of the antenne situated in hollows, a very faint impressed line from between them to the anterior ocellus, median segment with a median longitudinal line. Black; the clypeus, except a large spot in the centre anteriorly, the labrum, a broad mark along the inner orbits of the eyes below their emarginations, a narrower line along the outer orbits, not reaching the vertex, spots behind the base of antenne, a narrow line from the anterior ocellus reaching about half way to the base of antenne, a line on the pronotum posteriorly, narrowly interrupted above, a spot on the tegulz, another below the base of the wings, the postsecutellum, irregular oval spots on the lateral margins of first abdo- minal segment, narrow subapical bands on the second, third, and fourth segments above, and two large irregular macule on each below, pale yellow ; flagellum of antennze at base, and base of first abdominal seoment, red ; legs red, except the coxe and the tibie above, which are pale yellow ; wings hyaline, with a faint fuscous spot at apex, teculee red, nervures testaceous. — Length 9 ; exp. 16 mm. Hasitat: Deesa. This species would come in ‘ A”’ section of Bingham’s Key, after P. avedus (Bingh.) CRABRO PULVERIS, 0. Sp. @ Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth, opaque ; enclosed space at base of median segment with divergent striz ; head very large, an impressed line from the base of antennee to anterior ocellus, a longitu- dinal line bisecting the pronotum posteriorly, and continued on to the mesonotum, petiole of about the same length as remainder of abdomen ; clypeus, front, and cheeks with silvery pile, thorax with very sparse greyish pubescence. Black; the mandibles, except 88 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. their tips, the scape and first joint of the flagellum of the antenne, the pronotum posteriorly, two large contiguous spots on the scutellum, lateral ovate spots on the first and second abdominal segments, and usually the greater part of the fourth abdominal segment, yellow; legs yellow above, red below ; wings hyaline, tegule red, nervures reddish black. Length 7 ; exp. 12 mm. Hasirat : Deesa. This species comes after C. brook? (Bingh.) CRABRO PETIOLATUS, 2. sp. Q@¢ Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth, the two former opaque, the latter shining ; an impressed line from tie base of antennee to ante- rior ocellus ; median segment convex, narrowed posteriorly, with a few longitudinal striz at extreme base, and a median longitudinal furrow ; abdomen petiolate, first segment nearly as long as the rest of the abdomen, its ap9x constricted ; posterior tibie very much dilated ; clypeus and cheeks with silvery pile. Black; the antennz and tarsi dark red ; wings hyaline. Length 6-7 ; exp, 10-12 mm. Haprrat ; Simla. Near C. flavopivtus (Smith), but quite distinct. CRABRO ASWAD, 0. sp. gd Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth, the two former opaque, the latter polished and shining ; an impressed line from hase of antenne to anterior ocellus, median segment narrowed at apex, almost triangular, with a few longitudinal strize at base ; abdomen petiolate, the first segment much narrower than the second about half the length of the remainder of abdomen ; clypeus, front, and median legment with sparse silvery pile. Black; wings sub-fuscous, a little lighter at base, nervures and tegule black, Length 5; exp. 9 mm, Haprrat: Matheran. Next to the preceding species. CRABRO TRADUCTOR, 0. Sp. @ Head and thorax opaque, very minutely punctured, abdomen smooth and shining; a narrow groove from base of antenne to anterior ocellus, a median longitudinal impressed line on pronotum, NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA. 89 terminating ina slight incision at its apex ; enclosed space at base of median segment smooth and shining, with a broad median furrow ; abdomen petiolate, clypeus with dense silvery pile, thorax and median segment below with sparse greyish pubescence. Black ; the scape of the antennze below yellow; a line on the pronotum posteriorly, the lateral angles of the scutellum, and ovate lateral spots on the first, third, and fifth abdominal segments, red ; the mandibles rufo- ferrugineous, the “knees” of all the legs more or less red; wings fusco-hyaline, nervures and tegule black. Length 11 ; exp. 22 mm. Haprrat : Simla. CRABRO EQUES, 0. Sp. 9 Head with minute scattered punctures, thorax opaque, smooth, median segment longitudinally striate at base, abdomen smooth and shining; vertex of head large, almost flat, the front steeply sloped from the vertex, and forming an angle with it: an impressed line from base of antenne to anterior ocellus, and another along the centre of pronotum and mesonotum ; median segment rounded and steeply sloped at apex, with a medial groove, abdomen subpetiolate, first segment about half the length of the remainder of abdomen, second segment narrower than the third ; posterior tibise very much dilated ; clypeus with somewhat dense, cheeks and median segment with sparse, silvery pile. Black; the anterior tibizw above, base of intermediate tibis, first two joints of intermediate tarsi, and a spot on posterior tibise at base above, yellow ; anterior tarsi testaceous ; wings hyaline, nervures and tegule_black. Length 7; exp. 12 mm. Hasirat : Simla. CRABRO SIMLAENSIS, 0. Sp. 9 Head and thorax minutely and closely punctured, abdomen smooth and shining, clypeus bisinuate anteriorly, the central portion projecting, a median impressed line from the base of antenna to anterior ocellus ; median segment rounded, somewhat steeply sloped at apex, longitudinally striate at base and sides, leaving a central portion, divided into two parts by a median groove, smooth and shining ; abdomen sub-petiolate, increasing in width to the third segment, first segment less than half the length of the remainder of qed 90 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. abdomen; clypeus and cheeks with dense silvery pile. Black; the scape of the antennz, pronotum posteriorly, scutellum, anterior tibie, and. base of intermediate and posterior tibiz, yellow ; mandibles and tarsi more or less testaceous; wings hyaline, tegule dark red, nervures reddish black. Length 6 ; exp. 10 mm. Aasrrat ; Simla. These three species, which appear to be quite distinct, should follow C. nitédus (Cam.) MoNTEZUMIA GUJARATICA, 0. Sp. Q Clypeus with minute and sparse punctures, head, thorax and first abdominal segment closely and coarsely punctured, remaining abdominal segments more finely punctured; clypeus convex, its anterior margin notched; median segment concave posteriorly, the sides produced; first abdominal segment with two small tubercules on each side at base; head, thorax, and abdomen more or less covered with sparse greyish pile. Black; two. spots on the anterior margin of the clypeus, the scape of the antennz in front, a spot between and just behind the bases of antenne, two spots on the pronotum posteriorly, two minute spots behind the tegulz, a line on the anterior tibie above, and the apical margins of the first two abdominal segments pale yellow, or yellowish white ; the mandibles, antenne beneath and anterior tarsi, more or less red ; wings hyaline, a fuscous spot in the radial cell, tegule testaceous, nervures black. Length (to end of second abdominal segment) 9—11 ; exp, 16—18 mm, Hasirat : Deesa. This species should come after 1. burmanica (Bingh.) ODYNERUS HOSPES, n. sp. Q@ Clypeus with shallow and somewhat sparse punctures, remainder of head, thorax, and first abdominal segment coarsely punctured, the other abdominal segments minutely and somewhat sparsely punctured ; clypeus deeply emarginate anteriorly ; a raised spot behind the base of antenne, with a short carina connecting it with the clypeus ; two parallel Jongitudinal impressed lines on the mesonotum, and one on the cutellum, median segment with a deep groove, its sides rounded ; NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA. 91 first abdominal segment much narrower than the second segment. Black ; the clypevs and scape of the antennz in front light yellowish red, all the tibize and tarsi more or less light red; two spots on the pronotum, and a narrow apical line on each abdominal segment darker red, or reddish testaceous ; wings subfuscous, nervures and tegule black. Length (to end of second abdominal segment) 8; ep. 18 mm. Hasirat : Simla. Next to O. punctum (Fabr.) ODYNERUS PUNJABENSIS, 0. Sp. 6 Head, thorax, and abdomen closely punctured, the punctures on the second and (probably following) segments much shallower than those on the remainder of the body ; clypeus very deeply emarginate anteriorly, the projections on each side of the emargination form- ing blunt teeth ; antenne set in deep hollows; thorax rounded anteriorly, pronotum with a median groove, median segment with a deep A shaped hollow, the sides rounded ; first abdominal seg- ment much narrowed. Yellow ; the vertex of the head, the meso- notum, epimeron, a broad line dividing the scutellum from the post- scutellum, a narrow line dividing the latter from the median seg- ment, the A shaped hollow, a subapical broad line on first abdo- minal segment, the base and a median transverse band on the second segment, the latter continued below, black; (the remaining abdominal segments are withdrawn into the second in the type specimen, and therefore cannot be fully described, their apices are yellow, the apical segment being entirely black); flagellum cf antenne black above, red below ; posterior femora red, except at apex; wings hyaline, a faint fuscous cloud in radial cell, tegule yellow, nervures black. Length (to end of second abdominal segment) 5; exp. 11 mm. Near to O. fistulosus (Saauss.) but a much smaller species, Hasirat : Ferozepore. In describing the Humenide I have followed Bingham in giving the measurements to the end of second ahdominal segment only, the remaining segments being generally withdrawn telescopically into the second segment after death. 92 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. EXPLANATIONS OF PLATE. 1. Mutilla kallala ¢ 2. + sonata @ 3. 35 chota 92 4, i ekka 9 5. Scolia pila ¢ 6. Myzine hortata 7. Philanthus scrutator @ 8. 9 punjabensis 2 9. Pompilus cassius 9 10. ” horatius, wing. JE -. certator 9 14, “ arrestus @ 13. Crabro pulveris ? 14. » petiolatus 9 15. Ceropales judicatrix ¢ 16. Montezumia gujaratica 93 THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN POISONOUS AND NON-POISONOUS SNAKES. By Capt. F. Watt, I.MLS. Wire Puates A, B, C & D. (Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on 11th Dec., 1900.) Perhaps no section of the study of snakes is of such universal interest to those who have to reside in tropical countries as that which deals with the distinctions between the poisonous and non- poisonous varieties. Many who do not care to enter the subject of ophiology deeply nevertheless show keen enough interest in this particular direction, and I have been led to believe that some easy and reliable guide, by which even those ignorant of the subject might with certainty discover for themselves the poisonous nature or other- wise of any snake, would be welcomed, and I have endeavoured in this paper to supply this guide. There have been at least 270 varieties of snakes hitherto described as inhabiting India (with which is included Assam, Burmah and Ceylon), and of these no fewer than 61 are poisonous, and this fact alone must convey to any thinking individual the complexity of the question, and serve to dispel a somewhat common belief that the matter is an easy one which can easily be settled by a single: hard and fast rule. The methods adopted by many are full of fallacies, and I will point out some of these. 1, Perhaps one of the commonest guidés in use and one con- sidered by many an absolutely certain one is the presence or absence of a fang. This test in the case of some of the larger vipers may be a fairly easy point to determine, as the fangs are particularly large in this class of snakes. Fallacies.—(a) In many poisonous snakes with less developed fangs, and especially in the Kraits (Bungarus) in which fangs are prover- bially small, it is extremely easy to overlook them concealed as they usually are to amore or less extent in folds of mucous membrane. (>) In all the small varieties of the poisonous kinds with which I may include the young of the larger species it is often a difficult matter to see, much less investigate accurately, the characters of a supposed fang. (c) It must not be lost sight of, too, that fangs may be broken off 94 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. as a result of accident, or even be wholly absent during the shedding process which occurs periodically. (d) Certain harmless snakes, notably members of the Lycodon and Dipsas genera, are peculiar in haying in their maxille a lengthened fang-like tooth in the identical situation in which a true fang is placed, and unless this be broken off and carefully examined beneath a lens, it is often impossi- ble to decide whether this is a solid tooth contained in the maxilla of a harmless variety, or a grooved, or canaliculate one, the characteristic lethal weapon of a poisonous species. 2. Another favourite rule which is applied by many, and one pro- vocative of many erroneous conclusions, is with reference to the presence or absence of a loreal scale. Fallacies.—(a) Nowa very great deal of confusion has been occa- sioned with regard to this scale by the fact that various writers on the subject hold different views, and some regard asa loreal what others of equal repute and authority designate by some. other appellation. It follows, therefore, that where a difference of opinion exists in the minds of experts it must necessarily be conveyed to the minds of those who have had to acquire their knowledge in the first place from works written by these experts. Jor this reason I have carefully refrained in my appended key from making any allusion to the loreal, though at the same time its significance with the aid of other points has by no means been lost sight of.* (6) At best, the presence or absence of a loreal, such as I have represented it in the footnote, is an uncertain guide, as poisonous snakes are met with possessing a oo * The median of three or more scales intervening between the eye and the nostril lying above the labials in a more or less horizontal direction and distinct from any of the scales situated on the crown of the head constitute loreals (see l. fig.8). If more than one scale occupies this median position all are called loreals (see fig. 5). Should scales occupying this position be a continuation of any scales from the top of the head on to the face as often occurs in the whipsnakes (Driophis) they are not loreals (see I, Prf. fig. 4). Again, if only two scales intervene between the eye and the nostril a loreal cannot exist (see figs, 1 and 2). Where the nostril is situated in the middle of a scale (as in figs, 4 and 6) that scale must always be counted in. It appears to me unreasonable to consider it possible for a loreal either to touch the eye or the nostril as some authors describe, In the first case such a scale has every claim to be considered a pre-ocular, and in the latter a nasal, and in both cases the term loreal should be dise rage las a misapplication. It is inconsistent and confusing to call identically situated scales, in one instance, a pree-ocular, and in another (only on the plea of being somewhat lengtheved) a loreal. To simplify is the first step towards popularis- ing a subject, to confuse on the other hand is to breed disgust and discouragement. Journal Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Voi. xiii, Dendrophis pictus €é 3) R Te Jeyip Fr 2 Journal Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Vol. xii, Fig..5. Fig.-6. Silybura brevis (x4) Fig. 7, oes Trimeresurus gramineus es 1) Journal Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Vol. xiif, Vertebrals, Rostral Parietal Rave. a Frontal Pri. ........----Praefrontal S...-...--.--- Supraocular Gee Costals: Internasa! -Dorsals. -Temporal -Occipital Ocr-- Ce) LK) re ged from young specimen) i Naia bungarus (Enlar ; ? (DXi? () “i Kn iN h Alri UREN (20 — == 7 SEA LES Za Reed Fig. 9. +) Trimeresurus gramineus G ] Fig. 16. Bungarus caeruleus (x 2) Journal Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. Vol. xiW, SUD ese Subcaudais. An. _ Anal Ven,..______ Vertrals Tropidonotus piscator (x 2) . C....Ant. chin shields M..__._...Mental vu > . €.._Post chin shields (27 eee Lower labials POISONOUS AND NON-POISONOUS SNAKES. 95 loreal, whilst others have none, and in the same way whilst the majority of harmless snakes possess a loreal, many do not. It isa character, therefore, when taken by itself, of no weight in one direction or the other. 3. Other methods, such as shape of head, characteristic contour of body and peculiarities of tail, etc., which some affect to be able to judge by, are of still less value than the foregoing, and must lead many, except those of more than ordinary knowledge of the subject, into frequent mistakes, 4, A note of warning should here be offered to those who attempt to learn to recognise snakes solely by their colour and markings, for of all the methods employed this is perhaps the most faulty. Fallacies.—(a) Even supposing the colour and markings were invariably the same in the same species, it is highly improbable that any ordinary man will carry away so perfect a mental picture of these, that they would be of any use to him, say six months later, when he happened to kill a somewhat similar specimen. (>) It happens, however, that the colour and markings vary considerably in different specimens of the same species. The young, in very many instances, areso different from the adult as to pre- clude the possibility from colour alone of being recognised. Even adult specimens are often so different that various colour varieties in many species have received special names. A snako before casting its slough is often very different in appearance from what it is after this process, when fresher and brighter hues and well defined marks replace dingy colouring and obscure markings. Colours alter and fade, some more than others, in spirit, and fresh specimens by com- parison may appear very different. For the above reasons also even the best coloured plates are of very doubtful value, for though they may assist one very often, they undoubtedly mislead one at times. Tt will be readily appreciated after the foregoing remarks that none of the usual rules made use of are trustworthy, and that this bemg so other methods must be sought if positive information is to be gathered, and the only methods that will yield satisfactory results, and permit of accurate conclusions being drawn, consists in a study of the arrange- ment and variations of the scales of different parts. By the aid of the appended outlines I hope to make this matter not only comprehensible 96 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. but easy. These methods have to commend them, firstly, the wonderful constancy of arrangement of scales in individuals of the same species ; secondly, the fact that reliable information can often be gathered from badly mutilated specimens, by careful ablution, and restitution of the parts, where other points, such as shape of head, presence of fang, etc., have been hopelessly crushed out of recognition ; thirdly, by pursu- ing this course, one is equally enabled to identify a snake from its slough alone, and acquaint oneself withthe nature of the tenants of one’s bungalow and compound which may happen to shed their skins there. Before entering further on the discussion it would be as weil to specify what snakes are here considered as poisonous and what harmless. The 61 varieties of snakes that are incladed here as poisonous are all endowed with a perfect poison apparatus, 7. e.(1) a gland in which poison is secreted and stored for use ; (2)a duct to convey the poison to the fang ; and (3) a fang situated in the front of the mouth furnished with either a canal or groove through which the poison gains access to the wound after penetration. Many of these snakes, it is true, even in their mature form, attain such small dimensions that a fatal issue is not likely to supervene from their bite in healthy adult man. In cthers the poison has a comparatively moderate virulence, causing, perhaps, slight or severe constitutional symptoms, but rarely or never death. Others are of such rarity that the effects of their poison on man are as yet little or unknown. One class of snakes which possess a poison apparatus, and which are endowed witha fang situated at the dack of the mouth, and whose bite is known to be harmless to man, is for this reason excluded from the poisonous and incorporated with the harmless varieties. Perhaps it will be as well to consider first the characters by which the commonest and most deadly of the poisonous snakes may be recognised, and I will begin with the cobra. The technical names of the scales hereafter mentioned will be easily understood by a reference to the appended figures. . Cobra—Naia tripudiaus (including the anocellate, monocellate and binocellate varieties). The majority of people, I have no doubt, think the identification of a cobra an easy matter, but though it is usually easy to diagnose if POTISGQNOUS AND NON-POISONOUS SNAKES, 97 seen during life, it is sometimes a difficult matter, and this arises through basing one’s opinions upon the presence of a hood, or one of the characteristic marks on the back of the hood (wiz., the spectacle in the binocellate variety, and the saturnine mark, 2.¢., a black ellipse round an elliptical black spot, on the monocellate variety). Fallacies.—These creep in in many ways. (a) During life the hood is seen in other snakes, viz., in the Hamadryad, Naza bungarus, and in :ome harmless snakes. Most of these, however, can only dilate the neck to a moderate degree, but one in particular, Pseudoxenodon macrops, according to Giinther, dilates its hood to such an extent as to simulate, and consequently be mistaken for, the cobra. (6) When a cobra is dead the hood collapses and the neck presents 2 contour similar to the rest of the body, and when the stiffness of rigor mortis has set in, it is difficult and often impossible to detect the hood at all. (c) The loose skin on snakes permits the neck being drawn out with ease in a lateral direction, and one may imagine a hood to exist where in reality none is present. (d) With regard to the characteristic marks on the back of the hood above referred to, though usually one or other is pre- sent, it is not unusual to find specimens with absolutely no mark at all and many with marks modified, and hence misleading. { have myself had ocular proof of these last three fallacies, which were demonstrated to me unwittingly by intelligent men who had been years in India. The only reliable means of recognising a cobra will be seen by referring to fig. 1, im which it will be noticed that the pre-ocular scale (Pr.) touches the inter-nasal (1). Compare fig. 1 with figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5. This little point will distinguish this snake from all other snakes but one, viz., Aylophis perroteti, some specimens of which share this peculiarity. In Xylophis, however, there is only one pair of chin shields, in the cobra there are two (as in fig, 13). Hamadryad—WNaza bungurus vel Ophiophagus elaps, etc., etc. This in its younger days might be easily confused with the meno- cellate variety of cobra, and the same fallacies mentioned under cobra are equally applicable here. The only certain test lies, in the presence behind the parietals, of a pair of Jarge scales which are in contact with one another (see Oc. fig. 8). In almost all snakes small scales begin on the head immediately behind the parietals, One other snake is peculiar in having large scales behind the parietals, viz. Aenopeltis 13 98 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. unicolor, but this can easily be distinguished by the parietal scales being quite separated, and not in contact as in the hamadryad (see Pa, fig. 8). Kraits—(Bungarus). There are at least six varieties of these poisonous snakes within our limits, but as all these possess common characters by which they may be separated from other snakes they had best be included together for our purpose. Probably more confusion exists with regard to identifying kraits than over anything else. The characters as usually assigned to them by the general public, wz. (a) being small, and (() killed in the bungalow, I need hardly remark are insufficient! In the first place, my longest common Indian krait (Bungarus ceruleus) was four feet two inches, and I have seen askin measuring four feet six and- a-half inches, but though specimens approaching these lengths are not often met with, three feet and over isacommon length. Almost any snake may come into the house at times, including tree snakes and water snakes. The points which separate these snakes from everything else are the following :— 1, A row of enlarged, hexagonal scales down the middle of the back (see fig, 10). 2, *A single anal scale (see An. fig. 11, and compare with fig. 12). 3. }A round pupil (see figs. 1, 2 and 3, and compare with figs. 4 and 7.) All these three things must co-exist im the same specimen. Many are aware of the hexagonal row of median back scales (vertebrals) and still go wrong in their conclusions because they lose sight of the fact that these must be distinctly enlarged as compared with their adjacent back scales as well as being hexagonal. If this * This scale, lying in front of the anus or vent, denotes the boundary between the body and the tail. + In certain snakes notably “ Bungares ceruleus” and “Lycodon aulicus”’, the iris is as black as the pupil and hence the shape of the pupil cannot be discerned, Where this is the case the head should be immersed in any alcoholic solution for an hour or two, This renders the lens opalescent and the shape of the pupil is then readily discovered, POISONOUS AND NON-POISONOUS SNAKES. 99 sign is not present the snake cannot bea krait, if this is present it may be a krait ; but since a few other snakes and harmless ones share this peculiarity, notably Xenelaphis hexagonotus, many Dipsas, some Amblycephalus together with Dendrelaphis and Dendrophis, signs Nos. 2 and 3 must co-exist to clinch the diagnssis. Vipers— Fallacies of methods in common use. (a) The characters frequently taken as a guide to differentiate these snakes and found in many books, viz., triangular head, contracted neck, stout body, and short rapidly attenuating tail, must prove uncertain guides to those unfamiliar with these creatures. It is manifestly impossible for the ordinary man to appreciate what neck is considered contracted, what body stout, and what tail short, unless there are other specimens at hand with contrary peculiarities with which to compare any given specimen ; (0) all these characters may be found either singly or conjointly in other snakes of a harmless kind, so that these guides must be considered as very unsatisfactory. Vipers may be divided into two classes. One of these the Crotaline, including twelve varieties, is very easy to recognise, be- cause all the species are provided with an opening or pit in the side of the face between the eye and the nostril (see fig. 7). These vipers from this peculiarity are called “ Pit Vipers.” The second class, the Viperine or true vipers, includes at least four varieties, of which two are common. They are not quite so easy to distinguish as the last, but may readily be recognised by— 1. Absence of large scales on the head (see fig. 9, and compare with fig. 8). 2. Ventrals stretching right across the belly (see fig. 11, and compare with fig. 12), In all the harmless snakes that have no large head scales Zryz, Gongylophis, etc., when laid on the back, a complete row or more, of scales will be evident on each side of the ventrals simultaneously (see fig. 12). (N.B.—Xenopeltis is not one of these snakes, and this figure is only given to illustrate this particular point). The two vipers that share these peculiarities which concern us at present are Russell’s Viper Vipera vel Daboia russelliz, etc., and the little Indian Viper Echis carinata. 100 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV These may be distinguished by the former having the scales beneath the tail (subcaudals) divided (as in fig. 12) and the latter undivided (as in fig. 11). For the sake of completeness I have framed a key by which all the poisonous may be separated from all the harmless varieties, but care must be taken in employing this to take each point in the sequence therein laid down, or wrong conclusions will be arrived at, and it must be distinctly understood that this key will only hold good so far as the snakes of India and the limits referred to above are concerned. A. Hye in a single shield (as in fig. 6.) ...... Harmless. B. Bye surbeunded by many shields (as in figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7.) .. Seon andovasetNecdonan at, Tails yinaih Matteneee decal as a”, Head with large scales fey ‘bo 5. , Poisonous. Includes all the sea-snakes except one, ZO WVATICUOS pictesiseselaciecsseei)-Wacisen)se b?, Head with small scales (oe ie Oe Harmless. The only exception to the rule that sea-snakes are poisonous, viz., Chersydrus granuldtus v1.00 .c.e+e0e- 61, Tails round ‘or nearly round .;,.......+. a”. A pit in face between eye and nostril (as in fig. 7). Includes all the pit vipers, “ Crotaline ’? 12 varieties. Poisonous. b>, No pit in face between eye and nostril, (See figs. 1, 2, ete.)\..-.02,6 a°. No large scales on i of head (see fig. 9) .. a. ‘Wea als bea (ee in “he. ‘LL. Includes the true vipers “ Viperinee*” 4 varieties ...... Poisonous. — b+, Ventrals, so narrow as to allow a complete row or more of scales to be seen on each side simultaneously when snake laid on back (see fig. 12), Includes the sand-snakes Liye and Gongylopiiey sicdseesescscnantes Harmless. POISONOUS AND NON-POISONOUS SNAKES, oe. at. Large scales on head (as in fig. 8.) 3 scales or more in a kori- zontal direction between eye and nostril (see figs, 3, 4 and 5). Includes a host of the commonest varieties and constitutes one of the most important rules. Hxcep- tion 1, which for all practical purposes may be ignored, wiz,, Azemeops fee. Only one specimen has hitherto been recorded, and that from the Kachin Hills, Upper Burma.. b*, Only two scales between the eye and the nostril (as in figs Wandl2) veswsseoneere ae. a. Inter-nasalsin contact with pre-oculars (as in fig. 1), a°, Scales 13.—Count the rows of scales from one side of the ventrals over the back to the other side in the mid-~ dle of the body, 2e., exclusive of tail (as shown in fig. 10.) ... b®, Scales 19-23 (separates GG} COWTH) sestera son ss ee L®, Vertebral row of scales en- larged and hexagonal, (see fig. 10), and round pupil (see fig. 1) includes the Kraiis (Bungarus), 6 varieties 6°. ‘Two large scales in con- tact behind the parie- tals, and parietals also Harmless. Harmless. Poisonous. Poisonous. 101 102 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. in contact (as in fig. 8) separates, Hamad- ryad (Naia bungarus) Poisonous. d°®, Scales more than 13— count as before (as shown in fig. 10) ....0. Harmless. van wcalesml Sronllyeeeasasenctes a°. 2 pairs of nn Shoe (san) figs lo) ARC: anidtere O)ercdcsueapeneee a‘, Round pupil (as in fig. 1). Includes the genera Callo- phis and Adenio- POIOS race se stan ts Poisonous. 6°, Vertical pupil a in fig. 7, but not so pronounced, so look carefully) ... Harinless. 6°, One pair of chin shields only ae with fig a pls) es. BHA Harmless. Before closing these remarks I comuil Tet out that fright will produce symptoms so serious, and so closely resembling the toxic effects of snake poison that even medical men may find it impossible to say how far the condition of collapse is due to fright or poison, and there- fore should the key lead one to the opinion that a harmless snake has inflicted a bite and serious symptoms ‘supervene, it must not be taken that the key has misled. I have known -several instances of this kind, in the most notable of which a man bitten by a Tropidonotus piscator, or common paddy field snake, at 7 a.m. on the morning of the 9th June, 1899, at Rangoon, shortly became moribund, and remained so till about 12 noon on the 10th June (17 hours). The snake was captured alive and identified by me, and the man as was to be expected, recovered. Honaxona, 4th November 1900. 103 THE MOTHS OF INDIA. SUPPLEMENTARY PAPER TO THE VOLUMES IN “THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA,” SERIES II, PART V. By Sir G. F. Hampson, Bart, F.Z,S., F.E.S. (Continued from page 591, Volume XIII.) Sub-family Nonna, KEY TO THE GENERA, A. Forewing with veins 7°8 stalked, a. Forewing with veins 9°10 absent, a’, Hindwing with vein 5 from lower angle of Colle ecco tansers seeswecesrcescteee seuscaronies Neonola, 6’. Hindwing with vein 5 from well above angle of cell or middle of discocellulars, a>, Forewing with veins 3°4 stalked ......... Pisara, b?, Forewing with veins 3°4 from cell ...... Celama. b, Forewing with vein 9 absent; 10 stalked with 78, a’, Hindwing with vein 4 absent, a*, Forewing with vein 7 from 8 after 10... Pwcilonola, 6?, Forewing with vein7 from 8 beforel0 Nola, 6’, Hindwing with vein 4 present. a’, Forewing with vein 7 from 8 after 10... Melanographia, b?, Forewing with vein 7 from 8 before 10, Dialithoptera, c, Forewing with veins 9°10 present. a1, Forewing with vein 10 stalked with 78:9 ... Reselia, b*, Forewing with vein 10 from the cell .......... Zia, B, Forewing with veins 8-9 stalked, 7 from cell, a. Forewing with vein 10 absent ....ss.sscstecsrvessseeee Melaleucia. b, Forewing with vein 10 from the cell .........00. «.. Pexinola. Genus NEONOLA. Type. Neonola, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep, Phal. B. M., II. P. 41900). mesosticta, Proboscis fully developed ; palpi porrect, extending about the length of head and thickly scaled above and below, the 3rd joint short; frons with projecting tuft of scales; antennz of male ciliated, the basal joint with tuft of scales, Forewing with veins 3-4 stalked; 5 from angle; 6 from upper angle ; 7°8 stalked ; 9°10 absent; 11 free, Hindwing with veins 3 and 5from angle of cell, 4 absent; 6°7 from upper angle; 8 from middle of cell, Neonola mesosticta, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep. Phal, B. M., II. p. 4 (1900). 104 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, Grey,more or less suffused with white; head whitish. Forewing with brownish patch at base of costa bound- ed by a short dark antimedial line from costa ; a tuft of dark scales at middle of cell with a line from it to inner margin, angled below the cell; a triangular brown spot on middle of costa with some Neonola mesosticta @ 3. dark scales on its inner edge and witha more or less prominent dark waved line from it to inner margin, angled on vein 2; the postmedial line waved from costa to vein 2 where it is obtusely angled, then oblique, a diffused patch of brownish suffusion beyond it from middle to apex ; an irregularly dentate subterminal line, Hindwing whitish, suffused with fuscous, especially towards costa and apex, Habitat.—Sikhim, 7000! ; Ceylon, Pattalam ; Borneo, Sandakan ; Pulo Laut, Exp. 16 mill, Genus PISARA, Type. Pisara, W\k., Journ, Linn. Soc. Zool., VI., p. 117 (1862) ............ opalina, Necla, Wik,, XX VII, p. 99 (1863). 1519, PisARA OPALINA, WIk., Journ, 7 ; Linn, Soc, Zool., VI., p. 118 (1862) ; Swinh., Cat, Het, Mus. Oxon., p, 131, pl. 4, f. 14, Pisara opalescens @ 2. Necla canioralis, W1k., XX VII, p. 100 (1863), Nola basimicans, Hmpsn., Moths Ind., IT., p. 189 (1894). Habitat—Burma ; Borneo, Genus CELAMA, Type. Celamm, Wik., XOX, py, 500864) eeeccscc-ccactonestasecens scebonbo bifascialis, ‘Aradrapha, Wik., XXXIV, 1182 (1865). Epizeuctis, Meyr., Trans, Ent, Soc., 1889, p. 463. Deltapterum, Hmpsn., Moths Ind., IT., p. 138 (1894). Sect, I. Antenne of male pectinated. A, (Deltapterum). Forewing of male with elongate foveal depression in cell ; hindwing with fold on inner area containing a tuft of hair, the tornus pro- duced to a point. 1518. CELAMA PEGUENSIS, ; B. (Epizeuctis). Hindwing of male with patch of rough scales on under- ; side at tourns, 1528, CrLAMA INTERNELLA, WI1k., XXXI. (1864). Reselia pascua, Swinh,, P. Z. S., 1885, p. 293, pl. 20, f. 6. THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 105 Habitat —Natal ; Formosa ; Bhutan ; Calcutta ; Bombay ; Nilgiris ; Ceylon } Borneo ; N. Guinea ; N.S. Wales, Hap, 16—18 mill. C. (Celama). Wings of male normal. a. Forewing with broad black medial band angled at middle and conjoined to a wedge- shaped patch on terminal area. a1, Forewing with the medial band arising from base of Costa.......c00e0 -s.cesesseees. 1532, lativitiata. b’, Forewing with the medial band arising from costa near middle ....,,..0sesseseeene - 1534¢. tesselata. b, Forewing rufous from near base to the sub- LOLININ als INC) eessseseeossccse/feceras)icecieccceteets rufa. c, Forewing with brown and on inner aide “of postmedial line ...... BosEe Cecdos isomoharocnnaech 450 1520, teniata. d, Forewing with erect medial band and no wedge-shaped patch on terminal area . ... 1538, encausta. e. Forewing without medial band. a‘, Forewing with large oblique eliptical brownish antemedial and medial costal stigmata. a”, Forewing with black points on the post- medial line and prominent spot at vein 2. a*. Forewing with the antemedial line angled on median Nervure ....es....-s 1530. fasciata. b*, Forewing with the antemedial line angled below median nervure......... 1529. tumulifera, b°, Forewing without black points and spot on the postmedial linc ...... - spocccoeoncac disticta, b'. Forewing without large oblique brown antemedial and medial stigmata on costa, a”, Forewing with the antemedial line strongly defined by black......... Meececeas 1526, astigma. b?, Forewing with the antemedial line not defined by black, a*, Forewing with the small blackish tufts of raised scales in cell on ante- medial line and at upper angle. a*, Forewing with the postmedial line COMLIMMUOMSecesessescessere watever secsee 1539, cingalesa, b+, Forewing with the postmedial line double and punctiform .........006 duplicilinea, 6%, Forewing without tufts of. black: Beales mmrcelly, WizAiscccrdsccaecvehaceras sts streptographia. 14 106 JOURNAL, BOUBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 1534f, Celama rufa, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep, Phal. B, M., II. P. 8, pl. 18, £, 2 _ (1900). _ *&. Head, thorax and abdomen white, palpi at sides, pectus, legs and abdomen tinged with rufous. Forewing white, rufous from near base to the subterminal line ; the tufts of scales very large and tipped with white ; some fuscous suffusion below cell on medial area ; a black point above the tuft at upper angle of cell ; the postmedial line white, erect, slightly excurved at middle; the subterminal line trisinuate with some black in its upper sinus and large black patches in the two lower ; the terminal area white with some black at middle; the cilia fuscous. Paine pale-fuscous, .whitish towards base and costa, “ty | Habitat —Ceylon, Pundaloya (Green), jet 16 mill. 1520, CELAMA TANIATA, Snell,, Tijd. v. Ent., xvii, p. 65, pl. 6, £.1 (1874), Nola candida, Butl, 1l.:Het B, M. IIL p. 9, pl. 43, f, 3 (1879). Reselia fragilis, Swinh., Trans, Ent, Soc., 1890, p. 184. Sorocastia mesogona, Lucas, Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S. W. (2), iv,p. 1075 (1890). Habitat,—Japan ; China ; Punjab ; Ceylon; Burma ; N.S. Wales. 1538. CELAMA ENCAUSTA, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep. Phal. B. M., IL, p.8, pl. 18, £. 3 (1900), Rhynchopalpus fasciatus, Hmpsn., Moths Ind., IL., p. 144 (nec, WIk.). Habitat,—Sikhim ; Naga Hills, 1530. Crnama FasciaTa, W1k., XXXV, 1903 (1866); Swinh., Cat. Het. Mus, Oxon, p. 99, pl. 4, £. 20. . Nola nigrifascia, Hmpsn., Moths Ind., II., p. 141. Habitat.—Sikhim ; Nilgiris ; Ceylon ; Borneo ; Sula. 1530a. CrLAMa vbIstTicTA, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep, Phal. B, M., IL, p. 11, pl. 18; f, 5 (1900). Ane &. Grey ; head and tegule white ; genital tufts ochreous. Forewing with oblique eliptical brown antemedial and medial stigmata on costa, the former with the oblique fuscous antemedial line from it to inner margin ; the post- medial line excurved from below costa to vein 2 on which it is angled inwards ; an irregularly sinuous subterminal line. Hindwing white, tinged ~ with fuscous towards termen, Habitat—Bhutan, Ceylon. Ezp, 16 mill, 15300, CELAMA DUPLICILINEA, Hmpsn., Cat, Lep. Phal. B. M., IL, p. 12, pl. 18, £. 8 (1900). Grey ; head and thorax slightly irrorated with fuscous; abdomen tinged with fuscous, Forewing slightly irrorated with fuscous and tinged with brown to the postmedial line ; a blackish antemedial line strongly angled on median nervure; tufts of brown scalesat middle and end of cell ; a double punctiform black postmedial line, excurved from below costa to vein 2 where it is angled inwards ; an irregularly sinuous subterminal line strongly THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 107 bent inwards to costa and with slight black streaks on it at the veins, Hind- wing whitish, tinged with fuscous towards apex ; a discoidal point. Habitat—Sikhim, 7000’. Exp, 22 mill. 1530c, CELAMA STREPTOGRAPHIA, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep, Phal. B. M., IL, p. 13, pl. 18, £. 10 (1900). @. Head whitish ; palpi and antennz brown and fuscous ; thorax whitish ; tegule and meta-thorax brown irrorated with fuscous; abdomen whitish. Forewing whitish, largely suffused with brown and irrorated with black ; the costal area brown to beyond middle ; a fine black line from vein 5 beyond the cell to origin of vein 2 where it is angled, then to inner margin; an oblique postmedial series of black points bent outwards between veins 5 and 2; the terminal area suffused with fuscous except towards apex ; traces of an irregular subterminal line.. Hindwing white tinged with brownish towards, apex, Habitat——Ceylon, Puttalam. Lzp. 14 mill, Sect. II. (Aradrapha). Antenne of male with fascicles of cilia. A. Forewing with prominent blackish band or suffusion on inner side of postmedial line, a, Forewing with antemedial dark wedge-shaped band from costa, a’, Forewing with the whole area between the ante- and postmedial bands filled in With fUSCOUS .......00..0000 Sng) Ho0ce vaveeolD21, erythrostigmata, 6’, Forewing with whitish area beyond the antemedial band ...........2. aecenedases wel541, lucidalis, b, Forewing without antemedial wedge- shaped band, a, Forewing suffused with fuscous from base to the postmedial line...........000 suffusa. 6}, Forewing with band of black suffusion before the postmedial line ......... Seeee mesomelana, B. Forewing without prominent blackish band on inner side of postmedial line, a. Forewing with large fan-shaped medial and postmedial tufts of scales ............ 1534a, marginata, b. Forewing with the tufts of scales small. a’, Forewing with the tufts of scales at middle and end of cell placed at ex- tremities of more or less distinct ob- lique costal spots, a®?. Forewing with the antemedial line strongly defined by black.......0.00001525. angulata, b?, Forewing with the antemedial line not strongly defined by black, 108 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 3 a®, Forewing with the postmedial line CUILING Ap ser se heeeaceeesnciesneeneees eee Sraterna. b°, Forewing with the postmedial line punctiform, a*, Forewing with the postmedial line very oblique towards costa...-,. * cretacea, b+, Forewing with the postmedial line slightly bent inwards to costa... squalida, b', Forewing without oblique costal spots at middle and end of cell. a’, Forewing with the postmedial line strongly excurved from below costa to vein 3, a*, Forewing with the ground colour brownishiseesiccsetehscsesaleresssetosces LODOL suicicumar b*, Forewing with the ground-colour TMS GO OoresceS500¢ Neo raes bite rceoccains polia, b?, Forewing with the postmedial line angled at middle...... cara Gua uee Nees pheochroa, 1521, CELAMA ERYTHROSTIGMATA, 1541a. Pisara mediozonata. Habitat.—Bhutan ; Naga Hills ; Borneo. 1541, CELAMA LUCIDALIS. Nola dimidiata, Snell., Tijd. v. Ent., xvii, p. 66, pl. 6, f. 2 (1874). Habitat,—Ceylon ; Borneo ; Java. 1520b, CeLaMA surFusa, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep, Phal. B, M., II. p. 18, pl. 18, £, 13 (1900). Fuscous grey ; head and thorax irrorated with black ; palpi blackish at sides ; tuft on basal joint of antenne black ; abdomen tinged with fuscous. Forewing strongly suffused with black to the postmedial line and irrorated with a few leaden scales, especially at end of cell; slight tufts of scales near base and at middle and end of cell; the postmedial line oblique from costa to vein 4, then strongly incurved ; the terminal area irrorated with black and brown and with traces of an irregularly waved subterminal line. Hindwing pale-fuscous, Habiiat,—Sikhim, 7000’, Hap, 18 mill, 1520c. CELAMA MESOMELANA, Hmpsn., Cat, Lep. Phal, B, M., IT. p. 19, pl. 18, f, 14 (1900), &. Head and tegule white ; thorax and abdomen brownish-white, Fore- wing brownish-white ; a medial black band suffused with silvery leaden-grey scales, bounded by the ante and postmedial waved lines, the former angled in cell, the latter bent outwards from below costa to vein 3, traversed by a waved medial black line and with tufts of scales on it at middle and end of THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 109 cell ; an irregularly sinuous subterminal fuscous line ; termen brown expanding towards apex and with some white spots on it, Hindwing white with fuscous discoidal spot. Habitat—Sikhim, Ezp, 20 mill, 1525a. CELAMA FRATERNA, Moore, P. Z. 8. 1898, p. 393. Sorocostia desmoter, Turner, Trans. R, Soc. 8, Austi, 1899, p. 15, Hab. Simla ; Kulu; Kangra ; Ceylon ; Queensland, zp, 14-16, mill. 15256, CELAMA CRETACEA, Hmpsn, A, M. N, H, (7), viii, p. 177 (1901), 2 White tinged with reddish brown; palpi rufous at sides; tarsi banded with rufous, Forewing with the costal edge towards base and some spots on costa rufous; the tufts of scales rufous; a fine dark antemedial line, angled outwards to the tuft in middle cf cell, then sinuous; the postmedial line punctiform, bent outwards below costa, acutely angled outwards at vein 4, then strongly incurved ; an indistinct irregular subterminal line, angled outwards at vein 6 and excurved at middle. Hindwing white slightly tinged with brown towards termen, Hab. Bombay. LEzp, 14 mill, 1531, CaLama squaLipa. Stand, Bqrl. Ent, Leit. XIV, p, 102 (1870), Mill Scar Lep, IIT, p. 407, pl. 150, ft. 15-16. Nola pumila, Snell,, Tijd, v. Ent,, xvii, p. 68, pl. 6, £, 4 (1874). Nola musculalis, Sanlm, Ber., Senete, Gis., 1879, ». 261, (1880), id. Lep. Madag. I. p. 171, pl. 6, f. 85. Nola spreta, Butl., P. Z. 8., 1880, p. 671, Sorocostia tetrophthalma, Meyr., Trans, Ent. Soc., 1889, p. 463, Nola minuta, Hmpsn., M. Het. B, M.,-viil, p. 48, pl. 139, £. 14 (1891). Nola van hasselti?, Heyl. C. R., Soc. Ent, Belge. XXXVI, p. 44 (1892), Nola ceylonica, Hmpsu, Il., Het. IX. p, 88, pl. 158, £, 13 (1893), id. Moths, Ind., IL, p. 141. Nola hampsoni, Kirby, Cat, Het., p. 376 (1893), Habitat—Spain ; Syria; W. Africa; Madagascar; Japan; Shanghai : Formosa ; Sikhim; Khasis ; Bombay ; Nilgiris ; Burma ; Borneo ; Celebes ; N, Guinea ; Australia ; Tonga, 1523, CrLAMA SIKKIMA, Moore, Lep. Alk,, p. 287. Nola confusalis, Hmpsn, Moths, Ind., II., p. 140 (mec. H. 8.) 1523a, CxELAMA POLIA, Hmpsn., Cat, Lep. Phal, B, M., II.,p. 28, pl. IG) ais, DP) (1900), Greyish white ; palpi tinged with fuscous at sides ; tarsi ringed with fuscous, Forewing irrorated with pale-fuscous ; some black points on costa ; small tufts of fuscous scales at middle and end of cell ; a punctiform black postmedial line strongly bent outwards from below costa to vein 3, then incurved and with traces of a line parallel to its inner edge; an irregular sub- terminal line angled outwards below apex and at middle ; obscure fuscous spots on termen and cilia. Hindwing‘ white, tinged with fuscous towards apex ; a discoidal point. 110 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, Habitat.—Sikhim, 7,000’. Exp. 18-20 mill. 15236, CrLAmMA PH@ocHROA, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep. Phal. B. M., IL, p. 29, pl. 18, £, 24 (1900). - 9, Grey ; head and thorax strongly irrorated with fuscous ; abdomen banded with fuscous, Forewing irrorated with fuscous ; a diffused blackish patch at base of costa ; small tufts of blackish scales near baseand at middle and upper angle of cell ; an oblique antemedial series of black points arising from a blackish patch at middle of costa ; then oblique and ending ina blackish patch on inner margin connected with a patch on costa by some obscure points ; an irregularly sinuous subterminal line with slight dark streaks on it at the veins ; a terminal series of black points. Hindwing white tinged with fuscous towards apex, One specimen is more evenly suffused with fuscous. Habitat—Sikhim, 7,000’ ; Java, Mt. Arjuno, Exp. 21-23 mill. Genus Nota. Type. Nola, Leach, Edinb, Encycl., IX., p. 135 (1815).......00.ce0ee cucullatella. Dimona, WI1k., XV., 1650 (1858) .....csessecseersorsercescereeres porrigens. Selea, W1k., XXXIV., 1218 (1865) ........c.seseesceseenseeees -. latifascialis. Tribunta, W1k., XXXIV., 1506 (1865) «20... ceeeresceereenes scabralis. Rhynchopalpus, Hmpsn., Moths Ind., IT., p, 142 (1894)...... argentalis, Sect. I. (Selca), Antenne of male bipectinate with long branches, simple towards apex. A, Forewing with the ground colour red-brown strongly suffused with fuscous to middle, 1534e. tenebrosa, B. Forewing with the ground colour greyish. a, Forewing suffused with red-brown to the postmedial line ; black streaks on veins and an oblique fascia above inner margin. loxoscia. b. Forewing with reddish-brown suffusion before the postmedial lime and on CETMEN .ee..sreeee Stednbe eaooooecdoas0608 ee... 1537. brunella. c. Forewing without red-brown suffusion. a}, Forewing with the ante and postmedial lines represented by prominent oblique series of black spots ......+eeseen- Badonciscokosdanocd 1524a punctilineata. b}, Forewing with the lines continuous or puncti- form. a?, Forewing with blackish subbasal and medial patches on costa. a*, Forewing with the blackish patches subquadrate, large. a*, Ground-colour dark fuscous grey ..... phe, THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 111 6. Ground-colour without grey. a°®. Forewing with the postmedial line continuous, dentate, Exp. 36 mm. 1535 argentalis. b°, Forewing with the postmedial line punctiform, Hxp. 24 mm, ......... Pauses melanota, b*, Forewing with the blackish patches subtriangular, smaller, a*, Forewing without black spot on inner margin at postmedial line ...... .. 1533, distributa. b*. Forewing with black spot on inner margin at postmedial line ..... peace ... tristicta. b?, Forewing without blackish patches on GOSUEE Gbodaosoced jodinesSoetecserciescccse 15346, microphasma. 1534h, Nota Loxoscia, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep. Phal. B. M., II. p., 33, pl., 18, f. 33 (1900), Head and thorax pale reddish-brown; palpi blackish at sides; tegule and metathorax with black bands; metathorax with black patch; abdomen fuscous with dark dorsal tuft at base. Forewing pale suffused with red- brown to the postmedial line ; small tufts of scales near base and at middle and end of cell ; the subcostal and median nervures and bases of veins 3°4 streaked with black ; an oblique black shade from vein 2 to inner margin before middle ; the postmedial line reduced to acurved series of black points ; an interrupted irregularly sinuous subterminal line strongly retracted to costa ; the termen rufous. Hindwing whitish suffused with fuscous towards termen, especially in female. Habitat,—Sikhim, 7000’, Ezap. 22 mill, 1533a. Nowa pHeA, Hmpsm, Cat. Lep. Phal, B. M,, IL., p. 35, pl. XIX. f, 2 (1900). @ Greyish fuscous irrorated with black, Forewing with blackish patch at base of costa ; traces of a curved antemedial line ; are ill-defined subtriangular blackish patch on middle of costa; an indistinct oblique postmedial line, dentate between veins 5 and 2; traces of a sinuous subterminal line, Habitat,—China, Ichang ; N. W. Himalayas, Kulu. Exp. 20-24 mill, _ 15354. Nowa MELANora, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep.: Phal. B, M., IL,, p. 35, pl. 19, £, 3 (1900). Head and thorax white, palpi blackish at sides, meso- and meta-thorax with black patches; abodmen tinged with fuscous, Forewing greyish- white irrorated with some silvery scales, the medial area tinged with brown; small tufts of black scales near base and at middle and upper angle of cell ; large blackish patches on costa near base and at middle and on inner margin at the postmedial line ; a minutely dentate antemedial black line angled inwards on vein 1; the postmedial line punctiform, curved, angled inwards on submedian fold, then with obscure line parallel to its inner edge ; an 112 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X1V. indistinct irregularly sinuous subterminal line with some slight black streak, on the veins at middle ; termen suffused with fuscous with a series of black points ; some fuscous spots on cilia, Hindwing white, tinged with fuscous towards termen, especially in female. Habitat.—Sikhim, 7000’; Khasis, Hap, 22-24 mill, 1533, NoLA DISTRIBUTA, W1k., Journ, Linn. Soc, Zool., vi, p. 113 (1862). Nola major, Hmpsn., M. Het. B, M., viii, p. 48, pl. 139,13 (1891). Habitat.—Shanghai ; Sikhim ; Bhutan; Calcutta ; Canara; Nilgiris ; Burma ; Borneo ; Bali. 1533a. Nowa TRISTICTA, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep, Phal. B. M., IL., p. 37, pl. 19, f. 4 (1900). White ; palpi black at sides ; thorax, legs, and abdomen slightly tinged with fuscous. Forewing slightly irrorated with fuscous ; small tufts of scales near base and in and beyond upper angle of cell ; a prominent black streak at base of costa and spot at middle ; faint traces of-an antemedial line ; the postmedial line reduced to points, slightly curved from costa to vein 3, then oblique and with prominent black spots on inner margin ; a very indistinct sinuous postmedial line with short black streaks on the veins ; a terminal series of black points, Hindwing slightly tinged with fuscous towards termen, more strongly in female. Habitat—Sikhim, 7000’; Khasis. xp, 18-20 mill. Sect. II. (Nota) Antenna of male bipectinate to apex With fine short branches .........:+000 15400, fuscibasalis. Sect. III. Antenne of male ciliated, A. Forewing of male with the cell very short, the lower angle produced and the dis- cocellulars approximated to veins 3-4-5 for SOME CIShaA NCO psc ee eseneessaesstec rete sa-ceneenenvas 1520a, laticineta. B. (Dimona), Forewing with the cell normal. a. Forewing with oblique fuscous bar from costa before the postmedial line ...... 1534d, nigrisparsa. b. Forewing without oblique bar from costa before the postmedial line ...... 1524. grisalis. Genus PdacrLoNoa. Type. Peecilonola, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep. Phal, B. M., IL, p, 47 (1900). plagiola, Proboscis fully developed ; palpi obliquely upturned, the 2nd joint moderate- , lyscaled,the 3rd minute ; frons with tuft of scales ; antenne of male ciliated, the basal joint with tuft of scales ; tibie with the spurs long. Forewing short and broad’; vein 3 from before angle of ; cell; 5 from-well above angle; 6 from — Pecilonola plagiola & 4. below upper angle ;7°8 stalked from 10; - THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 113 J absent ; 1! oblique. Hindwing with vein 3 from angle of cell; 4 absent - 5 from near middle of discocellulars ; 6°7 shortly stalked ;8 from middle of cell. A, Forewing with the basal half white, a, Forewing without medial black patch on Costa......... popoodsne ecodenponanscon soibcotccodonet 15410. seminigra, b, Forewing with medial black patch on costa chionobasis. B, Forewing with the inner area white tinged WAU MMOTAN SO Mlosancnecle sacececcmsnaadeteee ses eenaea ochritincta, C, Forewing brown with white patchesat base of inner area and before the postmedial TimW escee'= ropa cpansebgodassoonbeesocs Meh, esac 1550a. plagiola, 1541c. Pd@cILONOLA CHIONOBASIS, Hapa A.M.N. H. (7) viii p. 178 (1900). @ Palpi and pons black, vertex of head and thorax pure white, the anten- ne towards tips and a patch on metathorax fuscous ; pectus, legs, and abdomen tinged with fuscous, tarsi mixed with white. Forewing pure white, a large triangular black patch on middle of costa with a few silvery scales on it, its apex extending to median nervure, its outer edge strongly indented; the terminal area fuscous black, its inner edge waved and angled inwards to cell at vein 3; a subterminal irregular series of black marks, Hindwing with the basal half white, the terminal half fuscous, Habitat—Kangra Valley, 4500’. Exp. 14 mill. 1541d, PacILonoLa ocHRITINCTA, Hmpsn,, A, M, N. H. (7) viii,p. 178 (1901). @ Head, thorax and abdomen white ; palpi, antenne and legs fuscous. Forewing with the basal area white tinged with ochreous, its outer edge oblique from costa before middle to tornus ; short dark streaks on and below vei: 1 just beyond middle, the apical half greyish fuscous with a diffused whitish patch extending from apex to discocellulars; some minute white specks on apical half of costa; an obscure irregularly trisinuate subterminal whitish line with some rufous on its inner side and a tuft of black scales below vein 3, Hindwing white tinged with fuscous, Habitat—Ceylon, Haputate, Exp, 16 mill. Genus MELANOGRAPHIA, Type. Melanographia, Hmpsn., Cat, Lep. Phal. B. M., II.,p, 48 (1900), jlewilineata: Proboscis fully developed ; palpi obliquely upturned, the 2nd joint moderate- ly sealed, the 3rd moderate ; antenne of male ciliated ; tibie with the spurs long, Forewing with vein 5 from well above angle of cell ; 6 from below upper angle ; 7°8 and 10 stalked ; 9 absent ; 7 from 8 after 10 ; 11 oblique Hindwing with veins 3°4 stalked ; 5 from near middle of discocellulars ; 6°7 from upper angle ; 8 from middle of cell, Sect. I. Frons and basal joint of antennz with tufts of scales ; forewing with vein 3 from angle of cell approximated to vein 4 for some dise tance ; alarge fovea at upper angle of cell on underside with a clubbed 15 114 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, corneous process in it from veins 7:8, which are much curved round the fovea at base. 1534, h. MBLANOGRAPHIA TYMPANISTIS, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep. Phal. B, M., IT, p. 49 (1900). Dudgeon, J. Bomb. N.H, Soc. 1899, pl. IL. f. 22 @. Head and thorax white ; palpi and ” lower part of frons deep-bleck; legs black, grey, and white ; abdomen fus- cous with segmental white linas, Forewing white from costa near base to tornus; the apical half brown Melanographia tympanistis @ 2, irrorated with black with tufts of leaden scales on its inner edge ;some tufts of black and leaden scales on costal area above end of cell ; a small triangular blackish patch on inner margin beyond middle ; some dark marks forming traces of an irregular postmedial line ; a subtermenial line retracted to costa, angled at veins 6 and 4, and obsolete towards inner margin. Hindwing fuscous, the inner area whitish. Habitat--Sikhim, 1800’. Hap. 20 mill, Sect Il. Frons smooth ; antenne without tuft on basal joint ; forewing with veins 3 from near angle of cell ...........0.. secticeeprasstisenecte 1534f. flewilineata. Genus DIALITHOPTERA, Type. Dialithoptera, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep, Phal. B. M., II. p. 56 (1900), ...cesseerereeseeersereareeeseeeanes Pet A eetenies Saher 15456. gemmata. Proboscis fully developed ; palpi oblique, extending about the length of head, the 2nd joint roughly scaled above and below, the 3rd minute; frons with tuft of scales ; antenne bipectinate in both sexes, the apical fourth serrate, the basal joint with tuft of scales ; tibiz with the spurs long. Forewing with vein 3 from close to Diulithoptera gemmata @ 3. angle of cell; 5 from just above angle 3 6 from below upper angle ; 7°8 and 10 stalked ; 9 absent ; male with a fovea covered on upperside by a scale flap above base of vein 10; 11 oblique. Hindwing with veins 3-4 stalked from angle of cell ; 5 from near middle of discocellulars ; 6°7 from upper angle ; 8 from middle of cell. Genus RasELIA. Type. Reselia, Hiibn., Verz, p- 397 (1827) ......--.seeseeeseseseerneues . togatulalis, Sarbena, Wlk., Journ, Linn, Soc. Zool, VL, p. 137 (1862) . lignifera, Mimerastria, Butl., A.M. N. H, (5), VII.,p. 236 (1881)...... mandschuriana Callinola, Butl., Ill. Het., VIT., p. 33 (1889) ....sseereereeess scripta, Proneca, Swinh,, Trans, Ent. Soc., 1890, p. 193....... comes fola, Cyphotopsyche, Hmpsn,, Trans.Ent, Soc,, 1895, p. PA lescnee lignifera. , + THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 115 Sect. I. Antenne of male bipectinate, the apical fourth serrate, (A, Sarbena), Tegule held projecting forwards so as to form a hood over head a. Forewing with oblique dark fascia from termen below apex, widening to inner margin. 1545). fola, b, Forewing with longitudinal dark streaks...... lignifera, 1545d, Raseiia tigNiFERA, W1k,, Journ, Linn. Soc, Zool,, VI., p. 137 (1862), Cyphotopsyche ustipennis, Hmpsn., Trans. Ent, Soc., 1895 p. 297 ; Moths, Ind., IV., p. 506. Bhutan ; Ceylon ; Borneo, B, (Reselia), Teguiz normal, a. Forewing witha prominent irregularly dentate line before the postme- dial line, a’. Forewing with the postmedial line double, angled inwerds on vein 2... ..... 1546, seripta. b*, Forewing with the postmedial line single, a*. Forewing with the postmedial line angled inwards on vein2 .....+0+.0..-.1547, sirigivend. 6*, Forewing with the postmedial line aimostistralehty awe sacar s ar eccecreont triangulalis. 6. Forewing without prominent dentate line before the postmedial line. a’, Forewing with the ground colour silvery- white a*, Forewing with prominent black spot below middle of cell........... .....0.2:1544. argyria. b*, Forewing without prominent black spot below middle of cell. a*. Vorewing with the terminal area tinged with rufous, the subtermi- nal line connected with the termen by streaks below apex and at MAG Me rareeceserecedicceeecesseeeeceree LOA a amscean b*. Forewing with no rufous tinge on terminal area, the subterminal line not connected with termen ...... 1540a. argentescens, 6’, Forewing with the ground colour not silvery. a’, Forewing with the apical half bright- TUPELO Sioa omniscient aheee ee tage lea A 1545. semirufa. 6°, Forewing with triangular rufous patch from costa to lower angle OF Cel]... .ccscscregrersccssereerseresseol OAT. cuneifera, c*, Forewiny without rufous patch on Pane middle of costa, 116 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV: a°, Forewing with the basal area yellowish, the terminal arearufous SXCEPhiat COStAs esse or este eee eeeeass flav basis, 56°, Forewing with the basal area not yellowish, the terminal area not rufous, a*, Forewing with the whole medial area suffused with black ......... 1522. denticulata. b*, Forewing with the medial area not suffused with black, a°, Forewing without fuscous fascia from cell to termen............... 1550, idistincta., 6°, Forewing with fuscous fascia from cell to termen..:..-...-....... 1548, ascripta. 1547b, R@SELIA TRIANGULALIS, Leech,, P. Z, S., 1888, p. 608, pl. 31, £. 12. Grey ; head and thorax largely mixed with black; abdomen tinged with fuscous, Forewing irrorated with fuscous ; large tufts of scales near base and at middle and upper angle of cell ; a blackish patch at base of costa; a large blackish triangular medial patch on costa with itsapex on vein 2; the post- medial line straight except that it is very slightly angled at vein 4, a fine line on its inner side, sinuous from costa to vein 3, then highly dentate ; a sub- terminal line retracted to costa, angled at veins 6 and 3 and bent outwards to tornus ; a terminal series of black points, Hindwing fuscous ; vein 4 stalked with 3. Habitat—Japan ; Sikhim ; Khasis, Hap, 22 mill, 1547a. R@SELIA CUNEIFERA, WIk., xxxii., 338, Swinh., Cat. Het, Mus., Oxon., p. 132, pl. 4, f. 22. Selcu ruficostata, Hmpsn., Moths Ind., IV., p. 507. Habitat.—Sikhim ; Bhutan ; Borneo. 1522a, R@spELia FLAVIBASIS, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep. Phal. B. M., IL, p. 63, pl. 20, £. 3 (1900). @. Head and thorax white irrorated witha few black scales ; palpi at sides and antennz brown ; tegulze with blackish band ; abdomen brownish, Fore- wing white irrorated with black scales and tinged with pale yellow towards base ; the tufts of scales small ; costa rufous ; the antemedial line represented by an oblique striga on costa and a very oblique fine black line from cell to inner margin with some diffused rufous between it; a very oblique post- medial dentate series of black marks on the veins ; the terminal area broadly rufous except at costa and traversed by a sinuous black subterminal live obsolete towards inner margin, Hindwing brownish ; vein 4 stalked with 3; palpi about twice length of head, Habitat—Ceylon ;Colombo, Lap, 22 mill, Sect, Il. (Mimerastia). Antenne of mole viliated...15390, ditcisignata. THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 117 Genus Zia, Type. Zia, Wik, xxvii, 109 (1863) nec, Kock, Crust, (1834) non 2e er, tactalis. Aquita, W1k. xxvii, 200 (1863) ........ Soadsodecnnoanoscaconcestasilc .... tactalis, Proboscis well developed ; palpi porrect, projecting about the length of head, the 2nd joint roughly scaled above and below ; frons with tuft of scales : antenne of male fasciculate.; the basal joint without tuft of scales ; tibise with the spurs long. Forewing short and broad ; vein3 from before angle of cell ; 5 from above angle; 6 from below upper angle; 7°89 stalked ; 10'11 from cell. Hindwing with veins 3°4 stalked ; 5 from just above angle of cell or near middle ot dicocellulars ; 6°7 from upper angle ; 8 from middle of cell. A, Forewing with dark triangular patch on costa from base tovend ot cell).csvesssczecenese cate ace re 1540. acontioides. ° B, Forewing with dark triangular patch from medial part of ccsta to below angle of cell...1543, laminata C. Forewing without dark patches ; grey with a lunulate black spot at upper angle of cell ...15349. Iwnisigna. 1548, Zr1a vaminata (Q) = 1542 rufescens (@). Genus MELALEUCIA. Type. Melaleucia, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep. Phal. B, M., I1.,p. 78, (1900), 1532a, obliqué- JORGE Proposci well developed; palpi oblique, projecting about the length of f head, the 2nd joint roughly scaled above and below, the 3rd naked acuminate ; frons smooth ; antennz of female simple, the basal. joint not tufted ; tibie with the spurs well developed, Forewing with vein 3 from Melaleucia obliquifasciata 9 2, before angle of cell; 4°5 from angle ; 6 from below upper angle ; 7 from angle ; 8-9 stalked from before angle ; 10 absent ; 11 oblique. Hindwing with vein 3 from angle of cell ; 4 absent ; 5 from midéle of discocellulars ; 6°7 stalked, or from middle of cell, 118 THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. Including AFGHANISTAN, the TRANS-INwUS PROTECTED STATES and KASHMIR arranged and named on the basis of Hooker and Baker’s Synopsis Filscwm, and other works, with New Species added. By C. W. Hops. (Continued from Volume XIII, page 671.) Part IJII.—THE GENERAL LIST—(continued), 20, A. macrocarpum, Blume; Syn. Fil. 227 and 489; ©, Rh. 488. Athyrium macrocarpum Bl., Bedd. H. B. 165. PUNJAB :—Chamba: Chatri Forest 7000’, McDonell.; 5-9000', J. Marten ; Simla Reg. —“Syree” Edgew ; Simla 507000’, seven stations,Gamble, Bliss, Blani., Trot- ter ; Bhajji State, Bliss. N.W.P.: D. D. Dist —Sowdrna Nala 4-5000’, Mackinnons; Brit, Garh—above Guinji 9000', Duthie nce); Kumawn—Binsar and Pindar 7-7500', Strachey ; near Naini Tal, Hope 1861 ; Gori Valley 7-8000', Duthie 1884; Dhankuri Pass, Trotter 1891; Shama 8000’, Gori Ganga Valley 8,000’—11,0L0', Rachpula Pass, 6750’ MacLeod 1893. DistRIB.—Asia : N Ind. (Him.).—Sikkim and Bhotan 2-9000', very common ; Assam—Khassi Hills 2-6000', very common. S. Ind.—* very common on the W. Mts. above 3000'” (Beddome). Ceylon, Burma, Malay Penins, and Isles, N. China— Sbantung Dr. Maingay. Japan. Beddome and Clarke do not mention this species as being found to the westward of Garhwal. Some of the Simla and Kumaun specimens have been ticketed var. Atkinsoni, Clarke, and being small and sharply cut look distinct ; but there are intermediate forms of all sizes and textures. MacLeod’s specimens from the Rachpula Pass, Kumaun, are large, tripinnate, stiff, with very little lamina in the frond ; possibly they are A. folioswm, Wall. (No. 32, infra), with sori larger than usual. Blanford says of the type, at Simla—‘ very rare, I have never met with it myself. But it was collected last year by a Simla resident a little below the Simla bazar, I believe, about 7000’, or rather lower.” And of var. Atkinsont he says—‘‘ also very rare. I have found it only at the Chad- wick Falls at 5820 ft., and not at al] during the last two or three years.” In 1886 Mr. Bliss gave me a specimen collected by himself in Simla : this habitat was new to Mr. Blanford. Mr. Bliss’s diligence since ther: has proved that A. macrocarpum is to be found in several places all over Simla. Much of the N.-W. Indian material is very simply cut and membranous, and looks very different from the stiffer and more compound N.-E, Indian plant ; but the sori are always much the same. Clarke’s variety l=yinnata, from Assam, I should make a separate species. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 119 21, A. nigripes Bl. MSs., Aspdium nigripes Bl. Enum., p. 162. Aspl. nigrives Mett., in Miquel’s Annales, Vol. IL,, 240, and Vol. 1V., 169 ; Syn. Fil. 227 ; Cl, Rev. 490. Athyrium mgripes Mett., Bedd. H. B. 166. Blume’s description, at p. 162 of his ‘‘ Enumeratio,” is as follows :— “A, fronde bipinnata membranacea glabri-scula, pinnis petiolatis oblongo- larncoelatis acutis, pinnulis subdecurrentibus cuneato-oblongis obtusiu- sculis, infimis sub-petiolatis profunde pannatifid, is superioribus inciso-serratis confluentibus, soris costulis approximatis, rachi glaberrima stipite trigono inferne paleaceo nigro.” “ Crescit in paludibus inter mortes Burangrang et Tankuwan—Prahu Javee insule, 7? Mattenius, after giving the reference to Blume’s “ Enumeratio,’’ says :— “ Folia cum petiolo basi preesertim dense paleato quadripedalia ; yinne inferiores 8 poll. longz, pinnule infimee 2-3 pull., pinnatifide, seomentis ovalibus serrato-pinnatifidis. Prostat Insus foliis tri nec quadri-pinnatis oblongioribus augustioribus, pinnularum segmentis ovalibus, mucronato-denti- culatis Allantodia paludosa (Zipp.)” The type specimen in the Kew Herbarium, which has Blume’s ticket— * Herb. Lugd. Batav. Asplenium nigripes, Java, Blume,”—is a small plant with erect black or dark-brown candex, black roots, and bases of stipes clothed with small brown scales: it has 8 fronds, with stipes 6-7 in. long, as long as or longer than the fronds, straw-coloured, and naked except at base, bipinnate, pinne few, secondary rhachises winged, lowest pinnee as long as any but frond not deltoid, pinnse nob acummate, pinnules narrowest at base, blunt, rounded, very setulose. Some specimens from the Khasi Hills in Assam, 4-5000’, from Clarke and Mann, agree with Blume’s type specimen, and are also somewhat like my next species, especially in haying sete on the upper side of the costa ; but they have much longer stipes than A. denellum has, and the pinne are short and not much acuminate. Mr. Mann has named one of these A. solenopleris Kze., but except for having more lamina it is identical with another he has named A. nigripes Mett. and some high-level plants got in Sikkim, for which Mr, Clarke has (in MSS) suggested a variety name, alpina, may be the type plant. But the bulk of the material in herbaria from the north-east and south of India as well as from the north-west, ticketed A. nigripes, is quite different from Blume’s plant. The type plant has not been got west of Nepal, that I know of. Most of the N.-W. India specimens I originally had in my A, négripes wrapper I have removed to A, Mackinnoni, Hope ; and only five remain, of which only one, from Kumaun, somewhat bears out Blume’s name and description by 120 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. having very dark-coloured scales which extend some inches up the stipe; but the rhachis and costa are not setulose, and there are other material differences. These five N.-W. Indian specimens agree generally with the bulk of material in herbaria which is named A. nigripes, but which seems to me not to belong to Blume’s plant ; and I leave them here only to keep a place ope nfor the species which has yet to be described and named. I cannot find a place for them under any other named species. They are— 1. Punsas: Hasdra Dist.—Changlagali 7500’, Trotter No. 547, 1890. 8. Kasamrr: Gulmarg 75-80004 Trotter 1888. 3. & 4. PuNJAB: Chamba, McDonell? Simla Region—ridge east from Simla. 8800', Hope 1886. 5b. N-W.P: Kumoun—Gori Ganga Valley—Bugdiar 10500’, MacLeod 1893. e 22. A. tenellum, n. sp. Allantodia tenella, Wall. in Herb, 1821, under Asplenium tenwifrons, Wall. Cat, No. 206. Plate IV. (See Part II. p. 529.) 23. A. tenuifrons, Wall. Cat. 206. A. tenuifrons, Wall., Blanford in Journ. Asiat, Soc., Bengal, 1888. A. Filia femina, Bernh,, Syn. Fil. 227. A. Clarkei, W. 8. Atkinson, MS., Cl. Rev. 489, A. nigripes, Mett., var. @ Clarke, Bedd., Bedd. H. B. 166. A. nigripes, Mett., var. tenwifrons, Wall. Bedd. Suppt. H. B. 33. Plate XXIT. The following is Beddome’s description of this fern, given in the Supplement to his Handbook. Except in two particulars—“ very like the type ”, and— “ not rooting at the apex ’’—it applies to the plants I call A. tenw/frons, which are the same as Wallich’s tpye specimens im the Linnean Society’s Herba- rium :— “ Very like the type ”’ (A. mzgripes) “ but fronds gradually attenuated towards the base, intermediate between the type and Clarke:, not nearly so narrow or elongated as the latter, and not rooting at the apex ; the channelled secondary rhachis, the channelled midrib of the pinne ” (pinnules ?), “and sometimes the veins furnished with weak sefe on the upper surface, as in the type and in Clarkei (which distinguishes this species easily from some of the varieties of Filix-fenwna). Referred in the synopsis to /2lix-femina, and by Clarke as a synonym of Clarket. Considered as a species by some pteridologists.” PANJAB : Chamba.—Kalatop Forest 6000’, McDonell ; AKudlu 6-7000', Trotter ; Simla Regiom—Simla 7000’, Hope 1871 and 1886, at the same station; Gamble 6000’, 1878 ; 55-6000’, Blanford 1886 ; Trotter 1887 ; Bliss 1800-92, N.-W. P.: D, D. Dist.a—Jaunsar 5-8000, 1894; 7. Garh, 7000’, Mackinnons 1878; 7500’, Gamble 1893 ; Awmawn, Davidson 1878; 4-7000', MacLeod 1893, Pwo Ne ASPLENIUM TENUIFRONS, Walch. ; B} va Portion of lower part of a frond, nat. size. Apex of same frond, proliferous. aoe of ancther plant, nat. size. inna from middle of a frond, nat. size. 5, 6. Me 8 PLATE XXII. Pe rad ——*S SO ole eer te K A.C. Mukerjei ith. Pinnule of No.4 x 4 diams. upper side. Under side of pinnule, x 4diams. Portion of costa, enlarged 12 diarns. Portion of secondary rhachis, x 2 diams. oh A i aaata me vole See re wah THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 121 DISTRIB,—Asia : N. Ind. (Him,) Nepal, Wallich ; Sikkim’ (A Clarkei) T 7.; 627000’ W. Se Atkinson and C, B. Clarke; Assam (A. Clarkei)—Naza Hulls 5500’, Clarkes Both Beddome and Blanford say A. ¢enuifrons does not root at the apex, as A. Clarkei normally does ; but I think it probable that sometimes it does so root, for not unfrequently the fronds bear buds or bulbils near the apex, just as A. Clarke does, which produse young plants; and if late in the season, from decay, such fronds should bend downwards the buds or plants would have a chance of taking root, or—the young plants may drop off and take root. I have a large frond collected by Mr. McDonell in Chumba, stipe 12 in., frond 27% in. 1, which has produced a young plant at two inches from its apex, one inch in length, stipe and frond together,—an aerial growth. Another plant, collected in Kullu by Mr. Trotter, with five fronds, has two buds on each of three fronds, and two of these have produced aerial plants about half an inch long. There are two minute buds on Gamble’s No, 6311 from Simla; and some very large fronds -got in Tehri Garhwal by the Messrs. Mackinnons are proliferous, one having four buds. < >< ve a oy @ a 2 Bee qu Fish tg ets ead 5 a3 q © Aaa oA on rove) nog =i Bo Ee ES Eee 6.& 7. 1, Rhizome, natural size. 4. Portion of frond, slightly reduced. 3. Portion of Beale from stipes, X 10. ynatural size. 3.t0 5. Pinnules from different size fronds THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 123 glabrous. Pznn. about 20 pairs, rarely more or less, distant, sub- patent or ascending at an angle of less than 45°, lowest few pairs sometimes widest ab one-third from main rhachis, others hardly diminished towards base, and with lowest pair of pinnules some- times elongated, always accuminate, 6-113 in. 1, by 13—83 in, br. Pinnls. 20 or more pairs on longest pinne of large fronds, cut away at the base on the inferior side, and slightly auricled on the superior side, $—3 in. br. at base, cut down two-thirds towards costa into 6-12 lobes with two or more teeth each, gradually narrowing and sometimes blunt at apex, decurrent on rhachis with sometimes a broadly winged base. 'cature her- baceous. Colour, when dried, pale olive-green. Ven. of pinnules pinnate, and veinlets forked in the lobes, pinnate in the lowest. Sort mostly one on superior veinlet of each lobe, near to or ab some distance from costa of pinnule, but more numerous in lowest lobes of large pinnules ; involwres large, straight, athyrioid, or hippocrepiform, and sometimes severed at the curve. Plate XXIII. ‘Hab. Asia: Trans-Indus Protected States :—Baraul 8500, Harriss 1895 ; Kashmir, We : 6-10,000', Trotter 1888, MacLeod 1891, McDonell 1892-93 Duthie (several stations) 1893. Punjab: Chamba—7-9000', Baden- Powell 1879, McVonell : Simla Region, 8200' and upwards, Blanford 1885, Hope 1886, Bliss 1390=91. W.-W. Provinces : Mussooree or neigh: bourhood, Herschel 1878; Tehri Garhwdl State 8000’, P.W. and V. A.; Mackinnon 1879; 10,000’. Davidson 1875,; 38-9000’, Duthie 1883 7500, Gamble 1894; Awmaun: 9-10,000', Duthie 1884. Bengal :— Sikkim, Phulloot 11,500’, Levinge 1880 (Gamble’s No. 8528), “A large broad-spreading fern, with a long stipe, and when dried reminding one of Nephrodium marginatum Wall., and me some- times of NV. ramosum, Hope. The scales at base of stipe are like those of A. migripes Mett., but pale in colour, as is the frend. The sori do not lie in rows parallel to and near the costa, like those of A. nigripes, but are generally aparb from it, curving out- wards, and the involucres are generally much more curved. No doubt specimens of this fern are to be found in herbaria mixed with A, mgripes, but I think they ought to be separated. I erroneously entered it in the Saharanpur catalogue as A. sele- nopterts, Kze,, but I must now separate them, and I name the species after the brothers Mackinnon of Mussooree, in whose collection I first saw it, and whose specimens are the largest I - have seen, and also bevause they have largely added to the 124 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV number of species of ferns found westward of Nepal, and have found species which are absolutely new.” The above-quoted description was written in India for my paper on the ‘‘ Ferns of the Chitral Relief Expedition,” which was published in Zhe Journal of Botany in March 1896, Since coming from India I have verified my surmise that specimens would be found in herbaria mixed with A, mygripes : those so found, and with other species also, in the Kew Herbarium, have now been separated. Earliest in date of collection is a sheet from Kashmir, Winter- bottom No. 349, 5th June 1847 ; and next comes one with a ticket—“ Ind, Or., Hook. fil and Thomson, Coll. T. T. 28th August 1849, ” which has been marked by Mr. Clarke Aspl. nigrives Mett. Sir W. J. Hooker had pencilled on the sheet —“ V. A. decipiens, Mett. Aspl., p. 195, t. 6, figs. 9 and 10, quite accords.” These figures are like bits of my fern, ‘There is another specimen of Dr. Thomson’s, dated 2nd June 1848, and one—“ Kashmir, W. 8. Atkinson, September i874, com. C. B.C. No. 24177.” In the British Museum Herba- rium, among A. wmbrosum, Sm., and A. anstrale, Brack., is another frond— “Kashmir— Winterbottom.’ In Kew I also found two specimens from the Simla Region, of my own collecting in 1886, named by me A. nigripes ; and one from Hattu Mt. 9000’, Collett 1885. In so naming this fern I then followed Blanford, who I believe followed precedent. It is, in greater part at least, his No. 42 (in List) Asplenvwm (Athyrium) nigripes Mett., of which he says— “The typical form of this fern is common in the partially shaded banks and hill sides, on the northern face of Kamalhori and Hatu, at elevations between 8000 and 9500 ft., but not nearer Simla. There are rarely more than 2 or 3 fronds on the rhizome, and they are firm in texture and, in general, nearly as broad as long.” The position and shapes of the sori and involucres, together with the total absence of se¢e on the secondary rhachises and coste, are quite sufficient to separate this fern from typical A. migrapes. Other records of this species, which have come to light since I returned to Great Britain are—The Kagan Valley, to the westward of Kashmir, 5000’, Duthie’s native collector 1896, and Chamba 7-8000' (3 sheets), J. Marten 1897, both in the Saha- raupur collection. 25. A. Filix-femina Bernh; Syn. Fil. 192. A. Filix-femina, Bernh., C. R. 491, var. 1, dentigera only. Athyrium Filiz-femina Bedd. H. B. 168, and Suppt. H. B. 35, var 1 dentigera Wall. only. Polypodiwn dentig- erum Wall, Cat. 334. Forma typica. AFGHAN : 9-10,000', J, E. T. Aitchison,\No. 330, 1880. KASHMIR : Sarpat!9500' McDonell 1891 ; near Gurais and near Gulmarg 8-9000', Duthie 1892. ; S.C. Mondul lith. eee ae BF g © , one d eon og é oO ee a n oO 5 (1b) 5 (a! moa ge 5 < Sel Ss ne) zeae aes ee ae Ey ae cores Dee One Oe g gs see as Bc, Be 6 57 ie © a) Gey eel ig = md Oo & BA oa dro & 4 g Do Gy Zi Bg Boy meee § go Sets ee B GaSe ore) teen TM pe gh G saunas BANGS del. ” fees OA a THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 125 PUNJAB: Chambae—Dalhousie 6000’, Clarke No. 22540, 1874 ; Sara 10,000’, Clarke No. 24111, 1874 : Herb. Hort. Calcutta ; near Langera 6000’, and below Sabrundi 9500’, McDonell 1882 ; Simla Reg. Hattu Mt. 9-10,000’, T, Thomson 1847. N.-W. P.: Kumaun—J. R. Reid 1886, in Herb, Saharanpur and Kew (Duthie’s Nos, 6242 and 6285), NEPAL Wa: Opposite Budhi Village 10-11,000’, and Nampa Gadh 12-13,000', Duthie 1886, Forma dentigera. (sp.) Wall., including probably var. 3, attenuata, Clarzse. Plate XXIV, AFGHAN, : 9-10,000', Aitch., No. 330, 1880, in Herb. Saharanpur : var. attenuata, on ticket. TRANS. IND. STATES : Baraul 85-10,000’, Harriss 1895. KASHMIR: 6-12,000', T. T., Clarkes Trotter, MacLeod, Gammie, McDonell, Duthie : common. x¢ PUNJAB: Hazdra—Trotter, in list of Punjab Ferns; Siran and Kagan Vys. 10,200’, Chor. 10,000’, and Nila—Duthie’s Collector 1896-97. Chamba—Ravi Valley, 8-10,000’, McDonell: frequent?; 10,000’, J. Marten; Kullu 6-8000', Coventry, Simla Reg.—north face of Kamalhori and Hattu Mts. 83-10,000’, Blanford, Hope: Bliss. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—Jaunsar—Chachpur Peak 10,000', Gamble, and Herschel in Herb. Hort. Sahar; 7. Garh.—9-14,000', Duthie ; AKwmauwn—Milam 11,500’ S. and W. 1848 ; Raélam Vy. 11-13,000’, and Byans—Napalcha 12,000’, Duthie. DIsTRIB.—(Forma typica), America: Sitka and Labrador to Canada, British Columbia, and United States; Cuba, Caraccas,and Venezuela. Hurope : Throughout the continent from Lapland, Russia and Scandinavia to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Crete, and the Caucasus. Asia (forma dentigera) Sikkim 10-13,000', rare : collected there by J. D. Hooker and C. B. Clarke. Kamschatka, and Japan. A/fr.: Azores and Macaronesia ; Algeria; Kamerun Mts; Abyssinia; Natal. In the Synopsis Filicum it is not expressly stated that the European form of A, Filiz-femina has been got in the Himalaya, and the following Indian names are given as synonyms, namely, A. pectinatum, Wall., A. tenwifrons, Wall., A. gracile Don., A. stramineum, J. Sm., A. tenellum, Wall., and A. proliferum, Moore. Agreeing, as Ido, with Clarke and Beddome, that the two first of these plants do not belong to A. Filia-femina, and observing that in his Supple- ment of 1892 Beddome has put A. stramineum under A. nigripes, and A, tenellum under A, pectinatum, I find that there are left in the ‘‘ Synopsis ”, as Indian representatives of A. Fulia-femina, only A. gracile Don. and A. proli- ferum, Moore, of neither of which have I seen specimens in India, collected there. Until a few years ago I agreed with Mr. Clarke that exactly the typical form had not been found in India. But latterly, while I was still there, a comparison of the specimens from Kashmir, Chamba, Kumaun, and West Nepal, enumerated above, with my British specimens mostly collected by myself, compelled a change of opinion, and I decided to count typical A. Hilia-femina 126 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. as an Indian fern, though a rare one. I have since found other Indian specimens of uhe typical plant at Kew. Most of the seven varieties which Clarke adopted or seb up have already been upset or reduced to other species of Athyrium, and his var. 1, dentigera (Polypodium dentigerum, Wall. Cat. 334), I cannot distinctly separate from the type, the only real differences being in the shape of the pinnules, which are more equal-sided and less pointed than are those of the type, and in the cutting of the segments, which in dentigerum are always sharply toothed. I have seen the latter plant growing in the Simla Region, and at first I thought it was distinct ; but I had no living specimens of the type with which to compare it. The type plant has not yet been found in the Simla Region by me or by any other collector in recent times ; though there is a specimen of Dr. Thomson’s in Kew marked as from Hattu Mountain. Without taking into account sports and cultural varieties, there is so much variation in individuals of A. Filiz-femina found in Europe, that I could not expect European pteridologists to agree with me were I to separate A. dentigerum ; but the fact remains that it is the common Himalayan plant, and that it does nob vary, except in size. The smaller, and sometimes narrower-fronded, plants are Clarke’s var. attenuata of the type. 26. A. rupicola, n.sp. PuaTe V. (See Part IL., p. 531.) 27. A. Duthiei, Bedd. in Journ. Bot. vol. XXVII., No. 315, Mar. 1889, p. 72 ; Baker in Ann. Bot. Vol. V., No. XVIII. Bedd. Suppt. H. B. 24, under Athyrium, Plate XXV. I quote Colonel Beddome’s description :— Athyrium Duthie: Bedd. Rhizome wide-creeping, black, nearly naked ; stipe 3—4 in. long, furnished with a few ovate or lanceolate deciduous scales, glabrous, pinkish ; fronds narrow, cvate-lanceolate, about 12 in. long by 83—4 in. broad; pinnee lanceolate, alternate, about 20 on each side ; lower ones gradually reduced, the central ones 13—2 in. long, 3—# in. broad, pinnatified nearly or quite to the rhachis into sharply-toothed obovate or lanceolate lobes about two lines broad ; texture herbaceous; rhachises glabrous, pinkish, furnished with a few deciduous large lanceolate scales ; both surfaces glabrous ; veinlets forked ; sori asplenioid or hippo- crepiform, 6—8 to each pinnule or lobe, 7. ¢., 3—4 on each side on the lower veinlets midway between the edge and the midrib. “Collected by Dr. Duthie in the N.-W. Himalayas, No, 389, Gangotee ” (Gangotri 7), near the source of the Ganges, No. 392 under Srikanta 12-13,000.. No. 8667, at Ralam Glacier, Ku- maun, 12-13,000', PLATE XXY, JN. Fitch del. A.C. Chowdhary lith. ASPLENIUM DUTHIEI Beda. 1 Lower half of Frond, nat. size. 6. Portion of same scale, 30 to 1. 2 Rhizome, natural size. 7, 8.& 9. Scale from Rhizome, and 3 Rhizome of another frond. enlargements 6 & 40 diams. A.& 5. Scale from rhachis, nat. size, 10. Portion of Pinna, enlarged 3 diam. and enlarged 8 diam. pis ey THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 127 “Tt is very similar in cutting to Lastrea Brunoniana. Dr. Duthie’s three specimens had been sorted into that packet at Kew, where they were detected by Mr. Hope.” The entries in the Saharanpur Catalogue are :— N.-W. P.: 7. Garh. —Ganges Valley, Duthie No. 389, Aug. 1888; Lekhun Gadh under Srikanta 12-13,000’, Duthie No. 392, Aug. 1883 ; Brit. Garh.— amongst bushes ”, near Kuari Pass 12-13,000’, Duthie No, 5165, Sept. 1885; Kuwmawn—near Ré- lam Glacier 12-13,000, Duthie No, 3667, Aug. 1884 (Specimens from Tehri Garhwa, and Kumaun were contributed by Mr. Duthie to the Kew Herbarium). DISTRIB, (as now known)—Asia: N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim Ta-ne-doo Dr King’s Collector, No, 4464, Aug 1877, 2 sheets—no rhizomes, and Goomthang 12,000’ Dr King’s Collector, July 1888, 2 sheets. Bhotan—Jongri, Dr King’s Collector, Aug. 1887, 1 sheet, with rhizome. I “ detected ” this Athyrium some years before I showed it to Colonel Beddome in the Kew Herbarium; but I had not then begun to write about Ferns. The creeping rhizome is a very characteristic feature of the plant. The frond diminishes in width from the middle very gradually to the tip : WV. Brunonianum maintains its middle width of frond to within a few pinnee of the apex, and is then suddenly rounded off. A. Duthied is glabrous except for afew scattered scales on the main rhachis: WV. Brunonianum is shaggy on stipe and main rhachis almost to the tip. It has been thought that the shagginess of the last-mentioned fern ana its congener, NV. barbicerum, Hook, is a natural protection against the cold of the high altitudes at which they grow ; but A. Duthier grows as high up, and yet is remarkably glabrous. If it always grows among bushes, as in one instance at least Mr. Duthie found it growing, the scaly clothing is not so necessary, To the instances in which A. Duthiec has been collected I have now to add the following :— Kumaun—R. Blinkworth 1827 : 2 fronds, with incomplete stipes, and no rhizome : one with a Wallich’s ticket “ dentigerum, Wall.” and another sheet 1 frond, marked by Bentham “ Polypodium dentigerum, Wall., Kumaun, Wall. 1829.” ‘These are two more specimens on a sheet in the Kew Herba- rium which was among A. filix-femina, and has on it also an incomplete frond of forma dentigera, Wall., with Wallich’s ticket. (Zo be continued.) 128 NOTES ON SOME OF THE PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE VICTORIA GARDENS, BOMBAY, DURING THE PAST 8 YERARS. By Cavassr D. ManaLuxMivaLa. Part I, (Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on 9th July 1901.) 1. ScHINUS MOLLE,* Z, (ANACARDIACEZ), commonly known as the Austra- lian Pepper tree or Peruvian Mastic tree. It is a South American tree, remarkable for its gracefully drooping branches of numerous pinnate leaves somewhat of a glaucous hue, and for its beautiful rose-coloured fruits of the size of peas resembling the ripe berries of pepper from which it has probably derived its common name of pepper tree. The flowers are minute, pinkish white, appearing in March and April, the fruits forming a month later. A few seedlings were obtained in exchange in 1894 from Professor H. Page, of the College of Science, Poona, but they all died soon after receipt, Another young plant, however, was afterwards obtained in 1897 from Bangalore’ It has been propagated by layering, A few seeds collected from one of the plants in May 1900 were sown, but did not germinate. It is suitable for planting as a single specimen on lawns and in mixed shrubberies. It does not seem to bear much moisture at the roots, as some of the plants planted in the Victoria Gardens, the subsoil of which generally contains stagnant-water, died in the rains, It is said to grow to a height of 20 feet. The leaves of this plant contain a fragrant resinous fluid which when the leaflet is cnt into pieces exudes with such force that the cut pieces thrown on the surface of water move about in jerks in consequence of the recoil, having an appearance of spontaneous motion. 2. FarTstA (ARALIA) PAPYRIFERA,f B, and H. (ARALIACER), Rice-paper tree, It is a Chinese shrub, about 8 feet high, with very large seven-lobed gracefully hanging leaves which are covered on the back with a cream-coloured down, The plant was purchased from the Botanical Garden attached to the College of Science, Poona, in 1894, It seems to thrive only in partial shade and in dry open soil, stagnant water at the roots being injurious to it, Several plants planted in the ground in the Victoria Gardens died owing to their being exposed to the sunand to the water-logged condition of the subsoil. It is not only an ornamental foliage plant, but is interesting as the source of the rice-paper of the Chinese, which is prepared from its pith, Itis propagated from the offshoots thrown up from the ground around it, * The name is derived from Schinos, the old Greek name for the Mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), and from muti, the Peruvian name for this plant, + The name Fatsia is derived from the Japanese name of one of the species (F'. Japonica) and from papyrus, a rush-like plant (Cyperus papyrus) from the stem of which the Egyptians made a kind of paper, and fero, to bear, PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE VICTORIA GARDENS, 129 3. RUSSELIA ROTUNDIFOLIA* (floribunda) (ScCROPHULARINE®). This is a Mexican shrub like the other species Russelia juncia so common in Bombay gardens, Its habit is not gracefully pendulous like that of Russelia juncea and the branches are clothed with much larger leaves, while the flowers are smaller but of a darker red colour, The plant was introduced in the Victoria Gardens in 1894 by purchasing it from the College of Science Garden, Poona, 4, SANTALUM ALBUM,} Linn. (SaNTALACE&), Sandal-wood tree, Chandan, It is common in the Deccan Peninsula on dry hills ascending to 3,000 feet. Several attempts were made to grow it in the Victoria Gardens, plants being obtained from Poona in 1894 and 1896, and from Baroda in 1896, and seeds from Madras in i895, and again in 1898 from Poona, The seeds germinated well, but all attempts to grow the plants failed entirely, the moist climate of Bombay appearing to be quite fatal to them. 5. GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE,t Br, (ASCLEPIADEZ), Wdkhandi. Is is an evergreen woody climber indigenous in the Deccan Peninsula, It is in no way a garden plant, having neither ornamental leaves or flowers, the latter being small and yellowish, appearing in May and June. It is, however, very interesting on account of the peculiar property possessed by its leaves, If the leaves are chewed thoroughly so that the juice comes in contact with the whole of the lining membrane of the mouth and then some sugar is put in the mouth, no sweet or any taste whatever is felt for some time, the sugar feeling like so much sand put in the mouth. The plant was purchased in 1894 from the College of Science Garden, Poona, and seems to thrive well in Bombay. 6, MacaDAMIA TERNIFOLIAS§ “Ff. V. J, (Proveace®), Queensland Nut tree, tis an ornamental small evergreen tree about 30 feet high, from Hastern Australia, The leaves are shining, leathery, dentate, oblong-lanceo- late and whorled, The fruit is described as a kind of drupe, with a fleshy exterior, encircling a hard shell, like a walnut, containing at maturity a white firm kernel as crisp as that of the hazelnut with a remarkable rich and agreeable flavor resembling but much superior to that of the filbert, The plants were obtained in exchange in 1894 from Mr, Walter Hill of Brisbane, Australia, They are growing very slowly and the one planted out in the ground in an exposed position seems to suffer from the effects of the hot noon sun, the leaves appearing burnt and stunted. It should, therefore, be planted ina situation protected from the noon sun. It has not yet * It is named after Alexander Russel and from rotundus, round, and folium, leaf. { The name is derived from its Persian name chandal, Samnscrit chandana, and from albus, white, the colour of the wood of a variety cf this plact. ¢ The name is derived from gymnos, naked, and nema, a filament, owing to the stamineous corona being absent in the genus, and from sylvestris, growing in woods. § It is named after John Macadam, M. D., of Victoria, and from terni, by threes, and folius, leaf, from its le ves being in whorls of three, 17 130 JOORNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. flowered here, It is said to bear fruit in from 7 to 8 years after sowing the seed. 7. Guoxinra’ mAcuLATA,* L’Herit (GESNERACE®). A South American bulbous plant of a more hardy growth than the beautiful garden varieties of Ginningia commonly knewn as Gloxinias, The leaves are shining green above and reddish beneath and the flowers are large, tubular and purplish blue. It thrives very well in Bombay in a greenhouse cr in partial shade. The bulbs started in the beginning of the rains begin flowering at the end of the monsoons, The bulbs were got in exchange in 1894 from the Superin- tendent of the Baroda Gardens, 8. SrropILANTHES DyeRiIANust (ACANTHACEX), A _ beautiful shrub, vative of Burma. The leaves of this plant are very ornamental, the upper surface being dark green with bright purple bands between the ribs which become whitish as the leaves become old, the lower surface being entirely bright purple. It thrives well in Bombay in conservatories or in partial shade. The plant was obtained in exchange in 1894 from the Superintendent: Baroda Gardens. 9, PENTAS CARNEA Tt Benth. (RUBIACEH), A handsome dwarf herbaceous shrub from South Africa growing to a height of only about a foot and a half, with soft bright green hairy leaves and beautiful heads of lilac or pale lavender-coloured flowers. It flowers chiefly in the cold weather, oceasionally flowering afterwards throughout the year, It is easily propagated by cuttings and from seeds. The plant was got in exchange in 1894 from Professor Page of Poona, 10. Buppuera Linpieyana,§ Fortune (LoGantace®), A very crna- mental Chinese shrub of a graceful habit, with angular branches and ovate, serrate leaves and long spikes of pale-pink or violet flowers. This plant was also obtained in 1894 from Professor Page of Poona and thrives well in Bombay, flowering from February onwards throughout the hot and the rainy seascns. 11. SrRYcHNOS NUx-vomIcA,|| Linn, (LOGANIACER), Kdjra or Kuchla. This is a tree about 40 feet high found throughout tropical India. The seeds of this tree are a well-known commercial product which yields one of the most powerful of poisons, viz., strychnia, The plants were grown in the Victoria Gardens from seeds obtained from Goa in 1895. They * It is named after Benj, Petr. Gloxin, a botanist of Colmar, and from macula, spot, the stem of the plant being spotted. + The name is derived from strobilos, acone, and anthos, a flower, from the form of its inflorescence in a young state. . + The name is derived from pente, five, referring tothe generally pentamerous arrange- ment of the flowers, and carneus, of flesh or flesh-coloured. § It is named after Adam Buddle, an English botanist, and after the celebrated botanist Lindley. {, The name ts derived from sérychnos, an old Greek name of some solanaceous plants now applied to this genus of Loganiacex, and from nua, a nut, and vomere, to vomit, PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE VICTORIA GARDENS, 131 appear to be making very slow growth here, the largest plant in the pot being now only about 2 feet high, Several plants planted in the ground have died kere. This seems very peculiar, as the tree is said to be very common in the Konkan in moist forests. It is said to flower in from 10 to 12 years’ time. There isan old large tree about 30 feet high in the compound of the Hindu temple in Love Lane in Byculla, probably the only one in Bombay, It is growing against the wall of a house there partly overhanging it, and does not appear to be in a very thriving condition, It is said not to have flowered and fruited yet, 1Z, Mimusops HExXANDRA,® Roxb, (SapoTacE®), Rajan, Rayan or Khirny, Tt is a large evergieen tree common in the Deccan Peninsula. The ripe yellow berry though very astringent is eatable and sold in the Bombay market in the hot months under the name of Amddvddi Mevdé. The trees isin the Victoria Gardens were raised from fruits purchased in the Bombay Market in March 1895, and though slow growing appear to be doing well, 13, Doponma viscosa, + Linn, (SAPINDACE#), called the Switch gorrel in Jamaica from the sour, bitter taste of the leaves, “ Jakhmi” or “ Lutchmi.’ An evergreen stiff-looking rounded shrub found throughout India and in all warm countries, having more or less viscid shining leaves, insignificant flowers and winged capsules. It thrives in open situation in the driest districts and is only useful in the garden for making hedges or fences on dry stony ground. The plants have been grown in the Victoria Gardens from seeds obtained in 1895 from the Inspector of the Bhandarwada Reservoir, Mazagon, where it has been grown as a hedge. 14, Myroxyton (Myrospermum) ToLuireRvuM,t H, B. K, (Lrcuminosz- PAPILIONACEZ), Tolu Balsam tree, It is a South American evergreen tree about 40 feet high with bright shining green, pinnate leaves marked with pellucid dots, Its spreading habit and bright shining leaves makes it suitable as a road-side tree or for forming avenues, An incision into the bark yields the drug known as Tolu Balsam, similar to the Balsam of Peru. The seeds were obtained in 1895 from the Garden of the Agri-Horiicultural Society of Madras, and the plants seem to thrive well in Bombay. One large tree was | subsequently found to exist in the compound of the Sir J. J. Hospital. 15, SOLANUM JASMINOIDES,§ Past. (SoLANCE). It is a small creeper from Brazil with small white flowers. The plant was presented to the Gardens in 1895 by Mr, C. Maries, Superintendent of the State Gardens, Gwalior. It appears to thrive well in Bombay. * The name is derived from mimo, an ape, and opsis, a face, on account of the form of the corolla, and from hexandrous, with six stamens, + The name is derived from Dodonzus (Reubert Coddens),a Belgia1 botanist and phy- sician of the 16th century, and from gviscidus, clammy. ¢ The name is derived from myron, myrrh, and zylon, wood, as the wood is resinous, and from ¢olu, tolu balsam, and fero, to bear. § The name is derived from the old Latin name solanwm used by Pliny and from jasminoides, Jasmin-like, 132 THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUBDIVISION OF THE DAR- BHANGA DISTRICT, TIRHUT, WITH NOTES ON SPECIES NOTICED ELSEWHERE IN THE DISTRICT. By C. M, INaLIs. Part II. (Continued from Vol, XIII, page 631.) Family Muscicapide, (50) SrpHiA PARVA.—The Huropean Red-breasted Fly-catcher. Oates, No. 561; Hume, No, 323 bis, Common in the cold weather, First arrival noted and shot on the 24th September, They leave about the beginning of April, (51) §. auiciLua.—The Eastern Red-breasted Fly-catcher, Oates, No. 562; Hume, No, 323. Mr. Baker identified a bird I sent him as this species, All that I have shot with red-breasts, I have, however, identified as parva. (52) CyYORNIS SUPERCILIARIS.—The White-browed Fly-catcher. Oates, No, 568; Hume, No 310. A single male of this species was shot at Narhar on the 14th March 1898, At first I took it to be C. astigma, but afterwards noticed the white on the tail which distinguishes the species, I never came across it before nor have T seen it since and think it must be very rare here, This is, as far as Jam aware, the first record of its being got in this neighbourhood, (53) CO. RUBECULOIDES.—The Blue-throated Fly-catcher, Oates, No. 575 ; Hume, No. 304. Rare here and only a cold weather visitant. Two females were shot in some bamboos in January and February 1898. I saw a fine male in a mango tope at Narhar on the 18th April 1899, Thad no gun with me at the time go did not secure the bird, (54) STOPAROLA MELANOPS,—The Verditer Fly-catcher, Oates, No. 579 ; Hume, No. 301. Not uncommen during the cold weather. The only note I can find on this species is that I saw one ona large sisso at Jainagar on the 17th November but that it kept well out of range of my collecting cartridgcs. (55) CuULICICAPA CEYLONENSIS.—The Grey-headed Fly-catcher, Oates, No, 592 ; Hume, No. 29, Very common during the cold weather, The first arrival was noticed about the middle of October. I have no date of departure, (56) TERPSIPHONE PARADISI.—The Indian Paradise Fly-catcher. Oates, No. 598; Hume, No, 288. Very common during the breeding season, They arrive towards the end of March and leave about the end of October. Building is commenced about the middle of April and some have finished by the end of the month. They THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUBDIVISION. 133 lay from May to August, I found a nest on the Ist of the latter month, but most eggs are got in June, According to Mr, Scroope they are uncommon about Madhubani. All nests were found on mango trees at from 7 to 30 feet from the ground ; the majority being between 10 and 20 feet, Some nests are cup-shaped and some cone-shaped according to the shape of the fork in which they are placed, Four is the full complement of eggs, but many birds only lay three, Usually the eggs have a warm back ground but I have a clutch in which it is dull creamy white and the only markings on one of the eggs of the clutch are one or two minute spots at the large end. Both sexes are engaged in building and hatching, I have seen chestnut males with lengthened tail feathers, parti coloured ones and white ones sitting on nests, Parti coloured ones, I mean those which have one lengthened tail feather white and the other chestnut, are seldom seen, Many nests of this species are deserted _ and many destroyed by D. rufa. One of the notes of this species is very plea- sant, the harsh notes are generally uttered on the wing. (57) Hyporuymis azurea.—The Indian Black-naped Fly-catcher, Oates, No. 661; Hume, No. 290. Rather uncommon birds here, More are seen during the cold weather than at any other time, I once shot a male in June which, according to the testes, was evidently breeding, but failed to find the nest, Their note is exactly similar to the less harsh one of T. paradisi. (58) RuHIPIDURA ALBIFRONTATA.—The White-browed Fantail Fly-catcher, Oates, No, 604; Hume, No, 292. Exceedingly common, They don’t start building here before the first week in March, the earliest nest was taken on the 1st of April, the latest being on the 30th July ; most eggs are to be found in June, The twig on which the nest is placed is generally horizontal, but sometimes it is at an angle, in the latter case of course one side of the nest is deeper than the other. Many birds only lay two eggs, three being the full complement, I haye taken two young and a perfectly fresh egg from the same nest, and very often nests are found to contain two highly incubated eggs and a fresh one. Both birds are engaged in building and hatching; they are very close sitters almost allowing themselves to be caught on the nest before moving off. Family Turpip#, Subfamily Sazicoline, (59) PRATINCOLA CAPRATA—The Common Pied Bush-Chat. Oates, No. 608; Aume, No. 481. Locally common and probably resident, A nest built in June was latterly deserted though the birds remained near it till the middle of July. (60) P. maura,—The Indian Bush-Chat. Oates, No. 610; Hume, No. 483. Very common cold weather visitant. First arrival noticed on the 3rd of September, I have no notes on the departure of this species, 134 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, (61) P, LeNcuRA.—The White-tailed Bush-Chat, Oates, No, 611 ; Hume, No, 484, Lsaw a bird at Narhar and several at Baghownie which I took to be this species, They had the abdomen, and vent white. (62) PP. 1NstGNis.—Hodgson’s Bush-Chat, Oates, No, 613; Hume, No. 485, This species was obtained by Hodgson in Behar and ought, I think, be got in this district which borders on Nepal. There is a good deal of sugarcane grown which would make its occurrence all the more likely, Mr, Scroope sent me the following note :—“ I saw a species of Pratincola near Motipur on 26th June 1899 which I couldn’t identify. It certainly wasn’t either of the ones we ordinarily see.’ It may perhaps have been this species. Subfamily Ruticilline, (63) RUTICILLA RUFIVENTRIS.—The Indian Redstart, Oates, No, 644; Hume, No, 497. Very common during the cold weather, The earliest arrival being seen on the 30th September. It leaves in April. (64) CyaNnrcuLa succicA.—The Indian Blue-throat, Oates, No. 647; Hume, No, 514. Very common during the cold weather, They arrive and depart about the same time as the former species, They keep largely tothe sugarcane and rice fields. (65) CyanEcuLaA woLF1,—The White-spotted Blue-throat., Oates, No. 648 ; Hume, No. 514 bis. Hume obtained a specimen in Tirhut, but I have not come across it. (66) CALLIOPE CAMTSCHATKENSIS.—The Common Ruby-throat. Oates, No. 650 ; Hume, No, 512. I have only twice seen this bird here and both times at Narbar, On the 28th December 1898 I had a shot at one on a mango tree and missed, it flew off and settled in a large bamboo clump, I had another shot which I think took effect as it never left the clump, the bird, however, was never found, I am certain it was this species, as I know the bird well, The second time I saw one wason the 26th February 1900, as I was riding through a bamboo avenue, The bird was on the ground at the base of a bamboo clump and within 3 yards of me, I had no gun with me and though myself and shikari hunted for it during the afternoon we did not come across it again. (67) CorsycHUs SAULARIS.—The Magpie Robin. Oates, No. 663 ; Hume, No, 475. Very common. It commences building in the first week of March and lays till the end of July. I have found two incubated eggs in a nest, The ground colour varies greatly and all eggs of the same clutch have not invariably the same pattern, One clutch of three eggs is coloured as follows :—Two eggs have a pale greenish back ground and are pretty densely streaked with a dull brownish red, the markings forming an irregular cap at THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUBDIVISION, 135 the thick end ; the other egg has a pale blue ground and a dense brownish red cap at the thick end, the remainder of the egg being almost devoid of marks, An egg of another clutch has a beautiful pale blue ground the only markings on it being a small reddish brown blotch, a couple of spots and a pale under- lying spot of a purplish colour at the large end. The other two eggs of the clutch are more profusely marked but even they are very slightly marked for eggs of this species. (68) CITTOCINCLA MACRURA.—The Shama, Oates, No, 664; Hume, No. 476. The only bird of this species I have ever seen in the district is a fine male shot by my shikari at Narhar on the 22nd February 1900. It was ina bamboo tope a little west of where I saw the Ruby-throat, He says it was shy and kept flying from one clump of bamboos to another, always settling in the densest part. I think it must have been a straggler. Subfamily Turdine. (69) MERULA ATRIGULARIS,—The Black-throated Ouzel. Oates, No, 677 ; Hume, No. 365, A rather uncommon cold weather visitant, February is the only month in which I have noticed them, They go about in small parties, I came across some in February 1900 on a tree in jungle along the Nepal frontier, near Jainagar, there were about 15 birds; when I got near them they flew off calling as they flew. During the same month Mr. Scroope saw a party ina mango tope at Bhagwanpur. (70) MerRrvLa unicotor.—Tickell’s Ouzel., Oates, No. 678 ; Hume, No, 356. Mr. Scroope saw some birds on the 28th November 1898, which he took to be this species, (71) GeocicHLA cirriIna—The Orange-headed Grovnd-thrush. Oates, No, 686 ; Hume, No. 355. A rather scarce cold weather visitant. My specimens, all of them males, were shot in March and November. Isenta note on this species to the Journal some time ago, Here it seems to mostly frequent bamboos, (72) OREOCINCLA DAUMA,—The Small-billed Mountain-thrush, Oates, No. 698 ; Hume, No, 371. Very rare cold weather visitant, The only year in which I saw these birds was 1899. I saw one on the 14th January at Narhar in a mango tope and on the 16th March a pair were shot at the same place. Family PnLocripa@, Subfamily Ploceine, (73) PuLoceus saya—The Baya. Vates, No, 720 ; Hume, No. 694, Very common and breeds from the middle of J uly to the end of September, Two is certainly the full complement of eggs. I have, however, got 3 young from a nest, 136 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. (74) P. meGARHyNcHUS,—The Hastern Baya, Oates, 721; Hume, No, 694 bis. I have several birds of this species, but they are scarce as compared with the last species. These are not the true megarhynchus, Hume as discriminated by Mr. Finn and will stand as P, atrigula. (75) P. BENGALENSIS.—The Black-throated Weaver-bird, Oates, No, 722; Hume, No. 696. Very common, Jam not sure whether they are resident or not, as I have never shot any from December to the middle of June, The earliest nest was taken on the 10th July and the latest on the 14th September. I have found their nests in sugarcane and also in ekri. Out of 103 eggs taken, 54 were got in August, 47 in July and only 2 in September, Three or four is the usual complement of eggs, twice or thrice I have found five and once I took seven out of the same:nest, probably the latter were the produce of two pairs of birds. I have also found a single young one in a nest. Many eggs are destroyed by the pretty little long-tailed Tree-mouse V. oleracea, I have several times caught it in these birds’ nests. (76) P. manyaR,—The Striated Weaver-bird. Oates, No. 723 ; Hume, No, 695. I have not noticed this species in this subdivision, but probably it is to be found in the rushes near the large jheels. I have,lamsorry to say, never had an opportunity to visit any of them, Subfamily Viduine. (77) Munia aTricapiLLa,—The Chestnui-bellied Munia, - Oates, No, 726 ; Hume, No, 698. Very common round about Jainagar and Narhar during the breeding season, It arrives about the third week in June and remains, I think, till the end of November. It commences laying in July, the earliest nest being taken on the 15th of that month and finishes by the end of September. It builds its nests in the same situations as P, bengalensis, both species often breeding together. All ihe nests were from 5 to 6 ft. from the ground, The usual complement of eggs is five or six. I once found seven and haye taken three young froma nest. The greatest number of eggs are got in August. (78) URoLoNCHA MALABARICA.—The White-throated Munia, Oates, No. 734; Hume, No, 703, Very common. January and June are the only months during which I have failed to find their nest, Besides building in the orthodox ‘situations, v2z., thorny bushes, they also build on mango and kheirirees (A. catechw) bamboos, coccanut palms and in sugarcane; one nest I took froma small hole ina seet stack and one from a jack tree (A. integrifolia) sapling. One pait took possession of a nest of Ploceus bengalensis, I have never found more than seven eggs in any nest, and have several times seen only @ THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUBDIVISION. 137 single young one. On the 22nd August 1897, I took a nest containing two slightly incubated eggs of normal size and one, very small one, which was yolkless, (79) U, puncruLATA.—The Spotted Munia. Oates, No, 735 ; Hume, No. 699, Very common, Breeds in Marchand from July to December, The earliest nest was found on the 18th March and latest on the 15th December, Most were situated on babool and kheir trees (A. arabica and A. catechu), several were on Palmyra palms (8B. flabelliformis) and a very few on mango (I, indica) and jack trees (A. integrifolia), Those on mango trees were about 15 feet from the ground, but those on palms were very high up. Seven is the maxi- mum of eggs I have even found in any nest. (80) SrokacinTHUS AMANDAVA.—The Indian Red Munia, Oates, No. 738 ; Hume, No. 704. This species is rarer than any of the other munias, I have seen a few in May, but most are seenin July and August, It breeds during July, August and October. I have no nests taken in September. The earliest nest was taken on the 23rd of July and the latest on the 9th of October, I have never found over seven eggs in any nest, the smallest number of incubated ones was three, I have taken two very highly incubated and two fresh eggs from the same nest, In August 1897 I saw several large flocksinthe millet fields near Jainaga, one nest taken during that month was in sugarcane, but all the others were in grass, the stems of which were incorporated with the nest, The native name is lal. Subfamily Fringilline, (81) CaRPODACUS ERYTHRINUS.—The Common Rose Finch, Oates, No. 761; Hume, No. 738. This is a rare visitant to the district, I have only come across four or five during my three years residence in the subdivision, they were single birds seen in February, March and April. (82) GyYMNORHIS FLAVICOLLIS.—The Yellow-throated Sparrow. Oates, No. 775; Hume, No, 711. Flocks are seen from May to October. On the 14th May a nest was being made in a hole in a rotten stump of a mango tree about 8 feet from the ground, it was latterly deserted. {n April another nest was found,it was also ‘deserted ; those are the only two I have ever come across, (83) PAsseR DOMESTICUS.—The House Sparrow. Oates, No. 776 ; Hume, No. 706. Abundant, It builds most of the year. Ihave taken no nest however during January, June, July, August, and December, but I may have overlooked them, Six is the greatest number of eggs I have taken from a nest. I have sometimes found a solitary young one. On the ist April 1898 I took an egg which was pear shaped fromanest at Narhar; on the 19th March I took 18 138 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, three eggs from a nest, and on the ist April it was found to contain six more, Ihave also takena tiny egg quite yolkless, The native name is buggera. Family Hirundinide. (84) CoTILE rIPARIA.—The Sand-Martin. Oates, No. 808; Hume, No, 87. I have never shot this bird in this subdivision, but in February 18938, my shikari shot one flying over a river at Hassowlie Fly, some nine or ten miles from Somastipur. lam sure I identified it correctly as there was a tuft of feathers on the tarsus ; the skin unfortunately got destroyed and I have been _ unable to obtain another, (85) C. sivensis.—The Indian Sand-Martin. Oates, No, 809 ; Hume, No. 89, Exceedingly common. They breed here in November, December, January, aod also in April as I found on the 6th of that month an addled egg and two newly hatched young. Ihave found them breeding in the banks of the Kamla wherever they were fairly steep, Four is the greatest number of eggs ever taken from anest; most eggs were got in November, one burrow measured was 36” deep and the hollow in which the nest rested was 5” x 43” ; the nest being a loose pad of grass. (86) Hirunpo rusrica.—The Swallow. Oates, No. 813; Hume, No. 82. I shot a few swallows in January 1990 ; those of this species had a perfect band across the breast, but the lower plumage was almost pure white, There were several very dark rufous bellied birds, but I didn’t secure one ; they may have been H. tyéleri, but more probably were only deeply coloured A, rustica. I have noticed swallows in considerable numbers from July till the end of the cold weather. On the Ist of April many were seen flying northward towards Nepal. (87) H, GcurruraLis.—The Hastern Swallow. Oates, No, 814 ; Hume, No, 82 bis. A bird shot on the 15th January has a narrow pectoral band well broken _ by the rufous of the throat, but the lower plumage is very pale rufous, darker on the undertail-coverts and the measurements are more those of H, rustica than of this species. I have several birds which I take to be gutturalis, but most appear to be hybrids. P (88) H. NEPALENSIS,—Hodgson’s Striated Swallow. Oates, No, 822; Hume, No, 85 bis. This is not such a common species but a fair number of birds are seen at the same time of the year. I saw about half a dozen flying over the indigo at Narhar on the 11th April but after that month they appear to leave the district till July as Ican find no notes on them during the intervening months, THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUBDIVISION, 139 Family Motacillide. (89) Moracitta aLba,—The White Wagtail. Oates, No, 826; Hume, No, 591 bis, Very common cold weather visitant. They arrive aboutthe first week of September and most have left before the end of April. (90) M, reccopsis,—The White-faced Wagtail. Oates, No, 827; Hume, No, 590. I have few specimens of this species and consider it uncommon, (91) M. personara,—The Masked Wagtail. Oates, No, 829 ; Hume, No, 591. This is one of our rarer wagtails. I have only two specimens, both got in January 1898. (92) M. Hopesont.—Hodgson’s Pied Wag tail. Oates, No, 830 ; Hume, No. 589, Common, My specimens were obtained from October to March. (93) M, mapERAsPATENSIS,—The Large Pied Wagitail. Oates, No. 831; Hume, No, 589 bis. I have never come across this species in the subdivision, but Mr. Scroope says he has seen it, I shot a specimen however at Doodpoora Factory, near Somastipur, in January 1896. I also found a nest at Belahi Factory, in the Mozufferpur district in the side of a well, unfortunately the eggs were destroyed. (94) M. mMELANoPpE.—The Grey Wagtail. Oates, No, 832 ; Hume, No, 592, I have failed to secure a single specimen of this species though Oates remarks it is a Winter visitor to every portion of the Empire. I may perhaps have overlooked it, but out of a series of about a hundred wagtails not one belongs to this species, (95) M. BOREALIS.—The Grey-headed Wagtail, Oates, No, 833 ; Hume, No, 593, This is not a common species. I have only five specimens in my collection, (96) M. rnava.—The Blue-headed Wagtail. Oates, No. 834; Hume, No, 593 ter (part.) Not uncommon, I sent some wagtails to Mr. Baker, which he kindly went through for me, some belonged to this species, (97) M. sEEma.—The Indian Blue-headed Wagtail. Oates, No, 835 ; Hume, No, 593 ter (part.) Exceedingly common, The earliest arrival noted was on the 7th Septem- ber and all had left by the 3rd May. (98) M, crrrEoLA,—The Yellow-headed Wagtail., Oates, No. 837 ; Hume, No, 594 ter, Rather uncommon, I have noticed none after the middle of April, (To be continued.) 140 THE LATE Mr, ©, L, pz NICEVILLE. Charles Lionel Augustus de Nicéville, the entomologist to the Government of India, died in Calcutta last Tuesday, and the world of science loses a brilliant and successful worker. He was born in 1852, and came of a noble Huguenot family long domiciled in England, and was the last baron of his line, His father was a member of the medical profession. He was educated at St. John’s College at Hurst Pier Point, near Brighton, and gave early evidence of entomological tastes, as a schoolfellow informs us that he spent all his spare time in studying insects instead of participating in the ordinary school games, After leaving school he was for some time employed in a bank, but came out to India, and held non-gazetted appointments from 1876, his last one being that of clerk of the Calcutta Small Cause Court, in which employment he was well-known for many years in Calcutta, His holidays and daily leisure he employed in the study of Oriental butterflies, on which he was recognized as the greatest authority. His papers on this subject were over 70 in number, and were of the very greatest importance, as he was a naturalist of the all-round type, not only studying his specimens in the cabinet, but collecting largely for himself, and:devoting much attention to breeding. By this method he experimentally proved that in no less than four cases seasonal forms of the same butterfly had been wrongly separated as species, and by applying this knowledge was able greatly to elucidate the history of other forms, He described many new species of butterflies and contributed much to our knowledge of the distribution of these insects, travelling in the course of his entomological researches far and wide in the East from Ladakh to Japan and Sumatra, His researches were carried on for many years in a room allotted to him in the Indian museum, where he kept his very fine and extensive collection, which has lately been acquired by purchase by thatinstitution. It was his custom to daily resort to the museum for two or three hours’ study before breakfast, and thus he was able to get through a great amount of work during the many years in which he pursued his studies, His results were published in several scientific journals, especially in those of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, and of the Bombay Natural History Society. Of both of these he was a member, in the latter case an honorary correspond- ing one, and he served them loyally and well, More than once he officiated as Natural History Secretary to the Asiatic Society, and once as the Secre- tary for Anthropology, and from his long connection with the Society, dating from 1881, he was a living repository of its observances and traditions. To the Bombay Society he was of the greatest assistance, as he long undertook the task of correcting the proofs of their journal, at which he was most painstaking and assiduous. The qualities of method and industry were, indeed, most characteristic of him, and make his published work of the very highest value, THE LATE MR, C.L. DE NICEVILLE, 141 He was a constant contributor to The Asian, an ever ready reference on the special subjects with which his name will be remembered, and a writer who spared bimself no trouble whenever and in whatever connection his assistance was sought. Personally we lose in him a staunch friend, while the paper is the poorer by the removal of one of our most valued co-adjutors, In addition to his connection with these Indian scientific societies, he was a member of the Linnean and the Entomological Societies, and in 1888 was elected a corresponding member of the Zoological Society of London, to whose proceedings he also contributed, His great work on the Butterflies of India, Ceylon and Burma was unfor- tunately never finished, but such portions of it as were published have been of the very greatest use, For three years, from 1881 to 1884, he was put on special duty in the Indian Museum, whose collection of butterflies he arrang- ed, and at the beginning of the present year, to his great satisfacticn, he was attached officially to that institution on the creation of the post of Govern- ment Entomologist. He attacked the work of economic entomology with his wonted energy, and in the pursuit of his studies in the Darjeeling Terai contracted the fatal attack of fever and pneumonia which caused his untimely death. This has come as a terrible blow to his numerous friends, for his singu- larly kind and genial disposition had erdeared him to all, With a wide capacity for enjoyment he combined singularly simple tastes, and both in this and in his equanimity of temper and cheerfulness of mind showed him- self a true philosopher ; while he also realized in the fullest degree Chaucer's noble definition of the true gentleman as one who is always courieous and ever on the alert to do a kindness whenever hecan, He leaves but one child, a daughter, and the heartfelt smypathy of all who knew and loved him in the East and at home will be with this young lady and her relatives in their sad bereavement.—The A sian. CaxcurrTa, 10th Dec., 1901. 142 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. No. 1—A SNAKE AND A FISH. This morning, walking round the Lake, I saw a large water-snake Swimming towards the shore, and on nearer inspection I found he had in his mouth quite a large fish which he held firmly by the extreme end of the tail and which lay on its side apparently helpless underneath the suake, I donot know what sort of fish it was, but it was about 8 inches long or a little more, and about 3 inches deep,—very narrow, like a small sole ordab. It appeared to be dead, The snake swam to the edge which consisted here of a walk of rough stones about 5 feet high,down which it was quite impossible to get, and presently finding a hole proceeded to enter and pull the fish in, This at first it had some ditticulty in doing and on my throwing a stone down, the fish showed renewed signs of life and getting round into a vertical or natural position, made a bit of a fight and pulled the snake’s head and some eight or nine inches of its body out of the hole. I dropped a stone right on to the top of the snake, but the result was not what I expecied, for it gave its bodya jerk, | and getting the fish on to its side, again pulled it clean out of sight into the hole. As I say, it was impossible to get down, so I cannot surmise how the snake disposed of the fish, which would, of course, in time be drowned, in‘fact it seemed greatly advanced towards that condition when I sawit, due probably to being towed along backwardsthrough the water. Snakes are, we know, pretty handy at swallowivg, but the process of absorbing a fish tail foremost back fins and all is rather a large order, I do not know whether my experience is & COMmMon One, so send it on chance, H. D. OLIVIER, Cot., R.E. Mount Axu, March, 1901. No, I1—OCCURRENCE OF THE LAGGAR FALCON IN BURMA, T am sending the skin of what I take to be the Laggar Falcon (f. jugger) and shall be glad to know whether my identification is correct, In the Fauna of British India (Birds, Vol, III,p. 420) it is mentioned as not having been observed in Burma, but it may have been recorded since the publication of that work. At any rate the bird in question is fairly common in this district, and during the last two years I have found five nests—three of which contained eggs and the other two young birds. Two of the latter I kept for some months, but both unfortunately died before attaining to the acult stage of plumage. On the same larg» cotton tree, on which was the nest from which I took the young birds on 23rd March, there were also some four or five nests of the common Heron, some of which contained eggs, Two days previously I shot a Falcon of the same species off her nest, from which I got thiee eggs of much lighter colour and smaller than the others I have, and on this same tree was the nest of a Black Ibis (Jnocotis davisoni) containing a young bird almost fully fledged and one addled egg, The Herons and Ibises on both “MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. E 143 occasions appeared to be breeding on quite friendly terms with the Falcons within a few feet of each other. Ontwo other occasions I found the old or deserted nest.of a Heron or Stork had been occupied by the Falcons. ; K, C, MACDONALD. _ Myineyan, Upper Borman, 13th March, 1901. | Notr.— The specimen sent, which is the skin of an adult bird, has been . carefully examined and there is no doubt Mr, Macdonald is correct in his identification, So far as I know the species has not previously been recorded from Barma and the fact of its now being found to be fairly common in the Myingyan district only goes to show how much we have still to learn of the distribution of many species. Mr. Blanford, in noting the absence of records of this falcon from Burma, also mentions Assam. It has since been reported from Cachar by Mr. Inglis and others, although Mr. Stuart Baker writes in - our Journal (Vol, XI, p. 403) of the latter district that ‘it must be a very rare bird, as I have never seen one, nor have any of my collectors managed to get me one, EK. COMBER. BomsBay, 27th March, 1901. Honorary Secretary (Birds). No, II.—BIRDS’ NESTING ROUND POONA AND ELSEWHERE, In the cold weather one has to be content with quality not quantity ; it may be termed the “ dull season,” ; nesting being confined practically to birds of prey which necessitates a good deal of travelling in order to cover a large amount of ground, Onthe whvle, however, I have met with a considerable measure of success, Toe Kine ok Buack VULTuRE (Otogyps calvus)—During the past two "seasons, I have obtained three nests, two round Poona and one in the Shola- pur District, The latter nest was an enormous steucture and was placed on the top of a lofty tamarind tree, in taking which rather an amusing incident occurred, During my tour I was accompanied by a friend, who made use of a horse as a means of locomotion, while I relied on my bicycle, He sar- castically told me he thought Ishould probably have to foot it most of the _ way as the roads were bad and hoped [ was fond of walking, As luck would have it, I had only ridden a very few miles on the first day, when my byke punctured badly ; I, however, managed to repair it very quickly and reached camp safely tobe met with further sarcasm, As the sequel shows my turn came and I had rather the best of the laugh, My friend constantly chatted me regarding my passion for nesting. When proceeding to take the above nest, he accompanied me : on seeing it, he observed “ why, that’s only a dove’s nest !’’ While engaged in this banter, he was getting through a hedge, when he rana babul thorn into his leg : we tried our utmost to get it out _ but failed, even though we enlisted the aid of the village barber ! As most people are aware, a babul thorn in the flesh is most painful. I assisted my chum into camp and next day we made tracks for Sholapur to obtain medical 144 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. aid, I on my byke, my friend in a bullock gharry ! his leg being far too painful to admit of his riding. As I passed him, jolting along, I had the laugh of him as I told him I was sorry he had been so badly punctured ! I obtained a perfectly fresh egg out of this nest. Date 19th January. On the 6th March, I obtained a much incubated egg from a nest placed in a small Pipal tree, situated ina lonely and bare glen, where it was easily reach- ed. On the 4th February 1901, obtained another perfectly fresh egg, The rest was ahuge mass placed onthe top of a high and large mango tree ina tope, to climb which a rope had to be thrown over one of the lower branches, On finding the nest I threw up stones to try and dislodge the bird, though I could see none from below, owing to the size of the nest, and as this had no effect, I fired a shot iato the tree when Mrs, Vulture made a most hasty exit. THe Patiip VuLtruRE (Gyps pallescens)—It is not easy to obtain eggs of this species, They usually select the faces of precipitous cliffs to nest in, such as Shivner Fort near Junnar, This season, I came on one which was accessible and within easy reach. I consequently wrote and asked a gentleman, who very kindly obtained and sent me a fresh egg, which reached me on X’mas Day. I only remained a day at the spot, so could not arrange to take the nest myself. THE WHITE ScavENGER VULTURE (Neophron ginginianus)—I have found mavy nests of this species this season, They take a long time over their domestic arrangements, The favourite site seems to bea mango tope, some little way from human habitation. A fairly large tree is se ected and the nest is built in the hollow made by the large limbs branching away from the trurk, which gives a good foundation ; as often as not very little of the nest is visible from below and it is not as a rule very far up. Ihave found most nests by seeing a pair hanging about a tope, and on _ searching a nest is invariably disclosed. The same nestis used for several seasons ; the birds begin to hang about and repair the old nest in December, though they lay chiefly towards the end of February ; two seems the complement of eggs, and if one lot is taken they will lay again. The eggs are very handsome, being richly and boldly blotched, streaked and spotted with brick red, while some of the richer eggs are almost entirely of that colour, Tue Inpian Tawny Eacte (Aquila vindhiana).—I observed a vest of this bird on the top of a lofty mango tree early in January, my attention being drawn to it by one of the birds being perched on the tree ; at this period the nest had only just beencommenced, and I could see through it, I visited the nest shortly after and came to the conclusion it had been deserted, as neither of the birds were in the neighbourhood and the nest did not seem to have pro- gressed, Being in the vicinity of the nest still later, I just went to have a look at it, when the bird quitted it. I sent a man up by means of a rope thrown over a lower branch, and obtained two perfectly fresh eggs, Date— 4th February 1901, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 145 Tae BragMiny Kits (Haliastur indus) is fairly common on the river here, but seems to withdraw itself for nesting. This year, however, I found a nest building in a mango tope about half mile from the river, I noticed the birds hanging about the tope in December, though I did not get the egg till the 25th February, This particular pair only laid one egg, but asa rule, two is the complement. I obtained another nest containing two fresh eggs on the 22nd February, which was built ona bare mango tree on the banks of the Mina, north of Poona. The nest rather resembles a crow’s nest, being much smaller and more compact than that of the commen kite, From observing the habits of this bird the female seems to sit on the nest before the eggs are laid. THE Inp1an Barn Ow. ( Strix javanica), I believe, is fairly plentiful round Poona but escapes observation owing to its nocturnal habits and its retiring down old and disused wells, during the day, I have not had luck this year but hope to obtain several clutches next, as I found nests with young and believe this species invariably breeds year after year in the same place. On the 25th November, two eggs were found, so I left them in the hope that I might get more, but unfortunately something or some- body took them and I had to do without. On the 30th December, I explored two more wells only to find half-grown young, Tau Brown Fise Ow (Ketupa ceylonensis)—While nesting on the Banks of the Mina, north of Poona, a large nest was observed about 40 feet up a large Banyan tree : judging by the site, I thought it was an old nest of the White Scavenger Vulture. On throwing up stones, one lodged in the nest, when a large owl flew off. A boy was sent up, who reported one egg. I left this and reiurned three days later, On this occasion the bird had to be roused off the nest by the boy and as there was still only one egg I took it. It was hard set but Icleaned it by the water process, This was on the 22nd February. The village near which I was encamped was surrounded by mango topes and I heard and saw several owls, As I was not sure of the species I am sorry t) say I shot the owl ; she was in bad condition, so far as feathers were concerned but was very fat. Immediately on leaying the nest she was beset by crows, who mobbed her unmercifully, tweaking her feathers and pecking her and they were so thick about her that one was knocked over by the shot which killed her, Tus SpoTreD OwnetT (Carine brama) is very common about here, I fancy they nest in any convenient place, I have obtained several clutches of eggs this year, which I have found in holes in trees, usually in mango topes, Nearly every tope near here has its spotted owlets, which are seen to flit away fron holes in the trees on one’s approach : these holes if examined from the middle of J anuary to March, will usually be found to contain eggs, R, M. BETHAM, Mayor, 8th Bombay Tnfanters Poona, 31st March, 1901, 19 146 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV No, IV.—HYANAS HUNTING WITH JACKALS. The night before last a hyena visited my camp accompanied by a jackal, My shikari and other servants saw them quite distinctly in the faint moon- light as they came very close to the camp—the jackal keeping just behind the hyena, I was at dinner and heard the jackal howl. My shikari came up and told me the hyena was close by, so I went towards the cook-house and saw him followed by a jackal cantering past, I had ashot at the hyena and missed him, but he came again an hour afterwards unaccompanied and I rolled him over with a charge of SSG, Ihave read of tigers having their attendant jackal but have not heard of a hyena and jackal hunting together, It gave me great satisfaction to encompass this one’s death as he is credited with killing two of my predecessor’s dogs, They went down an earth after him and never came out again. E, O'BRIEN. Camp VELAN, AMRELI, KATHIAWAR. No, V.—STRANGE BEHAVIOUR OF A PANTHER. In Part I, Vol. XII, Mr. Lester gave an account of the strange behaviour of a panther, A very similar occurrence happened at D—— the other evening, Qnd February. It was first reported to me about the 15th January that aman- eating panther had been doing a lot of damage on the outskirts of D—— and on making enquiries I found that two men and a woman had been mauled and that one of the former died on the 31st, or sixteen days after he had been mauled, I could find no evidence of the man-eating part of the story, but think that the brute emboldened by constant success, viz. picking off goats and dogs from the compounds, hadcome to regard man as a very indifferent animal. However I determined on sitting up for him ; so on the Ist instant two goats were sent out to be tied up within:a quarter of amile of each other at the foot of the hill behind the Railway Station. On visiting the spot next morning I found one of the goats had been killed and only a few bones left, but I found panther pugs near by. I sent my men out to build a machan and was sitting up by 5-30 p.m, I thought it quite likely the panther would turn up before dark, although there were a lot of huts within 150 yards of the kill. Just before dark, however,a couple of men came up to the goat with the intention of carrying it off, thinking, I suppose, it was a stray one. The men had not been gone fifteen minutes when [heard a noise at the back of the machan, and on looking round saw the panther coming out of a coyer not 20 yards from the machan and alittle below it. I was afraid to turn round and fire thinking he would see me and be off, so I waited and in about five minutes saw him kill, Immediately after killing he looked up at the machan. I fired and to my disgust heard him going off up the hill. I might say it was just too dark to see my foresight clearly, Thinking he might by MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 147 chance pay another.visit, I remained quiet,and to my surprise just as I was getting ready for a long spell, I heard him coming back, This time he walked straight to the goat and commenced dragging or trying to drag it away, but finding he could not do so, he walked about five paces off and sat down and looked at the kill, I fired again and missed him, This time, instead of bolting up the hill, he, as far as I could guess by the noise, only went off about 30 yards, As I had given my men orders to turn up with lights, &c,, at 10 p.m.,I decided to stay up in the machan tillthey came, Imagine my surprise when, about ten minutes after my last shot, I saw the panther stand- ing over the kill but looking up towards the machan, I was resolved, however, not to fire too quickly and waited, He would not touch the kill but stood over it for quite ten minutes or such it seemed to me, I then let him have another shot. He dashed off, making straight for the tree I was on which however he passed, and I think he made for the cover he had originally come out of, It was about 8 o’clock when I fired my third shot. I still had two hours to wait, About 9 o’clock the panther again put in an appearance going straight to the kill and commencing tofeed. I waited for a few minutes, fired and missed, when he went straight off up the hill, I was using a ‘577 rifle with a bit of cotton wool for my foresight, and on examining the spot next morning found that my shots went over him. I firmly believe it was the same panther that turned up each time. I should be obliged if any of your shikari readers would let me know through the Journal whether it is the rule or exception for panthers to be so daring, GEORGE E, BRIGHT. Rarpor, C.P, No. VI.—THE MIGRATION OF BUTTERFLIES IN THE KANGRA VALLEY. Butterflies of widely separated genera have constantly been recorded as haying been observed in different parts of India pursuing an almost uninter- rupted flight in a fixed direction, the reason of their so doing is not however quite clear. On the 12th of August 1900, I observed a very large flight of Catopsilia crocale, Cramer, interspersed with a few examples of C. pyranthe, Linnzus, travelling in an easterly direction, the wind at the time being from the S.-E, All the well-known varieties of the former were procured by me, females being nearly, if not quite, as numerous as males. Of C. pyranthe I only obtained females and saw no males on the wing. The flight lasted all day and numbers of the insects were to be seen at a great height above the ground all travelling in the same direction, Occasionally a specimen or two might be seen stopping for a very brief space on a flower, but for the most part the flight was a continuous one, My examples pointed to their having only recently emerged from the pupa, On the 7th of April 1001, another 148 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. flight of butterflies was seen, but on this occasion the species was Belenois mesentina, Cramer, witha few examples of Danais plexippus, Linneus (genutia, Cramer). On this occasion the direction of flight was from the East to the West. For some days previously rather strong winds had prevailed, and judging from the tcrn state of the specimens caught by me,I should be inclined to think that they had been damaged by gales which had probably carried them from their original locality, to which they were now returning, In a distance of about 20 yards B. mesentina crossed the line of sight at the rate of about 25 per minute, whereas D, plexippus only passed at about 2 or 3 .n the same time, The wind was light and from the East. In the migration of Cutopsilia in August there was no possibility of computing the number passing, as the whole sky as far as it was possible to see, was filled with them — whereas in the Belenois and Danais flight the insects seemed to be all close to the greund, but flying without hesitationin the uniform direction, Resi- dents who have lived in the Kangra Valley for some years have informed me that these migrations of butterflies are not unusual. G, C. DUDGEON, F.E.S. Hotta TEA Estate, PALAMPUR, KANGRA. No. VII.—OCCURRENCE OF THE BLACK-BEARDED BAT (TAPHOZOUS MELANOPUGON) NEAR BOMBAY, In Mr. Wroughton’s most interesting paper on “Some Konkan Bats” (Vol. XII, p. 716) allusion is made to one species only of the family Emball lonuide or Sheath-tailed Bats as represented, so far as his collection was concerned, in the district. When visiting the Kenery Caves in Salsette last February, I found a number of bats in the main cave-temple, but being with- out proper mezns for obtaining specimens, I was only able to secure one— knocked down witha stone. This turned out to be a male of Taphozous melanopogon, the Black-bearded Sheath-tailed Bat. On referring to Mr. Wroughton’s paper and finding that he had not come across this species, I sent my skinner up again, with the result that he brought me a series of 13 specimens, The most notable feature about them is the much darker colour of the fur generally of the females compared with the males, In measurements they come out slightly larger than those given in the Fauna of British India (Mammalia), viz., head and body, average of 14 specimens, 80 mm,, ranging from 8% down to 75 mm., and forearm 65 mm., average, ranging from 67 down to 63 mm, E, COMBER, Bomsay, 15th May, 1901. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 149 No, VIIIL—OCCURRENCE OF THE BRONZE-CAPPED TEAL (EUNETTA FALCATA) IN SIND. The Society has lately received the well-preserved skin of an adult male specimen of the Bronze-capped teal (Eunetta falcata) from Mr. L, Robertson, 1.0.3., who writes that he shot it on 10th January last ina jheel in the (Eastern) Nara Valley about 20 miles from Mirpur Khas, Sind. This species is ordinarily an inhabitant of Eastern Asia, only occasionally visiting India in the winter months, and few records of its occurrence in India proper exist, though probably the females and young males are at times, when obtained, passed over without notice in a mixed bag of ducks, Since Mr. Stuart Baker's article on the species appeared in our Journal (Vol, XII., p. 18) one of our memkers has recorded seven specimens brought to him during the cold weather of 1899-1900 in Tirhut, The present instance is however the more interesting, as it is undoubtedly the most western point from which the species has been recorded in India, the limit of range having previously been Bahawalpur, and next to that Ferozepore and Delhi. E, COMBER. BomBay, August, 1901. No, IX.—HABITS OF THE LUNGOOR MONKEY, At the Village of Mallegaon Jageer, during the cold weather, I one day went out alone with my gun, partly to see what I could get, and also to think over at my leisure a case which was before me for decision, To the west of the Akola road, near which my tents were pitched, there was then a large grove, almost big enough to be called a wood, in which the trees were of great size, but owing to the shade they gave, there was very little under- growth, Wishing to find some shade, as the sun was becoming uncomfor- tably hot, I turned my steps to one end of the grove, and soon became aware that there was a great stir in the monkey werld that inhabited the trees. They were lungoors, monkeys about as big as a Newfoundland dog when full grown, and they were running about in a very agitated manner, Living go much in camp, [ had, of course, seen hundreds of lungoors at nearly all times and seasons, but now I saw at once that something unusual was goingon, As the trees grew on both sides of a nullah that ran through the wood I wondered at first if a panther were in the nulla or anywhere about, and if the commotion were due to his unwelcome presence ; but after looking on for a few minutes I saw that the real reason of the scrimmage was the return to the herd of all the young males, which are yearly driven away by the principal male monkey, the strongest and biggest, and, therefore, the Sovereign, generally called “ the rajah,” I had heard from the natives that this happened every year, and that the rajah never kept undisputed possession of his harem for more than one year, and it was my good fortune to see how he was driyen av ay or killed. The bark of a full-grown male lungoor cannot, after being once heard, be 150 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. mistaken, and the deeper the note the older and stronger the monkey. Therefore, hearing a chorus of deep-throated barks, I went in the direction of the sound to see what was happening there. The monkeys were far too engrcssed in their own affairs to pay any attention to me whatsoever, so I took a post behind the trunk of a large tree on the main branch of the nullah, which was shaliow and quite dry. Soon after I took up my position a number of half-grown monkeys passed me ata rush, some of them racing along the ground, others bounding from branch to branch of the trees, Having gone a certain distance, they all pulled up, and looked round in the direction from which they had come. Evidently they were ina state of great fear, and chattered incessantly to each other, Soon a couple of dozen ordinary full-grown lungoors also passed meatarush, They, too, appeared to be very much afraid, but halted on the edge of the grove of trees, Last of all some half dozen very big ones passed me, but stopped when they came among their smaller brethren. They seemed afraid, too, but, ran,as it were, unwillingly from a big fierce-looking monkey whose size and solitariness proclaimed him rajah, He came to within 50 yards of the crowd of monkeys, who, I suppose, had fled from him, and then took up his position:in the bed of the nullah, and faced them, giving several loud, deep barks, but all the time keeping a wary eye over his shoulder, Suddenly from the crowd of males a big one ran out and placed himself on the edge of the nullah, about halfway between his friends and the rajah, who was now at bay, at the same time looking round on the groups of waiting ones, as much as to say “ Who is coming?” The challenge was instantly accepted, and another large monkey went over to the opposite side of the nullah and posted himself. Then they both looked round, evidently not averse to still further assistance, on which a third monkey came forward and took up his position between his two friends in the centre of the nullah; so, that finally, at about a distance of 15 yards or so, the rajah, still facing his enemies, had three opposed to him, who looked as big as he was, though probably they had not his weight and age. Suddenly the three champions, on some signal which I did not catch, rushed simultaneously at the rajah, who turned tail, and were immediately followed at full speed by the whole crowd, each and. all making the echoes ring with their deep barks, Whether they caught the rajah, and having caught him, killed him, or merely satisfied themselves by making sure that he would never wish to be rajah again, I do not know, but Iam sure that they put it out of his power to again attack them singly and so master them. All that I saw and could find out that day was that the largest and strongest monkeys were all in full cry after the rajah, and that they drove him altogether out of that grove of trees, but when and where they overtook him I do not know and could not find out, Having been master of a herd of such numbers, it is probable that the rajah was pretty soon overtaken, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 151 The temporary absence of all the large monkeys was promptly t:ken alvantage of by the younger and weaker ones, who tried to separate small parties, of females from the general herd, and get them away to some other grove of trees. Probahly the bigger ones, when they had settled their account with the rajah, would find ont these little parties, and having chased away their younger brethren, would take possession of the not unwilling females until they, in their turn, were ousted by some bigger and stronger lungoor, Judging from appearances, I should say that the rajah would not allow him- self to be disposed of without a fierce fight, which probably left those engaged init very sorry for themselves, and until they had fully recovered their strength they would not be in a condition or have the wish to fight, for another’s harem, In the end that monkey who had suffered least in the fight and who was the biggest and strongest, would collect from the others their respective flocks until he became master of an immense crowd of unwilling bachelors, These in time would be unwilling to bear the sight of their victorious brother, and as soon as they were strong enough would combine to drive him away as I have described. The intense fear they have of the rajah shows that when he catches them singly he is utterly merciless, and probably in escaping from him they, or their friends, have suffered so in body or mind as to make them very apprehensive of being caught. The natives have an idea that when the rajah or any other male monkey catches another poaching on his preserves he renders him pewerless for the future, Whether this be true or not I do not know. Anotber thing I should like to find out igs what becomes of the dead monkeys, as I have never yet met any one who came across the corpse or skeleton of one, The natives say that when a monkey, with the instinct of a wild animal, feels that his end is coming he gets into the fork of a tree and clasps the trunk, dying in that position, but I have never heard this assertion either confirmed or contradicted, It may be true, but one would think that vultures and other carrion birds would be attracted by bodies so placed, and would pull them out of the fork of the tree, when they would naturally fall to the ground, and other wild animals would eat what the birds had left, excepting the skulls and larger bones ; but, so far as I know, these have never been found, Apparently the numbers of monkey neither increase nor decrease ; younger ones are always being carried about by their mothers, but what becomes of the dead ones I do not know. J. F. G, (Lie above appeared in the “ Field,”) No, X.—SOME NOTES ON THE INDIAN ELEPHANT. During ten years’ residence in Burma I had many opportunities of close- ly observing elephants, both in a tame and wild state, During that period Thad from two to ten elephants under my immediate charge. For six 152 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. years I was in charge of the forests in one district where there were over 500 tame elephants, belonging to a single timber trading firm, besides num- erous herds of wild animals, which I made it my business to observe when- ever I could spare the time, I was then transferred to a district where the same firm (the Bombay-Burma Timber Trading Corporation, Limited) had over 600 animals at work in the forests under my charge, there being also two small herds of wild ones, the whereabouts of which (the district being a fairly well populated one) were always known, it can be seen that I have had exceptional chances of learning a little of their habits, both in a state of semi-domestication as well as in a feral state, My observations if not of value, may be at least of interest. I put them forward with some diffidence, as 1 have come to conclusions directly opposed to those formed by such famous authorities as the late Mr.G. P. Sanderson and Mr. W. T. Blanford, F.R.S. Now both these gentlemen make little of the intelligence of the elephant, IT have kept a great number of pets, ranging from porcupines up to hooluks (Hylobates hooluk), and, with the exception of the latter, I do not think I have ever been so struck with the intelligence of any animal as I have with that of the elephant, I give examples, which any forest officer in Burma could, I have no doubt, confirm. It is common to see an elephant break off a branch with its trunk and use the bit broken to scratch some portion of the body ungetatable by any other means, Again, in a long march I have often ridden on one of the baggage animals passing the time by reading a book, no portion of my body even touching the animal, and there being no mahout on the neck; the animal has steadily marched along the narrow forest track, carefully guiding itself in and out of the trees, so that no tree shall strike the bagg- age, ane at the same time carefully pulling down and breaking low branches which might scrape me off the heaped-up pile of miscellaneous kit, Once I saw a female e'ephant run away. She had attached to her front leg a long tethering chain, On being called on to stop by her attendant, who ran after her and tried to grab the end of the chain trailing behind, she picked the end up with her trunk, so that she should not be hampered by stepping on it, and so that the man also should not be able to seize it, and made off into the jungle, These few cases out of many which I could record certainly seem to me to denote great reasoning power. Another point which both the above quoted authorities emphasise is the rarety of the elephant breeding in captivity. The trouble I experienced, in common with other Government forest officers and forest aanagers of timber firms in Burma, is to prevent the female domestic elephants from having calves. It is very inconvenient for a forest officer to find that one, or sometimes both, the baggage animals allowed him by Government are heavy with calf,and have to be put out of MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 153 work for a time, whereas the loss to a timber firm of keeping a good drag- ging female idle for a considerable period is a serious one, For some time I had five females and a tuskless male attached to my division as transport animals, Four of.the females in one year gave birth to young ; three of the calves were born at various times during one rainy season, while one was born in the middle of the following hot weather, the morning after the mother had made along march with a heavy load of baggage. Two of the calves were males and both tuskless, corroborating the assertion of the mahouts that the tuskless male was the father, I felt quite convinced that this tame male was the father, as the females were always under my personal supervision, and I know that no wild elephant had any access to them; moreover, my experience is that tame females, as well as males, show great terror for even the propinquity of wild elephants, Of course there are exceptions to this. All these calves when I left Burma in 1900 were still alive, and on the books of the Forest Department, being then rising five years old, strong and healthy. The elephantsof the Forest Depart- ment in Burma have calves continually being born, and numerous ones are on its books ; some, indeed, are now at work as baggage animals. One particu- larly fine little tusker, twelve years old, was a special favourite of the Conservator of the Southern Circle, Upper Burma. My experience is that elephants are affectionate and careful mothers, though male full-grown animals seem to object to youngsters near them. In the Salween district of Tenasserin almost every Karen village has a few female elephants, which are kept for breeding purposes, There are no wild elephants about, and elephant breeding from tame males is a well-known and lucrative source of income to the villagers, the elephant being used as pack animals, and often in the rains for ploughing the paddy fields, Mr, Roberts, Manager of the Bombay-Burma Trading Company, Limited, Pyinmana, kindly collected statistics of :births among elephants under his charge (some 600, male and female). I regret to say that I have mislaid his most interesting statement, but it may be summarised as follows:—It is so common an occurrence as to give rise to no comment, beyond a little strong language, The calves are invariably strong and healthy, and only 3 per cent. die, The cause of death can always be traced to the mother being put on to heavy work too soon after the calf is born, which tends to stop the flow of milk, The Bombay-Burma, Timber Company have many elephants now in work which were born from dragging or transport females, and their mahouts all assert the fathers are nearly always also domestic elephants, The mother cannot be worked while the calf is small, as she is frightened of damaging her child, the latter’s favourite position for walking being just underneath the mother, almost between the front legs. Elephants in Burma are not kept in stables, but are hobbled (either the two front legs or the two hind 20 154 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. legs being tied together), and are then turned out to graze, Hence it is not a matter for surprise that they do breed, I regret I have no data of my own absolutely reliable to quote as to the period of gestation, but I give the following extract from an interesting letter on the subject which appear- ed in the /ndian Forester, April, 1899 :— “In June, 1897, one of the mahouts reported that his elephant had been covered by the tusker attached to the division whilst the animals were turned out to feed, The act was observed every evening for about a week, from about May 18 to May 25,1897. Neither of the animals showed signs of sexual excitement previously, though the male paid assiduous court to the female for a few days before coition was permitted. They were both at work at this period, dragging logs, and gave no trouble to their attendants, The report was noted, but, I am sorry to say, forgotten, till Nov. 3, 1898, when, in the evening, the elephant gave birth to a female calf, Fortunately that day she had only carried a light load for a short march, The baby, though so weak that it had to keep itself upright by holding on to a bamboo with its mouth, was perfectly healthy and well formed, and after a day could stand and suckle, The period of gestation, therefore, had been a little over seventeen calendar months, or almost exactly eighteen lunar months.—C, B, 8.” I have carefully noted the habits of tame elephants, and find that healthy animals sleep twice in the night, from about twelve o’clock to two o’clock and again about four o’clock till dawn; some, however, only sleep cnce, z.e., from four o'clock till dawn. If an animal sleeps oftener it is not well. They lie down full length on their sides tosleep, This early morning time for sleeping explains why it is so injurious to the health of elephants to march for days together before dawn, as is frequentiy done in the hot wea- ther by officers wishing to spare these animals the torture of marching in the sun, My experience also is that if a tame elephant lies down during the day the animal is going to die, As regards “must,’ I am of an opinion it is of a sexual nature, as I have noticed that it is rarer and not so intense among males if allowed free access to females as when they are excluded from all female society. Now for another matter—the finding of remains of wild animals in the forest. This subject has given rise to many very pretty fables, and sportsmen have, because they personally have not found dead animals themselves, believed all sorts of fairy tales, I would ask sportsmen to try and remember how many times they have found the remains of any of the larger species of mammalia, such as gaur, rhino, or tsaing, in the forests ; very, very seldom I venture to think; tropical rains, birds, animal, and white ants will soon destroy all traces of uny organic matter. However, the finding of dead wild elephants is not quite unknown, In 1893 I was camped some MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 155 ten miles (in very thick forest) from an assistant, Mr, A. M. Burn-Murdoch, now Deputy Conservator of Forests; he wished tosend me a note on busi- ness, and sent a peon with it, The peon, after having been gone a few hours, returned to his camp saying he had found a dead wild tusker in the forest, quite fresh, Mr. Burn-Murdoch informed the head man of the nearest village, and ordered him to proceed to the carcase to take charge of the tusks as Government property. The villagers ate the flesh, and on my interviewing the head man he informed me that it was perfectly fresh, and had not a mark on its body to show how it come by his death. I notified the find all over the district. There was no Government animal missing, nor any belonging to the Bombay-Burma Trading Company. I examined the tracks, and was convinced the animal belonged to a herd of about a dozen which had recently crossed towards the Chin Hills, The tusks were consequently sold as Government property, and the sum paid for them may be seen in the books of the Forest Department of the division to this day. In the same division one of my hunters told me that a large male tuskless elephant died one rainy season on a sandbank in the river after having been on the sandbank two days. AsI could not confirm this with any Huropean evidence, owing to the animal being tuskless, it was not reported to the Government, I give this report for what it js worth, though I knew the hunter well for six years, and always found him truthful and not given to exaggeration, That large game do find their way when dead into the rivers, however, I can prove, as in 1894 a huge bull gaur came floating down the Yu River, Upper Burma, dead, but quite fresh, It was salved and eaten by the villagers, and the head man brought the remarkably fine head, to me, and I gave the head to Capt, Perkins, L.S.C., who, I believe, has it now, Again, Mr, Hannyngton, of the Bombay-Burma Trading Company, once wher tracking wild elephants in the Teungchoingyi forests, came on to a dead wild female ; she had been dead about two days, She was not a Govern- ment anima! nor one belonging to the Company, and Mr, Hannyngion told me that he was convinced she was a wild one, I was for six years in charge of the frontier revenue station, where all forest produce from the semi-independent country had to pay duty, Tusks, old and brown, were continually being brought down for the payment of the Government royalty, and on my questioning the Chins they declared they had found them in the forests. This, however, is little proof, for I believe the wild Chins use poisoned arrows, which, of course, would account for dead animals being found, C. W. A. BRUCE, F.L.5,, Forest Department, Burma, (Te above appeared in the “ Ficld.’”’) 156 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. No. XI.—PROBABLE HYBRID BETWEEN THE INDIAN RING DOVE (TURTUR RISORIUS) AND THE SPOTTED DOVE (TUTUR SURATENSIS). On the 27th of last month I saw a dove which I take to be a hybrid between the Indian Ring Dove (Turtur risorius) and the Spotted Dove (Turtur suratensis), The bird was feeding on the ground alone. ‘he general appearance of the upper parts of the plumage resembled 7. swratensis, while the lower parts were like those of 7. risorius, and it hada distinct black collar round the neck, The size was intermediate between the two species. As hybrid doves have been bred in captivity I see no reason why they should not occasionally cross with each other in a wild state. G. DALGLIESH. HATTOMRIE FACTORY, Hya Guat, Tiruur, 4th June 1901. No. XII.—OCCURRENCE OF THE MUTE SWAN (CYGNUS OLOR) IN SIND. I am sending you the head and feet of a mute swan, Cygnus olor, that was captured by some Mohanas (fishermen) in February 1900, at Sita Road in Upper Sind. During the months of January, February and March 1900 it was extremely cold in Sind, and several swans were seen, of which some were shot and some were captured, I send you a few notes of this occurrence :— January 10th.—Nine swans were seen on the Hubb River, about fifteen miles from Karachi, Two were killed by Mr. Janes, of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, who says the birds were very tame. One was killed with a rifle and one with a shot gun, the remaining seven birds did not appear to be much alarmed, for they flew some five hundred yards down stream and settled again. Saturday, 13th January 1900,—Eight swans flew over the tennis courts at Kotri, about one hundred yards off and thirty high at about-5-30 p.m, Several people were on the courts at the time ; I could clearly see what the birds were, and called out, “Swans.” One of these birds came to grief against the telegraph wires that span the Indus here and was captured by Mr. Canning, Platelayer, who says that the bird was unable to rise off the ground, but ran at great speed three or four times, one hundred yards ata go, before it was killed by his coolies. This bird is stuffed (after a fashion) by the taxidermist of the Karachi Museum, It is quite a young bird of a sooty white color, and fairly long buff colored crest at back of head. February 1st—Two swans, adult birds, were captured in ordinary duck nets, at Sita Road station : one died soon after its capture (head and feet sent you), the other bird I procured and presented to the Karachi Gardens on the 6th February 1901. This bird is still living. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 157 Some time early in February 1900 eight swans were seen at Bostan, on the Beluchistan frontier: four of these birds were shot, three dead and one winged ; this latter bird is still alive, I believe ; Mr. Mathews, Platelayer, who shot them, saysit was bitterly cold at the: time, and the birds were fairly tame, About the middle of March a swan was shot on the Munchar Lake by Mr. Cross, of the I. C.'S., who says the bird was amonga lot of duck ane fairly easy of approach, At the end of March ten swan were seen for three consecutive days on the Laki Lake. On the third day, Mr. Vivian, Platelayer, fired uine shots at them before they flew away ; he used an ordinary 12-bore gun and No, 1 shot ; he says that the birds were about 100 yards off on the water, and that he could hear the shot rattle against them. On 27th April one was shot by Mr, Wragge, Platelayer, Meting—the river Indus runs about twelve miles from Meting, The bird was seated on a small sand drift close to the bank, No, 2 shot at about 40:yards. The weather was very warm at the time, and the bird was sent to Karachi to be cured, but the man there threw it away finding it too much for his olfactory organs, This was an adult bird. G, C, McMULLEN, Korri, SIND, 8th June 1901, No. XIIIL—WILD ANIMALS AT WATER. A considerable amount of misconception appears to prevail, even among scientific naturalists, regarding the drinking habits of wild animals, In order to illustrate this I may quote from several works on the fauna of India, to which my knowledge is limited. Thus Mr, Blanford believes that the Indian gazelle never drinks, and states that he “never saw the easily recognised footprints of gazelles among those of the animals that habitually came to drink at the pools.” Mr, Sterndale, in his Natural History of the Mammalia of India, tells us that it is his belief that sambur drink only every third day. In his lately issued work on The Great and Small Game of India Mr. Lydek- ker remarks that “nilgai can exist with but a small supply of water; and it is probable that, in the cold season at least, they drink only every second or third day and at apinch could go fora considerably longer period without liquid”’ Again, with regard to the Indian antelope we are informed in the same publication, “ whether it ever drinks is a matter on which there may be some difference of opinion among observers, but that it can exist perfectly well without taking liquid food is demonstrated by the existence of a herd ona narrow spit of land between the Chilka Salt Lake in Orissa and the sea, where, for a distance of thirty miles, the only fresh water obtainable is’ derived from wells.” As this question of animals being “addicted to drink” is one of some importance both to naturalistsand sportsmen, and as conflicting 158 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. views appear to prevail on the subject, it may not be uninteresting to adduce some evidence drawn from personal experience. That most animals in torrid climates are generally very impatient of thirst is a fact well known to all observers. In fact the first undertaking of the sportsman in search of game is usually the examination of the vicinity of water for the footprints of animals that have been to drink, so that their presence may be discovered, The great felidw nightly visit the water ; tigers are seldom found far from it, and are fond of lying immersed in it during the heat of the day. The panther appears to find water less necessary, but my observation tends to show that he drinks nightly, although he frequently lies up at a considerable distance from water. The black bear of the Indian plains (Ursus labiatus) visits the forest pool by night, and I have seen him before sunset scratching for water in the side of a hill where a thin spring was oozing and trickling down the slope. The gaur drinks frequently—at least once a day—and wanders far in search of liquid in the secluded forests where he loves to roam, The spotted deer lives on the shady banks of jungle rivers, drinking often from the pools in which its graceful form is reflected, The naturalists above referred to do not apparently dispute these facts with regard to the foregoing beasts, so 1 will turn to those of which they make special mention in this connection, With reference to the sambur, my obser- vation does not agree with that of Mr. Sterndale. It is many years since T have seen much of this deer, but to the best of my recollection, the evidence of footmarks and the movements of the animal all pointed to its habit of visiting the water once every twenty-four hours, usually by night. I can speak with more certainty of the nilgai, having closely observed this animal for many years, and having been frequently encamped amid its haunis, and within my observation it isa fact admitting of no doubt that it drinks daily —sometimes in the evening and sometimes aiter nightfall, according to locality. That it does so also during the cold weather I have unmistakeable evidence, During the season of 1899-1900, I was several times encamped at a place where a few of these animals, whose numbers were known to me, existed, The season at the commencement of the great famine was one of drought and all the water-courses were dried up, The only water was contained in the wells and irrigation channels in the vicinity of villages. At these wells the patient, laborious cattle toiled all day to draw the water that ran down the channels to irrigate the fields, At night, when all was quiet and the watchmen slumbered cn their platforms amid the crops, the nilgai always came down and drank where the water was collected, and especially at the shallow wooden troughs, hollowed out of the trunks of trees, which were placed for the cattle near the wells. The marks of their feet were plain in the soft mud, and might be seen every morning. At night, too, the prowling panther visited such a spot where he might find a victim among the MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 159 herds of gazelle that trooped down during the hours of darkness from the neighbouring stony and arid hills, or might pick up a stray goat or dog belonging to the hamlet, or a calf that was perishing of want, The Indian gazelles, too, drank here in numbers, leaving a regular beaten pathway from their jungle haunts. Around the life-giving water all that passes during the night, all the comings and goings of the beasts of the fields, may be read from the book of nature that lies open to the observant eye, There isa beaten track of many dainty little pointed feet—the marks of the gazelle, and the larger spoor of the antelope. The pugs of the panther may be looked for upon any of the paths that approach the trough or water channel, All animals prefer to keep to 4 beaten track, and their wanderings are thus more easily followed. The porcupines, most nocturnal of creatures, have come down from their cave dwellings in the banks of the dry ravines and in the hill sides, and one has dropped a quill on the margin of the tiny rivulet, whilst another has pierced through the heart a goat that was tied up as bait for a panther in the adjacent nullah, Jackals, wild cats, foxes, hares, peafowl, partridges, quail, all these and many others have been here to quench their thirst, and have left unmistakeable impress of their presence. At one point the panther has crouched, and crept toward some animal stalking his prey, Then he has made a rush, but his intended victim has escaped him. There is sucha mingling of footmarks here that it is impossible Lo tell what was the spotte | one’s quarry ; only a buck gazelle has galloped off from the place, and may have been the object of the chase, All this,and much more, can he read upon the dusty path and on the surface of the soft earth of the field that lies crumbled into powder under the heat of the sun, Not only haye I observed the marks of gazelle at water, but bave seen one in the act of drinking ata pool, and there is a family of three animals near the canton- ment, where I was lately residing, which drink nightly at one place. Perhaps the poet’s observation was more accurate than that of the naturalist when the former wrote : The wild gazelle on Judah’s hills Exalting yet may bound, And drink from all the sacred rills That gush on holy ground. With regard tothe Indian antelope, I have frequently observed these animals going to water in large herds, and I know many places to which they resort every evening to quench their thirst. I have also a photograph, taken in Rajputana, of a herd of these antelopes in the act of drinking, In fact, there can be no question of their drinking daily when they can get water, With regard to the herd living in the vicinity of the Chilka Lake, most careful observation is necessary. As there are wells there, it is prob- able that there are irrigation channels, and perhaps also troughs for caitle. 160 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X1V. In this case the animals would have no difficulty in obtaining a daily supply of water. No doubt there are deserts in Sind and Bikanir where animals go for considerable periods without.water. But the results of my observation convince me that where water is obtainable all animals in India drink every day. R, G. BURTON. (The above appeared in the “ Freld,’”) No, XIV.-ELEPHANT SHOOTING IN UPPER BURMA. South-East of Katha, Upper Burma, lies a delta formed by the junction of the Irrawaddy and one of its large tributaries the Shweli. Viewed from the high bank of the river on the Katha side, the prospect is somewhat uninviting; the delta has no Government forest reserves, and consists chiefly of low-lying areas, sparsely cultivated here and there, but mostly abandoned to wilderness of giant grass 10 feet high, known in the vernacular as khine, The delta is intersected by one main and several branch creeks connecting the Irrawaddy and the Shweli, along whose tree-shaded banks are numerous picturesque villages. Further inland there are considerable forest areas covering the higher elevations, but the main factor of the locality is khine, and its concomitants elephants, tigers, sambur and wild pig. It was here, “ owing to that excellent institution privilege leave, and the courtesy of the Deputy Commissioner of Katha” that I found myself during part of April and May, under the guidance of an experienced Burmese track- er, to be initiated in the highly exciting and interesting sport of elephant shooting, Of the danger of following and shooting elephants in khine there appears to be a consensus of opinion among certain well-known sportsmen in Burma, and as a tyro, 1 am precluded from expressing an opinion, but after practi- cally living in khine for a month, I can only say, I was never charged in it, I saw one big stampede, and was stampeded myself at 10 yards by a herd of not less than thirty. Danger there is no doubt, but itis very largely dis- counted by the knowledge and tactics of an experienced tracker, who knows when and where to approach the animals, My chief objection is the terrible hard work, and the difficulty of eliminating a tusker from the herd, coupled with the necessity of negotiating the less desirable but certainly more danger- ous female, or tuskless male, when they present themselves. Without detailing the numerous and various stages of funk through which I passed during my novitiate, or the failure to find the fatal spotat the psychological moment, when the long sought quarry did present itself at the familiar distance of 15 or 20 yards in the khine, I pass on to the more pleasing subject of my first tusker, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. i6i About 8am, on the 4th May,I left my comfortable, if somewhat airy quarters in the Burmese rest-house at Kummongyun accompanied bya track- er, two local hunters, two villagers carrying my tiffin basket and my Burmese servant who acted as interpreter. I carried a hammerless double 8-bore rifle by - Greener weighing 163 Ibs. but beautifully balanced, the tracker had my double, ‘577, and the rest carried weapons of the pop-gun description in which, however, they appeared to place a confidence it would have been a sin to deprecate, _ Our information was that 2 miles distant seven elephants including a tusker had been seen the previous evening near the hamlet and rice-fields of Myoungyi, and to this place we trudged across country alternating in paddy fields and khine grass. Here further enquiries were made, and then we pro- ceeded to some high half-burnt khine intersected with numerous old elephant tracks. The ground was very rough and the khine stubborn and difficult to get through, but we soon came on fresh tracks which we lost after following them for an hour, Thesun by this time was beginning to make itself felt, and I was giad to avail myself of my water bottle, After some little delay and a dispute between the tracker and the local hunters, we again found fresh tracks, which led us about 11 am, to a large irregular track of high khine bordered by a thin belt of jungle, The tracker went up a tree, and after along observation, came to the conclusion that the tusker was not far off. ‘the khine was too bigh for the elephants to be seen, but the movement of it in certain directions indicated their presence, Now following the tracks into the khine meant taking the first beast that presented itself, and as this was not my object, we decided to burn the khine on the side where we thought the tusker was; and to watch the operation from the secure, if somewhat ignoble, position of the tree-tops. Three men were sent round to burn the khine, and I with my Burmese servant took up a position in one tree while the tracker went up another. No sooner had the khine begun to burn than a commotion in the high khine showed the presence of elephants and through the occasional clearings I saw four elephants emerging and coming straight for my tree, A female led, then came the tusker closely followed by two more females, one of which was only half-grown. At this juncture, one of the Burmans in another tree who had descended to get my water bottle, began climbing my tree, and hear- ing that the elephants were in sight got flurried and made a noise, with the result that the elephants turned off at right angles to the left and went a quarter of a mile to some trees from whence they emerged to continue their original direction, We then left the trees and burnt the khine on three sides to drive out the remaining three elephants, but though we waited anxiously for an hour until nearly all the khine was burnt they broke back and went away to the right. Now we took up and: followed the tracks of the four elephants to the trees where finding shade and water we were both ready and glad to tackle our 21 162 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. mid-day meal, After food and anhour’s rest we again took up the tracks of the four elephants which led us a “ Follow the man from Oook’s” dance through half-burnt’ khine until we came to some very high khive bordering on jungle. Here we proceeded with great caution, The tracker led, I followed, and then came the following with the pop-guns just in the middle of a Jong tunnel of khine, in which it would have been quite impossible to shoot. A rushing sound about 5 feet on the left indicated an elephant, much too close to be pleasant. Fortunately the beast was moving away from us and not towards us, or the sequel might have been different, With difficulty we extricated ourselves from the khine as soon as possible, and sought a small nulla which separated the khine from the jungle and along this we raced to intercept the elephant before he should enter the jungle. Arriving breathless we again plunged into the khine, but not before the practised eye of the tracker had caught a glimpse of the tusker as he passed through some low khine. Judg- ing with an unerring instinct the place where the tusker would come out, the tracker led the way to a small clearing 5 yardsin radius centred by a small tree about 15 feet high and about as thick as aa oarhandle, Here we formed up to see the tusker emerge three seconds later. He wasa big beast 9 feet high and as he was standing on raised ground he appeared to be only 15 yards off, I aimed at the nasal base of the trunk, and as the 8-bore spoke the tusker tottered, turned, and fell, Thetracker and retinue, however, loosed off immediately, which drove off a large female who came up just in time to see the tusker fall. The tracker ran in and gave the tusker his coup de grace by a shot from the °577 through the chest, but it was a work of supererogation, for he had already breathed his last, and I found that my steel-pointed bullet had hit just below the nasal base and passed through it in an upward direction, It was now 2 p.m., so after I had photographed the dead beast with the tracker sitting upon him holding my 8-bore, and the tracker had cut off the trunk we worked our way back to my camp, leaving the task of cutting up the animal until the next day. Unfortunately the tusks turned out to be small, together weighing only about 50 Ibs., but the front feet were 18 inches in diameter indicating a height of 9 feet, and the 40 men who turned up to eat the beast the following day were not able to turn him over and had to content themselves with the meat on one side only. E. R, JARDINE, RANGOON, 25th June 1901. No, XV.—ARTIFICES PRACTISED BY BULBULS. On the 24th of May I was walking at Mahabuleshwar, when I came upon a young Red-whiskered Bulbul (Otocampsa fuscicaudata) which had left the nest before it was able to fly. The parents were .twittering about in great MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 163 alarm, for of course it was at the merey of any crow, or other enemy, that might pass that way. When I went up to it, their alarm reached fever heat, and suddenly one of them fell with a gentle slope, like a wounded snipe, into the middle of the road, twenty yards from me, and, making its way to the side with much apparent difficulty, proceeded to scramble away among the fallen leaves, falling on its face at every other step, with wings outspread, and screaming piteously, When I followed it to see what was the matter, it flew up into a tree and twittered to me airily. I could scarcely credit a Bulbul with so much cunning, so I went back to the young one and pretended to be trying to catch it, when the trick was repeated, the other parent this time abetting its mate by pretending to pursue and attack it. I rewarded them by putting their young one into a place of safety. A few days later I saw an- other pair of Bulbul successfully deceive a crow by the same trick and draw it away from a place where its presence was not desired. E, H, AITKEN, 9th July 101, No, XVI._ON THE DEPOSITS OF FOSSIL REMAINS OF EXTINCT ANIMALS IN THE SEWALIK HILLS OF THE PUNJAB AND NORTH-WEST PROVINCES. While shooting along the base of the Hoshiarpur Sewaliks, I heard of some limestone quarries not far off, so I rode over to see them, On my way I found the so-called limestone being brought to a village near my camp to be burnt into lime in kilns of which there were many built of circular mud walls. On examining the stone, I found it to be, not limestone, but phosphate of lime formed by the fossilized bones of prehistoric animals, among which I recognized the teeth of the Mastodon, and the bones of elephantine creatures, probably of Mastodon, Elephas ganesa and Elephas bombifrons. Ilost no time in going to see the quarries, about a mile and-a-half from the village, and I found them to be excavations in the side of one of the hills of this range, Large cavernous holes had been dug in many places in the hill side wherever it was suspected that this fossil deposit lay beneath. The bones were never very far from the surface, and here again I identified the bones Thave already described. There were others that I could not recognize. All these re- mains were being loaded on camels and donkeys, and were sent off to the village kilns, The sloping surface of the hill side was covered with the semi-pulverized debris of the fossil deposits from the quarries, and upon this crops of chenna and mustard were growing. The extraordinary luxuriance of these crops showed me at once (what is of course known) the immense value, as a fertilizer, of this phosphate, which is daily being wasted in the lime kilns, 164 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Tt was in this range of hills that the fossil skeleton of the Sivatherinm (now in the British Museum) was found, a gigantic bovine animal of extraordinary form and stature. Starting from the left bank of the river.Beas, near Talwarra, and following the Sewaliks along to the Jumna, and again across the valley of the Dehra Dhun to the Ganges, there are many known places in the hills where these fossil deposits are found, and as I stood near the quarries I have described, watching the immense bones that were exhumed, my mind became lost ina maze of speculation as to what sudden catastrophe it could have been, which overwhelmed and buried such a large concourse of now extinct creatures in this sub-Himalayan region. For the part I am now writing of, is not more than thirty or forty miles from the main range of the Himalayas, As I have already mentioned, the fossil bones were not far from the surface, the soil of the hills is throughout the Hoshiarpur Sewaliks composed of sand, here and there indurated into a soft sandstone, and the range was probably created by the same tremendous agency which involved all these now extinct monsters in one sudden and common destruction. The most prominent of all the points presented by this mere cursory examination of one of the phenomena of this hill range, interesting alike to geologist and naturalist, are, first, might not a more thorough search for fossils than has already been made, reveal fresh discoveries to science, And secondly, bearing in mind the poverty of the soil in most parts of the Punjab and adjacent provinces, would it not be possible, as well as profitable, to turn these valuable phosphate deposits to their proper use as fertilizers, and prevent their being wasted, as they are now, on the production of inferior lime. W. OSBORN, Ligvt.-GEneERAL, L8.C. JUGATSICK KULLU—PUNJaAB, June 24th, 1901, No. XVII.—HABITS OF THE INDIAN TREE MAGPIE. (Dendreitia rufa.) This bird, like the English Magpie, is a great destroyer of the eggs of other birds, and, though I have not seen it do so, f have no doubt that it captures and devours young nestlings, for this Magpie seems to be of a well developed carnivorous habit, and to havea special liking for flesh. Last year while | was encamped at the foot of the Hoshiarpur Sewaliks, on a shooting trip, I had some joints of a Black Buck hung up to a tree close to my tent. A pair of Tree Magpies at once took possession of one of the joints tearing off pieces of meat with their strong bills, I would not allow them to be disturbed, and remained watching them from time to time. They were at work on the meat, with intervals, nearly the whole day, and the quantity of flesh these two small birds managed to dispose of quite surprised me, Probably they had a nest of young ones in the vicinity, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 165 _ This year I was encamped within ten miles of the same spot and the same thing was repeated. A pair of these marauding Magpies at once alighted on some Black Buck’s flesh that was hung upon a tree for my dogs, and as on the former occasion, the birds were at the meat nearly the whole day, going away for a rest, and returning for more. W. OSBORN, Lirut,-Gen., LS.C. JUGALSUK, KuLLU—PoUNJapB, June 20th, 1901. No. XVIIL—INDIAN SHEEP DOGS, AND ANOTHER INDIAN DOG. After reading Miscellaneous Note No, 23 in the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, published on the 18th of May 1901, on Indian Sheep Dogs, I can fully endorse all that “J. F. G,. has therein written on their instinct, courage, and training, as I have had during my travels, and shooting rambles, very many opportunities of seeing, and watching the working of these valuable assistants to the Indian shepherd. That these dogs can, and do drive off wolves, I think there isno doubt, Ihave seen a pair of wolves watching a flock of sheep, during the temporary absence of the shepherd, The dogs being on guard, the wolves were evidently afraid to attack, though everything was in their favour, except the Sheep Dogs. So intent were these two wolves on the business before them, waiting fora chance, that I was able to shoot one of the pair, the female. From the large hairy sheep dog of the Gadaiel who come down with their sheep and goats from Chamba, Lahoul, and Spiti, into the North Punjab during the winter, down to the sheep dogs of Southern India, these animals are nearly all trained in the manner described by “J. F. G.” Of their ferocity, and capability of attacking any animal whatsoever that approaches their flocks, I once had an interesting experience. I was black buck shooting on the plains between Bellary in the Ceded Districts and Hurryhur in the Mysore Country, I had wounded a fine buck, and was riding him down with the spear. The buck was practically mine, for the plain extended for miles ; my nag had plenty of go left in him and the buck was getting done, when unluckily for him, he took a course which led him quite close to a sheep-fold, Directly he passed it, three large sheep dogs bounded over the thorn fence, attracted by the sound of the buck galloping over the stony ground. At this point of the chase I was only thirty or forty yards behind, The dogs laid into the buck in first rate style, and pulled him down in about a quarter of a mile, I jumped off my horse, intending to give the coup de grace, but so fierce and determined were the dogs that I thought it most prudent to stand out, and let the fight go on without me. The buck was dead and mangled by the time the shepherds came up, and they rescued the venison for me, Had 166 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. I interfered, I think I should have fared badly, especially as I am sure the dogs had never seen a Feringhee before, When the rally was over Igral- loched the buck and threw the whole of the viscera to the dogs, to reward them for their assistance, and for the interesting piece of sport they had shown me. | These sheep dogs of the Deccan, the Ceded districts and the adjacent province of Mysore, are all of the same class, chiefly red in colour, a few black and tan, and a very few :quite black, Many of the red ones are feathered on the ears, tail and down the forelegs, and there are many quite smooth, like the ordinary red pariah. It is not all about sheep dogs, however, that I am writing ; I wish to say a word or two on behalf of the common dog of the country, the unjustly des- pised Pariah, I don’t mean the Mongrel that onesees about Indian towns and cantonments but the true Indian Pariah Dog, mostly red in colour, That we have neglected this animal as a faithful companion, good watch dog, and anexcellent assistant in many field sports, there is no doubt, though it is not strange that we should have done so, as sportsmen are a conservative body, many of whom consider that there is nothing good in the sporting line out of England. But of the good qualities of the true Pariah, as I have to call him, I have seen many instances. Notably when passing the hot weather months on the Ramandroog Hills, not quite 40 miles from Bellary, I found there were sixteen men of a tribe called “ Bender” in the village below my camp who used to hunt with their dogs which were of the same class as I have described the true breed of country dog from which the sheep dogs are taken, These sixteen men had a pack of eight dogs, Hach man was armed with a spear, a small axe, and a knife. In addition to these, he carried a flint and steel, and tinder in his pouch, Iam writing of a time years ago, when there was a fair head of game on this small range of hills, consisting of tigers, panthers and leopards, many sambur, pigs, &c, These Benders used to turn out for a hunt regularly twice a week, their game being always sambur, and in those times it was not long before the pack of eight were in full chase of a stag or hind, I never saw these dogs lose a sambur once. When they found they stuck staunchly to their quarry, and the end was always the same, stag, or hind, at bay, either against a rock, or ina pool of water, the pack laying around, and the Sambur slain at last by the spears of the Benders exactly, from start to finish as is described by Sir Samuel Baker in his des- eription of Sambur hunting with hounds, in his Book “ The Rifle and Hound in Ceylon.” 1 ain not writing a sporting article but I am endeavouring to show the good qualities of the Indian dog. Sometimes these same “ Benders’’ used to hunt hares in the grassy plains below the hills, Assisted by their eight dogs (all red ones) and armed only with their throwing sticks, a curved hardwood stick MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 167 with a knob at one end shaped something like a boomerang, I have seen them bring home fifteen to twenty hares, not one of which they could have secured without their dogs. Once I was after a man-eating tigress; two Benders and one of their dogs were with me. JI wounded the tigress which took refuge in a deep rocky glen, thickly covered in with a species of climbing, thorny mimosa, Entrance through this net work of hooked thorns was impossible to a man, but the dog, a red pariah was able to crawl in, found the tigress, and bayed her inces- santly for half-an-hour, When the dog got too close, the tigress would execute a charge with the usual music, but could not get home, as her back was injured, However, the dog stuck to his work, and I was able to mark the spot where the tigress lay by the moving of the bushes, and meeting each charge with a couple of barrels, at hazard,a lucky shot at last finished the business, and I bagged the tigress which I certainly should have lost but for the doz. These dogs are trained by native shikaris to other kinds of sport, Once when duck shooting in Mysore country, I was seated on a hillock watching a flight of ducks on a sheet of water, when I saw a performance that surprised me. Inahole dugin the ground about twenty yards from the brink of the water was seated a shikari, well concealed from the birds, He had with him his old gun and a red pariah dog: His object was to attract the birds to within shooting distance, To accomplish this, every now and then, at fairly regulated intervals, he threw a lump of a thick kind of chupattie they eat in these parts, down tothe margin of the water. The red dog would then jump out of the hole, run to the chupattie, eat it, and return at once to his master, This was repeated till the attention of the ducks was attracted and it was continued, the flock swam gently on in the direction of the dog in that curious mauner in which many birds will follow, and mob their natural enemy, At length coming well within range, bang went the old musket, and the shikari emerged from his pit to gather in the slain, The interesting point here, apart from the performance of the dog, is the well-known habit of wild birds following their natural foes, In this instance the ducks evidently mistook the red dog for their enemy the fox or jackal. In English decoys this habit has been taken advantage of, The Decoy man trains a small red dog to show himself at different points to the ducks on the water. These invariably follow the dog slowly till he leads them into the mouth of the decoy net, and onwards, till the birds enter the fatal chamber from which there is no escape. Here we have an Indian shikari following a practice that has been for ages in use in England, Did we learn this trick from the Hast? The Indian fowlers could hardly have got it from us. W. OSBORN, Lirvut.-Gen., 1.8.C, JUGALSUK, KuLtLu—Ponsap, _ June 30th, 1901. 168 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. No, XIX.—EXTRACT FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT, NORTHERN INDIA, FOR THE YEAR 1900-190), BoranicaL Tours, Northern Oudh and Nepal Terai.—My head plant collector, Inayat Khan, was sent off early in April to collect botanica! specimens in the northern dis- tricts of Oudh and the adjacent portions of the Nepal Terai, I wish to acknowledge the great assistance he received from the officers in charge of the forests in the Gonda, Bahraich and Kheri divisions. Of the many interesting plants found during this tour is a small tree called Piptadenia oudhensis, Brandis For. Fl, 163, belonging to the natural order Leguminose, and allied to Adenanthera. It was originally discovered in 1871 by Mr. Richard Thompson, formerly in the Forest Department, in the northern portion of the Gonda district, My plant collector saw it there, and also more abundant- ly in ravines within the Nepal frontier, growing near water. He was fortu- nate in finding the tree in flower as well as in fruit, The genus Péptadenia contains about forty species, mostly natives of America, Another interesting plant discovered by him is Cephalanthus occidentalis, L., a shrub belonging to the natural order Rubiacew, It was found growing in jhils in the Kheri district, and specimens of the same plant were collected by Inayat Khan in a similar locality in the Pilibhit district in 1898, Previously it was not known to occur westward of Assam, It is also recorded from Burma, Central China and North America where it is known under the names of “ Button Bush” or “Globe Flower,’ Two new species of Brachystelma (Nat. Ord, Asclepiadacez) were also discovered during this tour, and specimens of several interesting orchids were collected. Kumaon Tour.—A very successful and extensive tour was undertaken by my head plant collector, Inayat Khan, through a large portion of Kumaon during the rainy season of last year. He started from Saharanpur on the 18th of July and returned on the 6th of October. His instructions were to collect specimens of every kind of balsam (Impatiens), as well as flowering specimens of all the orchids he could find, As both balsams and orchids are with difficulty determinable if collected and dried in the ordinary way, he was ordered to put into a preservative solution some flowers of each kind, also to dry very carefully the separated portions of the flowers, The balsams were collected specially at the request of Sir Joseph Hooker, who is now preparing a revised account of all the Indian species, The collection from Kumaon, representing 110 gatherings, were despatched as soon as possible to Sir Joseph Hooker, together with the glass tubes containing flowers in solu- tion, and it was gratifying to hear from him how completely satisfied he was with this collection and with the excellent condition of the specimens prepared by my collector, The latter also was much pleased on hearing that Sir Joseph Hooker had proposed to name one of the many novelties of this MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 169 collection after him, The collection of orchids was also a very good one, and contained many varieties, such as:— Bulbophyllum affine, Lindi. Ceelogyne ovalis, Lindl. Cymbidium macrorhizon, Lindl. % pendulum, Swartz, Dendrobium chrysanthum, Wall, Habenaria arietina, Hhf, Hlisabethz, Duthie (ined.) ys n. sp. allied to H. reniformis, Hi. Herminimum Duthie, Hif. Liparis Duthiei, H//. , longipes, Lindl, Orchis habenarioides, King and Pantling. Ornithochilus fuscus, Wail. Saccolabium papillosum, Lindi. A large number of very interesting plants belonging to other natural orders 99 were also collected. Tours undertaken in the neighbourhood of Mussoorie-—One of my plant collectors was employed during the rainy season in procuring from Dehra Dun and the Siwalik range specimens of certain plants required in connection with my “ Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain.” He was also sent, in company with a trained collector belonging to Mr. Phillip Mackinnon, to Bok Hill in Tehri-Garhwal, where many rare orchids were found, also a very curious and rare Orobanchaceous plant, called Boschniackia himalaica, found on the roots, of Rhododendron arboreum, Specimens of another very remarkable leafless parasite, belonging to the same natural order, were sent to me from Deoban, beyond Chakrata, by Mr. B. B. Osmaston, It was originally discovered three years ago by Mr. Gleadow, Deputy Director of the Forest School, and has recently been described and published in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, by Dr. Prain and Mr, Gamble, under the name of Gleadovia ruborum, It is found abundantly on the roots of Rubus nivens, which forms a large por- tion of the undergrowth in the forests on the northern slopes of the Deoban range, J.F, DUTHIE, Director, Botanical Dept., N, India. Mussoorie : The 5th June 1901. No. XX,._EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT ON THE BOTANICAL SURVEY OPERATIONS IN THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1900-1901, 1. Yours.—During the hot-weather vacation I travelled through parts of the Dharwar and Kanara Collectorates, and also the forests bordering on Goa 22 170 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. territority from Castle Rock to Londa, During the autumn vacation I toured along the Ghits on the southern and western sides of the Poona District, re-collecting many of Mr, Woodrow’s discoveries to provide material for distribution. I also paid a visit to Nandgaon to inspect the experimental plantation of Sisal Hemp. Mr, Bhide, the Herbarium Keeper, completed a tour from Poona to Nagotna. He found many interesting plants, but his purpose was more especially to collect good material of Podostemon hookercanus and other species on behalf of Mr, J. C Willis, the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Ceylon, who is making a special study of the order Podostemonacee. Mr, Willis, during his visit to the Bombay Presidency, in search of these plants, was good enough to give us valuable information and identifications of the materials in this Herbarium, During the tours special attention was devoted to obscure plants and many —specially orchids—were brought back alive to Poona, so that Mr, Bhide could figure them at ieisure as they came into flower. Drawings of many Bombay orchids were despatched to the Bombay Natu- val History Society for future publication in its Journal. To Mr, Symonds, the Director of Agriculture, who is an enthusiastic botanist, Iam indebted for interesting plants collected by him when travelling and also for samples of plants, said to have been utilized by the people when reduced to straits by famine. I append a list of these plants identified by me as the information may prove of interest to botanists :— Plants used for their leaves are :— Portulaca suffruticosa, Wight. (vern. Morad). i quadrifida, Linn, {vern. Chighal), Abutilon indicum, G. Don, (vern, Kachnia). Tribulus terrestris, Lénn, (vern, Sarata), Rhus mysorensis, Heyne. (vern, Ambogna). Launea nudicaulis, Less, (vern. Pathari). Dregea volubilis, Bth. (vern. Phandi). Rivea hypocrateriformis, Choisy. (vern. Fangi). Hygrophila Serpyllum, 7, Anderss. (vern, Godadi). Digera arvensis, Forsk, (vern. Kemjar). Chenopodium album, Linn, (vern. Chil), The only bulbous plant used was :— Cyperus bulbosus, Vahl. (vern. Theg). The plants utilized for their seeds and grains are :— Indigofera linifolia, Retz. (vern. Pandarphale). glandulosa, Willd. (vern, Defri, Barbada), a cordifolia, Linn, (vern. Vakal, Godadia). Ocimum canum, Sims. Cyanotis axillaris, 2. & S. (vern, Damrs, Narids, Ichaka), Scirpus maritimus, Linn, (vern, Dero, Chids). MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 17d Panicum prostratum, Lamk. (vern, Puhatu, Bateru). 5 colonum, Linn, (vern.. Samo). 5 flavidum, Retz. (vern. Garin), Setaria verticillata, Beauv. (vern. Kulelu), luropus villosus, Trin. (vern, Del.). Elusine xgyptiaca, Desf. (vern, Manacha; Manachobi; Manchi; Anchi Manchi), Dinebra arabica, Jacq, (vern. Kharin). Polytoca barbata, Stapf. (vern, Khad-Khadio). Apluda varia, Hack. (vern, Bhangaru). Anthistiria ciliato, Linn, f (vern. Ratadin). Iseilema Wightii, Anderss. (vern, Gadhu), 7" laxum, Hack.,(vern, Rahu tholvi). Ischemum rugosum, Salish. (vern, Varchu), Andropogon anuulatus, Forsk, (vern. Zangroo), Re, contortus, Linn. (vern, Soorwalu). Chloris pallida, Hook. f. (vern. Chakalio). Aristida (sp. inc,) (vern, Tholvi), Sporobolus diander, Beauv, (vern, Dhul), Eragrostis interrupta, Beawv, (vern. Dhadi). Of all these plants, Panicum colonum (Samo} seems to have been most esteemed as a makeshift for better food. Information regarding doubtful plants was supplied te Dr, T, Cooke, C.1.E., who is elaborating a Flora of Bombay in the Herbarium at Kew, and he in return, from time to time generously sends notes which supplement or correct our knowledge of Bombay plants. Mr. G. M. Woodrow, my predecessor, still retains an interest in the Survey work, for which he did so much during his service, and, while drawing up the final part of the list, he supplied me with correct names for many gatherings of specimens. 4. Experimental Culture of Sisal Hemp,—The station at Nandgaon was fully planted up during the early part of the rains and the plants under obser- vation there now number 3,000, The plants were in a flourishing condition at the time of my visit, and there is a certainty of the plantation ultimately proving a success. Twenty-one thousand young plants and bulbils were distributed to various applicants and a large number have been promised for this season to the Divisional Forest Officer at Nasik. As the area at my disposal is so circumscribed and as Sisal culture has become established in several parts of India, this Department may now resirict itself to the growth of plants solely for distribution. G. A, GAMMIE, F.L5S., Officer in charge of the Poona, June, 1901. Botanical Survey, Bombay Presidency, 172 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. No, XXI,—A PIED-CRESTED CUCKOO’S EGG ( COCCYSTES JACOBINIUS) FOUND IN THE NEST OF THE BENGAL RED-VENTED BULBUL (JIOLPASTES BENGALENSIS ), While strolling round my garden the other evening I found a Bulbul’s nest which I bad not previously observed, I have been leaving all the eggs of this bird in order to get the young ones for my aviary, so only wished to examine the nest, and as it was about 10 feet from the ground I had to get into the tree, but could not see into the nest even then, On putting my hand inside I felt 4 eggs, so determined to take them, as this was the first clutch of four I had ever found of this bird’s, but the second egg removed proved to be that of a Pied-crested Cuckoo, I recognised it at once by its being almost round, T have both this bird and the common Hawk Cuckoo ( Hierococeya varius ) in the garden, but as the Crateropus (Babblers) are not laying at present, I never expected to find the eggs of the Pied-crested Cuckoo for sometime to come, and then not in a Bulbul’s nest, The common Hawk Cuckoos have been in the garden since February and after L had taken a few clutches of Grateropus canorus I left the others, only examining them for Hierococcyx varius of which I found none, nor have I seen young of the latter bird. Coccystes jacobinus has only been about the garden for a month or 6 weeks so I expected to have to wait for its eggs also. I have searched dozens of Bulbuls nests since, but have failed to find any more eggs of Coccystes jacobinus, HK, E. TOOTH. Dum-Dum, 14th June 1901. No, XXII.—UNUSUAL ABUNDANCE OF SANDGROUSE AT DEESA, The common Sandgrouse (Pterocles ewustus) has been unusually abundant near Deesa this year. Ifeel sure they have increased in numbers largely since I first came here, now nearly 5 years ago. Possibly the last few years, which have been unusually dry, have been especially favourable to their increase. A few weeks ago over 400 were shot over a running stream one morning by a party of 7 or 8 guns, and this ata place where more than 200 had been killed on several previous occasions during the course of a few weeks, The painted Sandgrouse (Pterocles fasciatus) appears also to have increased in numbers. It is usually only found in small flocks, but this morning, when shooting over some ravines covered witha little grass and a few bushes, I came across a large number, not less than two or three hundred. They were chiefly in packs of from two to six, but there were several packs of ten or a dozen, and one flock of sixty or eighty birds. They were very wary, and I seldom succeeded in getting within 35 yards of them. However, I managed to shoot 21, which is the largest number of this species I haye ever killed in a day, chiefly by standing behind a bush and having them driven towards me. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 173 T could certainly have got more if I had cared to stay later, as they did not fly to any great distance, and could generally be marked down, As regards shooting both these species in the hot weather, and rains, I have no compunction. P, exustus breeds all the year round, and P. fasciatus during the greater part of the year, as I believe it does not usually breed in the rains, If they want the benefits of a close season, they should limit their breeding season to, say, six months in the year, like most other respectable game birds. C, G. NURSE, Deersa, 11th August 1901. Major, 13th Bombay Infantry, No, XXIII—THE MASKED FINFOOT ( HELIOPAIS PERSONATA) IN CACHAR. I write to record the occurrence of Heliopais personata, the Masked Finfoot in the Chutla Bhil, Cachar, A pair of these birds were shot by Mr, C. B. Antram of Kuttal T. E., Cachar, in June last and the skins after- wards given to me, Both birds appear to bein fully adult plumage and were mosi probably breeding at the time, as they were noticed to frequent only one reach of the river. As Mr. Baker in his Birds of North Cachar, Vol. XII, notes it being extremely rare, the following description of the plumage may be of interest :-- Male—Forehead, lores, supercilium, and throat black, narrow white line bordering throat patch ; neck above slaty grey, sides olive brown, as is also back, rump, escapulars, upper tail coverts, and the whole of the wing, sides of the body are brown barred lighter, breast and abdomen white tinged pale brown, in fact the upper part of the breast is brown. Female wants the black throat patch of the male, this being replaced by white margined with black, the rest of the plumage is very similar to that of the male, with the exception that the breast and under parts are much lighter, and the sides barred with almost white. Colours of soft parts in life said to be—Bill bright orangein the male, paler in the female, legs and feet in both apple green. Irides brown, This bird, I am told by Mr, Campbell, Kuttal T. E., has been shot by him on several occasions and that in former years he did not consider it a rare bird though always more or less local and frequenting those parts of the Bhil around whose edges there was a heavy growth of Nijal trees and cane, into which it could make its way if alarmed, The Chutla Bhil is now very much clearer of jungle to what it was some years ago and this may perhaps be why the bird is less often met with, A. M, PRIMROSE, Rema 'l. H,, CoaRDPUR BaGaN, S, SYLHET, 9th August 1901, e 174 JOURNAL, BUMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, No, XXIV.—‘ BIRDS OF PREY,” ‘Under the above heading, Major Rodon asks the question, as to what becomes of the bones of birds, after they have been struck by hawks and whether a hawk eats his prey, where he struck it, or carries it away elsewhere, Vol, XIII., page 185. To begin with the second question. It depends entirely on the locality, in which the hawk has struck, as to whether it will attempt to eat its quarry where it has caught it. If the place is well wooded, or otherwise offers good cover, for the hawk to sit and enjoy its meal in peace, it will pluck and devour it there and then, but very few will attempt it in the open, where the keen eyes of their bigger cousins, are liable to see. A peregrine may, sometimes, be seen on an open plain, or on the bed of a river, eating its prey, but im that case, it has probably caught a duck and more than it can conveniently carry, or it finds, that, by flying across an open plain, with a bird in its talons, it is much more liable to be seen, by one of the large sea-eagles, always to be found in such localities, than if it remained where it killed. Of course a hawk may occasionally be seen having its meal in the open, but it is the exception. As to what becomes of the bones, is a question which must be answered by first taking into consideration the different kinds of hawks and what is most likely to be the extent of their prey, for all hawks, in their wild state prefer tackling something considerably smaller than themselves, with the exception of the peregrine (/. communis) and some of the Himalayan eagles, but we will come to them later on, A hawk’s digestion is nothing short of marvellous and all ordinary bones that it can break with its beak, it swallows together with the feathers and they seem to rather agree with it than otherwise. The feathers are expectorated every morning in a ball before the hawk goes out to search for its morning meal, I shall begin with the small hawks, such as the merlins, sparrow-hawks, &c, They seldom rise to anything bigger than sparrows, finches, wagtails and similar birds and these are eaten till not a vestige remains to tell the tale, except a few feathers. The luggur falcon (Ff. juggur) generally preys upon rats, bats, lizards, &¢., but will also tackle minahs, babblers and even seesee and partridges, but as they invariably hunt in pairs eyen a partridge is by no means a big meal between two. The same rule is applicable more or less throughout, viz., that a hawk will nearly always prey upon something it is capable of eating every scrap of. The Chirug (Hierofalco saker) though it can be easily trained to kite, hare, houbara, &c., prefers in its wild siate to live on rats, lizards and small birds, The peregrine (£’. communis) and some- times the Shaheen (2. peregrinator) prey a good deal on duck which they certainly cannot devour entirely, but as I mentioned before their hunting grounds are chiefly open plains, river beds or jheels where any remnants lying about, would very soon catch the eye of some passing harrier, or kite ani be made short work of or carried away. In the Himalayas we have the eagles which tackle monaul, tragopan, snow-cock, &c,, and it is chiefly to these that MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 175 Major Rodon refers, Among these big birds the chief depredators are the golden eagle (A, chrysctus), the spotted hawk eagle (Spizetus nepalensis), the Imperial eagle (A. heliaca), and the Goshawk (Astur palumbarius) sometimes, The goshawk in his wild state however seldom exceeds a kalij or koklass, Others too I daresay prey on monaul but these are I think the chief. Some of the bones of the monaul or snow-cock, take for instance the tibia, would be a hard nut to crack even for the powerful beak of the golden eagle, but my reason for its non-appearance among the feathers, which are frequently to be found lying about in heaps, are as follows: — Between the months of March and October their absence is easily accounted for, All the larger eagles pair in February and March and begin building their nests very soon after, and from that time on till the young birds are fully fledged and able to follow their parents, all the game is brought to the nest daily, minus the feathers, which are plucked by the parent birds, pre- sumably where the bird was caught. I had an opportunity of watching the actions of a pair of spotted hawk eagles, only a short time ago and finally sent up a man for the young one, which had only just begun getting a few of its back feathers. In the nest was a whole dove, with the exception of its feathers, a few, but very few feathers, of koklass and monual but any number of bones of all sorts and sizes, The young bird leaves the nest in August, but not to wander far from it and does not accompany its parents, till nearly the middle of September when it gets its first training and is initiated into the mysteries of “striking.” I have frequently seen the young birds, getting a lesson, The mother soars into the heavens with her offspring following close behind and with a tender morsel in her talons, When sufficiently high to give the youngster a good fly, she drops it and lets him stoop after it, keeping near enough herself to catch it before it reaches the ground, in case the young one fails to get it, However itis only one or two of the largest eagles that dare resort to this style of amusement, as any of the smaller ones attempting the experiment would soon have their breakfast snatched from them, It is from October to March that the absence of bones is hard to account for. Of course during these months not many sportsmen yisit the haunts of monaul and snow-cock to notice,and even then in the majority of cases the eagles are usually followed by crows who bother the life out of them as soon as they (the eagles) leave their perch, The keen eyes of the lammer- geyer (Gypactus barbatus) too are ever on the watch for scraps. Then again there are pine martens and foxes, neither of which would despise even the bones of a pheasant, It must also be remembered that eagles are by no means the only enemies that pheasants have, The pine marten is an adept at climbing trees and watches its opportunity when the birds go to roost and last but by no means least, comes the curse of the Himalayas, véz., the “pahary” with his snares. One frequently finds 4 or 5 consecutive spurs lined with nooses from top to bottom, chiefly set for muskdeer, but birds 176 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. by no means come amiss and keep the men in food till a few un- fortunate muskdeer also fall victims. I have taken the greatest delight, on several occasions, in cutting every noose and have gone up and down the spurs from end to end especially for the purpose, thereby demolishing in one day what has taken two to four men a-:couple of weeks hard work to put up, Tam glad to add we are pretty free of snaring in this district now. Well, to come to the point: the birds found hanging in the nooses, each morning, are carried off in triumph and plucked, in some cases, near the first stream the men come to or carried off to their camp, usually some well con- cealed cave or a large and thickly foliaged tree. Since these men change their camp every three or four days for fear of attracting attention, by stay- ing in one place where their fires might be noticed, it stands to reason, the heaps of feathers of monaul and tragopan are pretty considerable and would strike a casual observer in each case as the work of a hawk, but a short search somewhere in the vicinity will bring to view bits of charred wood and ashes and some leaves and grass well flattened out which the men have used as beds, These signs together with those of a spur that has been noosed, though it may be a couple of miles away, tell their own tale. The feathers would naturally be plucked a few yards away from where the cook- ing takes place, if not as I mentioned above at the first stream the man comes to and thus easily accounting for the absence of bones among the feathers, C. H. DONALD. BHADARWA, KAsuMir STATE, 27th July, 1901. No, XXV.—NESTING OF THE COOT (FULICA ATRA) AT POONA, Oates in editing “ Hume’s Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds” states “The Coot preeds throughout India in large jheels and lakes that contain water all the year round.” Further on he only mentions two recorded instances of eggs of this bird having been taken outside Cashmere, viz., Lieut. Burgess at Ahmednagar in 1849 and Col. Butler near Belgaum in 1879, Person- ally, though I have searched water in various parts of this Presidency on many occasions, until this year, I have never found this bird breeding, Pieces of water where these birds abound in the cold weather usually con- tain a few birds, which I have always taken to be those who have been wounded or otherwise crippled so that they were unable to migrate and did not breed, It may therefore interest ornithologists to hear that this year they are breeding fairly commonly round Poona. I visited a jheel on the 14th July with a view to seeing what waiter birds I could pick up and was wading very nearly waist deep in water, in which reeds were growing freely, when I saw a floating mass of rushes, I sent a coolie out to see whether it was a nest or not: he reported that it was and contained 6 eggs. On inspection I found it was a Coot’s (Fulica atra) nest and saw the hen swim- ming away in the offing. The nest was avery solid structure, the foundations MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 177 being of rushes collected together and welded into a rough sort of mat, on this the nest proper was built, principally of rushes which had evidently been green but were dry and brown: it was neatly finished off and lined : the whole structure was floating and appeared to be attached or entangled in the reeds, so that it should not float away. Onthe 4th August, I found another nest containing 2 chicks and 6 eggs on the point of hatching, On the 11th idem a nest with 9 practicilly fresh eggs and on the 17th another with 5 fresh eggs, The nests in all cases being similarly situated and con- structed, Capt, Payn, of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, has also found them breeding. On the large pieces of water there are a few pairs and onall small ones just a pair, but they seem to be nesting on any place where found, AsI have never found the bird before and have always been on the look out, I am very interested in the find and should like to know whether any other ornithologists have found the bird breeding in India excluding Cashmere. R, M. BETHAM, Major, Poona, 20th August, 1901. 8th Bombay Infantry. No. XXVI.—THE FLOWERING OF BAMBOOS. In the issue of The Garden: for June 16 of last year (page 435) “8, W. F,” mentions the flowering of Bambusa Simoni striata at Abbotsbury, Dorset- shire, and comments on the flowering of Bamboos as follows :—“It has been asserted that with regard to the flowering of Bamboos, the whole species blossoms simultaneously, and not isolated examples, and that subsequent to flowering the clumps die.” In the following week’s issue, at page 456, corro- boration of this is given by quoting an extract from the Westminster Gazette, based on some remarks in the annual report of H. B. M, Consul, Pakhoi, I take the following remarks, in connection with the subject, from Munro's “ Monograph of the Bambusacex.” In regard to Bambusa arundinacea the author says :—“ Bambusa arundinacea takes a long time in coming to the flowering stage. Dr, Hooker is of opinion that this Bamboo does not flower at any particular age, but at any period when full grown, and the circum- stances of the season are favourable to its flowering.” Of other species the following interesting information is given :—‘‘The late Sir W, Sleeman stated, as a fact observed by himself, that in 1856 all the large Bamboos in the Deyrah Shoon which had been the principal feature of beauty in the valley for the last twenty-five years, ran to seed and died.” “Dr, Wallich mentions that a celebrated grove of Bamboos which surrounded the city of Rampoxe, in Rohilcund, blossomed universally in 1824, and every stem died, and he was informed that the same event happened forty years previously.” “Mr. Spilsbury states thatall the Bamboos between Jubbulpore and Mundlah seeded in 1839, and died shortly afterwards. Melocanna bambusoides flowere ed generally in Tipperah, Rungpore, Arracan, and Chittagong in 1863-66, and died immediately afterwards,” ‘Dr. Anderson, Superintendent of the 23 178 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, states that in 1857 and 1858 many of the Bamboos near Calcutta and on Parasnath flowered and seeded, but in no case that he was aware of did a general death of the Bamboos follow. So far as he observ- ed only the flowering shoots died, and their place was taken by young shoots springing from the roots, but during the flowering and seeding the foliage almost entirely disappeared. He adds: Bambusa gigantea at Calcutta.flowered for the first time after thirty years in 1861, and remained alive although the plants were weakened.” “ Arundinaria hookeriana, Munro,” Dr. Hooker says, ‘‘ After maturing its seeds and giving off suckers from the root, the parent plant dies,” “‘ Bambusa flexuosa, Munro, Osbeck during his travels in China in 1751, mentions that it is said to flower once in sixty years.’ Munro says of Dendrocalamus strictus, Nees, that it lowers frequently, if not every year, and does not die down after flowering. Roxburgh states, according to Munro, that he never saw Bambusa Balcooa more than once in flower, and Humboldt according to the same authority, “ Mons Mutis herborised for twenty years in the country where Bambusa guadua formed marshy forests, several leagues broad, without being able to procure a flower.’ Munro also says : “Some of the Arundinaria which die down every year, and springing up again, flower, annually,” From “ Hooker’s Flora of british India,’ Vol. VII., I take the following :— ‘“* Arundinaria walkeriana, Munro ; probably flowers frequently.” “ Arundina- ria wightiana, Nees, flowers annually.” Arundinaria recemosa, Munro ; flowers rarely, and only in the higher elevations, 6,000 feet to 12,000 feet.” “ Arundinaria griffithiana, Munro; only once seen in flower.” “ Bambusa Tulda, Roxb; flowers gregariously, and in single clumps.” “ Bambusa arundinaria, Willd; flowers gregariously and in small clumps,” Hance, in hissupplement to the “Flora Hongkongensis,’ at page 49, has the following remarks on the flowering of Dendrocalamus latifiorus, Munro:— “ This fine species, the ‘Great Bamboo’ of the Chinese, which has culms about 40 feet high, instead of 7 feet—as stated by Munro—flowers, favente jove annually without dying down or being apparently weakened.” On the same page, he says of Bambusa flexuosa, Munro:—“ A curious and distinct species, forming dense clumps, apparently flowering less regularly than Dendrocalamus latiflorus, but also not dying afterwards, ” As regards the flowering of Bambusa tuldeides, Munro, I can say from personal observations that it has flowered aonually in Hong Kong for the last six or seven years without dying subsequently, and also that clumps of apparently the same age do not flower simultaneously, This species flowers from March onwards, and at the time of writing (the beginning of August) many clumps of it are in flower. It becomes considerably weakened by flowering, and loses many leaves, but ultimately recovers, Schizostachyum dumetorum, Munro (Bambusa dumetorum, Hance), also flowers annually without dying down. Phyllostachys bambusoidus and an Arendinaria I MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 179 obtained in flower in 1897, but I have not seen them in flower since, I know, however, that they did not die after flowering. Although it is an undoubted fact that many Bamboos die immediately after flowering, it will be seen from the foregoing remarks that many others do not. The popular notion that all bamboos die subsequently to flowering has probably arisen from observations made in India, where large forests of bamboos exist. Each bamboo forest is composed principally (probably) of one species, and if that particular species dies after flowering it does not require much stretching of the imagination to come to the conclusion, when a whole forest disappears, that all bamboos die after flowering. W. J. TUTCHER, Botanic GARDENS, Hone Kona, ( The above appeared in “ The Garden” on 9th Murch 1901.) No, XXVII.—MIGRATION OF BUTTERFLIES, It is now nearly thirty years since I first began to take an interest in Lep- idoptera, and although I have, of course, read of the migration of large bodies of butterflies, I never witnessed any flight that could be considered migration until the last few days. When riding back from shooting three days ago, I noticed a large number of Catopsilia :pyranthe, all flying against the wind in a north-westernly direction. I first saw them about 7 miles from Deesa, and the swarm continued until I reached cantonments; in every direction there appeared to be about an average of one C. pyranthe to every 10 0r 12 square yards of ground, There was plenty of other butterflies about, chiefly various specis of Teracolus ; these, however, were flitting about the bushes as usual, but there was scarcely a single C. pyranthe that had not urgent busi- ness towards the N-W. The flight or migration continued all that day and the next, and to-day there have also been a considerable number of the same species flying in the same direction, but not nearly so many as on the two previous days, so I conclude the flight is now over, An observant friend tells me that the same migration of this species has taken place about this time every year for the last three years at least, but I have never been here at the end of August before, sol bave not seenit. C. pyranthe is common enough in this neighbourhood, the larva feeding onasmall shrub with yellow flowers, of which Ido not know the name; but I have never seen a tenth of the numbers I saw during the last 3 days, C. G. NURSE, Major, DEESA, 27th August 1901. 13th Bombay Infantry. No, XXVIII—NIDIFICATION OF THE DESERT SAND LARK. (ALGMON DESERTORUM.) I have at last obtained the eggs of the Desert Sand Lark, for which I have long been on the look out, A few days ago my shikari (who is also my understudy as an oologist) came to me and said he had seen out in the 180 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. Runn, on one of the many small islands, a curious bird the like of which he had never seen before. He is not clever at noting the colouration of the birds but on this occasion he had noticed that the bill was slightly curved and that the legs were white ; he further added that the bird has a curious way of throwing itself up into the air and at the same time utter- ing a shrill whistle. He had foundthe nest and there wes one egg in it which Fe had not taken as he supposed more would be laid, Strongly sus- pecting that this must be the Desert Sand Lark, I sent him out:a few days later with my gun, telling him to shoot the bird as it left the nest and to bring me the bird and eggs. Two days ago he brought in the bird (which is undoubtedly Alemon desertorum) and a nice clutch of 3 eggs which are now in my collection. I have had the bird’s skin pre- served and hope to send it to you -for inspection, From the notes on the breeding of this species to be found in “Hume Oates’? and “ Blanford by Oates” I find that the breeding season is in May and June, whereas my clutch was obtained on 19th August. The lateness of the monsoon this year (and consequent extension of the hot weather) may account for the late breeding of this bird in the present case. The eggs are white with bold yellowish-brown spots, the shell rather glossy and they are rather larger than any of the otber lark’s eggs, HARRINGTON BULKLEY. KHARAGHORA, 22nd August, 1901. No, XXIX.—THE BANDED CRAKE AT KHANDALLA, Last year my shikari, at Khandalla, brought mea clutch of seven creamy white eggs, in the middle of August, together with a nest and said they belonged to a bird which he described as a “barra bhagné wallah” that lived in grassy swamps, He called the bird “lekhir,” As I could not iden- tify the eggs, I sent them to Mr, Stuart-Baker for an opinion, He returned them saying he thought they were the eggs of the Little Bittern (Ardea minuta). They certainly are of that type. My shikari said the bird was fairly common at Khandalla and says it is not a “ bagla” at all. I gave him orders to look out again this year, which he did and towards the end of August brought me a nest of the same bird containing 8 eggs and a bird, which I could not identify, but on sending it to the Bombay Natural History Society it was found to be the Banded Crake No, 1395 (Rallina superci- liaris). The shikari says he shot the bird with an arrow on the nest; as he is not reliable I cannot accept his word, but merely record the fact, The nest looks more like a Bittern’s than a Rail’s. Early in September, I went to Khandalla myself as the skékari told me he had another nest marked down. On arriving at the place, I was disappointed as the nest contained no eggs, It was situated in swampy ground and,I believe, was the nest of MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 181 the Blue-breasted Banded Rail (Hypotenidia striata} and not of the bird laying the white eggs, an opinion I arrived at by finding the egg shell of that bird in the vicinity of the nest. I shall endeavour next year to make sure of the bird that lays the white eggs, for although the latter are not the type of egg one would expect the Banded Crake to lay, it may be so, That the Banded Crake is to be obtained at Khandalla during the monsoon there is no doubt as the bird was shot there. R. M. BETHAM, MajJor, 8th Bombay Infantry. Poona, 21st September 1901, No, XXX.—A RARE SNAKE. I have much pleasure in sending for our Society’s collection, a specimen of a rare snake Contia angusticeps obtained by me in Malakand and possibly a few notes about it may be of interest to our Members. The first specimen I got was sent to Calcutta, where Major Alcock was unable to identify it, and concluded it was a new species. Mr. Boulanger of the British Museum, to whom it was sent, identified it as the Contca augusticeps, of which one specimen was found several years ago, and it, the type specimen, was said to be in the Indian Museum at Calcutta, Tt cannot be found there and must have been lost. The specimen I have sent you is one of eleven specimens obtained by me (all at Malakand) and therefora one of the twelve only specimens (including the lost type specimen) yet discovered. The others are in the Indian Museum, British Museum, Dublin Museum, and one in my own possession. This snake in life, is a very lively little creature. The markings on the head are jet black in life, but fade rapidly in spirits, The measurements of the 1] existing specimens are :— Body. Tail, Total length. Nes es 500 SOC SPU) 3°0’ 12°75” 2 9:257 2:25" 11-5" 3 ues ac 9°25" DEC Se 12°0” 4 see etd mon 2:0” 8°75” 5 ASO La 10° Doe 13°90” 6 ses one coe don CEae ( aeee ea wate aan ooe 11” Shikviase des Bee a 500 13” 9 500 nee ae Ok 14’ 10 coe cae Aue nos 157 11 B00 — a0 PG A. H, McMAHON, Masor. ZIABAT, 4th August 1901, 182 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. No, XXXI— ON THE NEW SPECIES OF BUTTERFLIES RECENTLY DESCRIBED BY Mr, A. G. BUTLER Mr, Butler in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Vol. 7, No. 39, has separated the Ceylon species of Zraota from the Indian and has bestowed on it the name J. Nicérillei. He writes, “ Iraota mecenas. Moore, Lep. Ceylon, Vol, 1. p. 102, pl. XL. figs, 2,2a @, 1880-81. This species differs from the true J. mecenas (dry phase of I, timoleon) in the much more restricted and metallic morpho like colouring of the patches of colour on the upper sur- face. According to Moore these patches are metallic blue; but it would be more correct to call them green, as it is difficult to get them so placed as to eliminate all yellow from the blue ; and when facing the light, the colouring is clittering metallic green, On the under surface the differences are not strik- ing between the two species, but the white discoidal markings are less silvery in the Ceylonese insect and the discal white lunules on the primaries are reversed, their concavities being directed towards the base instead of the outer margin. Our examples, which are females, differ from the rich purple females of timoleon in their longer secondaries and with more slender tails ; indeed in their general aspect they more nearly resemble the male than the female of I, timoleon.” This insect was apparently described from specimens in Mr, Mackwood’s collection, In a small collection of the rarer Ceylon butterflies collected by Mr, Pole and now in the Colombo Museum, I was interested to note two specimens of /raota and made the following notes on them, Both specimens are males, The first specimen has the patch on the primaries brilliant metallic green in all lights, Two small white markings on the disc beneath the lower one the larger almost square, the upper consists of a few white scales. The white marking on the costa touches the discoidal spot, The other specimen is a deep mettallic blue in nearly all lights sometimes with a purplish tinge. The markings on the under-surface more distinct, the lower and larger somewhat triangular with the base downwards, and almost touching the upper one which is similar to the other specimen, The white costal markings are much reduced and scarcely touch the discoidal spot, These two specimens come from the Hambantotte district in the South of the Island, Mr, Butler would, I presume, describe these specimens as I, Nicévillez § put it will be seen how much they differ from each other, both the upper and under-surfaces presenting many points of difference. I think before the Ceylon insect receives specific rank, something more should be known about it, In the same number of the Annals Mr, Bulter describes Spindasis minima sp.n. He states that it is probably nearest to /ilacina, a species so far as I know that does not occur in Ceylon, But he goes on to say that it is very distinct from all known species. He further says that the general disposition of the markings of the under-surface is thaty;of S, fusca, The MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 183 specimen or specimers from which the description is made were taken by Mr, Pole on the Segersta Estate near Matale at an elevation probably of 1,0C0-2,000ft. Mr. Pole.writes to me “ Minima I took in the Segersia Estate amongst high grass . . . . Iam sending two specimens to Bulter for identification,” While not wishing in any way to invalidate this species, I would wish to warn Entomologists including Mr, Bulter from describing as a new species a member of the genus Spindasis from Ceylon unless they possess a very full series, This genus in Ceylon varies to an extraordinary extent and until extensive breeding operations are carried on, the confusion is only likely to increase with each new species described, Mr. Bulter also describes S, trifurcatus as occurring in the island ; as far as I can gather from Mr Pole from a single specimen captured at Chilaw, Mr, de Nicéville, Brit, Ind., Vol. III, page 362, appears to consider Spindasis (Aphneus) trifurcata as identical with ictis,a common Ceylon species, N. MANDERS, MaJor, R.A.M.C, CEYLON, 21st August 1901, XXXIIL—LIST OF BIRDS’ SKINS. RECEIVED From THE LypIAN Musxum, Catcurra (in exchange), February 1901. 1 | Corvus coraz ... ee ae ...| Raven. 12 | Urocissa occipitalis ... Ais .ee: Red-billed Blue Magpie. 13 » flavirostris ... toe ...| Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. 14 | Cissa chinensis Pe ae -- | Green Magpie, 24 | Garrulus lanceolatus... mek .--’ Black-throated Jay. 35 | Zgithaliscus erythrocephalus ..- | Red-headed Tit. 42 | Machlolophus xanthogenys «+. »-| Yellow-cheeked Tit, 44 | Lophophanes melanolophus ... .-- | Crested Black Tit, 69 | Garrulaxz leucolophus es .«- | Himalayan White-Crested Laughing-Thrush, 70 3 belangerz ... er .-- | Burmese a x 72 9) pectoralis.c. —.. ..- | Black-gorgeted | Laughing- Thrush, 83 | Trochalopterum nigrimentum ---| Western Yellow-winged Laughing Thrush, 108 | Argya subrufa ao Liste ... | Large Rufous Babbler, 116 | Pomatorhinus schisticeps Slaty-headed Scimitar Babbler. 129 ‘5 erythrogenys ... .. | Rusty-cheeked i 135 | Dumetia hyperythra .. ies ... | Rufous-bellied Babbler. 144 | Pellorneum ruficeps ... Be ... | Spotted Babbler. 145 » subochraceum ... ...| Burmese Spotted Babbler, 160 | Turdinus abbotti ... Bos ... | Abbott’s Babbler. 163 | Alcippe nepalensis ... ete .-. | Nepal Babbler. 172 | Stachyrhidopsis ruficeps ... ... | Red-headed Babbler, 174 i pyrrhops ... ... | Red-billed is 176 | Mizornis rubricapillus nee ..» | Yellow-breasted Babbler, 182 | Sittiparus castaneiceps ae ... | Chestnut-headed Tit-Babbler, 219 | Siva strigula ... hoes Ae see | Stripe-throated Siva, 232 | Iaulus flavicollis aoe »2o | Yellow-naped Ixulus, 184 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. LIST OF BIRDS’ SKINS.—(contd.) 234 | Herpornis xcantholeuca sts ... | White-bellied Herpornis. 236 | Cutia nepalensis vie ... | Nepal Cutia, 250 | Chloropsis chlorocephula ... ... | Burmese Chloropsis. 255 | Melanochlora sultanea ole ... | Sultan-bird. 261 | Psaroglossa epiloptera (00 ... | Spotted-wing, 263 | Criniger flaveolus ... 500 ... | White-throated Bulbul. 282 | Molpastes bengalensis sie ... | Bengal Red-vented Bulbul. 285 leucotis ... fh ... | White-eared Bulbul. 321 | Sitta castaneiventris ... ane ... | Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch. 323 | ,, lewcopsis... 520 343 ... | White-cheeked Nuthatch, 325 Frontalis... ee “ids .. | Velvet-fronted Blue Nuthatch, 364 | A crocephalus orientalis _... ... | Eastern Great Reed-Warbler, 367 agricola sa ... | Paddy-field Reed-Warbler, 381 | Cisticola cursitans ... a ... | Rufous Fantail-Warbler. 382 | Franklinia gracilis ... a ... | Franklin’s Wren-Warbler. 394 | Hypolais rama es ae ... | Sykes’s Tree-Warbler. 395 3 wallda s. aS ... | Olivaceous zm 396 » caligata ... sal .-- | Booted 399 | Sylvia jerdont 00 oo ... | Hastern Orphean Warbler. ANON 4, nana) --. 550 as ... | Desert Warbler. 402 » Oaffinis ... Bar S50 ... | Indian Lesser White-throated Warbler. 405 | Phylloscopus affinis ... sac .-- | Tickell’s Willow- Warbler 407 | os tristis ... O00 ... | Brown i 408 io indicus... ..- | Olivaceous 410 ; fuscatus 500 .-- | Dusky a 415 Va proregulus —«.. ... | Pallas’s i 416 A subviridis aay ... | Brooks’s ‘a 417 Pa superciliosus ... ... | Crowned A 418 | humit ... ae ... | Hume's 2 421 Acanthopneuste nitidus 635 .. | ureen s 422 viridanus ... ..- | Greenish i 426 nf lugubrig —... ... | Dull-green 428 | i occipitalis ... ... | Large Crowned Willow-Warbler 458 | Suya crinigera ues ae ... | Brown Hill-Warbler. 462 | Prinia lepida... ee a ... | Streaked Wren-Warbler. 464) ,, socialis 350 555 ... | Ashy x 465 3 sylvatica — «.. oe ... | Jungle a 466 », é@nornata, was ea ... | Indian 474 | Lanius collurioides ... ae ... | Burmese Shrike. 486 | Tephrodornis pelvicus dea ... | Nepal Wood-Strike. 490 | Pericrocotus speciosus ue .-. | Indian Searlet Minivet, 499 ii TOSEUS cee as ... | Rosy Minivet. 514 | Oriolus indicus oe So .. | Black-Naped Oriole, 524 | Eulabes intermedia ... Sa ... | Lndian Grackle, 30 | Sturnus porphyronotus nae ... | Central Asian Starling. 532 » menabiert +. So .. |Common Indian _,, 533 , poltaratzskiz ... te ... | Finsch’s 538 | Sturma malabarica ... aan ... | Grey-headed Myna. 557 | Muscicape grisola ... ber ... | Spotted meee 558 | Hemichelidon sibirica ate ... | Sooty 575 | Cyornis rubeculoides... ot ge Blue-throated ,, 592 | Culicicapa ceylonensis ee ..- | Grey-headed_,, 599 | Terpsiphone affinis ... ee ... | Burmese Paradise Fly-catcher, 605 | Rhipidura albicollis ... + ...| White-throated Fantail 626 | Saxecola deserts dee ae -. | Desert Chat, 99 349 801. 874 882 887 | 890 912 915 919 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 185 (LIST OF BIRDS’ SKINS.—(contd.) Ruticilla: frontalis | Calliope camtschatkensis . jp. pectoralis lanthia rufilata fea ' Merula boulboul ; » obscura :| Petrophila solitaria . Cinclus kashmiriensis _Lharrhaleus fulvescens Ploceus megarhynchus ‘| Stictospiza formosa ... Pyrrhula aurantiaca »< erythrocephala Jy “@mepatlensis... ‘Propasser thura —.... 5 grands - 4,2 rhodochrous: Procarduelis-nepalensis Hy pacanthis spinoides Passer hispaniolensis... » - montanus Emberiza fucata =~ pusilla: se »! aureola Ptyonoprogne rupestris Hirundo gutturalis ‘.. », _ fluvicola s+ Motacilla alba 55 leucopsis a personata » » fodgsoni::... bo0 -. ‘wtaderaspatensis ... » melanope’'.. — align ee borealis f+ «ye toe » flava eas » . feldeggi wai! » .. Citreola » ettreoloides ; Anthus richardi ie SED » © cervinus wee » spinoletta ; Otocorys pencillata ... eee » . longirostris .. 1 | Clwest ewe Alauda arvensis » gulgula tes Galerita cristata «se thopyga scheriee ... Mispene Cane ate is VIGOTSt - woe pees ignicauda... sha saturata ... 5 nepalensis re Diceeum cruentatum-s. eee 9) tgnipectus ... yy» erythrorhynchus coos | Blue-fronted Redstart. Common Ruby-throat, Himalayan Red-flanked Bush-Robin. Grey-winged Ouzel, Dark Ouzel, Eastern Blue Rock-Thrush, White-breasted Asiatic Dipper. -| Brown Accentor, . Eastern Baya. Green Munia. Orange Bull-finch, Red-headed ,, Brown : White- browed Rose-finch., | Red-mantled a Pink-browed ~~ ,,. Dark Rose-finch, Himalayan Green-finch, ... | Spanish Sparrow. .-| Tree-Sparrow. -Grey-headed Bunting, ° Dwarf .- | Yellow- breasted Bunting. eect Crag-Martin. Pastern Swallow. Indian Cliff-Swallow. White Wagiail, White-facei Wagtail. Masked Wagtail.: — | Hodgson’s Pied Wagtail. .| Large Pied Wagtail. es Grey. Gray headed Wagtail, ..| Blue-headed ._,, | Black-headed, 95 Yellow- meen! i Hodgson’s Ylw. headed, Wagiatl. . | Richard’s Pipit, . | Red-throated Pipit. Waier Pipit. ... | Gould’s Horned Lark. .., Long-billed _,, Elwes’s i | Sky-Lark, Indian Sky-Lark. | Crested Lark. | Himalayan Ylw, backed Sun-bird .. | Tenasserim .. |, Vigor’s Yellow-backed Sun-bird. .. | Fire-tailed 5 eee .- Black-breasted ,, a fiakt ... |. Nepal oo Scarlet-backed Flower- pecker, ... Fire-breasted 4; .. 1 Lickell’s;.. - ; 186 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 931 933 940 944 949 960 964 973 983 988 1025 1031 1055 1069 1073 1074 ° 1075 1077 1085 1086 1096 1101 1112 1140 1156 1160 1173 1178 1183 1199 1212 1213 1230 1234 1235 1241 1260 1261 1267 1283 1286 1296 1298 13u4 1308 1327 1336 1339 1344 1370 1415 1425 1434 Pitta cyanoptera » brachyura eae ce Cymborhynchus macrorhynchus Psarisomus dalhousie Gecinus viridanus Fypopicus hyperythrus Dendrocopus darjilensis LIyngipicus semicoronatus Micropternus pheoceps Tiga javanensis boc tee Eurystomus orientalis eae Nyctiornis athertonz ... us Rhytidoceros subruficollis ... Cypselus apus » affinis atic seo » subfurcatus soe Tachornis butassiensis on Chetura nudipes —.w. aes | Collocalia linchi Macropteryx coronata Lyncornis cerviniceps tee Harpactes erythrocephalus . Cacomantis passerinus Paleornis rosa Asio otus eee see S60 Syrnium indrane aes Scops gi sxe Soc vee ,» bakkamena ... 500 Glaucidium cuculoides Gy paétus barbatus Spizaetus limnaetus os. » mnepalensis --. veo Milvus melanotus Circus Cineraceus are » cyaneus ees Buteo desertorum Falco sub-buteo ) SCVETUS woe Microhierax Bulolnue | Sphenocercus sphenurus Ducula insignis nde Columba leuconota a: Palumbus casiotis ... i Turtur orientalis ees aoe ,, tigrinus + Polyplectrum chinquis a Genneus albicristatus » horsfieldt .. Tragopan satyra tee Caccabis chucar wos ooh Houbara macqueent ... Glareola orientalis ae Sarcogrammus atrinuchalis... LIST OF BIRDS’ SKINS.—(contd.) Lesser Blue-winged Pitta. Indian Pitta. Black-and-red Broad-bill. Long-tailed ara f Burmese Scaly-bellied Green W ood-pecker, Rufous-bellied Pied Woodpecker. Darjeeling Pied Pigmy Northern Rufous Common Golden-backed. three- toed Wood-pecker. Broad-billed Roller. Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Blyth’s Wreathed Hornbill. European Swift, Common Indian Swift. Malay House-Swift. Palm-Swift. White-necked Spine-tail. Horsfield’s Swiftlet. Indian Crested Swift. Great-eared Mightjar. Red-headed Trogan. Indian Plaintive Cuckoo. Eastern HES ENS BL. Paro- quet, Long-eared Owl, Brown Wood-Owl. Scops Owl. Collared Scops Owl. . Large Barred Owlet.. Limmergeyer. Changeable Hawk-Eagle. Hodgson’s Large Indian Kite, Montagu’s Harrier, Hen Common Buzzard, Hobby. Indian Hobby. Red-legged Falconet, Kokla Green Pigeon. Hodgson’s Imperial Pigeon, White-bellied Pigeon. Eastern Wood-Pigeon, Rufous Turtle-Dove, Malay Spotted Dove. Grey Peacock-Pheasant, White-vrested Kalij ” SCERES Black-breasted Crimson Horned Chukor. Houbara. Large Indian Pratincole. Burmese Wattled Lapwing. ”? ” 3 ” 1436 1438 1459. 1461 1477 1478 1490 1491 1492 1495 1496 1501 1503 1504 1506 1548 1575 1586 1594 1601 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. LIST OF BIRDS’ SKINS.—(concld.) Vanellus vulgaris 4 Chettusia leucura ... See Terekia cinerea Ace ses Totanus glareola Tringa subarquata ... » alpina Larus ridibun tus brunneicephalus hemprichi » cachinnans ... 0 Hydrochelidon ares ae Sterna media.. ; ae ” Ph y SEEND see vee » melanogaster .. » fuviatilis Dissura episcopus Phenicopterus roseus Rhodonessa caryophyllaced... Eunetts falcata Querquedula circia ... Lapwing or Peewit. White-tailed Lapwing. Avocet Sandpiper. Wood os Curlew Stint. Dunlin, Laughing Gull, Brown-headed Gull. Sooty Yellow-legged Her ring-Gull, Whiskered Tern. Smaller Crested Tern, Indian River es Black-bellied fs Common White-necked Stork, Common Flamingo, Pink-headed Duck. Crested Teal. Garganey or Blue-winged Teal. 187 SATBB 5 eS PROCEEDINGS... OF THE MEETING HELD -ON 167TH APRIL, 1901, ~ A MEETING of the members took p! lace on Tuesday last, the 16th | Ai, 1901, Colonel Olivier, R,E., presiding. NEW MEMBERS. The following elections of new members. were - announced : lees hs Lieutenant H, Wood, R.EH, (Mussoorie), Lieutenant G, G. “Young, EMS (Baroda), Mr. William Jesse, M.A, (Lucknow), Lieutenant RB, R. Henderson (Lucknow), Dr. J. D. Gregerson (Dibrugarh), Mr. Mirza Nazir Beg « (Hydera- bad), Mr. E. W. Trotter (Pyapon, Burma), Lieutenant’ Allen R. B. Shuttle- worth (Zhob Valley), and Dr, Morrison, M.D, (Bombay). - CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM. ; ts Mr, H. M. Phipson, the Honorary. Secretary, ‘acknowledged receipt of ; the following contributions to the-Society’s Museum since the last meeting :— Contribution. Description. Contributor. 2 Snakes.....scoee acbodecaqo00009 Ablabes calamaria, Sitybura| Mr. RB. C. Wroughton,I.F,S. macrolepis 1 Russell's viper .....0.:+.0s. Daboia russellti ...0. pecmesecss Mr. H. Yeo. 1 Snake (alive) ....... cocceces| LLY COMOM AULICUS .srcccccereeees Col. A. 8. Croly, R.A.M.C, 1 Gargeny teal ............... QYuerquedula circia ec. M. W. F. Biscoe. 1 Orange-breasted green| Osmotreron bicincta ....0..-. Do. pigeon. 1 Anderson’s squirrel ...... Sciurus quingwuest riatwe.c.eve Mr. H. H. Harrington. 1 Striped Himalayan squir-|Sciwrus macclellandt ...... te Do, rel. 1 Malay Tree-shrew ....002..| Tupata ferrUgined s.eresseeeee Do. pHs MM oa Calteesestinscasceerions FELIS ViVer rind ..cecsecrcsccccers Do. 1 Capped monkey ............ Semnopitheus a Do. 1 Lagegar falcon ........-c0000.| MGlC0 jugger oo "1 Mr. K. C. Macdorald. 2 Jackals @live)....+-esscce-s- CANIS BUIGUS....0.c0ccccrereocone Mr. C. Merrony. 1 Albino snipe ............+0 Gallinago caclestés ssccoeeee- Major G. H, Evans, 3 Kalij pheasants .. ...ccs0-| GEMMEUS -BP)-vercvsececes e-oveene Mr, W.G. Nisbett. 1 Arakan hill-partridge. 050003 Arboricola intermedia ..c» Do. UG reyacuallacccsstorcsesese: Coturnie COMMUNAS ....00000000 Do. I ERIDUTE, doscacopendaooases GoceaK00d Pavoncella PUgnal cover... ».| Lieut. J. W. Watson. 1 Indian turtle dove ....... «| Turtur ferrago ....0.« pasodcacon4 Do. 1 Black-throated ouzel ...... Merula atrigularis ..sccccoee Do. IGIROBGNHIMCI NE Neecesscesesseneeo: Rhodospiza obsoleta ......006 Do. EME UNCHatioasescrcnsssesccnsccs Sacicola picata .....s0ecc0e6 S05 Do. 1 Isabelline chat.........s0..«. Saxicola isabellina ...00. eenees Do. 1 Indian redstart ............ Ruticilla rufiventris ses. Do. 1 Pale-brown shrike ......... Lanius isabellinus ...seccceoee Do. IL IMENWEO, ooo, c0d0q0d 0008 N000G0000 COTVUS COAL. 2.0 ssececerccornres Do. 1 Bronze-capped teal ....... «| Hunetta falcata sesrcecocereoee Mr. L. Robertson. MINOR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM A. L. Alexander, Miss Hume Henderson, Mr. 8. F, Melling, Mr. C.S, F, Crofton, and Mr, E, W. Trotter, _ PROCEEDINGS. ee Pea ay ene Gt!) CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIETY’S LIBRARY. . Thirty-first Annual Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1900; Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XXXIII, No. 3; Through Unknown African Countries (A. D. Smith), J. Johnston ; Island Life (A, R. Wallace), J. Johnston ; The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia (Sir Sam, Baker), J, Johnston ; Rambles in Polynesia, J. Johnston ; American Hydroids, Part I ; Fishes of North and Middle America; Society of Protection of Birds, Report; and Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, Vol. XX XIII, Part, I. ae PROTECTION OF BIRDS IN INDIA, Ay ; The Honorary Secretary drew attention to the fact that the Society for the Protection of Birds, which was founded in England 1889, now propose to extend their operations to this country, and asa preliminary step were anxious to enrol the names of all those who sympathize with the objects of the Society, which are embodied in the following rules :— I, ° That members shall discoarage the wanton destruction of birds, and interest themselves generally in their protection. II, That members shall refrain from wearing the feathers of any bird not killed forthe purposes of food, the Ostrich only excepted. (The attitude of the Society is strictly neutral on the question of the killing of game birds and legitimate sport of that character.) ; : Mr, Wm. Jesse, M.A., of La Martiniere College, Lucknow, is at. present acting as Honorary Secretary of the above Society, and all communications should be addressed to him. BISONS IN CAPTIVITY. Bus oect Mr, R. Gilbert exhibited an excellent photograph of two cow Bisons (Bos- gaurus) in possesion of his Highness the Maharajah of Mysore, The animals which were caught when only a few months old, have now been in captivity for four years, They are quite tame, and are allowed to graze under the custody of an attendant in the Maharajah’s garden, their food being grass, bamboo leaves and cooltee.. ~- : Se eepie: Aye It was resolved that the photograph, which was taken by Mr, Hughes, the Superintendent of the Maharajah’s Zoological Collection at Mysore, should be, placed in the Society’s album, PAPERS READ, The following papers were read and discussed :— ; 1, Bird-Nesting in the Neighbourhood of Poona, by Captain R, M, Betham, 2, Notes on the Narcondam Hornbill, by Rev. ©, P, Cory, . 3s.’ Occurrence of the Laggar Falcon in Burmah, by E, Comber, “4, Nesting Difficulties of the Coppersmith, by E. Tooth. 5, Bulbuls, by E. H, Aitken, PROCEEDINGS _ OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9ru JULY, 1901. - A meeting of the members took place at the Society’s Rooms on Tuesday ’ last, the 9th instant, the Ven’ble Archdeacon Scott presiding, 190 JOURNAL ,BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. NEW MEMBERS, The ueetion of the following new members was duly announced :—Mr. N. W. Kemp (Bombay) ; Lieut, W, A, Payne (Poona) ; Cant. H. D, Foulkes, R.F.A; (Ferozepore) ; Mr, G. B. Dawson (Rangoon) ; Mr. A. J. Harrison, C.E, (Assam); Mr. H, Fagan (Rangoon) ; Mr, A. E, Wilenan (Kobe, Japan); Lieut, D. Campbell (Deolali, Life Member); the Superintendent, Mysore Government Museum (Bangalore) ; Lieut, A, Delmé Radcliffe (Saugor); Mr. J. W. Oliver, I.F.S, (Dehra Dun); His Highness the Maharajah of Cooch Behar (Life Member) ; Lieut, N.S. H, Sitwell, R.A, (Bombay) ; Lieut, B,C, Graham (Drosh, . Chitral); Mr. E, D, Mackay (Assam); Mr. M. E. Nigel-Jones (Assam) ; Lieut-Col, G, D. Bourke, R. A. M, C. (Rawul Pindi); Mr.R, Oaken,I.C, 8. (Meerut) ; and Mr. Robert 8, Hole, I.F.S. (Jubbulpore), CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM, Mr. H. M, Phipson, the Honorary Secretary, acknowledged receipt of the following contributions to the Society’s Museum since the last meeting :— re ac Os a a Contributions. Description, Contributor. Ce a ay a a arn a hea vem ART en ay A number of Birds’ Nests..; $= = aeeeenns Mr. Isaac Benjamin. 1 Tawny Hagle-Owl......... Bubo coromandusa... S00G0cd00 --.| Mr. C. Maries. 1 RU ..ccceccncccsecsssoosse coe! PAVONCELIA PUGNAL .eveveeeeeee Do. 1 Hastern Baillon’ 8 Crake..| Porzana pusilla ceo... coves Do. 1 Indian Blue-Rock Pigeon| Columba intermedia ...-.. 206 Do. 1 Bastern Stock Pigeon ...| Columba evarsmannt .....000. Do. 1 Lizard ......ccccecrccrcccsseee Huplepharis macularius......| Mr. A. R. Shuttleworth. 2 Indian Wolf Cubs (alive).| Canis pallipes ... ~ sssccc0.....| Mr. H. H. Dean. 1 Green Tree Viper (alive) | Zrimeresurus go amaneus..... .| Mr. Paul Girhardt. 1 Silver Pheasant.........00. GEMNCUS SP. cove seoe.e-| Capt. W. G. Nisbett. 1 Arakan Hill Partridge ...) Arboricola inter media Bee pOOHOCDOD 1 Palm Civet ...... aeapacivcees PArAAOLUTUE MUSANGA.....0006 Mr. A. H. Stephens. 1 Brown Tree Snake........- Dipsas trigonata ....00+.. .-.| Capt.G.1T. Birdwood,I.M.S, A number of Birds’ Skins aeeens Col. R. C. Temple. VT Wulfure <.c0.0-.0-+6 nactnodad Vultur monachus dedeeesce oeoee| Genl. Osborne. 1 Flying Lizard .........00- Draco MACUlatus ....ccccceeee ..| Mr, F. Andersen. 3 Nests of Lora ccosssevccerene Tora tiphia ....000e sonosnen00. .-| Capt. H. Kelsall, R.A. 1 Nest of Flower Picker.. oo] Dic@um CrUCNEALUIM ceoeeeeee Do. 1 Nest of Black-throated) Ploceus megarhynchus sscove Do. Weaver Bird. 1 Nest of Black Racket-| Crypsirhina varians....00... 000 Do. tailed Magpie. 1 Nest of Azure Fly-| Hypothymis acured...o.0,..0. 7 Do. Catcher. 1 Flying Lizard...... secccecee| LGCO MACULATUS seveeere pooddor Capt.G. W. Nisbett. 1 Snake .......00...ceeeee ..| Zropidunotus Stolatus ...-00e..| Mr. T. Glover Wright,I.C.S. 1 Flying Lizard. Soaancsgccnc[7 DAO AUSSUMIUTE seocceeve... 008 ee On Laird-Macgregor, =r) Large Pin-tailed Sand) Pteroclurus alchata .........| Lieut. Howse, R.N. Grouse (alive). Florican (alive)...cs0ccc.| SYPNCOLIS AUTIEG sscrseveeeveeee| Major H. Hazelgrove. Crocodiles (alive) .. .| Crocodilus palustris evovee eee} Mr. C. Merrony. Snake (alive) ...reeree- ..| Dropidonotus plumbicolor ... ME ve Laird-Macgregor, a od 3 PROCEEDINGS. 191 - Contributions. Description. | Contributor. | Eggs of Common Heron ...| Ardea cinered «006. .../Dr. G. McMullen. Eggs of Large Heret......... Herodias Ghd: sc... coesectexooe | Do. Eggs of Great Stone Plover.| Lsacias recurviros tris -....+ Do. Eggs of Purple Coot......... Porphrio poliocephalus ....+ Do. Eges of Seesee Partridge .... Ammoperdix bonhami......0.. | Do. Eggs of Laggar Falcon...... FAUCO GUG GA .....ccscercccscosees Do. 1 Screech Owl (alive) ...... SErEL MLAMIMED .oeeee...scsescree Mr. RB. F. Smith.- MMS Kindiccssesscsececcenescances Calcides ocellatus...... .|Mr, A. Baglehole. 1 Grass Snake .cccccccoceeeee Tropidonotus stolatus ...... ..| Mr. Paul Girhardt. 1 Water Snake ..........06 toe Do. PiSCAatOr.. 006 Do. 2 Tree Reng assess Trimeresurus JrGMIiNCUS ....0» Do. 1 Brown Tree Snake......... Dipsas ceylOnensis .s...00000- Do. 1 Lizard ...4.. ...- ee-| Hemidactylus sp . 200 Do. 1 Giew Slaty-backed Wood- Hemilophus pulverulentus .. ‘|My. C. B. Smales. pecker. 1 Tickell’s Golden-backed| Chrysocolaptes gutticris- Do. Woodpecker. tatus. 1 Northern Rufous Wood- Micropternus ph@eceps....0. ae Do. pecker. 1 Indian Grackle ...... coccee| HULADYS INLEPMEMIA.. 0000000 Resenses 1 Black-bellied Tern ...... Sterna melanogaster ...000.. Do. 1 Phoorsa ....000. =200000 cocece| LICHIS COTINGEG coceecececee «v0 Mr. H. Bulkley. A number of Scorpions......) «=| ssesesewe Do. TRSMAKCR ecosweseecessasccos ee o-| Contia ANGUSEICEDE roereveceees Major A. H, McMahon. Specimens of New Zealand ; eoorectre Mr. E. L. Barton. Woods. | 1 Large Photograph of an} =-——__ ewneeeeee es E. R. Jardine. Elephant. There were minor contributions from Messrs. O’Brien, C. F. Spencer, W. Gonsalves, G. E. Bright, Marshall Reid, and D. A. MacMillan. | H. D. McLaughlin, E, CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIBRARY. “ Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France,”’ 1900 ; “The Structure and Life History of the Harlequin Fly” (from Mr, L. C, Miall) ; “Annuaire du Musée Zoologique de St. Petersburg”; “ Boletin del Instituto Geologico de Mexico ” ; “ Botanical Notes and Papers ” by Major D, Prain,1I.MS, ; “Transactions of the Entomological Society of London,’ 1900 ; ‘‘ Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India” ; “ Researches on the Past and Present His- tory of the Earth’s Atmosphere,” by Dr. T. L, Phipson; “Indian Deep Sea Crustaceans ” ; ‘‘ Annals of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniza,’ Pt. I., Vol. I. SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS, With reference to the announcement made at the meeting on 16th April last regarding the Society for the Protection of Birds, efforts are now being made to secure the sympathy and support of the members of the Bombay Natural History Society to the movement. Mr. E, Comber has been appoint- ed local Secretary of the Indian Branch, to whom subscriptions may be 192 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. sent by those willing to become associates of the Society. Associates who pay Re. 1 a year will receive a copy of the annual report and those subscrib- ing Rs, 5 a year will be entitled to all publications issued by the pecs SNAKES’ SLOUGHS. Mr. E, L. Barton exhibited a number of pieces of the slough cast by the large Python in the Society’s rooms, mounted on different materials, with a view of ascertaining what use, if any, these sloughs might be putto, The Specimens mounted on bright-coloured calicoes, especially green, were by far the most successful, and the concensus of expert opinion appeared to, be that from a millinery point of view the sloughs might. be used. with advantage. sneae for the purpose of trimming hats ! Pb ano THE SOCIETY'S COLLECTION OF BIRDS’ SKINS, : Mr, E, Comber announced that the Society’s collection of birds’ ‘skins now : consisted of 2,109 specimens, comprising 767 species, and that. they had. all been recently re-arranged and completely catalogued. They now forma fairly representative collection of the birds of the Indian Peninsular with | the exception of South India and Ceylon, from which. region specimens are much wanted, A revised list of desiderata is in course of preparation, ) and wall be pus aee shortly. PAPERS READ. The following papers were then read and discussed :— 1. ‘Notes on some Plants which have been introduced into the Victoria Gardens, Bombay, during the past eight years,’ by K. D, Mahaluxmiwalla. 2. “Curious Habits of the Bulbul,” by E, H. Aitken, 3. “The Migration of Butterflies in the Kangra Valley,” by G. C. Dudgeon, F.E.S. 4, ‘¢ Occurrence of the Black-bearded Bat (Taphozous... melenononony near Bombay,’ by E, Comber, 5. ‘Occurrence of the Bronze-capped Teal( Eunetta falcata) i in Sone * by E, | Comber, : Mr, K. D, Mahaluxmiwalla exhibited several of the pamals referred toi in his paper, PROCEEDINGS | OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20rn AUGUST, 1901. A meeting of the members took place at the Society's Rooms on ‘Tuesday last, the 20th instant, Dr. D. Macdonald presiding. NEW MEMBERS. Captain H. C. Tytler (Dinapore) ; Mr. C, H. Blathwayte, I.0.8. (Dharwar) ; Mr. J. Mumford (Bombay); Mr. E, Brook-Fox, C.E. (Bankipur) ; Mr, W. L. Dickinson (Sibsagar) ; Mr, C, Ittensohn (Bombay) ; Mr. G. W. D. Rhe-Philipe (Lucknow); Lieuteriant C, W. Prescott (Poona) ; and Mr. H, W. Few (Pakkoku, : Burma), His Highness the Monee of Kotah has HEED a life member fy ry of the Society. PROCEEDINGS. 193 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM, Mr. H, M. Phipson, the Honorary Secretary, acknowledged receipt of the following contributions to the Society’s Museum since the last meeting :— Contributions. Description. Contributor. 1 Brown tree snake ......... Dipsas forstentt ......00...00) Mr, F', Dundas-Whiffin. 1 Scaley ant-eater.........00. Manis pentadactylus ...+-006 Mrs. Faweett. 1 Snake (alive) .....0......00 Zamenis fASCIOlACUS seserscree .o|Mr. F. G,. Hutchinson. Hees of the following :— Whitc-winged myna.......06| SEUTNIA MEMOTICOLA coseeceevene Capt. H. H. Harrington. Siamese MYDA......ccccce..- oes AGthiopsar JrANAIS coccereovees Do. Burmese pied-myna ......... Sturnopastor superciliar ts... Do. Magpie robin ........scecccceee CopsyChus SAULATIS oo.000-.000 Do. aie aWood, nek aay Gecinus chlorelophus ...0.06 Do. Indian skimmet...... eac0n0s0¢ Rhynchops albicollis ....... Major C. R. Bartlett, R.A. M.C. Little tern .......+. acecsecescce SEETNA MINUEA ...ccececocsececee Do. Brown rock-chat ....0.00...- ClTCOMElLG FUSCH .o0.0-c0rovceee Do. MePalimuciivietiacnsccesrsacsssccss Paradoxcurus Niger ...0«...00¢| Mr. F. L. Goldsmid. 2 Red-billed blue Magpies.. 1 Chestnut bellied rock- thrush. Tree lizard’s C888 .....+c0e00 d GeOkO'S CLES cescsnseseeernnces TE WiOOdCOC ar eccccesclncs'eocicecls Urocissa occipitalis ............| Mr. 8. L, Whymper. Petrophila erythrogaster ... Do. Calotes versicolo7’......cerccocces Rev. H. Mould. Hemidactylus Sp. se.ssecceeeees Mr. W. I. Hamilton. Scolopax rusticola e..0.0+004 Mr. J. W. Fellowes. COLLECTION OF BIRDS’ SKINS, Mr. Comber drew attention to a most interesting collection of bird skins mostly excellent specimens, received lately from Captain H, H. Harrington, which he had collected around Kamaing, and other parts of the Myitkyina district, Upper Burma, The collection consists of 112 specimens representing 74 species, and of these 27 are new to the Society’s? collection, as follows :— No, 87, Trochalopterum phoeniceum crimson-winged laughing thrush ; No. 137, Gampsorhynchus rufulus, white-headed shrike babbler ; No, 143, Pellorneum minus, Sharpe’s spotted babbler; No, 169, Stachyris nigriceps, black-throated babbler ; No, 203, Sibia picaoides long-tailed sibia; No. 222, iva scrdida, dull siva ; No, 228, Zosterops simplex, Swinhoe’s white-eye ; No. 238, Pteruthius eralatus, Tickell’s shrike-tit ; No, 257, Mesia argentaris, silver eared mesia ; No. 276, Hemixus tickelli, Tickell’s bulbul} No, 287, Xanthixus flavesceus, Blyth’s bulbul; No. 290, Otocompsa flaviventris, black-crested yellow bulbul ; No, 333, Dicrurus cineraceus, grey dronga ; No, 522, Oriolus traillii, maroon oriole ; No, 535, Spodiopsar cineraceus, grey:starling ; No, 539 Sturnia nemoricola, white-winged myna ; No, 553, Aithiopsar grandis, Siamese myna ; No, 554, Aithi psar albicinctus collared myna ; No, 559, Hemichelidon Serruginea, ferruginous flycatcher ; No,:569, Cyornis melanoleucus, little pied 25 194 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY,-Vol. XIV. flycatcher ; No, 723, Ploceus manyar, striated weaver-bird ; No, 922, Pipri- soma roceevan) Hume’s flower-pecker ; No, 974, Ignipicus pygmaeus, Hima- layan pigmy: wood-pecker ; No, 1001, Picumnus innominatus speckled piculet ; No, 1002, Sasia ochracea, rufus piculet; Coturnix japanica, Japanese gray quail, PAPERS READ. The following papers were then read and discussed :—J. Our Collection of Indian Pigeons, by E, H. Aitken, 2, Elephant Shooting in Upper Burma, by E. R, Jardine. 3, On the deposits of fossil remains of extinct animals in the Sewalik Hills of the Punjab and North-West Provinces, by General W. Osborn, 4, The Lillies of Mahableshwar and others, by W. P. Symonds, LCS, PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17TH SEPTEMBER 1901. A meeting of the members took place on Tuesday last, the 17th September, the Ven’ble Archdeacon Scott presiding. NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following new members was announced :— H.H.the Maharajah of Travancore (Life Member), Mr. G. H, White, (Nasik), Mr. W.M. Crawford, I.C.S8, (Khandwa), H.H. the Gaekwar of Baroda, who was already a member, has now become a life member of the Society. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM, The Honorary Secretary acknowledged receipt of the following contribu- tions to the Society’s museum since last meeting :— PN 8 EST i ess Mane Re LED RPG ats Pcie ee Roce SNE IS, OE Pn Contributions. Description. Contributor. 1 Indian Monitor (alive)...| Varanus bengalensis ...-.2., Mr. C. L. Burns. 1 Krait...... coscocemoccaoce weeee| BUNGATUS COCTULEUE....000» .«-.| Mr. T, Dundas Whiffin. WUSMAKE, cocvecccscwccesceceose o-| Dipsas forstemti ececceceeececce ‘ Do. L Smake ..csecccscecscserscecees| DEMSAS TPIGONALA ooveecerecee eee Do. DUSDAKES ececcercscccessases eveee| LY COGON BULICUS -.eseeeeee Do. Wl Mee Snake ccceieccenccss Reopen as plumbicolor: «. ...|Col. B. H. Light. A Collection of Spiders and cecutese Mr. Chas. Gray. Scorpions. 4 Eeegs of Kastern Purple) Ardea manillensig ....cceveres| >) Heron. 4 Eggs of Night Heron ...| Vycticorax griseus secccccecee-| 4 Kegs of Lesser Cormorant| Phalacrocorax javanicus o. 3 Eggs of Pied Ground) Geocichla wardi ......2.-e. ~Mr.S. L. Whymper. Thrush. 2 Eggs of Red-billed Blue) Urocissa occipitalis......cc.--. Magpie. 2 Eggs of Spotted Wing ...| Psaroglossa spilopterd...... | J PROCEEDINGS. 195 MINOR CONTRIBUTIONS. From Mr, A. H, Simcox, I.C.8., Mr. J. Fraser, and Mr, Gerhardt. THE SOCIETY'S JOURNAL. A special vote of thanks was passed to Mr, E, Comber for having prepared a complete index (subjects as well as authors) of the Society’s Journal from its commencement to the endof Vol, XIII. This most useful work will be published in a few days in part 5 of Vol, XIII, and enable one to find, at a glance, all the papers which have appeared inthe Journal on any subject since it was started in 1886. On looking through the thirteen volumes, and taking the illustrations as a criterion, it will be seen that there have been published 55 plates of butterflies, moths, larve, &¢., 23 plates of other insects, 40 plates of birds, eggs, nests, -&c., 79 plates of plants, 38 plates of animals, and 25 plates of miscellaneous, besides a large number of electro blocks and wood-cuts. The average cost of the coloured plates amounts to about £23 each for 1,000 copies. A complete set of the Journal from its commencement with all the plates is now of considerable value, as many of the earlier numbers are now out of print and the “ reprints’’ now being issued naturally do not contain any plates, PAPERS READ, The following papers were then read and discussed:—1. “Habits of the Indian Tree Magpie,” by Lieutenant-General W, Osborn. 2, “The Masked Finfoot in Cachar,’ by A.M. Primrose, 3, “Birds of Prey,” by C, H, Donald, 4, ‘ Nesting of the Coot at Poona,’ by Major R. M. Betham, 5. “Migration of Butterflies?’ by Major C.G. Nurse. 6. “ Our Collection of Partridges and Pheasants,” by E. Comber, PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19ta NOVEMBER 1901. A meeting of the members took place at the Society’s Rooms on Tuesday last, the 19th November 1901, Captain G, Lamb, I, M.S., presiding. NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following members was announced :—Colonel J, G. Harwood, R, A. M. C. (Bombay); Captain B. T. Ready (Ahmednagar) ; ‘Captain L, W. 8S. Oldham, R. E. (Raipur) ; Mr. E, Musprati, D, 8. P. (Sibsagar), Life Member ; Mr. O. S. Wickwar (Colombo) ; Lieutenant J. CO. S. Oxley, I. M. 8. (Mandalay) ; Captain W. McG, Armstrong (Kasauli) ; Captain Ht. T, Fulton, D. 8, O. (Chitral), Life Member; Lieutenant J. S.M Har- ‘court (Chitral) ; Dr. C. Bach (Bombay) ; Mr, K. G. Menon, I, F,S. (Trichor, Cochin); Mr. W. P. White (Mandla) ; Mr. J. C. H. Mitchell (Assam) ; Mr, George E. Coles, C. E, (Agra) ; Mr. J, A. Higgins, D. S. P, (Mandla) ; Mr. Ardesir B, Kotewal (Bombay); and Mr. Robert D. Richmond, I. F. 8. (Madras, ) 196 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIETY’S MUSEUM, Mr, H. M. Phipson, the honorary secretary, acknowledges receipt of the following contributions to the Society’s Museum since the last meeting :— Contribution. Description. Contributor. 1 Egg of Sarus Crane.......0- GPUS ORETGONE ..sececcveceserere Mr. A. Hawkins. 5 Eggs of the Coot ..........- EUlICG AtTA ....000.0020.0ee0000e| Major R. M. Betham. pind eactalescescssnsasesesst Pitta DraGChyY Wr veccesersrees ..| Mr. S. Brewin. gene Sea-Turt le s| Chelonia viridis +... ......| Mr. F. W. Townsend. alive) A Framed Picture of the) Ocapia j ohnstoni...... .....| Khan Bahadur C., M, Okapi. Cursetjee. 2 Snakes (alive) coccsssceceeees Ly codon AUlicus ...cc0++eeeee-| Capt. Lamb, I.M.S, Tropidonotus stolatus.....so0e Do. 1 Wild Cat . scscoes| LCULS EEMLININERE smocorcceseesens Mr. C. W. Allaa. 1 Black Cobra ‘Calive).. Veseseres Naga tripudians oo... Spo80000 .-| Capt. Lamb, I.M.8. 1 Snake (alive)... concee| SIMOCES ATMENSTS sovccerceceaves Do. 2 Hggs of the Snow-Cock. | Zetr aogallus himaluyensis... Major G. A. Leslie, R.E, 1 Red-billed Chough ......... Graculus CVCMITA.....0000++ 00 General W. Osborn, 1 Merten Spot-billed Fork-| Henicurus maculatus... Do. tail. \ SPECIMENS OF BLOOD. The honorary secretary read a letter from Dr. G. H. F. Nuttall, Lecturer in Bacteriology at Cambridge, asking members of the Bombay Natural His- tory Society to help him to obtain specimens of the blood of all vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and batrachians) to enable him to carry on the researches in which he is at present engaged. The results obtained from an extended series of bloods have given such striking reactions that the study requires to be taken up on a larger scale, and the help of naturalist and sportsmen in all parts of the world is now being solicited. The method of collecting dried specimens of blood, on strips of filter paper is exceedingly simple, and full details will be sent by the honorary secretary of the Bombay Natural History Society to all those who are willing to assist, PAPERS READ. The following papers were read and discussed :—The Harwigs of Ceylon, by Malcolm Burr; Memoirs on Oriental Rhynchota, by G. W. Kirkaldy, F.E.S. ; Nidification of the Desert Sand-Lark, by H. Bulkley: A Rare Snake, by Major A. E. McMahon, C.1.E., C.S.I.; The Banded Crake at Khandalla, by Major R. M, Betham; Onthe New Species of Butterflies. recently described by Mr, A, G. Butler, by Major N. Manders, R.A.M.C. ; Our Collection of Indian Snakes, by Rev, F, Dreckmann (S,J.) and Mr, H. M. Phipson. ~— en eee guXS> 8 Tel ‘B2AS FON “ye “eqNoe STLFeEG “TIWLINId SHL ‘Tep espoT ag 90 4STH yey Aequiog wimop JOURNAL OF THE OO) Wi iS Aye Aatural History Society. Vol. XIV. BOMBAY. No. 2. THE MOTHS OF INDIA. SUPPLEMENTARY PAPER TO THE VOLUMES IN “THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA,’ SERIES II, PART VI. By Sir G, F, Hampson, Barv., F.Z.S., FES, (Continued from page 117, of this Volume.) Moths of India—5a, Genus PEXINOLA, Type. Pexinola, Hmpsn., Cat, Lep. Phal. B, M., II., p. 79 (1900)... longérostris, Proboscis fully developed ; palpi porrect, extending quite three times the length of head and strongly curved downwards the 2nd joint fringed with hair above and with tuft at extremity below, the 3rd well developed ; antennz of female minutely ciliated ; legs long and slender, the spurs Pewxinola longirostris Q 4, long. Forewing elongate, narrow, the apex produced and acute ; veins 2 and 3 curved, the former from close to angle of cell, the latter from angle ; 4 from angle ; 5 from above angle ; 6 and 7 separate from below angle of cell; 89 shortly stalked ; 10°11 from cell. Hindwing with vein 2 from middle of cell ; 3 and 5 from angie ; 4 absent ; 6°7 coincident ; 8 from middle of cell ; the median nervure and vein 1 strongly pectinated above. 1550c. PEXINOLA LONGIROSTRIS, Hmpsn., Cat. Lep. Phal, B. M., II.,, p- 79 (1900). ©. Head, thorax and abdomen grey-white strongly mixed with black, Forewing grey suffused with olive-brown and strongly irrorated with black ; an antemedial ridge of blackish scales tipped with white from subcostal 1 198 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. nervure to vein 1 ; tufts of similar scales below the cell at origin of vein 2 and at upper angle, the latter with indistinct blackish line from it bent outwards above inner margin ; a diffused waved dark subterminal line. Hindwing grey-white. Habitat—Tibet, Yatung, 10500’, Exp, 32 mill, 1534, Nowa nicRitTA belongs to the Noctuide. Genus MIMORUZA. 1536, RHYNCHOPALPUS DENTATUS belongs to the Noctuide, Genus LABANDA, 1543a, PISARA ARGENTISPARSA belongs to the Noctuide. Genus ZAGIRA, 1650a, SELEA NIGRA belongs to the Lymntriuade, Genus LYMANTRIA, AGARISTID A. 1554. CHELONOMORPHA VULCANIA, insert, (syn) Eusemia glossatrix, Westw., Oates? Matebeland, p. 356, 1581. MimeEvsrmiA BASALIS.—A Q from Sikhim has the orange patch of hindwing absent except for a streak on end of median nervure on underside, 1581a. MIMEUSEMIA DAVIDSONI, Swinh., A, M. N, H. (7), 3, p. 112. &. Differs from basalis in the hindwing, having a yellowish-white patch in and below cell conjoined at lower angle to the discoidal patch; the orange on inner area reduced to slight streaks, Habitat—Karwar. Exp, 52 mill. Nocrtuipaz. 1657a, AGROTIS DERAIOTA, n, sp. (pl. B., f. 7), Q. Head and thorax dark chocolate-brown ; tegule ochreous-white with two brown lines, the tips chocolate ; abdomen brown, Forewing brown suffused with grey; a short bisinuate subbasal grey line ; an antemedial grey line with two sinuations between costa and vein 2, then strongly excurved and obsolescent ; orbicular grey, Y-shaped on a brown patch in cell not suffused with grey and diffused below cell; reniform with grey outline and centre ; an indistinct dentate postmedial line with two series of dark points on the veins ; an indistinct sinuous submarginal line. Hindwing brown, Habitat—Maturatta, Ceylon (Mackwood). EHap.48 mill. Type—in B, M. 1679a. HADENA AXYLIDES, n, sp. @. Head and thorax dark-brown mixed with grey scales ; abdomen ochre- ous. Forewing grey ;a ferruginous patch on basal area from cell to inner margin ; a very highly dentate antemedial line, rather indistinct and inter- rupted in places, running out to two very long points in cell, the angle below the cell conjoined to the blackish claviform stigma ; the orbicular indistinct lanceolate ; the renifurm indistinct, defined by rufous and with blackish suffusion between it and the double waved postmedia) line which is excurved from costa to vein 4, then retracted to below end of cell ; a series of dark points just beyond it ; anirregularly sinuous rufous subterminal line with blackish suffusion beyond it except towards apex. Hindwing white witha slight yellowish tinge towards termen, Habitat—Sikhim 1800’ (Dudgeon); Belgaum (Watson). zp. 30 mill, Type—in B, M, THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 199 1682a, HADENA CHRYSONA, Borkh., Naturg. Eur, Schmett, IV., p. 264 (1792), Head, thorax and abdomen clothed with grey and fuscous hair ; patagia edged with orange ; tarsi banded with black. Forewing grey and fuscous p waved subbasal and antemedial lines with the area between them rather paler, the former with orange points on it below costa and cell, the latter with some orange on it below the cell, then with two stronger sinuations; the orbicular and reniform with some orange on their edges, the former small ; the post- medial line crenulate, excurved from costa to vein 3, then incurved, the area beyond it paler ;a subterminal series of small Y-shaped black marks with orange points between their arms ; a terminal series of small lunules ; cilia chequered white and fuscous, Hindwing whitish, the veins and terminal area broadly fuscous ; some white on termen towards tornus ; cilia with a dark line through them, yellowish at base, white at tips, underside with dis- coidal point and curved postmedial line, Habitat—Kurope ; Syria; W. China; Kashmir, wp, 36 mill. Under Euplezia insert (syns) Borbotana, Wlk., 1V., 1651 (1858) and Choluata Wik., Journ, Linn, Soc., VII., 57 (1863). 1717a, HUPLEXIA OXYDATA, n. sp. 6. Ferruginous-red; head somewhat variegated with reddish-ochreous ; meso- and meta-thorax reddish-ochreous ; tarsi banded with ochreous. Fore- wing variegated with ochreous, especially in base of cell, on inner margin and before the postmedial line ; the veins streaked with fuscous ; the lines ochreous defined by fine ferruginous lines ; a short curved subbasal line ; the antemedial line angled inwards in cell and on vein 1, outwards below the cell and below vein 1 ; orbicular small ; the reniform with a white mitre-shaped mark on it ; the postmedial line minutely dentate, oblique from costa to vein 4, where it is angled, then incurved ; a subterminal series of small wedgee shaped marks, the area beyond them tinged with fuscous except towards apex ; cilia ferruginous and fuscous, Hindwing dark-brown; the cilia pale- ferruginous ; underside with the veins irrorated with ochreous and fuscous ; a prominent dark cell spot. Habitat,—Sikhim, 7000’ (Pilcher). Exp, 50 mill, Type—In B, M, 1717). HUPLEXIA PURPURINA, n, sp, 9. Head, thorax and forewing deep purplish-red; abdomen greyish- brown, the extremity and ventral surface reddish, Forewing with a silky texture; the veins slightly streaked with fuscous ; the orbicular almost obsolete ; the reniform white strongly irrorated with black ; a postmedial series of white points on the veins. Hindwing fuscous-brown, the cilia pale- chestnut ; underside with dark discoidal lunule and sinuous postmedial line. Habitat.—Tibet, Yatung (Hobson). Exp, 42 mill, Type—In B, M, W717c, EUPLEXIA ASKOLDIS, Oberth, Et. Ent, v. p. 72 pl. 3. f. 13 (1880), Apamea niralis Butl. Trans. Ent, Soc, 1881, Daledis 6- Head and tegule red-brown and black mixed with white ; thorax and abdomen pure white; legs fuscous with whitish bands on tarsi : abdomen 200 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. with the extremity and ventral surface irrorated with brown, the anal tuft with some fulvous hair, Forewing red-brown; the inner area white, its irregular upper edge bounded with black, the white extending before middle nearly up to costa and before the postmedial line to vein 2; a large irregular patch beyond the cell extending to termen at apex and vein 2, and leaving a small fuscous patch on middle of termen; the orbicular with white centre and ochreous ring ; the reniform white ; the postmedial line white with fus- cous edges, dentate, strongly excurved from costa to vein 4, then bent inwards to lower angle of cell ; an indistinct curved, slightly waved subterminal line ; three white points on costa towards apex ; cilia reddish. Hindwing yellowish- white slightly tinged with fuscous towards apex; an indistinct discoidal spot and traces of a curved postmedial line, Habitat,—Siberia, Askold ; Japan; W. China; Assam, Khasis, Exp, 30-46 mill. 1725. Euplexia subcurva, Larva black with irregular dorsal and lateral grey patches streaked with black ; head red, some orange on ist somite; stigmata white; alarge irregular dorsal orange patch on terminal somite (Fellowes Wilson). 1734a, HUPLEXIA MESOMELANA, 0, sp. @. Head, thorax and abdomen fuscous-black ; tegule in front clive-green ; the hair on frons and the tuft behind tegule white tipped; the anal tuft greyish, Forewing pinkish-grey ; the costal area olive-green with a series of black striz and some white points towards apex ; a white mark in base of cell and curved black streak below the base with an olive and blackish patch beyond it on vein 1 ; the orbicular with olive-green centre, whitish ring and black line round it ; a Y-shaped black medial band with its arms on each side of the orbicular,and becoming olive-green on inner margin; the reniform with black centre, some olive-green on its inner side and white on its outer, and with a black line round it; the postmedial line minutely dentate, indis- tinct, excurved from costa to vein 4, then incurved ; a subterminal whitish line angled at veins 7 and 3, with some black suffusion on its inner side and olive-green on its outer, Hindwing pale-fuscous with discoidal lunule and sinuous postmedial line more distinct on underside; cilia of both wings whitish with a fuscous line through them, Habitat.—Simla, 7000’ (Pilcher), Ezp, 36 mill, Type—In B. M. 17345, HUPLEXIA CHLOROGRAMMATA, Nn, sp. @. Head and thorax moss-green, mixed with dark-brown scales; palpi ochreous in front ; pectus and legs ochreous, the latter irrorated: with black and with patches of green above ; abdomen fuscous mixed with ochreous, Forewing black-brown and pinkish-brown suffused in parts with green; a green spot at base of costa ; a short green subbasal line ; an irregularly waved antemedial green line with black line on its outer edge; a series of small green spots on terminal half of costa ; the orbicular.and reniform large, brown- centred, ringed with green and edged with black ; the latter with pale patch THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 201 at upper extremity ; a green postmedial line edged by waved black lines and excurved beyond the cell; a sinuous green subterminal line connected with the postmedial line by a streak on inner margin and with a pale spot on its inner side above vein 5 ; a terminal series of black lunules ; cilia brown and green, Hindwing pale-yellowish with obscure fuscous discoidal ‘spot and sinuous postmedial line ; the terminal area broadly suffused with fuscous ; cilia ochreous with a blackish line through them, Habitat,—Sikhim 1800’ (Dudgeon), Exp, 42 mill, Type—In B. M. Sec. ILle, (Borbotana). Forewing of male with elongate foveal depression between bases of veins 6°7 which are thickened and curved, 1756a, HurLexiA Nivirascia, W1k., XV., 1651, Choluata eburneifera, W1k., Journ. Linn, Soc., VII, 57. Head and thorax dark red-brown ; abdomen paler with the dorsal tufts rufous. Forewing dark red-brown ; a pure white antemedial band with irregular edges, the outer edge being slightly toothed outwards below costa and strongly below cell ; a white point in cell and irregular discoidal lunule with white spot above it on costa and two points beyond it ; a white line from vein 4 io inner margin, dentate inwards above vein 1 in the Bornean specimens, deve- loped into a quadrate patch on inner area in the Sikhim specimen ; an indis- tinct oblique red streak from apex and patch at middle, Hindwing dull red- dish-brown, whitish towards base, Underside of both wings irrorated with white ; hindwing with discoidal lunule, Habitat—Sikhim, Borneo. Exp. 28-30 mill. 1758. HoUPLEXIA SUBPURPUREA, Leech. Trans. Ent. Soc, UCB 99), ile Head and thorax purple and grey, meta-thorax chestnut-red, palpi below, coxe and parts of pectus fiery-red ; tibiz# purplish-fuscous, tarsi whitish : abdomen whitish, brown,and purplish, the dorsal tufts chestnut-red, the anal tuft pale-chestnut, the ventral surface crimson. Forewing ochreous, irrorated and suffused in parts with brown; a purplish patch in and below base of cell; the orbicular somewhat Y-shaped, with purplish edges and brownish centre ; the reniform with parallel edges, a chestnut patch onit and a purplish line on its inner edge; a purplish line with dark edges from lower angle of cell to above middle of inner margin, then recurved to submedian fold and with bright chestnut suffusion in its angle; a double fuscous postmedial line from just below costa, angled at vein 5, then incurved to the line from angle of cell and with its outer line sinuous ; a pale slightly sinuous subterminal line from vein 7 to inner margin, defined on each side by olive-brown ; the termen irrorated with blue-grey. Hindwing pale-ochreous, the costal and terminal areas tinged with pink, the inner area with brown ; an indistinct fine sinuous postmedial line ; two indistinct fine subterminal lines coalescing and becoming diffused from vein 2 to inner margin; some grey suffusion on termen. Underside suffused with fiery-red ; forewing with curved, hind- wing with sinuous postmedial-line; both ae with rather eau subter- minal line and dark blotches on termen, Wachee 202 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Habitat.—W. China; Simla, 7,000’. (Pilcher). zp, 54 mill. 1770a, ANCARA VIRIDIPICTA, n. sp. (pl. B., f. 6). @. Dark red-brown ; palpi with the third joint whitish ; vertex of head and thorax pale moss-green; abdomen with the two medial dorsal tufts green, Forewing with some white point on costa; two ill-defined subbasal waved blue-green bands, two antemedial and two postmedial, the last with a series of points beyond them excurved at median nervules ; some spots in end of cell; traces of a dentate subterminal line developed into irregular patches below middle. Hindwing with four small white subtermina, spots towards tornus, Habitat. —Khasis. Exp. 48 mill, Type—In B. M. 1789a. POLIA OBLIQUISIGNA, n. Sp. @. Grey; head, thorax and abdomen mixed with black scales; tegule with a black transverse line the area behind it and the patagia whiter. Forewing with black-edged whitish patch on base of costa ; some black striz and white points in cell and on vein 1 before the slightly sinuous black ante- medial line ; the orbicular large and white with fine black edge and with an irregular white patch below it defined on lower side by the -shaped clavi- form mark ; reniform large, grey-white with fine black edges ; the postmedial line represented by a series of white and black points on the veins ; an indis- tinct pale subterminal line defined in parts by black, angled inwards above vein 1 and with some streaks from it to the terminal series of lunules. Huind- wing fuscous with indistinct discoidal lunule and darker terminal line; cilia whitish chequered with black at middle ; underside whitish irrorated with fuscous, the discoidal spot prominent ; an indistinct curved postmedial line, Habitat.—Simla 7000’. (Pilcher), Zap, 40 mill. Zype—In B, M. 1795a. POLIA PYROXANTHA, 0, sp. @. Head and thorax yellow mixed with bright-ferruginous ; abdomen yellowish-grey irrorated with fuscous, the anal tuft pale-rufous, Forewing yellow very largely suffused with bright ferruginous ; the veins and costal area brownish; a dark waved antemedial line ; the orbicular yellow ; a dark- edgei white discoidal lunule ; a crenulate postmedial line excurved from below costa to vein 3, then incurved, Hindwing ochreous-yellow with traces of discoidal spot and curved postmedial line more distinct on underside, Hubitat.—Tibet, Yatung (Hobson), Ezp. 30 mill. Type—In B. M, 1798a, PoLiA FUMEA, 0. sp. &@. Head and thorax black ; antenne pale; abdomen fuscous. Forewing fuscous-black irrorated with a few white scales ; the orbicular and reniform small, ringed with white and with greyish centres; slight subterminal black streaks on veins 4°5, and a terminal series of black striez, Hindwing fuscous, the inner area tinged with yellowish-brown ; a discoidal dark point and a fine terminal line ; cilia whitish at tips. Habitat.—Sikhim, 1800’ ;(Dudgeon). Exp. 30 mill. Type—In B, M. 1806a, CUCULLIA POLIORHIZA, 1. sp. (pl. B., £, 27), THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 203 Head and thorax fuscous mixed with grey ; abdomen brownish-grey, Fore- wing grey strongly irrorated with black-brown ; an oblique black striga from base of costa ; a short sinuous streak below base of cell ; the antemedial line irregularly dentate, strongly angled outwards below the cell and conjoined to the small diamond-shaped claviform stigma ; the orbicular greyish, narrow, oblique, its lower end conjoined to the lunulate reniform, the two stigmata defined below by a sinuous black streak ; the postmedial line excurved, indis- tinct, dentate, and angled inwards on vein 1; a subterminal series of short black streaks, those on veins 4°5 displaced inwards and the two above inner margin longer and with a blackish mark between them ; cilia of both wings whitish with fine dark line through them, Hindwing grey with darker streaks on the vein, Allied to C, petrorhiza, Bork., from Europe, but darker and without the dark lines on tegule and patagia. Habitat,—Tibet, Yatung (Hobson). Lap, 50 mill, Type—In'B, M. 1813. AcRONYCTA ANEDINA, insert (Syn.) Acronycta iria, Swinh,, A, M,N, H, (7):3, p. 113. 1838a. CALLOPISTRIA NOCTURNA, 0. Sp. Q. Head and thorax clothed with black, fascous, and red-brown scales, many of them tipped with grey; abdomen black-brown. Forewing fuscous tinged with blue-grey, many of the scales having pale tips; some reddish-brown suffusion in parts, especially on medial inner area ; the basal area with traces of waved black lines; a grey antemedial line defined by black scales, waved from inner margin to subcostal nervure, then curved downwards to median nervure in end of cell, and up again to costa ; the reniform with grey outline ; a postmedial fine black line defined by grey, strongly excurved from below costa to vein 3, then incurved, with a double rufous streak defined by black from it to subterminal line on vein 6 and whitish mark above and below vein 4; a fine irregularly waved:grey subterminal line; a terminal series of black lunules defined by grey. Hindwing fuscous-brown ; cilia fuscous with grey tips. Habitat——Cuddapah, Horsleykhonda, 3500’ (W. H. Campbell), zp, 30 mill. Type—In B. M. 18395. CALLOPISTRIA HARMONICA, 0. sp. @. Head, thorax and abdomen variegated with pale-brown, madder, black, and white scales; palpi white towards extremity ; sides of frons and tegule with white stripes; small fulvous tufts behind patagia ; abdomen with rufous dorsal tuft, Forewing olive-brown suffused with purplish and grey scales to beyond middle, and some purplish suffusion on inner area; two subbasal purple-brown spots with a striga beyond them ; three antemedial spots with a spot on costa beyond them and a striga below the cell ; the orbicular and reniform indistinct, grey with brown outline, with quadrate purple-brown spot between them and spot on costa above it; a grey band with purple- brown edge beyond cell from below costa, curved to below end of cell, then 204 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. erect and with a curved grey band beyond it, followed by a large quadrate purple-brown patch on costa with decreasing spots below it on inner side of the sinuous grey subterminal line which has some brown beyond it towards costa ; a series of purple-brown terminal points forming an elongate spot below apex, the cilia beyond it dark. Hindwing fuscous-brown with dark discoidal spot; cilia pale with a dark line through them ; underside clothed with grey and red scales ; the discal spot prominent; an indistinct dentate postmedial line. Habitat,—Sikhim (Dudgeon), 1800’. Exp. 30 mill, Type—In B.M. 1849a@. CALLOPISTRIA C@LISIGNA, n, sp. Q. Head, thorax and abdomen dark-brown mixed with grey-brown. Forewing grey-brown suffused with red-brown and irrorated with black; a strongly curved antemedial dark line defined by pinkish-white on each side ; a curved comet-shaped whitish mark from lower angle of cell extending along costa to near apex with a rather darker centre on the discocellulars ; an ill-defined blackish line from just above lower angle of cell, angled at vein 4, then incurved ; an indistinct grey subterminal band, excurved at middle and with slight pinkish lines on each side of it ; an oblique whitish streak from apex and another to middle of termen ; cilia intersected with white towards apex. Hindwing fuscous-black, the underside paler with indistinct medial and curved postmedial lines. Habitat.—Ceylon, Labugania (Macwood). zp. 32 mill. Type—In B, M. 1874a, CARADRINA DISCOPHORA, 0, sp, @. Frons with large rounded prominence with flattened plate below it and dise with raised rim and point in centre at its extremity ; antennz lami- nate, Head and thorax ochreous slightly mixed with fuscous; palpi and legs with black scales ; abdomen ochreous. Forewing ochreous strongly irrorated with black and with numerous indistinct waved lines ; the basal area tinged with pink ; a pink streak in submedian fold and a less prominent streak in discal fold; the orbicular, reniform and eliptical claviform tinged with pink and with black edges ; the subterminal line irregular ; a terminal series of black strie, Hindwing pure white. Habitat.—Cuddapah, 500’ (W. H. Campbell). Exp. 26 mill, Type—In B.M, 1874b, CARADRINA TENEBROSA, 0. sp. Q. Frons with large rounded prominence with disc with raised rim at its extremity, Head and thorax grey mixed with brown and black ; abdomen brownish- ochreous irrorated with fuscous. Forewing grey strongly irrorated with brown and fuscous ; subbasal, antemedial, medial and postmedial oblique black lines from costa, the first two short, the third reaching lower angle of cell, the fourth the upper angle; an ill-defined triangular black-brown patch on costa towards apex with three whitish points on it; an obscure THE MOTHS OF INDIA. \ 905 blackish mark on middle of inner margin and another before termen above middle ; a terminal series of black points, the cilia somewhat crenulaie, Hindwing whitish suffused with pale brownish-ochreous, the terminal area with fuscous ; cilia whitish at tips, Habitat —Cuddapah, Horsleykhonds, 3500’ (W. H. Campbell), Ezp, 30 mill, Zype—In B. M. 1990a, ERASTRIA DORATA, Nn. sp, _ Q. Head and thorax golden-yellow mixed with reddish-brown ; abdomen pale-ochreous mixed with fuscous, Forewing pale largely suffused with ferruginous and dark-brown and irrorated with a few black scales; some white scales below basal half of costa; an antemedial white line ; an irregu- lar medial white edged golden mark, toothed on outer side in cell; a similar S-shaped reniform stigma ; the inner area golden from just before the ante- medial to the postmedial line, which is strongly excurved from costa to vein 4, then angled inwards, defined on inner side below vein 4 by a golden band and on outer side by a slender white line ; the termen and cilia golden with fine black terminal line, Hindwing yellowish-white strongly irrorated with fuscous ; a discoidal spot and minutely waved postmedial line more distinct on underside ; a fine terminal black line. Habitat —Ceylon (Mackwood), Ezp.30 mill. Typve—In B. M. 1993a, ERastTeiaA NIVEIGUTTATA, Dudgeon, Ined, Q. Head pure white ; antennez black except basal joint; palpi with the second and third joints ringed with black; frons with triangular medial black spot and lateral points ; thorax black ; patagia with some white scales; meta- thorax with white patch ; abdomen grey with dorsal black tufts. Forewing black with irregular subbasal ante- and postmedial white patches on costa, the first small, and ante- and postmedial patches on inner margin ; some white points on costa near end of cell and near termen, Hindwing whitish with two obscure fuscous medial lines and the terminal area fuscous, ‘Habitat —Sikhim, 1800’, zp. 40 mill. 1996a. MALIATTHA PLUMBITINCTA, n. sp, Head whitish and olive-yellow ; abdomen whitish irrorated with fuscous and with the dorsal tufts fuscous. Forewing with the base olive-green turning to yellow ; the medial area darker-green irrorated with black and becoming brownish towards costa, defined on inner side by a sinuous white line from cell to inner margin, defined on outer side by a dentate leaden-grey line edged with black, slightly excurved at median nervules and becoming white below vein 2; a leaden-grey discoidal spot and the median nervules streaked with grey to the postmedial line ; some diffused black beyond the postmedial line, its outer edge sinuous, excised between veins 4 and 6, and with patches of leaden scales beyond it at costa, vein 5, and above inner margin ; the terminal area bright-green ; the cilia grey irrorated with white, Hindwing white, the inner area slightly irrorated with fuscous ; a terminal series of dark striz; the cilia tipped with fuscous towards apex, 3 206 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, Habitat,—Tibet, Yatung, 10,500’ (Hobson), Exp. 16 mill. Type—In B.M. 2092, MrraACHROSTIS SEPARATA, insert (syn.) Cosmia ozela, Swinh., A, M, N, H. (7), 3, p. 114, and transfer to Catephia next flavescens. Habitat— Bhutan; Karwar. Ezp, 2 34-40 mill. 2110a. PACHYLEPIS ROSEATA, 0, sp. @. Head black; the vertex and antenne whitish ; thorax pinkish ; abdo- men fuscous except towards base; tibie and tarsi banded with black. Forewing whitish tinged with pink and irrorated with a few black scales ; three elongate black spots on costa and a truncate triangular patch towards apex ; an oblique bar-shaped black discoidal spot ; a terminal series of black points and a somewhat triangular mark at tornus. Hindwing pale-fuscous with bar-shaped discoidal black spot and whitish postmedial line somewhat angled at middle, then defined by black on inner side, and with blackish patch and white point beyond it towards tornus ; a terminal series of black points, Habitat—Simia, 7000' (Pilcher). zp. 20 mill, Type—In B, M. 2114a, HUBLEMMA BILINEATA, 0, sp, d@. Head and tegule orange ; thorax grey, whitish in front ; legs and abdomen brownish-orange. Forewing grey irrorated with white ; the costal area whitish ; the costal edge orange towards base ; a black point with a minute yellowish striga from it at middle of costa; two fine grey post- medial lines arising from black points on costa, strongly excurved below costa, then oblique ; the costal area orange towards apex, where there is a white patch with a black spot on it and some orange below it; cilia with fine white lines at their base and near tip. Hindwing pale yellowish grey- brown ; traces of an oblique postmedial line ; cilia with a yellowish line at base, Habitat—Simla (Harford) ; Kulu (Pilcher), Ezp, -20 mill, Type—In. B. M. 2130d. HKUBLEMMA VINOTINCTA, 0. Sp. ; @. Head and tegule pale red-brown ; thorax whitish slightly tinged with vinous-red and with dorsal red-brown stripes; abdomen’ pale-brownish. Forewing whitish suffused with vinous-red, especially towards tornus, the costal edge pale red-brown, slightly waved red-brown antemedial and medial lines angled below costa, then oblique ; the postmedial line oblique from costa to vein 6, then sinuous, incurved below vein 3; traces of a pale irregular subterminal line with blackish points on it towards costa. Hind- wing vinous-red, whitish towards base and costa; indistinct antemedial, medial and subterminal whitish lines, the last with some black scales on it ; both wings with fine white terminal line, Underside tinged with fuscous- brown, Larva.—Coccidiphagous, feeding on a species of Lecanium and forming a covering of their scales, Habitat—Ceylon, Pundaloya (Green), Exp, 16 mill, Type—In B, M. ] THE MOTHS OF INDIA, LLEVA MOOG, 2130e, HUBLEMMA SUBANGULATA, u, sp. (pl. B., £. 5). Greyish-ochreous irrorated with a few dark scales, Forewing with indise tinct antemedial line angled inwards in cell and outwards below it; dark points at middle and end of cell; crenulate medial and post-medial lines, excurved beyond cell, then oblique; three blackish subapical marks; the outer margin somewhat angled at middle, Hindwing with slightly waved antemedial and medial lines ; a diffused postmedial line and traces of a submarginal series of points ; both wings with a fine ochreous line at base of cilia, Larva—Coccidiphagous ; preys on Maskellia zonata, Green, Habitat—Pundaloya, Ceylon (E, E. Green), Exp. 20 mill, Type—In B, M. 2130f.. EUBLEMMA RUBRICILIA, n. sp. é. Grey irrorated with purplish-fuscous scales ; palpi, frons and basal joint of antenne black, Forewing with very cde Get dentate antemedial, medial, and postmedial lines, the two latter bent outwards to inner margin and arising from small black costal spots; a diffused discoidal spot; a subterminal series of dentate marks; a terminal line. Hindwing with faint traces of dentate antemedial, postmedial and subterminal lines, the terminal area strongly irrorated with fuscous ; cilia of both wings bright-rufous with pale line at base. Termen of forewing strongly angled at middle, Habitat—Sikhim, Bhutan (Dudgeon) ; Singapore (Ridley). wp. 16 mill, _ 2130g. EvuBLEMMA RUBRA, 0. sp, Bright red-brown ; abdomen with fine white segmental lines. Forewing with antemedial white line acutely angled below costa, then incurved ; a post- medial line oblique and white from costa to vein 5, then grey and sinuous, a yellowish mark from its angle to the oblique white striga from costa terminat- ing in two white-edged black dentate marks with some grey beyond them and followed by some black subterminal points, Hindwing with obscure- oblique antemedial grey line, sinuous postmedial line and:subterminal black points, Habitat—Sikhim, 1800’ (Dudgeon); Singapore ; Java. Exp, 16 mill. Type—In B. M. 21316. EUBLEMMA SEMIRUFA, n. sp. Grey ; head and tegul pale-rufous; abdomen with 3rd to terminal seg- ments rufous above, the 3rd, 4th and 5th with whitish segmental lines. Fore- wing with traces of short subbasal and waved fuscous antemedial lines ; an oblique medial rufous striga from costa ;a waved post-medial line, angled below costa, and a dentate whitish subterminal line angled outwards at middle, the area between them filled in with rufous except the costal area and traversed by an obscure waved line, Hindwing with nearly straight antemedial and somewhat irregular subterminal line, the area between them rufous irrorated with ochreous traversed by an irregular medial line; cilia of both wings rufous, The N. Guinea specimen has the rufous area on forewing extending more towards costa and the subterminal line of both wings whiter and more irregularly dentate, 208 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Habitat—Sikhim, 1800’ (Dudgeon) ; N, Guinea (Wallace), Zap, 18, mill, Type—In B. M. 2146a. CoRGATHA OLIVATA, 0. sp. @. Head and collar olive-brown; thorax and abdomen grey-brown. Forewing olive-green, the basal area grey-brown ; an antemedial dark line angled below costa ; reniform greyish with dark outline and two black specks at centre ; a dark postmedial line excurved beyond cell and with grey- brown suffusion beyond it ; a series of brown-edged grey submarginal spots and of black points just inside margin, Hindwing olive-green with the base grey-brown ;a medial brown line with grey-brown sufiusion beyond it; a very indistinct postmedial series of grey spots and a submarginal series of black points, Habitat—Sikhim, 1800’ (Dudgeon), Exp, 24 mill. Type—In B. M. 2155a, ORUZA XANTHOPERA, 0, sp. . Deep purplish-red-brown ; collar and anal tuft ochreous, Forewing with slight pale streak below basal half of costa;some yellow at base of inner margin ; a pale oblique antemedial line with dark outer edge ;a pale point at upper angle of cell and black point at lower;an oblique slightly sinuous postmedial pale line defined by fuscous on inner side; an obscure irregular subterminal line ;a large ochreous patch on outer margin below apex ; a small spot above tornus ; a terminal series of black points, Hind- wings with obliquely sinuous medial line with large irregular patch beyond it below costa and small patch at tornus;a terminal series of black points. Underside of forewing mostly pink ; hindwing ochreous suffused with pink in places. Habitat—Khasis, Exp, 30 mill. Type—In B. M. 2168a, DINUMMA INANGULATA, 0, Sp. Y. Brown irrorated with black ; patagia with their outer edges black ; abdomen with the dorsal tufts black, Forewing with black patch at base of costa ; a deep black band just before middle with irregular edges, its inner edge angled inward on vein 1, its outer slightly angled outwards in cell ; the postmedial line erect, minutely dentate and with some grey on its outer edge ; an indistinct, minutely dentate subterminal line slightly angled out- wards below costa ; a subterminal series of white and black points developing into a patch with a black spot above it just above middle. Hindwing fuscous- brown, Underside grey irrorated with black ; hindwing with dentate fuscous and white subterminal line; both wings with terminal series of black and white points. Habitat—Sikhim, 2800’ (Pilcher), Ezp. 34 mill. Type—In B. M. 2174a. CALLYNA CHALCOELA, 0, sp. Head dark-brown, yellowish on vertex; thorax pale-yellow; abdomen brownish, the dorsal tuft at base pale-yellow, the 2nd segment tinged with orange. Forewing with the inner area brassy-yellow shading to greyish and. to olive-brown on costal area ; some bluish white at base and some. oblique’ THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 269 marks on costal area ; an orange subbasal mark on costa ; traces of a waved antemedial line ; reniform very large and quite round with yellow medial spot and edge ; traces of an oblique waved postmedial line with black spois on its outer edge at middle of inner margin and above veins 2 and 4 ;some irregular white marks just inside and on termen below middle. Hindwing fuscous with obscure ante and postmedial and terminal lines; a yellow patch on inner area at tornus. Underside of forewing mostly suffused with grey and fuscous, Habitat—China ; Sikhim (Dudgeon), Ezp,40 mill. Type—In B, M. 2180a, WESTERMANNIA CELISIGNAW—@. Antenne fasciculate ; the basal joint with tuft of hair above, the base of shaft excised, 21806. WESTERMANNIA EUPREPIA, Nn. sp. @. Head and tegule dark-chocolate ; patagia and thorax grass-green ; pectus pale ; legs pale-brownish with dark band at end of tibia ; abdomen orange, the terminal segments suffused with blackish, the ventral surface pale brown- ish, Forewing grass-greon ; the costal edge brown ; a white discoidal lunule ; the apical area brown from costa above discoidal lunule to tornus; an indistinct double postmedial line on the brown area, angled at vein 5 and with two dark teeth from it above the angle ; faint traces of an irregular subterminal line with slight dark marks on it below apex, angled inwards on vein 6 and with faint greenish suffusion between it and postmedial line from vein 5 to below costa; a fine dark waved terminal Jine ; cilia crenulate with dark tips. Hinding orange with brown suffusion on apical area, Habitat—Cuddapah, Horsleykhonda, 4000’ (W. H. Campbell) ; Ceylon (Mackwood), zp, 40 mill. Type—In B. M. _ 2186c. BrevirrcTEN AprcaLis, Leech. Trans, Ent. Soc, 1900, p. 514, @. Antenne ciliated, Pale-red-brown and ochreous. Forewing with pale oblique antemedial line excurved to inner margin ; the orbicular and reniform rather dark, or brown with pale rings, the former large, the latter very large, the postmedial pale line oblique from costa to vein 6, then excurved, incurved below vein 4, 4a large subquadrate dark-brown patch on its outer edge on costa with a’ point of the same colour below it, another point below vein 3 and larger spot below vein 2, Hindwing fuscous. Habitat—China, Chekiang (Pryer) ; Burma Hsipaw (DeNicéville), Ezy, 36 mill. B. cosmiodes also belongs to this section. 21942, TRIORBIS AUREOVITTA, n, sp. (pl. B., £. 16). _ . Head and thorax dark red-brown ; abdomen brown, yellowish towards base with dark dorsal tufts, pinkish towards extremity, Forewing red- brown shading to purplish and pink; a metallic golden fascia below the cell: becoming ochreous and dark streaks along vein 2; an obscure, very. irregularly dentate antemedial line ; orbicular round, pale brown with tuft of dark scales in it ; reniform similar but small, pear-shaped, emitting a long 310 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. tooth to the postmedial line which is ochreous defined by brown and very highly dentate towards costa and inner margin; a sinuous submarginal ochreous line angled inwards at veins 5 and 2 and with dentate dark marks on its inner edge ;a fine waved ochreous line just inside margin and black line through cilia, Hindwing red-brown, costal area whitish ; a dark mark with pale line on it at tornus, underside whitish with dark discoidal lunule and diffused curved subterminal line, ©. Thorax and abdomen darker, the latter with sides of basal segments distinctly yellowish, Forewing darker with the medial part of costal area and cell suffused with fuscous ; the fascia below cell streaked ochreous and blackish to base ; hindwing dark-brown, Habitat—Margharita, Assam (Doherty) 9 ; Penang @. Exp. @ 56, 9 46 mill, Zype—In B. M. 2196. ARIOLA C@LISIGNA, insert (syn.) Ariola ransonneti, Feld, Reis, Nov. pl. 108., £. 1. 2271a. HUTELIA DIAPERA, 0. sp. @. Head and thorax variegated brown, black, and grey ; abdomen olive- grey with dorsal red-brown patch extending to 5th segment, Forewing grey suffused in parts with purplish and olive; a purplish-brown mark at base of costa ;a straight antemedial line; the orbicular and reniform grey with fuscous between them and a slightly sinuous line from former to inner margin ; a double postmedial line acutely angled above vein 5, then oblique and sinuous ;acurved dark mark from angle of postmedial line to outer margin below middle ; a waved white subterminal line excurved from costa to vein 3, then incurved ; a waved white line across apex with grey beyond it and a black spot on its inner side near termen. Hindwing fuscous-brown, the base of inner area whitish ; cilia white with waved fuscous line through them, Underside grey irrorated with brown; forewing with minutely dentate postmedial line; hindwing with discocellular point and dentate antemedial, postmedial and subterminal lines, the 1st angled outwards at middle, Habitat——Bhutan (Dudgeon), Exp. 28 mill, Type—In B, M. 2203a. PLOTHEIA VIRESCENS, n. sp. (pl. B., f. 25). ‘Hindwing with veins 3°4 on a long stalk, 5 from angle of cell. @. Head and abdomen grey ; thorax pale-green. Forewing white, almost entirely suffused with green; an indistinct sinuous black subbasal line followed by black spots in and below cell; double sinuous ante and post- medial lines, the former angled outwards above inner margin, the latter inwards below vein 2 ; a bright rufous discocellular spot ; an indistinct irregu- larly dentate subterminal line and a series of points on the termen, Hind- wing grey tinged with fuscous, Habitat.—Sikhim, 7000’(Pilcher), Zwp. 26 mill, Zype—In B,M. THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 211 2227a, PTISCIANA SCOTIA, nN, sp. Q. Red-brown; palpi at sides, fore-legs, and patagia blackish, Forewing suffused with black to the postmedial line and with a diffused streak from angle of the line to apex; tufts of greyish-black scales near base and at middle and end of cell; the antemedial line greyish, dentate and acutely angled outwards below the cell ; the postmedial line defined by greyish scales becoming white towards costa, arising from costa before middle, very oblique to beyond angle of cell, then inwardly oblique and acutely angled inwards on vein 1, some fine black streaks from it on the subcostal veins ; the sub- terminal line greyish and minutely dentate. Hindwing with the cilia whitish at tips. Habitat,—Sikhim, 1800' (Dudgeon). E«p.34 mill, Type—In B. M, 2236a,. HyYPOTHRIPA VERNA, 0. sp. &. Head and collar white-and-grey ; palpi marked with brown ; patagia and thorax variegated with purplish-brown-and-black ; abdomen grey. Forewing grey, alarge area on disc suffused with grey-green ; a large rounded patch at base of costal area, yellowish-white at middle, then olive-green and edged by brown ;a sinuous white antemedial line angled inwards on vein 1 ; a discocel- lular line; an irregularly dentate postmedial line, oblique to costa and with some black points on medial part of its inner edge ; an irregular fuscous sub- terminal line; some black points on costa and termen, Hindwing pale- fuscous, Habitat,—Sikhim, 1800’ (Dudgeon), Exp, 22 mill, Type—In B. M, 22366. DENDROTHRIPA MACKWOODI, 0, sp. @. Forewing with fringe of short pink hair on underside of costal vein ; a fringe of long ochreous hair below the cell; hindwing with th2 costal area largely expanded and fringed with rough hair ; the apex with large triangular excision ; the discocellulars almost obsolete, Head, thorax and abdomen pale-ochreous ;frons with black bar above. Fore- wing greyish-ochreous, tinged with fuscous from costa to submedian fold to the postmedial line, the terminal area suffused with green ; a blackish patch at the base of costa ;a sinuous medial line from costa to submedian fold with black suffusion on its outer edge ; the postmedial line strongly excurved be- yond the cell, defined by whitish on outer side and with some vinous, then fuscous suffusion beyond its excurved portion ;a sinuous subterminal line with some black suffusion in its medial sinus; some vinous suffusicn on ter- men below apex and at middle; a fine terminal black line. Hindwing ochre- ous-white, the cell slightly irrorated with black scales, Underside with the costal area of both wings and terminal area of.forewing tinged with pink, Habitat.—Ceylon, Colombo (Mackwood), zp, 18 mill. 2253, EUTELIA PICTICOLOR, insert (syn). Ptisciana ioda, Swinh., A.M. N. H, (7), 3, p. 114, Karwar, No. 22580. Hure.ia stIcToproctTa belongs to Sect. III. with the antennz strongly bipectinate, 212 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. 2258c, HUTELIA CATEPHIFORMIS, n. Sp. ‘&. Head pale red-brown ; palpi dark at base ; thorax and abdomen fuscous- brown. Forewing dark red-brown ; the basal area blackish with traces of waved lines and two more prominent lines on its outer edge angled inwards above vein 1; an ochreous discoidal lunule ; a fine medial waved line very strongly bent outwards round the discoidal lunule;a double similar more prominent postmedial line with small ochreous spot beyond it above vein 1; traces of irregularly waved lines on outer area and an obscure olive-yellow and dark fascia across apical area, Hindwing fuscous-black with white patch on basal half of inner area. Underside greyish with numerous minutely dentate dark lines on terminal area, Habitat,—Naga Hills (Doherty), Exp. 30 mill, Type—In Coll,, Elwes, 2274a, EKUTELIA PICTATRIX, n, Sp, Head, thorax and abdomen brown-pink mixed with dark-brown scales ; = init men with some blackish patches, the male with dorsal white patch on 4th segment, Forewing pink strongly mixed with dark red-brown scales; very numerous waved fuscous lines; double antemedial, medial, and postmedial lines rather more prominent, the 1st strongly curved, the 2nd bent outwards below costa, the 3rd excurved from below costa to vein 4 ; tufts of bright-red scales in cell near base, at middle and at upper angle; pale wedge-shaped streaks on median nervure from before middle to the postmedial line, and in submedial interspace from near base to termen; a short white streak below costa towards apex with an irregular dentate subterminal line from below it to inner margin ; a fine terminal black line and some blackish white- irrorated marks on termen from below apex’ to below middle, some similar spots on cilia, Hindwing yellowish-white ; the terminal half strongly suffus- ed with fuscous from costa to vein 4,the veins on it black; the submedian interspace pale; vein 2 and the inner margin with alternating red and black marks ; cilia bright red-brown with fine pale line at base. Habitat,—Ceylon, Gampola (Mackwood), Dickoya (Green), wp, 32 mill. Type—In B. M, 2290a, SrICTOPTERA LUCTUOSA, Nn, Sp. 9. Head and tegule fuscous-black ; thorax ochreous-brown ; abdomen fus- cous, Forewing fuscous-black, the basal third pale brownish ochreous with a browner patch on it from costa to median nervure traversed by a black sub- costal streak, the antemedial line just inside its outer edge ; the dark area with traces of numerous minutely dentate lines, the subterminal line with two ochreous marks on it below costa and one insubmedian fold, Hindwing black-brown, Habitat,—Ceylon (Mackwood), Exp, 42 mill, Type—In B, M. 2290b, STICTOPTERA NEGRETINA, 0, sp. g. Black-brown. Forewing with a purplish tinge; a waved. aise black line ; a medial line oblique from costa to submedian fold, then erect, THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 213 the area between it and antemedial line black with three tufts of raised scales ; a medial line from costa to median nervure, angled on subcostal nervure, two discoidal tufts of scales; a double sinuous post-medial line angled below costa and at middle ; an indistinct highly dentate subterminal line, Hindwing almost black ; underside with two indistinct medial lines, Habitat— Khasis. Exp. 32 mill. Type—In B. M, 2293a. GYRTONA CRISTIPENNIS, 0, sp. 9. Head whitish ; thorax grey and brown, ochreous at extremity ; abdo- men greyish tinged with ochreous. Forewing violaceous-grey, the base and costal area tinged with ochreous; an oblique double dark brown costal striga near base; a whitish antemedial band with two slightly waved dark brown lines on it, the inner expanding into a diffused patch of scales in cell ; a tuft of raised fulvous scales beyond the band in cell and another blackish below median nervure; the end of cell and costal area above it brown variegated with pinkish with some black striw and a blackish discoidal tuft of scales defined by white lines; a large ochreous lunulate mark from costa beyond cell defined by a fine dentate black line on its outer edge ; a sub- terminal line of white striez and a terminal line of white and black strie, Hindwing semi-hyaline, the terminal half suffused with fuscous, Habitat—Khisis. Exp, 36 mill, Type—In B, M. 2332, CAREA XANTHIA, n, sp. Forewing with the apex produced; the termen slightly angled at vein 4, Bright chrome yellow; palpi and antenne red, the former white in front; pectus white; tibie and tarsi with red-brown and orange scales. Forewing slightly irrorated with black ; aslight red and black streak on inner margin before middle; pale brownish spotsin middle of cell, above middle of inner margin, on Siscaecliulans and in submedian fold beyond middle ; an oblique red-brown patch from apex with some white scales on Mie ite red-brown with some patches of white scales. Hindwing rather pale valle with rufous suffusion from lower angle of cell to apex and middle of termen. Habitat.—Sikhim, 1800’ (Dudgeon). Exp, 28 mill. Type—In B. M. 2358a, CATOCALA TRISA, Swinh., A, M. N, H. (7), 3., p. 115. (1899). Head and thorax dark-fuscous-brown; abdomen yellow; pectus and ventral surface of abdomen whitish. Forewing dark brown ; a short subbasal line ; a double waved antemedial line, the outer stronger, especially towards costa ; the postmedial line minutely dentate, very strongly angled below costa, less strongly angled on vein 3, then retracted to origin of vein 2 and outwardly oblique to inner margin; an obscure highly dentate curved subterminal line; the apex greyish, Hindwing pale yellow with fuscous band from costa just before apex expanding to termen between veins 6 and 2 where it terminates, Habitat—Bombay, Satara, Exp. 42 mill, 3 214 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 2450a, MeELiroris caiLino, Lef, Ann. %. Linn., Paris 1827, p. 94, plone ; Head whitish ; antenne black ; thorax grey suffused with black ; abdomen grey irrorated with fuscous. Forewing with the base grey ; a short subbasal black line with a short streak from its lower extremity below the cell ; an antemedial black line sinuous and oblique from costa to submedian fold where it is angled, the area between it and the subbasal line blackish ; the medial area grey-brown, whitish towards costa on outer side of antemedial line ; the postmedial line very strongly excurved beyond the cell, angled at veins 6 and 4, and incurved between those points, then very strongly retracted to lower angle of cell and sinuous to inner margin ; a black line on discocellulars with some dentate white marks beyond it in the sinus of the postmedial line, the area beyond it blackish to the subterminal line which is angled outwards at vein 6 and excurved at middle; the terminal area grey. Hindwing white suffused with fuscous; a dark discoidal lunule with a white patch beyond it; a white patch on termen at vein 2; cilia white with a black patch at middle. Underside of forewing with the basal half whitish, the terminal half fuscous with a white patch beyond the cell ; hindwing white with black discoidal lunule, postmedial band and black patch on middle of termen. Habitat.—France ; Greece ; Armenia, Kashmir (Pilcher), zp, 40 mill, 2532, Serrodes inara, Larva purplish white specked with black ; head and lateral band on thoracic somite flesh colour ; a flesh-coloured band on the swol- len 4th somite vith irregular black markings behind it ; dorsal, two lateral and sublateral interrupted waved flesh-coloured fascice on 5th to terminal somite. Pupa black with purple bloom. (Fellowes Wilson). 2535, SYMPIS RUFIBASIS, The specimen figuredis a 9 ,the @ has tufts of hair on extremity of 2nd joint and on 3rd joint of palpus and at base of antenne, 2538b. BANIANA NODA, Swinh,, A, M,N. H. (7), 3, p. 116 (1899). Head yellowish white, the vertex, antenne and tegule black; thorax grey with a purplish tinge ; abdomen fuscous, Forewing reddish brown suffused with greyish purple and irrorated with black ; an antemedial black-brown mark from cell to inner margin with white outline, its inner edge sinuous, its outer angled on vein 1, traces of a fine line from it to costa; a more or less prominent discoidal dark lunule edged with grey; an obscure sinuous post- medial line ; some pale specks on costa towards apex ;a fine terminal series of dark points, Hindwing fuscous, the cilia brown. Habitat.— Karwar ; Nilgiris, Exp. 38 mill, 2545. Bocuxa lutosa, insert Agrotis iconciusa, Wlk., Journ. Linn Soe, Zool., vi., p. 188, Borneo which has precedence, 2643, Ophideres hypermnestra, Larva: @ purplish fuscous speckled with blue; irregular blackish patches. on thoracic and terminal somites ; stigmata with black points ; 5th and 6th somites with large lateral black - ocelli ringed with red and yellow, 4th somite with lateral orange spot; irregular yellow lateral marks on 7th and 8th somites and their prolegs. THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 215 @ with the spot on 4th somite and the irregular marks on 7th and 8th pinkish-white. (fellowes Wilson). 2697b. CALESIA CANESCENS, 0, sp. Q@. Pale-grey-brown ; head, collar, thorax below, and abdomen crimson ; 3rd joint of palpi, antenne, and tarsi black ; wings quite uniform grey-brown, Habitat.—Sikhim, 1800’ (Dudgeon), Ezp,50 mill. Type—In B. M. 2705a, MucopINA CYANODONTA, Nn. sp. Q. Rufous brown ; thorax except collar and abdomen suffused with bluish grey. Forewing with the basal half suffused with blue-grey ; fine indistinct waved rufous lines on basal area followed by a black point in cell ; an oblique medial rufous line; reniform outlined with rufous; outer half rufous with indistinct blue-grey line near its inner edge, excurved below costa, then very highly dentate ; darker rufous streaks in the interspaces of outer area; traces of a waved subterminal blue-grey line below apex and some points towards tornus, Hindwing with the basal half suffused with blue-grey ; the outer half rufous with dark streak in the interspaces ; a blue-grey patch on termen at apex and some points towards tornus, Underside brown with traces of three darker lines on medial area. Habitat—Khasis, Exp. 44 mill, YType—tIn Coll., Elwes, 2710a. Mecopina suByecTA, W1k,, xxxiii, 1012, Q.. Yellow-brown ; head and collar grizzled with white ; thorax and abdomen tinged with fuscous and with grey below. Forewing with bisinuate fuscous antemedial line ; a whitish line on discocellulars ; a medial line highly excurved beyond cell, then oblique; a postmedial oblique line angled below costa; the outer area suffused with fuscous and with a deeper fuscous mark on costa before apex. Hiniwing with fuscous antemedial line excurved below costa; a medial line oblique towards inner margin; an obscure bisinuate subterminal! line; the apical area suffused with fuscous, Underside with white suffusion beyond the postmedial line. Habitat—Bhutan (Dudgeon); Sierra Leone (Clements); Cape Colony. Exp. 52 mill. Type—In B. M. The specimens from Africa are more suffused with fuscous than the one from Bhutan, 2729a,. ZETHES STENIPTERA, 20. sp. @. Dark-brown ; head and thorax slightly pencilled with grey ; tarsi and abdomen with greyish segmental lines. Forewing with dark antemedial line edged with ochreous on inner side, slightly curved and bent inwards above inner margin ; the postmedial line straight, hardly angled at middle and edged with ochreous on outer side, between it and the pale sinuous punctiform subterminal line suffused with purplish grey. Hindwing dark-fuscous, the underside irrorated with grey. Habitat—Sikhim, 1800! (Dudgeon), Exp, 28 mill, ZType—In B, M. 2737, ZErHES NIGRILINEA, insert (syn.) Zethes oohrodes, Swinh., A. M,N. H, (7), 8, p.115, 216 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, 2738a, ZETHES APICATA, 0. Sp. @. Head and thorax dark-purple-brown; abdomen pale ochreous-brown. Forewing pale ochreous-brown with numerous pale striz and irrorated with a few black scales ; a subbasal purple-brown band edged by rufous lines ; the postmedial line angled at vein 5, dark brown above that point, pale below it; a quadrate purple-brown apical patch extending nearly to cell and to vein 4 with an oblique pale mark on it from costa; a pale crenulate subterminal line and almost terminal series of points, Hindwing pale greyish brown ; two discoidal points ; a medial pale line defined by brown on outer side, the area between it and the crenulate postmedial line reddish ; some black spots on the postmedial line towards inner margin ; a subterminal series of small lunules ; a fine pale terminal line, Habitat,—Khasis. Exp. 30-32 mill, Type—In B, M. 9740a, ZETHES MACARIATA, Dudgeon, Ined. Q. Pale-ochreous tinged with pale-rufous in parts and irrorated with a few dark scales ; palpi and autenne blackish, Forewing with two indistinct curved and waved antemedial lines; a black point in middle of cell and white discoidal bar with somewhat excised outer edge ; a pale highly sinuous medial line running out to an angle below costa and with bluish-white suffusion between it and the postmedial line becoming almost white near costa; the postmedial line angled outwards below costa and at middle and bent outwards to inner margin, the area beyond it red-brown with a whitish patch at apex and traces of a subterminal series of black points. Hindwing with indistinct subbasal line angled at middle ; a sinuous medial line with red- brown suffusion on its inner side ; an indistinct curved and slightly waved posimedial line ; a very indistinct sinuous subterminal line with dark red- brown patch beyond it towards tornus with three black points on it, the termen straight from apex to the angle at vein 4, Habitat —Sikhim, 1800! (Dudgeon), Hap. 48 mill. Type—In B, M, 2738a, CAPNODES PURPUREA, 0. sp. @. Dark purple-red ; abdomen blackish above towards extremity. Fore- wing with small oblique fulvous spot below middle of costa ; black point in cell and two grey points on discocellulars ; a small white lunule on costa beyond middle and three points towards apex ; a treble black and brown line from apex to middle of inner margin of hindwing ; both wings with minute series of white points just inside termen. Habitat—Khiasis. Eup, 34 mill, Type—In B. M, 2769a. DIoMEA LIVIDA, 0, sp. @. Head black ; thorax rufous, the tegule ochreous in front ; abdomen fuscous, the dorsal tufts rufous, the anal tuft ochreous. Forewing purplish brown, the costal area suffused with reddish-ochreous ; small subbasal and antemedial black spots defined by whitish on the costa ; traces of an ante- medial line on inner area and of a double line just beyond the middle ;a large deep black discoidal lunule with diffused black above it on costa ;a THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 217 crenulate black postmedial line with white points on its teeth ; an irregularly sinuous subterminal line with the area beyond it deeper red-brown,’ Hindwing pale brown suffused with fuscous to the indistinct postmedial crenulate line which has some white points on it ; an irregularly sinuous subterminal line with the area before it pale purplish grey, beyond it red-brown ; both wings with terminal series of small ochreous spots with black striz on their inner side. Underside greyish irrorated with fuscous with black cell spots and medial and:postmedial lines. Habitat,—Simla (Pilcher), zp, 36 mill, Type—In B, M, 2785a, AVITTA INSIGNANS, n.'sp. @. Head and thorax brown; abdomen grey-brown. Forewing brown suffused with purplish grey, the basal area brown ; two indistinct fine oblique antemedial lines ; a diffused medial line not reaching costa ; an obscure discoidal lunule ; two fine sinuous indistinct postmedial lines followed by a diffused band not reaching costa; a waved subterminal Jine and some diffused brown ontermen, Hindwing fuscous, Underside grey with an ochreous tinge ; forewing fuscous except the costal and terminal areas ; hind- wing with slight discoidal lunule. Habitat.—Khasis, Exp, 48 mill. Type—In Coll., Elwes, 2785b, AVITTA PASTEA, 0. sp. @. Head and thorax dark-brown, the scales pencilled with pale brown; palpi paler ; tarsi with ochreous rings ; abdomen black-brown, Forewing dark red-brown, finely irrorated with grey forming a large patch on costal area from end of cell to apex ; two obscure waved antemedial lines incurved below cell ; a nearly straight medial line ; a discoidal spot ; two minutely dentate postmedial and a, subterminal line. Hindwing blackish with a bluish tinge, the cilia grey. Underside grey with discoidal lunules and curved postmedial lines, Habitat.—Sikhim, 1800’ (Dudgeon) ; Margharita, Assam (Doherty). Exp, 46 mill. Zype—In B. M, 2889a. TALAPA ACYPERA, 0. sp, Forewing with the outer margin very acutely angled at vein 4, &- Head, tegule and base of patagia and meso-thorax pinkish grey-brown ° the rest of thorax dark rufous ; abdomen pinkish grey, Forewing pale irro- rated with brown ; an oblique antemedial pink line defined by rufous on outer side and with diffused rufous beyond it ; dark points in ce)l and on discocel- lulars ; a curved slightly sinuous postmedial pink line defined by a fine rufous line on inner side and with diffused rufous beyond it ; an oblique streak from apex with an oblique rufous line from below its extremity to tornus;a slight series of terminal points. Hindwing ochreous suffused with fuscous with traces of medial and postmedial lines; underside with discoidal black spot. Habitat.—Khasis. Exp, 40 mill, Type—In BM. 218 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X1V- 2912a, RHYNCHINA ALBILUNA, Nn. sp. @. Pale ochreous-brown ; abdomen whitish at base, Forewing with slight black suffusion just beyond end of cell; a white lunule on inner area just beyond middle; a subterminal line, finer highly dentate and whitish from costa to vein 4, then strongly incurved, blackish and diffused ; a fine pale line at base of cilia. Hindwing pale brownish ; the terminal area fuscous. Habitat,—Sikhim, 2800’ (Pilcher), Exp, 28 mill, Type-—In B, M. 2985a. HyYPENA UMBRIA, 2. sp, g@. Dull ochreous-brown ; palpi black ; meta-thorax with blackish patch ; wings irrorated with fuscous, Forewing with blackish patch at base; a small black spod in cell and eliptical discoidal spot with brownish centre ; traces, of waved antemedial and medial lines and a more distinct subterminal line with blackish patch on its inner side towards costa ; a terminal series of black points. Hindwing with discoidal point and indistinct waved medial, post- medial and subterminal lines; the terminal area suffused with fuscous; a terminal series of black points, Habitat—Ceylon, Puttalam, Maturatta (Pole), Exp. 20 mill. Type—In B. M. 2998a, CHUSARIS SEMIALBA, 0, Sp. Head, thorax and abdomen greyish white ; palpi, pectus, and rental anpinee of abdomen black, the last suffused with fuscous above towards extremity, Forewing with the basal half greyish white ; a dentate antemedial dark line ; 4 sinuous medical line angled at lower angle of cell ; a waved postmedial line bent outwards at middle; the apical third of wing greyish brown from middle of costa to inner margin beyond postmedial line; a waved sub- terminal line with some black marks beyond it, Hindwing white with medial brownish band not reaching costa irrorated with black and with waved black edges ; terminal area brown with white line and black and white marks on it, Underside blackish. Habitat. —Sikhim, 1800’ (Dudgeon); Rangoon. uzp. 20 mill, Type— In B. M, 3000a, CHUSARIS NIGRISIGNA, 0. Sp. &. Dark grey-brown ; palpi blackish, the 3rd joint ringed with white. Forewing irrorated with blue grey and black scales ; small dark basal and antemedial spots on costa ; a larger black spot in end of cell with some spots above, beyond and below it; a subtriangular black patch on costa before apex, some points on termen, Hindwing fuscous, the inner. area greyish brown with some black striz. Habitat—Sikkim, 1500’ (Dudgeon), Hzp. 22 mill. Type—In B. M. Section II. Palpi extending about three times length of head; forewing with vein 7 stalked with 8°9°10 and 11 approximated to them at middle - hindwing with veins 3°4 and 6°7 stalked ; the costa somewhat excised beyond middle. ea: P Me THE MOTHS OF IND/A. 919 3008c, PROLOPHOTA BISIGNATA, N, Sp, &. Ochreous-white ; palpi, abdomen and wings sivrorated with ai few black scales ; meta-thorax with prominent black patch. Forewing with the costa blackish towards base ; an antemedial series of four minute points angled in cell; two prominent obliquely-placed discoidal points placed on an obliquely curved fuscous band with rather darker edges and not reaching costa on which there is a black point ; a pair of prominent postmedial spots below costa and two points between veins 3 and 5 ; a subterminal series of points, Hindwing with slight discoidal point ; a slightly sinuous brownish medial band edged by black lines and not reaching costa; traces of a postmedial line ; a subterminal series of black points, Habiiat,--Ceylon, Pundaloya (Green), Hap, 24 mill, Type—In B, M. 220 SNAKE VENOMS: THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION AND ANTIDOTE. By Gzorce Lams, M.B., Capt., IMLS. (From the Research Laboratory, Bombay.) (Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on 21st January 1902.) At a recent meeting of our society Mr. Phipson and Father Dreck- man showed us the beautiful collection of snakes, which, as a rule, is kept shut up ina cupboard. On this occasion Mr, Phipson indicat- ed to us the way by which naturalists tell a poisonous from a non- poisonous snake: he also told us about the structure of the poison apparatus and about the mechanisms by which the so-called erection of the fangs and the ejection of the poison take place. It is, therefore, unnecessary for me to again enter into these most interesting subjects, Further, Father Dreckman told us, that, although there are many varieties of poisonous snakes in India, there were only four terrestrial snakes which could be said to offer any danger to man, and that naturalists put these four into two great groups, wz. (1) two of the Colubrine family—the Cobra and: the Kraits; (2) two Viperine, viz., Russell’s Viper or Daboia and Echis Carinata or Phoorsa. This evening I propose to tell you something about the nature and physiological action of the venoms of these snakes. At the outset, however, I should like you to understand that my remarks on this subject will be strictly confined to a summary of the observations which Ihave made with the poisons of the two most deadly of these snakes, viz., the Cobra and the Daboia. I have little or no experience of the poison of the Kraits or that of the Hchis, nordo I know of any thoroughly trustworthy scientific observations which have been made with the venoms of these two species. And let it be clearly under- stood, that, although the Krait is a Colubrine snake and the Nchis a viper, it by no means follows, as I have good reason to know, that the poison of the Krait has the same physiological action as the venom of the Cobra or that of the Hchis the same as the venom of the Daboia. On the Method of procuring the Poison for Experimental Purposes. All the older experiments with snake venom were made by allow- ing the snake to bite some animal or other. This method is, of course, a crude one and affords us no information as to the amount of poison which a snake can inject nor as to the exact quantity which can prove lethal to a given animal. Nowadays all investigators SNAKE VENOMS, THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. 221 work with dried and weighed quantities of venom. The poison may be collected in one of two ways: (1) the snake is caught by means of a guillotine arrangement or a strong pair of forceps behind the neck. If these are not available, a trained snake-man will serve the purpose equally well. The animal, caught in either of these ways, is then securely held with one hand behind the head. The lower jaw is then forcibly opened by catching the skin covering it. The fangs become erected and the duct continuous. In the case, however, of the Daboia, which has exceptionally long fangs, it is well to pass a piece of string behind them and pull them forward with this. With the finger and thumb of the other hand firm and steady pressure from behind forwards is made over the glands situate behind the orbits. The poison escaping from the fangs is caught in a watch-glass held by an assistant in a pair of long forceps. The process is, you will understand, a process of squeezing, not, as we sometimes call it, one of “ milking ;” (2) the snake, held securely behind the head, is allowed to bite through a piece of rubber stretched over a watch-glass or other suitable receptacle. The liquid poison is then quickly and thoroughly dried over lime or sulphuric acid. I have carefully estimated the average amount of venom which can be got in this way. I find that a medium-sized Cobra, that is, one from 500 to 1,000 grammes weight (# to 14 Ibs.), will yield about 200 milligrammes of dried poison ; the larger-sized Cobras will give as much as 240 to 250 milligrammes or even more, # The amount of water contained in fresh Jiquid cobra poison varies from 60 to 75 per cent., so that fresh cobra venom is a 25 to 40 per cent. solution of the dried material. Let us say that a Cobra gives 200 milligrammes of dried venom. This is sufficient to kill 5,000 ordinary rats. It is, of course, without actual experiment, impossible to say how much Cobra venom it takes to kill a man ; but, calculating this amount on the basis that man is as susceptible, weight for weight, as a rat, and from my experiments on mice, rats, rabbits, monkeys, and horses, I have no reason to think that he is less susceptible, then 200 milligrammes of poison—-the amount which can easily be got from a Cobra—would be sufficient to kill eight ordinary-sized men, that is to say, that a medium-sized Cobra can. inject eight times the quantity, which would be sufficient to kill a man, A large Cobra would have ten times the nocessary amount, “1 gillicramme=" 015 grain, or abeut 2: part of a gtain, ay 923 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Physical and Chemical Properties of Venom. Fresh liquid poison is of a yellowish or straw colour. Cobra venom is quite clear, while Daboia poison has, asa rule, a small quantity of undissolved suspended matter. The reaction of both venoms is invariably acid to litmus paper, unless there bas been much admixture with the alkaline secretions of the mouth. Cobra venom has a very bitter astringent taste ; chewing Daboia venomis like chewing ordinary gum acacia— there is no taste at all. Venom dried rapidly in a thin jayer over calcium chloride cracks into small pieces. In the case of Cobra poison these particles are of an irregular shape, as broad as they are long ; they are yellowish and translucent. In the case of Daboia venom the cracking is more or less in longitudinal striae, and, in consequence, fine reedle-shaped particles are found. I show you here good specimens of both these varieties of snake venom. Thoroughly dried venoms retain their toxic power for an indefinite period. ‘hey dissolve again readily and completely in water or salt solution. It is quite unnecessary for me to enter into the complicated question of the chemical constitution of these poisons. At one time, not very long ago, it was thought that the toxie constituents of all snake venoms were alkaloids, similar to the poisonous vegetable alkaloids, such as strychnine. This, however, has been shown to be an entirely erroneous supposition; and I think I am right in saying that all investigators are agreed that all snake venoms owe their poisonous properties to the proteid or albuminous substances which they contain in solution—substances similar in composition to the albumen or white of egg. All snake poisons are, in fact, almost pure solutions of proteids, and contain little else beyond a trace of inorganic salts and a small quantity of an organic acid and colouring matter. Further, there is no doubt that each venom contains two or more different proteids, and that the physiological action of a particular venom depends on the nature of the proteids which it contains, Organic chemistry has, unfortunately, not advanced far enough as to be able to separate in pure form these various proteids or to arrive at any estimate of their chemical constitation. We have, therefore, to content ourselves at present with various crude methods of studying the physiological actions of the different proteids in snake venoms. SNAKE VENOMS, THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION, 223 Effect of heating Snake Poison. When a solution of snake venom is heated the poison is affected in two ways :— (1). Some of the proteids present become coagulated, in the same way as the albumen of egg is coagulated for breakfast. (2). The toxic power of the proteids which are not coagulated is impaired, while their solubilities are not altered. Whether the toxic power is completely destroyed by heating or not depends on the degree of heat used, the duration of time for which it is applied, and the strength of the solution which is heated. Different poisons are affected in different ways. Thus, while a 0°1 per cent. solution of Cobra venom can be heated for half an hour at 73° C., with the result of only slightly diminishing its original toxicity, heating a 0°1 per cent. solution of Daboia venom at the same temper- ature for the same length of time completely destroys its toxic power, so that large quantities can now be introduced into the blood stream of an animal without causing any symptoms. You will appreciate from this, then, that we have arrived at the stage when: we can say that the poison secreted by a Cobra is, in all probability, of quite a different nature from the venom manufactured by a Daboia, In this connection I may say, without entering into tedious details and long explanations, that I feel to-day in a position to state, without fear of contradiction, that Cobra venom contains no poisonous element which is contained in Daboia venom, and vice versa that Daboia venom is necessarily quite free from any of the toxic constituents of Cobra poison. I know that this opinion is in contra- diction to the working hypothesis put forward by Martin of Mel- bourne some years ago—an hypothesis which, however, was only provisional and fitted to the facts then available. Physiological Action of Venoms. We have, therefore, now to pass on to a brief consideration of the manner in which each of these venoms brings about its fatal result when injected into an animal. Let us begin with Cobra venom, the poison which has received more attention from investigators than any other. If one injects a solution of Cobra venom into a hot-blooded animal, no matter what the species of the animal may be, one observes a train of symptoms which there is no doubt points to the poison having acted directly 224 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. on the central nervous system, that is, the spinal cord and brain. The animal after a while becomes lethargic and disinclined to move ; there is no preliminary stage of excitement : then one observes that the hind legs have become paralysed, the animal drawing them after it when endeavouring to progress. The paralysis of the hind legs gradually becomes more marked, while at the same time the paralysis spreads forwards and-involves the forelegs. Ultimately the animal be- comes completely paralysed and lies down unable to move. The breath- ing still continues. Thus one sees in all such experiments a most striking and typical picture—the animal, be it bird or mammal, mouse or horse, lying on the ground completely unable to stir, the breathing still going on, and the saliva trickling from its mouth. This, however, does not last long. The paralysis soon involves the respiratory centres; gasping in the search for air becomes marked, and the scene is closed with the total cessation of respiration. Just before this, however, there may be slight general convulsive movements, due to the accumulation of carbonic acid gas in the system. Mark you, there has been no word of failure of the heart ; there has been no diminution in the strength of the pulse. After the breathing has completely stopped, if one opens the chest, one sees the heart beating away as if nothing had happened. I have observed this beating go on for twenty minutes to half an hour after the chest has been laid open and gradually to become weaker and weaker and ultimately cease altogether. As well ag this action on the central nervous system, Cobra venom has got an action on the blood. It has got a very wonderful power of breaking up the red corpuscles of the blood, with the result that a certain amount of the colouring matter is set free, Thus, when a sample of the blood is taken into a test-tube after death and allowed to clot, the serum is noticed to be dark-red in colour, due to the hemoglobin which has been set free. Further, Cobra venom has an action on the normal coagulability of the blood, that is to say, on the property which blood has of coagulating or setting when withdrawn from the vessels. The clot which forms is not so firm or so compact as in normal blood, and the time which it takes to form is much lengthened. As far, however, as my experiments have shown me, I cannot find any possible relation between the nervous symptoms which I have described and this action which Cobra poison has on SNAKE VENOMS, THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION, 225 the blood. This conclusion is, | know, contrary to the opinion of Cunningham who, however, is the only observer who contends that the action on the blood isthe primary one, and that the nervous symptoms are dependent on and result from this destruction of the blood cells. This isa long and complicated story and one which, I hardly think, would give us much profit to pursue at this time. If Cobra venom be injected directly into the blood stream—into a vein, for example—the same train of symptoms as I have described above is observed, the only difference being that the symptoms come on more quickly and march to a fatal termination much more rapidly than when the injection is given under the skin. When a man is bitten by a Cobra, the same general symptoms, which I have sketched above as following the artificial injection of the poison into an animal, are observed. As well there is, as a rule, at the beginning sickness and vomiting and a feeling of lethargy and disinclination to work ; paralysis, however, soon sets in, and life ends, as we have seen, by cessation of respiration. In addition to these general symptoms, however, there are marked signs of poisoning locally at the site of the bite. There is very severe pain which follows immediately on the infliction of the wound. The parts around become swollen and tender, and a bloody serum oozes away from the punctures. If the bite has been inflicted on a dependent part, such as a finger, the swelling spreads up the digits which soon becomes exceedingly tense and extremely painful. Should the patient ultimately recover from the general condition, the tissues fora short distance around the bite die, a black slough forms, and on separating leaves a deep hole. This hole heals up very slowly, and there is left an ugly depressed scar. To complete the picture, I may state that in man the general symptoms, as a rule, do not set in for an hour or two after the bite, and that on the average death takes place about three to six hours later, The fatal result, however, may-be accelerated, or, on the other hand, it may be delayed for some considerable time, even a day or two, ac- cording to the amount of poison which has been injected. You will appreciate, nevertheless, that we have got in all cases a certain interval of time, as a rule some hours, between the bite and the onsot of symptoms and death—an interval of time precious, indeed, as you will see, when I come to speak of the treatment of these cases. 226 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, Such, then, is a short sketch of Cobra venom intoxication. We may now pass on to the consideration of the effects of an injection of the venom of Russell’s Viper or Daboia. Hxperiments with this poison and clinical observations on actual cases show quite a different picture to what I have described in the case of Cobra venom. I have had the privilege of studying the action of Daboia poison on many varieties of animals—mice, rats, fowls, pigeons, guinea-pigs, rabbits, monkeys, dogs aad horses, At the outset it would be well to clear the ground by stating that, as far as my experience goes, it would appear that Daboia venom has no direct action on the central nervous system. I have never seen paralysis of the legs, even in the prolonged cases, follow its injection. The respiration is only interfered with as a result of its action on the blood and heart. Its action seems to be confined en- tirely to the circulatory system, v7z., the blood plasma—that is, the fluid part of the blood,—the blood corpuscles, the capillary walls and the heart. We may divide all cases of Daboia intoxication into two groups— (1) those cases in which death follows very rapidly—say, within 10 or 15 minutes or sometimes it is only a few seconds—after the injection of the venom ; and (2) those cases in which death is prolonged for some hours or even some days after the injection of the poison. Let us take the first group. When a small quantity of Daboia venom is injected directly into the blood stream of an animal—say, into the marginal vein of the ear of a rabbit,—or when a comparatively large quantity is put under the skin, — say, of a pigeon,—death follows rapidly, sometimes ina few minutes. You will notice that the animal first becomes unsteady on its legs, its powers of equilibration are seriously affected ; then it falls down, and almost immediately violent convulsions set in. Death follows ina few seconds after the onset of these convulsions. From the observation of these symptoms Cunningham was led to believe that they resulted from the direct action which the poison had on the central nervous system. This, however, I have shown to be quite an erroneous hypothesis. What, then, has really taken place? On opening the animal immediately after death, if the dose has been at all a large one, the whole of the blood is found to be clotted solid ; the cavities of the heart, the veins of the lungs and abdomen, and even SNAKE VENOMS, THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. 227 the arteries are found full of solid clot. The heart has, of course, ceased to beat. Ifthe dose has been a smaller one, the clotting may be con- fined to the pulmonary arteries, the right heart and the portal veins. The degree aud extent of the clotting depend on the amount of venom injected and the rapidity with which it has been injected. But, in all eases of rapid death resulting from Daboia intoxication, there can be no shadow of doubt but that the fatal result has been caused by this most extraordinary and remarkable intravascular clotting. The symptoms which Cunningham interpreted as resulting from a direct action of the poison on the central nervous system are due to carbonic acid poisoning, the result of the non-aération of the blood in the lungs. In the second group of cases, viz., that in which death is delayed for sometime, we have several different phenomena presenting themselves. In the first place, death may fellow in a few hours after the injection. In sucha case the fatal result is, I am sure, due to the depressing action which the poison has on the heart. Thus I bave seen a horse, which had received into a vein a quantity not sufficient to cause clotting, fall down quite collapsed ; its pulse has become feeble, hardly to be felt; its body cold and covered with perspi- ration—a typical picture of cardia¢ depression or syncope, known popularly as a faint. There was no paralysis: after a rest the animal got up and walked about, only, however, to fall down again in another faint. This condition sometimes ends in death, while, on the other hand, it may be recovered from. In the second place, should the fainting condition be recovered from, then a whole series of phenomena develops, which is dependent on the action of the venom on the blood corpuscles, the coagulability of the blood and the capillary walls. I have told you that when large doses are given either intra- venously or subcutaneously, the coagulability of the blood may become so increased as to lead to rapid intravascular clotting and death. Should, however, the quantity be not sufficient to cause this clotting, and especially will this be the case if the subcutaneous method of injection has been used, then the very opposite condition of blood coagulability results. In some cases the blood remains absolutely unclotted when drawn into a test-tube, while in others it clots only after a long interval of time, and the clot is very loose and soft, As. 2298 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. well as this action on the coagulability of the blood, Daboia venom, somewhat similar to Coora venom, has a very marked destructive effect on the red-blood corpuscles. Further, Daboia venom has a great destructive action on the capillary walls, making them more permeable to the blood they contain--a blood by its deficiency in coagulability more ready to exude out, Asa result of these various effects on the blood and capillary walls, it comes about that bleeding is very common in these chronic cases of Daboia poisoning. Thus, around the site of the actual punctures or injections in experimental cases there are a large bloody extravasation and much swelling. This swelling spreads rapidly up the limb. The tissues all around the place of injection die and offer a suitable pabulum for all sorts of bacteria. Thus it happens that death in these cases usually results from some bacterial poisoning, such as malignant cedema or general septicemia. As well as this local action haemorrhage may take place from every orifice of the body—from the nose, from the mouth, from the bowel, or from the kidneys and bladder. The blood is in a fluid condition and clots badly, while the destruction of the small vessel walls allows of it to exude easily. The blood-stained fluid which exudes contains few red corpuscles; the colouring matter of these has been dissolved out and now stains the plasma. ‘Such, then, is the picture of a typical case, either actual or experi- mental, of chronic Daboia intoxication, and it is this state which is usually seen to follow the bite of a Daboia in the human subject. This condition can be and often is recavered from, the great danger being, as I have indicated, a secondary bacterial infection, Thus, while I have said that a man bitten by a fresh medium-sized Cobra, if the snake succeeds in injecting even a modicum of its poison, will invariably die if left untreated, it often happens that authentic cases of bites from Daboia recover, even after serious hemorrhages have occurred from mapy places. As I have said, 1 have never seen paralysis in all my experiments with Daboia venom, nor can I find any authentic record of such having occurred in actual cases. To sum up, then, it would appear that Daboia poison acts mainly, if not entirely, on the circulatory apparatus— (1), It affects the coagulability of the blood. Injected directly into the blood stream, or in large doses under the skin, it so mereases SNAKE VENOMS, THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. 229 this as to cause extensive intravascular clotting. In smal! doses it causes, after no doubt a short-lived phase of increased coagulability, a marked and prolonged phase of diminished coagulability, so that in some instances I have noticed the shed-blood remain absolutely unclotted even after 24 hours. (2) It hasadestructive action on the red-blood cells, breaking these up and setting free the colouring matter contained in them. (3) It has a marked destructive action on the capillary walls, rendering them more permeable to their fluid contents. (4) Ithasa marked depressing action on the heart, so marked, indeed, as to sometimes lead toa fatal termination from this action alone. (5) It has no action on the central nervous system; and there is therefore no paralysis ever observed. Such then, as far as 1 know it, is the physiological action of the venom of the Daboia Russellii. As regards the Bungarus, or Krait family, I have had little or no experience. From a few experiments recently made with the poison of Bungarus fasciatus, it would appear that in large doses this venom has the property of causing intravascular clotting, while in smaller doses it causes paralytic symptoms similar to, but more prolonged than, those resultiag from Cobra venom. Beyond this I cannot go for want of material. With the poison of the Echis carinata I have, from lack of venom, made no experiments whatever. The Treatment of Cases of Snake-bzte. In conclusion, I have a few words to say as regards the treatment of cases of snake-bite. When we consider the terribly dramatic, even tragic, circumstances attending these cases, it is not to be wondered at that the treatment of cases of snake-bite has been surrounded by all kinds of quackery and roguery, especially in a country like India, where the people’s emotional reflexes are easily stimulated to belief. Who has not heard of the method, still in vogue, of ap- plying the cloacz of fowls to the bite? One after the other the fowls mysteriously die almost as soon as the application is made, until there is arrived a tims when the poison has all been “ sucked out” : 230 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, and the fowls no longer die. Who has not heard of the magic stone, of the virtue of ném leaves, both when locally applied and when internally administered, of spells and incantations? What remedy has not been tried and vaunted as a specific for these cases 2 Strych- nine, alcohol, pushed to cause helpless drunkenness, &c., have all at various times been praised and put forward as absolutely infallible. All these methods and drugs, and many others besides, have had, however, to give way before the test of scientific research. While, however, scientists have so ruthlessly demolished ali these so-called specifics, they have given usa eae certain and trustworthy, for at least all cases of Cobra bite. I speak, ladies and gentlemen, of the anti-venomous serum prepared by Dr. Calmetie of Lille, which can be procured and easily used by any one. I have carefully guarded myself by sayiag that this serum is useful at least for all cases of Cobra. bite, for while Martin of Melbourne has shown that it has little or no power to neutralise the poisons of two poisonous Australian snakes, vz., Pseudechis and the dreaded Hoplocephalus, I have demon- strated in many experiments with different animals that it is of no avail whatever in counteracting the poisonous effects of Daboia venom. I have not yet tested it with the venom of the Krait family or with that of the Hchis, but from @ priori reasons it is almost certain that it would have no power whatever to neutralise either of these poisons.* But it is a great step in advance that we have at hand an antidote to the venom of the Cobra, certain and reliable if properly administered. If such is possible to obtain, then we have hopes, amounting almost to certainty, that anti-toxic sera will ultimately be obtained for the poisons of our other snakes, Such, then, is the position of the question at the present day as far as our Indian snakes are concerned, [Iam quite aware that Calmette claims that his serum is equally effective against every kind of snake venom. But Martin, Cunningham, Stephens, Hanna and myself have shown beyond a doubt that this statement. is an untrue one and must be considerably modified, As regards the reasons for this opinion, both & prior? and experimental, it is unnecessary for me to enter into any polemical discussion. I have already done that elsewhere. Novre.—Since writing this I have made some series of experiments with Calmette’s serum and the venom of Bungarus fasciatus. These experiments, which are im process of publication, definitely show that this serum has no neutralising action with this venom. My @ priori reasoning was, therefore, correct. SNAKE VENOMS, THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION, 231 What, then, is this serum, and how and in what doses is it to be administered ? You are, no doubt, aware that an animal reacts to the injection or some toxins or poisons, if the dose is not a fatal one, by manufacturing in its body an aunti-toxin, that is to say, a substance which is chemically antagonistic to the toxin, and which by combining with the toxin in some obscure way or other forms a substance which is no longer poisonous. This action is, as far as we know, quite specific, Thus the anti-toxin got by injecting an animal with a toxin called A will neutralise that toxin A and not toxin B, no matter how closely - allied these two toxins may be to one another. Further, there are only some poisons to which animals react in this way. Among these may be inentioned the poisons manufactured by the diptheria and tetanus bacilli, the vegetable poison abrin and the venom of the Cobra and possibly of other snakes. The method, then, of preparing an anti-toxin is to inject an animal with asmall non-fatal dose of the toxin to which an antidote is desired. Some small amount of anti-toxin is then prepared by the animal, This enables the animal to stand a larger dose of toxin the next time. In this way, by gradually increasing the dose of the poison at each injection, and by allowing a sufficient interval of time between each injection for the formation of more anti-toxin, the animal becomes immunised, that is to say, becomes able to stand enormous doses of the toxin, each of which dcses would represent . many times a single fatal dose for an untreated animal. To get an animal up to this state of immunity requires a leng time, six months to a year and in some cases even longer. Calmette takes 18 months to two vears to immunise his horses. No one knows how and where the antidote is manufactured, But what is important is, that this antidote is present in considerable quantity in the circulating blood. All that has to be done then is to tap the animal and collect the blood. The blood is allowed to clot, and the clear fluid or serum which exudes from the clot contains the anti-toxin desired. Horses being large animals and yielding a large quantity of blood at one time without damage to themselves are, asa rule, the beasts employed for this purpose. You will, perhaps, be astonished when I tell you that a horse can be bled to the extent of a gallon or more without doing it the slightest injury. 232 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. If you have followed me inthis rather technical explanation, you will now understand that anti-venomous serum is the serum of a horse which has been immunised with snake venom, that is, a horse which has been treated over a length of time with gradually increasing doses of venom. The serum thus got is put up into small bottles containing 10 cubic centimetres * each. What, then, is the method of administration of this antidote, and in what doses should it be given ? In the first place, it is necessary for you to understand—and, if you have followed me so far, you will understand—that to be of any good whatever the anti-venomous serum must come into actual contact with the venom. Now after a man is bitten by a snake the poison is rapidly absorbed from the side of the bite and circulates freely in the blood. Our aim, therefore, is to get the serum as quickly as possible into the blood stream, if possible befcre the poison has done any damage to the central nervous system, in other words, before any symptoms have appeared. This, of course, can be easily done by injecting the serum directly into a vein, such asa vein at the bend of the elbow. If competent medical assistance is at hand, I should certainly advise all cases of Cobra bite being treated in this way. Less serum is required, and the results would be more satisfactory. But, unfortunately, in these cases such assistance is not usually available. We have then to fall back on injecting the serum under the skin and allowing it to be absorbed into the blood from there, a process which Martin has shown occu- pies a considerable time. The best site for injection is, I think, the loose tissues of the flank. A large quantity of serum can be injected there, if the needle is plunged deeply enough, without giving the patient the slightest inconvenience. If time permit, the syringe should be boiled before being used; but if symptoms have already developed, this preliminary boiling may be dispensed with. As to the dose to be injected, Calmette contends on very slender, in fact on empirical grounds, that from 10 to 20 cubic centimetres, that is, from one to two bottles, is sufficient for any case of Cobra bite. In my opinion—and I speak from a jarge experimental experience with this poison, as well as from some most interesting observations which I * A cubic centimetre is about 16 to 18 drops, SNAKE VENOMS, THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION, 233 was privileged to make recently on an actual case of Cobra bite at the laboratory at Pare—this dose would in many cases fail to save the life of the patient. A short account of this case might perhaps interest vou. An officer of the laboratory, while assisting in extracting the poison from a full-sized Cobra, put his fingers where he had no business to, that is, in the neighbourhood of the snake’s mouth. In a moment the animal had buried one of its fangs in the point of the right thumb. The thumb was at once withdrawn, but not before the total amount of poison in the gland had been injected. The symptoms, both objective and subjective, &c., which followed, were carefully noted as they occurred. Locally there was much pain at the site of the injection. Swelling of the parts soon began and gradually became well marked. A bloody serum oozed out from the puncture and continued to do so for 24 hours. Fortunately for the experiment no fresh serum was available, and we had to inject two bottles of a serum which had been the property of this Society and which was atleast four years old. Just the week previous to the accident I had tested this serum with Cobra venom on rats and had found that it had little or no neutralising power. The patient then went on with his work. About three hours after the bite he began to get lethargic and lazy, did not wish to work and preferred to lie down. This was soon followed by sickness and violent vomiting. Then he noticed that his legs were weak, he was unable to move about and had perforce to adopt the prone position. It appeared then that the serum had had little or no effect and that the case was hopeless. Just at this time, however, some fresh serum arrived. Ten cubic centimetres were at once injected and the symptoms watched. In about half an hour the paresis of the legs showed signs of improve- ment, A short time later our patient was able to walk away and drive to the club. Locally, the pain and swelling continued for some time. A small slough formed. This, on separating, left a deep hole which gradually healed up. A depressed scar is now the only sign of the accident remaining. It is, of course, apparent to you that the dose of antidote necessary in the case of any cobra bite must depend on two un- known quantities, vz.:(1) on the amount of venom injected by the snake, and (2) on the smallest quantity of venom which can 234 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, kill a man, It is also apparent that we must, however, always calculate on the assumptions that the snake has been a full- sized one and that it has injected the maximum quantity which can be squeezed out from the gland, and, further, that man is as susceptible, weight for weight, as the most susceptible animal with which we are experimentally acquainted. Granted these as- sumptions, there is no doubt that from 30 to 40 cubic centimetres would be necessary in some cases of snake-bite in order even to save the life of the patient. It is, of course, evident that in many cases, such as, when the snake has been a small one, when it has already exhausted its poison, when it has not got properly home with its bite, &e., a much smaller quantity would suffice. I should, however, recom- mend you to inject right off in all cases of Cobra bite three bottles of serum and to watch the result. Ifno symptoms appear, nothing further need be done. Should symptoms come on after this injection, another injection of the same amount should be given. The above doses apply only in those cases in which marked nervous symptoms have not developed before the patient comes under treatment. Should paralysis have begun, then intravenous injection should be made of at least 30 cubie centimetres and, if neces- sary, repeated, Thesymptoms show us that the venom has already joined on to the nerve centres, and to affect it now, “ mass” action must be resorted to. The poison must be separated from its connection with the nerve centres by means of an overwhelming amount of antitoxin. If the antidote is used in this way and in these quantities, I am convinced that, if a patient is not absolutely moribund when he comes under treatment, every case of Cobra bite should be saved. ~ Now a word, in conclusion, as regards the local treatment ot these cases. Nothing should be done, with the exception, perhaps, of ap- plying a tight ligature above the bite. This delays the absorption of the poison and gives the serum time to be absorbed into the blood and to neutralise the poison circulating there. Cutting open the wound, sucking, cauterising with the actual cantery or with strong acids and such like heroic measures are of little avail. They may destroy a small quantity of the poison with which they come in contact, but in animal experiments it has been definitely shown that they do not or only slightly delay the march of the symptoms. SNAKE VENOMS, THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. 235 In the cases where recovery has resulted after the use of these measures alone, the explanation undoubtedly is, either that a fatal dose has not been injected or that the snake has been a non-poison- ous one or, perhaps, a lizard. The injection of chloride of lime, permanganate of potash or chloride of gold at the site of the bite has been, I know, recommend- ed by Calmette. Martin, however, has shown that this also has no effect in delaying the symptoms if a ligature has not also been applied. When a ligature has been applied along with such an injection, it is the ligature and not the injection which has been beneficial. As regards the treatment of Daboia intoxication I know of no specific. These cases have to be treated on general principles— stimulants of a diffusible nature to tide over the stage of cardiac depression might be given. Beyond this I can suggest nothing which would be at all likely to influence these cases for the better. I have told you that the whole problem of the physiological action of the venoms of the Kraits and of the Echis has still to be worked out, and that antidotes have still to be got for the poisons of the Daboia, the Kraits and the Echis. Should any of you be in the position to procure living specimens of these snakes, especially Kraits, I earnestly beg of you to send them to me. There is no limit to the number I can receive, and I am willing to pay any expenses which may be incurred. If you help me in this, I promise you that I shall do my part of the work to the very best of my strength and ability. 236 ON NEW AND LITTLE-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES, MOSTLY FROM THE ORIENTAL REGION. By LIONEL DE Nicevit HE .Sey) O.Mezess, Cs (With Plate FF.) (Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on 19th Nov., 1901.) Family NYMPHALIDA. Subfamily DanaIna. 1, Hupia@a (Crastia) KINBERGI, Wallengren. Plate F.F., fig. 19. E. kinbergi, Wallengren, Wien, Ent. Monatsch., vol. iv, p. 35, n. 8 (1860) ; idem, id., Kongl. Svensk, Fregat. Eugenies Resa, Zool. p, 352, nu. 4 (1861) Insecta ; Crastia kinbergi, Butler, Journ, Linn. Soc. Lond,, Zoology, vol. xiv, p. 297, n. 6 (1878) ; Yronga kinbergi, Moore, Proc, Zool. Soc. Lond., 1883, p. 269,n.12; EHuplea lorquinii, Felder, Reisi Novara, Lep., vol. ii, p. 340, n. 472 (1865) ; Euplea felderi, Butler, Proc, Zool. Soc., Lond., 1866, p. 275, n. 20; idem, id,, Journ. Linn, Soc. Lond., Zoology, vol. xiv, p. 300, n. 18 (1878) ; Euplea (Crastia) frauenfeldi, Walker (nec, Felder), Trans. Ent, Soc. Lond., 1895, p. 447, n. 11; Crastia frauenfeldii, Moore (nec Felder), Lep. Ind,, vol..i, p. 87, pl. xxvii, figs. 1, 1a, male (1890). Hasirat : Southern China (Hongkong Kowloon, Macao). Through the kindness of Professor Chr. Aurivillius of Stockholm I have received the very beautiful coloured drawing of the type specimen of L. kinbergi, Wallengren, here reproduced. It was originally described from “ China, December” an extremely vague locality, China being so vast a country. Professor Aurivillius writes to me, however, that the unique specimen, a female, which Wallengren described “ was taken during the cruise of H. M.S. ‘ Eugenie,’ ang must, therefore, be from the neighbourhood of Hongkong, the only place in China, which, as far as I know, was visited by the ‘ Eugenie * frigate.” Wallengren failed to give the sex of his type specimen which, however, is a female. Professor Aurivillius further writes : ‘““E. kinbergi is probably the female of a common and well-known species,” a very just remark, as LE. knberg? is the commonest Euplea in Hongkong, flying all the year round. It is extremely variable, some are strongly glossed with blue on the upperside of the forewing, others, like the specimen Dr. F. Moore has figured in Lep. Ind., lack this gloss almost entirely ; the maculation also is very inconstant, as it is in so large a number of species in the genus, but it would be tedious to recapitulate these numerous variations. L.de NICEVILLE - Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc Vol. XIV. Plate FF GCChakrabutty del. West;Newman chromo. ORIENTAL BUTTERFLIES. __ON NEW AND LITTLE-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES. 237 Its name occurs but rarely in the literature of butterflies, Dr. A. G. Butler records it correctly from China as a Crastia, Dr. F. Moore in 1883 gives it from China, but places it imeorrectly in his genus Tronga, and Herr H. Fruhstorfer incorrectly records it from Hast Java, As regards its synonyms, Dr. Felder re-described it as E. lorquinti from Southern China, and Dr. A. G. Butler as EF. felderi from Hongkong and Sumatra, the type specimen being apparently from Sumatra. The association of these two habitats is unfortunate, no species of Huplea occurring both in China and Sumatra as far as Iam aware. If the “type” of H, felder: is a Sumatran insect, the synonymy should read “ E, felderi, part.” Dr. Butler has noted that E. felderi “is the E. lorquinii of Felder”. Mr. James J. Walker in his Preliminary List of the Butterflies of Hongkong records it as Huplea (Crastia) frauenfeldit, var. a lorquini, Felder, and says that the larva feeds on Strophanthus divergens. Lastly, Dr. Moore has described and figured it from “a single male, in the collection of the British Museum, which was taken at Trincomalee on the north-east side of the island.” I am very incredulous that this specimen ever came from Ceylon*; moreover the true L. frau- enfeldii is a Nicobareese species, and a synonym of it is the L. espert of Felder, as Felder has himself admitted. 2. Hupia@a (Chirosa) ERA, n. Sp. Plate FF, fig. 2 @. Hasitat: Santa Cruz, one of the Solomon Isles. ExPansE: @, 2°9 and 3:1 inches. Description: Matz. Near to Luplea [ Chirosa] netschert Snellen, Tijd. voor Ent., vol. xxxii, p. 384, pl. VIII, fig. 3, male (1889), from New Guinea (Snellen), in my collection from Humboldt Bay and Andai, in the north-west of that island, and from Stefansort, in Ger- man New Guinea, from which it differs on the UPPERSIDE of both wings, having the ground-colour darker, and the margins paler, much less rufous, and narrower. Forewing has the sexual brand straight instead of curved. Andwing has the dark-ground colour’ very much more extensive, occupying two-thirds of the area instead of about one-third. UNDERSIDE both wings with the same differences as on the upperside ; the markings the same as in FZ, netscheri, they consist of a small bluish-white spot in the discoidal cells, the forewing with two smal] spots beyond the oo divided a the ee median nervure, and a 238 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV: larger elongated one in the first median interspace ; hindwing with five small spots arranged in a curved band beyond the cell, one in each interspace. Described from two specimens kindly given to me by Mr. Henley Grose-Smith. Subfamily Saryrinz. 3. CALLEREBIA NIRMALA, Moore. Plate FF, Fig. 3¢. Erebia nirmala, Moore, Proc. Zool. Soc, Lond., 1865, p. 501, n. 91 ; Callere- bia nirmala, id,, Lep. Ind., vol. ii, p. 100, pl. xvi, figures 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e (1893). Hasirat : Drosh, Chitral, Western Himalayas. ExpansE: ¢, 2°0 inches. Dxscription: Matz. The specimen figured is an aberration or “sport” of the common C. xzrmala, Moore, which is found all over the Western Himalayas. It was sent to me by Mr. W. H. Evans, R.E., without date of capture. It differs from typical specimens of true C. nirmala taken at Drosh in July and August by having no ocelli on the UPPERSIDE whatever ; on the UNDERSIDE of the forewing the sub-apical ocellus is very small, less than half the normal size, and the héndwing has no ocelli. It isa far more aberrant form than the vars, intermedia and cashapa of Dr. Moore figured in Lep. Ind. It is apparently scarce, as the specimen figured is the only one Mr. Evans has obtained, whereas typical C. nirmala is very common in Chitral. Subfamily ELymninz. 4, Huymyias (Dyctis) MELA, un. sp. Plate FF, figs. 48,59. Haprrat: Ké Islands. EXpansE: @, 3'1 to 34; 9, 3°4 to 3°6 inches. Description : Maus, Upprrsipg, both wings deep indigo-blue more or less shaded with green. Jorewing with a sub-apical curved macular fascia commencing just behind the costa and ending on the anal angle, the fascia is widest anteriorly decreasing posteriorly, ante- riorly it is whitish mixed with green, posteriorly entirely green, in one specimen the submarginal oval black spots on the underside appear also on the upperside on the above-described fascia. Aindwing with a large outer discal patch, white shaded with green at the edges, outwardly bearing two, three or four round black spots. UNDERSIDE both wings fuscous, in old specimens this blackish colour fades to « dull ferruginous. Forewing with the sub-apical fascia as on the upper- ON NEW-AND LITTLE-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES. 239 side, but narrower aud entirely white, at-its outer edge or just beyond its edge there are sometimes as many as four oval black white-pupilled spots, which may be reduced to three, two, one or none. Hindwing with the outer discal patch of the upperside much narrower and entirely white, bearing as many as five round black white-pupilled ocelli, the posteriormost ocellus the largest and bi-pupilled, the ocelli decreasing in size towards the apex of the wing, the anteriormost ocellus sometimes wanting, the two anteriormost ocelli, often blind, the three posteriormost ocelli broadly surrounded with orange. Cilia throughout white, but marked with black at the ends of the veins. Antenne, thorax and abdomen black. Famate. Uppersipe, both wings of acurious shade of dull fuscous, outwardly darker, almost black. Forewing with a large discal white patch divided by the fuscous veins, inwardly powdered with dull fuscous scales, posteriorly tinged with bluish, the fascia is broadest anteriorly, rapidly decreasing in width posteriorly. Hindwing also with a large discal white patch, beyond which are four round black spots, the two anteriormost blind, the other two sometimes with a bluish pupil, the anteriormost spot, the smallest, the penultimate spot the largest, the two anteriormost spots placed on a bluish ground. UNperstpx, both wings dull fuscous, Forewing with the discal white patch as on the upperside but poste- riorly it is broader, at its outer edge are four round black spots, the two anteriormost pupilled with pale-blue, the others blind, the one in the upper discoidal interspace the largest, faintly appearing on the upperside. Hindwing with a large discal white patch, anteriorly sharply bounded by the second subcostal nervule, posteriorly ending in the middle of the submedian interspace ; with five ocelli at the outer edge of the patch asin the male, but the ocelli are all larger and all pupilled. C7lia asin the male. Antenne and thoras fuscous. Abdomen chrome-yellow. Mr. Hewitson in Proe. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1858, p. 465 and plate LV, described a male and three females (which latter he called varieties of an Hlymnias which he named Melanitis melane, giving the habitat as New Guinea. He remarked :—-“ Greatly as the four examples of the plate differ from each other, I cannot separate them, except in colour : their chief variation seems to consist in the differing distance of the eye-like spots from the outer margin. This may be noticed in the genus Drusilla [Tenaris], in which the beautiful large eyes of the 240 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. posterior wing vary muchin their relative distance from the outer margin.” With regard to this last remark I may note that the two species (one each) of H/ymnzas which are found in the Ké and Aru Archipelagos respectively appear from the considerable series of both in my collection to be quite constant as regards the position of the ocelli on the hindwing. Dr, A. R, Wallace in Trans, Ent, Soc. Lond, 1269, p. 329 n. 29, in speaking of Elymnias melane, Hewitson, records that species from the Aru and Ké Islands only, and not from New Guinea, the habitat given by Mr. Hewitson. He noted :—“ Males. Mr. Hewitson’s fig. 1 represents a male from the Aru Islands; one from the Ké Islands [my /. mela] has the whitish band on the hindwings much broader, and the black spots without ocelli. Females. Mr. Hewitson’s fig. 2. represents one from [the] Ké Islands [this figure does not agree with my JZ. mela, as the figure has no white patch on the hindwing, the form figured probably occurring in the Aru Islands]; another from Aru is much darker, and has the white patch on the anterior wings reduced. Fig. 3 is from the Aru Islands. [1 have seen no female from the Aru Islands agreeing with this figure, which shows an almost entirely white insect on the upperside. Is Dr. Wallace correct in saying this very distinct form is found on the Aru Islands? ] Fig. 4 [also fig. 5] is from the Ké Islands. [This figure does not agree with my Ké Islands females ; the ground-colour of the forewing on the upperside is ferruginous instead of dull fuscous, and the white areas on both wings on both surfaces as shown in the figures are much more extensive ; it probably is found in New Guinea only. | It is difficult to determine whether the forms from these two isiands should be separated, There are some differences in neuration, but a close examination of all my specimens has shown that these are not constant in both sexes. It will, perhaps, be better therefore to leave them together till a more extensive series from both islands may enable us to determine if any constant differences exist.” I may note, in conclusion, that all writers (Ribhe, Standinger, Kiilin and myself) have hitherto followed Dr. Wallace in recording E. melane from the Ké Islands, but as the Hlymnias from thence agrees with none of Hewitson’s figures of &. melane, and is, moreover, within certain slight limitations constant, it appears to me that it is a distinct species, and I have here figured both sexes. ON NEW AND LITTLE-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES, 241 Since the above was written, Mr. H. Fruhstorfer in Stet. Ent, Zeit., vol. lx, pp. 839-342 (1899) has given a revision of the species of Elymnias of the agondas group. He gives “ FE, agondas melane, Hewitson and Wallace” from the Key Islands (p. 342), although Hewitson described it from New Guinea, and none of Hewitson’s fioures agree with any examples I have seen from the Ké Archi- pelago. He describes Z. agondas arvana, new subspecies, pp. 341, 342, from the Aru Islands. The female can at once be distinguished from that sex of EZ. mela from the Ké Isles both by having the abdomen yellow instead of black ; both sexes of species differ greatly in coloration and markings. ‘ 5. Exymnias (Dyctés) MELANE, Hewitson, Melanitis melane, Hewitson :(part), Proc. Zool. Soc, Lond,, 1858, p, 465, pl. lv, figs. 1, male; 2, female. Hasrrat. Aru Islands ? ; New Guinea (Hewitson). Mr. Hewitson’s figure of the male of this species is quite good and agrees with my specimens from the Aru Islands ; the figure of the female, however, is not correct, as it shows the ground-colour of the upperside ferru- ginous, whereas in my Aru Island specimens it is greenish-plumbeous, Hoewitson calls it ‘light rufous-brown.” Whether or no, true EF, melane as here restricted really occurs in New Guinea or not I am unable to say, as I have no specimen from New Guinea which agrees with Hoewitson’s figures. Dr. A. R. Wallace does not quote Hewit- son’s habitat for it, but says that H. melane is found in the Aru and Ké Islands only. The female figure quoted, he says, represents a Ké Island specimen, but it does not agree with my females from the Ké Islands. Mr. H. Fruhstorfer has named the Aru Islands form E. agondas aruana. 6. Exymnras (Dyctis) MELETUS, n. n. Melanitis melane, Hewitson (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond, 1858, p. 465, Py ly, fig. 3, female. Hasirat: New Guinea (Hewitson). I propose to re-name Mr. Hewitson’s figure quoted above. He thus describes it : “ Differs from the last [figure 2, typical EZ. melane, Hewitson, female] (which appears to be the most typical) as repre- sented in the plate. On the under side it differs from that figure in having the costal margin broadly brown, the eye-like black spots surrounded with orange, the spot nearest the anal angle marked with two dots of light blue.” 242 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. As the females of Elymnias are never dimorphic as far as I am aware, I think it more than probable that this form represents a dis- tinct species. Dr. Wallace says that it is found in the Aru Islands, but it differs widely from my females from thence. 7. Hxymntas (J/yctts) MELITIA, n. n. Melanitis melane, Hewitson (part), Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1858, p. 465, pl. lv figs. 4, 5, female. Hasitat : New Guinea (Hewitson). I also propose to rename Mr. Hewitson’s figures above quoted. He describes this form thus :—‘‘ Has (more than the other varieties) two indistinct black spots on the upperside of the anterior wing. On the under side there ave three such spots (two only, dotted with light- blue). On the under side of the posterior wing there is a fifth black spot.” Dr. A. R. Wallace says that this form is found in the Ké Islands, which, however, is not my experience. Like £. meletus, mihi, it probably occurs in New Guinea as Mr, Hewitson says it does. ATELLA ARIEL, 0. sp. Hasitat: Humboldt Bay, N-W. New Guinea. ExpansE: @, 2°0 inches. Description: Mats. Nearest to A. fraterna, Moore, from the Nicobar Isles. UPpERSIDE, forewing differs from that species in having no black markings on the disc and base below the median nervure, the black band on the outer margin broader. Hindwing differs in the discal and basal black markings in A. fraterna being absent in this species, the outer black border darker. UNDERSIDE both wings of a darker shade of fulvous, all the black markings more conspicuous, the discal macular fascia tinged with lilac instead of being pale tulvous. It is also near to A. arruana, Felder, from the Aru Isles, but is of a different shape, the wings being shorter, the ground-colour of the upperside paler, the black markings more numerous. Mr. Henley Grose Smith in Noy. Zool., vol. i, p. £48, n. 87 (1894) has recorded A. arruana from Humboldt Bay, Dutch New Guinea, collected by the late Mr. W. Daherty, from whom I received A. ariel, and it is probable that Mr. Grose Smith’s specimens are really the latter species. Herr Th. Kirsch in Mitth. Zool. Mus. Dresden, vol. ii, p. 124, n. 81 (1877), also records A. aleippe var. arruana from north-western New Guinea. From Tule Island, New Guinea, A. cervina, Butler, has also been described, but it is apparently quite distinct from A. arvel. ON NEW AND LITTLE-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES. 243 The following species of the alczppe group of the genus Atella have been described. I have arranged the species chronologically. (1.) Papilio alcippe, Cramer, Pap. Ex., vol. iv., p, 207, pl. ecclxxxix, figs. G., H., female (1782). Hasirat: Amboina (Cramer); Ceram ; Batchian ; Gilolo (Wallace) ; Ambonia ; Batjan ; Halmaheira (Pagenstecher) ; Great Ceram (£2bbe) ; Kaisir Wilhelmsland, German New Guinea (Hagen); Moluccas ; Halmaheira (/’ruhstorfer); Amboina; Ké Isles; Moluccas (Moore); Bhatjan ; Halmaheira (coll. de Nicéville). (2.) Afella arruana, Felder, Wien. Ent. Monatsch., vol. iv, p. 236, n, 84 (1860). Hasirat: Arru Isles (Felder); Aru Isles ; Mysol (Wallace); Aru Isles (Aibbe) ; New Guinea (Kirsch) ; Aru Isles (/ruhstorfer) Aru Isles (coll. de Necéville.) (3.) Atella celebensis, Wallace, Trans. Ent. Soc., Lond., 1859, pp. 343, 344, Hasirat : Macassar in Celebos( Wallace) ; Celebes (Hopfer) ; S. W. Celebes (Snellen) ; North and South Celebes (Fruhstorfer), I have not seen this species. (4.) Abella cervina, Butler, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1876, p. 767, pl. Ixxvii, fig. 5, female. Hasirat: Yule Island off New Guinea (Butler) ; Hattam, Kapaur, Dorey—all in New Guinea (Fruhstorfer). I have not seen this species, which is apparently nearest to A. arruana, Felder. (5.) Abella aleippe, var. pallidior, Staudinger, Iris, vol. ii, p. 48 (1889). Hasitat-; Palawan Isle in .the Philippines ; Sikhim ; Andaman, Isles ; Malacca ; Borneo ; Philippine Isles (Staudinger), Under this name I would place the A. alcippe of Semper, Schmett Philipp., p. 127, n. 149, pl. xx, figs. 8, male; 9, female (1888), p. 344, n. 149, (1892), from North-East Luzon, Ceniral Luzon, Cebu, Camiguin de Mindanao, East Mindanao, Mindoro—all in the Philippine Isles ; Sulu Isles (Semper); the A. alcippe of Distant, Rhop, Malay., p- 174, n. 2, (with a woodcut of a male (1882), from Sylhet; the _ Andaman Isles ; Burma ; Tavoy; Penang and Province Wellesley (Distant) the A. alcippe of de Nicéville, Butt. of Ind., Burmah and Ceylon, vol. ii, p. 31,m. 315 (1886), from Sikhim ; Sylhet; Mergui, 244. JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. Tavoy ; Malay Peninsula; Andaman Isles (de. Nicéville); the A. aleippoides and A. semperi of Moore, and the A. aleippe violetta of 1) ruhstorfer, mentioned below. fF ruhstorfer records A. pallidor [sic !] from Malacca, Sumatra, Java, Palawan in the Philippines, and Flores. It occurs in the hills of North-Hastern India, Assam, Burma, the Malay Peninsuia, in Kanara in South India, the Andaman Isles, Sumatra, Java, Rorneo, the Philippine Isles (I have it only from Bazalan Isle), and probably from Engano Isle from whence Mr, Doherty has recorded A. alcippe. In South India (Kanara) the larva of this. butterfly feeds on . 49, Polydictya Krisna was described (PI. A., fig. 4). Although accordiiag with the short descriptions of Burmeister and Stal, it is evidentlly not a true Polzdzctya ; the latter genus having much broader elytra arid wings (the latter also more lobate) and a differently shaped head, while the wings are much more densely reticulate. It is there- fore necesisary to erecta new genus, THAUMASTODICTYA. Vertice oculis circiter quadruplo latiore, basi leviter obtuse emarginato. Fronte aeque lata ac ionga, basi obtusa, levissime reflexe, processu dest ituta, marginibus lateralibus sat sinuatis, sursum subangu- stata, apicem: versus utrimque sublobata ; basi obtusangulato, apice ampliata et clypeo distincte latiore. Elytris apicem versus pauilo ampliatis, triplo longioribus quam mediatim latioribus, reticulatis Venis duabus clavi prosterius in unam conjunctis, hac vena pone apicem apertum clavi; honge continuata. lis reticulatis. Tibiis anticis hand dilatatis, femoribus longitudine fere aequalibus, Type T. KRISNA (Kirkaldy), + Polydictya Krisna, Kirk, 1902, J. Bomb. Nat, Hist. Soc., XLV, p. 49. Pl. A, fig. .4. 308 EXPLANATION OF PLATES. Plate A. Pyrops maculatus (Olivier), 1¢ head in profile. P. coccineus (Walker), 2% head in profile. Zanna dohrus (Stal), 3% head in profile. Thaumastodictya krisna (Kirk). ( = Polydictya krisna, Kirk, olim.) Flata ocellata (Fabr.). Thaumastomiris sanguinalis (Kirk). Berta lankana (Kirby). Hyalopeplus rama (Kirby). Isabel ravana (Kirby). Disphinctus formosus (Kirk). . Dysdercus cingulatus, var. olivaceus (Fabr.). D. cingulatus (Fabr.). Distantidea vedda (Kirk). Brachytes bicolor (Westw.). 3 ultimate instar of nymph. FHubertiella cardamomi (Kirk). Plate B. Dichoptera hampsonz. Distant—tegmen. Pibrocha egregia (Kirby) io Pundaluoya ernesta (Kirby) i os antenna Thaumastomiris sanguinalis (Kirk.), head. - elytron. es wing. y Berta lankana (Kirby), head. He elytron. 9 wing. Hyalopeplus rama (Kirby), head in prof gjg is elytron. i wing, Isabel ravana (Kirby), elytron. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. Plate C, Isabel ravana (Kirby). ~ antenna, Disphinctus formosus (Kirk), elytron. 99 wing, Distantidea vedda (Kirk), wing. Brachytes bicolor (Westw.), wing. Hubertiella cardamomi (Kirk), elytron. 3 wing. 309 310 NOTES ON THE HOG DEER IN BURMA. By Verermnary Captain Grorce H, Evans, A.V.D. (Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on 18th Feb., 1902.) (With 2 Plates.) CERVUS PORCINUS. Burmese names,—Dayat or DARAI. Hog deer are plentiful in many parts of Lower Burma, particularly so on the grassy plains and grass-covered islands in the delta; they are also met with in suitable localities in Upper Burma, and are numerous on the Pedaing Plain, Myitkyina District, where, I understand, many may be seen out grazing in the early mornings and evenings. They are confined to the plains, never, as far as I am aware, being found in the hills, or in heavy jungles, though they will frequent grass land in open jungle. They are often found in the belts of long grass, seen on the banks of some rivers, and many inhabit the stretches of grass and mangrove jungle near the sea. In my experience, wherever Thetkai grass (Imperata cylindrica) abounds, they show a preference for it, possibly because not being so dense as the Kaing (Saccharum spontaneum), it is cooler ; but where grounds are much disturbed, they take shelter in the heaviest elephant grass cover available. Though many deer of both sexes may live in a particular stretch of grass country, they never, as far as I know, collect in herds, but are generally found solitary, though at times two or three may be put up not far apart, or may even be seen grazing together. Asarule, they graze from about 5 p.m. till 7 a.m., though in secluded and undisturbed localities they may begin to feed earlier, and leave off later. I have never found them grazing far from cover, apparently preferring to keep to the small hidden glades or kwins, and the depressions or yds, sometimes met with between patches of long prass, The deer without doubt graze on the large kwins (plains) during the night, as their tracks may frequently be seen in such places in the early morning. Their food consists chiefly of grasses, such as Myet-za (Cynodon dactylon), the tender shoots cf the Kaing, which springs up soon after it is fired, Doung Sa-ba, Nat Sa-ba or wild rice (Oryza coartata) and others. I have frequently found them grazing on a leguminous plant, the Nyan Bin (Desmodium reptans) which grows (SMAILO aod snaae J) USIGIEIGED)ONnl Selah te “OPUS 'T haxt-07, OU Song Uda pat e PET AEE Cae he VW See ; ; < aig AIC [SA 00 S ASI YEN Ae Quo | “LeAELO (~ De ht hee ae Teele Ra ieee P ta) ae E " y NOTES ON THE HOG DEER IN BURMA. 311 luxuriantly in many places in Lower and Upper Burma, and to which brow-antlered deer are also partial. Burmans have informed me that hog deer will under cover of darkness enter cultivation if in the immediate vicinity of cover. These animals usually go to water just before or shortly after dark, When returning to camp late in the evening, several deer may be put up in the grass leading up to the water-supply. During the day they lie concealed under the grass, and do not, like the Thamin stags, leave it to wallow in the mud and slush of drying up pools. The hot weather (about the middle of March) is, perhaps, the best time of year to hunt them ; the greater portion of the heavy grass has by that time been burned, and the water-supply is limited. Hog deer naay occasionally be stalked, but, in order to obtain such sport, a know- ledge of all the likely places to find them is requisite ; these can then be visited during the early hours of the morning, and, with luck, one or two may be discovered grazing, in which case, with ordinary care, a successful stalk may be made, as they are not more difficult to approach than other deer. Shooting from elephants may also be tried, but as well-trained shikar elephants are distinctly rare over here, it cannot be recommended. I certainly have not had the good fortune to find one. A few years ago, a friend and I, being anxious to try this method, procured two elephants—ordinary timber-working animals ; the only thing to recommend them was that they stood fire fairly well, but were, nevertheless, nervous and easily scared. Having no howdahs, we were obliged to sit in ordinary Burmese elephant baskets which were most uncomfortable. The elephants afforded us plenty of excitement, and we obtained many shots; but owing to their everlasting antics and the fact that we used rifles, the bags were extremely small. We hoped in the following year to make better arrangements, but were not given the opportunity, as some one stole the elephants. Other means had to be devised for circumventing them. After consultation with the shzkaris, it was decided to construct a moderately high seai, or small platform, and to fix it into a bullock cart ; to lessen the effects of the terrible jolting, pillows (gunny bags filled with straw) were used. A steady pair of bullocks with a shzkari as driver rendered this con- trivance an admirable substitute for an elephant. Close, but not always easy, shots were obtained, and my experience is that a bolting hog deer is an uncommonly hard target to hit. The great objection to the use 312 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HiSTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X1V of the bullock cart is that bullocks are so dreadfully slow over rough ground. Some hog deer lie so close as to get up almost under an ele- . phant’s feet or just in front of the bullocks, If a stag happens to be bolting in the direction of low grass near by, it is advisable not to fire, for, not infrequently after rushing for some thirty or forty yards, he may pull up for a few seconds, in which case an easy shot is obtained. Stags may be decoyed to leave cover by imitating “calls,” at which some Burmans are very clever. This is usually done by placing a blade of grass between the thumbs, closing the hands, and blowing into them, Professional shtkaris, who go in for selling flesh to villagers, take every advantage of this method, and thus kill many deer. Another plan employed by the Burmans is as follows.—On a very dark night two or three men proceed to grounds frequented by deer. The leader carries a light on his head (the light is usually placed in a basket or pot with the front removed) ; this man also has bracelets, and at times anklets, to which small bells are attached. The confederates follow close behind, The tinkling of the bells no doubt attracts the attention of the deer who stands in astonishment at the glare of the light, and even advances towards it, and, when close enough, is cut down or speared, When Burmans were permitted to carry firearms, they shot the deer. During the hot season, and also towards the close of the rains, villagers often hunt hog deer with dogs, so called Pegu hounds, and at times have excellent sport, as the deer cannot sustain a high speed for any length of time. I have known the dogs to run three deer down by 8am. This form of sport is most exciting, but, unless one is in the “ipink ” of condition, owing to the heat the strain is too great on an Huropean. The name hog deer, no doubt, originated from their peculiar action when running which is certainly hog-like. When alarmed or dis- turbed they go off with a rush, galloping low, carrying the head well down, with the tail erect, and the constant bobbing of the tail is very - often the only visible portion of the beast as he rushes wildly through the long grass. The Burmans believe that there are two kinds of hog deer—one they call the Dayai-pyauk (spotted), the other, Dayai-nyo (brown); the latter is said to be smaller than the former, For my own part, I do not believe the statement to be correct ; and, in my opinion, the idea is founded on the fact that an occasional adult like many fawns is distinctly spotted, NOTES ON THE HOG DEER IN BURMA. 313 The rutting season is April and May. Tame stags sometimes show a tendency to be vicious during this period. In the natural state, how- ever, I do not think they can be very combative, for the simple reason that they do not collect in herds, and thus males have not to fight for the hinds ; and, further, if fights were of frequent occurrence, head with broken points would constantly be met with, whereas it is in my experience unusual to find an imperfect head. The hinds, I think, commence to breed during their second year. The period of gestation is from six to seven months ; the young ones are born in the long grass during October and November. There is usually one calf at a birth. I have never heard of twins. In the gardens here the hog deer sometimes drop their young as late as March and April. The majority of stags cast their antlers during the months of July and August, though some retain them as late as towards the close of September, and at the present time (20th October) there are three young stags in the gardens here still with their horns on (prongs), while all the old stags are showing from 2" to 4" of their new antlers in velvet. I have met with stags in velvet as late as the first week in March and one stag as late as the 3rd of May. Description.—Tnese deer are rather long in the body and low on the legs. The relative shortness of the fore limbs gives them a peculiar appearance, é.e., they are low in front, the croup is slightly arched, and the hind legs are carried well under the body. The stags have neither mane nor ruff. Hog deer gallop low, and, when running, the tail is invariably erected by a strong muscle, in many animals curling so much as to touch the back. While moving in the open, the head is not carried low, as is the case when moving through cover. Colour.—General colour darkish-brown, with a more or less decided yellowish or chestnut tinge, and a faint speckling or mottling through the coat. There isa certain similarity of the coat to that of the ordin- ary Indian mungoose. The under-parts and the legs from the shoulders and thighs down are much darker in colour than those of the upper parts of the body, and are especially marked in old stags. The colour of the hair on the under-surface of the tail, perineum, and inside thighs is white, as also is the hair lining the inside of ears and that of the chin. The colour of the hair covering the face and head is generally slightly paler than that of the body, while that surrounding 314 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X1V. the orbits is often lighter. The cause of the mottling will be evident on examination of hairs from various parts of the body. In some parts the hairs will be noticed to be white at the base, then paie brown, then white, the tips being very dark-brown. There is, of course, considerable difference to the extent to which the alternate pale and dark rings are developed—for example, in the very dark stags the pale rings are very narrow indeed. These deer show a remarkable tendency to develop spots through the coat. The young, like those of many other varieties of deer, are fre- quently menilled ; but in this country, at any rate, it is by no means rare to find one or more adult stags and hinds distinctly spotted. The spots are so evident, and disposed in such a manner, as to give the animal the appearance of a small Cheetal (Cervus axis). I have also met with animals marked with pale brown spots disposed in rows on either side of a faint dorsal stripe. The spots in the coat are not constant in the same animal. I have from time to time kept these deer as pets ; two stags were in my possession eight years—one, a very dark stag, only during one season showed distinct menilling, while the other stag during two or three seasons was almost as prettily spotted as a Cheetal. The spots appeared at the moult, and, as a rule, grew fainter and fainter till they almost or quite disappeared. The ears are moderate in size, the eyes full and bright, and the muzzle rather narrow. ‘The tail is long and covered with long hairs, some of the under white hair of the tuft being longer than the brown hair above. Heads.—In size and shape the horns vary. Normally there are six points, wz., those of the brow tines and terminal forks. The horns are very free of sports and snags, and are not rough or rugged. The antlers are mounted on bony pedicles varying from 1" to 2” in length. The basal or brow tine is given off immediately above the burr, and is directed upwards so as to form a more or less acute angle with the beam. The beam generally runs up, taking a slight outward curve about a third to half of the way up; there are, however, many heads in which a few inches above the burr the beam takes a fine outward curve, thus giving the heads a beautiful sweep. The upper tine is given off from the inner, and slightly towards the posterior surface of the horn, at about two-thirds the Iength of the beam with which it forms almost a right angle, and is directed usually Journ. Bombay Nat.Hist Soe. Vol XIV. Mintern Bros. Photo Limp . London . THE HOG-DEER. (Cervus porcinus) NOTES ON THE HOG DEER IN BURMA, 315 more inwards than backwards. In some heads this tine springs more from the posterior than the inner surface of the beam, and in such eases it is usually directed backwards. The front tine of the fork, which is the continuation of the beam, is always the longer. With regard to the size of heads, I should class antlers from 12" to 14" as good, anything between this and 20" as very good, and any measurement over, exceptionally so, I have been fortunate in bagging some fine specimens of this deer, the best head measuring 231 on the outside curve. The Burmans state that the stags develop prongs during their second year, when they are known as “ Gyo-soo,” 7.e., needle points, and that the full number of points are not acquired till they enter their fourth year, when they are described as “ Gyo-hnit-kwa” (referring to the terminal fork), The voice of the Dayai stag is a rather the hind is more plaintive. Height.—23" to 26". The following are measurements taken of four ordinary stags and one hind. Nos, 1 and 4 were spotted, and Nos. 2 and 3 without spots, and in better condition than No. 1 :— sharp, short bleat; that of 3 OG 3 2 1 2 3 4 9) Height at shoulder 241" 26" - yz = O54" O44 Girth behind shoulder... wee Old)! ada 324! 2820 ggxt Girth base of neck en LN aap OO lence manmnnies Length from muzzle to dock... 41” 421" 49" 48" 463" Length of tail ... eee en Ue 43" 6x" At Do. with tuft Ce Te ee Gn Ou nage Length of head Sus se seu eet gz" 102" Breadth between eyes... Say OL wines Be eine) Oo Horns ... 145" 112" Velvet. 6" Nil. I have to thank Mr. D. J. Morrison for the accompanying photo- graph of a typical pair of horns of the hog deer, and Mr. W. Stikeman for the picture of a dead specimen of this species. 316 THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. By Matcotm Borer. Win Piatns A., B. (reproduced by permission of the Entomological Society of London), (Continued from page 78 of this Vol.) LABIDURA, Leach. Body stout, flattened in front ; abdomen convex ; antenne with more than twenty segments. Elytra and wings well developed, the latter sometimes absent by aberration ; first tarsal segment equal to the other two, No lateral tubercles on the abdomen, Second tarsal segment simple. Forceps, @, with the branches remote at the base, simple, slightly arcuate, toothed on the inner margin in some species ; in the 2 simple, straight, conical, incurved at the tip. Labidura, Leach., 1815, Edinb, Enc., ix., 118. Dohrn, 1863, Stett, Ent. Zeit, xxiv., 309. Borm, 1900, Forf, 31. This genus may be known by its long antenne, well developed wings and elytra (only very rarely are the wings abortive). TABLE OF SPECIES, 1, Size middling or large, Colour red or reddish-brown, Forceps toothed on the-inner margin in the @; pronotum with hinder border straight, with the angles rounded. 2, Abdomen dilated near the apex ina straight line from the shoulders of the elytra to the bases of the LOUCCD Su reeececce Cessaccsseetsaeustansnorers ie AA balk 2:2. Abdomen strongly dilated at the apex, but not in a straight line from the shoulders of the elytra. The anal segment is always very considerably dilated .........s.cssere . 2. BENGALENSIS, Dohrn, 11. Size very small. Colour dull-fuscous. Forceps not toothed on inner mar- gininthe ¢. Pronotum regularly rounded entirely behind ............ 3. DUFOURITI, Desm. LABIDURA RIPARIA (UL). Reddish-testaceonus ; antenne paler. Pronotum with the margins pale, the posterior margin slightly rounded. Elytra reddish on the inner margin. Wings not very prominent, or not even projecting, pale. Feet pale. Abdo- men dark above and beneath, the sides somewhat paler, all the segments rugose, slightly hairy on the hinder margins. The pygidium is flat and depressed. Inthe ¢ the anal segment is slightly depressed in the centre Journ.Bombay Nat.Hist.Soe. Plate B. E.H.J.Schuster del. Mintern Bros. lith. London. CEYLON FORFICULARIA. THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. oly, above, with a small tubercle on each side at the insertion of the forceps, the hinder margin with two teeth, or rarely unarmed ; the branches of the forceps testaceous, darker towards the apex, remote at the base, slightly curved, upwards towards the apex, and inwards ; the whole inner margin is denticulate, and armed with a large tooth beyond the middle. Inthe ¢ the anal segment furnished with two tubercles, the posterior margin smooth, the branches of the forceps are not contiguous, curved gently inwards, unarmed, denticulated all along the inner margin. This species varies very considerably in size, colour, and armature of the forceps. ) 2 Length of body............ TS=1O smameeese sees eeold-19 mm, pea a LOBCCD Ste acciers = Ont eer cesecnestensereiO=0 Forficula riparia, Pallas., 1773., Reisen., II, Anhang 727. Labidura riparia, Dohrn, 1863, Stett, Zeit. XXIV., 313. Scudd., 1876, Ent. Notes, V., 63. Brunner, 1882, Prod., Our, Orth., 5, fig, 1, Borm, 1900, Forf, 33. forficula gigantea, 1 Fabr. 1793. Ent. Syst. IL, Fischer, 1853, Orth. Eur.,, 65., tab, L., fig. 1, la—f. The references to this species in literature are so numerous that I have only given the more important, Brunner and Scudder give the full synonymys. It is a species which varies to such an extent that it has been quoted under very many names, such as pallipes, dentata, bilineata, maxima, bidens, crenata morbida, bicolor, fischeri, herculeana, etc, and others. It is a cosmopolitan species, but probably Palearctic in origin. Mr. Green has given me a specimen from Ambegammoa, February, 1899, where it was found ina bungalow, Its natural haunts are the banks of rivers, and shingle by the sea-shore, Dohrn gives a synopsis of its varieties with their synonymy, and de Bor- mans gives to subspecies, LABIDURA BENGALENSIS, Dohrn. Large, reddish, Head dark-red, the eyes black, and antenne paler. The pronotum square, with rounded angles, slightly narrower than the head, black, Elytra broad, well developed, black, with a bright chestnut stripe on each along the suture. Wings projecting well beyond the elytra, pale- testaceous, dark at the apices on the inner margin, Feet uniform testaceous, Abdomen dark-red, smooth, In the @ it is dilated considerably towards the apex; the anal segment is very large and smooth, armed with two indistinct tubercles at each side at the base of the branches of the forceps ; in the 2 the abdomen is cylindrical, not dilated, Beneath it is pubescent above bare in 9. In the @ the forceps are stout, the branches widely distant at the base, slightly diverging at first, then gradually converging inwards until they almost meet at the apices, armed with a tooth on the 16 318 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV inner margin near the base,and two or three blunt denticulations in the ipre-apical third ; the branches are reddish, but darker at the apex. In the Q the branches are stout, not contiguous, straight, reddish at the base, black at the apices where the points curve in and meet; they are armed with strong denticulations throughout their length. @ 9. 3 2 Long. corporis......... 22-26°5 mm, 19°5-22°5 mm. PLOT GL DUS eecenacec 9-°2°5 7 Labidura bengalensis, Dohrn, 863, Stett, Ent. Zeit., xxiv., 312. Borm, 1900, Forf. 33. Psalis bengalensis, Scudd, 1876, Ent. Notes, V., 67. Habitat—Bengal (Dohrn), Inthe Brussels Museum there are two males and one female labelled “Ceylon,” They seem to be larger and finer than specimens from Calcutta, LABIDURA LIVIDIPES, Duf. Small, dark castaneous, the whole body pubescent, Antenne with 17-21 segments. The pronotum is more or less elongate, the lateral margins pale, sometimes bluish, The elytra are long, the posterior margin truncated, fuscous. The wings are fuscous, prominent, sometimes thinly bordered with light-blue. Sternum pale ; feet shining, pale, the femora darker towards the apex. Inthe ¢ the anal segment is plain and unarmed, the branches of the forceps are not curved upwards, not very long, incurved to meet at the apices, with a small tooth on the inner margin, at the apical third, In the 9 the branches of the forceps are not contiguous, unarmed on the inner margin, 3 2 Length of body......... 8-9 mm.. ...8 mm, oh pi LOLGEDS-cn-ee DEBIT RO aeA Bre Forficula lividipes, Dufour, 1828, Ann, Sci. Nat, XIII, 340, Forficula dufourii, Desmarest, 1820, Faune franc,, Orth., Olle dla nated Parl. Scudd., 1876, Ent. Notes, V., 62. Forficula pallipes, Duf., Ann, gén. des sc. phys. de Bruxelles, VI., 416, tab. 96, fig, 7, a,b. Labidura pallipes, Dohrn, 1863, Stett. Ent. Zeit., XXIV., 317. Bol., 1878, Ort. de Esp., 22, tab. I., fig. 9, a, b. Labidura lividipes, Borm. 1900, Forf. 36, Forficesila meridionalis, Serv., 1839., Orth,, 26. Forficula (Labidura) meridionalis, Fisch,, 1853, Orth. Eur., 67, tab, 6, fig. 3a, Fieb., 1853, Syn., 72, Erganzungsbl. Lotos., V., 90. Forficesila vicina, Luc, 1846, Expl, de P Alg. Orth., p. 5, tab. I., fig. 2. Labidura dufouri, Brunner, 1882, Prod. Eur. Orth., p. 7. Borm., 1888, Ann, Mus, Civ. Gen. (2), vi, 434, id., 1894 op.cit, (2), xiv., 378, THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. 319 This is another cosmopolitan species, originating almost certainly from the Mediterranean Subregion, I have received numerous examples taken in Ceylon by Mr, Green, and it is common also in India and in Burmah, It occurs in fact in all tropical districts, where it has been spread by shipping. Punduloya, Chilaw, xi., 97, caught at light, ANISOLABIS, Fieb. Body long and slender, Colour black, shining, varied with testaceous or reddish, Antenne with about 20 segments, first and third tarsal segments of about equal length. Elytra entirely absent or represented by barely distin- guishable rudiments, Wings entirely absent. Lateral plications of the abdominal absent or very faint. Forcepsshort, stout, in the @, often strongly curved ir, semicircular, with right branch more strongly curved than the left, or conical, strongly arcuate, pointed, not toothed ; in the Q the branches are contiguous, simple, conical. Anisolabis, Fiebr., 1853, Lotos., ii1., 257. This genus may be recognised by its shining black or very dark brown colour, tctal absence of organs of flight and simple forceps. The feet are usually testaceous, sometimes varied with black bands ; the antennz often have white rings, but this is a very variable and unstable character, de Bormans retains Brachylabis, Dohrn, for B, punctata, Dubr,, and B. chiler:sis, Blanch. Dohrn’s names, Forcinella and Brachylabis, fall before the prior Anzsolabis, Fieber. TABLE OF SPECIES. 1. Mesonotum bearing rudiments of elytra. For- ceps contiguous at the base ......+++..0+ choc ls Ge au HE 1eiviery. 1:1, Mesonotum with no rudiments of elytra, 2, Forceps, @, strongly incurved, remote at base. ‘ize large, insects stout ......... sores) oy GOULD AG Zs pene 2-2, Forceps of @ gradually incurved or neatly straight. Size smaller, more slender and narrower insects. 3°3, Antennee and feet ringed ...cerseeceessseeeeres 3. ANNULIPES, Luc. 3°3, Antenne and feet unicolorous .......... .-- 4, BRUNNERI, Dohrn ANISOLABIS GREEN, Burr. Medium size. The body entirely very finely granulated, clothed with a few long pale hairs ; antenne with fifteen segments, the pronotum square, slight- ly narrower than the head, very slightly broader posteriorly than anteriorly ; the mesanotum bears on each side prominent rudiments of elytra, Anal segment attenuated, sulcate in the middle, furnished with a small tubercle on each side above, The head is black and shining, the palpi and mouth parts brick-red ; antennz with the first segment brick-red, the rest black, except the four apical segments which are pale. Thorax shining-black. Abdomen shining-black, reddish beneath, Feet brick-red, the tarsi testaceous ; the 320 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. femora banded with fuscous at the base and atthe apex. Forceps black. In the # the subgenital lamina is triangular, obtuse ; the branches of the forceps stout, contiguous, conical, unarmed, strongly decussating at the apex, the right branch curved more strongly than the left and above it. In the® the subgenital Jamina is obtuse and triangular ; the branches of the forceps straight, and stout, distant at the base with a small tooth on the inner mar- gin in the middle, attenuated towards the apex, incurved, and touching, or slightly decussating. Length of body, 11°5-13 mm ¢.,17 mm Q ; » of forceps 2mm, ¢,3'25 mm. &. Anisolabis greenz, Burr,, 1899, Ann, Mag. N. H. (7), IV, 257. This handsome species, which I was very pleased to dedicate to Mr, E, EH, Green, seems to be fairly common in Ceylon, especially at Punduloya, whence Mr. Green has sent me a good number of specimens at various times of the year ; it seems to be found chiefly under stones. ANISOLABIS KUDAGA, sp. ux. Statura magna. Colore nigro, rubrescente ; antenne fusce, basi atque apice rufo-annulate, 17-segmentate, Pronotum rectangulam, quam caput tam atque latum, postice paullo latius, Elytra nulla, Abdomen segment is minu- tissime punctulatis, tuberculis lateralibus minime impressis, vix vel haud dis- tinguendis. Pedes fortiores. Abdomen apicem versus paullo dilatatum apice ipso paullo attenuatum ; segmentum ultimum magnum, leve, medio impressum, quadratum. Forceps @ bracchiis basi valde distantibus, tri- quetris, fortibus, basi paullo dialatatis, valde incurvis, bracchio dextro quam sinistro fortius, superne sursum decussato. @. Q rectis subcontiguis, apice decussatis, margin interno denticulate ¢ 9. Long, corporis......... 15°75 mm, 15 mm. Nu LOLCIDIS gavcsene 3 3:5 Large ; colour shining-black, shading off into dark-red on the pronotum and abdomen, HEAD shining-black ; antennz with 17 segments ; the first and second red . 15 and 16 inclining to lighter-reddish ; the remaining segments black. Mouth parts brown, PRONOTUM square, slightly narrower anteriorly than posteriorly ; angles sharp, rectangular ; the sides slightly upturned, reddish ; about as broad as the head anteriorly ; posterior angles rounded ; there is a longitudinal impressed line which continues across the mesonotum. Mesonotum narrow with a median impressed line. Metanotum arched. FEET stout, clothed with a few bristles, dark-fuscous, the tibiz and tarsi paler, reddish. ABDOMEN broadest at the sixth and seventh segments, black, witha red tinge the lateral tubercles extremely faint, barely distinguishable ; the seg- ments are very finely punctulated, The last segment is not so broad and the o THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. 321 few immediately preceding smooth, with a median line, slightly broader than long, with a tubercular ridge at each side above the insertion of the forceps, Penultimate ventral segment completely covering the last, except at the angles, bluntly triangular, emarginate at the apex, The FORCEPS, @, are stout, the branches, slightly dilated on the inner margin at the base with a blunt tooth-like tubercle above at the base, strong- ly incurved almost immediately, the apices crossing ; the right branch is much more strongly curved than the left,and crosses above it, Seen from the sides the forceps are pointed somewhat strongly upwards, The Q resembles the @ in size and colour ;.the abdomen also dilated and then attenuated posteriorly ; the branches of the forceps are subcontiguous, stout, straight, curved upwards and decussating at the apex, the inner margins denticulated. In the Q I can distinguish no signs of the lateral abdominal tubercles. Habitat—Hatton, Ceylon, July, 1897 (0. O, W.) This species approaches to A. maritima and A, mauritanica is the somes what dilated abdomen and in the form of the male forceps. The absence of a bifid pygidium, and the more strongly curved forceps distinguish it from A. rufescens, Kirb., which seems to be closely allied. It is a noticeable species and not likely to be confused with others that occur in the island. The impressed line down the mesonotum gives it at first the appearance of possessing rudimentary elytra, but as the line is a continuation of the line on the pronotum, it can be seen that elytra are entirely wanting, ANISOLABIS ANNULIPES, Lue. Medinm sized, black shining. Head black ; antenne with basal segment reddish, the rest greyish-brown, except the two penultimate segments which are whitish, Pronotum as broad as the head, sometimes paler in colour, quadrate ; elytra entirely absent, Abdomen with sides more or less parallel, with no tubercles upon the sides of the second and third segments, Last dorsal segment larger than the others, slightly impressed in the middle. Feet testaceous, the femora banded with black, as are also the tibie, The depth and intensity of this banding varies very considerably, Branches of tbe forceps in the @ remote at the base, stout, strongly incurved, the right branch crossing above the left at the apex; in the 9 the branches are straight, conical, subcontiguous, Length of body ¢ 11mm......912-14 mm. e of forceps ¢ 2mm...... 9 3-3°5 mm. Forficesila annulipes, Luc, 1847, Ann, Soc, ent, Fr, (2) V. Bali 84, Anisolabis annulipes, Borm, 1900, Forf. 48, (q. v. for synonymy.) Habitat—This species is entirely cosmopolitan. From Ceylon I have received specimen from Mr, Green from Punduloya and from Hatton. It is difficult to distinguish the various small species of Anisolabis, espe- cially if only females and undeveloped specimens are to hand, A, annu- 322 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. lipes differs from A, brunnert in having the antenne ringed with white, and the feet with black; in A. brunnert they are uniform in colour, A similar species is 4, Stali, in which rudimentary elytra may be detected, ANISOLABIS BRUNNERI, Dohrn. Piceous, the head black; clypeus and labrum dark, the rest of the mouth parts and the antenne basal segments ferruginous, the rest of the antenns greyish-brown ; pectus and feet dirty-testaceous ; abdomen posteriorly very shortly attenuated. Length of body 12 mm, of forceps 2mm. Q. Forcinella brunneri, Dohrn., 1864, Stett, Ent. Zeit,, xxv., 291. Anisolabis brunnert, Borm, 1900, Forf, 48. I have received from Mr. Green from Punduloya some females which M. de Bormans has identified, with doubt, with this species, BRACHYLABIS, Dobrn. Body cylindrical, convex punctate, more or less pubescent. Antenne with from 9 to 15 segments, segment 2 smallest, 3 equal to the two follow- ing, all segments stout ; pronotum clongate, broader behind than before, broader than the head, Mesonotum strongly depressed on each side, forming thus an angled keel. Elytra and wings entirely absent. Femora elongated, especially the posterior pair, Abdomen with lateral tubercles very distinct. Forceps, @, with branches short, slender, equally incurved unarmed ; Q branches slender, straight, subcontiguous, decussating, Brachylabis, Dohrn, 1864, Stett, Ent. Zeit., xxv., 292. Borm., 1883, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., xxviii,, 64. This genus, as used by Dohrn, falls before the prior Anisolabis, but de Bormans retains it for B. chilensis, Blanch, which is the type B. punctata, Dubr., and B, bifoveolata, Bol. It differs from Anisolabis in the form of the forceps, abdomen, thorax and distinct lateral tubercles, B, punctata is found widely distributed in the Oriental Region and will probably turn up in Ceylon, BRACHYLABIS PHILETAS, sp. n. (Philetas, a historic dwarf). Parva, nigra, punctata, Antenne breves, 9-segmentate, 1 longo, fusco, 2 oblongo rufescenti, 3-6 nigris brevibus, rotundatis, 7-8 majoribus, rotundatis, albis, 9 breviori, rotundato, nigro. Mesonotum medio profunde transverse impresso, abdomen forccipeque typico ; pedes testacei, femoribus late nigro- vittatis, tibiis tarsisque testaceis, segmentum primum tarsorum duobus sequen- tibus unitis longius. ¢ Q. THONG, COUPONS cc -soseceossoees- OMIM aocnexe= as : pee SP LOLGM ON rocdesevatancetacercs! WOO b.weewastewe stall Size small ; colour black, the whole body punctulate, with a few stiff hairs. THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON, 323 ANTENN 4& with 9 segments, black ; No. 2 reddish, Nos. 7-8 white, the rest black segments 1 long, 2 shorter, the rest quite round,as broad as long, gradually; larger, the ointh a little smaller than the eighth, which is the largest. PRONOTUM broader than the head, elongate, trapezoidal, the sides raised ; mesonotum narrow, strongly impressed anteriorly, the posteriorly part being therefore slightly elevated, the sides are keeled and the anterior angle slightly broader than the pronotum; metanotum as broad as themesonotum, and expos- ing only a small part of the first abdominal segment, FEET long ; tibie and tarsi testaceous ; femora testaceous, witha strong broad black band ; first tarsal segment longer than the second and third together ; abdomen cylindrical, the lateral tubercles very distinct on the second and third segments ; last segment very small in both sexes. FORCEPS very short, slender ;in the ¢ the branches, are remote at the base, slightly incurved, meeting at the apex, unarmed; Q subcontiguous, almost straight, crossing at the apex. ¢@ Q. Habitat,—Punduloya, Ceylon, g and @ in coitu (E. E, Green), This little species is considerably smaller than B, punctatz, from which it may be distinguished by its deeply impressed metanotum, much shorter and rounder antennal segments ;it may be separated from B, bifoveolata, from Trichinopoly, by the presence of tubercles on the second as well as the third abdominal segments, by its smaller size, black banded femora, and shorter antenne, The 9-segmeniate antennze with very small round segments are characteristic, The extreme brevity of the antenne led me at first to consider them mutilated, but Mr, Green writes that when freshly taken the “penultimate and antepenultimate ” were white. FORCIPULA, Bol, Large insects, Abdomen with segments on each side tuberculate ox¢ spined ; branches of the forceps very long, little shorter than the body, slender, smooth or finely denticulate, nearly straight, the apices crossing in the Q, strongly incarved in the middle, then straight and parallel, then incurved at the apex, sometimes with a strong internal tooth in the male, Forcipula, Bol., 1897, Ann, Soc. Ent, Fr., p. 283, This genus which can be easily recognised by its form and the shape of the forceps, and especially by the tubercles or spines on its sides, included the large spiny earwigs previously referred to, Labédura, to which it is otherwise closely allied, FORCIPULA QUADRISPINOSA, Dohrn, Dark or castaneous ; abdominal segments (in the @) Nos, 2-5 with strong lateral spines ; forceps long, the branches distant at the base, gently curved, keeled above, flat beneath, denticulated on the inner margin, with a strong tooth in the middle, then attenuated, almost parallel, curved in at the apex, Head black or dark-brown; feet brown or yellowish, the ends of the 324 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. femora and the bases of the tibize darker, the tarsi and end of the tibiz clear-yellow. The general colour of the upper surface varies from brown- ish-black to reddish-brown. Length of the body 15-18 mm., of the forceps 9-12mm. @. Habitat—Kastern India; Tranquebar (Dohrn); Madras (Mus, Hope) ; Ceylon (Dohrn). I have never seen specimens of the fine earwig from Ceylon, It should be sought for under stones in damp places. Labidura quadrispinosa, Dohrn, 1863, Stett. Ent, Zeit., xxiv., 310. Scudd., 1876, Ent. Notes, V. Borm,, 1882., Ann, Mus, Civ. Gen, (2), vi., 434, id. op. cit., 1894, xiv., 377, Forcipula quadrispinosa, Bol,, 1897., Ann, Soc. Ent, Fr, 283, Borm. 1900, Forf. 30. LABIA, Leach, ize small. Body flattened, slender; antennze with 10-15 segments, the segments conical ; elytra well developed ; wings usually well developed. First and third tarsal segments equal, the second very small, simple. Second and third abdominal segments with lateral tubercles; forceps usually short, slender, the branches remote at the base in the male, arcuate, horizontal, simple in the female, straight and crossing.at the apex. Labia, Leach, 1815, Edinb, Enc., ix,, 118, This genus may be generally recognised by its small size. A universally distributed and closely allied genus is Spongophora, Serv., they may be separated as follows, Labia,—Antenne with 10-15 segments, which are short, distinctly conical, that is to say, considerably larger at the apex than at the base, The first tarsal segment is slightly longer than the third, or equal to it ; the second cylindrical and very short, Penultimate ventral segment @ rounded, Spongophora, Antenne with at least 15 segments, these, except the fourth, short and conical, nearly cylindrical ; first tarsal segment considerably longer than the third; the second cylindrical but slightly longer than in Labia. Penultimate ventral segment ¢ nearly rectangular (after de Bormans). LABIA MUCRONATA, Stal. Very small, General colour dark-brown, Head shining black, Antenne yellowish, darker towards the apex, with 14 segments. Pronotum quadrate, narrower than the head, black, the sides paler, the angles rounded, slightly broader posteriorly than anteriorly, Elytra long, dark-brown, with a broad testaceous stripe on the outer margin from the shoulder to the apex. Wings varying in length, but projecting beyond the elytra, testaceous, with = broad dark stripe on the suture. Femora black, testaceous at.the apex; tibix testaceous, black at the base; tarsi testaceous. Abdomen more or less dilated, shining black, or dark-brown ; the last segment considerably narrowed. In the G the pygidium is short, stout, triangular, obtuse, in the Q it isnot noticeable, THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. 325 The forceps of the @ have the branches very slender, yellow, straight, remote at the base, with a long sharp fine tooth or spine on the inner mar- gin at the base, pointing downwards ; the branches are gently curved in to meet at the apex. Inthe Qthe branches are contiguous, slender, straight | pale-yellow, slightly decussating at the apex, Length of body...........3°75 mm, 5 mm. Pu OG ORCC pSmessc.-6- eeaevalin mie Forficula mucronata, Stal., 1860, Eugenies Resa, 303. Labia mucronata, Dohrn, 1864, Stett. ent, Zeit., xxv., p. 423 Borm., 1888, Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen. (2), vi., 439, id., 1854, 1. c,, xiv., 386., id. 1900, Forf. 68. Habitat.—_Java (Stal). Philippines ; New Guinea (Dohrn) ; Burmah and Eastern India (Borm.), In Ceylon, Colombo, 1°97, from decaying pod of Poznciana, 1 9, and Matale, in decaying cocoa pods, and crevicesin the bark of cocoa trees, ¢ and Q (Green), This pretty little species may be recognised by the sharp downward tooth or spine at the base of the forceps of the male. The colour of the forceps varies from pale-yellow to black, It appears to be common in Ceylon, and is abundant throughout the Oriental Region. LABIA CURVICAUDA, Motsch, Head black or dark-brown; mouth parts paler; antenne brown, the tenth or eleventh segment whitish, Pronotum longer than broad, broader posteriorly than anteriorly, dark-brown, or by variety reddish in the anterior portion, Elytra and wings dark-brown, the latter not very prominent, Feet testaceous, the femora black at the base. Abdomen slightly dilated, dark reddish-brown, the last segment brighter, impressed in the middle, narrow, with a small tubercle above the insertion of the forceps on each side, Branches of the forceps @ remote at the base, where they are dilated, then strongly incurved and attenuated, meeting at the apex, forming a semicircle ; in the Q the branches are straight, contiguous, unarmed, the same colour as the abdomen, or reddish by variety. Weng thNor bodys weencs-ose.sck-<- 6 95°5 mm. sy) OE HOMEROS S5en5a000 0 paeeeaa 621mm. Forfiscelia curvicauda, Motsch, 1863, Bul. Soc, Imp. Nat. Moscou, xxvi., Part 2, No iii., p. 2, Tab. II, Fig. 1. (¢) Labia curvicauda, Dohrn., 1864, Stett. Ent, Zeit., xxv., 428. Borm., id., 1900, Forf. 70. Ann, Mus, Civ. Gen, (2), V1, 440; id., 1. c., xiv., 387. Habitat—Ceylon, Mts, Nura Ellia, (Motsch.), Numerous in Burmah (Borm.,) Western Java (coll. mea), Ceylon (Thwaites, in coll. Hope). I possess a male of this species from Java, which differs slightly in colour from the type. It may be known by the semi-circular forceps of the male which recall the forceps of certain Anisolabis, 7 326 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. LABIA PILICORNIS, Motsch, Reddish, antenne and mouth parts greyish-yellow, feet yellowish ; fourth segment of the antenne much smaller than the following segments, oblong ; pronotum longer than broad, hinder edge of last abdominal segment smooth ; forceps straight, short, unarmed, @. Length of body......... 4mm. OL LONCEDSreene. i mm, “Only a singlefemale from Motschulsky’s collection is known to me, It may be distinguished from L. minor L., by the following points: the pronotum is longer than broad, so that the hinder margin projects further over the basis of the elytral ; the elytra and wings are shorter, but that may be merely an individual variation, The fourth antennal segment is distinctly smaller than the fifth.’ (Dohrn). Forfiscelia pilicornis, Motsch,, 1893, Bull, Soc, Imp. Nat, Moscou., xxvi.; No, III, p. 2. Labia pilicornis, Dohrn,, 1864, Stett. Ent, Zeit,, xxv., 437. Borm. 1900, Forf, 72. Habitat in insule Ceylon montibus Nura Ellia dictis (Nietner), This species is totally unknown to me, so I have given Dohrn’s remarks word for word, CHELISOCHES, Scudd. Antenne with at least 15 segments; the first is broadly conical, the second round, the third cylindrical, the fourth and fifth short, oblong; the following segments gradually oblong and conical, Pronotum scarcely as broad as the head, with hinder angles rounded, Hlytra always, wings almost always, well developed, Abdomen with the sides parallel, the lateral tubercles well developed, The last segment is rectangular in the 6, narrowed in the Q. The penultimate ventral segment is large and covers the greater part of the last, rectangular, with rounded angles, Forceps flattened, the branches of ¢ remote at the base, more or less dilated, incurved, with varying teeth on the inner margin, Inthe Q the branches are subcontiguous, straight, crossing. Feet stout; the second tarsal segment short, with a long, pubescent lobe, produced beneath the third segment. Lobophora, Serv., 1839, Orth., 32, Dohrn, Chelisoches, Scudd., Borm. Kirb. Burr. This genus is characterised by its antenne and secoad tarsal segment. The two species known t> occur in Ceylon are not likely to be confused, being very different in appearance, CHELISOCHES MORIO, Fabr. Large, black, shining, glabrous. Head black ; antenne with at least 22 segments, black at the base; segments 15:16 white, the apical segments pale ; the first few segments are shart, then from the seventh they gradually lengthen, the apical segments being very long and slender, Pronotum slightly broader than the head, the hinder border rounded THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON, — 827 and the anterior border straight, Elytra long, smooth, shining biack sometimes with a bronze sheen, emarginate at the apex ; wings pro- minent, the same colour as the elytra, Feet black, the tarsi reddish or testaceous, pubescent. Abdomen cylindrical, finely granulated, the lateral tubercles very distinct. Anal segment large, smooth, the hinder margin straight, tuberculated and folded, impressed in the middle. Forceps, ¢ with the branches remote at the base, stout, of two forms, either long with a jagged dilatation at the base on the inner margin, attenuate, straight, gently incurved to meet at the apex, with a strong tooth on the inner margin nearer to the apex than to the base, or else short, stout, dilated, crenulated inside at the base, strongly incurved, unarmed, In the @ the branches are slender, unarmed, gently incurved to meet at the apex, where they sometimes decussate. In the ¢ a pygidium is sometimes visible, short and obtuse ; in the Q the pygidium is distinct, short, obtuse, truncate. 3 g Length of body......13°5-17 mm......... 17-22m, Pe OL LOLCCPSiesstS-haseasecacce=s- Weareas 8 Forficula morio, Fabr., 1775, Syst, Ent., 270, Burm,, 1839, Handb, II., 752, Lobophora morio, Dohrn, 1865, Stett. Ent. Zeit, xxvi,, 71. Lobophora rufitarsis, Serv., 1839, Orth., 33, For ficula (Psalidophora) rufitarsis, de Haan., 1842, Verh, Nat. Gesch, Ned Bezitt., Orth., 241, Lobopkora negronitens, Stal., 1858, Hug. Resa., 505. L, tartarea, L, cincticornis, Stal., Hence Chelisoches morio, Scudd,, 1876, Proc, Bost. Soc. N. H., xvui., 398, Borm. 1900, Forf, 85. Habitat.—Vhe Islands of the Pacific Ocean and also the neighbouring main- land, India, Mauritius, Pulo Penang, Java, Celebes, Luzon, Fiji, Tahiti, Owaihi, New Guinea, Roon, Batchian, Sumatra, Dorey. In Ceylon, Dohrn,, I have an immature specimen from Punduloya (Green), In the Hope Collection at Oxford there are numerous examples (Thwaites), and in the Brussels Museum there are many others, Dohrn, too, records it from Ceylon, Itis distributed throughout the Oriental, and part of the Australian Regions. The two forms appear to be equally common, and these numerous gradations between them, CHELISOCHES PULCHELLUS, Gerst. Of small size ; the general colour dark. The head is reddish, the eyes black ; the antenne have 13 segments (Gerstaecker), dark testaceous in colour, the first segment considerably paler. Pronotum straight in front, rounded behind, dark shining brown in colour, the sides paler. Elytra and wings perfectly developed; the former rich dark-brown in colour, with a bright testaceous oval spot at the shoulder ; wings prominent, bright testaceous with the suture and apices dark-brown, Abdomen rich shining brown ; the 328 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. last segment is iarge, with a lumpy tubercle above the base of the insertion of the branches of the forceps. Feet testaceous. Forceps in the @ dilated at the base and subcontiguous, then slender, gradually curved in, to meet at the apices; the dilated part is crenulated, In the Q the branches are straight and stout, subcontiguous throughout their length, flattened and unarmed. A small pygidium is visible in the 9 when the branches of the forceps are opened outwards, ¢Q. 3 2 Length of body......10mm,. 8-8:5mm. , Dr ~OAIR a ,, forceps......2'omm. 2-2°5mm, Chelisoches pulchella, Gerst, 1883, Beitr. Zur Kennt,, Orth., Fauna Guineas, p. 42 (p. 4, in reprint). Chelisoches pulchellus, Borm. 1900, Forf. 88, Habitat—Common at Abo in the Cameroons in December, and at Ogowe at Limbareni in May and June, in West Africa, In Ceylon, apparently fairly common at Punduloya, in February, and at Ambegammoa (Green). This pretty species has hitherto only been known from West Africa, where Buchholz discovered it insome numbers. Mr, Green has sent me several examples taken in bungalows, and one from an empty gall on Antédesma, Its occurrence at two such widely separated localities is very interesting, and may be compared with Diplatys macrocephala (Beauv), which is found in West Africa and again in Burmah, or with Anisolabis leta, which occurs at Zanzibar and also in Burmah, Further collecting may turn these species up in some connecting locality, or they may continue to be a problem in discontinuous distribution, Ch. pulchella may be recognised by its dark-brown colour, with four pale spots on the elytra and wings, and also by the form of the forceps of the male, which resemble the forceps in shape of the common Kuropean Forji- cula auricularia. CARCINOPHORA, Scudd. Shining black. Pronotum somewhat narrower than the head; antenne with 13 segments, Hlytra free, well developed, truncated posteriorly, wings absent ; abdomen stout, lateral tubercles very indistinct, barely visible, or entirely absent. Forceps simple, short, conical, slightly curved in at the apex. Carcinophora, Scudd., 1876, Proc, Bost. Soc, N. H., xviii., 291, Borm, 1900, Forf. 40, This species is practically an Anisolabis with free elytra, or Psalis, without wings, CARCINOPHORA DOHRENI, Kirb. Medium sized, bright shining black, the abdomen more or less reddish The head a little broader than the pronotum, shining black, the eyes paler ; the antenne have at least 13 segments, probably more, (Dubrony suggests THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. 329 18) ; the first three segments are pale, the rest black except the two penulti- mate segments which are pale. The pronotum is straight in front, rounded behind, shining black, except the sides which are somewhat paler, The scutellum is very smalland difficult to distinguish, The elytra are p2riectly developed, shining brown, with more or less strongly developed purple or blue metallic sheen, which is variable, and sometimes barely dis- tinguishable. They are longer than the pronotum, truncated at the apex. Wings absent. The feet are pale-testaceous, the femora strongly banded with black, The abdomen is very slightly dilated, black, or blackish-brown, occasionally even dark-red, bright-shining, clothed with a few bristles, the folds of the second and third segments are absent or very faintly developed. The abdomen is paler beneath ; the last segment is somewhat narrower than the others, square. The forceps have the branches stout, almost contiguous at the base, cultriform, finely denticulated on the inner margin, nearly straight, but curved in towards the tip, the right branch more strong- ly curved than the left. In the Q the branches are stout, contiguous, decussating at the apex, Length of body......g@ Q 10-12 mm, i, of forceps ¢ Q 2-2°5 mm, Nannopygia dohrni, Kirb., 1890, Linn, Soc. Journ, Zool., xxiii,, 508, Labidura femoralis, Dubr., 1879, Ann. Mus. Civ. Gen., xiv., 353, (nec Dohrn). Carcinophora ceeruleipennis, Borm., 1900, Forf, 40. Habitat—Ceylon (Kirb., Brit, Mus.); Galle, Ceylon (Dubr.); Ceylon (Thwaites, in Mus, Hope, ex coll., Westw.) ; Kandy (Simon, in coll., Bolivar). C. castetsi, Bol., from Southern India is not very different in appearance ; the branches of the forceps are more slender and strongly curved, and the body is more dilated, This species does not appear to be rare in Ceylon, but I have received no specimens from Mr, Green, In the Hope Collection at Oxford there are nine specimens, from Westwood’s Collection, captured by Thwaites. Thanks to the kindness of Senor Bolivar, I have been able to examine two females in his collection, determined by M. de Bormans as Carcinophora ceruleipennis (Borm.), APTERYGIDA, Wesiw. Medium sized insects, or small, Antennz with 10-14 segments ; pronotum narrower than the head. Elytra well developed; wings well developed or abortive. Abdomen with lateral tubercles developed. Penultimate ventral segment with semi-circular border, almost (@) or entirely (Q) covering the salt. Forceps @ with branches remote at the base, slender, incurved to meet at the apex, with varying teeth on the inner margin. In the @ con- tiguous, slender, more or less flattened. Apterygida, Westw. 1839, Introd., Mod, Class. Ins., 1, 42, Borm, 1900, Forf, 109, 330 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. Forficula, Dohrn, Sphingolabis, de Bormans, auctt. Chelidura (partim), Brunner. This genus can only be distinguished by the shape of the ¢ forceps from Forficula, the typical genus of the group. In Forficula the forceps have the branches strongly flattened and dilated at the base, and then slender and converging. I have given my reasons* for retaining Westwood’s names. 1. Size small, Elytra dark-coloured. For- ceps short (simple in @). (Wings ABOLUIVE) Pe ceeedesser leectseoeceseqandecenennsel open iulezae TED S MeEs: 1:1, Size medium, Elytra golden-yellow. Forceps long ...secsessecseeeeesee neseewanres 2. Wings developed. Forceps Q with no tooth. Lateral folds well devel- oped ...... LOA AH OO FSG R SHER O IC OLLODENO Seen e LE Ariel Aen iaios 2:2, Wings abortive, Forceps 2 with a blunt tooth near the apex, lateral folds faint .......cccce-sereeeestasceeeeeeede CINGALENSIS, Dohrn, APTERYGIDA ARACHIDIS (Yers.), Dark-brown or castaneous, hairless, Antenne with 12-13 segments. Pronotum squared, with the lateral margins paler, and the posterior margin straight, Elytra free, black or reddish, the hinder margins truncate, Wings abortive. Feet testaceous, Femora sometimes with a blackish band near the base. Abdomen glabrous, each segment with a very short pubescence at the hinder margin, segments 5to 8 in the @ and sometimes also the forceps, slightly punctulated, In the @ the anal segment is subquadrate, impressed inthe middle, with no tubercles ; the forceps have the branches remote at the base, short, sleader, cylindrical, gently incurved with a very small tooth on the inner margin at the base itself, and another in the apical third. In the @ the anal segment is the same as in the male ; the branches of the forceps are short, curved in towards the apex, 3 g Length of body...ss... 8 mm, " of forceps ...2-2°5 1°75 Forficula arachidis, Yersin, 1860,, Ann, Soc, Ent, Fr., IL, 8, VIII., p. 509, Tab, 10, fig, 33-35. Forfiscelia nigripennis, Motsch., 1863, Bull, Soc. Imp. Nat, Moscou., XXXVI, No. 3, p. 1. Forficula nigripennis, Dohrn., 1865, Stett. Ent. Zeit., xxvi,, p. 89, Scuad., 1876, Proc. Bost, Soc. N. H , xviii., 315. Ent, Notes, V., 55 (1876). Forficula wallacci, Dohrn., 1865, 1, c. p., 88. * Ann, Mag. N. H, (7), vol. iv., 255, 1899, THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON, 331 Scudd., 1876, 1,¢., 318, Ent. Notes, V., 58. Sphingolabis wallace’, Borm,, 1888, Ann, Mus. Civ, Gen. (2), vi, p. 448. Forficula (Apterygida) gravidula, Gerst., 1869, Arch., f, Nat., xxxv., i,, 221. 1873, Glied-Fauna, Sans., 50, pl. 3, fig. 9. Spingolabis gravidula, Borm., 1894, Ann, Mus, Civ. Gen, (2), xiv., 407. Forficula arachidis, Scudd., 1876, P. ¢., 311., Ent. Notes., V., 51. Chelidura arachidis, Brunner, 1582, Prod. Eur., Orth.,, 21. Sphingolabis arachidis, Borm., 1893, Biol, Cent, Amer,, Orth,, 12. 1394, Ann, Mus, Civ. Gen, (2), xiv., 406. Apterygida arachidis, Burr., 1897, Brit, Orth,, 17, pie L, fig. 8, Walker, 1897, Ent. Mo. Mag. (2), viii., 132. Borm, 1900, Forf. 117. Apterygida gravidula, Borm., 1900, Forf. 117. Huabitat,—Ceylon (Thwaites, in coll. Hope). Montibus Nura Ellia (Motsch,) ; New Guinea (Dohrn), Marseilles in pea-nuts (Yersin), Queenboro’, in Kent, among old bones (Walker Burr.,), Mombasa (Gerst.), Burmah, Phillipines, Aru Islands, North Australia, Madagascar, Java, Sumatra, New South Wales, Mexico, Porto Rico, Cuba (Borm.), This species is entirely cosmopolitan, and occurs in all ports almost throughout the world. In temperate climates it appears only to be able to live under conditions of artificial heat, and so is probably of tropical origin. It seems to be extremely numerous everywhere, The synonymy has been established by de Bormans. In his later work (1900) de Bormans separates A, arachidis and A. gravidula. APEERY GILDA BIPARLTIA (Kirby), Slender, elongate. Head shining, red; eyes black; antenne darkish- testaceous, with 12 segments, Pronotum slightly narrower than the head, and of the same colour, sometimes varied with testaceous, EHlytra long, golden-yellow, with a darker band on the suture and outer border, Wings projecting well beyond the elytra, and of the same colour. Feet pale, testaceous, Abdomen of a rich dark-red, shining, all the segments, and toa less extent, the forceps also, finely and densely punctulated ; the glandular folds of the second and third segments are very distinct and black, The anal segment is narrow, impressed in the middle, the angles sharp, The forceps in the @ are dimorphic; the branches are slender, wide apart and straight with a flattened triangular dilatation in the form of a tooth at the base on the inner margin; after that they are simple and unarmed; in one form they are short, and straight, very slightly incurved at the apex, where they scarcely meet ; in the other form they are much longer, and the apices meet, and are more or less strongly curved upwards. In the Q the branches are stouter, contiguous, straight, conical, and unarmed, } 2 Length of body.........9°75-10°75 mm, ...8°75-9 mm. » Of forceps......3-6...rccsearesceseeseer a 20 ’ 332 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Sphingolabis bipartita, Kirb., 1890, Linn. Soc, Journ. Zool., xxiii., p. 526. Habitat,—North India (Kirby) ; Ceylon, Punduloya, caught ina bungalow, x, 97, @ (type form), and @ attracted by light. The same, iv., viii, ix., 97, attracted by light. ‘Second form of @ less commonly, vill. 97. 9 9 at Punduloya, vy. and vi., 97 (dark variety). This very pretty species seems to be fairly common in the neighbourhood of Punduloya. Of the two forms of the male, the type form, with long forceps, appears to be the commonest, The forceps of the second form, with the basal dilatation, approach more nearly to the typical Forficula, and represented an intermediate stage between such forceps as those of F, escherichi, Kr,, and the typical A. bipartitz, Kirb. That the form of the forceps of the male is the only means of separating Forficula and Apterygida is extremely unfortunate, and upon seeing only the second form of the male of this species, it would be purely a matter of opinion in which genus to range it, The forceps of the type form recalls certain Neotropical species of the genus, In the type form, the anal abdominal segment is less completely punc- tulated, aud brightez in colour than in the second form, To a male of the type form Mr, Green has attached the following note— “ Glandular folds strongly developed; the insect when handled gave off a pungent odour, like that of the Bombardier Beetle.” APTERYGIDA CINGALENSIS (Dohrn). Golden-yellow, the abdomen less brilliantly coloured ; the.prothorax and elytra posteriorly dilated, with the sides not deflexed; forceps almost straight, the branches remote at tke base, with an obsolete tooth on the inner margin beyond the middle. Q. Long, 83., lat, 23., fore, long. 34 mill, In Berlin Museum Q and Ceylon (Nietner). Head arched, without impressed lines, shining; the antenne are 15-seg- mentate, yellow, Hinder margin of the head in the middle slightly emarginate. Pronotum anteriorly narrower as broad as the lead, poste- rviorly broadened, the sides not turned, transparent horn colour ; hinder border round, shining, smooth, Elytra scarcely longer than the prothorax, slightly broadened posteriorly, the hinder border rounded, smooth and shining like the head and prothorax, Abdomen posteriorly slightly narrowed, the tubercles of the second and third segments very small, the last dorsal segment fairly large, with a central line, the penultimate ventral segment entirely covering the ultimate. Branches of the forceps slightly caniculate (getrennt), at the base nearly straight, incurved at the apex, with a blunt tooth on the inside beyond the middle, Abdomen and forceps reddish-brown, pubescent. Sternum yellow; feet, like the head, fairly long, the femora and tibie slightly, the tarsi strongly pubescent ; the first and third tarsal segment of the same length, the second very short, barely lobed, THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON. 333 Forficula cingalensis, Dohrn., 1865,Stett. Ent, Zeit.,xxvi., 89, Borm., 1900, Forf, 128. This species is totally unknown to me, and so I give Dohrn’s description in detail, Dohrn includes it in his section of Forfcula, which corresponds to Apterygida, but until the male is discovered it is impossible to locate its position with accuracy ; the most noticeable points in the description are the form of the forceps,(Q), the pronotum and elytra more or less dilated posteriorly, the absence of wings, and the small size of the:glandular folds, OPISTHOCOSMIA, Dohrn. Small or medium-sized insects; body convex, not greatly flattened, Antenne, with the exception of the first, which is long and conical, and the second, which is short, with long cylindrical segments. Pronotum consider- ably narrower than the head, quadrate, Elytra well developed, projecting well beyond the pronotum at the rounded shoulders, Wings usually well developed. Abdomen, more or less dilated in the middle, attenuated poste- riorly ; last abdominal segment small. In the & the forceps are long, slender, more or less complicated, twisted into various directions, armed variously with teeth ; in the @ the branches are slender, straight and subcontiguous, Legs long and slender ; first tarsal segment slightly longer than the third, the second short and lobed, Opisthocosmia, Dohrn,, 1865, Stett. Ent, Zeit., xxvi., 76, Dorm,, Kirb, This genus distinguished easily, by the long cylindrical antennal segments, the slender legs, the broad shoulders of the elytra, and by the slender forceps, which are of remarkable shapes in:the male, Table of Species, 1, More or less stout insects; forceps comparatively stout ; general colour dark-brown, varied with red......... 1, HUMERALIS, Kirb, 1:1, Smaller and slender insects ; forceps very slender ; colour testaceous...... 2, Wings perfectly developed....... p00 3. Abdomen unarmed. Forceps ¢ with one tooth (sometimes obsolete), and no basx! tubercle... 2, SIMPLEX, Borm, 3°3, Penultimate abdominal seg- ment toothed. Forceps ¢ with two teeth on each branch, and a basal tubercle above... 3, CEYLONICA, Motsch, 2:2. Wings abortive ...... peerecesenes 1 4, NEOLOBOPHOROIDES, n, OPISTHOCOSMIA HUMERALIS, Kirb, Glabrous, shining. Head red, the eyes greyish-black, antenne with 11 segments dark, except the first which is pale, Pronotum, elytra and wings fuscous, with the lateral margins of the pronotum, an oval spot on the elytra 18 334 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, and a large round basal spot on wings, yellow; feet and forceps testaceous ; abdomen castaneous. Forceps of the ¢ with the branches stout, remote at the base, gently arched outwards for the first third of their length, dilated on the inside, rounded ; then more slender, depressed, curved in an oval for - the second third of their length, with a sharp tooth on the inner margin, . the tooth being triangular and horizontal; beyond this the points are sharp and decussate. The basal third is horizontal, the remainder slightly pointing ~ upwards, Length of body.......0. sss. ooo Sal sania, » Of forceps ......... .-----.. d MM, Opisthocosmia humeralis, Kirb., 1890, Linn, Soc, Journ, Zool., XXIII, 523 (9). Borm., 1894, Ann, Mus, Civ, Geu, (2), XIV, 400, (@). id., 1900, Forf. 95, Habitat—Ceylon. (Kirb., Mus. Hope); Palon in Pegu, Burmah (Borm,) Easily recognisable by its form and colour. OPISTHOCOSMIA SIMPLEX, Borm. Darkish-chesnut, glabrous, shining. Head reddish or testaceous ; antennze 12-segmentate, brown, the 8,9 or 10 sometimes paler. Pronotum brown, as broad as the head, nearly semi-circular, anterior border straight, posterior border rounded, convex in the middle, the sides flat and transparent, Elytra reddish-brown, smooth, considerably broader than the pronotum at the shoulders, which are well rounded, narrowed towards the apex, and truncated there. Wings projecting well beyond the elytra, of the same colour, with a pale-testaceous spot at the base on the outer border (sometimes absent by variety),and at the apex,on the inner margin, at the suture, a very small yellow spot. Feet slender, clear brownish-yellow, Abdomen brown, smooth, oval, elongated, and dilated in the middle, last dorsal segment trapezoidal, twice as broad at the base as at the apex, smooth, slanting down- wards, the sides always smooth in the 9, sometimes finely denticulated in the @. Pygidium not visible, Branches of the forceps in the @ clear brown, rounded, nearly contiguous at the base, then curved upwards, com- pressed and touching in the basal third, then horizontal and faintly diverging towards the points, which are incurved and cross; outside they are faintly bisinuate, very finely denticulate on the inner margin, with a horizontal internal tooth near the apex (almost cbsolete in some specimens); in the ¢ the branches are shorter, unarmed, nearly straight, and subcontiguous attenuated at the apex, where they cross. Length cf body........11-115 mm., ¢ Q. , of forceps g 55 mm., 2 45. Opisthocosmia simplex, Borm., 1894, Ann, Mus, Civ, Gen. (2), xiv, 396, id. 1900, Forf. 98. Habitat—Burmah (Borm,) ; Ceylon, one mutilated female (Thwaites, in coll, Hope), THE EARWIGS OF CEYLON, 335 T include this species on the list on the strength of a female in very bad condition in the Hope Collection. I refer ii to this species, which is other- wise unknown tome. It may be a variety of O, du«, Borm., also from Burmah. OPISTHOCOSMIA CEYLONICA (Motsch.) Small, slender, brown. Antenne 12-segmentate, brown. Pronotum nare- rower than the head, hinder border rounded, anterior border straight, the sides strongly turned, shining brown. Elytra twice as long as the pronotum, uniform brown, truncate at the apex. Wings projecting well beyond the elytra, brown, with a faint yellow spot on the outer side at the basis and at the apex at the suture. Abdomen darker-brown, the glaniular folds very prominent, black. Inthe @ the antepenultimate segment is armed on each side with a short tooth, the:penultimate and ultimate segments are narrow- ed, the latter with a deep impression in the middle, the penultimate ventral segment semi-circular, covering only half the last segment. The forceps are long, with the branches contiguous at the base, parallel, then curved modcr- ately outwards, incurved to meet at the apex, flat beneath, above with a long narrow, crest-shaped lump near the base, in the middle with two teeth, the first. fairly long, the second shorter. In the 9 the abdomen is simple, narrowed posteriorly, unarmed, the penultimate ventral segment asin the male, the forceps with the branches slender, straight, contiguous, crossing at the apex. The sternum and feet are paler than the abdomen, the latter very long and slender, the first tarsal segment as long as the third, The whole body is shining, only the antenne, feet, underside of the body, and the forceps of the ¢ pubescent, ) g Length of body...........0.08 75 mm, 75-8 mm, 6 Of LOVCEPSiestsscesses 5 2°25-2°5, Labia ceylonica, Motsch, 1863, Bull. Soc, Imp, Nat. Moscou, xxxvi, part De No, 3, p. 4. Opisthocosmia ceylonica, Dohrn., 1865, Stett. Ent, Zeit, xxvi, 83, Borm, 1950. Forf. 96, Habitat.—Ceylon (Dohrn, Mus, Berol) ; Punduloya, 49 9 (Green), x,, 97 caught in bungalow, attracted to light, and iii,, 98, in bamboo, I only know the female of this species, and so have taken the description of the male from Dohrn, It may be recognised by its slender, graceful form, shining brown colour and well developed wings, as well as by the form of the forceps of the male and the abdominal tooth. OPISTHOCOSMIA NEOLOBOPHOROIDES, sp.n. Parva, glabra, fusca, nitida; caput suturis nullis; antenne fuscee, 12 Segmentate. Pronotum capite angustius, quadratum; elytris brevibus, apice truncatis ; alis nullis. Abdomen medio dilatatum, apice attenuatum tuberculis lateralibus perspisuis ; forceps @ bracchiis basi contiguis, paullo deplanatis, dehinc curvatis, primum extus, deinde intus orbem ovalem 336 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. formantibus, apice attingentibus, gracilibus, inermibus, margine interno minutissime crenulatis; @ vrectis, gracilibus, contiguis, inermibus, apic decussatis, g Q. rN 2 Long. corporis ......7°25mm, 8 mm. Pee LOLCIDIS Heenan: 4°35 3 HEAD shining brown, eyes black ; antenne with 12 long segments, Nos, 3 and 2 very slightly shorter than the others. PRONOTUM narrower than the head, square, the angles rounded, the sides slightly turned, brown, the sides paler, THE ELYTRA are short and square, brown, truncated at the apex. Wings absent, ABDOMEN slender, dilated in the middle, the glandular folds very distinct ; dark-brown, the folds still darker ; from the sixth segment strongly attenu- ated, the Jast dorsal segment narrower, more so at the apexthan at the base, with a faint median impression, the hinder border straight with a tubercle above the insertion of the forceps on each side, more strongly in the @ than in the ¥ FEET very slender and long, dark-testaceous, very faintly pubescent, the tarsi more strongly so ; the first tarsal segment is as long as the third ; the second short, very distinctly lobed, FORCEPS of the @ with the branches subcontiguous at the base itcelf, then slightly flattened and contiguous, then suddenly strongly arched out- wards, very slender, gradually incurved to meet at the apex; on the inner margin of this oval enclosed part there are a few faint crenulations, In the Q the branches are simyle, straight, unarmed, slender, contiguous ONES out their length, crossing at the apex. Habitat—Ceylon, Hatton, vii., 97 (O.8.W.) I received a male and a female of this species from Mr. Green, It is to be distinguished from 0. ceylonica by the form of the forceps of the @, by the much shorter and truncate elytra and absence of wings by the square pionotum absence of the abdominal tooth of the male, shorter and stouter legs, It approaches very nearly to Neolobophora tamul, but may be distin- guished by the free elytra ; the forceps are almost exactly the same shape, I cannot distinguish a clear scutellum between the elytra at the base, but the species may have to be removed, when better known, to Neolobophora. It appears to be allied to O, (?) dubia, Borm., from Burma, but differs in the colour of the head, femora and the form of the elytra, which are narrower at the base than at the apex, which are scarcely broader than the protio- tum at the shoulders, In O, dubia the elytra are considerably broader than the pronotum and have the sides parallel, From their shape, in this species, the sides are slightly diverging, 337 AIDS TO THE DIFFERENTIATION OF SNAKES, By Capt, F. WALL, 1.M.S. (ead before the Bombay Natural History Society on 18th February 1902.) The most important factor in popularising and thereby advancing a sub- ject lies in simplifying it, so that the veriest novice may grasp it with ease instead of suffering discouragement at the threshold of his enquiries, as is so often the case, I have frequently, in India, seen a man bring some natural history object to identify which has aroused his interest. He borrows a book, but though he knows the creature is probably described therein, he is at a loss to know where to begin hissearch. He discovers a key, however, and gaily sets to work. Sooner or later, he is frequently confronted with some unintelligible technicality, or what is worse, finds that he has to unravel some detail which perhaps oniy a careful and skilful dissection, or the pre- paration of a skeleton, will elucidate. At such a point his enquiries must, in many cases, come to a dead-lock, and it is not surprising that he throws down the book disgusted and has to resign himself to a further term of ignorance till, perhaps, some friend (not always forthcoming) can give him the inform- ation he requires and help him through the intricacies of identification, There are scores of men in India with a bent towards natural history in some branch or another, many of whom have abundant leisure and abundant opportunities for observation, and who would welcome a hobby that would relieve camp life of some of its solitude and monotony, and introduce an in- terest throughout many a wearisome journey in the district, Many of these men have made an attempt to acquire information, and have been baffled in their early endeavours owing to the unsatisfactory and complicated nature of some key, Many authors, while elaborating the descriptive parts of a work, frustrate the object of that work in great measure by bestowing far too little atten- tion to the compiling of the keys, which are really the essential part, since it is by these that identification is rendered feasible or otherwise, The book which can afford the surest and most lucid guides to identification is the book that will command the largest sale and produce the most far-reaching and useful results, and it is such a work that so many men feel the want of. If the keys are to be made of real utility, they should be simplified, firstly, by purging them of all technicalities, or, where this is impossible, explaining them by diagrams in ail cases, Secondly, by discarding reference to points which can only be elucidated by investigating anatomical peculiarities, substituting those observed in external characters alone, and always selecting those that can be most easily appreciated and put into practice. Such con- siderations as the plumage of the nestling in birds, the hypapophyses of vertebre in snakes, &c., &c., though of interest and utility to the comparative anatomist, can have little, if any, practicable value to the generality of know- ledge-seeking individuals, and the mere fact that such abstruse and occult differences are incorporated in the keys, leads one to infer that there is no 338 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X1V. better meaus of differentiation in such cases, and that could simpler methods be discovered from external characters alone, these would be welcome and employed in preference ; but one has only to know a little of natural history matters to realise that to discover such means is much more easily said than done, It is with this object in view that I have been persuaded in this paper to endeavour to simplify the means at our disposal of differentiating between snakes, hoping thai the results of my observations may be of use to those who, by reason of their access to large and fully representative collec- tions, have it in their power to compile works—a possibility forbidden to one in my position who only sees at most a limited number of species and genera. Many of the points I have made reference to may be found of doubtful utility in some genera, but the same may be said of all scales, and this should not detract from their value in others. Even such important scales in diagnosis, as labials for instance, have not an equal value in all genera. In Bungarus and Naia I have never yet seen one departure from the nor- mal, whereas in Chrysopelea and many Tropidonotus, &c., these are not infrequent, and in many Hydrophine these scales are particularly unreliable owing to their inconstancy, Similar instances may be cited with reference to almost every scale. I have adopted the nomenclature in usage in Boulenger’s work, “ Fauna of British India”—“ Reptilia and Batrachia.” THE DORSALS. These scales are perhaps the most useful of all guides in enabling us to differentiate between species and genera, but authors have not availed them- selves of their full value. It is usual for them to record the number of the rows in the middle of the body and at this point only, but observation has revealed to me that information as valuable is to be obtained by counting the rows in other situations as well, The rows which can be counted from the ventrals on one side over the back to the ventrals on the opposite side in far the majority of snakes total in the aggregate an odd number, In the neck these are more numerous than in the body, and these rapidly decrease, so that very shortly after the neck they dwindle to a definite and constant number in like species, though it may be very different in different species, This number once established is retained for a variable distance in the length of the snake, As far as my observations serve me, the number is preserved to a point at least well behind the middle of the body (not including the tail , which begins at the vent), after which the arrangement differs according to the species. In many cases the number peculiar to the species is preserved in the whole length of the body. On the other hand, in many other snakes the number peculiar to the species once established remains so to a somewhat variable point behind the middle of the body, after which, by the absorption of a row on each side, the number is diminished by two, which number remains constant to the vent, or in some cases a second or third absorption of rows may occur before the vent, These steps occur at intervals which are’ AIDS TO THE DIFFERENTIATION OF SNAKES, 339 quite as constant in like species as the number of rows in the middle of the body. (The method of absorption, though fairly constant, does not seem to me to be sufficiently so to merit special attention. In Zamenis mucosus and korros the second and third rows from the ventrals are the ones to fuse usually at each step, In many Simotes the fourth and fifth become blended, &c., &c.) About the region of the vent the numbers of rows dwindles rapidly and inconsistently. In order to avoid conflicting results, I count the rows in three situations :—(1) at a spot one head’s length behind the head ; (2) midbedy ; (3) one bead’s length in front of the vent, The value of the results derived from points (1) and (3) is quite equal to that at point (2), and, when the three are taken together, the value of the information acquired is augmented threefold, The number is the same in all three localities in some snakes, such as Bungarus, Callophis, Oligodon, Hydrophobus, Amblycephalus, Xenopeltis, &e., &e, In other snakes the number in site (1) is greater than at site (2) as in Nata. Again, in other snakes the number at site (3) is less than at site @): When this occurs, it is usually less by two only, as in Psammodynastes, Lycodon, &c. ; by three in one instance at least, viz., Zamenis mucosus, where the original odd number 17 falls to an even one 14 ; by four rows as in many Simotes, Psammophis condanarus, Chrysopelea, &c.,and by more than four in Tropidonotus plumbicolor, Naia tripudians, Vipera, and many Trimeresurus. In some snakes, again, the numbers are nowhere quite constant in the same specimen, not even in the middle of the body as in Coluber oxycephalus and many Trimeresurus,&c. It seems probable from my notes on many hundreds of specimens, that these peculiarities are of generic importance and, if So, such closely resembling genera as Oligodon and Simotes or Hydnonioure and Lyeodon can be separated with ease and certainty. THE SUPRACAUDALS, In speaking of the dorsals I pointed out that the rows of scales were gener- ‘ally in odd numbers, and also made an allusion to the rapid diminution of rows about the supraanal region. The rows at this site are very variable, but close to the base of the tail arrange themselves in even numbers. As the tail attenuates, these rows diminish by the absorption of two rows (one on each side) at certain steps, the even numbers being retained throughout, The absorption at each step is affected by a fusion of the two rows nearest the median line on each side (and is different in this respect from the supra- caudals of many lizards I have examined where rows nearer to the sub- caudals blend), There are exceptions to this rule, In all the many Bun- garus I have examined, the supracaudals arrange themselves in an odd series of rows to the tip of ie tail, and I have also found a similar peculiarity in the very few specimens of Calamaria 1 have seen, Another important character referable to the supracaudals lies in the fact that in nearly all snakes which have the vertebrals enlarged on the body, such as Dipsas, Dendrophis, &c., this peculiarity ceases in the supraanal 340 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, region, and the supracaudals behave as is the rule with other snakes, and which I have just mentioned, In Bungurus, however, the enlarged and hexagonal characters of the vertebral row are preserved in the median row of ihe supracaudals, subject to some modification in size at the various steps where blending occurs, K EELS, The carination of scales is so capricious in the same specimen, though fairly constant in like species, that it deserves far more mention than has been conceded to it. Such remarks as “keels present’’ or “absent’? have little weight unless these remarks are qualified. In some snakes they are present on every scale from the parietals to the tip of the tail (excepting perhaps a few in the forepart of the ultimate row), as in Ancistrodon himalayanus, Cerberus, Echis, &c.; in others they cease before the supra- caudals have dwindled to two rows as in Tropidonotus piscator and stolatus, and in others they cease before the fours are established as in Trimeresurus gramineus, &c, In others they disappear before the sixes as in Zamenis mucosus and korros, The numbers of rows that are keeled should be recorded in all the three sites where scales are counted (see above). Before deciding whether keels are present or absent, the supraanal region is the part to be specially examined, Often scales are keeled here where they are smooth elsewhere asin Dryophis, where the median rows are specially so distinguished, and in Hypsirhina plumbea and some Aspidura, where the lateral rows exhibit this character. In all cases where faint keels are present these are most apparent in the supraanal region. THE RosrRAt, Such expressions as “visible from above”’ are not precise, since all rostrals are more or less visible from above and the degree of visibility is subject to some variation, It is better to compare the portion visible from above with the scale or suture in the median line immediately behind it, Thus it is often twice as long as the suture between the internasals, as in many Simotes and Oligodon, often about equal to that suture, as in Xenopeliis, &c., and often half or less, as in Ancistrodon. The number of sutures it makes with adjacent scales should be mentioned. In a key such a remark as ‘‘ rostral in contact with four scales” is easily grasped and as easily investigated, These sutures may be four only, as in the majority of the Hydrophiine (except the genus Platurus), Xenopeltis and many Uropeltide ; five as in Typhlopide, Helicops, Gerardia, Fordonia, and Hipistes; six, as is the rule, such as in Zamenis and Dipsas, and rarely eight, as ia Simotes splendidus. Another point is the relative length of these sutures, When they are six, which is usually the case, the nasal is usually the largest as in many Bun- garus, Zamenis, &c, In some snakes this suture may be twice that of the internasals, or more, as in Dryophis, Ancistrodon himalayanus, and Vipera russellii, Sometimes the internasal and nasal sutures are sub-equal, and this AIDS TO THE DIFFERENTIATION OF SNAKES, 341 is usually so in the genus Simotes. In other cases the internassal suture is decidedly larger than the nasal, constituting a generic distinction in Naia, The first labial suture js usually the smallest ; however, in some Psammophis and Trop:donotus itis larger than the internasals, and in the genus Plaiurus is the largest of the six sutures, JNTERNASALS, It is more precise to compare the suture between the two fellows in the median line with the suture each forms with the prefrontal than to com- pare the length of these scales with their breadth, for, latcrally, they are reflected on to the face to a variable degree, and, again, as the snout narrows anteriorly, the breadth is not consistent throughout, In the same way the suture between the prefrontal fellows shouid be compared with the suture 2ach makes with the frontal. The variations in the sutures arising between these four scales are of some value in differentiation, Asa rule, the length of the suture between the two internasals is less than the suture each makes with the prefrontal, and the length of the suture between the prefrontals is greater than the suture each makes with the frontal, as is seen in many Callophis, Lycodon, Naia, &c, In Simotesand Amblycephalus, however, the suture between the inter- nasals is about half that made with the prefrontals; and the suture petween the prefrontals, half that made with the frontal, In Tropido- notus,asarule, the suture between the internasals is sub-equal to that made with the prefronta's, and the suture between the prefrontals sub-equal to that made with the frontal. One instance may be mentioned where these measurements will separate species, In Dryophis mycterizans the suture between the internasal is about twice that made with tke prefrontals, whereas in Dryophis prasinus these sutures are about equal, In both the suture between the prefrontals is about twice that made with the frontal, My notes in other cases seem to point to similar differences in some species, but one requires so many of a kind before laying down a rule that I hesitate before giving other examples, Again, with regard to the prefrontal, its relations on its anterior, external and posterior aspects are of such variability and importance in different genera and species that it is the most important scale on the head for diagnostic purposes. Anteriorly when internasal scales are present they are always in contact with the prefrontals, but when absent, this relationship may be sub- stituted by the rostral, as in Calamaria, or more commonly the nasals, as in the family Hydrophiine (except the genus Platurus), &c. Externally (1) the nasals meet the prefrontals in the vast majority of species, but there are exceptions; (a) In Naia tripudians and Hypsirhina enhydris a departure from the above is brought about by a meoting be- tween the przocular and internasals, and is a useful feature in separating these species from their allies. In other instances this peculiarity is incon- stant and valueless, as in Xylophis perroteti, Cerberus and Hypsirhina sieboldz, 19 342 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. &e. In Amblycephalus the same peculiarity is observed, and it appears to me a family characteristic since all the species I have had access to, elicit it. (b) In some of the genus Lycodon, notably aulicus, &c., and also in Trachischium the rule is again infringed by the meeting of the loreal with the internasals, and this is of particular importance in differ- entiating between species in the former, (2) The loreal—When a loreal exists, the prefrontal always comes into contact with it, but it is often absent, avd leads to a variety of other relations, (3) Labials—This is an unusual relationship, Jt may exist with the presence of a loreal as an inconsistent occurrence in some Dryophis. In some snakes where the loreal is absent, the prefrontals effect a contiguity with certain labials, though it is far commoner in these cases to find the preocular meeting the nasals, In Blythia, Calamaria, and Aspidura this feature appears to be of generic importance, and in Uropeltide and Ilyside a family peculiarity. (4) Preacular—When this scale is present, which is usually the case, it always forms a suture with the prefrontal, (5) The eye.—This relationship is most unusual, for, as a rule, the preocular by meeting the supra-ocular effectually frustrates such a contingency ; how- ever, sometimes the prefrontal is permitted to contribute to the circumfer- ence of the orbit, This occursin some Lycodon, Callophis bibronii, &c., where it serves to differentiate between species, and also in Blythia, Cylindrophis, Xylophis, Calamaria, and Aspidura, where it is equally valuable in charac- terising genera, and in Amblycephalus constitutes a family feature, Posteriorly, the supra-ocular nearly always meets the posterior part of the prefrontal, but exceptions occur in Coluber orycepholus, Lycodon aulicus, &c,, of special importance, and in the genus WDryophis where contact with the supra-ocular is denied by the meeting of the preocular with the frontal and also in Python and Zamenis diadema where a supernumerary row of small scales frustrates the normal arrangement, The frontal is nearly always one of the posterior relations of the pre- frontal, but exceptions occur in Python and Zamenis diadema where a supernumerary row of scales prevents such contact. The following examples will demonstrate some of the numerous variations in relationship this scale is subject to :— Calamaria.—Rostral, 1st and 2nd labials, prxoc., supraoc., frontal, Cylindrophis—Nasal, 2nd ard 3rd labials, eye, supraoc., frontal. Blythia —Internasal, 2nd and 3rd labials, eye, supraoc., frontal, Aydrophis,—Nasal, 2nd labial, preeoc,, supraoc,, frontal. Zamenis diadema,—tInternasal, nasal, two or three loreals, preoc., super- numerary prefrontals, Hypsirhina enhydris.—Internasal, loreal, prveoc., supraoc., frontal, Lycodon aulicus,—Internasal, loreal, preoc., frontal. Aspidura,—tInternasal, nasal, 2nd and 5rd labials, praoc., supraoc., frontal. AIDS TO THE DIFFERENTIATION QF SNAKES. 343 Coluber oxycephalus.—Internasal, nasal, loreal, preoc.,, frontal. Hydrophobus nympha.—tInternasal, nasal, two preoc., supraoc., frontal, Dendrophis —Internasal, nasal, loreal, preoc,, supraoc,, frontal, Callophis bibronit.—Internasal, nasal, 3rd labial, eye, supraoc., frontal. Naia tripudians.—Internasal, preoc., supraoc., frontal. Bungarus.—Internasal, nasal, preoc., supraoc., frontal. Amblycephalus.—Internasal, preoc,, eye, supraoc., frontal, THE FRONTAL, This scale exhibits many important differences, and its characters are so well preserved in species of a like genus that, from the shape alone, with a little practice, one may often make a shrewd guess at the genus a given speci- men hbelorgs to. ‘The number of scales with which it contracts a relationship is variable, and though this may generally be worked out from descriptions usually given in books, the due prominence this variability demands can only be attained by an expression of that number. Thus it is most usually six, as in Zamenis, Simotes, &c. It may be seven, as in Platurus colubrinus ; eight, asin Lycodon aulicus,normally), Coluber oxycephalus, Simotes splendidus, Zamenis arenarius, and Hipistes;and nine, as NXenopeltis and Zamenis diadema (normally), Certain measurements are useful guides in differentiation, Of these one most usually quoted, viz, that of its length compared with its distance to the end of the snout, I cousider of little value. I find this very variable ia like species of like size, and still more pronounced in young specimens com- pared with adults, and I have for this reason ceased to record it in my notes The measurements I think of value are as follows :—(a) The breadth of the scale compared with the total breadth of the crown between the eyes, and to obtain precise results, an imaginary line is drawn across the crown connecting the centr:s of both eyes. In Dryophis and Psammodynastes it is about one- quarter the width or less; in Naia about one-third; in Bungarus and Callophis, about a half or more ; in Simotes and Lycodon, about three-fifths ; and in Amblycephalus, Lytorhynchus, Xylophis, Cantoria, &c,, about two- thirds. (0) Its greatest length compared with that of the supra-ocular is useful in some cases, The three scales are usually sub-equal, but in many Lycodon, and in Platurus, the frontal is one-third longer, and in Cantoria, Xenopeltis, Xylophis, &c., it is twice the length of the supra-oculars. (c) The relative lengths of the sutures, especially when these are six, are of great importance. Asarule, the supra-oculars are the largest, as in Zamenis, Dipsas, &c, Sometimes they are even twice the suture made with the parietals, as in Dryophis, and some Psammophis, many Coluber, and many Tropidonotus. In Cantoria, Xylophis, &c., the supra-oculars are the smallest sutures. The parietals are usually the smallest sutures, as in Chrysopelea, and Dryophis, but they may be the largest as in Fordonia, and many Hydrophiine. Again, sometimes the prefrontals are the largest sutures, as in some Amblycephalus, sometimes the smallest sutures, as in many Distira, 344 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, Tue NASALS. The nasals are, I consider, of great value in differentiation, It is in their relations with labials particularly that they desire special importance. The number of labials which usually touch these scales is far most fre- quently two, viz., the first and second ; but in some cases the first labial is the only one to touch the nasals, and this is a peculiarity which all the Homo- lopside occurring in Indian limits, except Hypsirhina plumbea, share, In Tropidonotus piscator, it is an inconstant feature, Equally unusual is it for three labials to touch the nasals, but this peculiarity exists in Naia, Xenopeltis and Callophis. Tue NostTRIL. This has certainly escaped the due notice it deserves, In some snakes it occupies the whole depth of the suture between the nasal scales, as in many Coluber, Naia, Zamenis, &c, ; Whilst in others it only occupies a portion of the depth, leaving some of the suture unimplicated above or.below, or both above and below, as in Dipsas, Simotes, Hydrophobus. In some cases it is contained far more in the posterior scale, the anterior contributing but little to its circumference, as in Naia, Coluber, Polyodontophis collaris, &c., and, on the other hand the converse holds good in the case of Xenopeltis, Dipsas, &c, In Tropidonotus piscutor, it is crescentic (convexity forwards) and placed obliquely in the upper half of the anterior scale, so that the lower horn of the crescent infringes upon the posterior scale. The lower suture nearly always runs to the first labial, except in Hydrophiine, where the rule is for it when present to run to the second labial. Tort LOREAL, IT have already discussed the confusion with regard to this scale in a foot- note on page 94, B. N. H. 8. Journal, Vol, XIV, No, 1. PREOCULARS AND POSTOCULARS, Some confusion exists in what to consider preoculars and postoculars, and for the sake of consistency I prefer to regard any scales touching the frent of the eye, anterior to a Jabial which contributes to the orbit preoculars, and in the same way apply the term postoculars to all scales touching the eye be- hind, which are posierior to a labial which contributes to the orbit, TEMPORALS, The only temporals which can be said to be of any impcrtance are those in the anterior row, the arrangement of the postjacent rows being most in- constant. It is of some importance to notice how many and what labials touch these scales (or the inferior of these when more than one is present). Asarule, the number is two, but insome instances itis one only, as in Polyo- dontophis collaris, Dipsas cyanea, Cerberus, Fordonia, Platyplectrurus, &¢. Sometimes three labials come into contact, as in Vaia bungarus, (normally), Sallophis nigrescens and Callophis maculiceps, etc, AIDS TO THE DIFFERENTIATION OF SNAKES, 345 THE SUB-LINGUALS, It seems inconsistent that when all other scales worthy of a special name have received scientific titles, the “ chin shields” so called, should be exempt- ed, and I always refer to them in my notes as sub-linguals, The number of lower labials that touch the anterior pair is usually recorded, but not so those that touch the posterior pair, though these are as useful as the former, As a rule, two labials touch the posterior pair, but in some Tropidonotus, three come into contact ; in Bungarus ceruleus and many Callophis, only one; and in Pla'urus colubrinus and Latifasciatus, none at all, Lower Lasrats, There are one or two points touching the lower labials which have escaped notice. The suture between the first pair (when such is present) varies in length compared with the suture between the anterior sub-linguals, It is nearly always considerably less, varying from one-third to a half as a rule, but in many of the genus Dipsas it is unusually long, and usually fully equals that between the anterior sub-linguals, The relative size of some of these scales requires speeial mention. One in particular which is usually the largest of the series, and peculiar in having genuate posterior border, is im- portant. In Fordonia and Xenopeltis, &c, this is the third of the series ; in Bungarus and Cuallophis, &c., the fourth; in Psammophis condanarus, and some Dryophis, the fifth ; in many Zamenis, the sixth ; and in Cerberus, and many Tropidonotus, the seventh. Again, sometimes no lower labial exhibits this peculiarity, as in Python, and Amblycephalus. This scale I generally refer to as the “‘ genuate’” on account of its posterior border, THE Eye, Such terms as “small,” “moderate,” and “large” can at best only convey an uncertain meaning even to those well acquainted with the subject. I record two measurements which are much less indefinite—(1) The horizontal dia- meter which is compared with its distance towards the nostril, In many snakes this diameter about equals the distance to the nostril, as in Bungarus, &e, In some it falls far short. as in Coluber oxycephalus, &c., and in seme is even as little as a third the distance as in Xenopeltis, In some Dipsas, and -?PO™m mms * A me! is a Japanese weight and approximately one hundred and twenty me’ equal one avoirdupois pound, butit is subject to variation in different parts of the couniry. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 377 and administered by their Keepers, Alighting from our Palenkeens, they loosed one which was fourteen feet high, and the Black clawing his Pell with an Iron Engine, he stooped down for him to get up, and being upon his Back guided him as he listed. His Body is a Symmetrical Deformity (if I may so say); the Hanches and Quarters clapt together seem so many heaps; his Neck short, flapping ears like Scates, little Eyed, a broad face, From which drops his Proboscis or Trunk, thrusting it out, or shriveling it in, as he chuses ; through its hollow he sucks his liquor, and with two Fingers, as it were, reaches the Fodder, shaking off the Dirt against his Thigh, or Vermin, such as Mice, which he abhors, he brings it under to his Mouth, from whence proceed two huge Tusks of Ivory for defence, not Mastication, for which he is supplied within with others ; his Tail iscurt ; he shuffies on with a great Pace, moving all the Joints of his Legs, thovgh the Motion of his Hinderlegs imitate Human Progression, having a Patella or Knee-pan afore, not articulated behind, as other four-footed Beasts are, When he stands, his Legs appear so many Columns, scolloped at bottom, being flat-hoofed. They are of a Mouse- colour, With their Trunks they strike a violent Blow, and are taught to fling Iron Links, to the destruction of their Enemies. That they draw their weighty Cannon is certain ; but that they engage with smaller on their Backs I am no Hye-witness.” Evidently he had been told that they did, but did not believe it. From Machlipatam Fryer sailed to Madras, and gives us a description of the country round about, “ The Couniry is sandy, yet plentiful in Provisions ; in all Places Tops of Trees, among one of which, on the top of a withered stump sat perching a chamelion, clasping with its Claws its rotten Station, filling himself with his Aerial Food ;a Banquet which most other creatures else arise an hungred from. But to be confirmed in the Truth of what we have only by Tradition, I caused a Black, who had a bow there to fell him with an Earthen Pellet, which when he had, after a small time he revived, and making a Collar of Straw for his Neck, he carried him to my lodgings, where I dieted him a Month on the same proviand, That he changes his Colours at a constant time of the Day, is not to be contradicted, but whether he live by the Air alone, I will not stand to it, unless there werea Dearth of Flies in the country ; though for my Part I did not see him eat any. In Shape he cometh nearest a Newt; with his lungs his Body does agitate its self up to its Neck; he craw’s on all Four, and hasa Tail longer than its Body, which all together was no more than half a foot; he has Teeth, and those sharp, which makes me think him an Anti-beelubian.” What this long word means is left to his readers to guess. His Black does not seem to have been afraid of the chameleon, but in some parts of India the natives consider it dangerous—in what way I do not know, Journeying to Triblitore, four miles north of Madras, Fryer says: “In the Way hither are store of Antelopes, not to be taken, but by a Decoy made of green Boughs, wherein a man hides himself and walking with this Bush upon his back, gains near on them, while grazing or brouzing rather on Shrubs or Bushes, as to hit 378 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL GISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. one with an Arrow, when it may be run down with Dogs, the rest of the Herd shunning it. They are of a delicator shape and make than a Deer, the Horns not jagged, but turned as an Unicorn’s ; nor spread into branches, but straight, and long, and tapering, rooted on the Osfrontis, springing up on both sides.” In September Fryer left Madras, sailing round Ceylon and up the Malabar Coast, where in obscure weather he tells us they were warned by water snakes of their too near approach to the land, Anchoring off Phalapatam, a town north of Mangalore, he sails up a creek in a boat manned by Lascars whom he compares favourably with the English sailors, “who can hardly ever work without horrid Oaths and hideous Crushing and Imprecations ; and these Moormen, on the contrary, never set their hands to do any Labour, but they sing-a Psalm or Prayer and conciude at every joint application to it allah allah, invoking on the name of God.” Those who have rowed up the Bombay creeks in a Bunder-boat can appreciate this description, though the songs here sound somewhat Secular. “The River was full of Alligators or Crocodiles which lay basking in the Sun in the Mud on the River’s side, whom the Natives are fearless of ; conceiving the Brachminers have power to lay a spell upon them, that they dono harm, Which, whether true or false, ’tis certain they as seldom do Harm in the Water as the Tigres in the Woods, over whom they fancy their Priests have the same prevalency.”’ A year after leay- ing England, Fryer landed in Bombay and was received by the Honorable Gerald Aungier, Governor, both for the King and the Company, and President of allthe EastIndies, An interesting description of Bombay follows, from which it may be gathered that Colaba was then called Old Woman's Island, low and barren, of no other profit but to keep the Company’s antelopes, and other Beasts of Delight, A visit was paid to Bandora, then in possession of the Portuguese, whence Fryer and his party travelled all over the Island of Salsette or Cano- rein, Outside Bandora they used their fowling pieces all the way being presented with rich game, as peacocks, doves and pigeons, chitrels or spotted deer, and close to the ruined city of Canorein they passed through a wood peopled by apes, tigers, wild buffalos and jackals, also flocks of parocket. As the hot weather approached our author was led to moralise on the ingenu- ity of the Weaver Bird, “ In the meanwhile Nature affords usa pleasant Spectacle for the Season, as well as Matter for Admiration ; whereby I know not why we should deny Reason wholly to Animals; unless it be Man having so much, they seem comparatively to have none. For here isa Bird (having its Name from the Tree it chuses for its Sanctuary, the Toddy Tree) that is not only exquisitely curious in the artificial Composure of its Nest with Hay, but furnished with Devices and Stratagems to Secure it Self and young Ones from its deadly Enemy, the squirrel; as likewise from the injury of the Weather; which, being unable to oppose, it eludes with this Artifice, contriving the Nest like a Steeple-hive with winding meanders ; before which hangs a Penthouse for the rain to pass, tying it by so slender a Thread to the Bough of the Tree, that the Squirrel dare not venture MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. - 379 his Body, though his Mouth water at the Eggs and Prey within ; yet 1t is strong enough to bear the hanging habitation of the ingenious Contriver, free from all the Assaults of its Antagonists, and all the Accidents of Gusts and Storms; hundreds of these Pendulous Nests may be seen on these trees.’ After the full moon in August “our Europe Ships, if they save their Passage about the Cape, venture to make in here, by the directions of the Yellow Bellies of the formerly mentioned Water-snakes, who are a warning to them of adventuring too near the Shore, till the open Weather appear.” In the cold weather Fryer went to Surat. “ To this place,” he writes, “ belong two sets of Vermin, the Flease and the Banyans; the one, harbouring in the Sand, fasten upon you as you pass; where’tis some Pastime to see what Shift the Banyan makes ; being bit by them, le dare not kill them, for fear of unhous- ing a soul, according to their Notion of Transmigration ; but giving them a severe Pinch will put them to shift for themselves, in a Nest of Cotton-wool. The other Vermins are the Banyans themselves, that hang like Horse-leeches till they have sucked both Sanguniem and Succom (I mean Money) from you ; * = © Hunting of Tigers is sometimes a Pastime, at others a Tragy- comedy; for besetting a Wood where Tigers lurk, with Men and Horses and put- ting a Set of their loud Musick to strike up in the middle of it ; they rouze at the unaccustomed Noise and rushing forth seize the first in their way, if not shot or launced, to prevent them : Wild Bulls and Buffolas areas dangerous, nor is the Boar less fierce than any of them. Antilopes are set upon by Leopard, in this wise ; they carry the Leopards on Hackeries, both for less suspicion and to give them the advantage of their spring; which if they lose, they follow not their Prey, being for a Surprize ; Therefore the Hackeries wheel about at a distance, till they come near enough to apprehend them, they feeding fearless of the Hackeries ; then with three or four Leaps, after a small chase, seize them, and easily become their Masters, The great Men have Persian Greyhounds, which they cloathe in the Cold Weather, and some few Hawks ; a Colum may be hunted with a Greyhound, as we do Bustards, being a great Fowl andlonginrising, Buffollasanimated by their Keepers, fight with great Fury ; their Horns, being reversed, are useless ; but they knock Foreheads with a force adequate to such great Engines, till they are all of a gore, and follow their blow with such vigour, the stronger will hardly permit the weaker to go back to return with his force, but pressing on him, endeavours to bear him down ; then foiling one another they are a long time before they will yield. Persian Rams set together in this manner, are not parted without a bloody Catastrophe, which are kept on purpose for the Sport of their great Men as likewise are Elephants who engage at the will of their Masters,” In the English House Fryer saw “an Unicorn’s Horn nut that of the Rhinoceros of which cups are made and profered for Sale here, and are relied on to discover Poyson if poured into them,” Also two skins of Laban asses streaked with a dark grey upon a white ground, upon the back direct in other parts waving towards their length, and various kinds of piegons (with blubbered 380 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. noses, and of a brown colour), tumblers and pouters, By the river a woman had lately been devoured bya crocodile in spite of the Brachmin’s pretending to charm them, so that they should do no mischief in their sacred river, “Fish, Oisters, Soles and Indian Mackerel the River yields very good, and the Pools and Lakes Store of Wild Fowl; peculiarly Brand-geese, Colum and Seeras, species of the former; in the cold Weather, they shuning the North- ern rigid Blasts, come hither yearly from Mount Caucasus ; what is worth tak- ing notice of, is their Aspera Asteria wound up im a case on both Sides their Breastbone, in manner ofa Trumpet, such as our Waits use ; when it is single, it is a Serass, when double a Colum, making a greater Noise than a Bittern, being heard a great while before they can be seen, flying in Armies in the Air.” During Fryer’s stay at Surat “aSea Tortoise was brought to the Fort, in Length Six Feet, the contents of his Hut near two Bushels, reckoning only that part with which his Back is shielied, being anhyge Shell of a brown Colour ; never to be made transparent as those come from the South Seas are, nor easily tobe crackt by any weight ; for Experiment, I and two others got upon it, and the Tortoise unconcerned carried us: its Head is loricated with Scales, the Neck reaching as farses the Hut, soft and undefensible: the fins are four, placed instead of Legs, by which it Crawls as well as Swims ; the belly is covered with a Breast plate called the Callapee, soft and whitish in respect of tte Backpiece or Callipet, its tail is short and wreathed like a Serpent ; altogether it is as lovely as a Toad ; itsighs like a Woman and weeps like a child ; being taken and turned onits Back, it is Shiftless. I caused it to be opened and examined its heart, which (countary to the opinion of tlhe Vulgar) is but one, they affirming it to be three, grounded on this Mistake, the Auricles being larger than in other creatures, equalling almost the Ventricles and whole Body of the Heart, which is bigger in proportion than belongs to such an Animal, beiug as large as an Ox’s, which might be the reason ofits Pusillanimity ; the Veinsand Arteries were filled with currents of cold Black Blood ; it participates more of Flesh than of Fish, of a viviparous than oviparous offspring, yet. laysimperfect Hggs without a Crust (only covered with a Membrane, being most Yol'), buried by it in.the Sands, to receive from the Sun’s Heat the perfection of their hatching (as the eggs of Egypt from Furnaces, or others from Dunghills) : It Spawns them as Fish do, in huge quantities, as much at one time ¢s will more than fill a Saman’s Bonnet (every one being as big as an Hen’s Egg), By them aboard Ship they are ordered like buttered Eggs of a Fowl, though nearer akin to a Serpent’s, hanging together as those do. “For this end they come ashore, and when pursued, cast up with their Claws a Cloud of Sand to blind their Enemies ; when overtaken some are so big four men can hardly turn them, “Tt is supposed they feed on the Grass or oaz on Land or at the bottom of the Ocean ; and from the Fable of the Three Hearts, springs the Conceit of their Tripartite Community, of fish, and Flesh, aud Fowl ; the outward Covers MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 381 ing being shelly, the inner Meat Carnous, its way of preserving its kind being by Eggs as the Feathered Fowl do: To me it seems (though the Flesh be highly extolled for the taste and colour of Veal) neither Fish, nor Flesh, nor good Red Herring.” In the winter of 1675 Fryer travelled down the coast visiting Goa, Karwar, and other places. At a village called Mirja he had an adventure with a Snake, evidently a King Cobra. “ Being tired and lying to repose on the ‘ Bank of the River, under a shady Tree, I was made at by an unsizable Snake which hardly escaped, had it not hissed with an unheard-of Noise before me, which, rouzing me, made me shiit its speedy Course, as it angrily gathered up its Body, and darted itself into the Flags on the River Side ; these Creatures are dreadful to the inhabitants,and when I related my hazard, they wondered I came off so, there being of them big enovgh to master the largest Animals. After my Danger was over, I was told she had a Nest in that place, it being lately turned into a Burial-place ; here, by the by, might be noted what Pliny writes, to wit, that Snakes are generated out of Human Brains putrifying.” At Karwar meat apparently was scarce, no beef or mutton was obtainable and if they required flesh or fowl they had to get it themselves, Water-fowls, peacock, green pidgeons, spotted deer, sabre, wild hogs and sometimes wild cows formed the bag on their shooting excursions, and a strange adventure with a tiger is related, “ One of our Soldiers, a youth, killed a Tigre-Royal ; it was brought home by Thirty or Forty Combies, the Body tied toa long Bamboo, the Tail extended ; so, they brought it to the House, where we saw twas wounded in Three places, one through the Head with Two Pullets, another through the Body slanting up to the shoulders, a third in the leg ; it was a Tiger of the Biggest and Noblest Kind, Five Feet in Length beside the Tail, Three aud-an-half in height, it was of a light yellow, streaked with black, like a Tabby cat, the Ears short with a few Bristles about the Lips ; the Visage Fierce and Majestic, the Teeth gnashing, Two of which she broke against the Stones for Anguish, the Shoulders and Forelegs thin and well-set, the Paw as large as the biggest Fist stretched out, the Clavs thick and strong “The Boy shot it in the night from a Chouse or Estarzo, as it came to drink supposing it to have been a Deer ; the first shot was that under the Shoulder, which made her spring three times an incredible height, at the last of which che fell into the Chouse, from whence she shaw the Flash, where with the Eng- lish Boy were a Comby and a Comby Boy of eight Years old asleep a little on one side ; she pawed the Stem with her Feet, while all but the Child asleep fled ; but being wrung with her Pain, she soon left the place with an horrible Noise, that made the Woods tremble, all which awaked not the Lad, nor had it any Harm. “Tn this interval, the English youth charged again with a couple of Slugs, and tracing the Blood, as she was making at him, discharged through the Brain- pan, at which she was quiet ; but to make sure, he made another Shot at her which he believed was that in the Leg ; all this time the Moon was obscured a4 382 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Voi, XIV. and cloudy ; the Combay that had left him and his Son, at length came with many more, calling Fring:, the term they have for Europe men and Franks ; the Boy was walking about fearing to venture within reach, till at last laying aside his well-advised suspicion, he approaching, found the Terror of the Wood slain. “ Disrobed of its Royal Hide, two Bones of the bigness and Figure of a Leva- tor presented themselves to our view, that had no connection with the other Bones, but wholly immersed in the Flesh, in the ends of each Pectoral, and the three circumducing Muscles, towards the joining of the Shoulder-blades, and the upper Bones of the Fore-feet, commonly called Shoulder-bones ; of these there goes a story handed by tradition, as that licking the Right Shoulder it appeases Hunger, the Left it whets it where these Bones lie ; but- probably enough it is, that Nature added these for its greater strength ; the Entrails were little variable, but the Heart was mighty, and the Liver (they say) had as many Lobes as that was years old, which were six and-an-half, like to a Foxes,” The chief commended the lad for his courage, and according to custom, plucked off his over-coat of venetian cloth of silk and silver and gave it to him, We are then provided with some curious information about the tiger, ‘Tt is memorable what is attested, by these Woodmen, of the Tigre, that when he intends to prey on the Monkies, he uses this Artifice or Stratagem ; the Monkies at his first approach give warning by their confused chattering, and immediately betake themselves to the highest and smallest Twigs of the Trees when the Tigre seeing them out of his reach, and sensible of their Fright, lies constant under the Tree, and then falls a Roaring, at which they trembling let go their hold, and tumbling down, he at leisure picks them up to satisfy his Hunger ; they are his accustomed Repast, seldom making Man his Meal, and they are judged (as St. Paul’s Barbarians did him) guilty of some Horrid Crime that such vengeance overtakes ; the Woods and Mountains yielding variety of other Food, The Tigre is dull-seented, and not long Nimble, Three Leaps tiring him, otherwise it’s probable he would make more havock than he does, The She brings forth but once in Twelve Years, and then but a single Cub; thus has Providence suppressed the growth of this Masterless Creature ; besides, if the proverb be true, the Bitch brings forth .bué once in her Life, or very rarely more, notwithstanding Cilian says otherwise in his 4 lib de Historia Animalium, Panthers were more common than tigers, and apes were plentiful, but the natives considered it “ Piacular”’ to kill these, calling them Half Men, and saying that once they were Men, but for their laziness had Tails given them and hair to cover them. Which agrees with the theory of the latest Professor on the subject, The Indian tigers, we are told, was the fiercest in the world, but the lion was feeble and cowardly. The next year Fryer sailed up the Persian Gulf to Gombroon or Bunder Abbas, and travelled up to Ispahan, the capital, ‘he Emperor kept a varied collection of wild animals, and here Fryer first saw the rhinoceros ; “a cruel MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. ~ 383 Beast, of a large size, there coming from his Nose an Horna Cubit long (brown towards the Bottom, Whiter near the Point) and Six inches Diameter, whence the derivation of his Name from Rin, Nasus,a Nose and Kéras Cornuan Horn : between this Animal and the Elephant, is a mortal Strife, for which Nature seems to have Armed it on purpose ; it being a four-footed Beast, with Three Partings of the Hoof, built on thick strong Thighs, but short, considering the great bulk of its Body which presses them; it is Tall enough to reach the Bowels of its antagonist with its Horn, with which it Gores him to Death ; nor has she given him less firm Bones to the Trunk, if by chance it should be crushed by the Elephant, defending its very Hide with a Coat of Mail; where- fore before on the Neck and Shoulders, and behind in the Quarters, the Skin lies in folds, like Fish Seales over one another; the Face bears much of an Hog’s Countenance, unless the upper Lip which resemble a Cow’s, and the lower, the form of a Whale’s; the Mouth discovers a mishaped tongue, set about with two rowes of Teeth ; it is of the same Mouse colour, and Tailed as an Elephant is,and Feeds of the same Fodder and is kept facing too mighty, but lean Hlephants, “Whether the Rhinoceros be the Unicorn, I suspend my belief, since I have seen a Horn turned with Furrows and Ridges from the Basis to the Point,and Tapering like that of our King’s Arms, but what Petrus Angelius relates con” cerning the Avager or Indian Ass can have no congenity with this,” A quotation from this author is given, “ The Wild Asses of India are as big or bigger than Horses, whose Heads are of a Purple die, their Eyes Blew,the rest of their Body White ; on their Foreheads they have an Horn a Cubit in length, whose lower part for Two Hands breadth is White, and the top, which is sharp, inclining to a Bright Red, but the Middle Part is blood Red ; of these they make cups out of which whosoever drinks, neither Cramp nor Falling Sickness seizes them nor has any manner of Poison any force, if that immediately before or after tak- ing the same, either water, wiue or other liquid thing be taken out of these cups.” However Fryer thinks that the Rhinoceros, which come from Bengala, and are esteemed terrible and indomitable creatures, must be (or more) what Petrus calls Asses, there being no other beasts in those parts with but one horn, In some artificial lakes were flocks of water-fowl which the Persian’ were skilled, by their long case-hardened guns, to shoot flying, Hawks of Muscovia were purchased at great rates “ nor undeservedly, for they will strike down these Colum that are big as Wild Turkies, and visit India in the Cold Season, eleven or a dozen one after another, as they fly in Train like Wild Geese, and come down with the last themselves; they have some Hawks of their own, but they are of a Cowardly Breed to these,” On the journey back to the coast “we meta Lion anda spotted Deer, varrying up as Presents to the Sophi from the Mogul; the Lion seemed rather a Catamountain than such a Majestick Creature as ours in Europe being nigher a Dun colour than a Dark Red, without Beard, nor haired all from the Head down to the Crest and Thighs ; about the Lips it had Bristles 384 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. like a Cat, and when the keeper stroaked it, it would make a noise much the same as a Cat when she purls : These are kept to set upon Bulls before the Emperor, which they do sneakinly, coming behind to leap upon their quar- ters which one of our right bred English Mastiffs would scorn to do; a true Bull Dog being too hard a Match for one of these Lions, which has often been proved at the court of Persia to the commendation of their courage. ” When Fryer left Ispahan the Company’s Agent remained behind, waiting for a favourable opportunity to appear before the Emperor, which was a thing of great difficulty and expense to the Company, it seldom costing less than a thousand Thomands in fees and presents. “The Irish Buckhounds brought up for that end were admired and talked of by all, and represenied to be as big as Camels ; and though they were young proved swift Creatures, I seeing the Bitch in our journey turn an Antelope, which none of their Hounds ever came near ; and had the dog been yare, no doubt but they had seized it. ” The dog, too, had a sense of humour as the following story related by Fryer goes to show. Being let loose one day, ‘‘ he rambled about the Caravan for what he could get to satisfy his Hunger; whilst an Hodge (one of their Pilgrims to Makomet’s Tomb) who was at his devotions on the most conspi- cuous place of the Ser Raw (they loving to be seen of men) had placed a Bowl of Buttermilk tempered for his Tooth, ready by him, to fall to after his prayers ; he bowing his Face to the ground, as their custom is to worship and there lying prostrate : the Dog scenting the Bowl, mounted the Quad- rangle and clapping one Lez on the neck of the Hodge, kept him in that Posture, while he had made cleaner work than the Pilgrim, who for fear durst neither stir nor cry out, lest he should provoke so terrible a Monster to devour him ; but silentiy passed by both the affront and the Loss ; while in the meantime it was occasion of much Jaughter to the whole Caravan Ser Raw to behold the man of lofty Thoughts of his own Purity, thus handled by the Beast, and none offering to step in to his rescue, till we had called him off ; for which the Hodge thought himself obliged to return us Thanks, for delivering him from so great danger.” ‘Ihe sheep of the country were pro- digiously large, trailing tails after them, of the weight of thirty pounds full of fat, especially after the vintage and the cotton harvest, when they fed on the leave and tender branches of the vines and gathered up the scattered seeds of the cotton. ‘Their Horses though they have degenerated from their Primitive Race still are the best of all in the East, unless the Arabians be preferred for swifter Courses and light Horses ; however for charging Horses, and stout warlike Steeds, they are valued above all others.” On his return to Bombay one of the Mogul’s generals, the Governor of Jeneah (now a town in the Poona District) having need of the service of a doctor, Fryer was commanded by the Hon, Gerald Aungier, to set forth for that place. Leaving Bombay at three in the afternoon on St. George’s day, he anchored at nine that evening below Thana, The next morning, he proceeded up the creek, the banks of which were low and fruitful and MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 385 on both sides were placed stately Aldeas and Dwellings of the Portugal Hidalgos till within a mile of Kalyan when Sivaji’s country was entered. Leaving thir boat at Kalyan, they proceeded across the Konkan to the ghaut leading up to Ambagaon and thence toJeneah, The Governor’s wife was the patient who required Fryer’s attendance and luckily his treatment met with success though he only had a hand thrust through a curtain whereby to diagnose the case, The first hand given to him he declared to belong to a sound body, whereupon he was told that was an ingenious device to try whether he knew anything about his profession, When the rains were close at band he set out on bis return journey and one evening entered on a wood “ which deluded us with false flashes, that you would have thought the Trees on a Flame, and presently, as if untouched by Fire, they retained their wonted verdure, The coolies beheld the Sight with Horror and Amazement and were consulting to set me down, and shift for themselves ; whereof being informed, I cut two or three by breaking a vein, let Shitan (the Devil) out, who was crept into their Fancies and led them as they do a startling Jade, to smell to what their wall-eyes represented amiss ; where we found an Host of This, the subject both of our Fear and Wonder, which the sultry heat and moisture had generated into Being the certain Proximus of the ensuing Rain, which followed us from the Hills. This gave my thoughts the contemplation of that miraculous Bush crowned with Innocent Flames, that gave to Moses so pleasant and awful a Prospect ; the Fire that consumes every thing, seeming rather to dress than offend it. Thus we came to Bunta, a despicable Country Town, seven course more ; it is in the possession of the Coonbies, who are not strong enough to aid their Herds against the devouring jaws of the wild Beasts, a Young Buffola being seized the night before, out of the Tabernacle they lodged me in; wherefore they cautioned me to keep Fires all Night, lest the Horse might lose one of its Quarters, or our oxen might serve them for a supper; I added to the Fires a strict watch, whose mutual answering each other in an high Tone, was deafened by the Roarings of Tigers, cries of Jackals and Yellings of Baloos, or overgrown wolves.” In another passage Fryer again refers to “ Balus, a sort of wolf.”” This is an interesting corroboration of Mr. W.G. Betham’s note on the Kol-Balu which will be found at page 747 of Volume XI of the Journal, Messrs, Hardley Wilmot and Wallinger had met with Jackals which altered the peculiar cry of the Kol-Balu, but Mr, Betham one morning put up these animals which uttered the same cry, but were certainly not Jackals ; they were reddish, not so red as a wild dog and had reddish bushy tails. From the passage quoted above, the natives evidently knew of an animal of the description which they called Baloo, In August, 1682, Fryer landed in England after a voyage of seven months which though tedious ‘‘ we passed away merrily with good wine and no bad Musick ; but the Life of all, good company and an honest Commander ; whe 386 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, fed us with fresh Provisions of Turkies, Geese, Ducks, Hens, Sucking Pigs, Sheep, Goat, and to Crown all, the Day we made England, killed us a fatted calf.” I doubt whether we fare so well now-a-days. N, C, MACLEOD, Bombay, Nov. 1901. No. VIL.—OCCURRENCE OF THE AVOCET (RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA) NEAR POONA. Barnes remarks that the Avocet does not occur in the Dekhan. As I saw one near here yesterday, the fact is worth recording. I endeavoured to shoot it, but was unsuccessful, In my own mind I have no doubt of its identity, as it is hardly possible to mistake its general white plumage and the upturned bill. JL found it on the muddy bottom of a fast drying up tank in company with other waders, a few teal and snipe. It gave me one or two opportuni- ties of bagging it, when I was hoping to get a teal, but, as soon as I secured my attention to it, it seemed to take in the altered conditions and after flying round, out of range, two or three times, it made a bee line for another tank, R. M. BETHAM, Mauor, 8th Bombay Infantry. Poona, 20th January 1902. No. VIII.—A NOVEL METHOD OF CATCHING A JACKAL, The following novel method of caiching a jackal may be of interest to members :— This morning some of the sepoys of the regiment attracted by a clattering of tin and whines, followed up the noise and found a jackal with his head so firmly jammed into an old tin which had contained ghee that he could not get it off. ‘Lhe whole head was buried in the tin, and the auimal was quite blinded and powerless, so he was rapidly secured and brought to the mess for inspection. ‘Yhe tin had been ieft lying in one of the cooking places just outside the parapet of the camp. D. THOMSON, Mavsor, 28th Bombay Pioneers. Camp KuwaJA Kipprr, Kouart, 22nd January 1902, No, 1X.—TRAVANCORE SNAKES, In 1895 a list of snakes taken in Travancore appeared in the Society’s Journal containing fifty-eight species. To that number I have now to add nine more species taken since that date, Gongylophis conicus.—This snake is only found in the extreme south, where it is fairly common about Nagercoil and Cape Comorin, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 38 aS Platyplecturus madurensis,—A single specimen taken on the Cardamom Hills at about three thousand feet elevation, Ablabes calamaria,—Also a single specimen taken on the Kanan Devan Hills at five thousand feet elevation, Tropidonotus monticola—Found at Vembayam in the low country ten miles from Trevandrum, also at Pirmerd at three thousand feet elevation, Chersydrus granulatus-——Taken at sea by the fishermen at Trevandrum, Dryophis pulverulentus,— A single specimen taken by Mr, 0. H. Bensley at Pathanapuram in the low couniry. Callophis bibronniit—A single specimen taken two miles from Shencottah at the foot of the eastern side of the hills. Hydrophis spiralis—Taken by the fishermen at Trevandrum, Distira jerdoni.—Taken by the fishermen at Trevandrum, H. 8. FERGUSON, F.L.S. TREVANDRUM, 24th January, 1902, No, X.—_SANDGROUSE IN NORTHERN GUJARAT, Some time ago I wrote you a short note regarding the abundance of sandgrouse, both the common (Péeroclurus exustus) and painted (Pterocles fasciatus), Several sportsmen and others, who have known this locality for some time, fully agree with me as to the fact that the numbers of these birds, but specially of P. exustus, have increased Jargely during the past two or three years, On thinking over the matter I have come to the following enclusion regarding their increase, Both the abovenamed species breed more or less all the year round, except, perhaps, for a month orso during the rains, That their numbers are kept down in ordinary years is no doubt due to their enemies, vi2., jackals, foxes, and birds of prey, which must account for vast numbers of eggsand young, During the famine of 1899-1906, the foxes and jackals almost disappeared from this portion of the country, a considerable number being doubtless killed or eaten by Wagaris and other aboriginal tribes, The usual seasonal visitants among the birds were almost entirely absent, many of the permanent residents partly disappeared, and consequently the birds of prey went elsewhere. The removal of their natural enemies has thus, I think, directly led to the increase of sandgrouse. I notice that the kangaroo rats (Gerbillus hurriane), and to some extent hares, which have the same natural enemies, have increased considerably, As regards the sandgrouse, as I am about to leave Deesa, I shall not be able to observe whether their numbers are reduced during the next few years, but [ notice that in the last six months foxes and jackals have increased considerably, although birds of prey are not as numerous as usual, owing to the partial famine from which the country is at preseat suffering, and I shall not be at all surprised to hear that a few more years have reduced the sandgrouse to the normal number, 388 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, While on this subject, I should like to record that a specimen of the pintailed sandgrouse (Pieroclurus alchata) was recently shot near here by Capt. L, Oldfield, R. F. A. He informs me that it was one ofa flock of 20 or 25 which came down to drink somewhat earlier than P, exustus. I have heard that others have elso been shot, but Capt. Oldfield’s is the only one I have actually seen, I believe that this species has never been previously recorded from anywhere so far to the south-east. P. arenarius (the large sandgrouse) have visited us this year in small num- bers, and thus we get four species, viz., P. exustus and P, fasciatus permanent residents,and P. arcnariusand P., alchata occasional cold weather visitants. I have never heard of the spotted sandzrouse (P. senegalus) being obtained here, but they are common cold weather yisitants to the Runn of Cutch and other localities not far distant, and it is quite possible that a few may sometimes reach Deesa. C, G. NURSE, MaJor, Degsa, 2nd February, 1902. 13th Bombay Infantry. No, XI.—TIGER NETTING IN MYSORE, Referring to the shooting trip of some Visitors to the Mysore jungles, a local paper recently had the following remark :—‘ It is reported that the tigers have been netted for their sporting delectation, but we must refuse to believe that the distinguished shikaris will tolerate sport of this kind,” and it is probable that, in spite of what Sanderson and others have written, there is still a good deal of misconception about tiger netting, as pursued in Mysore, which is a genuine native sport, well worth witnessing by any one interested in wild beasts and their ways, As Sanderson says: “‘ This is the only method by which they can be brought to bay where the cover is too continuous to be easily driven. It may seem unsportsmanlike to shoot a tiger through a net, but as far as danger goes there is, perhaps, as much as in shooting him from a tree.’ Obviously the fact that the tiger cannot escape takes away the sports- man’s pride in his shot, and the man with the rifle feels that he is playing only a subordinate part in the game, but even so the shooting is not easy, and killing a netted tiger is not a case of potting a beast pegged ont on the ground like the lion in the familiar picture in Alsop’s Fables, though this might be supposed from the comments sometimes heard, The method of enclosing the beast is as follows:—When a tiger is to be caught, the villagers are warned to be ready with their nets, and a buffalo is tied up in a likely jungle. On a kill occurring, the nets are sent ahead a quarter of a mile or so from where the tiger is supposed to be lying up, and erected in a crescent-shape across the line which the beast must take when driven, The nets, of which every village in these parts keeps its own stock, are made of stout rope with a large mesh, and run up to 40 feet in length with a depth of 12 feet, and the line will often extend to a quarter of mile or more, reaching right into the open country on either flank, Care is taken vo place MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 389 the nets immediately behind a considerable patch of the very densest thickets, and the consequence is that when the tiger is driven forward by the beat and reaches the net, it almost invariably lies up in the thicket instead of trying to break out with a charge. Men who have been posted on trees signal the moment when the animal has reached the right spot, and immediately the two wings close in from behind and complete the circle of nets, using spare lengths if necessary, Next comes the work of making the enclosure secure, Spear- men are placed at close intervals all round to repel the tiger should he meditate a charge, and the nets, strengly fastened to the ground with pegs and heavy logs of wood, are connected by the main ropes with the trees and, inclining slightly inwards, are supported at a height of 9 or 10 feet by forked sticks stitfened with an interlacing of branches and thorns. A barrier is thus formed, too strong and too elastic to be torn up or broken through by the charge of any tiger, If the animal is to be caught alive, nothing more has to be done but to introduce a trapdoor cage baited with a goat, and wait till hunger compels the tiger to enter ; but if itis to be shot, the circumference of the nets is contracted till rather less than an acre of jungle is enclosed Then begin the preparations for the shoot, As I have said, the jungle inside the nets is necessarily of the thickest, and diagonal tracks, 10 to 20 feet in breadth have to be cut in order to render the tiger visible when moved, For this work a party cf some twenty picked spearmen enter the enclosure and form a ring round, a like number of men armed with long handled choppers, a few others with horns and tom-toms accompanying, The task, at close quarters with the beast, looks highly dangerous, and the sportsman, who is not content to wait outside the net, may enjoy a certain amount of sensation by joining the cutting party. It might be imagined that the tiger or tigers (in one case there were four), maddened by rage, hunger and thirst, would seize the chance for a charge, and every now and then, in some particularly thick patch there isa thrill of excitement, when the spearmen stand alert with lowered points and the tom-toming is redoubled, but a charge has never been known, for, no unwounded tiger, and, in my opinion, no wounded one either, would face such a compact and noisy body while there was any way of retreat, When the cutting is finished the men with rifles take their stand-outside the nets on machans, which command the clearings, and the beaters try to drive the tiger from one block of jungle to another by shouting and rockets, Need- less to say, the beast when he moves at all does so ata gallop, and, judging from the amount of missing, which generally occurs, it takes a quick shot to stop the animal when crossing a narrow opening ina large enclosure. The beast may have to make its dash several times before it is killed, and the chief interest to the sportsman is the magnificent spectacle of the angry tiger at - large, which ordinary methods of shooting give few and short opportunities for seeing. If the patches of jungle left after cutting are very thick, it is sometimes impossible to make the tiger move and on one occasion we had to give itup at night without getting a shot,and went away with the intention of 25 390 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, cutting more of the bushes next day. During the night a tiger always moves round the enclosure and makes many a desperate charge at the net, which is repelled by the spearmen who are on guard by their watch fires at close intervals, On the nightafter this unsuccessful attempt at moving him, the tiger, an exceptionally large one, evidently gauged the situation and knew that a supreme effort alone would save him, Accordingly, about 5 A.m., when the shikaris, tired with the work of the previous day had dropped off asleep and the fires had burnt low, the tiger crept up to the net and jumped clean over it, pitching right on the top of two of the watchers, When we arrived early in the morning, the truth of the story was proved by the hairs on the top of the forked stick where the beast’s stomach grazed the net, by the marks where he pitched, and by the two villagers, both of whom were considerably mauled, The net at the spot was nine feet high and sloping inwards, while the take-off was slightly up-hill and out of thick lantana bushes, so that the leap was a fine ono, but the fact that it should have been attempted at all, is still more remarkable, for all the natives bear out Sanderson in his statement that tigers never attempt to jump over the nets, and this is the only instance of such an escape known of in Mysore, On the last occasion that I was out, the hunt was got up to catch a man- eater Which had inspired such terror in the neighbouring villages, that quarry- ing there for the new Palace Buildings in Mysore was stopped, the toddy drawers petitioned that they were afraid to work, carts would not pass through, and the annual festival at the local temple was abandoned, As the doings of veritable man-eaters are always a subject of interest I will detail the two cases where men were killed, about which I obtained the official reports, Other subsequent cases were mentioned, but not verified by me, (1), On 16th November last two villagers, Ranga and Subba Setty, went into the jungle in the morning to collect roots, Ranga stood preparing snuff, and Subba Setty was cutting creepers close by, when Ranga saw the tiger coming towards him and fled, The tiger pounced upon Ranga and dragged him into the bushes, where the Police, to whom the matter was reported, found a few bones and the clothes of the deceased two days later, (2). On 22nd November last, one Kare Gowda took his bullocks to water at apond in the jungle, His father-in-law soon after saw the bullocks dashing back to the village in alarm and went to look for Kare Gowda, but not finding him at the pond, returned to the village and took out a party to search, Bits of his clothes, blood, the signs of a struggle and the foot-prints of a tiger were found, and three days later the Police came ona few bones fur- ther on in the jungle, Tales were told me of the tiger having attacked par- ties beariug corpses to the burning ground and carrying off the corpse, and the acquisition of such a curious taste, may perhaps be explained by the follow- ing passage in a letter from the Amildar :— ‘Tt is a custom among the villagers here not to burn or bury the dead bodies of pregnant females, but to expose them in the neighbouring jungles to MISCELLANEOUS NOTHS. ‘oud be eaten by vultures and wild beasts, The body is tied to a tree in a sitting posture and a pot of water is placed close by, Not long ago some cow-herd boys came across the dead body of a woman tied to a. tree as described and noticed the foot-prints of a tiger round it, but the body was untouched, The boys cut the rope binding the body, which fell to the ground, and the next day the corpse was found eaten away by the tiger.” This I give for what it is worth, but the custom described deserves mentioning, To return to our nets. When we got out to the enclosure we were told that there were two or more tigers inside and, to cut the story short, two were killed that day, and two, on clearing more jungle, the next. There was one male tiger, 8 feet 7 inches in length, and the other three were young tigresses, running from 8 feet to 8 feet 5 inches ; in fact, as it seemed, a party of brother and sisters. Whether any of these was the veritable man-eater it is impossible to say, but they were certainly caught in the jungle close to which the men were killed, and it is not very likely that there was a fifth, One of the tigers, I may mention, was wounded and had to be walked up inside the enclosure. On this occasion it was too maimed to charge, but there is always the possibility of excitement over a wounded beast which cannot be otherwise finished off. Sanderson describes how the villagers some- © times kill the tiger-for themselves with spears, which must be a fine sport to witness, but I fancy this is seldom done now-a-days, when the netting is chiefly carried on by the direction of H, H, the Maharajah on special occasions only, to catch tigers alive for his own magnificent collection at Mysore and to present to the London and other Zoological Gardens, or to provide shooting for his visitors, Any one who has been present, whether the young sportsman who wishes to become familiar with the sight of an angry tiger, or the old shikari who has slain the beast by the usual methods, will equally agree that Tiger netting in Mysore is an interesting experience, and well-worth witnessing, S. M. FRASER, 1.c.s, Mysore, 18th February, 1902, No. XII.—BIRDS COLLECTED IN HYLAKANDY, CACHAR, ZOOTHERA MARGINATA,—The Lesser Brown Thrush, Hume, Cat, 350 bis.; Oates, No, 705, I have a single female skin in my collection collected at Roopachena, This is the only one I have ever come across. MICROHIERAX MELANOLEUCUS.—The White-legged Falconet. Hume, Cat. 20 bis.; Blanford, 1268, I entered this species as fringillarius in my list but it must be altered to the present species, Isent my skin to Mr, Stuart Baker and he kindly corrected my identification, CHAS, M, INGLIS, BaGHowniE£ Factory, DarBaanaa, 18th February, 1992, 392 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. No, XIII.—THE MASKED FIN-FOOT (HELIOPAIS PERSONATA), I have just received from Mr, Primrose a male specimen of this rare bird. It was shot by Mr, Ross at Monierkhall in Cachar and the skin was given by him to Mr. Primrose, who has very kindly passed it on tome, Mr, Saker in his “ Birds of Cachar” says he has not come across it, so I think this occur- rence deserves notice, BaGHOWNIE Factory, CHAS. M. INGLIS. DARBHANGA, 19th February, 1902. No. XIV._NESTING OF THE COOT (FULICA ATRA). (1) Major R. M. Betham ina note in this Journal says:—‘‘and should like to know whether any other ornithologists have found this bird breeding in India excluding Caskmere.” I gota nest with six highly incubated eggs in some water at Belahi Factory in the Mozutferpore District on the 30th July 1896- I was only able to save two of the eggs and they are very disreputable speci- mens. Mr, Harrington Bulkley, however, has very kindly Bien me 3 eggs, which he collected last August, BaGHOWNIE Factory, CHAS, M. INGLIS, 5th March, 1902. (2.) As 1 do not think either Messrs. Baker or Inglis mention the occurrence of the common Coot (Fulica atra) in their respective articles the “ Birds of North Cachar,” and ‘‘ Birds collected in the Hylakandy District ” I think it perhaps worth noting that I came across it on two or three occasions in the Chutla bheel ; and have had a specimen, shct here, brought me by my collec- tor a few days back—this was a female, with eggs well defined, This will I think, show that it occurs, perhaps sparingly, both in Cachar and Sylhet. A, M. PRIMROSE CHANDrPuR Baaan, P. O., Souru SYLHET, 29th March, 1902. (3.) Major Betham in his notes on the nesting of the Coot near Poona asks for information as to its breeding in other parts of India. Iam under the impression that it breeds freely in most parts of the Madras Presidency, I have found nests in several places in the Cuddapah District. In 1892 I found 3 nest in a small tank near the town of Cuddapah on the 30th of September, Tt contained three eggs, hard set. Onthe 30th of October of the same year I found several nests in a small, reedy tank at Occhaveli, contain- ing fresh eggs. There are evidently two broods, for I have seen a clutch of young birds following their parents on a tank early in April. I was particularly interested in the sight, for a couple of Brahminy kites that were sailing overhead made repeated, but ineftectual, attempts to carry off the chicks, Again and again they swooped down to the water, but the little MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 893 things were ever on the alert and were safe under water before their enemy reached them. ‘he old birds showed great indignation and rushed to and fro with ruffled feathers, hissing and flapping their wings. W. HOWARD CAMPBELL. Goory, Mapras, 24th March, 1892. No. XV.—OCCURRENCE OF THE SHELDRAKE (7. CORNUTA) AND THE GOOSANDER (il. CASTOR) IN THE DARBHANGA DISTRICT, TIRHUT. IT have received males of both species got by Mr. Edgell on the Suwasingpur chaur near Sbahpur oondie, in this District. He says they were got about ‘Xmas time; and that once before he saw three Sheldrake on another large chaur called the Baraila. CHAS, M. INGLIS, BAGHOWNIE Factory, 6th March, 1902. No, XVL—NOTE ON THE HABITS OF RALLINA SUPERCILIARIS, SHARPE, AND GORSACHIUS MELANOLOPHUS, BLYTH. Seeing a note on the Banded Crake by Major Betham in the last number of the Journal (Vol. XIV, No 1, p. 180) has reminded me of the fact that we have made a discovery here in Kanara which is sure to be of interest to ornithological readers, H. lL, Hervey and I discovered the nest and eggs of Rallina superciliaris in the month of August 1898 ; to ke precise, on the 8th of August 1898. A “ kunbi,”’ or aborigine of the place, brought H, the news that there was a nest with large white eggs in a bush ata place called Binghy, within a few miles of our head-quarter station, We both went out and were much exer- cised in our minds at the sight of the nest : a more or less round, untidy structure of dead leaves and a thin twig or two, with a slight concavity in the centre, placed ina low bush in scrub jungle on flat ground, surrounded by high hills on three sides, within a mile of the sands of the seashore. The nest was well hidden by the foliage of the bush and was placed on the thin inter- laced branches about two and-a-half feet from the ground ; there were six white eggs in it of a slightly creamy shade, with a slight gloss and fine texture. We had provided ourselves with a gun and cartridges each and sat down, one on each side of the bush in hiding, to wait for the bird, which had left the nest immediately it caught sight of us coming, We had not waited long before we were rewarded with the sight of a Banded Crake that came sneak- ing out with much circumspection from some thick jungle close by. The bird spotted H. the first time and disappeared in a second. We changed our places slightly and shot it the second time it appeared, It wasa female in full male plumage. 394 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Voi. XIV. H. L. H. was Judge for four years in the same station where I am, and during that time we collected eggs assiduously with very satisfactory results and gathered a great deal of information of interest about birds, which we intend to publish some day in the near future. We found that the Banded Crake was a fairly common bird in the jungles along the coast during the monsoon ; and we obtained altogether some dozen nests with eggs varying in number from four to seven in the clutch, besdes finding many empty ones, All the nests with eggs were found in the months of June to Sept- ember, ¢.¢,, during the heavy rains, Many nests were found robbed of their contents by mongooses, &c,, the empty eyg-shells lying on the ground below, some few there were in which the eggs were rotten, The nests are placed in bamboo clumps, on creeper-masses, on the top of a tree stump, &c., and were at the most six feet from the ground. The size of the egg is about 1°30" x 1” on an average ; one of the largest out of a series of 50 measures 1°40” x 1°20”, The birds breed in the densest jungles as well as in the scrub juagles, from sea level up to the tops of the highest hills which are here about 1800 feet. Mr, Davidson noticed this bird first in Kanara as mentioned in his. Birds of North Kanara, in Vol, XII, p. 60 of this Journal, What he says there about its habit of calling in the mornings and evenings is correct ; but it calls at other times during heavy, misty weather. The cry is rather like that of the common hen after laying an egg; but there isa difference. Sud- denly disturbed, it utters the cry of the common paddy bird (A rdeola gray?) when alarmed ; if suspicious of danger, it makes a noise like “ krrrrr” pronounced in a subdued voice, It is extremely shy of open ground and will invariably fly across evena few feet of open path in the jungle; when flushed, it takes to the nearest tree or any thickly fol:aged place available, and is quite at home perched ona branch, We have put up many during our walks, generally with dogs, I have never seen one during the dry months, though I am constantly in their breeding haunts during that time. Whether they migrate or not from the district we do not know for certain, but it seems probable, It would be interesting to know where they go, I have kept this Crake in a cage on several occasions in my bungalow, and the birds have, after a few hours, become quite unconcerned as to the un- accustomed surroundings. When thus caged they are very pugnacious and will instantly go for a finger or hand inserted through the bars. In the jungles they go about with their wings slightly hanging, They feed on insects, Gorsachius melanolophus or the Malay Bittern was first discovered by J. Davidson in Kanara, He published his observations about this bird ta Vol, XII, p. 70 of this Journal (The Birds of North Kanara). What hs says there as to its habits is absolutely correct, It is not a rare bird in Kanara when one knows where to look for it, I have found many nests perhaps some two dozen in all; but it is hard werk at the best ef ties * MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 395 seeking for them as the birds build during the heaviest rains, always in very retired places in thick jungle, generally choosing some steep nalla, The nest is always placed in a conspicuous position, at least it is conspicuous when once discovered, but is easily overlooked and generally in a terminal fork of a branch of a thinnish tree, anywhere from 15’ to 30’from the ground, I have always found the tops of the hills the surest place for a find and, generally, at the commencement of a nalla; the birds seem to prefer to have a bit of flat, open ground under the nest, hut never build them exposed to the sky; the nest being invariably overshadowed by the foliage of a high tree. I have never heard the bird utter any sort of cry. It is certainly not ex- clusively nocturnal in its habits as stated by Oates in his ‘‘ Birds’? (Fauna of British India), if indeed it is nocturnal at all ; for I have often found it feed- ing in the day time by the shady pools in the hill nallas as well as on the tops of hills ranges in the damp evergreen jungles, I have put up some dozen birds at different times in such places, sometimes singly, sometimes in pairs, during my rambles in the jungles from May to November, When flushed, the birds generally take to trees and can then be shot ; but they are very wary and require careful stalking. The number of eggs laid is generally three, often four, rarely five, The eggis white with a slight greenish shade, of chalky texture, nearly without gloss and measures about 1°90” x 1°60", one egg of a clutch of four we have, measures 2°20” x 1°50.” All the eggs are oval with a decided tendency to a point at one end, The birds are very regular in their time of laying, which is always the end of July or the very commencement of August, Like the Banded Crake, this Bittern does not seem to stay in the district during the months of December to April. I have certainly never seen one in those months, T. R, BELL, Karwar, 9th March 1902. No, XVII_—_CANNIBALISM IN SNAKES, It is of course a well-known fact that the King Cobra or Hamadryad (Naia bungarus) feeds on other snakes, and the last specimen we had alive in our Museum, ate 13 live snakes almost all of which were Dhamans (Zamenis mucosus), each measuring from 4 feet to 9 feet in length. The Oommon Kraits(Bungarus ceruleus) also whenever we have kept them alive have refused all food except other snakes and apparently had no preference for one species more than another, About two years ago, however, one of the live Pythons (Python molurus) in our collection quarrelled with his companion in one of the cages, the bone of contention being a partridge which had been put in the cage as food, and after swallowing the other Python, measuring about 9 feet in length, he ate the partridge. The most recent instance of cannibalism was amongst the Cobras (Naia tripudians) a few days ago. There were 3 cobras in the cage, a black one and 396 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV {wo yellow ones. Some frogs had been put in as food,and the biack cobra and one of the yellow ones attacking the same frog, the black cobra swallow- ed both the frog and the other cobra, Both cobras measured about 4s feet in length, With the Daboias or Russell’s Vipers (Vipera russell?) which we have alive— it frequently happens that if hungry, two vipers will try to obtain one rat even if one of them has not bitten it, but when their heads approach each other in trying to swallow the rat, one of them always manages to let go— and the viper who has secured the head of the rat first, is almost always the winner, In the case of cobras, however, they are more tenacious of their hold and their fangs being fixed slanting backwards, it is probably more difficult for them to detach themselves from their prey, and the victim only finds out his mistake when it is too late to extract himself from the other cobra’s throat, W.S. MILLARD, Honorary Secretary. Bombay NATURAL History Museum, 19th March 1902. No. XVIII.—MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ON BIRDS’ NESTING ROUND POONA AND ELSEWHERE, Tas Repv-Heapep Meru (Falco chicquera).—Although fairly common, I have not been over successful in obtaining its eggs. So long ago as February 1888, I found a nest at Rajkote containing 4 fresh eggs, which was situated in a mango tope high up and overhanging a well. It was after a shoot,and I told one of the beaters to climb up and investigate. As he refused, I said I would not pay them any wages until I had got the eggs and droveaway. I must confess the nest was ina most “hairy” place. Ihad hardly gone a couple of hundred yards when I heard the beaters shouting out. I at once came to the conclusion that one of them, in endeavouring to reach the nest, ha} been precipitated into the well by the breaking of a bough, I returned as rapidly as possible, and was relieved to find that nothing had gone wrong, and that the man had got the eggs. On this the beaters received their wages. From that date till the present year, I have never come across the nest again. On the 7th January, not far from Poona, I was attracted by the call of one of these birds and, at the same time, saw it swoop down and up again over a bare Banyan tree alongside the rail. I immediately proceeded teexamine it,and wasnot long in discover- ing two crow-like nests. On throwing up stones at that which appeared the freshest, [ observed a bird moving within it. I had only about 19 minutes in which to catch the train, and fortunately the station was very handy and the tree easy to climb, so I sent my shékari up double quick and obtained 3 perfectly fresh eggs. While these were being taken the parent birds sat on MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 397 the top of the tree and remonstrated to some time. On the 12th January I obtained 3 more fresh eggs from a nest, situated very high up among the leaves of a mango tree, one of atope. The nest was taken with some difficulty, as for about 20 feet from the ground the tree was branchless ; consequently, a ropehad to be requisitioned, This nest was discovered simply through the fussiness and noise of the birds when building, though they were quite silent while it was being taken. BONELLIS or THE CRESTLESS HAWK EAGLE (Nisetus fasciatus).—On the 14th January, I was fortunate enough to come on another nest of this species in the Sholapur District. It was an enormous structure of sticks, placed at the very top of a lofty tree and visible from a considerable distance. It has probably been used as a nursery for many years, I gota boy to climb the tree after some difficulty, during which operation the female vacated it and took up her position on an adjacent one. I was not sure of the species, so intended shooting her if the nest contained eggs, but she defeated me by betaking herself off before this had been settled. The nest contained two hard-set eggs, one of which I managed to clean by the “ water system,’ While the boy was descending the tree, I heard a rushing of wings and, look- ing round, saw the male coming out of space at a tremendous pace, like a bolt from the blue, straight for the nest, Itseemed very cruel, but I had to shoot him to identify the species, I hit him hard which stopped him, he turned, reeling as he flew, went a few hundred yards, wheeled, and then fell dead—a truly glorious bird, I hope to visit the spot again next year and am curious as to whether the nest will be re-oceupied, Tue Buack-wineeD Kite (Elanus ceruleus)—Though I have been at Poona three years, until the present year I have hardly seen any of these birds. Of late, they seem to be far more common, They apparently havea penchant for open grass Jands, studded with babul trees, It isa pretty sight to watch them hovering in the air and then dropping, like a stone, on to their prey or, when disappointed, moving off to repeat the process else- where. Towards the end of December, I found a nest, built in the slender branches of a thorny tree, about 20 feet from the ground, It was difficult to get at owing to the thinness of the branches and unfortunately contained young. The birds were very fussy, wheeling, and flying round, uttering a low whistle or squeal, They apparently haunt the nest with their young, after these have once flown, as on visiting the spot later, I found them still loiter- ing around, THE RoCK-HORNED OWE (Bubo bengalensis)—Though a fairly common bird and found in most localities, I have only just obtained its eggs. I was out in October near a large tank, where these birds had taken up their abode and were to be seen at all hours, I hardly expected to find eggs so early, but on searching the banks, I came on a nest containing 5 eggs, partially incubated, and all in different stages. Date 18th October, There was no nest. but the earth had been hollowed out and sifted, asit was very fine, The hen was 26 398 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV sitting, I stood watching her for a few moments, her ears and great yellow eyes, like two full moons, being visible. On her quitting the nest, I took the eggs. She flew across some intervening water to commanding ground oppo- site, where her lord and master joined her, and they both commenced hooting me, The nest faced north, I came on another nest, which looked quite ready, though eggs had not been laid. I gota second clutch towards the end of November, taken by my man, THe INDIAN GREY SuRIKE (Lanius lahtora).—Three years ago, at the com- mencement of June,I came ona family of grey shrikes, which I thought had not long left the nest. On looking round I found it and came to the conclusion that eggs must have been laid early in April; consequently, about the middle of March last year, I again visited the spot, and within a few yards of the old nest I found the new one, which, to my disgust, contained unfledged young. This year, however, I took steps sufticiently early, and found the nest very close to the old spots, and got 2 eggs, Later on,I got another containing 4 fresh eggs, and a third, containing 3. This latter nest was placed in the same tree, and within 6 inches of a nest that had been occupied last year. Iam sure that most birds breed every year in almost the same locality, unless dis- turbed or otherwise frightened, I have had many experiences of it, The grey shrike builds a very compact nest, usually ina densely thorny bush or tree, which takes trouble to obtain. They are very fond of incorporating rags in their nests and building on an old nest of the white-throated Munia (Uroloncha malabarica), TIcKELL’s BLUE FLYCATCHER (Cyornis tickelli)—Last year I found several more nests of this pretty little bird. The first was situated down a well where a brick had been displaced, and contained 4 fresh eggs, I was looking into the well when the bird flew up: thinking this peculiar, I instituted a search, and was rewarded. Date 17th June. On the 26th June, I found 3 nests, each containing 4 eggs; two lots fresh and one incubated, One was situated in a bank under a prickly-pear root, another in a creyice of a banyan tree and the third in a rubbish heap of dry leaves, all well concealed. In addition to the above I found twomore, one in the hole of a tree and the other in the face of a wall, where a brick had been displaced, quite exposed. When the hen is sitting the male keeps up an incessant little song. I found the best method to pursue was to follow him. In due time the hen, appar- entiy warned by him, leaves the nest ; once you catch a sight of her, do not let her escape you, as very shortly she will return to the nest, and that is all you want, Oats says 3 isthe normal number of eggs, but from the above 4 would seem more us al in these parts, The nest is very solid, built of rocts in which a certain amount of earth is incorporated and embellished with dried and skeleton leaves, Tus SrorreD Munta (Uroloncha punctulata),—After much waiting, I found the nest of this little Munia last year, and obtained several clutches of eggs, The first nest I came on was placed in a thorny tree, standing in water, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 399 and about 6 feet from the ground. It contained 8 incubated eges. Date 10th August 1901. On the 27th august and 7th and 8th September, I found more nests all containing fresh eggs, some 4,some 6, These were all situated in low thorny bushes well within reach of hand. The nests are enormous about the size of a man’s head, very rough and untidy, but of the strict Munia type, véz, a ball of grass, with the entrance at one side. As a rule they select a site close to water and liable to inundation, which give the nests the appearance of drift and rubbish caught up in the branches. Thereis no lining, These Munias use fresh green grass to construct their nests with, which they obtain by tearing strips off the larger sorts of grass. On seeing one of them flying along with a long green strip behind it, 1 thought I had come on a new description of parrot ! Tue Wuitr-BackeD Munta (Uroloncha striata) appears to be the common Munia below ghats. I found a nest being built in a cashew tree on the 13th November near Sawantwadi. It resembled that of the White-throated Munia (Uroloncha malabarica) but I think was neater, the entrance being more neatly finished off with flowering grasses and more elongated, On the 30th Nov- ember, at Khed, Ratnagiri District, I found 2 nests, one with young and the other with 4 fresh eggs, These were situated on thorny trees and were from 6 to 10 feet from the ground, Tue Crestep Buntine (Melophus melanicterus). Barnes states that this handsome little bird is an adept at concealing its nest, Last year I found a few nests at Satara, which do not bear out this statement. The first con- tained 4 young birds very nearly ready to fly. I discovered the nest by watching the parent birds, who, in due course, conveyed food to the nest- lings, They were jolly little chaps and Iam sorry they took to flight on my investigating their quarters though I had no sinister designs on them. The mother was very much alarmed and tried to distract my attention from them, by fluttering along the ground with outspread wings.as though in her last death agonies. This particular nest was situated under a projection on the steep slope of the Satara Fort hill and protected from the prevailing wind by a tussock of grass. It was just such a nest a lark, robin or wagtail might build, The second nest was being constructed and was in a similar position, The third was placed alongside the road leading up to the Fort and no attempt at concealment was made, On jumping on to the road, the hen darted out and I had no difficulty in finding the nest which contained 3 hard set eggs. I found these nests in June and July. Tne cockbird, who is very smart in appearance with his crest and shining black and cinnamon kit, has a very melodious little lay which he keeps up at frequent intervals, Tas Caestnur Birrern (Ardetta cinnamomea), I believe the nesting of the Chestnut Bittern in the Dekhan is not common, I was fortunate enough to find two nests last year containing 3 and 5 fresh eggs respectively in July and August, while searching some thick tangle, growing in water, in the hopes 400 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV of coming onsome Rails’ nests, Both nests were placed on beaten down reeds and consisted of mere platforms of grass and had no great pretensions ~ as works of arts, In the case of the finding of the second nest, the bird flapped up within a few yards of me, in fact so close that I could almost have knocked her over with a stick. Tue Bive-BruasteED BANDED RAIL (Hypotenidia striata), As mentioned above I found a nest of this bird containing 9 beautiful fresh eggs on the 8th September, The bird lay very close and only rose as we were practically step- ping on her, Inspite of this we had to search very diligently before we suc- ceeded in discovering the nest, It was well down in some tufts of grass and completely concealed, consisting of dry grass, welded into a compact mass. Lalways search fora nest of this description with a line of beaters else it would be hopeless, Captain Payn,K.S, L. I, found a nest in the same locality about a month earlier, but was unfortunate enough to step on the nest and break some of the eggs. R. M, BETHAM, Major, 8th Bombay Infantry, Poona, 20th March, 1902. No, XIX.—PTEROMYS INORNATUS. Iam glad to be able to confirm, to some extent, Mr. Clutterbuck’s theory, that all the Large Red Flying Squirrels do not hibernate as stated in Vol, XIII, No. 3, page 531 of this Journal. Whilst out on a shooting trip, this February (1902), my coolies caught and brought me one, that had found its way, into a gujav’s hut, that morning, which the coolies were at the time occupying. The same morning and just as it was getting light, I saw one fly acr ss, from one tree to another, quite near the camp and of course this might have been the same one that was soon after caught by my coolies. This was on the 25th February at an elevation of 10,500 ft. I have seen and caught them, as late as 16th December, at over 10,000 ft. and after brown bears had hibernated that year,and have heard of some being shot in Dharmsala, in the Kangra District, Punjab, during January, C, H. DONALD, BHADARWA, JUMMU STATE, 15th March, 1902. No, XX.—-OCCURRENCE OF THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (MERGANSER SERRATOR) NEAR QUEYTA, When shooting yesterday on the tank at Khush-dil-Khan, about 7 miles from Peshin, Captain Macnamara of my regiment shot a specimen of the Red- breasted Merganser (Merganser serrator), I was one of the , party, but was unable to name the bird at the time, never having seen one before. On returning home, by referring to my books, I was able to identify it, Idid not sex it, but from the plumage it was evidently a young male, I regret that MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 401 had no time to preserve the specimen, which is very rare within Indian limits, only one or two others having been previously recorded. It is, however, stated in Vol. IV. of “ Birds of the Fame of Indian series to be probably fairly common on the coast of Baluchistan,” and “ both a salt and fresh-water bird,’ so there is nothing surprising in its occurrence in this neighbourhood. The tank at Khush-dil-Khan is a fairly large artificial one, formed by bunding up a valley ; and is well known to most sportsmen who haye served in the Quetta District, C. G. NURSE, (Major, 13th Bombay Infantry), QuETTA, 4th April, 1902. No, XXI.—NESTING OF THE GEEY PELICAN (PELECANUS PAILIPPENS/S) IN THE CUDDAPAH DISTRICT, MADRAS PRESIDENCY. On looking over Blanford’s “ Birds » the other day I noticed the statement that of late years no authentic account of Pelicans breeding in India has appeared, In 1890 when in camp ina secluded valley in the extreme East of the Cuddapah District, in the end of March, I found a large number of Grey Pelicans breeding in company with a community of Painted Storks _(Pseudotantalus leucocephalus}, The nests, of which there were several hundreds, were on neem and tamarind trees in a small village called Buchu- palle. The people of the village were very much averse to any interference with the nests, The birds trusted them and they would not have them injured, they said ; so I did not examine many nests, I got three eggs of the Painted Storks, hard set, from one nest, but in every other nest, so far as I could see, there were young birds. The parent birds of both species kept coming and going, bringing quantities of a fine trailing of water-weed, from a tank about two miles off, to feed their young. W. HOWARD CAMPBELL, Goory, Mabras, 2nd April, 1902, 402 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17TH DECEMBER, 1901. A meeting of the members of the above was held on Tuesday, 17th Decem- ber 1901, Major D, Prain, 1.M.%., presiding, NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following new members was then announced :— Mr, L, C, H. Young (Bombay) ; Lieutenant L. C. Brodie (Trimulgherry) ; Mr, W. A, Conduit, C.E, GSeoni District, C. P.); Captain OC, H. Lincoln, I.M.8. (Bombay); Major R. E. %. Davis, I.M.S, (Rangoon) ; and Mr. J, A. B. Ball (Umballa), Mr. H. M. Phipson, the Honorary Secretary, acknowledged receipt of the following contributions to the Society’s Museum since the last meeting :— aoes= — — Contribution. Description. Contributor. 1 Palm Civet (alive) ......... PAVGAOVUIUS NUGCY soreoecosees Mr. E, W. Thompson. 1 do. hos | Goondouod TD Gace ....| Mr. Fazalbhey Laljee. 2 do. SOS “noddacn80 Do. .sseoccsees| Mr. Paul Girhardt. AUCollectionyoL MMlothsecceccs+s|i tuna reese Do. bpp LBS. “Goon scocoaconosod|: || “cnonnenae Mr, M. Loam, TESDAKCireneseccssees Maavoeticesests Ly codon aulicws sree copaccid Mr. H. Stauber. LT Woodcock ....ccscccorecreore-| SCOLUPAC TUStECOLA saececeerees Major G, A. Leslie, R.E, SEGT AU veseNecaneccetaehacesiacsses Bungarus cerwlous, |...) Mr. J, Stiven, CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIBRARY. The Flora of the Presidency of Bombay, Part I, by Theodore Cooke, C.1.E. (from the author) ; the Distribution of Vertebrate Animals in India, Ceylon, and Burma, by W. T. Blanford, F, R. 8, (from the author) ; Catalogue of the Indian Decapod Crustacea in the collection of the Indian Museum (Part I, Brachyura), from the Trustees ; the Coleoptera of South Africa (Peringuey) ; Annals of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, Vol. IX, Part 1; and Living Animals of the World, Parts I to VIII (from Mr, William Phipson). THE VICTORIA GARDENS. The Honorary Secretary drew the attention of the members to the new and extensive aquatic aviary which had been completed at the Victoria Gardens, and expressed a hope that members who were in a position to obtain speci- mens of wild ducks, geese, swans, pelicans, flamingoes, storks, cranes, &c., would communicate with the Superintendent of the Gardens, DEATH OF Mr. L. Ds NICEVILLE. The Honorary Secretary stated that the Society bad suffered a heavy loss through the death of Mr, L. de Niceville, the well-known lepidopterist, which took place in Calcutta on the 4th instant, Mr, de Niceville had been an important contributor to the Bombay Natural History Society’s Journal since 1887, as reference to the (reneral Index of Vols, I to XIII (published in No, 5 of Vol. XIIT) would show, Looking batk through the back numbers of the Society's Journal, members would find 34 coloured plates of Oriental butter PROCEEDINGS. 403 flies, illustrating no less than 346 species, all of which were produced under the supervision of Mr. de Nicéville, whose untimely death would be deplored by all members of the Society. PAPERS READ. The following papers were then read and discussed .—(1) Natural History Notes from Fryer’s Travels, by N.C. Macleod, (2) Notes on some of the Plants introduced into the Victoria Gardens, Bombay, during the past eight years (Part II), by Cowasjee D, Mahaluxmivala, PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21st JANUARY, 1902. A meeting of the members took place on Tuesday, the 21st January, 1902, at the Society’s Rooms, Dr. D. Macdonald presiding. NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following new members was announced :— Lieutenant William F, Harvey, M.A.,1.M.S. (Saugor) ; Staff-Surgeon W. Stericker, R. N., H. M. S. Fox, (Persian Gulf); Mr, A. C, Logan, LCS, (Broach) ; Lieutenant B. E. A. Manson (Belgaum) ; Mr. J. G. Burn, I.C.S, (Madanapall); Mr, H. B. Peirce (Bombay); Mr. Arthur Langham (Bombay) ; Bale® J. R. Stuart, R.A.M.C, (Bombay) ; Mr. Eric McDougall (Burma); Mr, F, B, P. Lory, B.A. (Bombay). CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM, Mr. H, M. Phipson, the Honorary Secretary, acknowledged receipt of the following contributions since the last meeting :— Contributions. Description. | Contributor. 1 White-faced Stiff-taill Hrzsmatura leucoce phata 4 Major F, J. H. Barton. Duck. 2 Bearded Vultures, or Gypaetus barbatus sea eorees) Mr, CO, H. Donald, Lamergeyers. | 1 Imperial Eavle «......+.s-.! Aquila heUiacd .....s0vecccees aes Do. 1 Monal Pheasant............ Lophophorus 7efUcgens seveee| Do. % Desere Larks ...seccocsovees, ALHMON MVSETIONWIA oraccerseree Mr. Percy Hide. 1L Cotton Teal.........sccce-.| Mettopus cov Oe ee: ‘Do. 1 Griffon Vulture .....c0- GY DS hiMalayensis sesevcesseve » Major G. 5S. Rodon. 2) Pant’ er Cubs . ..........- FAS Or dus cesrecsesccereee opel L. L Fenton. 1 Bonellis Eagle ...sc....066 Wis@tus FASCIATUS sesveerssoee Maj. R. M. Betham. The Jaw-bones of a Whale.| Balenoptera INDiCOsecr.-.c00, Mr C. H. Palmer, 1.C.8., and Mr, C. V. Vernon, I, Oe Ss. 1 Snake (alive) soccccrcorresee) CEMDCTUS THYNCHOPS sssvereee ‘Mr. H. H, Aitken. PAPER READ. Captain George Lamb, M.B., I.M.S8., read a most interesting paper on the Physiological Action of Snake Venoms and their Antidote, explaining with great clearness, the difference which exists between the action of Cobra poison and that of Daboia poison and maintaining that whereas we possess in Dr. Galinette’s Antivenin an infalliable antidote against the former, the remedy is quite useless in the case of the latter, 404 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Captain Lamb stated that, so far he had not made any experiments with the poison of the Phoorsa (Echis carinata) or the various species of Kraits (Bun- garus) having been unable to obtain a supply. He hoped that members of the Society would assist him in his efforts to obtain live specimens of these snakes, The method of extracting the poison from a live Cobra was demonstrated before the meeting and also the mode of administrating food into the snake by means of a funnel, A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Captain Lamb for his valuable paper, which will duly appear in the Society’s Journal. Mr, Comber called attention to letters received from Mr, W, D. Cumming, of Ormara, on the Mekran coast, reporting the occurrence there of the Red- breasted Merganser (Jerganser serrator), of which there was previously only one authentic record within “Indian” limits, and of a species of Diver (Colymbus) which genus has never been known or suspected to occur in any part of the Indian region. Some curious instances of albinism were also referred to, in which some caged Buntings had replaced “ plucked” wing and tail feathers by white ones. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18TH FEBRUARY, 1902. A meeting of the members was held at the Society's Rooms on Tuesday, the 18th February 1902, Mr, F. 0, Gadsden, R.I.M., presiding, NEW MEMBERS, The election of the following new members was announced :—Mr. R, C, H. Barnard, C.E, (Lanauli); Mr, William Hali (Bomhay); Mr. A, A. Gover, D.S. P. (Wizagapatam) ; Mr. H. A. B. Vernon, 1.0.8, (Vizagapatam) ; Mr. J, Humphrey (Bombay) ; the Honorary Secretary of the Sind Club (Karachi) Professor G. A. Gammie (Poona); Mr, H, P. Todd-Naylor, LCS., C.L.E, (Minbu, Barma) ; Mr, Kirkman Finlay (Rangoon); Mr. H. Haussler (Ran_ goon); Mr, Neville Eliot, R. A. (Rawalpindi) ; and H. H. the Maharajah of Mysore (Mysore), (Life Member). CONTRIBUTIONS, Mr, H. M. Phipson, the Honorary Secretary, acknowledged receipt of the following contributions since the last meeting :— CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM, ——_—— Ghatitetone Description. | Contributors. WI Sere Ee buaueoo ono codponcoceeus Gongylophis conicus ss... Mr. R. OH. Harter. 1 do. (Ali Ve) .-es-sserceveeeees LEIA CR OWIUY Meseentaencavecsedsees My. EB. Good: A Collection of Hymenoptera eepeceese Major C G. Nurse, fl Snake (alive)....ssceseereeees Ery2 jolinti ...ccs00cecceseeeee| Mr, BE. J Lilly. 1 Do. cvecsscassce res coe] GONG YLOPRIS CONECUS ...0000 ».| Capt. G. Lamb, I.M.S. 1 Cobra (alive)...... pENaOOOOOAG Naia EPIPUDIANS s.reecsccceceee Do. 1 Dhaman (alive).......sss0- ZA MRIS WUCOSUS evceveceesesvee Do. Anumber of Indian Ger-|Gerbillus indicuseeseeneeeee., Mr, A. H. A.Simcox, I.C.8, billes. 1 Puff Adder’s Skin os... Vipera Arietans secsscereeee ina Pra previews PROCEEDINGS. 405 ACCOUNTS FOR 1901, Mr. N. C. Macleod, the Honorary Treasurer, placed before the meeting a statement of accounts for the year ending 31st December, 1901, showing a credit balance of Rs. 982-7-3 in cash, and Rs. 4,800 invested in Government Paper, It was resolved that the accounts be passed subject to the usual audit. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. The President, Vice-Presidents, and members of the Managing Committee for the present year were duly elected as follows :— President—H.E. the Right Hon’ble Lord Northcote. Vice-Presidents—Mr. J. D. Inverarity and Dr. D, MacDonald. Managing Committee—Veterinary-Captain G, H, Evans, Mr, E, C, Stuart Baker, Dr. D. MacDonald, Mr, E, H. Aitken, Rev. F, Dreckmann, 8, J., Mr. B, Ernest Green, Lieutenant-Colonel K. R. Kirtikar (1. M. 8.), Mr. J. D. Inverarity, Mr. W. 8. Millard, Colonel H, D. Olivier, R.E., Mr, A, Abercrom- bie, Mr, E, L, Barton, Mr, R. Gilbert, Mr. E, Comber, Mr. R. C. Wroughton, Mr.:T, B. D, Bell, Major A, Newnham, Mr. F. O. Gadsden, Major ©. G. Nurse, and Mr, G, O. Dudgeon, Mr. N. C. Macleod, Honorary Treasurer, ex-officio, Mr. H. M, Phipson, Honorary Secretary, ex-officio, PAPERS READ, The following papers were read and discussed, 1. “Notes on the Hog Deer in Burma (with Photographs), ”’ by Veteri- nary-Captain"George H. Evans, A.V.D. 3.. Aids*to the Differentiation of Snakes, ” by Captain F’, Wall, I.M.S. 3 “ Sand Grouse in Northern Gujarat, ” by Major C. G. Nurse. 1, “Travancore Snakes, ” by H. 8S. Ferguson, F.LS. 5 “ A novel method of catching a Jackal, ” by Major D. Thomson, 6. “ Occurrence of the Avocet near Poona, ” by Major R. M. Betham. 7. “Notes onsome Lakhimpur Birds,” by H. N. Coltart. 8 <* Qeeurrence of the White-faced or Stiff-tail Duck et Mardan,” by Major F. J, H. Barton. 9. “A man-eating Panther,” (witha Photograph), by W. A. Conduit. 10, “Extraordinary magnitude of a Snake’s meal,” by :Captain F, Wall, I.M.5. 11. “Our Collection of Eagles and Owls,” by E, H. Aitken. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18ta MARCH, 1902. A meeting of the members was held at the Society’s rooms on Tuesday, the 18th March, 1902, Mr. F, O. Gadsden presiding. NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following new members was announced :— Mr, Donald N. Graham (Bombay) ; Captain A, L. Valentine (Bombay) ; Mr, J. D. Mills (Hampshire, England) ; Mr. A. L. Whittell (Bombay) ; 27 406 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XLV. Mr, John 8, Anderson (Coorg) ; Captain P. F, Chapman, I.M.S, (Raipur, C.P.) ; Mr. C. G, C. French, LC.S. (Raipur, C.P.); Mr.-W. De Morgan, C.E., (Waltair); Mr. G. Monteath, 1.C.S. (Dharwar); and Mr, Douglas. Dewar, I.C.S. (Almora, N.-W. P.). CONTRIBUTIONS. The Honorary Secretary acknowledged receipt of the following contribu-. tions since the last meeting :— CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM, Contributions. Description. Contributors. $3 Paleolithic implements custiiers Mr. H. W. Seton-Karr. found in Somali Land. A collection of photographs aqntosode Mr. T. J. Spooner, C.E. of Animals shot in Hast Africa. 1 White-bellied Sea Eagle] Haliaetus lewcogaster .........|Mr. C. E. C. Fischer. 1 Shama. .....coccseres coccceces| CAtEOCIICIG MACTUTA cecersceeces Mrs. Bythell. 4 Snakes (alive) ...... voo.-.| Dipsas forstentd ..coveceereeeeeee|Capt. C, Lamb, I.M.S. 1 Shikra......e00- secesvcccse[AStUT DAAIUS soerevccecesseer-e+|Mr. J. D. Inverarity. 7 Rats (alive) secceconecee.|2erbllus indicus, Nesocia\Mr. A. H. A. Simzox, I.C.S. bengalensis, ctc. MINOR CONTRIBUTIONS From Mr. H. B, Peirce. PAPERS READ. ‘“‘ Bombay Ducks from a Sportsman’s Point of View,” by Colonel H. D. Olivier, R.E. A very interesting lecture was given by Colonel Olivier on the above subject in which he | ointed out from the specimens of ducks in the Society’s collection, the distinguishing characteristics of each species, and gave some account of his experiences in duck-shooting in the Bombay Presidency, Mr. E. H. Aitken read a paper written by Mr. 8. M. Fraser, I.C.S., on “ Tiger-netting in Mysore,” in which he observes that it is probable that in spite of what Sanderson and others have written, there is still a good deal of misconception about tiger-netting as pursued in Mysore, which is a genuine native sport well worth witnessing by any one interested in wild beasts and their ways. The paper will appear in full in the Society's Journal. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 22np APRIL, 1902. A MEETING of the members was held at the Society’s rooms on Tuesday, the 22nd April, 1902, Dr, D. MacDonald presiding, ‘i NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following new members was announced :— Major T. D. Collis Barry, I.M.S, (Bombay); Captain P. F, Pocock (Khar) ; Mr. B. H. Barlow-Poole, I.F.S. (Anantapur); Major W, E, Jennings, I.M.S. (Poona) ; Captain M. B. Roberts (Lansdowne); Lieutenant Richard Clifford PROCEEDINGS. 40T (Myitkyina); Captain H. Des Voceux (Bassein, Burma) ; Mr, W. Sparke (Bassein, Burma) ; Mr. J, H, Burkill (Calcutta) ; Mr. F, D, Little (Katha, Upper Burma); Dr, W. S. J. Shaw (Sholapur) ; and Mr, H. V. Purkis (Bhadarwa, Jammu State), CONTRIBUTIONS, The Honorary Secretary acknowledged receipt of the following contribu- tions since last meeting :-— CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM. ae he ate tier Se a (i ae te ae © MEST SCLT ETS ee Lal OR Te nn Contributions. Descriptions. Contributors. ee 1 Snake Glive) .....2.... cores LChis CATINATA -seeereveeereeeee) Dr. A. H. Deane. MiSnakelsesecesessce sntelecceueusee Lytorhynchus paradoxus ...| Lieut. G. A. Hawks. 63 [semi GUUS cocoacooncond0000 »| Melursus UrsimUs soecccseece ace 7 Panther ee seacaca0NsNO000 MCL ES ND OROIS eccosscncestacc sees | Ey con ays cullicsecdseasscccseses LLY @NG SETIATUS sacescovceseree i Wosea ae ee ee ‘ccse| (CODE B. G. Burton 1 Wild Dog’s Skull.........00 (Cyon duBhumensis ...00cccee 1 Indian Gazelle’s Skull...... Gazella DEnnetts ...ceccoceeeres| 2) Worials) (alive); -cs-+sss-1os << | Ovss Vignes ....00-00 sb 6N0a00 «| Capt. P. Z, Cox, F.Z.8, Th SIE aocoododoescbonbacsocs0n304 |_Dipsas forsteni........0.c+s-20 | Rey. B. Wright, H. Be 8. Highflyer. 1 Hamadryad (alive)........ «| GIG DUNGATUS ..ccccosescecee pee Viele hele 1 White-legged Falconet ...| Wicrohierax Ss: i 1 Large Indian Pratineole.. Glariola orientalis ............| Mr. Vernon Woods.2 ~ 1 Samll Indian Pratincole..) Do. lactea.. rad aoe e : 3 Eggs of Indian Green Thereicery zeylonicus ee. Mr. J. Spilling. Barbet. A quantity of Fossil shells.. anCnO0G0e Benes 2Spotted Hawk- Eagles| Spizactus nepalensis .......... Mr. C. H. Donald. (alive). | | Some fishes, shells and ma-! secn00c60 ; Mr. F. W. Townsend. rine specimens from the! Persian Gulf. Ri SralceWteccssoseaceensessieoss Ty phlops ACUtUS ssescecoeee. ..| Mr. F. Dundas Whiffin. 1. Chesnut-headed Shortwing. |Oligura castaneicoronata se ] 0 1 Black-chinned Yuhina ...) Yuhina nigrimentum ......0.. > Mr. 8. L. Whymper. 1 Bronzed Drongo .......e00 «| Chaptia @NeG .....sre0e6 neootod Some photoeraphs OL t Me Dost A eee oe | Col. St. G. Gore, R.E. erowth of Picus cordifolia. 1 Dhaman with Begs sasies eroe| ZUMENIS MUCOSUS «+.0+00e00eeee0| Major C. T. Hudson, L.M.S, LT Snake .....ccsccccsssscceecee| O1ig0400 SUDGTESEUS co..c00veeee| | SHONTOE SHADOWS \Gootdess-oocood) » |) eaHoooaed be K. H. Aitken. 1 Nest of Malabar Wood-| | Tephrodornis sylvicolases..rove shrike. WiDizard! <.....60. secvereos| VATANUS DENGALERSIS cesereoes j il Himalayan Belen Ce Pai BA0LUTUS GTAYt....00000...| {Gent W. Osborn. 1 Leopard Cat ....... pacoac90000 Felis Lengalensis...ceccccecses S$) Photocraphs of sea) Misheec) 8 Wobsee. Mr. C.J. I. Jones, PPS WOrdetishteessicccwcnsesracces Histiophorus SD. coscoonoo 2b 6c0| R.I.M. 1 Snake (alive) ....00... eeree.| Zropidonotus plumbicolor .... Mr. P. Gerhardt, MINOR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM Mr, A. R. Wilson (Almora, N.-W.-P.), Mr. D, A. Macmillan (Orissa), Mr, J Spilling, Mr, G, P. Millett (Kanara), and Mr, G, R, Lowndes. 408 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV EXHIBITS, A large Sword Fish (Histiophorus sp.), presented by Mr. C, J.1, Jones, R.I.M., was exhibited. It was captured off the Laccadive Islands and measured 9ft, 1lin, in length and 106]bs, in weight. Some excellent photo- graphs showing the rapidity of growth of Ficus cordifolia ona mango tree were exhibited by Colonel St. G. Gore, R.E., of Dehra Dun. PAPERS READ. The following papers were then read: “ Note on the habits of the Banded Crake (Rallina superciliaris) and the Malay Bittern (Gorsachius melanolo- phus),” by T. R. Bell, I.F.S.; “ Notes on some Nepenthes and other new stove plants introducedtinto Bombay,” by W. 8. Millard ; “ Miscellaneous notes on Birds’ nesting round Poona and elsewhere,” by Major R. M. Betham, Dr, MACDONALD’S RETIREMENT, Mr, Aitken then asked permission to say a few words about the chairman who was very shortly to leave, and would probably never be present rani at a meeting of the Society, He said that probably few of those present knew the real origin of the Bombay Natural History Society, or had any idea teat Dr, MacDonald was the fons et origo of the whole thing. But such was the fact, It was early in 1883 that Dr. MacDonald suggested that it would be an excellent thing to form a Society for the study of Natural History, Dr, Maconachie told the speaker, who welcomed the suggestion, and with the view of translating suggestion into fact, asked Dr. Maconachie to name a day and place for the first meeting. The result “was that six gentlemen met in the Victoria and Albert Museum and constituted themselves the Bombay Natural History Society. The six were, Dr, Maconachie, Dr, MacDonald, Dr, Atmaram, Mr. J, C, Anderson, Mr. J. Johnston, and the speaker, The membership now was over seven hundred, and of the six original members only Dr, MacDonald and the speaker were in Bombay this day. Dr, Mac- Donald had been one of their Vice-presidents all through the Society’s wonder- ful career, He had often filled the chair at their meetings. He had continuously filled a place in their slender list of office-bearers, and that was 4 difficult place to fill, as the Secretary knew, He was Jeaving them at last and the speaker thought they ought to remember gratefully his long éansiee. tion with the fortunes of the Society and wish him a happy time in his own land, The proposition was seconded by Mr. Millard and carried by acclamation. Dr, MacDonald replied briefly, disowning the credit which Mr, Aitken had given him and thanking the members for their kind thoughts of him, A vote of thanks was passed to the donors of the papers, and the meeting then terminated, TLO pu’ 1 Lf-O1z10.01 Sodg7 rsa jut is Tetete {) sf yan ae aelira) RIN ponh.1one “Wal GS39NIM-3N1d YO AANVOYVS SHL leP PSpoT ay ee Tel 90G 4st YEN Kequiog win JOURNAL OF THE vis Ary dlatural History Socicty, pw UT ROMBAY. 620 Nog. THE KING-COBRA, OR HAMADRYAD—WNAJA BUNGARUS (Boutencer), OPHIOPHAGUS ELAPS (Guntur). By Very. Carr. G. H. Evans, (With a Plate.) BurmEse.—Gnan-Gnan-bok. K aren.—Gni-thaw— Gni-thaw-plaw. SHAN.—Gnu-son-an. The Hamadryad is at least by its notoriously evil reputation known to a large number of our readers, and having seen something of this reptile, it occurred to me that a paper on the subject might prove of some interest. This snake may be met with in suitable localities throughout this province and adjoining States, Many of us have heard of exciting encounters with, and hair-breadth escapes from, this much- dreaded reptile. On looking over some books on Burma I came across the following remarks in Mason’s work :—‘ Burma, its People and Pro- ductions,” revised by Theobald, Volume I, pages 309 and 310 :—*“ The Hamadryad is the most formidable reptile in the country. It may be described in general terms as a magnificent variety of the cobra, but ' bas no markings on it. It bears the character of being a very fierce snake and of always pursuing when attacked. I met one on the Toungoo Hills, two or three years ago, when accompanied by a dozen Karens. We all stopped, and the brute being some ten or twelve feet long, no one was disposed to attack him. He glided close by us in a very deliberate manner, seeming to say, ‘ Let me alone, and I will let you alone,’ and we accepted the terms. One of these serpents, about 1 410 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV; seven feet long and one foot in circumference, was caught in Shwagyen, and after being secured to a bamboo, was brought to Major Berdmore, He sent for a famous Burmese serpent-charmer who met the brute on the verandah in the confident expectation of subduing it by a ‘ few brays,’ a bold front and ashake of the finger. At first the serpent appeared to cower beneath his glance, but when he approached and put forth his hand, it sprang on his wrist and bit him, The man felt the poison up te his shoulder in an instant, and ran off immediately to his house, which was near, for an antidote; but he fell exhausted on the threshold, and expired in less than half an hour after he was bitten. The Karens say they are sometimes three fathoms long, but from ten to twelve feet is the most common length of adults. A Karen at my side says that on three several instances he has seen a Hamadryad devouring other snakes, so one of its specific names, ‘ Ophiophagus’ ( snake-eater ), is most appropriate. An intelligent Barman told me that a friend of his one day stumbled upon a nest of these serpents, and immediately re- treated ; but the old female gave chase. The man fled with all speed over hill and dale, till, reaching a small river, he plunged in, hoping he had then escaped his fiery enemy ; but, lo! on reaching the opposite bank, up reared the furious Hamadryad, its eyes glistening with rage, ready to bury its fangs in his trembling body. In utter despair he bethought himself of his turben, and ina moment dashed it upon the serpent which darted upon it like lightning, and for some moments wreaked its vengeance in furious bites, after which it returned to its former haunts.” Mr. Theobald in the work referred to writes :—“1 was one even- ing attracted by a noise cf men and dogs near my tent, and found 4 large crowd round a bush, in which some creature was at bay. On coming up I found ii to be a magnificent ‘Gnan’ (Hamadryad) twelve feet long, which was making furious charges at the dogs, but was protected by the bushes among which it kept from the men who, moreover, were very much disinclined to come very close. Taking a stick from a boy, I directed all present te go the other side of the bush and keep quiet, whilst I stationed myself 2 few yards in the open. As I anticipated, in a minute or so the ‘ Gnan’ thinking the coast clear came straight out on my side, with the idea of escaping ; and, when well clear of the bushes, 1 made one step forward, and delivered a smart blow on the neck, and before he could recover himself, I was upon him and had him firmly by the nape.” Yule in his “ Embassy te Ava, ” THE KING-COBRA, OR HAMADRYAD, ait page 180, remarks :—“ At about a mile from the coal we eame on a large Hamadryad snake, One of the men had a double-barrelled gun, but when he attempted to fire at it, all the rest cried to him to stop. I said, ‘Shoot him,’ but the snake looked at us and glided away unhurt. I asked him why he did not shoot it. The reply was curious as bearing out a statement in Mason’s ‘Tennasserim’ which I confess, I did not credit before. They said it would, if hurt, turn after and chase them ; so it got off. It was about 9 feet long.’ Boulenger, “Reptilia and Batrachia”” (Fauna of British India), page 393, states :—‘‘ From its larger size and fiercer habits this snake is still more dangerous than the cobra; it is fortunately less common.” Mr. Hauxwell, I.F.S., informed me that at Shwegyin in 1883, while sitting in his verandah one day, he heard screams and shouts of snakes from the hoase on the opposite side of the road. He ran across and found a Burmese girl under the portico at the foot of the steps striking with a bamboo about 8! long, at an infuriated Hamadryad, afterwards found to be over 8! in length. Owing to the length of the bamboo she was doing more harm to the posts and balustrade of the steps than to the snake ; at the same time it was evident that the snake was more inteat on escaping than on attacking her, although quite prepared to defend himself. On his telling the girl to leave off trying to hit the snake and to run away—a request she complied with without demur— the snake at once settled down and endeavoured to escape, when it was an easy matter to break his back and bring him to book. In 1892 while the same gentleman was “ collecting ” along the sand banks of the Thoungyin river, he observed a large snake coiled up ina willow bush, Being anxious to take him alive, Mr. Hauxwell sent some Burmans to cut forked sticks, while he with a small collecting gun in his hand remained to watch the snake which never moved till the men returned and commenced poking about with the sticks, when he quietly tried to glide away. On being touched with a stick, however, he im- mediately reared up and dilated his neck. There was then no question as to what the snake was, but as he was not further molested, he sank down and made for the river, when he was shot. Length—10'-7" Girth—over 5". Mr. Hauxwell in a note to me, added:—“I do not believe in the aggressiveness with which this snake is cre- dited. He will, like anything else, make every effort to defend himself when cornered, but will, in nine cases out of ten, prefer to make off and 412 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. save his own skin.” My experience is quite in accord with that of the above named gentleman, viz., that it is unusual for them to be aAgOTeSsive. I consider their evil propensities have been greatly exaggerated. Their large size, activity, fierce appearance when irritated, readiness to attack on slight and at times seemingly without provocation, have undoubtedly tended to earn for them a bad character. There is however, no denying, that empty-handed, an infuriated Hamadryad is about as nasty a creature as one could possibly be brought in contact with. I have met several individuals who have had the unpleasant experience of being chased, and though there was an unanimity of opinion as to the shocking sensa- tions produced, apparently all had the full use of their limbs, or hama- dryads are not fleet, or do not pursue for any distance, as not one would even admit to having nearly been caught, Asa rule, people have such a dislike for the most ordinary snakes that when one is met with he is pretty certain to have his back broken, and, later his head battered and mangled to an extent certain to preclude the possibility of his ever doing damage. The amount of fear likely to be inspired by a snake with a reputation for being ordinarily aggressive can readily be imagined, and perhaps there is nothing in this world so caleulated to even make a lame man put his best leg forward as the knowledge that a Hamadryad is at his heels. For my own part I have no pretentions to being fleet of foot, but if ever I have been near breaking the record for 100 yards (I regret I cannot give the time), it was on an occasion whena Hamadryad turned, his attentions tome. The snake was moving along rather fast through grass, and having caught a glimpse of his size, 1 concluded it was a python; so taking a stick from the hand of a friend, I ran after him, only to soon have the tables turned, for as I approached he suddenly, stopped, turned, and raised his head and neck. I at once perceived my mistake, took advantage of the start, and what is more, to my surprise, intense relief and astonishment of my friend, maintained my distance throughout the race, My friend who had never before heard of a Hamadryad, and enjoyed what he described as the fan, stated with evident disappointment that the snake had only followed some twenty or thirty yards ; as I never troubled to look behind till I came up to him, I accepted the statement. I have endeavoured to obtain authentic information regarding instances of bites and results, but have only four worth y of mention, not a formidable number for a snake so greatly dreaded, a THE KING-COBRA,OR HAMADRYAD., 413 (1) Some few years ago at Yenangyat or Yenangyoung, I now forget which, a Shan snake-charmer was exhibiting four Hamadryads There is a custom among many Burmans, Shans, etc., to have them- selves specially tatooed, and even to have charms inserted beneath the skin in order to render themselves invulnerable to certain things, e.9., bullets, snakebite, &c. It happened that on this occasion among the spectators was a Burman who had recently undergone some such treatment as described against snake-bite, and, no doubt, thinking it an excellent opportunity for displaying his invulnerability before an admiring audience, ke proceeded to boldly play with the snakes, one of which (a recent capture) soon became enraged, struck at and seized him by the hand, with the result that the unfortunate man soon died. Some few days after this occurrence I saw the snakes and took the opportunity of inspecting the mouth of the one which had bitten the man, and discovered that the fangs had been rudely broken and that the portions remaining were sufficiently long if the snake man- aged to get a grip to penetrate flesh. The snake was a very fine specimen. (2) A Burman captured a Hamadryad, brought it home, and kept it in a covered basket. Sume friends anxious to see the snake called at his house, when he at once offered to exhibit it; but apparently he was too careless in removing it from the basket or in handling it, for it seized him at the base of the index finger, and he shortly after died from the effects of the bite. (3) One evening, just after dusk, a man was driving home along a jangle track, when his bullocks suddenly shied and dashed into the jungle. On pulling them up he got down from the cart and taking his dah went off to see if he could ascertain the cause of their alarm, and to his surprise found a Hamadryad lying disabled across the track, a wheel having passed over his body. The cartman cut a Halaboe! killed the snake, and returned to his cart, when he soon observed one of the bullocks trembling, &c, He unyoked the animal, but it gradu- ally became worse and died. On several occasions I have seen a cobra lying in the grass between the ruts on a cart-track, when disturbed, strike at the bullocks in a passing cart. (4) A few men accompanied by a dog were walking along a jungle path, when suddenly the dog, which was following ata little distance behind, . gave a sharp bark, On looking round he was seen 414 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. running towards them, and shortly after coming up with them, they noticed something wrong, so leaving the dog they went back a little way, when they saw a Hamadryad emerge from the hollow in the base of a large tree. The party forthwith dispersed, and in time returned to where they had left the dog and found him dying. I suppose the dog could not resist having a peep in at the hole as he passed, thus disturbing the snake which at once bit him. One fre- quently hears of dogs being pursued, which is undoubtedly due to their prying and inquisitive habits ; but I have not heard of any being run down, Perhaps, as is the case with men, a Hamadryad in rear forces. the pace. It is probable that every year several oxen are bitten by these snakes, asin some districts immense herds are grazed in unreserved forest tracts. They, I think, show a decided preference for damp places, and are certainly fond of water ; in fact, I cannot remember ever having met one very far from it. They swim gracefully, are given to lying in pools in the hot weather, and evince no hesitation in entering creeks, &c. Mr. Hauxwell told me that a Hamadryad that he afterwards killed, was always to be found lying in the same pool for several successive days, and a Burman, well known to me who spends his life in the jungles cutting canes, bamboos, &c., on my questioning him, said he rarely met one while going about his work, but that during the heat of the day in the hot season, in a certain streapi he mentioned, he had frequently seen one, rarely two, lying in one or other of the pools. He had seen several Hamadryads, and had never been molested. On three separate occasions I have seen a Hamadryad swimming. The first was when I observed one crossing a creek some thirty yards wide, the second when one came swimming down a stream we were fording, and we left hur-. riedly ; and the third was also while crossing a stream, when we saw a Hamadryad swimming in a pool below us. I have heard of several other instances where a Hamadryad has been met with crossing streams. Except when ina party, Burmans and Karens are generally speaking much afraid, as they say asnake will generally try and escape when they see a number of men, not so when there is only one or two. They also state that these snakes will invariably pursue (a) when sudden- ly disturbed, (b) when guarding their nests, (¢) when provoked. No doubt as regards (a) the statement is correct; with regard to (6) I can only say that I have twice come on a kind of nest (a heap of dry leaves) THE KING-COBRA, OR HAMADRY AD. 415 end I certainly did not approach nearer than twenty yards crso; In neither instance did the snake attempt to attack me, though from the fact of raising the body, &c., it was evident I had been observed. I killed both, near the nests, destroying 29 eggs in one, and 21 in the other nest. The eggs were lying under leaves, &c., at the bottom of the mests, one lot contained embryos, the other no trace. .To the best of my recollection I found them towards the end of April or early in May. The Burmans with me on each occasion ran away in spite of my having agun. The explanation afforded was quaint, v7z., that Hamadryads live in pairs, and as the male always lives near the nest to take turn to guard the eggs, the shot would be sure to alarm him, and on discovering his mate ruthlessly slaughtered, would chase us in the hopes of avenging her death. If what a Shan told me be true, Hamadryads either do not always attack an intruder, or do not always remain in the immediate vicinity of their nests to protect the eggs. Some two years ago in the month of July I came across a Shan at the foot of the hills east of Yame- thin, he was carrying some snakes eggs, and the information he gave me was roughly as follows. He was returning from a village in the hiils, and feeling thirsty left the track to obtain a drink, when he suddenly found himself alongside a Gnan’s nest, he nipped up the nearest tree thinking the snake would be after him. After waiting some little time and not seeing the Gnan about he came down, collected the eggs and bolted back to the path; he was in a great fright till he got on to open ground. He assured me there were more than thirty egos, he had broken some, and still had some two dozen, which he was taking asa present to a snake-charmer friend at N younglén.” (c) This is generally speaking, correct; but it often requires much irritation to provoke attack, Many harmless snakes, when cornered, will menace and often strike with great malice; and I well remember when driving to camp in a bullock cart rather late one evening we came on a cobra. I told the cartman to get out and kill it. He took his cane and went. after the cobra, aimed a blow at it and missed, The snake was round instantly, and with hood extended came straight at him, when the man struck it a blow which killed it. With regard to their food, snakes innocent and poisonous, apparently enter into the bill of fare ; but I imagine their diet is not restricted to snakes. Other varieties of snakes often make a meal on another, the python, cobra, Bungarus fasciatus, Simotes cyclurus, &e, Twice I haye 416 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. seen a Hamadryad with a snake, Onthe first occasion when out with Mr. G. who killed the snake in the act of swallowing a monocellate cobra (Naia tripudians) ; 18" had been swallowed. Onthe other occasion I was with Mr. Todd-Naylor, Commissioner of the Minbu Division. About 10-30 a.m. on the 28th August 1901, we were crossing the Sun Choung (stream), in the Magwe District and were half-way across, when a Burman with us called out “Sabagyi” (python), another “ No-Gnan, ” on hearing which we promptly loaded our rifles, and then saw in the pool below us a very fine snake which I recognized to be a Hamadryad. The fore-part of the body was raised, and he was carrying something in his jaws in the manner a dog does a stick. One Burman:said it wasa “ put’? (Varanus), another a snake. The Barmans ran off and cut long bamboos from aclump hard by. We then proceeded towards the pool, where the spake was still swimming about ; but on our approach he at once swam to a rock in the water, depositing on it what we then saw to bea large snake, and forthwith swam for, and took refuge under, an undermined portion of the opposite bank, where he promptly began to drag his body up through a hole in the bank, and was rapidly disappearing from our gaze, when he stupidly showed his head at another hole in the face of the bank. The Burmans taking advantage of his position stepped into the water and thrust bamboos at the hole, which manceuvre caused him to lower his body again into the water. He next made a bid for a landing on the opposite bank, but the splashing of the water with the bamboos used in vain efforts to kill him, evidently scared him, as he immediately retreated under cover of the bank. It was only after much provocation that he was again induced to leave cover, when he once more tried to effect a landing. The bamboos were plied with much vigour, and, I think he was probably touched. Atany rate, he whipped round and with body raised quite 18", neck dilated, a most malicious look in his eyes which made us wish ourselves elsewhere, came straight at us, The Burmans waited till he came well within reach, and then aimed blowsat him. Whether he was injured or not I cannot say, but he was knocked clean under water, only to re-appear with expanded hood quite close to us. We were about to fire, when a Burman fortunately struck him behind the head and killed him. We dragged him on toa sand bank, and ran the tape over him. Length—11'-4"—Girth—7}". We next proceeded to fish out the snake which had slipped off the rock into the water, and to our astonishment THE KING-COBRA, OR HAMADRYAD, 417 it proved to be a Hamadryad. We placed him alongside of the other. Leneth—8'-6"—Girth—5t". It really required a stretch of imagination to think that the larger snake meant to make a meal off the smaller one, as we assumed must have been his intention. For what other purpose ° could he have been carrying about a dead snake ? By the appearance of the skin of the larger snake it was clear he had quite recently sloughed, so we determined to take it, and -accordingly asked the Burmans to skin it. Their faces dropped, and it was clear no one was keen on doing it, so we enquired why, and were gravely told that the risks attending the operation were very serious. Should the operator by any chance get pricked ky a bone, it meant certain death, the bones being extremely poisonous. We never heard this theory before, so Mr. Todd-Naylor announced his intention of skinning the snake. The thought ofa Mingyi (Commissioner), exhibiting such reckless beha- viour proved too much for them, as two Burmans stepped forward prepared to accept the risk. We observed that the care exercised by the operators was such as to render a prick froma bone highly improb- able. Another Burman, judging by the manner in which he handled the skin, must have thought it poisonous. As we were leaving the stream I observed the carcase of the snake on the bank, which surprised mo; sc I asked if they were not going to bring it to camp for dinner, which question appeared to somewhat astonish them, On my remarking that Karens ate the flesh and pronounced it good, one man ventured to say that “some people will eatanything.”’ This was really funny coming from a Burman, many of whom do not hesitate to eat adjutants, snakes, hawks, &c. Up to date I have not been fortunate enough to kill a Hamadryad after a meal, Burmans and Karens recognize two varieties of this snake, viz., the dusky without markings Gnan-bdk ; and the belted-Gnan. The former are reputed to be infinitely more fierce and aggressive than the latter. I have only met with two specimens, and both of these, when carefully inspected showed faint markings. The young are dark olive-brown in colour, with well marked and rather bright yellow rings or chevron- shaped marks, With regard to the size of these snakes, the longest I have measured was in the hands of asnake-charmer. We straightened him out as well as we could, and he taped 13!-4". Had the snake been dead, he would probably have measured another 4". I have records of two others 13. I think, asa general rule, adults run anything between 2 418 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, 10' and 12’. I believe a friend measured one that taped 15’. The circumstances connected with the specimen, coupled with the unusual size, tended to impress the facton my memory. To the best of my recollection the facts are as follows:—Mr. H., shortly after his arrival in Burma, was riding through some jungle near K., in the Toungoo District. Suddenly he cbserved a Jarge snake coming straight at him or his pony. As he approached it reared up dilating its hood. Mr. H. fortunately had a longish cane in his hand, so he leaned sideways, struck at and luckily hit the snake on the head. He at once dismounted, and administered some further blows. On his return to camp during breakfast he mentioned the episode, and was promptly chaffed. He, however, stated that the snake was dead and could be produced. It occurred to my friend, the late Mr. T., that the snake was possibly a Hamadryad, so after breakfast the party went off, found and measured this enormous specimen. Differences between Nata bungarus (Hamadryad) and Nada tri- pudians (Cobra). Naia bungarus. Nata tripudians. (a) Rostral much broader than (a) Rostral little broader than deep. deep. (6) Internasal separated from (5) Internasal in contact with preocular. preeocular. (c) A pair of large shields be- (c) Absent. hind parietals. Tam indebted to Mr. T. H. Hauxwell, I.F.S., for the drawings illustrating the above mentioned points. Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. |. PAIR LARGE SRIELDS BEHIND PARIETALS OCCIPITAL 1 ’ 1 ! 1 ‘ 1 1 2. POST PARIETALS WANTING R. Rostral Oc: Occipital | Internasal Fr. Praocular Prf Pratronta! Po Postocular F Frontal |, 2, 3, etc., Upper lavials S. Supraocuiar Pa. Farieta: T. Temporal <= 2. ROSTRAL LITTLE BROADER THAN DEEP \ ' 1, ROSTRAL MUCH BROADER THAN DEEP. 1. INTERNASAL NOT IN CONTACT WITH PRAEOCULAR 2. INTERNASAL IN CONTACT 2. NAIA TRIPUDIANS 1. NAIA BUNGARUS. 419 DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF HYMENOPTERA COLLECTED BY MAJOR C. G. NURSE AT DEESA, SIMLA AND FEROZEPORE, By P. Cameron. Part II. (Continued from page 293 of this Volume.) ANTHOPHILA.* LAMPROAPIS, gen. nov. Wings with two cubital cellules in the forewings; the second cellule receives both the recurrent nervures; the first at a slightly greater distance than the second from the transverse cubital nervure. Radial cellule long, narrow, lanceolate, extending to the apex of the wing ; the transverse median nervure is received on the outer side of the externo- median, not behind it. Antenne stout, bare, the second joint is two-thirds of the length of the third; the last joint is about one-third longer than the preceding. Ocelli not quite forming a triangle (.°.). Clypeus transverse, the labrum large, gradually narrowed towards the apex. Mandibles long, rather narrow, hollowed on the outer side. Legs thickly covered with short pubescence ; the claws are bifid ; the anterior calcaria are cleft at the apex and have, on the upperside, a broad, diaphanous, rounded dilatation; the middle tibize have only one spur; the hinder two; they are sharp and bare; the basal joint of the hinder tarsi is stout and is longer than the following three joints united. Scutellum large, convex, depressed in the middle above. The base of the median segment forms a large triangular area, Abdo- men smooth and shining, sparsely haired towards the apex ; the basal segment is largely depressed at the base; the pygidium depressed ; the sides raised, keeled ; the apex incised in the middle. The abdomen is longer than the head and thorax united ; it is narrowed at the base and apex and is distinctly curved above ; there are seven dorsal segments. This genus has no near relationship with any of the known Indian genera with two cubital cells. It comes nearest to the Huropean genus Dufourea with which it agrees in having the body bare and shining ; it differs from it in the transverse median nervure, being received in * To the list of Indian Bees should be added Epeolus fervidus, Smith, Description of New Sp. of Hym., p. 102, from the Bombay District. Col. Bingham has overlooked the des- cription of this species. The genus is not included in his work. The species are parasitie and are found in mest parts of the world. 420 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XiV. front of, not behind, the externo-median ; the head is much more distinctly narrowed behind the eyes and the occiput is not transverse, but incised ; the scutellum is convex, distinctly raised, and rugose and depressed in the middle; the radial cellule is more elongated, it reaching nearer to the apex of the wing; and there is a marked difference in the relative lengths of the discoidal cellules ; in Dufourea the first and second are of about equal lengths; in the present genus the first is much longer and narrower compared to the second ; the third also is longer and narrower, being longer than broad, not broader than long. It cannot readily be confounded with Panurgus. It has more the appearance of Halictus. I unfortunately can say nothing about the form of the trophi, not having a spare specimen to risk dissecting. LAMPROAPIS MACULIPENNIS, sp, nov. (PI. fig. 2.) Nigra, nitida; capite thoraceque albo pilosis; alis hyalinis, apice fusco-violacis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 2. Loong : 8 mm. TIABITAT ; Simla. Scape of antenne closely punctured, and thickly covered with black pubescence ; the flagellum witha pale pile. Head closely and distinctly punctured and sparsely covered with long fuscous hair; the orbits margined. Face and clypeus thickly covered with depressed silvery pubescence and strongly and closely punctured ; the depressed labrum is thickly and similarly covered. The collar is smooth and depressed behind. Mesonotum closely, uniformly and rather strongly punctured ; in the centre is a narrow, deep furrow ; scutellum roundly convex, rugosely punctured, widely depressed in the middle and thickly covered with long black hair. The triangular area on the median segment is large, strongly aciculated, more strongly at the base than at the apex ; the base is irregularly striated. Pleurz closely punctured, the lower part and the sternum thickly covered with white pubescence. Legs black; the apex of the fore femora and the fore tibie in front are rufo-testaceous; the tarsi and apex of the tibize are thickly cover- ed with fulvous pubescence; the rest of the legs have a sparse white pile. Abdomen smooth and shining, bare, the apex sparsely pilose. MELANAPIS, gen. nov. Last abdominal segment with a longitudinal bare rima, bordered by distinct keels; its sides thickly covered with long stiff hairs, Trophi DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA, 424 short; the labial 4-, the maxillary palpi 6- jointed ; the basal joint of the labial is not quite twice the length of the second=-about the length of the second and third united ; the apical two joints are sub-equal, Ocelli ina curve (.°.). Face and clypeus not elongated ; the apex of the clypeus with a distinct border triangularly projecting at the apex and slightly, but distinctly, curved. Head and thorax thickly covered with longish hair; the median segment with an area on the base, Scutellum flat, Legs thickly haired ; the hair on the hinder tibiz and tarsi long and thick ; their claws have a sub-apical tooth; the front calcaria have a membraneous dilatation at the base; there is only one on the middle tibie; the hinder are long, thin, curved and bare. Wings with three cubital cellules; the second and third are equal in length on the top; but below the third is about one-half longer, being nearly as long as the lower side of the first; both the recurrent nervures are received shortly beyond the middle of the cellules ; stigma distinct, the radial cellule is narrow, longish, but not reaching to the apex of the wing. Abdomen, except on the apical segments, bare and shining; the apical segments thickly covered with long black hair; the ventral surface is almost bare. The antennz are bare and shining, short, about the length of the thorax ; the third joint twice the length of the fourth ; the mandibles are longish, stout, and end at the apex in a broad, bluntly rounded tooth which is clearly separated ; the labrum is not produced, the tarsi are short and the apical joints are narrow, compared to the basal one, which is as long as the others united and enlarged ; the middle joints are fringed with stiff hairs at the apex ; the last joint is as long as the preceding two united. The anterior ocellus is not ina pit. The-front is keeled in the middle. Eyes parallel, reaching close to the base of the mandibles. The deep black body, large size and violaceous wings give this genus the appearance of a small Xylocopa, but it has no near relationship to that genus. In Bingham’s table on p. 414 this genus comes into, “ A. Forewings with three cubital cells, a Maxil- lary palpi 6-jointed, a! -Posterior tibiee densely pubescent, a” Ocelli in a curve on the vertex” ; but it cannot be confounded with Halictus, Noma or Tetralonia, the three genera included in the section. Tt has the anal rima of Halictus, but otherwise has no near relationship to that genus, 422 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, X1V- MELANAPIS VIOLACEIPENNIS, sp. nov. (PI. fig. 1.) Nigra, nitida, capite thoraceque nigra pilosis ; alis fusco-violaceis, nervis stigmateque nigris, @ et ?. Long : 138-14 m.m. Hasirat : Ferozepore. Antenne almost bare; from the third joint rufous beneath. Head covered with long black hair; thickest on the occiput and beneath. Clypeus closely and distinctly punctured and sparsely haired ; the face is less distinctly punctured and more thickly haired ; the apex of the clypeus is roundly, but not deeply, incised and has a distinct margin. Mandibles smooth and covered with long black hair on the underside. Thorax thickly covered with long black hair. Mesonotum strongly and closely punctured ; the centre less closely than the sides and apex. Scutellum similarly punctured, most closely towards the apex, Median segment rugosely punctured; in the centre, at the base, is a large, somewhat triangular area, formed of irregular longitudinal keels, intersected with short, irregular transverse ones. Mesopleure closely rugosely punctured. Wings uniformly fuscous-violaceous; the stigma and nervures black. Legs black; the four hinder thickly covered with Jong black hair; which is very long and thick on the hinder tibie and to a less extent on the metatarsus. Abdomen smooth and shining, bare except on the fifth segment, which is thickly covered with long black hair; the sixth segment is bare in the middle; the bare part being distinctly bordered or keeled ; outside the border it is fringed densely with stiff black pubescence. ‘The apical two ventral segments are fringed thickly with long black, stiff pubescence ; the others are almost bare. The @ is similar to the 2 and is, if anything, more thickly haired ; the legs and abdomen offer no noteworthy peculiarity. ANDRENA SIMLANSIS, sp. nov. Nigra, nitida, sparse albo pilosa; clypeo albo; basi metanoti punc- tata; alis hyalinis, stigmate fusco. 3. Long : 9 m.m. Hapirat : Simla, Scape of antenne shining, sparsely covered with long white hair ; the flagellum with a pale pile. Clypeus smooth and shining, yellowish- white ; there is an oblique white mark on either side of its lower edge between it and the eyes; the vertex behind the ocelli is bare, smooth nd shining ; the rest of the vertex and the front covered, but not DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA. 425 thickly, with long blackish hair. Mandibles long, curved ; when closed their apices reach near to the inner side of the eyes ; they are black ; their apex bright red ; at the base of the red part, and distinct from the apex, isa rounded, clearly separated tooth. Thorax smooth and shining, sparsely covered with longish white hair; the mesonotum is minutely and closely punctured; on it are two longitudinal furrows ; the punc- tuation is closer and stronger at the apex. Median segment opaque, closely granular, the area clearly separated and not differing in sculpture from the rest of the segment. Legs black ; the hair on the femora is white, sparse and long; it is thicker on the tibiw; on the metatarsus it is still denser, long and of a fulvous tinge; the spurs are pale. Abdomen smooth and shining ; the apices of the segments are brownish ; the basal four dorsal segments are almost bare ; the apical segments are fringed with long brownish hair, the ventral segments are sparsely covered with long pale hair. The second cubital cellule at the top is as long as the third ; the first and second transverse cubital nervures are distinctly bullated at the top and bottom. This species comes into Bingham’s section “A. Enclosed space at base of median segment punctured” and “ B. Median segment without a medial vertical furrow”; but is not related tc either of the species included in it. CHRYSIDIDA, EUCHR@US. CUPREIVENTRIS, sp. nov. Viridis, coeruleo maculato ; geniculis, tibiis tarsique testaceis ; alis fusco-violaceis. 2. Long : 10 m.m. Hasirat : Deesa, ; Scape of antenne green, closely punctured and covered with white pubescence ; the flagellum black, covered with a white down. Vertex bright-green, with golden and blue tinges; strongly and deeply punc- tured and sparsely covered with short white pubescence; the depressed front is sparsely and shallowly punctured; above thickly covered, on either side of the middle projection, with depressed white pubescence ; the sides are also covered with depressed pubescence, as well as the sides of the clypeus. The apex of the clypeus has a row of large, deep, irregular fovex. Mandibles rufo-testaceous, darker towards apex ; the base has a green patch. The front ocellus is surrounded at the back and sides by a smooth furrow, which is prolonged below them at the apex. 424 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, Pronotum closely and rather strongly punctured ; at the sides in front it projects into sharp, short teeth; the apex laterally, broadly triangularly projects ; the base in the middle is slightly and broadly incised. The base of the mesonotum is depressed broadly on the sides ; the depression js widest on the innerside and is finely and closely punctured ; the rest of the mesonotum bears scattered, moderately large and deep punctures which are largest in the middle, close to the scutellum, it being there blue coloured. Scutellum deeply punctured ; the punc- tures are large and deep; their boundary walls are mostly blue. The post-scutellum projects over the median segment; it is large, broad atthe base, becoming gradually narrowed towards the apex which is rounded ; it is coarsely and deeply punctured like the scutel- Jum and is, for the greater part, blue. The median segment, imme- diately beneath it, is stoutly punctured ; the sides with three stout oblique keels. In the centre of the segment is a large area divided down the centre by a stout keel; the top is broadly rounded on either side ; inside, above the middle on either side, are two stout, slightly oblique keels ; below is a short, irregular, stout curved keel. The sides of the segment triangularly project and are closely, rugosely punc- tured. Propleurz irregularly striated and with some deep punctures ; below the middle is a curved projection ; the part below this is closely and minutely punctured. The tegale large and rather strongly punc- tured. Wings uniformly fuscous-violaceous ; the nervures black ; the radius isthick. Abdomen : the apex of the first, the base and apex of the second and the base of the third segments closely and minutely punc- tured ; the rest of them bear larger, more widely separated punctures ; the apical depressions are thickly and broadly covered on the basal region with depressed white pubescence ; the apex beyond the depres- sions is closely and strongly punctured ; the extreme edge is beset all over with stout, mostly bluntly pointed, short spines intermixed with smaller, sharper ones. The ventral surface is entirely coppery-brown in colour and is smooth and shining. The apex of the first segment in the centre and the base and apex of the second and third more broad- ly blue; the green has slight golden tints; the sides of the first and second segments at the apex are covered with white pubescence. The coxee, trochanters and femora are bluish-green ; the fore femora at the apex, the four front tibie anteriorly and the hinder knees, tibiz and tarsi are rufo-testaceous. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA. 425 The apical teeth appear to be more numerous than usual ; the large apical fovese are few in number and are mixed up with the numer- ous smaller punctures which beset the whole of the broad apical margin; the mesopleure are clearly separated from the pro- and meta- pleurze ; on the apex is a wide furrow, which ends below in a rounded projection. The genus Euchreus is of small extent and has not hitherto been recorded from India, It is easily known by the apex of the abdomen being beset all over with numerous large and small teeth and not with a few large ones as in Chrysis. This form of the apex is shown by Du Buysson in Journ. Bomb., Nat. Hist. Soc., X., Pl. I., £13. The apex of the present species differs from that of the European species there figured in having a gradually rounded slope, the centre not being so much raised and separated from the base and apex. ICHNEUMONID. Pimplides. GLYPTA NURSEI, sp. nov. Nigra, pedibus anterioribus flavis, posticis fascis, coxis rufis; alis hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 2. Long: 8-9 m.m. Hapirat: Simla. Antenne entirely black, thickly covered with a black microscopic pile. Face closely and strongly punctured and covered with silvery pubes- cence ; the clypeus and mandibles yellow and smooth ; the mandibular teeth blackish; the palpi rafo-testaceous ; the front and vertex, if anything, more strongly, but not quite so closely, punctured as the face. Thorax shining ; above covered with silvery pubescence ; the mesonotum is closely and uniformly punctured ; the scutellum is closely punctured ; its lateral slope is irregularly striated ; the lateral depression is closely, obliquely, irregularly striated. Post- scutellum closely punctured. Median segment areolated all over; in the centre is an elongated area reaching to the apical slope, which is narrowed on the basal and longer part—the part behind the transverse keel ;—the apical slope is bounded above by a stout keel ; there is a longitudinal keel on the outer side, so that there is thus a larger central and two smaller lateral arez ; there are two large lateral areze on the basal slope ; the basal one being somewhat the larger and there is a large spiracular area. The four front legs are 5 ; 426 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. lemon-yellow ; the hinder pair fuscous, with the coxe and trochan- ters rufous. Wings clear hyaline, nervures and stigma black. Abdomen black ; the ventral surface pale; the dorsal segments are closely punctured and covered with a white pubescence ; the oblique depres- sions are deep; there are two longitudinal keels on the base of the petiole and one short central one on the apex. The tegule and the part of the pronotum next to them are yellow. LISSONOTA APICIPENNIS, sp. nov. Nigra, capite thoraceque flavo maculatis; abdomine rufo, nigro- lineato; pedibus rufis, nigro lineato ; coxis flavis; alis hyalinis, apice fusco-maculato. Q. Long: 10 m.m., terebra 9-10 m.m. Hasitat: Simla. Antenne black; the scape yellow, the flagellum brownish beneath. Head black; the face, clypeus, the orbits all round, mandibles and palpi, lemon-yellow; the face is closely punctured and covered with a stout, white pubescence ; the clypeus smooth; the front and vertex closely and distinctly punctured. Mandibular teeth black. Thorax black; a large triangular mark on the side of the prothorax—the narrow end on the base,—the base of the propleure, the tegul, the scutellum, except a triangular black mark on the base, the post-scutel- Jum and the tubercles, lemon-yellow. The thorax is closely and uniformly punctured all over; there are no keels on the median segment. Legs testaceous; the coxe and trochanters lemon-yellow, the middle cox behind, the posterior before and behind, the basal joint of the fore trochanters above, the base of the four anterior entirely and a line on the upper side of the four front femora, black. Wings hyaline; the apex between the radial and cubital nervures smoky ; the stigma fuscous, the nervures darker in tint; the areolet has a long pedicle, it being not much shorter than the lower divisions; the outer branch is largely bullated; the recurrent nervure is received shortly behind it. Abdomen rufous, the base and apex of the petiole and the apex of the second and third segments lemon-yellow. LisSONOTA ZANTHORIA, sp. nov. Flava, supra nigro-maculata ; pedibus pallide fulvis, coxis trochan- teribusque flavis; alis hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. ¢@. Long: 10 m.m. Hasirat: Deesa. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA. 427 Scape of antennz black, yellowish below; the flagellum brownish, black above. Head lemon-yellow ; the ocellar region and. the central part of the occiput, black. Face closely punctured and covered. with white hair ; the clypeus smooth, except-for a few punctures on the top. . Mandibular teeth black. There is an irregular mark on the base of the mesonotum, an elongated mark—roundly narrowed towards the base, the apex roundly incised—the sides and apex and two curved marks, on the base of the median segment, extending from the middle of the base to the spiracles, black. The mesonotum and the scutellam are uniformly punctured allover; the median segment is more closely and strongly punctured; there is a transverse keel above the apical slope. The pleure are punctured like the upper surface. Legs obscure fulvous, the posterior darker in tint; the basal joint of the hinder trochanters black; the hinder tarsi are infuscated. On the abdomen the middle of the petiole is broadly,—the band incised in the middle behind—the middle of the second, third and fourth segments broadly and the base of the others broadly, black. The size and shapes of the black marks on the thorax vary. LissONOTA CLARIPENNIS, sp, nov. Flava, capite thoraceque nigro maculatis; abdomine flavo lineato, apice rufo; pedibus flavis, femoribus posticis fulvis; alis hyalinis, stigmate fusco. ¢. Long: 9 mm. Hasirat : Simla. Scape of antenne black, yellow below; the flagellum brownish, darker above. Head black ; the face, oral region, the inner orbits— broadly below—and the outer still more broadly, lemon-yellow. The face is closely, but not strongly, punctured. Mesonotum black, except for a yellow line bordering the central region ; the line is triangularly dilated at the base. Scutellum yellow, the sides and base irregularly bordered with black. The median segment has two large marks, extending from the base to shortly beyond the middle, and irregularly narrowed at the apex and with an irregular yellow mark in the centre near the base; the apex is narrowly black. The whole thorax is closely and distinctly punctured, Legs yellow; the four anterior frochanters and femora 428 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, lined with black above ; the hinder legs obscure fulvous ; the innerside of the coxze, and the basal joint of the trochanters black ; the apex of the tarsi infuscated. Wings clear hyaline, the areolet appendiculated ; the pedicle longer than the lower branches. Abdomen black above, the base of the petiole, its apex more narrowly, and the apices of the second, third and fourth segments, yellow ; the apex of the fourth and the following segments entirely rufous, with their apices narrowly lined with yellow. Tryphonides. LAPAPHRAS, gen. nov. Areolet 4-angled, longish, oblique, narrow ; the first transverse eubi- tal nervure is short, straight and oblique ; the second is more than twice the length of the first and is roundly curved ; the two are united at the base and at the apex ; the second forms arounded curve with the cubitus ; the recurrent nervure is at the apex of the areolet almost touching the apical abscissa of the cubitus ; the areolet is nearly three — times longer than broad. Radial cellule wide ; the basal abscissa of the radius is straight and oblique ; the apical is longer and roundly curved. Antenne stout, not tapering towards the apex; the third and fourth joints are equal in length; the scape is short, scarcely twice the length of the — second. Head not quite so wide as the thorax ; the face projects in the centre, the sides being oblique ; the clypeus is roundly convex, separa- ted from the face, but not by a distinct furrow ; its apex is rounded. Mandibles brought gradually to a point to the apex, which is rounded and without a subapical tooth, Eyes large, parallel, separated by a short space from the base of the mandibles. Occiput roundly, but not deeply, incised. Scutellum convex, but not raised above the meso- notum. Median segment with a gradually rounded slope to the apex ; the middle with a longitudinal keel which bifurcates at the apex ; the spiracles are small, circular, Legs of normal size ; the four hinder tibiz armed with two spurs ; the claws are simple. Abdomen roundly convex above, not compressed laterally ; tne petiole becomes gradually wider towards the apex; the spiracles are placed shortly behind the middle ; the apical segment is bluntly rounded. | Belongs to the Tryphonides. The distinctive characters are the uni- dentate mandibles ; the oblique narrow longish areolet, the longitudinal keel on the median segment, bifurcating at the apex, and the rather short, wide, radial cellule with its straight, oblique abscissa. of the DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA, 429 radius. The transverse basal nervure is interstitial, above it is not united to the stigma ; the cubitus has a broad, rounded curve; the ocelli are large ; the head is well developed behind the eyes, but does not project there ; the tarsi are spinose. LAPAPHRAS NIGRICEPS, sp, Nov. Lutea, capite, antennis palpisque nigris ; tarsis nigro maculatis ; alis fuscis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 2 et ¢. Long : 6-7 m.m. Hasirat : Simla. Antenne black, thickly covered with a microscopic pile ; the scape smooth and shining. Head shining, the face aciculated; the clypeus is more shining than the face; its apex bears a row of distinct punctures ; the palpi dark-fuscous. Thorax smooth and shining ; the pleure lighter in tint than the mesonotum which, as is also the metanotum, is thickly covered with fulvous pubescence. Legs coloured like the thorax ; the apex of the four hinder tibiee and of the joints of the four hinder tarsi, black. Abdomen smooth and shining, thickly covered with fulvous pubescence ; the extreme base of the petiole is trian- gularly depressed at the base. NoTHAIMA, gen. nov. Areolet open. Face swollen as in Hochus. Clypeus obliquely de- pressed, rounded above, clearly separated from the face and forming an angle with the mandibles. Apex of the mandibles curved inwardly and having two unequal teeth, the upper being the larger. Parapsidal furrows distinct. Scutellum roundly convex, not much raised above the level of the mesonotum. Median segment with two stout keels down the centre, and a more siender one on either side of the spiracles ; there are no transverse keels; the spiracles oval. Legs stout, the fernora thickened ; there are two spurs on all the legs ; the claws are long, curved and simple. Petiole flat, becoming gradually wider to the apex, which is about four times wider than the base ; the spiracles are placed near the apex of the basal third ; there are no longitudinal keels on it, or on the second segment. : The basal joints of the flagellum are equal in length ; the antennz are stout and are placed well up on the head ; the occiput is roundly incised, in the middle it is excavated above ; the ocelli are placed near the edge and are large. 430 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Allied, by the form of the head, to Exochus ; is easily known from it by the depressed clypeus, by the curved apex of the mandibles and by the two longitudinal keels on the median segment. NOTHAIMA BICARINATA, sp. nov. (PI. fig. 19.) Nigra, pedibus anterioribus rufo-testaceis, coxis nigris; alis hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 3. Long: 10 m.m. Hasrrat: Simla. Antenne black, stout, the flagellum dark-brownish beneath. The face is closely and strongly punctured ; the obliquely depressed clypeus is smooth and shining. Mandibles black; the middle with an oblique testaceous mark; the palpi yellowish-testaceous. Thorax entirely black ; the mesonotum is thickly covered with short fuscous pubes- cence ; the parapsidal furrows are deep, the middle lobe being thus clearly separated. The basal half of the scutellum bears scattered punctures. Median segment irregularly rugosely punctured ; there is one central area which reaches to the apex of the segment, and is bounded by two straight keels ; its basal half is smooth ; the apical bears some stout, irregular transverse keels ; there is a narrow keel on either side of the spiracles. Mesopleurze punctured, but not very closely or strongly ; the apex of the meta-closely, finely, obliquely striated. The four hinder legs are dark, rufo-testaceous, the coxe black; the hinder legs are black, the femora and tibiw with a slight fuscous or brownish tinge ; the femora are slightly, broadly hollowed on the inner side. Wings clear hyaline; the nervures and stigma black; the areolet is completely open. Abdomen black ; the basal three ventral segments obscure testaceous ; the petiole is irregularly, coarsely, closely shagreened and striated, except at the apex, where it is smooth and shining ; the base in the middle is smooth, depressed and furrowed in the centre from near the base. EXOCHUS APPENDICULATUS, sp. nov. Niger, pedibus flavis, femoribus late fulvis, coxis posticis late nigris ; alis hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 9. Long : fere 7 m.m, Hasirat : Deesa. The flagellum is brownish, the scape yellowish beneath. Face regularly and closely punctured and thickly covered with longish white hair ; the front is smooth, the vertex is sparsely punctured. Mandibles DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA, 431 sparsely punctured; the apex brownish. Thorax smooth and shining ; the mesonotum thickly covered with fuscous pubescence ; the scutellum is sparsely punctured ; the post-scutellum has a round fovea on either side at the base. Median segment regularly areolated ; the central area is large and extends to the base; the basal half of the keels roundly curved ; the narrowed basal part is as long as the apical. Legs yellow, the femora and cox are fulvous for the greater part ; the basal half of the hinder coxze is black; the hinder tarsi fuscous, Wings clear hyaline ; the costa and stigma are darker fuscous ; the areolet is appendiculated, the cellule is small, oblique; the outer nervure is faint. Abdomen smooth and shining ; the petiole is closely punctured to near the apex ; the keels reach to near the middle. EXOcHUS XANTHOPUS, sp. 700. Niger, facie, linea pronoti late, tegulis, scutello, post-scutello macu- laque. ¢. Long : 5 m.m, Hasirat : Simla. Antenne black ; the scape yellowish beneath. Head black ; the face, oral region, the inner orbits to near the top and a somewhat triangular mark on the hinder, inner edge of the eyes, lemon-yellow. Face strongly and distinctly punctured and covered with white pubescence ; the front and vertex smooth and shining. Mandibles and palpi yellow ; mandibular teeth black. Thorax black, smooth and shining; the edge of the pronotum broadly—more broadly at the apex than at the base,— the tegul, scutellum, the apical half of the post-scutellum, and a large mark on the mesopleurz in the middle at the base, lemon-yellow. The supramedian area is continued to the base of the segment ; its basal part is obliquely narrowed ; the other arez are clearly defined. Legs clear lemon-yellow, the hinder coxe black. Abdomen smooth and shining ; the basal part of the petiole bears two stout keels, EXocHUS CURVICARINATUS, sp. nov. Niger, scutello flavo-lineato ; pedibus flavis, coxis trochanteribusque nigris ; alis hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 9. Long : 6 m.m. Hasirat : Simla, Antenne black ; the scape yellow beneath. Head black ; the face and oral region, the inner orbits to near the lower ocelli and a small oblique conical mark near the top of the eyes on the innerside, lemon-yellow. 432 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. Face closely and distinctly punctured and thickly covered with short white pubescence. Front and vertex smooth and shining. Mandibles and palpi lemon-yellow ; the mandibular teeth black. On the thorax the edge of the pronotum, the tegule, a line round the sides and apex of the scutellum and the apex of the post-scutellum are lemon-yellow. Thorax smooth and shining ; the keels on the median segment are not very stout; the central area is large, wide ; the basal keels are roundly curved. Legs lemon-yellow; the hinder coxe and trochanters black. Wings clear hyaline ; the stigma and nervures black; the transverse cubital nervure is short; the part of the cubitus between it and the recurrent nervure is double its own length. Abdomen smooth and shining ; the keels on the base of the petiole are short. This is a smaller species than /. zanthopus, and may be known from it by the scutellum being only lined along the edges with yellow, and by the keels bounding the central area of the median segment being roundly curved at the base, not straight and oblique. EXXocHUS ERYTHROPUS, sp. nov. Niger, pedibus rufis; alis hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. Long: 7mm. &. Hapirat : Simla, _ Antenne black; the scape rufous beneath. Face closely and dis- tinctly punctured, covered with a depressed pale pile; the clypeus smooth, sparsely punctured above; the front and vertex are more sparsely punctured than the face ; the front bears a narrow longitudinal furrow. Immediately below the antenne is a transverse rufous band ; the mandibles are rufous, except at the apex; the palpi testaceous. Thorax smooth and shining; the mesonotum is thickly covered with pale-fuscous pubescence. The aree on the median segment are clearly defined by stout keels; the supramedian is three times as long as broad ; it is narrowed and rounded at the base, transverse at the apex. Legs entirely rufous ; the anterior ‘of a slightly paler, more yellowish tinge. Wings clear hyaline; the stigma and nervures black; the areolet obsolete ; the apical nervures in the hind wings are faint, almost obsolete. BRACONIDAL. BRACON PUNJABENSIS, sp. nov. Ferrugineo; ,antennis tibiis tarsisque posterioribus nigris; alis fumatis, stigmate nigro, basi rufo. 2. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA. 433) Long : 9-10, terebra 7 m.m. Hasrrat : Ferozepore, Antenne black ; the scape covered with black hairs ; the flagellum with a pale down. Head smooth and shining ; the face and oral region closely and distinctly, but not strongly, punctured, and sparsely covered with pale, longish hairs ; there is a narrow longitudinal furrow in the front. Thorax smooth and shining, above sparsely covered with short pale hairs ; the oblique furrow on the base of the mesopleure is smooth and extends near to the middle ; the furrow on the meta-pleura is wide and deep at the base and becomes gradually narrowed. Wings uniformly dark-fuscous, except for a large oblique cloud in the first cubital cellule, this cloud being prolonged obliquely into the discoidal cellule where it extends into the middle, the basal half being much wider ; the second transverse cubital nervure is surrounded by hyaline bands ; the stigma is rufous to slightly beyond the middle. The apical central lobe of the petiole is stoutly, irregularly, longitudinally striolated ; the outer furrow bifurcates at the apex, the outer fork being wider and deeper. The second segment is coarsely, irregularly, rugosely punctured ; the basal part in the middle is irregularly, longitudinally striolated ; the lateral depressions on it are striated at the bottom ; the secucuriform articulation is deep, wide, is widened at the sides and is stoutly, longi- tudinally striated ; the apex of the segment is irregularly striated in the middle ; the other segments are closely punctured; the fourth and fifth have oblique depressions on the sides and striated transverse furrows at the apices. Legs coloured like the body ; the front tibie behind and the four hinder tibiz and tarsi fuscous-black. BRACON DEESH, sp. nov. (PI. fig. 11. wing.) Luteus, antennis nigris, abdomine nigromaculato ; alis flavis, apice maculisque duobus fuscis. ¢ et 9. Long: 12, terebra 15 m.m. Hasirat : Deesa. Antenne black, narrowed towards the apex ; the scape covered with blackish hair, Head smooth and shining ; the face covered with long fuscous hair; the clypeal depression deep, smooth and shining. Man- dibles with the apical half deep-black. The ocelli are bounded behind by two deep, curved furrows; in front of them is a triangular depres- sion. Thorax smooth and shining; there is an oblique furrow on the base of the mesopleure at the base above. Wings yellowish-hyaline ; 4 434. JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. there is a fuscous cloud between the base of the stigma and the transverse basal nervure and extending to the opposite side of the wing ; a cloud at the apex of the stigma extending to shortly beyond the middle of the cubital cellule ; the apex of the wing to near the second transverse cubital nervure and on the lower side extended backwards to beyond the middle of the second cubital cellule. The apex of the hinder wing and its lower side to the middle where it projects obliquely upwards along the cubital nervure, smoky. Legs luteous; the apices of the tarsi blackish. Abdomen luteous, more or less suffused with black; the basal three segments irregularly longitudinally striated, the strie in places forming reticulations; the three transverse furrows are deep and closely, stoutly, longitudinally striated ; there is no keel on the second segment; the smooth basal plate is small, indistinct and triangular. The ¢ is similar ; the clouds in the wings are more suffused; the apex of the abdomen is black; the antenne are longer than the body. DITHERUS, gen. nov. Hyes hairy. Wings with three cubital cellules ; the apical abscissa of the radius faint and curved upwards at the base; the base of the cubitus and the upper part of the recurrent nervure are interrupted, so that the first cubital, the first discoidal and first posterior cellules are not separated completely ; the recurrent nervure is received in the first cubital cellule and at a distance from the first transverse cubital nervure ; the transverse median discoidal is received shortly behind the middle of the first discoidal cellule ; the second discoidal cellule is open at the apex. Face with a sharp keel down the middle, the clypeus is separated from the face, its apex rounded. The mandibles end in a long sharp tooth. Occiput not distinctly margined ; broadly, roundly incised. Parapsidal furrows distinct, deep. Scutellum rounded, not raised above the mesonotum. Median segment areolated. Legs stout, the hinder coxe large ; the metatarsus large ; thickened. The head is well-developed behind the eyes, the part between them and the ocelli is depressed ; the parapsida] furrows are deep ; the petiole is broad at the base, becoming gradually wider towards the apex ; there isa distinct suturiform articulation ; the cubitus origi- nates from shortly above the middle of the transverse basal nervure, the first discoidal cellule being thus smaller than usual and not so much DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA, 435 narrowed at the apex compared to the base ; the transverse median nervure is received near the apex of the basal third of the cellule ; the anal cellule is open. In the hind wings only the subcostal, the prebrachial and the transverse prebrachial nervures are thick, black and distinct, the others being very faint or obsolete. In the fore- wings the axillary cellule is not divided. The metacarpus is thickened beyond the stigma ; the radial cellule is long and narrow, extending to the apex of the wing ; the middle ocellus is bordered by furrows. Belongs to Wesmail’s division, Polymorphi, but does not fit very well into any of the tribes into which that group is divided. Charac- teristic are the hairy eyes, the long, narrow radial cellule, the radius curved upwards and the keels on the metanotum. DITHERUS RUFICOLLIS, sp. nov. (PI. fig. 14.) Niger, pronoto mesonotoque rufis ; alis hyalinis, apice fumato ; nervis stigmateque nigris ; capite thoraceque dense albo pilosis, @ . Long: 6-7 m.m, Hasitat : Simla. Antenne black ; the scape closely punctured and thickly covered with short black hair. Head smooth, shining and thickly covered with long white hair ; the clypeus is less thickly pilose. Mandibles dark-rufous before the apex ; the palpi black. The upper part of the mesopleure, the pronotum and mesonotum, rufous. Mesonotum thickly covered with short white hair ; smooth, the parapsidal furrows crenu- lated. The base and sides of the scutellum are dark-rufous ; the lateral furrows are deep and crenulated. Median segment closely punctured ; in the centre isa larga area, which is sharply pointed at the top and bottom ; the sides on the upper and lower half straight, oblique ; on the side of this at the base is another area, somewhat triangular in shape, the broad end being at the base. Pro- and meso-pleure smooth and shining ; the base of the metapleure to the furrow smooth ; the rest rugosely punctured. Legs thickly covered with white hair ; the apex of the fore femora, the extreme base of the hinder and tho fore tibiae and tarsi rufo-testaceous. Wings hyaline, the apex from shortly behind the second transverse cubital nervure smoky, with a slight Violaceous tinge ; the second transverse cubital nervure is largely bullated, as is also the cubitus immediately above it; the apical nervures are pale, as are also the nervures in the hind wings. Abdo- men smooth and shining ; the apex densely pilose ; the furrows along 436 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, the sides of the petiole are wide and deep ; the suturiform articulation is smooth and deep ; on either side behind it is a shallow, wide, oblique furrow. | PYONOBRACON, gen. nov. Hyes hairy. Head and wings as in Bracon, Abdomen ovate, the petiole broad, clearly separated from, and much narrower than, the second segment, which is enormously large, much larger than all the rest of the abdomen together ; it is rounded and narrowed at the base, transverse at the apex ; the suturiform articulation is distinct and is placed shortly beyond the middle; the sides of the third and fourth segments project broadly ; the fifth and sixth segments are smooth and shining ; the ovipositor is nearly as long as the abdomen. The antenne have about 40 joints and are placed well up on the head, which is obliquely narrowed behind the eyes; the stigma is large ; the radial cellule is distinctly bordered in front ; the posterior nervure originates from near the middle of the nervure ; the median cellule in the hind wings is large and clearly limited ; the transverse discoidal nervure is interstitial The mandibles become gradually narrowed to the apex ; the palpi are longish ; the metathoracic spira- oles are placed beyond the middle, are distinct and oval. The form of the mouth refers this genus to the Cyclostomz. The form of the abdomen gives it the appearance of one of the Cryptogastres to which, however, it has no relationship otherwise. The abdominal form is not unlike what we find in some species of Spinaria. Charac- teristic are the hairy eyes, a feature not known to occur with any genus of the Cyclostom?, but which is found in Chelonus. PYCNOBRHON NIGER, sp. nov. (PI. fig. 13.) Niger, abdomine rugoso, alis fusco-hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris, 9. Long : 5, terebra fere 2 m.m, Hasirat ; Simla. Antennze 40-jointed, moderately stout, not tapering much towards the apex, slightly longer than the body ; the scape smooth, shining and covered with short pubescence. Front and vertex smooth and shining and covered with short pale pubescence ; the face coarsely aci- culated, opaque, tuberculated in the middle below and covered with short pubescence, and some long hairs. Clypeus smooth, shining and bare. Mandibles black, shining, dull piceous before the apex. Palpi DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA, 437 pale, black at the base, Thorax smooth and shining ; the median segment thickly covered with long fuscous hairs; the depression at the base of the scutellum is deep and is stoutly crenulated. Wings hyaline, with a slight, but distinct, fuscous tinge ; the nervures and stigma black. Legs black, thickly covered with a white pubes- cence, the coxce with white hair. Abdomen ovate, the petiole depressed at the base; the apex raised, its base smooth and with an oblique slope ; the apex coarsely reticulated ; the second and third segments are closely, coarsely, longitudinally punctured ; the base of the second segment is reticulated in the middle, where there is a longitudinal keel, which is widened at the base, the widened part becoming gradually narrowed and is hollowed ; the suturiform articulation is wide and deep, striated, bifurcated at the sides, the hinder fork being the shorter. Obs.—I have above compared this genus to Spenarza, and undoubted- ly it is closely related to that genus as I have understood it when I described two Indian species, that is to say, it is to be referred to the Cyclostomi, but, according to some authors, Spinaria is related to the Cryptogastres—Chelonus, &c., Brullé (Hymén., iv., 512), who described the genus for the first time, placed it in the Cryptogastres, in which he is followed by Marshall (Species I., Hym., iv., p. 807), who says that there are “ parmi les Cryptogastres exotiques des genres comme Fornicia et Spinaria que offrent une certaine ressemblance avec les Cyclostomes.” So far as the Indian species known to me are concerned they must be referred to the Cyclostomes, inasmuch as they have the mouth widely and roundly incised as in Bracon and not transverse and entire as in Chelonus, &¢. ‘The form of the head, thorax and wings in our Indian species is exactly as it is with the Cyclostom: ; the form of the abdo- men has a certain resemblance to what we find with some of the Cryptogastres, but that, however, is hardly sufficient to warrant the genus being placed among them, considering how close is the agree- ment with Bracon in other respects. It is somewhat remarkable that neither Brullé (.c.), Westwood, in his monograph of the genus (Tijd- sehr. voor Hntomologie, 1882) nor any other author make any men- tion of the form of the mouth. We musi, therefore, either assume that they have overlooked the fact that the species described by them have the oral structure of Bracon, or, if they really have the clypeus of Chelonus, then the species I have described from India must be referred to a new genus, : 438 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. CHALCIDIDA, SPILOCHALCIS SIMLENSIS, sp. nov. Nigra, thorace octo-flavo-maculato, medio mesonoti reticulato ; alis fere hyalinis. 9. Long: 6 m.m. Hasirat : Simla. Antenne stout, covered closely with a short white pubescence ; the under side of the flagellum brownish-red ; the last three joints. become gradually narrowed towards the apex. Head black ; the inner orbits broadly—broadest in the middle ; the outer orbits narrowly above, the lower part of the antennz keel and the upper side and the apex of the mandibles, yellow. Front and vertex closely and strongly punctured ; the part on either side of the ocelli bearing some large, clearly separated, punctures ; the frontal depression finely and closely transversely striated. The face is bluntly keeled in the centre, the keel being closely trans- versely striated; the rest is punctured, the punctures being large, moderately deep and broader than long. On the thorax there are two marks, broader than long, on the pronotum, two oblique lines on the sides of the middle lobe of the mesonotum, a shorter line, narrowed towards the apex, opposite the tegule, and the sides of the scutellum broadly yellow. Pronotum closely and uniformly punctured ; the meso- notum is not quite so closely and regularly punctured, the punctures being not so closely together, especially on the middle lobe. Scutellum rugosely punctured, and somewhat depressed in the middle ; the apex bears stout, clearly separated, longitudinal keels. Metanotum stoutly, irregularly reticulated. Propleurze rugosely punctured above, below closely aciculated, and bearing a few irregular strie. The base of the mesopleurze is smooth and shining ; the rest irregularly rugose above, the middle with a few stout strie. Metapleurze coarsely rugosely punctured. Mesosternum rugosely punctured. Wings hyaline ; their middle and apex slightly, but distinctly, smoky ; the costa and nervures are black. The four front knees, tibiz and tarsi are yellowish-testa- ceous ; the hinder trochanters ; the basal fifth of the hinder cox on the sides and above, the apex above and a mark on the sides near the apex on the lower side—this mark being dilated on the lower side—yellow. The hinder coxze are as long as the femora and are thickly covered with white hair ; the under side of the femora is minutely and regularly toothed ; the hinder tibize yellow, broadly marked at the base and DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA. 439 middle with black; the tarsi yellow. Abdomen smooth and shining ; the petiole is smooth and is half the length of the second segment. HALTICELLA ORNATIPENNIS, sp. nov. Nigra, basi flagello antennarum pedibusque anterioribus rufis ; alis hyalinis, fusco-bifasciatis. 9. Long: 5-6 m.m. Haprrat: Deesa. The scape of the antennz reaches to the top of the head, has a slight curve and is somewhat dilated on the top ; it is more or less rufo-testa- ceous, as is also the base of the flagellum. The head is closely covered with silvery pubescence, closely rugosely punctured, except on the frontal depression, which is smooth in the centre, or at least only acicu- lated ; the eyes on the inner side are bordered by a distinct keel; the antennal tubercles are smooth and shining. Thorax entirely black, closely and regularly punctured ; the scutellum ends in two bluntly pointed teeth. Median segment opaque, irregularly longitudinally keeled ; the two central keels are distinct and are united at top and bottom, forming thus an enclosed area, which is widest below. Pleurx closely and distinctly punctured ; the basal third of the mesopleure is strongly and regularly obliquely striated. Legs black; the four ante- rior legs, the hinder trochanters and the base of the hinder femora, rufous; the hinder femora bear no teeth, but have two curves in the middle; the part separating them being rounded and the basal curve is the larger; the apex of the hinder tibize is roundly depressed or incised on the outside. Wings hyaline; there is a dark cloud at the stigmal region and a larger, lighter coloured one beyond it, the space separat- ing the two being milky-white. The sides of the abdomen, on the lower part, are more or less rufous. Is referable apparently to Kirby’s “ genus” Antrocephalus, which was founded on two Bombay species described by Walker (7, jfuscicor= nis and H. diversicornis). TENTHREDINIDA., FErHALIA, gen. nov. Wings with 2 radial and 4 cubital cellules; lanceolate cellule divided by a short perpendicular nervure. Antenne short, thickened to- wards the apex ; the third joint distinctly longer than the fourth. Head largely developed behind and bulging out roundly beyond them ; the occiput sharply margined on the top. Clypeus widely and roundly 440 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. incised at the apex. Labrum large, if anything, longer than the cly- peus; its apex rounded. Mandibles roundly and widely incised at the base on the inner side ; there is a large apical, a smaller sub-apical, and behind that a small rounded tubercle-like tooth. Front and vertex without furrows; the front raised broadly in the middle; the raised part is bounded laterally by a smooth furrow. Scutellum pyramidal, ending above in a distinct smooth point, which has a perpendicular slope behind. Sternum separated from the pleuree by a wide, deep triangular furrow. Legs stout; the claws bifid. Abdomen not much longer than the thorax. The occiput is roundly incised ; the transverse median nervure is received half way between the middle and the base of the cellule ; the humeral nervure is curved upwards near the base; in the hind wings the humeral nervure is received shortly behind the transverse one or is interstitial; the eyes slightly converge below and hardly reach to the top of the clypeus and are clearly separated from the base of the mandibles ; the parapsidal furrows are distinct, but neither wide nor deep ; the middle lobe is not raised and is furrowed in the middle ; the tarsal patellee are distinct; there is no “ blotch” on the abdomen. Belongs to the Tenthredina. FETHALIA NIGRA, sp. nov. Nigra, clypeo, labro, basique mandibularum flavis ; alis fusco-viola- ceis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 9. Long : 12 m.m. Hapitat : Simla. Antenne not much longer than the head and thorax united, stout ; if anything, becoming thicker towards the apex ; the apical joints fuscous beneath ; the last distinctly shorter than the preceding. Head closely and distinctly punctured ; the vertex more coarsely than the rest. Clypeus and labrum smooth ; the latter fringed with long pale hair. Mandibles black ; the base on the upper half above and the upper side of the lower side broadly pale-yellow; behind the teeth is a rufous band, Palpi black. Thorax entirely black ; opaque, closely punctured, all over; the pyramidal scutellum is more strongly and less closely punctured ; its top smooth and shining. Legs: the four front tibize and tarsi pale-yellow below, the patelle are large. The anterior wings are fuscous-violaceous ; the costa, stigma and nervures are black ; the second DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA. 441 and third cubital cellules are about equal in length ; the second receives the recurrent nervure shortly, but distinctly, behind the middle ; the second recurrent nervure is received near the apex of the basal fourth. Abdomen smooth and shining. LITHRACIA, gen. nov. Wings with two radial and four cubital cellules. Lanceolate cellule contracted ; the basal cellule as long as the apical, the two being separated by slightly less than their own length. Hind wings with two cubital cellules. Antenne slender; the third joint is slightly longer than the fourth. Clypeus roundly, but not very deeply, incised. Labrum large, somewhat longer than the clypeus. Hyes large, parallel, separated by a small space from the base of the mandibles. Scutellum rather flat; the lateral keels are broad and reach to the base of its apical third. Post-scutellum sharply keeled down the middle; the keel is largest at the base. The hinder coxz are large and reach to the apex of the third segment ; the claws are bifid. This genus has the large hind coxee of Macrophya and Pachyprotasis, but it differs from both in the form of the lanceolate cellule, in the form of the scutellum, and in the keeled post-scutellum. LITHRACIA FLAVIPES, sp. nov. Nigra, pleuris subtus sternoque pallide flavis; pedibus flavis, dimidio apicali femorum posticarum, tibiis tarsisque posticis fulvis ; alis hyalinis, stigmate fusco. 9. Long: 7-8 m.m. HasitatT: Simla, Antenne slender, black, the scape yellow beneath. Head black, the face, the lower inner orbits, the outer, on the lower half, the elypeus, labrum and mandibles pallid yellow ; the mandibular teeth piceous and black. Thorax black; the tegule, a small spot before them, the apex of the middle lobe of the mesonotum, the middle and apex of the scutellum, a line between the cenchri, a larger one in the centre behind them, the lower third of the meso and meta-pleure and the mesosternum, pallid-yellow. Front and vertex closely rugose ; the frontal depression is raised in the middle. Mesonotum opaque, closely and minutely punctured. The four front legs are pallid-yellow, as are also the hinder coxe, trochanters and basal half of the femora; the apical half of the femora, the tibice and tarsi rufo-fulvous ; the apex of the tibize black, as is also the apex of the last tarsal jomt. The wing 5 : 442 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, have a slight falyous tinge; the costa is white; the greater part of the stigma dark-fuscous ; the nervures blackish ; the second transverse cubital neryure is largely bullated in the middle ; the third is pale throughout. Abdomen deep-black ; the second to sixth segments narrowly lined with white on the apex in the middle. PACHYPROTASIS DORSIVITTATA, sp. n0v. Nigra, abdomine subius flavo ; pedibus flavis, femoribus tibiisque supra tarsisque nigris ; alis hyalinis, stigmate testaceo. ¢. Long : 19-11 m.m. Hasirat : Simla. Antennz black. Head black ; the antennal region, the clypeus, labrum and the outer orbits from shortly above the middle of the eyes, whitish-yellow. Front and vertex coarsely shagreened, running into striations on the sides ; the frontal area raised ; its middle depressed, the depression keeled in the centre, except at the base; there isa black transverse line over the clypeus, which has the apex widely, deeply and roundly incised. Mandibles pallid yellow, the teeth black and piceous. Thorax black ; the edge of the pronotum, tegule and the base of the mesopleurze, except at the top, whitish-yellow. Meso- notum minutely and closely punctured, the scutellum sparsely punc- tured. Pleurze closely and minutely punctured. The back of the abdomen is black except for an irregular fulvous mark in the middle ; its apex and the ventral surface yellow. Legs pale-yellow ; all the femora, the four front tibize and tarsi are lined with black above ; the hinder tibiee black above and at the apex all round ; the posterior tarsi black ; the spurs are dark-testaceous. Wings hyaline, the anterior with a slight fulvous tinge ; the costa and stigma pale-testaceous, the nervures blackish. The & has the breast and the lower half of the pleure pale-yellow ; the black on the upper part of the mesopleure is triangularly dilated downwards, and in the centre above is a smal] oval yellow mark ; the apex of the propleurz is yellow except narrowly above. The size of the yellow mark on the back of the abdomen varies. PMCILOSOMA NIGRICEPS, sp. nov. Luteum, capite, mesosterno, antennis tibiis tarsisque nigris ; alis fusco-hyalinis, neryis stigmateque nigris, @. Long : 8 m.m. Hapitat : Simla. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA. 443 Antenne longer than the abdomen, black, thickly covered with a microscopic down. Head black, the front and vertex shining ; smooth ; the front alutaceous, minutely punctured ; the frontal area depressed, its sides broadly raised ; the antennal keel distinct ; its sides oblique. Clypeus and labrum opaque, alutaceous, thickly covered with black pubescence ; the apex of the clypeus is almost transverse ; the mandibles piceous before the apex. Thorax and abdomen luteous, ex- cept the depressions at the sides of the scutellum, the post-scutellum and the space between the cenchri; the sheaths of the ovipositor black. Legs luteous ; the four hinder tibie and tarsi entirely, the base of the fore femora, the apex of the tibize and the tarsi, black. All the transverse cubital nervures are distinct ; the second cubital cellule is slightly, but distinctly, shorter than the third; the first recurrent nervure is received near the apex of the basal third, the second in the middle of the cellule. The claws are bifid; the outer division longer than the inner. TAXONUS NIGRITARSIS, sp. nov. Niger, abdominis medio supra testaceo ; pedibus pallide testaceis, tarsis nigris ; alis hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 3. Long : 5 m.m. Hapitat : Simla. Head shining, black ; the clypeus white ; there are two short deep furrows behind the ocelli; the ocellar region is raised ; the frontal area is not defined. Clypeus widely, but not deeply, incised ; the labrum is white; the palpi of a darker white. Thorax smooth and shining, black except for a narrow white line on the pronotum. Legs white, with a slight testaceous tinge ; the tarsi and the extreme base and apex of the hinder tibiee, black. Wings hyaline, highly iridescent; the ner- vures and stigma black ; the second and third cubital cellules are about equal in length ; the first recurrent nervure is received at the base, quite close to the transverse cubital nervure ; the second shortly beyond the middle. Abdomen black; the middle segments down the centre and the third and fourth atthe apex and the basal half on the underside, testaceous. TAXONUS MELANOPODUS, sp. nov. Niger, tibiis tarsisque anterioribus albis; alis hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris, 2 et ¢. Long : 5 m.m. 444 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, Hasitat: Simla. Antenne black, stout, thickly covered with a short pile. Head smooth and shining; there isa furrow in front of the ocellus ; there is a central fovea and one on either side of it over the antennze ; the apex of the clypeus is transverse ; the labrum is roundly convex, is rounded at the apex and is, as is also the clypeus, thickly covered with short, black pubescence. Apex of mandibles rufous. Thorax black, smooth and shining. Legs black; the apex of the four anterior femora, their tibize and tarsi white; they are thickly covered with pale pubescence : the calcaria pale. The first recurrent nervure is received close to the apex of the basal third of the cellule ; the second shortly behind the middle. TAXONUS LABIATUS, sp. nov. Niger, prothorace mesonotoque cum scutello rufis ; pedibus nigris, coxis, trochanteribus femoribusque posticis pallide flavis; alis fere hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 9. Long : 8-9 m.m., Hapirat: Simla. Head smooth and shining, thickly covered with short pubescence ; the clypeus deeply and roundly incised ; closely, but not very strongly, punctured; the labrum is white. Thorax black, shining ; the prothorax, the mesonotum, the scutellum and the upper half of the mesopleurz rufous. The back of the abdomen has bluish-violet tinge. Legs black ; the apices of the four front coxee, the hinder coxz entirely, the hinder trochanters and the hinder femora, pallid-yellow. Wings hyaline ; the anterior with a fuscous tinge on the apical half; the stigma and neryures are black. TAXONUS FOVEIFRONS, sp. nov. Nigro-ceruleo, trochanteribus albis ; alis fusco-hyalinis, neryis atigmateque nigris. g. Long: 7 m.m. Hasirat : Simla. Antenne stout, of the length of the abdomen ; thickly covered with a black microscopic pile. Head smooth and shining, thickly covered with short pubescence ; frontal area obsolete ; above the antennz is a deep fovea of oval shape. Clypeus deeply and roundly incised in the middle ; the labrum is pale. Thorax smooth and shining ; the parapsidal furrows are deep ; the middle lobe is distant from the scutellum ; its apex is sharply pointed ; the scutellum at the base is surrounded by a wide DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA, 445 furrow. Legs black ; the apex of the coxe, the trochanters, and the extreme base of the femora, white; the apex of the anterior femora in front and of the tibia more broadly, white ; the anterior tibize and tarsi are fuscous in front. The second and third cubital cellules are almost equal in length ; the transverse basal nervure is received near the middle of the cellule. A larger species than 7’. melanopodus ; it has a more decided blue tint ; the transverse basal nervure is received near the middle, not near the apex, of the basal third ; the trochanters are white and the frontal fovea is larger, deeper and longer than broad. BUSARBIA ALBIPES, sp. nov. Nigra, nitida, pedibus, linea pronoti, tegulis scapoque antennarum albis ; alis hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. @. Long : 6 m.m. Hasirar : Simla. Antennz: black, the scape white, lined with black above. Head smooth and shining ; the furrows bounding the vertex are wide and — deep ; the frontal area is depressed at the apex and bears a few longi- tudinal striz ; the frontal area is largely depressed in the middle— wide above, becoming narrowed below,—the apex of the clypeus and the labrum fuscous. Thorax smooth and shining ; the edge of the pronotum and the tegule white. Legs clear white; the apices of the tarsi infuscated. Wings hyaline, a very little infuscated in the middle ; the first transverse cubital nervure is largely bullated ; the first recurrent nervure is received at less distance than its own length from it. The back of the abdomen has a slight violaceous tinge. This species comes near to B. virzdipes, which differs from it in the clypeus, labrum and base of the mandibles being broadly white ; the pleuree are also marked with white, and the second cubital cellule receives the recurrent nervure near the apex, not at the base as with the present species. SELANDRIA TRIFOVEATA, sp. nov. Nigra, pedibus albis; apice tibiarum posticarum tarsisque posticis nigris ; alis hyalinis, stigmate nervisque nigris. 9. Long: 5 m.m. HapsiraT : Simla, Antenne not quite so long as the abdomen, distinctly tapering towards the apex, and densely covered with short, stiff pubescence ; the 446 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. third joint is about one-half longer than the fourth. Head smooth and shining ; frontal area is slightly raised, flat; the apex obliquely narrowed at the sides ; there is an irregular fovea on the top of the antennal tubercle and a larger deeper one on either side of it. Clypeus and labrum thickly covered with blackish pubescence ; both are trans- verse at the apex. Mandibles broadly piceous before the apex ; the front and vertex are thickly covered with short pale pubescence. Thorax smooth and shining ; the mesonotum thickly covered with black pubescence. Legs white ; the apex of the hinder tibic and the tarsi black. Wings hyaline ; the stigma and nervures black ; the first transverse cubital nervure is indicated by a hyaline line ; the second recurrent nervure is received near the apex of the basal fourth of the cellule ; the basal nervure is received near the base of the apical fourth of the cellule. MoNOPHADNUS SIMLANSIS, sp. nov. Niger, prothorace, mesonoto cum scutello maculaque magna subalis ferrugineis ; alis violaceo-fuscis, nervis stigmateque nigris. @. Long : 10 m.m. Hapsitat: Simla. Antenne short, stout, almost bare. Head smooth and shining ; the ocelli bordered by furrows; behind them are two deep curved furrows, which extend backwards to shortly behind the middle of the vertex ; the frontal fovea is large, deep, dilated broadly behind ; the dilated part with a narrow furrow in the middle. Clypeus sparsely punctured, convex and bordered above by a curved furrow. The pro- thorax, mesonotum, scutelium, tegule and a large triangular mark on the base of the mesopleure extending above to the apex, rufous. Wings smoky-fuscous, with a violaceous tinge ; the nervures andstigma black ; the third cubital cellule is more than double the length of the second ; the recurrent nervure is received close to its base. Abdomen smooth and shining, the edges of the segments narrowly at the apex, and the fifth and following broadly in the middle, whitish-yellow ; the ventral segments have their apices. narrowly whitish-yellow. Legs stout, covered with a stout, stiff pile ; the claws rufous. ATHALIA NIGRO-MACULATA, sp. nov. Lutea, antennis, capite metanotoque nigris ; abdominis dorso nigro maculato; pedibus flavis ; femoribus posterioribus tibiis tarsisque nigro maculatis ; alis fusco hyalinis, basi fumatis ; nervis stigmateque nigris. Pet &. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA. 447 Long: 7-8 mm. Hapitat : Simla. Antenne 10-jointed, the third twice the length of the fourth, the terminal joint twice the length of the preceding. Head black, below the antenne pale-luteous; the front and vertex are without distinct furrows or depressions. Mandibles black at the apex. Thorax bright luteous; the mesonotum thickly covered with depressed fulvous pubescence; the depressions at the sides of the scutellum, the metanotum, the base of the abdomen and six broad black marks on either side of the abdomen—two on each segment, except on the posterior two—black, the pleure under the hinder wings being also broadly black. Wings smoky hyaline, paler towards the apex ; extreme base yellowish. The apices of the four posterior femora, the apices of all the tarsi and the apices of the tarsal joints, broadly black. The transverse cubital nervures are more widely separated than in A. antennata ; the second cubital cellule is not so much narrowed towards the apex and the wings are not so broadly yellow at the base. In the @ the black marks on the abdomen are much reduced in size. ATHALIA ANTENNATA, sp. nov. Lutea, flagello antennarum, capite metanotoque nigris, tibiis tarsisque nigro maculatis ; alis fusco-hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. @. Long: 7-8 m.m. Hasitat : Simla. Antenne 13-jointed, the apical two joints more closely amalgamated than the others ; the third joint narrower than, and twice the length of, the fourth. Head shining black, luteous below the antenne ; a curved shallow furrow runs from the outerside of the hinder ocelli, and a shorter, oblique one from either side of the front ocellus, there being also a shallow fovea in front of it, Mandibles luteous, black at the apex; the palpi yellow. The depressions at the sides of the scutellum the median segment and the base of the abdomen are black; the meso- notum is thickly covered with pale fulvous pubescence ; there is an ‘impressed line on the middle lobe in the centre. The back of the abdomen is infuscated. The wings have a yellowish tinge at the base ; the basal nervures are luteous, the others with the costa and stigma are black ; the second cubital cellule is largely narrowed at the apex. . Legs 448 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. coloured like the body ; the apex of the four front tibize and the apices of their tarsal joints black ; the apical third of the hinder tibize and the tarsi, except the basal two joints at the base, black. CLADIUS ORIENTALIS, sp. nov, Niger, tibiis tarsisque anterioribus late albis; alis fere hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. Q. Long : 7 m.m. Hapsirat : Simla. Antenne as long as the abdomen, distinctly tapering towards the apex ; the third, fourth and fifth joints with their apices sharply pro- duced on the upper side ; the basal two joints covered with stiff black hair. Head smooth and shining, thickly covered with short black pubescence ; the frontal area flat ; transverse behind and in the middle in front ; the sides at the apex obliquely narrowed; before the ocelli is a curved shallow furrow; the antennal area is continuous with it ; is raised, flat above, its apex triangular. The apex of the clypeus is roundly incised ; the labrum is slightly depressed in the middle. Thorax and abdomen smooth and shining, covered witha short black pile; the cerci are moderately large, shortly pilose and widely separated; the blotch is indistinct. Wings hyaline, with a slight fuscous tinge ; the stigma and nervures are deep black; the recurrent nervures are received shortly behind the middle of the cellules. Belongs probably, like the other species here described, to Priopho- vus. It may be known from WNigricans by being larger, by the tibie being pure white, by the curved furrow in front of the eyes, by the antennal tubercle not being so deeply hollowed, by the clypeus being more deeply incised, and by the clearer, more hyaline wings. CLADIUS NIGRICANS, sp. nov. Niger, tibiis antecis geniculisque fuscis ; alis fusco-hyalinis, nervis stigmateque nigris. 2 et 3. Long: 5-6 m.m. Hasitat : Simla. Antennz as long as the abdomen, tapering towards the apex and thickly covered with stiff black pubescence ; the basal joints of the flagellum not produced at the apices. Head smooth and shining ; the frontal area not clearly defined ; there is a short fovea—longer than broad—in front of the ocelli; the antennal fovea is distinctly, but not very deeply, depressed at the apex ; the antennal tubercle is large, tri- DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW HYMENOPTERA. 449 angular on the top and reaching to the top of the clypeus, which is ‘transverse at the apex. The labrum is depressed in the middle. Man- dibles black, broadly rufous before the apex. Legs black; the base of the tibize and the anterior tibise in front fuscous, W ings hyaline, with a slight fuscous tinge; the stigma and nervures black; the first recurrent nervure is received in a broad angle behind the middle of the ¢ellule, the cubitus in frent of it being largely bullated ; the second is received at the apex of the basal fourth. The depression between the cenchri is wide at the base, becoming gradually narrowed towards the apex. The antennz in the ¢ are longer, thicker and more densely pilose than they are in the Q ; the third joint is distinctly shorter than the fourth, EXPLANATIONS OF PLATE. 1, Melanapis violaceipennis. 9. 2, lLamproapis maculipennis. 3. 3. Pompilus heraclides. 9. 4, Nursea carinata. 9. 3. Meira quadrimaculata. 9. 6. Peecilotiphia albomaculata. %, 7a. Notogonia pulcherrima. 2, 8. Mutilla regia, 9. 9, Ya. 3 é. 10. Nothaima bicarinata. ¢. 11, Bracon deesz, wing. 12, Luithracia flavipes. ¢. 13. Pyncobracon niger. 9. 14. Ditherus ruficollis, ¢, 15, Fethalia nigra. ?. 450 ON NEW AND LITTLE-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES, MOSTLY FROM THE ORIENTAL REGION. By Lionet pe N ICEVILLE, F.ES., 0.M.Z.8., &C. Pann ile (Continued from page 251 of this Volume.) Genus SymBrentutiA, Hiibner. Symbrenthia Hiibner, Verz. bek, Schmett., p, 43 (1816); id., deNiceville, Butt, of India, Burmah and Ceylon, vol. ii, p, 238 (1886); id,, Distant, Rhop, Malay., p. 431 (1886) ; id., Schatz, Ex, Schmett,, vol, ii, p, 123, n, 23, pl. xv, neuration of S, hyppoclus [sie], Cramer, palpus and foreleg of male (1887) ; id., Moore, Lep. Ind., vol. iv, p. 110 (1899) ; id., Fruhstorfer, Berl. Ent. Zeitsch., vol, xlv, pp. 19-21 (1900 ) Laogona, Boisduval, Sp. Gén., vol. i, pl. x, fig. 3 (1836); id., Doubleday, Gen. Diurn, Lep, vol, i, p. 190 (1848) ; id., Felder, Neues Lep., p. 11, n. 20 (1861) ; id., Wallace, Trans, Ent. Soc. Lond,, 1869, pp. 344, 345, Dr. F. Moore in Lop. Ind. has recently revised the Indian species of the genus Symbrenthia, and has mentioned many of the described, extra-Indian species. Last year Mr. Fruhstorfer gave a list of the species in the genus, but has omitted eleven, the names of these arrang- ed chronologically being lilwa, Howitson; Aippalus, Felder ; brabira, Moore ; hysudra, Moore; daruka, Moore ; javanus, Staudinger ; platena, Staudinger ; sivokana, Moore ; niasica, Moore ; semperi, Moore; and sinica, Moore. Throughout his paper Mr. Fruhstorfer uses hyppoelus, though Cramer originally spelt it Aippoclus, and this spelling was adopted by Mr. fruhstorfer in his earlier papers; and he credits selana to Dr. Moore instead of to myself, I propose to give a resumé of the species contained in the genus, with as far as Iam able from my collection my conclusions as regards synonymy, which largely differs from that of Dr. Moore and Mr, Fruhsterfer. I will give only the principal references in the synony- my ; to quote all the citations would occupy too much space. I am fully aware that my conclusions will not be considered to be final, even if my opinions as far as they go are accepted, as my collection of extra- Indian species is by no means complete, Such as it is I trust my study of the genus will be of some assistance to future workers, - 1. SyYMBRENTHIA LucrinA, Cramer. Papilio lucina, Cramer, Pap, Ex, vol. iv, p. 82, pl. cccexxx, figs, H, F, female (1780) ; Symbrenthia lucina, Moore, Lep, Ind.,, vol, iv, p. 111, pl. ecexxi, figs. i, larvaand pupe ; 1a male ; 1b, 1c, female, wet season forms ;1d,1le, male ; 1f, 1g, female, dry season form (1899) ; S, khasiana, Moore, Proc, Zool, Soc., Lond., ON NEW AND LITTLE-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES, 451 1874, p. 569; S. daruka, Moore, Proc, Zool. Soc. Lond,, 1874, p. 570, pl. Ixvi., fig. 10 male ; S. hyppoclus [sic], Moore, (nec Cramer), Proc. Zool, Soc, Lond., 1882, p, 243, pl. x1, figs. 4, larva ; 4a, pupa ; id., Distant, Rhop, Malay., p. 431, n. 1, pl. xlii, figs. 4, male ; 5 female (1886) ; S. hippocla [sic], Kirby in new edition Hiitbner’s Hx, Schmett., text p. 19, vol. ili, pl. cecexlvi (8), figs. 1—4 (1900) * ; S. hippocle [sic], Hubner, Verz, bek. Schmeit., p. 43, n, 384 (1816) - S. asthala, Leech [nec Moore], Butt. China, Japan, and Corea, vol, i, p. 285, pl. xxv, fig. 2, male (1893), Hasirat : lueina, China (Cramer) ; khastana, Khasia hills (Moore) ; daruka, N. India (Moore) ; the Himalayas from Kashmir to Assam, thence southwards to Burma and the Malayan Peninsula, Western Central and Southern China to Hongkong ; Indo-China ; and the Eastern Ghats of peninsular India. This is by far the commonest species cf the genus, where it occurs it is usually very abundant, the larva feeding on nettles, It is highly seasonally dimorphic, as are all the Indian species. The female is monomorphic. Mr, Fruhstorfer in Berl. Ent. Zeitsch., vol. xlv, p. 20 (1900) keeps it as a distinct sub-species from China only under the name of S. hyppoelus | sic] luctna, Cramer (nec Semper). 2. SYMBRENTHIA VIOLETTA, Hagen. S. hippoclus, var. violetta, Hagen, Iris, vol. ix, p, 165, n, 133 (1896). Hasirat : Sumatra (Hagen) ; Sumatra ; Borneo (Moore), On page 164 (1. c.), n. 132, Dr. B, Hagen records true S. hippoclus, Cramer, which appears to be confined to Amboina, from the low coun- try (coast) of Sumatra; and on p. 165, n. 133, S. Aippoclus, var. violetia, from the Karo Plateau (7. ¢. the mountains) of Sumatra. All my specimens are from the mountains, and are therefore true S. violetta, which in the male has the ground-colour of both wings on the underside much darker than in the continental S. luczna, Cramer ; the females of S. violetta and S. lucina are indistinguish- able, Dr. F. Moore records S. vioietta from Borneo, from whence I have no specimens of the genus. The female is monomorphic. 3. SYMBRENTHIA NIASICA, Moore. S, niasica, Moore, Lep. Ind., vol, iv, p. 122(1899) ; S. hyppoclus [sic] niasicus, Fruhstorfer, Berl, Ent. Zeitsch, vol. xlv, p. 20 (1900). Hasirat: Nias Island off the south-western coast of Sumatra (Moore and Fruhstorfer). * [have not seen this plate at the date of writing. The specimens figured may not be the true 8, lucina, Cramer, as amongst other localities Mr, Kirby quotes Ambeoina and Java where S. lucina is not found. . 452 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. I have males only of this species, which is very near to S, woletia, Hagen. The female appears to be monomorphic. 4, SYMBRENTHIA JAVANUS, Staudinger. S. hippoclus, var. javanus, Staudinger, Iris, vol. ix, p. 233 (1896) ; id., Fruh- storfer, Berl, Ent, Zeitsch., vol. xli, p, 314 (1896) ; S. hippoelus, deNicevile, (nec Cramer), Journ., Bomb. Nat, His. Soc., vol, vi, p. 354, n. 8, pl. F, fig. 10, female (1891) ; S. hyppoclus:hyppocla, Fruhstorfer, Berl, Ent. Zeitsch., vol. xlv, p. 20 (1900). Hapirat : Java, Bali, Borneo. | The males inmy collection from the three above-named localities can- not be distinguished from Indian. and Chinese S. luctna, Cramer, nor can: Form I of the female from Java, which is yellow like the male. Form II of the female, which has the ground-colour white, has no correspon~ ding dimorphic form on the Asian continent. I would therefore retain the name S, javanus for this species for the reason that it has two forms of female. I have no females from either. Bali or Borneo, so cannot say if the species in those islands is dimorphic in the female or not. If not, I would place them under S. lueina, Mr, Fruhstorfer refers to this species as S. hyppoclus hyppocla, Hiibner, from Hast and West: Java. He says that the white females in Java are found in the hills in the eastern part of the island, that the yellow females exist near the coast, especially at Malang in Eastern Java, and Sukabumi and Pala- buan in Western Java. To avoid too many names he uses hyppoclus [dropping hyppocla, Hiibner] for the Symbrentha of this group from Bali and Sikkim, from the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, and notes that Borneo has two forms of female. Both, however, are yellow, the alpine form frora Kina Balu is richly coloured and has broad yellow bands, the coast form is lighter coloured with narrow yellow bands. While placing together the Sikkim, Malay Peninsula, Java, Bali and Borneo forms under one name, Mr. Fruhstorfer keeps the Khasia. Hill form (S, khastana, Moore) distinct. I may note that D. F. Moore gives Hypanartia hippocla, Hibner, Samm]. Ex. Schmett., vol, iii, figs. 1, 2,3,4 ¢, and dimorphic 9 (1827) under S. javanus, Staudinger, which is the plate I have not seen and is referred to in the foot note under S. lucena on page 451. ; 5. SYMBRENTHIA ANNA, Semper. S, anna, Semper, Schmett. Philipp., p. 114, n. 185, pl. xxi, figs. 5 male ; 6» Semale (1888), p. 342 (1892). ‘ON NEW AND LITTLE-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES. 453 Hasrrat : Camotes, Bohol, Cebit, Leyte, Panaon, Surigao, Cami- guin de Mindanao, Mindanao—all in the Philippines (Semper) ; Bazi- lan in the Philippines (Fruhstorfer). Of this species I possess three males only. The female as ficured by Mr. George Semper is white-banded, but the white colour is mixed with pale ferruginous. Apparently the female is monomorphic. 6. SyYMBRENTHIA SEMPERI, Moore. S. semperi, Moore, Lep, Ind., vol, iv, ps 122 (1899); S. lucina, Semper (nec Cramer), Schmett, Philipp., p. 114, n. 134, pl. xxi, figs. 7, male; 8, female (1888), p. 342 (1892); S. hyppoclus philippensis, Fruhstorfer, Berl. Ent. Zeitsch,, vol, xlvy, p. 20 (1900). Hasitar: Luzon, Bohol, Samar, Mindanao, Babuyanes, Mindoro— all in the Philippines (Semper). Mr, Semper records both S. anna, Semper, and S. lwedna, Cramer (the latter species Dr. Moore re-names S. semper?) from the islands Bohol and Mindanao. I greatly doubt if two really distinct species of the same group of the genus occur together on the same island, unless the mountain and the plains forms are different. I have two males of this species only from the Philippines. The female as figured by Mr. Semper differs considerably in shape from the female of S. anna, it has the bands of the upperside of both wings very much broader, they are yellow apparently tinged with white, but much less so than in S. anna. Mr. Fruhstorfer records one species only from the Philip~ pines, remarking that “S. hyppoclus anna has ¢ Q nearly like the alpine white Javan hippocla Hiibner, @ 9, while the rare aberration lucina, Semper, which I call phdlippensis, is like the normal yellow female.” Mr. Fruhstorfer gives no detailed description of this new form phelippensis, which apparently sinks to S. semperi, Moore. 7. SYMBRENTHIA DISSOLUTA, Staudinger. S. hypatia, Wallace (?), var. dissoluta, Staudinger, Iris, vol. ii, p, 49 (1889). Hasitat : Palawan, one of the Philippine Isles (Staudinger). I have seen no specimen of this species. The female is white. I do not know if it is dimorphic, that a yellow female is found with the white one or not. 8. SyMBRENTHIA LOMBOKENSIS, Fruhstorfer. S. hyppoclus (sic) lombokensis, Fruhstorfer, Berl. Ent. Zeitsch., vol. xiv pe 19 (1900), Hasrrat: Lombok ( Fruhstorfer). I have a single female only of this species, whieh is white, I am not aware if a yellow female also occurs in the island, 454 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, 9, SYMBRENTHIA SUMBAWENXSIS, Fruhstorfer, S. hyppoclus (sic) sumbawensis, Fruhstorfer, Berl, Ent, Zeitsch,, vol, xlv. p. 19 (190). Hasrrat : Sambawa (Fruhstorfer). I have not seen this species. The female is described as being white, and Mr. Fruhstorfer says that no yellow female is found in the island. 10. SyMBRENTHIA PLATENA, Staudinger. S. platena, Staudinger, Iris, vol. ix, p. 234 (1896), Hasirat: Minahassa in Hast Celebes (Staudinger). This species is entirely unknown to me. 11. SyYMBRENTHIA CONFLUENS, Fruhstorfer. S. hippoclus confluens, Fruhstorfer, Berl, Ent, Zeitsch., vol, xli, p. 313 (1896). Hasrrat: North and South Celebes, 3,000 feet (Fruhstorfer). I have not seen this species, and know nothing about its female as to whether it is dimorphic or not. Is it distinct from S. platena, Staudinger ? 12, Symerentoia Hippocius, Cramer, Papilis hippoclus, Cramer, Pap, Ex., vol, iii, p. 46, pl. cexx, figs., C., D., male (1779) ; S. hyppoclus, Staudinger, Ex, Schmett, vol.i, p. 96, pl. xxxvi, male (1885). Hasirat : Amboyna (Cramer). I have not seen this species, and know nothing about its female. 13. SympBrenrHia Batsana, Fruhstorfer. S. hyppoclus (sic) batjana, Fruhstorfer, Berl, Ent., Zeitsch, vol. xlv, p. 19 (1900). Haprrat: Batjan ; Halmaheira (Fruhstorfer) ; Buru. I have one male each from Batjan and Halmaheira, two males and a female from Buru. The female is yellow. The name batjana is a MS. one only, as no description accompanies it. It should be com- pared with specimens from Amboina (Cramer’s figures are useless for close comparison), as I think that .S. datjana will probably prove to be a synonym of S. hippoclus. 14, SymprentarA Hyitawus, Wallace. S. hyleus, Wallace, Trans, Ent. Soc. Lond., 1869, p, 345; S. héppocrates Staudinger, Iris, vol. ix, p. 234 (1896). Hasitat: Dorey, New Guinea (Wallace); German New Guinea (Staudinger) ; Hattan and Kapaur in New Guinea (Fruhstorfer). I have not seen this species. The late Dr, O, Staudinger describes the female as yellow, and apparently there is no dimorphic white Form II. ON NEW AND LITTLE-KNOWN BUTTERFLIES, 455 15,. SYMBRENTHIA CoTANDA, Moore. S. cotanda, Moore, Proc, Zool, Soc. Lond,, 1874, p. 569, pl. lxvi, fig, 9, male ; idem, id., Lep, Ind., vol. iv, p, 114, pl. ccexxii, figs, 1, la, 1b, male ; 1c, 1d, female, wet-season form ; le, male, 1f,1g, 1h, female, dry-season form (1899) ; Lasgona hypselis, Doubleday and Hewitson (nec Godart), Gen, Diurn, Lep., vol. 1, p. 191, n. 2, pl. xxv, fig. 1, male (1847) ; Lasgona lilea, Hewitson, Trans, Ent, Soc. Lond., third series, vol, ii, p, 246, n. 4, pl. xv, figs. 5, 6, male (1864), Symbrenthia sinis, de Nicéville, Journ. Bomb, Nat, Hist. Soc,, vol, vi, p. 20m n. 10, pl. F, fig. 9, male (1891); S. hypselis assama, Fruhstorfer, Berl, Ent, Zeitsch, vol. xlv, p. 21 (1900). Hasrrat : Throughout the Himalayas from Eastern Kumaon to Assam, thence southwards through Burma to the Malay Peninsula; Sumatra. Next to S. lucina, Cramer, this species is the commonest of the genus occurring in India. It is seasonally dimorphic. Its transforma- tions have not been discovered. Dr. Moore records it from ‘‘ Kash- mir” in Lep. Ind., but I believe the late Mr. W. Doherty was correct in saying that it “does not occur further to the westward than the Kali valley, which divides Nepal from Kumaon.” The Lasgona lilea of Hewitson, from “ Hast India” is undoubtedly an aberration of the male of this species. I have even more remarkable aberrations in my collection from Sikkim. Mr, Fruhstorfer retains S, scnis, de Niceville, as a distinct sub-species from the Malay Peninsula and the Battah Mountains of N.-E. Sumatra, which isin my opinion incorrect, the Malayan Peninsula form joining on to and being indistinguishable from the Lower Burmese form, the two regions being conterminous, Mr. Fruhstorfer also describes a S. hypselis assama, new sub-species from the Khasi Hills and Assam, which cannot be separated from S. cotanda. 16. SyMBRENTHIA stNtIcA, Moore, S. sinica, Moore, Lep. Ind., vol. iv, p. 123 (1899). Hasirat : Western China (Moore), I have not seen this species. 17. SyYMBRENTHIA OTTILIA. Fruhstorfer. S. hypselis otttlia, Fruhstorfer, Berl, Ent, Zeitsch, vol, xlii, p. 327 (1897), Hasitat: Nias Island. I have not seen this species. 18. SymBrRENTHIA HypsEtis, Godart. Vanessa hypselis, Godart, Enc, Méth,, vol. ix, Suppl., p. 818, n. 5-16 (1823); Lasgona hypselis, Boisduval, Sp. Gén., vol. i, pl. x, fig. 3, male (1836); id., 456 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATU RAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, Doubleday and Hewitson, Gen. Diurn, Lep., vol. i, p. 191, n, 2, pl. xxv, fig. 1 male (1847) ; Symbrenthia hypselis, de Niceville, Journ, Bomb,, Nat, Hist, Soc., vol, vi, p. 356, n,. 9, pl. F, fig. 8, male (1891), Hasirat: Java; Bali. Mr. Fruhstorfer records this species from Hast and West Java, 2,000 to 4,000 teet. I have both series from Java and Bali, 19. Symerenrara Batonpa, Staudinger, S. hypselis, Godart, var, balunda, Staudinger, Tris, vol, ix, p, 233 (1896). Hasitar: Kina Balu Mountain, North Borneo (Staudinger). I have not seen this species. 20. SYMBRENTHIA BRABIRA, Moore. 8. brabira, Moore, Proc, Zool, Soc, Lond., 1872, p, 558; idem, id., Lep. Ind., vol, iv, p. 116, pl. ccexxiii, figs. 1, 1a, male; 1b, 1c, female, wet-season form ; 1d, le, male, dry-season form (1899) ; S, hysudra, Moore, Proc, Zool. Soc, Lond,, 1874, p, 268, n, 28, pl. xliii, fig. 8, male, dry-season form ; idem, id., Lep, Ind., vol. iv, p. 118, pl, cecxxiy. figs, 1, la, male ; 1b, 1c, female, wet-season form ; 1d, 1e, male ; 1f, 19, female, dry-scason form (1899) ; S, asthala,Moore, Proc. Zool, Soc, Lond., 1874, p. 269, n. 29, pl. xliii, fig, 9, male ; id., De Nicéville But, Ind., Burmah and Ceylon, vol. ii, p. 244, n. 539, pl. xxiii, fig, 106, male (1886) ; S, sivokana Moore, Lep. Ind., vol, iv, p. 117, pl. cccxxiii, fig, 2, 2a, male ; 2b, female, wel-season form (1899), Hasirat ; Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim. Dr. £'. Moore in Lop. Ind., places S. asthala, Moore, asa synonym of S. brabira, Moore, from the Western Himalayas, Kashmir to Kumaon, but apparently he has had access to Kashmir specimens only. He keeps S. hysudra, Moore, as a distinct species, from the N.~W. Himalayas, having examined specimens from Kashmir, Kulu, and Kaleni, 3,900 foot (this latter locality is unknown to me). Ho also describes S. sivokana as anew species from Sivoke in British Sikkim ; it also occurs in Native Sikkim. After a careful examination I have come to the conclusion that all four names represent one species. Three of them, it will be noticed, were described from the Western Himalayas, and one from the Eastern Himalayas. Even these from the west and tho east cannot be separated, leave alone those from one region. The species is usually raro, especially the female sex, and is as usual with continontal species strongly seasonally dimorphic. 91. Symprentuta NipHanpaA, Moore. S. niphanda, Moore, Proc. Zool, Soc, Lond., 1872, p. 559 ; idem, id,, Lep. Ind,, vol. iv, p. 119, pl. ccexxv, figs. 1, la, male; 1b, le, female, wet-season form ; 1d, le, male, dry-season form (1899), ON NEW AND LITTL&-KNOWN BULTERFLIES, 457 Hasitar : Sikkim ; Bhutan ; Naga Hills (lwes); Upper Chind- win, Burma (Watson) ; Palawan, one of the Philippine Isles (Stau- dinger). I have specimens of this species only from Sikkim but have no doubt that Messrs. Elwes and Watson have recorded it correctly from Upper Assam and Upper Burma. It is, I think, rather doubtful, however, that it occurs in Palawan as Dr. Staudinger says it does. It is seasonally dimorphic as usual. 22. SymBreNTHIA Sruana, de Nicéville. S. silana, de Nicéville, Journ, A. 8, B., vol. liv, pt. 2,p.117, pl. II, fig, 9, male (1825) ; id., Moore, Lep. Ind., vol. iv, p.121, pl. cccxxv, figs, 2, 2a, male, wet-season form ; 2b, male, dry-season form (1899), Hasirar: Sikkim ; Bhutan. A rare species with a very limited range, and slightly seasonally dimorphie. 23. Symprentata Hypatra, Wallace. Lasgona hypatia, Wallace, Trans, Ent. Soc, Lond., 1869, pp. 344, 345, n, 3 ; Symbrenthia hypatia, Distant, Rhop, Malay., p, 432, n. 2, pl, xlii, fig. 6; male (1886) ; id., Fruhstorfer, Berl. Ent, Zeitsch., vol. xxxviii, p. 366 (1893); idem, id., Stat. Ent, Zeit., vol. lv, p. 125, pl. iii, fig. 4, male (1894) ; id., de Niceville and Martin, Journ, A. 8. B., vol, Ixiv, pt. 2, p. 488, p. 239 (1895) ; id., Moore, Lep. Ind., vol. iv, p. 122 (1899); S. hypatia, var, chersonesia Fruhstorfer, Berl. Ent. Zeitsch., vol. xxviii, p, 366 (1893) ; S. hypatia, var. hippocrene Staudinger, Iris, vol, ix, p, 232, pl. v, fig. 3, male (1897). Hasirat : Malay Peninsula; Sumatra ; Java ; Borneo. I concur with Dr. Moore in placing the var. [chersonesia of Fruhstorfer from the Malay Peninsula, and the var.| Aéppocrene of Staudinger, from Kina Balu Mountain and Brunei in North-Western Borneo as synonyms of S. hypatéa, Wallace, from Java. S. hypatia is a rare species, and appears to be confined to mountainous districts, Dr. Moore, has described its female from Sumatra. 24, Symprenveta Intricata, Fruhstorfer. S. intricata, Fruhstorfer, Ent, Nach., vol. xxiii, p. 61 (1897) ; idem, id., Berl. Ent. Zeitsch., vol. xli, p, 312 (1897). Hasirat: Toli-Toli, North Celebes. I have not seen this species. 25. SymeBrenrHiA Hreratus, Felder. Laogena hippalus, Felder, Reise Novara, Lep., vol. iii, p. 396, n, 587, pl. li, figs, 9, 10, male (1867). Hasrrat: Halmaheira (Felder); Mount Tondano, N.-H. Celebes (coll. de Niceville), I possess a single male of this species ; the female has not heen described. It is a very remarkable species, there is nothing else like it in the genus. q 458 THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. Including AFGHANISTAN, the TRANS-INDUS PROTECTED STATES, and KASHMIR =; arranged and named on the basis of Hooker and Baker's Synopsis Filicum, and other works, with New Species added. By ©. W. Hops. (Continued from page 266 of this Volume.) Part II].—THE GENERAL LIST—(continued.) Genus 22. Asprpium, Sw. (in part), R. Br. Subgenus PonysticHum, Loth. 1. A. Lonchitis, Swartz; Syn. Fil. 250; C. R. 505. Polystichum Lonchitis, Sw., Bedd. H. B. 203. Hook, Brit. F. t. 9. TRANS-IND. STATES: Baraul 10,500-11,000', Harriss 1895. KASHMIR: Jacquem, and S. & W. (in Herb. Brit. Mus.); Gulmarg and Sonamarg 9-11,000’, Dr. J. L. Stewart, Levinge, Trotter ; elsewhere—Gilgit, and W. & §. Kashmir 8-12,000’, Duthie, McDonell, MacLeod. DISTRIB.—V. Amer. Greenland—Disko Bay; Brit. Columbia—Cascade Mis. 5-6000’ ; United States—southern shore of Lake Superior fand northwards (Britten). LHurope—North to Centr., more sparingly in 8. Europe; Brit. Isles—N. and Centr. Scotland ; Durham, Westmoreland, and Yorkshire ; Carnarvonshire; W. and N.-W. Treland, very local. Asia: Asia Minor, Siberia, Turkestan. Mr. Clarke says :—“ The single Himalayan specimen at Kew (Jacquemont’s) has been marked A. Zonchitis by Moore ; but others have marked it A. auri- culatum. H. ©. Levinge’s example is typical A. Lonchitis”’ The additional localities in Kashmir, summarised above—ten or twelve in number—show that the plant is noi uncommon in the western and southern parts of that State. The dimensions given in the Synopsis, namely, fr. 12—18 in. 1,, 1—2 in. br., are exceeded in Kashmir : I have a frond from MacLeod, with narrow pinne, which measures 15 in. by 3 in., and another 18 in. by 2 in.; but there is a frond in his collection 28 in. in length, the breadth of which I omitted to note. The pinnz are lobed : each vein after leaving the costa branches ; and in well- developed fronds each group of veinlets occupies a shallow lobe, the apex of which is a mucronate tooth on the longest veinlet ; and there are smaller teeth at the points of the other veinlets. 2. A. lachenense, Hook. ; Syn, Fil, 250; C. R, 506. Polystichum lachenense, Hook,, Bedd. H. B. 208, F. B. L., t. 32. KASHMIR : Palgram 13,000’, C. B. Clarke, No. 31051, 4-9-76 ; Gilgit Dist.—Gor 15,000’, Tanner 1880 ; Liddar Vy.—above Kainmal 12,000’, Duthie No. 13131, Masjid Vy. 12-13,000’, Duthie No, 13198, and Sonsél Nala 13-14,000', Duthie No, 14128— all in 18938, PUNJAB : Chamba.—Ravi Valley, Cheni Pass 12,000’, McDonell 1892. N-W. P.: T. Garh.—Damdar Vy. 12-13,000, No.+106’,and Dudu Glacier Moraine, 4-15,000', Duthie 1883; near Jaulea, under Srikanta, 15-16,000’, No.) 397, and above THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 459 Chinpul 14-15,000’, No. 406, Duthie 1883 ; “ Kumaun 9678 ! in Herb. Schlagentweit,” (note by Mr. Baker on a Sikkim sheet in Kew); Radlam Valley 12-16,000', Duthie No. 3610, 28-884, by Nipchang Glacier in Darma 16-17,000' and Kutti Valley 12-13,000’, Duthie No. 3708 Gn part), 18-9-84. NEPAL W.—Opposite Buddhi Village 10-11,000’ and Nampa Gadh 12-14,000', Duthie 1886. DistRiB.— Asia: N. Ind. (Him.)—Sikkim 13-16,000', Drs. Hooker, Thomson and. Anderson. 3. A. Duthiei, n.sp, Plate VI. (See Part IT., p. 532.) 4, A. marginatum, Wall. Cat. 366. A. auriculatum, Sw., e, A, marginatum Wall., Syn. Fil. 251; C. R. 207. Polystichwm auriculatum (Linn, under Polypodium), var. 8 marginatum, Wall., Bedd. H. B. 204. Plate XX VII. PUNJAB: Chamba—MeDonell, loc,?; Simla Reg.— Above Simla,” Colorel Bates, in Herb, Kew ; BisAhir—Kun4war, fide Clarke in Rev; Kangra V. Dist. —Harrbagh, Edgew. in Herb. Kew; Dharmsala 10,000’, C. B. Clarke No. 24,51, 1874. N.-W. P.: Z. Garh.—Lev. 1872; Kidar Kanta Mt. 8-9000’, Herschel 1879, 10-11,000’, Duthie 1879, and between Manma and Barahat ; Brot. Garh. 7-11,000' (two stations) P. W. Mackinnon 1881 ; Kwmawn—above Dwali 9,000',S. and W. 1849; Mundul 7,000’, Davidson 1875 ; Gori Valley—below Askot 3-4,000’, Duthie No. 3629, 1884 ; Pindar Gorge—above Dwali 8,500’, Trotter 1891; Mangalia Gor 7,500’, Mac- Leod 1893. DistRis.—Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Nepal, Wallich ; Sikkim and Bhotan, I have not the slightest. hesitation about separating this plant from A. auriculatum Sw., for not only the shape of the pinne, and the cutting of them, but the venation is different in the two. Also I think the stipes of A. auriculatum, are the shorter, and the scales on them are pale drab instead of rich brown, with darker centres; they are not so broad and ovate as those on A. marginatum, and they do not extend so far up the stipe and rhachis. In A. marginatum, there are fibrillose or hair-like scales mixed with the broad ones. The rhizomes of both species are erect or suberect, and stipes densely tufted. A. auriculatum is thinly herbaceous in texture, and dries a dull dark green colour: A. marginatum is very coriaceous and shiny, with a metallic sheen on the upper surface. The under surface of A. auriculatum is nearly glabrous, having only a few small linear scales on the costa: that of A. marginatum is always more or less covered with a myriad of very minute pellate or broadly ovate, short, brown, adpressed scales, situated on the veins and veinlets, which, without a lens, look like mere dots: but on some large fronds I see fibrillose or chaffy scales, like those on A. lentwm, Don (see below). The “‘ Synopsis ” says the lower veinlets of A. awriculatum are in groups of three, but nothing as to those of A. marginatum. I find that the system of venation is quite different in the two plants. In A. awriculatum the veins ave obscure on the upperside ; but they can be made out on the underside in young fronds, and 460 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, it is then seen that they are very few in a group, and that the sori are gener- ally placed on the short inferior veinlets of the groups which take off nearer the costa than the margin, and that these veinlets seldom, if ever, go beyond the sori—see Beddome’s drawing, F.S. L., t. 120. Occasionally the sori are medial on a vein which reaches the margin. In A. marginatum the veinlets are so numerous in the narrow groups that their number is not easily counted with a lens ; it appears, however, to be from five to seven, and all reach the margin. All round the margin is a pale-coloured fringe, mucronately toothed in correspondence with the veinlets, from which feature I conjecture Wallich named the plant, In A. auriculatum I see no such margin. In both species the auricle at base of pinne has a distinct costa or pinnated vein; but in A. marginatum, this auricle is broader and has more veinlets than in the other species. Finally, though in A. quriculatum large fronds are distinetly but shallowly lobed or serrated in correspondence with the groups of veinlets, even the smallest in A. marginatum axe generally so ; and in large fronds this is carried so far that the frond becomes quite bipinnatifid nearly to the second- ary thachis,—the distance between the groups of veins becoming greater in order to admit of this. I first observed this in some of Mr. P. W. Mackin- non’s specimens from British Garhwal, which, when collecting them, I believe he identified with the simple narrow form and named A. auricilatum, var. 8 marginatum, Wall. or A. aculeatum, var. In one frond I have, 9 in. 1, by 23 in. br., the pinne are merely lobed, but in the lowest pair the auricles are free to the midrib ; in another (apex wanting), probably 12 in. by 85 in. the seven lowest pairs of pinnee are cut down nearly to the rhachis into rhomboidal-ovate segments, and the upper pairs are diminishingly cut. In two other fronds, 15 and 16 in. 1. by 5 in. br., the auricles are quite free, and the pinnee are less cut towards their acuminate apices, and towards the apex of the frond. Hach lobe, or segment, has a costa, and up to eight veinlets on either side, which do not fork ; all run out ta the margin. The segments more or less overlap each other, There seems to be a small spinulose tooth for every veinlet, and a larger stiff one for the principal vein of each group. But none of these four fronds is fertile. I should when I received them, have put the three last mentioned fronds under A. aculeatum, Swartz, had not Mr. Mackinnon gathered them for A. margimnatum, and but for the characters given above, which agree with those for that Species. A specimen I have from Sikkim, collected by Mr. Levinge, has stipe 84 in. long, and frond 103 in. long by 22 in. wide near the base, with up to eight pairs of distinct, toothed lobes in the pinnw, the lowest superior on the lowest pinne quite free. This has the characteristic metallic sheen and other peculiarities above described. ONY SS x MW wTZ OU Yt GS Ye Vgdia UY, at MZ 2 2 So KWINENG Pn ag PELE \\ a yy yy YY Y, 23 SE = \\ S J.N.Fitchdel. Chitra Silpi C% Lith. -ASPIDIUM MARGINATUM Welhch. 1. Froma Kuma plant. Pimsae, upper and under surfaces; with portion of margin and scale fom under surface. enlarged. 2. From a Kangra VY plant. Pinae from two fronds of same plant; with enlargements of margin and scale from under surface. 3. Krom a Sikkim plant. Pinnee , with enlargements of margin, and scale from under surfaee. 4. Froma Brit. Garhwal plent.Pimnae, with enlargements of mar gin and scale trom under surface. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 461 Going through the collection of Ferns in the Kew Herbarium, I have found no difficulty in distinguishing between these four species— 1. A. auriculatum, Swartz. 2. A. marginatum, Wall. 3. A. lentum, Don. 4, A. obliquum, Don. = A. cespitosum, Wall. I have gathered only the two last of these, and taking them only, whether in the field or in the Herbarium, I think it would not occur to a casual obser- ver that they were so nearly connected as to be merely varieties of another fern ; they are as different from each other as any two species of the same genus can be. But large fronds of No. 4, as seen ina Herbarium, have a superficial resemblance in cutting to fronds of No. 1; and there is at least one character in common between No. 4 and No. 2. Also there is one character common to all four species, which is that they all have auricled pinne ; but that is the almost invariable characteristic of the subgenus (or genus) Polysti- chum. I take it that it was the result of No. 1 having been given the specific name—auriculatum, by Swartz that species subsequently described and dif- ferently named by other collectors and authors, but which also were auricled, were afterwards, by authors who had not gathered the plants, united with, or given as mere varieties of the first described plant, A. auriculatum. Had Swartz named his species after any other feature of the plant than its auricle, or after, say, “ The man in the street,” this confusion between the four species might never have arisev, and certainly could not have between Nos. 3 and 4 at least. The chief differences between Nos. 1 and 2 have been mentioned above, and the distinguishing characters of Nos. 3 and 4 will be mentioned in their proper places. Returning to No. 2, A. marginatum, I have to add that I have the simple form with fronds varying in size from 4 in, 1. by 2 in, br. to 14 by 45 inches; and one incomplete frond from Sikkim must have been at least 20 inches in length; in these the auricle is not free, and the rest of the pinna is not very deeply lobed. The more compound form has fronds not longer than the other, but often much broader,—9 inches broad in ene specimen in Kew, froin the Rattong Valley in Sikkim (J. D. H., Jany. 7th), and quite bipinnate, though the secondary rhachis is winged in the upper part of the pinne. The pinnules are rhomboidal-ovate, sharply and stiffly spined on the apex, and once or twice spined on the sides. My Chamba specimens, from Mr. McDonell, are whole plants, with three to seven fronds each, and they show the plant to be dimorphous, with the fertile fronds considerably smaller than the sterile, but with the stipes not much shorter, 462 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, 5. A. lentum, Don, Prod. Fl. Nep., p. 4. A. auriculatum, Sw., y A. lentum, Don; Syn. Fil. 251. A. auriculatum, Sw., var. 4, lenia (sp.) Don, Cl. Rev. 507. Polystichum, auriculatum, Sw. var. ° lentum, Don, Bedd. H. B. 204. F. Boa. ts 13862 Plate XxX Vit: 3B: PuNgJAB: Chamba—MeDonell, in List of Chamba Ferns identified at Kew; Kangra V. Dist.—Harrabigh, Edgew. in Herb. Kew, ex. Herb. Hort. Bot. Cale, named P. radicans. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—Sowarna Nala 4-5,000', Mackinnons 1878-79; 7. Garh— Bhatauli, between Mussooree and the Jumna on road to Chakrata 4,500’, Hope 1886 ; Phedi 4-5,000', Duthie 1881 ; collected also in 1878 by Herschel and Duthie and ticketed by both * Mussooree,” as is also a specimen from H. Chase, 8,000’ elevation, recd. 1878 (Mr. Baker’s ticket) : near Mussooree must be meant in these cases; below Mussooree £,000’, Gamble 1895 @t Bhatauli probably) ; Awmawn—Raimganga Valley 2,600’, S. & W. 1848, No. 2, Aspid. radicans; near Askot 4-5,000’, and Gori Valley 4-5,000', Duthie 1884; Chipla, coll. Ramsukh (Duthie’s collector) 1888; near Lohugh&t 5,000’, Trotter 1891 ; Gori Ganga Valley—Buin 7,500’, MacLeod 1893. DistRip.—Asia ; N. Ind. (Him.) Nepal, Wallich ; Sikkim and Bhotan, common Assam—Khasi Hills from 1,500’ upwards. This is A. ocellatum, Wall. Cat. 360, in Herb, 1823, “‘ Napalia 1820.’ D. Don’s name was the first published, but his description was written from Wallich’s specimens coliected “in Napaliz alpibus.” It is also Hooker’s A. auriculatum, var. sublipinnata, Sp. Fil, Vol. 1V., p. 11. It is strange that neither Don nor Hooker mention the chief distinguishing character of this species, which is indicated by the specific name given to it by (?) namely, radicans, Clarke says—“ This fern frequently produces a subterminal rooting bud on the main rhachis ; then it is called Polystichum radicans,” but neither Baker nor Beddome mentions this character ; though ib pertains to every plant I have seen, though not to every frond, and neither A. auriculatwn, nor its other so-called varietiese—A. marginatum, Wall. and A. obliquun, Don— ever have it, so faras I know. I have a frond from Tehri Garhwal, which has not only a young plant with four pinnated and soriferous fronds growing from its apex, but also another growing plant on the lowest pinne of all, near its apex. The buds and young apical plants are densely clothed with pale brown scales. The cutting of A. lentum varies a good deal, but I think it is always deeper than that of A. auriculatum, and of the simple form of A. marginatum, and is from one to two-thirds downwards to the midrib, except in Strachey and Winterbottom’s Kumaun specimens which, though proliferous, have nearly entire pinne. The lobes are obliquely rounded and pointed, with generally only one aristate tooth to each. ‘The veins are pinnate in the lobes, two to five veinlets in a lobe, one or more of which forks. The sor? are small, and uniserial, placed on the inferior veinlet of each group, about half-way between costa and margin, and the sometimes quite free falcate auricled segment next aks qo.ngw Gout aprtaps fe MOA Sore Eawht l i () "Chitra Silpi C9 Pinnae of tertile trond, nat. size. RICUDATUM, Swartz: from BAachts. Scale 3. MP NsEeen del. EE | 1. Pair of Pinas, natural size. | | | A. ASPIDIUM AU C. ASPIDIUM OBLIQUUM, Dor. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 463 the main rhachis has a pinnated costa with a row of sori on each side of it : involucres rather fugacious, ‘The auricles are sometimes themselves auriculate, The scales on stipe are large, broad, dark-brown with lighter margins, or some- times pale concolorous, mixed with which are pale fibrillose scales ; and both kinds of scales extend up the main rhachis, dminishing in size upwards. The costa and veins of the pinnge are, on the underside, to some extent clothed with small fibrillose or chaffy scales, which, being inconspicuous, are liable to be overlooked. These are quite different in shape and appearance from the much smaller round or ovate scales, which generally thickly cover the under surface of A, marginatun, 6. fA. Obliquum, Don, Prod. Fl. Nep. 3. 4. auriculatum, Sw. 3, A, obliquum, Don., Syn. Fil. 2nd ed. 493. A. auriculatum, Don., var. 3 cespitosa, Wall. Cat. 367, Cl. Rev. 507. Polystichum auriculatum L., vare y bespitosum, Wall., Bedd. H. B, 204. F. B.I., t. 38. Plate XXVIII, C. PUNJAB: Chamda—Ravi Valley 7,000’, McDonell ; Kullu—7,000’, Trotter, Coventry. Simla Reg.—above Simla, Colonel Bates ; Hdgew. 1834; near Simla 4,000’ (2) Her- schel; “very rare within my limits and area. I have found it but once, at 4,800’. Blanf. in List. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist,—Jaunsar 7-8,000', Gamble ; Mussoorie 5-6,500', plentiful-in several places on wet rocks in forest; 7. Garh.—Kidar Kanta Mt. 8-9,000’, Herschel ; Kumaun—near Naini Tal 6,000’, Hope 1861, Levinge 1875. DisTRIB.—Asia : N. Ind. (Him.); Nepal Wallich; Sikkim and Bhotan. Assam —Khasia 3-4,000', very common; N. Manipur 3,500’, Clarke. The stipes in this species are densely tufted, slender, and, except for a few greyish brown scales near the base, extending a short distance up the main rha- chis, are, with the rhachises and the surfaces of the frond, glabrous, The plants vary much in size, according to situation and the degree of moisture they are favoured with. Mr. Baker says—* Seldom above 2 ft. high”: the other books give no dimen- sions. I have fertile fronds with stipe and frond together less than 2 in. high, by + in. broad, and all sizes between that and a total height of 22 inches, of which the stipes are 8—9 inches, and the fronds 12—13 in, long by 2—22 in, broad, The shape and cutting of the pinne vary very much, from rhomboido- ovate, nearly as broad as long, in small plants, to 12 in. long by 4 in. broad, sharply, pointly and distinctly auricled at the base and greatly cut away on the inferior side, in large plants. The pinne are sometimes merely crenate, some- times narrow and falcate, and the barren fronds are sometimes sharply toothed ab the end of every veinlet. The pinne are hardly ever distinctly lobed, and occasionally they are in shape almost like the simple form of A. marginatum. The system of venation in A. obliquum is the simplest in the whole group, and in the absence of distinct lobes to the pinnee may best be described as— pinnate on the costa, with veinlets forking once or twice. The venation is 464 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. rather obscure: the superior veinlets, which alone are usually soriferous, often appear not to extend beyond the sori, but sometimes reappear near the margm and run out to a smal) tooth near the sinus where there is a trace of a lobe. In large pinnee the auricle bas a pinnate costa and double row of sori. A distinguishing character of the plant, though shared with A. marginatum, is its.sub-dimorphism. ‘The fertile fronds are generally much shorter than the sterile ones, which is contrary to the general habit of dimorphous ferns. Sometimes this may be only apparent, and be due to the smaller fronds of the previous year being persistent after new sterile fronds have sprung up ; but I have short young sterile fronds also. Occasionally, in large plants at least, young fertile fronds are seen as long as the sterile ones, which are generally in the. majority. Whether the dimorphism be real or only apparent and not invariable, it is a character of the plant. 7. A.ilicifolium, Don., Prod. Fl. Nep., p. 3; ‘‘Fronde pinnata-lanceo- lati; pinnis alternis ovato-oblongis coriaceis rigidis mucronatis nitidis brevissime stipitatis bi-v-tricuspidatis spinulosis subtus lepidotis at latus superius lobo lata auriculatis, stipite rhachique semi-teretibus squamosis, Hab. in Nepalia, Wallich. “ Fons sesquipedalis, Pinnee pollicem v. sesquipollicem longs, semi- nuciam late. Sori magni, superiores biseriati, inferiores imordinate associati.”” A, ilicifolium, Don, Syn. Fil. 251 ; Cl. Rev. 508. Polystichum tlicifolium, Don, Bedd. H. B. 206. F. B. I. t. 31. PuNJAB: Chamba—Ravi. Valley: Sao Nala 8,000’, McDonell; Kangra Vy. Dist.—Dharmsdla 10,000’, C. B. Clarke; Awllw—Outer Seordj 7,000’, Trotter ; Simla Reg.—ridge E. of Simla; Theog to Baghi 5-10,000’, common: EHdgew., Bates, Falconer (“N.-W. 1.”), Gamble, Collett, Blaniord, Hope, Trotter, Bliss, Lace. N-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—Jaunsar ; Soshol 8,500’, C. G. Rogers; Garhwal—Pabar Vy, Jacquem., Nos. 722 and 2253; 7. Garh.—Nag Tiba Mt., Mackinnons 1878, W. Gollan 1881; Kidér K4nta Mt., 10-11,000', and Bok Mt., Duthie 1878; Jamnotri 9-10,000', Duthie 1883; Rikishin 9,000’, C. G. Rogers 1891 ; Gangar 7,600’, Gamble 1893; Brit. Garhwol—Ramzi 8-9,000', Duthie 1885; AKwnawn—R. Blink. CAspidium pungens, Wall. in Herb. 1823); Madhari Pass 9,000’, 5.3% W.; Pinsara, Davidson 1875; Kali Vy. 8-9,000', and above Sosa 8-10,000', Duthie 1884-86 ; Gori Ganga Vy. 9,000’, MacLeod 1893. Distris.—Asia : NX. Ind. (Him.), Sikkim 7-10,000'; Nepal, Walvich. I have quoted Don’s description as showing that the plant he described as A. ilicifolium,—which is Wallich’s A. pungens, Cat. 468,—had short pinnee merely lobed and auricled. I cannot admit that the pimne are ever again pinnate as Beddome says they are, though the auricle is sometimes quite free ; indeed, I think Beddome would now put his more compound plants under his THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 465 var, acanthophyllum (sp. Franchet) of A. acwleatum, which—opposing Baker, who in his Summary of New Ferns accepts it as a species—he sets up in the Supplement to his Handbook. In the “ Synopsis Fulicum”? this fern is characterised as “ quite doubtfully distinct from some of the forms of auricutatum and aculeatum.” I know no form of A. auriculatum which A. ilicifolium in the least resembles ; and it certainly is very different from the three species I have above separated from it ; and Mr. Clarke suggests no resemblance to any of these, though he says there are intermediates between A. clicifolium and A. aculeatum, which no one up to the time when he wrote had ventured to name. ‘There is no doubt a great resemblance to A. rufo-barbatum Wall. in the cutting (of segments, not of frond) and texture of A. ilicifolium, and since Mr. Clarke wrote M. Franchet has “ rushed in” and named a Chinese plant A. acanthophyllum. On seeing the scrap of this in Kew J adopted this name for a somewhat common N.-W. Himalayan plant, to which I had been giving the variety names of contortum, and, afterwards, pseud-ilicifolium. Holding to my present scheme of admitting no varieties in ferns except cultural ones, and not being able to see that any one of these three ferns is a mere form of another of them, I keep them sepa- rate as species ; and I would describe A. zcifolvum as follows :— “ St, tufted, often densely so, 2—9 ins. long, slender, clothed some- simes sparsely with large broad scales, mixed sometimes with fibrils. ; fr. 6—10 ins. long % in. to } in. broad; pinne subdeltoid or broadly lanceolate, ;3,;—2 in. long, apex mucronate, with a large mucronate auricle below generally nearly, and sometimes quite, free in large specimens, and several mucronate lobes above, pinnee becom- ing very distant and rather smaller towards the base of frond ; texture very coriaceous ; both surfaces naked, except for a few scales on the underside of the costa ; rhachis slender, clothed with narrow hair- pointed scales; veins immersed—best visible on upper side, forked once or twice in the lobes ; sor? one in each lobe, and in two rows in the auricle, large in proportion to the size of the segments. ” Blanford was sceptical as to the claim of this fern to specific rank, and considered it an alpine form of A. aculeatum, graduating into A. rufo-barbatum ; but he evidently included A. acanthephyllum. 8. A. acanthophyllum Franchet, in Bull. Bot. Soc. France 1885, 28; Baker inSummary of New Ferns, Ann. Bot., Vol. V., No. xviii. Polystichum aculeatum, var, acanthophyllum (Franchet), Bedd. Suppt. H. B. 43, Plate XXIX, PunsaB: Hazara Dist.—Black Mt., Trotter in List; near Chittabat, Gatacre 1888 ; Chamba—Dalhousie 7509’, Ravi Vy. 8000’, McDonell; “ Chamba” J, Marten 1898 ; 8 466 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Voi. XIV. Kangra Vy, Dist.—Dharmséla 5500’, Trotter ; Kullu 6-8060', Coventry ; Simla Reg.— Simla, Hope 1871 ; Hat Mt. 9000’, Cheog Forest 8000’, Mahasu 8000’, Gamble 1876-78 ; Forest above Bulsun, Collett 1877; Simla 8000’, common, Blanf.in List (under A. ilicifolium, “bipinnate form ”); near Mashobra 7000‘, and Theog. 8000’, Hope 1886 ; Baghi 9000’, Trotter 1887; Simla—Jako Mt. 7700’, The Glen and Mashobra, Bliss ; Baghi Yorest, Bliss 1891 ; Raiengar Forest 8000’, Gamble 1898. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—Jaunsar—Kathian 7000’, and Mandali Forest 8000’, Gam- ble 1891-93; 7. Garh—9000', Lev. 1872, Datuni 7000’, Gamble 1893; Kumaun— Khati 7200'S. & W. 1848; Kali Vy. 7-8000', and near Sosa 8-9000’, Duthie 1884-86 ; Dankuri to Khati 75-8000’, Trotter 1891; Gori. and Ramganga Vys. 7-8500’, MacLeod 1893. DISTRIB.—Asia: N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim 12,000’, Zevinge’s collr. 1882. China —Yiinnan, Delavay. T noted this fern, as having a distinct individuality, when at Simla in 1886 ; and when at Kew in 1888 I found a poor specimen or two, from Yunnan, named as above, which seemed to be the same. ‘The stipes are always shori— often much shorter than Beddomes length, 8—4 ins. The pinne are never so short and simple as those of A. ilicifolium. The fronds seem seldom to grow straight up, bub curve sideways: Trotter describes them as—“ sickle-shaped, radiating, spreading-out on the surface of rocks, ana connecting rufo-barbatum with zicifolium.” Sometimes the fronds are bent like the upper part of a note of interrogation (?) I think it necessary to give this frond specific rank in order to prevent 4, ilicifolium being said to pass into A. rufo-barbatum, to which it is totally unlike in everything except shape and spinosity of the ultimate segments. 9. A. Thomsoni Hook.; Syn. Fil. 251; C. R. 508. Polystichum Thomsont Hook,, Bedd. H. B. 206, F. B. I. t. 126. KAsHMIR : Pushdna 6500’, Winterbottom 1847, No. 8i; Chittapani Vy. 75-8000’, Trotter; Kishtwar, W. 8. Atkinson 1872. PUNJAB; Chamba—Upper Chénab Vy., Chiri 10,000’, Baden-Powell 1879; Ravi Vy., Chatri Forest 6000’, McDonell 1882; Sach Pass 7500’, Ravi Vy.—Barmaur 7000’, and 9000’, McDonell 1885; Awl/u—Babbu Pass 10,000’, Trotter 1887; Simla Reg.— ridge E. of Simla, Matiana to Hatu Mt., and Kundwar, 8-10,900', T. T., Bates Gamble, Blanf., Hope, Trotter, Bliss, Lace; Simla—The Glen, 6-6500 Bliss 1890. N-W. P.: D. D. Dist—Jaunsar, Deoban 9000’, Herschel 1879, Mrs. J. Sladen 1880 = Lokandi 8-8500’, Mandali Forest 9590’,and Karama 9500’, Gamble 1891, 93 and 94; Mussooree, Dr. Bacon, Duthie 1877. (These two last are probably from Tehri Garh = I have never seen this species from in or near Mussooree.) J. Garh. 7-10,000', Lev- inge, Mackinnons, Duthie, Gollan; Brit. Garh. above Ramri 8-9000', and near Kuari Pass 11-12,000’, Duthie 1885 ; Kumawn--Ralam 12,000’, Tola, Rilkot, and near Dwali S.& W.; Byans—Kali Vy. 9-12,000' G stations) Duthie 1884-86; Pindar Gorge— neat Dwali 8000’, Trotter 1891; Ramganga and Gori Vys. 5-10,000', Macleod 1893. DIsTRIB.—Asia ; Thibet—Indus Vy., Shayok, 78000’, Z. 7. N. Ind. GHim.), Sikkim. 9-13,000, PLATE XXIX. a / fi i } ma ee ert N.E.Brown delt. | KEP Dass lth. ASPIDIUM (§ POLYSTICHUM) ACANTHOPHYLLUM Franchet. | Paes) Se ae meen Soe, 3. Industum, enlarged 10 diam. 2. Pinna, enlarged 3 diam. 5. Scale from rachis, enlarged 3 diam. 4. Scale from the base of the stipes, eniarged 3 diam. iy Ny ng al f uf THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 467 I cannot see much, if any, resemblance of this fern to A. Prescottianum Hook ; though Mr. Clarke says the two species are no doubt very close, and Colonel Beddome that A. 7homsoni is very near the smaller forms of A. Pres- cottianum, and that it is very probable that they are only varieties of the same plant (name not stated), A, Prescottianum is a comparatively large fern, and grows to dense bushy thickets; it is very scaly all over, shaggy almost. A, Thomsoni is a small plant, growing on rocks, or on rocky ground in forest, but each plant separately, so far as I have seen. The largest plants of A. Lhomsoni I have seen are Mr, Gollan’s from Nag Tiba Mt. in Tehri Garhwal, one frond of which is 17314 ins., and it is just as much A. Thomsoni as is the smallest of all those cited above. But there is difference between some of these : McDonell’s from the Sach Pass in Chamba and Duthie’s No. 101 from the Ganges Vy. have stipes and rhachis almost glabrous, and quite a different cutting of frond from that of most others—like some one’s var. alpina of A, Prescottianum from Sikkim ; and some at least of the sori of Duthie’s plant are nephrodioid. These cannot, however, be Clarke’s var. gracilis (Lastrea gracilis Moore), for that is said to have fronds smaller than these of typical A. Thom- sont, whereas Duthie’s is a large plant with fronds i0 ins. long by 14 ins. broad. Another form has broadly falcate and auricled pinnee with sharp teeth, much cut away at the base on the lower side; while another has straight, almost dimidiate pinnse, and seements spreading on both sides ; but these are intermediate forms, and the habit of all is alike. [A. aculeatum Sw. is attributed in all the books to the Indian Region, The Synopsis says—“Hab,—Throughout the world” ; but givesas a synonym A. squarresum Don (rufo-barbatum Wall.), which ‘¢has the rachis densely clothed with reddish-brown fibrillose scales,”’ and we are left in doubt under which of the three varieties it recognises, namely « A. lobatum, Sw., 3. A. aculeatum, Sw. and 4 A. angulare Willd., A. squarrosum ought to be placed. From the fact that var. g is given in the Synopsis asa variety of A. aculeatum Sw., 1.¢., a8 a variety of itself, I gather that the species 18, A. aculeatum Sw., of the Synopsis is a theoretical conception of the authors’; but it ought to have been given a distinctive specific name, instead of being fathered on Swartz, and I would suggest metaphysica, hypothetica, or theoretua, or some equivalent name, to indicate that the plant has no existence in nature. Swartz didnot include A. lobatwm under A. aculeatum, but gave it asa separate species, with only “ Anglia” as the habitat. Mr. Clarke says 4. aculeatum Sw, (var @ of the Synopsis) 1s very common in the Himalaya and Khasia, alt, 2,000/—13,000'; and he 468 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. gives A, rufo-barbatum (sp.) Wall. Cab. 369, as var. 2 (out of 6 varieties), and says it is common from Kashmir to Bhotin, and also in the Nilgiris (but not from Khasia), Beddome, in his Hand-book, says Polystichum aculeatum Sw. is found “ throughout the Indian Region on the mountains,” (also throughout the whole world) ; and he gives (among 7 varieties) var. y rufo-barbatum (Wall. Cat. 369), F. S. 1, t. 121, with habitats—“ Nilgiris and Western mountains of South India ; Himalayas, from Kashmir to Bhotan.” Asto the other varieties mentioned in the Synopsis, Clarke gives as his var. 1, “‘ /obata (sp.) Engl. Bot., t.1563. Fronds narrowly lanceo- late; pinnee hardly pinnate, the lower secondary pinne sessile or decurrent. Throughout the Himalaya, but much more rare than A. aculeatum type.’ Beddome quotes verbatim from Clarke, but omits the final remark as to rarity. These authors appear to limit the distribu- tion of A, Jobatum to the Himalaya, Var. » angulare, Willd., of the Synopsis is nob even mentioned by Mr. Clarke, and this seems to have led Colonel Beddome to give merely “Nilgiris and Western mountains of South India ” as the habitats of his var. s angulare (Presl., Newm. 173), which he thus describes :— “‘ Lax and of thinner texture” (than of what ?), ‘‘ pinnules smaller more numerous, orbicular, rhomboid, mostly auriculate, the serratures setiferous rather than spinulose.” +.122. This seems to apply to much of the Himalayan material which Clarke seems to have considered as typical aculeatum, but which is all quite different from what is considered as A. aculeatum by European botanists. Clarke’s var. 3 semifertilis (base of the frond fertile, upper 4 barren ; Sikkim: not very common), which is adopted by Beddome as var. ¢ semifertile, is probably merely a local form of one of the soft Himalayan plants. With var. 4 macronifolium (sp.) Bl.,—Beddome’s var. » mucronifolia Bl.,—I need not concern myself, as it isnot said to grow in North- Western India: nor, for the same reason, with Clarke’s var. 5—Bed- dome’s var. » —Oiaristatum (sp.) Bl. Clarke’s var. 6, sefosa, Wall. Cat. 371—Beddome’s var. 9 setoswm—lI give below as a distinct species ; and Beddome’s vars. ., anomalumaud x, Travancericum, ao not concern me as they have not been recorded from N, India. Other two plants given in the Synopsis as synonyms of A. acvleatwm, namely, A. luetuosum Kze., and A. 7’sus-Simense Hook,, 1 shall give as good species under the first of these names. ‘THE FERNS Of NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 469 Turning again to the three individual plants mentioned in the Synopsis as being varieties of the imaginary comprehensive species No. 18, A, aculeatum, I find some difficulty in ascertaining their distinguishing characters. Swartz’s description is :— “‘frondibus bipinnatis, pinnis pinnatis, pinnulis ovatis acutis sub- falcatis ciliato-spinosis, subtus pilosis, rachi paleacea, stipite strigoso, Smith britt. Polypodium aculeatum, L. Polypodium setiferum. Forsk fl. acg, ar. Ploks phy: ty 180: f..< dy 23, Moris.:. sp.iT4..te3.. 48 15, (Schkuhr |. c, t. 39.—W. M.) Europa. Arabia, Cap. bon. spei.” This shows clearly that the fern Swartz described had ciliate spines on the pinnules, and therefore was soft and not prickly ; but the rest of the description is too vague, and the only substantial difference in his des- eription of his A, lobatum is—“ pinnis approvimatis.” Swartz seems to have done little more than transfer Linnezeus’s plant from Polypodium to Aspidium ; but Willdenow, only two years later, interpolated in Linneeus’s list A. angulare, and from his descriptions of that and A, aculeatum it is clear that under the new name he recognised a fern with a more compound cutting and a laxer texture than he saw A, aculeatum had, He, however, gave only Hungaria as the habitat for A. angulare, whereas now it seems to be a very widely distributed species. E. J. Lowe, in “ British Ferns, 1891,” the latest authority I can find says:—‘‘ A. aculeatum Sw.—Pinnules stalklets, with acute angled or wedge-shaped bases ; whilst in A. angware the pinnules are stalked and their bases obtuse-angled. In Plumage deep umber-brown through- out,ora pale patch on the nape only (in adults), a@* Lower pl:mage not striated, pale tips te larger wing-coverts and to se- condaries (in young)...,......00.-....4. defasciata. (The Steppe Eagle.) 6” Wing in male under 21’, in female MOG er 22H een. p cubatace ccrwauavorciensepecncneemete A, vindhiana. (The Tawny Eagle.) 6, Nostril round, as broad as high, c’ Whole head and lower parts uniformly pale LAWDY, OL TULOUS 2.0.0. cc0.cscecroerocsascocassees eres A. JUlUESCENS. (Brooks’s Eagle.) d' Bead and lower parts dark brown, or not uniformly coloured, ce’ Wing of male 19” to £0", of female 203” UK) ZL 0 eleosecepaneperieseraunesoasccsecendasnonde Ala femme. (The Large-spotted Engle.) d"” Wing of male about 18”, of female 19” ... A. hastata. (The Small Indian Spotted Eagle.) The genus Hieraétus has but 2 species; H, fasciatus, and H. pennatus. Key to the species. a, larger: wing 19 to 21 inches. H. fasciatus, (Bonelli’s Eagle.) &, Smaller: wing 14 to16°5 inches, H. pennatus, (The Booted Eagle) ot ri} ws MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, ‘The Bonelli’s Eagle can generally be distinguished by his white breast finely streaked and mottled with brown. When ata distance the breast ‘appears perfectly white in the adult, The upper parts a dark umber brown, The Booted or Dwarf Eagle is the smallest of all the eagles, measuring only about 19” in length, Of the genus Jctinaétus there is only the one species I, malayensis, the Black Eagle, and it can easily be recognized by the peculiar shape of its foot. The toes are short, inner toe being thicker than the middle toe and nearly as long, whilst the outer toe is very short, The claws are much less curved than in the other eagles and the inner claw is the Jongest, longer even than the hind claw. Plumage in adults is black throughout. Now we come to the Crested Hawk-Eagles. Two genera, containing six species —L, kieneri, The Rufous-bellied Hawk-Hagle, is the only species of the genus Lophotriorchis, This genus, though closely resembling the next (Spisaétus), is distinguished by its longer wings, with the primaries project- ing beyond the secondaries by more than the length of the tarsus, by its shorter tail, which does not exceed 9 inches, and its much longer toes and more powerful claws, The adult colouration, too, is peculiar, black above and the abdomen chestnut, The genera Spizaétus and Lophotriorchis are not likely to be confounded with any other of the sub-family Falconine, except perhaps with the genus Baza. of which there are 3 species, all crested like Spizaétus, but they ‘can be easily distinguished. The largest species of the genus Baza is only about 185” to 19” (male). The smallest species of the genus Spizaétus is over 21’’ (male), The Baza in only feathered for half the length of tarsus. Spizaétus is feathered for whole length of tarsus except in S. cirrhatus where the feathering does not extend to division of toes, but length of S. cirrhatus is over 26 inches, Lastly the Baza has the upper mandible toothed, and Spizaéius has the upper mandible festooned. I have already noted the points for identification between Lophotriorciis and Spézaétus. The latter genus comprises five species as fellows :— a. Feathering of tarsus does not extend to division of toes. a’ A distinct crest 4” to 6” long,always present... SS. cirrhatus. (The Crested Hawk-Kagle.) b’ No crest, or a rudimentary one...... SSHDuCHOCH ELS » S. limnaétus, (The Changeable Hawk-Eagle.} 4. Feathers extend on to basal portion of middle tee. e' Large: wing 17” to 183”, 594 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. gq! White bands on abdominal feathers in- LErruUpLediat Shatisecsdsscsessrcsescecs noogsdscn S. nepalensis, (Hodgson’s Hawk-Hagle.} b” White bands go completely across abdo- minal feathers-e-........ Saseondbococtesdoasen 5660 S. kelaarti. (Lege’s Hawk-Hagle.) dip oma lls mwin om DOUtIO atulneseauecencessasecetreccoe see S. albiniger. (Blyth’s Hawk-Hagle.} This brings us on to the Serpent and Fish-Hagles which I have not included here as they might prove confusing, The above mentioned only contain the species which have their tarsi feathered and form the true Eagles and the Hawk-Eagles, whereas none of the Serpent or Fish-Hagles have their tarsi feathered or only partially so. Blanford, on p. 342, gives the following distinctions between the true Eagles and the Hawk-Kagles :— “ They (Hawk-Eagles) are birds of more slender build, with smaller bills “longer and more slender tarsi, and longer tail than the true Eagles and most “of them are in some phase of plumage, partly or wholly white beneath,” BHADARWA, C. H. DONALD. KAsHMIR STATE, August 1902. No. V.—NOTE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN BIRDS IN SOUTH SYLHET. The following notes may possibly he of interest as showing one or two species of birds that do not commonly occur to my knowledge in the plains of Cachar though the two districts more or less adjoin. Coracias indica is common here though I do not think met with in Cachar unless I am mistaken. Mr, Baker does not mention it in his “ Birds of N. Cachar”’ and personally I never came across it. Halcyon pileata is I now find to be met with in small numbers here ; I have collected one specimen and come across four or five others, one of which my collector fired at but unfortunately failed to bag it. I think it may breed here. Caprimulgus monticola has been much in evidence during the past two months, March and April, breeding plentifully on the grassy and stony tilahs round the garden, It seems a fairly quiet bird at other times of the year but while breeding its peculiar plaintive cry is heard from dusk till nightfall and is again renewed from about 4 a.m, until very nearly sunrise. C. albonotaius on the other hand utters its monotonous notes of “ chuck chak chuck” almost the whole night, at this time of the year, a most irritating sound if several birds take up their quarters near one’s bungalow. Cinnyris hasselti I do not think can at all commonly breed in the plains portion of the district as I now find that very few are seen after the middle of MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 595 January, though from October to about then it is exceedingly plentiful. C. asiatica a bird not met with in Cachar (?) however must breed here, for though like the last it is most common in the cold weather it is still to be met with in small numbers throughout the year. A. M. PRIMROSE. Rewa TEA Estate, CHANDPUR BaGar, S. SyrHeT, 3rd May 1902, No. VIL—EUTHALIA LEPIDEA IN WESTERN KUMAON, Though more or less common in Burma and Assam, Sikkim has generally been considered to be the most westerly limit of H. lepidea, and it may therefore interest the entomological members of the Society to learn of the capture of a specimen of this butterfly as far west as Kumaon, A male was taken by me on the 19th of this month (April 1902) at Ranibagh (1,000-2,000 ft.) on the road from Kathgodam to Naini Tal, up a heavily wooded nullah with running water, I had seen one aday or two previously in the same spot without being able to get near it, but was more fortunate on presuma- bly the same one appearing a second time. Judging from its very fine, fresh condition, it could not have been long out of the pupa, and it is not improb- able was bred in the vicinity ; but [saw no others. Two gentlemen who have collected round Ranibagh for years, to whom I showed my specimen, told me they had never seen or heard of them before in the district, so its occur- rence must be rare. The Kumaon specimen shows no variation from other Burma specimens in my possession, G. W. V. de RHE-PHILIPE, Lucknow, 27th April 1902. No, VII.—A MAN-EATING PANTHER. (With a Plate.) The following are afew notes with reference toa man-eating panther— known to have killed over 20 people in rapid succession and all within a radius of 15 miles of Gunsore village in the Seoni District, Tt was not long after my arrival at Gunsore that I came to hear of the panther, so I made it my first opportunity to tryand bag him, knowing he was such a source of danger to the surrounding inhabitants, A kill was reported to meas having taken place on the 23rd of March, i. ¢., four days before my arrival, On April the 10th another kill was reported, On hearing of this I went out to ascertain as to whether it was true and found the body in a mangled condition with one arm torn right-off. The body was lying ina nullah within 200 yards of a village (Balwara), The villagers stated that the animal must have visited them about twelve at night and dragged away the body from just outside a house and it seems there 596 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. were four people sleeping outside this house, but that none of them heard the slightest sound, I made arrangements for sitting up that night (i.¢,, the night after the kill took place), The animal put in his first appearance about 9 p.m., again at 11 p.m,, and for the last time at one o’clock. During each of these visits I thought it advisable not to shoot as I could see nothing of the animal owing to darkness, although I could distinctly hear him at the body. On April the 21st I again heard of a kill (Somnapur village), This time the beast had actually gone into a house and dragged away the body to one side of a village only 100 feet from one of the houses and on an open plain. There were two children asleep in the house where the body was taken from but they were not disturbed, In order not to be disappointed a second time owing to darkness, J thought it best to try a hurricane lamp which I fastened to a pole about 5 feet off the ground and about 20 feet off the body and I took the precaution to cover up part of the globe of the lamp with a dark cloth so as to allow a dark side for the animal to approach from, At 11 pm.I noticed the animal having a quiet search round and as soon as he got down to the body I fired. The photograph reproduced shows exactly how I found the bodies, as I left a man all night to: see that nobody should remove them until f came the following morning to take the picture. I might remark that the body was only mauled at the chest, neck and head, and that from these parts a good deal of flesh had been devoured, The Government reward for the animal was Rs, 50, W. A. CONDUITT. Sronr District, 21st November 1901. No. VIII—NOTES ON BIRDS NESTING IN THE SOUTHERN SHAN STATES OF BURMA. (10.) Pica rusrica—The Magpie. This Magpie is common in the valleys East of Taunggyi, keeping to the open cultivated land round villages and bazaars, On the 21st March, while om the way to Pang Long (4,000 feet) we saw a nest in a low tree by the side of the road, My companion at once got off his pony and started up the tree, from his language it appeared that the Magpies were not such fools as they had seemed asthe tree trunk was covered with huge thorns. My friend, however, at length managed to get up, and brought down six eggs which were slightly incubated. The sight of the eggs awakened my old love of nesting aud have the honour of being No. 1 in my present collection. The nests here seem much larger than those at home, probably owing to their being undisturbed and so enlarged from year to year, otherwise exactly the same. The eggs also seem larger in size 14" to 1°47” by 1:05". Greenish-white, marked sparingly with sepia, and in fact more like the English Jackdaws- Journ.Bombay Nat.Hist. Soc. A MAN-EATING: PANTHER AN DST Kees. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 597 (52.) PARADOXORNIS GUTTATICOLLIS—Austen’s Crow-Tit. On the 11th April I was lucky enough to get a nest of this bird at Taung- gyi (5,000 feet). It was placed in asmall sapling about 5 feet off the ground on the side of a hill. Nest very neatly made of dry blades of grass and leaves covered over with cob-webs, and lined with very fine grass, inside diameter about 22 inches. Three eggs,slightly incubated, measuring -75 x -64, a dirty- white with small red spots chiefly at the big end. The bird shot and identi- fied, The shell of the eggs is very thin and brittle as mentioned in Mr. Stuart Baker’s account. (64.) DRyYoNASTES CHINENSIS—The Black-throated Laughing-Thrush, At Ganguoi (5,060 feet), on the 1st May, I found a nest of this bird placed in a small tree about 9 feet up, I was unable to shoot the bird as it sat for sometime on the edge of the nest just above my head and then got away, I had a good look at it, however, and noted its black throat and dark breast, The nest exactly like the next species; 3 eggs, measuring 1°04 x°‘79, glossy white. (67.) DRYONASTES SANNIO—The White-browed Laughing-Thrush., Fairly common at Taunggyi (5,000 feet) breeding in April and May. Nest generally placed in small trees and bushes from 5 to 8 feet off the ground, The nest is an untidy one made of grass lined with leaf stems, inside diameter about 33 inches, Eggs 3 or 4, pale-blue measuring about 1°0’x:79” but vary & good bit in size, (280.) MOoLPasTEs NIGRIPILEUS—The Tenasserim Red-vented Bulbul. This is the common bulbul up here, in fact I have not found the Burmese one up here yet although it occurs, I believe, in some of the low valleys, It nests chiefly in April and May making a flimsy nest of leaves, grass, etc., lined with fine grass, I found one curious nest made of bits of the “ Pioneer.’ Eggs generally 3, sometimes only 2. They vary a good deal in marking some being almost red in colour, others boldly spotted. (281.) MoLpasres ATRICAPPILLUS—The Chinese Red-vented Bulbul. Mr, W. H. Craddock of the Forests kindly gave me the eggs of this bulbul with the following description :—“ Nest very similar to that of the ordinary bulbul in construction, situated in a bush about 5 feet from the ground, and contained 2 fresh eggs. Thaton State at about 3,000 feet. Bird obtained, Date 7th May 1902.” The eggs are very like those of the last species, (287.) XANTHIXUS FLAVESCENS—Blyth’s Bulbul, Iam also indebted to Mr, Craddock for the eggs of this bulbul which are not described in Blanford, “Nest similar in shape, size and materials io above, Found in a bush 3 feet above ground, on Byinkyi Tawng at 5,500 feet, 2 eggs more or less set. Bird shot,’ The eggs are °9x‘7 white, covered with reddish spots, ( 333.) DicruRus cINERACEUS—The Grey Drongo. Taunggyi, 12th April 1902, nest and 4 set eggs, bird shot, nest on the end of a branch high up and consisting of a very neat saucer shape made of 598 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. lichens, leaves and cob-webs lined with fine grass. Eggs 4 in number, pinkish- white and boldly splashed with pale purple, and over which red spots chiefly at the larger end. Size ‘97 to 10x ‘7 inches, (474.) Lanius COLLURIOIDES—The Burmese Shrike, it is a wonder this bird’s nest has not been described before as it is very common up here, especia!ly during the breeding season which is from April to the beginning of June, All the young birds have left their nests now (23rd June) and everywhere one goes you are greeted with the angry chatter of the old birds, Whilst they had eggs in their nest they were very silent and generally kept out of sight, The nest is usually placed on the top of small saplings against the trunks of trees and between the forks of good sized branches at 5 to 12 feet from the ground, The nest is neatly made of leaves, lichen and feathers, etc., covered with cob-webs and lined with fine grass. The size of nest varies a good deal, if placed in between branches it is much smaller and maiches the tree trunk, if concealed by leaves it is much larger. The eggs are very like the English Butcher-bird and vary in the same way, there being two more or less distinct types, one pinkish-white with brown and purple spots, the other greenish-white with sepia and ash coloured spots, a few have a dull yellow colour with spots the same as last, Size ‘8 to 86 x67 to *66. (546.) GRACULIPICA NIGRICOLLIS—The Black-necked Myna, Makes a large conspicuous nest at the end of branches. Nest composed of straw, grass, feathers, etc., Eggs 4, pale-blue, measuring 135 x “96, Breeding season April. (553.) ASTHIOPSAR GRANDIS—The Siamese Myna. Builds in holes of trees making a rough nest of straw and feathers, Eggs generally 2,sometimes 3. Pale-blue, measuring 1°16 x °85, Breeding season April and May. (554,) ANTHIOPSAR ALBICINCTUS—The Collared Myna. Habits exactly the same as last, in fact the two very often build in company in holes in old trees, Eggs pale-blue, 4 in number, measuring 1°1 x‘°8. (615.) ORcicoLA FERREA—The Dark-grey Bush-Chat., This chat breeds up in these hills, On the 15th May this year I found a nest, placed in a hole in the side of a cutting on the Government cart road at Ganguoi (5,500 feet), It was a very untidy nest made of old grass and roots containing 4 pale-blue eggs with very faint and few pale red spots. I saw the bird in the nest as I was riding along the road, I dismounted and shot it so there could have been no mistake. I found an exactly similar nest the next day in the same position, the eggs the same. Mr, Craddock of the forests gave me a clutch of eggs which he got while out, which are exactly the same as mine, Some of these eggs are spotless and remind one of Redstarts eggs at home, None of my eggs agree with the description given in Blanford (Fauna of British India, “ Birds;’ Vol, Il) which are pale-green, while mine are a decided Blue, Siz2°7 x 54. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 599 (679.) MERULA PROTOMOMEL/NA—The Black-busted Ouzel, Two nests at Ganguoi (5,500 feet) on 15th May 1902, one with 3 eggs the other with 4, in both cases well incubated, Nest placed at the end of a branch about 12 feet off the ground and composed of moss and grass with plenty of mud, in fact the nests were very heavy for their size, lined with fine grass, Eggs greenish with brown spots and daubs, measur- ing 1°07 x°8, : (975.) IYNG@IPICUS CANICAPILLUS—The Burmese Pigmy Woodpecker. On the 15th April 1962 my orderly brought me a fully fledged young one and one addled egg which he had found in a small hole in a tree. Egg measuring °8 x°64 inches, (1104.). Cucunus’ cANorus—The Cuckoo, I first heard this bird on the 6th of March. The majority have all gone now (I heard one calling this morning), I got 4 eggs this season and all found in the common Pied Bush Chats’ nests, the eggs like those at home, white with pink spots. H. H. HARINGTON, Carr, TAUNGGYI, Uprer Burma, 24th June 1902, No, IX.—FOOD OF THE KRAIT. in Volume IX, page 499, I observe a note on this subject by Mr. W. H. Traill, and as such information is always of interest to some, I take the opportunity of adding my mite, Onthel1lth February while out with Major Davis not very far from this Station, he came on a Bungarus fasciatus ina ‘‘ paddy ’’ field, the fore half of the body was down a hole, so Major Davis put a charge of snipe shot into the exposed portion, which however did not kill him at once as he endeavoured to drag the damaged half down the hole, A Burman, however, immediately seized his tail and dragged him out when he promptly disgorged a snake, which proved to be a Tropidonotus piscator, evidently only recently swallowed, Length 30.” The B. fasciatus (a beautiful specimen) mea- sured 60”. The Burmese have some queer ideas about the B. fasciatus, some entertain the opinion that he is quite innocuous, others, that though poisonous his dis- position is so mild that he can rarely be provoked to bite, while a few are disposed to think that it isnot such a difficult matter to induce him to bite and, that if he does succeed in getting hold the results are generally fatal. GEO. H. EVANS, Vety, Magor. RANGOON, lst April 1902, 600 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. No, X.—NOTES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN BIRDS IN THE SOUTHERN SHAN STATES OF BURMA. We wish to record the occurrence in Burma of the following birds which, as far as we can ascertain, have not hitherto been recorded from this Province :— 1, IJaulus flavicollis—Yellow-naped Ixulus,—Nine specimens shot on Loi Pang-nau 7,900’ to 8,000’ near the Mekong river, 2. Sitta himalayensis—W hite-tailed Nuthatch,—Only procured once on Loi Hsam-hsum-Salween-Mekong water-shed bordering on Siam, at 7,500’. 3. Sitta formosa—Beautiful Nuthatch.—One specimen shot on Salween- Mekong water-shed at 7,000’. The above three species, strange to say, have not yet been obtained on any of the other high ranges of Burma. 4, Syrnium mivicola—Himalayan Wood Owl.—One bird procured on “ Crag” Taunggyi at 5,500’, another seen at the same time, 5, Aquila heliaca—Imperial Eagle.—One bird in the young phase of plumage shot at Wanhat (Mawkmai State) at 1,200’. 6. Alsocomvs pulchricollis—Ashy Wood-Pigeon.—A_ single specimen obtained on Loi Maw at 7,200’. This forms the connecting link in the distribution of this species from Assam to the Island of Formosa, The undermentioned birds have been forwarded to Colonel Bingham for identification :— 7. Suthora.—An apparently undescribed species shot at 8,300’ on Loi Pang-nau. 8. Scceorhynchus—A diminutive species undescribed in Vol, I, Fauna of British India, “ Birds.” Shot at 2,500’ at the head-waters of the Sittang river, 9, Urocichla—A species quite distinct from the two described in Vol. I, Fauna of British India, Birds. Obtained on Loi Pang-nau at 8,300’. aoe }two species of Cyornis, one of which is a very beautiful bird. 12. Stictospiza formosa,—Identification doubtful, 13, Stachyrhis—A species resembling S. nigriceps, Shot at the head- waters of the Sittang at 1,000’. 14, Accipiter—A species related to A. virgatus, Shot at 7,000’ on the Mené-taung. TAUNGGYI, H. N. THOMPSON, F.z.s. SoUTHERN SHAN STATES, W. H. CRADDOCK, Burma, 15th June 1902. No. XI.—_SWORD-FISH STRIKING A SHIP, Tam sending you the sword of some sea monster which I am unable to identify, its history may prove interesting enough to find ita place in your museum, and it is as follows :— Last February an Arab buggalow belonging to Muscat was on its way there from Cutch, A few days out it struck something on the port bow which the MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 601 Nakodar thought was a rock. The craft was shaken up from stem to stern and after a few seconds those on board heard a loud report and she was free agaln. She was making some water in the bows and the cargo lying there was shifted when this object was found sticking through the planks and firmly fixed, the leak was closed up and the buggalow reached Muscat safely. There J] examined her and the owner presented me with the sword, It evidently belongs to some huge fish which after striking the buggalow and piercing a teak plank some five inches thick managed to free itself at the expense of its weapon, Its structure seems to be of bone and it is covered with minute denticles many of which have been scraped off. F, A. SMITH, Capr., M.D., IMS, Utwark, Raspurana, June, 1902. [The sword appears to have belonged to a large specimen of the Histiophorus family and measures :— Total length a ah 406 S00 oo ... 244 inches Length from end of te see 200 eee WDE ve ay Circumference at base ... ae Bot toe Boe 5 Circumference, 12 inches from the BP one 6 o The total length given above includes 24 inches of thie) bone of the upper jaw. W. 8. Mruuarp, Honorary Secretary, Bombay Natural History Society.) No, XIIL—NOTES ON BIRDS NEAR QUETTA., Corvus corac—The Raven,—Very common about cantonments all the year, Breeds in the hills near, One nest, 6 eggs fresh, March 24th, Many other nests inaccessible, This is the sinall race, Corvus frugilegus—The Rook.—I have only seen one small flock near Quetta, feeding in the plough fields in January, Pica rustica—The Magpie.—Very common at Ziarat about 8,000 feet, 60 miles N.-E. breeds : one nest, 3 fresh eggs, May 15th. In winter a fair numbet come to the hills near Quetta about 6,000 feet, but I have not seen them in cantonments, Graculus eremita—Red-billed Chough.—Very common in the cold weather all round Quetta. Saw a few near Ziarat in May. Parus atriceps—Indian Grey Tit—Small flocks about cantonments in cold weather : in Ziarat in May. Aigithaliscus erythrocephalus—Red-headed Tit.—Saw a pair at Ziarat in May probably breeding. Lophophanes rufinuchalis—Simla Black Tit—A few at Ziarat in May. This bird was identified from Jerdon, but I think it is correct. 25 602 JOORNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Trochalopterum lineatum—Himalayan Streaked Laughing Thrush.—Fairly common in the hills above Harnai at about 4,000 feet in February. Myiophoneus temmincki—Himalayan Whistling Thrush.—_Shot one on rocky stream on the way to Ziarat at about 7,090 feet in May, Molpastes leucotis—The White-eared Bulbul, JT do not know whether this bird stays the summer or not ; the only ones I have seen have been in March and April, scarce, Sitta tephronota—Hastern Rock Nuthatch—This bird is common in the hills, and breeds. I have found a good many nests, but never yet chanced on an egg, Tichodroma muraria—The Wall-Creeper.—I have seen 1 or 2 specimens near Quetta in the hills in winter, and one near Sibi at about 1,000 feet. Hypolais rama—Syke’s Tree-Warbler.—This bird visits Quetta in the spring, and breeds, making a small cup-shaped nest in a low bush, The nests I have found have been about the middle of May. Sylvia jerdoni—Eastern Orphean Warbler.—Common in the hills in April, May, probably on migration. Sylvia althea—Hume’s Lesser White-throated Warbler.—I am not sure of this bird, as I had only Jerdon’s book with me when Ishotit. It was fairly common round Ziarat about 8,000 feet in May. Sylvia minuscula—Small White-throated Warbler,—Small flocks on migration in April, Phylloscopus tristi—Brown Willow-Warbler,—I shot one out of a small flock in my garden in February. Lanius lahtora—indian Grey Shrike,—I shot one near Quetta on April 1st, the only one I have ever seen here. Lanius vittatus—Bay-backed Shrike—Not very common, arrives in April, One nest, three fresh eggs, May 24th. Lanius erythronotus—Rufous-backed Shrike.—This is very common in the summer, and breeds freely. Starts to lay about the first week im May. Lanus isabellinus—Pale-brown Shrike.—Appears about middle of March, but does not stay asarule. I found one nest in a low bush in the hills about 7,060 feet, with 3 eggs hard set, on June Ist. Lanius cr status—Brown Shrike,—I shot one, the only one I have seen here near Quetta in April, Pastor ros‘us—Rose-coloured Starling —I have only seen a few of these in Quetta, all in April and May. They were very common in Chaman at the end of April. Sturnus humii—Himalayan Starliug.—Rare, I have only shot one or two specimens in March and April. Acridotheres tristis—Common Myna.—This bird is not common, A few scattered individuals seem to come here chiefly in March and April, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 03 Muscicapa grisola—Spotted Flycatcher,—This bird is common about Sept- ember on migration ; I have not noticed it at other times, Common at about 9,006 feet in May. Siphia parva—Kuropean Red-breasted Flycatcher.—Arrives in the beginning of April and stays about a month, During April is common. Pratincola caprata—Common Pied Bush-Chat.—Arrives at the beginning of April, leaves in October, Very common; breeds, Pratincola mauvra—indian Bush-Chat,—On migration in Aprilnot common, Sazicolu picata—Pied Chat.—Very common, arrives March, leaves Septem- ber, October. Breeds. Nests April 30th, 4 fresh eggs, May 14th, 4 young May 18th, young. All nests in holes among rocks. Sawvicola capistrata—W hite-headed Chat.—Shot one at the foot of the hills near Sibi in February, Sazicola barnesi—Barnes's Chat.—Fairly common near Quetta in the cold weather, I have shot and examined two of these birds, but they do not seem to quite agree with the description in Volume II, Birds, Fauna of British India, the colour on the chin and throat is connected vith the axillaries, and there isno band of white between, the breast being also black, S., finschi I do not know as there is no description of this bird in the book, Sazicola isabellina,—Isabelline Chat.—Very common in the hot weather, arriving about middle of Marc’. Breeds, I have found two or three nests all with young apnout April 20th. They were placed at the end of a hcis in the ground about 2 feet in or more, Sawicola deserti—Desert Chat,—Not uncommon in March and April, I do not know whether this bird remains to breed or not, but I think not, Ruticilla erythronota—Eversmann’s Redstart.—This redstart is common about Quetta in the cold weather, leaves about March, Ruticilla rufiventres—Indian Redstart.—Common in the cold weather, stays later than the foregoing, in fact it may possibly breed in the hills, as I have shot one about 8,000 feet in June, Cyanecula swecica—Indian Blue-throat.—Common on migration in March ard April, in suitable places, none later, Merula atrigularis —Black-throated Ouzel.—This black-throated ouzel is very common in Quetta in the cold weather, both in Cantonments and in the hills: it leaves about middle of April. Petrophila cyanus—Western Blue Rock-Thrush.—This thrush is not un- common in the hills round Quetta in the summer: it does not come into Can- tonments : arrives about end of March and breeds. I have found ove nest in a cave in the hills with 4 fresh eggs in April ; I have also seen young birds, Monticola saxatilis—The Rock-Tbrush.—I have shot two specimens of this bird near Quetta, one a female in January,and one male in good plum- age onthe 25th April. These are the only ones I have seen, 604 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Turdus viscivorus—The Missel-Thrush.—Very common in the hills round Quetta in the cold weather, I saw a fair number at Ziarat in May at about 9,060 feet so it may breed, Tharrhaleus atrigularis—Black-throated Accentor,—I shot one out cf a small flock near Quetta in January, I do not think it is cemmon here, Coccothraustes humii—Hume’s Hawfinch.—This, I think, must be the haw- finch that Irequents these parts. It 1s more or less resident, but is commoner a good dealin summer than winter. I believe it breeds here, as I have seen young birds that had been taken from the nest: it has a very pleasant song, Pycnorhampus carneipes-—White-winged Grosbeak,—A fair number in the hills in the cold weather near Quetta. Very common at Ziarat in May, feeding in flocks on the juniper berries. Propasser grandis—Red-mantled Rose-finch—I shot one at Ziarat in May about 9,000 feet, and saw others, Carpodacus erythrinus—Common Rose-finch—Common at Ziarat in May. Generally to be seen in small parties at certain places inthe hills near Quetta in April. Carduelis caniceps—Himalayan Gold-finch.—I do not think:that this bird is common near Quetta. Isawone that was caught out of a small flock in January, and also a pair in the hills in April, Metoponia pusilla—Gold-fronted Finch.—This bird is common in places in the hills near Quetta. I have seen flocks of them in September, also in April, probably migrating. Passer domesticus—House Sparrow.—Very common in summer, Arrives about middle of April, breeds : leaves entirely in the ccld weather, Passer montanus—Tree Sparrow,—Very common, resident throughout the year, breeds about April, and onwards, Emberiza leucocephala—Pine-Bunting.—Common in large flocks round Quetta in December and January and part of February. Emberiza stewarti—White-capped Bunting.-—-This bunting is common in the hills in summer, arriving in about end of April. I have no doubt that it breeds, as I have often seen them in pairs in June, but I have not found the nest. Emberiza buchanani—Grey-necked Bunting—Common in the hills in April, I have nut seen them earlier than end of March, or later than May, Emberiza luteola—Red-headed Bunting.—I have not seen these birds nearer Quetta than Jalat, which is about 40 miles N-E,, about 7,000 feet. There were a few there in May, one pair I think were breeding on May 30th, but I had no time to look for the nest. Emberiza striolata—Striolated Bunting —Not rar: in the summer in the hills, probably breeds as I have seen them about at the end of June. Chelidon wurbica—The Martin._-There are always some of these birds about in May, but IT am not sure whether they are C. urbica or C, Kashmi- MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 605 riensis, I shot one, which I identified as C, urbica, of the following dimen- sions. Length 53”, wing 42”, tail 23”, Ptyonoprogne rupestris—Crag-Martin,—This is a common bird in the hills near Quetta, I have found 2 or 3 nests, all saucer-shaped, attached usually to the roof of a cave, consequently hard to get at, June 1st, young nearly fledged, May 27th, 4 young unfledged, | Hirundo rustica—The Swallow.—Very common in summer, arriving about 3rd week in February, Breeds in April and May, Hirundo xepalensis--Hodgson’s Striated Swallow.—Fairly numerous round Quetta in summer, arriving about end of March. I have only found one nest which we placed in a culvert running under the railway, and was not quite finished at the end of April. Motacilla alba—White Wagitail—This bird is common in the cold weather, disappears about the beginning cf May. This identification, 1 am not sure about, as { only had Jerdouw’s book, when I shot the bird, and thought then it was M. dukhinensis, which now apparently becomes JM, personata, Motacilla melanope—Grey Wagtail_—There were a few of these birds at Kalat about 7,000 feet in May, but I have not seen any elsewhere near Quetta, Motacilla borealis—Grey-headed Wagtail_—Saw a few near Quetta in April, apparently on migration, Motacilla feideggi—Black-headed Wagtail.—On migration in April, fairly common, Motacilla citreola or citreoloides—Yellow-headed Wagtail.—Every year on migration in April, Anthus trivialis—The Tree-Pipit.—Not uncommon near Quetta in the cold weather, Anthus simélis—The Brown Rock-Pipit.—Arrives in Quetta about the end of March. Breeds in the hills. One nest with 3 fledged young, on May 11th. Anthus campestris--Tawny Pipit—Fairly numerous about the fields in the cold weather, Alauda arvensis—Sky-lark.—Very common in flocks round Quetta in the cold weather, A certain number remain through the summer, and I have no doubt breeds, though I have not found the nest, Calandrella brachydactyla—Short-toed Lark,—Very common all round Quetta in the cold weather up to the beginning of May, I am not sure whether any stay later, Galerita cristata—Crested Lark.—Very common and resident. Breed about April and May. Ammomanes phenicuroides—The Desert Finch-Lark.—Common in the low hills round Quetta in September, October, seems to get rarer later, but I have seen a few in March, Pyrrhocorax alpinus—Yellow-billed Chough.—I am pretty certain I saw small numbers of these birds at about 10,000 feet this May. I observed with 606 JOURNAL,, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. glasses, but as I was after markhor, I was unable to shoot one for identification, The natives here say there are two sorts of Choughs, one with a long red bill, and the other with a short white one, Terpsipkone paradisi—Indian Paradise Flycatcher,—I shot one of these birds about 5 miles from Quetta, at the beginning of May,a male in the 3rd year plumage. Saxicola monacha—Vhe Hooded Chat,—I sawa bird, which I believe to be a male of this species, at about 10,000 feet in May. I observed it carefully with a glass, at about 20 yards distance for some time, but I had no gun to shoot him. This is the only one I have seen, Ruticilla rufiventris—Indian Redstart --I found a nest of this redstart in the hills, this Way: as there seems no description of the nest in Fauna of British India, Birds, 1 will describe it, It was placed on a ledge of rock in a small cave about 5 feet from the ground, and was composed outside of strips of the juniper tree bark, lined with finer strips of the same and a few feathers ; it contained + eggs, slightly incubated, on May 13th, rather long ovals, very pale blue, This nest was at about 9,000 feet, I have no doubt there were many other nests on the same hills, as the bird was common in pairs, right up to the top of the hill, over 11,000 feet, Lanius isabellinus—Pale-brown Shrike.—I also found a nest of this bird on May 14th this year at about 9,000 feet. It was placed in the middle of a small thorny bush and contained 5 egg; of the usual shrike type. The bird was common all over the hills about this elevation. T. E. MARSHALL, Capr,, R.a. Quetta, May 1902, No, XIII—EHURVALE FEROX (NYMPHQGACE@), I see on page 356 of the last Journal of the Society, a note on Furyale ferox (Nympheacee). This plant grows freely and most luxuriously in the Chatla Fen, Cachar, I have seen many specimens of it in the neighbourhood of Borakhai and Trangmara and many of the leaves are more th»n two feet in diameter, In places it forms such an obstruction that it is difficult to force small boats through it, F. J. EDE, SincHar, CacHar, June 16th, 1902. No, XIV.—THE PAINTED SAND-GROUSE (PTEROCLES FASCIATUS) AND THE WOOD-SNIPE (GALLINAGO NEMORICOLA) IN THE PESHAWAR VALLEY, I am sending herewith a very delapidated skir of P. fasciatvs, merely for purposes of identification and to prove that it is found in the Trans-Indus portion ef the Punjab. P, fasciatus has been shot almost every year since 1895 at Rustom some twenty miles from here in the Buner foot hills by officers of the Guides, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 607 According to Blanford— Fauna of British [ndia, Birds, Vol. IV., P. fasciatus, “ does not occur west of the Indus’”’ When Vol. IV. was published I wrote to Professor Blanford and toldhim of the Traus-Indus occurrence of this sandgrouse, In his reply he suggested that the bird might be P. lichtensteini. Since then I have been away from Mardan and have had no chance of securing a specimen of fasciatus until this year. In December « flock was put up by a party from the corps shooting near Rustom and one bird was killed by a Native Officer out with us. It was badly shot and got damaged in the game bag, so it was not possible to do more than roughly skin it for ideutification, Painted sandgrouse are found near Rustom in low stony hills with a fair quantity of jungle growing on them, They are generally put up in pairs or small flocks, ‘the natives say they are always there but the numbers vary, some years there being many more than others, Another bird not apparently recorded West of the Indus, Gallinago nemo- ricola, was shot by me near this place in 1887, It may be thought that it was G. solztaria and not nemoricola as the former is more likely to occur in this part of the country. I have, however, shot at least twenty solitary snipe in Kashmir and therefore know solitaria well. I carefully identified the bird hoth from Jerdon and Hume and Marshall and there was not the slight- est doubt as to its being a specimen of G. xemoricola, MarpDavN, F. J. H. BARTON, Major, 2nd February 1902, The Guides, No, XV.—OCCURRENCE OF THE CHESTNUT-HEADED SHORT-WING (OLIGURA CASTANEICORONATA) AND NESTING OF THE BLACK-CHINNED YUHINA (YUHINA NIGRIMENTUM) IN KUMAON. I am sending you a specimen of the Chestnut-headed Short-wing (Oligura castaneicoronata, Oates) which may be interesting as Oates gives its distribution as Nepal, Sikkim and the Khasi Hills, This one I shot here (Kumaon) at an elevation of 4,000 feet out of a party of four, they did not appear to be breed- ing, Thev are remarkably wren-like in their movements which first attracted my attention, I am afraid tue specimen is rather badly prepared, I also send you a Black-chinned Yuhina (Yuhina nigrimentum), shot off its nest, The nest was placed under an overhanging bank and slung among a lot of fine roots from which the earth had fallen away, an ordinary open nest made of moss and a very little cobweb externally and lined entirely with very fine hair-like fern root, The eggs (3) were not white as givenin Cates but greenish-white spotted with brown, mostly at the larger end, 1 cannot find any other record of this bird’s eggs, Ss. L, WHYMPER, JEOLIKOTE, N.-W, P., April, 1902, 608 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. No, XVI.—‘ INDIAN HOBBY” (?) AND “ BULBUL.” While on a visit to Pundaluéya (elevation 4,000 feet) in April last, I wit- nessed the attack of a small black hawk, which I believe to have been the “Indian Hobby ” (Falco severus), upon a common “ Bulbul” (Pycnonotus hemorrhous), From a back view, the hawk appeared to be quite black, It pounced upon the Bulbul and bore it to the ground, seeming to have some difficulty in killing it, for the cries of the victim continued for some 3 or 4 minutes, On my nearer approach, the hawk picked upits prey in its claws and carried it out of sight, As they were flying off I had a good view of the hawk and its prey. The former looked scarcely larger than the dead bird in its claws. The “Indian Hobby” is considered a very rare bird in Ceylon, I be- lieve tuat less than half a dozen specimens have been actually recorded from this Island. But it seems possible that the small size and dark colouration of the bird may have led to its having been mistaken for the Ceylonese black-bird (Turdus kinnisi), Stories have been told me by plan- ters, on more than one Occasion, of one “black-bird” having been seen to attack, kill and carry off another “black-bird”, It is prob- able that the aggressor in each of these cases may have been Falco severus. In Blanford’s account of thishawk (Fauna of British India, Birds, Vol. III) it is suggested that the species is crepuscular and that it feeds principal- ly upon insects. The incident noted above occurred at about 3 p,m., and (if my identification of the bird was correct) indicates that the “ Indian Hobby ” will attack larger game than insects, PERADENIYA, CEYLON, E, ERNEST GREEN. 15th May 1902. [Note-—It is somewhat difficult to understand how any one having a good view of the bird could describe Falco severus aS appearing scarcely larger than a Bulbul; nor would the slaty grey of its back be likely to appear quite black, May not the bird have been one of the species of those beautiful little miniatures of the family—the Falconets, Micro- hierac ? They certainly, it is true, have never been recorded from Ceylon, though it is quite possible they may have been overlooked, but they so exactly fit Mr. Green’s description that I venture the suggestion. The black of their back and wings is unmistakeable, while their small size of but 6 or 7 inches in length is no more than that of a Bulbul, though they would certainly appear larger, as there is of them more bird and less tail. E, CoMBER, Hony. Secretary, Bird Section, Bombay Natural History Society. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 609 No, XVII—THE CAMEL BOT FLY, I am sending you a small box to illustrate the larval, pupal, and imago stages of the Camel Bot or Nostril Fly (Cephalomyia maculata), vide Lt.-Col. Yerbury’s note on page 684 of Vol. XIIl of the Society’s Journal. I found no difficulty in obtaining larve of this insect from the camelmen at Deesa. When full fed, and ready to pupate,the larvais thrown out by the camel sneezing, as stated by Col. Yerbury. This occurs usually in February, or March, | think, as at this time of year I found them easiest to obtain, The imago appeared in about ten days or a fortnight from the time of pupation, but in confinement a considerable proportion failed to appear in the imago stage, as they appeared to dry up. The specimen of the imago now sent was not bred, but was taken by me when sitting on a small shrub near Quetta, by the side of a path frequented by camels. It was the only specimen of the imago I have ever seen or taken except by breeding, though I have lived for years where camels are abundant, and am constantly on the look out for insects of all kinds. While on this subject I may mention that I obtained when at Deesa, tbrough the courtesy of Major A, L. Gordon, 2nd Bombay Lancers, several ova, about a dozen half-grown larve, and two full-fed larve of a horse bot fly, presumably all of the same species as those previously obtained, as one of the latter, on emerging, proved to be Gastrophilus pecorum. I was how- ever away from Deesa at the time it emerged, and by the time I returned it had damaged itself irretrievably as a specimen, and was dead in the box, The half-grown larve, which when alive, have a curious disagreeable smell, were obtained from a horse which died, on its interior economy being subjected to post-mortem examination. They however, in the absence of their usual nutriment, died. C. G. NURSE, Masor, 13th Bombay Infantry. QuErra, June, 1902. No, XVIII.—NIDIFICA'TION OF OGLE’S LAUGHING-THRUSH (DRYONASTES NUCHALIS.) This bird is fairly common here but until last week L have been unable to get its nest, As might be expected both the latter,and eggs resemble those of D. rujficollis, There were three eggs much incubated in the nest, I measured them as follows :—1°12” x°8”, 1:13” °79", 1°13’ x°8”", They are of a rather brighter blue than those of D, ruficollis but as far as I can see pre- cisely similar in gloss and texture, This bird is said by the Nagas to also lay pure white eggs thus resembling Garrulaz gularis, but this I cannot confirm as yet. H. N. COLTART. MARGHERITA, Upper Assam, May 6th, 1902. 26 610 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. No, XIX.—_NOTE ON A SPECIES OF GORDIUS PARASITIC IN THE BODY OF A MANTIS, In the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (No. 47, Vol. XIV., 1896), Mr. Oliver Collett has recorded the occurrence of a Nematoid Worm in the body of a Mantis, The worm in question was of an opaque milky white colour and measured 273 inches inlength with a diameter of th of aninch. I have just observed a second instance of the same kind. A live Mantis was brought to me, enclosed in a paper envelope, On opening the packet I found that a Gordius had emerged from the still living insect. The Mantis (one of the common green kind) has a total body length of 3 inches, its abdomen being 12 inches long by 3 inch broad, The worm measures 134 inches in length, and is about j;th of an inch thick, It is of a blackish brown colour, The body tapers toa fine point at the posterior extremity. It also tapers anteriorly ; but has a small bulbous extremity in which is a simple pore-like aperture. The surface of the body is coarsely granular, Gordius belongs to the sub-order Nematomorpha of the Nemathelminthine worms. There are two genera only: Gordius, confined to fresh water; and Nectonema, a solely marine form, The form of the posterior extremity shows the present example to be a female, though its dark colour is usually an indication of the male sex, The eggs of Gordius are deposited in water and the larval stage is passed in the bodies of aquatic insects. The Mantis doubtless acquires the parasite through eating some insect that has passed its early stages in water —such as a Caddis Fly, Perla, or May Fly. The average length of species of Gordius is stated to be 170mm, My specimen (13+ inches) equals about 330 mm, ; while that found by Mr, Collett attained the gigantic length of 687 mm. After reaching the adult state, the worm leaves the body of its host and presumably seeks the water to meet the male and deposit its eggs. Though some species of Gordius are said to withstand dessication, my example failed to revive when placed in water, EK. ERNEST GREEN, Government Entomologist. RoyaL Boranic GARDENS, PERADENIYA, CEYLON, 20th May, 1902. No. XX,—ROBIN LAYING IN BABBLER’ NEST. I send for the Society's Museum if you think it worth preserving, the nest eggs and parent bird of Thamnobia cambaiensis. The curious part is that the nest belongs to the Jungle Bush Babbler (Argya caudata) and was evidently taken possession of by the present bird. The nest was placed in a small thorny (I think, Kurunda) bush in scrub jungle and contained two eggs which were not those of A, caudata, but for two days I could not catch the MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 611 bird that laid the eggs till late one evening I disturbed her off the nest and shot her, There were then three eggs. I was not aware that this Robin ever took possession of other bird’s nests. I have found numerous nests of this species but invariably built by the bird itself and placed either in holes, in banks, stumps or under the shelter of rocks, but never in the middle of a bush as this was, I send these few notes in the hope they may interest some of the members, F, FIELD. Gaya, Bear, May 1902, No, XXI.—BAT SEIZING A SHUTTLE-COCK, T do not know whether the following occurrence is a rare one, and worth recording ;— As a party were playing at Badminton here yesterday, a bat (size about 6” to 8” across the wings) flew about following the shuttle-cock and finally seized it and bore it off just asa lady was about to strike it. We watched the bat fora short time, and expected to see it drop the shuttle-cock on finding it was not living and unedible, but it did not, Possibly the feathers of the shuttle-cock got entangled in the animal’s claws and so it could not drop it, In the evening the bats here very often hover about while a game of Badminton is going on but I have never known one seize a shuttle-cock or even strike it before, G, E, COLES, NaroRA, via RAJGHAT, 25th May 1902. No, XXII.—ARTIFICES PRACTISED BY BULBULS, Referring to Mr, Aitkew’ note on this subject on page 162 of this volume, the following extract from my notes, dated Bushire, 5th May 1897, may be of interest :— “ NOTE ON OTOCOMPSA LEUCOTIS,” “On the evening of the 5th May, I was standing near a Dodonea bush about 8 to 9 feet high in the Telegraph garden, watching the different birds having their last search for food before retiring to roost for the night ; when a Bulbul (Otocompsa leucotis) flew to the ground in front of me, about ten paces away ; it appeared hurt in one wing and unable to fly, I was about to move forward to see what was wrong with the bird, but at the moment it occurred to me, this was a common trick with Plovers to allure one away from the vicinity of their nests, but never having seen a Bulbul act in this way before, I watched the bird and as it flew with apparent difficulty on toa raised watercourse and then to the lower branches of an Oleander bush, I felt convinced the bird must really be hurt, and was about to try and capture it, when it uttered a low soft note, yet a note that could be distinctly heard 612 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. above the other noises in the garden, and which could fairly well be presented by trying to whistle the word ‘you’ There wasa certain amount of anxiety in the note and at once I understood it to bea warning uote to its mate somewhere close at hand, and on looking up into the bush near which I stood within three feet of my head was a nest, I immediately moved away and relieved the bird cf its anxiety. Visited the spot again on the 7th, one of the parent birds flew off the nest at my approach; on examining it I found it contained four eggs, which I left for the birds to hatch out.” W. D. CUMMING, OmaRA, March 1902. No. XXIII—CROW AND KOEL’S EGG. The following account of the behaviour of & e:-mmon crow may be worth recording in our Journal :— Yesterday evening, as I was standing in the verandah, I saw a crow swoop down on to acroton pot with a green fruit-like object in his beak This he deposited on the earth in the pot, and sat ou the further edge thereof regarding it, Suspecting that he or she might be a bird of cannibal proclivi- ties, I walked up to the croton pot and drove the bird off. I then picked up the object which the bird had deposited and.found it to be a very deep sea-green coloured egg of the Indian Koel (Hudynamis honorata), The following thoughts at once suggested themselves to me:—Was the crow the part-owner of the vest in which the koel’s egg was laid ; and if so, how did he or she discern the koel’s egg from amongst the other crow’s eggs in the nest, or was this bird merely preying on any eggs it found in other crow’s nests? I think the last of these is the most likely, The «gg was absolutely uninjured, and from its weight appears to be hard set (I have not yet attempted to blow it),and was equally carefully placed by the crow on the soil in the croton pot as it had been carried there en route from the nest. Doubtless the crow was about to et the egg till my curiosity led me to see what the “green fruit”? was. Cc, D, LESTER, Cart. Poona, 28th June 1902, No, XXIV.—NOTE ON A FLYING-SQUIRREL (PTEROMYS ORAL) FOUND IN THE THANA DISTRICT (BOMBAY). The animal was found on a tree in rather open country at Vehcgaon in the Khardi Forest Range, Shahpur Taluka, on the 14th April last. It is said to be very rare in the Thana District, G. M, RYAN, LFS., F.L.S, Banpra, 3rd July 1902, MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 613 No, XXV.—ON METHODS USED 10 PRESERVE COLOUR IN RELAXING ENTOMOLOGICAL SPECIMENS. By Coronet J, G. Pitcasr, F.R.C.S. Like most of my fellow-workers in Entomology, my attention was early called ts the invariably altered colour of nearly all tbe blue and green moths submitted to moisture in the relaxing-box; no specimen wholly retained its primitive colour, but became more or less yellowed in the process of relaxing. The only exception to this rule were the fresh specimens which it has been my custom to put intoa moist atmosphere until the rigor mortis had passed, when they were entirely freed from all rigidity, and yielded therefore more readily to the touch of the needle than if they had keen pinned and allowed to partially dry before they are mounted, In passing I would note the very great help this method has afforded in dealing with all fresh forms, but especially with the small muscular Noctuide. In fresh specimens dis- coloration was not so frequent, though it occasionally did take place in fresh specimens submitted to a moist atmosphere for only a few hours. The thought occurred to me in 1889 that the cause of discoloration was in free ammonia, due to the decomposition which must be presumed to begin in the killing-bottle, and is renewed with greater energy when many dried specimens are put into the relaxing-box at one time, And even before the alkali as tainted the atmosphere of the relaxing-box it would have been conducted to all parts of the specimen by its nervures and their branches, A volatile acid suggested itself asa fit antagonist to the ammonia, and earbolic acid seemed specially suitable, but its vapour was apparently not diffusive enough, nor did it neutralize the ammonia as produced, Glacial acetic acid was found to answer best. J placed a small capsule or measure-glass of this acid in the relaxing-box—-60-90 drops as a charge-—and renewed it as it evaporated, and this method I have used for many years, ‘The relaxing-box or vessel which appears ‘o afford advantages above all others is a glass cylinder, covered with a round disk of glass ground to fit accur- ately. Into this cylinder is placed a tripod of glass, to hold the clock-glass upon which the specimens are to rest, Distilled water to the depth of half an inch is put into the cylinder, he latter is then placed over a Bunsen’s burner, with wire gauze over it, and the water allowed to boil for five minutes ormore. On allowing the vessel to cool, a partial vacuum is produced, and the cover must be removed with care some hours afterwards, when the specimens to be relaxed and the acetic acid are then inserted. The vessel cannot remain completely sterilized because of the frequent movement of specimens to and from it, but heat can be applied from time to time, and it can be kept, as free as possible, from those spores which do ger- minate with marvellous rapidity in the saturated atmosphere of the relaxing- box, 614 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. The requisites for this relaxing-chamber can be procured fora few shillings from Messrs, J. J. Griffin & Sons, 20, Sardinia Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, W.C, A casual remark by Sir Geo, Hampson on the loss of colour of specimens in the relaxing-box led to an explanation as to the method I adopted, which he has been good enough to test for several months in the Natural History Museum, and with such satisfactory results that he encouraged me to make a note of the method for the benefit of fellow-workers, These notes are the reply to his request, which it gives me great pleasure to send to him, 5, STANLEY CRESCENT, W.: 16th January 1902, (The above appeared in the “ Entomologist,”’) No, XXVI.—VIPERA RUSSELLI BREEDING IN CAPTIVITY. It may be of interest to record that a Vipera russelli, which has been in a cage in the Society’s Museum for several years with two or three others of the same species, gave birth yesterday to 33 young ones. Three were horn dead, but the other 30 are active and healthy young vipers, Within 48 hours of their birth, 28 out of the 30 young vipers had cast their sloughs, The three dead ones measured about 103 to 11 inches in length, W.S. MILLARD, Hon, Sec., Bombay Natural History Society, 21st June 1902. No, XX VIIL—DROUGHT-RESISTING FODDER PLANTS. One unhappy feature which distinguished the famine of 1900 from other Indian famines, was the wholesale destruction of cattle ; a fatality specially disastrous on account of the difficulty of replacement, and the blow thus struck at the cultivator’s power of recuperation, Can anything be done to prevent this evil in future? Section XX of Sir A. MacDonnell’s Famine Report deals with this question: “ The great mortality of cattle in the recent famine has pushed to the front the question of their preservation in times of drought and dearth of fodder, . . . . It is estimated that nearly two million cattle . . . . died in the Central Provinces and its Feudatory States ; and that an equal number died in Bombay, The mortality was also great in Berar and Ajmere. . . . . Nor was this mortality confined to useless cattle ; valuable bullocks and breeding cattle have perished in thousands, involving a loss to agriculturists, from which, even with the liberal assistance of Government, it will take them long to recover, ‘This loss was most severe, as its results were most disastrous, in Gujarat, where the fodder famine was complete, and where the wealth of the people was largely sunk in cattle. In their efforts to save their cattle, the Gujarat agriculturists expended all their savings, themselyes enduring great privations ; they sold their jewels and even the doors and rafters of their houses, we were told, in order to MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 61° purchase fodder, Their efforts failed, their cattle died, and with their cattle all their accumulated wealth disappeared, so that Gujarat became a stricken field.” 2, Among the measures suggested for dealing with such a fodder famine the Report (para, 210) gives the first place to the Growth of fodder crops : “We attach special importance to this remedy, not only because the fodder grown on the spot is much more valuable than the stuff imported, but because it has the co)lateral advantages of saving the cost of transport, of avoiding delays, of employing local labour, and of keeping the cattle at home,’ In para, 220 it is pointed out that “as a reserve, used to some extent in every season, the leaves of trees are valuable, and the planting of the class of trees and shrubs most useful for fodder has obvious advantages ;” and the Com- missioners recommend (para, 219) “ that the whole question of fodder supply, in its preventive aspect, be thoroughly examined by the Agricultural Depart- ments of Local Governments.” As this question, in its preventive aspect, comes specially within the scope of the Indian Famine Union's enquiries, the present memorandum is submitted with reference to certain drought-resisting fodder plants, 3. On application to the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, he has been so good as to furnish me with valuable information, on the subject of Sheep-bushes and Salt-bushes, contained in the Kew Bulletin of July and August, 1896, In opening the subject, the Bulletin points out that “in the warmer and drier parts of the world, lands devoted to pastoral industry are not always clothed with the grassy vegetation familiar in temperate countries, Its place is taken by dwarf sbrubs and herbaceous plants other than grasses, but which are no less valuable. The experience gained in South Africa and Australia admits of practical application in other parts of the world, especially where, as will be seen, the soil is intolerant of any other kind of vegetation.” The following list of such shrubs and plants summarises the information given regarding them :— (1) Pentzia virgata, the “Goed Karroo Bosje,’ or “Sheep-bush,”’? which covers large areas of the Karroo Veldt in the centre of Cape Colony, It appears that this plant, which is a dwarf tufted composite, requires the deep fertile, lacustrine loam of the Karroo, and is not suited to barren sand, (2) Atriplex nummularia, This is the first-named of the important family of Australian “ salt-bushes,’ which grow in soil impregnated with alkaline salts, especially of soda, and are able to “ live even through the direst periodic droughts.’ The A. nummularia is a shrub which attains a height of 6 to 10 feet; it is peculiar to the Macquarie, Castlereagh, and Darling rivers, and the arid western plains in New Sovth Wales, Darling Downs in Queensland. Murray Scrub in Victoria, and the interior of South Australia ; catile, sheep, and other herbivora are extremely fond of it; and its drought-enduring qualities are remarkable, for it stands the hot winds in the Australian Central plains with little check upon its growth. The seed germinates freely, and it 616 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. will also strike readily from cuttings. The woody part of the plant amounts to 10 per cent, only ; the other 90 per cent, is fcod and moisture, The pasture thus afforded is particularly wh«lesome, Sir Ferdinand ven Mueller, the Government Botanist of Victoria, sent seeds of this plant to Professor MacOwan at the Care Town Botanic Gardens; and (mainly t! rough the exertions of Mr, Edward G, Alston) the Atriplex nummularia was thus spread to all parts of South Africa, where it now flourishes, (3) Atriplex Halimus, the “ Vaal-Bosje,’ or Cape salt-bush, This indi- genous vaticty seems to be in some respects inferior, as regards power of propagation, to the imported Australian plant, Butasa fodder plant it is nearly of equal value, Analysis shows that it contains a larger proportion of carbohydrates, which constitute the fat-forming material; while the A, nummulara contains a good deal more albumenoid, i,¢., nitrogenous or strength-giving constituents, The 4. halimus reaches the South of Europe and is cultivated in the Kew Arboretum, It is not unfrequently employed as a hedge plant in this country, in the Isle of Wight, and elsewhere near the sea. It also appears that the French Government have contemplated intro- ducing it in the Southern portion of Algeria, (4) Aériplex halimoides, A pro-cumbent or diffuse under-shrub, Queensland to South Australia, and gregarious over the greater part «f the saline desert interior of Australia, Mueller describes it as “one of the best dwarf species for salt-bush pastures.” Raised readily from seed, Cultivated ai Kew. (5) Atriplex leptocarpa. A strong plant with a thick stock and herbaceous pro-cumbent stems extending to 1 or 2 feet, East Australia, Mueller staces : “ Another of the perennial salt-bushes which render many dry and sterile tracts valuable for sheep pastures, It will bear a great amount of drought.” (6) Alriplee semibaccata, Stems herbaceous, pro-cumbent or prostrate, Spreading to 1 or 2 feet, Queensland to West Australia. Mueller says, “very much liked by sheep, and considered among the best of saline herbage of the salt-bush country.”” Mr. Farrer pronounces this herb to be “ wonder- ful for its productiveness and its drought-resisting power.’ This plant has proved most valuable in some of “ the worst alkali spots’ in California, single plants having reached a diameter of 16 feet in one season: “the yield of a full crop is about 20 tons of green material, or calculating on a basis of 75 per cent. water, 5 tons of dry matter per acre. A good season would permit of two such crops,’ The Agricultural Experimental station of the University of California issued the following account of this variety: “ The past year’s experience with this plant, both on the University “tation ground at Tulare and on the lands of scores of those furnished with seed or plants, shows that this plant has peerless adaptation for growth on soils too alkaline to support any other useful growth. ‘So strongly are owners of alkali lands impressed with this fact that thousands of acres will be sown this winter..... The introduction of the plant to owners of waste alkali lands is certainly one of the most striking achievements in the University’s long-continued policy of MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 617 trial and distribution of economic plawtshy oy onee When the plant once gets 4 hold on the soil, it covers the ground very thickly with self-sown seeds, which are produced in abundance,” (7) Atriplex vesicaria, A bushy shrub, Central and South-Easte-n Australia. According to Mueller, “ one of the most fattening and most relished of all the dwarf pastoral salt-bushes of Australia, holding out in the utmost extremes of drought, and not scorched even by sirocco-like blasts, Its vast abundance over extensive salt-bush plains of the Australian interior to the exclusion of almost every other bush ex cept A. halimoides indicates the facility with which this species disseminates itself, Splendid wool is produced in regions where 4, vesicaria and A. halimoides almost monopolise the ground for enormous stretches, With other woody species it is also easily multiplied from cuttings, but, as remarked by Naudin, it produces thousands of fruits in less than three months after sowing, and as stated by Millardet it has become (of late years since its introduction) the marvel of the Delta of the Rhone, in the south of France.” (8) Kochia eriantha, A stout shrub with the branches covered with woolly tomentum : “an excellent fodder herb for sheep on the hot and dry pastures of Central Australia, where the temperature in summer reaches 1¥0° F. in the shade, and in the winter falls to 27°.” (0) Kochia pyramidata, Prof, W, A, Dixon found 65 per cent, of digestible substance in this plant, (10) Kochia villosa, An under-shrub found in most of the depressed and saline regions of Australia, particularly inland, also on sand lands, According to Mueller, “ renowned amongst occupiers of pasture runs as the cotton bush, so called on account of the downy covering on the branches and leaves, This rather dwarf shrub resists the extremes of drought and heat of even the trying Central Australian climate, The roots sometimes penetrate into the ground to a depth of 18 feet, With all other animals, dromedaries like this and some other salt-bushes, particularly for food, These plants can be readily multi plied from cuttings,” (11) Rhagodia parabolica. This shrub is found in the interior of Queens- land, New South Wales, and South Australia, and usually in or near moist places, but is nowhere very plentiful. It is probably one of the best known of all salt-bushes by stockmen, and on account of its mealy-white appearance they have given it the common name of “ old man saltbush.’ At one time this shrub was a prominent feature in many places in the interior, but of late years it is gradually becoming more scarce, 4, From the above it appears that there exist a large variety of drought- resisting fodder plants, some of them specially suited to soils impregnated with alkaline salts, Will any of these suit the soil and climate of India ? Experi- ments have been made in India with regard to (1) Pentzia virgata, or Cape sheep-bush ; and four varieties of Australian salt-bush, including (2) Atriplee nummularia, and (4; Atripler halimoides. In 1883, seeds of the Cape sheep~ 27 618 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, X1¥ fush were received by the Superintendent of the Government Botanical Gardens at Saharunpur, from Dr Schomburgk, Director of the Botanic Garden, Adelaide. But the attempt to establish this plant on the saline or “ usar” lands in North-Western India was unsuccessful ; and after repeated efforts the Superintendent, Mr, Duthie, reported in 1887 that “it is needless to make further attempts to cultivate the sheep-bush in this part of India,’ The reasons for the failure are not stated, Experiments with the Australian Salt- bush were more successful, In the North-West Provinces and the Punjab there are large tracts of land rendered more or less sterile by surface deposits of efflorescent salts, known as “ reh,” “ kallar?’ and“ usar”; and in 1880, seeds were obtained from the Melbourne Botanical Gardens for experimental cultivation on such land, In his Saharunpur report for 1882, Mr, Duthie wrote, ‘ The Australian salt-bushes and their allies have been ovly very lately sown, but the progress they have made is so far in their favour. There are several plants of A. halimoides, nummularia, and of two other species thriving very well,” In 1883, “ the small plantation of salt-bush plants continued to thrive, The plants were 4 to 6 feet high,” In 1888, the report regarding the A, nummularia was as follows: “ the plantation of this fodder plant continues to exist in a healthy state. The seeds produced last year by the plants in the plantation proved to be the soundest lot we have as yet obtained from them, Formerly the seeds collected from these plants germinated very sparingly, but this season nearly every seed came up, with the result of a stock of 3,500 young plants, These have all been bespoken by the Director of the Botanical Department, Northern India, for planting out next autumn in the ‘usar’ reserves, The whole stock is therefore being retained for that pur- pose.” Experiments with salt-bush were also carried on by the Director of the Department of Agriculture of the North-West Provinces and Oudh, The plants were put out on “usar” soils,and the reports upon the early experiments were encouraging, In the report of 1883, Mr, W. J. Wilson stated that plants of A. nummularia and other species were received from the Saharunpur Gardens in July 1882, and again in July 1883: “ of these plants A. nwmmularia promises to be the most valuable as it has an abundant leaf growth and should yield a large supply of fodder.” Ju 1884, the plants were thriving. In 1885, Mr. Wilson reported that “ the Australian salt bush........ gave promise even in bad ‘usar ’,’ In 1886, the Awa “ usar ” plantation was handed over to the Raja of Awa, and the further experiments were transferred to the “ usar” land near Cawupore and Aligarh, In 1889, the Director of the Botanical Depart- ment inspected the Aligarh plantation, and made the following note: “ The salt-bush (A. nummularia) promises to bea success as far as the soil is con- cerned, the most healthy specimens being those which were planted in soil strongly infected with ‘reh’ salts; but being essentially a desert specics the excessive damp to which it isexposed in the Doab during the hot rainy months is prejudicial to its nature, At this season also it is lable to attacks of innu- merable caterpillars, which devour the leaves and weaken the plants,” MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 619 5. his is the latest information contamed in the Budletm regarding the ‘experiments in N.-W, Provinces and Oudh, The last official note on the salt ‘bush at Saharunpur is contained in the following extract from the Report on the Garden for the year ending March, 1890: “ A few plants of this fodder were planted out last rains to take the place of some which had died, A con= ‘siderable number of plants remain on hand for distribution, bul there was no wall for them during the year, The Director of the Botanical Department Northern India, having now been supplied with as many plants as he cares to try in the Aligarh and Cawnpore ‘ usar’ reserves, there is littleprobabis lity of any extensive demand springing up until something definite has resulted from his experiments. For the present we will therefore discontinue propa= gation, but keep up a small stock plantation in case the Aligarh and Cawnpore ‘experiments should turn out to be sufficiently encouraging for trying this plant on a larger scale at some future period.” 6, We may now ask the India Office to favor us with information showing the result of the experiments up to date. As pointed out by the Famine Commission, the fodder famine of 1900, and the consequent destruction of agricultural stock have vastly increased the importance of all questions relating to the preservation of catile, the growth of fodder crops coming first among preventive measures; so that the introduction throughout India of drought- resisting fodder plants, from being merely an interesting botanical experiment now takes a prominent place among practical measures of famine prevention, No doubt, as recommended by the Famine Commission, the subject will be taken up earnestly by the Agricultural Departments of all the Local Governments, 7. In the meantime a few points may be noted, First, as regards the local+ ities selected for experiment, Fortunately, the salt-bush favours generally those arid saline tracts, found in most Indian Provinces, which are useless for other purposes, But from the list given in para, 3 it will be seen that the different varieties exhibit special characteristics, It appears, therefore, that the various Local Governments should be careful to select localities suited to the special requirements of the species chosen for experiment, For example, it does not appear why the A. xummularia, whose natural habitat is in the arid plains of Central Australia, was located inthe Doab, where it was exposed to excessive damp, and was devoured by innumerable caterpillars, The Raghodia parabolica (11) is the only variety shown in the list which is said to prefer moist places. In this connection it may be noted that, as the salt-bush is particularly relished by camels, it might with great advantage be introduced into the deserts of Sind and Rajputana, The Famine Commissioners point out (para, 220) thatin Gujarat many fields are hedged with a useless Huphor= bia, and suggest the substitution of shrubs useful for fodder, Rewards might be given to the headmen of villages where this advantageous arrangement is carried out ; also where, by theiz exertions, the salt-bush is spread over the arid wastes, supplying food for the cattle, while mitigating the heat from the bare and sun-baked surface, 620 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 8. A detailed account of the salt-bushes will be found im Sir Ferdinand Mueller’s “Iconography of Australian Salsolaceous Plants,” and “Select Extra- Tropical Plants;” also in Mr, F. Turner’s monograph on “ The Forage Plants of Australia”’ The subject of drought-resisting forage plants has also been enquired into recently by Mr. Robert H, Elliot, who has made experiments at Clifton Park, Kelso, in Scotland. W. WEDDERBURN, InpIAN Famine Union, Palace Chambers, Westminster, S. W. 30th December 1901. (From the “Indian Famine Union Leaflet,’ No, 5.) No, XXVIII.—BIRDS’ NESTING AT OOTACAMUND., Having obtained 90 days’ leave, I decided visiting Ooty, the climate being ideal and many birds are found there which are local to the place and unobtain- able elsewhere. On the whole I was fairly successful though I should have liked to have obtained the eggs of the Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon (Alsocomus ‘elphinstonii), the Black-backed Pied Shrike (Hemipus picatus), the Velvet- -fronted Blue Nuthatch (Sitta frontalis) and the Indian Blue Chat (Larvivora brunnea), all of which I saw. At Ooty one only desires to be out all day, so that lovers of nature cannot but enjoy themselves I got there towards the end of March, which is about the best time for birds’ nesting. Tue Nitarr Laveurnc-Turuss—(Trochalopterum cachinnans). Very common, fond of thick jungle but nesting, as a rule, on the outskirts or in small trees more or less in the open: a merry joker always on the laugh, “The nests are neat and cup-shaped, placed firmly in the fork of a small tree or sapling within reach of hand, composed of twigs, leaves, grass and moss on the outside, neatly lined and finished off with a few of the bird’s own feathers to give the finishing touches. Though a shy bird, it does not bother about concealing its nests. On several occasions, I came on nests just inside thick sholas, quite low down on bare forks, so that one could not but see them. When built in more exposed places more care seemed to be taken in selecting leafy sites. Two eggs, bluish-green, speckled and streaked with reddish brown, is the complement, April and early May is the best time to look for eggs, Tur RFus-BELLIED SHORT-wiING—( Lrachypteryx rufiventris) is fairly common but requires looking for, it is of a retiring nature-and loves deep shade but not thick jungle. I obtained 3 nests, viz., on the 4th, 15th and 291th May, the two first contained callow young (two) and the last two fresh eggs, so that two would seem to be the full complement of eggs. The sites chosen were natural holes or hollows in trees, a few feet from the ground, these are filled up with a mass of green moss and finished off in a neat cup lined with fine black moss roots and are very pretty. The nests were not difficult to see us no attempt is made to conceal them and the trees selected were free MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 621 from moss, lichen or any sort of parasitic growth, The crux is to find the havnts of the birds : once this has been discovered, the nest is not difficult to see, The eggs are of an olive-green tinge with dim brick-red specks and fade very rapidly, The cock has a very pretty low song, which is not very easily heard, THE SovurHeRN-INpDIaN BLAcK BuLput—(Hypsipetes ganeesa) is very common and very noisy, a regular scamp, at times they are almost deafening, It is not very easy to obtain their eggs for they usually select a very tall eucalyptus or similar tree and build about 30 to 46 feet up, one cannot get up oneself and it is by no means easy to get any one else to. I found several nests but only got eggs out of two. The best way to find the nest is to watch the birds, They are noisy buds, as I have mentioned, when building the male usually accompanies the female to and from the nest, which I think she makes unaided, and shouts all the time at the top of his voice, If you watch her you can easily tell whether she is nesting as she will then go to the same spot each time. They are very fond of the parasite resem- bling mistletoe, which is common at Ooty and is leafy, in this the nest is well concealed so that one may not even see it but merely surmise it is there, The nest is of the bulbul type as are the eggs: 2 is the complement. I fancy if they chose less inaccessible places one would get many eggs, April and early May I think is the best time to look for them. THE JUNGLE Myna—(thiopsar fuscus) is very common and behaves like all other Mynas. They were breeding when I arrived and when I left, so I fancy their season is long. They seem to prefer, if they have a choice, a hole in a tree in jungle, though I found nests in houses, under bridges, in fact almost anywhere. Tue Niteuirt Bue Frycarcuer—(Stoparola albicaudata) is the common Flycatcher and a very cheery fellow into the bargain : he is always singing and is not ashamed of raising his voice, The site they like for nesting is a mossy bank, if a hole or hollow exists in such, they fillit up with green moss with no lining and on this lay 3 pretty little pinky-white eggs, At Ooty, deep channels are cut to protect the forests from cattle and also to carry the water off, these soon get coated with moss and make ideal nesting places for this Flycatcher, although he is not averse to holes in trees and such like, When walking or driving along by keeping ones eye’s some way ahead, one can often spot a nest by the hen darting off, at your approach, out of a bank or hedge. April and May are the best monihs to search for eggs, THE BLACcK-AND-ORANGE FLYCATCHER—(Ochromela nigrirufa) is a pretty littie bird, very robin-like, and common at Ooty. He has no voice to speak of but just chirrups. He is nota bit like a Flycatcher in his domestic arrange- ments, building quite an unorthodox nest. A lot of old leaves are used as a foundation and on this the nest proper is built up of strips of grass, leaves, etc., globular in shape, very untidy, no lining and with an entrance more or less at the top. I took one or two nests but could not preserve them as they 622 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, rapidly fell to pieces being loosely put together. They reminded me more of the nest of the small White-throated Babbler (Dumetia albigularis) more than anything else though one cannot say they are domed. They place their nests in ferns, quite low down almost on the ground, in a small bush very like holly and in brambles: once you know the class of place they like, their nests are not difficult to discover for if you see the birds hanging about, you have only to look round and you can easily spot a nest if there is one, Two eggs only are laid, of a greenish-white colour, speckled with rusty red, not unlike those of the Jungle Wren-Warbler (Prinia sylvatica). They nest through April and May. Tus GREY-HEADED FLrycatcHeR—(Culicicapa ceylonensis) is fairly common but somehow I had no luck, It takes a pretty ’cute bird to beat me when LT am on the look out for his nest, I watched these birds very carefully but only succeeded in finding one nest, on the 6th May, containing young birds very nearly ready to fly, This nest was purse-shaped and attached to the trunk of a tree about 30 feet from the ground, Idid not go up to have a look at it so am unable to describe it. Tue SouTHERN Prep Busu-Cuat—(Pratincola atrata) is very common and similar in habits to all birds of this class, It breeds in March, April and early May and is not very particular as to site, any hole in a bank, wall, hedgerow, house or even on the ground does not come amiss, provided it is fairly shel- tered, They make a very comfortable nest, lining it with hair, down, roots or any suitable materials, and Jay four greenish-white eggs, speckled with brown. Tue Nitgurri Buacksrrp—( Merula simillima) is very common and a beautiful songster, he is to be heard all day and quite late in the evenings, I found numberless nests, and they are not at all particular as to sites but prefer open country, especially small trees along the banks of nullahs, The nest is a mas- sive structure in which a lot of mud is incorporated, moss, roots, leaves and grass, are all used, while the nest is neatly lined and finished off. It is usually placed in the stout fork of a tree and within hand-reach though occasionally they may be some way up. Three greenish-blue eggs spotted, blotched and streaked with brown are laid, I found one nest ina very curious position, Tt was built where a small branch had been broken off the main trunk: there was so little room for it that as soon as the bird commenced incubating, her weight overbalanced the nest, and when I found it she was sitting with the nest hanging down at an angle of about 45°; in all probability, had I left the nest, it would have come down altogether in time. They have a long breed- ing season as they were breeding when I went up and when I left. Tur Nirguirt Tarush—(Oreocincla nilgiriensis). This beautiful Thrush may be common but being of a shy and retiring nature, I saw very little of it, Onthe 31st May I was fortunate enough to find a nest containing two fresh eggs, Lleft them a day but no more were laid, they were of a dull or olive-greenish colour, dimly speckled with red. The ne:t was situated ona MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 623 horizontal branch about 15 to 20 feet from the ground, in:a big shady shola with little or no undergrowth, and was composed of quantities of moss lined with blackish roots, a most beautiful and compact structure, Tue Nitguiri House-SwaLLow—( Hirundo javanica) is partial to eertain localities, where it is more or less abundant, It seems to prefer the neigh~ bourhood of streams and gulies, Its nesting habits are very similar to those of the Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii), building a nest of mud-pellets ina house, on rocks in streams, under bridges and similar places which it lines with feathers, straw, etc. They are apparently early breeders, as I only found young in their nests in April and never came on eggs, which was a disappointment, Tus Niteurri Preitr—(Anthus nilgiriensis) seems to confine itself more to the higher and wilder peaks and hills, I founda nest on the 31st May, contain- ing 2 fresh eggs, I left them aday but no more being laid, took them, The eggs look like very heavy thunder clouds, a deep grey being the prevailing color, which is all splotched and clouded, The nest was situated on some slo- ping ground, not far from the side of the road, in fact my attention was drawn to it by the bird being disturbed at our passing. It was well sheltered and like all larks’ nests: what took my fancy was a small fern situated just at its ene trance or rather over it, whick kept it well shaded from the rays of the sun. THe Inpian Episte-Nest SwirtLet—(Collocalia fuciphaga), I believe there are several colonies of this little Swiftlet in the neighbourhocd of Ooty. Captain Packard and I visited one, which shall be nameless, on the 11th May and had a very interesting day. We made all the bandobust but thought we were doomed to disappointment, as after having searched all the likely spots, as we thought, we only got 2 nests, containing 2 fresh and Z incubated eggs each, On making further explorations, we came on a cave inhabited by them but to our disgust found we could not effect an entrance, the exit being so small, We were obliged to use lamps as it was pitch dark, This made a con- siderable flutter in the dovecots and the birds came flying out,and as they came they flew straight into your face, which was rather disconcerting. We were aw- fully disgusted, just as we were resigning all hope, Captain Packard noticed avother cave, down which we promptly went and were rewarded, In this cave there were 8 nests, 7 containing 2 more or less fresh eggs each, while one had 2 young birds. The nests were made almost entirely of white lichen, a little moss being used in some and were glued to the:rock by inspissated saliva of a whitish colour: the nests were all within reach of hand and looked like the little saucers natives use so much for illuminations. As we went in, the nests showed up white with the light shining onthem, There was not much saliva in each nest and I fancy it would take a good number to make soup for John Chinaman and some trouble to separate the lichen from the saliva. Tue RvFovs-BACKED SHRIKE—(Lanius erythronotus) is the common Shrike and is very fond of the open slopes and wet bottoms so common a feature in Ooty topography. Ithas a long breeding season, beginning in February 624 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY. SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. and ending, I know not when, asI got fresh eggs in June before: leaving, Their nests are of the usual Shrike type compact, massive and well-built, all sorts of material being used and the nest is well finished and lined, It is usu- ally placed in a low thorny bush in the open and not difficult to find, If one sees a pair of birds, ten to one if breeding, you have only to search’ the few bushes round about, when the nest will be found, Poona, R. M. BETHAM, Magsor, July 26th, 1902. 8th Bombay Infantry. No, XXIX.—WEEVILS IN MANGOES. T send a Weevil taken out of a Mango seed, which I obtained, together with some interesting information about its habits, from Mr.Vinayak Laxuman Bhave. He finds a very large percentage of the fruit of two trees in his garden infested with this insect, while the rest are quite free. He brought me fifteen mangoes, nearly ripe, which I cut open and found mature weevils in three and a grub in one. They had consumed a portion of the cotyledons in each seed, but they had not touched the shell of 1t, nor was there any mark whatever outside of the seed to betray their presence. From this I infer that the egg must be laid before, or very soon after, the fruit begins to form, Mr, Vinayak says that the weevils do not emerge until the mango has been eaten and the seed thrown away. It is difficult to account for their attacking two trees and neglecting others which are in all respects the same, but Mr. Vinayak tells me that these two trees come into fruit a little later than the others, so it may be that, when the weevils are ready to lay their eggs, the development of the fruit in all the other trees has advanced too far. Tn the first volume of “ Indian Museum Notes,” at page 45, there is an interest- ing extract from a paper by Mr. W, J. Simmons on a Mango Weevil, which he calls Cryptorhynchus mangifera, and which is very probably the same species, though the writer speaks of it as an insect which was at that time spreading westward and northward from the region of Dacca, to which it was formerly restricted. Arguing from the extent to which the people of India depend upon the mango, especially in seasons of scarcity, he is apprehensive that the depredations of this weevil may become a very serious matter; but it is difficult to follow his argument in view of the fact (stated by himself) that the insect does the edible part of the fruit no harm. Of course it might restrict the natural reproduction of mango trees to an appreciable extent by destroying the seeds, EB, H, AITKEN. 19th August 1902, No, XXX.—BIRDS’ NESTING IN KUMAON. The following notes on some nests and eggs taken this season in Kumaon may be of interest as they are either not recorded, or doubtfully only, in Hume’s “Nests and Eggs” :and Oates’ and Blanford’s “ Birds”. (Fauna of MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 625 British India), They were all taken at an elevaticn of from four to five thousand feet and in every case the parent bird was secured and identified, THE GREEN Macgpie—(Cissa chinensis), Two nests of this bird which is decidedly rare in these hills were discovered, both in the same nullah and within quarter ofa mile of each other at about 4,000 ft, elevation. Both nests were precisely similar in position and structure, being placed about ten feet up in a fork and made of good sized twigs and a few leaves externally and lined with finer rootlets and grass, internal diameter five inches and two and a half deep. The nests were much better made and neater than that of any magpie or jay that I know of. The eggs (three in one nest and four in the other) were taken on the 19th and 20th June and are elongated ovals rather pointed at the small end, averaging 1°31 inches in length and 1°87 in breadth, They are entirely jay-like in markings though somewhat yellower in colour; two of them had a few yellowish-brown good sized spots scattered over them ; none showed the black hair markings of the jay. THE ORANGE-BELLIED CHLOROPSIS—(Chloropsis hardwicki). Only one nest with two fresh eggs was secured though two others were watched while build- ing but were deserted owing to their being discovered by Tree-pies (D. himalayensis), The nests were all placed towards the extreme top of fairly large trees thirty to forty feet high and were well concealed among the leaves, they are slung between two twigs (not in a fork) and are very like bulbul’s nests, made of fine roots and fibres with a partial lining of black rootlets, measuring two inches in diameter and one and three-quarter inches deep. The eggs are yellowish-white rather thickly spotted and clouded especially towards the larger end with light reddish-brown, measuring °94 by "62 (taken on July 8), Tue Brown-EaRED BuLBuL—(Hemixus flavala), This bulbul seems to come up to about 4,500 feet, five nests in all were discovered but only seven eggs resulted. The nests were of the ordinary bulbul type. but slung like an orioles though of course a very much flimsier structure ; one nest was placed only eight feet up in a bramble bush but the others were from twenty to forty feet up in large trees, The eggs, which were all taken between June 8—19, are pinkish white speckled all over with pale purple and pur- plish brown but chiefly at the larger end where in some eggs there is a well- marked cap of colour. Length -94 to 1 inch and width ‘69, THE BLACK-CHINNED YUHINA—(Yuhina nigrimentum), A pair of these birds was discovered building under an overhanging bank by the side of a path on March 18, and three fresh eggs were taken from it on April 5, The nest was slung between several small roots that hung down, the earth having crumbled away, and was made of moss externally with a little cobweb plastered on and lined entirely with very fine black rootlets, an ordinary open nest, The eggs are greenish white spotted with brown chicfly at the larger end. 28 626 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. As a second nest with two eggs was discovered on July 3, it seems probable this bird has two broods, THe SbLavTy-BACKED ForKTatt—(Henicurus schistaceus). One nest was found on May 20 at anelevation of about four thousand feet in a massy bank by the side of a small stream with three fully fledged young and this was the only pair of these birds seen, I was able toidentify these birds perfectly while feeding their young and hope to secure their eggs next year, the common forktail here (H, maculatus) frequently builds on a last year’s nest or actually by the side of it, THe PurrPLeE THrusH—(Cochoa purpurea). One nest with two fresh eggs was found on a tree sloping acrossa nullah, about twenty feet up. The nest was unfortunately lost on the way home but appeared very like thai of other thrushes, moss externally and lined with black rootlets, The eggs are rather long pointed ovals, greenish white thickly marked all over with reddish brown and measured 1°25 by ‘87. The bird is very rare up here. Tor LArGe YELLOW-NAPED WoobDPECKER (Chrysophlegma flavinucha). This bird is by no means uncommon in the lower valleys about here but although I watched several pairs digging what were apparently nest-holes these were all deserted and the only eggs secured were a hard-set pair from a hole thirty feet up in a decayed oak. They are of the usual woodpecker type and measure 1°25 by *87, They were taken on May 30. JEOLIKOTE, N.-W. P., July 28th, 1902, S. L, WHYMPER. No. XXXI,—A CORRECTION, TURDINULUS ROBERTI. SUPPRESSION OF CORYTHOCICHLA SQUAMATA (Baker), I find that my Corythocichla squamata is only the true Vurdinulus roberti and my name must therefore be suppressed. The bird, No, 186 of Oates’ “Fauna of India” is on the other hand not T. robertt but 7. ewul (vide appendix to F, of India), I most unfortunately had not read this appendix when I named my bird and seeing that it was not roberti re-named it squamata, The two genera Turdinulus and Corythocichla are, I should say, in my own opinion, synonymous, Oates separates Turdinulus from Drymoicataphus on account of its shorter tail and Corythocichla on account of its squamated plumage. As however Turdinulus has the same curious lax, squamated plumage as Corythocichla has, and the tails of the three genera all vary in degree I do not see how the two genera Turdinulus and Corythocichla can be separated, K. C, STUART BAKER, F. Z. 8., &e, August 1902, No, XXXII,—OCCURRENCE OF THE “MANDARIN DUCK” IN INDIA, To Mr, Stevens of the Rungagora Tea Estate in Dibrugarh belongs the honour of obtaiming the first Indian specimen of the Mandarin duck (Aex MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 627 alericulata), The bird, an extremely fine female, was one of a party of six and was shot in a small back-water close to the estate, Unfortunately Mr, Stevens, not knowing the value of what he had shot, made no attempt to get further specimens, Mr, F.J. Greening and I saw a party of six of these ducks in July 1901, flying across the Svubansiri river close to its junction with the Ranganadi. We had no guns out at the time so failed to get any specimens, but I have no doubt about their identity, RK. C. STUART BAKER, F. Z. §., &c. August 1902. No, XXXIII—MWEROPS APIASTER BREEDING IN BALUCHISTAN, I have found the European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) very common both at Peshin and Quetta during the early part of the present summer, I first noticed them about the beginning of April, and shortly after that they became abundant, They have certainly been breeding here, and I have several times seen them go into their breeding holes, but I have not actually dug any out to obtain eggs, I do not think that this bird has been recorded as breeding within British Indian limits before, though it is well known to breed in Kashmir, Colonel Unwin, in the chapter on birds which he wrote for Lawrence’s ‘“ Valley of Kashmir” says that it “ appears in great numbers in the valley in April, After keeping together in flocks and holding counsel for a day or two, they separate to breed, which they do in holes in banks, In August the birds again congre- gate. The migration commences almost immediately, and by September hardly a bee-eater is left in the valley.” This year by about the middle of July all the birds seemed to have left the neighbourhood of Quetta, and I thought that they had gone for good, How- ever, they appeared again about the middle of August, so I conclude that they must have made a temporary migration to some place in the district where rain has fallen, and insects have become consequently more plentiful than they have been at Quetta, They are now leaving, but I have not noticed that they have assembled in the large numbers in which they appeared in the spring. I may mention that the present species is the only bird I have seen capture and eat the fierce yellow wasp, Polistes hebraus, which is so common in many places down country, and the sting of which I know to my cost is very painful. C. G. NURSE, Mayor, 13th Bombay Infantry. QuETTA, 24th August 1902. No, XXXIV.—OCCURRENCE OF THE SOOTY TERN (STERNA FULIGINOSA) IN THE DARBHANGA DISTRICT, TIRHUT. I have pleasure in announcing the occurrence of this species in this District, On the 20th of last month a dark tern was brought to me by a boy, who says 628 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. he shot it with a pellet-bow about a mile and-a-half from here. I was just starting for Calcutta so hed not time to identify it, I took it with me to the Museum, and Mr, Finn and I looked it vp in the “ British Museum Catalogue ” the ‘ Fauna of British India”, and identified it as Sterna fuliginosa, This species has only occasionally been found on Indian coasts and is an ocean bird so itis rather surprising its being found so far inland, but as a tropic bird was once got in Cachar, one cannot be surprised at anything! | fancy it must have found its way up the Ganges and been blown from there to here, CHAS, M. INGLIS. BaGHownige Factory, TIRHUT, 23rd August 1902. No, XXXV.—NOTES ON THE HIMALAYAN NUTCRACKER (NUCIFRAGA HEMISPILA). In sending for the Society’s collection a stuffed specimen of the Himalayan Nutcracker (Nucifraga hemispila) I wish to offer a few remarks regarding the habitat of this bird, in the pine forests of the Himalayas, and on a few other points which may be of interest. I have never seen the Nutcrackers in the lower Himalayan valleys, 1 mean those at about five to six thousand feet elevation. The bird seems to prefer the higher forests on mountains at about eight to nine thousand feet, The Nutcracker remains secluded during the day, but in the mornings and afternoons it may be seen moving about among the pine trees, In the mornings it is especially lively and its harsh grating call is frequently heard, Its food appears to be the seeds which it extracts from certain pine cones, and below the pine trees on which it feeds, its presence, in the branches above, can often be detected by the fallen debris of the pine cones which it pulls to pieces, When the wild walnuts are in season, they form the principal food of the Nutcrackers and when one considers that the shell of the Himalayan wild wal- nut is exceedingly dense, thick, and hard, it is remarkable how easily the bird perforates it with its powerful bill, first on one side, and then on the other, This work it executes in the most perfect and systematic manner. All the nuts are perforated in exactly the same way, through the centre of each shell, the holes thus made being rather larger than a six-pence. I think the Nutcracker also lives on grubs, the larve of beetles and boring insects, as I have sometimes seen it on decaying logs and the rotting stumps of pine trees. On dissecting one of these birds I found the cervical vertebre and the muscles of the neck to be strongly developed. LIexpected to find the skull composed of thick dense ivory like bone similar to those of the woodpeckers, but it possessed none of the characteristics, though it is strongly built. I know MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 629 nothing as yet of the migration of the bird but I think, as the winters on these mountains are severe, and the svowfall very heavy, that it must migrate to some more suitable climate for food and shelter, With regard to the locality in which I have met with the Himalayan Nut- cracker, I have seen several and shot the specimen I have sent to the Society, on the top of the mountain range on the left bank of the river Beas where it passes through the upper Kullu valley. With the stuffed specimen, I send six wild walnuts perforated on both sides, These nuts furnish a good example cf the great power with which the Nut- cracker uses its bill and of the regularity of its work. W. OSBORN, Lr.-Generat, 1.3.0. Ku.ivu, Kanera District, Punsas, July 27th, 1902. Note,—Prior to General Osborn’s notes printed above, little or nothing appears to have been recorded of the habits and food of either this species or M. multipunctata which is also an inhabitant of the Himalayan Range, But not only for this reason are the present notes interesting, but they also afford direct and actual proof that the birds of this genus do fulfil in practise the powers that have been implied to them from time immemorial in their popular name of Nutcrackers as well as in their generic designation. Considerably more has of course been known and recorded of the third species of the genus, N. caryocatactes, which occurs at times in considerable numbers in most parts of Europe, than of its Himalayan cousins. This species has been found to be almost omnivorous like most members of the crow family, for besides its favourite food, consisting of the seeds of the Siberian Cedar, it is known to eat Caterpillars, Wasps and insects of various sorts and scraps from the kitchen, and is generally believed to feed also on acorns, berries, nuts and even on land-shells, but its power of picking nuts has never been previously proved and has even been questioned. That it does possess the power of doing so most effectually is now established beyond question, E, COMBER, (Honorary Secretary, Bird Section, Bombay Natural History Society). September 1902. No, XXXVI._FOOD OF THE KING COBRA. T have just received a very interesting note from Mr. V. H. Hoogwerf, Inspector of the Salt Department at Diggi, near Castle Rock, on the Goa Fron- tier, to whom the Society owes the live King Cobra at present in the rooms, In the same region Mr. Hoogwerf lately fell in with another King Cobra, 12 feet 1 inch in length, in the act of swallowing a huge snake, which, from his account could be nothing else than a Python. When Mr, Hoogwerf arrived on the scene ‘ the natives said that the two had been struggling together, for an hour, ‘he 630 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. King Cobra appeared to have got at least three feet of the Python down its throat but on being disturbed it disgorged it and escaped. Mr. Hoogwerf retreated and returned after an hour to find that the King Cobra had come back to its prey. He shot it and sent it and its dinner together to Castle Rock, but by the time they got there they were not ina condition to be forwarded. The Python measured 9 feet 2 inches but was half as big again in girth as the King Cobra. When first found it was still alive, but very sick, E, H. AITKEN, Bompay, 19th August 1902, 631 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15Tx JULY, 1902. A meeting of the members was held at the Society's Rooms on Tuesday, the 14th July, 1902, Mr, E. H, Aitken, presiding, NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following new members was announced :— Lir—E Mempers.—Mr. Dhunjeebhoy Bomanjee Petit, (Bombay), and Mr. Dhunjeebhoy Bomanjee, (Bombay). Memebers.—Mr. Thomas Rennie, (Rangoon) ; Mr, R. B. Wood,I.C.8, (Kaira); Captain H. N. Packard, R.A. (Ootacamund) ; Mr. 8. M. Toppin, R.G.A. (Mussoorie) ; Major H. 8. Nelson, R.G.A. (Bombay) ; Major W. H. Cummings, B.G.A. (Bombay) ; Captain H, B. Mayne, R.G.A, (Bombay) ; Mr. A. H. Bastow, (Trevandrum) ; Lieutenant R. M. Carter, I.M.S. (Poona) ; Nawab Imad-ul-Mulk Bahadur, B.A. (Hyderabad, Deccan) ; Mr. J. Mollison, (Nagpur, C. P.) ; Mr. G.C. Godfrey, (Calcutta); Mr. W. H. J. Wilkinson, I.C.8. (Bombay); Mr. A. 8, L. Emanuel, I.C.8. (Prantij, Ahmedabad) ; Mr. Albert Pam,(London); Mr. G. A. Phear, (Nagpur, C.P.); Mr. 8. B. Murray, (Ootacamund); Major T. N. Bag- nall, (Ootacamund); and Major-General D. J. 8. McLeod, C.B., D.S. O. (Meerut), CONTRIBUTIONS, Mr. W. S. Millard, the Honorary Secretary, acknowledged receipt of the following contributions since the last meeting :— CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM. Contributions. | Description. | Contributors. 1 Long tailed Bat ......... Rhinopoma macrophyltlum...|Mr.D, Ommanney. 13 Snakes (10 species), and| =| caseacoee Lieut. R. Meinertzhagen. 5 Lizards (4 species ) from Upper Burma and the Nilgiris. 8 Snakes (4 species) from) = eaaceaeee Col. P. Baddeley. Cawnpore. 1 Egg of the Common Sand-|Totanus hypoleucus ......0000% Lieut. G. A. Hawks. piper. . 4 Begs of the Whiskered| Hydrochelidon hybrida ...... Do. ern. 3 Eggs of the Huropean|Merops apiaster .......sce0 Do. Bee-Hater. 1 Egg of the Mallard......... AMES COSCES eccovsccesceresees se Do. 1 Snake (alive) «........000-2- PTY DGOnWtEMstccasesescescccasess Mr. R. W. Hanson. 1 Skin, nest and eggs of|Zhamnobia cambaiensis ...... Mr. F. Field. the Brown-Backed Robin. USispecimens: of Bishesfrom| 9 |) jcsecocees Capt. C.J. Kendall, R.I.M. the Arabian Coast. 1 ULNESG) cegoncooceotoncosodomeed Varanus bengalensts ..000 Mr, R. B. Wood, I.C.8. Some marine specimens gdcec006 Mr. J. McGlashan, C.H. from Bombay Harbour. 1 Krait Guav.) ..:...-....-000e Bungarus CeLULCUS 20-0000 Mr. K, Gray, 1.C.8. I 632 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. ee | lll oll td Contributions. Description. Contributors. A collection of 161 Botani- cal specimens from Aden. Indian Koel Skin of large Red Flying Squirrel. Skin of Indian Marten.. Skin of Beech Marten... Skin of a Rat.. S00 Skin of Black | “Flying Squirrel. eee eee 2es8e on 080 OSA Bind SkiWSeseescccccrececececle fe et feel et bot Het 30 — Lela oad — —_ i — es pk pe bo — te re bo 1 sword of Sword Fish...... Snake..e... anuchcedsecsese cod Great Stone Plover Alpine Swift.. acecocaa Grey-necked Bunting... Hume’s Willow Warbler.. A number of Bird skins.. Painted Sand Grouse Collared Pratincole Indian Three-toed King- Fisher. Daboias (alive)..ccccomsesees Panther’s Skull Specimens illustrating the Parval, Papal and Imago Stages of theCamel Bot-Fly. Skins of the Great Nuthatch. Skin of Hume’s Siva Skin of Yellow-Naped Ixulus. Skin of Purple Thrush... Skin of Austin’sNuthatch Skin creeper. Skin of Bulbul...... encuood Skins of Tits.. Skin of Black-s p ¢ () t te ed Yellow Tit. eccccaseorccs Skin of Slaty-bellied Short wing. Skin of Siamese White-| cheeked Laughing Thrush, Skin of Ramsay's Bar- wing Skin of Gould’s Broadbill) Skin of Chestnut-Headed Tit-Babbler. Skins of Warblers Nest and Eggs of Burmese) Shrikes. Skins of Squirrel Skin of Squirrel Skin of Squirrel......-s Skin of Squirrel reveeereens eeesecreeten eo of Sikhim Tree-| -|Cerasophila thompsoni .-- Aigithaliscus pulchellus... ..|\Scturus erythreus eeecer--~) Ludynamis honorata -| Mustela flaviqula....v. ING80C1G, SD. cescen as Esacus reeurvirostris Cypselus melba .| Enberiza buchanant Phylloscopus humti ‘| Pterocles FA8CIiBEUS «2.2. Glareola pratincola....v. erevcccce Vipera russellii... Felis pardus Cephulomyia maculata. ... Sitta magna Siva castaneicauda \COchoG Viidts..cccccce ceccees Machlolophus spilonota Tesia czaniventris Actinodura ramsayi Serilophus lunatus Sittiparus castaneiceps Lanius colluroides Sciurus locroides Sciurus sp. Sciurus ferruginous Sciurus macclelandi Skin of Squirrel.......-...+. Pteromys flaviqula ese .o. 0008 | Mustela foina ... ....- eves TTistiophorus Sp easeee ppiadocosac Tropiaonotus pleabicolor ... Ceyx tvidactyla ssecccoese woe eoeerorccscorcoessene - |Major C. G. Nurse. eco eeeeececcccosccers: Teulus flavicotlis .....+. 500000 ecce ever eeeresecscce GUrrUlar AiArds sesrecerereeces so. eoeecce eearercoccce ISILY ONS Pecusnecanccsssccrncasces Capt. H. seeevcsecscccce sce eCoceecescenessces eceecesecere eeceeereee Lt.-Col. W. 8. Birdwood. -/Miss Atkinson, Capt. H. T. Fulton, Do. --\Capt. F. A. Smith, M.D., I.M.S. Major C, T. Hudson, I.M.S. Capt. J. W. Watson, I.M.S. Do. Do. Do, Mr. C. H. Donald. ae ....|Mr. F. J. H. Barton, Do Mrs. A. J. Paterson. Born inthe Society’s Museum. Mr. A. H. A. Simcox, I.C.S. . N. Thomson and Mr. W. H. Craddock. Do. Do. al Re: Citta Nagaensis eeet veces eQoecccee Cert hia Aiscolor ses secocecccoee Do, Do. Do. H. Harington. Do. PROCEEDINGS. 633 Contributions. Description. Contributors. 1 Skin of Flying Squirrel.. | Pter ROMA/SVONGI taseeiccelssee ses se Cant. H. H. Harington. 2 Skins of Tree Shrews..... Tupa'a ferrugined .s..cees00- Do, 3 Skins of Bamboos Rats... | Rhizomys Dadiwey i sieccceseres Do. 1 Snake (alive)........-.,sce0se Tropidonotus piscator ......+. Mr. C. Glover-Wright. 1 Hamadryad Quy.) .«. enn DUNG ANUS) ceeoceseeevereoene aa P, W. Mackinnon. MINOR CONTRIBUTIONS, From Mr, J, McGlashan, Mr. E, C, Cholmondeley, and Captain E, O’Brien. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIBRARY. Entomological Society’s Proceedings, 1901 ......... ovecevee-e oe-LN ExChange, Illustrations of Indian Botany, Vol. I.........s0sc+0 srosveeveesee001, P, Baddeley. Descriptions of some New Species of Orchideal from North- West and Central India, by J. F. Duthie, B.A., F.L.S....... The Author. Annals of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Vol. I., Bart ieee. Sosco0nebG0 OOK ZBOSOO | BODE OCECECCODD AQ SO OCR EEG OUR EHOBEE The Author, On some cases of abrupt variation in Taian Birds, by F. Finn, B.A., F.Z.S... scucnocosoadce sescercocesersesecoconvee LHe Author, Journal of the nee Society of asc, el LXXI, Bet IT, NOMI NIO2 sco tececssasedscneesnde snot Gaye neuceeeaetee Srlemecessstedem exchanges Report of the Zoological Gardens, Gea, near Cairo, fon 1901.0 apoadoads The Mammals of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands............. Smithsonian Institution. PAPERS READ, The following papers were then read and discussed :—“‘ Small Game Shoot- ing Prospects in Western India,’’ 1901-02, by Lieut.-Col. H. D. Olivier, R.E., F.Z.S. ; “ White Ants’ Castles,” by G. P. Millett, ILF.S.; “Curious course taken by the Hyoid Cornua or tongue muscles in certain Woodpeckers,’ by B, B. Osmaston, L.F.S. ; “Indian Hobby (?) and Bulbul,” by E, Ernest Green, FES. ; “ Food of the Krait,’ by Vet.-Capt.G. H. Evans; “The Camel Bot- Fly,” by Major C. G, Nurse, F.R.G.S., F.©.S. ; “ Sword Fish striking a Ship,” by Capt. F. A. Smith, M.D., 1.M.8. The papers will appear in full in the Society’s Journal, PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19TH AUGUST, 1902. A meeting of the members was held at the Society’s Rooms on Tuesday, the 19th August, 1902, Colonel H. D. Olivier, R.E., F.Z.S., presiding. NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following new members was announced :— Major J. R. Loudon, (Singapore) ; Mr. G. E. 8, Cubitt, (Maymyo, Upper Burma) ; Mr. H. S, Cameron, (Ceylon); Mr, W. 0. Alcock, 1.0.S., (Pran tij, Ahmedabad); and Mr. Francis W. Gore, (Sibsagar, Assam), 28 634 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. CONTRIBUTIONS. Mr. W. S. Millard, the Honorary Secretary, acknowledged receipt of the following contributions since the last meeting :— CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM, ——_———_—— a eee Contributions. | Description. | Contributors, 2 Green Tree Vipers (alive) Trimeresurus gramineus ---Mr. P. Gerhardt. 1 Green Tree Snake (alive) Dryophis mycterizans.......+- Do. 1 Cobra (alive) ....-..-.++-00- Naia tripwdians coecee.s. cve-++ Maj. W.E. Jennings, I.M.S. 1 Cobra, juv. (alive) ......... Do. Do. Divan dipaseeccensreccacesonene= Hem‘dactylus maculatus ...Col. C. Grant, 1 Skin of Tree Pipit.. | Anthus trivialis .........0000. Major K. Buchanan, 1 Skin of Himalayan une Qailiope pectoralis se... ocnos Do. Throat. 2 Skins of Wellen headed Motacilla citreola .....+-+066 Do. Wagtail. | 2 Eggs of Hodgson’s Short- Hodgsonius phanicuroides... Do. wing. 1 Masked aad sonscasceese SUlG CYANO PS oe0...+eeree0 sesesees Mrs. Raikes. 1 Snake ..... 5c Dipsas forstenii ....cccceceseee Mr. ©. EH. C. Fischer. 2 Nests and 1 “Egg of the Oreocincla niliriensis.......2 ‘Major R. M. Betham. Nilgiri Thrush. 1 Nest and 2 Eggs of the) Brachypteryx rufiventris ... Do. Rufous-bellied Short- wing. 2 Nests and 2 Eggs of the Trochalupterum cachinnans. Do. Nilgiri Laughing Thrush. 1 Nest and 8 Eggs of the) Merula simillina...... cogcosadc Do. Nilgiri Blackbird. 1 Nest of Indian Golden) Oriolus kundoo...... sqdaora0e0d Do, Oriole. 1. Nest of Southern Indian) Hypsipeétes ganeesa .....corccee Do. Black Bulbul. 1 Nest of Indian Edible} Collacalia fuciphaga ........- Do. nest Swiftlet. 1 Nest of Southern Red-| Otocompsa fuscicaudata...... Do. Whiskered Bulbul. 1 Nest of Rufous-backed) Lanius erythronotus coccse. Do. Shrike. 3 Eges of Nilgiri Blue| Stoparola albicaudata.......0. Do. Fly-Catcher. 2 Eggs of Black andQ|\ Ochromela nigrirufa ....0.0.60 Do. Orange Fly-Catcher. 4 Hggs of Southern Pied| Pratincola atrata ......-+-+- Do. ‘Bush-chat, 3 Eggs of Black-h ea de dj Zemenuchus pagodarum .....- Do. Myna. 1 Snake Clive) (juv)...---000 Gongylophis conicus ........- Lieut. H. N. Sitwell, R.A. 2 Skins of the Southern! Dendrocitta leucogastra...... Mr. T. R. D. Bell. Tree-pie. 1 Skin of the Large Argy@ subrufa .......-.sseceees Do. Rufous Babbler. 1 Skin of the Spotte d} Pellornewm ruficeps.........--- Do. Babbler, 1 Skin of the Malabar| Tephrodornis sylvicola ...... Do. Woodshrike. 1 Skin of the Indian Pitta.| Pitta brachyUra ...........00 Do. 2 Skins of the White-| Cyornis pallidipes .........+. Do. bellied Blue Fly-Catcher Sa nL TLE TRALEN TGSLLUDT NLL Su UD es G77 ns alls cg ees PROCEEDINGS. (3) Contributions. Description. Contributors. 1 Skin of the Heart-spotted| Hemicereus canente..........+- ‘Mr. T. RB. D. Bell. Wood-Pecker. | 1 Skin of the small Ceylon) Xantholema rubricapilla ... Do. Barbet. 2 Skin of the IndianThree-| Ceyax tridactyla@ ..........2+0. Do. toed King-Fisher. 2 Skins of the Velvet-front- Sitta frontalis ..........ceseecee Do. ed Blue Nuthatch, 2 Skins of the Nilgiri Dicewm concolor............00 Do. F lower-pecker. 2 Skins of Tickell’s Flower- Dicwum erythrorhynchus ov. Do. pecker. 2 Skins of the Indian Cacomantis passerinus ......| Do. Plaintive Cuckoo. | 2 Skins of the Malabar, Harpactes fasciatus ....0..... Do. Trogon. 4 Cobras Guv.) (alive) ...... Nie tripudians ............Mr.O. Meyer. 1 Snake (juv.) (alive) ...... Trop. PiSCAlO? ....c0r-e-+eseceee! Do. 1 Egg ofthe Woodcock ... Scolopax rusticula o......-...- Mr. C. Donald. 1 Ege. of the Chukor ...... Caccabis ChURGY .........000006 Do. 1 Ege of the Shikra........ | Astur DAMIUs ...22.20.--0-00ees Do. 1 Pair Sambhur hornsfrom Cervus unicolor .......s.s000. Capt. M. B. Roberts, Kumaon, N.-W. P. | 1 Nest and 2 Eggs of the Yuhina nigrimentum ......... Mr. 8. L. Whymper. Black-chinned Yuhina. | | 2 Eggs of the Brown-eared Hemivus fiavala@ .........00200- Do. Bulbul. | 1 Skin of the Blue-bearded Wyctiornis athertoni .r-,--.- Do. Bee-Hater. | 1 Skin of the Striated Grammatoptila striata ...... Do. Laughing Thrush. 1 Skin of the Maroon, Orjolus traillit...........02000 Do. Oriole, 1 Skin of the Oran ge- Chloropsis hardwichii......... Do. bellied Chloropsis. 1 Skin of the Himalayan Mucifraga hemispila .......06 General W. Osborn, I.S.C. Nuteracker. | 2 Skins of the Piumbeous Rhyacornis fuliginosus ...... Do. Redstart. 1 Skin of the Indian Zosterops palpebrosa ........ Do. White-eye. | 1 Skin of the Hastern Lmberiza stracheyt .-...1..0+ Do. Meadow Bunting. Snake ’ Indian Mole Rats Snake (juv.) Garganey or Winged Teal, ecosc cee ner ese sovatverses pe crecccorvesee me hoe ' Nesocia bengalensis | Gongylophis conicus Lycodon aulicus Querquedula circia er eeecccarrerre eee eesccceres ee eseetee te eeeereecee Mr. T. J. Spooner. ‘Mr. C. Hudson, I.C.S. ir. R. Westmacott, K.C.B. r. D. Hardinge. MINOR CONTRIBUTIONS. From Mr. J. Stiven and Mr. James Martin. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIBRARY, © Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum”’ (Natural History), Vols. “* Catalogue of the Snakes (Natural History), Vols. I, II and III in the British Museum” I, II and IIT eeosggosarce Presented by the Trustees of the British Museum, Do, 636 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. PAPERS READ. The following papers were then read and discussed :-— 1, “Description of a new Sea-Snake from Rangoon,” by G. A. Boulenger, F.R.S. 2. “Some remarks on Mosquitoes,” by E. H. Aitken. 3. “ Birds’ nesting at Ootacamund,” by Major Rk, M. Betham. 4. “ Weevils in Mangoes”, by E, H. Aitken. 5. “ Curious modifications of structure in a Water-Grasshopper,”’ by L, C. H. Young. A vote of thanks was passed to the authors of all the papers and the meeting then terminated. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 23np SEPTEMBER, 1902, A meeting of the members was held at the Society’s Rooms on Tuesday, the 93rd September, 1902, Mr, H. H. Aitken presiding. NEW MEMBERS, The election of the fellowing new members was announced :— Lirp Memper.— Shrimant Parashram Ramchandra Patwardhan, the Chief of Jamkhandi, (Kolhapur), Mempers.—Mr., W. P. Okeden,(Rangoon); Rev. H. T. H, Rountree, (Bombay); Mr. F. H, Beath, (Bombay); Captain H. D. Watson, (Dehra-Dun) ; Mr. H. Ste- yens, (Dibrugarh District, Upper Assam) ; Lieutenant A. W. White (Bhuj, Cutch); Mr, R. J.C. Swinhoe, (Mandalay); Mr. C. A. Souter, 1.0.8. (Nellore); Mr. J. M. Bourne, (Nellore); Captain C. Ainslie, R.E. (Poona). CONTRIBUTIONS. F The Honorary Secretary, Mr, W.S. Millard, acknowledged receipt of the following contributions since the last meeting :— CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM. Contributions. Description. | Contributors. | 1 Snake cecesescccvecseere vocceeve DENATOPRES PICTUS «..+00er000- Mr. R. P. Lambert, 1 Snakes... Soacecodctacease0e Dr yophis My ct erviZans ...+..++- Mr. J. Stiven. 1 Skin and 5 Hggs of the Rallina superciliarts ......... Major R. M, Betham, Banded Crake. | 1 SMake coceosesconsensscevcessnene HY COMONBULICUS sorecaorescnees Mr. J. Stiven. TL ISHMBISS) Gonscadaccnoconeceoundoce ZAMENTS MUCOSUS ....-e0e0es 300 Do. 3 Snakes Glive) ............ coe Dipsas he@AG OROCUS...--. 2.000. Mr. T. J. Spooner. (F TSiramtg (GRalives}cooaseooqcdnoaceed ‘Bungarus CEPULCUS.. 00.0000 Major A. E. 8. Searle, 1Tree Snake (Brown va-Dryophis mycterizans......... Mr. J. Stiven. riety). 1 Snake (live) ...-esc0e,..... Zopidonotus subminiatus he, T. J, Spooner. 4 Chameleons (alive)......... Chameleon calcaratus......... Mr. A. M. Masani. 1 Snake Give) << ccsccoonsccccces ‘Simotes albocinetus..........-. Mr. T. J. Spooner. 1 Head of Grant’s Gazelle, Gazella Granti ......seeeee Do. male. | 1 Head of M’Palla, female...) Aepyceros melampus .......+- Do. 2 Heads of Thomson's Ga- Gazella Thomsont.....+. Cee | Do. zelle, female. PROCEEDINGS, 637 Contributions. Description. Contributors. 1 Head of Coke’s Harte- Bubalis Cokei .......40. secoseee Mr. T. J. Spooner. beest, female. 1 Tree Pit-Viper (alive)...... 7rimeresurus gramineus...... Do. 2 Himalayan Black Bears, Ursus torquatus ....1..c.sc000 \Mr, C. Donald. juv- (alive). 1 White-breasted Water Amaurornis phenicurus...... Mr. F. G. Hutchinson. Hen, juv. (alive). 1 Snake (alive) jav.......... coe LY COMO SETEALUS ..crcecorenceee Mr. T J. Spooner. 1 Snake (alive).....cseccssoeeoe| D8p8as hexagonvtus....cecovee Do. IMSnakel(Blive)escsccccssascscoe Simotes albocinctus...+-.....0- Do. I Musk Deer, juv....... paoedood Moshus moschiferus.....-..00+- Mr. C. Donald. oa ee ee ee ee ee Laem MINOR CONTRIBUTIONS. From Mrs, 8. B. Arthur, Dr. M. D. Cama, Mr, Narotamdas Morarji Goculdas and Mr. H. Hayn. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIBRARY, ‘The Flora of the Presidency of Bombay,” Part II, by Theodore Cooke, C.1.E., presented by the Author, “ Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India,” Vol. XXXIIT, Part 2, (In exchange.) EXHIBITS, The large Sword Fish (Histiophorus sp.), caught by Mr. C.J.I, Jones (R. I. M.S. “Canning ””) off the Laccadive Islands, and presented to the Society some few months ago, was now shown mounted for the Society’s Museum, PAPERS READ, The following papers were then read:—“ Note on the Himalayan Nutcracker, (Nue-fraga hemispila),” by General W. Osborn, 1.8.0. ; and “ Notes on Plants introduced into the Victoria Gardens,” by C. D. Mahaluxmivala, Kt arly aS ; is Pyare ; i! A Oe : \ UO PIO TU ALE Oure 447) Sore Wa pUurpy BRAS PON Hf “eulIay B00IANT “QuYIE-NNG YO GYVHOOd SHL IND CoB IA Net 00S 4st Fen Aequiog usnop JOURNAL OF THE CO Me A ay Hatural History Society. Vol. XIV. BOMBAY. No. 4. THE MOTHS OF INDIA. SUPPLEMENTARY PAPER TO THE VOLUMES IN “THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA.” SERIES II, PART VIII, By Sir G. F, Hampson, Bart, F.z,8,, F.ES. (Continued from: page 519 of this Volume.) Moths of India—Sa, Genus NEosce.ts, Noy, Type.—N, rivula. Palpi porrect, extending about the length of head ; frons with tuft of hair : antenne of female ciliated ; mid tibia with the medial spurs absent ; abdomen with dorsal tufts, Fore- wing with vein 5 from near angle of cell; 6 from below upper angle ; 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 stalked, 11 anas- tomosing with 12. Hindwing with veins 3,4 and 6,7 very shortly stalked; 8 anastomosing with the cell to Neoscelis rivula Q 3, near its extremity. 3748b, NEOSCELIS RIVULA, Nn, sp. @. Head, thorax and abdomen purplish-red strongly irrorated with black : tegule edged with white. Forewing black-brown mixed with grey ; purplish- red streaks on inner area and above veins 3 and 6; avery indistinct curved subbasal black line ; tufts of raised black scales at origin of vein 2 and on discocellulars ; a very obscure curved whitish medial band; a similar, more prominent postmedial band traversed by a dark line and excurved between veins 7 and 2; a terminal series of pale points. Hindwing rather redder ; an indistinct medial whitish band ; more distinct postmedial and terminal bands from vein 5 to inner margin traversed by waved dark lines, Underside whitish : ] 640 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, both wings with diffused black ante- and postmedial bands, excurved at middle ; the terminal area black, interrupted by a white fascia at middle, Habitat—Ceylon, Gampola (Mackwood). Exp, 24 mill, Type—In B, M. 3749a, GYMNOSCELIS SEMIVINOSA, Warr, Nov. Zool. III., p. 389 (1896) (pl. Cri): Q. Head, thorax and abdomen whitish ; palpiand frons purplish-red and black ; pro and mesothorax with transverse black lines; abdomen dorsally tinged with red with slight segmental black lines, Forewing whitish ; the costa reddish and fuscous to the postmedial line ; an antemedial black-irrorated greenish band expanding towards costa ; traces of a medial line ; a postmedial line strongly excurved from below costa to vein 3 with some dark suffusion on its inner side and a less distinct line on its outer ; a subterminal ochreous band with diffused black patches on it at costa, below apex and at tornus. Hindwing whitish, suffused in parts with bright-purplish red and slightly irrorated with black ; the red irroration most prominent on costal half of wing, before the indistinct curved medial and postmedial blackish lines and on apical area. Habitat,— Ceylon, Gampola; Java. Exp, 18 mill. 3750, GYMNOSCELIS DELETA, insert (syn.) Gymnoscelis cristata, Warr. Nov. Zool, III,, p. 229, Jaintia Hills. 3750a, GYMNOSCELIS ATTENUATA, Moore, Lep, Ceyl.IIT., p. 479 (pl. 206, f. 3). @. Head, tegule and patagia green ; thorax dark brown ; abdomen dark brown, green at base aad towards extremity, the ventral surface greyish. Forewing dark reddish-brown ; traces of numerous waved dark lines on basal area ; waved grey antemedial and postmedial lines, the latter angled at lower angle of cell; a black discoidal spot ; a dentate grey subterminal line with white spot at middle. Hindwing with two indistinct minutely waved pale brown antemedial lines and two similar postmedial lines; a dentate grey subterminal line with white spot at middle. Underside black-brown with four pale lines on each wing. Habitat—Ceylon, Haputale. Exp, 22 mill. 3752b. GYMNOSCELIS ALBICAUDATA, Warr, Nov. Zool. IV., p. 228 (1897). Forelegs of male with fringes of hair on inner side of coxe and basal two- thirds of femora ; forewing with the costa fringed with long hair on underside on basal two-thirds. Head, thorax and xbdomen pale greenish tinged with rufous and irrorated with black, the last with black segmental bands ; genital tufts of male white. Forewing pale greenish sparsely irrorated with black, the costal area tinged with rufous, an oblique subbasal black and white striga from costa; an antemedial line angled below costa, then oblique ; the post- medial line black defined by white on outer side, minutely waved, angled outwards at veins 7 and 4, and inward in discal fold, then oblique ; an indis- tinct waved whitish subterminal liie with black points on its inner side and crossed by blackish streaks, at costa, discal and submedian folds; terminal line black interrupted at the yeins, Hindwing pale greenish sparsely irrorated THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 641 with black; indistinct dark subbasal and antemediai lines, a prominent postmedial black line excurved below costa and slightly angled inwards in discal fold ; a dentate whitish subterminal line with diffused black on its inner edges ; a fine terminal black line interrupted at the veins; cilia of both wings blackish intersected with luteous. Habitat,—Sikhim ; Bhutan ; Khasis ; Ceylon, Pattalam, Nawalapitiya, Eup. 18-22 mill. 3755, GYMNOSCELIS POLYCLEALIS, del. EUPITHECIA ATTENUATA. Genus HYBRIDONEURA, Hybridoneura, Warr. Nov. Zool. V., p. 24 (1898), Type—H, abnormis, Warr. Range—Assam, Proboscis fully developed ; palpi oblique, extending hardly the length of head, the third joint porrect, frons with tuft of scales ; antenne fasciculate (mid and hind tibie wanting) ; abdo- men with dorsal tufts. Forewing with veins 2 from near angle of cell; 3,4 from angle,male with a patch of naked membrane between veins 2 and 4 and vein 3 distorted ; 5 from middle Hybridoneura abnormis & 3. of discocellulars ; 6 from upper angle ; 7,8, 9 stalked ; 10, 11 stalked, anastomosing with 7, 8,9,so as to form a minute areole ;then 11 anastomosing with 12, Hindwing with vein 2 from middle of cell; 3,4 from angle ; 5 from above middle of discocellulars; 6, 7 on a long stalk and bent downwards towards termen; 8 from near end of cell, 3735a, HYBRIDONEURA ABNORMIs, Warr, Noy, Zool. V,, p. 24. ¢@ Dull greenish, very strongly irrorated with black. Forewing with traces of numerous waved lines; a subbasal black line more strongly developed ; a black discoidal bar and a spot between bases of veins 3 and 4; a more dis- tinct pale waved subterminal line, Hindwing with black discoidal bar and antemedial, postmedial and subterminal diffused black lines, Habitat—Khasis, Exp, 22 mill. 3756. CHLOROCLYSTIS PALPATA, insert (ab.) decolorata, Warr. Nov. Zool. VIL., p. 109. 37626. CHLOROCLYSTIS OLIVATA, Warr, Nov. Zool. VIIL, p. 196. Male with a large patch of androconia on underside from in and beyond lower angle of cell to inner margin ; hindwing with alarge patch in cell on upperside, vein 3 from long before angle of cell. &@ Head and thorax dull olive-green ; abdomen brownish-grey. Forewing dull olive-green, irrorated with fuscous; obscure oblique antemedial and medial waved dark lines with fuscous suffusion between them; a postmedial line angled at upper angle of cell and with some dark suffusion on its inner side from costa to lower angle of cell, then reduced to points on the veins and incurved : an indistinct waved subterminal line; a terminal series of black 642 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV strie. Hindwing pale brownish-grey, the patches of androconia dark fus- cous brown, Habitat—Bhutan ; S. India ; Ceylon, Maturatta, Hap, 20, 22 mill. 3762d, CHLOROCLYSTIS DEBILIATA, Hiibn. Hur. Schmett Geom., f. 466 (1827) ; Breyer Ann, Soc. Belge. 1463, p. 27, pl. I.,f.3 (larva), Staud, Cat, Lep. Pal., p. 320. Pale greenish, irrorated with black ; palpi blackish at sides ; abdomen with black patch on second segment and the dorsal crests black ; wings more or less strongly suffused with fuscous. Forewing with punctiform subbasal line angled below costa, then oblique ; a similar antemedial line ; a discoidal spot placed on an indistinct medial line angled at upper angle of cell, then oblique ; a punctiform postmedial line obtusely angled at veins 6 and 4, then oblique ; the terminal area suffused with brown and with an indistinct pale dentate subterminal line angled outwards at vein 7 ; a fine black terminal line inter- rupted at the veins; cilia chequered pale and fuscous, Hindwing with obscure diffused oblique subbasal and antemedial lines ; a discoidal spot ; an indistinct medial line; a punctiform postmedial line excurved at median nervules ; the terminal area tinged with brown and with an indistinct pale waved subterminal line ; a terminal series of black points ; cilia chequered pale and fuscous, Habitat.—Europe ; Urals ; Amur; Tibet, Yatong. Hap, 22 mill. Larva green; the ventral surface and segmental joints yellowish ; head brown. Food plant—Vaccinium myrtillus, 3764a, CHLOoROcLYsTIS PIcTA, Warr, Nov, Zool. VIIL., p. 30. @ Head and thorax black mixed with grey; pectus, legs and abdomen ferru- ginous, the last with some black at base, a subbasal series of points and lines on the two termina] segments. Forewing black-brown, the inner margin pale ferruginous ; traces of numerous waved dark lines ; a black discoidal point with a waved white line just beyond it bent outwards below costa ; a dull rufous patch beyond the cell, the veins crossing it streaked with black ; a minutely waved curved postmedial white line with pale ferruginous patch beyond it on costa; an indistinct waved white subterminal line and a pale ferruginous spot at middle of termen. Hindwing pale ferruginous ; a black discoidal point ; traces of waved rufous lines on terminal half with black points in the veins, Underside fuscous ; forewing with some white in cell,a black discoidal point, a white subterminal band excurved at middle and con- nected with middle of termen by a streak ; hindwing with the basal area whitish, a black discoidal point, a curved white subterminal band, Habitat.——Khasis, Exp, 18 mill. 3768a, CHLOROCLYSTIS RECTARIA, 0. sp. & Head, thorax and abdomen clothed with grey and dull rufous scales, Wings grey and dull rufous, irrorated with large black scales. Forewing with waved grey antemedial, medial, postmedial and subterminal line, the post- medial angled inwards in discal fold, Hindwing with indistinct waved grey LHE MOTHS OF INDIA, 643 lines ; cilia dull rufous; termen straight; the underside uniform fuscous suffused with grey. Habitat,—Ceylon, Matale (Pole). Hap. 14 mill. Type—In B, M. 3771a. CHLOROCLYSITS LANIARIS, insert (syn.) Miécrulia tenuilinea, Warr, Nov. Zool, III., p. 391. 6 With large tufts of pale and fuscous hair on underside of hindwing at lower end of cell and anal angle. (Aétheolepes), Hindwing of male with the terminal part rounded, the apical part of costa and tornus slightly curled over on upperside ; the upperside clothed with thick rough scales; the inner area reduced, very narrow and fringed with long hair, 3773a. CHLOROCLYSTIS PAPILLOSA, Warr, Noy, Zool, III.,p. 124 and VI. p. 68 (part). Pale yellow-green ; antennez ringed with black; thorax strongly irrorated with black. Forewing with some blackish suffusion on antemedial area except towards costa, traversed with some obscure pale waved lines; a patch of ferruginous and fuscous in and beyond end of cell traversed by the treble waved whitish postmedial line which is bent outwards below costa ; some fuscous striz in the cilia, Hindwing pale brownish. Habitat —Sikhim ; Khésis, Exp, 22 mill, The specimen marked as the type was C, coronota, Hiibn., which also occurs in the same region, but the description was evidently taken in part from this insect. 3779a, HUPITHECIA EUROTOSOMA, 0, sp. 9 Pale dull olive-green; abdomen with the terminal segments from middle of third segment and ventral surface pale ferruginous. Forewing with traces of antemedial, medial and postmedial lines excurved below costa, and two rather more distinct waved subterminal lines ; a black discoidal bar. Hindwing with traces of curved postmedial and subterminal lines, Underside pale ; both wings with discoidal bar and curved diffused fuscous postmedial and subterminal lines, Habitat.—Ceylon, Bogawantalawa (Pole). Ezxp.i8 mill. Type—In B. M, 37845, HUPITHECIA INCURVARIA, 0, sp. Head, thorax and abdomen grey mixed with fuscous brown ; tarsi banded with fuscous; abdomen with white basal band. Forewing whitish irrorated with fuscous brown; a diffused obliquely curved subbasal line; three diffused antemedial lines, angled below costa, then oblique and minutely waved ; a large discoidal tuft of black scales; the postmedial line defined by white on each side, minutely waved and slightly incurved between vein 6 and sudmedian fold ; a minutely dentate white subterminal line ; a black terminal line interrupted at the veins ; cilia chequered whitish and fuscous, Hindwing whitish, irrorated with black ; a discoidal black point ; a subbasal line on inner area; two waved postmedial lines, obsolescent towards costa, and incurved in submedian fold; a dentate white subterminal line defined on each side. by fuscous ; a terminal black line ; cilia chequered white and fuscous, 644 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, Habitat——Kashmir, Goorais Valley ( Leech ), Hap. 30 mill, Type—In B, M. 3786a, EUPITHECIA RUFICORPUS, Warr. Nov, Zool. IV., p. 230. Q Head and thorax grey, palpi and frons blackish ; abdomen grey, the dorsum rufous except first segment. Forewing grey, the inner half suffused with pinkish ; five diffused fuscous patches on costa; numerous indistinct pale waved lines ; some dark specks on median nervure and veins beyond lower angle of cell; the outer area more rufous, with the pale waved sub- marginal line more distinct and some slight dark streaks towards apex, Hind- wing grey with numerous very indistinct waved fuscous lines ; both wings with marginal series of black striz. Habitat.—Khasis, Exp, 20 mill. 37886, EUPITHECIA OBLONGATA, Thnbg, Diss, Ent. I., p. 14, f. 12 (1784). Staud, Cat. Lep. Pal., p. 308. White ; head, thorax and abdomen partially suffused with pale brown and fuscous ; tarsi banded with brown, Forewing with three brownish spots on basal part of costa ; traces of a subbasal line ; an indistinct antemedial line angled inwards in submedian fold; some brown marks on medial part of inner margin ; a black discoidal lunule ; three postmedial fuscous lines angled outwards below costa and minutely waved, below vein 4 only represented by some black points on the veins; terminal area pale brown with a dentate white subterminal line expanding into a patch at costa ; cilia chequered brown and white. Hindwing with two antemedial brown marks on inner margin ; a discoidal point; a double postmedial line excurved from costa to vein 4, — then incurved ; terminal area brown with dentate white subterminal line; a terminal series of black striz and series of black points on the cilia, Habitat.—Europe; Western and Central Asia; Persia; Kashmir, Scinde Valley. Exp. 28 mill. Larva—Meyr, Brit, Lep., p. 189. Green or ochreous : dorsal line and a series of five tridentate marks dull red, orange, darker green or absent. Food-plant, flowers and seeds of Umbelliferee and Composite, etc. 3789a, HUPITHECIA THERMOSARIA, 0, Sp. Q Head and thorax white mixed with pale rufous and grey-green; tarsi banded with fuscous ; abdomen grey and fuscous, Forewing white suffused with rufous except on basal area and costal areato the postmedial line; a gubbasal black line angled below costa, then oblique; two antemedial lines angled below costa, then oblique and incurved in submedian fold ; two medial lines angled below costa, then oblique and excurved in submedian fold ; medial part of costa with fuscous patches at the lines; a large black discoidal spot ; the postmedial line excurved from below costa to vein 5 and defined by white on outer side, then oblique and represented by short black streaks on the veins; an irregularly dentate white subterminal line slightly defined by fuscous on inner side ; a fine terminal line ; cilia chequered white and fus- cous, Hindwing whitish, the inner and terminal areas suffused with fuscous ; THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 645 a discoidal spot ; subbasal, antemedial and postmedial diffused fuscous lines on inner area ; an indistinct waved white subterminal line ; cilia chequered white and fuscous. Habitat —Kashmir, Kokser (McArthur, Thompson.) Ezp. 30 mill. Type —In B.M. 3799c, TRICHOPTERIGIA MULTIPUNCTATA, 0. Sp. & Head and thorax pale pinkish suffused with olive-yellow; antenns ringed with black ; palpi blackish at sides ; fore tibiee and tarsi ringed with black; abdomen whitish. Forewing pinkish-grey with numerous olive yellow and fuscous lines with series of black points on them; one subbasal line, two antemedial, three on medial area followed by two others at end of cell, then two series of points on very indistinct lines ; a double postmedial line and highly waved subterminal line with short streaks on the veins beyond it ; a series of terminal points arranged in pairs. Hindwing white, the termen tinged with brown. Habitat. —Sikkim, 7000' (Pilcher), Hap. 44 mill, Type—In B. M. 3802a. TRICHOPTERYX POLYSTICTARIA, 0, sp. & Grey white; head, thorax and abdomen tinged and irrorated with fuscous, Forewing tinged with fuscous-brown and irrorated with fuscous, the veins with series of black points ; an indistinct subbasal line angled at median nervure ; two indistinct, slightly waved and curved antemedial lines with the area between them rather whiter ; a minutely waved postmedial line strongly excurved from costa to vein 4, then incurved and with some whitish on its inner side ; an indistinct whitish minutely dentate subterminal line with short black streaks on its inner side above veins 4 and 5; a terminal series of pairs of black points on each side of the veins. Hindwing white ; a discoidal point; traces of a minutely waved, curved postmedial line; a curved subterminal line with the area beyond it rather browner; a fine terminal line and a series of black points at base of cilia, Habitat.—Tibet, Moupin (Kricheldorff); Yatong (Hobson). Ep. 38 mill, Type—In B. M. Genus LosopHoropvzs, Noy. Type—L, undulans. Proboscis well developed ; palpi minute and not reaching beyond the frons which is rounded ; antenne of male almost simple ; hind tibiz with the medial spurs absent, the male with tuft of hair from femero-tibial joint. Forewing with vein 3 from well be- fore angle of cell; 6 from upper an- gle; 10 anastomosing with 11, and Lobophorodes undulans @ } then with 8,9 to form the double areole, Hindwing with vein 3 from well before angle of cell ; 5 from middle of discocellulars ; male with vein 7 from well before upper angle ; 8 connected with the cell by a bar beyond 646 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV middle, the inner area reduced to a lobe at base ; female with vein 7 from near angle of cell ; 8 anastomosing with the cell to beyond middle, 38026. TosOPHORODES UNDULANS, n, sp. Head, thorax and abdomen clothed with grey, olive-green and black scales, Forewing grey suffused with olive-green, irrorated with black and with numerous waved black lines, three on basal area, two on inner side of the medial greyer band with the discoidal black spot on it, two and a series of black points on its outer edge, and three subterminal with a more or less prominent double black mark on them above middle ; a series of short terminal black streaks on the veins and a terminal line with series of black points on it, Hindwing grey-white with discoidal points and indistinot curved postmedial and subterminal lines, Habitat.—Tibet, Yatong (Hobson), Hxp, 34 mill. Type—In B. M. 3823a, HYDRELIA AURANTIACA, n, sp. (pl. C., f, 25). Bright yellow, thickly irrorated with orange-red ; wings with the orange- red irroration forming numerous Very indistinct waved lines, Forewing with the basal half with some fuscous points on costa and vein 1; some fuscous marks on the veins at end of cell ; a postmedial series of short dark streak, on the veins ; two obscure series of subterminal dark points anda terminal series of black points. Hindwing with some dark irroration on basal half ; some dark points on inner margin ; two series of obscure subterminal points and a terminal series of black points, Habitat.—Tibet, Yatong (Bingham, Hobson), Exp. 28 mill, Type—In B, M, 3826a. HYDRELIA RUBRARIA, nN, Sp. Brown-red, irrorated with fuscous; frons brown; pectus, legs and ventral surface of abdomen pale, Forewing with antemedial black points on sub- costal and median nervures and vein 1; an indistinct curved medial line, the area between it and postmedial line more or less strongly suffused with black, the latter angled outwards at veins 6 and 4, then incurved; an indistinct curved subterminal line with fuscous mark at middle; a terminal series of points, Hindwing with indistinct. antemedial dark points on subcostal and median nervures and vein 1; an indistinct medial line angled outwards at vein 3, an obscure subterminal series of points and a terminal series. Under- side pale ; forewing suffused with fuscous to the postmedial line ; hind wing with discoidal point and postmedial line angled at veins 6 and 4, Habitat,—Tibet, Yatong. Exp. 28 mill, Type—In B. M. 3333a, VENUSIA LARIA, Oberth, Et, Ent, XVIII. p. 30 (pl. 3, £.34). Grey ; head, thorax and abdomen irrorated with fuscous and brown, the last with the first segment almost white, Forewing irrorated with fuscous and brown, and with a very slight pinkish tinge ; a fine dark curved subbasal line; two double waved antemedial lines with olive and reddish shades in them; a discoidal point and indistinct waved medial line; a waved black postmedial line angled below costa and at vein 3, with a waved brown line beyond it and two similar subterminal lines; the area between veins 3 and 4 tinged with fuscous ; a terminal series of black strie, Hindwing white with THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 647 slight discoidal point and four fine waved lines on terminal area, sometimes more or less reduced to points ; a terminal series of black striz. Habitat.—Tibet, Yatong, Exp, 26 mill. 3833, VENUSIA PALLIDARIA, 0. sp. g. White, tinged with ochreous, Forewing with oblique rufous subbasal striga from costa; an antemedial rufous line bent inwards to costa, then nearly erect ; a slightly oblique postmedial line diffused on inner side, slightly excurved below costa and at median nervules and with some dark points on the veins ; two indistinct subterminal lines, the inner sinuous, Hindwing with medial diffused rufous line and two indistinct subterminal lines, the inner waved, Habitat—Punjab, Thundiani (Yerbury). Lzp, 30 mill, Type—In B, M. 3835a. VENUSIA CONISARIA, 0, sp. @. Grey ; head and thorax thickly irrorated with fuscous ; abdomen with slight segmental lines. Forewing strongly irrorated with brown ; indistinct double waved subbasal and antemedial lines ; a black discoidal spot; an indis- tinct medial double waved postmedial line angled below costa, the latter with black points on the veins; a double crenulate subterminal line with black points on the veins; a terminal] series of black points. Hindwing whitish with indistinct double postmedial and more distinct double subterminal waved lines ; a terminal series of black striz. Q. With the irrorations much stronger and black ; hindwing usually with discoidal point and sometimes with waved antemedial lines. Habitat —Tibet, Kuku-noor, Yatong (Hobson), Exp, 32 mill. Type—In B. M- 38356. VENUSIA OCHROTA, n, sp, (PI. C, f. 5). @. Ochreous-yellow ; head tinged with rufous ; antenne with black rings above. Forewing with the costal area suffused with rufous; slightly waved yellowish ante- and postmedial lines with slight dark marks on them at costa and inner margin ; both wings with dark discal point, a diffused spot at lower angle of cell, and terminal series of black points, Habitat—Tibet, Yatong (Hobson), zp. 30 mill. Type—In B. M. 3840a. CAMBOGIA INGRATARIA, Warr. Nov. Zool. V. p. 23. @. Brown suffused with silvery grey scales; head chocolate; antenne with the basal half of shaft above and a line between their bases white ; wing with numerous indistinct minutely waved dark lines. Forewing with six of the lines more prominent ; an ochreous discoidal point ; hindwing with three more prominent lines and ochreous discoidal point ; termen and cilia of both wings bright yellow with minutely waved inner edge, the cilia being intersected with brown at vein 3 of forewing. Habitat. Chasis. Exp, 26 mill. 3843, CAMBOGIA MARGINATA, insert p], XXXII. f, 16 and (syn.) Chalybo- elydon flecilinea, Warr. Nov. Zool. V., p. 22. Genus ASTHENIODES, Noy. Type.—A. polycymaria, Hmpsn. 2 648 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Palpi porrect extending just beyond the frons whichis smooth and rounded; antenne ciliated ; hind tibie with two pairs of spurs, Forewing with vein 3 from well before angle of cell ; 6,7,8,9 stalked ; 10 anastomos- ing with 11 and then with 8,9 to form the double areole. Hindwing Astheniodes polycymaria & , with vein 3 from weil before angle of cell; 5 from well below angle of discocellulars ; 6,7 shortly stalked. Section I—Hind tibiz with the outer medial spur minute, the claspers of male very elongate ; forewing with the apex produced and acute ; hindwing with the termen angled at middle. 3851a, ASTHENIODES POLYCYMARIA, n. sp. @. Grey, thickly irrorated with brown ; head and thorax suffused with fuscous ; a white band between antenne. Forewing with traces of numerous waved lines ; the antemedial line slightly more distinct; a discoidal point ; the postmedial line of both wings dentate, defined by whitish on outer side and with some diffused fuscous on inner side. Hindwing with the basal area thinly scaled, Habitat,—‘ India,’’ Exp, 30 mill. Type—In B. M. Section 1I—Hind tibize with the outer medial spur about half length of inner spur ; forewing with the apex, hindwing with the termen rounded ; the areole usually very elongate. 3851b, ASTHENIODES ARGENTIPLUMBBA, n, sp. (PI. C., f. 24). Q Silvery-grey ; head and thorax largely mixed with black ; abdomen dorsally banded with black. Forewing with diffused basal and subbasal black lines ; two fine waved antemedial lines ; the medial area suffused with fuscous defined by fine waved black lines with series of black points at the veins and with discoidal point and waved black line on it; a fine waved postmedial line with dark suffusion beyond it on apical area and towards tornus ; a subterminal series of black points and a fine black terminal lines, Hindwing greyish-white with discoidal point and two indistinct postmedial and a submarginal line more prominent below ; a fine terminal line and series of points on the cilia. Habitat,—Tibet, Yatong (Hobson); Bhutan (Dudgeon), ap. 34 mill. Type—in B, M. 4852a. STAMNODES ELWESI. Alph. Deutsch Ent, Zeit. Lep., VIII, p. 202 (DICH Eallo): @. Dark brown slightly irrorated with white; abdomen with whitish segmental lines, Forewing with oblique white antemedial, medial and post- media! quadrate spots on costa ; some slight pink marks in cell below the first spot; the whole discal area bright pink extending into the cell and up to the medial and postmedial spots on costa and almost reaching the termen and inner margin, a small white spot on costa before apex. Hindwing with slight subterminal pink marks on costal half of wing. Underside of forewing THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 649 with white striz on the costal area. Hindwing largely mottled and striated with white, forming an irregular subterminal band expanding towards costa ; a terminal pale red-brown band with waved inner edge. Habitat—‘Vibet, Yatong; Sikhim, Ezp. 38 mill, ACIDALIAN&, 3864a, CRASPEDIA POLYSTIGMARIA, 0. sp, @. Ochreous-white ; frons anda line at back of head black. Forewing sparsely irrorated with black; traces of a curved subbasal line and of an oblique antemedial line from origin of vein 2 to inner margin; a black dis- coidal point ; a diffused very oblique postmedial line; a fine slightly curved subterminal line with a series of black spots beyond it rather larger towards inner margin. Hindwing with oblique antemedial line a black discoidal point ; a slightly curved and minutely waved postmedial line with a series of black spots beyond it obsolescent towards costa ; the termen highly angled at vein 4, Habitat—Kashmir Rajaori (Leech). Erp, 26 mill, Yype—In B, M. 3866, CRASPEDIA ADDICTARIA insert PULCHELLATA, Fabr, Ent, Syst, III 2, p. 171 (1794) which has priority. 3866a, CRASPEDIA BISPURCATA, Warr. Noy. Zool. V, p. 239. Ochreous-white irrorated with black ; palpi and frons black; neck with olive-brown rings, Forewing with pale brown curved dentate antemedial line, oblique towards inner margin ; a discoidal black point with a pale brown dentate line just beyond it, angled at vein 6, then oblique; a postmedial dentate line oblique from costa to vein 6 where it is angled, incurved and with black patches on it below vein 6 and on inner area; a pale waved subterminal line ; a terminal series of black points. Hindwing with the termen crenulate and hardly angled ; a slightly sinuous pale brown ante- medial line ; a black discoidal point ; a crenulate postmedial line and a pale waved subterminal line ; a terminal series of black points, Habitat—Khasis, Hzp, 26 mill. 3883, CRASPEDIA REMOTATA, insert (syns.) Craspedia furfurata, Warr, Nov. Zool. IV., p. 218 (ab.) swbcarnea, Warr. Nov, Zool. VII, p. 104, and Craspedia atridiscata, Warr, Nov. Zool. IV., p. 217, a form with large dis- coidal black points and the two outer submarginal lines obsolescent, Page 436, Under AcrIpALIA insert Strophophila, Warr. Nov. Zool. IV., p. 225, for Sect. I. B. 6. 3896a. ACIDALIA RUFARIA, Hibn, Eur, Schmett, Geom, f, 112. Ochreous suffused with rufous ; palpiand frons red-brown ; wings irrorated with a few large dark scales. Forewing with slightly curved rufous anteme- dial line ; a black discoidal point ; a somewhat diffused medial line excurved from costa to vein 4, then incurved ; a fine oblique postmedial line slightly excurved between veins 5 and 3 and with two somewhat diffused minutely waved lines beyond it; a fine terminal line. Hindwing with black dis- coidal point, a slightly curved, somewhat diffused medial line ; a fine postme- dial line slightly angled outwards at veins 6 and 4; two diffused, minutely 650 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. waved subterminal lines ; a fine terminal line, Habitat——Europe ; Syria ; C. Asia; Kashmir, Goorais Valley. zap, 26 mill, 3896b. ACIDALIA CARPHERARIA, 0, sp. é@. Bright straw-yellow ; frons black. Forewing with slight ant irrora- tion on base of costal area, a discoidal black point ; traces of diffused slightly sinuous postmedial and subterminal lines. Hindwing with discoidal black point and traces of diffused sinuous postmedial and subterminal lines ; cilia of both wings sometimes with series of minute points. Underside of forewing slightly suffused with fuscous to the subterminal line, Q. Wings sparsely irrorated with fuscous; forewing narrower, the apex produced and acute, Habitat.—Kashmir (Pilcher), Chamba. zp, 18-22 mill. 3896c, ACIDALIA PERPULVEREA, 0. Sp, ©. Brownish-grey thickly irrorated with dark brown; palpi and frons black. Forewing with rather indistinct waved antemedial line incurved in submedian interspace ; a prominent black discoidal spot ; an indistinct waved line from lower angle of cell to inner margin; the postmedial line slightly waved, excurved between veins 7and 2. Hindwing with discoidal point ; traces of a waved line from lower angle of cell to inner margin; the post- medial line minutely waved, oblique from costa to vein 3, then incurved ; both wings with series of dark points at base of cilia. Habitat—Kashmir, Goorais Valley (Leech). Exp, 24 mill, Type—In B, M. 2900. ACIDALIA ACTIOSARIA, insert (syn.) Piychopoda comparanda, Warr. Nov. Zool, VII., p. 107, an olive-ochreous form from Ceylon, 38000. AcIDALIA HQuIsINUATA, Warr, Nov. Zool. V., p. 242. Olive-ochreous with a slight rufous tinge; palpi at tips and frons black. Forewing with the costal edge dark ; an indistinct sinuous antemedial line ; a black discoidal point; a medial line excurved round end of cell; the postmedial line excurved from below costa to vein 2 and with a dark patch beyond it on inner area; a pale sinuous subterminal line and a terminal series of dark strix. Hindwing with sinuous antemedial line with the black discoidal point just beyond it; a sinuous postmedial line excurved beyond lower angle of cell, the terminal area irrorated with fuscous with a dark spot at apex. Habitat—PBhutan ; Khasis. Exp, 22 mill. 3901a, AcIDALIA MARMORATA, Nn. Sp. &@. Head and thorax ochreous; palpi and frons black; abdomen pale ochreous, dorsally suffused with fuscous. Forewing pale silky ochreous ; the costa deeper ochreous ; the basal area suffused with black excurved from costa to below median nervure ; ill-defined irregularly sinuous medial and postmedial blackish bands, the latter diffused outwards to termen at middle and tornus. Hindwing pale silky ochreous ; an indistinct waved fuscous medial band connected at middle hy a patch with the waved postmedial band ; both wings with the cilia deep ochreous with a series of black points, THE MOTHS OF INDIA, |. 651 Habitat——Cuddapah, Jammalamaduga, 750’ (W. H. Campbell). Eup. 24 mill. Type—In B, M. 3906. ACIDALIA INSUAVIS, insert (syn.) Strophophila informis, Warr. Noy. Zool, IV., p. 225, The male has a fold and fringe of hair on inner area of hindwing below. 3907. ACIDALIA HOLOSERICATA, insert (syns,) Ptychopoda decidua, Warr, Nov. Zool, VIII., p. 107, and Ptychopoda delicatula, Warr. Nov. Zool. VII1., p. 24. 39076. AcIDALIA INDETERMINATA, Warr, Nov. Zool, VIIL, p. 25. Q Ochreous-white, strongly irrorated with dark brown; frons black. Forewing with traces ot antemedial and medial diffused oblique dark lines: a black discoidal point ; a minutely dentate blackish postmedial line some- times with diffused dark band on its outer side with irregularly sinuous outer edge; aseries of black points at base of cilia, Hindwing with traces of medial line ; a black discoidal point ; two indistinct waved postmedial and a subterminal line. Habitat,—Simla ; Tibet, Yatong, Exp, 24 mill. 3907c, ACIDALIA CONIOPTERA, 0, sp. Grey-white, very thickly irrorated with fuscous brown; frons black, Forewing with indistinct antemedial line angled outwards below costa, then oblique ; a discoida! point ; an oblique dentate slightly curved postmedial line ; traces of a diffused subterminal line; cilia whitish with prominent series of dark points. Hindwing with indistinct oblique subbasal and ante- medial lines ; a black discoidal point; a somewhat dentate postmedial line angled outwards below costa and incurved in discal fold ; traces of a diffused subterminal line ; the termen sinuous witha fine dark line; cilia whitish with prominent series of dark points, The areole of forewing often minute. Habitat,Kashmir, Kuijar (McArthur), Hap, 20-24 mill. Type—In B, M, 3911b, ACIDALIA PULCHRIFASCIA, n, sp, (PI. C., f. 13.) ? Differs from gemmaria in the ground color being slightly tinged with brown ; abdomen concolorous, Forewing with discal point; the band much narrower, its inner edge straight and blackish, its outer edge less produced below vein 2, Hindwing with the band narrower ; its edges nearly straight, the discal spot conjoined to the band. Habitat.—Sikkim, 1800’ (Dudgeon). Exp. 22 mill, Type—In B. M. 3911c, ACIDALIA METHEMARIA, 0, sp. @ Head and thorax brownish ochreous; palpi and frons black: abdo- men fuscous, reddish towards base. Forewing brownish ochreous, the innér area suffused with dull red and irrorated with a few darker red scales; the antemedial line represented by a dark red spot in submedian fold; the post- medial line sinuous, excurved between veins 4 and 2 and with purplish- fuscous suffusion beyond it becoming obsolete towards costa, Hindwing ochreous ; the basal half strongly irrorated with blood-red ; a dark discoidal 652 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. point; the postmedial line sinuous, excurved between veins 4 and 2, with an ochreous band on its inner side and the area beyond it suffused with purplish-fuscous ; cilia ochreous. Habitat.—Sikkim 2,800’ (Pilcher). Hap, 16 mill, Type—In B.M, 3918, CHRYSOCRASPEDA PLUMBEOFUSA, insert (syn.) Chrysocraspeda gib- bosa, Warr. Noy. Zool. IV., p. 370. 39186, CHRYSOCRASPEDA CROCEICINCTA, n, sp. (Pl. C., f. 22), Q Purple-red ; palpiand frons pale brown; vertex of head and shaft of antennze white ; abdomen with the anal tuft and ventral surface ochreous, Forewing with series of white points on costa ; very indistinct ante- and postmedial lines, the latter incurved below vein 3; termen and cilia orange, the red extending to termen at apex and as teeth on veins 2, 3,4, Hind- wing with the termen and cilia orange, the red extending to termen as teeth on the veins, Habitat——Ceylon, Kandy (Pole), Hap. 16 mill, Type—In B, M. 3920a, CHRYSOCRASPEDA RUBRIFUSCARIA, 0. Sp. @ Head, thorax and abdomen reddish-brown ; vertex of head white, Forewing dull pink, the costal and terminal areas suffused with fuscous- brown, leaving the costal edge and termen pink ; cilia orange-yellow, Hind- wing with the basal half dull pink, the terminal half fuscous-brown ; the _termen pink ; the cilia orange-yellow. Underside pale grey-brown. Habitat.—Ceylon (Mackwood). Exp, 20 mill, Type—In B, M. 3926. ANISODES OBRINARIA, del. Caligata similaria and suspicaria. 39286. ANISODES SUSPICARIA, Snell. Tijd. V. Ent, XXIV., p. 80, pl, 8,f. 6. @ Hind tibie with the medial spurs absent, the hind femora with tufts of curled pink hair above. Color and markings similar to A. obrinaria. Habitat,—Ceylon, Haputala, Khasis, Celebes, Saugir. Hzp, 36 mill. 3931a. ANISODES SIMILARIA, Wlk, XXVI., 1582, » ¢ealigata, Wik, XXVI., 1584, Hind tibize of male with the medial spurs absent. Color and markings similar to A. obrinaria; hindwing with the discoidal spot smaller, Habitat.—Ceylon; Moulmein ; Penang. Exp, 28 mill. 3932. ANISODES PALLIDA insert (syn.) Perixera rufannularia, Warr, Nov. Zool, IV., p. 221. 3947a, EXRYTHROLOPHUS POSTLINEATA, Warr, Nov. Zool. VI., p. 333. Hind legs of male reduced, the tibia dilated with a tuft of hair from base and fringed with scales on outer side ; the spurs absent. _& Nearly pure white; palpi above and vertex of head, antenne and forelegs fulvous ; wings irrorated with brown scales, Forewing with the costal edge pale fulvous ; a black discoidal point ; both wings with an oblique straight pale fulvous postmedial line with a slightly sinuous line beyond it and two minutely waved subterminal lines, Both wings with the second postmedial line absent, THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 653 Habitat—* India.” Exp. g 26, 9 30 mill. Genus LeEprtosipia, Nov. Proboscis fully developed ; palpi upturned short, slender, the second joint with loose hairs; frons nearly smooth; antenne of male with two pairs of short, slender branches, ending in fascicles of cilia, to each joint; legs slender, hind tibie with the outer medial spur absent ; wings slender, Fore- wing with the termen oblique ; vein 3 from well before angle of cell; 5 from middle of discocellulars ; 6 Leptosidia arearia g + from areole ; 10 anastomosing with 11 and then with 8,9 to form a double areole, Hindwing with vein 3 from well before angle of cell; 5 obsolescent from middle of discocellulars ; 6°7 stalked ; 8 touching subcostal nervure near base, then diverging, 3957b. LEPTOSIDIA ARHARIA, 0. Sp. é Grey irrorated with brown, Forewing with the costal area slightly tinged with ochreous ; dentate brownish antemedial, medial and postmedial lines, the first slightly curved, the second angled outwards below costa and at vein 4, then incurved, the third oblique and incurved in discal fold ; a small discoidal spot. Hindwing less strongly irrorated ; a small discoidal spot ; an indistinct medial line from cell to inner margin and dentate postmedial line incurved between veins 7 and 4 ; both wings with fine dark terminal line, Habitat.—Kashmir, Narkundah (McArthur), Goorais Valley (Leech) ; Kangra Valley (Dudgeon), Hzp. 38 mill, Type—In B. M. 3965a. RHODOSTROPHIA SUBRUFA, Warr, Nov, Zool. IV., p. 224. &@. Ochreous grey thickly irrorated and suffused with dull pink ; both wings with discoidal dark points, traces of oblique straight medial line and sinuous submarginal line more distinct on underside, Habitat.—Simla. Exp, 28 mill, 3968a, KRHODOSTROPHIA POLIARIA, 0, Sp. Grey-white irrorated with brown; palpiand frons chestnut ; head and tegule sometimes tinged with dark pink. Forewing with brown antemedial line angled outwards in cell and submedian folds ; a prominent small discoidal spot ; the postmedial line oblique, sinuous, bent outwards to inner margin, dentate at the veins and with the area between it and subterminal line usually suffused with brown, this line being minutely waved and incurved in discal and submedian folds, Hindwing tinged with brown ; a dark discoidal point, a rather indistinct, nearly straight postmedial line and minutely waved subterminal line incurved to costa, The costal area of forewing, the postmedial band and cilia of both wings Sometimes tinged with pink, i: JOURNAL BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. H«' at.—Kashmir, Goorais Valley (Leech), Exp. g 40, 9 36 mill. Type —In B. M. 39686, RHODOSTROPHIA PULVEREARIA, 0. sp. @. Ocbreous white ; palpi and frons chocolate. Forewing thickly irro- - rated with brown, an indistinct fine oblique antemedial line; a discoidal black point ; an oblique postmedial line ; a fine minutely dentate subterminal line ; a fine terminal line. Hindwing irrorated with brown except towards costa ; a discoidal point ; a medial line from vein 3 to inner margin; a curved minutely waved subterminal line ; a fine terminal line, Habitat.--Simla (Nurse), : Exp, 34 mill. Type—In B, M. 3975. PROBLEPSIS DELIARIA, insert (syn.) Problepsis albidior, Warr, Noy. Zool, VI., p. 33. GEOMETRIN A. 401lla. PsruDOTERPNA OCELLATA. Warr. Nov. Zool, VL, p. 207. Q. Whitish irrorated with deep purple and variegated with dull green ; palpi and frons black ; wings striated with purple ; an oblique green patch on basal area; traces of a curved antemedial line; both wings with large oblique eliptical discoidal annulus; diffused curved and somewhat sinuous green postmedial, submarginal and marginal lines. Underside white, orange at, base ; forewing with two purple spots ou basal area, the upper in cell small ; both wings with large purple discoidal spots and postmedial and submarginal prominent bands somewhat angled at middle and the latter diffused outwards to the margin in places. Habitat.—Khasis, Hzxp, 56 mill. 4019a, PSEUDOTERPNA SUBSIMILIS, Warr. Nov, Zool. V., p. 232. é Differs from swbrosea in the dorsal tufts of abdomen being green. Forewing greener with the lines hardly traceable and not approximated on inner margin. Hindwing with the base only pale, the rest of wing pale pink mottled with fuscous; some green on termen from above middle to near tornus. Underside of forewing with fuscous line beyond the cell between vein 6 and submedian fold. Habitat.Sikhim, Exp. 54 mill, 4025a. PSEUDOTERPNA ELMARIA, 0. Sp. Head and thorax sap-green ; palpi and lower part of frons ochreous ; legs irrorated with fuscous; abdomen sap-green irrorated with fuscous ; wings ochreous, almost entirely covered by sap-green striations and mottlings. Forewing with black striz on costa; antemedial indistinct pale rufous spots irrorated with black below cell and on inner margin ; a black discoidal point ; 2 dentate green postmedial line defined by grey on outer side, angled out- wards below. costa, then oblique and with pale rufous black—irrorated patches beyond it between veins 6 and 4 and 3 and inner margin; a dentate grey subterminal line ; a terminal series of small black lunules, Hindwing with black discoidal point; a dentate postmedial green line with black points on the veins and defined by grey on outer side ; a waved grey sub- THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 655 terminal line; a terminal series of small black lunules. Underside of both wings pale orange-yellow with round black discoidal spots and broad out- wardly diffused fuscous—black postmedial band ; terminal area greyish irro- rated with fuscous, Habitat —Sikhim ; Khasis. Exp. 66 mill. Type—In B, M. Page 487. Under ULI0cNEMIS insert Chlorostrota, Warr. Nov. Zool, IV, p.36 (1897), for Sect, III. 4054. ULIOCNEMIS ALBIVIRIDIS insert (syn.) Chlorostrota preampla, Warr. Nov. Zool. IV, p. 36, 4076a, GEOMETRA RUFIFRONTARIA, 0, Sp. @ Antenne serrate and fasciculate ; hind tibize dilated with a fold con- taining a tuft of long hair; forewing with vein 11 anastomosing with 7,5, 9, 10, to form an areole, Sap-green ; palpi and frons red-brown ; pectus and legs whitish. Fore- wing with indistinct minutely waved antemedial, postmedial and subter- minal darker green lines and small discoidal spot; costal edge brownish. Hindwing with whitish points at angles of cell’ and minutely waved post- medial and subterminal lines. Underside whitish, the costal area of forewing rufous, Habitat,—Calicut (Fellows-Wilson), zp, 22 mill. Type—In B. M. 4082. HEUCHLORIS INDUCTARIA insert (syn.) LE. subhyalina, Warr, Nov. Zool, IV, p. 9. 4089a, EUCROSTES CYMARIA, 0D, sp. @ Head, thorax and abdomen white, the thorax tinged with green; ared band above frons. Forewing bright yellow green; the costa white ; the veins streaked with white ; a highly waved antemedial white line; an oblique discoidal bar; an- oblique minutely waved postmedial white line from below costa to inner margin beyond middle, Hindwing paler green with white discoidal point and curved postmedial line; cilia of both wings white, Habitat,—Simla, 7,000’ (Pilcher), Eup. 28 mill, Type—In B, M. 4119a, THALASSODES PICTURATA, n, sp, (PI. C., f. 7.) @ Head, thorax and abdomen dark brown variegated with ferruginous and white scales; palpi white in frort; upper edge of tegule deep green ; legs brown and white ; pectus, ventral surface of abdomen and anal tuft white. Forewing white, the costal area to beyond middle and to median nervure grey brown striated with dark brown and irrorated with white and black scales ; some coppery scales near base and on middle and extremity of median nervure ; an antemedial sinuous excurved black line with blue-grey on its inner side from costa to median nervure; a similar dentate postmedial line with the blue-grey beyond it ; a white-striated medial green band from median nervure to inner margin towards which it is dilated ; a similar dentate patch below end of cell ; some copper and green below costa towards apex ; some green irroration on termen below vein 6 and from vein 3 to tornus; 3 656 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. a coppery and brown mark between vein 2 and inner margin near tornus ; some green points on termen. Hindwing white blotched with green except on costal area on subterminal area down to vein 3and on inner area from middle to near tornus; a green discoidal point; some brown and coppery scales on inner area towards tornus and on a greyish subterminal band from costa to vein 3. Underside white with black subterminal spots on forewing above vein 4 and towards tornus, and forming a broken band on hindwing. Habitat,—Ceylon, Gampola (Mackwood) 1 ¢ type. zp, 32 mill, Type —In B.M. 4125a. THALASSODES AUREOFULVA, Warr, Nov. Zool, IV, p. 209, @ Head and thorax bright yellow green and white; abdomen white with greenish dorsal patch towards extremity. Forewing yellow-green with blotches of white especially on inner area and on middle of outer margin an indistinct obliquely sinuous antemedial white line ; a large olive-fulvous patch on costal area between end of cell and apex crossed by the white post- medial line which is very highly dentate between veins 6 and 3, Hindwing white with some four incomplete waved green lines on outer half, Under- side white with large fuscous patch on apical area of forewing and smal] patch at apex of hindwing. Habitat,—Khiasis, Exp, 36 mill. 4129a, THALASSODES HYPOLEUCA, n. sp. (PI. C,, f. 34.) @ Bluish green ; palpi white at base, tinged with fuscous at tips, vertex of head white. Forewing with the basal area striated with purplish fuscous ; a white discoidal point ona purplish fuscous patch; medial and postmedial series of fuscous points and some striz between veins 5 and 6; a diffused brownish patch with fuscous stris on it towards tornus; cilia brownish at base, white at tips. Hindwing with the base purplish fuscous ; the green area with some fuscous points,a discoidal spot,a large patch of fuscous striz on apical area and a smaller patch on inner area before tornus; cilia brown, white at tips. Underside of body, legs, and wings to beyond middle white, the legs with black bands at the joints; the wings with discoidal black points ; the green terminal area with fuscous strise and large fuscous patches at tornus of forewing and apex of hindwing. Habitat—Burma, Hsipaw (DeNiceville). Exp. 50 mill. Type—In B. M. 4133a, THALERA FLAVITINCTA, Warr, Nov. Zool. IV, p. 211, . @ Grass-green ; frons and forelegs crimson, vertex of head and shaft of antennze white, the branches brown; abdomen ochreous white. Forewing with the costa ochreous irrorated with black; both wings with fine black marginal line, the cilia yellowish white, Underside whitish, the costa of forewing ochreous, Habitat—Khasis. Exp. 46 mill, 4134a, THALERA ALBIPUNCTA, Warr. Nov. Zool. V, p. 13. g Pale yellow green or grey-green ; vertex of head and base of shaft of antenn, pectus and ventral surface of abdomen white, Forewing with THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 657 traces of waved white antemedial line below the cell ; an irregularly dentate subterminal line with white point on it in discal fold and lunulate spot in submedian fold displaced inwards ; a terminal series of white points. Hind- wing with irregularly dentate white postmedial line with a white lunule on it displaced inwards in submedian fold ; a terminal series of white points. Habitat—Khasis. Ezp. 28 mill. 4138b, THALERA macuLATA, Warr. Noy. Zool, IV, p. 208, Q Frons prominent ; forewing with vein 11 touching 12 and 10 but not anastomosing with them, Yellow green ; palpi at tips, antenne and marks on legs brown; wings irrorated with black brown, Forewing with the dark irroration forming a patch at base and a very ill-defined subterminal band developed into a large patch above tornus ; straight ochreous ante—and postmedial lines meeting on inner margin and defined by olive green on medial area ; a black discoidal point, Hindwing with oblique ochreous medial line defined by olive green on inner side ; a patch of dark irroration above tornus, Habitat—Khasis, Exp. 58 mill. PYRALIDA, GALLEROANE. Genus CORCYRA. Corcyra, Rag, Ent. Mo, Mag., XXII, p.23 (1885). Type—C, cephalonica, Stn. Proboscis absent ; palpi of male minute, of female extending about twice the length of head; frons with large tuft of hair; antenne short, simple, the basal joint with tuft of scales ; tibie with the spurs long, Forewing long and narrow ; the cell long; vein 2 from towards end of cell ; 3°4 from angle ; 5 absent ; 6 from upper angle ; 78:9 stalked, 7 from 8 beyond 9; 10°11 free. Hindwing with vein 2 from close to angle of cell; 3:4 on a long stalk ; 5 absent ; 6°7 stalked, 7 anastomosing with 8, 4141a, CoRCYRA CEPHALONICA, Stn. Ann, 1866, p. 147. Head, thorax and abdomen grey-brown. Forewing grey tinged with brown, the veins streaked with black. Hindwing ochreous grey-brown somewhat darker towards costa, Habitat—Europe ; West-Indies ; Ceylon, Pundaloya ; Christmas I ; Ke, I, Exp. & 24, 9 26 mill. Corcyra cephalonica & tooo : Genus PRASINOXENA, Prasinorena, Meyr. Trans, Ent, Soc., 1894, p. 479. Type—P. monospila. Palpi of male small, upturned ; of.female porrect and extending about length of head ; maxillary palpi minute ; frons smooth ; antennw short, the Ist joint somewhat curved and long, Forewing short, broad, the apex 658 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV rectangular, the termen oblique ; the cell long; vein 2 from middle of cell; 3°4°5 from angle ; 6 from upper angle; 7810 stalked, 9 absent; 11 from cell ; the underside clothed with yellow audroconia, Hindwing with the cell open; veins 2°3°5 stalked, 4 absent; 6°7 stalked, 7 anastomosing with 8 ; the inner area with a fold on underside enclosing a tuft of long hairs. 4141), PRasINOXENA MONOsPILA, Meyr, Trans. Ent. Soc, 1894, p. 480; Rag. Rom Mem., VIII, pl. 54, f. 14. Head and thorax green ; abdomen yellow. Forewing bright emerald green ; a small fulvous-yellow discoidal spot; the costa towards apex and termen with a series of white points, defined by brown; cilia brownish yellow. Hindwing golden yellow, the inner area tinged with brown. Underside of forewing with the cell clothed with yellow scales and hairs, Habitat,—Khasis, $8. E. Borneo, Pulo Laut, Hap. 14 mill, 4145). TIRATHABA IRRUFATELLA, Rag. Rom. Mem., VIIL., p. 462, pl, 43, £. 8. Head, thorax and abdomen ochreous white. Forewing ochreous somewhat irrorated and suffused with pale brown ; traces of an antemedial line acutely angled in cell; a dark point in middle of cell and another on discocellulars ; a minutely dentate postmedial line, very oblique from costa to vein 6 where it is angled; a terminal series of points and a dark line through the cilia. Hindwing ochreous white. Habitat—Japan ; Khasis, Lap. @ 20, 2 34 mili, 4150c, LAMORIA NIGRISPARSALIS, 0. Sp. &. Forewing without the glandular swelling on costa, the cell clothed with ochreous audroconia on underside. Head, thorax and abdomen white slightly tinged with brown, Forewing pale brown irrorated with long black scales, a diffused whitish subcostal fascia, the costa darker brown, Hindwing pale brownish. Habitat,—Ceylon, Matale (Pole), Nawalapitya (Green), Eup. 26 mill. Type—In B. M. 4152c. EMBRYOGLOSSA BIPUNCTA, 0. sp. Head, thorax and abdomen ochreous, thorax tinged with brown, Forewing ochreous strongly irrorated with purplish fuscous forming diffused streaks in the interspaces ; indistinct diffused pink streaks in and below cell, on the veins beyond it and on inner margin ; traces of an antemedial dark line angled on median nervure ; an indistinct pale postmedial line bent outwards to near termen at vein 5, then dentate and at vein 4 becoming very oblique to inner margin just beyond middle ; cilia chequered fuscous and ochreous, Hindwing fuscous ; the cilia ochreous chequered with fuscous and with a fine line through them. Habitat,—Khasis. ep. 30 mill. Type—In Coll, Rothschild. CRAMBINE, 4178a, CRAMBUS PHEOSTRIGELLUS, n, sp. Head and thorax golden yellow ; abdomen grey suffused with fuscous, the anal tuft ochreous, Forewing golden orange-yellow ; black streaks from THE MOTHS OF INDIA, 659 base to near the medial line on and below costa, two in cell and one in sub- median interspace; the medial line white defined on each side by black, very oblique from costa to vein 5, where it is strongly angled, then very oblique to inner margin before middle, an oblique striga béyond it from costa and some black scales below the angle ; a subterminal white line defined by black on inner side and by a few black scales on outer side, oblique from costa to vein 5 where it is angled ; three short black streaks on termen above tornus ; a fine brown terminal line anda line at base of cilia which are golden, Hindwing pale fuscous, ochreous white on terminal area and cilia. Habitat.—Kashmir, Goorais Valley (Leech). wp, 20 mill, Types—In Coll. Rothschild and B. M. 4185a. PLATYTES TRICHIALIS, 0. sp. Q Head and thorax creamy white ; abdomen white strongly tinged with ochreous, Forewing creamy white strongly irrorated with brown hair-like scales, the terminal area tinged with ochreous, Hindwing whitish strongly tinged with brown. Habitat—Bombay, Nassik (Davidson), Exp, 44 mill. Type—In B. M. 4199, Should stand as HRoMENE JAXARTELLA, Ersch. Lep. Turk., p. 82. It differs from superbella in the medial fulvous band being slightly angled inwards to costa. Habitat,—Turkestan ; Punjab ; Scind, 4202c, DIATR@A ACULEATA, n, sp. (PI. C., f, 15.) Q Yellowish white ; head and thorax tinged with pale brown; abdo- men with the Ist two segments dorsally orange, Forewing with the apex produced and acute; the interspaces of costal and terminal areas streaked with yellowish brown; a black discoidal point; traces of avery obliquely curved postmedial line from costa to lower angle of cell and of a subterminal line ; a brown terminal line and two fine lines through the cilia, Hindwing pure white, Habitat—Sikhim, 2,000’ (Pilcher), zp, 20 mill, Type—In B. M. 4224a, ANCYLOLOMIA PECTINATELLA, Zell. Isis, 1847, p. 747. Differs from chrysographella in the antenne of male having long uniseriate branches, Habitat,_S, Europe; Belgaum, Exp, g 26 mill. 4229a, Antenne of male laminate. CHARLTONA FUSCA, n, sp. (PI. C,, f. 18.) @ Fuscous irrorated with grey ; antenne pale, Forewing with diffused ochreous fascia below median nervure ; a marginal series of dark points, Habitat.—Ceylon, Puttalam (J. Pole), Hup. 28 mill. Type—In B, M, (7'o be continued.) 660 INDIAN DUCKS AND THEIR ALLIES, By HE. C. Sruart BAKER, F.ZS. Genus Aix, According to the British Museum Catalogue the Mandarin Duck is included in the Plectropterinz and the key is as follows :— No comb on base of bill. Hiead crested) ).., s:c..sesnsectees AUX, Both Ogilvie-Grant and E. Oates however, pointed out to me that a far better generic character is provided in the silver-grey edging to the primaries, a character by which it may be at once distinguished from any other Indian duck. AXX GALERICULATA. The Mandarin Duck. Anas galericulata —Lath., Ind., Orni. ii., p. 871. Ax galericulata.—Gould B. of Asia, vii., p. 89. Salvadori, Cat. B. B. M., xxvii., p. 76. Oates’ “Game Birds of Ind.” it, p. 186. Finn, “Fancy Waterfowl,” p.26. Bennett, ‘“ Wanderings in New South Wales,” ii., p. 62. Latham, Syn., iii., p. 548. Description. Adult Male. —Supercilium from the base of the bill to the end of the crest pure white ; forehead to nape glossy green, thence the long thick crest is metallic purple, more or less mixed with green on the basal half and entirely green on the terminal third which is sometimes shot with deep blue ; face and sides of the head buff, shading into white round the eye and into cinnamon red on the posterior cheeks, chin and throat; the neck hackles are bright chestnut tipped with purple and with white strice on the anterior portion ; remainder of upper plumage and lesser wing coverts dull brown glossed with bronze-green, especially on the mantle and upper tail coverts ; tail grey-brown glossed green. Lower neck and sides of breast brilliant purple-copper, sides of lower breast with three bands of black and two of white; remainder of lower parts white ; flanks vermiculated black and brown, but with copper bars opposite the vent and with black and white bars at the end of the flank feathers. Scapulars grey-brown, the innermost completely glossed with deep blue and the median with green, the change being graded and not clearly defined; the outermost are white with broad black edges. The innermost secondary, which is enormously broadened into a fan shape, is chestnut on the inner web, tipped paler on the outer half and with blue on the inner, on the outer web of this secondary the tip is chestnut, the remainder deep glossy blue ; other secondaries brown INDIAN DUCKS AND THEIR ALLIES. 661 with the outer web glossed green and tipped white, except the one next the innermost one which is all of this colour ; primaries brown, glossed green and with broad edges of silver grey on the outer webs. Axillaries brown, under wing coverts mixed brown and grey. “Tris dark brown with a yellowish white outer ring; bill reddish brown, with the nail blueish flesh colour ; tarsus and toes reddish yellow, membranes blackish.” (Schrenk.) Wing 8°8" to 9:4"; tail 4°2" to 4-6"; bill, culmen 1:1” to 1:25", from gape 1'3" to 1°45"; tarsus 1:3" to 1:4"; length about 16” to 18", In one specimen in the British Museum the whole chin, and in another, the border of the angle of the chin, is white. Adult female.—Head and full crest grey, a narrow line starting above the eye and passing round the front to the back and bordering the crown, white; sides of the head pale grey, grading into the white of the chin, throat and upper neck; the face is sometimes broadly white and sometimes wholely grey and at other times, there is a broad or narrow band of white next the bill ; whole remaining upper parts and wing-coverts brown, more or less tinged with grey or olive grey ; lower neck, breast, sides and flanks the same colour as the back, each feather with a pale spot near the tip, these being very large on the flanks ; remainder of lower parts white; primaries brown, slightly glossed green and broadly tipped white, two of the inner secondaries forming a deep blue-green speculum, sub-margined black and margined white ; inner- most secondaries the same colour as the back. As with other ducks with white underparts, these are often more or less tinged with rusty. Wing about 8"; tail about 4"; bill, culmen 1:05" to 1:20", from gape 12" to 1°32": tarsus 1°2" to 1:3", The male in part-nuptial plumage resembles the female, but this sex, as Oates points out, “may be separated from males .... by the oblique white stripe which may always be found on the outer web of the first purple feather of the speculum. This stripe is just below the tips of the wing coverts and is always absent in the male.” The young male in first plumage also resembles the female with the exception just noted ; it is, however, generally rather bigger and often more clearly coloured. Amongst the first indications of sex plumage assumed by the young male is the deepening of the plumage of the breast and upper neck. 662 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. A specimen (0) in the B. M. collection shows this beautifully and looks much as if the change being here undergone was one of colouration in the feathers themselves. The same bird has the broad secondary partially developed, but has no white edging to the outer web, so, presumably, this is not assumed until the second year ; this feather is also not so much faleated as in the adult bird. The adult colouration of the scapulars is only indicated by a few blue tints, but the black and white bars on the sides of the breast are well advanced. Nestling.—Above hair-brown, the edge ot the wing pale buff and two indefinite bars of the same colour on the sides, one in front and one behind the thigh. Under parts wholely pale buff ; a dark-brown streak running from behind the eye to the neck and another from behind the ear-coverts. The only other species in this genus is the American species ia sponsa (The Summer Ducis); in this the male has the crestall green and the female differs from the female of A. galericulata in having the head and upper parts, glossed with purple. ‘The bill also is differently formed in both sexes, being deeper at the base, and in sponsa the upper angle of the maxilla runs far back into the forehead, whereas in the Mandarin the line from gape to upper edge is practically straight. The Mandarin is a purely Eastern Asiatic duck being distributed, according to Salvadori, throughout ‘“ Central and Southern China, Formosa and Japan ; Amoorland only during the breeding season.” It has also been obtained in Corea and now at last, in India. It is not long since Oates wrote: “ This beautiful duck is not unlikely to be met with on the borders of the Northern Shan States, ” but it has now been obtained far more West—in Assam. Mr. A. Stevens who shot the bird and most kindly presented it to me, tells me, in epistola, how he managed to get it. He writes: “ Harly one dull morning I went in a dug-out down the Dibru river on a collecting trip. The Dibru, then at low water, is a small stream varying between twenty and fifty yards wide, here and there dotted with sandy banks and islands, but for the most part densely covered with jungle down to the water’s edge. Twice single specimens of Asarcornis scutulata (The White- Winged Wood Duck) passed down the river on their way to their favourite haunts and held forth hopes of something good to be had later on. I had gone some two miles down the river and INDIAN DUCKS AND THEIR ALLIES. \. 663: had come to a place where it widened out and then divided into two branches. Here there was a smal] sandy chur (bank) and on this I saw six ducks, but what they were I was still too far off to determine, Four of the ducks were close together, two a little apart, but all six appeared to me to be exactly identical in size and colouration. Selecting the two birds which were the nearer to me, I fired both barrels at them, upon which all six birds rose and flew ahead. I was certain, however, that my shots had told, nor was I wrong, for one bird, after flying some forty yards dropped into’the water. Picking the bird up I at once recognized that it was something new to me, but at the same time had no idea of the value of what I had got. Consequently, although I repeatedly flushed the pair to this bird, I made no attempt to shoot it, even though it got up well within range and gave me easy shots. The birds when first flushed flew away strong and low, but the single bird which I afterwards put up reminded me of the stupid performance of the Little Green Bittern (Butoroides javanica) in the way it flew from the bank and across and down stream, only instead of selecting a small tree to perch on, he always managed to drop into the long elephant grass which, with other jungle, bordered the stream. We found the flesh of this bird very coarse, a fact which saved the pair on several occasions afterwards when I saw it. Afterwards, when I learnt the value of my acquisition, I of course never again saw it.” This is the only occasion on which the Mandarin has actually been obtained in India beyond all doubt. I was, however, once told by a sportsman that he had shot a Marbled Teal in Assam, and when asked to describe it, he gave a very minute and accurate description of the female Mandarin. This bird had been shot by him near Margherita, in the Dibrugarh district of Assam, the same district as that in which Mr, Stevens shot his bird. Again, Mr. Gruning, I.C.S., and myself saw six birds on the River Ranganadi, which I am sure were of this species. We were going along in asmall launch and the birds flew across us so close that we could see their silver grey heads and the clear white speculum ; unfortunately we had no guns ready and the birds flew straight away. Their flight was very strong and quick, much like that of Nettion erecca (The Comnion Teal) but less swift than that of that bird. This splendid little duck is one far better known in a captive than ina wild state. Long ago Latham wrote: ‘ We do not find it near so 4 4 664 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, common in China as many other birds......and the common price is from six to ten dollars a pair...... nor can they be bred in this country.” Blakiston and Pryer in the “ Ibis ” (1878, p.213) state : “‘ Very com- mon on small streams. It formerly built in the trees in Uyino Park, Tokio. Breeds in Yezo.” It seems to be a duck which keeps much to small streams, more especially such as run through forest, but at the same time to prefer such streams as are clear rather than slow sluggish backwaters and weedy pools. It is usually to be found in small flocks, seldom exceeding a dozen and very often less even in the countries where it is most common, so that very small flocks are all we can expect to meet with in India. It is a stout, sturdy, strong little bird, equally good on water, land and air; its flight is direct and strong, similar, though inferior, to that of Nettion crecca; it walks well and quickly and swims with a jaunty carriage, getting over the water at a great pace. I can find nothing on record about its powers of diving, but judging from its shape and plumage these are not likely to be of the best. Schrenk says that when in Amoor, about May to August, they are very wild and shy, not allowing an approach within gun-shot. He also states that they perch freely on trees. This is confirmed by all other observers, indeed Finn (‘‘ Fancy Waterfowl ”’) says that the Mandarin perches as readily as a pigeon. This same naturalist, one of our best observers and a specialist on waterfowl, remarks: ‘‘ Another attractive point about this lovely duck is that he is, more than any other duck, ‘a bird of position,’ and much given to showing himself off, by raising his crest and slightly expanding his wings vertically, so as to bring the wing fans perpendi- cular and to display the beautifully striped flights, while when standing he often curves his neck back and throws out his breast like a fan-tail pigeon. He certainly looks at such times as if he were conscious of his beauty, and his little brown mate, as she caresses his orange hackles, must surely admire it.” ‘He isa great fighter, and will even kill ducks of his own kind should he not approve of them.” In spite of their pugnacity, however, they have a reputation in China for being wonderfully faithful little birds to each other, In- * INDIAN DUCKS AND THEIR ALLIES, 665 deed, Canel says (p. 155) that “a pair of these birds are frequently placed in a gaily decorated cage, and carried in their marriage processions, and are afterwards presented to the bride and bridegroom as worthy objects of their emulation.” The same author in describing their flight writes : “ Whilst on the wing these parties crowd closely together in front, whilst the birds in the rear occupy a comparatively free space.” As regards their nidification very little is known ; it seems to breed everywhere throughout the North of its range, perhaps also wherever it is found. It appears, however, to visit the Amoor and the more Northern extremes of its habitat only during the breeding season so that it is probably locally migratory. It is one of the species of ducks which build in trees and in captivity breeds very freely. W. Evans in the “ Ibis,” giving the period of incubation for various birds, gives that of this duck as 30 days, whilst Finn gives it as 26. In the Zoological Gardens, up to 1874, the Mandarin had hatched eggs no less than twenty-six times, the earliest date for the young to appear being the 31st May, 1858, and the latest July, the 16th, 1874. Asthe — normal climate in which the duck breeds is not unlike ours, except in the extreme north, these dates will probably coincide with its breeding season when in its natural state. The British Museum possesses five eggs of 4x galericulata which mMeasEe seo SS U6! D215" 9¢ 154 Oi se eos 208" se eos! and 2°16" x 1°52". In shape these eggs are very regular ellipses, but slightly compressed at one end. The texture is smooth and close and distinctly glossy, and the colour is a very pale fawn or yellowish white. One egg was originally, perhaps, rather darker in colour than the rest, but is so soiled that it is difficult to say with any certainty. All these eggs were laid bv birds in captivity. 666 THE BUTTERFLIES OF CHITRAL. By Masor G. A, Lusim, R.E., anp Lizurenant W. H. Evans, B.E. So far, we believe, nothing has ever been written on the butterflies of Chitral, and it is in this belief that we are encouraged to place on record the results of two seasons’ buiterfly-catching in a remote and comparatively unknown country. It must, however, be understood that our opportunities of wielding the net have been limited to short and hurried tours on duty, and to occasional spells of a few days’ leave, and that our native assistants, when first entered to the art of butterfly-catching, were firmly convinced that the country held only four distinct varieties, Some idea of the extent of the country contained in Chitral territory may be gained from the fact that the main valley, from the source of the Yarkhun river to the Afghan boundary at Arnawai, is some 220 miles in length, and varies in altitude from about 12,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. Leaving out of count the number- less smaller valleys that feed the main stream, it has on its right bank two great valleys of from 50 to 60 miles in length, running up to passes on the Hindu Khush of from 15,000 to 17,000 feet in altitude, and on its left bank four valleys of over 20 miles in length, and rising to passes of from 16,000 to 17,000 feet in altitude. The hills and valleys below Chitral are mostly covered with pine and deodar forests and are thick with undergrowth and wild flowers ; those above Chitral are practically bare except for the fertile and richly-cultivated “fans” which occur at intervals like oases in a desert, ‘Two years’ experience has shown that many of the smaller valleys alone hold specimens peculiar to themselves and that at some of the higher altitudes, such as the Shandur Plateau, butterfly life flourishes only for two months in the year. When in addition it must be confessed that net and collecting box have never seen three-quarters of the country being dealt with, we hope to be forgiven for our temerity in writing on “ the butterflies of Chitral’ We only trust that the list of our catches, which contains many common, some rare, and some quite new varieties, may encourage some keen. collector, with nothing to occupy him but the all-absorbing pursuit of Nature’s most beautiful creations, to venture into the far-off wilds of Chitral and to complete a record of which this list can hope to be no more than a foundation. - The late Mr, De Nicéville was engaged in the work of identifying our * butterflies just before his death in December 1901. He was very interested in the specimens we had sent him, and took a great deal of trouble in naming them, There are, we fear, a great many without names, which Mr, De Nice- ville had never seen and we are in hopes that this list may catch the eye of some specialist either in India or England, who could complete the work of identification, FAMILY—NYMPHALID. SuB-FAMILY—DANAIN&. 1, DaNnalIs LIMNIACE, Cramer. Only one battered specimen caught at Nagar, 4,000 feet, on August 2nd, 1901, THE BUTTERFLIES OF CHITRAL, 667 2. DANAIS CHRYSIPPUS, Linnzus. Common at low elevations in the main valley from April to September, occasional ones going up to 10,000 feet. The chestnut colour is much richer than that of specimens found in India. 3. DaANAIS ALCIPPUS, Cramer. Two specimens obtained at Nagar in September and October, . 4, Danars PLExipPus, Linneus. One specimen caught at 6,600 feet near Drosh on May 12th, 1901. SuB-FAMILY—SATYRINZ, 5. AMECERA CASHMIRENSIS, Moore, Found at 6,000 to 9,000 feet in the side nallahs below Chitral from June to August, Good specimens were difficult to obtain owing to the butterfly having a fancy for flying inside prickly-leaved bushes. 6. LASIOMMATA SCHAKRA, Kollar. One male caught at Ziarat, 8,000 feet in September and one female near Drosh in August, 7, LastomMMATA M@RULA, Felder. Rare in the side nallahs below Chitral near water at 5,000 to 8,000 feet from June to August, The lack of the male brand and the irregularity of the discal line on the underside of the hindwing distinguishes this insect from its allies, 8, LAsIOMMATA MENAVA, Moore. In April and May common on every footpath in the main valley below Chitral : after May, the heat drives it up to 6,000 to 9,000 feet, where it may be caught commonly up to August. 9. NYTHA PARISATIS, Kollar. Very common from June to November at 5,000 to 7,000 feet. 10. KANETISA PIMPLA, Felder, Common on “Sanitarium Hill,” 6,500 feet, near Drosh in June and July and occasionally seen at several places up to 10,000 feet, Females were rare, The higher one goes the smaller this butterfly seems to become. 11, Kanerisa Diana, Marshall. Very local. Common from June to August at 7,000 feet on the hills near Drosh, and in the nallah up to the Shandur Pass from Laspur at 11,000 feet. 12. KANETISA sp. Two males caught in the nallah up to the Shandur Pass at 11,000 feet in August. It is allied to K. digna, Moore, but is smaller, and the fulvous band is duller and less extensive. Underneath the outer margins of both wings are broadly black. Believed to be a new species, 13, HEUMENIS BALDIVA, Moore. Local and uncommon. Found in various places from Drosh to the Shandur Pass in July and August. : 14, KARANASA HUEBNERI, Felder. Found in the Utzen nallah at 9,000 feet, and on the Shandur Pass at 12,000 feet in July and August, 468 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XiV - 15. KARANASA CADESIA, Moore. Occurs rarely in the Utzen and Tarben nallahs at 9,000 feet in August. It differs from the preceding insect in having the band on the forewing bright fulvous with even margins instead of pale yellowish with very irregu- lar margins ; also the ocelli are very distinctly pupilled above. 16. PHILARCTA SHANDURA, Marshall. Rare in August on the Shandur and Baroghil Passes at 12,000 feet. 17, PHILARCTA PERSEPHONE, Huebner, Typical Persephone is common on bare hill sides at 4,000 to 6,000 feet from August to October. The variety Hanifa, Hardman, is found in exactly the same localities in May and June and is equally common, 18, AULOCERA swaAHA, Kollar. Common at 6,000 to 10,000 feet from June to September below Chitral. 19, AULOCERA BRAHMINUS, Blanchard. One specimen caught in the Tarben nallah at 8,000 feet on August 20th, 1962. 20. AULOCERA SARASWATI, Kollar. Found fairly commonly in company with A. swaha. 21. MANIoLA DAVENDRA, Moore, (?) Males were common in June amongst pines at 6,000 feet. Females were very common from 4,000 to 8,000 feet from June to September, Either this butterfly is very variable or else we haye several varieties, The ordinary male has only one ocellus on the forewing, and the brand is short and wide extending from the inner margin straight to the 2nd median vein. One male caught at Laspur 9,500 feet has the brand very narrow commencing at the base of the wing and running along the lower edge of the cell up to the lower discoidal vein: it has a small ocellus on the forewing between the usual ocellus and the apex and another small one below. Two males caught on the Shandur Pass in August have the male brand thicker, extending from the middle of the inner margin up to tke lower discoidal vein and all the veins are black. The females are also very variable, the discal line on the hindwing above being sometimes very distinct and outwardly bordered with white and sometimes altogether invisible. 22. MANIOLA CHEENA, Moore. Common amongst pines at 6,000—8,000 feet from June to August. 23, CHORTOBIUS NEOZA, Lang. Common at 6,000—13,000 feet from June to August, This was the commecnest butterfly on the shores of the Shandur Lake, but differed from specimens caught elsewhere in having yellow patches on the underside of the hindwing. The latter may be a new species. 24, CALLEREBIA NIRMALA, Moore, Locally common in the side nallahs below Chitral at 6.00—9,000 feet from June to August. One curious variety we caught has been figured, in the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, Vol. XIV., by the late Mr. De Nicéville ; all the ocelli on the upperside were obsolete. : THE BUTTERFLIES OF CHITRAL. 669 25. PARALASA SHALLADA, Lang. Locally common at 9,000 feet below Chitral from June to August. A very dark butterfly with dark inconspicuous patches of a fulvous colour on both wings ; the ocellus on the forewing is small and the iris nearly obsolete. 26. PARALASA KALINDA, Moore, (?) Found rarely in company with the above in July and August, It is a bigger and a lighter-coloured butterfly; the fulvous patches are larger and lighter, and the ocellus is bigger with a wide yellow iris. 27. PARALASA sp. Several insects belonging to this genus were caught by us; they may all belong to one variable species or may be several distinct species. Two, of which one was caught by Major Leslie on the Pamirs in July and one in the Tarben nallah in the same month, are dark velvety brown above, having a small, non-pupilled ocellus, with a yellow iris, placed on a dark conspicuous patch ; the hindwing is quite plain, and the iris is very diffused underneath, Two were caught at 13,000 feet in August above the Shandur Pass; they are much smaller, of a dark brown, not velvety colour : the ocellus is small, pupilled and with a scarcely perceptible yellow iris ; the patch on the fore- wing is very light fulvous, and occupies half the wing ; underneath, the iris is distinctly lighter and fairly wide. Two more, one a small and one a big butterfly were caught with the last two. They are not so dark; the ocellus is very small with a nearly obsolete pupil and is placed on a light yeliow patch with a darker fulvous patch below; the hindwing is plain, One was caught in much the same locality ; the colour is very like that of the preced- ing variety ; the ocellus is bigger, distinctly pupilled and placed ona very large light yellow patch, occupying half the wing; the hindwing has a darker fulvous patch. Sup-FaMILY—NYMPHALIN&, 28. MELIT#A BALBITA, Moore, Rare at 9,000—14,900 feet in July and August. 29, MELIT#A ROBERTSI, Butler, Common at 4,000—14,000 feet from April to October, Very variable. 30, MeEir@#a PEeRSEA, Kollar, (?) Found at 8,000—11,000 feet in the nallahs below Chitral from June to August. The male is much redder than Robertsi and with fewer markings, The female has more markings, and the forewing is yellow or brown, not red : it is bigger than Robertsiz, New to the Indian fauna, 31, MELIT#A sp. One specimen caught on the Baroghil Pass in August, It is a brick-red butterfly with a few black spots, half way between the end of the cell and the apex ina straight row perpendicular to the costa and a small spot just above the middle of the inner margin ; the hindwing is unmarked. Below the hindwing has none of the red bands as in Aobertsi, Perhaps a new species, 32. Me.rraa (?) sp. Of the same size and with the same style of markings as what we have 670 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. called . persea, The ground colour is, however, light fulvous instead of red ; underneath the colouration is paler; there are no red bands on the hindwing..:A few specimens were obtained above the Shandur Pass in August at 14,000 feet, Probably a new species, 33, ATELLA PHALANTA, Drury. Found rarely at low elevations from August to October. 34, SEPHISA DICHROA, Kollar, Found in nallahs at 5,000 to 9,000 feet from July to September, 35, APATURA AMBICA, Kollar. ‘Two battered males caught at Ziarat at 8,000 feet in September 1960. 36, JUNONIA ORYTHIA, Linneus. Common in nallahs at low elevations from June to November, 37. .NEPTIS MAHENDRA, Moore, A few caught at 8,000 feet in the Utzen and Ashreth nallahs from June to September, 38. HYPOLIMNAS MISIPPUS, Linnzus,. One or two males caught at low elevations in September and October, A few females, mimics of Danais chrysippus, also obtained, 39. ARGYNNIS HYPERBIUS, Johansen, Common at 4,009—8,000 feet from June to September. 40. ARGYNNIS CHILDRENI, Gray, Rare at 4,000 to 8,000 feet from July to September, 41, ARGYNNIS PANDORA, Wiener Verzeichniss, Rare at 4,000—8,000 feet from August to October. 42, ARGYNNIS KAMALA, Moore, Common from June to September at 7,000 feet. 43, ARGYNNIS JAINADEVA, Moore, Common at 4,000—9,000 feet from June to September, 44, ARGYNNIS viTaTHA, Moore. Uncommon at 7,000—9,0v0 feet from June to August, In 1900 we only caught one specimen of this butterfly, which has been figured by Mr, De Nicéville in Vol. XIV. of the Bombay Natural History Society’s Journal, This was a female with the ground colour purple. In 1901 we obtained several normal males and females, and also some of the dark females. Near the Shandur Pass we caught several, much lighter in colour and much smaller ; the females in this case were much paler than the males, 45, ARGYNNIS LATONIA, Linneus, Common at 4,000—10,000 feet from February to October, 46, ARGYNNIS JERDONI, Lang. One specimen caught in the Tarben nallah at 10,000 feet, and ancthee near the Baroghil Pass in July. They differ inter se considerably. 47, Nagas Licgyes, Hewitson, Found in the nallahs below Chitral at 6,000—10,000 feet from June to August, The size of the discal spots is very variable and the margin has in some cases a prominent double row of lunular ochreous red spots, and in THE BUTTERFLIES OF CHITRAL, 671 others is practically uniform black. 48, PykaMEIS CaRDUI, Linneus, Very common from 4,000—9,000 feet, and even up to 17,000 feet los March to November. 49, PyYRAMEIS INDICA, Herbst, Common from March to October at 4,000—9,000 feet. 50. VaNnEssa CANACE, Linneus. Rare at 8,000 feet in the Utzen and Ashreth nallahs in August and Sep- tember. 51, VANESSA CASHMIRENSIS, Koilar, Common at 4,000—10,)00 feet from February to November, 52. VANESSA RIZANA, Moore. Rare at 8,000—10,000 feet from May to August. It is a much squarer insect than the preceding. 53, VANESSA XANTHOMELAS, Wiener Verzeichniss, A few caught at 5,000 to 8,000 feet in March, May and August. 54, VANESSA VAU-ALBUM, Wiener Verzeichniss, One specimen only obtained at Ziarat 9,000 feet on August 20th, 1901. 55. VANESSA C-ALBUM, Linneus, From February to April this butterfly was very common at 4,000 and 5,000 feet, and in May a few more were caught at Ziarat 8,000 feet ; all these were light coloured and the two spots in the cell were usually well separated but in one or two cases coalesced into one spot. In August some more Specimens were caught in the Utzen and Ashreth nallahs at 9,000 feet. These were larger, darker and with very wide dark brown margins; all the markings were bigger and the spots in the cell more often coalesced into one than separate ; the outline of the wings was much more irregular and below there was a narrow blue line on the margin and a few blue spots, FAMILY—LEMONTID#, Sup-FamI.y — LIBYTHAINA, 56. LiByTH#A LEPITA, Moore, Rare at 6,000—8,000 feet from April to August below Chitral. FAMILY—LYCANID, 57, Lycm#na MEDON, Huefnagel. Common from March to October at 4,000—10 000 feet, 58. LycaNa sp. Six specimens caught on the shores of the Shandur Lake in July and August. A small dark-brown insect with a faint mark at the end of the cell ; belew there is a white bordered mark at the end of the cell and some very faint marginal lunules on the forewing. The hindwing has the base densely powdered with black and greenish ; there is a white bordered spot at the end of the cell leading off into a long white streak to the outer margin ; there is also a series of pale bordered lunules on the margin, The ground colour below is only slightly lighter than above, 5 672 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV 59. LYCHNA sp. One specimen caught in the same locality in August; very dark velvety brown or black above ; dull dark grey below. A spot at the end of the cell, aspot on the costa and a straight discal row of four spots, all black with pale borders and a narrow black marginal line, pale bordered on the fore- wing. The base of the hindwing is powdered black and green; there is a spot at the end of the cell and a curved discal row of spots black with white borders, the posterior one being geminate; also a marginal row of orange and black lunules and a narrow anteciliary line. The above two may be new species, 60. Lyca@na tris, Staudinger, Locally common at 6,000—10,000 feet from May to August, A small dark butterfly of the usual Lycena type, dark grey below with large black, white bordered spots ; the two spots at the anal angle are sprinkled with metallic green scales. New to India, 61. Lyca#Na sp. Twelve specimens caught on the shores of the Shandur Lake in July and August, A small blue butterfly, rather like the preceding in shape and markings, but the spots below appear quite distinctly above as well, The female is brown above. New to India, and perhaps a new species. 62, Lycmna PERsIcA, Butler, Very common at 4,000—10,000 feet from April to October. The female is very variable, some are completely brown above, some blue only at the base, OUR blue with brown or light yellow margins, 63. LiycmNA ARIANA, Moore, ‘Common at 6,000—13,000 feet. Several males obtained on the Baroghil ‘Pass were light silvery blue above, as 64, Lycana Lewis, Zeller. Common from May to August at 6.000—8,000 feet. The ordinary female is very constant, being brown with some orange-near the anal angle ; on both wings below the margin is bordered with orange, and the two spots at the anal angle are sprinkled with green. Six females were caught at 8,000 feet in the Tarben nallah in Avgust, which had orange borders to both wings above, the orange being more or less diffused inwards on the forewing. Underneath there is no orange margin to the forewing, and there is a great deal more white about the hindwing. All the six specimens were constant in their markings and colouration, One specimen was caught in the same locality of a dull lead colour above with white unspotted cilia ; there are a few black spots at the anal angle, surrounded with bluish grey. Below, it is similar to the form just described. 65, liycmNa sp. Several insects caught on “Sanitarium Hill’? near Drosh in July very like L, Lewii; the blue colouration resembles LZ. Ariana; there is a spot at the end of the cell. Underneath there are several prominent white patches on the hindwing, and the orange and green at the anal angle is THE BUTTERFLIES OF CHITRAL. Ob. 3693 inconspicuous, One specimen, probably a female, has only the base and the costa of the forewing blue, and the cilia, at the end of the. veins, are prominently white spotted, 66, LycHNA sp, : A butterfly like the last was very common on the shores of the Shandur Lake in August. It is much smaller, and below there is no orange at all at the anal angle. The female is brown, tinged with blue at the base. The above two may form one species distinct from LD, Lewii, 67, LYCHNA sp. A few eee on the Baroghil Pass in July. Above, the male is exactly like a dwarfed L. Persica ; below the forewing is dull grey with a spot at-the end of the cell and a discal series of five small spots, all bordered with white ; the hindwing is very distinct ; it is slightly powdered with black and green scales at the base and the remainder of the wing is a brownish green lighter at the margin, with 10 big white irregnlar-shaped spots. The female is brown above ; perhaps a new species, au 68. Lyc#NA METALLICA, Felder, Fairly common on the shores of the Shandur Lake in July and August. 69. LyCHZNA GALATEA, Blanchard. Fairly common in nallahs below Chitral at 6,000—8,000 feet from June to August, 70. Lyc®NA SAMUDRA, Moore. (?) ~ Common above Chitral from Sanoghar 8,000 to Laspur 10,000 feet in July and August. The male is blue above, of the same shade as L. Persica, with the veins black towards the margin ; below the discal series consists of six large triangular spots ; on the hindwing all the spots are very small, and there is a complete marginal series of metallic green spots bordered inwardly, with pale orange and black lunules, The female is dark brown, sprinkled with blue scales at the base. 7i, Lyc@Na HyYLas, Wiener Verzeichniss. Uncommon at 4,000—10,000 feet from June to September, 72. Lyca@na sp. A few obtained above the Shandur Pass in August. The male is very dark blue with a spot at the end of the cell, and the female is brown. On the forewing below there is a narrow streak at the end of the cell and a discal series of six small spots, On the hindwing the spots are small and disposed much the same as usual; the marginal ones are very faint, one or two near the anal angle being metallic green crowned with orange and black, Pro- bably an undescribed species. 73, CHILADES. TROCHILUS, Freyer. Rare ; a few specimens obtained at Nagar in July and September. 74, CYANIRIS CELESTINA, Kollar, Becommon, females rare, at Ziarat.8,0CO feet in May, August int September. 75, ZizBRA MAHA, Kollar. Common at 4,000—9,000 feet from March to October, 674 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 76, ZIZERA LYSIMON, Huebner. Common at low elevations in September and October, 77. ZiZERA OTIS, Fabricius: A few obtained at low elevations in September. 78. AZANUS URANUS, Butler, Only one female obtained at Ziarat in August 1900. 79, EVERES ARGIADES, Pallas. Fairly common from 4,900—8,000 feet from April to October. 80. POLYOMMaTUS BericuUs, Linneus, Very common at 4,000—8,000 feet from April to October, 81. ARHOPALA DODONZA, Moore. A few caught in the Utzen and Ashreth nallahs from July to September. 82. ARHOPALA GANESA, Moore. A few caught in the Utzen and Ashreth nallahs from July to September. 83. 'THECLA SASSANIDES, Kollar. Common from 4,000—10,000 feet from May to August. 84. THECLA RUBI, Linneus. About ten caught at the end of April in the Kesu nallah at 6,000 feet on a small bush with small red flowers. New to India. 85. ZEPHYRUS syLA, Kollar. Fairly common in the Utzen and Ashreth nallahs from June to September. 85. CH#ropRocTa ODATA, Hewitson, Common from 4,000—9,000 feet from May to September. At Khilas 9,000 feet in the Shishi nallah in July, this butterfly fairly carpeted the grass under the walnut trees. 87. CHRYSOPHANUS PHLEAS, Linneus., Common at 4,000—19,000 feet from March to October. 88, CHRYSOPHANUS AnITYA, Moore. A few males and females of this beautiful copper were caught on the borders of the Shandur Lake in July and August. 89. OHRYSOPHANUS KASYAPA, Moore. Common at 6,000—10,000 feet from June to September. 90, CHRYSOPHANUS EVANSII, De Nicéville. Described in Vol. XIV of the Bombay Natural History Society’s Journal. Locally common in the Shishi, Utzen and Tarben nallahs at 10,000 feet in July and August. About 100 specimens were obtained in 1901, and no sexual difference was discernible, except that the females were rather lighter. The specimens described by De Niceville is, we think, a male ; it was the only one caught in 1900, and was found fighting fiercely with a male of Z. Ariana in a lucerne field at Madaglasht on August 2nd, 91, ILeRDA sENA, Kollar, Common near water at 4,000—7,000 feet from March to November. 92, ILERDA TAmv, Kollar, Found in the Utzen and Tarben nallahs at $,000 feet in June and July. Females were rarely met with, THE BUTTERFLIES OF CHITRAL, 675 93. APHNZUS HYPARGYRUS, Butler. Common at low elevations from May to August. 94, APHNUS IcTIS, Hewitson., The form Junulifera, Moore was common up to 9,000 feet in Jans and July. Two caught at Nagar 4,000 feet in September were much smaller and much lighter underneath, 95. DEUDORYX EPIJARBAS, Moore, Common at low elevations in September and October. 96. Hysupra sELIxA, Moore, Common in May and June at 7—10,000 feet in the Shishi and Ashreth nallahs. FAMILY—PAPILIONIDA, SuB-F'aMILY—PIERINA, 97. Ix1as PYRENE, Linnasus, Very rare at low elevations near Drosh from June to September. 98. TeRIAS HECABE, Linnawus. Common at low elevations in rice fields from August to November. 99. CoLIAS EOGENE, Felder. Common at 13,000 feet in July and August. The white form of female, which was rare, did not resemble the figure in Vol. XIV. of the Bombay Natural History Society’s Journal, Our specimens are pure white on the forewing with a black spot closing the cell and a broad black border, spotted with white ; the hindwing is greenish white with a white spot closing the cell and a black one some way from the margin. Underneath the forewing is white with a greenish margin, and the hindwing dark green with a rante spot at the end of the cell and a yellowish green margin. 100, Coutas FreLDII, Menetries, Common at 4,000—12,000 feet from March to October. 101, CoLIAS ERATE, Esper. Very common at all elevations from March to October. 102, Cotas HYALE, Linnwus, One specimen caught at Madaglasht 10,900 feet in August. 103. COLIAS sp. On and just below the Shandur Pass in August we caught several speci- mens of a pale green Colias, darker at the base and with the veins black, It is rather like the white female of C. eogene. Probably a new species. 104, Coutas sp. Two caught just below the Shandur Pass in August, They are orange, with very broad, unmarked borders ; a black spot at the end of the cell on the forewing and a white one on the hindwing. Below the forewing is yellowish green and the hindwing dark green. 105. GONEPTERYX RHAMNI, Linnzus, Common at 4,000—-8,000 feet from Mareh to September, 106. CATOPSILIA CROCALE, Cramer. _ A few caught at low elevations in August and September. 676 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XTV. 4107, . Pieris. pRassicw, Linneus, Common from March to October at 4,000 to 6,000 feet. 108. Pieris RAPH, Linneus, : ‘Somman at 4,000—6,000 fect from March to October. : 109, Pieris cAnipiA, Sparrman. Common at 5,000—12,000 feet from March to October. 110. PreRIs sp, A small Pieris with-the apex of the forewing very acute and the. bases black, otherwise unmarked, was common at low elevations in March and April and: again in July and August near the Shandur Pass. ; 111, AporiA BILUCHA, Marshall. Common at 8—10,000 feet from Jime to August in the nallahs near Drosh, 2112. -APORIA sp... Caught in the Utzen valley at 9,000 feet in July. Bigger than A. bélucha, yellow, not white, with the veins blacker and the markings intensified, 113. APORIA sp. Two specimens caught in the same locality in June; yellow above with the basal half of the forewing suffused with black ; all the markings intensi- fied ; underneath the hindwing is orange. 114, BrELENOIS MESENTINA, Cramer, Uncommon at 4,000—6,000 feet from April to September, 115, PonrTiaA DAPLipice, Linneus. Very common at 4,000 to 9,000 feet from May to September. 116. PARAPIERIS CHLORIDICE, Huebner. Gimanen at low elevations from March to May, and on the Shendin Pane in July and August, 117, PARAPIERIS CALLIDICE, ‘Esper, 0) Common on the Shandur and Baroghil Passes in July and August,..._. 118,. SyNCcHL@® DAPHALIS, Moore. Fairly common in March and April at 5,000—8,000 feet. Sub-FAMILY—PAPILIONID™, 119. PAPILIO MACHAON SPHYRUS, Huebner. Common at 4, 000—14 000 feet from April to October. The variety ligeak cust: was: found on the shores of the Shandur Lake in August, - 120. PapiLnio DEMOLEUS, Linnzeus, Rare a low elevations from August to October, — 121, PAPILIO POLYcToR, Boisduval. Found in the Utzen and Ashreth nallahs from May to August. | 122. PARNASSIUS CHARLTONIUS,. Gray. One specimen. caught at 12,000 feet. in the Tarben nallah in July and a few more above the Shandur Pass in July and August, - 123. PAaRNassrus STOLICZANUS. A few obtained with charltonius above the Shandur. 124, PARNASSIUS :JACQUEMONTII, Boisduval. Very common from. May. ta-September above 10,000 feet, . This buttertly THE BUTTERFLIES OF CHITRAL, ~*\ < »0t% is very variable, especially as regards the black and red markings, Some have the wings quite white and others platens ent ; the size also varies very considerably, Ses FAMILY—HESPERIIDA. Subp-F aMILY—HESPERIINA. 125. CARCHARODUS ALCE, Common at 4,000—10,000 feet from March to November. 126. Hesperia sao, Bergstroemer, ‘Fairly common from 10—-13,000 feet from July to August. ! 127, HESPERIA CASHMIRENSIS, Moore, Common from 9—13,000 feet from June to August, ; 128, HESPERIA STAUDINGERI, Speyer. Rare ; found in the Utzen and Ashreth nallahs from June to September. Very like C. alcew, only whiter, New to India. 129, HESPERIA sp. Allied to H, alcides, Herrich-Schaffer and H. ahriman, Christoph, from Turkestan, Found rarely in nallah beds at 6—8,000 feet from May to Sep- tember, It is a small brown insect with three small elongate white spots between the sub-costal veins and two more between the sub-median veins, Below the markings are the same, the forewing is slightly, and the hindwing considerably, frosted over with white. Perhaps a new species, 130. HESPERIA sp. Found in the Utzen valley at 9,000 feet in June and July, Very like the preceding, the difference being in the spots on the forewing: there is a double white spot at the end of the cell, three elongate spots beyond, and four more in the sub-median interspaces, Perhaps a new species, 131. THANAOS MARLOYI, Boisduval, Found rarely from March to August at 5—8,000 feet, New to India, SuB-FamMILY—PAMPHILINA, 132, Tr LicotTa DARA, Kollar, Rare in the Utzen and Ashreth nallahs at 7,000 feet from May to Sep- tember. 133, PARNARA MATHIAS, Fabricius. (?) Found rarely at low elevations from May to August. 134, PARNARA GUTTaTUS, Bremer and Gray. Very common at low elevations from July to August, 135, GEGENES NosTRODAMUS, Fabricius, Fairly common at low elevations in nallah beds from June to August, 136. ErRyNniIs comMA, Linneus var Dimila, Moore. Common on the Shandur Pass in July and August. 137. BADAMIA EXCLAMATIONIS, Fabricius, Rare at low elevations in August and September, Since writing the above paper two more species have been discovered in Chitral and may be added to the above list, 678 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, 138. PARNASSIUS sp. Several specimens caught in August on the Baroghil Pass by Captain H. T. Fulton, D.S$.0., 2nd Gurkhas, They are very like a dwarfed P. charltonius, but the arrangement of the black markings on the forewing are different. Probably a new species. 139. HESPERIA sp. A few specimens of a small skipper were brought in from the Utzen Valley in July 1902, They are dark-brown with yellow spots on the forewing and two oblique yellow bands on the hindwing, Underneath the markings are white instead of yellow, and all the veins on the hindwing are conspicuously defined by white. 679 LES FORMICIDES DE L7EMPIRE DES INDES ET DE CEYLAN. Par AvGusreE Foret. Part X. (Continued from page 546 of this Volume.) 2me Genre, CREMASTOGASTER, Lund. TABLEAU DES OUVRIERES, Femelles aberrantes, 4 mandibules plus ou moins édentées et depourvues de bord terminal. Arétes frontales rudimen- LAITOS tow eniteciecscseatiatealsuncestcscssasa 60080000 .... LS, G. Oxyayne—Forel., Femelles de forme ordinaire 4 mandibules pourvues d’un bord terminal denté de forme ordinaire, Arétes frontales distinctes, 58. G, CreMAsToGasteER—Lund, 1, Epines extrémement épaisses, presque renflées vers leur base, courtes et obtuses, Noeuds du pédicule plus larges que longs, le deuxiéme trois fois plus large que long. Abdo- men trés court, tendant ase ratatiner ......Sp. C. Dalyi—Forel, Epines de formes ordinaires. Pédicule plus étroit ............ 2 2. Abdomen réticulé, subopaque devant et abondamment ponctué, Second noeud sillonné tout du long au milieu, Couleur noi eaecensecses cece deaeesednecstene .Sp. C. soror—Forel. Abdomen Iuisant, pas ou trés faiblement sculpté ............... 3 3. Corps, tibias et pattes avec une fine pilosité dressée, Epines métanotales gréles, tres longues, divergentes, dirigées en haut, en arriére et en dehors. Suture pro-mésonotale faiblement imprimée, Pédicule étroite ............cesccece sae se eseiesteter as aete siaclsnue erate ce silaseomeemectneee Sp. C. travancorensis—F orel. Corps glabre, Tibias et scapes n’ayant qu’une pubescence — adjacente ....... dbssercodonoge BO RBEArEDadotenebacs So dessheciecensecatasies 4 4, ™~ Brun ou noir, Epines assez épaisses, assez fortes, dirigées en haut, en arriere et en dehors, courbées, pointues, Suture pro-mésonotale profondément enfoncée, formant une légéere échancrure du profil du thorax, L, 392 44,5 mill ..... maken mesUehocalisultaeesisuecodaasceseetesssesinstecese MD. Os. evenina—r ore]. et var. corar—Forel, D’un brun jaunatre pale, Epines horizontales, courtes, peu oa Suture pro-mésonotale moins profonde. Oy BPS Bh etree ea ee es AR SASS I ley ...9p. C. aberrans—Forel, et var, IJnglebyi—-Forel. Note.—Tableau.des femelles counues d’ Oxygyne de 1I’Inde, Métanotum armé de deux fortes épines. Mandibules tridentées (dent médiane presque obsolete). Tete non tronquée, large derritre L,7,648,2 mill, Paaecuaaenedencnacmese cuneate realest. cklssbudntwe Sp. C. ebenina—Forel, Mevanerarat inerme, Mandibules arquées, pointues, sans 680 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, dents. Téte tronquée devant, Couleur brun jaunatre. Li, 4, BD mill ....ccceeseessseeecee ss ceteceecereeeee seeeessresoeee oe A A. Tete un peu plus large que longue. Corps et mem- bres presque glabres, les tibias et les scapes n’ayant qu’une faible pubescence adjacente... Sp. C, aberrans —Forel. Téte bien plus longue que large, plutdt subtronquée devant, assez allongée et rétrécie derriere les yeux. Tout le corps et les membres fortement pubescentes SAG ADEE ICE OERCOCE SECO UARSDORE ADDO IaHCe: seveseeeree OP. C, soror—Forel. 5, STS acaircment MYSIMS) roseycs osceocoOsAodeE conohorocos 6 Métathorax de forme ordinaire ......ccccerseess ere ncecencecnaes 8 6, Le métathorax seul renflé .......... PEACOCERBAE “Sh, © deformés—Smith. Métathorax et mésothorax renflés........csnere-eseee nqno¢seesoqoss7 7 7. Lisse et luisant. Mésothorax et métathorax jaunatres...... eve Bioesesesdeashe setsdudicsasecieocceedes \scseesesect reesO DUC e 1/1018 SUtEuEE Subopaque, du moins la téte et le thorax qui sont finement sculptés, Hntiérement noir..........0cc.e00- Sp. C. deformis—Smith. race physothorac—Em. 8. Poils sétiformes, obtus et tronqués, comme dansJe genre Lep- COUNOT GIES sanenoreeess spcemetenccsereheenetene Pryledaponeaeec Beanseccon0s0h07 9 Poils pointus, de forme oOrdinaire .......0....seesecrcercensserees eres 10 9. Poils clavés ; taille un peu plus forte......... Sp. C. Rothneyi—Mayr. var: civa—Forel. Poils simplement tronqués; taille plus faible........0......cseeees Evaieessscassicncszeaes Geisseadseveres Seances oseseeeressseD |. nCOL ICY O—— Lain 10. Téte enticrement sculptée ............0 Rosutoocounon cbadoausne eee iL Occiput et vertex lisses, sauf parfois des points épars. Chez quelques variétés du subnuda les stries du devant de la téte se prolongent un pen sur le Vertex .........,ceceeseecee Hor 16 11, Second article du pédicule sans sillon médian, Premier article allongé, plus ou moins elliptiques. L, 3, 5 a4 mill seiestcsce cece poiecuc-uansesacersuees sescessecsee OP. C. Modiglianii—Emery. et var, annamita—Em, Second article du pédicule avec un sillon median. Premier article non elliptique, :........-.:ceccss-.-s-- aeesetes sepnosocdadancs 12 12. Premier article du pédicule en trapéze renversé ... ...22.--00 ener 13 Premier article du pédicule composé d@’une portion antérieure arquée devant et d’une portion postérieure a cétés rectilig- nes, convergeant en arriére; ces deux portions tres GistiNCtes .ce.cccecree worereeeses areseaesescescsee|(ccrsersecen: caeanasice 14 13. Angles antérieurs du premier noeud tres nets, Profil du dos du thorax assez horizontal, interrompu seulement par Véchancrure, Téte et thorax régulicrement et grossiére- ment Striés .........64.. So. orp 90605 SaanSoaa53005 Sp. C. perelegans—Forel. Angles antérieurs du premier noeud fort arrondis. Thorax LES FORMICIDES DE L’EMPIRE DES INDES ET DE CEYLAN, 681 14, 15. 16, 17. 18, 19. 20. Oo w ° 24, fortewent étranglé ; mésonotum fort convexe ; face basale du métanotum s’élevant d’avant en arriére et formant avec le mésonotum un angle rentrant, Téte et thorax irré- gulicrement ridés, ca et la réticulés...Sp. C. himalayanus—Forel, Téte densément et finement striée. Thorax ridé en long ..... “ Gecsessiestccube « . Sp. C. Rogenhoferi—Mayr (avec races et variétés.) Téte assez grossiérement ridée ou ridée-réticulée. Thorax Prossicrement Teticule) (..Jc.csccesscascesse...cscecese BACONO, ~ecdddo0 15 Robuste, D’un rouge-jaunitre plus vif, avec l’abdomen brun, L.3,5a6mill. piacesiasseatciened aa sciiesa Sp. C. artifec— Mayr. Gréle, élancé, Gunes an ae jJaunaire terne. L. 3,54 Asien ees SppbodecoenoacDosesoceccbor Scuneeeo ace the, (OF Dhoni Mage et var, ustus— Em, Epines métanotales trés fortes, épaisses, courbées en dedans En COrneS de VaCheS veeseessssccseeveeres ov «SP. C, Hodgsoni—Forel. Epines autrement conformées.......sccesressscceresese ecegenecece Sele 17 Kchancrure méso-métanotales trés étroite et profonde, en fissure transversale. Mésonotum bidenté ou sub-bidenté GIS A Le igassdpeododuoneds 6 codeca Beceerense .. Sp. C. Wroughtonti—Forel. Autrement conformé...........00 cecilia Sesdereesse re? ccersecscscecoss ss 18 Métanotum inerme ou a peine tuberculé....... 5p. C. Yappi—Forel. MEtanotum/6pIneux;.scsce.co-sceecesessesetatecenet erect Bcni8 600000 19 Petites espéces ne dépassant pas 2:5 mill ........... sscccesee-c-ees 20 Especes plus grandes, dépassant en général 3 mill, seules quelques ouvricres minima descendant rarement 4 2, 8 ou Meme 2,6) Mill) ose.cecsececsocbes cere eete ne bebio59000' 00 66 43 060000 22 Jaune, Premier nasud du pédicule carré. ‘Second Hoel sans sillon yeeeseceeen Seivaosscucuencns Sps0000S Sp. C. Biroi—Mayr, (et variétés,) Brunatre, Premier noeud du pédicule comme chez les espéces du No, 14. Second nocud avec un sillon médian ....... enacts 21 Massue des antennes de deux articles......... Sp. C. Millardi—Forel. Massue des antennes de trois articles.........Sp. C. Buddhe—Forel. Premier article du pédicule rhombiforme, chaque coté for- mant au milieu l’un des angles. Trés lisse .........0.-4. soraato Seat ecae hes Moab Gelesan se ansure rontaceteateaecseat: Sp. C, Ransonneti—Mayr. FANILTE MONG COMLOLMIC es eeeesenceacasdaessesdaccisc cia sces enereccssiescc 23 Epines métanotales trés courtes, presque dentiformes, bien plus courtes que la moitié de leur intervalle, dirigées en arriere, Pronotum et mésonotum lisses .........c0000 asescee 24 Epines moyennes ou assez longues, rarement plus courtes et alors dressées ....... Bi celotoses Rasta Shasdadecannone: Sauoeestaneneeee eases 25 Yeux trés plats. Massue des antennes indistinctement de 2 0u 3 articles, Pronotum sans tubercules, Scapes tres courts, - nWatteignant pas le bord occipital ........ vee Sp, C. Walsht—Forel, Yeux plus convexes, Massue distinctement de 3 articles, Le ~ 682 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. pronotum & deux tubercules. Le scape attein tle bord occipital .......... apna eeite didelconnaducsepeasarane dares Sp. C. Sagei—Forel, 25. Thorax lisse. Suture pro-mésonotale obsoléte ; épines IGhaveAB YES) GSdash: hecdaacnen Syoneoens ob aebcccbsoqnane . Sp. C. Ferrarii—Em. Thorax presque toujours plus ou moins sculpté. Suture pro- mésonotale assez distincte. Epines tres variables ........0.. Sdobdeaceccdcdeysetsdneccceinetee: luedindyessesnsisvechce De Con SepOItUsliel—-n Mcvae (avec ses races et variétés.) Les especes Kirbyi, Sykes, diffusa, Jerdon, anthracina et apicalis, Smith, apicalis et brunescens, Motschulsky, deponens, forticula, et pellens, Walker, sont indéchiffrables et doivent étre, 4 mon avis, laissées de cété comme espéces douteuses. LISTE DES ESPECES, 1. Cr. (Oxygyne) aberrans, Forel, Thana (Gleadow) e gg. 2, Cr. Rothneyi, Mayr. Calcutta, Madras (Rothney) ; Siwaliks, Dehra Dun (Smythies) ; Travancore (Ferguson) ; Poona (Wroughion), &c,, &c, 3. Cr. Rogenhoferi, Mayr. Trés commun dans l’Inde entiére et 4 Ceylan, aussi en Birmanie et en Assam S’étend jusqu’ & Singapore et Sumatra. Var. Cr. flava, Forel, Assam (Wood Mason); Orissa (Taylor); Kanara (Wroughton) ; Travancore (Ferguson). Var, Cr. costulata, Emery. Birmanie (Fea). 4, Cr, artifex, Mayr, Teinzer, Birmanie (Fea); Moulmain, Birmanie (Hodgson); Siam, Annam, Tres commun a Bangkok, 5, Cr, Dohrnai, Mayr, Ceylan (Yerbury et autres), Var. Cr, usta, Emery, Annam, 6. Cr. Biroi, Mayr. Ceylan (Madarasz), 7. Cr. subnuda, Mayr. Calcutta (Rothney, Walsh»; Inde septentrionale (Wroughton) ; Madras (Rothney) ; Orissa (Taylor) ; Ceylan (Yerbury}, &¢,, &c, (Pour les races et variétés voir formes nouvelles), 8. Cr, inflata, Smith, Birmanie (Fea). 9, Cr, deformis, Smith, Birmanie, Ye Valley (Bingham); Moulmain (Hodgson); Siam, Bangkok (Sigg). LES FORMICIDES DE L’EMPIRE DES INDES ET DE CEYLAN, 683 Race, Cr. physothorax, Emery, Thagata, Tenasserim (Tea). 10. Cr. Ransonneti, Mayr, Ceylan (Ransonnet, Yerbury, &c.) 11, Cr, Modiglianti, Emery. Moulmain, Birmanie (Hodgson), Var, Cr, annamita, Emery, Ataran Valley et Ye Valley, Birmanie (Bingham), 12, Cr. Yappi, Forel, Gunong, Malay Peninsula (Yapp). 13, Co, Ferrari, Emery, Birmanie (Fea), (Note.—The following species have been recently described by M. Forel in the “ Revue Suisse de Zoologie,’”—June 1902). Mie 14, Cr. (Oxygyne) ebenina, Forel. L. 2 3,4a4 mill, 9 7,448 mill. Belgaum, Poona, Kanara, Thana (Wroughton, Gleadow), A Var. Cr, (Oxygyne) corax, Forel, Q un peu plus petit, Moulmain, Birmanie (Hodgson), 15. Cr, (Oxygyne) travancorensis, Forel, L, 3.43, 5 mill. Travancore (Ingleby). 16. Cr. (Oxygyne) soror, Forel, L. 9 3,443,8 mill, 9 4,3 mill, Poona (Wroughton) ; Bombay (Rothney, variété & pédicule inoins large), 17. Cr, (Oxygyne) Dalyi, Forel, L, 3,2 4 3, 5 mill. : Coonoor (Daly). 1, Cr. (Oxygyne) aberrans, Forel. Var, Cr. (Oxygyne) Inglebyi, Forel, L, 3,3 4 3,8 mill, Travancore (Ferguson, Ingleby). 18. Cr, perelegans, Forel. L. 9 4,345, 3mill. Q 11412 mill, Poona (Wroughton), 19. Cr, himalayanus, Forel. L, 4,3 45, 5 mill. Dharmeala (Fulton) ; Himalaya, 7,000’ (Smythies 2. Cr, Rothneyi, Mayr, Var, Cr, civa, Forel, ); Mussoorie (Rothney), L. 3a 4 mill. Poona (Wroughion), Cr. Birot, Mayr. 684 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, Var, Cr, Aitkenii, Forel, L, 1,741, 9 mill. Kanara (Aitken), Var. Cr. Smythiesii, Forel, L.2, 5 mill, Dehra Dun (Smythies), 20. Cr. Hodgsoni, Forel. L, 3,443, 8 mill. Moulmain, Birmanie (Hodgson), 21. Cr. Saget, Forel. L, 0 2,824 mill, 9 848, 3 mill. Dharmsala (Sage) ; N. W. Himalaya, 5000’ (Smythies et Rogers); Dehra Dun (Smythies). Var, Cr, levinota, Forel, Dharmsala (Fulton) ; Pachmari (Schurr). 22. Cr. Walshi, Forel, L. 2,8 43,5 mill. Pooree, Bengale (Walsh). 23. Cr, Millardi, Forel, L,1,9 4 2 mill, Moulmain, Birmanie (Hodgson). 24, Cr, Buddhe, Forel. L, 2, 4 mill. Himalaya, 4,000’ (Smythies) ; Calcutta (de Nicéville, un exemplaire), 25. Cr. Wroughtonii, Forel, L. 9 3,425,5 mill, Q 8 mill. Poona (Wroughton). 17. Cr. subnuda, Mayr. Var. Cr, politula, Forel, L. 3, 4.43, 6 mill. Assam (Smythies). Var. Cr, ruginota, Forel. L, 3,4 43, 6 mill. Bachan (Schurr) ; Barrackpore (Minchin); Moulmain, Birmanie (Hodgeom Race. Cr, rabula, Forel. L, 3,2 & 4 mill. ; Poona (Wroughton), Trés répandu dans toute I’Inde, tandis que le type subnuda se trouve surtout dans le Bengale et vers l’Himalaya, ay Var. Cr, nilgirica, Forel, L. 2,6 4 2,9 mill. Ootacamund, Coonoor (Wroughton). Var, Cr. Nicévillei, Forel. L, 2,6 42,9 mill, Calcutta (de Nicéville), LES FORMICIDES DE L’EMPIRE DES INDES ET DE CEYLAN. 685 Race. Cr. contemta, Mayr. Toute l'Inde. Var. Cr. notabilis, Forel, L. 9 444,5 mill. Q 849 mill, Poona, Guzerath, Coonoor (Wroughton). Toutes les formes intermédiaires possibles existent entre les races et varietés du Cr. subnuda, La forme con- temta, Mayr, ne peut ¢tre maintenue comme espéce Certaines formes du contemta voisines de rabula, atteignent 4,5 mill, le type de Mayr en avait 3, 1 mill, , Tous les Cremastogaster de Inde que je connais ont 11 articles aux anten- nes. 3 éme Genre Monomorium, Mayr. TABLEAU DES OUVRIERES, Antennes de 10 articles, Pas d’yeux L.1,741,8 mill ...... sees Scaaaae tsceeterecereerccreereseasenrcerenseersereeeeep, Mf, decamerum—-Emery, Antennes de 11 ou 12 articles. Des yeux soieceanoat ees ahs Ba ecres 1 WieAntannesidetidilarticlesmese-ccccesee eee eee Bicueeeseeens Muesuaeeee 2 Anitennes de 12 articles COC 0CODOD cess ree+ coscsces Baerccve Pecesoes ences 3 2. L.1,5 mill, D’un jaune brundtre, Téte seulement un pen plus longue que large, A cotés faiblement convexes, Pétio- le du premier noeud distinct. Plus robuste ...... ead tetentrssecereerecreeseeees OD, Df. orientale—Mayr, i, 1, 23 a 1, 3 mill, Du un jaune sale Tete en rectangle allongé, d’un boa cinquiéme plus longue que large. ‘I'rés gréle, Premier noeud conique, a peine pétiolé .. Sp. . atomus—Forel, et var. integrius—Forel. 3. Hohansrure méso-métanotale profonde, plutét étroite, ab- rupte, étranglant le thorax. Métanotum subcubique, 4 face basale subplane, rectangulaire Autrement conformé M2 2e BOTS ce ceasrorencoercccees eccee 4 teSceegasece 5 4, L, 3,6 & 4 mill. Monomorphe, Métanotum subdenté, Premier noeud extrémement élevé et subsquamiforme... et ee Le Ys Seareseeeccegese@e 2: coeveoouses san teeveercsess...ceesOp. WM. aberrans—Forel. L.1,5 a 3 mill, Assez dimorphe, Métanotum sans dents, Premier noeud épais, plutét bas......... Sp. 1. gracillimum—S8m, steers seesenceeseeeeseescessee Cb Var Mayri—Forel, 5. Noeuds du pédicule trés larges, bien plus larges que longs, Thorax 4 peine échancré, L, 2, 5 a 3, 4 mill COP ee eee ee ey -@0eceese 200002100 ceecee Peecoscer GT OSle Cg GPa BEreerca: seccseoseces aera see Sp. i, latinode—Mayr, et var, brunneum—Emery, Noeuds du pédicule plus étroits........ ....cc.cc0 mivesnsarcocee's paren 6 6, Jaune ou d’un jaune rougedtre avec l’abdomen noir ou brun et une tache jaune 4 sa base ........ eatuadsutousanes dcseacsesrecits 7 Autrement coloré -.........-seccccessecceasees, A eeocuce 686 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 7. Luisant et lisse. L. 1,843 mill. Assez dimorphe .......... ee coancieceeneieeesnocas Aecel) -dobriconddccasoonoacboacisy Os All destructor —Jerdon, Téte et thorax mats, d'un jaune rougedtre, Abdomen luisant, a tache de la base d’un jaune clair. Monomorphe. L, 1,5 a yO NU Coat aensve Recsrecuecchanecseaee ce eee do! Sp. I. dichroum—Forel. 8. Assez abondamment poilu et pubescent. Téte et thorax finement striés ; front, vertex, et en partie le thorax plus on moins lisses, Pro-mésonotum convexe; échancrure meésométanotale faible .. ..............seces0e Sp. UW. Emeryi—Mayr. race levior—Mayr. Pubescence et pilosite éparses. Téte et pro-mésonotum ou bien lisse ou bien enticrement sculptés et mats .....,..c..c000 9 9. Téte et pro-mésonotum lisses et Inisants .........s.ccceceeees Sadps6 10 Téte et pro-mésonotum mats, finement sculptés...,o......2+0-00- 12 10, Téte, abdomen et massue des antennes brundtres. Le reste jaune pale, L.1,5 41,7 mill, Tres monomorphe, Profil du thorax sur le méme plan, peu échancré .............000eer0e Saehoasesceccscpessere Saeumeneen Aner evs ceereseeeee. OP. WV, floricola—Jerdon Autrement coloré ......... sadeasastiiasccacceneouni te sngg0900009 Sees 11 11) Noir) 254923 oil Loutilevcorps luisaniyesrssesee cee BOBS HOOCHECICER ALOUD CE OOGOnOGD SCHOOIOOEOTONION Sp. MW. carbonarium—Sm, D’un jaune sale. L.1,5 mill, Des fossettes espacées sur la téte ; métanotum subdenté, avec un sillon médian...... wopee: Meduicgisdenstee rosostueceeeecaeyaacesce stedesavecene Sp. MU. fossulatum—Em. L. 2,242,4 mill, D’un jaune clair, Métanotum et cétés du mésonotum mats, réticulés-ponctués. Gréle, Hchan- crure méso-métanotale assez forte...... weep. UW, Sazei—Forel. 12. Téte densément striée en long, pronotum en travers, Méta- notum bituberculé. Téte et corps nullement déprimés, L, 2,2 4 2, 4 mill. Brun, Abdomen lisse...Sp. M. Schurri—Forel. Téte réticulée-ponctuée et en outre striée, Téte et corps un peu déprimés, D’un brun noirdtre. Membres jaunatres. Mat, sauf les 2 postérieurs de labdomen, L. 2 a 2, 2 mill Sooeeonacosionouoede Pareeeece sassecktenieee Bapeceee Sp. IU. Wroughtonii—Forel, Téte et thorax sans stries, seulement réticulés-ponctués. Téte et corps nullement déprimés ...........0+ svereroeepeneonte 13 13, D’un jaune pale. Abdomen un peu bruni derriére, luisant. Up, PEW, By cea ers eS eae sensed weveeseosceuene Sp. YU Pharaonis—L, Rouges ou bruns, Plus grands.............. Gcanacuch oiamecacsteas 14 14, Abdomen lisse, Face basale du métanotum plane, allongée, rectangulaire. Echancrure abrupte. Scape dépassant fortement l’occiput. L. 2,542, 7 mill ..... Sp. WM. Longi—Forel. Abdomen, au moins en partie, réticule-ponctué-et mat, Face bassle du métanotum covexe. Hchancrure passant par une courbe au métanotum ...... Reneensecespeceresteemeseeeeeme weston nil LES FORMICIDES DE L-EMPIRE DES INDES ET DE CEYLAN. 687 15, Téte fortement échanerée derriére. D’un roux vif, avec Vabdomen noiratre, L, 2,5 4 3, 2 mill......Sp. M. bicolor—Emery, Téte faiblement échancrée derriére ; brun, avec le thorax ferrugineux, Li. 2,5 4 3,6 mill......... Sp. M, Salamonis—L. Race indicum, Forel, LISTE DES ESPECES, 1. Mon, decamerum, Emery. Ceylan (Horn). 2, Mon, orientale, Mayr, Calcutta (Rothney); Orissa (Taylor); Belgaum Inde septentrionale (Wroughton) ; Himalaya du Nord-ouest (Smythies), 3. Mon. fossulatum, Emery. Rangoon, Birmanie (Fea). 4, Mon, carbonarium, Smith, Trevandrum (Ferguson), 5. Mon. floricola, Jerdon. Repandu dans I’Inde enticre. . 6, don, Pharaonis, L. Cosmopolite, Repandu dans tous les ports, &c, 7. Mon, destructor, Jerdon. =vastator, Sm.—basale, Sm.), Répandu dans les maisons de I’Inde entiére ; aide, avec les rats i repandre la peste. 8. Mon. bicolor, Emery, Inde (d’aprés Emery, dans le catalogue Dalla Torre), 9. Mon, gracillimum, Smith. Ye Valley, Birmanie (Bingham) ; Birmanie (Watson) 10. Mon. latinode, Mayr, Assam (Long); Bombay, Poona (Wroughton); Barrackpore (Rothney) ; Orissa (Taylor) ; Kanara (Wroughton) ; Inde centrale (Betham), &e. Var Mon, brunneum, Emery, Ceylan (Simon), 11. Mon. Emeryi, Mayr. Race Mon. levior, Mayr, Ceylan (Madarasz), (Note.—The following species have been recently described by M. Forel in the “ Revue Suisse de Zoologie” —June 1902, 12, Mon, Wroughtonii, Forel. Poona, Kanara, &c, (Wroughton), 13, Mon. aberrans, Forel, Pachmari, Inde centrale (Schurr), 14. Mon. atomus, Forel. Orissa (Taylor); Assam (Smythies) ; Poona (Wroughton) ; Calcutta (Rothney). 7 688 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Var. Won, integrius, Forel. Différe de la forme typique par son échancrure méso-métanotale plus faible. it, Wh amlll, OD, 2 ceri Nord-ouest de l'Himalaya (Smythies) ; Poona (Wroughton). 15. Mon, Saget, Forel, Dharmsala (Sage). 16, Mon. Longi, Forel. Garo Hills, Assam (Long). 17. Mon, Schurri, Forel, L, “© 2,242,4 mill, 9 3,7 mill, Pachmari (Schurr), 18. Mon. dichroum, Forel, L. @ 1,522,5 mill, Q 4 mill. Bombay, Belgaum, Poona (Wroughton) ; Coonoor (Daly). Mon, Salomonis, L. Race. Mon. indicum, Forel. L, 0 2,523,6mill, Q7A8mill, g 646,5 mill. Repandu dans |’ Inde entiére, deme Genre, CARDIOCONDYLA, Emery. é TABLEAU DES OUVRIERES, Suture pro-mésonotale fortement imprimée, formant une im- pression du dos du thorax. Métanotum fort convexe, Epines un qeu plus longues que leur intervalle. Entiére- ment d’un jaune rougedtre clair, mat. Abdomen noir, Inisanta dae Se emul eee. Bee iene Sp. C. Wroughtonii—Forel, Suture pro-mésonotale faible ou nulle, Métanotum pen con- vexe, Epines plus courtes que leur intervalle, denti- formes, Brunes, ou d’un rouge brun, ou de la couleur de la Wrowghtonit. .....scccrseree secscecssscecereerecseercececconccesccwan 1 1. Thorax et pédicule mats, densément sculptés, Brune, avec abdomen noirdtre; massue des antennes brune, Premier noeud du pédicule a peine plus élevé que le second, Ce dernier au moins 2% fois plus large que le pLemiors lal ssa, Did ml... cscsuee sec jdeaiseecs Sp. C, nuda—Mayjr. Pédicule et thorax luisants, le premier lisse, le second a fine sculpture espacée, Premier noeud bien plus élevé que le second. Ce dernier 4 peine 2 fois plus large que le pre- mier. D’un rouge brundtre. Abdomen et massue des antennes bruns, L, 2,1 a 2, 4 mill.........-.. Sp. C, parvinoda—Forel, Couleur de la Wrouwghtonii, Massue des antennes brune, moins mate. Sculpture et forme plus semblables 4 celle de la nuda, L.1, 5a 1,7 mill cco. ... s,s e- neers eves SP. C, Emeryi—Forel, LES FORMICIDES DE L’EMPIRE DES INDES ET DE CEYLAN. 689 LIsTE DES ESPECES, 1, Cardiocondyla Wroughtonii, Forel, on Assez fortement échancré, l’occiput a un sillon median quise continue dans le sillon frontal, Second noeud du pédicule deux fois plus large que le premier Assez grossiérement réticulée ef finement réticulée-ponctuée en outre. Antennes de 12 articles. @- Aptére, ergatomorphe. Antennes de 11 articles, Mandibules trés longues, arquées, et pointues. D’un jaune yale uniforme. Métanotum bidenté. Mésonotum avec une expansion latérale. LL. 1,7 mill. Q@. Ailée, Ailes courtes, hyalines, 4 nervures atrophiées. Du reste comme louvriére, mais l’abdomen d’un brun plus clair [, 2 mill, Poona (Wroughton, dans les feuilles d’ Eugenia jambolana); Bhavnagar (Rothney). 2, Cardiocondyla Emeryi, Forel. Poona (Wroughton) ; Coonoor (Daly). 3. Cardiocondyla nuda, Mayr. Poona (Wroughton) ; Orissa (Taylor) ; Barrackpore (Rothney) ; Garo Hills, Assam (Long), 4, Cardiocondyla parvinoda, Forel, L. © 2,1432,4 mill, © 4,5 mill, Poona (Wroughton). 5eme Genre, SOLENOPSIS, Westwood. TABLEAU DES OUVRIERES. L, 2,5 45,8 mill, Trés dimorphe, ) maxima a grosse téte, Téte lisse, ponctuée, Une dent tout au bas du mésonotum, devant, D’un roux jaunatre, poilu........ ...9p. S. geminata—Fab, Race rufa.—Jerdon, L. 1,3 41,4 mill. Monomorple, Courte, robuste, Téte ridée devant et sur les cétés, avec des aspérités au vertex, Mate ou subopaque, sauf l’abdomen et le second noeud, Yeux nuls, ou d'une seule facette. Palpes maxillaires d’un seul article, Jaundtre.............. Sp. S. Wroughtoniti—F orel. LISTE DES ESPECES, 1. Solenapsis geminata, Fab. Race. Solenopsis rufa, Jerdon, Tres commune daus toute Inde. Toujours d’un roux jaundtre; jamais brune. Se distingue en outre de la forme américaine par la dent inferieure du mésonotum, 2. Solenopsis, Wroughtoni, Forel. Espece tres aberrante, Orissa (Taylor), Seme Genre, OLIGOMYRMEX, Mayr, Note.—Reeently described in “ Revue Suisse de Zoologie,”” June 1902, Tovtes les especes de l’Inde étant nouvelles, et Vouvriere n’étant connue 690 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, que chez |’ asinus, un tableau synoptige est superflu. “ LISTE DES ESPECES, 1. Oligomyrmew asinus, Forel, Ibi, ©), maxima 2,544 mill. ©. minima 141,1 mill. Q 4,5 mill. Orissa (Taylor). 2. Oligomyrmex raja, Forel. L. 9 5 a5, 5 mill: Province du Nord-ouest de 1’Inde (Smythies). 3. Oligomyrmesr Leei, Forel. L. 9 7a8mill, Mysore (Lee), 4, Oligomyrmee bengalensis, Forel. L. 9 5,5 mill, @ 4,3 mill. Barrackpore (Rothney). 5. Oligomyrmex Rothneyt, Forel, L. 9 343,3 mill, $343,4 mill, — Barrackpore (Rothney). 7éme Genre, PHEIDOLOGETON, Mayr. 1 TABLEAU DES OUVRIERES. Complétement dimorphe (g et ¢}. Métanotum inerme. L. o 1, 2a 1, BS ml. ie eevesccvcevese-- OP. (Aneleus)) simeles—Mayire Incomplétement dimorphe. Métanotum épineux...... Seuldawseesesae 1 1. Base de l’abdomen densément striée, L. 5 4 8 mill...... BAEROECAO SneoocHnOsEGEOS te60 Eiseicnese ale etc au dae tne o.. Sp. Ph, stlenus—Sm, Base de abdomen non Striée ......sescosceereeseeceere edepiesbuacwensweonees z 2, L. 2,5 & 14,5 mill, Yeux assez gros, convexes, avec de nombreuses facettes chez la 9 minima, Epines du mé- tanotum longues, plus longues que leur intervalle chez la To) minima, Téte de la ze} maxima carrée, un peu plus large que longue, large de plusde4mill L. 9 16a17 TU ave cwasacerte cst wenaucsuacten abet cmeetnnecaen nen Sp. Ph. diversus—Jerdon, Téte dela 9 avec des rides transversales, concaves en arricre, Belocelpmiely. 14m ee. coscerceverseme ee var. Ph, taprobane—Sm. Plus petits. Yeux petits, reduits a 2 ou 4 facettes chez la xo} minima, Téte plus longue que large. Epines métanotales courtes, plus courtes que leur intervalle chez la rol minima 3 3L.1,8a9 mill, Chez la 9 minima le pronotum a des angles arrondis, les épines sont dentiformes et Je pro-mésonotum est faiblement convexe ....<..-..........0.cerseqe Sp. Ph. nanus—Roger. L,2a10,5 mill. Chez la @ minima le pronotum est arrondi, non anguleux et les épines sont plus longues que chez le nanus;le pro-mésonotum est fertement convexe. Téte LES FORMICIDES DE L’EMPIRE DES INDES ET DE CEYLAN, 691 de la © maxima rectangulaire, bien plus longue que iarge ; son abdomen a de gros points .............4+ Sp. Ph. affinis—Jerdon, Note,—L’ouvriere du Ph, lamellifrons est inconnue. Sa 9.L, 4,5 44,6 mill, se distingue par ses arétes frontales dilatées en lamelles, LISTE DES ESPECES, 1, Pheidologeton laellifrons, Forel. Belgaum (Wroughton), 2. Pheidologeton silenus, Smith, Ceylau (d’apres Mayr). 3. Pheidologeton nanus, Roger. Ceylan (Roger, Madarasz, Dr. Horn), 4, Pheidologeton affinis, Jerdon. Poona, Kanara (Wroughton); Pondichery (André) ; Barrackpore, Travan- core (Rothney) ; Calcutta (Coll de Saussure, Wood-Mason, Rothney) ; Assam (Long) ; Ceylan (Yerbury, &c.) ; Hong Kong (Ris); Nigri-Sombilant, Malacca (Rev. Martin). 5, Pheidologeton diversus, Jerdon., Belgaum, Poona, 8. Konkan (Wroughton); Calicut, Barrackpore, Tra- vancore (Rothney) ; Travancore (Ferguson, Ingleby) ; Inde centrale (Betham) ; Birmanie (Bingham, Hodgson, Fea) ; Kanara (Aitken) ; Bombay (Hoogwerf) ; Hong Kong (Ris) ; Himalaya (Smythies), Var. Pheidologeton taprobane, Smith, Cey'an (d’aprés Smith, Horn), 6. Pheidologeton (Aneleus) similis, Mayr. Kar Nicobar (Novara Expedition), 8eme Genre, CAREBARA, Westwood, 1. Carebara lignata, Westwood, ior Jaune pale, Luisante, inerme, avengle. Antennes de 9 articles. L, 2 42,5 mill, Q. D’un roux brundtre. Ailes enfumées de méme couleur, Luisante inerme. Antennes de 19 articles, L,. 20 mill. & Mandibules armées de 6 dents. D’un roux pale, ala fois jaunatre et brundtre. Ailes comme chez la 9. Finement pubescent, Antennes de 13 articles. LL. 12 mill. Birmanie (Bingham) ; Rangoon, Birmanie (Fea). Les genres Oligomyrmex et Carebara sont pour ainsi dire identiques, sauf le nombre des articles des antennes chez la Q qui est de 9 chez les Oligomyrmex et de 10 chez les Carebara. Chez les genres suivants, tres voisins, le nombre des articles des antennes est :— Aromyrmex eo LO Oly ails. Oligomyrmes “o Sow9 Od Gils: Pheidologeton O19 11, B13. 692 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, Solenopsis oi TORO ale le Carebara Oo) © 10. 4 38, Diplomorium roy ile Qe stake Rhopalomastix ©) INL Melissotarsus Q 6. Tous ces genres, qui forment le groupe principal auxmoeurs Jestobiotiques, ont la massue des antennes de 2 articles sauf chez la Q des Diplomorium et la nervure transverse s’unissant au rameau cubital externe, Cependant les grands Pheidologeton et quelques Solenopsis ont positivement d’autres moeurs, 9eme Genre. RHOPALOMASTIX, Forel. Trés voisin du genre Solenopsis; ce genre sen distingue surtont par son épistome, l’absence de cellule cubitale, la cellule radiale fermée, et 1’épaisseur de tout sont funicule formant une seule massue sauf le premier article, Cuisses renflées, pattes tres courtes, crochets des tarses simples. 1. Rhopalomastix Rothneyi, Forel. Epistome convexe, nullement bicaréné, faiblement subtronqué devant au milieu, terminé devant au milieu, par une petite dent avancée, &c., &c, Barrackpore (Rothney). 10eme Genre. HoLcoMyrMeEx, Mayr. ‘ TABLEAUX DES OUVRIERES. Epistome sans dents, L,5 a6 mill................6 Sp. A. muticus—Emer~ Les carenes de l’épistome terminées devant par deux dents ... 1 {, Téte et thorax mats, densément striés-rugeuXx............seeceees . Sp. H. scabriceps—Mayyr, Téte lisse, luisante, plus ou moins ponctuée ...... - 1.1... seseeevee 2 2, Téte pubescente et poilue, avec une ponctuation abondante et forte. Rougeatre ; téte et abdomen bruns............ 585 EB b00000000) Cena EOO HORE OL EaCHIDCOcUcHoa00NG0o, ofSooKen 40 tIO4 VEL, GrauOgDo—Nilagi. Noir ; membres roussatres.......... coat fe ... «- Var, H, niger—Forel. Rouge clair ; abdomen brun ...... euesitdoe meas .. var, H. ruber—Forel. Téte presque glabre, avec une ponctuation fine et éparse. Noir SEROSCEECAND Sac oISOGBEOSEO cHEEHoAMIBBRAECOSAOLCOnOD HecoHacd accoats\is Jal, alana vag line. Rouge clair, membres jaunes, abdomen brun...... var. H, clarus—Forel. LIsTH DES ESPECES. 1, Holcomyrmex muticus, Emery. Minhla, Birmanie (Comotto), 2. Holcomyrmex scabriceps, Mayr, Trés répandu dans tout le continent indien, de Bombay a Calcutta, et du pied de |’ Himalaya a la pointe sud de la péninsule. 3. Holcomyrmex glaber, André. Méme répartition que le précédent et eu outre Ceylan (Yerbury). Var. Holcomyrmex clarus, Forel, L, 2,5 mill, | LES FORMICIDES DE L’EMPIRE DES INDES ET DE CEYLAN. 693 Poona (Wroughton) ; Sivaliks (Smythies) ; Wallon (Heim), 4, Holcomyrmex criniceps, Mayr Méme répartition que le glaber. Var. Holcomyrmea ruber, Forel. Ceylan (Yerbury). Var. Holcomyrmex niger, Forel, L. 5,7 mill, Kanara (Aitken), Poona (Wroughton)., Holcomyrmex glabro-criniceps, Forel, Variété hybride. Kanara (Wroughton, Bell) ; Bombay (Rothney), Holcomyrmex crinicipito-scabriceps, Forel. Variéte du scabriceps qui passe au criniceps, Mysore (Rothney) ; Pooree (Walsh). lleme Genre. STENAMMA, Westwood, TABLEAU DES OUVRIERES, Ouvriére tres dimorphe, la grande ol a grosse et large téte. Mandibules épaisses, courtes et fortement courbées, Mo- CUTS STAMIVOLFES .......00: Secstcars ©. 189 60,08 «+ tessealOseee -e8000.00 1 (S. G. Messor.) Ouvriere monomorphe, Mandibules peu courbées, plus longues, monvepatsses. Moeurs} carnivores) .-ssces secre cere eee “neo 2 1, Entiérement noir. Tres rugeux (les noeuds aussi) ; abdo- men lisse. Métanotum fortement bidenté. Des soies blan- chatres, Suture pro-mésonotale fortement enfoncées, L. CH 0s UO) vail Pea ees seadesneOieeenaSecoe so Saccdoae meccdssncadeucne Dee acrsds dictate Sp. S. barbarum—L. race, himalayanum—Forel. Téte et thorax rougeadtres, abdomen brun. Téte luisante, faible- Orcceve ment striée, ayec de gros points enfoneés & occiput, Métanotum avec deux élévations longitudinales en arétes, Noeudsplisses) |) Laas 2rarSimilll seers. sees ne eee sealcciainer BSA BOARS DO ESSE PRIeD Sp. S, barbarum—L var. punctatum—Forel, Téte ferrugineuse ; thorax plus foncé ; abdomen noir. Téte et thorax striés; noeuds rugeux; metanotum mutique, Le Ovard mill’ (apres) Smith) ¢ 82” + but Mr. Blanford’s is only 15 in. |., by 44" br., and it may not be Mr. Clarke’s plant. 730 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. In the ‘“ Review”? Mr. Clarke remarks :—“ This is the fern described by Milde, Fil. Europ. 122, lines 3—6 from the bottom of page. Itis, as Milde states allied to var. patentissima : but, onthe other hand, very near V. elongutum, Hk. and Gr. Ic. Fil, t. 234; Aspidium elongatum, Milde, Fil. Europ., 124.” But khasiana, and elongatum, Hk. and Gr., seem to me distinct enough. Though the frond of both is truncate at the base, the scales, both on stipes and frond, differ altogether.” Forma khasiana seems to have a comparatively long (sometimes nearly as long as the frond) and slender stipes, and more numerous veins in a segment : segments finely toothed and not so squarely, ended as those of /. patentissima. b. Forma satentissima. N. Filia-mas, Rich., var. 4 patentissima, C. R. 520. Aspidium patentissomum (sp.), Wall. Cat. 340. “Stipe shaggy, with linear yellowish pales often $—% in. long ; frond 4—-6 feet, narrowly oblong-lanceslaie, widest near the middle suddenly narrowed near the base, pinnee patent, very coriaceous, cub down neatly or quite to the midrib ; segments oblong, obtuse, subentire or minutely serrulate, glabrous beneath, the margin mnch incurved when dry”.... ** Aspidium paleaceum Don, Prod. Fl. Nep. 4. A. Wallichianum and Donianum. Spreng. Syst. [V., 104 and Suppt. 320. Bhotdén to Simla, alt, 6-9000', common, Khasia, alt, 5000’. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—Jaunsar 8-10,000’, Herschel, Gamble ; 7. Garh. 8-12,000', Mackinnons, Duthie, Gamble ; B. Garh.—Kinolia Vy. 7-8000', Duthie ; Mrs. Fisher ; _ Kumaun—Griffith ; Kalimundi and near Milém 8-11,500’, S. & W. ; elsewhere— Davidson, Duthie, MacLeod ; summit of Dhankuri Pass 10,500’, Trotter. - DistRIB.—Amer.: W.Ind., Jamaica 7330', Dr. D. Morris ; Mexico, Guatemala, Keuador, Peru, New Grenada, and Brazil (near summit-of Organ Mts.). Asia: N. Ind. (Him.), Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhotan, common ; Assam—Khasia 5000', Clarke, Mann ; S. Ind.—Nilgiris : common about Ootacamund (Bedd.). This seems to be a larger form of NV. parallelogrammum, than either a, above, or ¢, which follows, and ‘shaggy’ is not a bad epithet to apply to it. The pinnee are very patent, becoming deflexed towards the base of the frond. The fronds are sometimes as lanceolate as a frond can be whose pinne do not dwindle down to auricles at the base: and I think Clarke meant “ suddenly ceasing at the base,” instead of “ suddenly narrowed near the base,” as he puts it. Tehri Garhwal specimens have fronds up to 32 feet long, by 1 foot broad, and. perhaps longer, tapering gradually downwards to 43% in, br., below which there are no auricles. Milde, Fil. Hurop., gives Aspiaium parallelogrammum as a synonym of his var. 6 (of N F.-mas) paleaceum, Moore f. nat. print, and mentions a form from Khasia (var. khasiana, fide Clarke). His varieties of /.-mas are (1) genuinum Milde ; (2) crenatuwm Milde ; (3) deorso-lobatum, Moore ; (4) inciswm, Moore ; THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 731 (5) Heleopteris, Brockhausen. ; (6) paleaceum—=patentissimum, Walt. ; (7) Maavkii, Milde; (8) glandulosum, Milde; (9) Duriwi, Milde. Hooker, in his * Species Filucum,’ sxys his var, g (of V. F.-mas) parallelogr. is perhaps the next (sic) most common in the Hast Indies, and from localities too numerous to be worth recording, generally in mountain and northern districts, yet by no means confined to them.’’ Of the American specimens he says— All are true Var, 6 parallelogrammum, Kunze, with long, criniate, paleaceous scales, and quite parallelogrammic close-placed segments and coriaceous fronds. One locality only seems to be recorded in the West Indies for V. /.-mas, and that is in Jamaica. Dr, Morris’s ticket is : J. P. 228, from Director, Public Gardens and Plantations, Jamaica. ‘This appears to come nearest to Nephrodium Filix- mas. In any case it is new to our collection, and so far as am aware not before collected in Jamaica. Found between the Western and Middle Blue Mountain Peak, 7,330 ft., March 28, 1885, 1D. Morris, 4-4-85.” The specimen of this in Kew is nearer NV, piaradlelogr. than NV. F’-mas, but the segments are Short, rounded and toothed. ¢. Forma fibrillosa. N, Filie-mas, Rich. var. 5, fibrillosa, Clarke in ‘ Review,’ p. 520, t. 70. ** Stipe 1—3 in. ; frond 8—30 in., very narrow, tapering at both ends, but not attenuated with auticles into the stipe ; stipe and main rhachis densely clothed with lanceolate-linear, chestnut coloured scales ; pinnze patent, cut down to the midrib ; segments oblong, obtuse, serrulate at the apex, fibrillose on the surface beneath. North-West Himalaya, alt. 9-12,000', from Kumaun to West Kashmir ; very common.” KASHMIR ¢ 5-10,000’ : common in many places. PUNJAB : Chamba—Ravi Valley 9000’ ; Kullu 6-10,000’, Lahaul 12,000’, Trotter ; Simla Reg.— ‘* The Chor,” Kamalhari and Hatu Mts. 95-10,000’. N.-W. P.: D. D, Dist.—Jaunsar, Deoban 9000’, Herschel ; 7. Garh.—Ganges Vy., Gangotri-—11-12,000', Duthie ; Kumawn— Davidson, Duthie. Mr. Clarke says :—“ One of the most uniform varieties of WV. #-mas, and the most worthy consideration for specific rank ;’’ but I find difficulty some- times in distinguishing it from forma patentissima. The smaller size and very dark-coloured scales are perhaps the best characters. The degree of fibrillosity seems to depend on age of specimen. Ihave seen a good deai of this growing in the Simla Region, and consider it quite distinct from VV, Filiz-mas, 12. Nephrodium Kingii n. sp.—Plate IX. (see Part II. ; p. 621 of Vol. XII). 13, N. serrato-dentatum n. sp.—Plate X. (see Part II. ; p. 622 of Vol. XII.). 14. N. Brunonianum, Hook; Syn. Fil. 84; 0, R.522, Lastrea Brunomana, Wall., Bedd. H. B. 246, 732 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. KASHMIR : 95-12,000", W. S. Atkinson 1872, Levinge 1875, Trotter 1888, McDonell, MacLeod 1891, Duthie 1892-93. PungaB : Hazara Dist.—Makra Mt, 11,000’, Trotter 1889 ; Chamba—Upper Chenab and Ravi Valleys 11-12,000’, Baden-Powell 1879, McDonell 1882; Pangi 12-15,000', Harsukh (Sahar. Herb. Collr.) 1899; Kullu, and Lahaul Trotter Gin printed List) ; Simla Reg.—Hatu Mt., Trotter Gin printed List). N.-W. P.: 7. Garh.—under Srikanta Mt., and Kuari Pass 12-14,000’, Duthie; Kumaun—Ralam 12,000’, 8. & W. 1848. DIStTRIB.—Asia : N. Ind. (Him.), Sikkim and Bhotan. The cutting of this fern is certainly, as Beddome says, very like that of N. serrato-dentatum, but the shape of the frond is very different, and I sce no difficulty in distinguishing between the two species. The fronds of WV. Bruns- nianum are oblong-ovate, sometimes diminishing gradually at the base, or oblong and xarraw, but always narrowing abruptly at the apex. A Kashmir specimen in my possession has a frond 12 in. |. by 24 in. br. at the broadest—-not four inches from the base : it remains 24 in. br. up to within 24 in. from the apex, being practically parallel-sided for 74 of the total length. It has about 25 pairs of pinnee 20—27 pairs of pine seems to be the normal number : 12—14 pairs seems to be the norrual of JV. serrato dentatum, besides a sharp-pointed pinnati- fied apex ; and the shape of the frond of this latter mentioned species is broadly Janceolate, sometimes almost deltoid. The difference in the clothing is very that of serrato-dentatum being comparatively scanty. The scales of WV. Bru- nonianum are often bright chesnut coloured, paler than the black stipes and rhachis. The involucre is very fugacious. Beddome in his Supplement of 1892 says Mr. Baker considers this and JV. barbigerum as varieties of one species, —which species, however, is not said. 15. N. barbigerum, Hook.; Syn. Fil. 274; C. BR. 252. Lastrea bar biger a, Hook., Bedd. H. B. 246. AFGHAN.: Kurram Vy.—95-11,000’, Aitch. 1879-80. KaSHMiIR : 93-12,500', Levinge, Trotter, MeDonell, Gammie, MacLeod—“ Common, on uorth slopes of watershed between Jhelum and Aishenganga Valleys ; “ Duthie ; below Gulmarg 6,000’/—* almost in the water of a small rivulet,’ McDonell 1893 ; Sind Valley 10-11,000’, Duthie 1892. Muzafarabad Dist,—Indyat (Sahar. Herb. Collr.) 1899. PuNJAB: Chamba—Upper Chenab Valley, 10,0004, Baden-Powell; Caeni Pass; 11-12,000’, Gammie; “Chamba,” McDonell 1882-85; Pangi, Sural Vy., 12,500’, Hursukh (Sahar, Herb. Collr. 1899); Head of Hudan Vy., 14,000, J. Marten 1899. N.-W. P.: 7 Garh.—Kidar Kanta Mt. 9000’, Herschel; Bandarpunch 13-14,000', and Bamsor Pass 11-12,000’, Duthie ; B. Garh.—Joshi Mat 12,000’, P. W. ‘Mackinnon Kumaun—near Ralam 12,500’, 8S. & W.; Duthie 11-13,900', three stations; near Pindari Glacier 10-11,000’, Trotter; Lessar Pass 16,800’, MacLeod, “a solitary plant under a rock in the snows.” DistR1IB.— Asia: N. Ind. (Him.), Sikkim. . |. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 733 McDonell’s gathering at about 6000’, in Kashmir, which he sent to me for confirmation at the time, and MacLeod’s as high as 16,800’, in Kumaun, make a considerable vertical extension of distribution. Herschel’s specimen from T. Garhwal is remarkable for its comparative nakedness, and the narrow- ness and distance apart of its segments. Mackinnon’s specimen from Bb. Garhwal has dark-brown scales. The ‘ Synopsis’ says this and the preceding species are closely allied to one another, but not likely to be confused with anything else, Beddome doubts their distinctness. Clarke points out that the position of the sori differs, J] find the shapes of the two fronds to be constantly different : barbigerum is broad for its length, and ovate : Brunonianum—narrow, and generally oblong, The stipes and rhachis of Brunonianum are black—blacker than the scales ; those of barbigerum are pale-brown —paler than the scales. 16. N. pandum, n. sp. (see p. 623 of Vol. XII.). Add—PUNJAB: Chamba State—J. Marten, 1898. N.-W. P.: B. Garh.—, Mrs. Fisher. 17. N.Schimperianum, Hochst. (under Aspidium). N. Filiz-mas, Rich., Syn, Fil. 272. WV. #.-mas, var. «, Schimperiina (sp.), Hochst., CO. R. 520. Lastrea Filiz-mas, var, » elongata, Hk. and Gr., Bedd. H. B, 250 ; Lastrea Fihz-mas, var, Schimperiana, Bedd, Suppt. H. B., p. 58. KASHMIR: Rattan Pir 8000’, Trotter 1888. PuNJaB: Kuléu—Jalori Fass N. 9-10,000', Trotter 1887; Simla fieg. 55-8000’, and perhaps higher : very common in Simla. N.-W. P. : D. D. Dist.—Mussooree 65004, Hope 1890 (1 plant) ; Landour and to the eastward, above 7,000’, abundant ; 7. Garh.—Kidar Kanta Mt. 6000’ Herschel ; Jumna Vy., near Kharsoli 9-10,000’, Duthie; B. Garh., Duthie, Mrs. Fisher ; ] Kumaun 5-9000', several collectors ; Gori Ganga Vy. near Buin 3400’, and above Rilkot 10,000’, MacLeod 1893. Distrip.—Asia: N. Ind. (Him.), Sikkim and Bhotdn, Assam—Khasia 5-6500! “very common,” Clarke, Mann ; Naga Hills—Kegwima Edge 7000’, Clarke 1885, Beddome says, in his Supplement of 1892,‘ The typical form of this is well marked,....... ibis intermediate between cochleata and odontoloma, Moore. There are two forms in N. India, a large and a small varieby, I have only seen the latter (LZ, intermedia, Bedd. F. 8. 1, t. 311) in Southern India,” The figure here referred to does not suggest NV. Selimperianum to me. I think this well-marked fern can afford to stand alone without the support of NV. cochleatum and N. odontoloma, to which latter species at least it has no sort of resemblance or affinity. N.-W. Indian specimens seem to run much larger than those from Sikkim, Assam and Madras, but some of them are as small as any from elsewhere. One of Trotter’s plants from Rattan Pir in Kashmir has five fronds, none of which are over 7 in. 1., including stipes ; three of them are fertile, The cutting of this 734 JOURNAL, BUMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. species varies a good deal, but not with the size of the frond. One frond I collected in Simla in 1871, about 25 in. 1. by 83 in. br., is only bipinnatifid, and the segments are not labed—only slightly toothed. Another I got at Mashobra (Simla Region) in 1886—-matched by a frond of Strachey and Winterbottom’s from Kumaun—may be said to be bipinnate, 7.e., there is hardly any wing to the secondary rhachis in the greater part of the frond, though the pinnules are sessile with a decurrent base. The bipinnateness decreases in the lower part of this frond, and is quite lost in the lower two or three pairs of pinnee, as ib is towards the tips of all. This frond is 28 in, ], by 10 in. br., and has a stipe 13 in. ]. The segments are distinctly lobed, and the S—10 lobes are toothed. The veins are distant, one to each lobe, and pinnate in the lobes. The sori of this specimen are uncharacteristically small,—one at the base of each vein close to the midrib, except in the tips of the pinnules, The scales of MN. Schimperianun (the Indian plant) at base of stipes are long, linear, in a dense mass ; higher up there are both large, broad, scales, with fibrillose twisted tips, and very narrow ones. All are always pale-brown, transparent. The caudex is decumbent, and stipes tufted, but not densely so, and spreading. The fern generally grews on steep ground, and is often rooted in the clefts of rocks ; and the fronds droop more or less. I have seen quantities of .V. Schimperianum, N. marginatum, Wall., and N. odontoloma, Moore, growing together, near Landour, but never the slightest passage from one to the other, Dr. Christ, who has compared Indian specimens of this fern with specimens of Aspidiwn Schimperianum in his own herbarium, collected by Schimper in Abyssinia, considers it imprudent to identify them, seeing that the type plant is markedly bipinnate, and has a large deltoid frond. The type specimens in Kew, from Abyssinia, are wider below, and more compound, than any Indian cones. 18. N. cochleatum, Don (under Aspidium), N. (Lastrea) Filiz-mas, Rich,,» WV. cochleatum, Don, Syn. Fil. 272. NV. cochleatum, Don (under Aspidium), OC. R. 521. Lastrea Filia-mas, L., var. s cochleatum, Don, Bedd. H. B. 250. Plate XXX. PunsaB : Chamba—McDonell ; Kangra Valley Dist. E 4000’, Trotter ; Simla, Reg —Simla, N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—in the Diin (Valley) 1,550’ to 3150’, very common, and (abundant in places ; 7. Garh. 4-5000', Duthie, Hope; Sahdranpur Dist.—Siwalik Range, on south side, MacLeod; B. Gark. Mrs. Fisher ; AKaumawn, 8. & W., Hope Davidson, Duthie, 35-6000". DistRIB.—Aséa: N. Ind. from Oudh to Bhotan ; Assam—Khasia ; Bengal—Chitta- gong, and Parasnath Mt., up to 4000’, very common. Burma—Ava. Malay Penins. Clarke in Rev.), §S.Ind.—Western Mts., 2-000’ (Beda. in H. B.). Oey 4 tra Simi C Chi J.N. Fitch del. OCHLEATUM Don. ay FRODIUM C NEP 1. Base of stipes,nat. size. 2 frond x 2 diam. 7. Pinna of fertile frond, nat. size. 8. Pumule of G6. Pinnules from sterile 9. Pinn . Seales from,, , 2) vw. » enlarged 3 diam. a of semi-contracted frond nat. size. 40. Pimule of x 12 diam. cdo. +. Portion of 5 enlarged 3 diam. ” nat. size. §. Pinna of sterile frond, THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 735 Wallich thought this fern so distinch from any other that he made a new genus for it—Arthrobotrys, meaning, I presume, that the sorus or bunch of sporangia was attached to the frond by a joint,—and he gave it the specific name macrocarpa. The involucre completely envelopes the sorus, and the whole bunch on a stalk can be detached, even in old dried specimens, from the segment, the involucre being like a thin shell. Sometimes it separates from the frond and turns upwards, but it is always persistent. The “ Synopsis” gives the generic synonym, and, also, Dryopreris, Schott. And Clarke gives Arthobotrys macrocarpa, Wall., Cat. 395, and A. avana, Wall., Cat. 1084, as synonyms. Beddome also mentions those, and says that A. avana is from Ava, with the fertile segments so contracted as to be quite beadlike. All the descriptions state that the sterile and fertile fronds are different, though Mr. Clarke says that barren fronds partially fruit-bearing are not rare, and Colonel Beddome that the fronds are generally dimorphic. This is a very common fern in the Dehra Dun, and I should say that a_partially- contracted frond is a very rare occurrence. I can see in this fern no resemblance to VV. F’.-mas, or connection with that or any other Lastrea. The general aspect of the plant, which sometimes grows in a thick bed or large patch, is—a number of broad leafy sterile fronds bending backwards, and one or more fertile fronds standing stiff and erect inthe middle, and much higher than the rest, the stipes being very long, round, and stout. The fertile fronds are often found to have been eaten off by cattle or deer, I presume. The plant loves a clay or rich loamy soil, moisture and shade, or raviny or hilly ground, under trees or among bushes. N. cochleatum is never truly bipinnate, even in the fertile fronds, the seg- ments being cordate on the superior side and decurrent to a winged rhachis on the inferior,—the wing being traceable throughout, The veins, sometimes very obscure, are pinnate in the lobes; veinleis few and long. The caudex is decumbent like that of VV. marginatum, Wall. : stipes tufted. A section of the caudex shows black stria in the woody structure, which are wanting in N. marginatum. Beddome says of Lastrea cochleata—* A very distinct-looking plant ab low elevations, but running into elongata” (i.e. N. marginatum) “ at higher elevations (vie forms of my collecting on the Nilgiris and Brumagher- ries in the British Museum).” He also, in a letter, referred me to that suite ; but I found only about two specimens in it which I could not at once sori according to my lights, Mr. Clarke says V. cochleatum has been confused with vars. intermedia, Bedd., and Schimperiana, Hochst., of F.-mas. and that ib resem- bles them in laving large involucres. ‘‘ Its especial character is its strong dimorphism ; it is worthy, perhaps, of generic rank.” He further says there are no forms intermediate between WV. cochieatum and NV. elongatum at Kew, nor has he ever met with such in India. ‘“ There are examples of XN. cochleatum 43 136 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, marked as collected at 7000! ali., even in Kumaun ; but the fern is confused with V. Filiz-mas, var. Schimperiana, and I very strongly expect that collectors have mixed the two before distribution: I altogether doubt high-level localities assigned to JV. cochleatum.” I quite concur. [ WV. rigidum, Desv., was given by Mr. Clarke at p. 523 of his ‘ Review ’ as an Indian fern, and Ido not think he gave it up in his later papers. I know the European fern, and I can say that I have seen nothing very like it from the Himalaya. I do not think N. pallidum, Bory, is very near VV. rigidum, though I think it is probably identifiable with the Himalayan WV’. odontoloma (Moore), Bedd. Bed- dome also had Lastrea rigida as an Indian species in his Handbook. He said it was very near Z. Filiz-mas elongata, and he did not know any distinguishing character. Since then he must have seen the European JV. rigidum, for in his Supplement of 1892 he says, under Lastrea rigida,—-‘‘ All the specimens I formerly referred here I now refer to Filiz-mas elongata. I much doubt if this species is represented in Northern India, at least as distinct from remota.” He then proceeds to treat of Lastrea spinulosa, var. remota, as an Indian fern. | [ WV. remotum, Hook., Brit, Ferns t. 22 ; WV. spinulosum Desv., . » remotum (A, Br. sub aspidium), Bedd. H. B., p. 252 ; A. remotum, A, By. This plant is included by Clarke in his ‘ Review ’ as an Indian fern, and by Beddome as mentioned above. As I have never seen Indian specimens which agree with European specimens, and have, moreover, reasons for agreeing with Milde that VV. remotum is a hybrid between NV. F.-mas and N. spinulosum, I do not admit this as an Indian species, and have instead given VV. Blanfordi n. sp. No. 18, below. ] [ WV. (Laetrea) spinulosum, Desv., is stated in the ‘ Synopsis’ to be found in the Western Himalaya; but neither Clarke nor Beddome corroborates the statement, and I bave never seen Indian specimens. It is said to have been collected in the Gilgit District of (Trans-Indus) Kashmir by Colonel Tanner in 1880, at an elevation of 8600! ; but the specimens are only two barren fronds without rhizome. I have my doubts. | 19. N. Blanfordii n. sp.—Plate XI. (see p. 624 of Vol. XT.) Add :—KASHMIR : Kishenganga Valley, 7-8000’, Duthie 1892 ; Baltistan, 12-13,000', Duthie 1892 ; “ Kashmir,” McDonell 1894. PunJAB :—Hazara Dist.— Kagan Valley, Duthie’s Collr. 1899 ; Chamba—J. Marten 1897-98 ; Pangi 8500’, Harsukh 1899. 20. N. odontoloma, Moore (under Zastrea), Index Filicum, MS.; Bedd. F.S.L, 39, . 114; Lastrea Piliz-mas, var. odontoloma, Moore, Bedd. Suppt. H. B. 55. WN. Filiz-mas, Rich., var, 2, normalis, OC, R. 519, t. 68, fig. 2— s of —A1 Oy AWLZ y z OOO 260. = TRS eal J.N. Fitch del. Goiatihe a Silpi Chitr NEPHRODIUM ODONTOLOMA Moor. 1. Basal pmnae of a large frond. Ze 3 hal ine} Sg oes SL ea . (aq i mt Se SON air Ed (ee cd cecimes gf Ro fe) @ a & ch. ro 00 9 *R oa CEL) ee On Gey 9 <5 PO § 7 Yo Dearie ees nea ee Dee 8 on o ee oo 5 ug 2 Oy -4 @ fh eo ors 9 na Ay Ay . : . _ oo onan . aS ri ol alin 3% of -N £ upper part of same frond. tl. Portion ments of a pinnule x 2 diam. . Portion o 4. Portion of a pinna from 5. Pimae from a small specimen, nat. size. as Ae, THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 737 Plate XX XI. Plants isolated. Caud. decumbent, slow-growing, throwing up a few fronds from the apex annually, and perishing bebind, densely clothed with large, broad, acuminate scales. S/ipes curving upwards to the vertical, densely clothed at base with linear, subulate, concolor, light-chestnut-coloured scales, # ia. 1., higher up with larger and broader scales up to 1 in. 1, very acuminate, dark-chestnut-coloured, still higher up shortening to 4in., with pale edges, and becoming scattered and deciduous ; stiff but not thick ; from 6 in. in small to 23 in. |. in large plants,—average of 25 large fronds 14 in. Fronds from 8 to 23 in. l., by 4 to 13 in. br., ovate-acuminate : sometimes the lowest pair, or the two lowest, sometimes the third and fourth pairs from base, sometimes the middle pairs, the longest : bipinnate. Pine oblong-acu- minate, generally broadest at base, occasionally ab middle, pinnate to a_ slightly winged rhachis, distant, pinnules generally set well apart. Pinnules generally sessile, but lowest often petiolate, broadest at base, slightly falcate and tapering to a rounded apex, cut down more or less into distinct, biunt or truncate, sharply-toothed lobes, 4-6 in number according to length of pinnule, the toothed margin thin in texture, aimost hyaline, with a tooth to each vemlet. Veins distinctly visible, pinnate in the lobes: veinlets curved, in lower lobes often forked in the inferior half, ramning into the teeth but stopping short of the margin, clubbed at the ends. Sori in a single row on either sider of vosta of pinnule, one in each lobe, but often two in each of the lowest pair; jowest 3—5 pairs of pinne sterile. Z’erture herbaceous ; colonr of stipes and rhachises pale-straw-coloured, or light brown : of lamina pale, dull, green. AFGHAN,—Griftith ; Kurram Valley—Aitch. Nos. 384 and 455, 1879. TRANS-IND. STATES : Chakdara, Duthie’s Collr. 1895 ; Baraul and Swat—with the Chitral Relief Expedition, 6 stations, 63-10,000', Harris 1895; Mirga 8000’, Sir W. Gatacre 1895. KASHMIR :—‘* Kashmir and W. Thibet, J. E. Winterbottom 1847, No.—, Habi- tat Birik in Gilgit (Balti or Lower Thibet), elevn, 10,000 ft.” ; Rutton Pir 8000‘, C. B. Clarke, No. 28310, 1876; Srinagar, Bamahama, and And’rbug 5-7000’, “ common ”” MacLeod 1891 ; Jhelam Valley, 3000’, Gammie 1891. PuNJAB : Dehra Ismail Khan—Pineul, Rev. J. Williams 1888; Hazara Dist.— Black Mt., Akhand Baba Peak, and Kahim Gali 8-9000’, Panj-Gali 6-7000', Duthie Nos, 7622-23, 1888 ; Kagan Valley. 5-8500’, Inayat (Sahar. Herb, Collr.) 1896-97-99, Abbotabad to Murree 7-9000', Trotter 1889 ; Murree 5-7000’, Hope 1882 ; Chamba State MeDonell, Trotter, J. Marten 1898-99, Harsukh (Sahar, Herb. Collr.) 1899; Kangra Vy. Dist.—Dharmsala 8000’, Trotter 1887; Simla Reg. 5-10,000’, Hope, Gamble, Blanford, Duthie, Bliss. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist —Jaunsar 45-8000’, C. G. logers, Gamble ; Mussooree 6-7000’' : the common JLastrea of Mussooree ; 7. Garh.—King, Duthie, Gamble ; B. Garh.—Mrs. Fisher ; Kumaun—Hope, Davidson, Trotter, Duthie. DIsTRIB,-—Asia—Centr.: N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim, Bhotan ; Assam—Khasia Hills, Clarke, Mann; “not very common” (Clarke in ‘Rev.’); Kohima 4500’, Clarke S, Ind.—Nilgiri and Annamalay Mts., above 5000’, Beddome, Levinge, Gambel, 738 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X/V, The above description has been written by me from a large series of speci- mens. I first gathered this fern at Naini Tal in 1861, and again at Simla in 1871. I was very familiar with it at Mussooree from 1880 to 1896, where it is one of the commonest ferns in and near forest, on the north side of the ridge. On dry ground it is small and poor, and like Clarke’s type of WV. /.-mas, var. 2, normalis ; but in rich moist soil, in open shade, it developes into a large hand- some plant, with a number of fronds growing up simultaneously from the apex of a suberect or decumbent stout caudex, but noi shutilecock-wise from an erect vaudex, like the fronds of MV, F.-mas. Generally the four, always three, lowest pairs of pinne are barren, and not uncommonly five pairs, ‘This may be taken as a character of the species. The sori are small, but the involucres when young are twice as large as the sori, shrivelling up when they ripen. The pinne are all distant, increasingly so downwards to 8—34 in, apart in large fronds. The stipes is generally long. Before I saw this fully-developed ‘tate of the plant I thought the Mussooree fern must be Clarke’s normalis. I chjected tio the species being put under F.-mas, and when, later, I received Assam specimens from Mr, Clarke, I identified them with the small iorm of the Mussooree fern. When I went to England in 1888, and studied at Kew, I noted—“ No specimen that I have, or have seen, marked var. normalis by Mr. Clarke is at all like V. Fitiz-mas, either in stipe, shape of frond, cutting, or sori.” I classified on paper all the specimens like normalis, or like the Mussooree larger fern, into groups:—I. Old specimens, identical with Clarke’s own, found freely scattered through bundles marked as containing not only WV, F.-mas,and varieties of it, but N. rigidum, Desy., and these Mr. Clarke had apparently not identified as his normatis. The earliest collected of these is, I think, a front collected by Jacquemont at Mussooree, No. 592, and it had been marked V. remotum by Mr, Clarke. Another, from Afghanistan, Griffith, Mr. Clarke had marked V. rigidum, Desv. Two or three sheets, of Dr. Bacon’s collecting, have tickeis—*“ Mussooree, abundant,’? and—“ N.-West India, Mr. Hdgeworth.”’ There are about a dozen sheets of these old specimens, collected from Kashmir to Kumaun, but all unmistakably WV. odontoloma, Moore. Group II. comprises seven sheets of Mr. Clarke’s own collecting in Kashmir and at Dalhousie in the Chamba State, marked rigidum or remotum. A wrapper marked by him ‘ Jnd. Or. rigidum,’ contained either NV. marginatum, Wall., or very large and compound specimens of the Mussovree normalis, collected by Jacquemont, Strachey and Winterbottom, Hook. fil. eb Thoms, and Edge- worth. None of these seemed to me in the least like the European rigidum or remotum. Some loose sheets had mostly been referred to rigidum, though they were noi in a rigidum wrapper. I thought them not even like that species. Many were named pallidin by the collectors, which name well indicates their THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 739 tint of green, There is a great resemblance between WV. odontoloma, Moore, and N. pallidum, Bory; and some specimens of Dr, Aitchison’s from Afghanistan, which I at first referred to odontoloma, may be pallidum, if these are distinct — species. There is a whole plant of his, No. 455, “Shand Toi ravine, Aspidium Filix-mas, 31-5-79,” which is exactly Clarke’s Assam normatlis, small and simple in cutting, but very pallid. Mr. Baker has marked this—‘* doubtful— between rigidum and Filiz-mas.” Under rigidum, which he seems to have erroneously introduced into the Flora of India, Mr. Clarke says—‘ Some of the Indian examples exhibit the whitened appearance of NV. pallidum, Bory ; and Sir W. J. Hooker has written tbat name on one of them. Some forms included by me under WV. Filiz-mas, var. 2, normalis above, become 2-pinnate, and I can draw no line between them (Khasi examples) and NV. rigidum.” From this it would appear that the large N.-West Himalayan form of 1. oden- toloma grows also in Assam; but Mr. Clarke gives no dimensions, and his figure is of the small form. Later on, after a discussion, Mr. Baker allowed me to pick out of all these wrappers the specimens I reduced to wormalis, alias N’. odontoloma, Moore, and Mr. Clarke pinned additional tickets on them, bearing that name, on my responsibility, Colonel Beddome, in his Supplement, under Lastrea F\-mas, var. olontoloma, Moore, makes no mention of this re-sorting done at Kew ; but under Lastre spinulosa var, remota, he seems to refer to specimens of NV. odon- toloma 1 contributed to Kew when he says—“ Mr. Hope has also sent speci- mens to Kew, gathered at the base of the Himalayas, in which the pinnules are much less cut than in the type, which have been referred to r7gida, var. pallida.” The specimens I sent, whici are admitted by Clarke to be his var. normalis, well developed, were not gathered at the base of the Himalaya, but over the outer ridge of the range at an elevation of about 6,300 feet, and no specimen of this plant has ever been got at the base of the Himalayas. Large specimens of VV, odentoloma, Moore, and also of Aspidium marginatum, Wall., are quite bipinnate in the lower half: WV, ¥.-mas is never bipinnate. Nephrodium elongatum (Sw.), Hook. & Grev., is somewhat like WV. odon- toloma, and very unlike F.-mas. It is not bipinnate, and the lowest two pairs of pinne, which are not much shorter than those above them, are less bipinnate than the third and fourth pairs are. 21. N. ramosum, Hope, in Journ. Bot., March 1896, p. 126.— “© Rhizome procumbent ” (plants isolated), “ ligneous, densely clothed, as are the bases of the stipes, with large, broad, suddenly-acuminate hair-pointed pale- brown self-coloured scales. (Stives 6-17 in. 1, stout, pale-brown or straw- coloured, sometimes mottled. Frond 10-24 in. long by 8-138 in, br., bipinnate in lower part ; rhachises slightly winged in upper pinne ; Jowest pinne as long as or longer than the next above, and the lowest four or five pairs but 740 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV, little diminished in length, diminution thence gradual to apex ; rhachises straw- coloured, or pale-brown, or pale-green, more or less clothed with pale-coloured linear scales and fibrils, but sometimes glabrous ; frond plumose in appearance. Pinna ascendant, 16-80 pairs besides the deeply-pinnatified apex, distant near base of frond, lowest 5-93 in. 1. by 2-44 in. br. Pinnules 12-20 pairs, on the lower pinnee much longest on the lower side, longest towards the middle and then up to 24 in, L, none 3 in. br., and all distant, falcate ; oblong for two- thirds of their length, and then acuminate, cut duwn to a winged rhachis into 10-15 segments ; segments in large fronds lobed on both sides, and lobes toothed. Texture herbaceous. Colowr pale-green, but drying sometimes pale-brown. Veins pinnate in segments, and forked in larger lobes. Sori generally absent in lowest two or three pairs of pinne, but extending sometimes almost to the apices of fronds and pinne, up to six in lowest lobes, medial. Znvolucres thick moderate-sized, persistent, brown ; sporangia pale-green when young,”— Plate XXXII. Afghan. : Peiwar Kotal 8000’, the late Sir Henry Collett 1879; Aztch. 9000, No. 266, 1880 @amed NV. rigidum, var. pallida). TRANS-IND. STATES: with the Chitral Relief Expedition—72-10,000', Dr. Harris, Sir Wm. Gatacre. KASHMIR, W.—4-10,000', Trotter 1888, MacLeod 1891, McDonell 1891 and 1894, Duthie 1892-93. PuNJAB: Hazara Dist.—“ The Gallies,” Mrs. Queripel 1882 ; Kagan Valley Inayat (Sahar. Herb. Collr.) 1896-7-9; between Abbotabad and Murree 7-8500’, frequent, Trotter 1888-89 and 1892 ; Simla Reg.—8-9000', Blanf. 1882-84, Hope 1886, Bliss 1891. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—Jaunsar 8000’, Gamble 1892-95-98; 7. Garh. 8-9000’, Duthie 1883. The characteristic features of this fern are—the broad frond, hardly ever reduced at the base : the very long, broad and distant pinne:: the very long and narrow pinnules: the pale-green colour of the frond, and the almost invariably pale colour of the scales. The distribution seems to be confined to the Western Himalaya and the mountains immediately to the westward of British India. In colour it is similar to the much less compound JV. pallidum of Bory, a native of South-Hastern Europe and Western Asia. Some speci- mens of VV. ramosum approach NV. odontoloma, and others NV. marginatum, Wall., which varies a good deal. But VV. odontoloma never is broadest at base as VV. ramosum is almost invariably. Perhaps the nearest congener of this species is VV. Blanfordu, Hope, No. 18 above described, a fern with a more limited range ; but that species is never so compound in cutting, and it always has a short stipes, and dark-coloured scales. 22. N. marginatum, Wall. (under Aspidium), Cat. 391, mainly, but not the type sheet; C. R. 521, t. 71 ; Aspidium marginatum (not clearly separable from) », VV. elongatum, Hk. & Grev., Syn, Fil. 272. Lastrea Filia- th. 2 Th Sa RS Chitra Silpi C Lz Se NS . j se a TZ AIG aa TN Fitch del Chiva Sip C2 Lith. NEPHRODIUM MARGINATUM Wal... (Sub Aspidnum ) Rhizome natural size. 4. Pinnule of N23. enlarged 2% diam. .Pinnules from a basal pimna:nat size. 5. Seales from base of stipes: nat. size. . Upper grds.cfapmna:nat size from same frond. 6 .__............do. : enlarged 5 diam. 7. Portion of scale: enlarged 20 diam. COIN a | Naat THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 741 mas, var. », elongata, Hk. & Grev., Bedd. H. B, 250, and Suppt. 56. Plate XX XIII. Mr. Clarke’s description is :—‘‘ Frond large, oblong or ovate-lanceolate, not narrowed at the base, 2-3 pinnate ; lowest pinnee often 12 in, |., falcate ; main and partial rhachises nearly free from scales ; tertiary pinne oblong, obtuse, serrate or pinnatifid sometimes nearly to the midrib ; texture, venation, and sori nearly as /ilia-mas—Himalaya, alt. 6-9000', from Bhotan to Kumaun, common in Sikkim; Khasia, alt. 5000’; Kohima 6000/.” Mr. Clarke observes :—‘“ This form is called var. elongatum (of NV. F.-mas) in the Kew bundles, and also by Indian collectors; but I do not see that it is much like VV. elongatum, Hk. & Gr., Ic. Fil. t. 234 (Aspidium, Milde, Fil. Eur. 124), which is founded on a Macaronesian fern that seems to me much more like var. Khasiana.? InthisI quite concur, but I cannot do so in what follows the above. NV. marginatum, Wall., is quite common as far westward as Simla, and even in Western Kashmir, according to Col. MacLeod ; and I have a speci- men from the Hazara District collected by Mr. Trotter. I give the habitats I have notes of—as follow:— KASHMIR : On the range between Jhelam and Kishenganga Valleys—“ common from 6 to 11,000’ MacLeod in MS., 1893. PungAB : Hazara Dist.—near Dungagali 7000', Trotter No. 546, 1890 ; Chamba— below Dalhousie 5000’, Blanford 1886 ; McDonell ; Kangra Vy. Dist.—Dharmsala 6500’, Trotter ; Simla Region—Simla 5500-6000’, Hope, Blanford, Bliss, N-W. P.: D. D. Dist —Mussooree and neighbourhood, from 5000 to 6950’, common in forest. 7. Garh.-—-Aglar Valley, Duthie; Kumaun 47-6000. DistRIB.—Asia : N. Ind. CHim.), Sikkim (common), Bhotan; Assam—Khasia 5000', Kohima 6000’ Cierke. S. Ind., on the Western Mts., 4-6000’, Beddome. Ceylon (Beddome H. B.). Malay Peninsula—Perak (Beddome Suppt. H. B.), The description of VV. elongatum, Hk. & Gr., given in the ‘ Synopsis’ under N. Filiz-mas Rich, is:—“ fr. sometimes 3-4 ft. 1, 2 ft. br., subdeltoid, quadripinnatifid ; lower pinnaee 1 ft. or morel., 4-6 in. br., pinnl. close, lanceolate, cut down nearly to the rhachis into oblong crenated lobes ; invol. 4—4 lin, br.;” and the concluding remark, under WV. F.-mas, in which is included JV. elongatum, as var. y is—‘* The extremes as described differ widely, but we cannot draw any clear line between them. A. Schimpervanum, canariense, Ludovicianum, and marginatum, none of them seem clearly separable from 4 which might be looked for in group 7,” Group 7, when we come to it ten pages further on in the ‘ Synopsis,’ contains 28 species with fronds ample, more than 13—2 ft. J., 1. ft. br., decompouad. Had the description of 2. elongatum given in the ‘ Synopsis ’ been simply of the Macaronesian plant, as figured in Hooker and Greville’s Jcones Pilicum, the suggestion that the fern mighy be looked for in group 7 of nephrodium could hardly have been made. The figure is of the Madeira fern, as gathered 742 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. there, at Ribeiro d’Amestade, and the description in the Zcones is said to have been made from the frond figured ; but it goes beyond that, and seems to have been intended to cover also WV. canariense, A. Br., which Milde considered to be a distinct species. So also does the description in the ‘ Synopsis’ seems to have been designedly made comprehensive ; and afterwards it was thought sufficiently so to cover also WV. Schimperranum, Hochst., and NV, marginatum, Wall, And, next, the habitats were extended eastwards from the Macaronesian Islands, over nearly all Africa, and the Hast: Indies, and westwards to the South United States. I cannot find any specimen of VV. elongatum, as figured by Hooker and Greville, marked as having been collected in the Canary Islands ; nor does it seem to have been got on the Continent of Africa. Nor can I find any specimen of the more compound (or decompound ?) plant, WV. canariense, marked as having been got either on Madeira or on the African Continent. But I must point out, in spite of Milde’s opinion that it is a distinct: species, that VV. canariense appears to be closely connected with NV. elongatum, for it shares with it two characters which I cannot find in VV. Filiz-mas, or in any African or Indian plant named JV. elongatum. ‘These are (1), as stated im Hooker and Greville’s description,— the underside (of the frond) is minutely dotted with crystalline glands, and the involucre, which is very convex, is also studded with glands, some crystalline, some opaque (sic)” ; and (2)—which I cannot see anywhere noted—the secondary rhachises, and ina less degree the costz of the pinnules, or the tertiary rhachises, bear peculiar small, rounded, pointed scales. These scales I cannot find on any form of NV. Filix-mas, or on any other so-called variety of it, or on WV. marginatum, Wall., or on any continental African species or form. The difference in cutting between even the largest specimens of 1. canariense and the smallest and least compound (or decompound) specimens of WV. mar- ginatum, Wall., is very marked ; and the very patent and closely-set pinnee and pinnules of WV. elongatum, Hk. & Gr., and N. canariense, A. Br., are in marked contrast with the ascendant and widely separated corresponding parts of VV. mar- gnatum, Wall. The texture and colour of the two species are very different. ; and the scales at base of stipes are utterly dissimilar from each other as well as from those of V. Filiz-mas. Nephrodium elongatum, Hk, & Gr., is, as these authors say, Aspidiwm elongatum, of Swartz, Syn. Fil. p. 55, Willd. Sp. Pl. v. 5, 269, 1779, which again is the Polypodium elongatum, of Aiton, in Hort. Kew. Ed. 1, v. 3, p. 465, and Hd, 2nd, Vol. V., 1813. The type of Polypodium elongatum is in Herb. Hort. Kew.—ticket—“ Polypedium elongatum, Solander, n. sp, 1781,’’ Herb. late Bishop Goodenough, presented by the Corporation of Carlisle, June 1880. This has the characteristic scales. described above, on the secondary rhachises and THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 743 coste : the stipes are incomplete, and there is no rhizome. Tectaria elongata, Cav., is quoted in the Icones asasynonym. The following remarks are made, after the technical description :— “This fern appears to be very little known to botanists, and we are much indebted to the Rev. R. T. Lowe for sending us five specimens gathered in Madeira, at Ribeiro d’Amestade, at an elevation of 3,000 feet above the level of the sea, and from which our figure and description have been made. These, too, we have had an opportunity of comparing with an authentic specimen of Mr. Masson’s, and thus determining it to be the Polypodium of the Hortus Kewensis.” None of the authors, Aiton, Swartz, and Hooker and Greville, give any habitat for the plant, except the islands of the Macaronesian group ; and as there is plenty of specimens in the Kew Herbarium, from Lowe and other collectors, named JV. elongatum, there can be no dispute as to what the type plant is. As the plant was in cultivation in the Royal Gardens, Kew, in Aiton's time, and as it has a place in the Hand-List of Ferns and Fern Allies cultivated in the Royal Gardens, and it would be interesting to compare the fronds now growing with the old Herbarium specimens, and others more recently collected in Madeira, I have tried to find the plant referred to in the List, but without success. No one in the Gardens seems to know of the existence of the plant, orto be able to find it. The Growing ferns are not arranged according to any system of classification, and they are therefore not s0 available for study as they might be. But I am safe in challenging any one to show any connection between JV. elongatum and VN. marginatum, Wall. 23. N. sparsum, Don (under Asyidium); Syn. Fil, 276; 0. R. 523, Lastrea sparsa, Don, Bedd. H. B. 252, PongAB: Chamba State—Ravi Valley-Langera 6500’, McDonell 1882. N.-W. P.: Z. Garh—Duthie 1877, Herschel 1878-79; Phaidi, E. of Landour 5-6000’, Duthie 1881; Kumaun—near Askot 4-5000’, Duthie 1884. DisTRIB.— Asia: N. Ind. (Him.), Sikkim and Bhotan; Assam—“ very common eastward.” ©. Proy.—Pachmarhi, Duthie. S. Ind.—Mahableshwar ; “ abundant on all the western Mts., and on the hills on eastern side” (Beddome). Ceylon. Thibet HA. BE. Hobson, Burma, Malay Isles. N. China Yunnan-- Henry. Formosa. Java— Raciborski, Borneo. Mr. McDonell’s fern from Chamba seems very different from the Garhwal plant. It is very elegant in cutting, and, though small, is all but tripinnate ; stipes and rhachis reddish in colour; it is perhaps a distinct species. The Garbwal plant is hardly bipinnate. 24, N. crenatum, Baker, Fl. Mauritius 497. Polypodiwm crenatum, Forsk. JV. odoratum, Baker, Syn. Fil. 280. WV. crenutum, C. B. Clarke, C. R. 524, Lastrea crenata, Forsk. (under Polypodium), Bedd. H. B, 258. PunsaB: Hazéra Dist.—near Kalapani 6000’, Trotter 1890 ;—Chamba State, McDonell ; 6-7000’ Trotter; Mandi State 5-6000’, Trotter; Simla Reg.—Simla to Kamalhori Mt., and Sutlaj Valley, 3-8500’ or higher, Gamble, Hope, Bliss, i 14 744 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—Jaunsar: Khalsi; Gammie, Shaora 5500’, C. G. Rogers in the Dun, common in ravines, at foot of Himalaya, and up to Mussooree, 25-7000. T. Garh.—Ganges Valley 5-6000', Duthie; B. Garh.—Mrs. Fisher ; Kumaun—Naini TAl 7500’, Hope 1861 ; Davidson; Gola Valley, above Ranibagh 2-2500', Hope 1890 ; “ very common in all valleys, 2-5000’,” MacLeod. DistRIB.—Asia: N. Ind, (Him.) Sikkim and Bhotan; Assam—Khasia 2-4500’, frequent; Bengal—Chutia-Nagpur 2-3000’. Ceylon—Malay Peninsula. §. Chins. Afr.; Trop. ; Mauritius. Mr. Clarke says—very partial to limestone; but I find it grows also on sandstone and shale. It flourishes on dry cliffs, in the clefts of which it buries its procumbent rhizome, which has a beautiful covering of long golden-chest- nut scales. The sori are rarely nephrodioid, generally looped, or hippocrepiform : towards tips linear. The plant might almost be put in Althyrium. 25. N. Boryanum, Baker, non Hook.; Syn. Fil. 284; C. R. 527. Lastrea Boryana, Willd. (ander Aspidium), Bedd. H. B. 266. PunyaB: Chamba—McDonell Cin List of Chamba Ferns identified at Kew ; Kangra Vy. Dist.—Dharmsala, C. B. Clarke 1874 ; Simla Reg.—Simla, Col. Bates, Dr. Cattell, JOth Hussars, 1876 ; Simla waterfalls, Gamble; Simla—“ the Glen” 6000’, Blanford : “not uncommon in welleshaded ravines below 6000’”; Simla, below Petersfield 5500’, in the open, Hope 1886. N-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—Mussooree? Duthie, Herschel; 7. Garh.—Bhatauli 4-5000', Mackinnons, Hope ; Kumaun—Sarju Valley 3-4900', Duthie; Trotter. DistRIB.—Asia : N. Ind. (Him.), Sikkim Hook. fil., C. B. Clarke ; Bhotan Griffith, C. B. Clarke, Levinge ; Assam Wallich, Khasia; Burma—Tonghoo. 8. Ind.— Ana- mallay Hills, Beddome. Malaya. China—Yunnan Henry. Japan. Afr. : Ruwenzori Mt., Scott Elliot ; Johanna, Mauritius, Bourbon. 26. N. setigerum, Baker; Syn. Fil. 284. WV. tenericaule, Hook., C. R. 528. Lastrea tenericaulis, Wall., under Polypodium, Bedd. H. B. 266, PungaB: Chamba State—Dr. George Watt, fide Trotter. DISTRIB.— Asia: N. (Him.), Nepal, Sikkim; Assam—up to 4000’: E. Bengal— “ very common, extending some way into the plains, as to Sylhet Station,” Clarke. 8. Ind.—on the W. Mts., 2-3000’: “very common,” Beddome in H. B. Burma. Ceylon 1500’—3000’. Malaya, China, Australia, Polynesia (Clarke, in ‘ Review’.) This species is entered in Trotter’s Lists, both printed and MS§., and he wrote to me about it, but I do not think I saw the specimen. It is not entered in McDonell’s List of Chamba: Ferns identified at Kew ; and Blanford did not admit it as afern of the Simla Region, where Dr. Cattell, in his pub- lished list, said it had been got. Subgenus EUNEPHRODIUM. 27. WN. molliusculum, Wall. (under Polypodium), Cat, 332, Bedd. Suppt. H. B. 68. WV. Hopei, No. 165* Baker, in Ann, Bot,, Vol. Y., No. XVIII. WV. molle, Desy., an E. Indian form of, Syn, Fil. 293. WV. eatensum, vars. microsora and late-repeus, C. R. 529, 530, N. microsorum, Clarke, Bedd. H. B. 270,—Plate XXXIV. Chitra Silpi ce oe NEPHRODIUM MOLLIUSCULUM Wall. (der Aspidiurn) 1. Rhizome; natural size. 2 Portion of frond: natural size. J.N. Fitch del. 3. Portion of a prmna: enlar ged 3 diam. A. Sorus: enlarged 25 diam. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 745 NeW. Pw: D. D. Dist.—Dehra Dun H., Song R., above Lachiwala 18-1900’, Hope 1886 : seen also eastward down to 1150’ alt. ; Nala Pani, near Dohra, ‘* 23-970,” in Herb. Hort. Cale. ; Garkwal—G. King, 1868; Kuwmaun—R. B. 1827 ; A. O. Hume, in Herb. Hort. Calc.; Kali Valley, 2-3000’, Duthie 1884 ; Sarju Valley near Bageswar. 3-3500’, Trotter 1891. DistRiB.—Asia: N. Ind. (Him.), Sikkim 506’-£000', common ; in the Terai universal (Clarke in ‘ Review”); Assam-Kohima 5000’, Clarke—as JV, ewtenswm, in Linn. Journ, XXV, 94. China, Henry, No. 18079: presented to Kew Herb. in 1900 and named there WV. molle. a Colonel Beddome has given up his VV, microsorum, and in his Supplement of 1892 has in its stead set up WV. molliusculum, Wall. Both Baker and Clarke say that Wallich’s NW. molliusculum is N. molle, alias N. parasiticum ; but on turning up Wallich’s specimen in the Linnean Society’s Herbarium, I find that Col. Beddome’s new view is correct, Mr. Baker had, of course, been obliged to rename the plant, because there was already a Wephrodium (Lastrea) microso- rum, Hook., No. 69 in the ‘ Synopsis.’ This re-christening has promoted research, NV. molliusculum, though very rare in N.-W. India, seems—if Beddome’s reduction of Clarke’s varieties of VV. eatenswm be correct—to be very abundant in Sikkim and the ‘ Zara’ below it. Clarke says his var. microsora is common in Sikkim, and that his var. /ate-repens is universal in the ‘Tarai.’ [As this verna- cular word had not, I think, appeared in this paper before it may be explained that it means the second belt or zone of land below the Himalaya Range,—the first, just at its feet, being the ‘ Bhabar’ or steepish stratum of boulders and gravel into which the off flow of the mountains sinks—to reappear in the flatter ‘ Tarai, at a lower level.] Mr. Clarke says :—‘‘ This fern creeps in the sand near streams where they debouch from the hills, covering acres, I might say square miles, of country, as round Siliguti.” Again, under WV. procurrens, he says— There are ferns, like NV. extensum, var. late-repens, where a single rhizome will cover a quarter of an acre.”” In the Dehra Din, the station where I first saw VV. molliuscudwm was below the high bank of a river, in swampy ground caused by water trickling out of the bank ; this was in forest, and canes (Calamus sp.) were growing in the swamp, which prevented the rhizomes being traced to any great extent. It was evidently a wrong time of year for collecting the fern, and there were large beds of young sterile fronds, among which were found a few larger and more developed fertile fronds of the previovs season, I think in July and August good fertile specimens would be got; but where a fern perpetuates itself so well from its rhizome it has small need for producing sporangia. Asplenium multicaudatwn, Wall., is another case in point. Dr. King’s plant from Garhwél, noted above, seems this; but the pinne dwindle to nothing at the base.of the frond. In the Calcutta Herbarium there is-a remarkably fringed sport, from Assam, Simons. eS 746 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL AISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, X1V. 28. N.aridum, Baker; Syn. Fil. 291; C.R.531. Nephrodiumaridum, Don (under Aspdium), Bedd. H. B. 272. Asmdium venulosum, Wall. Cat. 352, A. scabridum, Wall. Cat. 302. PUNJAB : Chamba—MecDonell ; Kullu—Upper Beas Valley 5-6000’, Trotter 1887 ; Simla Reg.—Bashahr, Lace. N-W. P.: D. D. Dist —Khurrak, Edgew.—Very common in the Din, in ditches and by sides of streams, 1560’—3000' ; Kumaun—Sarju Valley 3500’, S.& Wa, Davidson ; near Askot 4-5000’, Duthie ; Takula 4500’, MacLeod. Oudh—Philibhit, Keri and Baraitch Dists., Duthie 1898. DistRIB.—Asia : N. India—“ Throughout the Bengal Plain, abundant ; from the Soonderbun (Sundriban) to Assam and the Dehra Dun, ascending the hills to 3000’. Throughout India and Ceylon.” (Clarke's Rev.). Bhotan, Nuttall, Manipur 1500’, Clarke 1885. Notin S, India or Ceylon (Bedd. in H. B.). Malay Peninsula, Perak and Singapur, N, Australia (Clarke in Rev.) This is one of the commonest ferns in the Dehra Dun, where there is water ; it is quite a hedgerow plant, if there is a wet ditch adjoining. Its name must have been given to it on account of the dry appearance and texture of the fronds when mature; while growing they are succulent. The rhizome is creeping. I would amend Beadome’s description thus :-— ‘* Rhizome creeping ; stipes 1 ft. or less long, erect, slightly pubescent ; fronds 2-12 ft. 1., 12-15 in. br. ; pinne@ increasingly distant until below they are 4-6 in. apart, and rapidly diminishing to mere auricles, 6-9 in. 1, 3-1 in. br, cat about 4rd of the way down into subtriangular sharp-pointed lobes, in the barren fronds, at least, auricled at base above ; the lowest lobes of the pinnee sometimes much the smallest, sometimes much the largest, in which latter case the vein- leis may be found forked, and anastomosing in the lobe ; feature coriaceous, glandular below ; rhachis and lower surface hairy; veinlets 8-10 on a side, 5-6 pairs joined with those of the adjacent pinnules ; veins in green frond transparent, in dry frond opaque; sori in rows, 1 or 1 pair at junction of lowest pair of veins,—the rest nearly medial.” Colonel Beddome’s new species, N. papyracewm, Supp. H. B., p. 69, is, 1 feel sure, non-existent, so far at least as N.-W. India is concerned. His locality —“‘ Kullu, Upper Biso Valley, Trotter ’*—must be a misprint for “Upper Bias (or Beas) Valley. I have a young sterile frond from Trotter - ‘ collected in Kullu—Upper Bids Valley 5-6000', noted above, and it is NV. aridum, pure and simple. Jt has no such venation in the lowest segments of the pinnze as Beddome speaks of ; but on looking at other specimens I find that is a character of WV. aridum, as long ago I observed it is of WN. mole. I now understand that Col. Beddome gives up the Kullu station for NV. papy- raceum. admitting that his specimen is WV. aridum. 29, N. molle, Desv. ; Syn. Fil..298 ; Bedd. H. B..277. V. parasite- THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 747 cum, O B, Clarke, C. R. 533 (Linn, under Polypodium; Sunw. der Aspidium),. TRANSeIND. STATES : Swdt—below Laram Pass, 4000’, Gatacre 1895. PuNJaB: Hazdra Dist.—Trotter in Lists; Siran Vy., Inayat, collr. for Sahar. Herb. 1896. Chamba State—McDonell in List and J. Marten ; Kangra Vy. Dist. W., 25-3000’, Trotter ; Hoshiarpur Dist.—Aitch.; Jalandhar, Aitch.; Simla Reg.—- Simla and vicinity—“ not met with above 5000’, but common in the deep valleys at 4500’ and below”: Blanford in List. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—Jaunsar 3000' and lower, common in the Dehra Diin 1-3000’; 7. Garh. near Bhatauli 4500’, Hope; B. Garh. Mrs. Fisher. Kwmaun— Almora 4600’, Hope; “Kumaun,” Davidson 1875; Gola Vy. 35-4000’, Hope; Gorakhpur Dist.—Nichaul (in a well), A. Campbell. DIsTRIB.—Amer. :—Cuba and Mexico to Peru and Brazil. Asia: Himalaya and §. India; China--Hong Kong. Australasia: N. S. Wales and N. Zealand. Afr. ; Macaronesia, Guinea Coast, Cape Colony, Mascaren Isles. Mr, Clarke says this species is very little variable, considering its extensive range. ‘There is, or was, close to Dehra a remarkable sport, which besides forking, sometimes several times, has a tendency to become distinctly bipin- nate, and when so is often soriferous. Such fronds were found on plants producing also normal fronds ; and the sporting seemed to be luxuriance pro- duced by moist rich soil in a ditch, used also as an irrigation channel, with dense shade overhead. I have seen plants with similar tendency on the slope of a canal cutting near Dehra. I gathered many plants and fronds of this from the first-mentioned station, but never got a frond wholly bipinnate. Had I found a plant with only bipinnate fronds, I might have been tempted to propose a new genus or subgenus—there being no bipinnate Hunephrodium that I know of. In the Calcutta Herbarium there is a specimen of a similar sport from Sikkim, 1873. 30. N. papilio, n. sp.—Plate XII. (see Part II., Vol. XII., p. 625). Add, to localities:—7Z. Garh., Mantargadh 4500’, Gamble, 27413, 10-’98 ; B. Garh., Mrs. Fisher, 31. N. occultum, n. sp.—Plate XIIT. (see Vol. XIT., p. 627). Subgenus SagEnta, Presi. 32. MN. cicutarium, Baker; Syn. Fil. 299; C. R. 589. Aspidium acutarium, Sw., Bedd. H. B. 220. PUNJAB: Chamba State-—-McDonell, in List ; Kangra Vy. Dist. W.—8000', Trotter ; Mandi State, Trotter 1887; Simla Reg.—kbelow the tonga road, 8 miles from Simla, Bliss 1892 : new to the Region ; not in Blanford’s List. N.-W. P.: D. D. Dist.—The Dehra Dtin and South slope of Himalaya, 15-5100’, common; 7. Garh.—Ganges Vy. 3-4000’, Duthie; B. Garh, Mrs. Fisher. Kumaun— Valley of the Sarju 4,000’, R. Blink., in Herb. Wallich, 3500’, S.& W.; Naini Tal, Hope 1861 ; Davidson 1§75; Kali Vy. 3-4000’, Duthie 1884 ; Gola Vy. 2500’ Hope 1890. DIstRIB.— Amer. : Cuba ard Mexico, southward to Brazil and Peru. Asia: N., Ind. (Him.), Sikkim and Bhotdn; Assam ; Bengal— Chittagong, Chutia-Nagpur 748 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. 1-4000’, common. S, India—“ the more hairy variety, known as coadunata, only is found * (Bedd. H. B.); Burma. Ceylon. Afr. : Guinea Coast, Angola, Zambesi Land, Mascaren Islands. No mention is made in the Synopsis of Clarke’s var. coadunata, Wall. Cat. 377, partly :—‘* Frond thick, hairy on the rhachises, and often on the frond beneath,” which he says is as widely spread in North India as the typical NV. cuuterium, and still more plentiful, I have seen no such hairy Sagenia from N. India, or indeed from elsewhere. Clarke goes on to say that 1. coadunatum is a stout, firm, thick, hairy frond on a short stipe, but that Wallich’s type sheet of Aspidium coadunatum is very glabrous, and is unfortunately exactly that variety which has been known in India as not var. coadunata ! I have a specimen of this fern from Simla, a portion of a thin, light-green, membranous frond, with small sori confined to the long, pointed lobes, and scarcely a trace of involucre ; and involucres are hardly visible in a large speci- men from below Mussooree. On the other hand, in one specimen received from the Messrs. Mackinnon, collected near Mussooree, the involuctes are persistent, but only th in. diam. ; while in another, from the same source, they are 3th in. diam., and so crowded all over the frond as often to overlap one another : their diameter is thrice that of the sorus, and they are all nephrodioid. A specimen I collected at 5100’ alt., below Mussooree, is mounted on five 184 in, sheets : the second lowest pinne are 22 in. 1., giving a breadth of frond of 44 in., and the lowest pinnee are 24” X 12”, and 264” X 13”, respectively. Some American specimens are comparatively small, and not broad below. Genus 24, NEPHROLEPIS, Schott. 1. N. cordifolia, Presl.; Syn. Fil. 300 ; OC. R. 546 ; WV. cordafolia, Linn. under Polypotium, Bedd. H. B. 282. NW. P.: L. Garh.—below Laluri 3-4000', Duthie 1881; B. Garh.--3-4000', P. W. Mackinnon 1881 ; Kinoli Vy.—4-5000', Duthie 1885. Kwmawn—Sarju Vy., near Bagesar 3-3500', S. & W. 1848, Trotter 1891; Sarju—Ganga Vy, 3500’, MacLeod 1898. DIsTRIB,—Amer. : Cuba and Mexico to Brazil and Peru. Asia: N. Ind. (Him.), Bhotan, up to 5000’; Bengal—Chittagong, as well as on the hills to the south of Hindostan. §S, India. Ceylon, Burma. Malaya. Japan. Australia and N, Zealand. Afr. : Guinea Coast, Zambesi Land and Masearen Islands. 2. N.volubilis (J. Smith), Clarke in ‘ Review’ 541, t. 78 ; Bedd. 284. NV. eraltata, Schott, Syu. Fil. 301: “a straggling, flexuose form.” Mr. Clarke’s description is :— “« Rhizome climbing 25—30 ft. high over trees, with adpressed chestnut scales in the short lateral distant spurs, whence spring clusters of stipes ; pinne obtuse or nob very acute ; venation and sori much as in JV. eraltata. Aspidium evaltatum, Wall. Cat. 103i, partly marked ws exultatum by Wallich, Lindsaya launcinosa, Wall, Cat. 154. aN W. P..; Kumaun—Naini TA], Hope 1861 ; once seen. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 749 DistRiB.—Asia: N. Ind. (Him.), Bhotén Griffith ; Assam—Sylhet Station (alt. 300’), Hook. il. and 7. 7.,and C. B. Clarke, Manipur ; Bengal—Chittagong, Hk fil. and 7. 7., and C. B. Clarke. Malacca. Malay Archipelago. N. Borneo. Mr. Clarke says in his ‘ Review,’ ‘‘ Considered a variety of WV. eraltata in Hk. and Baker, Syn. Fil. 301; but with the arrival of more material Mr. Baker inclines to admit ii asa good species. They both grow together plentifully in Sylhet Station, but are there easily distinguished.” NV. exaltata does not appear to climb at all, whereas WV. voludilis climbs 25--30 feet (Beddome says 50 feet) to the tops of trees. (Perhaps the specific name ezaltata is thought sufficient to cover this notable difference of habit : if a fern named ezaltata does not climb 30 or 50 feet high, it certainly ought to do so.) My specimen from Naini Tal, in Kumaun, consists of eight inches of glabrous, wiry, rhizome, with two spurs, three inches apart, from which spring not only clusters (pairs) of stipes as in Mr, Clarke’s figure, but also clusters of very long roots, which have hardly been indicated by Mr. Clarke’s artist, I gathered it by the side of the path (or road) which then (1861) led up Chinar Mountain, through the jungle at the north end of the Naini Tél Glen. The plant was growing onthe ground, and I gathered only the portion above described, I showed this to Mr. Clarke and Mr. W. S. Atkinson in Calcutta in 1872, and they agreed in naming it VV. ramosa, Moore,—in error, as I after- wards ssw. The specimen was mounted, with the rest of my collection, when { was at home later in 1892, and the sheet has ever since been in my possession, Genus 25, OLEANDRA, Cav. 1, O. Wallichii, Hook.; Syn. Fil. 302; O. Wallichii, Presi., C. R. 542 ; Bedd. H. B. 287. PuNJAB : Simla Reg,—Simla 5-€000', Edgeworth, Bates, Gamble, Blanf., Trotter, Bliss. “ Not common, but locally abundant : growing on perpendicular rock faces between 5500’ and 6000’,” Blantord in List. N.-W. P.: D, D, Dist.—Mussooree, in Herb. Dalzel, 1860; ‘The Park ™ 63-6500’, on trees, Mackinnons 1879, Hope 1887, 1895 ; 7. Garh.—Jumna Vy., Duthie 1883 ; “ Garhwal,” 5-6000’, Dr. J. L. Stewart, 2B. Garh.—above Bansbagar 4-5000’ and 6-7000’, Duthie 1885; Awmawn—Mohargiri 6500’, S.& W. 1848; near Naini Tal, Hope 1861, on wet rocks ; Gori Valley 5-S000’, Duthie 1884, 8-9000', Duthie 1886; Dhankuni Pass 8500’, Trotter 1891 ; Kila Muni Ridge 90600’, MacLeod 1893; “orows chiefly on rocks, occasionally on trees.” DISTRIB.—Asia : N, Ind. (Him.), Nepal, Wallich, Sikkim and Bhotén; Assam— Khasia, Kohima and N. Manipur 5500’. Burma, Malay Penins. The fronds of this fern grow larger than is stated in the books: I have Mussooree specimens over 18 in. 1. The creeping rhizome is generally free, only clinging to the trunks of trees and to rocks by its long wiry roots: it winds round and up the trunks, branching in all directions—frequently at right angles. The fronds droop, and form a beautiful clothing to the tree trunks, 750 THE ORIENTAL REGION AND ITS POSITION IN ZOOLOGICAL GEOGRAPHY. By E. Comper, F.zZ.8. (Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on the 27th November, 1902.) Prior to the adoption of the general theory of evolution, when > it never occurred to species were regarded as “special creations,’ any one that there was any direct advantage in studying the com- parative faunas of different countries or the exact areas occupied by various species or groups of animals. But when Darwin’s great reve- lations taught us to realise the relationships of different animals, it was at once seen that distribution was a most important study in help- ing to anravel the mysteries of the book of Nature, in addition to the study of the habits, structure and affinities of animals. The subject of geographical distribution, however, entails the study of much more than would at first appear probable; for, in addition to the mere mapping out of the areas over which any species or group ranges, it involves the interesting and complex questions of why it should be confined to that region, which may even consist of two or more dis- continuous areas, and how it came to be present there, perhaps away from all its near relations. We are thus led into the whole past history of the world, organic and inorganic, throughout a large por- tion of geological time, of the true affinities of animals, including their extinct forms and of past migrations which may be accounted for by the submergence or upheaval of certain areas of the earth’s surface, causing connections or separations of existing land areas, or by alterations of geological climates, such, for instance, as the well- known glacial epoch of Northern Europe. It is a subject to which there has been little or no direct reference in the published records of this Society, although boundless informa- tion of a scattered nature is of course to be discovered in the thirteen volumes of our Journal by those who come to analyse, tabulate and draw conclusions from the many lists of local faunas—mostly of course treating of some one group or class—that have appeared in its pages. A short summary of the position aud characteristics of the general fauna of the Oriental—or as some authorities have preferred to designate it, the Indian or Indo-Malayan—region at the present time will therefore, I believe, interest and I hope, to some extent, assist THE ORIENTAL REGION AND ITS POSITION. 751 those who have not studied the question in its more scientific sense ; although I do not in any way lay claim to anything original of scientific importance in this paper. As a local Society we kave never definitely adopted any exact limits to the region to which our investigations shall be confined, but, although we have constantly published papers dealing with subjects or collections from places outside the boundaries of the Oriontal region— such, for instance, as Aden, Somaliland or the Persian Gulf{—it is with this region that we are more particularly concerned. It will be as well, I think, to first of all glance over the several zoological regions into which naturalists have divided the terrestrial surface of the globe, for we shall then be able to better understand the position of the Oriental region in the scheme when we come to con- sider it in detail. It is needless, I fancy, to remark that it was long ago recognised that the great geographical or political divisions of the globe in com- mon use do not correspond to its zoological divisions ; but it was not until after the middle of last century that a more or less practical scheme was published by Mr. P. L. Sclater, the present Secretary of the Zoological Society of London, followed up and developed by the great work of Mr. A. R. Wallace, which, with some modifications, has since been generally adopted. This division of the world into zoolo- gical regions was originally based by Mr. Sclater on the distribution of representative orders, families and genera of birds, and that he was in the main correct is proved by the fact that the six regions that he established have met with very general acceptance at the hands of those who specially study other groups of animals, At the same time it must be borne in-mind that a division, which is suitable for one class of animals, is not: by any means necessarily applicable to other groups. And still less so for plants, for such configurations of the earth’s sur- face, in the way of oceans, mountain ranges, deserts, &e., which may, for instance, be insuperable barriers to mammals, may not be so to birds, reptiles, fishes, molluscs or insects. But the fact that we find in each of the recognised regions the whole fauna more or less typical of that particular region, is sufficient justification for adopting them as a means of assisting our investigations of the zoology of the globe. The six regions may be briefly described as follows :— (1) Panmarcric.—The whole of Europe and of Asia north of the 46 752 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, boundaries of the Oriental region, which we shall define presently, and including that portion of Africa that is north of the Sahara desert. (2) Nearcric.—The whole of North America, excluding Mexico, but including Greenland. These two regions have, by several eminent authorities, been lately combined under the designation Houarctic, the former titles being retained as sub-regions of the same. (3) Evsioptan.—The whole of Africa from the northern limits of the Sahara desert, with Arabia and the islands of Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. (4) OrntenTAL,—That portion of Asia south of the boundaries of the Palzarctic region, and including the islands of the Malay archi- pelago till it meets the Australian region. (5) AusrraLian.—Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania with the islands of New Guinea and Celebes, though it is probable that even- tually New Zealand may come to be separated into a region of its own, (6) Neorroprcan.—South and Central America, including Mexico. I have not attempted in the foregoing summary to define the bound- aries between the Oriental region and the Palearctic or Australian regions, for they cannot be described ina few words and can best be considered in detail, to which we will now proceed. The Oriental region, it will be noticed, is conterminous with the Ethiopian region on the west and with the Palearctic and Australian regions on its northern and south-eastern boundaries, respectively ; but except in the latter case, owing to the nature of the country and the present limits of our knowledge, the exact line of demarcation cannot be laid down with the accuracy that we can determine the boundaries of other regions. Let us, however, trace them as nearly as we can. The whole of the peninsular of Arabia, south of a line drawn from the upper end of the Persian Gulf to Suez, belongs to the Ethiopian region, and all Persia, Afghanistan and the greater part, if not the whole, of Baluchistan belongs to the Palearctic region. It is when we come to Sind that we first find the fauna partaking of the character of the Oriental region, and the line of demarcation follows the Indus valley to Attock till we come to the western ranges of the Himalayas, Continuing along their southern slopes at about 9,000 to 11,000 feet, according to soil, aspect and shelter, above which the forest belt is THE ORIENTAL REGION AND ITS POSITION. 753 mainly composed of coniferous trees, it passes to the southward of Kashmir and then tends northward into Eastern Tibet, across the desert of Gobi, so as to include the whole valley of the Yang-ise-kiang and probably also that of the Hoang-ho, till it strikes the coast of China somewhere about Shanghai. Our present knowledge of the zoology of China is, however, so limited that it is not as yet possible to say where the change in the character of the fauna actually occurs. Formosa and the Philippine Islands are included in the region, whence the line passes between Borneo and Celebes and then between the two small islands of Bali and Lombok, just at the eastern end of Java, passing away into the Indian Ocean south of the latter island. Now this clearly marked division between the islands of Bali and Lombok is one of the most extraordinary instances in zoological geography, showing how little mere geographical considerations, judged from the situation and configuration of islands or continents, has to do with its phenomena. They are, judging from the map, two insignificant little islands about the size of Corsica, separated by a narrow strait no more than fifteen miles across at its narrowest part ; of considerable depth it certainly is—over 1,000 fathoms—but who would ever have imagined that we should here find the ancient boundary line of geological times between the continents of Asia and Australia ? How inapplicable does the very name Australasian, so often applied to this part of the world, become ? Regarding these two islands I cannot do better than quote what Mr. Wallace, who dis- covered this remarkable boundary line, wrote :— “These islands differ far more from each other in their birds and “quadrupeds than do England and Japan. The birds of the one are “extremely unlike those of the other, the difference being such as to ‘strike even the most ordinary observer. Bali has red and green “ woodpeckers, barbets, weaver-birds and black and white magpie ‘‘yobins, none of which are found in Lombok, where, however, we “ find screaming cockatoos and friar-birds, and the strange mound-build- “ing megapodes, which are equally unknown in Bali. Many of the “‘kinofishers, crow-shrikes and other birds, though of the sanie general “form, are of very distinct species ; and though a considerable number ‘‘ of birds are the same in both islands, the difference is none the less “yemarkable—as proving that mere distance is one of the least 754 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XiV. “ important cf the causes which have determined the likeness or unlike- “ness in the animals of different countries.” Having now sketched sut the limits of our region, let us turn our attention to some of the more characteristic groups of animals which serve to distinguish it from its neighbours. Starting with the highest forms, we have the family Simide or Anthropoid Apes represented by the Orang-outang of Sumatra and Borneo, and the Gibbons—the whole family being confined to the Oriental region, except in the case of the Gorilla and Chimpanzee of Africa. Of other apes, monkeys and baboons there are many peculiar forms, but the Lanegur group, distinguished by their possessing no cheek-pouches, of the genus Semnopithecus, is specially characteristic. Of Lemurs there are two kinds, both being peculiar to the region, viz., Nyeticebus tardigradus, the slow Loris, found throughout the countries east. of the Bay of Bengal, and Loris gracilis, the slender Loris, con- fined to Southern India and Ceylon. They both afford one of the most remarkable and interesting examples of geographical distribution known, their nearest allies being two genera found only in West Africa, In the Cats we are strongly represented with 16 species of the genus Velzs in British India and the well-known Hunting Leopard or Chita. The Tiger is of course the truly typical species, its range extending to all parts of the region except Ceylon and Borneo, though it is also found in parts of Central Asia. Of the Viverrzde@, compris- ing the Civets, Mungooses, &c., there are a number of peculiar genera, of which I may specially mention Aretzct?s with its one species known as the Binturong or Bear-cat, and the curious aquatic Cynogale of the Malay Peninsular, Sumatra and Borneo. The genus Cyon among the Canidw, containing the two species of Wild Dogs, is worthy of note, bemg found throughout the region; outside its limits its range is peculiar, as it is foundin Central Asia as far north as the Altai, the Amutland and Sagalian, but not, so far asis known, in Northern China or Japan. No true Badgers are found in the region, though three allied and peculiar genera occur, as well as four species of Otters. Of Bears—a family that is spread throughout the Palzarctic, Oriental and Nearctic regions, but are not known to inhabit Australia or Africa south of the Atlas—there are various species. Coming to the order Znsectzvora, we must note the peculiar family Tupatide or ‘lree-Shrews, which have a remarkable similarity to THE ORIENTAL REGION AND /TS POSITION. 755 Squirrels in general appearance and habits. They differ from all other members of the order in being not only arboreal but diurnal in their habits. ‘The two curious species of Gymnura are worthy of men- tion—shrew-like animals closely allied to the Hedgehogs, though they possess fur and not bristles—and only known from the countries east of the Bay of Bengal. Several species of Moles just cross our bound- aries from the Palearctic region, but the family is otherwise missing. At the end of the insectivorous section we come toa most remarkable animal about whose position and affinities there has been much doubt, viz., Galeopithecus, for which no better popular name has been fourd than the Flying-Lemur. Like the so-called Flying-Squirrels, its limbs are united by a membrane or parachute extending to the toes. Two species only are known ; the one inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, Siam, Sumatra, Java and Borneo, the other the Philippine Islands. It is oven suggested to create a special ‘order’ for their reception. Of the Bats and Rodents there is nothing special to note, both being represented by numerous species, though of the latter the Flying- Squirrels (Pteromys) here reach their highest development. Our next order is the Ungulata or hoofed quadrupeds, and first in it we must mention the Elephant, found in all suitable localities throughout the region, and which, so far as living species are concerned, is, like the genus Rhinoceros, confined to the Ethiopian and Oriental regions. When we come to the Tapir, however, we find a more unique instance of geographical distribution, for besides the Malayan species, the only other surviving forms inhabit Central and South America. The large section of the Goats and Sheep is only represented in the region by the Wild Goat of the Nilgiris and Southern India, though of course a number of species are found in the higher ranges of the Himalayas close to our boundary line. The Indian Antelope or Black Buck is separated in a genus (Antzlopes of its own, being of course confined to the Peninsular of India, and the Chevrotians or Mouse Deer (Tragulus) belong to a group peculiar to the region, of which the only near ally is a single West African species. Allied to Tragulus is the genus Hydropotes with its one species of so-called Water-Deer found only in the swamps of the Yang-tse-Kiang. Representing the lowest order of Mammalia—the Edentata—we have several species of the genus Manis, «whose bodies are covered with an armour ot-horny epidermis plates, arranged like the tiles of a-root 756 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. and apparently consisting of agglutinated hairs. Other members of the genus are found in Africa. In the case of Birds, it is not, I think, necessary to go at great iength into the very numerous genera and species that are peculiar to the region, for it will be sufficient, for the purposes of this paper, to indicate the more remarkable and characteristic groups. To start with, the Crow family is very fully represented, the genus Cissa, with its birds of beautiful plumage, being perhaps the most conspicuously characteristic, while the Tree-pies (Dendrocitta and allied genera) include many interesting species peculiar to the region. The Crow-tits (Paradozornis, Suthora, &c.) form an isolated and peculiar group, being restricted to the mountains of Northern and Eastern India and some of the mountain ranges of China. The heterogeneous collection of passerine birds included by Mr. Oates in his family of Crateropodide is very rich in the number of its forms, amounting to over 250 recognised species in British India alone. Amongst the most noteworthy genera in this group may be mentioned the Laughing-Thrushes (Garrulaz, &c.), the Tit-Babblers, or as they were formerly designated Hill-tits, the Shrike-tits (Pteruthzus), and the green Bulbuls (Chloropsis), and it is within our region that the true Bulbuls (Brachypodine) attain their greatest development. Of other passerine birds, { will only mention the quite peculiar eroup of Warblers known as Tailor-birds, the beautiful Minivets (Pericrocotus) and the bright-coloured Pittas, which reach their maximum of beauty and variety in Borneo and Sumatra. The family Fringillide (Finches and Buntings) is poorly represented, though many varieties are to be found just across the border in the Palearctic region. We must next note a quite peculiar order comprising the Broad- bills, of which the genus Lurylemus is the type, that are entirely confined to the Oriental region; and following them we find a wonder- ful variety of Woodpeckers, which group does not extend to the Australian region at all. The Barbets and Kingfishers are strongly represented, though it is in Australia that the latter attain their highest development of peculiar forms. The Hornbills, however, though extending to both the Hthiopian and Australian regions, are richest in variety within our area, and one genus only is common to any two of the said regions. The Cuckoos provide a number of THE ORIENTAL REGION AND ITS POSITION. 157 highly specialized forms ; while of the Accipitrine birds, 1 will only draw attention to the Vultures, whose range stops short at our south- eastern boundary, though it is strange that birds possessing the powers of flight that they do should not be found to inhabit the apparently well-suited country of tropical and sub-tropical Australia. Finally, we must not forget to note that it is in the Oriental region that the Pheasants are found in their greatest glory with the Peafowl and the splendid Argus Pheasant at their head, not to mention such remarkable groups as the Peacock-Pheasants (Polyplectrum), the Koklas, the Genneus group, including the Silver Pheasant, the Monals, the Tragopans and the Blood-Pheasants (Jthagenes), while closely allied to them we have the Jungle-fowls (Gallus), which are entirely confined to the region. When we come to the Reptiles, we find them in great abundance, but they do not present any well-known groups which can be considered as specially characteristic, and I think I have said enough to justify the position of the Oriental region as a well-defined and distinct section in zoological geography without deducing further instances from the great class of insects, regarding which, however, Mr. Wallace wrote: “On the whole, the insects of this region “ probably surpass those of any other part of the world, except South “* America in size, variety and beauty.” 758 ROUGH NOTES ON THE MAMMALIA OF CHITRAL. By CaAprain H, Fuuron. I have compiled these few notes on the Mammalia of Chitral from such observations as I have been able to make during my stay in Chitral (October 1901—October 1902) and from ‘“‘ Notes on the Fauna of Chitral” by Capt. A, H. McMahon, C.8.I., C.LE., F.Z.S., which was printed in the Journal, Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol. LXX, Part II., No. 1 of 1901, %(3). Macacus rhesus—The Bengal Monkey, This is the only animal representative of this order. They appear to be very plentiful at the lower end of the Chitral Valley in summer on the right bank of the river. They come up as far as the Utzun Valley so far as I was able to find out and go about in troops. I only saw two captive specimens, and as far as I could place them, I believe them to be rhesus, Major McMahon has some doubts as to the identification. This will, however, be shortly decided, as Capt. Gurdon sent down a specimen to him to forward to England. They are found at about 5,000 feet, and probably come over the Pass into Utzun from the Kafiristan valleys. (30) Felis pardus,—The Leopard or Panther, Common in all the wooded nallahs of Lower Chitral up to elevations of 10,000 feet, (31) Felis uncia——The Ounce or Snow Leopard. Fairly common in the upper parts of the Chitral Valley. (43) Felis lyne.—The Lynx. Not observed, Is mentioned by Major McMahon as occurring, (66) Hyena striata.—The Striped Hyzena, Not observed ; said to exist, (67) Canis lupus —The Wolf, Common in lower valleys of Chitral, A pack of about ten frequented the Kasgol nallah opposite and about a mile from Drosh, One specimen was shot in May 1902. Was in the usual mangy condition, A litter of five cubs was taken the same month from under a large rock at the bottom of the nal- lah. They were about two weeks old, They follow the herds of goats every morning when going out to graze and following them up in the evening, when returning to the folds, pounce on any stragglers, Their presence so near Drosh was probably due to the large herds of Commissariat goats and sheep which were grazed in the nallah, (69) Canis aureus.—The Jackal. Common in the lower valleys of Chitral. None noticed more than ten miles above Drosh, * NorE,—Nomenclature and numbers according to Blanford’s Mammalia. Fauna of British India, ROUGH NOTES ON THE MAMMALIA OF CHITRAL, 759 (75) Vulpes alopec.—The Common Fox. Exceedingly common, Probably over the greater portion of the country (77) Mustela flariguia.—The Indian Marten. One specimen was obtained. Probably common in the wooded valleys, (78) Mustela foina.—The Beech Marten. One male specimen killed at an elevation of 4,000 feet while trying to carry off a fowl frem an officer’s shuoting camp. Probably common in the wooded valleys. Lutra (2) sp. I am uncertain whether there are two species of the otter or only one, as I had no opportunity of examining uncured skins, I am inclined to believe that both ZL. vulgaris and aureobrunnea are to be found. (97) Ursus arctusx—The brown Bear. Fairly common at the head of the Turikho and Yarkun valleys, Noticed in June at elevations of 10,000 to 13,000 feet, (98) Ursus torquatus——The Himalayan black Bear, Common in the wooded side valleys of Lower Chitral. (226) Eupetaurus cinereus—The woolly Flying-Squirrel, One skin of this rare species, in poor condition, was obtained in the bazaar, As a specimen was got in Gilgit it is probable that this flying-squirrel occurs in Chitral also, but I have been unable to obtain any fresh specimens. (228) Pteromys inornatus.—The large red Flying-Squirrel. Fairly common in the deodar forests of Lower Chitral up to elevations of 10,000 feet. Two specimens were obtained, one from Ayon nallah and one from the Asreth nallah, Also observed in the Pattison nallah. (233) Sciwropterus fimbriatus,—The smaller Kashmir Flying-Squirrel, One specimen was obtained in the Ayon nallah. (234) Sciuropterus alboniger.—The parti-coloured Flying-Squirrel, One specimer was obtained in the Ayon nallah. Arctomys (?) sp. One, perhaps two species, of the marmots occur—one at the head of the Ayon nallah and one at the head of the Yarkun and Baroghil nallahs. I was unable to obtain specimens for identification. (272) Mus rattws,—The Common Indian Rat. Common, (282) Mus musculus.—The Common House-Mouse, Common, (287) Mus buduga, The Common Indian Field-Mouse, Common. Nesocia (?) sp. Not identified. Very common in all the fields of Lower Chitral Valley, and doing an immense amount of damage, 16 760 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. (315) Hystrix leucura.—The Indian Porcupine, No specimens were obtained. Quills, however, were fairly common in the wooded side nallahs of Lower Chitral. I also picked up a quill at Dir. (823) Lepus tibetanus—The Afghan Hare, T am not quite certain of the identification, as, although they are fairly common at ali elevations from. 4,000 to 11,000 feet, I obtained no fresh specimens to view, and the only skin I saw was in very bad condition, (345) Ovis vignei.—The Urial or Sha. The Shapu variety is common in the Lower Chitral valleys, coming down in winter as low as 5,000 feet, (348) Capra sibirica—The Himalayan Ibex, Common in the valleys of Upper Chitral at elevations of 7,000 to 18,000 according to season. (3849) Capra falconeri—The Markhor. Abound in all the wooded valleys of Lower Chitral, Cabul and Pir Panjal varieties, varieties between these two shapes and some of the Cabul varieties tending slightly towards the Suliman variety. (370) Moschus moschiferus,—The Musk-Deer. Evidently fairly common in the lower wooded valleys. Specimens were obtained in the Shishi Koh, Ashreth, and Utzun nallahs, Is probably very common in Kafiristan and Dir, (374) Sus cristatus.—The Indian wild Boar. The rootings of this pig are very noticeable in the Shishi Koh and the valleys below Drosh. Specimens were seen in the Shishi Koh, Utzun, Patti- son, and Chuchukheni nallahs. 761 A CATALOGUE OF THE HETEROCERA OF SIKHIM AND BHUTAN. By G, C. DupgEoN, F.z.S., Wiru Norss sy H. J. ELwss, F.R.8., &c., AND ApDITIONS BY Str GrorGE Hampson, BArt., B.A., F.E,S., &. Part XIV. (Continued from Vol. XIV, page 553.) The following genera which were originally included in the Family ARCTIAD 44 have been transferred to the Family HYPSID 4 in Sir George Hampson’s latest revision, and should therefore follow Macrobrochis gigas, Wik, referred to at the commencement of Part XI of this Catalogue in Vol. XIV, No. 1, at page 6 of this Journal. Family HYPSIDA—continued. Genus Arcina, Hiibn. 1273. A. argus, Koll. Sikhim and Bhutan, 2,500—4,000 feet. Not uncommon during May, July, August and September, occurring also in November. 7 1274. A. syringa, Cram. Sikhim? This is recorded from throughout India in the Moths of India, but I think it doubtful that it has been taken within these limits. 1275, A. cribraria, Clerck. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1,000 feet. Rather scarce, found only at the foot of the hills in July and August. Genus Sepastia, Kirby. 1246. S. argus, Wk. Sikhim. I have not taken this. The generic name of Moorza given by Sir George Hampson gives place to Sepastia of Kirby and is so noted in the Appendix to the Moths of India. Genus CaLpPEentA, Moore. 1248. C. saunders?, Moore. Sikhim. I have not seen this. (I have a fine female of this rare species from Mr. Knyvett’s collection which was probably taken near Jalpaiguri. H. J. E.) Genus CatiimorrHa, Latr. 1249. C. prinetpalis, Koll. Sikhim, 6,800 feet. The only specimen of this which I have from | this locality differs from a Kangra Valley one in having the spots on : the forewing orange and the same colour as the ground colour of ihe | 162 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. hindwing, which latter is also heavily marked with black. The Kangra Valley specimen referred to has the spots on the forewing nearly pure white and the ground colour of the hindwing less obscured by the dark streaks on nervures. My Sikhim specimen was taken at Darjeeling in June. (My only Sikhim specimen was taken at light on the road to Tonglo at about 7,000 feet. It has the spots on forewing pale creamy- yellowish and smaller than in Kashmir or Chinese specimens. The markings of the hindwing are yellow and less in size and number, HJ.E.) 1250. C. semlis, Moore. Sikhim. I have not taken this. (This is a very distinct species which occurs on Tonglo at 9-10,000 feet. I took one myself and got another from Dewan Roy, a forest official, who collected for me with much success. I have a third from Knyvett’s coilection. They vary in the tint and extent of the markings. H. J. E.) 1251, C. plageata, Wlk. Sikhim and Bhutan, 4,500 up. Common at Tukvar in March, May, July and October. It is variable in the extent of the white markings on the forewing. 1252. C. equetalis, Koll. Sikhim and Bhutan, 5,000—7,000 feet. Not so common as the last, but it is attracted to light in June besides being found flying in the dark misty forests below Pasheteng during the day. (Taken on Sinchul near Darjeeling at 7—8,000 feet where in some seasons it is: fairly common. JH. J. EF.) 1253. C. nyctemerata, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 5,000—7,000 feet. Rarer than C. equitalis, Koll. Occurs in April and May. It is smaller than C. equitalés, Koll., and has the abdomen yellow instead of crimson besides having more and larger white patches near the base of the forewing. Family AGARISTIDA. Genus Eusemta, Dalm. 1562 (part). E. népalensis, Butl. | : Sikhim and Bhutan, 5,000—7,000 feet. Found flying by day round the tops of flowering trees in May and August. (This was described as E. maculatriz, Westw., in the Moths of India, but the species just described by Westwood is the same as E. trenea, Boisd the species afterwards described and signified by him under the same . name being that now referred to. G. /. H.) A CATALOGUE OF THE HETEROCERA OF SIKHIM. 163 1561. E. adulatriz, Koll. Sikhim and Bhutan, 2,000—5,000 feet. Probably the commonest species of the Family, thaviny the same habits as the last, but found flying nearer the ground. I| have taken it in April, May, July, August and September. Kangra Valley specimens have the postmedial spots reduced in size. Genus Exsuna, Jord. 1558. £. dentatriz, Westw. Sikhim. I have not seen a specimen. (I took one near Darjeeling in August and have five others from Moller’s collection, one of which, a very small one, is dated March 6. H. J. E.) 1556. E. victriz, Westw. Sikhim and Bhutan. Rare. I have only one specimen in my col- lection without date. (1 have two taken by Gammie near Mongpoo in May and two others from Moller’s collection which agree with others from the Khasia and Naga hills. H. J. E.) Genus Scrosicera, Jord. 1552. S. amatriz. Sikhim and Bhutan. Rather scarce in May and July. (Also occurs in September, but I never took it myself and do not know at what elevation it occurs. H. J. FE.) Genus Aillcocera, Latr. 1579. 4. bimacula, Wk. Sikhim and Bhutan, 1,800-—3,000 feet. A common species flying low among ground plants in April and May. Genus Mimevsemzia, Butl. 1582. MM. peshva, Moore. Sikhim and Bhutan, 2,000 feet. Rather scarce. I have only taken it in April at light. 1581. WM. basalis, Wik. (Plate II, Fig. 16.) Sikhim, 1,800 feet. I took four specimens in June, attracted to light at Punkabaree, two of which were without the orange patch on the hindwing. One of these is figured in the plate mentioned above. Genus OputHALmis, Hiibn. 1568. O. funebris, Moore. (Sikh: I have never seen this species. (I also have never seen this species, which must be extremely rare if it really occurs in Sikhim, Hogan) 764 THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUB-DIVISION OF THE DAR- BHANGA DISTRICT, TIRHUT, WITH NOTES ON SPECIES NOTICED ELSEWHERE IN THE DISTRICT. By ©, M. Ina.is. Part V., (Continued from page 563 of this Volume.) ORDER—GRALLA. Sub-order FULICARI2, Family Rallide. (205) RA.uus 1npicus,—The Indian Water-Rail. Blanford, No. 1387; Hume, No, 914. Mr. G, Dalgliesh writes in the Zoologist that he thinks he sew a bird of this species on a small pond near Bunhar:Fty., in February 1899. It was fired at, but only wounded and escaped. (206) R. Aaquaticus.—The Water-Rail. Blanford, No. 1388 ; Hume, No, 914 bis, An. exceedingly rare bird, A single specimen was shot by Mr. G, Dalgliesh at Hatauri as already recorded in this Journal. The only other places recorded for this species by Blanford are: Gilgit (Scully); Kulu (Hay); Dehra Dun (Hume). In Hodgson’s collection is a skin‘labelled Nepal, and Mr, R. George states that he got a specimen near Shikarpur, Mr. Wm, Jesse also got one at Lucknow. (207) Porzana PusiLLA.—The Eastern Baillon’s Crake, Blanford, No, 1393 ; Hume, No. 910, I have got several of these little crakes, They are called Jhilli by the natives, They undoubtedly breed here as I have seen them during the breed- ing season. I have however been unsuccessful in finding the nest, (208) P. maruEeTra,—The Spotted Crake, Blanford, No. 1894; Hume, No. 909. A solitary female was snared at the Koraihia Chaur by a mér-shikar on the 22nd December 1901. It was brought to me, I have never seen another, Native name also Jhallz. (209). AMAURORNIS PH@NICURUS.—The White-breasted Water-Hen. Blanford, No. 1401; Hume, No. 907. Abundant, They breed during June, July and August. I have never seen more than six eggs in any nest, They build on trees or bushes near the water, Snakes or magpies destroy a good number of eggs of this species, Native names Dauk and Bon miurghz. (210) GALLINULA CHLOROPUS.—The Moorhen. Blanford, No. 1402; Hume, No. 905, Common, It breeds in August, but I have seldom seen its nest, Native name Bodor, (211) GALLICREX CINEREA.—The Kora or Water-Cock. Blanford, No. 1403; Hume, No. 904. This species is scarce, It is seldom seen but is occasionally heard, J have THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANTI SUB-DIVISION. 765 only received three males, all of which were snared by mér-shikars, They were all in summer plumage, Native names Toobka and Kora, (212) PoRPHYRIO POLIOCEPHALUS,—The Purple Moorhen, Blanford, No. 1404; Hume, No. 902, I found them scarce near Jamnagar and Narhar, but numbers are to be found at the Minti Chaur,and Scroope shot some in a tank at Madhubani, At Baghownie they are abundant and commit great havoc in the paddy fields by cutting the plant and piling it up to form their nests, They breed from July to September, Native names Karim and Korma, (213) Furica atra,.—The Coot, Blanford, No. 1405; Hume, No. 903, Very common in the cold weather and a few remain and breed. Native names Kesrar and Serar. Sub-order GRUES, Family Gruide. (214) Grus communis.—The Common Crane, Blanford, No. 1407 ; Hume, No. 865, Mr, G, Dalgliesh saw this species once near Hatauri Fty., in December 1897. :I have never seen this species, but a few are snared on the banks of the Kamla near Jainagar but in Nepal. I have not succeeded in getting the skin, Native name Kulang. (215) G, LEUCOGERANUS.—The Great White or Siberian Crane, Blanford, No. 1408; Hume, No. 864, I saw some white cranes during the cold weather of 1898 in a chaur near Beerpur Fty., not far from Jainagar, I stalked them very carefully, but they were too wary and I failed to get a shot, The mir-shikars know the bird and call it Burmuch. (216) G, ANTIGONE.—The Sarus, Blanford, No. 1409; Hume, No. 868, _ The late Mr, Grahame and I stalked a sarus near Allumpore Fty., but did not get a shot, although one of us had a rook rifle. I believe a pair used to come to Minti during the cold weather. Two young birds in the down were brought to me by a mir-shikar on the 15th October, 1991, Another pair were brought in December 1902, but as they were very small I did not keep them, The smallest one had a deformed bill, one mandible crossing the other, It had to be fed by hand, The man wanted Rs. 20 for the pair, but I managed to get them for Rs. 14, The one with the deformed bill only lived five weeks, but the other one lived till the 7th December, it was then killed by a blow from the bill of a lesser adjutant. It grew very tame and was just getting rid of allitsdown, They came froma chaur near Allumpore and were probably the offspring of the bird we stalked, Native name Sdras. (217) ANTHROPOIDES virGo,—The Demoiselle Crane, Blanford, No, 1411; Hume, No, 866. Many are seen flying to their feeding ground, but few seem to settle in the gub-diyision, They arrive about the beginning of October, Some are snared 766 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. on the banks of the Kamla in Nepal every year. At Burreroa in Nepal my man counted 16 nets, They were stretched across the dry sand banks in the middle of the river and were about 50 yards apart, The nets were 45 yards long and 8 yards high. The men who snared the cranes were of the Bin caste, The birds sold for Rs, 1-4-0 per pair, The netters said that they also sold the legs for medicine at an anna each, One of my men shot one out of a flock of about twenty which were feeding near a paddy field not far from the Kamla. He said he could have got more had not some cowherds frightened them away. The bird shot had its stomach full of paddy. They are excellent eating. One flock noticed was flying in extended line slightly arched in the centre, a second in Vshape, and another had not any formation at all. Native name Kurra, Sub-order OTIDES. Family Otidide. (218) SypHEOTIS BENGALENSIS.—The Bengal Florican, Blanford, No, 1417; Hume, No, 838. T flushed a Bengal Florican twice in grass some four miles from Baghownie on the following dates—27th April, 1901, and on the 29th May, 1902. Mr. Millar and I also flushed one in some indigo at Hatauri, It flew into some sugarcane koonties, There was only one bird, either a female or a male, in undress plu- mage, Thesame bird was again flushed near the same place on the 3rd of June, OrDER—LIMICOLA, Family Gidicnemide. (219) CipicNEMUsS scoLopax—The Stone Curlew. Blanford, No, 1418; Hume, No, 850. Very common, Ii breeds from March to June, They are often found in bamboo and mango groves and on dry plains, When seen they crouch on the ground and then gradually, one after the other, raise their heads and scut- tle off with bodies close to the ground for some yards, after which they either take to flight or lie down again. Description of nestling in down—Forehead crown, back and wings light brown speckled with black; centre of crown with two longitudinal black bars; a broad band from back of eye and round nape black ; cheeks, sides of head, chin and breast white, a black patch on the upper portion of the latter and a black line from base of wings to tail. Bill and legs dusky pink; iris dark brown. Native name Karwanak, (220) Esacus RECURVIROSTRIS.—The Great Stone-Plover, Blanford, No, 1419; Hume, No, 858, Rather scarce. A pair or so are now and then to be seen on the banks of the Kamla from the end of July and through the cold weather, I have secured few specimens. Native name Burra Karwanak, Family Glareolide. Sub-family Cursorzine, (221) CURSORIUS COROMANDELICUS.—The Indian Courser, Blanford, No, 1422; Hume, No. 840, A few flocks seen from September to end of April. They keep to waste lands or prepared fields seldom going into the crops, a THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUB-DIVISION, 767 Sub-family Glareoline, (222) GLAREOLA LAcTEA,—The Small Indian Pratincole, Blanford, No, 1427; Hume, No. 843, Fairly common on the banks of the Kamla during the cold weather, I have not got their eggs from this side of the Nepal Frontier, but a short distance on the other side my man found some nests and eggs in April, I daresay they do lay with us. Family Parride. (223) MeEToprIpius 1npiIcus.—The Bronze-winged Jacana, Blanford, No, 1426, Hume,-No, 900. Abundant. It breeds in tanks and chaurs during June, July and August, All nests found were the same, simply a floating mass of water plants, I have never found more than five eggsinanest, One egg | got measured 1°7" by 1”, which is very long for this species, The earliest nest was taken on the 20th June and the latest on the 26th August, the latter containing two very highly incubated eggs. A female shot on the 4th October had lost all its primaries and rectrices; new ones were just appearing, Native names Pipi and Kundaz, (224) HyYDROPHASIANUS CHIRURGUS,—The Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Blanford, No, 1429; Hume, No. 901. Not so common in this sub-division as the former species. Near Ba- ghownie I think it is, if anything, commoner than M, indicus, They breed in July, August and September, never I think in tanks, but always either in jheels or weedy river beds. Onenest, formed of straw, was situated on a broad spiky leaf, and one of the spikes had drilled a neat hoie on one side of one of the eggs, They appear to be commoner during the rains, and I think migrate locally in the cold weather, They lay from three to four eggs, usually three. Native name Piho, Family Charadriide, Sub-family Charadriine. (225) SarcocramMmus inpicus,—The Red-wattled Lapwing. Blanford, No, 1431; Hume, No. 855. Very common. It breeds from March to May, usually in a hollow in the ground in some paddy field and generally near water. A fine male mea- sured in the flesh :—ength, 14:1"; wing, 9°25”; tail, 4:9"; tarsus, 3°2"; bill at front, 1°31"; bill at gape, 1°4"; expanse, 30°25", The colours of the soft parts of a young bird which had just left the nest were as follows :—Base of Dill, lappet and edge of eyelids dusky red ; remainder of bill black; iris dark- brown ; legs and feet dusky yellow. This is known to most Europeans in India as the Did-*e-do-it, Native names Jiti and Titirz, (226) SaRrcloPHORUS MALABARICUS.—The Yellow-wattled Lapwing. Blanford, No, 1433 ; Hume, No. 856, This species is scarce, I saw a pair on two occasions not far from Jain- agar in April and July 1899, The only specimen in my collection was shot at Belahi Fty,, in the Mozufferpur District on the 1st May, 1896, 17 768 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. (227) HoPpLoPTERUS VENTRALIS,—The Indian Spur-winged Plover, Blanford, No. 1435; Hume, No. 857, Common on the banks of all rivers, It breeds from March to May and lays its eggs in a depression in the sand, I have seen this species near a tank a long way from any river. They are generally seen in pairs, but I have seen a8 many as twenty together, They are usually wary, keeping well out of gun shot, The first pair I stalked gave me a lot of trouble. They flew out of range and settled near the edge of the water, running up and down and now and then squatting, vociferating vigorously the whole time, I was for several hours after them, but failed to get a shot, (228) CHeETrusIA LEUCURAX—The White-tailed Lapwing. Blanford, No, 1438 ; Hume, No, 853. I never came across this species in the sub-division, but not far from Baghownie they are fairly common near the chaurs during the cold weather, (229) CHARADRIUS FULVUS,—The Kastern Golden Plover, Blanford, No, 1439 ; Hume, No, 845. Fairly common, I have seen flocks from the end of August up to the beginning of May. The earliest arrival was noted on the 26th August and the last were seen on the lst May. Those seen in that month were in breed- ing plumage, (230) AcIALITIS MoNGOLICA.—The Lesser Sand Plover. Blanford, No, 1443; Hume, No, 847, This species is fairly common during the cold weather. My specimens were got in January and April, but they arrive earlier than this, They keep to the cultivated fields and seem to have a preference for light soil, (231) Al, ALEXANDRINA.—The Kentish Plover, Blanford, No, 1446; Hume, No, 848, Commoner than the preceding species, I have seen them from October to April, Few are seen in March and April, and they are usually in breeding plumage. I got a nest and three eggs near Jainagar in April on the bank of the Kamla, and several nests and eggs were got in Nepal, also on the bank of the sameriver. They were laid ona little grass in a depression in the sand. Unfortunately, most of the eggs were useless, being on the point of hatching. (232) Ai, puBIA.—The Little Ringed Plover. Blanford, No, 1447; Hume, No, 849. Common, especially during the cold weather. A few remain and breed, as a couple of clutches of two eggs each were taken on the banks of the Keray on the 8th May,1901, Two of the eggs were fresh and two incubated, Native name Rooni chaha, Sub-family Hematopodine, (233) Himanropus canpipus.—The Black-winged Stilt, Blanford, No, 1451; Hume, No, 898, A common cold weather visitant, especially near the large chaurs where ‘THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUB-DIVISION. 769 vast flocks are to be found, I have never got a fully adult bird with pure white head and neck, They arrive about September and remain all through the cold weather. I shot one however on the 28th June, but it hada broken leg, the bone of the tibia protruding at the joint, The ovaries were small _ though one would have expected to have found them enlarged at that season. (234) ReEcURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA,—The Avocet, Blanford, No, 1452; Hume, No. 899. Scroope found a small flock feeding on a mud flat about a mile from Beni- pati. Not uncommon during some cold seasons near Baghownie where they usually keep in small parties, I have shot them from November to the end of March. (235) NuMENIUS aRQuaTa.—The Curlew. Blanford, No, 1454; Hume, No, 877, Scroope saw five Curlews near Madhubani in June 1899, They are scarce birds, Gordon Dalgleish shot a pair in February 1900, and I have secured six or seven specimens in the neighbourhood of Baghownie. In the stomach of a female which I dissected were some shells, They are exceed- ingly wary. Native names Gooniar and Goonjer, (236) WN. pHxopus—The Whimbrel. Blanford, No, 1455 ; Hume, No. 878. A single female was snared with bird lime by a mir-shikar in the Maiser chaur some miles distant from Baghownie on the 15th July. The country was in flood at the time, and it was with the greatest trouble that he managed to get the bird. There were no others nor have I ever heard of any others being got in these parts, Native name Chota gooniar. (237) Limosa BELGICA,—The Black-tailed Godwit, Blanford, No, 1456 ; Hume, No, 875, Vast flocks are found near the Minti chaur in the cold weather according to Scroope, and one of my men saw a lot in the Sumnah jheel about two miles south-east of Minti, They are abundant in the Ootidee chaur near Ba- ghownie during the same period, They are excellent eating, I got one on the 3rd May which was in breeding plumage, (238) ToTaNus HYPOLEUCUS.—The Common Sandpiper, Blanford, No, 1460; Hume, No. 893. Fairly common, but rarer than the next species, They arrive about the third week in August, (239) 'T. GLAREOLA,—The Wood Sandpiper, Blanford, No. 1461 ; Hume, No, 891. Very common, They arrive in the beginning of August and stay till March, (240) T. ocHRopus.—The Green Sandpiper. Blanford, No, 1462; Hume, No. 892, This is the commonest Sandpiper we have. They usually arrive in August, but I once got one on the 6th July. Sandpipers are generally known to Europeans in India as Snippets. 770 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, (241) T. srtacnaTaLis.—The Little Greenshank, Blanford, No. 1463; Hume, No, 895, I have found this species scarce in the sub-division, but in the vicinity of Baghownie near the jheels they are fairly common, I have no notes on any procured before November. They remain till March. (242) TT, caLipris.—The Redshank. Blanford, No, 1464 ; Hume, No, 897, Scroope once wrote me the following :—“I think T. calidris occurs, Its cry is unmistakeable.” I have never come across it. (243) T, ruscus,—The Spotted Redshank. Blanford, No. 1465 ; Hume, No. 896. Very common cold weather visitant, The earliest arrival was noticed on the 21st September and they remain till April. Those got in the latter month were in full or partial breeding plumage, One bird had its gullet full of small fish, (244) TT. auorris.—The Greenshank, Blanford, No. 1466 ; Hume, No. 894, Exceedingly common during the cold weather, I have seen solitary birds on the 17th July, 1899, the 22nd August, 1899, and on the 28th June, 1901, but they generally arrive about September and leave in March. A bird shot in August had still some of the dark-brown spots of the summer plumage. They usually go about in flocks and are commoner near the rivers than the jheels. (245) PAVONCELLA PUGNAX.—The Ruff and Reeve. Blanford, No, 1468; Hume, No, 880. Common round about Narbar and also near Baghownie, They arrive about the middle of September. A few birds show traces of the breeding plumage of the male, In this species the palate is very rough with blunt spikes on it leaning backwards, (246) Trinca minuta—The Little Stint, Blanford, No. 1471; Hume, No. 884. Very common near the jheels in the cold weather, They go about in flocks, (247) T. TEMMINCKI.—Temminck’s Stint. Blanford, No. 1474 ; Hume, No, 875, Also a common cold weather visitant. (248) T, atpina.—The Dunlin, Blanford, No, 1478 ; Hume, No, 883, Mr, G. Dalgleish shot a male out of a small flock seen at Hatauri on the 12th February, 1898. He very kindly let me have the skin. On the 14th January, 1901, one of my men saw some birds which I think were this species, They were on the edge of the Ootidee chaur near a large flock of godwits, Sub-family Scolopacinae. (249) Scoropax RusTIcuLA— The Woodcock. Blanford, No. 1482; Hume, No. 867, No occurrence known in the sub-division, A woodcock was shot at Tewarrah in this district by the late Mr, Ikey Barton, THE BIRDS OF THE MADHUBANI SUB-DIVISION. 771 (250) GatLInaGo c@LEstTIs.—The Common Snipe. Blanford, No, 1484 ; Hume, No. 871. This is the common species, They are to be had from September to April. One however was flushed by me near Baghownie or the 15tb July, Native name Chaha. (251) G, stenura.—The Pintail Snipe. Blanford, No, 1485 ; Hume, No. 870, Not so common as the above, I have handled too few skins to be able to state correctly in what proportion the two species occur, They arrive in the middle of August and remain till the end of April. (252) G. G@aLLInuLa.—The Jack Snipe. Blanford, No, 1487; Hume, No. 872, Rather scarce, Gordon Dalgleish shot several in January and February, and I have had them brought to me by mireshikars on a few occasions during those months, (253) RosTRATULA CaPENSIS.—The Painted Snipe. Blanford, No, 1488 ; Hume, No. 873. Rare, I got several specimens in March and April 1898 and 1899 at Narhar, but have since then got no others, ( To be continued.) 172 FAMINE FOODS. DIOSCOREA PENTAPHYLLA, AN IMPORTANT EDIBLE WILD YAM OF THE THANA DISTRICT, BOMBAY PRESIDENCY. By Gy MRYANS Tras) ors, It was in 1897 that I was struck with the great importance, as articles of food, which the various wild tubers of the Thana forests were to the forest tribes. That year happened to be one in which the district was stricken with famine to some extent, and probably the wild tribes indented more largely than usual on the various yams in consequence, but since then it has come to my knowledge by coming constantly in contact—as a Forest Officer in Thana perforce must—with these poor creatures, that many of the wild yams form the main standby of the forest tribes in ordinary seasons, an: that but for the presence of the various tubers in the forests the majority of the wild tribes would probably cease to exist. Finding that no chemical analysis existed of the various yams, I was induced to send one (tuber of Dioscorea bulbifera) to Calcutta, for such analysis, and through the courtesy of Dr, Prain the analysis was carried out by Mr. Hooper. It showed that the nutrient ratio of the yam was about equal to that of the potato. Other tubers were sent from time to time subsequently for analysis, but owing to pressure of work apparently no analysis could then be made. Recently, however, through the courtesy of Mr, Burkill, Reporter on Econo- mic Products to the Government of India, an analysis was carried out of another important wild yam, and as its nutrient ratio is even greater than that of Dioscorea bulbifera, it occurs to me that perhaps a short note on the plant is worthy of record and may not prove uninteresting. The tubers of this plant, known among the wild tribes as“ Londi,” are one of the most important yams of the Thana District, The plant has a climbing habit, and is found growing usually at the base of trees and shrubs, It possesses a slender twining stem covered near the base with irregularly dis- tributed prickles, with the aid of which it climbs its host. The flowers which appear in the monsoon (usually August) are yellowish green and are small and inconspicuous, but flowering does not take place annually in the case of artificially planted tubers. The description given in the Flora of British India of the plant isas follows :— “ Leaves obovate, acuminate or cuspidate, Male panicles and flowers glabrous hispidly pubescent or villous, spikes lax or dense-fid ; flowers sessile or pedicelled ei), diameter, fragrant ; filaments and staminodes very short. Capsule—3—1 in, rounded at both ends or base cordate and tip apiculate glabrous or pubescent. Seeds—i—+# in., wing broader than the nucleus,” DISTRIBUTION. In the Flora of British India it is said the plant is found “ throughout tropical India from Kumaon in the N.-W. Himalaya, eastward to Burmah, FAMINE FOODS. 773 and southward to Ceylon and Malacca. Distributed Malay hills, Afr, trop.” In the Thana District it exists in all the forests, In many areas it is now scarce, Owing to the great demand during recent famine years for the tubers, DESCRIPTION OF TUBERS. The plant bears oblong, dark brown tubers, which are covered with root hairs, and which are about 6” to 8” in length. They are inserted per- pendicularly in the soil, two or three tubers being found clustered together round a common axis, and imbedded in the earth iike potatoes, After 5 or 6 months growth, when all the starchy substances have been used up forthe needs of the growing stem and seeds, the tubers shrivel up and die as does also the stem, and new tubers are formed, which remain imbedded in the earth till the approach of the following monsoon, when they again sprout. During May, when the heat is extreme, tubers, if stored together in wooden cases, sprout freely, their stems rising up to seek the light. RATE OF GRowTH, The tubers may be planted at any time in the soil, and they sprout usually after the rains set in, The best period for planting is just before the rains, In a week the stem attains a length of about 2 tu 3 feet and in six weeks it is almost full grown, After 2} to 3 months it bears flowers, and after about 5 it seeds and dies, BY WHOM EATEN, The three important wild tribes in Thana are the Thakoors, Warlis and Kathodis, of whem the latter alone are the chief consumers of these tubers. The Thakoors and Warlis indulge in various other kinds of yams as food of which there are several in the Thana District. The Kathodis, however, who are darker and slimmer than other forest tribes, are the most hard-working of the three, and this may probably account for their selecting the Londee as an article of diet, since it is found by analysis as shown below to be probably the most nutritious of ali the edible tubers in Thana. So far only three * of the different yams growing in the District have been chemically analysed, It is hoped that gradually all of them will be so treated, . The Kathodis, who allege they are descended from monkeys, are the wood-cutters of the Thana District, and they are almost ina position of servi- tude with their masters, The wage they earn for a family, including husband and wife and two or three children, is from Rs, 2 to Rs. 3 per mensem. In some instances their emoluments are paid to them in grain, The Sowkars who employ them for various kinds of labour give them advances of money and grain in the monsoon, which sums are repaid by work done in the fair d season, * The other two, besides Dioscorea pentaphylla, are Dioscorea bulbtfera and Dioscorea demona, 774 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X1V, Very often the advances are not cleared by work done and some of the defaulters decamp to other parts of the District, where for a time they exist in the forests on scarcely anything else but these tubers and rats, if they can find them, Ina famine year the demand for tubers of all kinds is enormous, not only in the District but also outside, While going through a forest, during the famine of 1896-97, I met large bodies of women and children grubbing up these and other tubers from beneath bushes and trees, and in the famine of 1899 cart-loads of Londee and Karva Kand ( Pioscorea bulbifera) were exported to the Deccan for sale there, from Central Thana and Mokhada, MODE OF PREPARATION FOR FOOD. The tubers are first cleaned of their root hairs, then washed in cold water, afterwards peeled like potatoes, boiled, cut into slices, and eaten usually with salt. It is said that an adult can be maintained on 3 to 4 lbs. per diem of the tubers, CHEMICAL ANALYSIS. The fresh tubers submitted to chemical analysis afforded the following constituents :— Water nis 600 wae 50 eee OOD Protein ... dee see ae 500 se PAR Fat eet ae Mee aoe a sage OBA Starch ... Bee doc axis wes coo. OPT Fibre bas os sue ee wae oO Ash fies vee isis ak oes ceo ASS 100° For the sake of comparing the dietetic value of these tubers with that of the potato, the following results of the analysis of this well-known food is repro- duced from the Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia :— Water ee ie ee dee De moO (ek) Provera, se. bod i 650 --2 “see 22 Nitrogenous matter, Fat cee cae 660 bee — seater Ol Carbohydrates ... “od woe S60 .- 184 Principally starch. Mineral matter ... cee toe see soo LU) 100 The above figures, like others for composition of food-materials, represent general averages, from which there are wide variations in individual speci- mens, FAMINE FOODS. 775 The following diagram from the Gardeners Chronicle shows in graphic form the quantitative composition of the potato :— a The nutrient ratio of Dioscorea pentaphylla, it will be seen, is considerable, and it becomes a question whether its cultivation should not be encouraged for the benefit of the poorer classes. Pro, Goff,in that extremely interesting work of his, entitled “ Principles of Plant Culture,’ page 11, says, “In culture the intelligence and energy of man produce a more favourable environment for the species he desires to rear ; hence domestic plants and animals attain higher development in certain directions than their wild parents, The cultivated potato, for example, grows larger, is more productive and is higher in food value than the wild potato,” I would therefore invite the attention of the Director of Agriculture and Collectors of Districts to the dietetic value of this yam, and suggest that its cultivation be encouraged as far as possible in the Bombay Presidency, The introduction of this and other tubers into the Panch Mahals especially, for example, would probably be followed by favourable results in the event of another famine should one unfortunately occur there, 18 776 NOTES ON SOME OF THE PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE VICTORIA GARDENS, BOMBAY, DURING THE PAST 8 YEARS. By Cayass1 D, MAHALUXMIVALA. Part ILI. (Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on 23rd September, 1902.) 32, TRADESCANTIA VIRGINIANA, L,(CUOMMELINACE#),.” Flower of a Day; Common Spider-wort ; or Virginian Spider-wort. It isa perennial herb of North America from 1 to 2 feet high,and is considered the best of all the tradescantias grown in gardens, While the two plants commonly grown in our gardens under the name of T, discolor and T, zebrina are grown for their foliage, their flowers being insignificant, this one is remarkable for its very showy flowers. There are said to be several varieties of it with violet, pur- plish, whitish and rose-coloured flowers, but all the plants now in the garden have only purple flowers, They are about 2 inches in diameter closely packed in terminal cymes in two opposite, long, leafy bracts, opening one after the other, with 3 light purple petals, the filaments and style being of the same colour, the former densely bearded, and the ovary and stigma being white, It has begun flowering from July and is still flowering. The leaves are long linear, 20”x 2”, The plants were raised from seeds purchased from Mr, Ernst Benary, Germany, under the name of T, Virginica, in 1896, but the seeds germinated very badly, and a few plants that came up died afterwards. Seeds were again obtained this year from the same place which germinated freely, and the plants are doing very well up to now. Itcan be propagated by division, and is suitable for growingi n borders or on rockeries 33, ZEPHYRANTHES CITRINA, Baker (AMARYLLIDER®),t Yellow Zephyr Flower. A bulbous plant from Tropical America, similar to the white and rose-coloured species (Z. candida and rosea) commonly grown in our gardens, except that the flowers are of a bright yellow colour, This species also, like the others, flowers several times during the rains. It was purchased from the Agri-Horticultural Society of India, Calcutta, in 1898. A similar plant was received in exchange from the Agri-Horticultural Society of Madras under the name of Z, sulphurea, in 1901, 34, ZEPAYRANTHES CARINATA, Herb. (AMARYLLIDE®),{ Thisspecies from the West Indies has flowers of a pink colour, much larger than those of the other species mentioned above. Bulbs were presented by Maj. A Hildebrand of Calcutta in December 1900. * The genus is named after John Tradescant, gardener to Charles I., and the specific name after its native habitat. + The generic name from Zephyros, the west wind, and Anthe,a flower, a fanciful name given by Herbert, and the specitic name from the citron yellow colour of the flowers. { The specific name means “ } eeled ’’ from the leaves being channelled and keeled. PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE VICTORIA GARDENS, 1777 35, PANDANUS UTILIs, Bory (PANDANEZ).* This species of the Screw- pine is native of Madagascar, where it is said to grow to a height of 60 feet, It has large, glaucous, erect leaves armed with sharp red spines, and from its bold and striking habit is suitable for a large vase on a terrace wall or lawn, or as a single specimen on a lawn, It is said to be a very common wild plant in Mauritius, where it is called Vacua or Bacua, and is there cultivated for its leaves, which are used together with those of other species in the manufac- ture of the sacks in which sugar is exported, The materials of these sugar- sacks are said to be afterwards re-used in making the flat square fish-bags commonly used in English Markets, The plants were raised from seeds obtained from Messrs, Vilmorin Andrieux & Co., Paris, in 1897, and thrive well in the open. 36, PaNnDANUS PACIFICUS, Veitch (PANDANEX).+ This species of pandanus is a native of the Pacific Islands, The leaves are broad, shining green, having the margins furnished with fine spines, and the tips narrowed abruptly to a long, tail-like point, It was presented by the Superintendent of the State Gardens, Baroda, and is suitable, like the other species, for growing in con- servatories, in vases or on lawns, but cannot bear direct exposure to sun and must be grown in a shady place. 37, Prper ornatuM, N. #. Br, (PiPperace#).{ An ornamental climbing plant from Celebes in Malay Archipelago, suitable for growing on pillars in conservatories on account of its beautifully-marked leaves, which are about 4 inches by 5 inches, cordate, roundly ovate and bright green, marked with _ pink spots. The plant was purchased from the Government Agri-Horticul- tural Gardens, Lucknow, in 1900, and is doing well, but has not flowered yet, It has been propagated by layering. 38, ILEX PARAGUAYENSIS, St, Hilaire (ILICINE#).§ Maté or Paraguay Tea. It is a small evergreen tree, native of Paraguay, with opposite, smooth, serrate, shining green, obovate leaves, four or five inches long, The flowers are said to be white, copiously produced in much branched racemes, The leaves of this plant are extensively used in South America for the same purpose as tea is used in the rest of the world. They contain the same active principle as tea and coffee, viz., theine,and the infusion of the leaves is gently stimulating and refveshing, especially after fatiguing journeys. Theleaves are prepared for the infusion by the branches being first reasted over a wood fire, after which the leaves are knocked off and powdered. The powdered leaves are then placed ina calabash called a maté and boiling water poured over them, The infusion, which is also called maté,and which hasa somewhat * The generic name from the Malayan name Pandang, and the specific name meaning useful. + The specific name is after its native habitat. a t The generic name from the old Latin name akin to the Greek peperi and Sanskrit pip- pala, and the specific name meaning ornamental. § The genus from the Latin name given by Virgil to Quercus Ilex, and the specific name after its native habitat. 778 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, agreeable aromatic odour and slightly bitter taste is then sucked through a tube or lombilla. Vhe plant was purchased from the Agri-Horticultural Society of India, Calcutia,in December 1897, and seems to do well here, though it has not yet grown to any keight on account of its being utilized for propagation by layering, and has not yet flowered. 39, SOLANUM TRILOBATUM, Linn, (SOLANACE),"—Mothi Ringni, A scan- dent, spiny undershrub, 6 to 12 feet high, native of Hast Indies, common in hedges inthe Bombay Presidency. The leaves are 3 inches by 14 inch, smooth, shining, prickly, irregularly obtusely sinuate or lobed. The flowers are purple, about 1 inchin diameter, and the berry red, of the size ofa currant, The plant was sent in exchange from the Agri-Horticultural Society of Madras, in October 1901, and thrives well here, It has commenced flowering since August last. 40, MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON, Linn, (MyRTACEH).t Cajuput Tree, A large tree, native of the Malay Islands and Australia, There are two varieties of this tree, the cajuput oil of commerce being obtained from the variety called minor. The trunk of the tree is covered with a thick, spongy, light- brown and white bark, peeling off in layers every year, This bark is said to protect the tree against conflagrations, and is used by the Australian aborigines for tinder, for making shields and canoes, for covering huts, and for inscribing their sacred writings upon. It isalso said to bes good material for fruit packing, The wood is said to be fissile, hard, closeegrained, resisting the attacks of white ants, and almost imperishable under ground. The leaves are 3 inches long, alternate, vertical, lanceolate, oblique or somewhat falcate, three-nerved, and contain an aromatic oil reputed to be antiseptic, and on that account the tree is considered very suitable for planting in malarial swamps in tropical countries, especially ai low elevations, where many of the Eucalypti do not thrive. The flowers are white of the bottle-brush kind, arranged in spikes 2 or 3 together interruptedly at short distances apart, The plants were raised from seeds purchased from the Director, Botanical Gardens, Sydney, in April 1960, and from the Curator, Southern California Acclima- tising Association, in August 1901, Those raised from the former have flowered this year in July to September, but have not seeded yet. 41, LOBELIA CARDINALIS,. . . (CAMPANULACE#),{ Cardinal flower. A handsome herbaceous perennial from 1 to 2 feet high, native of North Ame- rica, where it is said to he growing in boggy ground, The leaves are smooth, narrow, lanceolate, toothed and tinged with red or bronze, The flowers are two-lipped of a vivid scarlet colour, in one-sided terminal racemes, and *The generic name is the old Latin one used by Pliny, and the specific name means three- lobed, probably in reference to the leaves which are, however, five-lobed. + The generic name from Greek, melas, black, aad lewkos, white, in reference to the trunk being black and the branches white, in one of the species, aud the specific name from lewkos, white, and dendron, a tree, on account of its whitish bark. { The genus is named after Matthias de L’Obel,a Flemish botanist and physician to James I. and the specific name from the colour of the flowers which are cardinal red, PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE VICTORIA GARDENS, 779 are very telling in effect. Plants were raised from seeds purchased from Mr, Ernst Benary, Germany,in November 1900,and grown in an open border, where they died after flowering, apparently from the effect of direct sun in the hot weather. Seeds purchased from Messrs, Nimmo and Blair, New Zealand, in October 1901, failed to germinate, They were, however, again raised from seed obtained in January 1902, from Mr, Ervst Benary,Germany, and are now (September) in flower in a shady bed under a tree, As the plant does not seem to bear direct sunshine, especially in the hot weather, it is suit- able for growing in borders under shade or in conservatories, 42, LOBELIA ANCEPS (CAMPANULACE#),” This species isa dwarf her- baceous perennial from the Cape of Good Hope, The leaves are large 5 inches by 2 inches, obovate, toothed, hairy, and thickly set on the stem, The flowers are in dense spikes, blue with a white or yellowish throat. A few plants of this species came up among those raised from seeds of UL, cardi- nalis purchased from Mr, Ernst Benary, Germany, in 1900, and have been again raised from true seeds purchased from the same seedsman, in 1902, Some of the older plants are still alive, and have again flowered in July last, The new plants have not flowered yet, This species also like the last is suit- able for growing in conservatories or shady borders, 43. ANGELONIA GRANDIFLORA ALBA (SCROPHULARINE%), + A small her- baceous perennial, about 2feet high. It appears to be simply a garden variety of the blue flowered A, salicarizfolia, H, and B., of South America, commonly grown in gardens under the name of A. grandiflora, and which it resembles in all respects except that the flowers are white, Plants were raised from seeds purchased from Mr, Ernst Benary, Germany, in May 1901, and are easily propagated by cuttings. 44, Bocconta corpaTa, Willd (PAPAVERACE®).f Plume Poppy. It is a very handsome, herbaceous foliage plant said to be from 5to8 feet high, with a stately habit, native of China and Japan. The leaves are alternate, large, 12 inches by 6 inches, long-stalked, deeply veined, recurved, ovate- cordate, margins lobed and sinuate, of a light yellowish colour, reticulated with dark green veins, The flowers are said to be buff-coloured, numerous in very large terminal panicles, and though not individually showy are together in inflorescence striking, and give a fine effect to the plant. Plants were raised from seeds purchased from Messrs. Nimmo and Blair, New Zealand, in October 1901, and are doing well, though they have not flowered yet. It is suitable for growing in conservatories, or as an individual specimen on the lawn or in borders, in a shady place. It has been propagated by cuttings. * The specific name means two-edged or flattened, + The generi¢ name is derived from Angelon, the” local name of A. salicariefolia, in South America, and the specific name meaning large, white-flowered. t The genus is named after Paolo Bacconi, M.D., a Sicilian botanist, and the specific name means hearteshaped from the form of its leaves, 780 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV 45, PERISTROPHE ANGUSTIFOLIA AUREO-VARIEGATA (ACANTHACE#),” An elegant little dense-spreading herbaceous plant, seldom exceeding 6 or 9 inches in height, native of the Java mountains, The Jeaves are small, ovate- lanceolate, bright orange in the centre, margined with dark green. The flowers which begin to appear in the rains are two-lipped and rosy purple. The plant was presented by Mr. G. H. Krumbiegel, Superintendent of the State Gardens, Baroda, in December 1896, and thrives well here, being easily propagated by cuttings. Itis very suitable as an edging on the slopes of borders, but requires partial shade. Itis also very suitable for growing in conservatories on vock work or in baskets, In the monsoon the leaves are green, but become variegated with orange during the cold weather. 46. COMMELINA NUDIFLORA, Linn, (COMMELINACE).t A compact grow- ing, evergreen, herbaceous trailing plant, found throughout the hotter parts of India. The leaves are about 4 inches long, narrow, lanceolate, The flowers are cobalt blue (and in another variety, rosea, rose-coloured) enclosed in a complicate, cucullate (hood-shaped) spathe, They are very showy opening in the morning and closing at noon. The plants were raised fib seeds sent in exchange by Messrs, Herb and Wulle, Naples, in January, 1900 under the name of C. sellowiana rosea, They are doing very well here, ee ering almost throughout the year, and are very suitable for growing on a sloping bank. It is easily propagated by means of cuttings, 47, MaNnerriaA corDiIFoLIA, Mart, (Rupiacem®), { A pretty climbing plant of slender habit, native of Brazil, The leaves are about i inch long opposite, ovate, cordate, pubescent, The flowers are tubular, about one nee and a half long, pendulous and scarlet, somewhat resembling those of Russelia juncea, The rind of the root is said to possess emetic properties, and is used by the Brazilians in dropsy and dysentery. The plant was presented by Mr. G. H. Krumbiegel, Superintendent of the State Gardens, Baroda, in De- cember 1896, under the name of M. bicolar which is a different species, and thrives well here, flowering during the rainy season, It has been scohaeee by cuttings. 48, MAURANDIA BaRcLAYANA, Lindl. (SCROPHULARINEZ).§ A beautiful climber of slender habit, native of Mexico, The leaves are small, cordate lobed and somewhat hastate. The plant climbs its support by means of ee twisting petioles of the leaf. The flowers are about 2 inches long, curved, the tube greenish white, and the lobes of a violet purple colour, Plants were * The generic name is derived from peristrophe, turning round, in reference to ‘the borers which is twisted so as to be upside down, and the specific name means narrow-leaved with golden variegation. + The genus is named after Kaspar and Johann Commelin, Dutch botanists, and the specific name means “naked-flowered.” + The genus is named after Xavier Manetti, Prefect of the Botanic Gardens at Florence in the middle of the eighteenth century, and the specific name means heart-shaped in reference to the leaves. § The genus is named after Dr. Maurandy, once Professor of Botany at Carthagena, and the specific name after Barclay. PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE VICTORIA GARDENS, 781 raised from seeds purchased from Mr. Ernst Benary, Germany, in May 1901. They have commenced flowering this year since the commencement of the monsoons. 49. Victoria REGIA, Lindl.,(NYMPH@ACE®), * Queen Victoria’s Water Lily or Royal Water Lily, This well-known and magnificent water plant, remarkable alike for its beautiful large flowers and its gigantic leaves, is a native of Guiana in South America. The leaves are circular, large, said to grow up to about 12 feet in diameter. The largest leaf of the plants grown in the garden, how- ever, has not exceeded 7 feet, but could no doubt grow much larger ina tank more suited toits requirements. The edges of the leaves are turned upwards 2 or 3 inches, which gives the leaves an appearance of a huge native “ thala” or tray with upturned edges, The colour of the leaf is green above and purple beneath, and the petiole, lower side of the leaf and the calyx are covered with large spines. The whole leaf is so well supported by the girder-like projecting veins and ribs underneath that it is said to bear the weight of a man easily. On experimenting I found that one of the floating leaves of the plant in the Garden, which was about 7 feet in diameter, could bear a weight of about 45 lbs., and to demonstrate it graphically I had a basket put on the leaf with a six-year old child in it, and had a photograph of it taken in 1895 which is exhibited here, The flowers are large, when fully expanded quite a foot in diameter, white at first, turning gradually to pink, diffusing a sweet scent, and coming up in constant succession during the rains and occasionally afterwards, Plants were raised from seeds purchased from the Superintend- ent, Sajjan Newas Gardens, Udaipur, in March 1898, but with difficulty at first, as the tender-seedlings were several times destroyed by fishes, which are plentiful in the ponds in the Garden, and the plants were further damaged by the great rush of water in the ponds during the monsoon. It is now grown ina small pond made by emptying and excavating one of the old manure pits inthe Garden, but itis not large and deep enough for this gigantic plant, and the leaves are often damaged by being shaken and over- turned by strong wind during the rains. Though it is a perennial, it seems to deteriorate here in the size of leaves and flowers year by year, and has to be grown afresh every year from seed, The seeds are eatable after being roasted. 50, PrpcarrNia LATIFOLIA, Soland (BROMELIACEa),+ An herbaceous peren- nial, native of West Indies and Brazil. The leaves are long, linear, about 3 feet by | inch, acuminate, white furfuraceous at back, margin irregularly prickled, arranged in a rosette. The flowers are in a compound raceme, rising on a long stalk about 7 feet high from the centre of the plant, the individua] flowers being about 3 inches long, bright red. Plants were purchased from the Agri-Horticultural Society of India, Calcutta, in October 1897, and thrive well in Bombay in conservatories, or under partial shade outside, * The genus is named after Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and the generic name means royal, + The genus is named after W. Pitcairn, a physician of London, and the specific name means broad-leaved, 782 DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS FROM THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS. The following descriptions of new species of Mammals are extracted from a paper by Mr, Gerrit $. Miller, Jnr,., published in the Proceedings of the United States National Museum (Vol, XXIV, pp. 751—795), on the collection made by Dr. W.L. Abbott and Mr. C, B, Kloss, who visited. the islands during the months of January, February and March 1901, SUS NICOBARICUS, new species, Type.—Young adult male (skin and skull), No, 111794, U.S.N.M, Collected on Great Nicobar Island, Nicobars, March 13, 1901, by Dr. W. L. Abbott. Original number, 930, Characters,—Like Sus andamanensis, but slightly larger, and with much larger teeth. Colour entirely black. Tail covered with a sparse, nearly uni- form growth of long black hairs, Fur.—The fur throughout consists of bristles with no admixture of softer hairs, In texture it resembles that of Sus andamanensis, and is much less harsh than that of Sus cristatus. The diameter of the individual bristles of both back and mane is scarcely more than half that of hairs from corre- sponding regions in the mainland animal, and is apparently a little less than in the Andaman pig. Mane and dorsal crest well developed, though less so than in Sus cristatus. At middle of back the bristles of the crest are about 70 mm. in length, while those bordering it barely reach a length of 50 mm. The crest, however, owes its distinctness to the greater crowding of the bristles of which it is composed, as compared with those of the surrounding parts, As in Sus andamanensis, the skin is plainly visible through its scant covering of hair everywhere except in the region occupied by the mane and crest, The cheeks are more hairy than in Sus andamanensis, The tail is hairy throughout except at tip, At base the hairs, which are much softer than the bristles of the back, are rather inconspicuous, but near middle they increase in number and in length, and form a straggling brush, the longest hairs of which are 150 mm. long. , Colour.—The colour is black throughout, with a faint brownish wash on dorsal crest. Hoofs rather dark horn colour, In the type the hind feet are albinistic between hoof and hock, the light colour involving the hoofs as well as the hair, Skull,—The skull of Sus nicobaricus, though distinctly larger than that of S. andamanensis, shows no approach to the dimensions of that of S, cristatus. In form it differs from the skull of Sus andamanensis chiefly in the greater angle formed by the surface of the forehead with that of the rostrum, and in the larger, more inflated audital bulle, The zygomatic arch as a whole is more heavily built than in Sus endamanensis, and its horizontal surface is broader posteriorly, As compared with the skull of Sus cristatus from Tenasserim, that of S, nicobaricus shows numerous differences in form, Most conspicuous among DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS, 783 these are the relatively shorter rostrum and the very distinct angle in the facial profile at posterior extremity of nasals. This angle is difficult to mea- sure, but it is approximately 8° in Sws cristatus and 18° in S. nicobaricus, The audital bulle appear to be relatively larger than in the average of Sus crista- tus, but this character is probably not constant, Teeth—The teeth are slightly larger in proportion to the size of the skull than in Sus andamanensis, but otherwise I can detect no differences, They also agree in all essential characters with those of Sus cristatus. Measurements,—External measurements of type : Total length, 1,190 mm.; head and body, 1,000; tail, 190 ; height at shoulder, 520; hind foot (hoof included), 185 Cranial measurements of adult male considerably older than type (No.112011 U.S.N.M.): Occipito-nasal length, 280 mm.; basal length 255; basilar length, 245; length of nasals, 133 ; width of both nasals together posteriorly, 40; median length of bony palate, 175 ; width of bony palate at middle of second molar, 31 ; distance between tips of postorbital processes, 32 ; least interorbi- tal breadth, 71; zygomatic breadth, 130; occipital breadth, 57 ; occipital depth, 105; least depth of rostrum between canine and incisor, 35; mandible, 220; depth of mandible through coronoid process, 105; depth of ramus at front of tirst molar, 32; maxillary toothrow to front of canine (alveoli), 118 ; man- dibular toothrow to front of canine (alveoli), 132; crown of first upper molar, 12 by 14; crown of second upper molar, 17 by 17; crown of third upper molar, 26 by 18; crown of first lower molar,—; crown of second lower molar, 16 by 14; crown of third lower molar, 30 by 15, Remarks,—This species is readily distinguishable from the Andaman pig by its larger teeth, The uniform black colour of the type and the peculiar hairing of the tail may be mere individual characters, The occurence of a diminutive wild pig on the Nicobar Islands was noted as long ago as 1863 by Blyth'; but until the present time there has been no opportunity to compare the animal with Sus andamanensis, That it proves to be distinct from the Andaman swine is not in the least surprising, though such a possibility appears not to have occurred to Blyth, He says: The small Andamanese wild pig appears, at first, to be as isolated in its range as new to science; but Ihave been assured of the existence of a diminutive wild pig in the Nicobars, additional to the huge tame swine of undoubtedly exotic origin, which are bred by the Nicobarians of the coasts; and I have also considerable reason to suspect that it exists like- wise in Sumatra. The differences between the wild and domesticated pigs of the Andamans alluded to by Blyth were noted in considerable detail by Dr. Abbott,” Pigs, both tame and wild [he writes], were plentiful in the Nicobars. Those in Kar Nieobars, and many of the tame ones everywhere, are descendents of European and Chinese stock, and splendid big porkers some of them are, But the wild pig of which I send you one skin and two skulls from Great Nicobar does not seem the same. It is small, about the i Appendix Me Mouat’s Adventures and Researehes among the Andaman Islanders, p. 349, 2 Letter dated April 28, 1901. 1: : 784 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. X1V. same size as that of Bunguran Island [Sus natunensis], the males weighing about 90 pounds. Iam almost sure that it has been introduced long ago into the Nicobars, and that it was originally Sus cristatws of the mainland, degenerating as the result of insularity and inbreeding, The Danes and others have had settlements on the Nicobars in the last century, and an extensive trade with India and with Chinese junks from Hainan, This trade has been going on for generations, and the modern big pig is the result of the new introductions mixed more or less with the small form. In Great and Little Niccbar many of the tame pigs are precisely like the skin of the wild one which I send, and although the tame animals are usually larger they never equal the size of the huge European pigs of Kar Nicobar and the islands of the central group. Whatever may have been the history of the animal, there can be little doubt that it is now a distinct species. Jam inclined to believe that it was introduced by human agency, but at a time far anterior to the establishment of European trade. Genus MUS Linnzvs. Three species of Mus have been recorded from the Andaman Islands, Mus musculus and Mus andamanensis by Blyth, and Mus bowersi by Blanford. Only the second of these was certainly obtained by Dr, Abbott, though it is pro- bable that the animal here described as Jus taciturnus is the Mus bowersi of Blanford, From the Nicobars the only rat hitherto known is the Mus palma- rum of Zelebor, This was regarded by Blanford as identical with Mus rattus, Dr, Abbott did not meet with it. On the other hand he secured six species in the Andamans and five in the Nicobars, raising the total number known from the islands to twelve. MUS STOICUS, new species. Type.—Adult male (skin and skull) No, 111834, U. S. N. M, Collected on Henry Lawrence Island, Andamans, January 9,1901, by Dr, W. L, Abbott. Orginal number, 820. Characters.—A large, heavily built rat, bearing a general likeness to Mus validus and Mus palmarum, Tail considerably shorter than head and body, unicolor, . Fur of back moderately spinous. Under parts bluish gray. Mam- mz apparently ten, Skullas long as that of Mus validus, but very slender, Teeth with normal enamel pattern, the length of upper molar series (alveoli) in adults less than half diastema, Fur.,—Under fur rather scant, much less dense than in Mus validus or Mus norvegicus, but not peculiar in quality ; itis most abundant on flanks and lumbar region, Main body of fur composed of two elements, soft terete hairs and stiff grooved bristles, On middle of back these are about 15 mm, in length, but the hairs usually a little exceed the bristles. Width of bristles on back about 33 mm. On under parts they become much more slender and are scarcely to be distinguished from the terete hairs. The bristles are numerous on middle of back and on sides, but are practically absent from rump and from region in front of shoulders, The back is rather plentifully sprinkled with coarse, terete hairs about 50 mm,in length, but these are not sufficiently numerous to influence the general appearance of the fur. Whiskers coarse, the longest 70 mm, inlength. Supraorbital bristle about 10 mm, less, DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS, 785 Colowr.--Back a coarse grizzle of black and dull ochraceous buff (distinctly darker than Ridgway’s PI. v, fig. 10), the latter element in excess. The effect is similar to the general color of Jus validus, but considerably more yellow. The longer hairs are strongly lustrous, so that in certain lights the fur has a noticeable steely gloss. This sheen is very conspicuous at sides of shoulders when the skin is viewed from in front, Sides like back but with buff even more predominant, Under parts and inner surface of limbs nearly uniform mouse gray (paler than that of Ridgway), Thiscolour is due to the combined effect of the drab under fur and whitish hair tips, It extends entirely around upper lip and spreads over cheeks, where, however, it becomes mixed with ochraceous buff, Hye surrounded by a very faintly indicated dark ring, Whiskers black, Ears and tail uniform dull dark brown throughout, Feet sprinkled with fine whitish hairs, these nowhere abundant enough to conceal the light brown skin, Tail_—The tail is rather inconspicuously annulated—that is, the bounda- ries of the scales are less sharply defined than in most rats of the same size. At middle there are about ten rings to the centimetre. At first sight the tail appears to be naked, but on close inspection it is seen to be beset with fine appressed hairs 1 to 2 mm, in length, two or three of which spring from the base of each scale, Mamme.—tIn the single adult female collected one pectoral and three inguinal mamme are plainly visible on each side. The skin is in bad condi- tion in the region which the anterior pair of pectoral mamme would occupy if present. On the label Dr. Abbott has written “ mamme apparently ten,” Feet,—The feet show no peculiarities of form or structure. Soles naked, with six well-developed tubercles, Ears,—The ears are moderately large, their height from crown exactly equal to distance between eye and tip of muzzle. In form they are not peculiar, Both surfaces are naked, except for a fine, close pubescence, Skull,—The skull of Mus stoicus differs conspicuously from that of Mus validus, Mus vociferans, or Mus bowers¢ in its much lighter structure and more slender form, Viewed from above it does not differ widely from the skull of Mus vociferans, except that it is more narrow throughout, a difference more noticeable in rostrum and braincase than in the zygomatic region, Supraorbital ridges about as in Mus vociferans. The plate of the maxillary forming outer wall of antorbital foramen is as broad as in Mus validus, but the foramen is widely open below, as in Mus vociferans, These characters are very apparent in this view of the skull. Viewed from the side the skull closely resembles that of Mus vociferans, except for the peculiarities already mentioned Zygo- mata much more slender than in the allied species. Viewed from beneath the skull shows its most striking characters, The floor of the braincase is essentially like that of Mus vociferans, though the audital bull are distinctly larger than in the mainland animal. In form the bulle do not differ very materially from those of Mus vociferans, though they are somewhat more 186 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, X1V. inflated anteriorly, Palate and rostrum very unlike those of any of the allied species, the differences due to the combined reduction in size of the teeth and elongation of the rostrum, The length of toothrow is contained fully twice in length of diastema, instead of about once and a half, as in Mus vociferans and Mus validus. The incisive foramina share in the elongation of the rostrum to such an extent that they are much longer than the toothrow instead of distinctly shorter, Except that it shares in the general slender form of the skull, the mandible shows no :characters of importance, Teeth—The teeth differ from those of Mus vociferans in size only, as the enamel pattern of the two species is similar throughout, Measurements.—External measurements of type: Total length, 442 mm. ; head and body, 249 ; tail, 193; hind foot, 47 ; ear from meatus, 24; ear from crown, 20 ; width of ear, 16, Average of ten adults from the type locality: Total length, 437 ; head and body, 241; tail, 198; hind foot, 48; hind foot without claws, 46. Cranial measurements of largast specimen: Greatest length, 55°4 mm. ; basal length, 50; basilar length, 47; palatal length, 28; least width of palate between anterior molars, 6; diastema, 18; length of incisive foramen, 10°6 ; combined breadth of incisive foramina, 3°8; length of nasals, 22; combined breadth of nasals, 5°4; zygomatic breadth, 25; interorbital breadth, 9; breadth of braincase above roots of zygomata, 18; mastoid breadth, 19 ; occipital depth at front of basioccipital, 14:6; fronto-palatal depth at posterior extremity of nasals, 13 ; least depth of rostrum immediately behind incisors, 9°38; mandible, 31; maxillary toothrow (alveoli), 82; width of front upper molar, 2°4 ; mandibular toothrow (alveoli), 8°4, Specimens examined.—Highteen, all from the type locality, Remarks.—In general appearance Mus stoicus resembles Mus validus, but the skull is much more slender. It is, however, in no way distantly related to the large rats of the Malay Peninsula, Dr, Abbott writes as follows of the rats of Henry Lawrence Island (Mus stoicus and Mus flebilis) :— Trapped in the dense jungle with which the island is covered. Note that in this lot there are two distinct species : one large with tail shorter than head and body [M. stoicus], and one smaller with tail longer than head and body [M. flebilis]. The tail is more hairy in the smaller species. Both were caught in the same places, on the west side of the island on Kwantung Straits, at two localities about two milesapart. The smaller one squeals pite- ously when ¢aught in a trap, but the larger is silent, MUs TACITURNUS, new species, Type-—Adult male (skin and skull), No. 111828, U. 8. N. M. Collected on South Andaman Island, Andamans, January 16, 1901, by Dr. W, L. Abbott. Original number, 854. Characters,—Slightly larger than Mus stotcus, and colour both above and below more tinged with yellow. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS. 787 Colour.—Back and sides a coarse grizzle of black and bright ochraceous buff (distinctly more yellow than Ridgway’s, Pl. v, fig. 10), the latter very con- spicuously in excess. Under parts paler than in Jus stoicus, though the ele- ments of the colour are essentially the same, the difference due to the more extensive whitish hair tips, and faintly lighter under fur, Colour otherwise as in Mus stoicus. Measurements,—External measurements of type: Total length, 494 mm.; head and body, 266; tail, 228 ; hind foot, 53 ; ear from meatus, 24 ; ear from crown, 21 ; width of ear, 16°4. An adult female measures : Total length, 446; head and body, 237 ; tail, 209 ; hind foot, 48. Specimens examined,—Seven, all from the type locality, Remarks.—This species is very closely allied to Mus stotcus, but is never- theless easily distinguishable on comparison, It is probably the rat recorded by Blanford as ‘‘a variety of Mus bowersi, or a closely allied form.”! Mus bowersé differs, however, from all of the rats known to occur on the Anda- mans by its distinctly bicoloured tail. MuUs PLEBILIS, new species. Type.—Adult female (skin and skull}, No. 111841,U. 8S. N.M. Collected on Henry Lawrence Island, Andamans, January 10, 1901, by Dr. W. L, Abbott, Original number, 827, Characters,—A large member of the Mus rattus group, Size about as in Mus pannosus of the Butang Island, but tail always considerably longer than head and body. Fur thickly sprinkled with weak spines, its colour paler and more yellow than in Mus pannosus and closely resembling that of Mus stoicus, Skull much like that of Mus pannosus, but with larger audital bullx, more prominent supraorbital ridges, and smaller teeth, Fur.—The fur is like that of Mus stoicus, except that the bristles are a little less stiff and the under fur is somewhat more woolly. The long terete hairs on the back are less noticeable than in the larger animal, In abun- dance and distribution the bristles are essentially the same in the two species, Colour,—Back and sides essentially as in Mus stoicus, except that the light element of the grizzle is paler, almost exactly matching the ochraceous buff of Ridgway, and a little more noticeably in excess of the dark. The fur is nearly destitute of the lustrous sheen so noticeable in the larger animal, Muzzle and outer surface of front legs washed with broccoli-brown. Under parts and inner surface of limbs cream buff. Under fur light drab, Ears and tail dull brown throughout, The colour of the under parts completely encircles the mouth, but scarcely spreads upward on cheeks, Feet more thickly haired than in Mus stoicus, cream buff heavily clouded with drab, Whiskers black. A faintly indicated dark eye-ring. Tail_—The annulation of the tail is similar to that in Mus stoicus, except that the rings and scales are more sharply defined. At middle there are ten rings to the centimetre, The hairs, though not conspicuous, are longer and more abundant than in the larger animal, *The Fauna of British India, Mamm., 1891, p, 410. 788 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Mamme.—There are 10 mamme, 2 pectoral and 3 inguinal on each side. Feet,—The feet are in no way peculiar, Soles naked, with 6 well-deve- loped tubercles. Ears,—The ears are essentially as in Mus stoicus. Skull_—The skull of Mus flebilis resembles that of the larger members of the Mus rattus group, but is readily distinguishable by its larger audital bulle and more strongly developed supraorbital ridges. In the latter character it suggests J/us surifer and its allies, As compared with the skull of Mus pannosus that of Mus flebilis differs, aside from the characters just men- tioned, in slightly smaller size, relatively shorter, more robust rostrum, narrower outer wall of antorbital foramen, more abruptly flaring zygomata, and longer incisive foramina, The mandible is essentially the same in both species. Its much greater size (greatest length about 45 mm, instead of about 40) immediately distinguishes the skull of Mus flebilis from that of Mus rattus and Mus alexandrinus. Teeth.—The teeth exactly resemble those of Mus alexandrinus and Jus rattus in form and in pattern of enamel folding, but are conspicuously larger, In the latter character they are slightly surpassed by those of Mus pannosus. Measurements.—External measurements of type: Total length, 452 mm ; head and body, 210; tail, 242 ; hind foot, 41°4 ; ear from meatus, 21 ; ear from crown, 16 ; width of ear, 15, Average of six adults from the type locality ; Total length, 441 (417—460) ; head and body, 203; tail, 238 (222—240): hind foot, 41°8 (41—44) ; hind foot without claws, 40 (39—42), Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length, 45 mm, ; basal length, 40; basilar length, 37; palatal length, 21:4; least width of palate between anterior molars, 5 ; diastema, 13 ; length of incisive foramen, 8°8 ; combined breadth of incisive foramina, 3; length of nasals, 18 ; combined breadth of nasals, 4°8 ; zygomatic breadth, 19°8; interorbital breadth, 6; mastoid breadth, 18; breadth of braincase above roots of zygomata, 16; depth of braincase at anterior border of basioccipital, 11°4; fronto-palatal depth at posterior extremity of nasals, 11; least depth of rostrum immediately behind incisors, 8°5; mandible, 26 ; maxillary toothrow (alveoli), 7-4 ; width of front upper molar, 2°2; mandibular toothrow (alveoli), 7:4. Specimens examined.—Seven, all from the type locality. Remarks.—These rats were trapped, together with the specimens of Mus stoicus, in the dense jungle with which Henry Lawrence Island is covered. The types of both species were taken on the south side of the island on the shore of Kwantung Straits, Other specimens were secured at a point about 2 miles farther north, The names which I have used for the two species were suggested by Dr. Abbott’s note that the smaller animal squeals piteously when caught, while the larger is silent, Mus PULLIVENTER, new species. Type.—Adult male (skin and skull), No, 111790, U.S. N.M. Collected on Great Nicobar Island, Nicobars, March 12, 1901, by Dr. W. L. Abbott. Original number, 927. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS, 789 Characters.—A rat of somewhat less bulk than Mus flebilis, but with smaller hind foot and shorter tail, the length of latter considerably less than that of head and body. Fur densely spinous, but the bristles even more slender than in Mus flebilis, Colour brown throughout, the belly not distinctly paler than sides, skull slender, with dorsal profile nearly straight from middle of braincase to tip of nasals. Teeth small, normal. Mamme 8. Fur—tThe fur is fine and close in texture, but on examination it is seen to be densely beset with very slender spines, These spines are rather more numerous than in Mus flebilis, but their width is distinctly less than in the Andaman species. The fur of the back is sprinkled with a few long terete hairs, but these are only evident on close inspection, On the belly the bristles are reduced to mere rudiments scarcely to be distinguished from the oridinary hairs, Colour.—Back and sides a fine grizzle of black and russet, the two colours in about equal parts on the back, the russet in excess on the sides and outer surface of legs, where it is faintly washed with wood brown, Belly and inner side of legs drab, a little tinged with russet, Chin, middle of throat, axillary region and area surrounding nipples white; this colour perhaps abnormal, Cheeks and muzzle like belly, but slightly more washed with russet, Top of head dark, grizzled hair brown, Feet scantily sprinkled with brownish and whitish hairs. Ears and tail uniform dark brown, Tail—The annulation of the tail is indistinct and somewhat irregular. At middle there are eleven or twelve rings to the centimetre, From the base of each scale spring two or three stiff hairs, the length of which scarcely exceeds the width of the rings. The hairs are very inconspicuous, and more apparent to the touch than to sight. At extreme tip the skin of the tail is whitish, but this character may readily be abnormal. Momme.—YThere are 8 mamme, 1 pectoral pair and 3 inguinal pairs, Feet,—Relatively to the size of the animal, the feet are unusually small and weak, Soles with the six pads rather indistinct in the dry specimen, Ears—The ears are in no way peculiar, In length they are about equal to distance between eye and muzzle, They are naked, except for a fine, almost microscopic pubescence, Skull,—The skull of Mus pulliventer differs conspicuously from that of the other Andaman and Nicobar rats in its flat dorsal outline. When viewed from the side the profile is nearly straight from front of nasals to middle of braincase, The palatal profile shares the same peculiarity but to a less degree. Except for its flatness the skull closely resembles that of Mus rattus, The rostrum is, however, more elongate, and the audital bulle are smaller, When viewed from above, the plate forming outer wall of antorbital foramen scarcely extends in front of line of outer curve of zygomatic arch, while in Mus rattus it projects conspicuously in front of this line, Viewed from the side this plate is narrower and less concave than in Mus rattus, and its front edge is nearly straight, 790 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. Teeth.—The teeth of the type are somewhat worn, but they appear to be in every way similar to those of Mus rattus, Measurements,—External measurements of type: Total length, 387 mm, ; head and body, 202 ; tail, 185 ; hind foot, 35 ; ear from meatus, 19; ear from crown, 14; width of ear, 15, Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length, 44 mm.; basal length, 40 ; basilar length, 38 ; palatal length, 22°6 ; least width of palate between anterior molars, 4°6 ; diastema, 12°6 ; length of incisive foramen, 78 ; combined breadth of incisive foramina, 4 ; length of nasals, 16 ; combined breadth of nasals, 4°6 ; zygomatic breadth, 21°8 ; interorbital breadth, 6°4 ; breadth of braincase above roots of zygomata, 16°2; mastoid breadth, 16°8 ; occipital depth at front of basioccipital, 13 ; fronto-palatal depth at posterior extremity of nasals, 9°6 ; least depth of rostrum immediately behind incisors, 7-6 ; mandible, 25 ; maxil- lary toothrow (alveoli), 7°8; width of front upper molar, 2 ; mandibular toothrow (alveoli), 6'8, Specimens examined.—One, the type. Remarks.—Mus pulliventer differs so conspicuously from its allies of the Mus rattus group that it needs no special comparison with any of them. The flat- tened skull and dark colour of the under parts are sharply diagnostic, MUs ATRATUS, new species, Type.—Adult female (skin and skull), U.S.N.M. No, 111868. Collected on Barren Island, Andamans, 7th January 1901, by Dr. W. L. Abbott. Original number, 818, Characters,—Size and proportions as in Mus andamanensis, but fur spineless, Colour of under parts yellowish brown, back strongly suffused with black (often entirely black), Skull shorter, broader, and more robust than that of Mus andamanensis, the audital bulle smaller, Teeth as in Mus andamanensis and Mus rattus, but much larger. Fur.—The fur consists of the usual elements. The spines, however, are so reduced in diameter as to appear like ordinary hairs unless examined with a lens, Colour,—Upper parts almost exactly as in Mus flebilis and Mus andamanensis except that the fur is strongly suffused with a slaty black like that of Mus rattus. In two of the eight specimens the brown remains in excess of the black, but in the other (including the type) the latter predominates, nearly or quite to the exclusion of the brown, Belly yellowish brown (rather paler and less yellow than the ochraceous buff of Ridgway) in the brown-backed speci- mens, slaty in the others, Only one skin, however, lacks a distinct brownish wash cyer the slaty under parts, Feet sprinkled with whitish or slaty hairs, Ears and tail uniform dark brown. Tail—The tail is distinctly annulated. At middle there are about ten rings to the centimetre. The boundaries of the scales are sharply defined, much more so than in Mus stoieus and Mus flebilis. From the base of each scale grow three hairs which in length are equal to the width of two rings, Though better developed than in the larger Andaman rats, these hairs do not conceal the annulation of the;jtail, DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS. 791 Feet.—The feet are in no way peculiar. Soles naked, 6-tuberculate. Ears.—The ears are of moderate length, about equal to distance between eye and nostril, ‘hey are naked except for a fine, inconspicuous pubescence, Skull,—The skull is much like that of Mus rattus, except that the frontal profile is more strongly concave, the audital bulle are smaller, and the region between and including anterior zygomatic roots is broader and more heavily built. The incisive foramina extend back nearly to level of middle of first molar. Teeth—The teeth are similar to those of Mus rattus, but very much larger. Measurements.—External measurements of type: Total length, 342 mm. ; head and body, 160; tail, 182 ; hind foot, 36; ear from meatus, 18; ear from crown, 14; width of ear, 13. Average of seven adults from the type locality : Total length, 353 (342—372); head and body, 175 (160—195); tail 181 (173—190) ; hind foot, 39-7 (39—41'6) ; hind foot without claws, 37:3 (36—39), Specimens ecamined,—Hight, all from the type locality. Remarks.—In the appendix to, Mouat’s Adventures and Researches among the Andaman Islanders, Blyth remarks that— lately the Rev. C.S, P. Parish, the able botanist and chaplain of Moulmein, observed on Barren Island the half-devoured remains of some rat, which it is not likely had been carried by a bird of prey from the nearest land, 36 miles distant. As the carcase was much mutilated, Mr, Parish did not think it worth while to preserve it in spirits, though had he done so, the identification of the species, with the peculiar spiny-coated Mus andamanensis, would probably have been easy. ; This is the only published allusion to the Barren Island rat that I have seen, Dr, Abbott found the animal excessively abundant in favourable localities among the patches of grass and scrubby jungle with which the volcanic ash and scoria of Barren Island are covered. He noted nothing peculiar in its habits, Mus BURRUS, new species, Type,—Adult female (skin and skull), No. 111811, U.S. N.M. Collected on Trinkut Island, Nicobars, February 5, 1901, by Dr. W. L, Abbott. Original number, 881, Characters,—Size and general appearance much as in Mus pulliventer, but tail shorter, back less distinctly grizzled, and belly light buff. Fur spineless. Mamme 10. Skull much like that of Mus norvegicus. Fur.—The fur is like that of Mus atratus, that is, the spines are so reduced in diameter that on casual examination they do not appear different from the surrounding hairs. They are, however, slightly larger than in Mus atratus, Colour.—Back and sides a fine grizzle of black and russet, the colours nearly as in Mus pulliventer, but grizzle less distinct. The two elements are in about equal parts on back, but on sides the russet is considerably in excess of the black, and at the same time slightly obscured by the drab gray of the under fur. Under parts and inner side of legs cream-buff to base of hairs, Crown and forehead like back, but a little tinged with gray ; cheeks washed with drab, Feet scantily clothed with whitish and brownish hairs. Kars and tail uniform dark brown. 20 792 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Tail_—The tail is coarsely and distinctly annulated. At middle there are about eight rings to the centimetre. To each scale there are from one to three stiff hairs varying in length from 1 to 13 millimetres, Mamme,—tThere are 10 mamme, 4 pectoral and 6 inguinal. Feet.—The feet are in no way peculiar. Soles naked, with the usual six tubercles, Ears.—Ears as in the related species. Skull.—In a general way the skull of Mus burrus rather closely resembles that of Mus norvegicus. It is slightly smaller than that of the house rat, however, the dorsal profile is less convex, the rostrum shorter and broader, the interorbital region less constricted, the zygomatic arches less flaring, the braincase broader and less elevated, the interpterygoid space wider, and the audital bulle slightly different in form and more resembling those of Mus rattus, Nasal bones gradually narrowed from front to back, their outer margins nearly straight except for the usual slight downward curve. Pos- terior portion of mandible somewhat deeper than in Mus norvegicus. Teeth.—The teeth are relatively somewhat larger than in the house rat, but the enamel pattern shows no peculiarities, Measurements —External measurements of type: Total length, 430 mm.; head and body, 215; tail, 215 ; hind foot, 43 ; ear from meatus, 24 ; ear from crown, 18; width of ear, 17. Averageof ten specimens from the type locality: Total length, 407 (385—430); head and body, 205 (195—225); tail vertebra, 202 (193215); hind foot, 42°5 (42—43); hind foot, without claws, 40°6 (40—41°4). Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length, 47°6 mm. ; basal length, 43; basilar length, 40; palatal length, 23°4; least width of palate between anterior molars, 54; diastema, 14 ; length of incisive foramen, 8°4 ; combined breadth of incisive foramina, 2°8 ; length of nasals, 17:4; combined breadth of nasals, 5 ; zygomatic breadth, 22 ; interorbital breadth, 8 ; mastoid breadth, 17°4; breadth of braincase above roots of zygomata, 17; depth of braincase at anterior border of basioccipital, 12°2 ; fronto-palatal depth at posterior extremity of nasals, 11°8 ; least depth of rostrum immediately behind incisors, 9; mandible, 28; maxillary toothrow (alveoli), 7°6; mandibular toothrow (alveoli), 7*4. Specimens examined.—Twelve, all from Trinkut Island, Nicobars. Remarks.—In external characters, the series of I2 skins show practi- cally no variation. The younger specimens are less clear buff beneath, but with this exception, the colour is perfectly constant. The skulls are likewise very uniform, Here the variation is confined to the slight differences in size usually correlated with greater or less age. The nearly straight lateral outline of the nasal is an unvarying characteristic of the entire series of skulls. Whether Mus burrus iy a direct descendant of the house rat cannot be decided, but its relationship with this wandering species is not remote. The dark colour and less spreading zygomata are alone sufficient to distinguish the Nicobarian animal, however, from any of the very numerous specimens of Mus norvegicus that haye come under my observation, DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS, 793 Mus BURRULUS, new species. Type. —Aduli male (skin and skull), No, 111817, U.S. N. M. Collected on Car Nicobar, January 25, 1901, by Dr. W. L, Abbott, Original number, 865, Characters —Similar to Mus burrus, but much smaller; hind foot, 38 ; greatest length of skull, 41. Colour,—The colour and other external characters so closely resemble those of Mus burrus as to need no detailed description, Skull_—The skull though differing from that of Mus burrus chiefly in its smaller size is also distinguishable by its much more slender rostrum, a cha- racter which is in no way due to differences of age. The outer margin of the nasal is straight, as in the larger animal, Teeth—The teeth are similar to those of Mus burrus, though perceptibly smaller throughout, Measurements,—External measurements of type: Total length, 357 mm.; head and body, 174; tail, 183; hind foot, 38; ear from meatus, 19; ear from crown, 15; width of ear, 15, Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length, 41 mm.; basal length, 37°4; basilar length, 34°8 ; length of nasals, 15 ; combined breadth of nasals, 4; zygomatic breadth, 19-8 ; interorbital constriction, 6°8 ; maxillary toothrow (alveoli), 7. Specimens examined.—One, the type. Remarks.—Although represented by only one specimen, the rat of isolated Gar Nicobar is evidently distinct from those of the larger southern islands. That its small size is not due to immaturity is shown by the fact that the type is fully adult, with distinctly worn teeth, a much older individual than several of the specimens of Mus burrus, MUS BURRESCENS, new species, Type —Adult female (skin and skull), No. 111789, U.S.N.M. Collection on Great Nicobar Island, March 12, 1901, by Dr, W. L. Abbott, Original number, 926, Characters,—Externally similar to Wus burrus, but red of upper parts a little more intense. Skull distinguishable from that of the related species by the form of the nasal bones, which are strongly contracted a little in front of middle. Colour.—The upper parts are slightly more red than in Mus burrus, and the grizzle produced by the black hair-tips is less coarse, differences easily appreciable on comparison, Otherwise the two animals are entirely similar so far as external characters are concerned. Skull.—The skull is like that of Mus burrus,except in the form of the nasal bones. The outer margin of each nasal, straight or nearly so in Mus burrus is here abruptly concave at middle, The result is a spatulate outline of the two nasals together, quite different from the regular cuneate form charactere istic of Mus burrus and Mus burrulus, Teeth —Teeth as in Mus burrus, 194 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. Measurements,—External measurements of type: Total length, 408 mm. ; head and body, 296; tail, 202; hind foot, 40 ; ear from meatus, 21 ; ear from crown, 16; width of ear, 15, Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length, 44°6 mm,; basal length, 40; basilar length, 38 ; length of nasals, 16 ; combined breadth of nasals, 56; zygomatic breadth, 21°8 ; interorbital constriction, 6°8; maxillary tooth- row (alveoli), 7°4. Specimens examined.—Two, both from Great Nicobar Island, A specimen from Little Nicobar may represent this species, but it is too young for posi- tive determination. Remarks,—The cranial character by which the species is distinguished from its allies though trivial is apparently of perfect constancy. In none of the 12 skulls of Mus burrus is there any approach to the spatulate form of nasals, Genus TUPAIA Rarr Les. TUPAIA NICOBARICA SURDA, new sub-species. Type.—Adult male (skin and skull), No, 111757, U.S.NM. Collected on Little Nicohar Island, March 1, 1901, by Dr. W. L. Abbott. Original num- ber, 899. Characters,—Similar to Tupaia nicobarica nicobarica, but light areas of pelage much less yellow and less contrasted with dark areas. Colour—Type: Entire under parts, front and hind legs, head, neck, shoulder and anterior half of back wood brown, tinged with drab posteriorly and on upper parts, with buff elsewhere, An indefinite dark shade on forehead and another on nape, the latter sending back a faint median streak and two still more indistinct lateral shades. On under parts and inner surface of legs the hairs are dull and lustreless and the colour clear, but on upper parts and outer surface of legs the glossy texture of the hairs, together with a very fine annulation (particularly in mantle), imparts a faintly grizzled aspect, Posterior half of back very dark brown, almost black, with here and there a hair which shows a trace of wood brown annulation, Tail deep burnt umber throughout, except at extreme base, where it shades abruptly to black above and to the drab wood brown of belly below. In other specimens the dark dorsal area is lightened to prouts brown (of a shade considerably darker than Ridgway’s Pl, III, fig. 11), and the tail to a pale burnt umber glossed with russet. In most cases, however, the colour is like that of the type, or nearly so. Skull and Teeth. I cannot find that the skull and teeth differ from those of Tupaia nicobarica nicobarica. Measurements.—External measurements of type: Total length, 410 mm, ; head and body, 190; tail vertebra, 220; hind foot, 48; ear from meatus, 16 ; ear from crown, 7 ; width of ear, 13'4. Average of 10 specimens from the type locality: Total length, 388 (370—410) ; head and body, 176 (170—190) tail, 212 (200—220) ; hind foot, 47°5 (47—49) ; hind foot without claws, 44:4 (43°4—45). DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS. 795 Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length, 54 mm,; basal length, 47 ; basilar length, 46 ; median palatal length, 28; length of nasals (about), 18; distance from lachrymal notch to tip of premaxillary, 21°83; diastema, 5 ; width of palate between anterior molars, 9°6 ; lachrymal breadth, 18°4 ; breadth of rostrum at middle of diastema, 7 ; least interorbital breadth, 17°4; zygoma- tic breadth, 28 ; least distance from inion to rim of orbit, 26 ; occipital depth, 12°4 ; depth from middle of parietal to lower surface of audital bulla, 18; depth of rostrum at base of nasals, 8; depth of rostrum at middle of dias- tema, 5°8 ; mandible, 37 ; maxillary toothrow behind diastema, 19 ; mandibular toothrow (behind diastema), 17, Specimens examined,—Seventeen, all from Little Nicobar Island. Remarks.—T ypical individuals representing the majority of specimens are instantly recognizable, as compared with similar material from Great Nicobar by the dull, relatively lustreless, and ill-contrasted colour of the mantle and thighs, as well as by the less yellow under parts. The mantle is less often outlined by a dark shade at the side than in the typical form, Occasionally a specimen may be found which cannot be certainly referred to either race, but taking the series as a whole the characters are readily appreciable. Genus CROCIDURA Waater, CROCIDURA NICOBARICA, new species, Type,—Adult female (in alcohol), No. 111788, U.S.N.M. Collected on Great Nicobar Island, March 15,1901, by Dr. W. L, Abbott. Original num- ber, 931. Characters. —Largest known oriental member of the sub-genus Crocidura . total length, about 210 mm, General colour, sooty brown. Fur,—The fur is dense and velvety, the hairs on middle of back about 4 mm. in length, with a few longer ones interspersed. Colour.—Dorsal surface prouts brown (slightly darker than Ridgway’s Pl, III, fig, 11), somewhat grizzled in certain lights by the silvery gray reflec- tions from the hairs. Sides, under parts, and both surfaces of legs broccoli brown, slightly washed with wood brown, On middle of chest there is an elongate patch of gray, very nearly Ridgway’s gray No, 8, but faintly washed with broccoli brown, Ears, tail, and feet an indefinite fleshy brownish, the thin sprinkling of minute hairs not affecting the colour, Tail—tThe tail is so minutely and indistinctly annulated that, at first sight, its surface appears to be smooth. On close inspection the rings become visible, about thirty to the centimetre at middle, Numerous dark hairs with silvery reflections spring from the border of each ring, In length they slightly exceed the width of the rings, These hairs are invisible without the aid of a lens, except when seen in profile against a white surface, or when certain lights cause them to appear as a silvery pubescent sheen, With the short hairs are sparsely intermingied cilia, 10 mm, in length, Mamme.—Apparently there are two inguinal mammz on each side, but the specimen is sufficiently mutilated to make the count uncertain. 796 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Feet——Both soles and palms are naked and 6-tuberculate. The surface between the tubercles is finely reticulated, Skull_—The skull exactly resembles that of Kashmir specimens of Croci- dura (Pachyura) “ murina,” except that the size is a trifle less, So far as can be determined from a single specimen, the skull of the fully-developed adult Nicobar shrew is less angular than that of C. “ murina” of the same age, Teeth.—The teeth resemble those of Crocidura ‘“murina?’ The first unicuspid is, however, distinctly smaller than in the Kashmir animal, and the two succeeding teeth are faintly larger. Asa result there is less contrast in the size of the unicuspids, though the relative proportions remain the same—that is, the first is much larger than the third, which in turn exceeds the second, Of the fourth unicuspid, well developed in C, “ murina,”’ there is no trace. Measurements. — External measurements of type : Total length, 210 mm. ; head and body, 120; tail, 90; 1 hind foot, 24* ; ear from meatus, 11 ; ear from crown, 5; width of ear, 11, Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length (exclusive of incisors), 27 mm, ; basal length, 26; basilar length, 24 ; palatal length, 11:8; width of palate between middle molars, 36; mastoid breadth, 11°6; lachrymal breadth, 6°2 ; mandible (without incisor), 15; maxillary toothrow, 12°8; mandibular toothrow, 12. Specimens examined,—One, the type. Remarks,—This species is readily distinguishable among the hitherto known oriental members of the sub-genus Crocidura by its very large size, a character in which it is approached by its representative in the Andaman Islands only. Some of the larger African species are, however, of about the same measurements. CROCIDURA ANDAMANENSIS, new species, Type-—Adult male (skin and skull), No, 111825, U.S.N.M. Collected at MacPherson Strait, South Andaman Island, January 16,1901, by Dr. W. L, Abbott. Original number, 851. Characters.—In size nearly equal to Crocidura nicobarica ; general colour, bluish gray. Fur,—The fur is somewhat longer and less dense than in the type of C. nicobarica, that on middle of back about 8 mm. in length, This character is probably individual. Colour.— Entire body and head gray (very nearly Ridgway’s No, 8), every- where washed with broccoli brown, This wash is most noticeable on dorsal surface, where the effect of the two colours is drab gray. On under parts the brown is distinctly visible in some lights, scarcely so inothers, Feet, . yellow- ish brown ; tail and ears, dark brown, Skull—The skull is in every way similar to that of Crocidura nicobarica, except that it is somewhat smaller. Teeth —In general the teeth of Crocidura andamanensis closely resemble those of C. nicobarica. The unicuspids are, however, actually as well as 1 Slightly damaged, DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS, 797 relatively larger, and the contrast in size between the second and the other two is more marked, Measurements,—External measurements of type: Total length, 200 mm, ; head and body, 114; tail, 86; hind foot, 26, Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length (exclusive of incisors), 25°6 mm, ; basal length, 24°8 ; basilar length, 22 ; palatal length, 11; width of palate between middle molars, 3°2; mastoid breadth, 11; lachrymal breadth, 6; mandible (without incisor), 15; maxillary toothrow, 12; mandibular toothrow, 11. Specimens examined,—One, the type. Remarks,—This species, though closely related to Crocidura nicobarica, appears to be well characterized by its smaller size, larger unicuspid teeth, and distinctly gray colour, Genus PIPISTRELLUS Kavp. PIPISTRELLUS CAMORTH, new species, 1861, ? Vesperugo nicobaricus Firzincer, Sitzungsber. Math,-Naturwis- sensch, Cl, Kais, Akad. Wissensch., Wien, XLII (1860), p. 390 (nomen nudum). 1869. ? Vesperugo tenuis ZELEBOR, Reise der dsterreichischen Fregatte Novara, Zool., I (Wribelthiere), 1, Mamm,, p. 16 (Nicobars), 1876. ? Vesperugo abramus Dosson, Monogr, Asiat. Chiropt., p. 212 (Nicobars), Type.—Adult male (in alcohol) No, 111897, U.S.N.M, Collected on Kamorta Tsland, Nicobar Islands, February 12, 1901, by Dr. W. L. Abbott. Characters,—Externally much like Javan specimens of Pipistrellus abramus, but slightly smaller, the ears shorter and broader, and penis considerably shorter than tibia. Skull with broader rostrum and smaller audital bulla, Teeth as in P, abramus, the inner upper incisor bifid, Ears.—The ear is moderately long; laid forward it extends about to nostril, Anterior border nearly straight from base to broadly rounded-off tip. Posterior border straight from just below tip to about middle, then strongly convex to notch isolating low but well-developed antitragus, Tragus short and broad, its greatest width nearly equal to length of anterior border, Posterior outline evenly convex except where interrupted by a small but very distinct lobe near base. Anterior-border slightly concave. Feet.—The foot is smaller than in Pipistrellus abramus. Calcar fading in- sensibly into uropatagium, but provided with a very distinct keel, considerably larger than that of P. abramus, Membranes.—The membranes are thin and delicate, but do not show any pecaliarities of importance. They are naked except close to body, Wing from base of outer toe, Penis ——The penis, though much larger than in P2pistrellus pipistrellus and P. kuhli, lacks the enormous development characteristic of P. abramus. Its length equals about two-thirds that of tibia. 798 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. Colour,—After several months’ immersion in alcohol the colour is a uniform dark brown above (the exact shade intermediate between the bistre and burnt umber of Ridgway), and a lighter brown (between wood brown and cinnamon) beneath. Fur everywhere blackish at base, ears and membranes blackish brown, the wing faintly edged with white. Skull and Teeth—The skull resembles that of Pipistrellus abramus in general size and form, but the rostral portion is very noticeably broader and shorter, Audital bulle smaller than in P. abramus, but not different in form, Teeth asin Pipistrellus abramus, but more robust. ; Measurements.—External measurement of type: Total length, 78 mm. (80) ;* head and body, 48 (48) ; tail, 30 (32); tibia, 12 (11-6) ; foot, 6°8 (6:6) ; penis, 9 ; forearm, 31°6 (32); thumb, 5 (5°4); second digit, 31 (30); third digit, 52 (55) ; fourth digit, 47 (51) ; fifth digit, 40 (42); ear from meatus, 11°4 (12) ; ear from crown, 9 (9); width of ear, 10°6 (10°6); tragus (anterior border), 3 (4). Cranial measurements of type: Greatest Jength, 12°6 mm. ; basal length, 12 ; basilar length, 9; zygomatic breadth, 9; least interorbital breadth, 3°6 ; greatest length of braincase, 7°8; greatest breadth of braincase above roots of zygomata, 7; mandible, 10; maxillary toothrow (exclusive of incisors), 5 ; mandibular toothrow (exclusive of incisors), 5. Specimens examined,—Two (in alcohol), both from the type locality. Remarks.—Fipistrellus camorte appears to be a well-marked species related more closely to P. abramus than to any other. It is undoubtedly the bat which Dobson recorded from the Nicobars in the list of specimens of Vespe- rugo abramus in the collection of the East Indian Museum, Probably it is also the species named Vesperugo nicobaricus by Fitzinger, but afterwards regarded by Zelebor as V. tents, Genus HIPPOSIDEROS LeAcu. HIPPOSIDEROS NICOBARULZ, new species, 1876. Phyllorhina bicolor Dopson, Monogr, Asiat. Chiropt., p. 70 (Nicobars). Type.—Adult male (in alcohol), No, 111874, U.S.N.M. Collected on Little Nicobar Island, March 2, 1901, by Dr, W. L. Abbott, Characters——Closely related to Hipposideros bicolor and H. fulvus, with which it agrees in all general external features, Size much less than that of H, fulva and slightly greater than in H. bicolor. Terminal erect portion of noseleaf broader than in JH, bicolor ; skull more inflated in front of orbits ard with broader palate and interpterygoid region, Noseleaf—The noseleaf is slightly larger than that of Hipposideros bicolor, but not essentially different in form, The posterior erect portion is slightly broader, but the difference may be in part sexual, as the only specimen of H, bicolor at hand is a female. Colour,—T wo distinct colour phases occur. In the dark phase, represented by the type, the hairs of the back are seal brown through terminal third, light » Measurements in parenthesis are those of an adult female from the type locality. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS, 799 smoke gray basally in strong contrast, On under parts the fur is broccoli brown throughout, the hairs slightly darker at tip. In the light phase the whole body is mars brown, the hairs everywhere light gray at base, but this feature most noticeable on back. Ears and membranes blackish, This description is based on specimens that have been immersed in alcohol for about six months, Skull and Leeth—The skullis so much smaller than that of Hipposideros fulvus that it needs no special comparison, From the skull of H. bicolor it differs in slightly larger size and in several details of structure. The width of the constricted portion of the palate is considerably greater then in the allied species, and the interpterygoid space is wider in proportion to its length. Aniorbital region more inflated than in either of the allied species. The teeth show no peculiarities of form, They are intermediate in size between those of Hipposideros bicolor and H, fulvus. Measurements.—F or external measurements see table below. Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length, 16°4 mm, ; basal length, 14; basilar length, 12°38 ; zygomatic breadth, 84; least interorbital breadth, 2-2: mastoid breadth, 9'4; greatest length of braincase, 10; greatest breadth of braincase above roots of zygomata, 7 ; fronto-palatal depth (at middle of molar series), 3; depth of braincase, 5°8 ; maxillary toothrow (exclusive of incisor), 5-6 ; mandible, 10 ; mandibular toothrow (exclusive of incisors), 6. Specimens examined,—T wenty-five, all from the type locality. Remarks,—Though in some respects intermediate between Hipp osideros bicolor and H. fulvus, this species is so readily distinguishable as to need no special comparison. Table of meusurements of Hipposideros nicobarule. : | (Peal [esha AG oe | . | ~ Ze oO 5 o c—) m | = | | Sig/BlE/ #15] 8 Number. | Sex. | B 8 et ES E =I E os | = alelebel@leieleila|=.)4 | 2 Silos ese Slee lites Se es | Balsall cael) Sie le | Slélalelslelelsjeie}/S/ 8 | & | & yee el | ee \ | | | | | | | } ‘Mm Mm Mm Mm Mm\Mm ym\Mm Mm Mm um) Mm | Mm | ue 111871.......0-.- Male........| 78 | 30 | 17 | 7 40 | 5:6] 34 | 64 | 50/ 53) 18 | 154 | 17 111872...-....-- | Do. ......| 81 | 33 | 17 | 64) 10 | 40 | 5-4) 32 | 61 | 51 | 54 174 |15 | 18 1118742 ......ee| Do. .....-| 77 | 31| 16| 7 | 9°4| 39 | 5-6) 32 | 63 | 49 | 52 | 19 | 146 | 17-6 DIV Gasooneco00 IDS SoGoas 75 | 299/16 |7 |9 | 39| 6 | 32 | 66) 52 | 55 | 18 4°¢6«6+449 TOBE scgade a 05 || Joy 75 | 29 18 | 68} 10 | 40| 6 | 32 65 52 | 54| 19 ls | 17-4 J11895...,....0+ | Do, ...---| 78 | 31 | 17|7 | 9 | 39 | 5:6] 38) 65) 50) 54/719 | 15 | 17 bE Msscdéoq0000 | Female,.....| 83 | 32 18 | 6°6| 10 | 41 | 5*6| 33 65 | 53 | 55 20 16 | 184 111877... 20.... Do. asl 76|27)16|7 |9 | 40/5 32 63 | 49 | 53 | 186 | 15 16 AVUSB Ze scseestels Do. ....| 85 | 34 | 18 | 68] 10| 40) 6 | 32 65 | 52 | 56 | 20 156 | 17-4 WINES 50 o5Gn08 Go Do. ....| 81 | 33 | 18 | 7 \11 | 4¢| 66| 35 68 | 54] 56) 19 | 15 | 18 TOU isdembacae Do. 83 | 34 | 184) 66) 10 | 42/6 | 33 65) 52] 55/19 | 15 | 276 : \ \ Type. Genus PTEROFUS Brisson. PTEROPUS FAUNULUS, new species, Type,—Adult male (skin and skull), No. 111730, U.S.N.M, Collected on Car Nicobar, January 23, 1901, by Dr, W. L. Abbott. Original number, 864, Vol. V, Pt. 52, October, 1825. Named in table, Vol. VII, p. 2, 1842, 21 800 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. Characters.—A member of the sub-genus Spectrum as defined by Matschie, Size very small (forearm 110 mm.) ; ears triangular-pointed ; colour tawny ; the fave and back strongly tinged with hair brown; skull and teeth essen- tially as in Pteropus lepidus, but much smaller. Fur,—The fur of the back is silky in texture and closely appressed, the individual hairs 10—12 mm, in length. On rump, thighs, and interfemoral region it becomes distinctly woolly in texture, though less so than on other parts of the body, It extends on leg to knee, below which there is a sparse sprinkling of hairs along inner surface of tibia, Fur of shoulders, head, neck, and underside of body loose and woolly in texture, therefore appearing much longer than that of back, though the length of the individual hairs is every- where about the same. On under surface the fur extends about to knee and elbow. Beyond the latter point it is continued as a sparse sprinkling of fine hairs to middle of forearm, Membranes.—The membranes show few peculiarities worthy of note, The uropatagium is reduced to a mere rim, except along legs, where it is about 1% mm. in width. Between knee and body it is entirely concealed by the fur above, but only partially below. Propatagium naked above, sprinkled with fine hairs below. Wing membranes entirely naked above except for an inconspicuous sprinkling of fine hairs close to body and along forearm, Below they are scantily furred to line joining elbow and knee, also along forearm, Ears.—The ears are of moderate size, proportionally about as in Pteropus lepidus, P, hypomelanus or P, nicobaricus and smaller than in P. meduis from Tenasserim and Lower Siam, In form they are quite distinct from those of any of the related species. Anterior border nearly straight from base to about middle, then after a faint convexity again nearly straight to tip. Extremity very narrowly rounded—less than 1 mm,in width, Posterior border nearly straight from tip to a little above middle, then abruptly convex for a distance of a few millimetres ; beyond this, nearly straight to slightly above small but distinct antitragal lobe, At tip the anterior and posterior borders form an angle of about 80°. The convexity of the posterior border is so abrupt as to be almost angular, Colcur.—Back hair brown, considerably darker than Ridgway’s Pl, III, Fig, 12, everywhere intermixed with ochraceous buff, Anteriorly the brown is in excess of the buff, but posteriorly the buff becomes more conspicuous until on rump it pfactically excludes the darker colour, The entire back is sprinzled with silvery whitish hairs which are most conspicuous anteriorly. Mantle, head and entire under parts ochraceous buff, brighter than that of back and strongly tinged with tawny on chest, sides of neck, and middle of breast and belly, Face, cheeks, and chin grizzled hair brown, Ears and membranes blackish, Skull and Teeth.—The skull and teeth show a remarkable likeness to those of Pteropus lepidus, though immediately distinguishable by their much smaller size, The interorbital region is, however, actually broader than in the larger species, and the postorbital processes are more robust, Pterygoids DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS, 801 distinctly convergent posteriorly, imparting to outline of interpterygoid space a distinctly lyrate form, The teeth both above and below agree almost exactly with those of Pteropus lepidus, except that the cusps are not as high and the crown is relatively wider between the cusps. Measurements External measurements of type (from well-made skin), Head and body, 179 mm,; tibia, 38; foot, 34; calcar, 13°6 ; forearm, 110; thumb, 49; second digit, 82; third digit, 220; fourth digit, 168 ; fifth digit, 153 ; ear from meatus, 22 ; ear from crown, 19 ; width of ear, 14. Cranial measurements of type : Greatest length, 54 mm, ; basal length, 486 ; basilar length, 46 ; median palatal length, 28; palatal breadth (between ante- rior molars), 9; zygomatic breadth, 28 ; least interorbital breadth in front of postorbital processes, 7; least interorbital breadth behind postorbital processes, 776; breadth between tips of postorbital processes, 19 ; greatest breadth of braincase above roots of zygomata, 20°2 ; greatest depth of brain- case, 17°6; occipital depth, 11°6; depth of rostrum at middle of diastema, 78; mandible, 40 (50) ; maxillary toothrow (exclusive of incisors), 19 ; mandi- bular toothrow (exclusive of incisors), 22 ; crown of first upper molar, 3°4 by 2°6 ; crown of first lower molar, 3°6 by 2. Specimens examined.—One, the type. Remarks.—Pteropus faunulus is a very strongly marked species, easily recog- nized by its small size and pointed ears, The single specimen was shot in dark forest, It was apparently pot very common, Pteropus nicobaricus, originally described from a Car Nicobar specimen, was not found on the island by Dr. Abbott. Genus MACACUS Lacrreps, Macacus UMBROSUS, new species, 1846, Macacus cynomolgus Buiytu, Journ. Asiat. Soc, Bengal, XV, p. 367. (Nicobar Islands.) 1869. [Inuus cynomolgus] var. a, Cercocebus carbonarius ZeLusor, Reise der dsterreichischen Fregatte Novara, Zool,, I (Wirbelthiere), 1, Mamm,, p.7. (Great Nicobar Island.) Type.—Adult male (skin and skull), No, 111795, U.S.N.M. Collected on Little Nicobar Island, Nicobars, February 25, 1901, by Dr. W. L. Abbott, Original number, 888, Characters.—Similar to the Macacus ‘cynomolgus’ of the Malay Peninsula but much darker and less yellowish in colour. General hue of upper parts hair-brown, the hairs with faint pale annulations, but with no trace of tawny, Colour.—Upper parts and outer surface of limbs nearly uniform hair brown, with a faint tinge of drab, the latter becoming more pronouuced on sides, About 3 mm. below the tip of each hair is a dull cream buff annula- tion 3 mm. to 4 mm, in width. These light rings, together with the glossy texture of the hairs, give the fur a changing aspect as viewed in different lights. They are slightly more numerous on crown, nape, buttocks, and poste- rior surface cf thighs than elsewhere, On the crown and nape they are 802 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol, XIV. very sharply defined, but on buttocks and thighs they lose their distinctness, at the same time increasing in length. Tail dark drab above, almost black on proximal half, pale drab below. Under parts and inner surface of limbs scantily clothed with pale drab hairs of very silky texture, those bordering mouth distinctly darker than elsewhere, Skull and Teeth—The skull and teeth so closely resemble those of Macacus “ eynomolgus’’ that I can detect no tangible differences. Measuremenis.—F or external measurements see table below. Cranial measurements of type: Greatest length (exclusive of incisors), 134 mm.; basal length, 102; basilar length, 96 ; least palatal length, 57 ; palatal breadth (between front molars), 25 ; zygomatic breadth, 90 ; mastoid breadth, 71 ; greatest breadth of braiacase above roots of zygomata, 61 ; least breadth of braincase immediately behind orbits, 39 ; orbital breadth, 67; least distance from orbit to alveolus of inner incisor, 49 ; greatest depth of brain- case (exclusive of sagittal crest), 50; mandible, 97; greatest depth of ramus, 19°6 ; maxillary toothrow (exclusive of incisors), 446 ; mandibular tooth- row (exclusive of incisors), 50; crown of middle upper molar, 88 by 9; crown of middle lower molar, 8:2 by 7°4. Specimens examined,—Hight, from the following islands of the Nicobar group: Great Nicobar, 4 ; Little Nicobar, 2; Katchal, 2. Remarks,—The series of eight specimens includes individuals of all ages from half-grown young to aged adults. Throughout the colour is very constant, and no approach is shown to the tawny of Macacus ‘‘ cynomolgus.” This monkey was supposed by Zelebor to be the same as Macacus carbo- narius,an animal from Sumatra, described by F, Cuvier in the Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes.’’ That such is not the case is clearly proved by Cuvier’s description and figure, both of which refer to an individual of the tawny ‘ cynomolgus’ type. Macacus umbrosus has long been known as an inhabitant of the Nicobar Islands. It was recorded by Blyth as long ago as 1846, Blanford suggested that it might have been introduced,? but the reasons for this supposition are not given. Measurements of eight specimens of Macacus umbrosus, Head Number. | Sex. coe and Tail Foot. | 2 body. i Mm. Mm, Mm Mm, 111792......... Male ad. ....0| 1,040 510 580 | 135 111795: .... ve Do. 1,085 505 580 | 145 111796... Malley eseeeees 915 470 445 135 T1V7Z97.... (a) 1,025 475 550 155 11180 1.00. Male ad. .... 1,130 525 605 150 111802... Noce| WIAN Olas secees 790 360 430 | 120 HTS osdconsc e-o|H@MAlE ceccee 830 395 435 120 NIG. sie= en taves- H Be es-c-|Hemalead. ces 960 460 500 133 1 Type. Weight, 8 kg. 2Fanna of British India, I, Mamm., p. 22, 1888. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MAMMALS, 803 SUMMARY. The mammal fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar islands is now known to consist of 35 positively identified species and 4 others whose status is still in doubt, On comparing this fauna with that of other islands in the Malay region, two remarkable features are at once noticeable, the prevalence of bats and rats and the absence of practically all of the charateristic Malayan types such as ungulates, squirrels, carnivores, and flying lemurs, which abound on other islands at an equal distance from the mainland. This paucity of mammalian life cannot be regarded as due tu unfavourable surroundings, since all the natural conditions on both Andamans and Nicobars are perfectly suited to the support of a rich and varied fauna, In only one feature do the Andamans and Nicobars differ from such islands as Sumatra, Java, Borneo, the Natunas, Anambas, and Tambelans; they are surrounded by water of relatively great depth, while the others lie within the 50-fathom line, Doubt- less this greater depth of water indicates separation from the mainland during a much longer period of time ; and it appears safe to assume, there- fore, that the Andamans and Nicobars, contrary to the case with the shallow- water islands, were isolated at a time when the mammals, now characteristic of the Malay region, did not exist there. As yet no species are known whose origin may be referred to the remote period of this land connection, but that such exist in the unexplored interior of the larger islands, particularly of the Andaman group, is not beyond the limit of possibility, Such mammals as are now known are evidently of very recent origin, as in scarcely an instance has their differentiation progressed further than in the case of members of the same genera found on islands lying in shallow water, The question at once arises, therefore, as to the means by which they have arrived where they now are, Flight from the mainland would readily account for the distribution of the bats; but the presence of the other mammals seems impossible to explain otherwise than through the agency of man, With the single exception of Tupaia nicobarica* all are types well known to be closely associated with man throughout the Malayan region, Moreover, the period of time necessary to the development of the peculiarities of the native Andamanese would, undoubtedly, be ample to allow the formation of any of the species known from either group of islands, since in a biologic sense it has been vastly longer to the smaller, more rapidly breeding animals than to man, The introduction, intentional or otherwise, of a pig, a monkey, a palmcivet, two or three species of rats, a shrew and perhaps also a treeshrew, at about the time when the various islands were peopled by their present human inhabitants, would amply accouut for the existence of the present mammal fauna with its striking peculiarities, \ 804 THE LATE Mr. R. A. STERNDALE. The death of His Excellency Mr. R. A. Sterndale, late Governor of St. Helena, which was recently announced, removes one of the oldest and most honoured names irom our roll. Mr. Sterndale came to Bombay soon after the Bombay Natural History Society was founded and at onee joined it, and worked for it with characteristic enthusiasm. That it rose so rapidly from the littleness and obscurity of its origin must be attributed, in a great measure, to its good fortune in having among its members a naturalist of Mr. Sterndale’s distinction and one so exceptionally qualified by his versatile gifts to popularise its work. The list of contributions from his pen, which will be found in the Index to our Journals, gives no idea of the extent to which the Society was indebted to him. The idea of starting a Journal originated with him and proved practicable only because of the way in which his ready pen and pencil solved all difficulties. He continued to edit the Journal till he left Bombay in 1887. Mr. Sterndale’s presence at the monthly meetings also added much to their interest. He was not a museum naturalist, but a lover of animals, and he imparted a living interest to every creature about which he discoursed. As Governor of St. Helena he was too busy and too far removed from us to help us much, but he retained his interest in the Society to the last. While recording its sense of the great debt it owes him, the Society desires also to express its sympathy with his widow and daughters in their sorrow. THE LATE Mr. CHARLES MARIRS, v.m.a. In the death of Mr. Charles Maries, the Superintendent of the Gwalior State Gardens, the Natural History Society has also lost a member who had for many years contributed valuable specimens to the Society’s collection, Mr. Maries, in addition to being one of the leading gardeners in India, had, amongst many other accomplish- ments, the art of successful taxidermy, and by studying the birds and animals whilst alive, was able to mount them as specimens in the most life-like attitudes. The three cases of Wild Ducks and Wading-birds in the Museum, which are so much admired by members and_ visitors, were mounted and presented by Mr. Maries, and there are also many other specimens which he had from time io time contributed. 805 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. No, L—THE IDENTIFICATION OF ACCIPITRINE BIRDS. (Concluded from nage 594 of this Volume.) Having dealt with Spizaétus in the last uumber of this Journal, we now come on to the so-called Eagles, which have their tarsus or sbank bone naked of feathers, or only partially covered, as in some of the Fish Eagles, and following the order in the Fauna of British India, Birds, Vol, YI, page 355, we find the genus Circaétus and next to it Spilornis, two closely allied genera, Circaétus has but one species (, gallicus, the Short-toed Eagle, whereas, in the genus Spélornis there are three species, viz., S. cheela, the Crested Serpent- Eagle ; S. minimus, the Little Nicobar Serpert-Eagle, and S, elgini, the Andaman Serpent-Eagle. Circaétus, however, can be easily distinguished from Spilornis, in not having any crest, whereas in Spilornis, the feathers on the sides of the neck and nape are lengthened, to form a rounded and conspicuous crest. Before, however, showing the differences in the three species of Spilornis, it will be as well to discuss the characteristics of Circaéius more fully, for though it can so easily be distinguished from Spilornis, in the latter having a crest, the casual observer might easily get confused between the genera Circaétus, Butastur and Buteo, unless he has something more substantial to go upon, than simply the mention of the name and the fact thatit has no crest, (7, gallicus, the Short-toed Eagle, the only Indian species of the genus Circaétus, is a bird about 26 inches long (male), tail 11°5” ; wing 21” ; the female being a little larger, length 28”, Irides bright orange-yellow and the only species in the whole family Fulconine with a white or whitish cere. It resembles Butastur not a little, but is much larger, neither of the three species of Butastur measuring more than 17” or 18” from bill to tail. The species of the genus Buteo which resemble, in point of size, Circaétus gallicus, can be distinguished, however, by having the front part of the tarsus partially (for about 4 of its length) covered with feathers, whereas in C. gallicus the tarsus is naked, and also in having their toes very unequal in length. Now te return to SPILORNIS. Key to the Species. a, Pale wing-bar near tips of quills broader than adjoin- ing dark interspace, a! Dark brown on back, with metallic gloss; wing Stone. oe sstce Spodcosndanobbas Rotaattaecsticnstosasenec' S. cheela, (The Crested Serpent-Eagle), -b' Earthy brown on back, little or no gloss ; wing De CONES eodeccues Se SiR UZAY are ci tiaeulgecin S. minimus, (The Little Nicobar Serpent-Eagle), b Last pale wing-bar narrower than dark interspace in LYOMUL OLA Lies ececte eo eneseesecciesceceucesecsccenslceccrei 8, elgini, (The Andaman Serpent-EKagle), 806 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV. So far as Anglo-Indians are concerned however, it is quite sufficient to remember that they have only the first two species to think of, and the first which is about 29” long is much larger than the second which is about 19”, The last (S. elgini) is a species found only in the Andamans, one specimen only having been taken from the Nicobars, Its length was about 22” ; tail 9°5"; wing 14” ; and tarsus 3°5”, Burastur—The Buzzard-Eagles—three species, Key to the Species. a. Tail more or less rufous, with or without narrow dark cross-bars. a’ Quills chiefly brown above......cccce.sercere sesesres 1, LEESO, (The White-Eyed Buzzard-Eagle), b’ Quills chiefly rufous above....escercese ppnooneceet -. BD. liventer, (The Rufous-winged Buzzard-Eagle), b. Tail not tinged with rufous, and with broad dark cross- bands broader than the interspaces in adults...... B, indicus. (The Grey-faced Buzzard-Eagle), The Buzzard-Eagles are all small, not much bigger than a crow and B, teesa, the White-eyed Buzzard-Eagle, is always to be found sitting on telegraph wires looking out for rats, worms, &c., and is familiar to us all. The Fish-Eagles which next attract our attention are divided into two genera—Haliuétus (3 species) and Polioaéius (2 species). These are all birds of large size, the smallest (P. huniéi/s), measuring over 24 inches in length and can be distinguished from the rest of the family by their feet, which are white or whitish in all the species except H. albicilla, the White-tailed Sea- Kagle, and are nearly always to be found over rivers or jheels, In the genus Haliaétus the claws are grooved beneath and in the genus Polioaétus the claws are rounded beneath, the outer toe being partially reversible, Hatiantus—Key to the Species. a, Wing less than 24 inches long, a’ A distinct narrow cheek-stripe ; mid- dle tail-feathers entirely brown in AGUILS) -eevescenclwecisenraerterealia) cosessncess op MMO eI™ (The Laggar Falcon.) d® No cheek-stripe ; middle tail-feathers usually brown, with white spots on Doth WEDS cccecses:+ eos eccs-ss) soovwedeercaseccerneelinC LOnTEes (The Saker Falcon.) d" Adults banded with rufous on back, wings, AGL AU I Mececeecesteccnesese Spentesenecpacageco3a0 . F, milvipes, (The Shanghar Falcon.) b. Small Falcons with shorter toes; mid-toe without claw not over 1°5", c' Breast white or buff with brown streaks ..........f7. subbuteo, (The Hobby.) d' Breast deep rufous, unspotted in adults ......... 2. severus, (The Indian Hobby). Tn the Falcons the plumage undergoes a considerable change from the young to the adult stage, so recognition from descriptions is not easy, especially if the bird be not in its complete new plumage, and has few feathers remaining from the previous year. These feathers, however, will always have a faded appearance, and a young bird can nearly always be distinguished by having its feet of a bluish tinge, instead of the bright yellow of an adult bird. F. peregrinator (The Shaheen) however is an exception, It seems to be undecided as to whether the Hobbies breed in India as the nest has apparently never been taken, I am, however, quite sure that one of the two species does breed in India, as I took a nest with 4 young birds in Tehri Gurhwal, near the source of the Ganges River, in July 1896, and then again 2 young birds were brought to me in Kashmir in September 1899, I unfortunately failed to make certain at the time, as to whether they were F’, subbuteo or F’. severus, but I can distinctly remember the parent bird, in the first case, to have had a very white and spotted breast, so am inclined to think those I took in Gurhwal were the young of F’. subbuteo,and probably the same in Kashmir. last year, however, I shot a Hobby in Kashmir and not very far from the place where the young were brought to me, which proved to be F. severus, Of course it might have had no connection with the young ones. Besides the true Falcons, the 2 species of the genus salon, 44. regulus, the Merlin, and 2, chicquera, the Red-headed Merlin, are also much used in falconry and afford uncommonly good sport when trained to larks, hoopooes, rollers, &c. They are both small birds but exceptionally fast on the wing. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES, 813 Key to the Species, a, Crown grey or brown dark-shafted.......scece: se-.0--