h Ym& \!L «** r .' iti m 5#* THE JOURNAL OF THE Bombay Natural History Society. EDITED BY IMC. FHXPS O 3SB" , CIME.Z.3S., AND VOL. XV. Consisting of Five Parts and containing Twelve Coloured Plates, Eighteen Lithographs, Two Photographs and Sixty -two Blocks, Dates of Publication, Part I(Pages 1 to 16}) 10th June, 1903. „ II (Pages 162 to S7 4) 28th Oct., 1903. „ III (Pages 375 to 536) 15th Feb., 1904. „ IV (Pages 537 to 735) ... ... ... ... ,. 27th June, 1904. „ V (Index t &cl) ... ... ... IQth Oct., 1904. D oilt'a g: PRINTED AT THE TIMES PRESS, BOMBAY. 1 ERR A T A. Page 304, liae 21, after the figure 26 read " Driqiadia:' Page 306, line 15, for '* Xeronia ,1 read " ETonta." Page 414, in the figure, the letterings " pt " and " pal " should be transposed. Page 415, line 5, for " Wope" read " Hope." Page 511, last line, for " rubescens " read " erubescent."1'1' Page 510, line 26, Page 513, line 17, Page 514, line, 30 for " rink,*'' read " ring. , line 26, ") Y for « Tonglie" read "Touglv,:' Page 513, line 17, J CONTENTS OF VOLUME XV. V PA.GE. New Species of Indian Hymenoptera. By Major C. G. Nurse, 13tb Bombay Infantry 1 The Moths of India. Supplementary Paper to the Volumes in " The Fauna of British India." Series II, Part IX. By Sir G. F. Hampson, Bart., f.z.s., f.e.s 19 On Two Cetaceans from Travancore. By H. S. Ferguson. With a Note on the same. By R. Lydekker, b.a., f.r.s., f.g.s., Ac. (With Plates A $ B) 38 A List of the Butterflies of the Konean. By E. H. Aitken and E. Comber , 42 The Poisonous Plants of Bombay. By Lt.-Col. K. R. Kirtikar, I.M.S., f.l.s., Member, Association Internationale des Bota- nistes, Holland, Civil Surgeon, Ratnagiri. Part XX. (With Plate V) 56 The Birds of the Madhubani Sub-division of the Darbhanga District, Tirhot, with Notes on Species noticed else- where in the District. By C. M. Inglis. Part VI 70 The Ferns of North- Western India. By C. W. Hope. Part • III— The General List 78 Snake-Bites and Poisonous Fishes. By P. W. Bassett-Smith, M.R.C.S., r.n 112 Miscellaneous Notes — 1. — Size of remarkable Trees. By G. Marshall Woodrow... 131 2. — Nesting notes from Kashmir. By Kenneth Buchanan, Major, 4th Sikhs 131 3. — Notes on a few Caterpillars of Indian Sphingidtfi. By A. H. Mosse, Lieut., i.s.c 133 4. — Number of eggs of the Daboia ( Vipera Eusselli). By A. H. Mosse, Lieut., i.s.c 134 5. — The incubation of a Cuckoo's egg. By A. H. Mosse, Lieu ., i.s.c, Assist. Political Agent, Mahi Kantha... 134 6. — A Centipede eating a Snake. ( With a Photograph.) By W. P. Okeden 135 7. — A Man-eating Panther. By L. S. Osmaston, Deputy Conservator of Forests ,.... 135 8. — Note on the Breeding of certain Herons, etc., in Southern India. By H. N. Packard, C, R. Apta t, 138 52038 vi CONTENTS. TAGS. Miscellaneous Notes — contd. 9. — Queer find of a Painted Snipe's egg. By H. N. Packard, Capt., R.A • , 139 10. — Bird's nesting in Southern Shan States of Burma. By H. H. Harrington, Capt 140 11.— Rare Ducks. By E. C. Stuart Baker 141 12.— Gazelle taking to Water. By G. S. Rodon, Major 142 13.— The Crested Grebe. By E. C. Stuart Baker ...- 142 14. Food of the Hamadryad or King Cobra. By W. H. Craddock 143 15. — Occurrence of the Cotton Tea] (Nettapus Coromandelia- nus) in Sind. By J. W. Parrington, Lieut., 47th 1 hi L I 0 1 \ • I V • i * £1.* ■•*•••••••••••■ «o* «••••• !•■«••••*•••••••••••• It"*- 16. — Food of Melursus ur sinus (The Sloth-Bear or Indian Bear). By H. R. G. Hasted 144 17. — Felis Bengalensis (The Leopard Cat.) By H. R. G. Hasted 144 18. — Notes on Birds near Quetta. By J. W. Watson, Capt., i.m.s 144 19. — Note on Hiercctus fascialus. By W. D. dimming 145 20. — Prehistoric-Man-Hunting in India. By H. W. Seton- Karr ....„ , 14G 21. — Drought-resisting Fodder Plants for India. By W. Wedderburn 148 Proceedings of the Meetings held on the 5th February, 5th March and 16th April 1903 156 Insect Life in India and How to Study it, being a Simple Account of the more important Families of Insects, with Examples of the Damage they do to Crops, Tea, Coffee and Indigo Concerns, Fruit and Forest Trees in India. (With a Plate.) By E. P. Stebbing, f.l.s., f.e.s.... 163 A List of the Batrachians known to inhabit the Malay Peninsula, with some Remarks on their Habits, Distri- bution, &c. By A. L. Butler, f.z.s., m.b.o.u., &c. (Director of Game Preservation, Soudan Government) 193 The Moths of India. Supplementary Paper to the Volumes in " The Fauna of British India." Series II, Part X. (With Plate C.) By Sir G. F. Hampson, Bart., f.z.s., f.e.s.. 206 CONTENTS. vii PAGE. The Gaur and the Gayal (Bos gaurus and Bos frontalis). By E. C. Stuart Baker, p.z.s 227 The Birds of Travancore. By H. S. Ferguson, f.l.s., with Notes on their Nidification. By T. F. Bourdillon, f.l.s. (With a Plate) 249 Notes on the Anopheles in Ceylon and on the Life History of Anopheles fuliginosus. Giles. By Major N. Man- ders, r.a.m.c., f e.s. (With Remarks and Drawings — Plates A and B — by E. E. Green, f.e.s., Entomologist to ihe Government of Ceylon) , 265 The Trees and Shrubs of the Lonavla and Karl a Groves. By G. A. Gammie, f.l.s., Professor of Botany and Agri- culture, College of Science, Poona 279 The Classification of the Lepidoptera papilionina. By L. C. H. Young, Entomological Hony. Secy, to the Bombay Natural History Society 294 " Kills " by Carnivorous Animals, being some Remarks on the Method of their Identification. By W. A. Wal- Hnger, Divisional Forest Officer, Dharwar 312 A Catalogue of the Heterocera of Sikhim and Bhutan. By G. C. Dudgeon, f.e.s., with Notes by H. J. Elwes, f.r.s., &c, and Additions by Sir George Hampson, Bart, b.a., f.e.s., &c. Part XV 319 The Anopheles of Karwar (North Kanara). (With a Plate.) By H. Cogill, m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p., Acting Civil Surgeon, Sholapur 327 The Birds of the Madhubani Sub-division of the Dar- bhanga District, Tirhut, with Notes on Species noticed elsewhere in the District. By C. M. Inglis. Part VII... 337 Miscellaneous Notes — 1. — Late Stay of Snipe. By C. D. Lester, Captain 344 2.— A Panther Experience. By T. R. D. Bell 344 3. — The Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), By G. S. Rodon, Major 34G 4. — The Nesting of the Yellow-browed Bulbul (Iole icterica) and the Spotted Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps). By R. M. Betham, Major, 8th Bombay Infantry 346 5.— Eood of Dry o plus my cterizans. By A. M. Primrose ... 347 viii CONTENTS. PAGE. Miscellaneous Notes — concld. 6. — Note on Clangula glaucion (The Golden-Eye). By E. C. Stuart Baker, f.z.s 348 7. — The Enemies of Butterflies. By C. G. Nurse, Major, 13th Bombay Infantry 349 8. — Curious accident to a Kingfisher. By E. C. Cholmon- deley 350 9. — Late Stay of the Sheldrake (Tadorna cornuta) in Tirhut and peculiar form of Albinism in the Common Heron (Ardea cinerea). By Chas. M. Inglis 350 10. — Notes on Birds near Quetta. By T. E. Marshall, Capt., R.A 351 11. — Sambar killed by Wild Dogs. By Reginald H. Heath 355 12.— Further Notes on Konkan Butterflies. By E. Comber. 356 13. — The Golden Cat (Feh's temmincklii). By L. 0. Clarke, i.c.s 357 14. — Dr. Calmette's Antitoxic Serum and the Poison of the Daboia ( Vipera Russelli). By G. S. Rodon, Major. 358 15. — Ferocity of the Hamadryad or King-Cobra (Naia bungarus). By W. Raby Noble 358 16.— Notes on the Insects of Quetta. By C. G. Nurse, Major, 13th Bombay Infantry 359 17. — Curious accident to the Common Swift (Cypselus affinis). By M. D. Mackenzie 362 18. — Four interesting Bombay Plants. [With 3 Plates.) By G. Marshall Woodrow 363 19. — Rat killed by Lead-poisoning. By A. C. Yate, Lieut.- Col., 2nd Baluch Battn , 364 20.— The Food and Poison of Centipedes. By W. D. dimming 364 21. — Jatropha enrcas. By F. Gleadow „ 365 22. — Parasites in Peregrine Falcons. By S. Delme Rad- clifFe, Capt., Meywar Bhil Corps 365 23. — Dioscorea dcemona. Roxb. By G. M. Ryan, i.f.s., f.l.s „ 366 Proceedings of the Meetings held on the 23rd July and 24th September 1903 368 CONTENTS. ix PAGE. Insect Life in India and How to Study it, being a Simple Account of the more important Families of Insects, with Examples of the Damage they do to Crops, Tea, Coffee and Indigo Concerns, Fruit and Forest Trees in India. Part II. By E. P. Stebbing, f.l.s., f.e.s 375 A List of the Batrachians known to inhabit the Malay Peninsula, with some Remarks on their Habits, Distribu- tion, &c. By A. L. Butler, f.z.s., m.b.o.u., &c. (Director of Game Preservation, Soudan Government) 387 The Use of Calmette's Antivenine in Snake-Bite in India. By Lt.-Col. W. B. Bannerman, m.d., b.sc, f.r.s.e., Indian ' Medical Service 483 On two Dolphins from Madras. {With Plates C and D). By R. Lydekker 408 The Ferns of North-Western India. By C. W. Hope 415 Descriptions of Three New Frogs from Southern India and Ceylon. (With a Plate). By G. A. Boulenger, f.r.s., v.p.z.s , 430 The Present Position of Economic Entomology in India. By H. Maswell-Lefroy, m.a., f.e.s., f.z.s., Entomologist to the Government of India 432 A New Termite from India. Described by J. Desneux (Brussels) 445 The Colouration of Birds' Eggs. By D. Dewar, i.c.s 447 The Birds of Travancore. By H. S. Ferguson, f.l.s., with Notes on their Nidification. By T. F. Bourdillon, f.l.s. {With a Plate.) P Art II 455 The Collections in the Society's Museum. By E. Comber, f.z.s. . 475 Synonymic Catalogue of the Lepidoptera papilionina in the Society's Collection. By L. C. H. Young, Hon. Secy., Insect Section of the Bombay Natural History Society 483 Further Notes on the Classification of Indian Butterflies. By L. C. H. Young, F.E.S. 498 A List of Travancore Batrachians. ( With Plates A, B and C.) By H. S. Ferguson, f.l.s 499 Miscellaneous Notes — 1. — Notes on the Breeding of Certain Birds near Darjeeling. By B. B. Osmaston, i.f.s , , 510 x CONTENTS. PAGE. Miscellaneous Notes — contd. 2. — Occurrence of the Cotton Teal in Guzerat. By A. H. Mosse , , 515 3(a). Some Panther Notes. By A. H. Mosse 516 3(6). Some Panther Notes. By W. D. Gumming 517 4. — Notes on the Nidification of the Indian Black-breasted Rain-quail (Corturnix Coromandelica.) By R. H. Heath 518 5. — The Nesting of Lanius collurioides (The Burmese Shrike) and Artamus fnscus (The Ashy Swallow Shrike) in Upper Burma. By H. H. Harington, Capt. ... 519 6. — The Nesting of Pomatorlmws nuchalis (The Tweeddate Scimitar Babbler). By H. H. Harington, Capt. .. 519 7. — The Koel laying in the Nest of Pica rustica (The Magpie). By H. H. Harington, Capt 520 8. — Birds Nesting in Garwhal. By S. L. Whymper. 520 9. — Sand-grouse and Locusts. By R. H. Heath 522 10. — Occurrence of the Dwarf Goose (Anser erythropus) in Assam. By E. C. Stuart-Baker 524 11. — Cannibalism in Snakes. By F. Wall, Capt., i.m.s 524 12. — The Oceanic or Andaman Teal (Nettium alUgulare). By Chas. M. Inglis « 525 12(6). The Oceanic or Andaman Teal (Nettium albigulare). By N. F. Wilson, Commander, R.I.M.S. "Canning." 525 13.— On the Penis of Russell's Viper. By F. Wall, Capt., i.m.s 526 14. — Note on Young Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina ). By F. Wall, Capt., i.m.s 526 15. — The Manipur Bush-quail, or Hume's Bush-quail (Micro- perdix Manipur ensis). By H. B. Thornhill, Lt.-Col.. 527 16. — Locusts in Gujarat. By A. H. Mosse 528 17. — Extraordinary Courage of a Panther. By L. C. Brodie. 529 18. — Occurrence of Sarcogrammus indicus (the Red-wattled Lapwing) in the Dibrugarh District, Upper Assam. By H. Stevens 529 19. — Occurrence of Horeites brunneifrons (the Rufous-capped Bush-warblcr). By H. Stevens , 530 CONTENTS. xi PAGE. Miscellaneous Notes — concld. 20.— Butterflies of the Konkan District. By L. C. H. Young v 530 21. — Enemies of Insects. By L. C.H.Young 530 22. — Occurrence of the Common Indian Bee-eater (Merops viridis) in Baluchistan. By C. G. Nurse, Major, 1.18th Infantry 530 23. — The Enemies of Butterflies. By H. Maxwell Lefroy ... 531 24. — A Note on the Habits of Chlorion (Sphex) lobatus. By H. Maxwell Lefroy 531 25.— Abnormal Growth of Trees. By C. E. C. Fischer, i.f.s. 532 26. — Some Notes on Harrier Hawks in Uva, Ceylon. By F. Sikes 529 Proceedings of the Meetings held on the 5th November and 17th December 1903 , 534 Notes on the Flora of Northern Ganjam. By Cecil E. C. Fischer, i.f.s 537 New Species of Indian Hymenoptera, apid^e. By Major C. G. Nurse, 113th Infantry 557 The Wild Plantain (Musa superba, Roxb.). By G. M. Ryan, i.f.s., f.l.s. {With a Photograph) .= 586 The Distribution of Butterflies in India. By L. C. H. Young, b a., f.e.s 594 A Catalogue of the Heterocera of Sikhim and Bhutan. By G. C. Dudgeon, f.e.s. With Notes by H. J. Elwes, f.r.s., &c, and Additions by Sir George Hampson, Bart., b.a., f.e.s., &c. Part XVI 602 The Origin of the English Names of Plants. By the late Thomas Comber, f.l.s 614 The Moths of India (Supplementary Paper to the Volumes in " The Fauna of British India "). By Sir G. F. Hamp- son, Bart., f.z.s., f.e.s. Series III, Part I 630 The Birds of Travancore. By H.S. Fergusson, f.l.s. With Notes on their Nidification by T. F. Bourdillon, f.l.s. Part II 654 Notes on some of the Plants introduced into the Victoria Gardens, Bombay, during the past 8 Years. By Cavasji D. Mahaluxmivala. Part IV 674 2 xii CONTENTS. PAGE, Two Notorious Insect Pests. By R. S. Hole, i.f.s., f.c.h., f.e.s., Officiating Deputy Conservator of Forests. {With Plates A to E) 679 On the Original Home of the Tiger. By Col. C. F. Stewart, C.B., C.M.G., c.i.e „ 698 Notes on the Habits of the Hoolock. By Geo. Candler, m.b. (Cantab.) 700 The Ancestry of the Horse. By R. L 703 Miscellaneous Notes — 1, — The Measurements of the Largest Pair of Indian Bison's Horns (Bos gaums) in the Possession of the Bombay Natural History Society. By W. S. Millard, Bony. Secretary, Bombay Natural History Society 706 2. — The Food of the Common Krait (Bungariss candid us). By F. Wall, Capt., i.m.s 706 3. — The Flamingo (Phcenicopterus roseus) Breeding on the Runn of Cutch. ( With a Plate.) By Rao Khengarji... 706 4. — Tiger versus Bear. By W. H. Lane, Capt., Indian Army. 707 5. — Late Stay of Snipe. By W. H. Lane, Capt., la., Burma Military Police 708 6.— Late Stay of Snipe. By E. H. Aitken 709 7. — Notes on Birds' Nesting from Poona. By R. M. Betham, Major 709 8. — The Himalayan Nut-cracker (Nucifraga hemispila) and other Walnut-eating Birds. By W. Osborn, Lt.- General 712 V. — Nesting of the Hornbills. By W. Osborn, Lt.-General.. 715 10. — The Black and Yellow Grosbeak (Hesperiphona icter hides). By W. Osborn, Lt.-General 716 11. — Occurrence of the Whooper Swan (Cygnus musicus) in Sind. By J. Crerar, i.cs 716 12. — The Crested Hawk-Eagle (Spizoetus cirrhatus). By C. E. C. Fischer, i. f.s 716 13. — Birds Bathing in Cloudy Weather. By A. Newnham, Major 717 14. — Natural Checks on Over-increase. By A. Newnham, Major 717 15. — The Occurrence of Rare Birds in India. By E. C. Stuart Baker, F.z.s , - 718 CONTENTS. xiii PAGE. Miscellaneous Notes — concld. 16. — A Large Baobab Tree. By W. B. Bannerman, Lt.-Col., i.m.s 718 17.— Doves at Jullundnr. By H. A. F. Magrath, Major 719 18. — Tbe Occurrence of the Malay Fish-Owl (Ketupa javanen- sis) in Assam. By H. N. Ooltart 719 19. — Fly-Fishing in the Bombay Presidency (Megalops cyprino- ides) as a Fly- taker. With a plate copied from Thomas' " Rod in India." By W. A. Wallinger 719 20. — The Large Brown Flying-Squirrel [Pteromys oral). By A. F. Piuhey, Major, Resident, Meywar 721 21. — Indian Yams (Dioscorea doemona), Roxb. By G. M. Ryan, i.f.s 721 22. — Shooting Notes in Oannanore. By F. Wall, Capt., I.M.S. 722 23. — The Lapwing or Peewit {Vanellus vulgaris). By H. H. Harrington, Capt. 723 24. — Melanism amongst Panthers. By T. A. Hauxwell, Conservator of Forests ...0 723 25 — Papilo Machaon in Baluchistan. By C. G. Nurse, Major, 113th Infantry 723 26. — Occurrence of a Rare Sea Snake (Distira g tile spice) on the Malabar Coast. By F. Wall, c.m.z.s., Capt., i.m.s. 723 27. — The Eggs of the Small Sun-Bird (Arachnecihra minima). By J. Davidson 726 28. — Occurrence of the Ceylon White-ej^e (Zosterops Ceylonen- sis) in the Nilgherries. By D. G. Hatchwell 726 29. — Occurrence of the White-throated Rock-Thrush, Petro- phila (Monticola) gularis, in Burma. By K. C. Macdonald. D. S. Police 727 30. — The Indian Edible-nest Svviftlet (Collocalia fuciphaga) in the Pulney Hills. By R, Foulkes 727 31.— The Boldness of Panthers. By M. Young, York and Lancashire Regiment 727 32. — A Viperine Snake which is Oviparous. By G. A. Miller. 729 Proceedings of the Meetings held on the 21st January, 25th February, and 31st March 1904 731 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. VOH.TTJVEE :XV. PAGE Aitken, E. H., and K. Combeb, F.Z.S. ; A List of the Butterflies of the Konkan 42 ; Late Stay of Snipe. 709 Baker, E. C. Stewart, F.Z.S. ; Rare Ducks 141 ; The Crested Grebe,.. 142 — ; The Gaur and the Ga- yal (Bosgaurus and Bos frontalis'). 227 ; Note on Clangula glawcion (The Golden-Eye) ... 348 - ; Occurrence of the Dwarf Goose {Anser erythropus) in Assam 624 The Occurrence of Rare Birds in India 718 Bannerman, Lt.-Col. W. B., M.D., B. Sc, F.R.S.B., I. M.S. ; The Use of Calmette's Antivenine in Snake- bite in India 403 ; A large Baobab Tree. 718 Bassett-Smith, P. W., M.R.C.S., R.N ; Snake-bites and Poisonous Fishes 112 Bell, T. R. D., I.F.S. ; A Panther Experience 344 Beth am, Major K. M ; The Nesting of the Yellow browed Bulbul (Iole ieteriea) and the Spotted Babler Pellomeum ruficeps) 346 — — ■ ; Notes on Birds-Nesting from Poona 709 Boulexger, G. A., F.R.S., V.P.Z.S. ; Description of Three New Frogs from Southern India and Ceylon. (With a Plate) ... 430 Brodie,L. C. j Extraordinary Cour- age of a PaDther 529 Buchanan, Major K., 4th Sikhs ; Nesting Notes from Kashmir ... 131 Butler, A. L., F.Z.S., M.B.0 U , etc. (Director of Game Preservation to the Soudan Government); A List of the Batrachians known to in- habit the Malay Peninsular, with some Remarks on their Habits, Dis- tribution, etc 193j 387 PAGE. Candler, G., M.B. (Cantab.) ; NoteB on the Habits of the Hoolock „. 700 Cholmondeley, E. C. ; Curious Accident to a Kingfisher 350 Clarke, L. O., I.C.S. ; The Golden Cat QFelis temminclti) 357 Cogill, H., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (Acting Civil Surgeon, Sholapur) ; The Anopheles of Karwar, North Kanara 327 Colt ART, H.N. ; The Occurrence of the Malay FiBh Owl (Ketupa jxi- anensis) in Assam 719 Comber, E., F.Z.S., and E. H. Aitken; A List of the Butterflies of the Konkan 42 ; Further Notes on Konkan Butterflies 356 5 The Collections in the Society's Museum 475 Comber, T., F.L.S. (The late) ; The Origin of the English Names of Plants 614 Craddock, W. H. ; The Food of the Hamadryad or King Cobra ... 143 Crerar, J., I.C.S; Occurrence of the Whooper Swan (jCygnus mu- sicuO 716 Cumming, W. D. ; Note on Hiercetus fasciatus ... ._ li5 ; The Food and Poison of Centipedes 364 J Some Panther Notes. 517 Davidson, J. ; The Egjrs of the Small Sun-bird (Arachnechthra minima) 726 Dfsneux, J. (Brussels); A New Termite from India 445 Dewar, D., I,C8.j The Colouration of Birds1 Eggs 447 Dudgeon, G. C., F.E.S. ; A Cata- logue of the Heterocera cf Sikkim ard Bhutan, with Notes by H. J. Elwes, F.R.S., etc., and Additions by Sir George Hampson, Bart,, BA, F.E.S., etc. Part XV- XVI, -319, 602 XVI LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. PAGE. Ferguson, H. S., F.L.S ; On Two Cetaceans from Travancore, with a Note od the same, by R. Lydek- ker, B.A., F.R S., F.G.S., etc. (With Plates A. and B.) 38 . ; The Birds of Travancore, with Notes on their Nidification, by T. F. Bourdillon, F.L.S. Part I. (With a Plate) ... 249 ; Part II. (With a Plate) 455, 654 ; A List of Travancore Batrachians, (With Plates A, B and Oj ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• toV Fischer, C. E.G., I.F.S.; Abnormal Growth of Trees -. 532 ; Notes on the Flora of Northern Ganjam 537 ; The Crested Hawk- Eagle (_Spizaetus cirrhattts) ... 716 Foulkes, R. ; The Indian Edible Swiftlet (jColloealia, fuciphaga) in the Pulney Hills 727 Gammie, G. A., F.L.S. (Professor of Botany and Agriculture, College of Science, Poona) ; The Trees and Shrubs of the Lonavla and Karla Groves ... 279 GiuEADOW, F. ; Jatropha cnreas ... 3G5 Hampsok, Sir G. F., Bart., F.Z.S., F.E.S. ; The Moths of India. Supplementary Paper to the Volumes in "The Fauna of British India." Series II, Part IX.. 19 ; Series II, Part X. (With Plate.) ... 206 . ; Series III, Part I ... 630 Harrington, Capt. H. H. ; Birds Nesting in the Southern Shan States of Burma ... 140 ; The Nesting of Lanius colluroides (The Burmese Shrike) and Artamns fuscut (The Ashy Swallow Shrike) in Upper Burma 519 ■ ; The Nesting of Poma- torrhinus nuchalis (The Tweeddale Scimitar Babbler) 519 • ; The Koel laying in the Ne9t of Plea rustica (The Magpie). 520 page- Harrington, The Lapwing or Pee- wit ( Vanellus vulgaris') 723 Hasted, H.R. G. ; The Food of Melursus ursinus (The Sloth-Bear or Indian Bear) 144 ■ ; Felis bengalen- sis (The Leopard Cat) 144 Hatchwell, D. G. ; Occurrence of the Ceylon White-eye QZosterops ceylonensis) in the Nilgherries ... 726 Hauxwell, T. A. (Conservator of Forests) ; Melanism among Pan- thers 723 Heath, R. H. ; Sambur killed by Wild Dogs 355 ; Notes on the Nidifi- cation of the Indian Black- breasted Rain Quail {Coturnix coroviandelica) 518 Sand-grouse and Locusts 522 Hole, R. S., I.F.S., F.C.H., F.E.S. (Officiating Deputy Conservator of Forests) ; Two Notorious Insect Pests. (With Plates A to E) ... 679 Hope, C. W. ; The Ferns of North- western India. Part III. The General List ...78,415 Inglis, C. M. ; The Birds of the Madhubani Sub-division of the Darbhanga District, Tirhut, with Notes on Species noticed elsewhere in the District. Parts VI & VII. 70, 337 ; Late Stay of Shel- drake {Tadorna cornuta) in Tir- hut, and peculiar Form of Albin- ism in the Common Heron QAr- dea cinerea) ... 350 ; The Oceanic or An- daman Teal QNettium albigulare). 525 EACH, H.H. the Maharao Rhen- garji of ; The Flamingo (Plucni- copterus rosevs') breeding in the Rann of Each. (With a Plate) ... 706 Kirtikar, Lt.-Col. E. R., I.M.S., F.L.S. (Member of the Associa- tion Internationale des Botanistes, Holland, Civil Surgeon, Ratnagiri); The Poisonous Plants of Bombay. Part XX. (With Plate. V) LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. XTil PAGE. Kirtikar, R. L. ; The Ancestry of the Borse ... ■. 703 Lane, Capt. W. H., I. A. ; Tiger versus Bear ... ... 707 ; Late Stay of Snipe. 708 Lefroy, H. Maxwell., M.A., F.E.S., F.Z S.f Entomologist to the Government of India; The Present Position of Economic Entomology in India ... ... ... ••• 432 . . ; The Enemies of But- terflies ... 531 — ■ ; A Note on the Habits of Chlorion (Sphex)lobatus ... 531 Lester, Capt., C. D. Late Stay of Snipe ••• 344 Lydekker, R., B.A., F.R.S , etc. ; On Two Dolphins from Madras. (With Plates C & D) 408 MacdonAld, K. C. ; Occurrence of the White- throated Bock-thrush {Petrophila [Mmticola'] gularis") in Burma ... 727 Mackenzie, M. D.; Curious accident to the Common Swift (jOypselus ajjinis'). ... ... ... ... 363 Magrath, Major j H. A. F. Doves at Jullunder 719 Maeuluxmivala, C. D. Notes on some of the Plants introduced into the Victoria Gardens, Bora- bay, during the past 8 years. Part IV 674 Manders, Major N., B.A.M.C., F.E.S ; Notes on the Anopheles in Ceylon and on the Life History of Anopheles fuliginosus (Giles). With Remarks and Drawings (Plates A and B) by E. E. Green, F.E.S. (Entomologist to the Gov- ernment of Ceylon) 265 Marshall, Capt. T. E., R.A.; Notes on Birds near Quetta ... 351 Millard, W. S. (Honorary Secre- tary , Bombay Natural History Society) ; The Measurements of the largest Pair of Indian Bison's Horns (Bns gaums") in the Pos- session of the Society 706 PAGE Miller, G. A.; A. Viperine Snake which is Oviparous 729 Mosse, Lieut., A. H., I.S.C.; Notes on a few Caterpillars of the Indian Sphingidas 133 ; Number of Eggs of the Daboia (Viper a russelli) ... 134 ■ ; The Incubation of a Cuckoo's Egg ... 134 ; Occurrence of the Cot- ton Teal in Guzerat 515 ;Some Panther Notes 5)6 • ; Locusts in Guzerat .. 528 Newnham, Major A.; Birds Bath- ing in Cloudy Weather 717 — — ; Natural Checks on Over-increase 717 Noble, W. Raby ; Ferocity of the Hamadryad or King Cobra (Naia tungarus") 358 Nurse, Major C. G.; New Species of Indian Hymenoptera 1, 557 ; The Enemies of But- terflies 349 ' ; Notes on the Insects of Quetta 359 ; Occurrence of the Common Indian Bee-eater (Merops viridis) in Baluchistan 530 i Papilio machaon in Baluchistan 723 Okeden, W. P. ;• A Centipede Eat- isg a Snake. (With a Photo- graph) 135 Osborn, Lt.-Genl. W. The Hima- layan Nutcracker (Nucifraga hemispila) and other Walnut- eating Birds 712 ; Nesting of the Hornbills 715 ■ ; The Black and Yellow Grosbeak (Hesperiphona icterioi- desj ... ... ... ... ... 716 Osmaston, B. B., I.F.S. ; Notes on the Breeding of certain Birds near Darjeeling 510 ■ L. S. (Deputy Conser- vator of Forests) ; A Man-eating Fanther 135 XV1U LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. PAGE. Packard, Capt. H. N., R.A.; Note oq the Breeding of ceitain Herons, etc , in Southern India 138 ; Queer Find of a Painted Snipers Egg 139 Parrington, Lieut. J. W., R.F.A. ; Occurrence of the Cotton Teal {Nettaput coromandelianus') in Sind ... ... ••• ••• ••• 1*« Pinhey, Major A. F (Resident at Mey war) ; TheLarge Brown Flying Squirrel ... 721 Peimrose, A. M.; Food of JDryophis mycterizaus ... ... ••• 347 Radcliffe, Capt. S. Delme ; Para- sites in Peregrine Falcons ... 3C5 Rodon, Major G. S. ; Gazelle Taking to Water 142 ; The Four-horned Antelope {Tetracerus quadricor- ni&) ... ... 349 Radclife, Capt. S. Delme ; Doctor Calmette^ Antitoxic Serum and the Poison of the Daboia (Vipera russelli) ... ••• ••• ••• 358 Ryan, G. M., I.F.S., F.L.S.; Dioseo- rea acemona ... 366 ; The Wild Plantain (Musa superba, Rox.) (With a Photograph) 586 ; Indian Yams (JDios- oorea dcemona) ... 721 Seton-Karr, H. W. ; Prehistoric Man-hunting in India 146 Sikes, F. ; Some Notes on Harrier Hawks in Uva, Ceylon 529 Stevens, H. ; Occurrence of Sarco- grammus indious (The Rod-wat- tled Lapwing) in the Dibrugarh District, Upper Assam 529 ; Occurrence of Ho- reites irunneifrons (The Rufous- capped Bush Warbler) 530 Stewart, Col. C. F., C. B., C M.G., CLE. ; On the Original Home of the Tiger C98 PAGE. Stebbing, E. P., F.L.S , F.E.S.; In- sect Life in India and how to study it, being a simple Account of the more impoitant Families of Insects, with Examples of the Damage they do to Crops, Tea, Coffee and Indigo Concerns, Fruit and Forest Frees in India. Parts I and II 163, 375 Thornhill, Lt.-Col. H. B., The Manipur Bush-Quail or Hume's Bush-Quail (_Microperdix niani- purensis) 527 Wall, Capt. F.,)I.M.S., C.M.Z.S.; Cannibalism in Snakes 524 ; On the Penis of Russell's Viper 526 ; Note on Young Fishing Cat QFelis viverrina) ... 52 6 ; The Food of the Common Krait QBungarus can- didus) 706 „. ■ ; Shooting Notes in Cannanore 722 ; Occurrence of a Par s Sea-snake QDistira gilletpicB) on the Malabar Coast 723 Wallinger, W. A. Divisional Forest Officer) ; " Kills " by Car- nivorous Animals, being some Remarks on their Method of Iden- tification 312 - ; Fly-fishing in the Bombay Presidency {Megalaps cyprinoides as a fly-taker), with a Plate copied from Thomas1 " Rod in India " 719 Watson, Capt. J. W., I.M.S.; Notes on Birds near Quetta 144 Wedderburn, W. ; Drought-resist- ing Fodder Plants for India ... 118 Whymper, S. L. ; Birds Nesting in Garwhal 520 Wilson, Commander N. F., R.I. M.S. "Canning11 ; The Oceanic or Andaman Teal QNettium albi- gulare") 525 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. xix Page Woodkow, G. Marshall; Size of remarkable Trees 131 , — ; Four Interesting Bombay Plants (with Three Plates) S63 Yate, Lt.-Col. A. C. ; Pal killed by Lead-poisoning 364 Young,L.C.H., B.A. (Oson.), F.E.S. (Entomological Hon. Secy, to the B.N.H.SO; The Classification of the Indian Lepi&optera Papilionina... 294 Page Young, L.C.H., B.A. (Oxon.), F.E.S. (Entomological Hon. Secy, to the B.N.H.S); Synonymic Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Papilionina in the Society's Collection 483 ; Further Notes on the Classification of Indian Butterflies 498 ; Butterflies of the Konkan District 530 ; Enemies of Insects... 530 ; The Distribution of Butterflies in India 594 Young, M.; The Boldness of Pan- thers 727 LIST OF PLATES. "VOI-XT3VTES The Common Wild Duck or Mallard (Anas boscas) Pseudorca crassidens Tursiops fergusoni Jhatropa curcas, Linn. Nat. Ord. Euphorbiacese Gymnogramme levingei, Baker, Plate XXXV A Centipede eating a Snake The Spot Bill or Grey Duck QA nas pcecilorliyncha') Acridimn peregrinum, Oliv. — The North-West or Migratory Locust Indian Moths, Plate C Anopheles fuliginosus , Giles }i 51 ) ) ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• The Anopheles of Karwar Agaricus ivoodrowii, Massee, Poona Brown Mushroom Lepiota altissima, Massee, Vern. alini ... Jatropha glandvlifera, Roxb., Vern. Underbibi Frerea indiea, Dalz The Red-crested Pochard {Netf-a rufi.no) Tursiops catalania, ... Sotalia fergusoni Pana aurantiaca 1 Rliaeojyhorus pleurotcenia. \ New frogs from Southern India and Ceylon Jxalus halyi J Trochalopterum meridionale, Blanford's Laughing Thrush Bhopocichla bourdilloni^ Bourdillon's Babbler Travancore Batrachians, Plate A ,. .. %.j ±y ••# ••• ••• #•• ••• ••• .. u •• o «•• ••• ••• ••• ••• ■•• The Tufted Pochard, Fuligula fuligula Muta superba (The Wild Plantain) Notorious Insect Pests, Plate A ... ... » » » » B » » 11 » 0 »1 1> » )> D » » 11 >l E Nests and Egg3 of the Com -non Flamingo {PhrcnicoiJterus roscus) Megalops ryprinoides ... ... ... ... ... To face page 1 *•• oo ... 40 ... 56 ... 135 ... 163 ... 163 ... 206 ... 270 ... 272 ... 328 ... 363 ... 363 ... 364 ... 364 ... 375 ... 408 ... 412 ... 430 ... 456 ... 456 ... 500 ... 500 ... 500 ... 537 ... 586 ... 680 ... 682 ... 684 ... 686 ... 690 ... 706 ... 720 ERRATA in No. 1, Vol. XV. In page 78, after line 1— insert as line 8, " Tribe XI, Polypodmm." In „ 90, in 16th line from foot— for " Thum," read " Thun." In „ 102, in line 13 from foot — close up the "* •" and the word " Fronds.'' In „ 103, inline 19 from top -for "Tribe B," read "Tribe XIII" In „ 106, before 14th line from foot— insert "Sub-order VI," Ophioglossacese. u Geuus 33, Ophioglossum." In „ 106, in 2nd line from foot— for " Ophisoglossum," read il Ophioglossum." In „ 107, in 7th line from top — after " Mr. Clarke," insert ''also." In „ 108, in top line for " five," read " fine." In „ 109, 7th line from top -for " Walliches," read "Wal- lich's. " In „ 111, at foot of page add—;, " End of Part III, The General List." o o CO -p -i 1 o pq & o »-3 Q < J < a o o o o UJ I T3 vV Vol. XV. JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY" BOMBAY. No. i. NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA. By Major C. G. Nurse, 13th Bombay Infantry. The following new species belong to the family Sphegidre. The most interesting are two species of the little known genus Homogam- brus, of which the 9 has not previously been described. Three species of the genus Palarus have also been included below ; in the Indian region this genus has hitherto only been recorded from Ceylon. Two species in the following paper were sent me by Mr. G. C. Dudgeon, who also forwarded their descriptions in M.S. Bis notes on Stigmus cnculus are particularly interesting, as his observations confirm those of Geraud that certain species of this genus store their nests with Aphidre. A STAT A QUETTJ3 n. sp. 9 Smooth and shining, except the median segment, which is finely longitudinally striate ; front very convex, pronotum somewhat long, median segment gradually narrowed and rounded posteriorly. Black ; the apices of the femora, and the whole of the tibia?, and tarsi bright red ; abdomen red, the 3rd and 4th segments reddish black ; pubescence sparse, greyish black ; wings hyaline, infuscatecl at apex, radial cell very short, its apex not reaching beyond the apex of the 3rd cubital cell, stigma dark testaceous, nervures and teguue pale testaceous. $ Differs from the 9 as follows : less conspicuously shining, front and mesonotum minutely but sparsely punctured, pubescence grey, longer and denser, abdomen often reddish black ; wings clear hyaline, their apices not infuscated, stigma less dark. Long. 9 5-5 mm. $ 7 mm. Habitat: Quetta. l 2 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. This species is nearest to A. lubricata (Nurse) described from Deesa, but differs in the sculpturing, and in the greater part of the femora being black, and not red. I have several specimens of the $, but only one of the $, and as it is much smaller than the other sex, it may be an unusually small specimen. HOMOGAMBEUS CREON, n. Sp. $ Clypeus and front smooth and shining, rnesonotum, scutellum, and post scutellum sparsely punctured, median segment striate, the striations longitudinal at base, oblique at the sides, almost semicircular at apex in the centre, abdomen minutely punctured ; front above the base of antennas raised almost tuberculate, median segment roundly truncate posteriorly, abdomen scarcely as long as thorax. Black; the mandibles, legs, and apical abdominal segment red ; the apical margins of the abdominal segments very narrowly reddish ; pubescence silvery, in some lights with a golden tinge, especially on the clypeus and front; the bases of 1st and 2nd abdominal segments more or less pruinose ; wings hyaline, nervures and tegulea pale testaceous. Long. 6-7 mm. Habitat : Deesa, five specimens : Quetta, one specimen. The latter has the whole abdomen red, but does not appear to differ in other respects from the Deesa specimens, and I conclude it must be the same species. This genus has not previously been recorded from India, in fact only a few species are known. HOMOGAMBRUS MENELAUS, U. Sp. $ Front minutely but not very regularly, vertex and thorax more coarsely punctured, median segment finely reticulate, abdomen minutely punctured ; head broader than the thorax, clypeus very prominent and convex, its apical margin nearly transverse, with two notches in the centre ; the portion of the front above the base of antennae raised, smooth and shining; eyes convergent towards tho vertex, but not meeting, their distance apart at vertex being about half as much again as the distance of the anterior ocellus from the margin of the eyes ; posterior ocelli flattened, but not obsolete ; antenna? with the scape as long as the 2nd and 3rd joiuts of the flagellum united, the second being slightly the longer ; median segment with a semicircular portion at base reticulate ; abdomen scarcely longer than thorax, apical segment with a smooth and not very clearly defined pygidium. NEW SP3CIES OF INDIAN I7YMEN0PTERA. 3 Black and shining 5 the apical margins of the abdominal segments, the tibias and tarsi, testaceous: a little short, golden, pubescence on the ctypeus and front ; wings hyaline, nervures and teguke pale testaceous. Long. 4 — 5-5 mm. Habitat : Peshin, Baluchistan, three specimens ; Deesa, one speci- men. The latter, however, differs from the Peshin specimen in having the whole of the legs red, and the apical margins of the abdo- minal segments not testaceous. The appendicular nervure is also more clearly defined. But the sculpture does not appear to differ from that of the other specimens, and I think that it is the same species. No 9 of this genus has, I believe, been hitherto described, but, although 1 have not obtained a $ of this species, I have little doubt that I have correctly placed it. It is too small to be the other sex of H. creon above. TA.CHYTES DILWARA, n. Sp. 9 Head and thorax extremely minutely and closely punctured, ab- domen minutely aciculate ; clypeus convex, transverse anteriorly ; an impressed line from between bases of antennas through anterior ocellus to vertex ; median segment with a median longitudinal furrow. Black ; the greater part of tho femora, and the whole of the tibias and tarsi red ; pubescence on clypeus, front, and legs golden, on the thorax and base of first abdominal segment greyish and somewhat sparse, except on the median segment ; pile on abdomen silvery, a few stiff, black hairs on apical abdominal segments, pygidium with stiff golden-red and black hairs intermingled, appearing golden-red when viewed obliquely ; wings flavo-hyaline, nervures pale testaceous, tegulje red ; third cubital Very convex, its anterior margin nearly transverse in the centre^ rounded at the sides; eyes slightly divergent towards vertex, occiput and cheeks not much developed ; mandibles simple, rather long and slen- der ; second joint of flagellum of antennse longer than third ; pronotum short, not notched ; scutellum notched, but not postscutellum ; median segment long, gradually sloping, narrowed and rounded at apex, without a furrow, coarsely but obscurely transversely striate ; petiole rather longer than the second segment, which is suhequal to the third in length ; ventral segments not pubescent or punctured : legs long> slender, rather feebly spined, the claws bideiitate, the inner calcar of posterior tibia? pectinated. Black ; the apical margins of the abdominal seg- ments sometimes very narrowly testaceous, the abdomen below red ; pubescence and pile greyish white ; wings hyaline, their apical mar- gins very slightly infttscated. Long. 15-17 mm. Habitat : Qnetta ; three specimens. In Bingham's key this species would cortle next to S. nivosus, biit it is not very nearly allied to that species. Of the European species if appears to come nearest to S. argentulus (Fabr.), but it is much smaller, the wings are not dark at base, and the pubescence is greyish white$ not black. PSEN REFPvACTUS, 11. Spj, 9 Clypeus and front with the sculpturing hidden by the pubes- cence, vertex of head impunctate, mesonotum finely, sparsely, and shal- iowly punctured, abdomen smooth and shiniilg ; clypeus broader than long, its anterior margin rounded, with a very slight incision in the centre ; inner margin of eyes rounded, the width apart of eyes at Ver- tex being slightly greater than below ; antenna? inserted about the length of the third joint of the flagelltlm above the posterior margin of the clypeus, strongly clavate, the second joint of the flagellum half as long again as tho third, front with a carina between the antennse ; cheeks strongly developed ; pronotum short, below the level of the me- sonotum, the latter broader than long, rounded anteriorly ; median segment with a triangular portion tit base depressed, the depressed por- tion longitudinally striate, and produced into a somewhat narrow 12 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. median furrow, the sides of the median segment rounded, obscurely reticulate ; petiole shorter than thorax, remainder of abdomen as long as head, thorax, and petiole united ; pygidium punctured. Black; the mandibles in the centre, the second and third abdominal segments, and sometimes the margins of the remaining segments, dark red ; tibiee at base and the whole of the tarsi' more or less testaceous, calcaria pale ; clypeus and front covered with short, silvery pubescence ; thorax, femora below, and apical two or throe segments of abdomen with longer, sparse, greyish pubescence ; wings hyaline, the first recurrent nervure is received into the second cubital cell before the middle, the second recurrent nervure into the third cubital cell just beyond its inner angle. Long. 12 mm. Habitat : Mount Abu ; throe specimens. This species belongs to Cameron's Annulipes group. Of the Indian species it comes next to P. re/iventr/s, but can easily be distinguished from it by the petiole being shorter than the thorax, whereas in rufi- ventris it is as long as head and thorax united. Stigmus cuculus, n. sp. (Dudgeon M. S.) " 5 Differs from S. eongruus (Walk.) in being less than half the " size, in the whole of the antenn?e being testaceous, clypeus subtrian- " gular and slightly produced ; tubercles not white. " Long. 3-5 mm. "Habitat : Holta, Kangra Valley. " This small insect nests in the holes bored in soft pine by a minute " species of beetle. It stores its nest with aphidas, and lives in colonies " of thirty or forty together. My specimens were procured from a table " in my verandah, where I had many opportunities of watching their "habits. It is much smaller than the other two Indian species of the " genus." Passalckcus dtjdgeoni, n. sp. 9 Head and mesonotum finely and closely punctured, median segment finely reticulate, abdomen imptmctate or nearly so ; clypeus broader than long, subtriangular, its anterior margin rounded, labrum triangular, mandibles blunt at apex ; eyes divergent towards the vertex, their distance apart there being half as much again as at the base of antennae ; front without tubercles, scape of antennas as long as the first four joints of the flagellum united, these latter joints being subequal. apical join' of flagellum the longest ; mesopleur;e with a NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA. 18 single furrow 5 median segment rounded posteriorly, abdomen rather longer than thorax, petiole very short, second segment the longest, second and third segments constricted at apex. Black ; the scape of the antennae, tubercles, apex of all the femora, the greater part of the tibia*, and all the tarsi more or less yellow ■ the first two joints of the flagellum testaceous ; wings hyaline and iridescent, nervures dark brown, ■tegulse yellowish ; clypeus, front, and cheeks with short, stiff, silvery pubescence. Long, 5 mm. Habitat : Kangra Valley, Punjab, 4,500ft ; two specimens sent me by Mr. G. C. Dudgeon. This species is easily distinguished from P. levipes by its smaller size, and by the median segment being reticulate. It is near to P. rdiculatus (Cam.), but has no keels on the head. DlODONTUS TENUIS, K. Sp. 9 S Head with a few scattered punctures, mesonotum and abdo- men smooth and shining, median segment finely rugose ; clypeus with the anterior margin rounded, with a deep notch in the centre, eyes slightly divergent towards the vertex, cheeks strongly developed ; posterior ocelli further apart from one another than from the margin of eyes ; antennae short, stout, the third joint of the flagellum slightly the longest, remainder subequal ; median segment narrowed and round- ed posteriorly. Black ; the mandibles, except their tips, the scape of the antennae, apex of the femora, and the whole of the tibiae and tarsi pale yellow ; the flagellum of the antennae red ; clypeus and front (#) with short, thick, silvery pubescence ; wings hyaline and iridescent, nervures black, tegulae pale testaceous. Long. 3 — 3-5 mm. Habitat : Quetta ; Peshin ; five specimens. Two species of this genus have been described from India by Mr. Cameron, viz. D. geniculatus and D. striolatus. From the former the present species may be distinguished by the tibiae and tarsi beino- yellow : from the latter by the antennae being red, not black. The only European species with yellow mandibles, D. minutus (Fabr.) has also the antennae black. DlODONTUS SELECTUS, 11. Sp. 9 Head, thorax, and abdomen almost smooth, with a few scattered punctures, median segment finely reticulate : clypeus with three 14 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. minute teeth anteriorly ; eyes with their inner orbits parallel, cheeks strongly developed, as broad as the eyes or nearly so ; anterior ocellus closer to the posterior ones than the latter are to one another ; median segment laterally with a small tubercle. Black ; the mandibles and the tibia? and tarsi yellow, the tibiae darker in the centre ; wings hyaline, nervures and tegula? testaceous. $ Similar ; olypeus and front with silvery pubescence, flagellum of antenna? pale below, eyes divergent towards vertex. Long. 4-5 mm. Habitat : Deesa ; Quetta ; Peshin ; six specimens. This species is nearest to D. geniculates, but may be separated from it by the lateral tubercles on the median segment. DlODONTUS RUSTICUS 11. sp. $ Head rather closely and coarsely punctured, the punctures on the front running into stria*, thorax sparsely punctured, median segment reticulate abdomen microscopically witb minute and not very close punctures ; clypeus with the anterior margin rounded, labrum notched ; eyes divergent towards the vertex, cheeks well developed ; antenna? long, filiform, the apical joint the longest. Black ; the tibia? and tarsi more or less pale testaceous, the latter darker in the middle ; front with thick silvery pubescence ; wings hyaline, nervures black, tegula? pale testaceous. Long. 5 mm. Habitat : Quetta ; Peshin ; six specimens. The only Indian species hitherto described which has black man- dibles. GORYTBS INTRtJDENS, n. Sp. 9 Impunctate, or nearly so, except the scutellum and median segment, which are somewhat sparsely and shallowly punctured ; eyes convergent below, their width apart at vertex being about twice that at base of antenna1, their facetting fine and regular ; ocelli very small, the distance apart of the posterior ones being greater than their distance from the margin of eyes ; clypeus broader than long, its anterior margin produced and almost transverse; antenna? long, filiform^ inserted not much above the posterior margin of clypeus, the second joint of flagellum the longest, third and following joints gradually decreasing in length to apex; cheeks well developed, their width being more than half the width of the eyes; pronotam narrow, mesosteinum NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA. 15 sharply defined laterally, almost carinate ; median Segment gradually sloping towards apex, with a triangular sharply dofined enclosed space, the latter with outwardly divergent striae ; anterior tarsi with long spines ; abdomen longer than head and thorax united, first segment not petiolate, but gradually widening towards apex, where it is as wide as the base of the second segment ; second segment about as long as the first, with a deep transverse furrow at base ventrally ; pygidium shaped like an isosoeles triangle, sparsely punotured. Dark red; the front, vertex, and apical two or three joints of the antennae black ; scutelluin, posfsoutellum, and a broad apical band on second abdominal segment yellow ; the enclosed space at the base of median segment, the femora above, a median narrow band on second, and the base of the third abdo- minal segments blackish ; slightly prninose, with a little sparse silver pile on clypeus and median segment ; wings sub-hyaline, with a dark fuscous oloud covering the whole of the radial and the greater part of the second and third cubital cells, stigma very light testaceous, norvures testaceous, tegulas red ; the first recurrent nervure is received into the second cubital cell near the middle, the second near its outer angle ♦ medial cell of hindwing very long, nearly twice the length of anal cell. $ Similar, the antennae longer, anterior tibiae and tarsi yellow, Long. 8 mm. Habitat : Mount Abu ; five specimens. Having the eyes convergent below, this species would come into Bingham's key under " A," but it is not very near any of the other species in that section. Superficially it somewhat resembles G. cajyi- tatus (Niu-se), but the yellow markings are fewer, and the eyes are much more strongly convergent below. The very small ocelli serve to distinguish it at once from G. capitatus, in which species the ocelli are quite three times as large as in the present species. GORYTES IMPUDENT, D. Sp. $ Smooth and impunctate, covered with some sparse, white pubescence ; eyes with their inner margins parallel, the facetting fine and regular ; ocelli large, the posterior ones distant from the margin of eyes about half as much as their width apart; clypeus very short and broad, its interior margin slightly arched ; antennae long, inserted close above the posterior margin of clypeus, apical joint the longest, curved and pointed, the three joints preceding it somewhat thickened ; cheeks moderately developed ; median segment with a well-defined 16 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. triangular enclosed space, produced at apex into a longitudinal furrow, the enclosed space reticulate, sides of the segment well rounded ; first abdominal segment not petiolate, about as long as second, the latter has no transverse ventral furrow ; pygidium small, with a few punc- tures. Head black, the clypeus and front to just above the base of antennae and the scape pale yellow ; mandibles and flagellum of antennae more or less red ; thorax red, the enclosed space of median segment and its furrow black ; abdomen black, first segment with two oval sublateral apical spots, second with an apical band much nar- rowed in the middle, and fifth segment pale yellowish white, ventrally entirely black ; legs black, the anterior and intermediate femora red below, and the anterior tarsi reddish ; a yellow or yellowish white line on all fhe tibiae above ; wings subhyaline, first cubital nervure re- ceived into second cubital cell just before its middle ; median cell of hind wing about twice as long as anal cell. Long. 6 mm. Habitat : Mount Abu ; a single specimen. Nearest to G. pietus, but may easily bo distinguished from it by the absence of the fuscous patch in the forewing. Ckabro balucha, n. sp. 9 Head finely and closely, thorax less finely, abdomen extremely, minutely and closely punctured ; eyes widely divergent towards vertex, their distance apart there being at least four times that near base of antennae ; facetting of eyes not regular, being coarser towards their inner margin below ; mandibles without a notch on their outer margin, bident- ate at apex ; clypeus much broader than long, convex in the centre, with a conspicuous longitudinal carina, its anterior margin bi-omarginate ; flagellum of antennae with all the joints subequal, first and second nar- rowed at base ; cheeks nearly as broad as eyes ; posterior ocelli about as far apart as their distance from inner margin of eyes ; pronotum comparatively broad, notched in the centre, raised above the level of anterior margin of mesonotum ; median segment small, somewhat narrowed posteriorly, rather steeply sloped, rugose at the sides and apex, with no enclosed space at base, but with a narrow median longitudinal furrow, which becomes slightly broader at apex ; abdomen with the first segment not petiolate, but narrowed at base, becoming gradually wider towards apex, about equal in length to the second and third segments united ; pygidium long, narrow, pointed, bare, NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN HYMENOPTERA. 17 with a few scattered punctures. Black ; the abdomen shining ; the mandibles, except their tips, the scape and the first one or two joints of the flagellum of antenna?, the pronotum, tubercles, scutellum, post- scutellum, a spot on the coxa? below (frequently obsolete), all the femora, tibia?, and tarsi, broad bands on the second, fourth, and fifth abdominal segments, and sometimes also on the third segment bright yellow ; the tarsi at apex more or less inclining to ferruginous ; cly- peus wifch-short, thick, silvery pubescence, remainder of head, thorax, and apical abdominal segments with short, sparse, greyish pile ; wings subhyaline, nervures and tegulae testaceous, cubital nervure received into the radial cell just before its middle. $ Similar ; antenna? 12-jointed as in the 9, but with joints 2-6 of the flagellum very much thickened, being about three times as wide as the scape ; anterior tarsi slightly thickened, whitish ; scutellum and postscutellum black, not yellow ; abdomen with yellow bands on second to sixth segments, apical abdominal segment when extended smooth, emarginate at base, with stiff greyish hairs at apex. Long. 6-S mm. Habitant : Quetta ; common. This species belongs to the Thyreopus group, and having no enclosed space at base of median segment, it is not very near to any of the In- dian species. It makes its nest in hollow reed-stems, and stores common house flies for its progeny. I saw a $ go into a reed-stem, which I then cut off, and bred several specimens of both sexes from it. Crabro prosopiformis, n. sp. 9 Smooth and shining, with a few scattered punctures on the head and mesonotum ; eyes at vertex more than twice their width apart near base of antenna? ; facetting of eyes coarser near inner margin below than elsewhere ; mandibles not notched below, their apices simple ; clypeus with the anterior margin produced and rounded in the middle ; antenna? with the joints of flagellum subequal, not thickened ; posterior ocelli much further apart from one another than from inner margin of eyes ; cheeks strongly developed, nearly as w^ide as eyes ; pronotum narrow, notched, below the level of mesonotum ; median segment with a narrow triangular space at base depressed and longitudinally striate, its apex produced into a median furrow, into which two lateral furrows join ; abdomen slightly longer than thorax, not petiolate, the first segment only slightly longer than the second ; pygi- 3 18 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. dium shaped like an isosceles triangle. Black ; the mandibles, except their tips, scape of antennse, pronotum, tubercles, scutellum usually, apex of anterior and intermediate femora, and the whole of the tibiae and tarsi yellow ; flagellum of antennse below ferruginous, pygidium red ; clypeus with rather long silvery pubescence, remainder of head, thorax, and abdomen with a little sparse, greyish pile ; wings hyaline, stigma dark, nearly black ; nervures dark testaceous, tegulse light testaceous ; the cubital nervure is received into the radial cell before the centre. $ Similar, smaller, the apical segment more blunt at apex. Long. 4 — 4-5 mm. Habitat : Quetta ; Peshin ; fairly common. This species belongs to the Lindenius group. In Bingham's key it would come next to C. nanus, from which it differs in sculpturing. It bears a strong resemblance, superfioially, to a Prosopis. Crabro elongatus, n. sp. {Dudgeon MS). " 9 Head, thorax, and abdomen smooth, the former opaque, the " latter shining ; an impressed line from base of antennae to anterior " ocellos ; median segment convex, narrowed posteriorly, with some 11 longitudinal striae at base, and a median longitudinal furrow ; " abdomen petiolate, first segment as long as the rest of the abdomen, " very narrow, with the apex rather abruptly nodose ; posterior tibiae " dilated ; clypeus with silvery pile, cheeks obscurely pilose. Black ; 1 the scape of antennae, anterior and intermediate tarsi, anterior tibiae, " apex of the anterior femora, and a spot on each side of the pronotum " pale yellow. " Long. 8-9 mm. " Habitat : Holta, Kangra Valley, 4,500ft. " Nearest to 0. petiolatus (Nurse), but larger, the petiole narrower " and the yellow markings as mentioned. " 19 THE MOTHS OF INDIA. SUPPLEMENTARY PAPER TO THE VOLUMES IN " THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA." SERIES II. PART IX. By Sir G. F. Hampson, Bart., f.z.s., f.e s. (Continued from page 659 of Vol. XIV.) ♦ Moths of India — 5a. Schcenobian^e. Genus Goniopalpia, nov. Proboscis absent ; palpi with the 2nd joint porrect and extending about twice the length of head, the 3rd upturned and dilated at extremity : maxillary palpi filiform ; antennas laminate ; tibiae with the spurs long. Forewing with vein 3 from before angle of cell ; 4*5 from angle ; 6 from below upper angle ; 7 from angle, straight ; 8'9*10 stalked ; 11 free ; the Goniopalpia delicatalis $ f termen somewhat excised from apex to middle. Hindwing with veins 3 and 5 from close to angle of cell ; 6*7 from upper angle, 7 anastomosing with 8 ; the termen strongly excised from apex to middle and again towards tornus. 4240a. Goniopalpia delicatalis, n. sp. $. White; palpi with the 1st and 2nd joints black at sides and the 3rd joint near extremity ; fore tibiae blackish above, the tarsal joints ringed with black. Forewing with the base of costal area tinged with fulvous ; traces of a curved antemedial line ; a slight fuscous discoidal lunule ; the veins beyond the cell streaked with fulvous yellow and the interspaces suffused with fuscous ; a subterminal white line from costa to vein 2, incurved at lower extremity, slightly edged by black on inner side and strongly on outer side and with some fulvous yellow suffusion beyond it ; the termen yellow with fine black line on its inner side ; cilia white with fine blackish line through them and the tips blackish. Hindwing with the terminal half slightly tinged with fulvous yellow. Habitat. — Khasis. Exp. 14 mill. Type— In Coll. Rothschild. 4254a. Patissa fulvidorsalis, n. sp. $. Palpi not extending beyond the frons ; silvery white ; legs tinged with golden fulvous on inner side ; abdomen dorsally fulvous yellow except the 1st two and terminal segments. Habitat,— Sikhim, 1800' (Dudgeon). Exp. 36 mill. Type— In B. M. 20 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. 4269a. Schcenobios atjrivena, n. sp. £. White ; palpi at sides and stripes on shoulders and legs orange. Fore- wing with the costa and interspaces streaked with orange ; a subterminal orange line ; a terminal series of orange red points ; cilia orange. Habitat.— Khasis. Exp. 22 mill. Type^-hx B. M. Anerastian^:. Genus Statina. Statina, Rag. N. Am. Phyc.and Gall., p. 19 (1887). Type — S. roseotinctella, Rag. Range— N. and S. America ; Kashmir ; New Guinea. Proboscis aborted, minute ; palpi downcurved, extending about four times length of head; irons with tuft of hair ; antenna? of male ciliated. Forewing with vein 2 frons towards angle of cell ; 3 and 5 on a long stalk. 4 absent ; 6 from below upper angle; 8"9-l0 stalked ; 11 from angle. Hindwing with vein 2 from close to angle of cell; 3"4 absent; 6"7 from upper angle, 8 anastomosing strongly with 7. 4275a. Statina cashmiralis, n. sp. 9. Head and thorax whitish, strongly tinged with red ; abdomen dorsally ochreous. Forewing ochreous-white, suffused with rufous ; the median nervure and base of veins 3'5, streaked with white. Hindwing semihyaline ochreous-white. Habitat.— Kashmir, Dras (Leech). Exp. 22 mill. Type— In B. M. 4302&. Saluria minutella, n. sp. A. Antenna? with short branches extending to near apex. Head and thorax fuscous-grey ; abdomen white, dorsally ochreous towards base. Forewing fuscous-grey ; the costal area broadly whitish, extending to median nervure and vein 5 in and beyond end of cell ; traces of an antemedial line and discal point. Hindwing white, slightly tinged with fuscous. Habitat.— Deesa (Nurse) ; Ceylon (Pole.) Exp. 14 mill. Type — In B. M. 4314a. Polyocha tricoloralis, n, n. „ variegatella, Hmpsn., Journ., Bom. Nat. Hist. Soc., XII. p. 310, nee Rag. Habitat. — Sikhim. 4314a. Polyocha variegatella, Rag. Nouv. Gen., p. 39 ; id., Rom. Mem., VIII,, pi. 36, f. 16. 9 . Head and thorax deep flesh-pink ; pectus and legs paler, the fore tibise and tarsi streaked with white above ; abdomen ochreous-white. Forewing with narrow white costal fascia, ending in a point, just before apex ; the rest of wing deep flesh-pink, suffused with brown down to median nervure and vein 3 ; the veins with slight pale streaks. Hindwing semihyaline yellowish-white , tinged with fuscous towards costa. Habitat. — Kangra Valley. Exp. 34 mill. 4315a. Polyocha pulverealis, n. sp. 2. Antenna? with long uniseriate branches ; forewing with veins 4'5 and 10 from cell ; hindwing with veins 3"4"5 stalked. THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 21 Head, thorax and abdomen pale grey-brown, mixed with black. Forewing pale grsy-brown, irrorated with black, thickly on costal half, a diffused black discoidal spot ; a terminal series of points. Hindwing pale, tinged with brownish, especially towards costa ; a fine terminal line. Habitat.— Khasis. Exp. 30 mill. Type— In B. M. 2315&. POLYOCHA ORNATELLA, n. Sp. $. Antenna? of male with long uniseriate branches; forewing with veins 4'5, approximated for some distance ; 10 from cell ; hindwing with vein 3 from cell. Head and thorax pale yellowish-brown ; abdomen ochreons. Forewing with the costal area crimson, suffused with purplish-fuscous ; a white sub- costal stripe ending on costa at apex ; the inner area yellow with antemedial and medial crimson bands and a broad terminal band slightly tinged with grey ; cilia ochreous with two crimson lines through them, dark at apex. Hind wing fuscous ; cilia yellow with a dark line through their bases towards apex. Habitat.— Kangra Valley, 4500' (Dudgeon). Exp. 26 mill. Type—In B. M. Phycitin.e. 4320a. Homoj:osoma nimbella, Zell Isis, 1839, p. 178. ., Saxicola, Vaughan Month. Mag., VII., p. 132 (1870). „ Caniusella, Bag. Rom. Mem., VIII., p. 248, pi. 33, f. 16 (1901). Head and thorax white, irrorated with brown ; abdomen white, obscurely banded with fuscous. Forewing whitish, tinged with brown and thickly irro- rated with fuscous ; the area from costa to median nervure whiter to the postmedial line ; an indistinct dark subbasal spot on median nervure ; a curved medial series of three spots on the veins ; the two discoidal points large ; a rather indistinct oblique postmedial line. Hindwing semihyaline white ; the veins, a fine terminal line and a line at base of cilia brownish. Habitat. — Europe ; Canaries ; W. Asia ; Kashmir, Dras. Exp. 18-24 mill. 43246. Homceosoma nigrimedialis, n. sp. £. Pale reddish-brown ; forewing with some black irroration on costal area ; a prominent black streak on median nervure and base3 of veins 2-3'4 • a black streak on vein 1, most prominent on medial area ; slight black streaks on veins of terminal area ; the lines pale, the 1st line medial, sinuous the 2nd oblique and slightly bent inward below costa ; a terminal series of black stria?. Hindwing semihyaline white ; the veins and costal area fuscous • a fuscous terminal line and line through the cilia. Habitat. — Khasis. Exp. 22 mill. Type — In Coll. Rothschild. 4325e. Eccopidia oinistis, n. sp. 9. Head, thorax and abdomen grey, irrorated with fuscous; the anal tuft fulvous. Forewing grey, irrorated with fuscous ; an indistinct curved medial Hue interrupted at median nervure ; two discoidal points ; the ter- minal area suffused with purple-red, forming a diffused darker band. Hind- wing semihyaline, tinged with brown. Habitat— Ceylon, Kandy (Pole). Exp. 16 mill. Type— In B. M. 22 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. 4325/. PSOROSA PROLEUCALIS, tl. sp. $. Head and thorax ochreous ; antenna? fuscous, the tuft of scales in sinus black ; abdomen ochreous, dorsally tinged with fuscous. Forewing ochreous ; the costal area broadly white to the 2nd line and slightly irrorated with red ; the basal area suffused with fuscous to the antemedial line except on costal area and base of inner margin ; the antemedial line represented by a red spot on subcostal nervure and black spots on white patches on median nervure and vein 1 ; the discoidal black points prominent, the lower large ; the subter- minal line white, rather punctiform, oblique from costa to vein 6, excurved at middle and slightly angled inwards on vein 1 ; defined on each side by an oblique black streak from apex, then by short black streak on the veins; some white on termen and a prominent series of black points ; cilia brown with two white lines through them. Hindwing pale ochreous, the veins and costal area tinged with brown ; a fine terminal line and line at base of cilia. Habitat.— Simla (Nurse). Exp. 22 mill. Type—In. "B. M. 4325a. PSOROSA BIFILIFERALIS, n. Sp. ft. Antennas with slight sinus at base of shaft with scale teeth in it. Head and thorax white ; antennae brownish ; tarsi banded with black ; abdomen whitish, dorsally banded with black. Forewing pale brownish- ochreous, the costal half white, irrorated with brown, the costal edge blackish ; an antemedial diffused black patch on vein 1 ; an indistinct medial line ; discoidal points prominent, black, the lower largest ; postmedial line whitish, de- fined by diffused black on each side ; a terminal black patch with white patch on it, broad at costa, narrowing to a point at vein 1. Hindwing semihyaline white, tinged with fuscous towards termen ; a fine dark line at base of cilia. Habitat.— Sikhim, 2000' (Pilcher). Exp. 16 mill. Type— In B. M. 4327a. Heterographis bellenica, Stgr. Hor. Ent. Boss, 1870, p. 209, pi. II, f. 18. Head, thorax and abdomen white, tinged with ochreous above. Forewing bright yellow ; the costa white, broad, rather diffused ; oblique purplish-pink sub-basal and medial bands from subcostal nervure to inner margin ; a postmedial band, with irregularly sinuous edges, bent outwards to costa, where it joins the terminal band which runs round the apex. Hindwing pale ochreous, the cilia white except at base. Habitat. — Greece ; Syria ; Deesa. Exp. 16 mill. 4328a. Heterographis deserticola, Stgr. Stett. Ent. Zeit., 1870, p. 201 ; Rag. Rom. Mem., VIII., p. 148, pi. XXVIII., f. 17. Head, thorax and abdomen white, tinged with pale yellow-brown above; the 3rd joint of palpi and frontal tuft blackish in the Indian, yellowish in the European, specimens. Forewing pale yellow-brown, with white costal fascia, narrowing to apex ; slight traces of discoidal points ; the termen blackish. Hindwing hyaline white, the veins, terminal area and base of cilia tinged with brown. Habitat. — Armenia, Sarepta ; Transcaucasia. Iskabad ; Punjab, Ferozpur. Exp. 14-20 Mill. THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 23 43286. Heterographis niveicostella, Rag. Rom. Mem., VIII., p. 149, pi. XXXIX, f. 7. $. Pale reddish-brown. Forewing slightly irrorated with darker scales ; a white costal fascia, irrorated with brown and narrowing to apex ; traces of discoidal points. Hindwing semihyaline white, the terminal half and base of cilia tinged with brown. Habitat.— Transcaucasia, Askabad ; Deesa. Exp. 18 mill. 4329a. Heterographis microstictella, n. sp. g. Maxillary palpi flattened against the frons. Ochreous-white, tinged with pale rufous ; abdomen white. Forewing with white costal fascia irrorated with ochreous and narrowing to apex ; traces of a sinuous white antemedial line, with a fuscous point on its outer side on vein 1 ; the discoidal points very obscure and pale rufous ; an obscure sinuous whitish subterminal line, with slight dark shade on inner side. Hindwing semihyaline white, tinged with fuscous towards termen. Habitat.— Deesa (Nurse). Exp. 20 mill. Type—In B. M. 4329J. Heterographis fulvimarginella, n. sp. $. Head, thorax and abdomen whitish, marked with patches of fulvous and black scales above. Forewing whitish, thickly suffused with fulvous and black scales, leaving a white costal fascia slightly irrorated with black and narrowing to apex ; an oblique dentate whitish antemedial line ; the sub- terminal line whitish, angled inwards in discal fold and with fulvous band on outer side ; cilia whitish. Hindwing semihyaline white, the veins and ter- men tinged with brown. Habitat. — Deesa (Nurse). Exp. 24 mill. Type— -In B. M. 4331a. Heterographis obscuralis, n. sp. Head, thorax and abdomen brownish-grey, mixed with pale grey. Forewing pale grey and grey-brown ; an indistinct pale almost medial line defined by grey, excurved from below costa to submedian fold where it is slightly angled inwards ; two obscure dark discoidal points ; a pale subterminal line, defined on each side by grey, slightly angled inwards at vein 6, then excurved to submedian fold, where it is again angled inwards ; an obscure terminal series of dark points. Hindwing pale brownish-grey ; cilia white at tips. Habitat. — Ceylon, Hambantota, Matale (Pole). Exp. 16 mill. Type — In B. M. 4332a. Heterographis craticulella, Rag. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., 1887, p. 251. Antenna? of male with slight sinus at base of shaft with scale teeth in it. $. Head and thorax ochreous-brown, mixed with white ; abdomen white dorsally, tinged with ochreous. Forewing ochreous-brown ; a broad white fascia just below costa from base to near the postmedial line ; an oblique white antemedial band diffused on outer side ; a wedge-shaped white fascia on median nervure from beyond the antemedial band, enclosing a short brown streak at lower angle of cell and expanding towards the oblique postmedial 24 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. line which expands on costa ; a white fascia on vein 1 between the ante- and postmedial lines ; an oblique white subterminal band not reaching costa towards which it expands, somewhat diffused on inner side ; all the white markings with some dark-brown scales on their edges. Hindwing semihyaline ochreous ; a fine terminal line ; cilia white with a fine line at baae. Habitat. — C. Asia, Marghilan ; Kashmir (Dras). Exp. 24 mill. 4341&. EUZOPHERODES IRRORALIS, n. sp. Head and thorax pale brownish-ochreous ; abdomen ochreous-white. Forewing pale brownish-ochreous, irrorated with black and with black points on middle of median nervure and vein 1, at upper angle of cell and postmedial points just below costa, in discal fold and on vein 1 and a terminal series. Hindwing ochreous-white. Habitat. — Ceylon, Hambantota, Puttalam (Pole). Exp. 10 mill. Type — In B. M. 4341c. EOZOPHERODES EPHESTIALIS, n. Sp. $. Forewing with veins 3-5 from angle of cell ; 8' 9'10 stalked. Head and thorax greyish-brown, mixed with black ; abdomen pale brown. Forewing grey-brown, irrorated with black ; the costal area black, irrorated with grey ; a black streak on base of inner margin ; a diffused black streak on vein 1 from before middle to the diffused medial black band ; discoidal points large, almost conjoined ; postmedial line strong, erect and angled outwards at middle ; an indistinct dentate subterminal line ; a terminal series of black points. Hindwing pale brown, with rather darker terminal line and line at base of cilia. Habitat— Sikhim, 7000' (Pilcher). Exp. 22 mill. Type— In B. M. 43436. Euzophera albicostalis, n. sp. £. Head, thorax and abdomen fuscous-brown, the head and thorax suffused with black. Forewing pale brown, thickly irrorated with fuscous ; the costal area white, tapering to a point before apex ; a whitish discoidal point and an indistinct series of dark points on termen. Hindwing pale brown, tinged with fuscous towards costa ; a fine dark terminal line and line at base of cilia. Habitat. — Kashmir, Scind Valley (Leech). Exp. 26 mill. Type — In B. M. 4343c. Euzophera cedrella, n. sp. Forewing with veins 4'5 and 10 from cell ; hindwing with veins 3'5 from cell. Fuscous-brown, irrorated with grey and with a slight olive tinge. Forewing with rather narrow antemedial white band, dentate on outer side below costa and in submedian fold and bent outwards to inner margin ; a black discoidal lunule ; a more or less prominent minutely dentate white postmedial line, bent inwards below costa and outwards between veins 5 and 2 ; a terminal series of black points. Hindwing uniform golden-brown ; the- cilia paler, with a brown line near base. The larva destroys the cones of the Deodar Cedar. Habitat. — Simla (Pilcher) ; Punjab, Jaunsar. Exp. 22 mill. THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 25 Genus Mesginia. Mescinia, Rag. Rom. Mem., VIII., p. 83 (1901). Type — .¥. commatella, Zell., from Colombia. Proboscis well developed ; palpi upturned, the 2nd joint reaching above vertex of head, the 3rd long ; antennae ciliated. Forewing with veins 2"3 stalked, 4*5 from angle ; 6 from upper angle ; 8 and 10 stalked ; 9 absent ; 11 from ceil. Hindwing with vein 2 from before angle of cell ; 3*5 stalked ; 4 absent ; 7 becom- ing coincident with 8. Mescinia micans £ §. 4346. Mescinia micans. 4346a. Mescinia olivescalis, n, sp. 9. Very pale olive-brown ; palpi blackish towards tips ; abdomen dorsally suffused with fuscous. Forewing irrorated with fuscous; an obscure dark discoidal spot. Hindwing hyaline, the veins and a terminal line brown. Habitat— Ceylon, Kandy. Exp. 12 mill. Type—In B. M. Sect. II. Maxillary palpi of male, minute, triangularly scaled ; frons with- out tuft. 4348a. Sandrabatis ph^eella, n. sp. . With ill-defined white subcostal fascia to forewing. Habitat.— Ceylon, Puttalam (J. Pole). Exp. 18-24 mill. Type—In B. M. 44346. Etiella myosticta, n. sp. £. Maxillary palpi filiform, slightly dilated at extremity. Head and thorax ochreous, tinged with rufous ; abdomen ochreous. Forewing ochreous, tinged with rufous, sparsely irrorated with fuscous ; a fine whitish streak on median nervure ; the costal area greyish, slightly defined with fuscous below ; a black point at lower angle of cell ; a curved postmedial series of slight blackish streaks on the veins ; a terminal series of black points. Hindwing semihyaline ochreous, tinged with brown towards costa and termen ; a fine terminal line and a line at base of cilia. Habitat— Simla (Pilcher). Exp. 22 mill. Type.— In B. M. 4134c. Etiella uniformalis, n. sp. £. Head and thorax ochreous, tinged with rufous and mixed with fuscous ; abdomen ochreous. Forewing ochreous-grey, thickly irrorated and suffused with fuscous-brown ; a more ochreous streak in submedian fold. Hindwing ochreous-grey, tinged with fuscous-brown. Habitat. — Kashmir, Goorais Valley (Leech). Exp. 28 mill. — Type — In 8, M 34 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. EPIPASCHIANyE. Genus Odontopaschia, nov. Palpi obliquely upturned, the 3rd joint porrect ; maxillary palpi strongly dilated with scales ; antennae of male with tufts of scales at extremity of basal joint ; the shaft laminate, ex- cised at base. Forewing with vein 3 from close to angle of cell ; 4'5 stalked ; 7*8 stalked, 9 absent ; 10 from cell ; a large tooth of scales Odontopaschia virescens ^ j. .-,,,„. . ?, ^ on middle of inner margin ; turts of large erect scales at middle of cell and on discocellulars, bearing a few long thick hairs. Hindwing with vein 3 from close to angle of cell ; 4 absent ; 7 anastomosing with 8. 4435a. Odontopaschia virescens, n. sp. Head and thorax brown ; abdomen fuscous and grey. Forewing with the inner half brown, the costal half white, irrorated with green and with a large medial patch of dark-green ; the antemedial line defined by fuscous, oblique, curved above inner margin and with a patch of diffused black scales before it on inner area ; the tufts of scales in cell black and brown ; some blackish scales below end of cell ; the postmedial line dark, bent outwards at vein 5, dentate to vein 2, then excurved ; a terminal series of black points. Hindwing fuscous-brown. Habitat— Khasis. Exp. $ 22, $ 26 mill. Type— -In B. M. 4438c. Macella eufibarbalis, n. sp. (PI. C, f. 31.) Maxillary palpi of male free, strongly tufted with hair ; palpi with the 2nd joint very long ; a very large tuft of hair on inner side of 2nd and 3rd joints ; antennse ciliated, the basal joint dilated ; tufts of scales behind antenna?; hindwing with long fringes of hair on inner margin. ft . Head, thorax and abdomen clothed with olive-green, white, pinkish and fuscous scales ; palpi whitish, dark towards extremity; the tufts on inner side of 2nd joint red ; abdomen with some black dorsal marks, the extremity brown and black. Forewing clothed with whitish and green scales, irrorated with black ; a blackish mark at base of inner margin ; an obliquely curved antemedial black band from cell to inner margin, with some brownish suffusion on its inner side ; a tuft of brown scales in end of cell with dark mark on coata above it ; the black postmedial line oblique from costa to vein 3, then strongly incurved and dentate •, the apical area rufous ; a terminal series of black spots. Hindwing fuscous, pale towards base ; a pale sub- terminal mark on vein 2 ; the fringes of hair on inner area red. Underside with the apical area of forewing and whole of hindwing clothed with pale- brown scales. 9. Much more green and fuscous with hardly any white scales ; the thorax, base and apical areas of forewing especially green ; underside purplish- THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 35 fuscous with pale patches towards base of wings ; the discoidal iunules distinct. Habitat.— Sikhim, 1800' (Dudgeon). Exp. 30 mill. Type— In B. M. 4442a. Macalla plicatalis, n. sp. £. Palpi with the 2nd joint short, the 3rd very long and hollowed out to contain the brush-like maxillary palpi ; antennae ciliated with no tuft of scales behind them. Hindwing with the inner area dilated, forming a large fold containing rough fulvous scales on underside. Head and thorax pale olive-brown ; abdomen with the basal half yellow on dorsum, the terminal half and ventral surface ochreous, irrorated with fuscous. Forewing pale olive-brown with a thinly scaled patch on disk ; some black scales on costa before middle and small tufts at middle and end of cell ; an indistinct diffused dentate black line curved from costa to vein 2, then retracted to below end of cell ; cilia pinkish with a series of black points. Hindwing seraihyaline white ; the terminal area tinged with fuscous ; tha inner area ochreous ; cilia pinkish with a series of black points. Habitat— Ceylon, Matale (J. Pole). Exp. 32 mill. Type— In B. M. 4446a. Macalla metasarcia, n. sp. (PI. C, f . 32.) 9- Head and thorax ochreous, mixed with black; abdomen pinkish- ochreous, banded with black. ForewiDg pinkish-ochreous, almost entirely suffused with olive-black ; prominent tufts of raised scales at middle and end of cell; an indistinct pale antemedial line; a postmedial line, highly excurved at middle, defined on inner sides by a black line, with a diffused pinkish-ochreous area on its inner side ; a terminal series of black points ; cilia pinkish with a black line through them. Hindwing flesh-color ; a curved black postmedial line obsolescent towards costa and inner margin and with black not on vein 2 ; a terminal band, wide at apex, tapering to a point at anal angle ; cilia with a fuscous line through them. Habitat.— Sikhim, 1800' ( Dudgeon). Exp. 22 mill. Type— In B. M. 4449. Macalla Margarita. $. Palpi with the extremity of 2nd and the 3rd joint fringed with long scales, the 3rd joint curved forward into a hook ; maxillary palpi triangular and flattened against the frons ; vertex of head hollowed out between an- tenna?, with tufts of scales from above eyes meeting over vertex ; antennas with long cilia for half their length, then with short cilia. Habitat. — Ceylon, Hambantota (J. Pole). 4453a. CjENC-domus fumosalis, n. sp. (PI. C, f. 30.) Dull olive-brown and fuscous. Forewing with obscure antemedial, medial and postmedial dark bands ; a streak of black and white hair in submedian fold, another streak from middle of cell to near termen and a shorter streak above vein 6, the postmedial line excurved at middle. Hindwing with medial ridge of black and white hair and streaks in the interspaces towards apax- ; an obscure pale postmedial line excurved and dentate at middle. Habitat.— Khasis. Exp. $ 32, $ 40 mill. Tyves—ln Coll. Rothschild and B.M. 36 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. 4464a. Stericta rubrescens, n. sp. ft. Head, thorax and abdomen olive-green, the last with segmental black lines. Forewing olive-green with black patches at base below the cell and on inner margin ; a tuft of black hair in ;middle of cell ; a medial line oblique from costa to submedian fold, where it is slightly angled ; the post- medial line oblique from costa to just below vein 3, then strongly incurved ; some pink suffusion beyond it and a large patch in submedian interspace towards tornus. Hindwing suffused with pink ; some black suffusion at base and a patch below end of cell ; the postmedial Hue indistinct, oblique from costa to vein 3, where it is angled ; traces of a curved subterminal line. Habitat.— Sikhim, 7000' (Pilcher). Exp. 22 mill. Type— In B. M. 4464*. Stericta suspensalis, Wlk. Cat. XXXIV, p. 1217. ft. Head and thorax olive ; abdomen whitish, tinged with olive ; the basal segments with some black dorsal suffusion. Forewing whitish, the costal and antemedial areas tinged with olive ; a blackish patch at base of inner area ; traces of an antemedial white line ; a prominent postmedial slightly curved white line, slightly angled inwards above inner margin, the area beyond it fuscous ; the ridges of raised scales black and white. Hindwing whitish, tinged with olive before and beyond the curved postmedial line which is white denned by black on inner side towards inner margin and with black point below costa and three short streaks beyond its medial part. In one specimen the whole hindwing is blackish to the postmedial line, and a large patch replaces the streaks beyond it. Habitat. — Khasis ; Ceylon ; Borneo ; Bali. Exp. 20 mill. 4464c. Stericta olivialis, n. sp. Antennae of male with the basal joint dilated, but without process ; maxil- lary palpi brush-like in fold of labial palpi. ft. Head and thorax white and olive-green ; abdomen white and olive- green with dark dorsal bands. Forewing white, thickly irrorated with olive- green ; the costa with olive-green patches at base and middle ; obliquely placed subbasal blackish spots below cell and on inner margin ; an ante- medial blackish line from cell to inner margin, interrupted at vein 1 ; a similar medial line angled outwards below cell, then inwards to near antemedial line ; a black spot at upper angle of cell and short streaks above bases of veins 3, 4 ; the postmedial line aentate, oblique from costa to vein 4 and in- curved in submedian interspace, defined by white on outer side, followed by a large apical olive patch and another towards tornus ; a terminal series of small black spots. Hindwing whitish, tinged with brown ; the terminal area fuscous ; a dark terminal line and line at base of cilia. Habitat.— Bhutan (Dudgeon) ; Khasis. Exp. 30 mill. Type — In B. M. 4i74a. Orthaga mixtams, Wlk. Cat. XXVII, p. 104 (1863). Forowing of male without glandular swelling on costa ; maxillary palpi dilated with scales and flattened against the frons ; antennas with the basal joint dilated. THE MOTHS OF INDIA. 37 Head and thorax clothed with golden-green and white scales ; ahdomen white and fuscous, tinged with brown towards extremity. Forewing white, irrorated and the basal area suffused with golden-green ; a more or less developed antemedial patch of black suffusion on median nervure, sometimes extending to costa and inner margin ; a curved medial black line from cell to inner margin ; a discoidal tuft of black scales ; the terminal third of wing suffused with golden-green and more or less with black, from vein 6 to inner margin extending as a broad band to inner side of postmedial line which is dentate, oblique from costa to vein 4, then somewhat inwardly oblique and angled inwards in submedian fold, defined by white on outer side ; a termi- nal series of black striae. Hindwingpale fuscous-brown, with fine dark termi- nal line and line at base of cilia. Habitat. — Bhutan ; Borneo, Sarawak ; Java. Exp. 26 mill. 38 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV, ON TWO CETACEANS FROM TRAVANCORE, By H. S. Ferguson. WITH A NOTE ON THE SAME, By R. Lydekker, b.a., f.r.s., f.g.s., &c. ( With plates A CO to en z Ld Q en en < u < o a: o a D Ld CO Q. TWO CETACEANS FROM TRAVANCORE. 39 ting up the skin instead of using the skull. Subsequent examination of the skeleton brought out the following points : — Vertebral column. — Cervical vertebrae 7. Dorsal 10. Lumbar 10. Caudal 20.— Total 47. The first four cervieals fused together. Epi- physes fused with the centra. Ribs 10. Sternal G. Costal 4. All ossified, the first 6 ribs two- headed. The sternum composed of an ossified presternum and two mesosterna, with a cartilaginous xiphisternum. The scapula fan-shaped with the external surface concave. Phalanges I 1, II 2, III 5, IV 7, V 1. Skull length 1ft. 10in., breadth between the orbits 1ft. 2in. Teeth T°T stout, 2in. in length and from \ to fin. in diameter. Ramis of mandible 21in., symphysis 3fin. Pterygoids divergent posteriorly. The anterior portion of the premaxilla broader than that of the maxilla. Length of rostrum taken from an imaginary line joining the angles of the mouth 1ft. 2iD. From the size of the teeth it is evident that the animal is a " Killer " or tl Grampus." The only genus mentioned by Blanford is Orca and the only species 0. gladiator. It differs from this in colour, in having the dorsal fiu of moderate size and falcate, the pectoral fins also of moderate size and falcate in the number of vertebras, and the number of ribs. It approaches more nearly to the genus Pseudorca, a meagre description of which is given by Beddard in his Book of Whales, but differs in the number of vertebrae (not an important point however) and in the divergence of the pterygoids. Curiously enough on the same day the fishermen brought me another cetacean, which they had that morning caught in their nets. Its description is as follows : — Colour uniform shining black, passing gradually into a fleshy plum- heous tinge on the sides and under surface. Pectoral, dorsal and caudal fins present. Beak distinct. Lower jaw slightly longer than the upper. Length from tip of snout to notch in centre of caudal fin ... 8ft. lin. Do. do. to origin of pectoral fin ... 1ft. lin. Do. do. to origin of dorsal fin ... 3ft. 8in. 1ft. 3|in. 1ft. 5in. Oft. 8in. 1ft. lin. 3 ft. 6-|in. 4ft. lin. Oft. llin. 40 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XK Length of pectoral fin which is falcate Do. dorsal fin which is falcate... Height of dorsal fin ... Width of gape Greatest height Do. circumference Smallest circumference at root of tail A single nasal aperture or blow hole on the top of the head. A prenaria adipose elevation marked off by a V-shape groove. Vertebroe column. — Cervical 7, all fused together. Dorsal 13. Lumbar 17. Caudal 24. — Total 61. Epiphyses distinct. Vertebrse centra rather short. Sternum composed of presternum and two mesos- terna ossified, with a cartilaginous xiphisternum. Ribs 13. Costal 7. Sternal 6, all ossified. The first four ribs two- headed. Phalanges I 1, II 6, III 8, IV 1, V 1. II and III well developed. Skull. — Rostrum from anterior of the prenarial projection 4£in. Mandible 17|in., symphysis barely 2in. Teeth moderate |f and ||=51. Length of skull 20in. Breadth 8iin. between orbits. Pterygoids not meeting in the middle line, borders divergent posteriorly. This is a slightly immature specimen. According to Blanford's synopsis of the Indian Genera, it can only belong to the genus Tursiops, but it differs from the genus in having the pterygoids separate, and it differs in many respects from the only species Tursiops tursio described by him. NOTES ON THE TRIVANDRUM CETACEANS, By R. Lydekker, b.a., f.r.s., f.g.s., &c. The first of the two specimens referred to by Mr. Ferguson (PI. A) is undoubtedly referable to the genus Pseudorca, and presents no characters by which it can be distinguished from the widely distributed False Killer (P. crassidens). As that species, which is new to the Indian Fauna, never appears to have been properly figured, I have thought it well to reproduce the excellent sketch sent by Mr. Fer- guson. I do not attach any importance to the difference with regard to the divergence of the pterygoid bones, nor in the number of verte- bra (17 instead of 50). n co CD -P o en 1 — I o o LO -P -p erf !Z5 & 1 o PQ pi o •-a Manipur 1000', Claris. Ceylon. Malay Penins, Perak. Sumatra. Java. Borneo. Philippines. China — Yunnan, Henry. I give this as a North- West Indian species solely on the authority of Colonel Bedclome. Mr. McDonell, who lived for years in Chamba, close to Dalhousie in charge of the forests, never found it there. I do not think the habitat,. " N. India," in the 'Synopsis,' means including N.-W. India any more than it does when given for P. iridiodes, Lamk., the next N.-E. Indian species, or for P. hemionitideum, Wall. 30. P. oxylobum, Wall. Cat. 294. P. trifidum, Don, Syn. Fil. 3G3 ; P. hastatum, Thunb. var. 2 oxyloba (sp.) Wall., C. E. 563. Pleopeltis hastata, Th., Bedd. H. B. 362 ; Pleopeltis trifida, Don, Bedd. Suppt. H. B. 96 ; Pleopeltis laciniata, Bl., Bedd. in Journ. Bot., Aug. 1892. Punjab: Chamba— Dalhousie, McDonell: "abundant1'; Kangra Vy. List. — Dharmsala 5000', Trotter ; Simla Reg.— Simla 6200', Blanf . : " very rare. In fact I know of only one locality for it, near Simla "; Simla — 3 stations, Bliss ; Bisahir — Taldech 5000', Lace. N.-W. P. : D. D. Dist.— Sowarna Nala 4500' ? ; Badraj Mt. and ' The Park ', on the Mussooree Ridge, Mackinnons 1878-79 ; 'The Park1 6300', on trees, Hope 1887 and 1895 ; The Castle Hill 6100', A. Hope 1885 ; C. W. Hope 1892 and 1895, in quantity, on a rock ; T. Garth., Ganges Vy. 7-8000', Duthie 1881 ; Dura 5000', Gamble 1893 ; B. Garh., Mrs. Fisher ; Kumaun—'R. Blink 1827 ; Binsar 7000', S. & W. ; near Naini Tal, Hope 1861, Nalena Vy. 4700', Hope 1890 ; above Loharkhet 75-8000', Trotter 1891 ; Kala Muni Ridge 8500', MacLeod 1893. Distrib. — Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Nepal Wallich ; Sikkim and Bhotan : not common ; Assam — Khasia Dist. 2-6000' : common, Kohima 6000', Clarke. S. India — 5000'-8600'. Ceylon, Mrs. Walker. China— Yunnan, Henry. Japan. A thoroughly good species, in my opinion. 31. P. malacodon, Hook. ; Syn. Fil. 363 ; C. R. 564. Pleopeltis malacodon, Hook., Bedd. H. B. 363. Punjab : Eullu— Jalori Pass 10000', Rohtang Pass 10-13,000', Trotter 1887 ; Simla Reg., Bates ; Kamalhori and Hattu Mts. 9-10,500', on rocks, Gamble, Collett, Hope, Trotter, Bliss. N.-W. P. : T. Garh. — not infrequent at 9-13,000' alt., Mackinnons, Duthie, Herschel, Gamble ; B. Garh.—ue&T Ramri 9-10,000', and above it 12,000', Duthie ; Kumaun Sarju R. 4500', and Kala Mundi Pass 8000', S. & W. ; Kali Vy. 12-13,000', Duthie ; Pindar Gorge 10,000', Trotter. Distrib.— Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) 9-13,000', Nepal to Bhotan. Mr. Clarke says : — " A very common fern, known at once by its strongly ser- rate margin. It is remarkable that I find no example in the Kew Herbarium (other than my own) except some pieces mixed on a sheet of T. Thomson's, said to have been collected top of Hattu, alt. 10500', in the North-West Himalaya." But Mr. Clarke restricted the range of habitat to ' Nepal to Bhotan'. Hattu Mt. is now a well-known habitat for P. malacodon : it was got there in 1876 by THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 05 Gamble, and in 1878 by Collett ; and, as will be seen above, the fern grows in many other places wesfc of Nepdl. The scales of the rhizome have not been correctly described by Baker or Clarke : they are not " brown or nearly black," or " brown black." They are bicoloured, ie., pale-brown with a broad dark-brown streak down the centre. Clarke says — " Frond often sub-cordate at base." Among the numerous speci- mens in Gamble's and my collections I cannot find a frond that is not cordate or sub-cordate below. Many examples have sori oval or oblong, the major axis directed towards the margin. Some of Duthie's specimens from British Garh- wal, 12,000', have sori biserial between the veins, often confluent. These grew on trees ; but elsewhere, so far as I know, the fern is always on rocks. I can see no resemblance to, or affiuity with, P. oxylobum, 32. P. cyrtolobum, J. Sm., C. R. 563. Pleopeltis Stswartii, Bedd., Syn. Fil, 2d. ed. 573. Pleopeltis malacodon, Hook., var. £. mujust Bedd. H. B. 363, and Suppt. 96. Punjab : Chamba — MacDonell ; fide Beddome in Suppt. H. B. N.-W. P. : D. D. Z>;^.— Mussooree," The Paik11 63-6500', Mackinnons 18S0, Hope 1887 and 1895 ; Kumaun— Binsar 7500', S. & W. ; Gori Vy., 7-8000', Trotter 1891 ; Mangalia Gor 10,000'. MacLeod 1893. Distrib.— Asia : N. iDd. (Him.) Nepal to Bhotan 9-12,000': very common, Clarke ; Assam— Jakpho Mt. 8500' Clarke ; Khasia Dist. 5000', Clarke. This species is not in McDonelFs List of Chamba Ferns, and I have seen no specimen from the westward of Mussooree. Trotter in his printed list said he had a Chamba specimen from McDonell ; but the species does not appear in his later MS. list given to me ; and I have four fronds of P. oxylobum marked by him P. cyrtolobum. I am not much surprised that writers with a tendency to unite species, and who have not seen this growing in its natural habitats, thinking it a form of P. malacodo?i, at least if they can get over the marked differences of cutting and scales of rhizome. But, having seen P. malacodon growing only on rocks in the Simla Eegion, at high elevations, and P. cyrtolobum growing only on trees in Mussooree, at a much lower elevation, and having observed their very different habit and appearance, I cannot hesitate to agree with Clarke in separat- ing them, The scales of the rhizome are bicoloured like those of P. malacodon but they are much narrower and darker coloured, and they end in long thick hairs. The frond is less cordate at the base, and sometimes quite decurrent on the stipes ; and the texture is much thinner than that of P. malacodon. The fronds vary from occasionally simple to three-Iobed, and to three pairs of lobes, besides the long terminal lobe. Major MacLeod's two fronds in my possession, from Kumaun, are— one, trilobate, and the other, with stipes over 4. in., has a frond 10 in. 1. with 4 pairs of lobes — the longest nearly 6 in. 1. A frond from Mussooree is nearly 12 in. 1., with terminal lobe all but 8 inches. 96 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. 33. P. Stewartii, 0. B. Clarke, in Trans. Linn. Soc, 2d. Ser., Bot., Vol. I., 563 — the ' Review.' Pleopeltis malacodon, Hook., P. Stewartii, Clarke : a variety less serrated, Bedd. H. B. 363. Punjab : Chairiba— Eavi Vy., below Sach Pas*, 9500', McDonell 1882 ; 9900', J. Marten 1898 ; Simla Beg.— Simla, near the Tunnel 7400', Bliss 1886-90-92. N.-W. P. : D. D. List.— Sea.ls'' Hill, E. of Landour, 7000', Miss Parrott (by whom indicated to Hope) 1887 ; Hope 1895 : Eumaun— Binsar 7000', S. & W. ; top of Liria Kaata Mt. about 8000', Hope 1861 ; Summit of Dhankuri Pass 10,600' and Phurki, Trotter 1891. Disteib.— Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim 12-13,000', Lachen, Sir L. D. Hooker. Ohina — Henry. Beddome meant, I think, P. cyrtolobam as having been collected in Garhwal by (Dr.) Stewart, as this statement is made with reference to the fern depicted in his Plate 204 in F.B.I., which seems to be P. cyrtolobum. Clarke wrongly referred to that Plate under his P. Stewartii. This species hardly grows so large as its congeners do, and it is a stiffer plant — subcoriaceous in texture : the fronds do not hang down, but stand up, or spread out, if growing on the face of a rock. The paler scales on the rhizome distinguish it. It seems a rare plant. As to the Simla Region, Blauford says : — " Very rare, and has found atbeen only one place near Simla, on rocks at an elevation of about 7400 feet." 34. P. ebenipes, Hook.; Syn. Fil. 365 ; C. R. 564 ; Pleopeltis ebenipes, Hook., Bedd. H. B. 363. Punjab: CJiamba— McDonell, fide Trotter; J. Marten 1898 ; Kullu 9-10,000', Trotter ; Simla Reg., on ridge eaBt of Simla 8-10,000'. T. T., Edgew., Bates, Blanford, Hope, Trotter, Bliss. N.-W. P. : L. L. List— Jaunsar— Harianta 8500', Gamble 1895 ; T. Garh. Nag Tiba Mt. 9000', Mackinnons ; under Bandarpunch 10-11,000', and Bok Mt. 9-10,000', Duthie ; B. Garh. 6-7000', on trees, Duthie, Mrs. Fisher ; Xumaun — Kalamundi 8700', S. & W., Dhankuri Pass 8-8500', Trotter, Kala Muni and Marjgalia Gor Ridgea 8-10,000', MacLeod. Disteib.— Asia : Tibet — Tatung, Hobson ; N. Ind. (Him.), Sikkim and Bhotan. Besides the broad, black, opaque, polished scales on the rhizome a marked distinction between P. ebenipes and its congeners is the much greater number of lobes, and consequently the longer frond ; the number of lobes seems to be 7-13 pairs. There are no fronds of ebenipes decurrent at base in Gamble's and my collections. Otherwise, Beddome's remarks as to the distinctions between members of this group seem good. Subgenus Pleopeltis, H. & B. 35. P. juglandifolium, Don ; Syn. FiJ. 368 ; C. R. 566. Pleopel- tis, Bedd. H. B. 308. Polypodium capitellatum, Wall. Cat. 306. Punjab : Simla Reg.— Simla, Lady Dalhousie 1831 ; Bisabir, Taklech 5000' Lace. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 97 N.-W. P. : B. B. Bist.— Landour 7000', Colonel Wilmer (comm. to Mackinnons 1878) ; Seal's Hill, E.of Landour, Hope 1887 and 1895 ; T. Garh.— between Ora and Ram- Sarai, Duthie's collr. 1879 ; between Betwari and Dangulla 5-6000' ; 7-8000', Duthie 1881 ; Kidarkanta ; Jodargadh Waterfaff and rocks near Suranu-ka-Ser 6000', Gam- ble 1898 ; B. Garh. 7-8000', Duthie 1885, and Mrs. Fisher ; Kumaun— Sarjn R. and Pass to Mohargiri, S. & W. 1848 ; Naini Tal 7000', on trees, Hope 1861 ; Goriganga Vy. 6-8000', MacLeod 1893. Distrib.— Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Nepal, Wallieh ; Sikkim and Bhotan ; Assam— Khasia 2000-5000', very common, Clarke ; Kohima— Jakhpo Mt. 7500', Clarke ; Mani- pur 7500'. Burma— Moulmein, China— Yunnan, Henry, Yunnan— Mengtez, Han- cocky " very rare.11 Perhaps the omission of localities for the type, from Beddome's Handbook, is due to a misprint. None of the specimens I have from N. and W. India are petiolate, and otherwise they seem quite normal. At Naini Tal I used to see this fern growing on trees. At Mussooree (Landour) it grows in dense masses on a steep bank, under scrub forest, the fronds hanging down gracefully. In Kumaun MacLeod found it growing in large overhanging masses on pre- cipitous rooks. I have a frond, Trotter's No. 959, 1891, from near Naini Tal, named by him P. jimalai/mse, Hk., which I now think is P. juglandi/olium var. biserialis of Clarke, which was got in Kumaun long ago, vide a specimen in the Kew Herbarium. The form B. P. tenuicauda, Hk., does not appear to have been got in N.-W. India. S6. P. Lehmanni, Mett. ; Syn. Fil. 369 ; C. R. 566. Pleopeltis, Bedd. H. B., 370. N.-W. P. : B. GarJiiodl— near Ramri 12,000', on rocks in forest, Duthie No. .5177, 1885 ; loc. ? P. W. Mackinnon ; Mrs. Fisher. Distrib. — Asia : N. Ind. (,Him.) Nepal, Wallieh ; Sikkim 4-8000', common, Clarke. Burma. China — Yunnan, Belaoay, Henry. Duthie's plant from British Garhwal is a remarkable sport. The specimen he gave me is one frond, with three inches of rhizome sending out side-shoots. The scales are typical. The stipes is 5| in. 1. — the frond 10 in. I, 8| in. br. : pinna? 5 pairs, sessile, lowest 4| in. 1., and next 3 puirs not much shorter : all, and the terminal pinna, have the veins irregu- larly prolonged, so that the lowest pair of pinnae are in places 3 in. br. : the pinnse are very opposite and very acuminate. There is a similar specimen in Kew, also from Dathie. No fertile fronds of this were found by Mr. Duthie. I have lately received from Mr. Gamble two fronds, quite typical, collected in British Garhwal by Mrs. Fisher, with pinna? very opposite and very acuminate. Mr. Mackinnon's specimens want rhizomes ; but I have other grounds for believing this species grows in Garhwal, for fronds of what I could only so name grew up from among a mass of rhizomes of — I forget what other species — which the Mackinnons brought from an inner range of the Himalaya, and had in cultivation at Mussooree, about 1881. 13 98 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XF, Genus 28. NOTHOCHLAENA, R. Br. 1. N. vellea, R. Br., Prod. 146 ; N. lanuginosa, Desv., Syn. Fil. 370, N. vellea, R. Br., Bedd. H. B. 375. Afghan. : Griffith, in Herb. Hort. Kew ; see also Baker in Ann. Bot. V.7 No. XVIII. Kashmir : fide Beddome in Handbook. Punjab : Chamba— Ravi Vy., below Pokri, 3500' and under : " also found In other places at 3500' or so," McDonell 1882; "Chamba"'1, 3000'. J. Marten 1897? Kangra Vy. Dist.— Lahaul,/^ Bedd. H. B., Pangi and Lahaul, 9-12,000', Dr. Watt,, in Herb. Hort. Kew. Distrib. — Eur. : Spain, Sardinia, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Crete. Asia : Syria } 8. Persia, Br. Stapf ; E. Persia, Bornmuller. Australia : temperate and tropical, Afr. : Macaronesian Isles, S. Morocco, J. B. Hooker, Algeria, Nubia. I think this fern was found in Chamba (or Kashmir) by Mr. Ellis before Mr. McDonell found it. Mr. McDonell did not know it, and sent it to Mr. Levinge, and to me — or Levinge sent it to me. Levinge marked it " Woodsia sp." ? I recognised it as N. lanuginosa from a coloured drawing in ' Britten's- European Ferns.' Mr. Marten has quite lately found it in the Chamba State. 2. N. Marantae, R. Br. ; Syn. Fil. 371 j O. R. 5G7 ; Bedd. H. B. 373. Kashmir : fide Clarke in 'Review.1 Punjab : Chamba— Ravi Vy., Thala 11,000', McDonell 1885 ; Kullu, summit of Jalori Pass 10,500', Trotter ; Simla Reg.— ridge E. of Simla 8000' to 10,200', Bates, Blanf ., Hope, Trotter, Lace, Bliss. N.-W. P. : B. B. BUt.— Jaunsar 9000', Rogers ; T. Garh.—lla° Tiba Mt. 9-10,000', Mackinnons ; Deota 8000', Gamble 1893 ; Balcha, Rogers ; Jamnotri 10-11,000', Dnthie 1884 ; B. Garh.— above Ramri 8-9000', Dombitia Gadh 9000', Kuari Pass 11-12,000', Duthie ; Kumawn—S. & W. ; Kali Vy. 9-10,000', Duthie and J. R. Reid, Pindar Gorge 8000', Trotter. Distrib.— Eur. : The Continent throughout the Mediterranean Region, extend- ing to the Tyrol and Hungary, and to Ardeche and Portugal : in Spain upon the mountains up to 3000'. Asia : Syria and Tauria ; Tibet — Yatung Hobson ; N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim— Lachen Vy. 9-15,000', Hook. Fil. ; Br. King's collr. 14,000'. Afr. : Macaronesia, Barbary States and Abyssinia. Genus 29. GYMNOGRAMME, Devo. Subgenus Leptogramme, /. Sm. 1. G. Totta, Schlecht ; Syn. Fil. 376 ; C. R. 567. Leptogramme Totta, Schlecht., Bedd. H. B. 377. Kashmir -.fide Clarke in 'Review.1 Ptjnja b : Chamba— Ravi Vy. 6000', McDonell ; Kullu— Outer Seoraj 7000', Trot- ter, 6-8000', Coventry ; Simla Reg.— The Chur (or Chor) Mt. Herschel ; Simla— Bliss 1886-90-92. N.-W. P. : B. B. Bist.— Jaunsar, Harianta 7000', Kathian 7500', Gamble ; T. Garh. — Chachpur Vy. 6000', Duthie ; P. VV. Mackinnon, very long ; Kumaun — T. T. ; Jagesar 6000', S. & W. ; Edgew., Hawalbagh, in Herb. Sahar. ; Davidson ; nea-r Devidhura 6000', Trotter. PLATE XXXT J.N.FiUvh del Chitra ■ il] GYMNO GRAMME i INGEI Baker. 1. Rhizome , naXural si: 2. Lower portion of fr on - ni I ural size. 3 . Portion of a pinna. ; enlarged 3 diam. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 99 Distrib.— Asia : N. Ind., Assam Griffith ; Khasia 3-5000', common, Clarke, S. Ind. — very common on west Bide, afc highest elevations, Beddome. Ceylon. Sumatra and Java. Japan. China. Korea. Afr.i Macaronesia ; Guinea Coast ; Fernando Po, and Kamerun Mts., G. Mann. Abyssinia. Cape Colony. Comoro Islands. 2. G. Levingii, Baker, ia Aanal. Bot., Vol. V., No. XVIIL, 216. G. miritayvar. Levingd, C. R. 568. Leptogramme aurita, var. Levingii, Clarke, Bedd. H. B. 379 ; Leptogramme Levingii, Bedd. Suppt. H. B. 99.— Plate XXXV. The following is Mr. Baker's description of the Plant : — " Rhizome slender, wide-creeping ; pales lanceolate, membranaceous. Stipe slender, naked 6 — 8 in. long, stramineous, with a brown base. Frond lanceo- late, or oblong-lanceolate, bipinnate, membranous, pubescent, 1' — 1} ft. long, 3 — 4 in. br. at the middle, narrowed to the base. Pinna, lanceolate, sessile, ^ — | in. broad, cut down to the rhachis into continuous erecto-patent, linear- oblong pinnules. Veinlets erecto-patent : upper simple, lower forked. Sori oblong or globose, placed nearer the margin than the midrib. West Himalayas ; Jhelum Valley, alt. 4000' ; Levinge. I follow Mr. C. W. Hope in treating this as a species." Mr. Clarke, in giving this fern as a variety of 6. aurita, Hook., said — " It has the texture and hairiness of G. Totta, but the rhizome and venation of G. aurita ; while the cutting is deeper than that of G. Totta, less auriculate than that of G. aurita." I will not attempt to check the various descriptions of the plant, for it might end in writing another, and there are already enough ; but I figure it, as that has not yet been done. Kashmir : Palgam 8000', C. B. Clarke. Gilgit But.— Dashkin 7500', Dr. Giles ; Jhelum and Chitapani Vys. 4-7000', Levinge 1875, Gulmarg 75-8000', Sind Vy. 7000', Trotter; Pir Punjal— Hirpur 7000', Sind Vy., Gund, 6000', Gammie ; Farikand Nala 6-7000', MacLeod—'* on the edge of the stream, not under shade. Does not grow away from water." Punjab : Haz&ra Z>^.— Kagan Vy., Inayat (Sahar. Herb, collr.) 1899 ; Chamba— above Alw&s, and Sach Vy. 8000', McDonell ; " Chamba," J. Marten 1898, Pangi 8500', Harsukh (Sarhar. Herb, collr.) 1899 ; Kullu, Trotter in List ; Simla Bist.— eastward from Simla a ridge, near Theog 8000', Kamalhori and Hattu Mts. 85-9400', Hope, Blanford, Bliss, Dr. Watt. Knnawar, T. T. 1847. N.-W. P. : B. B. Bist.— Jaunsar (or T. Garth.") : Collected on march from Mussooree to Chakrata, Mrs. J. Sladen, 1880; T. Garh.—Kag Tiba Mt., Mackinnons 1879; Ganges Vy., below Harsil and Derali 8-9000', Duthie 1881 ; Mandraoli 10—11000', Duthie 1883 ; Knmaun— between Gini and Munshiari 7-8000', Dhauli Vy. 9-10000', Duthie "Kumarm," J. R. Reid 1886. This fern varies a good deal in shape and cutting of frond. I had a frond 10 in. 1., but only 2£ in. br., and another (Hattu Mt., Bliss) which is 1&£ in. 1. by 7 1 in. br. The greatest width Baker gives is 4 inches, and Beddome— 100 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. 5|. The rhizome is very slender, and in general not thicker than the stipes. My observation bears out Blanford's and MacLeod's statements as to its love for water or wet ground. Blanford considered this a good species. Subgenus Eugymnogramme. 3. G. vestita, Hook. ; Syn. El. 379. Subgenus Syngrajoie, G. vestita, Hook. C. R. 568. Syngramme vestita, Wall. Cat. 12 (under Grammitis), Bedd. H. B. 386. Punjab : Hazdra Dist.— Black Mt. 6900', Trotter; Chamba— McDonell, 1885 or previously ; Mandi State— near Badwani 7000', Trotter 1887 ; Simla Beg. — Simla 55-7000', frequent ; eastward along riclge, to Kamalhori Mt. 8-9000', Bates, Gamble, Blanford, Hope, Bliss. N.-W. P. : D. D. Did.— Jaunsar, Lokandi 7000', Konain 7000', Gamble ; Lakkwa, Gammie, " Jaunsar " Mrs. Stansfield 1883 ; Mussooree 6500', Mackinnons 1878-79; T. Garh. Kidar Kanta Mt. Dr. Royle, and eastward from Landour, 7-7500', Levinge 1872 ; Deota 6000', Gamble ; Ganges and Juuina Vys. 7-9000 Duthie ; B. Garh. 6-7000', Duthie ; near Joshi Matt, Mackinnons ; Mrs. Fisher ; Kumaun, Wallich 1829 (R. Blink.) in many places— 55-8000', S. & W. ; Edgew., Hope, Davidson, Duthie, Trotter, MacLeod, 1861, to 1893. Disteib. — Asia : N. India (Him.) Bhotan. China, North and South. The rhizome is procumbent, slow growing. The pinnae in large specimens become bluntly auricled at base on the upper side, or on both sides— sub-sagittate. 4. G- Andersoni, Bedd., Ferns of British India, p. , t. 190 ; Syn. Fil. 380 ; 0. R. 568 ; G. Andersoni, Bedd. H. B. 382. N.-W. P. : T. Garh — Gumbar Pass 12-13,000', Duthie ; B. Garh.— near Kuari Pass 11-12 000', Dutbie ; Kumaun — Pindari 12,000', S. & W. (Woodsia mollis on ticket)' above Namik 11,000', No. S, 695, F. ; Sundadunga Vy. 13,000', Dr. Anderson; Kali Vy , above Garbyang 11-12,000', Duthie, Byans— above Chalek 11-13,000', and Palang Gadh 11,000', Dutnie. Nepal W. : Nampa Gadh 11-12,000', Duthie. Distrib.— Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim 14-16,000', Hook. Fil. " Woodsia lanosa, Hook., must be placed here as a synonym " : Baker in Ann. Bot., Vol. V., No. XVIII. 5. G. javanica, Bl. ; Syn. Fil. 381 ; C. R. 569. (Subgenus Syngramme.) Syngramme fraxima, Don (under Diplazium), Bedd. H. B. 386. Kashmir : Rattan Pir 75-8000', Trotter ; Dardpura and Audr'bug 6000', common, MacLeod. Punjab : Hazdra Dist.— Murree, Hope 1882, Trotter 1886 ; Cliamla State— Kalatop Forest, 6-7000' and upwards, MacDonell; 5-7000', J. Marten 1897 ; Kangra. Vy. Dist.— Dalhousie, C. B. Clarke; Simla Beg. — Simla and eastward along Thibet Road, 5-10,000', common in forest, Edgew, Madden, Hope, Gamble, Blanford, Trotter, Bliss. Giri Vy— Raiengarh Forest 7000', Gamble. N..W- P.: D.D. Dist.— Jaunsar, Mandali 8000', Gamble ; Mussooree 4-5000', several stations, Duthie, Mackinnons, Hope ; T. Garh. Srinagar, R. BL, Bok and Nag Tiba Mts. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 101 9-10,000', Mackinnons, Duthie ; Bambu Vy. G000', Gamble; B. Garh. Mrs. Fisher; Kwmaun— near KMti 7200'— 7800' (both forms) S. & W. ; near Naini Tal 45-6000', Hope, Konoor 7000', Davidson ; near Bugeswar 3500'; Dhankuri 9000', Trotter ; Sarju- ganga Vy. and elsewhere, 2-6000', MacLeod. Nepal, Wallick, Centr. Nepal, Scully. Distrib. — Asia : N. lad, (Him.)E. Nepal J. D. Hooker ; Sikkim and Bhotan ; Assam — Khasia Dist. 1-5000', common. Burma — Tenasserim. Ceylon— 5-6000'. Malay Penins. and Isles. Tonkin, Phillipines. China— Shensi, Giraldi ; Nau-T. Henry ; Yunnan, Delaray, Hancock ; Shing-King Prov., between Mukden and Kirin, James. Japan. Polynesia. Afr. : E. & W. Tropical ; Kamerun Mts., Fer- nando Po, St. Thomas . Madagascar. Beddome describes two forms — pinnate and bipinnate ; but plants of a form between these two are frequent, i.e., with perhaps only one pair of pinnae pinnate, and that irregularly so ; and there is also a tripinnate fern, as Blanford pointed out. The simpler forms generally grow at low levels, and bave large' broad, pinnte and the compound forms always at high altitudes, with small narrow pinnules. The number of pinnae varies greatly. Looking to the contrast wbich the low-level form — with stout stipes and rha- chis, and large, simple pinnae, or with only the lowest pair pinnate or partly so — presents with the high level form, bi- or tri-pinnate, with slender stipes and rhaohis, and with small, narrow pinnules, and also to the differences of margin I am not surprised that several species have been made out of this plant ; but I do not think this is necessary. Blanford says : — " Below 6000' it is bipinnate only as regards the lowest pair of pinnae and the pinnules are broad and large. Specimens from higher elevations have several pairs -of pinnae ao-ain pinnate, and the pinnules are smaller and narrower. It is often 3-pinnate." This is well expressed ; but the purely simply pinnate form is not mentioned. The venation varies : in some fronds the veinlets stop short of the margin and are thickened (clubbed) at the ends, the marginal teeth in that case being quite disconnected from the veins : in most cases the veinlets run into the teeth and quite to the margin. The anastomosis of veinlets of contiguous groups is as Beddome says, rare, and I have detected it in only 3 out of 25 fronds. The re-uniting or looping of forked veinlets within the same group is commoner. The veinlets get so close towards the margin that I wonder how in the simpler broad segment form, tbey keep separate. 6. G„ leptophylla, Desv. ; Syn. Fil. 383 ; Bedd. H. B. 382, and Suppt. 100. N.-W. P. : D. D. Dist. Mussooree, Dr. Bacon : in Herb. Sort. Kew ; Kvmaun— Colonel Davidson 1877, in Herb. Hort. Saharanpur : also in Herb. Hort. Kew. DiSTRts.— Amer. : Andes of Mexico and Ecuador ; Paraguay. Eur. : Jersey France ; Switzerland ; Spain and Portugal, Italy and Sicily, Corsica and other Medi- terranean Islands, Greece, Turkey. Asia : Persia. S. Ind.— W. Ghats, Ootacamund, 102 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. Mahableshwar, Sat&ra Fort walls. Ceylon— Trimen. Australasia— N. S. Wales, Tas- mania and N. Zealand. Aft. \ Macaronesia, Barbary States and Abyssinia ; Cape Colony and Madagascar. This species, and two others, are annual, and form the genus Annogramma of Link. {Syn. Fil.) Mr. Marquand, a well-known authority on Alga,, tells me that 0. leptophylla is in some years plentiful in Jersey, and sometimes com- paratively rare. Subgenus Selligdea, Bory. 7. G. involuta, Hook. ; Syn. Fil. 387 ; C. R. 570. Loxograrnme involuia, Don (under Grammitis), Bedd. H. B. 393. Punjab : Simla Reg. — Simla 5-6000', Lady Dalbousie, Hope, Blanford, Trotter, Bliss. N.-W.-P : B. B. But. — Mussooree and neighbourhood, in various places 47-6500', on trees, Edgew. Duthie, Mackinnons, Hope; T% Garli.-* • Phedi 4-5000', Duthie ; B. Garh. — below Kinoll 5000', Duthie ; Mrs. Fisher, Kumaun 4-8500', on trees and rocks: plentiful in some places, R. Blink., S. & W.,Hope, Davidson, Duthie, MacLeod Distrib. — Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Nepal Wallich, Sikkim and Bhotan ; Assam— Khasia Dist. 1-5000', very common, N. Manipur 5500', Clarke. S. India— 5-8000', Ceylon 5-8000. Malay PeninB. — Penang, Wallich 1822. China : Yunnan — Mengtez, Hancock, Henry ; Szechwan Faber. Philippines, Polynesia — Solomon Isles. 8. G. elliptica, Baker ; Syn. Fil. 389 ; C. R. 570. Selliguea elliptica, Thunb., Bedd. H. B. 392. N.-W. P. : B. B. Bist.— Sowarna Nadi, 4500', Mackinnons 1878-79, P. W. Mankin- non and Hope 1881 ; in the Dun— Nalota KhSla 2500', Hope 1881, 1889, and 1891 : station shown to A. Campbell, Trotter, and Gamble in 1891. Distrib. — Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim and Bhotan ; Assam — Khasia Dist., 2500'- 5000', very common, Kohima 45-6000', Clarke, N. Manipur 4500', Clarke. Burma — Tenasserim Prov. Malay Penins. Tonkin, Philippines, Japan. China. Formosa. Australia — Queensland. I think it is a mistake to put this species, as Baker and Beddome do — * * Fronds compound ; — there is always a wing, though sometimes nearly interrupted, to the main rhachis in even the longest and most developed fronds ; and Thun berg's name, elliptica, and Presl's — decurrens, seem to imply this. The fronds are as much a-pinnate as are those of the series of Polypodium (Phym. ) from oxylobum to ebenipes ; but the main veins or secondary rhachises are stouter than those of the Polypodiunis. Baker says — " Oldham gathered in Formosa a form with the fronds quite entire," and Clarke says he has an example, in full fruit, quite simple. I have some fronds, gathered in the Dehra Duu from young rhizomes, which are 2 — 3 in. 1., quite simple, but sterile, and I think this simplicity goes to prove that the plant has not pinnate fronds. A specimen of G. elliptica from the Dehra Dun has stipes 13^- in. 1., and frond 16x11 in. : it has 7 pairs of lobes, and a terminal. This fern, when dried, tinges paper pink, as does also Aspknium ensiforme. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA, 103 Genus 30. VITTARIA, Sm. Sub-genus T^entopsis, /. Sm. 1. V. lineata, Sw. ; Syn. Fil. 396. V. Jiexuosa, Fee, C. R. 574. V. lineata, Sw., Bedd. H. B. 407. Punjab : Kangra Vy. Dist., Mr. D. Macdougall, fide Trotter in printed List. N.-W. P. : D. D. Dist.— Vicary, in Herb. Hort. Sahar. ; T. or B. Garhwal 4-5000'? P. W. Mackinnon 1881 ; B. Garh. 7-8000', Duthie 1885 ; Kumaun— Sarju Vy. 4800', S. & W., above Gini 6-7000', near Sosa 9-10,000', in forest, on Abies dumosa, Duthie 1884 ; near Khati 7500', and above Loharkhet 8-8500', Trotter 1891 ; above Girgaon 9500', " common trees, " MacLeod 1893. Distrib.— Amer. : W. Indies and Florida to Peru and Brazil ; Brit. Guiana— Roraima. Asia : N. Ind. (Him.), Sikkim and Bhotan : "2-12,000', very common," Clarke ; Assam— Khasia Dist. 1-6000', very common ; Kachar ; Manipur, Watt. S. Ind. — on the Western Mts. 2-6000'. S. Andaman Island, Kurz. Ceylon, C. P., common. Malay Penins. and Islands. Tonkin— Balansa. China— Yunnan, Henry, Hancock ; Fokien Carter. Japan. Philippines. Bjrneo. New Guinea, Afr. : Kameruns. Guinea Coast, Ashanti. Centr. Afr.— Ruenzori, Zambesi Land, Natal, Cape Colony. Mascaren Islands. Sechelles. Tribe B. ACROSTICHE^. Genus 60. ACROSTICHUM, L. Sub-Genus Gymnoptebis, Beriih. 1. A. (Gym.) virens, Hook. ; Syn. Fil. 420. A crispatulum, Wall. Cat. 24, Clarke's Rev., p. 580, PI. lxxxiv, fig. 2, b, d.— " Barren pinnse numer- ous, often 20 or more, 4 by h in., slightly serrate, the midrib often reddish when dry, a series of costal arches, without included veins in any of the areola ; fertile pinnre 4 by | to £ in. " Round Bengal from Kumaun to Bhotan and Chittagong in the lower hills, alt. 0-3000', common. " The only very common species of the group called A. virens by Mr. Baker. Very constant in character, and easily recognised by the absence of free veins." N.-W. P. : Brit. Garh^ up to about 3000'; Bhainskil, near Parewa, Kotah Range,, coll. Inayat Khan (native collr. of Sahar. Herb.) 6-1902 ; Kumaun : R. Bl., 2 sheets in Herb. Hort. Kew. This species is the only Acrostichum that has hitherto been found in N.-W. Ind. Sub-Ord. III. OSMUNDACE.E. Genus 31. OSMUNDA, L. 1. O. Claytoniana, L. ; Syn. Fil. 426 ; C. R. 582 ; Bedd. H. B. 449. Kashmir : Gulmarg 95— 10,000', C. B. Clarke 1875, Levinge 1875, Trotter; 8-900G Duthie ; Sarpat Peak over 10,000' : " grows in regular fields, coming up through the melting snow." MacLeod. Punjab : Chamba, 8000' McDonell ; Kullu, 6-11,000' Trotter ; Simla Reg.—B\s&- hir, Chini, Vicary 1831, in Herb. Hort. Sahar. ; Bari 8000' Lace ; Hattu Mt. 10,000', Bates, Blanford, Hope, Bliss ; Sirmur Territory 9-10,000'. 104 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV, N. W. P. : B. B. Bist.— Jaunsar, Molta Forest, 4-5000', Gamble ; T. Garh. Deota 8000' and Bamsu 9000' Gamble ) Kidar Kanta Mt. and near it 10-12,000', Col. Bailey, R. E., and Duthie ; Nag Tiba Mt. 9000', Mackinnon's ;• Derali : Damdar Vy. 9-11,000', Dutbie ; Kumaun, Wallicb 1829, above Namik 8500', Ralam 12,000', S. & W. , ascent from Bamganga R., 8500', S. & W., Balani Vy. 11-12,000', Dutbie ; Pindar Gorge 9-10,000', Trotter; Gori Ganga Vy. 10-11,000', MacLeod. Disteib. — Amer. : Canada, Newfoundland, and throughout the United States. Asia : (Him.) Sikkim : Lachen 9000', J. B. Hook.; Bhotan Griffith, 6000', C. B . Clarke ; Assam— Khasi Hills, Griffith and T, Thorns. This fern grows much larger than is stated in the ' Synopsis,' namely, st. 1 ft., frond 1 — 2 ft. 1. I have gathered it in the Simla Region with fronds 4-J ft. long, exclusive of stipes. It unrolls its fertile fronds in May or June, and withers early. 2. O. regaliS, L. ; Syn. Fil. 427 , C. R. 583 ; Bedd. H. B. 450. Punjab : Chamba State — Bavi Vy. (Bhandal Vy.), 5000' and over, and Langera 6000', McDonell 1882, 7000' ; J. Marten 1897 ; Simla Reg.— Simla, below 6000', Blanford in List, 1888, " very rare, and now nearly extirpated by assiduous collectors.'" N.-W. P. : B. B. Bist.— Jaunsar, Molta Forest 4500', Dutbie, and Gamble, 1895. T. Garh,.— Kidarkanta Mt. 12,000', Herscbel 1879. B. Garh, 5-6000', P. W. Mackin- non 1881 ; Knmaun, T. T., S. & W. ("L. speciosa, Wall.11); Hawalbagh, in Herb. Hort. Sabar. " Asplenium 12 ; 25-6-49 '" on ticket; Gori Ganga Vy.— Banti 8500', MacLeod. Distrib. — Amer, : Canada and the Saskatchewan to Erazil (Bio Janeiro) Europe '. British Isles. Sweden and Russia to Spain, Italy and 'Turkey, Mingrelia, Szovitz ; Asia : Siberia ; N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim and Bhotan ; Assam — Khasia Dist. 4-6000', " common, or at least frequent11, Clarke ; Kobima— Jakpho Mt. 7000', Clarke ; Centr. Provs. : Pachmarhi, Buthie ; Bombay Presy. — Mts. of Malabaria (Clarke in • Bev.1 ), S. Inch, common on the W. Mts. at- the higher elevations. S. & W. China ; Hongkong. Japan. Afr. : Azores, Algeria, Tunis, Abyssinia, Angola ; Centr. Afr., Nyassa Land, Zambesi Land. Natal and Cape Colony. Mascaren Islands. Indian plants of this fern all seem to be small, — well within the dimensions given in the '■Synopsis,' and copied by Beddome, namely, st. tufted, 12 — 18 in. ]. fr. 2 — 4 ft. 1., 1 ft., or more, broad. It is well known that the European plant grows to much longer dimensions — up to 12 ft. in height. Baker says — " O.japonica, Th. {O. speciosa, Wall.) is a curious variety from Japan and the Himalayas, with the fertile and barren fronds often quite distinct, the former being developed the earliest, and soon disappearing Mr. McKen sends a similar form from Natal." And in the summary of New Ferns, 1891, Mr. Baker says — " O.japonica has been gathered in Angola by Mr. H. H. Johnston." Mr. Clarke says — " The common Khasi form is very small, 12 — 18 in. high ; the fertile and barren fronds quite separate : this is O. japonica, Thumb. ; 0. speciosa, Wall. But I have collected fronds of this barren below, fertile above." This seems to be the normal, if not the cnlyy form in Japan : I have not seen the rhizome of it. THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 105 In Chamba McDonell never got a fertile frond of 0. reyalis. In Jauusar and British Garhwal specimens the fertile and steri'e fronds are quite separate. Duthie and Gamble got both kinds of fronds on the same date, in May. Duthie's specimens from Pachmarhi, in the Central Provinces, India, and Gamble s from the Madras Presidency, are typical 0. regalis, but small. Sub-Ord. IV.— SCHIZ^ACLE. Genus 32. LYG ODIUM, Sw. Sub-genus Eulygodium, Veins free. 1. L. microphyllum, P. Br. ; L. scandm^ Sw., Syn. Fil. 437 ; C. E. 583 ; Bedd. H. B. 455. Trans.-Ind. States : B 'ur a id— Ziarat Vy , 5000', General (now Sir Wm.) Gatacre, 1895 : see " Ferns of the Chitral Relief Expeditiou^' Journ, Bot., Vol. XXXIV., No. 379, March 1896. Distrib. — Asia : N. E. Him., Bhotan, Nuttall ; Bengal Plain, rare — Cooch Bebar, Sylhet, Chittagoug, Clarke. S. Intl. — very common up to 3000'. CeyloD, abundant. Malay Penins. and Isles. S. China. Australia — Queensland. Afr. : Guinea Coast. The only material from the Trans-Indus States consists of a part of a frond with only sterile pinuas, the shape of which agrees with those of L. microphyl- lum, and they are unlike those of the other species of Lygodium which have been found in N.-W. India. Mr. Clarke considers L. microphyllum the best marked and least variable species of the genus. It has not before been found in N. India west of Bhotan, Assam, and the plain of N. Bengal. General Gatacre's plant was got in about N. Lat. 35°-25', and E. Long. 71°-50'. Mr. Gamble agrees with me in the identification of this specimen, and says it is an interesting problem in geographical distribution — how this and Pieris ludens (see supra Vol. XIII, No. 3, p, 457), got into the Chitral Region. 2. L. pinnatifldum, Sw. ; Syn. Fil. 438. L. flexuosum, Sw., C. R. 584 ; Bedd. II. B. 457. L. salicifoliwn (Presl), Prantl, quoted by Baker in Ann. Bot., Vol. V., No. XVIII. N.-W. P. : D. D. Dist.— Very common in scrub jungle and forest, 1-3000', Mackin- nons, Hope, Duthie, A. Campbell, and Gamble ; Kumaun — 2-5000', S. & W., Hope, Davidson, Duthie ; Sajahanpur JDist., near Indalpur, Duthie 1885 ; Gorakhpur List. — Ramgarh Forest, 6 miles from Gorakhpur, A. Campbell 1887. - Distrib.— Asia : N. E. Ind. (Him.) up to 5000' : Bengal— throughout the Plain, abundant. Clarke ; S. Ind., on both sides of the Madras Presy., common up to about 4000', Baddoim. Ceylon. Malaya. Philippines. N. Australia. Afr. : Angola, Guinea Coast. This fern is common in the Dehra Dun. The fronds from the same root twine together, and if there is a small tree within reach together twine round its trunk to a considerable height. I have measured a plant trailing on the ground, which was 12 ft. in length. The rhizome is small, erect or suberect : stipes approximate, wiry, covered at base with minute black-brown scales : naked above. 14 106 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV, 3. L. japonicum, Sw. ; Syn. Fil. 439 ; C. R. 584 ; Bedd. H. B. 457. Kashmir : fide Clarke in 'Review1 ; Poonch Yy. 3000', Winterbottoni , Jhelum Vy. near Domel, "in great profusion,'' MacLeod 1891 , Tawi Yy. 3500', Gainmie 1891. Punjab : Chatnba-—1Ra.\i Vy. 4000', McDonell ; Kungra Vy. List., Mr. D. Mac- Dougall, fide Trotter. N.-W. P. : JD. D. Dist.— Jaunsar, Tons Vy. 30W, Gamble ; The Dun— Vicary in Herb. Hort. Saharanpnr ; Duthie 1882 ; Johri, near Dehra, 2600', Hope 1889, 1891 ; T. Garh. 3000', Mackinnons 1879 ; Sahlra 7000', Tons Vy. 4000!, Gamble ; Ganges Vy. 4-5000', several stations, Duthie 1881-83 ; Jiumaun, near Banna 5500', 8. & W. ; 2-5000', many places; "19-7-49, Hydroglossum,"11 Herb. Hort. Sahar. ; Davidson, Duthie, Hope, Trotter, MacLeod. Distrib.— Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim and Bhotan 2-7000'. S. Ind.— W. Mts. rare, Beddome. Ceylon. Java. Philippines. China — Horgkong. Japan. NT- Australia. Clarke says this plaut differs very little, in his opinion, from L. fteniosum, and Beddome that it is probably only a form of L. Jiexuosum. Why not vice versd ? I see marked differences, and do not see the probability suggested. The rhizome is distinctly creeping, though perhaps slowly, and branching ; I have not seen L. pinnatifidum with that habit. [ ANGIOPTERIS evecta, Hoffm. In the Saharanpur Herbarium are two specimens of this, contributed by Dr. King, one of which is ticketed " Hindu Koh," and the other, from the Dalzel Herbarium, <: Lahore " ; but I think it best not to give this as a N.-W. Indian species. In the ' Synopsis ' is noted, under Angiopteris, Ptilodochea salici/olia, Presl., as " an entirely obscure plant, supposed to have been gathered in Lahore, said to be like Angiopteris, but without an involucre'." I do not understand Beddome's entiy — " Through- out the Indian region up to 7000' elevation." Clarke only says — " Round Beugal, alt. 0-7000', from Nepal to Bhotan and Chittagong."] 1. O. lUSitanicum, L. ; Syn. Fil. 445. O. mlgatwn, L„ far. Aitc/dsoni, C. B. Clarke in ' Review ' 586. Afghan. : Kurram Dist, " on the shingle plains, at an altitude of 5000' ; August", Dr. J. E. T. Aitchison, No. 454, 1880. Punjab : Rawalpindi and Hurroo Bridge 2400', Aitch. C. R., and in Herb. Hort. Sahar., 1882; Salt Range— Tilla Mt., and Rhotas, Aitch. 1872-74, in Herb. Hort. Sahar. Mr. Clarke's description of his 0. vulgatum, var. Aitchisoni, is : — " Rhizome elongate, bearing annually 4 — 10 fronds in succession, 2— 2j in. 1. by § — § in. br., oblong, texture stout." Distbib. — Europe : Guernsey : shores of the Mediterranean ; S. France — Pau, P. N. Fra*er. Mr. Clarke remarks : — " There is no othei Ophisoglosswn in the Herbarium " (Kew ?), '' nor any picture much like this : the rhizome appears to bear a THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 107 succession of fronds in one season : these are 1 — 2 fully developed, 1 — 2 young- ones emergent, and several withered lamina? on the rhizome." The rhizome is *' elongated " upwards, not horizontally. As I find this plant agrees with the figures given in Britten's ' European Ferns ' for 0. lusitanicwn, I place it under that species provisionally, though I was at one time minded to make a new species of it — 0. Aitehismi. U appears to me quite unlike 0. vulgatum. Mr. Clarke remarks : — " A. Braun, in Seuber, Fl. Azorica 17, describes an 0. polyphyllum ; but this has venose fronds, the whole plant only 1 — 2 in. high, and comes from Terceira, and is probably not near 0. Aitchisoni." A discussion regarding 0. Insitamcum, L., and 0. polyphyllum, A. Br., by H. C. Watson is to be found in " The Azores," by F. du Cane Godman, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c, and in manuscript " Notes on the plants contained in the collection made by M. Drouet in the Azores in 1857," sent to H. C. Watson by Boberfc Shuttleworth, Ph. D. of 17th July 1871, which Mr. Baker has shown mo, I find as follows : — " 89. Although no Ophiogloss'um is in Drouet 's collection, I have abundant speci- mens of the so-calkd 0. lusitanicum of the Azores. This has nothing really in common with the true 0. lusitanicum. I cousider it a distinct species from O. wig at urn (under two of the forms of which Milde quotes it) for it is appar- ently widely distributed— Silesia (Milde). I have it from Arabia and else- where ; and I have received it, or a similar species (which for the present, on account of an apparent midrib— false, probably — I have called 0. Reverchoni) from the neighbourhood of Briancon (Hautes Alpes) in good specimens, but as being very rare.'' 2. O. VUlgatum, L. ; Syn. Fil. 445 ; C. R. 568 ; Bedd. B. B. 464. Punjab : Chamba State — Kantli, 12 miles from Dalhousie 6500', McDonell 1882 ; Simla Reg— Hattu Mt. 8-9000', Dr. G. Watt 1885 (Blanford in List) ; Bagi (Hattu Mt. ?) 9100', Bliss 1891-92. N.-W. P. : D. D. Dist.— Jaunsar, Thadyar 7000', Rogers 1891, Bodyar 8000 Gamble 1894, Kathian 7000', Gamble 1895; Mussooree— ' The Park,1 above 6000', Mackinnons 1885, Hope — seen July 1892 — too late in the season — station shown to me by V. Mackinnon ; in the Dun— Kalanga Hill, near Dehra, 3000', Gamble 189-1. DiSTRlB.— iV. Amer. : Quebec and Ontario southward to Florida and California ; Kentucky, Tenessee, Texas and Arizona to Alaska. Europe : Lapland, British Isles and almost all other countries to Caucasia. Asia : N. Ind. (Him-) Sikkim 2-4000' Anderson, Clarke, Levinge ; Bengal — Chutia Nagpur, on Para-nath Mt. 2500' Clarke Nos. 33823 and 33826. Japan, Sandwich Islands, Australia, N. Zealand. Afr. : Azores, Abyssinia, Guinea Coast, Angola, St. Helena, Zambesi Land, Cape Colony, Mascaren Isles. I cannot make out the difference between O. vulgatum, L., and O. reticulatum, L., unless it be that the net-work of veins is fine all over the frond in the latter 108 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV, named species, and in the former five only near the margins, the meshes in the centre being long and narrow. Anyhow, I can see no difference between the N.-W. Indian specimens and those I have gathered in Scotland, except that one of Gamble's plants from Jaunsar and another of his from Kalanga Hill in the Dun, boih in my possession, have two fronds, one of them sterile. So also has a specimen collected by Dr. King, in the Teesta Valley, Sikkim, in 1876. B.ddome, in Suppfe. H. B., 1892, says he believes " all the Himalayan specimens are referable to rettcidatum ; I can see no difference in the venation." Why, then, does he favour 0. reticulatum ? Genus 34. BOTRYCH1UM, Sw. 1. B. lunaria, Sw. ; Syn. Fil. 447 ; C. R. 587 ; Bedd. H. B. 469. Afghan : Kurram Vy., Shend Toi "profuse ", 9-10,000', Aitch. 1879. Kashmir : West of Gulmarg, 9000', Aitch. Punjab : Simla Reg.— Hattu Mt. 8-9000', Ramalhori Mt. 9-10,000', Dr. G. Watt 3885, fide Blanford. N.-W. P. : T. Garhiuzl—Ba.g Tiba Mt. 9-10,000', W. Gollan 1881 : Damda Vy. 10-11,000', Dutbie 1883 ; K»maun above Tola 12,000', 8. & W. ; Garbyang 12,000', Duthie. Also — N.-W. India, Jamesou, fide Clarke in ' Review.1 Distrib. — N. Amer. ; Greenland, Newfoundland, Canada, British Columbia ; U. S. : New York, Lake Superior, Colorado. S. Amer. — Patagonia. Europe : Iceland, Arctic Russia, Livonia, Lithuania, and Caucasia ; British Isles ; Spain, Italy, Switzer- land and Mediterranean Isles. Asia : W. Thibet, Falconer : Karakoran Range, 12,600', Clarke ; N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim— Lachen 10-13,000', Ek. fil. Kamschatka, Japan. Australasia — S. Australia, Tasmania, N. Zealand. 2. B. ternatum (Thunb.) Sw. ; Syn. Fil. 448 ; Bedd. H. B. 110. Punjab : Chawta— McDonell ; Simla Reg.— Simla,, "a little below 7C00'," Blan- ford ; Summer Hill, Collett, Chadwick Falls 6000', Bliss, " The Waterfalls ,** Bliss ; Mashobra 75-8000', Bliss, Watt. N.-W. P. : D. D. List — Jaunsar, Bodyar, Mrs. Sladen 1880 ; Mnssooree, 10-7-45, in Herb. Hort. Sahar., under B. daucifolium ; ' The Park ', 6300', Mackinnons 1885 ; Kumaun — Naini Tal, Levinge : fide Bedd. in Suppt. H. B., Bhim Tal, W. Ainslie, in Herb. Levinge. Distkib.— N. Amer. : Nootka and Hudson's Bay Territory, Canada ; U. S. : New England, westward to California, Washington, and southward to Florida. 8. Amer. : New Grenada. Europe : Lapland, Spain (Pyrenees), Hungary. Asm ; Siberia, Kamschatka, Japan ; N. Ind. (Him.) Nepal, Wallich No. 49, Sikkim — Clarke, Levinge ; Centr. Ind- : Mt. Abu, Sir M. Grant Duff. Australasia — Tasmania, N. Zealand. Indian specimens of this form used always to be ticketed B. daucifolium, Wall. But I saw in Mr. Gamble's collection a specimen of Mr. Clarke's, got in Assam in 188G, No. 45827. named B. daucifoliiim, which seemed to me to be typical, and quite different from those others. About the same time Mr. Trotter tcld me that Mr. Bliss thought the Simla fern was not daucifoliiim, and on hear- ing that 1 also had doubted this, Mr. Bliss wrote — " I am very pleased to find THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. 109 that, at last, some one besides myself has discovered that our Mashobra (Simla) BotrycMum is not B. daucifolium." [Beddome, in his Handbook, gives B. daucifolium, Wall, as found " throughout the Indian region, up to 8000' elevation; " but the only specimen in the Kew Herbarium from the westward of Nepal so named is one marked Kumaun, R. Bl. 49, "an mera varietas, Wall. 48 ? " But No. 48 of Walliche's catalogue is B. lannginosum, Wall. The other habitats of B. daucifolium i, to which the specimens in the Kew Herbarium are referred, are Nepal, Winterbottom ; Sikkim ; Bhotan Griffith ; Nilgiris, Beddome and Clarke ; Anamalais, Beddome. Ceylon, Gardner. China — Yunnan, Henry. Japan. Samoa.] McDonell's specimen of fernatum from Chamba is curious ; it has two sterile segments at the base,' — the fertile branch starting 1^ in. up. A Mussooree speci- men I have from the Messrs. Mackinnon, shows the sterile and fertile branches on segments splitting from a common stipes at barely half an inch from the root stock, — the sterile one 7 in. I. by 7| in. broad, as mounted. The fertile branch baa a stipes 10| in. I., pj — ^ inch broad, as pressed ; frond over G in. 1. tripinnate. Mr. Ainslie's specimen from Kumaun, in the Levinge collection in Dublin, I noted as being very lax in hal.it : sterile branch l£f in. 1. from the point of separation : fertile branch 24 in. 1., much branching. In the same collection I noted a remarkable specimen collected by Mr. Levinge in Darjiling, alt. 7160', 12-10-1882, of which the fertile branch starts at 3 inches from the rhizome : the sterile spike (or the frond) then curves to the right (as mounted), and f in. higher up throws off to the left a fertile branch with a thick stipes, which 1& inches higher splits into two fertile, branching, segments of equal length. I believe Professor L. M. Underwood says that what I call B. ternalum is B. obliqmim, Muhl. 3. B. Virginianum, Sw. ; Syn. Fil. 448 ; C. E. 588, including 3. lanuginosum, Wall. ; Bedd. H. B. 471, including B. lanuginomm, Wall. Punjab : Hazdra Dist.-Ka.gin Vy. 8000', Inayat, collector from bort. Sahar. Nd. 20388 (Herb. Number) ; Chamba State— McDonell. N.-W. P. : T. Garh., Datum 7000', Gamble 1893, No. 24318 ; Murali 8000', Gamble 1894, 2-1886 ; Duthie 1898. Distrib. — N. Amer. : New Brunswick to Florida, and westward to Arizona and the Pacific Coast, fide Underwood. S. Amer. Ecuador and Brazil,— fide ' Synopsis\ Europe: from Norway to Austria. Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Sikkim— Rung-bee, King 1878 ; marked "abnormal form.1'' I give this species as new to India, because I have no distinct recollection of King's Sikkim specimen, ncttd above ; and, besides, that specimen has not been recorded. While I was at the Royal Herbarium, Kew, in 1888 or 1889, along 11 0 JO URNAL, BOMB A Y NA TDEA L HISTOR Y SOCIETY, Vol. XV. with Mr. McDonell, I detected the Chamba specimen in bis possession ; and since then a few other specimens have turned up. Instead of making this a variety of the common Indian fern, B. lanuginosum, Wall., I bow to authority, and give it as B. virgimanum, Sw., because the fertile segment of the frond separates just below the base of the sterile part, and the cutting is sharper than in B. lanuginosum, and the texture is not woolly. It is one of the rarest of Indian ferns. Now, in finally revising this article, and haviug had the advantage of studying well authenticated specimens of the American plant, I am all the more satis- fied that it is quite distinct from Wallich's B. lanvginosum ; but I am not so sure as I was that the above noted Indian specimens are the same as the American plant. More material is desirable. 4. B lanuginosum, Wall. Cat. 48. B. vfrginianum, Sw., &.,B. lanugi- nosum, Wall. Syn. Fil. 448 ; B. virginianum, Sw., C. E. 588 {B. lanuginosum, Wall., given as a synonym.) B. virginianum, L. (under Osmunda), var. B. lanuginosum, (sp.), Wall. Cat. 48, Bedd. H. B. 471. Punjab : Chamha State— McDonell, in List ; Simla Reg. — Simla : not uncommon, Hope, Blanford, Trotter, Bliss. N.-W. P. : D. D. Dist., Mussooree, in various places, 45-7000', Duthie, Mackin- nons, Hope, A. Campbell ; T. Garh. — Jumna Vy. 6-7000', Duthie near Sainjni, 5000', Gamble 1898 ; Kumaun : Wallich ; Gajur Pas?, Davidson : Naini Tal 6000', Hope 1861 ; Almora 5-5500', Madden, S. & W., 1848, Hope 1861 ; between Dandihath and Karela 5-6000', Duthie 1884 j 6-8000 ," common ", MacLeod 1893. Distrib. — Asia : N. Ind. (Him.) Nepal, Wallich ; Sikkim and Bhotan common, Clarke; Assam— Khasia Dist., 4-6000, very common, Clarke; Manipur 5500'. S. Ind.— at the higher elevations on the W. Mts. Ceylon — above Newera Elya, China — Yunnan and Hupeh Henry ; Yunnan Hancock. The distinctions between B. virginiammi and B. lanuginosum are thus stated by Beddome :— " In the typical American plant the fertile branch arises from the base of the sterile portion, and the latter is quite glabrous : in the Indian plant the fertile branch always springs from well above the base, and the sterile portion is more or less hairy." These two distinctions being, with rare exceptions, coincident, are corroborative evidence of permanent and, I should say, specific differences. I see a few soft hairs on some specimens of B. virgini- anum, but nothing amounting to wooliness, Clarke refers to Milde's monogram on Botrychntm, and to his Fil. Europe, 191-209, in which that author divides the genus into two main sections, viz., (1) Calls of the epidermis straight : (2) Cel's of the epidermis flexuose ; secondary pinnae of the lowest pair of pinnaa anadromous : and he (Clarke) says that the second section contains B. virginianum (the American type plant only) ; the first sectiou comprising, among other spacies, B. lanuginosum t Wall, which Milde and Prautl both hold to be a good species, THE FERNS OF NORTH-WESTERN INDIA. Ill one character being the catadromous secondary pinnse at base of a sterile segment. Clarke finds that all the Indian material he has seen seems one species, with straight epidermis cells ; but he can make very little of the ana- cata-dromous distinction. Milde finds both sets of plants in the Himalaya, and reckons them very distinct species. After examining all the specimens of B. lanuginosum in Gamble's and my collections, I find that a decided majority is catadromous , but one specimen is anadromous on one side, and has pinnules exactly opposite each other on the other side. I think with Clarke that this distinction may be disregarded,— the more so that it is not needed. B. lanuginosum varies very much in size, cutting, r.nd habit. I have a specimen from a little below Naini Tal with stipes 4 in. and frond 5 in. 1. by 6 in. bi\, and another from the hill north of Almora, grown in open pasture- mounted on two sheets, though minus the upper third— the lower pinnas of which are 10—11 in. I by 0—9 in. br., as mounted. The next higher pair of pinnse are 7| and 9 in. 1. by 3-*- in. br. The fertile spike is about 8 in. I. with lowest pinnae 3| in. L, tripinnate like the rest of the frond. A large frond, also from Kumaun, Davidson, is much more compound, and may almost be said to be quinquepinnate. I look upon the sterile part of the plant, taken together with the stipes, as the frond, and would not talk of it as a segment. It is a regularly pinnate frond, and the fertile spike is an extra branch or pinna, which does not interfere with the symmetry of the frond in other respects. I am confirmed in this view of the structure of the plant by finding in Gamble's collection a specimen from Ootacamund, in the Nilgiris, which, besides the usual fertile pinna (in this case as in all Mr. Gamble's Nilgiri specimens, taking off above the second lowest pair of the frond ), has a small fertile pinnule on one of the lower pair of pinnae taking off above the lowest pair of secondary pinnae or pinnules. Another curious specimen in Gamble's collection from Mysore 5000', "coll. W. A. Talbot," No. 3087, 1893, has two fronds springing together from the same root, about equal in size, and perfectly normal, each with its fertile spike. My large specimen from near Almora has some sori on the sterile pinnae, one cluster of six on the fourth pinna from the base, and several others here and there. I think a similar case was mentioned lately in the Journal of Botany with regard to another species of Botrychium. B. lanuginosum has a thick rhizome and thick, fleshy roots, and is a terres- trial fern ; but, like various other plants of the Himalayan forests, it is some- times found growing in the clefts of branches of trees, sometimes high up. I have two specimens from Assam which are quite glabrous. /vv^ 112 SNAKE-BITES AND POISONOUS FISHES. By P. W. Bassett-Smith, m.r.c.s., r.n. (Re-printed from Vol. XI. of the Encyclopedia Medica.) From very early times there has been a common belief that certain people had a peculiar power of freely handling venomous snakes, and that a measure of resistance to the poison was acquired. Some of these " snake men " are Dot only described in old records as being immune to the poison, but also as having a remarkable influence over the snakes themselves ; it was popularly supposed that snake blood flowed in their veins. In present times it is well-known that some men exhibiting snakes in India frequently rub in small quantities of the venom on the back of one hand with the other, a small part being probably absorbed. In South Africa the Hot- tentots are said to eat the heads of poison snakes when killed. Serpents were very generally worshipped by ancient man ; their great beauty, grace of movement, and frightful power of causing rapid death by injecting venom, or by crushing, appealed strongly to the superstitions of the people, who either associated them with death or wisdom. This serpent worship was almost universal, and is nowhere more prevalent than in India, where even in the present day the cobra is held in very great veneration, and it is never willingly killed by the Hindoos. In pre-Buddhist times, that is, about 600 B.C.. the gods were represented with a canopy of five or seven cobras over them (Naja figures), and in the old cave temples very beautiful relics still remain showing these. In Southern India a single cobra is frequently represented alone. It is also one of the symbols of Shiva now. In Egypt the old papyrus records show that snakes were divided into two classes ; one, generally the cobra, being associated with divinity and sym- bolising wisdom ; the second representing the malign influences and death, depicted as the serpent " Apep," the emblem of darkness, and the enemy of "Ka" the sun. In China these beliefs take a more practical form, the concretions, etc., of snakes finding a prominent place as therapeutic remedies. Traditions of the same kind have been passed down from mediasval days to witches, etc., — vide " Macbeth. " Many curious powers are attributed to snakes beyond the mesmeric influ- ence they exert over their victims before springing upon them. Thus a " krait " or species of Bungarus found in Scinde is called by the natives there " pyan " or drinker. This snake is said to suck in a man's breath when he sleeps, the result being that he dies at sunrise, with a swollen face, but no mark of a bite on him. No one will sleep on the ground for fear of the " pyan " in this district. The natives, however, admit that it can bite, but rarely does. Venomous snakes are divided into two main classes — (1) Colubrine, (2) Viperine. SNAItE-BlTES AND POISONOUS FISHES, 113 The Colubrine again into (1) Elapida3, or land snakes. (2) Hydrophidoa, or sea snakes. The Elapidfe include — (1) Naja, or Cobras found in India, China and N. Africa. (2) Ophiophagus, or Hamadryads, found in India and East Indies. (3) Bungarus, or " Krait," of India. (4) Hoplocephalus, or Tiger snakes, etc., found in Australia. (5) Pseudechis, or Black snake, found in Australia. (6) Acanthophis, or " Death adder," found in S. Africa and Australia. (7) Elaps, or " Coral snake," found in West Indies and Brazil. The Hydrophidse include — (1) Hydrophis, (2) Enhydrina, (3) Pelamis, (_4) Platurus, (5) A'tpysurus. The poisonous Viperine snakes are divided into — (1) Viperidae, or true vipers. (2) Crotalidse, or pit vipers. The most important of the former are — (1) Daboia, or " Tic-polonga,'' " Russel's viper," of India and Ceylon, (2) Echis, or " Fursa," of Northern India. (3) Cerastes, or "Horned viper," of Egypt. (4) Pelias, or " Common adder," of Europe. Of the latter — (1) Crotalus, or " Rattlesnake," of America. (2) Bothrops, or " Fer de Lance," of W. Indies. (3) Halys, of India. Geographical Distribution. — Poisonous snakes are found in all tropical areas, except certain oceanic islands, and in most temperate ones, New Zea- land being a marked exception. Each region has, however, distinctive characters. In Asia and Africa the cobras, hamadryads, kraits, and true vipers are most abundant. In America the Crotalidse. In Australia the pit vipers are not at all represented. Krafft states that twenty-one innocuous and forty-two venomous snakes occur there, but of the latter only five are dangerous to man ; these include Hoplocephalus, Pseudechis, and Acanthophis. la South Africa, chiefly the Acanthophis, or Death adder. In the West Indies, Elaps and Bothrops. The Mortality from snake-bite in India is very high, being even now put down as about 20,000 annually, equal to about 1 to 10,000 of the population. In Australia the death-rate proportionately is considerably less— probably, as Martin states, due to the people having a much better knowledge of what to do. The most deadly snakes in India, according to Fayrer, being in order of severity of action — (1) Cobra, (2) Kraits, (3) Daboia, (4) Echis, 15 114 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV' In Australia HonlocephaJus curtus, H. superbus, and Pseudechis are the "worst. The sea snakes rarely attack man, though so common in Australia and waters of the Far East. Anatomical Characters. — The " true vipers " are distinguished by their triangular-shaped head and constricted neck ; the scales on the head are generally small, the loreals (scales between the nasal and anterior ocular) are almost always wanting. The pupil is vertical ; the fangs are tubular, large ; reserve teeth being present, but no others are found on the short maxillary bones ; the tail is rapidly attenuated. The " pit vipers " have triangular heads, but with large scutes on the top ; otherwise as in the true vipers, the poison faDgs are very large, the maxillary bones are small and very movable, and the tail ends in a rattle or hard spine. The poisonous Colubrine have smaller heads of regular shape ; the scutes t>n the top are generally well-marked and regular ; the " loreals " are usually absent ; the maxillary bones are longer, less movable, and the fangs smaller than in the vipers, and they are grooved along the anterior border and not tubular. The pupil of the eye is generally round, and the tail gradually tapers to a point. The Hi/drophidae, or sea snakes, have small heads, with the nostrils on the upper surface. The anterior frontal scutes and loreals are absent, the pupils are round, the ventral shields are usually absent, and the tail is flattened from side to side, the tongue is short, and the poison fangs are small and grooved. The great distinction between non-venomous and poisonous snakes is that the former possess two complete rows of small ungrooved teeth on either side of the upper jaw, the outer row, twenty to twenty-four in number, being attached to the maxillary bones, the inner to the palatine ; when they bite, they leave characteristic marks. In poisonous snakes the outer row is represented by one or more tubular or grooved fangs, firmly ankylosed to the maxillary bone, which is freely movable; this mobility allows the erection and depression of the fangs. The anterior is always the largest, the others, if present, being reserve teeth. "When these snakes bite, they leave usually two punctures only. The Venom is secreted by a compound racemose gland, which Gunther describes as being homologous with the parotid glands of mammals, having large alveoli which act as receptacles for the fluid ; these glands are placed behind the orbit above the angle of the mouth ; they are invested with a dense fibrous sheath, being also covered by the masseter muscles. The excr3tory duct passes forwards, opening into the base of the sheath of mucous membrane covering the fang, being heie bent at an acute angle, so as to face the front border of the tooth, thus allowing the fluid to flow freely down the tube or groove as the case may be. When the snake opens its mouth to bite, the muscles act on the maxillary bones and erect the fangs ; as the jaw closes on the part bitten, the masseter and pterygoids compiess SNAKE-BITES AND POISONOUS FISHES. 115 the poison glands so that the venom is forced down the duct into the tooth and injected into the wound. The firmer the hold obtained, the greater the quantity of venom injected, and the greater the danger. Non-poisonous snakes also have rudiments of this gland, which secretes » poison not in sufficient quantities to be harmful, but sufficient to render them resistant to the toxic effects of other poisonous snakes when bitten. (Fraser.) In 1890 Prof, Fraser asserted that the serum of poisonous snakes possesses antitoxic powers, and presumes, that this was acquired by the snake swallowing its own venom. Cunningham later disproved this, showing that the natural immunity of the snake is quite distinct from the artificial immunity, which is established in other animals as the result of continued cumulative treatment by cobra venom, and that it is unconnected with any material of the nature of an antitoxin. He found that cobra serum had no antidotal effect on Daboia venom ; he does not therefore believe that the immunity of snakes is due to the swallowing of their own venom. The fact, however, remains, that most reptiles and amphibians possess a high degree of resistance as a natural property, quite independent of any process of self-prctection. One of Cunningham's snakes readily resisted an amount of cobra venom enough to kill one hundred fowls, yet its serum had no protective power ; its blood indeed was highly toxic for one week after, enough to rapidly kill a fowl when injected. The immunity of snakes to venom of other and the same species is not absolute though general, for I have seen a Daboia russelli in captivity attack a second in the same cage, which was found dead soon after. Also any one who has seen a fight between a hamadryad and a rat snake " Dhamin '' of equal or larger size will remember the gradual poisoning of the latter, which nevertheless meanwhile inflicts much local injury on the less powerfully toothed but successful adversary. A species of Bungarus or " krait " of Scinde will kill and swallow the very venomous " f ursa " or Echis carinata. Cunningham further believes that the degrees of susceptibility to some extent run parallel with the respiratory acquirements, the slow-breath- ing, hybernating reptiles and lizards having the greatest resisting power. The mongoose is remarkably resistant to cobra poison, requiring from 10 to. 25 times as much venom per kilo as a rabbit to produce lethal effects. Elliot believes that the success of this animal fighting cobras depends on (1) its great agility, (2) its habit of " setting up " its fur, thus deluding the snake as to the vulnerable part. Its immunity is due to the habit it has of seizing the snake by the head, and often by so doing incising the gland with its sharp teeth, causing the venom to escape and be swallowed by the mongoose ; this would also reduce the possible amount to be injected down the fang. Then there is the inoculation of minute quantities of venom from repeated, but ineffectual, scratch -bites. In these ways a partial immunity, which is hereditary, is established, becoming lost in time if the animals be removed: to countries where cobras do not exist. 116 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. Other creatures are slightly immune, as pigs and guinea-fowl ; the latter, according to Calmette, being to a slight degree protected by having large air sacs. It has lately been shown by Calmette and others that the resisting power to venom becomes greater the larger the animal ; thus it takes a much smaller dose of venom proportionally, volume for volume, to kill a vabbit than a dog, man being even more resisting. Venom is obtained pure from the different poisonous snakes by either making them discharge the fluid direct into a watch-glass, this being assisted out by gentle pressure applied to the poison glands, the snake being held in the hand with its head directed away from the operator as described by Calmette ; or the venom may bd obtained by causing the snake to bite at a wafch-glass covered with gutta-percha, the fluid collecting on the under side. The venom should be taken from a fasting snake esrery two weeks or so. From a good-sized cobra about 2-3 c.cm. is the average quantity obtained by Calmette, after which he generally artificially feeds the snake. The venom thus collected has much the same appearance in all snakes — a limpid fluid of yellowish colour ; from the cobra it is a faint yellow, that of the hamadryad being a golden yellow ; it has a slightly acid reaction and an average specific gravity of 10'50 ; a bitter taste is said to be present in the venom of the cobra, but not in that of the Daboia. When the venom is placed under the microscope, nothing should be seen except a few epithelial cells and perhaps some contaminating bacteria. When kept moist, it gra- dually becomes more acid and decomposes, forming a coagulum, the fluid remaining poisonous. Venom, when dried at a moderate temperature, 20° C., forms reddish- yellow or brownish-yellow crystalline scales, or it becomes agglutinated into little masses like gum-arabic. When thus dried and kept in the dark, it retains its toxic powers indefinitely. The dried residue equals in weight about 20-30 per cent, that of the moist venom. If the venom be heated at once after collecting to a temperature of 100° C., its toxic effect becomes impaired, and also if it be exposed to light. The poisonous properties of all venoms depend upon the presence of at least two distinct toxic proteids. These protrids are similar to other albu- moses produced fiom albumens, which may have been obtained by (1) Boiling under high pressure. (2) Gastric and pancreatic digestion through the agency of a ferment. (3) The direct vital activity of cells. (4) By certain micro-organisms, as Bacillus diphtherix, B. tuberculosis, and B. anthracis ; by means of a ferment in the case of diphtheria, but by the direct action of the other two. The proteids of venom are elaborated by a process of dehydration of albu- men, without the action of any ferment by the epithelial cells of the poison glands, the ultimate product stopping short at the albumenose stage, not proceeding to the production of peptones as occurs in all the before-men- SNAKE-BITES AND POISONOUS FISHES. 117 tioned, except the toxin produced by diphtheria. (Sidney Martin.) In all cases, however, these albumoses, though differing greatly in intensity of action, yet when gaining access to the blood produce certain toxic effects; hence the antitoxic principle which now underlies the treatment of snake- bite, etc. The poisonous properties of peptone are becoming much more recognized through the work of Prof. Wright and others ; it is an important fact to deal with in the preparation of antitoxic and prophylactic serums. It has been shown by Martin and Gavan Smith that when dried venom is heated, it separates out into an albumen coagulated by heat, 70°-80° 0., and a filtrate non-coagulable at any temperature, its action being, however, destroyed by boiling. It has been further shown by Calmette that the albumen thus coagulated out has little toxic power, but that the filtrate, when dialysed out in a current of sterile water for twenty-four hours, gives a solution which, on being dried in vacuo, forms a brownish amorphous powder forty times more toxic than ordinary venom. The amount of the coagulable and non-coagulable proteids varies in amount and proportion in different classes of snakes ; thus in the Colubrine there is a large amount of non-coagulable poison, in the Viperine there is a very con- siderable quantity of the coagulable ; on this difference depends to a large extent the variation of the symptoms produced by individual snakes. This is nevertheless only one of degree, as the toxic effects of the non-coagulable poison are veiy much the same in all, acting principally on the nerve centres, producing death by paralysing the respiratory centre in the medulla. The coagulable proteid acts chiefly on the blood-vessels and heart, being a powerful local irritant. Cobra poison, which, as before stated, is rich in the non-coagulable pro- teid, kills by producing asphyxia, the heart beating after respiration has stopped ; hence the use of artificial respiration in the treatment. Rattlesnake venom is rich in the coagulable proteid, producing disastrous effects on the blood-vessels and heart. Australian snakes show a good deal of both, and have an intermediate action. Sir Joseph Fayrer found that cobra venom killed without destroying the coagulabdity of the blood, whilst Daboia (viper) poison caused complete and permanent fluidity, the blood of the animals so killed being excessively toxic. Cobra poison produces little change in the pupil, Daboia widely dilates ; salivation is a constant symptom of the former, rare in the latter. When experimenting with venoms, Calmette and others at Lille use only the non-coagulable proteid, by which means they get rid of the intense local reaction of the second proteid, and as the chief toxic properties are in the former, the physiological effects of the venom are better thus watched. He also at once mixes up the venoms of all his snakes, from the sum total of which he obtains his dried toxin for experimental purposes. 118 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. It has been found that the non-coagulable filtrate of all venomous snakes, •whether Viperine or Colubrine, has, when injected, the same characters and gives rise to the same symptoms. The rapidity of the onset and the severity of the case depends on whether the virus is injected direct into a vein or into the subcutaneous tissue. It is rarely absorbed by healthy mucous membranes, but Fayrer is strongly adverse to the practice of sucking cobra bites. Also recently ejected venom acts as a powerful local irritant when applied to the conjunctiva, and may be absorbed. The question of absorption and the neutralisation of venom by the various secretions of the body is of great interest, having been specially studied by Prof. Fraser and Capt. Elliot, I.M.S. Martin states that gastric digestion does not affect cobra or Pseudechis venom. Mitchell says it does that of the rattlesnake. Fraser found that snake venom introduced by the mouth was not followed by any bad results. This was either due to non-absorption, or the chemical changes produced there by the gastric secretions. The latter was disproved by finding that after removal it still retained poisonous properties when injected into the blood. He next found that by mixing bile with the venom it was rendered innocuous. Elliot has since, by experiments on dogs, proved that after diverting the bile completely, venom given by the mouth was still innocuous, but that if introduced into the small gut, it was rapidly absorbed through an unbroken epithelial surface, causing death. Ee concludes (1) That cobra poison can be absorbed through the mucous membrane of the small gut, though not so readily as when injected in the subcutaneous tissues. (2) That some change is induced in the swallowed cobra venom before it reaches a rapidly absorbing surface. (3) That though bile is powerfully antidotal, as proved by Fraser, yet it is not the only protective agent. (4) That tripsin is very powerful in reducing the lethal properties of cobra venom. Martin states that all venoms are destroyed by pancreatic digestion. The result of all venoms is at first to produce a rapid fall in the blood pressure, during which the animal may die ; if not, the blood pressure again rises, going above normal, as occurs after the injection of toxic peptones. In cobra poisoning the blood pressure may remain high until the time of death, even during the asphyxial period ; if artificial respiration is then efficiently carried out, convulsions are prevented and life may be saved. Lauder Brunton and Fayrer concluded that, besides paralysing the reflex activity of the cord, the poison acts on the nerve endings in the muscles like " curare. " In the poisoning by vipers and Australian snakes, the dyspnoea and fall of the blood pressure occur together ; but though pro- ducing the same paralysis of the reflexes of the cord, they do not especially select the respiratory centre. In these cases, therefore, artificial respiration is usually of little avail. SNAKE-BITES AND POISONOUS FISHES. 119 The action of venom on the blood has been shown by Martin and Halford to cause a rapid destruction of the red corpuscles, the leucocytes beicg relatively increased in numbers, these very quickly degenerating, their vital activity being destroyed. Martin placed two small pieces of sponge antiseptically in the abdominal wall of a guinea-pig, one having been soaked in a neutral saline solution containing 1 per cent, of venom, the other in the solution free from venom ; oedema occurred around the sponge containing the venom. After five hours the animal was killed. Both sponges were withdrawn, hardened, and sections made from them. In the first, healthy leucocytes were only found at the periphery, broken down ones filling the in- terior ; in the second, the whole was permeated with healthy phagocytes. Calmette, from his experiments, finds that the venom does not act directly on the nerve-cells of the brain, but on the leucocytes, and that it is carried by them to the bulbo-medullary centre. The rapidity with which venom acts depends on (1) The quantity injected. (2) The rapidity of absorption. (3) The condition of the snake at the time of the bite. (4) The susceptibility of the animal ; the personal factor, as pointed out by Elliot, being very important. A minimum lethal dose always takes a considerable time to produce its results, and, as the amount injected is generally small, there is frequently time to apply remedial measures. Calmette gives the toxicity of venoms according to their virulence, based on the number of grammes of an animal killed by one gramme of poison, as Cobra, 4,000,000. Hoplocephalus, 3,450,000 (4,000,000 Martin). Pseudechis, 800,000(2,000,000 „ ). Common Viper, 280,000. Sir J. Fayrer believes that a full dose of venom from a cobra, hamadryad, krait, or Daboia is necessarily fatal. It is only in cases where an amount little above the minimum lethal dose has been injected that remedial measures are of any use. The effects of Heat and Chemical Agents. — A temperature of 100° C., if prolonged, will modify or destroy any snake venom, even after the removal of the coagulable proteid. A 10 per cent. sol. of caustic potash or soda, after being in contact five or ten minutes, diminishes the poisonous properties of the virus. A 1 per cent. sol. of pot. permang. destroys one part of venom when in contact, but its action is unreliable. Hypochlorite of lime, 1 in 60 of water freshly made up, destroys the venoms completely, as also does 1 per cent, of chloride of gold. The latter two are the only ones recommended by Calmette, and are generally accepted now as being the best 120 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vbl. XV* Symptoms. — These are very varied according to the character of the snake and the amount of venom introduced, but depending greatly upon the presence or absence of the coagulable proteid. Cobra. — If the amount injected be very large, death may follow very rapidly as if from shock — due to paralysis of the cardiac ganglia. When introduced in smaller quantity, and slowly absorbed, it produces some local redness and oedema, with progressive weakness and general paralysis, but showing a great preference for certain centres, particularly those governing the tongue, lips, and larynx, causing inability to swallow and profuse salivation ; respiration is rapidly extinguished with or without convulsions, and finally the heart stops, the pupil is contracted but reacts to light, the urine is never albuminous. If the symptoms pass off, complete recovery is rapid. When the poison is injected in a maximum lethal dose, stimulation of the centre produces violent convulsions, especially respiratory spasms, followed by general paralysis and rapid death. European Viper.— Very quickly after the bite there will be local pain and swelling of the part, with general prostration, feeble pulse, perhaps passing into a condition of semi-coma or delirium, with slight convulsions. Recovery is generally rapid, though local suppurations not infrequently follow. Daboia and Indian Vipers. — In these there is marked local inflammation at the seat of the bite, with swelling of the limb, great pain and haemorrhages, Violent convulsions soon set in, but not necessarily followed by general paralysis and death. The paralysis does not especially select out the respiratory organs as in the case of cobra poisoning. The breathing has a peculiar irregular character, being at first quickened, then slowed. Hemor- rhages from the mucous membrane are common, hematuria and albumi- nuria being almost always present. The pupils are generally dilated and insensitive to light. Rattlesnake. — The symptoms following the bite of one of these snakes are much like those produced after a bite from the Indian vipers, except that the local symptoms are more marked, general symptoms of blood poisoning being after a short time evident. Recovery from an almost hopeless condition is sometimes extraordinarily rapid. Australian Snakes. — In these, according to Martin, local pain and swelling of the part bitten is not generally severe. The constitutional symptoms come on from a quarter to half an hour after the bite, with faintness, drowsiness, and prostration, the pulse gets thready, respiration becomes Blow, hemorrhages and albuminuria are generally present, the comatose very condition gets deeper and deeper, respiration stopping, then the heart. Sea Snakes. — Although all these are poisonous, they rarely attack man, I have seen scores taken by careless sailors on the north-west coast of Australia, etc., without any bad results. Several instances of fatal bites have been recorded, one having caused death in 1^ hour. SNAKE-BITES AND POISONOUS FJSHES. 121 The most fatal period after all bites appears to be between two and three hours ; more than 25 per cent, die between one and three hours. Treatment. — When a person has been bitten by any snake supposed to be venomous, the first and very important measure is to prevent the entrance of the virus into the general circulation. As the part bitten is generally one of the extremities, this may often be done by applying a tight ligature at once between the part bitten and the trunk ; the second point is to re- move or counteract the virus as soon as possible, suck the wound to extract the poison, cut the part out or cauterise freely, then wash the wound well with hypochlorite of lime==800 parts of chlorine to one of lime, or inject 8-10 cm. of the same in the track of the bite ; this destroys the venom in. situ, neutralising that not yet absorbed, or a solution of chloride of gold would act equally as well. Inject 10 to 20 c.c. of antivenine if obtainable into the subcutaneous tissue of the flank, or if general infection is marked give it intravenously ; after this has been done the ligature may be removed. One should also promote warmth, stimulate the circulation, and carry on artificial respiration if neces- sary. If no antivenine is to be had, give stimulants freely. Half the number of fatal cases are stated to die from fear, not having the heart at the time to apply any remedial measures (Krefft). Serum Therapy. The analogy between certain toxins produced by pathogenic micro- organisms, as diphtheria, tetanus, etc., and the products of snake venom, together with the effects that they produce on most mammals, led to the belief that some antitoxin might be prepared for the latter, which would give protection against the virus. In spite of the opinion of Sir J. Fayrer and others that any idea of finding a physiological antidote was Utopian, it has to a great extent been actually accomplished : the preparation and dispersion of a most valuable antitoxin is now being carried on in large quantities by Professor Calmette- of Lille and his assistants. There is also to be a special laboratory, under the care of Major Semple, to supply this antivenine on the spot for the use of India. * History. — Sewall in 1886 experimented on pigeons. By very gradual and repeated injections of rattlesnake poison, he produced in them very marked resisting powers to that poison. Cunningham, by experiments at Calcutta, found that though a fowl may be immunised against cobra bite by repeated injections of the virus, yet that it was not then protected from Daboia poison and vice versa, in contradistinction to the statements of Calmette and Fraser, that an animal immunised to cobra poison was also immune from all other snake venoms — a doctrine quite con- trary to Behring's law, " that the action of an immunising serum is specific." Phisatrix, Bertrand, and Calmette advanced knowledge a step further. Experimenting with rabbits and the venom of vipers, cobras, etc., they found that not only were they able to immunise the animal itself, but they also 1 This laboratory is now in active existence. 16 122 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. found that the serum of these animals had distinct antitoxic powers if administered within an hour of the injection of the venom, causing what would have been a lethal dose to be less so or non-effective. Professor Fraser in 1895 administered large doses of cobra venom into the stomach of a cat, producing no poisonous effects on it ; but the cat -was found to be immune to the poison when given hypodermically, and that its blood serum had antitoxic properties. He also found that its kittens acquired protection through the milk supplied by the mother. Snake men are believed to acquire a certain amount of immunity by the repeated inunctions of small doses of venom on the hand, or, in Africa, by eating the head of the snake — at least that is a common opinion held in South Africa. Captain Elliot, I.M.S., from his recent observations in India brings forward evidence to favour the following conclusions : — (1) That " snake men" in India, as a rule, have no knowledge of acquiring any immunity, but trust to their own intimate familiarity with the habits of the snakes, or to the previous mutilation of them, by removing their fangs, or sometimes by producing an internal fistula from the poison gland into the mouth. (2) That a few do practice swallowing venom or the inunction of venom into the limbs. (3) That they confine their work entirely to the cobra, the Daboia being very irritable, uncertain, and not at all amenable to their charming. Calmette has shown that the antitoxic properties present in the serum of animals immunised against venom are not due to the direct action of the antitoxin on the virus, but that it is exerted through the tissue elements of the animal. He next proved that by mixing the venoms of various snakes, including Naja Daboia and Hoplocephalus, etc., and removing the coagu- lable irritative proteid, using only the active toxin of the dialised non- coagulable form, he was able tc produce an antitoxic serum (from horses) which immunised animals and man from lethal doses of any venom, although each snake venom has per se well-marked toxic peculiarities producing several and various local phenomena. In 1898 Major Semple, R..A.M.C, Captain Lyons, I.M.S., and Staff-Surgeon Andrews, R.N. , under the supervision of Professor Calmette by a very com- plete set of experiments demonstrated that antivenomous 3erum could be prepared from horses which had a very high antitoxic power ; that its preser- vative action shows itself almost instantaneously when injected intravenously, but if injected subcutaneously, only after a period of one to three hours ; that under certain conditions it acts as a vaccine. They also proved that the duration of immunity so produced is short ; the greater the quantity of serum injected, the longer this immunity remains. Its principal characteristic was its rapidity of action and its efficacy against all venoms whether from Colubrine or Viperine snakes. They found that this antivenine is easily kept, as it does not lose its protective properties when heated to 140° F. SNAKEBITES AND POISONOUS FISHES. 123 This antitoxic serum is prepared in the following manner. Injections over the shoulder were given to healthy horses subcutaneously of a solution of dialysed venom in increasing doses for a period extending over months, generally sixteen, each injection usually producing severe local reaction and abscesses. When the horse is sufficiently immunised, he is bled from the jugular, the blood is kept in a dark room for twenty-four hours, after which the serum is syphoned off, divided up into 10 c.c. bottles ; these are sterilised at a temperature of 10° C. on three successive days, the bottles being kept in a dark room, as is necessary with all other antitoxic serums, The serum is useless for therapeutic purposes unless it is able to prevent death in a rabbit when given intravenously in a dose of 1"5 c.c. It was found that the antivenine, like the toxin of the venom, is mainly carried by the leucocytes and not by the serum, for if the effusion from the peritoneal cavity of a vaccinated rabbit in which peritonitis has been excited be centrifugalised, the leucocytes which are deposited are found to possess a high antitoxic power, while the plasma has but little. If the antitoxic serum be heated above 68* C, it becomes coagulated and is useless. The practical results of the late investigations may be thus briefly stated : — (1) That the injection of a sufficient dose of antivenomous serum (10 to 20 c.c.) prevents the toxic action of a lethal dose of venom given later, as would occur frequently when a ligature was applied above the bitten part at once, the venom having been kept out of the general circulation until after the patient had been injected with the serum. (2) That the injection of a sufficient dose of the serum prevents intoxi- cation by a lethal dose of venom given subcutaneously before, provided too long an interval has not occurred, which would include those cases where a ligature was not employed, or had been imperfectly applied, so that the poison had gained access to the general circulation. (3) That as the resistance of man to the toxic action of the venom is greater as compared with the smaller animals, a much smaller dose pro- portionally of the serum is necessary to counteract the toxin. (4) That if the venom has been injected directly into a vein, the result is always fatal, unless the serum be injected intravenously before or at the same time. (5) That the serum should be at hand in all districts where snake-bites are common, and that the inhabitants should be instructed in the advantages derived from its use ; particularly as the amount of venom usually injected by the snake is little above the minimum lethal dose, an interval of one to three hours being in most cases allowable between the time of the bite and the injection of the serum. (6) That when toxic symptoms are already present, the serum should be xt once injected intravenously. 124 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. (7) That none of the ordinary precautions should be omitted even when the serum is available. The following two cases show the efficiency of the serum treatment : — One reported by Keatinge and Ruffler was that of a girl in Egypt bitten in the forearm by a snake believed to be a cobra ; she became unconscious almost at once, and when seen was cold and collapsed with imperceptible pulse ; 20 c.c. of antivenine were injected under the skin of the abdomen and three hours after 10 c.c. more ; from that time she gradually recovered. The second case is recorded by Rennie. A boy aged eleven in India was bitten on the right foot by a krait. In three minutes 8 c.c. of serum was injected into the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen, hypodermic injections of pot. permang. being used locally. The boy made a good recovery. LITERATURE.— 1. Anbkews. " On Preparation and Use of Calmette's Antivenine," British Medical Journal, Sept. 1899. — 2. BRIEGER. V her Ptomaine. Berlin. — 3. Calmette, " Etude experimental du venin de cobra," Ann. de V Inst. Pasteur, tome vii. 1893 ; " Etuda eurles venins des serpent," op. cit. tome viii. 1894 ; " 3rd Memoire, op. at. tome ix. ; " Comp. rend de VAcad. des Sciences, 1894, 1895, 1896 ; "A Lecture on Snake Venom, and Treatment of Snake-Bites by Antivenomous Serum," Lancet, 1896 ; " Snake Poison and Snake-Bites," Appendix Allbutt's System of Medicine, 1897. — 4. CCSNINGHAM. Scientific Mem. by Med. Off. of Army of India, 1895; Report on the Results of Experiments on the Action of Various Reputed Antidotes to Snake Venom, 1895, 1896. — 5. Ewing. " The Action of Rattlesnake Venom upon the Bactericidal Power of Blood Serum," Med. Record, May 1894. — 6. Elliot. " An Account of some Researches into the Nature and Action of Snake Venom," Brit. Med. Jour., Feb. 10, May 12, July 28, 19U0.— 7. Fayrer. Thana tophidia of India, 1872 ; " On Nature of Snake Poison," Med. Soc. of London, 1884. — 8.Fayrer and Brpnton *' On Nature and Action of Poison of Naja and other Venomous Snakes, ' Proc. Roy. Soc., vols, xxi., xxii., xxiii. — 9. Fraser. Brit. Med. Jour., June 15, 1895 ; "Immunisation against Serpents' Venom," Roy. Inst., March 1896; '' Antivenomous Properties of the Bite of Serpents and other Animals," Brit. Med. Jour., July 1897.— 10. Gunther. "Reptiles of British India," Roy. Soc, 1866. — 11. HalforD. Thoughts, Observations, and Experiments on the Action of Snake Venom on the Blood, Melbourne 1894.— 12. Kanthack. •« On Nature of Cobra Poison," Jour. ofPhys., vol. xiii., 1892 ; " Serum Treatment of Snake-Bite," Nature, Oct. 1895 ; " Tha Natural Immunity of Venomous Snakes," Nature, Dec. 1896. — 13. Keatinge. " Treatment of Snake-Bite with Calmette's Serum," B.M.J., 1897.— 14. Krecft. The Snakes of Australia, 1869. — 15. Lyons. " On Preparation and Action of Antivenine," Bombay Med. and Phys. Soc, July 1899. — 16. Martin, C.J. "Observations on ^the Poisonous Constituents of tha Venom of Australian Black Snake," Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 1892 ; " On Venom of Australian Elack Snake," Proc. Roy. Soc, N.S.W., 1892 ; " On Some Effects upon the Blood produced by the Venom of the Australian Black Snake," Jour, of Phys. vol. xv., 1893 ; " On Physiological Action of the Venom of the Australian Black Snake," Proc. Roy. Soc, N.S.W., 1895; "Snake Poison and Snake-Bite," Allbutt's System, 1897.— 17. Mitchell. " On tha Venom of the Rattlesnake," Smithsonian Contributions , vol. xii. ; "Researches on the Venoms of Poisonous Serpents," op. cit. vol. xxvi. — 18. Nicholson. Indian Snakes. MadraB, 1874, — 19. Phisalex et Bertrard. " Attenuation du venin du vipere par le chaleur, etc., Comp. rend, de VAcad. des. Sciences, cxviii. 6 ; " Sur la propriete antitoxique du sang des animaux vaccine contre le venin de vipere," op. cit. cxviii. 7. — 20. Rbgotzi. " Ueber die Wirkung des Giftes der Naja," Virchow's Arch., Bd. cxxii. — 21. Renme. "Treatment of Snake-Bite with Calmette's Serum," Brit. Med. Jour., Nov. 1896.— 22. Semple. "Report on the Method and Control of Antivenomous Serum," Army Med. Report, 1898.— 23. SewAll. " Experiments on the Preventive Inoculation of Rattlesnake Venom," Jour, of Phys., vol. viii. — 24. Wall. "Poisons of Certain Indian Venomous Snakes," Proc. Royal Soc, 1881 ; Indian Snake Poisons. Allen and Co., London, 1883.— 25. Wolfenden. " On the Nature and Action of the Venom of Poisonous Snakes," Jour, of Phys., vol. vii. SNAKE-BITES AND POISONOUS FISHES. 125 Poisonous Fish, Diseases and Injuries attributable to them. The subject of poisoning by fish is one on which there is very little •recent information of any reliable character. Many ill-effects in different parts are frequently put down to the ingestion or even handling of them. It may be stated, however, with certainty that these are more common in tropical than in temperate regions, no doubt due to the much more rapid decomposition of the fish in the presence of heat and moisture, and perhaps to the fact that as all animal life is more abundant in warm climates, so the increased competition in the struggle for existence has caused many fish to have developed peculiar organs having protective and poisonous qualities. The noxious characters, as far as man is concerned, may be divided into — (1) Toxic effects produced by the poison contained in the fish itself when fresh. (2) Toxic effects produced by the ingestion of fish undergoing putrefaction •either before being swallowed, or under certain conditions after it has been a longer or shorter period in the intestinal canal. (3) The introduction into the body of specific pathogenic micro-organisms through the agency of the fish. (4) Cutaneous wounds produced by the special armament of certain fish. (5) Diseases or growths produced by parasites of which the fish is the definite or temporary host. In the constant investigation of fish markets for zoological purposes, particularly in the Indo-tropical and Chinese regions, I have been much impressed by the large number of apparently dangerous- looking fish that are habitually sold, and the advanced stages of decomposition which some of them frequently present, yet they seem to be used for food by the poorer classes habitually. There used to be an old rule in the Navy that scaled fish were wholesome and that fish without scales were not. This, however, is certainly not altogether correct, as many with large scales, as Sphyrcena, Pagellus, etc., are at times markedly poisonous ; others without scales, as the fresh-water Silurokls, are esteemed as excellent food. As a matter of fact, poisoning directly due to the consumption of fish is very rare in the naval service, and also among well-to-do Europeans in tropical regions. The toxic properties inherent in fish, as Dr. Gunther pointed out, may depend on various conditions ; some are only poisonous at certain stages of growth, others only at special seasons, as at the breeding time ; again, others are apparently dangerous after they have been feeding on poisonous foods ; thus most of those beautifully-coloured fish belonging to the families Squamipinnes and Labridce, which frequent coral reefs and browse on the polyps of the young growing madrepores, etc., are generally considered to be dangerous ; nevertheless, if these be properly cleaned before cooking, most may be taken with impunity. French medical officers have pointed out that 125 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. many fish at other times wholesome become poisonous in the breeding season, and every one knows that a spent trout or salmon is very liable lo give rise to gastric disturbance if eaten. The symptoms of poisoning due to fish fall into two distinct groups : (1) true gastro-enteritis with colic and high fever, probably due to a bacterial infection; (2) nerve symptoms, often commencing some time after tho ingestion of the food, attended by constipation, and various forms of paralysis, etc., probably due to intoxication from the alkaloid substances produced during decomposition. The following fish are credited with producing poisonous symptoms when taken fresh : — (1) Pagellus erykhrinus, a " sea bream " common in Indo-Pacific waters, quoted as nearly causing the death of Quiros, the Spanish navigator, and also described as poisonous in Cook's Voyages. Lethrinus mambo in the South Pacific is said to be poisonous when full grown but harmless when young. Many of the Squannpinnes or Coral fish, as before stated, acquire poisonous properties from their food. These fish are generally gorgeously coloured, and are like butterflies in the aqueous gardens which they frequent. Sphyrcena, or "Barracudas." Their flesh is as a rule eaten with impunity, but two species in the West Indies are known to occasionally produce intense symptoms of poisoning — gastro-intestinal irritation with pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea, etc., followed by marked prostrations and, in a few cases, death from syncope. If the fish is unwholesome, Poe states that the teeth become blackened at the base, and natives say that if a silver coin placed on the flesh becomes black, the fish is unfit for food. Some of the mackerels frequently cause gastric irritation ; several species of Thynnus or tunny are stated by Giinther to be poisonous at times — being red- blooded fish, they are liable to rapid decomposition. The Carangidcp, horse mackerel or yellow-tails, have a very bad name at the Cape of Good Hope as being poisonous, especially when they are old, C.falax being the most dreaded. Almost every variety of this genus may be seen in the market at Aden for sale. After eating poisonous Bonito, Tunny, and Horse Mackerel, the symptoms are those of mild gastric enteritis, with urticaria, giddiness, headache, vomiting, and diarrhoea, which may assume a choleraic form, ending in collapse and death. Fish of the herring family are undoubtedly very frequently extremely poisonous. Gri'inther gives the following list : — Clupea thryssa, the sardine dore of the W. Indies, often causes a rapidly fatal issue. There is a saying that " if you begin at the head you never finish the tail. " The symptoms are pain, prostration, convulsions, and unconsciousness followed by death, sometimes in a quarter of an hour, but generally in from two to three hours. C. longiceps, C perforata, C. venenosa, the three latter from the Indian Ocean, are all known to have caused intense purging and collapse. SNAKE-BITES AND POISOXOUS FISHES. 127 C. humeralis of the W. Indies is stated by Day to have caused death in a few minutes. The marine " cat fish " or Silurokls are as a rule too loathsome to ever be much used for food. They are invariably rejected, if caught, on board ship, but are, however, constantly seen for sale in the native markets. Most of the species of Balistes (file fish), Tetrodon (globe fish), and Diodon (porcupine fish) are rejected as being poisonous ; they are foul feeders, or live on coral and other zoophites. Two cases are recorded by Sir John Richardson of acute poisoning from eating portions of the liver of a Tetrodon. One man ten minutes after eating it became very ill, with flushed face, swollen lips, signs of intense gastro-intestinal poisoning, followed by paralysis, laboured breathing, cyanosis, and death in seventeen minutes. The second man died in twenty minutes. The whole fish was not more than eight inches long. Many of the small kinds are constantly seen for sale in the Bombay market and elsewhere, those from brackish and fresh water being more wholesome than the marine varieties. Macoy states that in Australia nearly all cases of fish poisoning are due to eating Arripis trutlaceous, one of the sea perch. This may be sometimes due to decomposition, but fresh fish also produce unpleasant results in some people, the symptoms being flushing of the skin, particularly of the face, headache, vomiting, and a transient eruption, generally followed by rapid recovery, but a few deaths have been noted. Murcma punctata, one of the "sea eels," is stated by Russell to be poisonous if eaten. Mosso states that the fresh blood cf eels possesses highly poisonous properties, due to the presence of ichtbyotoxin, like the toxalbumens of vipers. Mussels or other shell-fish, though quite fresh, will sometimes produce severe symptoms — nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, syncope, numbness of the limbs, and eruptions on the skin, with occasionally swelling of the tongue and mucous membrane of the throat. Those taken from the open sea are generally quite wholesome, the poisonous properties being derived from the foul water from which they have been gathered. (2) Putrefaction of Fish. — This is the most common cause producing poisonous symptoms. It is generally due to the action of micro-organisms breaking up the proteid substances present into a number of chemical bodies, some of which are harmless, others being very toxic. The proteids are first split up into albumenoses, and then finally into the animal alkaloids known as " Ptomains " ; these latter were first studied in detail by Selrni, and since then by Breiger, Van Ermengen, Sydney Martin, and others. From, decomposing fish Breiger isolated the following substances : Trirae- thylamine, Dimethylamine, Meihylamine, Neuridine, Cadaverine, and Putrescine ; some, as cadaverine and putrescine, are but slightly toxic, others are extremely so, rapidly causing death. 128 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV.. All " Ptomain " poisons are characterised by the combination of marked nervous symptoms, with gastro-intestinal irritation, and a tendency to coma, in which the patient may die. There is also almost always a more or less prolonged period between the ingestion of the food and the onset of the symptoms, " the incubation period " ; when this is present, the cause of the poisoning, according to Van Ermengen, is due to the presence of a special organism, Bacillus hotulinus, this condition being known as Botu- tism. David describes an interesting instance of poisoning by red herrings. There were five cases, all in one family. Gastric symptoms and obstinate constipation commencing some days after taking the food, occurred in all, followed by local paralysis of parts, double vision, and diminished reflexes. In two the dysphagia was so complete that feeding by a tube had to be resorted to. The paraplegic symptoms lasted for months, but all finally recovered. Breiger isolated an alkaloid named Mytelotoxin, which is not destroyed by cooking, from the liver of mussels taken from foul water ; this produces acute symptoms like those of " curare" poisoning, affecting the motor nerves, being quite distinct from those toxins which induce the gastro-intestinal irritation symptoms. The treatment of all cases of Ptomain poisoning is to clear the stomach and intestines of the irritating substances as soon as possible, to give stimu- lants with discretion to counteract the cardiac depression, and where there is profuse diarrhoea and much pain opiates will be required ; for the subse- quent paralysis, massage and nerve tonics. " Tinned fish " are very liable quickly to undergo putrefactive changes, especially in hot climates ; if then eaten, they produce severe symptoms, diarrhoea, vomiting, and collapse in a few hours, which may last for days or prove fatal. In tropical climates, where the intestine is so ready under slight provo- cation to increased secretion, congestion, or ulceration, one cannot be too careful in the scrutiny of all tinned fish to be used for food ; it is from these that on board ship fish poisoning most commonly arises. (3) The conveyance of specific pathogenic micro-organisms to man, by means of oysters, mussels, etc., unquestionably takes place, perhaps more often than is generally believed. The spread of typhoid has been distinctly traced to infected shell-fish, and reported accordingly by many medical officers of health and others. It is not uncommon in certain well-known localities to find oyster beds on the foreshore, immediately below the outfall of a sewer, and I have had it stated to me by a " grower " that in these positions the oysters are fatter and better in quality than those from more open situations. Bacteriological examinations have been made demonstrating the presence of B. enteritidis and B. colecommunis, etc. Legislative measures for removing this evil have been over and over again brought forward, but so far ineffectually, the interference with the oyster SNAKE-BITES AND POISONOUS FISHES. 129 industry and restriction of the area for beds being strongly opposed by a certain section of interested persons. (4) Poison Wounds caused by Fish. — Perhaps the most widely feared fish producing cutaneous injuries are the " Sting Rays,1' belonging to the order Batoidea. These have one or more sharp barbed spines attached to some portion of the dorsal surface of the tail ; these may cause severe lacerations when incautiously handling the fish, or when stepping on them while half hidden in the sand. In the first case I personally came across, the pain was so intense that the strong, healthy man almost fainted. There is no poison apparatus connected with the spines, but they are like poison arrows, being coated with mucus from the surface of the fish, which has peculiar irritating properties. Another class of fish, the Scorpcenidce, are profusely provided with sharp spines on the opercular plates, fins, etc., which inflict irregular punctured wounds. Among the very dangerous fish are Synancea verrucosa and S. horrida, found in the Red Sea and on the coasts of Africa and India ; in these species the dorsal spines are grooved, having small poison bags attached, the venom being injected into the wound by pressure. Injuries from this fish occasionally cause death (Day). The symptoms vary according to the amount of venom injected ; they are local pain, increasing and spread- ing from the wound, with swelling of the part, lymphangitis and gangrene, attended with convulsions, delirium, and attacks of syncope. Other very dangerous fish are the Thalassophryna, of which two species are known, one in the Pacific, the second in the Atlantic Ocean. These fish, according to Giinther, possess as perfect "poison sacs and tubular spines as any venomous snake. The poison sacs are attached to the bases of the opercular and dorsal spines. In the " "Weavers " Trachinus, common in European waters, the dorsal and opercular spines have deep double grooves, these being filled with fluid mucus, but there is no true poison apparatus. Wounds inflicted by them are followed by violent inflammation of the injured part. Many genera of the " cat fish " tribe Siluridce are excessively dangerous to handle, the dorsal and pectoral fins having very hard serrated bony spines, which may inflict serious wounds ; in some of these fish glandular organs are found at the axils of the spines ; the body is covered 'by an offensive tenacious mucus, which can readily inflict the wound. Great numbers are commonly eaten by the lower "castes" in India, they are there- fore frequently caught ; the fishermen immediately cut off the offending spines, it being rare to see a perfect specimen in the market. Treatment of Wounds. — These should be enlarged and the blood allowed to flow freely, or the part may be ligatured above, and the poison removed by cupping or sucking the wound, then ammonia or spirits of turpentine may be applied, followed by fomentations, opium being given and stimulants as necessary. The wounds caused by the serrated spines of rays and cat fish almost always suppurate. 17 130 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL TI1STORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. (5) Fish may act as intermediate or definite Hosts. — An example of the f ormei* is found ir Lota vulgaris, which is commonly known to harbour the larval form of Bolhriocephalus lotus (see Cestodes). Congers are said to be infested with hydatids. A curious case has been described by Dr. Batten, namely, the fixation of a species of Lepcoplitluirus, one of the " Calegidse'1 or fish lice on to the cornea of a fishmonger (which specimen he kindly sent to me). These semi-parasitic copepods are very numerous on many flat fish, moving about actively on the skin some time after the death of the fish. The saline condition of the ocular conjunctiva, with a certain quantity of mucous secre- tion, render this position particularly suitable for these parasites if acci- dently introduced. It is, however, very rare : 1 have never heard of or seen a second case. The parasite was successfully removed, vision not being impaired. LITERATURE.— Andrews. Handbook of Public Health, Part I. 1898.— Batten. " Crustacea Parasite on Cornean,-' Lancet. April 7, 1900. — CoPPENGER. " Tropical Naval Hygiene," Davidson's Diseases of Warm Climates.— Day. Fishes of India — David. Heutsch Med. Woch., 1893. — Guxther. Study of Fishes. — Macov. Natural History of Victoria, N. S. W. — Martin, Sydney. " Ptomain Poisoning," Allbutt's Syst. Med.— Cutler. System of Medicine. — " Public Health Reports," Journal of State Medicine. — Bottard, On poison Organs of Synancea, Scorpmna, and, Plotosus, 1879.— J. Macdonald Rogers, R. N. MSS-j Fish Poisoning and Venomous Fishes. 131 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. No. I —SIZE OF REMARKABLE TREES. Mr. L. Augusto has kindly measured the great Gouralr Chintz—the Baobab — Adansonia digitata near the Custom House at Mora, Karanja (Bombay- Harbour), and reports it to be 30 feet 5 inches in circumference at 4 feet from the ground. G. MARSHALL WOODROW. Kelvinside, N., Glasgow, January 1903. No. II— NESTING NOTES FROM KASHMIR. I have spent the past summer in Kashmir, and it may interest oologists to read a few notes I have made on the nidification of certain birds whose nests and eggs are almost or altogether unknown. During April and May I was in the Astor District. On the 29th April, at an elevation of about 10,000 feet, I saw 3 young Nutcrackers — Nucifraga multipunctata — hardly able to fly, so this bird must breed very early. I think, too, it probably has 2 broods in the year, as I found a nest, containing young, in Sonamarg at the end of July. During May I found nests of Tlnnunculus alaudarius, Tetraogallus himalay- ensis, Pica rustica and Cinclus asiaticus, but I was too early for eggs of the last two mentioned. June, July and August I spent in Sonamarg and in the higher valleys in its neighbourhood. Sonamarg itself has often been visited by egg collectors, but the higher alpine valleys round it appear to have been but little exploited. It is in these alpine valleys, from 10,000 to 14,000 feet, that many new nests may be discovered, and the best time to visit them is from the 20th June to the end of August. Mr. J. Davidson, in the Ibis for January 1898, gives a very interesting account of ' a Trip to Kashmir' in search of eggs, and to any one intending to come up here for this purpose, it would prove of the greatest assistance. No. 369. Tribura major is common at Sonamarg, and its characteristic note (Tic-tic-tic) loudly proclaims the bird's advent in the latter part of June. It is never met in the forests, but frequents the outskirts and the low bush jungle in the open meadows. I found 3 nests in July, but only secured one clutch of eggs. The nest is a small cup of grass lined with fine grass, placed on the ground in thick herbage, and is difficult to find. The eggs, 3 in number, are pinkish white spotted finely with reddish brown, and average 74" x '57" in size. The bird does not appear to breed below 7,500 or above 10,000 feet. No. 405. Phylloscopus affinis I found breeding plentifully during July in the Juniper scrub from 11,000 to 13,000 feet. The nest is globular, loosely built of grass, lined with hair and feathers and is placed from 6 inches to 2 feet from the ground. The eggs, three or four in number, are either plain white, or white spotted sparingly with cinnamon red. The plain and spotted eggs sometimes occur in the same nest. The average size of the eggs is •62"x'47". No. 589. Alseonax ruficaudus. — This Flycatcher is not uncommon in the Sind Valley from 6,000 up to 10,000 feet, but its nest is extremely hard to 132 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. find owing to the bird's shyness, and it deserts it very readily. I found 3 nests in June of the usual Flycatcher type placed from 20 to 30 feet from the ground, in every case the nest was against the main trunk and resting on a small branch of the tree. The eggs (I secured but one clutch) are pale green, very faintly spotted at the larger end with reddish brown, forming a well- defined ring. No. 644. Ruticilla rufiventris. — The Indian Redstart was quite common in the higher valleys above 10,000 feet, being most common over 12,000 feet. I found only two nests, both in July, one of which was placed on the ground between two stones near a stream ; the other, also near a stream, was built in an indentation on the side of a large rock about 4 feet from the ground. The nests were cup-shaped, made of grass, lined with fine moss, some horsehair and a few feathers. The eggs, 3 in number, are buff in colour, speckled finely with red ; the average size being '80'' X '57". I have read Captain Marshall's ' Notes on the Birds near Quetta 1 published in the Journal of 18th October last, in which he states that the eggs of this Eedstart are pale blue in colour. In both the cases quoted above, I unfortunately failed to kill the bird off the nest, but I examined the bird through a field glass for over half an hour, and the same morning killed a pair of the same species which I was able to identify. No. 651. Calliope pectoralis. — The nests of this bird, which I found, were at an elevation of about 11,000 feet. They were cup-shaped, made of grass, and placed on sloping ground under a tuft of grass or small bush. The eggs, 3 or 4 in number, are pale greenish blue, faintly spotted with reddish brown at the larger end. The bird breeds from the middle of June to the end of July. No. 712. Accentor nepale?isis. — The Accentor was breeding early in July at a height of 13,500 feet. I found 2 nests placed on the ground under shelter of rocks ; they were cup-shaped, made of grass and moss, and lined with fine grass. In one nest were 3 fresh eggs, in the other 2 nestlings and one addled egg. I left the former to see if the bird would lay more, and on the following morning, on returning to the nest, found that the eggs had been broke;, and only one of them wa3 sufficiently whole to admit of being patched up. The eggs are large for the size of the bird, the average of the two eggs I secured being ,94/' x '69''. They are pinkish white in colour, and plentifully speckled with red, chiefly at the larger end. No. 758. Propasser rhodochrous. — I found two nests of this bird in the first week in August, at an elevation of about 10,500 feet. The nests were cup- shaped, made of twigs and grass, and lined with horsehair : they were placed 3 or 4 feet from the ground in bushes ; the eggs, four and five in number respectively, are a bright blue, with a few large black spots, chiefly at the larger end. The average size of the 9 eggs is *72" x '53". No. 787. Frinrjillauda sordida. — Large flocks of these birds are often seen in the Kashmir valleys during the spring migration, and it is one of the- MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 133 commonest birds in the higher valleys near Sonamarg during the summer. They did not begin to breed till the middle of July, and I fortunately secured several nests at an elevation of 12,000 to 13,000 feet. The nest is made of grass, and lined with horsehair and a few feathers : it is placed in a hole under a rock, and the tunnel leading to the nest is sometimes as much as 2 feet long ; in two instances the holes were like those made by a rat in open flat ground. The eggs, generally four and sometimes three in number, are pure white with considerable gloss, and are somewhat pointed at the smaller end: average size '82" x -5(J". KENNETH BUCHANAN, Major, 4th Sikhs. Srinagar, December, 1902. No. Ill— NOTES ON A FEW CATERPILLARS OF INDIAN SPHINGID^l. 1. Acherontia lachesis. — A larva found in Poona in October 1898 had the ground-colour a bright gamboge yellow instead of green : this tint may have just been assumed preparatory to pupation as the insect was full-grown, but it did not cease feeding until 3 days after being found. 2. Polyplychus dentatus. — Hampson describes the larva as "green, with yellow marks down the back, outlined in pink, &c/' Two specimens obtained in August 1898 and a third in October of the same year in Poona, had no trace of pink or yellow on the back which was of a uniform bright green, while the sides were dull green in ground-colour. Others obtained from eggs and fed on the same plant had the normal pink and yellow markings. 3. Chcerocampa theylia. — Three forms of this larva are given in Hampson's book ; I bred a number of the first of these here in Sadra last September. In my experience the brown colour was only assumed in the final stage and not always then, the larva being invariably green in the earlier stages and some- times in the last stage also : the green had occasionally a pink tinge. The pupa very long for the size of the moth. 4. Chcerocampa celerio. — My experience of this caterpillar does not at all accord with Hampson's description, i.e., "Brown: a seriesof whitish ocelli with darker centres from 4th to 10th somites ; horn and underside white. " In September 1900 near Palanpur I found two forms: the first, of which I obtain- ed several specimens, feeding on 3 different plants (one the grape-vine), was green, with 2 ocelli only, one on the 4th, and a smaller one on the 5th somite. The second form, of which I obtained one specimen at Palanpur and have bred another this year in Sadra, was brownish purple in colour with numerous dark strigas On the dorsal area, a paler broad lateral stripe, pale sub-dorsal line from 1st to 4th somites; 2 ocelli, as in the green form, on the 4th and 5th so- mites, the first and larger one being yellow with dark centre flecked with blue; legs and horn crimson. I do not profess to know much about Indian, moths, but the perfect insect produced from both the above forms of larva 134 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. agrees with the description of C. cclerio in Hampson's book, and is certainly the moth labelled as " celerio " in the Society's collection. It is, except C. theylia, about the commonest of the genus in the Poona District and in Guzerat. 5. Protoparce convolvuli. — In Poona, October 1898, I obtained 4 larvas feeding on a species of wild convolvulus in which the ground colour was a dull grey-green thickly covered with brown strigce : a broad lateral white line, the oblique stripes indistinct. Head brown with black markings, horn shining black above, yellowish below. Resulting pupa and imago typical " convol- vuli." I also found the normal green form on the same food-plant in the neighbourhood. A. H. MOSSE, Lieut., I.S.C. Sadea, December 1902. No. IV.— NUMBER OF EGGS OF THE DABOIA {VIPERA RUSSELLI). On the 5th March last, at Mahisa, in the south of this Agency, I killed a female daboia rather more than 4 feet in length which contained 55 eggs. I opened several of them, but in none was there any trace of the embryo. I regret that I did not make fuller notes at the time, but so far as my re- collection, goes, all except 3 or 4 of the eggs which 1 counted were fully formed. In this part of Guzerat the local name for this snake is " Chitar." A. H. MOSSE, Lieut., I.S.C. Sadra, Mahi Kantha, December 1902. No. V.— THE INCUBATION OF A CUCKOO'S EGG. At the end of August last year I found in Baroda a nest of the Large Bab- bler containing 4 eggs of its own, and a fifth of the Pied Cuckoo (Coccystes Jacobinus). When I blew these eggs the former proved to be comparatively fresh, one of them, only, containing just a tinge of blood, whereas the Cuckoo's egg seemed to have been sat upon much longer, the embryo being considerably advanced towards development and the eye-balls formed. Now it is hardly likely that the intended foster-parents would take no notice of an egg deposited in the nest before any of their own had been laid ; where- fore it must be presumed, I think, that at least one or two of the Babbler's eggs had been longer in the nest than that of the Cuckoo. The inference then is that the Cuckoo's egg incubates more quickly. If this is so, the object may be to enable the young Cuckoo to hatch before the others and either turn them out or from its superior age and strength obtain more than its fair share of food. Or the idea may be to give the Cuckoo a chance to make up for lost time if its mother is late in depositing her egg in the nest. These may be fanci- ful speculations on an isolated case, but I should very much lika to know if anything of the kind has ;been noticed before ? I have not heard of a similar instance. A. H. MOSSE, Lieut., I.S.C, Assist. Political Agent, Mahi Kantha. Sauka, December 1902. > X "o > o . 02 .n E o 3 O o ■a c o w o o a. LU < Z C/) o z < u UJ Q HI a. I- z o MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 135 No. VI.— A CENTIPEDE EATING A SNAKE. {WITH A PHOTOGRAPH). I believe it to be a fact tbat Centipedes in general are eminently raptorial in their habits, attacking anything that they can overpower. It never occurred to me, however, that a Centipede would be bold enough to attack a snake a& appears to be the case in this instance. Considering the subject worthy of re- cord, and possibly of interest to members, I had a photograph taken about half the real size, depicting the Centipede and snake in the position I saw them and in which I understand they were found. The specimens were received by Dr. Pedley, who sent them home (unfor- tunately before they were identified) to his son for the Marlborough College Museum, and it is to him I am indebted for the following information. They were found on the floor of a house at Kokine, a suburb of Rangoon, the snake alive and writhing in the clutches of the Centipede. They were killed and at once transferred to a jar of spirits, and the owner thinking the incident an unusual one sent the specimens to Dr. Pedley. An inspection of the photo will show that the skin and flesh for about two inches has been completely removed from the tail of the snake and presumably eaten by the Centipede, which was one of the common large brown unstriped variety often met with iu this part of the province. It would have been very interesting to know if the snake was uninjured be- fore the Centipede attacked it, but in any case as the snake was alive when found, it might still have held its own against the Centipede. I shall be glad if this note and photo should prove to be of any interest to members of the Society. W. P. OKEDEN. Rangoon, January 1903. No. VII— A MAN-EATING PANTHER. The panther first began man-eating in this district in the rains of 1901 : apparently he came from the Bangs, as his first kills were in the villages bordering on those native states. I think he probably took to man-eating on account of the 1900-1901 famine which was very bad indeed in the Dangs, many people dying out in the jungle (I have myself seen skulls of those who tried to get into British territory but died by the way) ; during the famine the deer and pig in the forests would naturally diminish on account of the Bhils and Konkanis being hard ups and this together with the circumstance of people moving about in the wildest and least frequented parts in search of edible fruits and roots probably led the panther on some extra hungry day to take to man for food. The first man he took was probably dying or asleep in the jungle. I did not hear of the man-eater till last February when my camp was at Mulher in the centre of the valley where he was killing : his beat in the Mulher Valley was about 7 miles long and 3 broad. I remained 10 days at Mulher trying my best by means of " holding the hills," beats and sitting up over kills to get the beast, but was unsuccessful and 13G JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. could not stay any longer. About a month later while I was in the Peint Range I received word that he was man-eating again, and so as the moon was waxing I determined to go back to Mulher and have one more try, — a long tiring journey of over 60 miles by road (with no springs) and 40 miles by rail. I stayed at Mulher a week, but never once saw the beast and had to go. Men were killed in August and September, and in November my work took me to Ajmir Saundana within 22 miles of Mulher, and while at Ajmir I beard on the 26th of November that the panther was killing again. I at once went to Mulher, but it was not till the 4th of December that the beast was killed ; I should have had to leave on the evening of the 4th as I could spare no more time after him, so luck was with me at last. On the 3rd, at noon, I heard a boy of 15 had been killed at Wadai, 4 miles from my camp ; this boy was most unfortunate. Last year the panther had tried to get him, but only mauled one leg ; my wife and I were able to dose the wound with carbolic oil and the boy got well ; this time he and one or two others were sitting close to a bright fire on a threshing floor near the village in the early part of the night and the panther came and carried him off : the panther took him about a quarter of a mile to a patch of high grass and brushwood and ate all he could of the head, the flesh of one leg and all hig inside ; so there was plenty left for the beast to come back for. The body was dragged into deep shade under the brushwood and there was no tree any- where near to sit up in, so four holes were made in the ground and a wooden post put in each ; a cart was then taken off its wheels and lifted on to the top of the posts so as to be about 8 feet from the ground: the cart and posts were then hidden in branches and grass, only a small opening being left to shoot through. An avenue was cut through the brushwood so that I could clearly see the body from the erection, which was about 35 feet from the kill. At 3-30 p.m. I was sitting as quiet as a mouse in the cart and had sent all the men back to the village. At about 4-30 I distinctly heard the panther cough- ing about a quarter of a mile away. In another hoar's time and without any warning the beast growled just close behind me ; I had been absolutely still and he could not have seen me and so probably he scented me because of my erection not being far enough off the ground. I did not turn or move, hoping he would in a few minutes come round to the kill in front ; but he was too cute, and it got darker and darker till at 8-30 I could not see the body at all : there was a crescent of a moon, but it was useless/ as the body was in deep shade. At about a quarter to seven I settled to turn up my hurricane lamp and hang it outside on one of the front posts and about 7 feet off the ground : I did so as quietly as I could and the light shone well on to the body. I now felt as if my best chance had gone, but settled to sit right through the night till morning. At 8-30, after the moon had set, when lookiug towards the body I saw a grey mass beyond it which had not been there before, so I knew the panther had come at last and was more thankful than I ever remember being in my life. He looked most weird as of course he MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 137 had cotne absolutely noiselessly, and lie gradually got nearer and nearer and looked whiter and larger and more like a ghost than anything. When he got up to the body he half turned his side although still looking straight towards me, so I settled to shoot. I had purposely put an expanding bullet in the left barrel of my "450 express and a solid one in the right and meant to shoot both barrels at once (a finger on each trigger) as the lamp invariably goes out with the concussion of the air so tbat one cannot get in a second shot. I aimed at his body behind the shoulder as far as I could and pulled both triggers ; a flash, a loud report and total darkness, and then I listened and heard the panther crashing down the hill for about 5 seconds, then quiet, and then a groaning growl ; so I knew he was hard hit. Nothing more could be done till morning so I went back to the village, and after a fine drink of milk tried to sleep on a bed of chaff thrown down on the ground under the eaves of a hut, but a rat which would try to walk over my face, numerous insects and cattle and goats a few feet away in the hut hardly allowed me a wink the whole night. At sunrise we started off to the kill : we found blood very soon and tracked very cautiously : the tracking was easy, as there was a lot of blood but there was plenty of cover so one had to be careful. The panther had gone down to the stream bed and after about 15 minutes we saw the body stretched out on some rocks ahead with back towards us. I threw a small stone towards it but there was no movement so I went up to within 10 yards' distance. I then was pretty sure he was dead, but threw a rock at him to make sure, when to my surprise he lifted his head to look at me . I fired two solid bullets into his head and all was over. He was a splendid male 7''3i'' long and the length of the middle toes in his fore feet showed he was the man-eater of last hot weather. One of the bullets of the night before had struck him in the stomach and the second (the solid one) had broken one of his hind legs. When first he took to man-eating he would never touch any one unless ho (or she) was lying down and unless it was quite dark with no moon or fire or light burning ; under these circumstances if no ODe were sleeping outside he would go right into a Imt if the door were open and lay hold of one of those asleep : if he happened to grip by the arm or leg and the victim yelled out then probably the panther would let go and try his lack elsewhere, but if he laid hold at once by the throat so that there could be no cry, then the man, woman or child would probably be carried out of the hut before the others sleeping near knew anything at all. He had got bolder however lately and the kill before the last was in broad-day-light and I went and saw the place (in Gad forest on the Dangs boundary). Villagers had been cutting rosha grass and were taking their head-loads to the still, the last couple being a woman and her boy (or girl), who it seems were some way behind the others ; the panther had crouched in high grass within 5 feet of a forest foot-path ; I saw the patch of blood close to the path and some 10 feet from the grass where the panther mu^t 18 138 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. have sprung from, and the marks showing the way the panther had dragged off the woman, but her remains were never found and nothing was heard of the child, so both must have been killed and eaten. The following list shows the damage done by the panther in the Mulher Valley : he was probably the beast which did the man-eating in the Dangs and also in the part of the Pimpalner Range of Khandesh adjoining the Mulher Valley, but I can give no figures for damage outside the Nasik District. Number of people killed at once 24 „ „ „ who died subsequently from being mauled 6 Total deaths in Mulher Valley 30 Number of people who were mauled but recovered, 11. L. S. OSMASTON. Deputy Conservator of Forests. Camp Bhowli, Nasik District, January 1903. No. VIII.— NOTE ON THE BREEDING OF CERTAIN HERONS, ETC IN SOUTHERN INDIA. In Hume-Oates, under Herodias alba (Vol. Ill, p. 238), is mentioned a re- sort near Madras where many waterfowl used to congregate for breeding. On coming across this reference I decided to find out whether the place retains its old reputation in this way, and accordingly made inquiries last summer concerning it. The result of these inquiries was full of promise and I decided to visit the place, should I get an opportunity. As soon as the N.-E. Monsoon set in I communicated with Mr. A. C, Tate, I.C.S., Judge at Chingleput, who very kindly instituted searching inquiries for me. The monsoon came late and the tank at Vaden Tangal remained empty un- til November 6th when heavy rain half filled it. The birds lost no time and appeared on the 8th. The villagers said it usually took thirty days for the birds to lay, dating from their arrival. I accordingly decided to visit the place about December 10th. Happening however to be in Madras on duty at the end of November and with a couple of days to spare, I thought it would be as well to go over and see how the birds were progressing ; and well it was I did so. I went over to Chingleput on November 30th and through Mr. Tate's ex- cellent bundobust was enabled to spend a most instructive day on December 1st. Leaving Chingleput at 5 a.m. in a \yony jutka, a 13-mile drive brought me to within 3 miles of Vaden Tangal, which was reached in a bullock cart. On arriving at the tank I found a raft prepared, and started at once to explore the nests. I found trees and tank exactly as described in Hume- Oates. I found only 5 kinds of birds breeding, viz., 1527 Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, 1553 Anastomus oscitans, 1554 Ardra manillensis (a few pairs only), 1555 Ardea chierca, and 1568 Nycticorax griscus. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 139 The natives, however, assured me that at this time there are usually 10 varieties breeding and that later on 3 more come. They gave me the Tamil names of these. With the exception of A. manillensis the birds were in thousands and I must have seen many thousands of eggs during the day. At the bottom of page 239 of the article above quoted occurs the following passage: — " Can it be that any of the birds that breed in the South in Decem- ber and January breed again with us in July.1' That the birds are the same I am satisfied. Anastomus oscitans was> without exception, in grey plumage. I saw many specimens of P. fuscicollis with white breasts and saw many on the nest3 without the white tuft behind the ear coverts. Some specimens of N. griseus were in very bedraggled plumage, it being evidently their second brood, and the young of the first brood appeared to be with them. Of A. manillensis there were perhaps 8 or 10 pairs, but these birds were so shy that I had great difficulty in identifying their nests, and only really managed to satisfy myself in one case. I believe the sole difference between the nests of A. manillensis and A, cinerea is that the former have some pretence at lining in the form of rather smaller sticks whilst the latter have none. A. oscitans kept entirely to themselves. P. fuscicollis and N. griseus did not appear to like each other, but appeared to put up with the 2 larger herons. The eggs of A. oscitans were in all stages of incubation, the number of eggs in a full clutch being invariably five. The degree of incubation is per- fectly easy to estimate from the amount of dirt on the shell, and in the same clutch may be found a perfectly white fresh egg and a dirty thing ready to hatch. The young of A. cinerea are able to stand immediately on leaving the egg and it was interesting to watch them hatching. I saw birds that could not have been more than three or four days old picking vermin from each other. This vermin appears like magic — there is no sign of it in the nests with eggs, which are of such construction as to give very little cover to insect life ; but no sooner are the young hatched than they become infested. The water in the tank is very oily and foul, and I was told tnat not even cattle would drink it. If I had gone ten days later, I should, I think, have got very few full clut- ches and certainly no fresh ones. H. N. PACKARD, Capt., R. A. Ootacamund, January 1903. No. IX —QUEER FIND OF A PAINTED SNIPE'S EGG. On 26th October last, Mr. H. A. Gass, Conservator of Forests, who was •staying with me, told me that about a week before when he was dining with Mr. Jackson, I. F. S. at Coimbatore, the latter, when eating a snipe, came on HO JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. an egg. On inquiry the snipe of course turned out to be Rostratula capen- sis. Mr. Jackson kindly sent me the egg which he had kept. Although it was in a highly putrid condition when it arrived and had a couple of fork holes in it, I managed to clean it out and make some sort of specimen of it. H. N. PACKARD, Capt., R. A. OOTACAMDND, January 1903. No. X— BIRDS NESTING IN SOUTHERN SHAN STATES OF BURMA. The following notes may be of interest to some of our readers : — A'os. 458, 459 and 451. Suya crinigera (The Brown Hill-Warbler), atrigularis (The Black-throated Hill-Warbler) and superciliaris (Ander- son's Hill-Warbler). The above three, according to Col. Rippon's List of Birds in the Ibis, October 1901, are all found up here, the last being stated as very common. — I have found a good many nests of Suyas up here, but so far have failed to identify the birds as they all seem very much alike with slight variations, some having a superciliura, others indistinct ones, and again some without any signs of one at all, while again some have black beaks and others horn-coloured ones, the size also varying. — I have sent four skins to the Society, which have so far I believe stumped even them. — I found one nest on 1st June 1902 with two eggs, the bird agreeing with No. 461, Suya superciliaris, the eggs being pinky white with dull red spots. I found another nest on the 19th with four eggs, the bird agreeing with the same description with the exception that it had indistinct subterminal patches, but the eggs are pale green with dull red spots and a zone round the larger end. — I have other eggs white with red spots and zones, in fact I have three distinct types of eggs, but, unfortunately, the birds all seem to merge into each other. The nests are all the same, cylindrical, of woven grass down with a hole at one side near the top. If any kind friend can help me out of my difficulty I shall be very much obliged. Egg collecting has its disadvantages in these parts when one is not good at identifying species and has no specimens for reference, although I have been very lucky in my first season in getting a good many compara- tively speaking rare eggs. No. 611. Pratincola leucura (The White-tailed Bush-chat). I saw three or four of these birds near Fort Stedman on the 29th July 1902, so they must evidently breed round the lake. Uroloucha topela. This bird was first recorded from the Shan States by Col. Rippon in the Ibis for October 1901, being the first record from within In- dian limits. — I sent skins to the Calcutta Museum for identification. Mr. Finn kindly wrote saying" they are certainly not the ordinary Munia (U.punctulata') of India, butwhether they are U. topela of China or U. subundulata of Burma, I caunot say." As it is highly improbable that two varieties are to be found up here, I think I am quite safe in recording its breeding from within Indian limits. It is extremely common up here during the rains, when it breeds from August to October (a few nests may be found in November). It nests at all MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 141 heights from the ground and not near water. It seems to prefer thorn and bramble bushes, the orange-trees in the Government Orchard being particular favourites. The nest is of the usual Munia type with a decided porch over the entrance. Five to seven seem to be the usual complement of eggs which are white. Fresh and incubated eggs are often found in the same nest but never more than seven. I have lately received the following note from Mr. Oates in regard to U. topela '■ — " The Munias you sent me are near topela, but not quite like the Chinese birds. If I were writing ' The Birds of India' again, I think I should unite topela to punctulata. The various races are so like each other and so difficult to make out." No. 739. Sporceginthus flavkliventris. The Burmese Red Munia. Breeds up here from September to December. I have found nests at some distance from water in spear grass, the nest being very hard to find ;— in fact the only way I have got them is while riding or out shooting by hearing the little bird get out with a " cheep " from under my feet. I have found two nests lined with feathers. As I do not see this mentioned in Blanford, it may be of interest. Those nests found in September had five to six eggs, while those found in December had generally four incubated eggs ; this is probably due to it being the second brood. No. 820. Eirundo striolata. The Japanese Striated Swallow. I have found three nests of this swallow in October and November but have not been fortunate enough so far to get their eggs, as some one destroyed the nest before I could get them. I watched one nest for some time and one evening I got up to it and feeling something inside opened it, catching both birds but alas no eggs. It builds generally inside houses, making a long retort- shaped nest, which must be broken before one can see into it. No. 1236. Circus melanoleucus. The Pied Harrier. This Harrier must breed up here as I saw quite half a dozen of both sexes near Saga, south of Fort Stedman Lake, on the 10th and 28th July 1902. The country down there is a huge swampy plain with a river running through the middle of it. I had no time to hunt for nests nor did I want to, as the swamp is full of leeches, but I had a good opportunity in watching them from my boat, as they beat up and down on both sides of the river. The only eggs I got on this trip were the Striated Weaver bird and Chestnut-bellied Munia, of which there were any amount nesting in the long grass within a few inches of the water along the river banks. H. H. HARINGTON, Capt. Taunggyi, Burma, February 1903. No. XI— RARE DUCKS. Mr. W. Moore has this year obtained three specimens of Eunetta falcata, one of which was sent, to me for identification ; all were young females. 142 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. Mr. N. S. Mondy has shot and given me a magnificent male Anas zono- rhyncha (The Eastern Spot-billed Duck). The bird was one of three seen on the banks of the Brahmupootra River. Mr. Mondy believes he has seen others of this species before. This is the first recorded occurrence of the Eastern Spot-bill in really Indian limits. Mr. Rose shot at the end of last year a fine male Pink-footed Goose, Anser brachyrhynchus. Messrs. Moore and Mondy saw two birds which, they think "were of this species. The feet were of such a vivid pink as to attract attention when the birds were still far out of shot. E. C. STUART BAKER. Dibrugarh, March 1903. No. XII— GAZELLE TAKING TO WATER. The following incident may have interest for other members who, like- myself, do not usually associate Gazelles with water : — When riding on a camel early one bitterly cold morning, towards the end of January this year, along the bank of a wide and deep canal in the Hissar District, Punjab, I saw a Gazelle {Gazella hennetti) some little distance ahead on the same bank feeding along the grassy edge of the canal. When I came within some forty yards, it suddenly sprang into the water, and swam rapidly up stream for some distance ; then landed on a shelving part of the opposite bank; scrambled up the side ; stood a few moments on top to look round ; shook the water off its flanks and then bolted off into a sandy waste beyond. It was a full-grown buck. I think he must have previously swam across the canal to feed on the short grass on the side I was moving. On this side, like the opposite, the country was perfectly open, so that if he disliked icy cold water, he could easily have avoided going into the canal to escape my approach. But he appeared to me to enter the water without the slightest hesitation, just as a Newfoundland dog would behave. A shikari who was with me, told me afterwards that the Gazelle constantly cross and re-cross the canal and its branches. In the part of the Hissar District I went over during a few days' stay, I noticed the Gazelle were nearly always seen not far from the canal and its irrigating channels, while what Antelope I came across, were miles away from water. The Gazelle appeared to keep near the gram fields ; and although these fields were protected all round by a high fence of thorny branches, they managed every now and then to jump over the fence, as on several occasions I saw them inside the fields. I was informed that when the hot weather sets in, the Antelope collect together and then keep near the canal and its water-courses. G. S. ROD ON, Major. Dharwar, March 1903. No. XIII— THE CRESTED GREBE. It would appear that the Crested Grebe {Podicepes cristalus) is not at all un- common in North-Eastern Assam. Messrs. Moore and N. S. Mondy have seen MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 143 nearly a dozeu this year and secured eight. Mr. Stevens of Rangagora has shot one and I have had several notices of its having been seen by others. On nearly all occasions the birds are seen in twos, not necessarily pairs, as frequently both birds prove to be males, and females are much less often seen than male?. E. C. STUART BAKER. Dibrugarh, Assam, JIarch 1903. No. XIV— FOOD OF THE HAMADRYAD OR KING COBRA. Referring to Vety. -Major G. H. Evans' paper on the Hamadryad in Vol. XIV, No. 3, of this Journal the following note regarding the food of this buake may be of interest : — While touring in the Trans Salween Shan States in February 1900, I shot a hamadryad in the Me Hang stream. One of my men hung it up on a tree close by. After watching its contortions for a few minutes — for it was not quite dead — I was greatly surprised to see what appeared to be 2 or 3 inches of the tail of a snake protrude from its jaws ; this I immediately laid hold of, and extracted what turned out to be a cobra — a light-coloured variety in excellent preservation so that it could not have been long swallowed. The lengths of the hamadryad and cobra in the flesh were, respectively, 9 feet 8 inches and 4 feet. I procured the skins of both. W. H. CRADDOCK. Kuala Lipis, Pahang. (Federated Malay States), January 1903. No. XV.— OCCURRENCE OF THE COTTON TEAL {NETTAPUS COROMANDELIANUS) IN STND. When shooting at a dhund near Sujawal last week I shot a Cotton Teal. I see Oates in his " Game Birds of India " says that " this small duck has not yet been observed in Sind." My shikari said that he had seen the duck before, but that it was very seldom shot. The boatmen did not seem to know it. In case this may interest you I am sending the duck for identification. J. W. PARTINGTON, Lieut., 47th Battery, R. F. A. Karachi, January 1903. [Note, — There appears to be some doubt as to this teal occurring in Guzerat and Sind so that the above record is interesting. Blanford says in Vol. IV, Birds — Fauna of British India : — " In India this Teal is rare in Malabar, the Bombay Presidency and Kattyawar and wanting in the desert parts of Rajputana, in Sind and the Western Punjab." Oates in his " Manual of the Game Birds of India/' Part II, says : " This small duck has not yet been observed in Kashmir, in Sind or in Cutch and probably these tracts lie outside its range." Stuart Baker in " Indian Ducks and their Allies," page 193, Vol. XI., of our Journal says: " In India proper it may be said to have its stronghold in Eastern Bengal, is still very common in Western Bengal 144 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. NY. and Assam, less so in the Eastern Punjab and Rajputana, especially so in the cold weather, and actually rare towards the West of the Empire. Barnes says that it is not found either in Guzerat or Sind, but it has been recorded from both places since his book was written." Mr. Stuart Baker unfortunately does not say where it was recorded, so the above note of Lieut. Parrington's is interesting. In reference to Guzerat, Mr. E. L. Barton, of Bombay, writes : " On referring to my game-book I find — On 17th January 1897 at Pardi (Surat District) I shot, 5 Cotton Teal. „ 24th „ „ ,, ,, „ ,, 1 „ „ „ 13th Feb. „ „ „ „ „ 9 „ „ „ 18th Dec. 1898 at Lohderia (Ahmedabad District) I shot 1 Cotton Teal. ,, 23rd „ „ ,, Ahdura (Ahmedabad District) I shot 1 Cotton Teal. I have shot, I am certain, many more Cotton Teal both in Guzerat and near Bnlsar in previous years, but in my diaries then they were only put down as- duck or teal."— Ed.] No. XVI.— FOOD OF MELURSUS URSINUS (THE SLOTH-BEAR OR INDIAN BEAR). On the 6th March 1903 I wounded a bear which made off leaving a fresh blood trail. On following the trail fresh droppings were found and among them an entire snake skin about 15 in. long. The process of digestion had rendered identification impossible, and the scales were rubbed off, but the shape of the head was like that of a Russell's viper (Vipera russellii). H. R. G. HASTED. Vizagapatam Dist., 1th March 1903. No. XVII.— FELJS BENGALENSIS (THE LEOPARD CAT). About this cat Blanford remarks that there is one skin from the Coromandel Coast in the Calcutta Museum and a live specimen from Jeypore (Madras Presidency) was in the London Zoological Garden. From this it would appear to be rather uncommon in the northern parts of the Madras Presidency and L think it interesting to note that on 21st January 1903 one was killed in a beat in Jeypur State, Vizagapatam District, and that on 1st March one was caught in Jeypur District. The skin and living animal I have with me at present. H. R. G. HASTED. Vizagapatam Dist., 7th March 1903. No. XVIII— NOTES ON BIRDS NEAR QUETTA. I notice amongst the Miscellaneous Notes in No. 3, Vol. XIV of cur Journal, some notes on birds seen near Quetta, and would like to add a few that were obtained by me at or near Chaman in 1900 and 1901 — Aedon familiar is,— Ynv, Grey-backed Warbler. In August and September in a garden and also near Sanzal. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 145 Sylvia nana,— The Desert Warbler. In the fort bills near Sanzal. Scotocerea inqwkta, — The Streaked Scrub-Warbler. Very common in the low scrub on the desert round Cbaman. Lanius assimilis, — The Allied Grey Shrike. One specimen shot near Sanzal. Oriolus kundoo,— The Indian Oriole. Common in gardens. Mostly immature specimens seen. Sturnus porphyronotus, — The Central Asian Starling. In Chaman in flocks in December. Saxicola chrysopygia,- — The Red-tailed Chat. One specimen shot at Bogra in September. Tharrhuleus Jerdoni, — Jerdon's Accentor. At Chaman and at Saranan in January and March; at the latter place in small flocks in the bushes in the tanks. Rhodospiza obsoleta (Licht). In Chaman in flocks in the gardens, in August and September and again in March, sometimes 20 or 30 at a time on railings and telegraph wires. Passer hispaniolensis, — The Spanish Sparrow. In large flocks in gardens, &C, in October, November and December. Embenza schcpniclus, — The Reed-Bunting. Chaman, December. Emberiza Stracheyi, — The Eastern Meadow-Bunting. One specimen obtained in Chaman in November. Motacilla personata,— The Masked Wagtail. Fairly common in Chaman in the winter. Anthus spinoletta, — The Water Pipit. Common in lucerne beds at Chaman in winter. Melanocorypha maxima, — The Long-billed Calandra Lark. On the desert in the winter. I kept one as a pet for some time which had hurt itself on the telegraph wires. Poona, March, 1903. J. W. WATSON, Captain, I.M.S. No. XIX.-NOTE ON HIERAETUS FASCTATUS. A pair of these birds visited our poultry yard for some months and accounted for 30 out of 40 (Bushire) chickens. I had long decided to shoot them, but their visits being at short intervals— sometimes in the forenoon, sometimes the afternoon — we were always taken unawares, and it was only when a commotion among the poultry announcing that another chick had been added to their list of victims, that we knew of their presence in the neighbourhood. Being shy birds, after securing their prey they were off as fast as wings could bear them and I only got an occasional glimpse at them as they were flying away, and concluded they were Falco communis, which are to be seen here occasionally. A servant, who had seen the birds carry off a chick, when mentioning the circumstances, stated the birds first sat on the ground a short distance from 19 146 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. the hen with her brood, then made a sudden dash for a chick and carried it off. This trait being unusual for Falco communis, I asked whether the birds did not swoop down and strike the chicks ; he said, no, they first sat on the ground and then attacked the chicks. On the morning of the 6th January, I personally saw the birds attack a brood, which were under a clump of trees about 50 yards from me ; both birds came to the ground first, then dashed in among the chicks, one of them being successful in securing a chicken, arid though I ran forward shouting, it was not till I was about 15 yards from them that they flew off, settling on the ground again in the next field. I got my fowling-piece and went after them, but they would not now allow me within range, flying off and settling on the ground about 1"0 yards further off. After a careful stalk I got a long shot at the one with the chicken as it was flying away, causing it to drop its quarry. Both birds then made off for the hills close by. I went after them taking a Martini-Henry rifle, and as anticipated, the birds would not allow me within 200 yards, but flew from peak to peak of the cliffs. A lucky shot at 200 yards, with the rifle, broke the leg of one of the birds, it flew about 300 yards, settling on the ground behind a boulder, while its mate kept hovering near it. My servant fired at the latter as it flew over our heads, but missed. The report caused the wounded bird to fly off another 200 yards, coming to the ground again, when a tawny-coloured eagle gave it chase and caught it on the ground in its talons. The eagle pecked at the wounded bird two or three times, but was more intent on watching our movements. Hoping to secure both birds, I sent my servant forward to shoot them ; but before he could get within range, both birds flew away, the wounded one settling again about 100 yards off and the tawny eagle kept hovering over it. My servant managed to shoot the wounded bird, which I recognised as "fasciatus.,f On dissection I removed two eggs, each about one inch in diameter. The bullet, with which the bird had at first been wounded, had apparently first struck the ground and then the bird, for only a part of it was found embedded in the hollow of the pelvis behind the femur. The pelvis itself was not injured, but the femur was shattered one inch below the joint. This turned out to be the one which had secured the chick, for embedded in its toes were feathers from the chicken, which had been driven in by the shot when I first shot at the bird as it was carrying away the chicken. This eagle was in fine condition weighing nearly six pounds, but her crop was empty. This together with the great cold had no doubt sharpened the birds' appetites, and hunger had made them less shy. W. D. CUMMING. Okmara, Mekran Coast, January, 1903. No. XX— PREHISTORIC-MAN-HUNTING IN INDIA. Not long ago Lord Kelvin in a lecture entitled The Age of the Earth gave the reasons which point to the period of time which has elapsed since MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 147 t>rganic life first appeared on the earth as lying between twenty and thirty millions of years. Man, gradually evolved from tree-living ancestors, appeared comparatively recently upon the scene. It has been shown in several ways that man existed during and before the last Glacial Period in Europe, by the association in man> cases of his handiwork with the remains of extinct animals such as the woolly rhinoceros and mammoth which existed at that time as far south as the south of France, also by the occurrence of his weapons in the gravel drift in France and England at considerable depths, that gravel being now not in a river bed but in many cases at the tops of hills, showing that since that period the present valley has been formed — as for instance that of the river Thames in England and the Somme in France. There is also the evidence as to age obtained from caverns in both countries, in which the implements were sealed up by silt, and the familiar stalagmite formation, which is deposited at a more or less fixed rate. The date of the latest of the many Glacial Periods can be roughly arrived at not only astronomically by the alteration in the position of the earth's axis, but also geologically, and thirdly from the examination of the deposits in caverns, as for instance Kent's Cavern at Torquay between 1825 and 1841, by Mr. Godwin Austen in 1840, and six years later by the Torquay Natural History Society. But ihe final examination extended over twelve years and was supervised by a Committee of the British Association between 1868 and 1880. All three methods of computation are substantially in agreement. The implements in Kent's Cavern most resembling the Indian ones (which I have had the honour of discovering and presenting to the Bombay Natural History Society) are those in the lowest stratum of all known as the Breccia, a dark-red sandy earth holding quartz nodules, and not at all unlike the lateritic deposits in which the Indian implements are always embedded or out of which they are derived. Very briefly this is the order of the Kent's Cavern Strata from the top : (1) Blocks of limestone up to 100 tons. (2) The Black Mould up to 1 foot in thickness. (3) Stalagmite floor of granular texture up to five feet in thickness and containing limestone blocks. (4) The Black Band up to 4 inches. (5) The Cave Earth — a red clay less than 4 feet thick and in some parts absent. (6) A stalagmite floor up to 12 feet thick. (7) The Breccia. By various, methods of computation it seems that as long ago as 250,000 years man flourished in Europe, and therefore probably long before. When I made my discoveries in Somaliland, during thirteen expeditions to that country, of stone implements at Jalelo on the Issutugan, of exquisite workmanship and in considerable numbers (three rather poor examples of 148 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. which are all I have been able to offer to the Society) and the first ever found in Africa, Sir J. Evans, the Treasurer of the Royal Society, in a communication to that body at once claimed them as paleolithic and as completing the chain of evidence linking India with Europe in prehistoric times. The types were identically the same all over the world. So much, then, as regards the age of Indian paleolithic implements. Of what kind were the men who used them ? At the present day there are, I believe, no scientific men of eminence or at any rate hardly any, who do not accept the theories first propounded by Charles Darwin as clearly proved by overwhelming evidence all pointing one way. Man bas ascended from the same root or arboreal ancestor as the anthropoid apes. His superior brain has given bim the mastery, and given an upright position and the use of his hands, everything else has been shown necessarily to follow. It is to be hoped that in India some caves may be found containing the re- mains of extinct animals, amongst which stone implements may be looked for, such as the caves at Bruniquel (Tarn et Garonne) and La Madelaine (Dor- dogne) in France ; and those at Plymouth, at Brixham and in Yorkshire. We have not forgotten the recent discovery by M. Dubois in Java of part of the cranium and femur of an ape-like man or man*like ape (scientific opinion is divided as to what to call it) in Pleistocene deposits — named Pithecanthropus erectus ; it was thought that the earliest discovered examples of the skull of prehistoric man were merely deformities and that their ape-like character was accidental. Repetition has rendered this impossible. When the Neanderthal specimen was discovered not far from Dusseldorf in Rhenish Prussia its extraordinary appearance led some eminent scientists at first to regard it as a deformed specimen, until the subsequent discoveries in the caves of Eguisheim (near Colmar, Alsace), at Briix (Bohemia) and at Spy (Namur, Belgium) and so on. A specimen was found as long ago as 1700 at Canustedt (Wiirtemburg). That the Indian specimens which I have presented to the Bombay Natural History Society are at least as old as the lateritic beds in which they occcr, is shown by the condition of the chipped surfaces which are stained in exactly the same way as the unworked quartsite boulders in the same bed. Some have been waterworn previous to becoming embedded and some washed out and waterworn afterwards. H. W. SETON-KARR. Wimbledon, London, S. W., February, ]y03. No. XXI —DROUGHT-RESISTING FODDER PLANTS FOR INDIA. In view of the importance of this subject and the imnense benefit which will result to India if some good drought-resisting fodder plants are in- troduced, the following note by Sir W. Wedderburn will be read with interest. Atriplex scmibaccata appears to have proved to be a most successful fodder- MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 149 plant in California in places where the normal rainfall is small, and it is pos- sible that in some parts of India, where similar conditions prevail, the cultiva- tion of this plant will be found to succeed. Editors. DROUGHT-RESISTING FODDER PLANTS. No. 2. ATRIPLEX SEMIBACCATA ON ALKALI LANDS. Experiments in India. The India Office has been so gocd as to supply me with the most recent information from India regarding fodder for cattle in times of drought. This information is contained in a Note (Agricultural Ledger No. 13 of 1901) by Mr. Moreland, Director of Agriculture, reviewing the attempts made to utilise the " reh " or " usar " lands, amounting to some two million acres, in the North-West Provinces and Oudh. The first important correspondence on the subject w;is published in 18G4, No. 42, Government Selections, and deals with the deterioration of villages lying along the Western Jumna Canal. It shows that the construction of that canal, and the neglect of drainage works, led to the accumulation of injurious salts at the surface in such quantities as to destroy the fertility of the land, and render culti- vation impossible. There is no record of attempts made to meet this mischief during the next ten years ; but in 1874 the matter was taken up by Mr. (now Sir Edward) Buck, and in 1876 the " Beh Committee" was ap- pointed, and a scheme of experimental work was drawn up, to include arbori- culture, surface and subsoil drainage, flushing, manuring, and the growth of special crops. Unfortunately no chemical analysis appears to have been made of the soil selected for these operations ; and the omission of this essen- tial preliminary deprived the experiments of scientific value ; while it led to action being taken in wrong directions as, for example, when nitrates and phosphates were applied to tho " usar'' lands, which are now known to be already charged (even to excess) with these nutrients. 2. The Reh Committee's experiments, directed to the reclamation of " usar," are reported under four headings: (1) Removal of salts ; (2) Drainage ; (3) Silting ; and (4) Deep cultivation, manuring, and ploughing in green crops. (1 ) Removal of salts. Thi3 was tried od the Awa estate. The salts on the surface were scraped oft before the rainy season, and in the following year the quantity of such salts was found to be decidedly less ; but the subsequent history of this plot cannot be ascertained. (2") Drainage. Surface drainage was attempted, but the plants died, and this method was given up as a failure. Subsoil drainage with two-inch pipe3 was then tried, but was also held to be a failure, mainly on account of the prohibitive cost, and the experiment was abandoned. (•>) Sdiing, By this method it was sought to form an entirely new soil by deposit on the top of the " usar,'1 but it was found that this process was of very limited application, depending as it did upon a copious 150 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. flow of watar, and a sufficient supply of coarse silt. (4) Deep cultivation^ manuring, and ploughing in green crops. Some practical success was obtained in improving the texture of the soil and in dispersing the salts from the surface by growing green crops of rice and hemp, and ploughing them in; but the experiments do not seem to have been conducted on systematic or scientific lines. No analyst being available, tha original condition of the plots was not known ; and the ultimate results are not ascertainable, as, after some years of varied operations, the plots were either sold to private in- dividuals or diverted to other purposes. Thus at Amraman, acquired in 1882, there was abundant ploughing and manuring; rice, barley, peas, maize, and millet were sown with varying success ; but in 1892 the whole reserve was sold, and the improvement effected in the condition of the soil appears to have been lo^t. Similarly at Cherat there was no analysis to begin with, and the official reports differ as to the nature of the saline deposits. Eventually this reserve was sold to a Mr. Keventer, who utilised it as a dairy farm. At Guraikran and Juhi the operations took a different direction, and a quantity of hay was made from the natural grasses belonging to " usar " soil, princi- pally the Sporobolus arabicus. The areas were enclosed, and the grasses grew in considerable abundance ; but they died down after the rains ; they did not stand drought ; and the hay, which proved unpalatable and innutritious, was refused both by the Cavalry and Commissariat Department as being unfit for fodder. The unsuccessful attempts to introduce Australian salt- bushes as fodder plants are referred to by Mr. Moreland at page 453 of t^e Agricultural Ledger. The first trial was made iu 1882, and the Atriplex num- mnlaria promised to do well. But the beginning thus made was not effec- tively followed up, and the ultimate fact of the experiment is recorded as follows: " Unfortunately the further detailed history of these plants is not on record, but all have disappeared." Mr. Moreland adds that he has learned from Mr. Duthie, Botanical Director, that the failure of these plants was "due to their inability to live through the wet season when the surface of the ' usar ' is slimy mud, and water often stands on it." This collapse of the experiment shows that in selecting the locality for plantation, due considera- tion was not given to the special characteristics of the salt-bush, which tolerates extreme heat and drought, but cannot endure heavy rain and a moist atmosphere. Owing to this uohaopy error a great opportunity \ as lost. Judiciously planted on the arid waste, which is its proper habitat, the salt-bush might, in the droughts of 1897 and 1900, have proved the salvation of countless plough cattle, besides, as will presently be shown, solving the problem of " usar " reclamation. 3. From the above summary it appears that as yet but little progress has been made, either in propagating drought-resisting fodder-plants, or in re- claiming " usar '" lands, " the problem which has been the subject of special study by the Agricultural Department for the last twenty years " (Agri- cultural Ledger, p. 415). From want of scientific method the Department MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 151 appears to have missed the clue to success which has been dextrously grasped by the experts in America. To use a homely phrase, two birds may in the present case be killed with one stone, for American research shows that by the propagation of salt-bush on dry alkaline waste a double benefit can be secured. On the one hand an abundant supply of nutritious fodder may be provided; while, on the other hand, the noxious salts will be removed, thus restoring the soil to fertility, and rendering it fit for canal irrigation. In the iuterests of Indian famine prevention evevy effort should be made to secure this double advantage. How this may be done can best be learned by reference to the facts ascertained by American experts, to which I will now refer. American Research. 4. On the suggestion of the Director of the Scientific and Technical De- partment at the Imperial Institute, I addressed the United States Agricul- tural Department at Washington, and by their courtesy have received the latest accounts of what has been done in America, as regards fodder plants on salt lands. Among the printed papers received are the following pamphlets, prepared at the Experiment Station of the Agricultural College and issued as Bulletins by the University of California : — Bulletin No, 125— (May, 1899) :" Australian Salt-bushes, Results of 18 years' tests : characteristics, propagation, and field tests," by Charles H. Shinn, Inspector of Stations ; and " Composition and Food Value," by M. E. Jaffa, Assistant Chemist. Bulletin No. 128— (March, 1900) : ■' Nature, Value, and Utilisation of Alkali Lands," by E. W. i-Jilgard, Director and Chemist. Bulletin No. 133— (August, 1901) : "Tolerance of Alkali by Various Cultures," by R. H. Loughridge, Agricultural Geologist and Phy- sicist. Bulletin No. 140— (February, 1902) : " Lands of the Colorado Delta in the Salton Easin," by Frank T. Snow, E. W. Hilgard. and G. W. Shaw ; with a Supplement by J. Burtt Davy, Assistant Chemist. I have also received 12 pamphlets on forage plants, published at Washing- ton by the United states Agricultural Department. Of these the following bear the most directly on the subject of drought-resisting crops: — Farmer's Bulletin No. 108— (1900) : "Salt-bushes," by P. Beveridge Kennedy, Assistant Agrostologist. Circular No. 18 — (1899): •' Smooth Brome-grass," by F. Lawson-Scrib- ner, Agrostologist. Bulletin No. -'—(1900): "Fodder and Forage Plants," by Jared G. Smith, Assistant, Section of Seed and Plant Introduction. 5. No one can peruse these detailed records of chemical and botanical research without being impressed by the persistency and scientific skill with which the experiments have been carried out, and the care with which results have been recorded. Under the direction of public authority a staff of 152 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV, highlytrained experts have set themselves to deal systematically -with the problem* arising out of drought ; experimental farms and laboratories have been at their disposal ; and the rich harvest of facts and experience reaped by them contrasts painfully with the meagre results obtained in India by the inadequate machinery provided for similar investigations. The conclusions arrived at, so far as they bear on the subject of this Note, may be briefly summarised under two headings : (A) Chemical analysis ; and (B) Botani- cal research. 6. (A") Chemical Analysis. By this branch of inquiry it is shown that the salts existing in alkali lands are made up partly of salts that are noxious to plant life, viz., carbonate of soda, sodium chlorid (table salt ), and sulphate of soda (Glauber's salt), and partly of salts which are valuable fertilisers, viz., sulphate of potash, phosphate of potash, and nitrate of potash: that these salts are originally distributed in solution throughout the soil ; and that by means of capillary attraction and evaporation they are accumulated on the surface, forming a crust destructive to most forms of vegetable life. (B) Botanical Research. On the other hand, by the experiments in this de- partment, it is proved that certain fodder plants, notably the Australian salt- bushes, can live and thrive upon such alkali lanis, absorbing large quantities of the noxious salts, while appropriating only a small proportion of the fertilisers. They also possess the valuable property of sharing with the hygroscopic salts the 10 per cent, additional moisture held in suspense in these alkali soils. Among these salt-bushes experience points to Atriplest semihaccata as most suitable for hot dry climates, being drought-resisting, prolific-, and capable of producing abundant supplies of good fodder ; and it is found that by continuous cropping with this salt-bush the excess of injurious salts is eliminated ; so that the alkali lauds may, by this simple process, become "profusely and lastingly " fertile for the growth of ordinary crops. 7. With reference to the origin of the alkali trouble. Professor Hilgard points out (Bulletin No. 128, p. 13) that the soluble salts in alkali soil have, like the soil itself, been formed by the progressive weathering of the con- tiguous rocks ; that the salts in the upper 4 or 5 feet of soil are usually limited in amount ; and that they are not ordinarily replenished in indefinite quanti- ties from the lower strata. The salts move up and down wiiliin the upper 4 or 5 feet of the soil or subsoil, following the movement of the moisture descending in the rainy season, or when irrigated, to the limit of the annual moistening as a maximum, and then re-ascending or not according as surface evaporation may demand. At the end of the dry season, in untdled irrigated land, practically the entire mass of salts may be within 6 or 8 inches of the surface. The injury to vegetation is caused mainly within a few inches of the surface, by the carbonate of soda, which corrodes the bark near the root- crown, and by the sodium chlorid, which acts as an antiseptic, and arrests development. Carbonate of socJa may however be neutralised by treating it with gypsum, which converts it into the sulphate, or Glauber's salt, which MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 153 is comparatively innocuous. Sodium chlorid (table salt) cannot be chemi- cally neutralised; but it can be removed mechanically, by scraping the salt crust from the surface, or by "leaching," that is by drenching the land with water, which dissolves the salts and carries them away by a system of under drainage. These methods however have the disadvantage that they carry off the fertilisers as well as the noxious salts. A special warning is given against the bad habit of surface irrigation, which stimulates evaporation and "deep-furrow " is recommended, vide diagrams at p. 38 of Bulletin No. 140. It is also pointed out that mere flooding will not wash away the salts, as these soak into the ground at the first touch. 8. The verdict arrived at from the botanical experiments is emphatically in favour of the Atriplex semibaccata within its own proper habitat. Sum- ming up his conclusions Mr. C. H. Shinn, Inspector of Stations, reports as follows: "This Bulletin (No. 125) shows that the California Station has been experimenting with salt-bushes for 18 years, that the tests of some species have extended over the greater part of the State, and that Atripler, semibaccata is the most generally useful species of all that have been planted, although others are worthy of cultivation It is seldom that a plant shows so much adaptation to differing circumstances as Atriplex semibaccata." At the same time he warns us that " it cannot endure too heavy summer rains, nor the moist atmosphere of many warm countries," though " within its own realm it is unsurpassed among the gifts of nature to the deserts and alkali wastes which cover so large a part of the earth's surface." In this view he is fully confirmed by Professor Hilgard and the other authorities above referred to. I may quote a few particulars as to the special merits of this plant. First, as to its power of resisting drought : " The total rainfall at the Paso Robles Station for the season of 1897-98 was but 3*24 inches to March ; April and May showers brought this to 4'75 By the 1st of April, the roadsides were brown and barren. On unirrigated land there was no green fodder-plant excepting salt-bush in the entire region. The growth o£ Atriplex semibaccata on this poor and arid soil was a revelation to every farmer. Seed sown in December, 1897, made a foot of growth by April 12th, branching and covering the ground. After being cut back for sheep feed, it made a second growth of 6 inches by the end of May, and was cut a third time before the end of summer,'1 (Bulletin No. 125, p. 5). Similar reports for the same dry year (1898) came from the other stations. Thus, in the West Sacramento Valley, " the salt-busb grew from a few inches to 3 feet in diameter on hard, dry clay land where even weeds did not grow ; and it volunteered from self-sown seeds in the hard road." Then as regards tolerance of alkali, the Atriplex semibaccata stands "extremely high," sur- passing all plants of similar food value in its power of growth on land highly charged with alkaline salts. It is also hardy in respect of cold, remaining green late in the season, and withstanding a temperature of 14° Fahrenheit. Further the .4, semibaccata is very prolific, self-sown seedlings springing up 20 154 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XT freely ; the fallen seeds, and subsequent seedlings, being protected by the- low-spreading mass of the plant. Some individual plants have, in Califor- nia, attained a diameter of 18 feet in one year, much exceeding in growth the parent plants in Australia. A very large amount of fodder is thus- produced, and in one case a yield 13 reported of 30 tons per acre of green forage. The green forage can be easily handled and made into hay, a special' merit of this variety being that it is procumbent, and the stems are tender and flexible ; whereas most of the other varieties of salt-bush beiDg shrubby and erect, are only suitable for browsing. This hay has a high nutritive value, its protein content being twice that noted for wheat hay. Next to the sal:~- bushes the Chilean plant Jlodiola decumbens , of the mallow family, deserves attention as a means of removing salt from alkali land. It grows very freely,, and is relished by cattle. Then there is the Tussock grass (Sporobohc& airoides), which stock will eat ; and the various alkali weeds, such as the " Grease woods " (Samphires), and the Alkali grass (Dtstichlis spicata). Smooth Brome grass {Bromus inermis) is also highly recommended in Circular- No. 18. " Its drought-resisting qualities have proved it to be the most valu- able grass for dry regions where ether grasses could hardly exist." I observe also that the Argentine salt-bush (A triplex pamparurii) is favourably noticed'. PROPOSED INDIAN RESEARCH. 9. Such being, in brief, the result of American investigations, there remains the question : What practical steps should now be taken in order to> utilise these conclusions, and obtain foi India the twc-fold benefit, of abundant fodder for cattle, and ihe reclamation c-f " usar " land ? Before applying American experience to Indian requirements, care must be taken to ascertain how far the physical conditions of the two regions are identical ; and for this purpose it is necessary that the tests of chemical analysis, and botanical experiment, should be applied in India with the same scientific ac« curacy that has been employed in America. It seems probable that the salts, both noxious and nutritive, contained in the " usar " seilare similar to those in the alkali lands of California. But in order to proceed with safety an exact analysis should be made in the different Indian Provinces interested. If by such analysis phosphates and nitrates are found to exist in abundance, it will be evident that experiments with artificial manures and night-soil may be at once abandoned ; while the presence of carbonate will show that treatment with gypsum, or some analogous substance, is called for to neutralise the mischief to plant life. Then there is in India a wide field for botanic ex- periment, by reason of the varieties of soil and climate in the different provinces ; and with the large choice of forage plants offered by the con- tinents of Asia, America, and Australia, there should be no difficulty in ultimately discovering the forms of vegetation best suited to Indian require- ments. Atriplex semihaccata should have a promineut place in these botanical experiments, care being taken to avoid past errors as regards its location MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 155 Had heed been given to the warning of American experts, these plants, so peculiarly suited to hot arid plains, would not have been exposed to the wet and mud which caused their destruction in the experiment at Aligarh. [N.B, la this connection I see it stated that Lowland Purslane (Sesuviuni) and Saltwort (Su(eda) are suited to moist alkali and salt-marsh soils.] It has been ascertained that the ash of the Atriplex semibaccata contains 40 per cent, of sodium chlorid ; and it is calculated that the removal from the land of a five-ton crop of this salt-bush hay will take away nearly a ton of salt per acre. It would therefore evidently be a great mistake to plough it in, as has been done in the case of rice and hemp, for this would have the effect of returning the noxious salts to the soil. Mr. Moreland states that a further trial is being made of certain salt-bushes and allied plants. It would be interesting to know the names of these, and I trust Atriplex semibaccata is among the number. 10. The extended investigation above suggested are probably beyond the; resources of existing expert establishments in India, which have done their best with insufficient means. But the practical issues are so momentous, that we must hope the Government of India, seeing what has been accom- plished in America will not hesitate to equip Experiment Stations and Agricultural Laboratories on a scale similar to those at Washington and in California. It would be well to obtain the co-operation of the Indian Uni- versities and Technical Colleges in organising the operations ; and in order that the work may be conducted continuously, and at moderate cost, a st.iff of young Indian scientists might be permanently enlisted, to be specially trained for these investigations. Professor Bose and others have shown what valuable results may thus be produced in the various departments of scientific research. 11. It is gratifying that the Secretary of State has expressed his interest an drought-resisting fodder-plants, and has moved the Government of India to cause the subject to be taken up earnestly by the Agricultural Depart- ments in all Provinces. The prospect is encouraging ; for every " usar " acre that can be planted with salt-bush, will provide tons of wholesome sustenance for cattle, while gradually bringing into culturable condition waste lands which are described as being " intrinsically of the very richest, description." W. WEDDERBURN, Indian Famine Union, Palace Chambers, Westminster, S.W. 1st January 1903. 156 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, THE 5th FEBRUARY 1903. A meeting of the members of the Bombay Natural History Society was held at the Society's rooms on Thursday last, the 5th February 1903 ; the Venerable Archdeacon Scott presiding. NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following new members was announced : — Mr. fl. C. Nangle (Rangoon) ; Lieutenant A. Willoek, R.T.M. (Bombay) ; Mr. St. G.de Carteret (Partabgarh, Oudh) ; Mr. P. J. Fitz Gibbon (Bel- gaum) ; The Hon'ble Syed Hoosein Belgrami, Nawab Imud-ul-Mulk Baha- door, B.A. (Hyderabad, Deccan) ; Mr. A. D. St. C. Barr (Amraoti, Berars) ; Mr. T. J. Metcalfe (Rangoon) ; Lieutenant J. W. Parrington, R.A. ^Karachi); Mr. J. Scott, M.I.C.E. (Calcutta) ; Mr. G. Richards, P.W.D. (Rangoon) ; Mr. J. McKenna, C.S. (Bassein, Burma) ; Mr. J. A Chapman (Bassein, Burma) ; Major C. T. Robinson, R.F.A. (Mhow, C.I.) ; Major S. D. Browne, R.H.A. (Mhow, C.I.) ; Dr. Nassarvanjee Fakirjee Surveyor, M.D. (Bombay) ; Captain P. C. Gabbett, I.M.S. (Coonoor) ; and Mr. Samuel Joyce (Bombay). The Honorary Secretary, Mr. W. S. Millard, asked members to try and induce others to join the Society, as the more members they could obtain, the better would be the position of the funds of the Society, and more money could be spent in improving the Journal. CONTRIBUTIONS. The Honorary Secretary acknowledged receipt of the following contribu- tions since the last meeting :• — • CONTRIBUTION TO THE MUSEUM. Contributions. Description. Contributors. Some specimens of Fishes from the Persian Gulf. 1 Indian Pangolin or Scaly Ant Eater* (.alive). 1 Skin of the Indian Chev retain or Mouse Deer. 1 Skin of the Cotton Teal .. 1 Skin of the Great crested Grebe. ThreeStone Implements from the Madias Presidency 1 Skin of the Eastern Little Stint. 1 Skin of the Little Ringed Plover. 2 Skins of the Bengal Bush Lark. 1 Skin of the Indian Pipit.. 1 Skin of the Eastern Baya 1 Skin of the Striated Weaver Bird. Manis pentadactyla. Tragulus merMnna . Nettapus coromandelianus. Podicepes rristatus Mr. F. W. Townsend. Mr. A. H. A. Simcox, I.C.3. Mr. R. E. S. Branson. Lt. J. W. Parrington, R.A. Mr. H.Bulkley. Mr. H. Seton Karr, M.P. Tringa ruficollis . JEgialitis dubia Mirafra assamiea. Jnthns rnfulus Ploceus megarhynehiis Ploceus manyar >Capt. H. H. Harrington. • Forwarded to the Victoria Gardens. PROCEEDINGS. 157 Contributions. Description. Contributors. 1 Skin of the Burmese lied Munia. 2 Skins of the Pegu House iSparrow, 2 Skins of the Burmese Red- vented bulbul. 1 Skin of the Burmese Shrike. 1 Skin of the Burmese Nuthatch. 2 Skins of the Burmese Spotted Babbler. 1 Common Snipe (albino). Sporeeginthus flavidwentris Passer jiaveolus Molpastes burmaniciis Lanius colurioides Sitta neglecta Pellomeum subochraceum... Gallinago coelestis , 1 -Capt. H. H. Harrington. Capt. P. P. Kilkelly,I.M.8. MINOR CONTRIBUTION. From Mrs. A. K. Oliver. CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIBRARY. " The Butterflies of India, Burma and Ceylon," i Vols. I, II, and III, by Marshall and de Nice- \ Presented by Mr. C. ville. ) Crommelin. PAPERS READ. The following papers were then read : — " On two Cetaceans from Travan- core by H. S. Ferguson, with a Note on the same," by R. Lydekker, B.A., F.R S., &c., in which a new porpoise or dolphin, named Tursiops Fergusoni, was described. Mr. E. H. Aitken also read a paper on " The Butterflies of Bombay and the surrounding country" written by himself and Mr. E. Comber. The paper was made more interesting by specimens of the various butterflies being exhibited and referred to. A vote of thanks was passed to the authors of the papers, and the meeting then terminated. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, THE 5th MARCH 1903. The monthly meeting of the members of the Bombay Natural History Society was held at the Society's Rooms on Thursday, the 5th March 1903 ; His Excellency Lord Northcote presiding. NEW MEMBERS. The election of the following new members was announced : — Mr. V. G. Morgan, I.F.S. (Hoshangabad, C.P.) ; Mr. H. H. Mann (Cal- cutta) ; Mr. J. E. C. Tukes, 1.0.8. (Ahmedabad) ; Mr. E. H. Waterfield, I.C.S. (Kaira) ; Mr. J. T. Scotson, I.C.S. (Ahmedabad) ; Major R. H. G. Be\gate, D.S.O. (Thayetmyo, Burma) ; Mr. W. M. Nuttall (Dibrugarh, Upper Assam) ; Mr. J. Malcolm Maclaren (Calcutta) ; Lieut. E. C. Coates (Ranikhet) ; Mr. R. H. Anderson (Dera Ismail Khan); Captain J. G. Hulbert, I.M.S., 158 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. (Naini Tal U. P.) ; Captain G. C. Scott (Ceylon); Captain W. G. Liston, I.M.S. (Bombay) ; Colonel H. FitzGerald (Wellington, Madras) ; and Mr. John Glasser (Bombay). CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM. The Honorary Secretary, Mr. W. S. Millard, acknowledged receipt of the following contributions since the last meeting :■ — Contributions. Description. Contributors. 11 Fossils from the Gulf of Cambay. 1 Skin of the Blue-breasted Banded Rail. 1 quantity of Butterflies from Cannanore and Kodaikanal. 2 Crested Buntinsrs .(alive).. A quantity of Palaeolithic implements from the Madras Presidency. 1 Young Jackal (alive) .... 1 Golden Tree Snake (alive). 1 Green Tree Viper (alive)... 1 Snake 4 Red-billed Liothrix (alive) 2 Silver-eared Mesias (alive) 2 Blu^-winged Sivas (alive). 2 Elack crested Yellow Rulbuls (alive). 2 White -eared B ulbuls (alive). Mr. R. P. Lambert, D.S.P. Hypotcenidia striata 'Mr. S. L. Whymper. Capt. R. W. Burton. Mclophus melanicterns Canis aureus . Mr. E. W. Harper, F.Z.S. Mr. H. Seton-Karr. fhrysopelea ornate Triweresurus anamallensis... Callophig tritnaculntus Lwthrix lutea j Mesia argentauris ' Siva cyanuroptera ' Otocompm flaviventris )>Mr. E. W. Harper, F.Z.S Mr. W. E. Turner (H.M.8. " Highflyer."") Mr. A. M. Kinloch. Do. Mr. R. H. Madan. 1 Molpastes leucotis Minor contributions from Mr. A. Forbes, Mr. F. A. Reddie, Colonel C. T. Peters, I.M.S. (Retired), and Major W. B. Bannerman, I.M.S. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIBRARY. Moore's " Lepidoptera Indica," Vols. I, II, III, IV, and 5 parts of Vol. V. Presented by H. H. the Maharaja of Mysore. " The Birds of Pekin," by Captain H. J. Walton, I.M.S., presented by the author. "Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal," Vol. LXXI, Part II, No. 3, 1902, in exchange. " On the Silver Pheasants of Burmah," by E. W. Oates, F.Z.S. Presented by the author. " Text-book of Entomology " (Packard). Presented by Mr. J. F. Jowett. THE ACCOUNTS FOR 1902. Mr. N. C. Mr.cleod, the Honorary Treasurer, placed before the meeting a statement of accounts for the year ending 31st December 1902, showing an income of Rs. 11,586 ; expenditure, R3. 11,032 ; and a balance at credit of Rs. 1,562. He explained that the reason the income was smaller than pre- vious years was due to a larger number of members having omitted to pay their subscriptions, and hoped that they would pay them without any further delay. It was resolved that the accounts be passed, subject to the usual auditr. PROCEEDINGS. 159 PAPERS READ. The following papers were then read and discussed : — J. " Fleas and the Plague," by Captain W. G-. Liston, I.M.S., illustrated by a number of enlarged sketches, tables of experiments and microscopical specimens shewing the human flea, the rat flea and a transverse section of a flea, containing the plague germs. 2. "Size of Remarkable Trees,'' by G. Marshall Woodrow. 3. " Food of Centipedes," by W. P. Okeden. 4. " Note on the breeding of certain Herons, etc., in Southern India," by Captain H. N. Packard, K.A. 5. " The Common Snakes of Bombay," by the Revd. F. Dreckmann, S.J., and W. S. Millard, which was illustrated by some excellent sketches made by Mr. P. Grerhardt showing the distinguishing features between poisonous and harmless snakes in which some similarity exists in colour, markings and general appearance. Most of the papers will appear in full in the Society's Journal PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16th APRIL 1903. The monthly meeting of the members of the Bombay Natural History Society was held at the Society's Rooms on Thursday, the 16th April 1903 ; Mr. J. Sanders Slater presiding. NEW MEMBERS. The Honorary Secretary, Mr. W. S. Millard, said it was gratifying to observe how members had responded to the appeal to obtain new members, and he was glad to announce that since the commencement of the year seventy-three new members had been elected. The committee sincerely hoped that members would not slacken their efforts, as it was desirable to obtain as many members as possible, and thus enable the Society to spend more money on the journal, especially as the coloured illustrations of Indian Ducks which are so much appreciated are so very expensive. The election of the following new members was announced : — Lieutenant J. P. Stockley (Kberwara) ; Mr. R. Galloway (Sscunderabad) ; Mr. A. H. Bell (Sirsa, Punjab) ; Mr. R. B. McCorinack (Ghansur, Seoni Chappara) ; Mr. H. H. Hayden (Calcutta) ; Lieutenant C. T. Simcox (Lucknow) ; Mr. D. L. McCarrison (Koraput) ; Mr. W. Moore, F.J.C. (Dibrugarh, Assam) ; Mr. N. S. Mondy (Dibrugarh, Assam) ; Dr. Manilal G. Desai (Kaira) ; Major F. R. Ozzard, I. M.S. (Tongshan, N. China) ; Lieutenant F. Stanley Clarke (Tong- shan, N. China) ; Mr. L. O. Clark, I.C.S. (Lushai Hills, Aijal, Assam) ; Lieu- tenant L. L. G. Thorpe, R.A.M.C. (Colaba) ; Colonel A. E. Ward (Kashmir) ; Mr. W.H. L.Cabell, B. A., I.C.S. (Rangoon): Dr. R. Row, M.D. (London), (Bombay); Major J. Manners Smith, V.C., C.I.E. (Neemuch, C.I.) ; Mrs. L. Dalrymple-Hay (Nellore, Madras) ; Mr. W. Raby Noble (Behali, P. 0. Assam); Mr. A. J. R. Hope (Myitkyins, LT. Burma) ; Mr. K. Bernhardt (Karachi) ; Eientenant W. F. Maxwell, R.E. (Aden) ; Captain C. Hodgkinson (Lucknow) and Mr. W. J. F. Williamson (Bangkok). 160 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSEUM. The Honorary Secretary acknowledged receipt of the following contribu- tions since the last meeting: — Contribution. Description. Contributor. Some Butterflies, mounted Mrs. K. Thomson on plaster of Paris. 1 Crested Bunting (alive) ... Melophus m,ela?iicterus Mr. E. W. Harper, F.Z.S. Mrs. C. Hudson 1 Phursa (alive) juv Do. Mr. B. A. Gupte. Mr. R. Laird (through Mr. A. D. Neubronner). Capt. N. S. H. Sitwell, R.A. Mr. W. D. Cumming. Do. Argusianus argus PolyodentopMs subpunctatus 1 Noddy.... 1 Do Do. Do 1 Red-breasted Merganser... Do. Do. Do. 1 Coronetted Sand-grouse ... Do. Do. Do. Illeraetus fasciatus Do 1 Indian Wren Warbler Capt. J. Watson, I. M.S. Do. Do. Tephrodornis pondicerianus The Ibis-bill IbidorhyncUus struthersi ... Mr. J. C H Mitchell. Do 2 Eggs of the Indian S? pur- winged Plover. 2 Eggs cf the small Swallow Plover. A quantity of Marine shells and fossils from the Mekran Coast. Do. Do. Mr. B. A. Gupte, F.Z.S, Mrs, C Hudson 116 Birds' skins from the Mr. S. F. Pearcey. Capt.H. Wood, R.E. Mr T B Bell Slian States Frontier. 1 Barn Owl or Screech Owi. 1 Nest of the Spotted-Grey Creeper. 1 Skull of the Indian Chev- rotain or Mouse-deer. 1 White-cheeked B u 1 b u 1 Do. Molpastes lencogenys Major R. Hall, K.A.M.C. Mr. G. C. Rehling. Mr. W. C. Constable, R.I.M, (alive). Houbara macqueeni...... Minor contribution from Ool.H. H. Barnet, R.E. Contributions to the Library were received from H. H. the Maharajah of Mysore, Mr. E. H. Aitken, Mr. Edward B. Poulton, and Mr. G. Claridge. EXHIBITS. A splendid specimen of the Argus Pheasant (Argusia7iiis argus) presented by Mr. Laird was exhibited by Mr. E. L. Barton, who had mounted it for the Society. It was greatly admired by all present and will prove a perma- nent ornament to the Museum. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Barton PROCEEDINGS. 161 for his valuable work. Mr. E. L. Barton also exhibited a shooting seat which he had invented, and which was specially intended for duck shooting in places where there was a good deal of water, and in rushes at the edges of tanks, &c. The seat dees not sink into mud, and as it revolves on a swivel it is of great use in duck driving, flighting, &c. PAPER READ. Mr. E. Comber read an interesting paper on "The Argus Pheasant "' in which he referred to the curious habits of the bird and its wonderful plumage. A COLLECTION OF MOSQUITOES. Mr. E. H. Aitken said that it was proposed to make as complete a collec- tion as possible of the mosquitoes of India, and the Committee hoped that members would help by sending them specimens of the kinds which paid them attention. The importance of a knowledge of the different species of mosquitoes could scarcely be exaggerated in the light of recent discoveries ; but of the many medical men in India whom it concerned to know them, few had the opportunity or time to make large collections, and without a refer- ence collection, identification was very difficult if not impossible. To make and keep such collection would be altogether- in line with the honourable career of usefulness which has distinguished the Society in the past, and there could be no question that it ought to be commenced at once. Mr. Aitken then showed how mosquitoes were killed, pinned and preserved, and said if members were not disposed to take the trouble of performing the operation themselves they might send live mosquitoes to the Secretary in small bottles or glass tubes. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Comber and Mr. Aitken, and the meet- ing then terminated. 21 u o en -p in ■ r-H & -P d ft 1 PP I "3 J6 c f- o D Q CD a o X i a J o -1 « CD >*" »- 2 O ' in < ui i h t5 JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY Uatantl ^^ — & Q. Vol. xv. BOMBAY. No. 2. INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT, BEING A SIMPLE ACCOUNT OF THE MORE IMPORTANT FAMILIES OF INSECTS, WITH EXAMPLES OF THE DAMAGE THEY DO TO CROPS, TEA, COFFEE AND INDIGO CONCERNS, FRUIT, AND FOREST TREES IN INDIA BY E. P. STEBBING, f.l.s., f.e.s. Introduction. In a pamphlet * published as an Appendix to Volume XNVII of the Indian Forester (1901), I described, under the title cf " A Note on the collection and preservation of entomological specimens, with a descrip- tion of the methods to be employed in the study of life-histories of Insects," some simple apparatus necessary to the would-be student of the Insect World — whether his aim be that of the collector only or that of the investigator — whose desire is to make himself acquainted with the life-histories and habits of this exceedingly interesting class of the Animal Kingdom. I alluded shortly to the lines upon which this latter work should be taken up. In a series of papers f entitled l The Insect World in an Indian Forest, published in the Indian Forester, I have endeavoured to give in some- what fuller detail some notes upon the groat Orders and Families of * The pamphlet can be obtained from the Curator, Imperial Forest School, Dehra Dun. f These papers are still appearing in the Indian Forester. The Introduction and Part I appeared in No. 9, Part I (continued), Part II in No. 11, and Part III, wrongly named, Part II in No. 12 of Vol. XXXVII, and Part IV (wrongly numbered Part III) in No. 1, Pact V in No 2, Part V (continued) in No 3, Part VI in No. 4, Part VI (continued) in No. 5, Part VII in No. 6, Part VIII in No. 7 and Part IX (conclusion) in No. 3 of Vol. XXIX (1903). The Introductory portion and Part I are but slightly modifiod from what has already appeared in the Indian Forester Series. 164 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol XV. Insects which will, I believe, prove useful to the student of Insect Life in the Indian Forest. The examples and life-histories quoted were more exclusively confined to Forest Insects. The question of writing another series of papers dealing with this subject from a more general point of view had occurred to me, but I had thought of bringing out the material I had collected for the purpose in the form of a small book. The Honorary Secretary's request, asking for permission to reproduce the Indian Forester articles in this Journal, has led to the papers appearing here. Being the first series of illustrated papers dealing systematically with the subject of Indian Economic Entomology to appear, it is hoped that they may prove of service both to those interested in agricultural pursuits as well as to the collector, and he who would spend some pleasant hours in the study of some of Nature's most beautiful forms of life — a life scattered in such careless and bounteous profusion o'er the face of the earth. For my illustrations of life-histories I shall endeavour to confine myself almost entirely to Insects of the Indian Region, whether of importance in the field, orchard, or forest, or the tea, coffee, and indigo concerns, &c, of the country. The forest pests will not of course be dealt with at the same length as in the forest series. Each of the Orders will be taken in turn, its characteristics considered, and the families containing species of Insects of economic importance dealt with as fully as is at present possible. Insects which are known to be or are considered likely to prove injurious will be alluded to at some length. Where possible remedies will be suggested. But whilst thus endeavouring to help the novice the writer hns another object in view, and that is to draw attention to and lay stress upon the various Families which his own experience has shown — we should perhaps say is showing — are likely to be of paramount importance in this country ; until recently the information about them has been so meagre that it has been usual in European text-books to either make no reference to them at all, or merely a passing allusion to the fact that they are, relative to other better-known families, of small importance. Whilst this proce- dure is, of course, quite correct where the European student, who spends his life in Europe, is concerned, the case is rather different when the man so taught comes out to India and endeavours to apply his knowledge to the conditions around him in this country. He soon finds that the relative importance of many of the families he has studied must be re-arranged in his mind : those he has only touched upon or merely heard of must be INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 1G5 given a prominent place in this re-arrangement, and old well-known friends relegated to the background as of comparatively small signifi- cance. I will not say that much can be accomplished upon these lines at present, but I trust to be able to aid the student to some extent in this direction. Insect Life in the field or orchard, as elsewhere, may be divided into two great groups, in the first of which come the Insects actually injurious to plant growth and which are in consequence inimical to man ; in the second the predacious and parasitic Insects, which from their habits of preying upon their fellows may be considered as the friends of the human race. It should be noted that these latter are in their turn devoured by other Insects ; whilst fungi undoubtedly lend their help in keeping within bounds the enormous increase in numbers which would otherwise, and at times does, take place owing to the great fertility and prolificness of Insect Life. In fact study and observation show that in all probability no Insect exists upon the face of the earth which has not enemies of one kind or another to contend with, which aid in keeping down its numbers. That this is as it should be becomes evident when it is remembered that Huxley calculated that the produce of a single Aphis (the green blight found on rose bushes, &c, are Aphids) would, in the course of ten generations, supposing all the individuals to survive, ' contain more ponderable substance than 500 millions of stout men, that is, more than the whole population of China.' The increase of this one family of insects is such that, were they not kept under, it has been calculated that in the course of two or three years they would, deriving their nutriment as they do directly from the plant in the growing state, leave no plant food available for other animals save that which might be derived from plants they did not attack. In other words, man would be very soon cleared off the face of the earth had not nature provided checks against undue increase of its Insect population. At times the preyed-upon obtain for a season the upper hand, and the alarming rate at which they then -spread is known to all. In conclusion, I may say that in these papers I do not propose to make use of more technical terms than are absolutely essential, whose explanation is to be found in any elementary text-book on Entomology. Explanations will be given in all cases where it is considered necessary. To the readers of this Journal no further apology is necessary for such technicalities as are unavoidable. 166 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. Chapter I. The Position of the Class Insecta in the Animal Kingdom. It will be at first necessary to consider shortly the position of the Insecta in the Animal Kingdom, and with this object in view the briefest of summaries of the Kingdom becomes essential. Animals are primarily divided into the two great groups of the Protozoa or animals consisting of a single cell only (as, for instance, the Amceba) and the Metazoa or multicellular animals. The latter are again sub-divided into the Ccelentera, or animals without a body cavity (such as the sponge, coral, jellyfish) and Coelomata, or animals provided with a body cavity. The Ccelomata comprise the rest of the Animal Kingdom and are divided into seven great Phyla, consisting of the Platylielminthes or Flat Worms ; Nemathehninthes or Round Worms ; Annelida or Earth Worms, Sea Worms, and Leeches ; Arthropoda or Prawns, Crabs, Spiders, Scorpions, Insects, Centipedes, Millipedes ; Echinoderma comprising the Star Fish and Sea Urchins ; Mollusca or Snails, Slugs, and Mussels ; and lastly the Vertebrata or Chordata, comprising the Fishes, Frogs, Lizards, Birds and Mammals. We thus see that the Insecta form one of the divisions of the great branch Arthropoda or segmented animals. They may be said to be segmented animals, having three pairs of legs and breathing by trachece, a system of air tubes ramifying through the body and opening on the sides of the insect by means of a row of breathing holes or stigmata ; the genital openings of insects are near the posterior end of the body. We shall consider the Insecta as divided into the following nine Orders : — Aptera (fish-insects) ; Orthoptera (cockroaches, mantis, locust, grasshopper, cricket, &c.) ; Neuroptera (white-ants, lace-winged flies ant lions, &c.) ; Hymenoptera (ichneumons, ants, bees, wasps, &c.) ; Coleoptera (beetles) ; Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) ; Diptera (two-winged flies) ; Thysanoptera ; and Hemiptera (tree bugs, cicadas, plant lice, and scale insects). Some General Notes on Insect Life.* It will be interesting to first glance briefly at some of the charac- teristic features of Insect Life in general. Insects form by far the * To Dr. Sharp, F.R.S.,in the Cambridge Natural History, Vols. Vand VI, Insects, I am indebted for some of the following interesting notea on the very varied features of Insect Life* INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 167 largest part of the animals of the world ; they outnumber in species all the other terrestrial animals together ; whilst compared with the vertebrates their numbers are simply enormous. It is perhaps owing to their size that they have been so little studied as a Class and that so little is known as to the number of species at the present moment living upon the earth's surface and of the habits of the greater number of the known species. The largest Insects scarcely exceed in bulk a mouse amongst mammals or a wren amongst birds, while the smallest are almost or quite imperceptible to the naked eye, and yet the larger part of the Animal matter existing on the lands of the globe is probably contained in the forms of Insects. In the waters of the globe the predominance of Insect Life disappears. They practically only exist in any numbers in small collections of fresh water, and then it may be for only a portion of their existence ; of the larger bodies of fresh water they invade the fringes only, and they are almost absent from the oceans. Insects may be said to be the most successful of all animals in the struggle for existence, and this is probably due to the rapidity of their growth owing to the peculiar relations which exist between the great functions of circulation and respiration, these being of such a nature as to enable the nutrition of the organs of the body to be carried on rapidly and efficiently so long as a certain bulk is not exceeded. Rapidity of growth is in the case of some Insects very great and the powers of multiplication even greater still. In addition, by a process known as a metamorphosis," growth and development can be isolated from one another, thus allowing the former to go on unchecked and uncomplicated by the latter. It was probably in allusion to some of these favourable features of Insect Life and the remarkable rate at which they sometimes multiply that Linnseus made the statement, Tres muscae consumunt cadaver equi^ aeque cito ac ho, not at all an improbable contingency, since it has been calculated that one female of the common house fly, Musca domestica, may have 25,000,000 descendants during one season. I have said that by a process of metamorphosis growth and develop- ment are isolated from one another, and thus we get the different 168 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. stages in the life of an Insect, known as the egg stage, the larval or grub stage, the pupal or resting stage, and the adult or imago stage. Fig. 1. — Stages in the life-history of a beetle QOryctes) . a, eggs ;&, larva or grub ; c, pupa or nymph ; d, adult or imago. (See fig. 1, a, b, c, d.) When all these four stages are present the metamorphosis is said to be ' complete.' During the second of these the Insect often eats voraciously and increases rapidly in bulk, develop- ment taking place at a later stage. The pupal stage is absent in some Orders of Insects, and the metamorphosis is then said to be ' incomplete.' As is well known, some kinds of Insects form organised societies and live together in communities — a method of existence displayed by few other animals save man. We shall have occasion later to allude to some of the Insects living in this fashion when we consider the Termitidce ( the so-called white-ants ), and the Hymenoptera aculeata ( the) bees, wasps, and ants ). It will be unnecessary here to dilate upon the beauty of Insects. The beauty of the butterfly is proverbial, and those who seek will find it reproduced again and ao-ain in the numberless minute forms of the Insect World which perhaps compose the greater bulk of Insect Life in India ( though we are still very far from being able to make definite statements on this subject as yet) — a world teeming with some of the most beautiful and certainly not the least interesting of created beings, and yet at present as little known as was America before the days of Columbus. INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 169 To commence the study of this life will not require hours of un- productive and wearisome search. The leaves of the nearest tree or shrub will be found to contain their quota of defoliators, be tb.9y the caterpillars of butterflies or moths (Lepidoptera), or the grubs of beetles belong- ing to the Chrysomelidcej Curculionidce (weevils), &c. ; leaves and twigs will be found yielding up their sap to numbers of aphids or plant lice (Apludce) and scale insects (Coccidce), &c. ; their seeds will be riddled by the grubs of Hymenoptera, Diptera and weevils. If, intent on our study and with the wish to arrive at some definite reason for the death or sickliness of trees, we carefully examine the bark, it may be found riddled with pin holes. On stripping it off we shall drop into a perfectly new world of life below — a world which spends its existence beneath the bark and leaves its shelter in many instances but for a nuptial flight. Here we shall find a veritable Tower of Babel of Insect Life, consisting of genera of many different families, the individuals of which are present with very different objects. The particular families and genera present will depend greatly upon the condition of the tree we are examining. If still green but sickly and dying, or newly felled, various bark borers will be at work laying eggs in the best layer, the larvae of which on developing will feed on the still fresh bark : Buprestidce, Curadionidce, Cerambycidce, Scolytidce, amongst the Coleoptera and various families of the wood-boring moths (Heterotera) may be present ; other genera, some perhaps very minute, will be feeding upon the oozing sap ; others again on the dying and drying bark ; whilst numerous predacious Insects belonging to one or more of the great Orders Ortkoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera will be found exhibiting an enormous variety of shapes and peculiarities, both in their larval, pupal and imago stages. Where all is new it would be invidious to parti- cularize ; but there will soon be little doubt in the minds of those who take up this study that the work of a lifetime would not suffice to become acquainted with the life-histories of one tithe of the predacious Insects which spend their existence beneath the bark of our Indian trees and shrubs or inside crop plants or hunting about outside for their prey, nor even to study them so far as to be able to say that such and such a larva becomes such and such a pupa and imago. The surprises in store for him who endeavours to grapple with this aspect of the work alone will perhaps do more than anything else to show him how little is at present known in India upon 170 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. the subject of the life-histories and developments of some of her com- monest insects, and how urgently recruits in this department of know-s- ledge are required. Instances could be enumerated of insects which, if sought for in their abodes beneath the bark or in the roots, in the twigs or on the leaves, &c, are to be found almost as plentifully as the common house fly and throughout the same period in the year, and yet neither their eggs, larvae nor pupre are yet known. Leaving the bark and cambium layer of older trees, we will now turn 1o young saplings and the smaller branches of the older trees. A search in this direction may show that grubs have gone into the iuterior of the stems and are boring their way up or down the centre. This will probably be the work of longioorn beetles or of the wood- boring moth larva?. In the wood of older dead trees round shot holes or large oval galleries may be found riddling it through and through, the work of the wood-boring families of insects, the wood-wasps (Sire.v) and boriug beetles and their larvre or boring moth caterpillars. Or on the branches again, white or variously coloured scaly masses may be visible, which, on a closer examination, are seen to be alive. These are scale inseets (Cocadai) sucking out the sap of the branch. Our search need not terminate here however. There still remain the roots of the tree, and to get at these it will be necessary to excavate the earth all round so as to leave them exposed in a pit where they can be examined satisfactorily. Here again wo shall find many members of the Insect World. Aphids sucking out the sap, the very life of the young tree, bark-borers, wood-borers, and their attendant predacious and parasitic companions, sap-feeding beetles and dead bark eaters — some or all may be present, the individuals being probably of entirely different genera and species, if not families, to those working higher up in tbe trunk, main branches, twigs, or on the leaves and in the fruit and seeds of the tree. If we leave the tree and turn to the nearest field of crops, we shall find tbe same state of affairs. Leaves, stems, roots, flowers and seeds or fruits, all will be found to support, either externally or inter- nally, their quota of Insect Life, some feeding upon the plant, others predacious upon the crop pest. If anything occurs to disturb Nature's balance of power, e. g., if some particular crop plant or tree, &.C., is grown in conterminous patches in fields or forests over large areas, given a favourable season to Insect Life the pest or pests partial to it may increase rapidly in enormous numbers, the food-supply and conditions being so favourable. In their turn the predacious and parasitic INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 171 Insect foes of the crop pest may increase in greater numbers when they find their food so plentiful, and in time they reduce the pest to its pro- per proportions again. The above short notes will show that it is not difficult to find somo of the homes of the InseGt Life in India. The study of it will require oareful observation and much patience, and whilst training the eye to observe, will develop the faculty of reasoning and working out results as well as, and one would think as usefully as, the most abstruse problem in mathematics. Chapter II. Structure of Insects. Before proceeding to a consideration of the various Orders into which the class Insecta is divided, it will be necessary to consider shortly here the different parts of an insect. We have already seen that it may have four stages in its life, — the egg, larva or grub, pupa or nymph (chrysalis in butterflies, &c.) and the imago or adult insect (see Fig. l,a, b, c, d). An adult Insect consists of three main divisions, — the head, the thorax, and the abdomen (Fig. 2). The head bears the mouth parts con- Fzg, 2. — The North-West or Migratory Locust of India (.Acridium peregrinuni). a, head ; b, mouth parts ; r, compound eye ; d, ocellus or simple eye ; e, antenna ; /, prothorax ; g, mesothorax ; h, metathorax ; iy segments of abdomen ; j, appendages ; k to p, leg — h, coxa (hip) ; I, trochanter ; •», femur (thigh) ; w, tibia (shank) ; o, tarsus ; p, claw. sisting of either a biting or sucking mouth or a combination of the two. These different forms will be shortly considered since they are of great •importance, firstly, as being a feature by which Insects are classified; 2 172 JOURNA L, BOMBA Y NA TURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. secondly, as on the kind of mouth parts present depends the nature of the damage Insects are able to commit, and the methods which can be em- ployed to attack them. The biting mouth consists of an upper lip, the ' labrum,' which forms the front of the mouth and covers the base of the * mandibles' or biting jaws. Below the mandibles we have a second pair of jaws or 'maxillae' of more complicated structure and made up of a number of more or less well-marked pieces which vary considerably in form and shape according to the food and habits of the insect. Attached to each maxilla is a ' palpus ' or feeler, which often has organs of sense. The mandibles cut and tear the food, the maxillae break it up still further and then deliver it to the ' labium ' or lower lip, which also helps in mixing the food. The labium closes the mouth opening beneath, forming its floor, so to speak. It is less complex than the maxilla, and it may consist of only a single piece or plate, but like the maxilla it is furnished with a pair of palpi or feelers. Fig. 3 shows two designs of a biting mouth. In- sects provided with this form of biting mouth are always susceptible to being poisoned through their food, i.e., they may be reached by poisons which will be taken inter- nally. Of the sucking mouths there are several varieties functionally quite diverse and indicat- ing differences of habit. In the butterfly and moth we have a flexible tube, coiled like a watch spring under the head between the labial palpi. Mandi- bles are absent and other parts aborted. This is used for sucking honey, FlG- 3._Hea(l and mo^th^arts of a Ground Beetle &C, and therefore these (Carafots~) enlarged. A, from above ; B. ■ I, r from below, a. labrum ; b, mandible ; /, insects are incapable of maxi]la with'palpi; ,. e\ labium witb inflicting damage in this palp, e. stage of their existence. A different form of sucking mouth is present in INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 173 'the bugs' (Hemiptera). Here we have a jointed beak or rostrum, instead of the long tube, made up of four segments, inside which run four pointed lancets. This is used first for piercing plant structures, &c, and then for sucking up their juices. Insects with this form of mouth cannot be reached by internal poisons. The Flies (Diptera), have a modification of this form of mouth, the piercing organs being at times absent as in the house fly. Occasionally the mouth is both biting and sucking as in the bees, the mandibles being fully developed and the labium greatly elongated to enable the insects to gather the nectar upon which they feed. The head also bears the eyes, which may be compound, com- posed of a large number of facets, or simple (ocelli), and the antennae, con- sisting of a number of joints (see Fig. 4). The thorax, which comes behind the head, is divided into three portions — the pro-thorax, bearing the first pair of legs, the meso-thorax, bearing the second pair of legs and the c first pair of wings (if present), and the meta- f thorax, bearing the third pair of legs and » the second pair of wings (if present). Behind the thorax comes the abdomen, consisting usually of ten sograents, though fewer may be visible, which are usually freely movable upon one another and never carry locomotion limbs. The extremity of r the abdomen is, however, often furnished with appendages, which are primarily con- nected with reproduction, but which are FIG. 4.— Front view of head . of a cricket iBrachptrupes often converted into weapons of offence and achoetinus). a. epicranium ; b, defence. Of such a nature are the oviposi- compound eye;,, antenna; d '. .^ of Ichneumons the stings of bees, elypeus ; e, labrum ; /, base ot m mandible ; g, palpi. wasps, &c. The leg is divided into several joints— the 'coxa,' the joint of attachment to the body, the ' trochanter,' a short joint following the coxa, the femur (or thigh), the tibia (or shank), and the tarsus, composed of a number of joints, from one to five in number ; following the tarsus there may be a claw (see Fig. 2). Classification. It has already been stated that insects are the most numerous in species and individuals of all land animals. It is estimated that somewhere about 255,000 species have been already described and this is probably but a tenth of those that really exist. 1 74 JO URNAL, BOMB A Y NA TVRA L HIS TOR Y SOCIETY, Vol. X V. The class is divided into Orders, of which, following Dr. Sharp's8 classification, we shall consider nine here. It will be seen that the classification of insects into the different Orders depends upon the- nature of the wings and mouth parts present. The following are the Orders which will be considered in these papers, with a few of their chief characters : — 1. Aptera (* without, *Ttpi* awing — wingless'2 insects); mouth mandibulate (biting) or very imperfectly suctorial. Metamorphosis incomplete. Includes the so-called Fish-insects. 2. Orthoptera (opQos straight, vnplv a wing — straight-winged). Four wings are present, the front pair being coriaceous (leather-like) usually smaller than the other pair, which are of more delicate texture, and shut up in repose after the manner of a fan. Mouth mandibulate. Metamorphosis incomplete. (Includes earwigs, cock-- roaches, mantis, stick insects, locusts, grasshoppers, crickets.) 3. Neuroptera (nvpov nerve, vripiv a wing — net-winged). Four wings of membranous consistency, frequently with much net-work in them ; the front pair very little, if at all, harder than the other pair; the latter with but little or no fan-like action in closing. Mouth mandibulate. Metamorphosis incomplete. (Includes white ants, lace-winged flies, ant-lions.) 4. Hymenoptera (v^i,v membrane, »rtpi» awing — joined-winged). Four wings of membranous consistency ; the front pair larger than the hind, which are always small and do not fold up in repose. Mouth mandibulate, sometimes provided also with a tubular pro- boscis. Metamorphosis complete. (Includes ichneumons, flies, ants, bees, wasps, &c.) 5. Coleoptera (xoxeo* sheath, »Tip» a wing — sheath-winged).. Four wings, the upper pair shell-like in consistency, and forming cases which meet together over the back in an accurate line of union so as to entirely lose a wing-like appearance, and to conceal the delicate membranous hind pair. Mouth mandibulate. Metamor- phosis complete. (Beetles.) 6. Lepidoptera ( x £ * / $ scale, »nfo» a wing — scale- winged). Four large wings, covered with scales. Mouth suctorial. Metamorphosis complete. (Butterflies and moths.) 1. Sharp Camb. Nat. Hist. Insects, Pt. I, p. 172 (Vol. V). 2. It must not be supposed that all wingless insecta fall within the limits of this Order. INSEC? LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 175 7. Diptera ( s/$ double, *n/n» a wing — two-winged). Two mem- branous wings. Mouth suctorial, but varying greatly. Metamorphosis complete. (Two-winged flies such as house fly, mosquito, &c.) 8. Thysanoptera ( 9 vaxvot fringe, <*Ttpi» a wing — fringe-winged). Four very narrow fringed wings. Mouth imperfectly suctorial. Me- tamorphosis incomplete. 9. Hemiptera (^< half, wipo* a wing — half-winged). Four wings : the front pair either leather-like, with the upper portion more membranous, or entirely parchment-like or membranous. Mouth perfectly suctorial. Metamorphosis incomplete. (Includes tree bugs, cicadas, plant lice, scale insects.) It must be remembered that numerous exceptions exist to these cha- racters in most of the great Orders : for instance, wingless forms are by no means rare in several of the Orders. Chapter III. Order I. Aptera. Small insects with a weak outer skin, destitute throughout life of wings, but with throe pairs of legs ; antennae large or moderate in size. These are tho most primitive forms of insects. The Order is mentioned here as. it includes the Sub-Order Thysanura to which the common so-called fish- insect of India, a species of Lepisma (Family Lepismatidae), belongs. Fig. 5 shows the common Calcutta insect. Most of the Thysanura are small, soft-bodied, with feebly developed mouth parts, and live in damp earth among decaying vegetable matter. Some live under the bark of dried and decaying trees or in decaying wood, and in rare instances species are found pre- ferring dry and warm localities. Amongst the latter is the above-alluded to fish- insect. It is well known to all in India, and perhaps does most damage in libraries and to pictures. In the latter it apparently feeds upon the saccharine material used in mounting the picture in its frame. Such should either always be mixed with arsenic, or naphthaline powder should be dusted over the picture back. Book FlG. 6_A FwMnsect. Zepiima eases should be freely powdered with naph- sp. (Calcutta.) thaline to preserve the books. In the record-rooms of kutckerries, &c, 176 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. throughout the country powdered naphthaline should be freely used, and at least a quarterly inspection made to renew it. In this way an incalculable amount of harm will be prevented and valuable records be safely preserved. Fish-insects are to be found as commonly in the sub- tropical regions of the country as in the sub-arctic ones. \Y hetber the species varies is at present unknown. Order II. Orthoptera. The Orthoptera are Insects with mouth parts conspicuous and formed for biting ; the four palpi (the small ' feelers ' on either side of the mouth) very distinct, and the lower lip longitudinally divided in the middle. The upper wings (tegmina) are of parchment-like consis- tency, being closed in repose on the back of the insect so as to protect it. The lower wings are of more delicate consistency, large and fur- nished longitudinally with fan-like nervures (veins) and small cross ones which form together a network in the wing ; they are generally covered over by the upper wings. The mode of growth of each indi- vidual is a gradual increase in size, the wings being developed during the last moult, i.e., the metamorphosis is incomplete, as there is no pupal stage. Species exist in which the wings are absent or rudiment- ary. Fig. 6 shows an insect belonging to this Order, the common cockroach of India. Fig. 6.— Common Indian Cockroach. Periplaneta americana (Calcutta) j- The Orthoptera are Insects of comparatively large size, the Order containing some of the largest known Insecta. It includes earwigs, cockroaches, praying insects or soothsayers, stick and leaf insects, grasshoppers, locusts and crickets. The members of the Order often spend some time in the egg stage. After hatching they increase in size by moulting, the whole outer skin being shed at these periods. The wings are never present when the insect is first hatched, but appear subsequently and increase in size at INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 177 the moults ; the form and proportion of the segments of the body, especially of the thorax, undergo much change ; changes in colour occur at the moults, and the integument becomes harder in the adult con- dition. The wings in many are absent, and flight appears to be of minor importance in the Order; in many cases, where the wings exist, they are purely musical organs and are not of any use for flight. The upper wings are never used for flight. The musical powers of the Orthoptera are confined to the Sanatoria group. The Cursoria are dumb or nearly so ; in this latter series the wings have little value for flight, and are simply used for purposes of adornment or concealment, and more especially so in the Phasmidae and Mantidaa (praying iusects and stick insects). Here the upper wings frequently exhibit a great resemblance to vegetable structures, such as stems, leaves, &c, the veins and shape of the leaf being copied with remarkable accuracy in the wing of the insect. Contrary to the usual conditions amongst Insects, the female is often more remarkable in colouring than the male. The eggs of the Orthoptera are deposited in capsules or cases ; these capsules may contain only one egg or a great many (Figs. 9 and 12). The number of existing species of the Order is estimated at 10,000, but this is probably far under the mark, as the small tropical forms have never been properly collected. We shall, following Sharp, treat the Order as comprising seven families ; — 1. Forfcculido? (earwigs) : upper wings short, lower wings complexly folded ; body armed at the extremity with a strong forceps. 2. Blattidce (cockroaches) : coxae of the legs large, exserted, protecting the lower part of the body. 3. Mantidce (praying-insects) : front legs very large, raptorial, armed with spines. 4. PhasmidcB (stick-insects) : meso-thorax large as compared with the pro- thorax. Series Cursoria. Hind legs but little different from the others. 178 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. Series Sanatoria. Hind legs elongate, formed for leaping ; 1 their femora usual- ly thickened. 6. 7. 5. AcridiidcE (locusts) : antenna short, not setaceous, of not more than 20 joints f tarsi three-jointed. Locustidcc (grasshoppers) : antennas long, setaceous, composed of a large number of joints : tarsi four-jointed. Grtjllidoe (cricket) : antennae very longr setaceous ; tarsi two or three-jointed. Series Cursoria. Hind legs resembling front ones. Fam. I. Forficulidse— Earwigs. These Insects are distinguished by having a horizontal head and very short wing covers, i.e., upper wings, which do not extend beyond the insertion of the hind legs and repose flat on the back, meeting together in a straight line along the middle. The lower wings are very complexly folded beneath the upper, projecting at the lower end in small slips from beneath them (see Fig. 7) ; when fully open they are seen to be earshaped. This formation of the wings is characteristic of the family when wings are present. The end of the body is furnished with a pair of large callipers. This family is not of great economic importance as far as is at present known. Some species may, however, prove of service in preying upon noxious pests. Whilst visiting the sandalwood areas of North Coimbatore in Madras, the writer noticed that a large grey earwig, Forficula sp. (Fig. 7), was almost invariably present in the old galleries of a longicorn beetle, which bores into the stems of saplings and tunnels down their centres. These tunnels were also used as a home by a species of white ant (see Fig. 2ti), which was tunnelling through the wood of still living trees. The earwig was probably pre- dacious upon the ants and their larv 33. FiO. 7.— An Earwig. Forficula spv (Coimbatore, Madras) INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 179 Fam. II. Blattidae— Cockroaches. These are one of the oldest forms of Insects known, for it is certain that in the carboniferous epoch they existed in considerable numbers and variety, and the remains found do not differ very essentially in appearance from present-day forms. The group contains about 800 species, divided into ten genera. The head is bent downwards, so that the mouth is on the under part which is directed backwards. (See Fig. 6.) Antennae are very long and flexible, bristle-like, and consisting of 75' — 90 joints ; they are longer in the male than in the female. Their function is supposed to be that of smelling. The body is very flat, ending in small flat processes, the 'cerci' which are usually distinctly jointed. Long strong running legs, with large free coxae and big femurs, are present. Fig. 8 shows a dorsal view of an Indian cockroach Blatta sp. These Insects are common in houses, vessels employed in river and ocean traffic, &c. Their larvae much resembling the adults, but without wings, are often to be found in rotten stumps of trees in the forests and elsewhere amongst refuse. As a family their food is of a very mixed nature. Periplaneta ame- ricana (Fig. 6) is a cock- roach of worldwide dis- tribution and very com- mon in houses in India. It is perhaps the com- monest Insect in Calcutta houses throughout the year. The so-called " black-beetle," so common in London houses and elsewhere in England, is a cockroach by name Periplaneta orientalis. Treatment. — Prepare a mixture of equal parts of finely powdered chocolate and borax and dust it into the crevices where the insects hide. The mixture must be well made so that with each part of choco- late, of which the cockroaches are very fond, they will get a particle of borax which is poisonous to them. The mixture is cheap and non- poisonous to man. Fig. 8.— Blatta sp. (Johore) 180 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. Fam. III. Mantidse— Praying-Insects. The Manticke are allied to the cockroaches, but differ in respects. The body is, on the whole, more elongate, the prothorax being very long. The first pair of legs are prehensile, with large coxse, strong femurs (thighs) provided with two rows of spines and tibise (shanks), also furnished with two rows of spines, which can be folded back upon the femurs; with these appendages the animal seizes its prey, which consists of other Insects. In the peculiar position of rest assumed by these Insects their fore- vanous Fig. 10. — A praying mantis. Deiphole ocellata. (Kulu.) legs are held up in the attitude of prayer from whence they get their name of the ' praying mantis.' The ova are attached to plants in groups surrounded by a capsule. Fig. 9 YlGc. 9. — Egg-capsule of a praying mantis. Deipliobe ocellata, (Kulu.) FlG 11.— A curious mimicking mantis. Gongylug gongyloides. (Eastern Bengal.) h nat- size* INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 181 shows an egg capsule of the mantis Deiphobe ocellata attached to a twig and Fig. 10 a male of this Insect (only the right half of the Insect is shown in the drawing) which comes from Kulu. The eggs last deposited are said to hatch first. Many of the Insects of this family mimic the objects amongst which they live. In fact, so great is the variety of shape and external appear- ance of this group that de Saussure considers it a mimetic group. A mantis of Eastern Bengal called Gongylus gongylohles (Fig. 11) has its under surface resembling the pink corolla of a papilionaceous flower. It usually hangs head downwards amongst green foliage simulating a flower, and Insects flying to and settling upon it are seized and consumed. This Insect has been known to science for upwards of three centuries, and yet very little has been observed on the various stages of its life-history, a case well illustrating the remarks already made upon this subject. The Mantidce are not of great importance except perhaps on account of their voracious and predacious habits, they being probably exclusively Insect feeders. Little, however, is at present known in India as to the service they may be to man in this direction, nor do we know whether individual members of the family confine themselves to one species or genus, &c.-, of Insects or whether they prey indiscriminately upon a femily, group, or even Order. Mantidce are common enough, and are often attracted to the lighted bungalow or tent at night, and may be watched stalking their prey or waiting motionless on the table or white- washed walls until an unwary Insect walks or flies within reach. They Teed upon their prey whilst still alive, tearing off the head and dismem- bering the Insect with a complete indifference to its struggles. Fam. IV. Phasmidse— Stick and Leaf-Insects. The Phasmidce are inhabitants of warm countries. They mimic dry sticks and leaves in a marvellous manner. The wings are rudimentary and legs very long. The prothorax is very short and the meso and meta-thorax unusually long, and it is by this character that the Insects can be easily distinguished. Their eggs have a remarkable resemblance to the seeds of plants. They are dropped singly by the Insect at random on the ground, being enclosed in a capsule. Fig. 12 shows two eggs of Lonchodes Fig. 12.— Eggs of a Stick- virgens, Westw., from Sibsagar, an insect insect. Lonchodes virtjens. . . CSibsagar, Assam.) nearly IS inches in total length. Stick-insects have the power of renewing a lost log, the mutilated limb being replaced 182 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. by one as perfectly functional as the original. The males and females often differ entirely in appearance. The genus Bacillus is wingless, the elongate body and long legs looking like a dry branched twig or piece of stick. This genus feeds upon foliage, at times doing very considerable defoliation in Australia. The Insects are, however, very sensitive to cold, and frost will always put an end;to them there. Fig. 13 shows an Indian species, Bacillus arte mis, Westw., from the Naga Hills. In Fiji and the Friendly Islands a species of Lopaphus eats the leaves of the cocoanut, and at times causes such a scarcity of food that it becomes necessary to take measures to destroy them. The genus Phy Ilium occurs in the tropical regions of the Old World. The upper wings in these Insects and often their legs and other parts are modified into leaf-like structures. A species of Phyllium, Phyllium scythe, is the Indian leaf-insect, whose broad Fig. 13. — A Stick-Insect. Bacillus artemis. (Naga Hills, Assam.) abdomen and upper wings are exactly like a leaf, and the legs are flattened out and also resemble portions of leaves. It is fairly common in Eastern Bengal and Assam. Natives of India believe, and have volunteered the information to me on several occasions in Eastern Bengal, that the Insect is only a leaf, which developed as such originally and then took to xvalkmg. Its colouring changes with that of the leaves of the tree or shrub upon which it is found. Fig. 14 shows a female of this extremely curious Insect. FlG. 14. — A Leaf-Insect. scythe. (Eastern Bengal) % Phyllivm INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 183 This family would appear to be well represented in Assam, most of the species in the Indian Museum collections coming from that locality. It would be most interesting if any one serving in that part of the continent would take up and work out this most curious, as it is interesting, family. He would be able to obtain help from the Indian Museum collections which, thanks to the intimate knowledge of the group pos- sessed by the late Mr. Wood Mason, a former Superintendent of the Museum, are systematically arranged and contain a large number of species. Series Saltatoria. Hind legs elongate, formed for leaping ; their femora usually thickened. Fam. V. Acridiidae— Locusts. The hind legs differ from the others in being more elongate and in having their femora broader near the base. Antennas short and thick, with less than 30 joints. There is no exserted ovipositor in the female. Tarsi are short with three distinct joints. The auditory organ is placed on the upper part of the side of the first abdominal segment. The large head is joined to the thorax in one piece, the front being deflexed downwards at a sharp angle. Besides the two compound eyes there are three ocelli (small simple eyes, see Fig. 2) present. The upper wings are roof-shaped. This family is remarkable owing to the presence of air sacs in connec- tion with the trachea in the interior of the Insect and it is doubtless the possession of these which enables them to undertake the great, flights they perform when migrating. The chirping sound of locusts is produced by rubbing together the outer face of the upper wing, one of the veins in which is prominent and possesses a sharp edge, and the inner face of the hind femur, which bears a series of small bead-like prominences placed on the upper of the two lower ridges which run along the side that is nearest to the body. The Acridiidae include the grasshoppers of the fields and the important migratory locusts of this country and other parts of the world. The family contains more species and individuals than any other Orthopterous family, and is a most important one, as all its members feed upon growing plants. It includes what are perhaps two of the most dangerous Insect pests in the world— the great North- IU JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL BISTORT SOCIETY, Vol. XV. West Locust (Acridium peregrlnum of India) and the Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus of North America), Insects which at times swarm in millions and clear the country they invade of every green thing. Every leaf is stripped from the trees, every blade of grass consumed and fields of crops eaten down as the flight moves onwards, leaving devastation and ruin in its wake. There are many species of Acridiidse in India, and many of them at different periods swarm and do damage, but the North-West or migratory locust is the only one which entirely overruns the country when on one of its great incursions. "We will consider shortly the life-history of Acridium peregrinum. The home of this locust is in the sandy deserts of Rajputana and Sind, from which it periodically invades the whole of India, The eggs are laid in the ground and hatch out in about a month, but two months or a much longer period may be spent in the egg stage if conditions are not favourable to the young ones hatching out. The young are little blackish wingless grasshoppers, which feed upon green plants of all kinds. (See Frontispiece.) At the end of the first five days after hatching the young locusts or 'hoppers' pack together and march in serried columns into the fields and begin their work of devastation. This stage lasts from one to two months, during which time the insects moult their skins at intervals. Their wings develop during these several moults, and the last shedding of the skin leaves the Insect with perfectly developed alar appendages. As soon as they are full-grown, the locusts quit the areas which they have occupied during their younger stages and from which they have by then eaten everything green, take wing and fly to fresh districts, which they proceed to devas- tate in a similar manner. After a week or two spent in these wanderings the insects pair and the females commence egg-laying in the soft soil of the cultivated lands, as many Fig. 15. as 100 eggs, stuck together in a mass with some siccable sub- stance, being deposited by each insect. Fig. 15 shows the eggs laid by one locust and the shape of the mass. At the egg-laying period they cease feeding or only take a small amount of food, and for this reason are often reported in telegrams, crop reports and newspaper accounts as doing little or no damage. Closer observation would show that they are egg-laying, and the young hoppers hatching from those eggs will later on cause infinitely more destruction in the area than the swarm themselves would have been capable of. INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. J 85 When the Insect first acquires wings it is salmon pink in colour, but Inter it changes to yellow and then to a dull purple. The markings on the wings are very characteristic, the wings having a number of large and small black spots which form complete transverse bands near the apex of the wing. The invasions of this Insect are periodical, the average number of years that elapses between them being about eleven, but a longer interval may pass. The last great attack occurred between the years 1889-1893, but in 1901 the Insect spread from the north- western frontier through the continent as far south as Ganjam in Madras, the whole of the tract between the sea on the West and the Brama- putra River on the East being invaded. Whilst these great flights are present in a district, green foliage of every description suffers severely, and the bark is peeled off young saplings. Crops, orchards and young plantations, &c, thus suffer severely from the pest during great invasions, whilst all tracts containing soft loose sandy soil are used by the females for egg-laying, the eggs being laid by her in a hole in the soil which she digs with the ovipositor (the blade-like instrument) at the end of her body. (See Frontispiece — the insect to the right is a female in the act of egg-laying.) If these eggs are not either dug up and collected or ploughed in so as to destroy them, the young hoppers will on hatching out do further injury to adjacent plants, &c. When swarms of fully developed locusts are seen in a district, every effort should be made to mark down the places at which they alight, if it is not possible to keep them on the move and prevent their doing so. If, after they have left the surface of the soil is seen to be covered with small holes, like holes made in soft earth by heavy rain-drops, eggs have been laid on that area (in the holes) and these should be got rid of before they hatch out, or the young hoppers should be killed off as soon after hatching as possible and before they pack into columns, which they begin to do after about five days. Remedies : — 1. Eggs. — Dig up the eggs and destroy them or plough them deep into th8 soil. 2. Before formation into column. — Destroy the young hoppers as soon as they emerge from the eggs and before they pack into columns and begin their march into the fields under crops. This may be done by crushing or burning them. Methods of accomplishing this are by making use of men with flails or by covering the area occupied by the pest with brushwood and setting fire to it. A more satisfactory method 186 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. is to sprinkle the Insects with creosote oil, the oil known as ' l'huile lourde' in the trade. This effectually destroys them while at the same time diminishing the terrible stench which will arise from the bodies if the flail is used. The liquid as obtained from the trade is first mixed with Is time3 its weight of water. 3. After formation into column. — Dig long dry trenches in the path of the columns, one to two feet in depth, and of the same width and drive the locusts into these. Parties of men, women and boys, armed with branches, etc., can do this, whilst men line the far edge of the trench and throw in earth and bury the insects. As soon as one trench is filled the hoppers can be made to wheel to another and the performance be repeated. Creosote oil, sprinkled in the trenches, will prevent the terrible stench. The earth should be well trampled down to prevent any young locusts escaping. When the hoppers have attained some size this plan can no longer be used as they are then able to hop out of the trenches. It will be found that at this period, when disturbed in the open, they retire to the nearest cover and remain there. Dry material available in the neighbourhood should be collected and spread in patches or long strips. The locusts are then driven into this ambush, surrounded by the people and the patches set on fire. Whole swarms can thus be wiped out. A more expensive plan for annihilating them at this period is by the use of what is known as the ' Cyprus screen ' system which is as follows : — Cloth screens, about 3 feet high and bound at the top with a strip of oil cloth to prevent the locusts from climbing over, are erected in advance of the swarm, pits being dug close to the screens, at right angles to them and on the side of the swarm. The edges of the pit are protected by frames made of cloth and wood with a zinc edge arranged to prevent the young locusts from climbing up and escaping from the pits. A swarm on arriving at the screen invariably turns to the right and left along it, apparently endeavouring to go round it and thus fall into the pits and can be destroyed wholesale. The cultivator will often probably find the simple dry ditch (for young hoppers) and the brush- wood and bush systems (for older ones) the best, but the screen system is undoubtedly the one to employ when stations are in danger of inva- sion from large hordes of this pest. To this end there should be kept in store in all large civil stations and cantonments a few sample screens and trench frames as patterns. From these, when a serious invasion was imminent, the extra number required could be easily knocked up. INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 187 4. For the winged insects. — The swarms which have newly acquired wings are dangerous as they may spend several weeks flying about and feeding before pairing and egg-laying. When a winged swarm is seen approaching, the people should assemble in the fields armed with tomtoms, kerosine tins, etc., and should be made to advance in bands of 50 beating the instruments. The flight will almost invariably change its direction if this procedure is carried out. Smoke fires and the waving of cloths also seem to frighten the swarms to a certain extent. If swarms of young winged locusts do settle in standing crops- they may be treated as follows : — Drag over the fields a capacious bag, five or six feet deep and eight to ten feet long and open at the side instead of the end. This is held by two men, one at each end, and is run along over the standing crops to catch the locusts ; these tumble in, and being unable to escape- can be, from time to time, killed by twisting up the bag. This is a simple and easy method, the people will take to it readily, and little or no injury need be done to the crops. The old dark coloured swarms do little damage by feeding. They must, however, be carefully watched as they are then intent on egg- laying and every effort should be made in a district to find out where their eggs are laid. Fig. 16. — The Bombay locust Acridmm succinctum. (Bombay Presidency) \. A fungus has been discovered which destroys locusts. It comes from South Africa and has done good work there and elsewhere. Too little is known of its value, however, in India to make it worth while doing more than mentioning it here. A. peregrinum is preyed upon by two dipterous parasites, one of which attacks the egg, the other the mature insect. In addition a Carabid beetle (Calosoma orientate, Hope) and the rosy pastor starling (Pastor, roseus) cause great havoc amongst the flights. 188 JOURNAL, BOMBA Y NA TUBAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. Besides the migratory locust proper, most of the provinces of India have one or two large local locusts, which particularly affect their own part of the country and produce the local swarms which on occasions do so much damage. Acridium succinctum is the locust of the Bombay Presidency. (Fig. 16.) It is a large locust resembling A. pereginum from which it can be distinguished by its different colouration. The wings are dark brown at their base, this colour opening out into two broad bands which extend about half way down the wing. Between these bands are several black spots. The apical half of the wing is transparent with a few black marks which lie parallel to the venation of the wing. A broad yellow dorsal band runs down the head and thorax and is continued along the upper edge of the wings. There is also a broad lateral yellow band on the thorax which is continued on to the wings, with a narrow yel- low line beneath it on the thorax. The Bombay locust breeds in the Ghats and commits periodically considerable havoc amongst the crops of the Deccan and Konkan, It is also to be found in Western Bengal, and probably breeds in the Chota Nagpur hills. In the Nilgiri range of hills in Madras, Acridium ceruginosum, Acridium melanocorne and Tryxalis nasuta (Fig. 17) have their home and are the locusts which at times swarm over the Madras Presidency from that centre. Two species Tryx- alis nasuta,* and Oxya velox Fm_ 17-_The pointed-snouted locust. Tryxalis nasuta. have been re- (Madras Presidency)-}. ported as attacking and injuring }'oung chir (Pinus long i folia) and robinia seedlings in Kangra Valley, Punjab. Both these latter insects feed also upon crops and are to be found ail over the country. The genus Tryxalis can be recognised by the pointed shape of the head, the insect looking as if it had a pointed snout. (See Fig. 17.) Chrotoganus sp. is another destructive locust as it feeds upon crops of all kinds, biting off the young plants as soon as they appear above the ground. Indigo, bajra, opium, wheat, barley, linseed, and young chir plants have been reported as suffering from the attacks * See the author's ' Departmental Notes on Insects that affect Forestry,' No. 1, pp. 1 — 5. INSECT LIFE IN INDIA AND HOW TO STUDY IT. 189 of this pest which has proved very troublesome this year (1903) to crops in Sind. A large amount of investigation work remains to be done amoDgst the smaller members of the family in India, as it is not improbable that they are capable of developing into serious local plagues when favourable conditions, such as a dry season and the adjuxtaposition of large masses of their favourite food plants, occur. The remedies already described for the migratory locust should be made use of where possible when the other locust pests of the country give trouble. Fam. VI. Locus tidse*— Grasshoppers. These insects are generally known as the long-horned grasshoppers, from the fact of their having very long bristle-like antennas as compared with the short thick ones of the true locusts. They are usually grass-green or brown in colour, and their bodies are flattened and more lightly built than the true locusts. The eyes are round, the legs slender, and tarsi four-jointed. Wings are roof-shaped. On the tibiae of each of the front legs there are two auditory organs, and the males make sounds by rubbing the basal portion of one upper wing, the under side of which has a transversely ridged edge, over a corresponding portion of the other. The female possesses a long sabre-like esserted ovi- positor. Fig. 18 shows a common long-homed Indian grasshopper from Bombay by name Clean- d?'Ms ligatus. The speci- Fig. 18.-A Long-homed Indian grasshopper. men depicted is from the Cleandrus ligatus. (Bombay) \. Bombay Natural History Society's collections. The eggs are laid on the ground or on leaves, stems, &c. This family is of less importance than the true locusts. It contains the insect known as Schizodadylus monstrosus^ Brulli, a grasshopper which can be at once recognised owing to the fact that the ends of its wings are curled up in a coil at the end of its body. It lives in bur- rows in the ground, coming out to feed probably chiefly at night. It is known as ' bherwa' in the indigo districts, where it does a large amount * It will be noted that the Locustidse are not locusts but grasshoppers, the true ' locusts' belonging to the Acridiid 2L_The moie.Cricket Gryllotalpa vulgaris, operations. (Bengal) f. The second injurious species which has proved itself a serious pest in India is a cricket (Fig. 22) named Brachytrupes achcetinus,* which has a very wide distribution. The life-history of this insect has been partially worked out by the writer and an Assistant in Eastern Bengal (Chittagong Hill Tracts). Larvee about half grown were found in April voraciously feeding upon young rubber (Ficus elastica) seedlings in nursery beds, into which the young plants had been transplanted from the pots in which they had been raised from seed. It was not until some 40 per cent, of the seedlings had been killed off that the aggressor was marked down in the burrows in which it lives. These are constructed in soft sandy situations, the tunnel starting at an angle to the surface level and running in a zigzag manner down into the soil for some 2 feet and having a dia- meter of \ to f inch. At the end it is enlarged into a small chamber. A hole may be occupied by one, two, or as many as three young ones. The insect feeds .1 i. Fl°- 22-— Common field-cricket. chiefly at night, spending the day in its Brachytrnpetachcetinu*. (Chitting burrow, into which it drags some of Hill Tracts.) \ nat. size, its food plant for consumption during the day. Soft soil is chosen to dig the holes in — and therefore the nursery beds are preferred, but any soft spots in the neighbourhood will be found to contain numbers of the insects. The young larvee feed till the beginning of the rains — about the middle of June. They then cease until October, and they would appear to rest during the heaviest of the rains, though there is no pupal stage proper in this Order. In October the damage in the nursery re- commences, and the holes will be found to contain two fully developed * See Departmental Notes on Insects that affect Forestry, No. 1, p. 6. 192 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. Insects, male and female, at the bottom of each, the holes being now some 2£ to 3 feet deep and very winding. The Insects at this period feed voraciously, and continue to do so for a month. In November they die off, the female probably first laying her eggs in soft patches of soil in the ground. This cricket has been reported as injurious to young tea plants in Bengal, Assam and elsewhere, cutting off the young plants level with the ground. . Remedies. — All soft patches of soil should be carefully and deeply ploughed or hoed up so as to kill off the eggs by exposing them at the surface. When an attack has been discovered in progress, small boys should at once be put on to dig up each hole and kill the insect at the bottom. This will be found to be a cheap and effectual method of getting rid of the pest, which, if left alone, will do an immense amount of injury. Being a large-bodied insect, some 2| inches long, it is capable of consuming during its life a considerable amount of green food material. Useful Orthoptera. The number of Orthoptera known to be of use to man is a small one. The Mtwtidce may be said to be useful to a certain extent, in that they destroy insects of all kinds, and in their larval stages in some cases they probably feed largely upon Aphidce. As I have mentioned in my notes under that family, the For find idee, in spite of the bad reputation they have amongst gardeners as being injurious to vegetation, are much more likely to be of use, since many are undoubtedly predacious upon larvae, small snails, &c, which live upon plants. ( To be continued.) 193 A LIST OF THE BATRACHIANS KNOWN TO INHABIT THE MALAY PENINSULA, WITH SOME REMARKS ON THEIR HABITS, DISTRIBUTION, &c. By A. L. BUTLER, f.z.s., m.b.o.u., &c. {Director of Game Preservation, Soudan Government.) INTRODUCTION. The most recent papers dealing with the Batrachians of the Malay Peninsula as a whole are those published in the " Proceedings of the Zoological Society " (189G and 1899), by Captain S. S. Flower, formerly in charge of the Royal Siamese Museum at Bangkok, and now Director of the Egyptian Government Zoological Gardens at Cairo. In the second paper (P. Z. S., 1899, p. 885 et seq.) 45 species of Batrachians are recorded from the Peninsula, including Megalophrys montana, Kuhl, mentioned somewhat doubtfully in a note, but since obtained again by the " Skeat Expedition," and two species, Rana jerboa, Gthr., and Nectes subasper, Tschudi, mentioned in the Addenda. Since then 13 other species have been added to the Peninsula list by the collections of the " Skeat Expedition " (P. Z. S., 1900, p. 883) by Mr. Leonard Wray, of the Perak Museum, and myself. A brief list of these additions was given by me in the P. Z. S. of June 17th, 1902 (p. 188). The present list, therefore, includes 58 species. I originally com- menced this paper in the Straits, when in charge of the Selangor State Museum, but a sudden and unexpected departure to a new field of work in Africa separated me from my collections, which of course re- mained in the Museum, and thus prevented me from being able to give localities and measurements from my specimens as fully as I should have wished. After some hesitation I have since completed the paper, and offer it to the Society with this partial excuse for its shortcomings. In the brief notes on habits, etc., I have freely supplemented my own field-notes from the writings of others. The known distribution of each species is given, in almost every case taken from Captain Flower's papers or supplied me by Mr. Boulenger. For the benefit of local workers the descriptions of species discovered since the publication of Captain Flower's second paper are quoted in full. I am aware that most Societies are disinclined to occupy space in their journals with descriptions which have already been published, but my own experi- ence is that by this economy of space the usefulness of many papers is marred to field- workers who, in seeking how to recognize a species, 194 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XV. find only references to back numbers of bulky journals which they are not in the least likely to have available. The richness of the Batrachian Fauna of the Malay Peninsula is remarkable, and it is my belief that many interesting species both of Batrachians and Reptiles remain to be discovered, especially in the mountains. On my last collecting trip, in March and April 1900, I was fortunate enough to obtain on the Larut Hills in Perak no less than five frogs, five lizards, and a snake which were previously un- known. I hope that the present paper may assist in drawing attention to this field of research. Collecting Reptiles and Batrachians does not seem to be nearly as popular as the collecting of birds, but it becomes a very fascinating hobby when once taken up, and has the great advantage that the spirit preservation of specimens takes so little time, whereas a fruitful day's collecting of birds or mammals means to an unassisted man long hours of work at night to prepare the spoils. In one respect the Reptiles and Batrachians have not suffered by being less popular than the birds. They enjoy a comparative im- munity from the bewildering confusion of synonyms, the perpetual changes of nomenclature, and the too often unjustifiable multiplication of sub-species with which ornithologists are forming a burden that future generations of bird-lovers may well hesitate to take up, and which is the despair of the naturalist collector abroad. For much kind assistance rendered while I was collecting Reptiles and Batrachians in the Peninsula my thanks- are especially due to Captain Flower, whose enthusiasm first attracted me to this branch of zoology j. to Mr. Boulenger of the British Museum, who amidst his labours always found time to give me identifications, and other information asked for, most fully and promptly, and who would doubtless show the same kind- ness to other collectors taking up the subject ; to Mr. Leonard Wray of the Perak Museum, Mr. H. N. Ridley of the Botanical Gardens, Singa- pore, and to Dr. Hanitsch of the Raffles Museum, to all three of whom I am indebted for much help and many specimens. LIST OF SPECIES. Order Ecaudata. Family Ranidce. 1. Oxyglossus lima, Gravenh. Oxyglossus lima, Blgr., Cat. Batr. Sal., p. 5 ; S. Flower, P. Z. S.r 1896, p. 897 ; P. Z. S., 1899, p. 886 ; Laidlaw, P. Z. S., 1900, p. 884. BATRACHIANS OF THE MALAY PENINSULA. 195 This frog has been obtained in the Malay Peninsula by Mr. Flower, who found it numerous in June 1898 near Alor Star and at Jenan in the State of Kedah, and by the Skeat Expedition from Biserat, Jalor. He describes it as a thoroughly aquatic species, to be found in small ponds. Known from Lower Beugal, Burma, Southern China, Siam, Cam- bodia, Cochin China, Malay Peninsula, Java. 2. Oxyglossus l