£.3E$3Riw?WI THE JO URN AL OF THE Bombay Natural History Society. EDITED BY R. . A. S T E R. N D A L. E3 and H. M. PHIPSON. VOLUME II. 1887. Consisting of Four Numbers and containing Eleven Illustrations. Bombay: PRINTED AT THE EDUCATION SOCIETY'S PRESS BYCULLA. 1887. CONTENTS of Vol- //•■ 1887. PAGS Waters op Western India, Part III. — The- Konkan and the Coast. (By a Member of the Society) 1 On Bots of the Horse and Camel. (By Veterinary Surgeon J. H. Steel, A. V. D.) 27 Parasites in the Wild Ass of CuTCHr (By Veterinarv Surgeon J. H. Steel, A. V. D.) ' 80 Three New Species of Hydrophis. (By J. A. Murray) ... 32 Butterflies of the Bombay Presidency, — Notes, &c. (By E. H. Aitken) 35 Notes on " Waters of Western India." — (By Mr. J, D. Inve- rarity) 44 Further Notes on Abnormal Horns. (By the Editor) ., 46 New Species of Fish from Kurrachee and the Persian Gulf (By J. A. Murray) 47 Description of a New Lizard from the Dangs. (By. F. Gleadow) 49 Zoological Notes — Delphinus Lentiginosus — R. A. Sterndale ... ... ... 51 Nest and Eggs of Cinnyris Loierna — E. H. Aitken 52 Cat and Squirrel — A Foster-Maternal Freak — J. Vidal ... 53 Notes on the Habits of Nepita Conforta — H. S. Wise 54 Bird-Nesting, Notes from Cutch — A. Newnham, 10th Bo. I.... 56 The Two Shamas~H.E, Barnes 56 Mergus Merganser— E. H. Aitken 56 List of Birds from Sind— Col, Swinhoe 56 Proceedings of the Society 59 Waters of Western India, Part III. — The Konkan and the Coast. (By a Member of the Society) ... 73 Some Birds seen in a journey through Persia. (By G. J. R, Rayment, A. V. D.) 99 A New Species of Zyg/ENA from the Kurrachee Harbour. (By James A. Murray, of the Vict. Nat. Hist. Inst.) ... ... 103 Notes on Ploceus Philippinus. -(By Lieut. H. Edwin Barnes) 105 A Catalogue of the Flora of Mahableshwar and Matheran, with Prefatory Note and Vernacular Index. (By the Hon'ble H. M. Birdwood) 107 Note on the Flora of Mahableshwar and Matheran. (By Dr. Theodore Cooke, LL.D., F.G.S.) 133 Notes on Mahableshwar and other Indian Arrowroot Yield- ing Plants. (By Dr. J. C. Lisboa) 140 Zoological Notes — Hybrid Wolf, presented to the Society by Mr. F. Rose ... 147 Note on the Bush Quail— By Mr. W. Mahon Daly 149 Note on the Irregular Breeding of Grus Antigone, the Sarus — By Lieut. H. Edwin Barnes 149 Collection of Birds' Eggs.— By W M. Gibbs 150 Book Notice 151 Proceedings of the Society... ... ... ... .... ... 157 Waters op Western India, Part VI.— Gujarat. (By a Member of the Society) 159 52075 ii CONTENTS. PAGE Note on Hestia Malabarica. (By Captain T. Macpheison, Bo. S. C-) ... ... ... 164 Observations on the Feeding, &c, of the Indian Rock Snake (Python Molurus). (Bj H. M. Phipson, C. M. Z. S„ Hon. Secretary) 165 Notes on the Breeding of the Kentish Ringed Plover (jEgi- alitis Cantianus) within Indian Limits. (By Lieut. H. E. Barnes) 167 On Mimicry in Butterflies for Protection. (By Col. Cbas. Swinhoe, F.L.S., F.Z.S, ' F.G.S.) ... > ... 1C9 Maeathi Names of Plants, with a Glossary. (By Brigade- Surgeon W. Dymock) .. . ... ... 175 The Horse : a Zoological Stddy. (By Veterinary Surgeon J. H. Steel, A. V- D.) 198 Zoological Notes — Snake-breeding for the Government Reward 205 Book Notice ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 206 Proceedings of the Society „ ... ••• 216 Waters of Western India, Part IV. — Gujarat. (By a Member of the Society) 221 Marathi Names of Plants, with a Glossary. (By Brigade- Surgeon W. Dymock) _ . f ... 228 Further Note on Hestia Malabarica. (By Lionel de Niceville, F.E.S.) 242 List of Birds collected by Capt. F. Babington Peile in Cash- mere during the Summer of 1887, and presented by him to the Bombay Natural History Society 244 The Poisonous Snakes of the Bombay Presidency. (By H. M. Phipson, C.M.Z.S., Hon. Sec.) 244 The Indian Hepatic^. (By Dr. K. R. Kirtikar, F.S.M. (France), M.R.C.S.) ; 250 Wild Horses. (By Veterinary Surgeon J. H. Steel, A. V. D )... 253 On the Lepidoptera of Karachi and its Neighbourhood. (ByCol.C. Swinhoe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.) 269 List of Birds' Eggs in the Society's Collection... 280 Zoological Notes — • Notes on a Horn on the margin of a Goat's Ear ... ... 283 Notes on the Food of the Panther (Feh's Pardus) ... .., 285 Notes on the Cheetal * 285 Proceedings of the Society 285 Jombag lateral giatorg jfcrrieig. LIST OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS. H. E. the Right Honorable Lord Reay, cl.e., ll.d., f.r.cs, #icc-|)rcsi&ntts. Dr. D. MacDonald, m.d., b.sc, CM. The Hon'ble Justice Birdwood, m.a., ll.m. (Cantab.) Mr, R. A. Sterndale, f.e.g.s., f.z.s. f]on. ^ctwfarg. Mr. II. M. Phipson. po«. %xtumxtt. Mr. F. G. Kingsiey. dbitors. Mr. R. A. Sterudale and Mr. E. II. Aitkea. 1st Section. — {Mammals and Birds.) President— Mr. R. A. Sterndale, f.e.g.s., f.z.s. Secretary — Mr. E. H. Aitken. 2nd Section. — (Reptiles and Fishes.) President— Mr. G. W. Vidal, G.s. Secretary — Mr. H. M. Phipson. 3rd Section. — (Insects.) . President — Colonel C. Swinkoe, f.z.s., f.l.s., f.E.s, Secretary — Mr. E. H. Aitken. 4th Section. — (Other Invertebrata.) President — Dr. G. A. Maconachie, M.D., cm. Secretary — Mr. J. C. Anderson. 5th Section.- — {Botany.) President — The Hon'ble Justice Birdwood, m.a., ll.m. (Cantab.) Secretary — Surgeon K. R. Kirtikar, f,s.m, (France), f.e.cs. LIST OF MEMBERS. Name. Abbott, Eev. J. E Adam, Hon. F. Forbes ... Adams, J. B. D. ... ... Aitken, D. E .. Aitken, E. H Alexander, Rev. W. M Almon, W Anderson, J. Anderson, J. C. Anderson, G. A Anderson, W. C Anderson, Oapt. W. R. Audrewes, H. E. ... Arnott, Surgeon-Major J.... Arthur, A Ashburner, Rustumjee, J., Khan Bahadur Ashby, J. S. Aves, Capt. W Baddeley, Lieut. -Colonel ... Bainbridge, Surgeon-Major G. Baines, J. A. (c.s.) Baker, W. A. Balfour, L. 0. Bankier, W. A. Barclay, Capt. Barnes, H. E. Barr, W. W. Barrow, H. W. Barton. E. L. Bashford, T. Baumbach, R. ■ Beardmore, E. B. Becher, Captain (p.z. Begbie, J. A. Bell, T. R. D. Bcngallee, S. S. Bergl, Louis Best, W. J.... Betham, J. A. Betham, W. G. Beyts, C. A. Bicknell, H. Bingham, Captain C. H. ... Birdwood, the Hon'ble Justice Bishop, Capt. Bissct, Col Blackwell, G. F. Residence. .Bombay .Bombay .Tanna .Lahore .Bombay . Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay ..Simla .Belgaum .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bhuj . A den .Cawnpore .Kurrachee , .Dharwar .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Hyderabad, Sind. .Dwarka . Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay Badnera , .Kirkce .Bombay .Canara .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Rajpur, C. P. .Nasik .Bombay ..Bombay .Rangoon .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay , Tanna LIST OF MEMBERS. Ill Name. Blackwell, H. F Booth, T. R Bousted, Surgeon-Major .., Bovis, F. de Branson, R. M Breudon, C. R. Bromley, Herbert ... Bromley, Thos. Brown, J. W Bruuton, R. P Buekland, H. W Bullock, W Butcher, L. H ... Byrne, C. H Calthrop, E. Campbell, E. W Campbell, John Cane, Rev. A. S. ... Carroll, E. B Cassels, J. A. Chambers, F. Channer, Dr. O. H Chatfield, K. M Cheetham, J. ... ... ... Chrystal, J. S Clark, Captain A. E Clark, E Close, E. P Collie, Surgeon R.... Col lister, J. G. H Colvin, E. G. (c.s.) Conder, H Connop, W. A., H. M. S. " Bacchante Conroy, A . . . . Cooke, Dr. H Cooke, Dr. T Cooper, C. P. Cornforth, J. P .... Conssmaker, Major M. F. ... Cox, A. F. (m.c.s.) Crawford, L. Crawley-Boevey, A. W. (c.s.) Creagb, Captain R. P. Crockett, Captain ... Cuffe, T. W. Cumberlege, N. R. ... ... ... Curjel, H. ,,, ... ... ... Residence. ..Bombay ..Bombay , . Europe ..Bombay , . Bombay . Mai van ..Bombay ..Mahim ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay .Bandora ..Egatpura ..Bombay .Bombay . Bombay ..Bombay .Poona .Bombay , .Bandora .Bombay ..Belgaum , . Poona ..Bombay .Hubli .Bombay .Bombay , Kharagora .Bombay .Bombay .Mount Abu .Bombay .Bombay ..Bombay ..Europe ..Poona .Bombay .Bombay .Europe .Bombay .Bombay .Ahmedabad .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Akola .Bombay LIST OF MEMBEE3, Name. Cursetjee, Miss Manockjee Curwen, H.... Cutch, H. H. the Rao of ... ... Dadabhoy, Cowasj.ee M. ... Daley, F. J., H. I. M. S. " Investigator Dalgado, Dr. D. G Daly, W. Mahon Daver, Framjee, N. Davidson, J. (c.s.) Descubes, A. Dillon, Mrs. Ditmas, A. R. Doig, S. Dorabjee, B. OpiumwaHa Douglas, Mrs. Dreckman, Rev. F. Dubash, Sorabjee D. Duigan, S. A. Duinayne, F. G. Dumbell, H. C Dunsterville, J. H. C. Dymock, Dr. Edgelow, F. Ellaby, Dr. Charlotte Elliston, Major E. C Fairbank, Rev. S. .., Fenton, Capt. L. L. Ferguson, Dr. A. F. Fletcher, G Forbes, Mrs. C. H. B Forgan, Rev. J. Forrest, G. W Forrest, L. R. W. ... Fox, C. E Francis, J. C. Francke, A. Franklin, J Fry, T. B Gaddum, F Gay, E Gaye, Dr. ... ... George, D. ... ... Ghandy, K. D Gibson, G, Residence. ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bhuj ..Bombay ..Sawantwaree . .Yercaud ..Bombay . . Mallegauin ..Chickalda . .Nagpore ..Bangalore ..Ahmedabad ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay .Bombay . .Ajmere ..Bombay .Europe . .Kolaba ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay . .Ahmednugger ..Kathiawar . .Broach ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Surat ..Poona ...Bombay ...Calcutta ...Poona ...Ratnagiri ...Bombay ..Khandesh LIST OF MEMBERS. Name. Gilbert, R Gleadow, F Goldsniid, F. Goune, H. ... Goodfellow, Col. G. R Gopal, Babajee Gordon, H. K. Graham, W. D Grant, G. F. M. (o.S.) Gray, 0. Gray, Dr. Temperley Gray, Dr. Wellington Greaves, W. Grieve, Rev. A. C. ... Griffiths, J. ... Gunthorpe, Lieut.-Colonel Gwyn, Captain A.... Hall, Rev. E.S Hare, R. D Hornidge, S. Hart, G. H. R Hart, Miss Hart, Mrs. W. E Hatch, H. F Hatch, Dr. ... Hay, A. Hemming, J. R. Henderson, Dr. Hill, F.J. A Hoai^e, A. E. Holland, W.J Hore, Fraser S. Indore, H. H. the Maharaja Holkar Inverarity, J. D. Irving, Dr. L. A. ... Jackson, W. L. C Jacob, H. P. Jamsetjee, C. Jamsetjee ... ... Jardine, Mrs. J. Jeejeebhoy, Sir Jamsetjee, Bart. ... Jefferson, F. G Jefferson, J..., Jervis, W. H Johnson, J. R. Kirby Johnston, Miss ... Residence. .Bombay .Surat Belgaurn .Bombay .Bluvj ' .Bombay .Calcutta .Bombay .Satara i .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay . Berar , Bombay .Bombay .Khangaum .Tanna .Calcutta .Calcutta .Bombay .Ratuagiri .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay , .Karwar .Canara . Bombay .Bombay .Bombay ..Indore .Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Europe ..Bombay , .Bombay .Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay , . Bombay .Bombay ..Bombay VI LIST OF MEMBERS, Name. Jones, H. W. Jordan, E. V Juergens, Rev. Fr.... Kama, K. R. Kane, C. E Kanga, Dinsha P. ... Kelkar, Rao Bahadur R. M. Ker, L. B Khambatta, Khan Sahib D. D. ... Khambatta, S. K. ... Kennedy, Capt. W. P. Kiddle, S King, Alfred Kingsley, F. G- Kirtikar, Surgeon K. R. ... Lang, T. Langley, Surgeon-Major ... Latham, the Hon'ble Mr. Justice F. L. LeFebvre, Rev. H. P Leonard, Major T Lester, 0. F. G Lidbetter, T Limjee, Cowasjee Dady ... Limjee, Dady Maneckjee ... Lisboa, Dr. J. C. ... Litchfield, E Little, F. A. Littledale, H. Lowell, C. ... Luard, E. S — ■ Lynch, 0. P Lynch, M. P MacCartie, Dr. Macaulay, R. H. Macaulay, W. M Macdonald, Dr. D Macdonald, J. Macdonald, W. M Macnaghten, Chester Maconachie, Dr. G. A. Macpherson, Capt. .. Mactaggart, H. M Maguire, J. ... Maistry, D. B Major,' Col. F. W Residence. ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Vishuugger ...Bombay ...Poena ...Bombay . . . Kathiawar ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bangalore ...Kathiawar ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Chikalda ...Bombay ...Baroda ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Rajkote ...Bombay . . . Karwar ...Tuticorin ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay LIST OF MEMBERS. Name. Maneckjee, Jeeluingir Maneckjee... Manson, G. ... Mant, R.N Marriott, Capt. E. F Martin, Capt. G. McCann, W. H McEwen, R. Mehta, F. C Melvin, W. F Merewether, Col. G. (r.e.) Mercer, F Messent,P.G Miller, E Millett, G. P M inter, Capt. J. S. Montgomery, T. R. A. G Moriss, A W«, F.z.s. Morris, D. ... Morris, J. Morrison, A. Moscardi, E. S. (c s.) Mnkiind Ragoonatli Murphy, Dr... Murray, A. S. Murray, J. A. Murray, W Naigaumwalla, K. D. Nazar, M. H Newborn, C. Newnhaui, A. Niceville, L. de (Hou. Corr. Mem.) Nicholson, C Nicholson, E. F O'Connel, J. Ollivaut, E. C. K. (as.) Oliver, G Oliver, Miss... Oliver, Miss R Olivier, Captain H. D. (e.e.) Ommaney, H. T. (c.s.) Ormiston, G. Owen, F. A Pallis, A Palliser, H. G Panday, Ardeshir Shapurji Residence. . Ratnagiri . Bombay . I Mil n bay .Godra .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ,. Bombay ..Sholapur ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Yercaud ..Bombay ..Bombay . . Bombay ..Europe ..Bombay . . Mahableslnvar ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay . Bum bay ..Bombay ..Bhuj ..Calcutta .Lauowlie .Bombay ..Bombay . .Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Dharwar ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Bombay ..Malegaon ..Bombay Vlll LIST OP MEMBERS. Nam e. Parker, P. D Parker, Capt, J. C, H.I.M.S. "Patrick Parmenides, J. Parmenides, A. C. ... Patterson, Dr. Pearson, T. W Peckey, Miss E. (m.D.) Penny, Mrs. L _ Peters, Surgeon-Major Peterson, Dr. P. Petit, P. C Petit, F. D Peyton, Lieut. -Colonel W. Phipson, H. M Pinkey, A. F. Portman, Lieut. -Col. A. B. Povv walla , Sorabjee Cavasjee Punnett, F Radcliffe, Capt. W. C. A., k.a. ... Payment, E. J. Readymoney, N. J... Reay, H. & Lord, CLE., LL.d!" Reid, G. B., (c.s.) Reynolds, P. Rick, Miss E Riddel], R. Ritckie, A.M. Rivett-Carnac, L. ... Robb, Surgeon-Major Roberts, R. ... Rose, F. ... ' Russell, B. B Russell, L. P Salmon, Capt. M. B Scott, Tke Hon'ble Justice Scott, J. W Selby, Captain H. O. (r.e.) Skeppard, G. F. (c.s.) Sbipp, W Silcock, H. F. (c.s.) Simpson f A. F. Sims, Proctor Sinclair, W. F. (c.s.) Slater, E. M .'.' Sleater, J. M " Smith, Mrs. Yorke Residence. ... ...Bombay Stewart." Jvurrackee ... . . Bombay . .. ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Munmar ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bijapur ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Kanara ...Bombay ... Bans warra ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ... Kirkee ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Akmedabad . . .Baroda ...Bombay ...Kliundwa ...Beejapoor ...Bombay ..9 ...Akmedabad ...Bombay ...Aurungabad ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Malii Kantka ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Guzerat ...Lanowlie ...Skolapore ...Bombay ...Bkownugger ...Alibag ...Bombay ...Bombay ...Bombay LIST OF MEMBERS. Name. Spencer, N.... Squire, W. W Squires, Mrs. SfcwliDg, M. H St. Clair, Capt. W. A. E. (r.e.) ... Steel, J. H Steiner, J. ... Sterndale, R. A. Steward, A. B. (c.s.) Stewart, R. L. Street, Capt. Street, Dr. A. W. F Stuart, C. A Sturt, Colonel Swan, H. H Swayne, H. G. E. (r.e.) Swiuhoe, Colonel C. (p.z.s., f.l.s., p.e.s.) Sykes, C. Symons, J. L. Symons,N. S Symons, H. S. Taylor, Chas. Taylor, W. C Terry, G. W Temulji, Dr. B. N Thacker,W Thomson, Mrs. Tod, J. Trevithick, R Turner, Mrs. A. F Turner, Montague C. Vidal, G. W. (c.s.) Walcott, Colonel C. B Wallace, James Wallace, John Wallace, L. A Walton, Rienzi (c.e.) Walton, E. M Ward, Frank Ward, H.B AVatson, Rev. A. B.... Webb, W Weber, C.L Weir, Dr. T. S Wendon, H. ... Residence. .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Europe .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay ..Broach ..Bombay . .Bombay ..Bombay . . Bombay .Ahmednuo-o-er .Bombay .Aden .Bombay , .Cutch Mandvi .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay . Bombay .Bombay .Bombay ..Bombay .Bombay ..Bombay .Bombay . . Bom bay ..Bombay . . Bombay ..Tanna .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay ..Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bombay .Bomba} T .Bombay .Bombay . Bombay .Bombay .Poona X LIST OF MEMBERS. Name. Residence Westmacott, Col. ... ... ... ... ...Baroda Wilson, Capt., H. I. M. S. "Dalhousie"... ...Bombay Wise, Col ... ...Poona Wise, H. S ... ... ... ...Bombay Woodward, W. ... ... ...Bombay Wroughton, R. C — ... ...Tanna Wylie, R . . .Gadechi Yeld, Dr. H. ... ••• . . . Bombay Yerbury, Major ... ... ...Punjab Young, G. S. ...Bombay Young, W. E. • ■• . ...Bombay ERRATA. At p. 115, Col. 2; 1. 7 of order 27, for "longana" read " Longana." „ „ 116, Col. 2, for the second " Bauhinia " under order 30, substitute double commas. „ „ 120, Col. 2, 1. 3, of order 54, for « petiolaret " read " petiolare." „ „ 124, Under order 75, dele the seventh and eighth entries (i.e. of two plants of the genus Phyllan- thus), and „ „ 125, insert the following as the last entry under order 75 — ie ,, „ Madraspatana — j — Kanocha." „ „ 120, Col. 2, 1. 2 of order 83, for « Cirnurn" rend i( Crinum". „ „ 127, Col. 2, 1. 8 of order 90, for "terminaris" read "torminaus." „ „ 127, Col. 2, last line but two from bottom of page, for "fulcatum" read " falcatum." „ ,, 128, Transfer the last two entries from order 99 to order 90. LIST OP MEMBERS. Westtn Wilson Wise, < Wise, 1 Woodv\ Wroug Wylie, Yeld, 1 Yerbur Young, Young JOURNAL OP THE BOMBAY ^tetitpl patoiffi ^041% No. ij BOMBAY, JANUARY 1887. [Vol. 11. WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. Part III. — The Konkan and Coast. (By a Member of the Society.) The remaining Reptiles of the Region are all Batrachians. The Frogs are much the same as in the few damp parts of the Deccan, but more numerous. The Ccecilians, or blind-worms, are rather rare; and I do not think that there are any newts. Singularly enough, the name " niwta" is applied to certain leaping. fishes, which will be dealt with, in their own place; and which, seen at a little distance in their native mud, have very much the appearance and action of reptiles. The fislies, naturally, are numerous and important, and I shall take tliem in order ; following usually the classification of Dr. Day, unquestionably the standard authority on Indian fislies. The family of Perclies is only represented in the fresh waters by few and small (though, often prettily marked) species, chiefly of Ambassis. The so-called climbing Perch (Avabas scandens,) belongs to another family, although decidedly perch-like in ap- pearance ; I have not procured it in the Konkan myself. The marine Perches, however, are very numerous and important here, as throughout the tropical and sub-tropical seas, in which, 1 NATURAL HISTORY. to a great extent, they assume the place (and very often the name) of the northern Cod family, here represented only by a few small species. Where you find " rock-cod/' "cod-sounds," or "cod- roes" in tropical trade, the term genei-ally refers to one of these perches, or to some related spiny-finned fish. They do not seem to affect the depths of the ocean, but haunt banks or reefs, from the shore to about 200 fathoms, feeding, as a rule, not very far from the bottom. The commonest here are small rock-perches, called on Bombay tables " stone-fish," of which thebest, perhaps, is the " Cock-up fish," Lates calcarifer. This is a fish chiefly of the estuaries, and, where permitted, it comes some way above highwater mark, and lives for some time in fresh water. An allied species, the " Kargota, " or " belt-fish" (Therapon Jarbua) , is often kept in wells by the natives, and seems to thrive there as well as in the sea. It is a handsome little fish, with deep brown bands on a whitish ground, which in sunlit water look black and gold. The natives'call most of these rock-perches " Gobra," or " Gobri," from the dull olive colours of one or two taken by them as types which they compare to the colour of cowdung (gobar or govar). Most of the commonest belong to the genera Serranus and Lutianus, and a few, such as Serranus Malabaricus, attain a rerj large size ; but these are not often seen on European tables. Serranus Boenack (" Bhui-nak" = "chief-fisherman,") is prettily marked with sky blue, and some others have brilliant colours, but these are not very common in the waters of the coast, usually more or less dull with mud.* The Lutiani are more commonly bright coloured than the Serrani; and, in my experience, keep further off shore. One of them [Lutianus Argent imaculatus, I think,) is mentioned and figured by Mr. Thomas as a fish giving sport with the rod in his region. It is a very fine fish, of a deep cherry colour when mature, and grows to at least 15 lbs. weight. A very closely allied species, L. roseus, is the "red rock-cod, " of the Straits Settle- ment. All these perches are very fair eating when fresh. I shall take here, somewhat out of turn, the Scivenas, called by the natives " Gul " or " rose " fish, I suppose from a faint pink blush which they have on death. Some Europeans in Bombay call them " buffalo- fish," which I have noted above as a Deccan name for the Mahseer. * Some Serrani are said to present the curious phenomena of perfect milt aiad rce normally developed in the same fish. WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. Similarly the red sea perches are called on the coast " Tambe, " or *' copper fish, " which above ghat is the name of the Roho. The " Red Sea Salmon " of steamer's cooks is a Scioena, and so is the " Canal Mullet, " sometimes caught when ships pass a night in the Suez Canal. The Scicenas generally are but coarse fish, compared to those mentioned above; but they grow to 5 and 6 feet long. They, and many of the larger sea perches, yield isinglass, which goes abroad under the name of (i cod-sounds." The next family, the tSquamiphmes, is much less important in number and size, either of species or individuals. Several of its members, however, are remarkable for their strange forms, bright colours, or handsome markings, as the long-snouted Choetodons, and the "Warra" (Scatophagus Argus) " spotted like the pard." Most of these fishes have somewhat the shape of a pomflet, that is, they are " flat-fish " on a dish ; but deep fish in the water. They are, however, squarer about the shoulder, breast, and flanks than, the pomflets, and much inferior in size and in flavour. The next family is that of the Mullidce ; or Red Mullets, which should be distinguished from the grey mullets. There are no true red mullets, I am sorry to say, on our coast ; so my chapter on them is like that on snakes in Iceland. Th^y are represented here by some poor relations of the genera Midloides and Upeneus, small and scarce, but brightly coloured. I have not myself obtained any specimens. The next two families have few important genera except Chrysophrys, of which one species, C. berda, a fine perch-like fish, is the " black rock-cod " of the Madras side ; and passing over a lot of fishes of " merely acade- mical interest," the next family worth notice is that of the Scorpce- nidce, which are about as eccentric in shape and colour as any- thing in the sea. Their chief representative here is the " Kombada/' or " cock-fish" (Pterois Russellii), a handsome fish, banded scarlet, and black, and provided with huge fins that look as if they had been "torn in a scuffle. " We have specimens in our Museum; unluckily the colours are not permanent in spirits. The " Korabada" some- times reaches 15 inches long, and. is certainly the showiest fish of our coast. The Mango-fishes (Polynemidce) , famous on the Bengal side of th6 punkah, have little reputation here. The reason is, probably, that the pick of the basket, Poiynemus paradiseus, is (l anadromous," i.e., it runs up rivers to spawn ; and there are in the Konkan no rivers NATURAL HISTORY. suitable for that purpose. If the matter were taken up at the mouth of the Tapti or Nerbudda, very likely the fish might be got in good season there. The Maratha name is "Chela" (= " disciple") which corresponds to the Bengal " Tapasi," said to mean a hermit or penitent. The large Polynemi are here called " Rawas/' and are very fair eating, though not in the first class. The next is a remarkable family, the Sword-fishes, represented here by at least one species, Histiopl torus hrevirostris, called in Maratha < c Tar-masa," or " Wire-fish," probably from the filiform ventral appendages; and also (according to an unsigned MS. note in my office copy of Day) " Mar-masa, " or "the striker," which seems more appropriate. In this fish the upper jaw, or snout, is not so long as in the Atlantic Xiphias, or even in some of its own con- geners ; but there is quite enough of it to make a very formidable weapon, as its length from the gape appears to be about f of the total length of the fish, which sometimes exceeds 10 feet; That it is used as a weapon is proved by many instances ; but in particular there is in our Museum a "sword" of this species which I myself found sticking in the left hind-leg-socket of a turtle (Caivana olivacea), brought to me alive. Not only malice prepense, but considerable cunning of fence, were required to inflict this wound. Judging hj proportions, the sword-fish must have been lighter than the turtle (not a large specimen), and it is not easy to see what he could expect to do with the latter when dead. After the Sword-fishes, quaintly enough, come Scabbard-fishes (Trichiuridce) , long thin creatures like silver streamers, fancifully supposed to resemble a steel regulation .scabbard. They are very good eating when fresh, but are chiefly used here for drying without salt in the sun, for which their shape fits them well. They live on the top of the water, sometimes in great numbers, and are much preyed up by sea-fowl. Sometimes they will jump into a boat, like the Garfishes. The next family, Carangidce, contains one very notable little fish, the " pilot-fish, " who is supposed to take charge of sharks, ships, or any other large things that he considers unable to take care of themselves. I have not got any specimens here. One species of Oaranx, very common, pretends to be a mackerel, and two or three to be pomflets, but the resemblance is external only. They are branded by the natives with the titles of " Chor-wagada" and " Chor (thief) Sarga." Accordingly the true pomflets (Stromaicus) WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. come im mediately after them, and require little description in Bombay. The native name for the white pomflet is " Sarga," and for the black " Halwa." The Portuguese name is " Pumpano/' and a fish of this uame is a delicacy in the American " Gulf States " and is brought in ice to New York, where it looks and tastes very much as a pomflet does in Poona. Whether it is a true Stromaieus or not I cannot say. The " Pumpano " was mentioned as a good fish of this coast by Van Lin?choten iu the sixteenth century. It may be worth while to remark that it is not a flat-fish in the same sense as turbots and soles are, but swims upright on edge like a John Dorey, which, indeed, is also more like a pomflet in flavour than any other fish of Northern Seas. The monsoon fishery for both pomflets, but especially the black, is conducted on the Bombay coast at considerable risk ; large open "machwas" (fishing smacks) remaining out of sight of land often for two or three days. Great care is shown in fitting out these boats, and they carry double or treble crews, but their return is always awaited with anxiety, and the fish are as much "lives o' men" as any herring in the North Sea. (Query, " pomfret" or " pomflet"?) Pretty close to the pomflets, though more nearly allied to the next family, are the so-called " Dolphins, " of modern sea-folk, famous for changing colour in dying. They are oceauic fish, and not common here. I have no specimens from this coast, nor any vernacular name for them. I need hardly say that the classic Dolphin was a porpoise. I have dined in Bombay, off and on, for eighteen years without ever seeing a mackerel on table there, and a great many people who find "cod" all over the world would tell you that there are no mac- kerel here. The fact is, however, that a mackerel closely resembling the British species is common near Bombay in the cold weather, and has very much the habits of its northern relative, especially that of playing in schools on the' surface. Only, it will not here take any sort of a trailing bait or fly ; nor have I ever been able to catch any sea fish near Bombay by that most sporting- method. It is said to answer well enough down the coast. The Indian mackerel {Scomber microlepidotus) is smaller than the British fish, seldom reaching one foot long ; when fresh it is a very good fish indeed, but keeps badly. It is taken in seines all along the coast, on the flat strands, and must, I should think, often be so taken in Back Bay j and NATURAL HISTORY. there I should advise any one who wants a Bombay mackerel to look out for it. The Maratha name is " Wagada." The large mackerels, or tunnies, Thynnus, Pelamys, and Cybium, mostly keep to deep water, and come to us under the general name of " Sur-mahi, " (Persian = " Red-fish/') which we render " Seer-fish, " as a very tolerable substitute for salt cod and salmon. One species, Cybium guttatum is said to reach 6 feet long, and they are all reported to take a ti'ailed bait or fly well in the offing, so that they will afford sport to the generation of yachtsmen who shall learn to sail outside the harbour. The last genus of the mackerels is Echeneis, containing the curious sucking-fish, called on this coast "Sakala" {E. Neucrates), and "Luchung, " {E. albescens). Of these, under the name of " Chazo, " it has lately been written that the Zanzibar fishermen put a ring on their tail with a line in it and send them forth to attach themselves to big fish by the curious sucker on the top of the head. No one here utilizes them in this remarkable manner, though their habit of " getting a lift " from other fishes is well known. The yarn had been spun before about some South American fishermen, but with less detail and authority, and it was not then very generally believed. At present, though no European has actually seen this fishery, the evidence is good enough for a strong probability, and there is some of a similar practice in Madagascar with a fish, probably allied, called "Tarudu." The Albacores, Bonitos, and " Spanish " Mackerel of the Atlantic are all Scombridce (Mackerels). The next family, Uranosco'pidoe, are about as unlike the graceful and beautifully coloured mackerels as anything can be. They are represented here by the " Yekru " (Ichthyscopus inermis), a deformed and blotchy creature, best described in Dr. Day's words, " It made a curious noise, half snapping and half croak- ing." But the Trachinidce, which follow, have a fine slender form, a good flavour, and a pretty name; for two or three of their genus Sillago are known in India as "lady fishes. " I am not sure whether the name is a compliment to the shape of the fish, or to its nutritive qualities, which recommend it in native medicine, to ladies in (or just out of) " an interesting condition. " It is quite as good for the most uninteresting of their worser halves ; it tastes like an English smelt, and therefore, I suppose, some people call it a "whiting." The Maratha name is "Murdi" The Sillogos are fish of the WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. sand, and of shallow waters, where they are usually taken with the seine, or with small nets. Passing over a small and uninteresting family (Pseudochromides) we come to the Batrachidce, or toad-fishes. Ours are only remarkable for ugliness and size (reaching 3 feet long), but an American Pacific species [Thalassophryne reticulatv.s) is probably alone among fishes in possessing a blood-poisoning apparatus inferior in degree only to that of a venomous snake. The operculum or gill cover has a long tubular spine with a poison-sac at its base, containing a venom supposed to be secreted in the muciferous channels, and capable of causing fever, though apparently no more. The attention devoted to this remarkable fish may help us hereafter with other " sting-fishes. " Most practical fishermen believe in a specific poison in the wounds inflicted by various species, especially the northern " Piky Dog-fish" {Sjpinax), and some tropical Siluroids. The effects are far too severe to be due to the mere laceration of the most serrated spine, and it is probable that the mucus is more or less poisonous. In a similar way the secretions of the skin of some otherwise harmless reptiles (especially, according to Mr. Murray, the Sind " biscobra, " Euhlepharis HardwicJcii) are certainly capable of causing irritation to the epidermis, a fortiori more if inoculated. An European member of one of the following families, Coitus scorpio of the Cottidoe, is much dreaded at home on this very score ; inflicting injuries altogether out of proportion to the size of its little prickles. Passing over these and one or two others, we come to the Gobies, very numerous and interesting to people who know more about them already than I can write here, or perhaps anywhere. They are small, often brightly coloured, or at least well marked, and " too numerous to mention." There are however, two goggle-eyed genera, which are really among the wonders of the coast. BerioptTialmus and Boleopthalrnus, the leaping fishes or "mud fish" of the tidal waters. The Marathas call those which frequent muddy creeks "Niwte" and those of rocky shores "Kharba." The former may be seen, whenever the tide is out, crawling in myriads over the mud, getting in and out of each other's way in the most ludicrous fashion, and all disappearing in the mud as by magic, when alarmed. B. Boddaerti is our commonest here. It has bright blue spots. Those of the rocks, which are mostly Periopthalmi, are very provoking to any one hunting the tidal pools for specimens. 8 NATURAL HISTORY. Just as the prey seems to be penned up in a corner behind the hand-net, hop-skip-and-a-jurnp, he is in another puddle five or six yards away, and he always does jump for that next puddle, and never out on dry rock. The way to fix him is to have two hand-nets and lay one of them over puddle No. 2 before beating up his quarters in No. 1. I have seen one of these little fishes deliberately follow a bait, which I slowly withdrew from him, about 2 feet up a rock. Some kept in an aquarium preferred, apparently, to be out of water, or at least half-out, and would remain so for hours without moving. They are very tolerable eating, when well washed inside and out or after keeping for a few hours in clean sea-water. For the next family, the Blennies, I can do no better than borrow Major Beavan's statement that they " are a most ferocious lot of little fishes, they reside mostly on or near the bottom ; some of the species are remarkable for producing their young alive." Ours vary very much in form ; some (Eleotris) are eel-like, of a dirty pink colour, and very ugly ; others are smart little fishes, well-finned. After them come the " Spiny Eels, " well known on all Mofussil breakfast tables as " Bhatn Machi, " and generally called in English "Eels," though they are not really eels at all, in nature or flavour. For the benefit of readers who may have seen them only on the dish, I may remark that they have a queer proboscis like that of a tapir, many prickles on the back, and few on the belly. They are ex- clusivly fresh water fish, and can be taken with a worm, a bit of raw meat or almost any other animal bait. Several Atherines, or sand-smelts, are recorded; but I have got none of them here, which is probably my own fault — and misfortune, as the whole family are good to eat. The Grey Mullets, to be carefully distinguished from the Red Mul- lets, abound in the creeks along the shore, and when fresh and in good condition, are as good for the table as any fish we have. They are generally known as "BkuiMasa" or "Fisherman fish" and a very good and handsome striped species (Mugil oeur) as " Thoda." This last reaches a yard in length. I have never found a bait for them, though I have read of many. The next two families are small and uninteresting here, except that one fish, Fistularia Serrata, happens to have a long central tail ray, which, being transferred to the tail of another fish by accident or design (in a collection) helped to get up a bogus " new WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. species, " and a very pretty quarrel upon the merits. It is not common. The " Snake-headed" Murrells are the same here as in the Deccan. These fish, indeed, vary little throughout India, as might he expected from their power of passing overland. They are exclusively freshwater fishes. The next family, Labyrinlhici, includes the "climbing perch," which I have not got here, but it may reasonably be looked for. Dr. Day's account of the dangers of this fish, and the remedy, is sufficiently original to be well worth transcribing. " Accidents are constantly occurring, due to native fishermen killing these fishes * * by a bite. While the fish is in the fisherman's mouth for this humane purpose (as it is covered by a slimy, slippery secretiou) it occasionally slips into his throat, then owing to its spiny character, it cannot be withdrawn without extensive laceration. ***** should the fish be still alive, cut off tho projecting or caudal portion, causing it to die of haemorrhage * * * * the decay of the animal is most rapid;" and when it is complete, the extraction of course is easy ; but on the whole I had rather some one else bit my perches for me. The spines of an allied genus ( Poly acanthus) " inflict a most severe burning pain which lasts for two or three hours" (Jerdon) # I have not got it here ; but it should be here. Another relative is the Gourami (Osphromenus olfax), which I believe has been put into Vehar lake. Whether any specimens have been taken out, I have not heard. It is a Chinese and Malay fish, naturalized in different places all round the world, and said to be very good eating, which reputation, and the family character of living with little water, or little change of the same water, have been the cause and means of its travels. I think it was Sir William Denison who introduced it into Madras, where it has since been chiefly looked after by Mr. Thomas. Passing over one small family, the next worth noticing are the Labridce, or Wrasses, which are represented in British seas. They are, with few exceptions small fish, haunting weedy rocks or coral reefs, exclusively marine, and remarkable for their bright colours, which vary in the individuals of several species, and in some appear to indicate sex, a very rare case amongst fishes. They could not be passed over, but I have not found any here that require special notice. None are of any importance as food, and our dull inshore 2 10 NATURAL HISTORY. waters, and barren basaltic reefs, are ill-suited to the development of their characteristic coloration. The next family, Chromides, seems to be hardly represented here, if at all. One species,. Eutroplus Suratensis, apparently receiv- ed its specific name by mistake, the type specimen probably came from Tranquebar (Day). The genus is found in fresh-waters and estuaries on the Malabar Coast, and this species is said to take a bait freely, and be good eating; "but is not so easily captured in a net, as it buries itself in the mud, or dives under the net." - It might be worth importing. We have now disposed of the Aeantltopterygii, or spiny-finned fishes, of which the Perch is at the head r and begin the Anaean- thini, or soft-rayed fishes, whose file leader is the cod. The QadidbB f or God family, are very numerous in northern seas, in- cluding such familiar fish as the Haddock and Whiting, the coarser Hake and Ling, and the sporting Pollack and Coal-fish, well known to marine Ay-fishers at home. In Day's enormous list, how- ever, there are only two species of this family recorded as Indian- fish. Both are of one genus, Bregmaceros. I have myself obtained on this coast a single specimen of B. Atripinnis. Neither species gets beyond the size of a man's finger. The next family, Ophidiidce, is hardly more important j but the third claims a good deal of attention. If is that of Pfauronectidee or flat-fishes proper, I have already, pointed out that the pomfiet is not a flat-fish. As, he lies, even boiled, on a plate, one can see his blue back, white belly, and one eye only. Turn him over, and the other side is the same, from which any fisherman can learn at the hotel or club where he eats his first breakfast in Bombay, that the pomfiet swims on edge. It is a general rule with marine creatures that the under colour is the lightest, and this is clearly a protective coloration, for any diver knows that white objects are easiest seen in the water below him, and dai'k things between him and the surface. The rule is not -restricted to the sea, but extends to freshwater, though it is there open to far more numerous exceptions, and it affects not only fish, but nearly all sea fowl, many molluscs, aquatic reptiles (as the crocodiles, turtles, and some sea snakes), and to a very limited extent, the aquatic mammalia. Now suppose a sole lying beside the pomfiet. He shows only one dark colour on the whole visible surface, but he shows two eyes, WATERS OP WESTERN INDfA, 11 Turn him over, tlie whole surface now exposed is white, and no -eyes are to bo found at all. If he could speak, like the fish in the Arabian Nights, he could not tell us more plainly that he is a " flat- fish" belonging to the family now under consideration, and acknow- ledging the presidence of the Turbot. The most curious thing about these fiat-fishes is that their excep- tional attitude and coloration, and their preposterous squint, are not congenital, but acquired habits. The sole starts in life swimming upright, like the pomflet, and with one eye on each side of his head. But early in youth ho acquires the habit of lying on one side, the necessities of his life (and probably the conditions of light) bleach that side, darken the wpper one, the under eye gets slewed round, distorting the whole brow in the process, and with some curious progressive deformations of his tail, which need not be described here, he becomes a complete sole as we fry him. The giant of this tribe is the Halibut of the North Pacific and Atlantic, who gets to the dimensions ©f a reasonable round table. He is followed in size, and much excelled in flavour, by the Turbot, after whom (in Europe) come the Brills and Flounders. All of these are very broad £sh, and even the flounders, which are the least of the lot, come to 10 lbs. weight, perhaps more. The Soles, though closely allied, are much inferior in all threo dimensions, especially in " beam." All are marine, though a few pass above tidemarks. The first division is not very strongly represented in tropical seas. On this coast its chief member is Pb-ettodeserumei, which, for want of a better name, I may call the Indian Flounder. It grows to be 15 or 16 inches long, and is of the same flavour, as the soles (the northern broad fiat-Ash differ very much from soles in this respect). It always comes to table, indeed, as a "sole, " but flounders do that in other countries without its claim to that honour. The Maratha name is " bakar, " that is, " a cake of unleavened bread," and no doubt some of my readers know that an allied fish is known in Scotland as a "bannock-fluke." (Vide the Antiquary's famous deal with Mrs, Mucklebackit.) The tropical soles are numerous, and of various habit. Some species haunt rocks and -coral reefs, and others sand and mud; the former are often handsomely marked. The sand, however, is the typical ground of the whole tribe, and hence it happens that soles are far less plentiful on the 12 NATURAL HISTORY. Konkau Coast than on that of the flat desert regions to the north- ward. The flat-fishes close the list of spineless fishes for this coast, and in the next order we shall find plenty of prickles, though they do not extend through the whole fin, as in the Perch and its fol- lowers. * This is the order of Physostomi, and the first family, the Siluri- dce or cat-fishes, is one of the most important in India. The fresh water cat-fishes are much the same in the Konkan as above Ghat, very numerous in individuals, and growing to a considerable size, considering the confined waters that they inhabit. Wallago attu attains here to about 3 feet in length. The marine cat-fishes are few in species, but one of the genera, Arius swarms in the estuaries and on muddy bottoms at 5 or 6 fathoms. It is essentially a bottom feeding fish, and does not, I think, go far out to sea. This fish has the extraordinary habit of carrying its eo-gs in its month until hatched. It has an armour-plated head and three spines, being the first rays of the dorsal and pectoral fins. The fry, when hatched, crowd up the estuaries with the tide and do a good deal of submarine scavenging ; besides furnishing great sport to the little boys ; who catch them by dozens with the simplest tackle. The Arii reach eight or ten pounds weight at least, and are said to be good eating. I have not tried them. The Maratha name is « Shingada" or " Homy fish." Less common than the Arii are two species of Plotosus, called in Maratha " Kalan." They are hideous brutes, with pretty much the body of an eel, a round head and a bunch of short thick feelers round the mouth. They have the same dorsal and pectoral spines as the arii, and the wound of these is so much dreaded by the half-naked fishermen that the hauling aboard of a "Kalan" is followed by a general scramble out of his reach. It appears to me that the fish quite understands his weapons, and writhes his body in a jerking fashion so as to strike with the erected pectoral spines. I have often seen one drive the spine deep into other fish lying beside him in the bottom of a boat. It is possible that he may use similar fence in killing fish too large for his comparatively feeble jaws ; but this is matter of speculation only. Contrary to the * Note.— Strictly speaking, classification by fin-prickles refers to the paired, fins which in fish represent the limbs of other Vertebrates. But the vertical fins are also, important ; and what is more, they arc only apparently single, being formed by the coalescence of double lateral elements. WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. 13 habits of the arms and of the fresh water siluroida generally, the " Kalan " is a fish of the reefs ; and has the clear brown and mottled coloration often characteristic of rock fishes. In a former paper I mentioned the adipose fin of some Siluroida as characteristic, in the Indian fresh waters. In the sea, however, they are not alone in possessing it. The Scopelidcc, or Bombay Duck family, all have it, and have even been classed as trouts on the strength of it. The most distinguished of the family is certainly the ( ' Bombay Duck" himself (Harpodon nepereus), in Maratha " Bhombil. " " Bummalo " is either low Portuguese, or mere " Bombay bat," and not a pure native word at all. Everybody in Bombay has seen the " Duck "at table, dried or fried, but hardly any European has seen him in his habit as he swims. The scales are fine, and very loose, aud they are always rubbed off in the boat long before the fish come ashore, which is an extra merit in a table-fish as no fish-scdes are wholesome, and many extremely irritating to the coats of the stomach. I must admit, however; that the naked, flabby-looking fish is not appetizing to look on, and it is best to defer inspection till he has got a new suit of bread-crumbs. The great commercial merits of the Duck are that his gelatinous flesh dries quickly and safely in the sun, a great matter in a country where the price of salt is artificially multiplied, and that his relatively enormous and powerful jaws, armed with numerous and formidable teeth, can be easily and quickly hitched into those of a brother on the other side of the drying line, to the great savin a- of labour when many thousand fish have to be hung up. When dried the Bhombil is not merely a trifle to eat with curry ; he is the principal animal food of thousands of the poor, who cannot afford the fre- quent luxury of salt fish ; and as for meat, don't taste it twice in the year. Every here and there in the Konkan there are temporary fish markets in the fine weather, to which people from the interior bring grain to barter for bundles of dried " ducks " and " scabbard- fish/' to be carried up the foot-paths of the Ghats upon their heads. Besides this, there is a great inward trade by more civilized methods of conveyance. On one occasion I saw a goat make a raid on the unguarded basket of an absent fish- fag, and eat three or four fresh " bhombils" before the return of the screaming owner drove her off. This, how- 14 NATURAL HISTORY. ever, was in Uran; where the brute creation is clean demoralised insomuch that the cows there are said to steal mhowa spirit, and stagger drunk along the streets. There is a fish much like the "Bombay duck," but inferior as food, (Saurida tambil), which is known in Maratha as the " Chor-Bhombil" (" Chor"=: thief), just as we talk of a "horse-mackerel," a " dog-whelk " or a " bastard florican." After the Scopelida come the Sahnonidce ; and it can hardly be too often repeated that there are no indigenous salmon or trout in India; though the Lochleven trout (Salmo Levenensis) has been introduced into the Ncilgherrios, with very doubtful success. The next family, the Scombresocidcc, or Gar fishes and Flying fishes are represented in both fresh and salt water. These are fishes so long and narrow that some of them are known in the British seas as "Horned eels;" they have, however, nothing of the pliability of the true eels, and their anatomy is altogether different. In the first genus, Bclone, the body and both jaws are long and slender, and the latter well-toothed. Bclone cancila is their repre- sentative in fresh water ; and B. strong ylurus the commonest of several marine species. After them come several species of Hemiramphi, or half-beaked fish, in which the upper jaw is short, and the lower very long. All are known in Marathi as "Tali" and all live upon the Surface of the water, and furnish, with the scabbard-fishes, most of the diet of our sea-fowl and of the sea-snakes ; themselves bound to the surface by necessities of respiration. The fresh water Belono cancila is sometimes taken with a fly. They are very fond of playing on the top of the water, and skipping over anything in their way, and often jump into boats. Severe injuries have often been inflicted, in this way, on naked fishermen, by the larger species, which exceed 3 feet in length, and one way of trapping them is to float a net between four sticks, so that if the gar6sh jump over any stick of the four he falls into the net. They are very fair eating, though a novice is sometimes startled at finding the bones of several species dark bottle-green, almost black. They usually take a trailing bait well ; but are very apt to cut the trace with their teeth. The second division of this family consists of the well known oceanic Hying- fish (Exoavti), known in Marathi as « Chiri " or WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. 15 " sparrow-fish. " Unlike the garfishes, which often come close in shore, these affect the deepest water, but like the former, remain near the surface. All readers in Bombay must have seen them in the Arabian Sea. On the coast they are rare, and I get but few speci- mens, and seldom see them when sailing near Bombay. One might almost say that at that point about the deep-sea soundings line where you begin to see sea-snakes, you stop seeing flying fish. The best way of observing them is to stand in the very eyes of a steamer, and watch those which fly right ahead, and therefore give the longest view. The general colour is blue above and white below, but several are barred (especially the young) or spotted, and the play of light on their wet scales and pinions is something wonderful. They are, like the rest of the family, very fair eating. The nest family, Cyprinodontidce, is small, and of no account, but its successor, the family of Cyprinidce, or Carps, is of very great importance here, including a great majority of the fresh-water fishes of the Konkan, both by tale of individuals and variety of species. Inland the Cat-fishes rival the Carps, but here we have but few deep and muddy fresh waters fit for cat-fishes, and so these are only locally common in fresh water. For the purposes of this paper, we may divide the Cyprinidce into three sub-families, the first of which is composed of the loaches. These and the Alpine carps (Discognathi) , have been already disposed of, in dealing with the Konkan-ghat-mata. The second (this present division is rather convenient than scientific) includes the "Rohos" (Laheo) which in appearance and habit, most approach the European carp, the type of the family ; being all vegetable-feeders, with a preference for comparatively still waters. The typical Roho himself (Labeo Rohita) is not found here at all, and his place is taken- by Labeo Calbasu, and (I think) L. dussamieri. The former is described by Major Beavan as "dark in colour, generally blotchy, and very slimy/' but I do not find that this applies to specimens taken from clear streams in the hot weather, which were bright and clean, with many of the scales about the deepest part of the side spotted scarlet. Dr. Day also notices this coloration ; and it has to be noted that he had personal experience of this fish on the West Coast, which Beavan had not. All the Cyprinidce are very liable to local variation in colour, aud sometimes even in shape. 16 NATURAL HISTORY. The Barbels, so far as they have a choice, prefer comparatively rapid waters, and are in this country mostly omnivorous. The typical Mahseer (Barbus tor) is not, to the best of my knowledge, found here, but is represented by a fish I have doubtfully identified as the gold-finned Barbel (B. pinnauratus), which grows to about 10 lbs. weight, perhaps more, and as a sporting fish, is quite equal to any Mahseer, weight for weight. Here, as elsewhere, the live-bait is the most killing fashion of angling for barbel, and I have had no success with spinning-baits, and have not tried the fly in the Konkan. I do not think it would be found effective for the larger fish, but probably a good many of the smaller Cyprinoids, as Basbora danicomius and the Chelas, and the fresh water Gar-fish mentioned on a former page could be taken with a light trout rod and midge flies, especially if bright coloured. But the fresh water angling of the Konkan is, on the whole, poor. The lowlands are nearly all under rice, and in the rains every rice- field is a fish-trap, and every stream studded with weirs. The fish that go up to spawn seldom return alive, and the fry are taken in thousands, and serve to eke out the scanty meals of the labourers. Within my own memory, the few waters where tolerable angling could be had have greatly fallen off, and the stock seems to be only kept up by the inhabitants of a few more or less sacred pools and tanks. Some of these are well stocked. In one, particularly, I have seen huudreds of sacred barbel come together to be fed. All were, apparently, of one species ; and similarly another sanctuary seemed to be mostly inhabited by cat-fishes, which must have lived chiefly on each other, had it not been for the offerings of good Hindus. As it is, I suspect that they supplemented their charitable allowance by cannibalism. The natives believe that even the otter and osprey respect these pools, and that the only European who had so little sense and good taste as to fish them, not only failed, but died of fever. I must say that he deserved the failure, but the fever was more than one could wish him. The Cyprinidce proper are exclusively fresh water fish, but some naturalists class with them the Herrings, Sprats, and Shads (Glwpeidm) , which come next in our classification. These are mostly sea-fishes ; a few live exclusively in fresh water, and most of these will take a a midge fly, but as they like deep and still waters (though living WATERS OP WESTERN INDIA. 17 chiefly on the surface) these fresh water herrings are not very common in the Konkau. The Chelas, a genus of true Gyprinidae which show considerable external resemblance to this family, take their place. The Shads are auadromous, i.e., run up rivers to spawn, but the Konkan streams are not big enough for them, and, besides, are very often barred by weirs. We do not therefore often get the Shads here " fresh-run, " that is, in that stage of gravidity in which they seek ■ the fresh water to spawn, which is with them, as with the European salmon aud sea-trout, the best condition for the table. It is pro- bably for this reason that the " Palla" (Clnpea ilisha, the "Hilsa- Ssh ' 5 and " Sable-fish 5 ' of other parts), is not very common here, and but little esteemed. Another thing against it is that, like all the family, it dies and decays quickly. Now the Bombay fish supply is so organized that only fish which keep very well indeed (as the pomflet) have any chance of getting to table while still fit to eat. I have, however, occasionally got very tolerable *' Palla-fish 55 even in Bon?.bay itself, and more often down the Coast. Some philosophers have maintained that this fish has given its fiame to the C( Apollo ' 5 pier in Bombay, but there is this against the derivation, that native fishermen do not call the place " Palla Bandar' 5 but ' l Paid Bandar, 5 ' and don't connect the name with this or any other fish. The allied marine species are very numerous. One worth noticing is the "Milk-fish or " Redi' 5 (Chanos salmoneus) , much esteemed further south under the name of "White mullet. 55 It has been successfully acclimatized in fresh water tanks, and is a handsome fish, of good quality when fresh, running to 3 feet long. We have two pretty common "sprats 55 or sardines, the oil sardine (Glupea longiceps) and the rat-tailed sardines or " Mandils 55 (genus Coilia, several species). These come in great shoals in the cold weather, and are extremely good eating when fresh, like their European cousins. The way to get them and the mackerel is to have a net hauled on the beach near one's quarters just before breakfast-time. If the fish are an-shore at all at the time, the net is pretty sure to take enough for a meal, and the fishermen are content with a few annas. The two next families are small, and classed by some with the herrings. The first " Chirocentridce/' contains one Indian sea-fish^ 18 NATURAL HISTORY. the " Karli" (CJtirocentrus dorab), which may be described as a sort of solitary and predatory herring. It is very long-shaped, with a sort of bull-head, and formidable teeth, which it uses very freely. The second, the Notopterldoe, has only two fishes, the queer " wainbhs/' (Notopterus kapirat and N. chitala), both fresh-water forms, mentioned before as known in Deccan waters. They are fair eating, and bite freely at a worm or bit of meat, but show no fight. In Upper India they are said to have an unholy taste for human flesh, but as we don't in these parts ground-bait our sacred streams with roasted humanity, we need not mind such a trifle here. The next family, that of the Symbranchidce, is not, I think, represented in our waters. It has few members, queer eel- shaped fish mostly capable of breathing air. At least one species, Amphipnous cuchia, can remain torpid in mud for a long period. We now come to the true eels, or Murcenidve. I have only got one species of fresh-water eel in the Konkan, Anguilla bengal ensis, which very much resembles the English eel, but has rather more variety of colour, mottlings and shadings of olive brown along the sides. It reaches about 5 lbs. weight, perhaps more. It is usually caught by the natives on trimmers, and is very fair eating, but is not common. The sea-eels are very numerous in species and individuals. The commonest are the " Isars" (Murcena), of which one species, (If. tesselata), is very beautifully reticulate. They haunt reefs, and are often taken with the hook and line. The same remarks apply to the genus Uroconger, of which we have but one species, the " Mulan" (U. Upturns). The Murcenesoces, or Eel-pikes, are fishes of deeper water and muddy bottoms, but often swim near the surface. They are remark- able for their large size and formidable dentition. Miir&nesox telabon, the " Waw," or " fathom-fish," is said to reach 10 ft. long, and its jaws are fully one-eighth of the total length, and studded with long and sharp fangs. Besides the jaw-teeth, most of these sea-eels have a central row of still more powerful fangs on the palate, and their bite is much dreaded by fishermen. We have in our Museum specimens of several species, and of the spawn. They are nearly all fairly good second-rate fish for the table. Here we come to the end of the order of Physostomi, and begin with the Lophobranchii, or armour-clad fishes, most of which are WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. 19 more or less encased in bony plates. The most noticeable are the Syngnathi, or " pipe-fishes," with two long jaws combined into a tube, and Hippocampi, or sea-horses, so called because their head and neck form a curious caricature of a conventional horse-head. T hey are mostly marine, small, and not very common, but as the most part of them consists of the bony armour, with a very small lining of flesh, they are easily dried, and make good specimens in that condition, being fixed, while fresh, with wires, in any attitude that pleases the artist. They have genei-ally some arrangement for carrying their eggs about with them till hatched, and it seems that this duty is discharged by both sexes. We have several speci- mens of both Hippocampus and Syngnathus in our Museum. The next order is that of the Plectognathi, and the first family it) it are the Schroder mi, beginning with the genus Triacanthus. Th.3 Triacanthi are awkward ugly fishes, with a profile suggesting that of an old horse, whence the Maratha name "ghora." They have one vei*y strong dorsal spine, and two pectoral, a file-likQ skin, and unwholesome flesh. They are not uncommon here. The next genus, Batistes, is not so ugly in form, being somewhat like the typical perches in shape, but deeper and blunter. The skin is still raspy, the flesh unwholesome, the dorsal fin has a strong but blunt spine, and ventrals are reduced to a mei-e bony excrescence, of no obvious use. A third genus, Monacanthm , rather resembles Triacanthics, but has ouly one spine, dorsal of course. We have specimens of all three genera, the latter two are rather rare here. This family contains also the extraordinary Ostraciona, which are completely armour-plated, with a bluff upright forehead, and some- have horns like a bull. I have got none here. They are followed by a very curious family, the Gymnoclontes, or naked-toothed fishes. In these, instead of the claw-like fangs of fishes in general, we have each jaw armed with a sort of bony beak, sometimes divided by sutures into two portions. In the first fish which I shall notice, however, there are no such seams, each jaw is in one piece, whence the name Diodon hystrix, or the two-toothed Porcupine (sc. fish). The surname it owes to a complete set of horny spines f of an inch long, covering the whole- body. I have got here two specimens, one alive. It seemed to have little power of erecting the spines, but was very difficult to handle all the same. 20 JfATtfRl-L BISTORT. It is a short, puffy-looking brute, with some power of blowing itself out into a balloon shape, but it is (to judge from my living fish) by no means a match in this art for some of its- neighbours, to be presently noticed* After Dioclon comes Triodon, with two " teeth " in the upper jaw, and one in the lower. I have not got any specimens here. The nest genus is Xeno-pterus, which we have not got, but which: I cannot refrain from noticing, for the benefit of members ordered to Burma. It is a yarn of the Burmese that these little fishes when they see a mau or any other large animal in the water, fall upon him in shoals, and bite little bits out of him till there is none left. Retaliation in kind is impossible or nearly so, as the whole family of Gyrnnodonts are bad eating, in degrees which range from mere nastiness up to sheer poisonousness. After this amiable creature como the Tetrodons, or Parrot-fishes with two so-called " teeth " in each jaw, very abundant here, and known to Marathas as " Ken." They do a lot of harm to tackle by biting through it, and when caught are useless, but lie open to retaliation of a sort, as they survive for some time out of water, and are always on landing "handed over to the tormentors/' namely, gamins of the port. Now it is a character of the parrot-fishes that when irritated they puff themselves out like footballs and each small boy who has got hold of one forthwith proceeds to tickle the fish's stomach, a sufficiently ludicrous process to watch. When the parrot-fish, under this stimulus, has blown himself out as far as he can, the small boy lays him carefully down on the sand, and then, retiring a few paces, executes a hop-skip-and-a-jnmp, alighting with both heels close together on the unhappy Tetrodon, who of course goes off with a loud "pop," (like a grocer's paper- bag similarly treated), amid yells of delight from the " marine light infantry." The parrot-fishes are the last of the Teleostei, or fishes with a com- plete bony skeleton. We now come to the cartilaginous or gristly sharks and rays, which, although usually of large size, are of verv low organization, the proletariat of fishes. The " Selacfteid" Sharks and Dog-fishes take precedence, "the best of a bad lot,"* They are usually to a great extent cylindrical, or rather cigar- * Certain philosophers have maintained that these brutes instead of 'being the canaille of fishes, ought to be classed at their head. All I can say to this is that I wish them a closer acquaintance with their clients. WATERS Of WESTERN INDIA. f?l shaped, in form, though some are very flat-chested, showing an approach to the rays. The gill opening are on the upper surface, and the upper vane of the tail is the longest (heterocereal). There is no standing scientific distinction between Sharks and Dog-fishes. The latter is simply a term applied by fishermen to alt small Selachoid fishes, and often to the young of the larger species, which, as with other fry, are very apt to swarm in-shore, perhaps partly with a view to keeping out of jaw-range of their elders. This is particularly the case on our coast. Some naturalists translate " Scylliidce" by "dog-fish," and the name was undoubtedly originally connected with the sea-hounds of the mythical Scj^lla. But the Scylliidce as now restricted are spine- less, and the " piky Dog-fishes" (Spinax) of the North Atlantic, which are armed with a very formidable dorsal spine, have too strong a hold on their name to be deprived of it by any classifier. The term " dog-fish/' therefore, cannot now be used as the equivalent of auy Latin scientific name, and must continue to be a popular term for small sharks in general. In this country, perhaps, we had better get on without it. Our leading sharks are the Carclioriidce, one of which, Carcharias gangeticus, is said to be much dreaded at Calcutta, under the name of "ground shai-k," which is not in itself of much use. All the large predatory sharks swim high or low according to the position of their food, and the only species which habitually keep to the bottom are the harmless kinds that prey mostly on shell fish and crabs. No sharks are considered dangerous on this coast. The large ones generally keep well offshore, in from 7 to 12 fathoms of water, and the fishermen do not care two-pence ; ; bout them, except to cut their fius off, and sell them for export to China. I cannot help suspecting that there must be local causes for the reported ferocity of the Calcutta sharks. Possibly the throwing of dead bodies into the rivers may have something to 'say to it. One of our sharks, Carcharias tricuspidatus, is said to reach twenty feet long further north. I have not myself seen any here of half that length. The genus Lamna is closely allied to Carcharias (if really separate at all), but has only one species here, though represented in the Atlantic by the famous "White Shark," and many others. Another genus, " Galeocerdo," contains the " tiger-sharks," so called from their markings and bad temper ; they are said to be 22 NATURAL HISTORY. touch dreaded down the coast, and to one species is attributed the carious practice of laying itself out for dead, to tempt smaller fishes, which come to dine, and find the tables turned on them. I have not got any specimens here. Next come the " hammer heads " and " shovel-heads," both of the genus Zygoena, most hideous brutes, named according to their respective deformities. A monster-gooseberry paragraph went round the Indian papers lately, about some huge "shovel-headed sharks/' spotted like the pard, and capable of taking their prey without turning over, seen in the Red Sea. Curiously enough some one went to the trouble of suggesting " S teg o stoma tigrimim," which is indeed striped (no shovel-headed shark is) but is a ground-shark, or rather dog-fish, and seldom exceeds 5 feet long. All sharks, and the shovel-heads as much as any others, must either get over their prey, or turn on their backs to seize it from below, and they prefer the former manoeuvre themselves, but as they are usually observed at the surface, the latter is best known to th© public. The Zygcenas are credited with great ferocity, chiefly, I suspect, from their ill looks. As a matter of fact the conformation of their head, jaws, and breast, is against this, and indicates an approach to the rays, and a life at the bottom, supported on prey of comparatively small size. They have nothing like the gape of Carcharias. The Scyllidoe proper are small and comparatively sluggish and harmless Selachoids, feeding mostly at the bottom upon carrion, molluscs and Crustacea, spineless, and usually spotted or striped. Some have two barbels. We have several species, the most notice- able here is the Stegostoma tigrinum above referred to, a curious and quite harmless creature, which could not bite a man, unless he put his finger in its mouth. We have two specimens in our Museum. We have none of the spined Dog-fishes in our seas. They are a very plague to the fisheries of the British Isles, and are also not- able as being ovo-viviparous. I do not know whether any Indian shark has this character. Their place is taken here, as hinted above, by the fry of the large Car char iidce. The second sub-order of the Cartilaginous fishes is that of the Batoidei, or saw-fishes, skates, and rays. They are all more or less fiat-chested; and some of them even broader than they are long (omitting the tail). They all have their gill openings below, and live as a rule, mostly at the bottom, though sometimes they come to Waters of western india. 23 the surface, and " squatter" along it in a curious way, or even leap high out of the water, appareutly for their own diversion. The mouth is usually small, and except in the upper jaw of the saw-fish the teeth are small, blunt, and close set, often forming a sort of pavement. The jaws of most of them are very powerful, and between these they crush and grind the shell-fish and Crustacea which are, in most cases, " the chief of their diet." The first family among them is that of Pristidce, or Saw fishes, called by the Max*athas " Sonala/' and by Europeans often (incor- rectly, of course,) " Sword-fishes." In these the snout and upper jaw are prolonged into a flat round-ended beak, about one-fourth of the whole length of the fish, which sometimes exceeds 20 feet. Both sides of this are set, rake-fashion, with long flattened horny fangs, and the fish is said to use this formidable weapon by swimming rapidly past the victim, so as to deliver a sawing cut with all the teeth on one side in succession, or by writhing so as to strike side-ways with the points of so many teeth as may bear upon the object at once, inflicting a series of punctured wounds, and perhaps retaining the victim (if small) impaled upon the teeth. The former manner of fence is said to be used upon large fish, porpoises, and even men, and the latter upon small fish. The fishermen of the coast hold these saw-fishes in great fear (though they make no account of sharks). The general shape of the saw-fish is not unlike that of a shark, but he is clumsier and flatter. The fins, which are very large and powerful, are exported as te shark-fins." Several species ascend rivers, and in sandy streams go far above tide-marks, but they have no great chance of doing this in the Konkan. After them comes the curious family of the Rhinobatidce, which have something the figure of the saw-fish, but broader, and in most species of their two genera (Rhynchobatus and Rhinobatus) , the snout is prolonged into a sort' of triangular shovel. This, how- ever, is above the jaw, and is unarmed, the mouth is that of a true skate, with a pair of rasps for jaw. The fish of this type are known to the Marathas as " Lanja." One species at least (Rhynchobatus djeddensis) is very common on our coast, and grows to at least 6 feet long. The only round-snouted species, which is called " Mivil" (R. ancylostomus) is exceedingly rare. I have only once seen it. It exceeds six feet. The Ehinobati are said to be rather larger, but they are all timid creatures, and the principal evil reported of them is a 24 NATURAL HISTORY. taste for pearl oysters. Their flesh is said by Dr. Day to be " considered nourishing," but is not much thought of here; the large liver is used to make oil of, and the fins pass for shark- fins in the trade. After them comes the wonderful little family of the Torpedos, or electric rays. These have very much the outlines of a somewhat flattened tadpole, and nothing' could suggest electricity less than their appearance. But they can give a shock sufficient to make a man sing out. We have but two species, Astrape dipterygla, which is brown and white, and has one dorsal fin, and Narcine timlei, with two dorsals, and a sort of dull tortoise-shell coloration. We have both in our Museum, and I have had living specimens of both. They appear to live on the edges of reefs, feeding on small Crustacea and molluscs, and I do not think that they can have much use for their curious power in foraging. It may, of course, protect them to some extent against larger fish. Neither species gets beyond eighteen inches long. I doubt if Astrape ever exceeds a foot. The native fishermen call both species " Gingina," which is their name for any tingling sensation, such as that caused by a blow on the nerve of the elbow, or, as we say, the " funny-bone. >: The name may therefore be translated " tingling-fish." They use the creatures, characteristically enough, in a time-honoured practical joke, concealing them amongst other fish in a bucket, which is then handed over to one of the boys who are always marauding about the ports. The small boy is sure to stick his hand among the fish, and as sure to drop the bucket with a yell, amid the roars of his neighbours. Then all the little boys get together, and try to take the torpedo out of the bucket, just as you may see boys at home, who have got a toy electric machine, doing with a sixpence in a basin of water. The fish soon exhausts his battery, and can then be handled with impunity. After these torpedos come the Raiidce, or rays proper, represented in India by one fish, Platyrhina schonleini, which I have not found here ; and then an important family, the Trygonidce, or sting- rays, called in Maratha " Phakate." These are all lozenge- shaped creatures, generally broader than long, bar the tail, which is long and whip-like, and often armed with one, two, or three caudal spines long, sharp, and bar-bed all down both sides like some sort of a cannibal harpoon. The natives say that they wind the tail round WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. 25 their victims and then stab them to death with this case of daggers, which always reminds me of an Arab or Makrani swash-buckler with three jambiyas in one sheath. So far as I can observe, however, the tail is not really in any way prehensile, and takes no more hold than a very supple cane or whip would. It is apparently very liable to accident, a perfect tail is as scarce amongst veteran rays as amongst Bombay "Biles" at the end of the season. But I did get one fine specimen of the typical species (Trygon Uarnak), in which it seemed perfect, and the measurements were as follows: — maximum diameter 6 feet, length without tail 5^ feet, tail 8£ feet. The tail spine had been broken off and lost, the stump was one inch across, and from a number of measurements of other spines I find that their length is to diameter in a proportion that varies from X 7 to X 10. This spine, therefore, cannot have been less than 6 inches long, and may have been 10. I could hardly blame the fishermen for breaking it off before getting the monster aboard. They dread these rays almost as much as the saw-fishes. Dr. Day allows this species a tail three or four times its own length, so my friend might have had a tail 22 feet long, but the longest of which I have good record on this coast is one mentioned in the " Tanna Gazetteer'' as of 13^ feet. Several other Trygons, and the allied genera Tcenieura and Pteroplatea, are as big, and as well armed. They live mostly on muddy bottoms, hunting Crustacea and molluscs but at times, as noted above, rise and play and leap on the surface. In the next family, Myliobatidce, this habit is still more common, and some have spines on the tail, but in the first genus, Myliohatis, they are not universal. It is represented on this coast, I think, by the " Hanwatia" or "monkey-skate," a small unarmed fish frequenting the edges of reefs, and handsomely spotted, probably MyJiobntes maculata. The rest of this family are more or less hideous and monstrous, but the palm belongs to the ''Bat- ray, or Devil-fish (Dicerobaii eregoodoo), called in Maratha "Piwri." This monster is twice as broad as he is long, reaching 18 feet across the wings and 9 from the snout to the root of the tail, which is H times the length of the body, if not shortened by accident. On his head he has two projections somewhat of the shape of hare's ears, directed forwards. He appears usually to swim high, and I have seen one jump a good six feet out of the water. The only good thing to be said about him is that he has no spine in his tail. 4 26 NATURAL HISTORY. These big skates are no doubt amongst the wonders of the sea, and make one think of the *' Kraken. " But the best story of one that I know is in a book called " Blue Water, " the author whereof maintains that he saw at sea a skate which he took to be seventy feet across the wings, " Noo, " as the Scotchman said, " we'll see what can be dune aboot the breadth of the skate/' In the first instance, the writer, a Mr. Keane, was at one time known in Bombay as the author of a very quiet and " verisimilous " narrative of a pilgrimage to Mecca, contributed to a daily paper here. Secondly, in the same book, he deals with other fishes in a style free from exaggeration or romance, and indeed his remarks upon sharks are very valuable, on account of the care taken to strip the subject of its usual envelope of tall talk. Finally, his description of the big skate's proceedings is clearly taken from observation of a big skate on the top of the water, the opportunity for which, and the power of using it, are not very often found. The monstrous dimensions that I have assigned to the Bat-Ray are taken from Sir Walter Elliot's mea- surement, and are well known to be equalled by some American Batoiclei. It appears to me that, making every allowance for the fact that Mr. Keane' s Kraken did not stop to be measured, he may fairly be credited with a breadth of 40 feet, and if his proportions were those of Dicerobatis (which is about the shortest tailed of the family), his tail may have been 30 feet of a total length of 50, allowing for its curtailment by accidents in his necessarily long life. Such an animal, swimming and playing near the surface, would account for any amount of sea-serpent stories, and especially for those in which the serpent attacks a whale, represented by the body of the fish. There is nothing in the nature of things to prevent the large Batoid fishes from ranging from 4 feet long to 50, any more than in the case of the cetacean mammals, which do so on this very coast. I have shown cause above for believing that the sea-serpent, whatever he is, belongs to no known type of marine Ophidia. As my penultimate fish is the biggest on record, my very last shall be one of the smallest, if indeed it be a fish at all. In the water, it is simply a black dot with a silvery rim or edge. But on removal, this is seen to be the eye of a purely transparent gelatinous creature having the shape of a very narrow sole, but swimming up- right, quite symmetrical, and about 3 inches long (in the largest specimens). On immersion in spirit it assumes a dead semi-opaque ON BOT3 (LARVAL (ESTKIDJl) OF THE UORSE AND CAMEL. 27 white colour, and seems to show some trace o? a vertebral system. Several specimens are in our collection.* ON BOTS (LARVAL (ESTRID^) OF THE HORSE AND CAMEL. By Veterinary Surgeon J. H. Steel, A.V.D., Superintendent, Bombay Veterinary College. I wish, in the following short paper, to contrast the external con- formation of Pharyngobalus cameli with that of Gastrophilus equi ; iu other words, the larval gadfly of the camel with the less maggot- like larva of the common horse gadfly. I trust from this slight study to deduce results of no small interest and general importance, as well as to indicate some points on which I have not been able to assure myself, and concerning which perhaps other workers may be able to enlighten me either at once or as the result of investigation. These bots are maggots which live in the alimentary canal. They differ much in appearance from each other and from ordinary mag- gots, and in the details of structure they are, respectively, excellently adapted to the situations they occupy. Practical observers have long noted "maggots" coming from the nose of the camel, a little different from ordinary maggots. But the noses of camels, especially, are liable to lacerated wounds, from the nose peg and other causes, which in a tropical climate and on active service are sought out by the common fly and soon become the seat of development of common maggots innumerable * Angling in the Konkan is so very poor a business that no one need go out of his way for it. But a fair evening's sport can sometimes be had with a By-rod of 12 to 15 feet and fine tackle, a light small float, -and a small hook on strong gut. The best bait is made of the dwarf or fry barbels, cut shorl behind to not more than an inch long ; and hooked through below the spine ; under the shoulder. The method of fishing is as with live-bait. There should be a grain or two of shot on the trace, and the bait should be about half way to the bottom. A landing net is desirable. A private correspondent referring to my remarks on the Barbels of the Deccan (Vol. 1 p. 100), saysthat the typical European Barbel, though usually found in comparatively still waters in England, does ou the Continent of Europe (and specially on the Upper Rhine) frequent rapids like our mahseers. Also that the allied fish referred to by me as called " shell-fish " in German must be this species, " Burbot" and " Burbolt," being both names of the English ' eel-pout," a fish of another family altogether. Further that this name (the German equivalent of " shell-fish." whatever it may be) is assigned in German dictionaries to salt-cod. A correspondent in Bombay has promised to add to my list of Konkan waterfowl ; and I shall be very glad if any one else will ■'. The nor,-, observer must necessarily leave much room for such addenda. 23 RAL HiSTOUY. Inspecting Veterinary Surgeon Burt in his recent Report on the operations along the Nile, says that maggots in the nostrils caused great inconvenience, an offensive discharge tinged with blood, and a c ontinual shaking of the head, the camels being dull, off-feed, and the maggots larger than those in wounds and " more resembling a grub.''' I. V. S. Oliphaiit records their frequent occurrence in Afghanistan during the 1878-79 Campaign and V. S. (1st CI.) Ravment noted their frequence in the Soudan. V. S. Fenton brought me some specimens when he returned from Suakim this year with the Madras Troops, from these specimens I derive the following conclusions : — The camel bot is half as big again as that of the horse, is much softer and more tapering towards the hookless extremity, whereas it is blunter and much more compressed towards the hooked end while the section of the horse bot is evenly oval, that of the camel bot is flattened on the lower surface. In both the body-ring hearing spines are nine in number and the spines point from the hook end. The following contrasted list of characters may best be given in the tabulated form : — Horse Bot. Spines — Small, hard, sharp,- very numer- ous on each ring and largest on the central rings. Small extra spines alternate with the main ones and are situated behind and in the intervals between them, forming as it were, two rows in each circle. The bulging parts between the rings are smooth. ' Hook-end. — Hooks brownish-black and sharply divergent, short and much curved, situated inferioily near the extremity of a long narrow hook-end. A central organ of cbitine is midway between the bases of the books, and there are a few spinelets above and on either side of two well marked Camel Bot. Spines. — Fleshy and in single row, very large, teat-like, and blunt. The largest are in the central rings but not markedly so. The main spines vary in size and tend to- collect into groups with spaces be- tween them. Those on the lateral parts of the lower surface tend to develope into temporal'}' feet. On the most projecting parts of the segments between t^c rings of spines are small spinelets which below arc very numer- ous and form continuous bands. In the different parts of the body the teat-like spines vary in relative posi- tion (vide diagram). Hook-end. — Hooks black ; diverge at an acute angle and are slender, long, and little curved, situated below the anterior extremity and beneath a 6- lobed mass surrounded above and on each side by irregular circlets of spinelets which communicate at each extremity with the first /one of Bots of the Horse and Camel. 'V*-— ~\rT h'l'uk ll Diagrams of the arrange- end CESTBUS C IMKLI I Hook cud b a First segment « i First circle of tipper w ineut of spines in the two «j — - '- -^/w species, also in the Camel / Postr. showing false feet former! / I Besp. T^^v. /Xf^ eu(l '"' lower surface especially at hookless end. HI Comparison of central seg- ments 'under surface). IV Hookless end showing ori- fice & its labi;i a. 3 en directly from upper side r. Last segment ii- I.a^t row of hooks V General appearance of the larvae (lower surface) a;i proximately natural size. * These segments are a little too wide in the drawing, they should be closer. ON DOTS (LARVAL (ESTRID^b) OF THE HORSE AND CAMEL. 29 Hooklcss or orifice end. — Opening ob- long. Its cavity black throughout. Its lips transversely bifid and the lower one much larger than the upper. The upper one continuous laterally with the side lobes. The last segments are arranged telescopically and bear no appreciable spinelets. sense organs (situated above the booklets above and below. This first books). These sense organs are zone is a very irregular one. There all but sessile. The first row of is no chitinous organ between the spines is complete. hooks. The pigmented sense organs are on long peduncles the bases of which are connected by a baud. There is another transverse band below the hooks. The first row of spines is deficient inferiorly. Hookless or orifice end.— Opening an almost circular cavity, black only in two lateral spots, upper lip semi- circular and with four well marked angles, lower bifid, consisting of a tuberous part elongated transversely and also of two bifid protuberances each bearing a mammillary process. There are spinelets on the two latter and on the lower lip. The general aspect of the opening is upward. Last segment irregularly telescopic. The characters amply prove that the camel bot serves as a connecting link between the peculiar tough horse bot and ordinary maggots, they show that the strange leathery spines of the horse bot are not chitinous or horny nails but true papilke, they show that these papilla? tend to arrange themselves in groups and some develope into foot-like organs while the others lose their importance. By contrast of these organisms with common maggots we may infer what features of structure are necessary for a grub that lives in the stomach (as the horse bot does) and what for a resident in the pharynx (as the camel bot). The latter it will be noticed is softer and less irritant than the former and probably, as having rudimen- tary false legs, a much better traveller. He makes his exit from the body through the nose, whereas the stomach bot of the horse passes through the anus. The difference in position of the hooks is interesting ; the camel parasite has them arranged like a pair Of delicate anchors, which he can throw down when he wishes to obtain a grip sufficing to prevent his being swallowed with food, whereas the horse parasite has much stronger grappling hooks arranged like the hums of a stag beetle and suited to enable him to hold tight in whatever direction the churning motion of the stomach may drag him. 30 NATURAL HISTORY. The posterior orifice-like cavity is considered a respiratory sac, but what the black material in it is lam not prepared to state. Why does the camel parasite have stalked eyes and the horse parasite stalkless ones ? Why has the latter only the chitinous organ between the hooks ? And why should the lips of the orifice of the camel parasite develope into artistically." arranged lobes while those of the horse bot are severely devoid of ornaments? All these and many other problems suggest themselves in the study of these peculiar creatures. The continuous irritation produced in the nostrils and pharyngesof our poor camels exiled to the shores of the Red Sea, the probability that a certain amount of their now historic exhaustion depended on these bots, and the certainty that in future Campaigns where camel transport is used these parasites must be remembered and got rid of, give the CEstrus Cameli a considerable practical veterinary interest. PARASITES IN THE WILD ASS OF CUTCH. By V. S. John Henry Steel, A.V.D. Superintendent, Bombay Veterinary College. Through the kindness of Messrs. Sterndale and Phipson I was, in July of the present year, placed in possession of the carcase of a young wild ass from Cutch. The animal had been strangled in attempts to ship it for England. - The skin was handed over to the Society for preservation, the hoofs and skeleton have been retained by me, and I examined the carcase carefully for parasites. This was all that could be done under the circumstances, our dissecting room being then not ready for use and our_operations in post-mortem examination conducted under a downpour of rain, in the open. The investigation showed beautiful development of the muscles (and especially their tendinous portions) of the limbs, and the lesions of strangling were well marked. As concerns parasites I wished especially to make careful examination because I had recently opposed the popular view that these beings do not occur in wild animals to such a degree as in domesticated, and that in the latter they must be considered pathological rather than in their natural habitat. I thought if horses standing in the open have more parasites than those more carefully tended, surely animals in the PARASITES IN THE WILD ASS OF CUTCH. 31 jungle should still more be invaded by the various Entozoa. Iu the case under examination everything was against my being able to establish my theory ; the animal was young, and old animals though they suffer least from parasitic invasion are more often the victims of it than young, the ass came from a part of the country wherein salt marsh is frequent and, as is well known, salt pastures are prejudicial to most forms of parasite. The result, however, was as follows : — A. Stomach. — Cysts, and sph'optera either from these cysts or of the species which inhabits the stomach cavity. Bots. Ascaris megalocephala. B. Small Intestine. — Ascaris megalocephala, in enormous num- bers, some seventy of these very large round worms being obtained from the stomach and small intestine. C. C cecum and commencement portion of the Colon. — Cysts with small white worms both in them and in the cavity of the bowel. Strongylus armatus. D. Rectum. — Oxyurides — a few. E. Anterior Mesenteric Artery. — One immature Strongylus armatus. Liver, lungs, and peritoneal cavity apparently free from invasion. Thus five localities were t infested, the parasites found being of at least six different species and some forms of them extremely numerous. The following points seems to me worthy of comment : — (1 .) The parasites above enumerated must be obtainable by animals out on natural pasturage. This is likely to be a useful hint as regards their prevention in domesticated equines: whether these species are obtainable in spite of saline pasturage or no it is impossible to say, but one feels inclined to consider such a view supported by the circumstances of the case; at any rate it is a point worth investigation in the future. (2.) It is evident that parasitic invasion is not by any means an infliction on animals following solely in the train of domestication. It has been authoritatively stated that Strongylus armatus is never found in the wild ass, although it is of almost constant occurrence in old domesticated donkeys, my observations distinctly prove this to be an error, probably at some other season of the year the anterior mesenteric artery would have been found crammed with the NATURAL HISTORY. immature worms, but the single specimen I found there amply suffices to establish my position. (3.) The absence of the following common species of equine parasites should be noted : — Fasciola hepatica, Strongylus micrurus, Filaria Papillosa, Hydatids, and Amphistomes. (4.) The numerical preponderance of Ascarides is interesting, for these parasites are, according to my observations, rather rare in domesticated equines in this country. (5.) Cysts with small white worms iu the large bowel are rare. They were very numerous and did not resemble the immature Str. tetr acanthus. Indeed they rather reminded one of the Spiroptera found in the stomach. I have not made a detailed examination of the specimens, but if they be Spiroptera from the coecum, this is re- markable, as also would be the absence of Str. tetracanthus, so frequent in domesticated equines. (6.) It is interesting to observe that the parasites which infest the wild ass are of the same species as those found in the domesticated horses. DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW SFECIES OF HYDROPHIS FROM THE BOMBAY HARBOUR AND THE MEKRAN COAST. By James A. Murray. Hydrophis Phipsoni. Sp. Nov. Head scarcely distinct from n'eck ; rostral pentagonal, as high as wide; length of nasal 1|, its greatest width ; vertical subtrian- gular in front, tapering behind, and fitting into a nearly triangular furcation between the occipitals ; the length of each occipital is twice its greatest width. 3 — 4 temporals on the side of each occipital, the anterior the largest and separated from the 6th upper labial by an intervening shield. 7 upper labials, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th under the eye. 9 small and 2 large lower labials, the 1st on each side in contact behind the triangular mental, the 3rd, 4th, 5th, fth, and 7th have three large shields below them. Two pairs of ehin shields in contact with each other. One pras and one post- ocular, the latter in suture with the superciliary, occipital, anterior temporal, the intervening shield between the 5th and Oth upper labials and the upper edge of the 5th labial. f*- r "'y cezLit/W: 36. AlJeso'ibes ctel IkLiifzo HYDROPHIS PHIPSONII (MarmyJ. THEEE NEW SPECIES OF HYDROPHIS. 33 Scales carinate mesially, tlie carina strong on the vertebral region and breaking np into tubercles posteriorly ; laterally the scales are feebly carinate. Scales T'ound the neck in 36 — 38 series ; round the highest part of the body in 40 — 42 series. Ventrals entire, twice the size of the adjoining scales and bituberculate. Colours. — Yellowish ochrey, with a wide black dorsal stripe, a faint one on each side of the body, and a fourth one along the whole extent of the ventrals — the lateral stripe gradually disappears with age. Head black, with a horse-shoe shaped yellow band from the frontals to behind and above the gape. Tail black. Length. — 30 inches, of which the tail is 2 inches. Hab. — Bombay Seas. I have much pleasure in associating with this species the name of our worthy and energetic Secretary f Mr. H. M. Phipson, in whose collection the first specimen of this interesting species was foundL Hydrophis guttata. Sp. nov. Head longer than broad, scarcely distinct from neck; body stout; 40 series of scales round the neck, 54 round the highest part of the body, and 17 on each side of the tail. Scales imbricate, keeled, each keel interrupted in the middle; posteriorly on many scales they are bituberculate. Rostral 5-sided, lobuliform below, with a deep notch on each side. Nasals higher than wide, in contact laterally with the 1st and two-thirds of tue 2nd upper labial ; frontals in suture on each side with the single praeocular and posterior third of the second upper labial; vertical hexagonal, pointed behind and rather longer than its greatest breadth; each occipital as long as broad ; a large scale between the furcation of the pair. Temporals three, the hindmost largest; the first longer than wide, obliquely placed and in contact with the post oculars and two large shields above the 7th, 8th, and 9th upper labials. Upper labials 9, the 4th and a subtriangular shield above the 5th and 6th labials enter the eye. One prag and two post-oculars. Superciliary one on each side, but mesially in its upper third and grooved below. No chin shields ; 12 lower labials ; two obliquely placed elongate shields twice as long as broad, below the 4th and 5th labials, and a quadrangular one between the 6th and 7th ; 19 scales between the 1st lower labial and 1st ventral shield. Ventrals 265 in number, bifid, and arranged opposite to each other. They are scarcely as large as the adjoining scales. 3 enlarged anal shields ; 43 series of scales along the lower edge of the tail to the terminal notch. 34 NATURAL HISTORY. Length, — 42 inches, of which the tail is 5 X 1-g inches. Colours. — Yellow, becoming ochrey beyond the middle of the trunk. Head olive. Forepart of trunk with 10 ovate black spots on the vertebral region, separated by a single series of yellow scales ; laterally these 10 interspaces are divided by a narrow brown line and a dark spot; beyond this the broad bands run down on the sides to about one-third the distance from the ventrals, the alternat- ing dark spots of the forepart of the trunk cease, and begin on the ventrals instead, along which there are 33, of various forms and sizes, including the one on the anal region. Tail completely encircled with 5 black bands ; tip of the tail black. Hab— The Mekran Coast. The present species evidently belongs to that group of Hydro- phidas classed by Dr. Gunther in his Reptiles of British India, as having small imbricate scales in 43 to 47 series round the neck, ventrals split into two. It, however, differs from the group in having large scales, and in the number of scales round tbe neck being 40 instead of 43 — 47, and from the only species showing these characters, viz. Hydropliis Stoltesi, it differs in having the 4th labial and a detached shield under the eye and 33 large black blotches along the ventrals. The number of ventral shields is not given by Dr. Gunther, nor the number of black cross bands on the trunk and tail. The colouration partly agrees with the description of H. Stokesi, from the Northern Coasts of Australia, but the differences are sufficiently marked to separate it from any known described specie's. It may be mentioned that although Dr. Gunther at the time of writing doubted the occurrence of H. Stokesi in the China Seas and in the East Indian Archipelago, Mr. W. T. Blanford in P. Z. 8., 1881, states that two specimens from Singapore examined by him must be identified with it. Hydrophis plumbea, Sp. nov. Rostral 5-sided, triangular at apex and reaching the upper surface of the head. Nasal wider than high, in suture laterally with the first two upper labials. Frontal, as wide as high, rounded behind and in suture with the upper praeocular and superciliary. Vertical hexagonal, subtriangnlar in front and tapering behind. Occipitals 5-sided, the length of each twice the greatest breadth. Temporals three on each side of each occipital, the anterior largest and nearly entering the labial margin. Upper labials 8, the 4th under the eye, LIST OF THE BOMBAY BUTTERFLIES IN THE SOCIETY^ COLLECTIONS. 35 the 6th and 7th small and about one-fourth the size of the 8th. 10 lower labials. 30 series of scales round the neck. Scales of the body keeled. Ventrals 230, the 1st separated from the posterior pair of chin shields- by 4 scales only. First six ventrals wider than high, and four times as wide as the adjoining scales, the rest decreasing in size from three times the size of the adjoining scales till at four- fifths the length they are scarcely larger than the adjoining series. Colours. — Plumbeous dorsally on the upper third, with faint dark brown cross bars, of which there are 32 on the trunk and 2 on the tail. Scales above and below the tail, and on the half of its terminal length black with some white scales intermixed on the latter. Sides and abdomen white, with faint indications of the dorsal bands running down on the sides. Upper and lower labials also the rostral, mental and chin shields of a salmon colour ; a faint dark streak in front of the eye, and a salmon-coloured spot on each side behind the gape. Hab. — The Mekran Coast. Both this and the preceding (H. guttata) were collected by Capt. E. Bishop of the I. G. S. Patrick Stewart. A LIST OF THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY IN THE SOCIETY'S COLLECTION. V/ith Notes by E. H. Aitken. {Continued from page 218, Vol. I.) Papilionince. 73. Omithoptera minos. — Athough there is no specimen of this butterfly in the collection on which these notes are based, I will include it here, having known three instances of its occurrence in the region with which they deal. On the 5th of June 1873, I caught a fine female in Poonaand on the same date six years after I saw one at Karanja. In the interval'the Rev. Dr. Fairbank had taken one, also a female, in his garden at Ahmednugger. For an insect with such powers of sustained flight a journey of a few hundred miles, with the wind, must be a small matter, and I imagine these specimens drifted from the Canarese or Malabar Coast, among the beautiful backwaters of which the species is so abundant that a Collector in Calicut told me he slew every one that came within his reach, regarding them as a nuisance. I felt sorry for the victims, but more so for their murderer. 36 NATURAL HISTORY. 74. Papilio agamemnon.— This is very common both in Bombay and the Deecan and on the hills too ; and to the young collector it has a peculiar fascination. It flies fast aud with a good deal of style and is rarely seen to settle. When it does alight it selects a shady spot and rests with wings closed. Sometimes on a hot day it will spend a long time flitting up and down under a shady tree as if on sentry duty. The larva feeds on the custard apple and must be sought on very fresh leaves in the shade. It rests on the upper side of the leaf, like all papilio larvae. It is the most difficult of caterpil- lars to rear. It will remain on a faded leaf and starve sooner than move to a fresh one and cannot be transferred without injury as it carpets the leaf with silk and hooks its feet to it. I have never succeeded in rearing one from the egg. 75. Papilio sarpedon. — This, the most sprightly of all our butterflies, is found only on the hills; very common there about the end of the year. It is swift, restless, very hard to catch, and when caught generally breaks its wings in the net. It is very fond of sipping the moisture from damp ground. 76. Papilto nomius. — I have never seen this species alive. The specimens in the Society's collection were sent by Mr. Davidson and Mr. Wroughton from Khandesh and the Ghauts which lie between the Tanna and Nasik Districts. I am told it frequents ravines and flies very swiftly. 77. P. erithonius. — The commonest of the genus, occurring everywhere and appearing almost throughout the year* The larva feeds on various trees of the orange tribe, but in Bombay forsakes them all for the most offensively odoriferous garden rue. 78. P. parnmon. — This is nearly as abundant as the last, the polyctor form of the female being decidedly the most common. There seems to be -nothing seasonal in the appearance of the differ- ent forms. I have reared all three from eggs laid by polyctor, in the same week. The larva feeds, like that of the last, on various species of the orange tribe, refusing others. I have never found it on the pummalo, nor on the rue, of which the last species is so fond, but a sweet lime in my garden now can scarcely keep a fresh leaf, and a small Japanese orange is sadly ravaged. Another favourite is the curry-leaf — -Bergera Iwenigii — on which I have never found the larva of the last species. The pupa is green when it forms in the midst of green leaves and brown when attached to the trunk of A LIST OP THE BOMBAY BUTTERFLIES IN THE SOCIETY'S COLLECTION. 37 tree. In neutral circumstances the colour seems to be optional! I have seen a green and a brown pupa on the same pane of glass. 79. P. polymnestor. — I do not understand the distribution of this butterfly. It is absolutely unknown in Bombay and I imagine throughout the Konkan, but becomes one of the most familiar objects as soon as we reach a level of 2,000 feet. I do not think it occurs in the Deccan generally, but in Poona it frequents the old gardens in the city. Again it abounds all along the Malabar Coast at the level of the sea. Its chief season appears to be the latter half of the monsoon, but a good many come out iu March and some may be met with all through the hot months. The larva feeds on lime and orange. 80. P. helenus. — I found this not uncommon at Mahabaleshwar last March, but have never met with it elsewhere. I know it occurs occasionally at Khaudalla. This and the last two species have the habit of going regularly round a certain circuit, so that by taking one's stand at a spot where it has passed once one is pretty sure to meet it again every half hour or so. 81. P. dissimilis. — This is either very rare in the Presidency or passes so easily for Danais limniace that it escapes notice, but last year in November and again in February I found a good many larvae on a tree near my house which proved to be Tetran- ihera apetala, rather an uncommon tree in Bombay. The larva grows to a very large size, but just before becoming a pupa it voids a transparent membrane, like a bladder filled with air, which reduces it considerably. One end of this is attached by a fine black cord to the surface on which the larva rests and the other merges in a large gathering of excrement. The pupa is a much more re- markable example of mimicry than the perfect insect. Its resem- blance to a withered twig broken off short being perfect in every detail. Distant in his magnificent work quotes more than one authority to the effect that the flight of this butterfly is very strong. My observation does not confirm this. On the contrary I have been more than once struck with the degree to which its mimicry of D. limniace was supported by the similarity of its lazy flight and attitude. 82. P. clytia. — Amung the larvae of the last species, which I reared, was one, not distinguishable from the rest, which to my astonishment turned into this. I am quite satisfied that the two are one species- I have never recognised another specimen of 38 natural history. panope in this Presidency, but have little doubt that I have often let it pass for E. core. 83. P, diphilus. — This species is not rare in Bombay, but has its home on the Deccan plains, where throughout the cold season one finds every babool tree, early in the morning, decorated with hundreds of them torpid with cold. They always rest with wings expanded. The larva feeds on Aristolochia bracteata, a common weed in black soil. The flight of this species, like that of most protected butterflies, is notably feeble. 84. P. hector. — I have found this in Poona, Bombay and the Islands of the Bombay harbour, but it is rather a scarce butterfly in this Presidency. It seems to be much commoner some years than others. Pierinj:. 85. Hebomoia glaucippe. — I have never seen this at Poona, nor in open country anywhei'e, but in hilly country it occurs down to the level of the sea. One specimen in the collection was caught on Malabar Hill in Bombay, and it is not uncommon across the harbour. On the Ghauts it is very abundant in March and perhaps throughout the cold season. It flies very fast, but often stops at a flower, rest- ing, like the next four or five species, with its wings half open and drooping. 86. Ixias mariamne. — This occurs every where and at all seasons, frequenting hedges and small jungle. It is equally abund- ant on the hills and on the plains. 87. I. pyrene. — Perhaps not quite so plentiful as the last, but equally ubiquitous. I believe in only two species of Ixias in this Presidency. Those who describe under a new name every specimen in which their practised eyes detect some minute diversity in the position of a spot or the breath of a margin, seem to me to assume an invariability of specific coloration which has no parallel elsewhere in the animal kingdom, and the argument that the varieties so described are constant loses all force to the plain man's mind when he finds that one expert rejects half the species founded, or accepted, by another. 88. Teracvlus danae. This species seems to require a dry climate. I have found it pretty common in Berar and Cutch and it occurs in Poona, but not ordinarily in the Konkan, though Col. Swinhoe took it in Bombay during the famine year. 89. T. etrida. I have not yet seen any reason to believe that A LIST OF THE BOMBAY BUTTERFLIES IN THE SOCIETY'S COLLECTION. 39 all the orange-tipped teracoli in this Presidency constitute more than one species. It is subject, like most of the pierince, to very wide variation, which does not seem to depend much on climate or season. I have reared very different varieties from larvas taken at one time in the same spot, if not on the same plant. The larva feeds on a small climbing* caper which is very common on the hilly parts of Bombay. (Young plant of C. horrida ?) It is nearly cylin- drical, slender and of a uniform green colour, with the rough surface characteristic of the larva3 of Catopsilia and Terias. The pupa has a sharp transverse ridge above, at the junction of the thorax and abdomen, which extends well beyond the general out- line on each side, forming a pointed lateral process. From this a dorsal lidge runs out into a similar point just over and behind the head. The colour is light green, with a triangular patch of yellow- ish white on the anterior side of each lateral process and a similar patch covering the top of the head. This species is in season at the commencement of the hot weather. 90. T. cyprcea. This occurs sparingly in Bombay, but is common in May and again at the close of the year among the salt works on the mainland across the harbour, where I have found the larva in November and December feeding on a tree, called by the natives Sairi, fond of briny situations. I have persecuted the Botanical Section for its name without success.* It is slender, cylindrical and rough on the upper surface like the larva of Terisa. On examina- tion with, a strong lens this roughness proves to be due to minute tubercles, out of each of which grows a short black bristle. Each side, above the base of the legs, is fringed with somewhat longer white hairs. The colour is grass green above, with a dark blue dorsal line very narrowly bordered with yellow. The under side is a paler bottle green, a lateral yellowish line separating the two tints. The pupa is very similar in form to that of Terias and of a dingy whitey-brown colour. The aspect of this pupa confirms my general impression that this species is much nearer to Terias than to some of the species with which it has been lumped under the name Teracolus. 91. T. dynamene. Mr. Newnham sent a number of these from Bhooj, and I found it common at Kharaghora on the borders of the Runn of Cutch in the hot season. * Avicennia tomontoso — A white-flowered variety of Mangrove. — K, B. Kirtikar, Botanical Secretary. 40 NATURAL HISTORY. 92. T. puellaris. I found this also at Kbaraghora in company with the last. They were always flitting about the wild caper (C, dphylla) which formed the most prominent feature of the vegetation in that wilderness, and I have no doubt now that they were laying their eggs on it. 93. T. protractus. For our specimens of this we are indebted to Mr. Newnham at Bhooj. 94. T. fausta. I found this at Kharaghora in the rainy season. We have it from Bhooj too. This and the last three are purely desert insects and are out of place in this collection ; but the few butterflies we have from Cutch have been temporarily included in the collection representing Bombay and the Deccan. 95. T.fulvia. } There is one specimen of each without 96. T. tripunctata. /note of locality. 97. Appias libythea. This is very common in Bombay about the beginning of the hot season, that is to say in " spring. " I have found the larva3 in April on more than one common plant of the caper tribe. It is at first sight like that of T. etrida, but the anal extremity tapers slightly and ends in a bifid projection. The pupa is exactly like that of T. etrida in form, but different in colour, being pale watery green with numerous dark spots. 98. Belenois mesentina. This is pretty common everywhere, and long ago I found the larvae of it on a plant which from my recollection of it must have been Oadaba in die a. Capers are evidently wholesome to the pierine constitution. Unfortunately I kept no notes then, but I recollect the larva as clothed sparingly with soft hair, like tbat of D. eucharis. 99. Huphina phryne. This is another species which from my point of view has been most needlessly split up. It is one of the few species of which it may with truth be said that it is in season all the year round. It is as common on the hills as on the plains. 100. Delias eucharis. — This is common all the year except during the months of heavy rain. It rises early in the morning and flies high, but not fast. The larva feeds on the common mistletoe, Loranthus longiflorus, which grows on mango and most other trees everywhere. Unlike nearly all other butterflies and like moths, this species lays its eggs not singly, but together, in regular rows. The larvae are gregarious when young and soon clear a small Loranthus of its leaves, and the habit which they have of let- ting themselves down by their silk when disturbed is no doubt A LIST OE THE BOMBAY BUTTERFLIES IN THE SOCIETY'S COLLECTION. 41 connected with the necessity so often imposed on them of travelling in search of fresh pastures. I do not think birds eat them, but they are the victims of a dipterous parasite, in appearance not unlike a house fly. Immediately after the caterpillar has become a pupa, the larva? of the parasite, of which there may be half a dozen, undergo the same change within its shell and the beautiful bright yellow pupa at ouce turns black. 101. Nephfronia gaea. — This is very common in Bombay at the close of the monsoon and for some time after. It frequents lanes and hedges, especially where there is water and plenty of verdure. 102. Pontia xiphia. — This comes out about the close of the rainy season and continues all through the cold months. About shady lanes and hedges it is sometimes very abuudant, flying low and settling constantly. I think it occurs throughout the Presidency, wherever there is sufficient moisture and vegetation. 103. Caiopsilia. — This perplexing genus is poorly represented m the collection, and I must annotate on it as a whole, never having been able to form an opinion for myself as to how many distinct species there really are (I mean in nature, not in museums). Pyranthe keeps itself quite distinct, laying its eggs on a small annual shrub (Caisia, occldcntalis) ; but the lai'ger species fly high and fast, are indistinguishable on the wing- and appear to feed indiscriminately on several leguminous trees, and as the larva? resemble each other strongly, it is almost impossible to settle anything by breeding unless one could induce the insect to lay its eggs in captivity, which I fancy would be difficult. This genus differs from all the preceding in one point of attitude, namely that, when at rest, it sits upright with wings firmly closed. The habit of migrating westwards has often been noticed. I have observed these migrations in September, and always I think in the face of a strong west wind. 104. Terias laeta. — This species, though by no means so abun- dant as the next, is common enough about Bombay at the end of the rainy season and for some time after. It varies little compared with the next. 105. T. hecabe. — Till someone arises with leisure and abilty to rescue this genus from the chaos into which it has been plunged by reckless species-making, everything which is not laeta must go as hecabe. I am disposed from my own observation to believe in a third species, smaller and more dusky than hecabe, which swarms 6 42 NATURAL HISTORY. about grassy plains during the monsoon, laying its eggs on & minute leguminous weed among the grass. Hecahe proper feeds on several leguminous plants, but seems to forsake all else for Sesbanm aculeata, already mentioned as the food of Taruciis plinius. HeSPERHDJI. The Hesperiida seem to me to be very much over classified. Nothing is gained by dividing a group of butterflies so much alike' in all stages of their existence into such a multitude of genera, and I very much doubt whether it wilJ not be found necessary; as our knowledge of their life history advances, to re-arrange the whole family, dividing some of the present genera and uniting others. 106. Oangara thyrsis. — I do not think I have met with this species out of Bombay, and there it is capriciously distributed, beiug common in some gardens and absent from others. It comes out before dawn and after sunset, and is always at flowers, particularly those of lilies. 107. Pratapa alexis. — This species is very abundant in the country surrounding Bombay during the rains. I have found it also in fields of lucerne grass in Poona during the hot weather in company with the next. It feeds chiefly in the morning. As t he- stout thorax indicates, it is one of the strongest of butterflies on the wing. 108. Badumia exclamationis. — This is common everywhere while the rain lasts, swarming about duranta and other plants with small flowers, especially in the early morning. When crossing the Bom- bay harbour about the month of September one meets hundreds of hespernda? flying over the sea, this being one of the most plentiful. 110. Parnara naroda. •— I know little about this. We have two specimens. P. bada. — We have only one specimen, 110. C. mathias. — This is about the commonest of the family during the rains. The larva feeds on a common grass, stitching the edges of a leaf together so as to form a tube, in which it lives, coming out to feed at night. It passes the pupa state in the same shelter. 111. G. agna. — I believe I have- bred this on rice. The larvae- has the same habit as the last. 112. Suastus gremiv.s — This is not uncommon in Bombay and Poona, being very similar in habits to the last two. A. LIST OF THE BOMBAY BUTTERFLIES IN THE SOCIETY'S COLLECTION. 43 113. Isoteinon nilgiriana.—The specimens in the collection were contributed by Mr. Wrougliton, I believe, from the Tanna District. I know nothing about it, 114. Telicota augias.— We have one specimen only, caught by Mr. Wrougliton at Nasik. 115. Padraona dara. — The same gentleman contributed this species from the Nasik District. 116. Astictopterus salsala. — There are a few specimens of this, without note of locality. I have found it in Bombay. 117. Taradrocera ceramets. — I got a few specimens of this at Egutpoora in October. 118. Ampittia coras. — This is not rare anywhere during the monsoon, but difficult to see and more difficult to keep sight of, as it flies fast, but very low, and alights on the ground. 119. Udaspes folus. — This is chiefly a hill species, very common on the ghauts iu shady lanes early in the morning. 120. Pyrgus galba. — There are specimens in the collection from the Tanna District and also from Cutch, the former being conspi- cuously larger and darker than the latter. I have never met with it. 121. Abaratha ransonettii. — We have only one specimen, which I caught at Egutpoora in October 1885. 122. A. Tissa. — Our. two specimens of this were caught by Mr. Wrougliton at Bansda between the Surat and Tanna districts. 123. Pterygospidea angulata. — I saw two or three specimens of this at Mahabaleshwar last March and caught one. They were flying about at noon and resting on flowers with wings expended. 124. Plesioneura amberesa. — This comes out in March and in suitable situations is very abundant. 1 have found it in Bombay, on Karanja Island and at all the hill stations. It is quite a moth in its habits, taking shelter during the day in the house and flying by night. 125. P. Alysos. — I caught a single specimen of this at Maha- baleshwar last March. It has no business to be in the same genus as the last. It closes its wings when at rest. 126. Saranyesa purendra. — This is a miniature of P. ambaresa in all respects. Like that species it frequents rocky places and when resting on a stoue is difficult to detect.- It is to be found almost everywhere. 44 NATURAL HISTORY. 127. 8. Dasahcvpa. — Mr. Wroughton took two specimens of this at Bassein in the Tanna District. In concluding these very superficial notes I must acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. L. de Niceville and also to Colonel C- Swinhoe for that assistance^ in naming specimens without which a mere collector like myself could not have proceeded many steps. NOTES ON "THE WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA." By Mr. J. D. Inverarity. u The interesting article on the above subject by Keswal in the October number of the Society's Journal induces me to send you a few rough notes taken from my journal which I think will prove that some of the birds mentioned by Keswal as not occurring in the Konkan are to be found there. The Indian Golden Plover. — This bird, I should saj r , is fairly com- mon about the salt lands and rice fields bordering' the numerous creeks that run up from the Bombay Harbour. The first I remember seeing, were on the Bombay flats in October 1877. I saw three and shot a couple on the site of the present race-course. In a sub- sequent year, I think March 1883, 1 saw a flock of about a dozen close to the race-course one evening when I was riding. I approached quite close to them two or three times, and have no doubt they were golden plovers.' I have also shot them as follows : — February 1878, 4^ couple near Panwell ; December 1878, 1^ couple on the Tanna creek; November 1880, 2 couple near Tullooja ; February 1881, 2| couple near Panwell ; February 1884, 1 couple near Panwell; Nov- ember 1886, 2 couple near Penn. In fact, I may say, I have seen some every year I have been shooting. I was at home in the cold weather of 1879-80, 1882-83 and 1884-85, which accounts for my having no note of them in those seasons. The Bittern. — The large true bittern I have shot several times, though in some years they don't put in an appearance. In Oc- tober 1877 I shot one on the Bombay flats close to the site of the present James Gi-eaves Spinning Mill ; January 1878, saw one on the Bhewndy Tank ; February 1878, shot one at Panwell ; February 1881, one shot at Panwell ; November 1883, two shot at Tullooja ; December 1883, two shot at Deo near Panwell; February 1884, NOTES ON " THE WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA." 45 one shot at Panwell. I have seen two or three others besides of which I have no note as to dates. The Chesnut Bittern (Ardetta cinnamomea) — is fairly common. I have seen several, but have seldom fired at them. I have shot them at Gorebunder, and shot one near Penn on November 28th, 1886. The Stone Plover (Bastard Florican). — Rare. I have only shot one at Panwell and don't remember having seen another. The black-tailed Godwit. — I have only once seen one, a solitai'y bird. I shot it in February 1884 among the salt pans at Penn. The Avocet — does not occur, I think, about the Bombay Harbour. I have seen several and shot a few in the creeks near Udwara and Billimoria. The Purple Coot. — Large numbers are to be found on the Bhewndy Tank. I saw three and shot one on the Vehar Lake. The Bald Coot. — Quite common, large flocks on the Bhewndy Tank,"] Panwell Tank, Vehar Lake, on several small tanks near Callian, Panwell, Penn. Bald coots are always to be found in the cold weather ; not having visited them at other times of the year, I can't say if they remain there. Bails and Crakes. — A large variety are to be found in the paddy fields across the harbour before the rice is cut. I am unable to particularize them as I have seldom fired at them. The spotted crake (Porzana Maruetta), I know, is pretty common; I have shot it occasionally. Curlew. — I saw a curlew on the Bombay race-course on Septem- ber 26th, 1886. The Cotton Teal. — This duck certainly bred this year in the paddy fields near Indune. I shot several, some of them young- birds, of this year on November 3rd, and also saw a young one alive, unable to fly, in the possession of a villager who had caught it. The NuJcta. — A young bird of this year was shot by Mr. Leslie Crawford in my presence on a small tank not far from Penn on November 28th. It was a solitary one. I have not seen the nukta here before. On the same tank, at the same time, I shot a tufted pochard, also a solitary one. I sent the latter to the Society. It had a bright golden eye, so I am sure it was the tufted pochard. Mr. Aitken at first thought it was a white-eyed pochard. The Scaup Buck. — I shot a female on a small tank near Panwell on January 13th, 1884. I believe this is the only instance of a scaup 46 NATURAL HISTORY. duck being shot in the Bombay Presidency, though I believe a few have been procured at Kurrachee. The following ducks have all been shot by me about Bombay : — The whistling teal, the shoveller, the gadwall, the common teal, the garganey teal, the pochard or dun bird, the white-eyed pochard, to which list may be added the nukta, the tufted pochard and the scaup mentioned above. The shell drake, the Brahminy, the mallard, the spot-billed duck, the pintail and the wigeon, I have not come across near Bombay. The whistlino- teal and cotton teal, I think, breed in some tanks a few miles from Narel; as least I have seen lai-ge numbers there. The pheasant-tailed Jacana. — I have seen numbers of these birds on the tanks at Callian. The Woodcock. — One was shot near Tanna in 1878. I saw the skin. (See Stray Feathers, Vol. 7, p. 525). I hope that other members of the Society, who have more time at their disposal than I have, will send to the Society's Journal any- thing worth recording that they may have observed. SOME FURTHER NOTES ON ABNORMAL HORN'S. By the Editor. One of the most interesting cases of abnormality that has come before me lately is that of a doe-antelope, A. bezoartica, of which I give an illustration. The females of this species, as in the case of most of the Cervidce and Arttelopinoe, are hornless, but this specimen exhibits a pair of very symmetrical horns, ringed, but not spiral, situated on well-formed bony cores and diverging outwards, downwards, and forwards like those of a wild sheep. The horns are thin, about 1 inch in diameter, and about 22 inches in length. They belong unmistakably to a doe, and not to a young male. The skin has well-defined traces of the mammas. The animal was shot by native shikaris, and the head and skin, which are the property of H. H. the Maharajah of Jodhpore, were sent here for inspection. It is to be regretted that we had not the creature in the flesh, for dissection would probably have shown abnormal conditions, either hermaphroditism or ovarian disease. In the Linn. Transactions, Vol. II., it is recorded that a female doe with a single horn resembling that of a three-year old buck, was found on dis- section to have the ovary of the same side scirrhous. An interesting ABNORMAL SAMBAR HORNS NEW SPECIES OP PISH PROM KURRACHEE AND THE PEPvSIAN GULF. 47 fact regarding the production of malformed horns has recently been brought to my notice by Dr. A. Barry, at present Superin- tendent of Matheran. It bears on the probable influence that certain injuries may exert on the growth of antlers. We know that a common operation will stop the growth in the young male, or cause a deteriorated horn in the adult, which remains permanent, and is not shed annually. Dr. Barry had a tame Cheetal stag, with fine horns of normal shape. He had a severe accident, breaking one of his hind legs; the following and successive years the antler on the side opposite to his injured leg was deformed. Now against this I bring forward a case of another Cheetal stag in the Kurrachee Gardens. This creature jumped out of a window, and broke one of his fore legs, the injury had no effect whatever on his horns. In Dr. Barry's stag the injury was probably communicated sympatheti- cally to the internal organs, and such cases may be more frequent in the jungles than we imagine, and so lead to the numerous examples we have collected of abnormal antlers. I have figured on stone, from water colour sketches by Major Gr. It. R. Poole, of the 12th Lancers, two very curious Sambar horns, very massive and large, which he saw hung up in the outer Court of the Jeypore Museum. He wrote — " The thick ten-pointed one is a Sambar, without doubt, the other eight-pointed one is, I believe, a Sambar. I know the Kashmir stag well, and do not think it was one. The heads were hung so high that I could not get at them, but should say the massive one was about 40 inches, or getting on for it. The other seemed two or three inches longer." It is doubtful whether the latter is not an immature horn of Oervus Cashmirianus, but I am inclined to think not from its size. If, therefore, it be a Sambar, it shows a curious progression from the Rusine to the Cervine or Elaphine type, the bez-tines being of perfectly normal shape and size it only requires the addition of a tres-tine to make it an Elaphine antler. I have written to enquire further about' these horns. R. A. S. NEW SPECIES OF FISH FROM KURRACHEE AND THE PERSIAN GULF. By James A. Murray, late Curator of the Kurrachee Museum. Salarias Pulcher — Sp. nov. Head vertically rounded in front with a pair of inter-orbital ten- tacles, none on the nape; eyes placed forward, the orbital ridge 48 NATURAL HISTORY. in front projecting, and the inter-orbital space above the tentacles concave. No crest on the head. The maxilla reaches to below the middle of the eye. No canines. Dorsal fin divided by a notch and with }-f spiues and rays, not continuous with the caudal ; 8th to 11th spines of first dorsal with free rays projecting beyond the membrane. Anal fin with 20 rays ; caudal with free rays. Head f th of the total length; height of body a little more than jth, Pectoral laid forward reaches a little beyond the hind edge of the eye. Colors. — Anterior two-thirds chocolate brown ; posterior third golden yellow, with 5 — 7 vertical dark bars. Caudal pale yellow slightly edged with brown. Dorsal fin with a dark spot on the upper edge between the 1st and 2nd spines; a second also on the upper edge between the 2nd and 3rd spines. A third ovate spot mesially between the 5th and 6th spines ; a fourth at base of 7th spine ; a fifth on the upper edge enveloping the 7th and 8th spines, a sixth also on the upper edge enveloping the 9th, 10th, and 11th spines. Base of 1st dorsal brown; 2nd dorsal unmarked; pectoral pale yellow; anal white anteriorly and pale yellow posteriorly; slightly bordered with brown. A second specimen agrees with the above description in every particular, except that there is only a spot between the 2nd and 3rd spines, and another on the 7th and 8th spines, the others being absent, owing probably to age. Hab. — Kurrachee, Manora. • Sal am as opercularis — Sp. nov. D. j^- Anal 18-19. The highest part of the body equals the distance between the snout and hind margin of the branchiostegals, and is 4i to 4§ times in the total length. The forehead does not project in line with the snout. A pair of simple tentacles at the nostril, another above the orbit. A curved canine on each side of the lower jaw behind the series of small teeth. Inter-orbital space concave, its width less than the diameter of the eye; the maxilla extends to below the middle of the eye. Dorsal fin notched and not continuous with the caudal, both portions of nearly equal height. Anal fin not as high as the body. Colors. — Body pale fleshy with seven vertical brown bands extend- ing to the upper edge of the dorsal; 1st dorsal with a dark spot on the upper edge between the 1st and 2ud spines. Anal rays ciliated DESCRIPTION OF NEW LIZARDS FROM THE DANGS. 49 and narrowly edged with brown. A dark patch on the opercle and an oblique streak below it behind the maxilla, and another vertical one immediately below the middle of the eye. In the adolescent and young these sti'eaks are continued to below the chin, and in the interspace between these two lines are two subtriangular dark spots. Hah. — Kurrachee (Manora rocks). Pseudochromis PersicVs — Sp. nov. B. o D. g-^; Vent J-; Pect. 18; L.l. f^, not continuous; Anal ^ ; L. T. 15. The height of the bod}' equals the distance between the snout and the extreme hind edge of the preopercle, and is 4^ times in the total length. Length of snout equal to the diameter of the eye. Opercles scaly. Dorsal and anal fins produced posteriorly and pointed. All the rays of the anal, pectoral, ventral, caudal and the posterior rays of the dorsal branched ; caudal fin covered with scales for one-half its length. Colors. — Pale fleshy on the body. Head and snout brown, two longitudinal pale bluish white lines on the preopercle; a black spot behind the opercle with a vertical bluish white line through it, in its anterior third. Body covered with scattered blue spots. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins with faint blue spots, not* unlike broken up undulating lines. The young has a dark brown line running from the snout through the e3'e to the end of the dorsal fin, which dis- appears with age. Hab. — The Persian Gulf. I am indebted to Captain Bishop, of the I. G. S. Patrick Stewart, for specimens of this fish, which were collected by him in the Persian Gulf, when repairing the Indo-Europeau Telegraph cable. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW LIZARD FROM THE DANGS. By F. Gleadow. Hemidacylus Murr^yi, Sp. nov. Digits quite free ; free distal joints of digits long ; dorsal tubercles strongly keeled ; not more than 8 lamellce under the inner toe and 11 under the median toe; 5(4 — 6) lamellce under the inner, and 8 (7 — 9) tinder the median toe. Tubercles in 16 — 20 (14 — 22) longi- tudinal series. Males with 6 — 8 femoral pores on each side. 7 50 NATURAL HISTORY. Snout longer than distance between eye and car opening, about ] i the diameter of orbit. Forehead concave. Ear opening oblique, less than half the diameter of the eye. Digits moderately dilated, the inner well developed. Rostral grooved, slightly broader than high. Upper labials 10 — 12. Lower labials 9—10. Nostril between the rostral, first labial, and three small tubercles similar to those on the muzzle. Back of head, and between eye and ear-opening, granular, with scattered conical or rounded tubercles. Eyelid distinct, granular. Pupil vertical. Chin-shields two pair, the first largest and in contact with the triangular mental and first labials. Second pair smaller opposite the second labials, reaching their posterior suture, but sometimes touching the first labials. Mental broader than the rostral. A row of decidedly enlarged scales along the lower labials, followed interiorly by others diminishing in size. Chin and throat with small granular scales. Upper labials bordered by a distinct row of tubercles slightly longer than those on the muzzle. Tubercles on the muzzle closely packed, smallest in front of the eye. Scales across middle of abdomen in 32 — 36 rows, each scale minutely 3 — 10 dotted. Back covered with granular scales interspersed with 16 — 20 (14 — 22) rows of keeled trihedral tubercles more conical on the flanks, and all less than half the diameter of the ear-opening in size. Limbs with scattered keeled tubercles. Tail longer than head and body, verticillate, grooved medially above, as far as 10 or more verticels. The first few verticels with 3 — 4 sharp conical keeled tubercles on each side, decreasing in number and size towards the tip. Sub-caudals enlarged, about -50 — 60 in number to tip of tail. Femoral pores 6 — 8 on each side, interrupted in the middle. The foreleg laid forward reaches nearly the nostril. Inner toe with 5 (4 — 6) lamelke below. Median toe with 8 (7 — 9) lamellfe. Color grey, with several dark bands across the back, the bands shaped somewhat like two crescents back to back, thus X- Markings frequently variable or indistinct. A dark streak from nostril to eye, w T ith three others diverging behind the orbit, the upper one sometimes produced over the shoulder; underparts white ; tail banded. Length — Head and body 65 mm. (2| in), tail 75 mm. (3 in). The above description is taken from 24 specimens, 8 males and 16 females, forming a nearly pure gathering from two localities, Pimpri and Garvi, in the " Dangs," a forest and mountainous region of ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. 51 about 1,000 sq. miles, with a rainfall of about 100 inches, at the north-west extremity of the Syhadri or Ghat range, between Khandesh and Surat. The animal inhabits both trees and houses, living under loose bark, and in nooks and crannies. Its habits are chiefly nocturnal, though it may be caught in the day time. I believe I have it also from the town of Surat, but this locality requires confirmation. I desire to name this new species after Mr. J. A. Murray, to whom I am indebted for a great deal of willing assistance during the past. ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. Delphinus lentiginosis. I have received a letter from Mr. Sinclair announcing the capture of a fine Delphinus on the Alibag Coast, which apparently is lentipinosus, and if so it is a very fine specimen, the skin of which is an acquisition to our Museum. The average length of this species is from seven to eight feet. I give Mr. Sinclair's careful measurements and description : — Ailult Male — Length between standards 10 7 6" * Greatest height exclusive of dorsal fin 1' 5" Greatest circumference of pectoral region exclusive of fins 4' 3" Height of dorsal fin 8" Base length of dorsal, true horizontal 21 3" Extreme length of flipper, from front of axilla to tip 1' 3" Greatest depth of fluke parallel to spine 9" Greatest expanse of flukes 2' 3" (Note that this is identical with base length of dorsal fin.) Length of rostrum (restricted) 8" . Spiracle single, fairly large, cresentic. A vertical line drawn through its posterior angles would cut the anterior angles of the eves. Teeth numerous in both jaws, conieal, not yet counted. The shape is that of the genus ; the caudal region is very much compressed, and its inferior and superior surfaces produced into what might be called rudimentary anal and dorsal fins. Colour — Above (and below behind the anus) rather pale leaden gray, with numerous long drop-shaped spots. Of these the majority, especially on the rostum, limbs, dorsal fin, and flukes, are pure white, the rest dark slate color or black. Below, from the anus forward the general ground colour is white, much mottled on the belly with the dorsal ground colour, less so on the breast, and the mental region almost pure white ; but there are a few black spots. * This of course would be much greater in the water, tb.6 weight r >f tb.6 animal in shore depressing the anterior parts. 52 NATURAL HISTORY. Contents of stomach a few small Crustacea. The specimen was caught in a drift net in the offing of Alibag. The dental formula which he sent me in a subsequent letter gives -§5 — I?- The specimens reported on by Professor Owen had ff — §§ — 129, which differs somewhat, but I find that much stress must not be laid on the teeth in Dolphins. Delphinus gadamu varies in individuals from 96 to 108 teeth. R. A. STERNDALE. NEST AND EGGS OF CINNYRIS LOTENIA. As far as I know there is nothing on record about the breeding of this sunbird, and since I went to Uran on the so-called Island of Karanja, where the bird is not uncommon, I have been on the watch for its nest. It is a permanent resident, frequenting the sides of the hills, and incessantly uttering the loud cheery note which serves at once to distinguish it from the other members of its family- It seems fonder of flowers than either asiatica or zeylonica, and often hovers over them like a hawkmoth, inserting its long tongue. In October I suspected strongly that a pair had a nest somewhere in a well- wooded slope close to my house, but I did not succeed in finding it. Later on I saw a pair followed by two young ones, and my heart sank within me. But the birds themselves came to the aid of science, and, about the beginning of November, made a beautiful nest in the middle of a small tree close to my verandah. I had to watch it carefully, for there was a pair of zeylonica in the garden. However, the birds were not shy, and I soon had abundance of opportunity of assuring mvself about the ownership of the nest. As I frequently saw the female going in and out, I concluded the eggs were not yet laid ; so I waited a week and then one morning I went cautiously vip and touched the nest with a long stick. In a moment the bird darted out and flew round and round me, screaming and calling all the birds of the neighbourhood together. It is one of my rules not to take nests in my own garden, but on this occasion I thought the rule would be more honoured in the breach than the observance, so I mounted a chair and cut the nest down. What was my horror on discovering that it contained one egg and one young one, just hatched. I plunged the other egg at once into cold water, and left it in it for five minutes in order to kill the chick, if there should be one. Alas ! next evening, thirty-six hours after, this egg too was broken, and a little naked thing was struggling to get out. I have therefore only the broken shell of one egg and the nest for my spoil. The nest, as you see, is remarkably long, measuring fully ten inches. Otherwise it is very similar to that of zeylonica, having the entrance near the top, protected by a portico. It is constructed of fine fibres and grass, and covered all over with small pieces of bark and other rubbish, chiefly that favourite material with all sunbirds, the woody refuse with which wood-boring caterpillars cover the entrances of their holes. The egg is not an ornamental one. The ground colour is a dirty brownish white, the smaller end being thickly covered with dull brown spots, which pass into larger confluent blotches and form a cap on the other end. E. H. A1TKEN. ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. o3 THE CAT AND THE SQUIRREL-A FOSTER-MATERNAL FREAK. We have all heard of Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf and similar, and perhaps better authenticated, stories. But until a few days ago I never had the chance to see a cat nursing a squirrel. First I must tell the adventures of the cat, the heroine of the tale. One evening, when dressing for dinner, I threw a garment into my dirty clothes basket. Out bounced a cat to my great surprise and temporary discomfiture. Hearing faint squeaks from the basket I looked in and saw three little kittens snugly nestled in the folds of crumpled shirts and other things. The outraged mother, a cat of decent appearance, with perhaps a dash of Persian blood in her, had belonged to a friend next door, but on his departure, had been left behind, as cats too frequently are, to become a homeless vagabond. Though keenly sympathising with the cat and her troubles, it was out of the question that she should be allowed to make my clothes basket a lying-in hospital. Her feelings towards me were no doubt similar to those entertained by Calverley's cat towards the pot boy who " Peep'd with a scared wan face ; Then sent a random brick-bat down which knocked her into space. Had I, as some cats have, nine tails, how gladly would 1 lick The hand and person generally, of him who heaved that brick." However I did not heave a brick at her. I only had the kittens firmly but tenderly ejected, and sent off to the back premises of the next house, where the cat was supposed to have her domicile. But the cat had National League ideas, and was not going to submit tamely to eviction. On my returning from dining out, there she was again with all her family complete in my clothes basket. The process of eviction was then repeated, the kittens deposited as before in the verandah of the cook-room next door. To make re-entry impossible, I put the lid o:r the basket, shut the door and window of my dressing-room, and went to bed. I certainly thought I had got rid of the family this time. But the old cat was not to be done so easily. " Give up? give up, be blowed," said she. Next morning cat and kittens were found calmly established on a pile of magazines on a book shelf in my office. Summary eviction was again necessary, but this time my wife interceded, and accommodated the family with a box in the verandah close by ; there a few hours afterwards one kitten died, and a fourth was born and took its place. Why the cat had such strong opinions as to the propriety of bringing up her vagabond progeny in my house I can'tconceive. We had never taken the slightest notice of her, and her appearance, before this episode occurred, would certainly have resulted in her being introduced to a couple of fox-terriers, whose manners, in the presence of cats, are more forcible than polite Now comes the squirrel part of the story. On the day following the installation of the cat in the box in the verandah, my wife found a tiny baby squirrel (Sciurus palmarum) clinging to a creeper in the porch. It had no doubt tumbled out of its nest somewhere in the eaves. It looked the picture of misery, shiver- ing and woe- begone. Happy thought ! Put the little waif in with the kittens. As the old lady was out on the rampage at the time, no sooner said than done. 54 NATURAL HISTORY". Whether the cat would welcome the intruder seemed very doubtful, and until her return the fate of the foundling trembled in the balance. The cat might say — " They call me cruel. Do I know if mouse or squirrel feels? " 1 only know they make me light and salutary meals. " And if, as 'tis my nature to, ere I devour I tease 'em. '* Why should a low-bred gardener's boy pursue me with a besom?" Our suspicions of what the cat might say or do was groundless. An hour later the foundling was seen comfortably sucking the cat, going shares with the kittens, and holding its own, as if the whole place belonged to it. The cat was purring contentedly and seemed to think it all right. Four whole days have passed since the foundling made acquaintance with the Amah, and it appears to be sleek and thriving. It certainly gets its fair share of the cat's attentions, and although not a quarter the weight of its foster brothers, is much too 'cute and active to be crowded out at meal time. The cat has made one attempt since this addition to her family cares, to regain her old stronghold, the clothes bnsket. She deposited one of her kittens on the floor close by the basket. She couldn't get in as the lid was shut, but she left the kitten down below it, as a last mute appeal to our good feelings. But we were obdurate, and replaced the kitten in the box. At present she appears outwardly satisfied, but I have no doubt she'll try it on again, if ever she finds the cover off the basket. G. VIDAL. Poom, 21st October 1886. Editor's Note. — Mr. Vidal in a subsequent letter informed me that the interesting family had come to an untimely end, owing to his dogs having discovered the box. R. A.S. NOTES ON THE HABITS OF NEPITA CONFERTA. Amon<* all orders of insects are found many very interesting habits with relation to self-preservation. The insect in question is a small moth of the family Lithasudee. Having lately bred several specimens, I was much struck with the manner of preserving the chrysalis from the attacks of ants. The larva of Nepita Conferta is a small hairy caterpillar of a dull brown colour, having a creamy mark on the 3rd and 4th segments. It feeds on mosses, and may be found on the walls of almost any house where a damp spot encourages their growth. When full grown the larva ascends the wall, and in a very prominent position makes a slight web interspersed with its own hairs. The change from larva to pupa takes place within this web. Now a chrysalis which was merely enclosed in so slight a protection would soon be destroyed by the numerous ants, who are ever on the prowl. To guard against this evil, before making the light web, the larva encloses a small space with a wall of hair. This wall is constructed in the following manner ;— The hairs are placed on one end, with the other end pointing outwards, one hair having been placed, and made fast to the wall of the house, another is placed ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. crossing it, also having its end pointing outwards. In this way the insect continues until a space is enclosed by the wall thus made, any body who may be incautious enough to touch this wall of hairs with their hands will repent, for the hairs having fine sharp points at once enter the skin, and becoming detached from the wall remain in the skin causing an intolerable itch with great swelling. I had a box with one of these cocoons in it. which was tightly closed and placed in an inner room. On going into this room one day, I was surprised to find a great many confertas busily flying round the closed box ; on opening it, to find out the cause, I found my moth had just come out a perfect female ; all those flying in the room were males. Apart from the extraordinary fact of the males having found out that there was a female there, their mode of ingress was curious, as to get into the r,)om they had first to pass through a doorway opposite which a chick was suspended, they had then to cross the outer room and go through another door- way before they were in the room which contained the prisoner. I made good use of this habit by leaving her where she was and selecting the best specimens of males in the room. This habit of finding out and coming to a female in captivity is even more strongly developed in one of our English moths, which is commonly known as the Oak Egger. On one occasion in a single day I captured over thirty male Oak Eggers with one female, and have no doubt I could have taken fifty. There is yet another use to which Nepita Conferta apparently puts the hairy wall, for I have seen several cases of the femule laying her eggs on top of the deserted cocoon. The perfect insect is on the wing during June, and another brood appears in August. Carwar, H.S.WISE. September 1st, 1886. BIRD-NESTING NOTES FROM CUTCH. I can corroborate Mr. Littledale's assertion that C. affiuis (the Indian swift) takes possession of the nests of H- erythropyyius (the Red-rumped Swallow) for on March 6, in Bhujia Fort, I caught two of these swifts in separate nests of H. erythropygia. One nest contained two fresh eggs, but the other was empty. C. affinis is not the only bird however that avails itself of the ingenious nest of H. erythropygia. On April 25 I took 3 eggs of P. JlavicoUis (the yellow-throate^ Sparrow) out of one of them. To make quite sure of its identity, I shot one of the parent birds. Also 1 am nearly certain that seme eggs which my shikari brought me last year out of a nest of Plocevs mumjar (striated Weaver bird) must have belonged to this species, i.e., P. flavicollis, but I never had an opportunity of seeing the bird. April 15 I shot a pair of Strlx Javanica (the Indian screech owl) which, as far as I know, has not been recorded from this province before. The female on dissection showed no signs of nidification. Since then I have seen a third. Within the last month, i.e., April I have seen Peregrine Falcons on two occasions, and also C. aeruginosus (the Marsh Harrier). Surely this is very late for winter visitants to be stopping, unless they are breeding. May 2 I found a partridge's nest in a very unusual situation. It was placed in a hole in the rock about 10 feet 56 NATURAL HISTORY. from the ground. I climbed up and found it contained eggs, and as far as I could feel with my hand, there was uo attempt at a nest, the eggs being laid on the bare sand. I may mention that I saw the bird to be the ordinary grey partridge, P. pondicerianus. April 25 I first observed T pagodamm (the Brahminy Mvnah) which I had been looking out for for some time. 1 have never seen them in the cold weather, so 1 conclude they only come here to breed. Last year I took four of their nests. A. NEWNHAM, 10th N. L. I. THE TWO SHAM AS. Mr. Hume, speaking of the Shama (476 Cercotrickas macriira), says: — " Well might Jerdon doubt that Philipps' Shama described as perching on walls and breeding in bouses, could be this species." "Shama" is the native name for the Brown Rockchat (494, Cercomela fusca) throughout the Central Provinces, and it is this bird that Philipps was writing about, and not our delightful Indian songster. " Perching on walls and breeding in houses " is a concise summary of its habits. H. EDWIN BARNES. ME ROUS MERGANSER. It will interest the ornithological members of the Society to know that I shot a goosander (Mergus merganser) at Shewa just across the Bombay harbour, on the 2nd instant (December). It was a female or immature male, and was playing along in a shallow sheet of salt water which formed the reservoir of one of the salt works. I believe this is the most southern point in India from which the bird has been recorded yet. EH. AITKEN. LIST OF BIRDS FROM SIND. Presented by Colonel Swinhoe. No. of Jo rd on s No. English name. Scientific name. speci- Locality. mens. 11 23 The Shikra 1 Hyderabad. Astur badius ..- 1 1 Kotree. 76 89 123 The Spotted Owlet Sell wan. 1 Sehwan. tin. 1 Jacobabad. 129 The White-breasted King-fisher. Halcyon smyrnensis . 1 Jenipeer. 136 The Tied Kingfisher ... 1 Sehwan. 148 The Rose-ringed Paro- quet. Pala?ornis torquatus. . 1 Shikarpoor. 182 The l'ale gold en -backed Woodpecker. Bachypternns dilutus 2 Kotree. 212 The Pied-crested Cuckoo Coccystes melanoleu- cos. 1 Kurrachee. 254 256 257 The European Hoopoe. The Indian Grey Shrike. The llufous-backed 1 Kotree. 1 Kurrachee. Lanius erythronotus. . 1 Kotree. Shrike. 260 The Bay-backed Shrike. Lanius hardwickii ..• 1 Kurrachee. 262 The Pale Brown Shrike. 1 Sehwan. 265 The Common Wood Shrike. Tephrodornis pondi- cerianus. 2 Sehwan. LIST OF BIRDS PROM 31ND. •Ul. No. o1 U rdon s English name Scientific name. speci- mens. Locality. 1 Hyderabad. 278 1 1 Kurrachee. 432 The Bengal Babbler ... Malacocircus terri- Kurrachee. color. 436 The large Grey Babbler. Malacocercus mal- colmi. 1 Sehwan. •438 The Striated Bush Babbler. Chatarrhoea caudata. 1 Kotree. 480 The Brown-backed In- dian Robin. Thamnobia cam- bayensis. 1 Sehwafn. 481 The White-winged Black Robin. Pratincola caprata ... o Kotree. 483 The Indian Bushchafc... Pratincola indica 2 Sehwan. 489 The Pied Stone Chat ... 2 Hyderabad 491 The Red-tailed Whea- ter. 1 Kurr. 492 The Black-throated Wheater. 1 Kotree. 497 The Indian Redstart ... Ruticilla rufiventris.. 1 Sukkur. 514 The. Indian Bine-throat. Cyanecula suecica ... 1 Kotree. 660 bis The Brown-necked Raven . 1 Iiarkhana 674 The Common Indian Magpie. 1 Kotree- 681 The Common Starling... Si uvnus vulgaris 1 Sehwf.n 686 The Southern Dusky Myna. Acridotheres i'uscus. 2 Kotree. 690 The Rose-colored Star- 2 Jempc i €94 ling. The Common Weaver- 1 Kotree. Bird. 695 The Striated Weaver Bird. 1 Hyderabad. 703 The Plain brown Mania. Munia malabarica ... £J Kurrachee. 706 The House Sparrow ... Passer domesticus . . 1 Kotree. 721 The Black-headed Bunt- ing. Euspiza melanoce- phala. .-> Hyderabad. 756 The Red-winged Bush Lark. Mirafra erythroptera. 1 Kotree. 794 The Little Brown Dove. Turtur cambayensis . 1 Kotree. 799 The large Sand Grouse. Pterocles arcnarius... 1 Jempeei 818 The Black Partridge ... Francolinus vulgaris . 1 Jempeer. 822 The Grey Partridge ... Ortygornis pontice- rianus. 1 Jempeer. 829 The large Grey Quail... Cofcurnix communis... 2 Jempeer. 819 The Indian Ringed Plover. 1 Sukkur. 852 The Black-sided Lap- wing. Chittusia gregaria ... I Narra. 856 The Yellow wattled Lapwing. Sarciophorus bilobus. 2 Mulleer. 872 Gallihago gallinula ... 2 Kotree. 884 The Common Sand- piper. Tringoides bypo- lcucos. 1 Kurrachee. 901 The Pheasant-tailed Jacana. Hydrophasianus chi- rurgus. 1 Munch m . 903 The Bald Coot 1 1 Munch ur. 904 Gallicrex cinerens ... Sehwan.. 907 The White-breasted Water hen. Erythra phoenicura. 1 Fukkeer-ka-Gote. 952 The Whistling Teal Dcndrocygna java- nica. 2 Kotree. 957 The Shoveller Spatula clypeata Querquedula circi i ... 1 1 Munchur. 905 The Blue-winged Teal.. Jempeer. 995 The Indian Skimmer ... Rhynchops albicollis. 1 Hyderabad 58 NATURAL HISTORY. LIST OF SOUTHERN INDIAN AND OTHER PLANTS. Presented by James A. Murray. Locality. Anaphalis neilghcrriensis Neilglierry Hills*. „ notoniana j, Budlea discolor „ Centrantbera humifusa Wynaad. Sophubiasp ~ - Poolachee. Alsycarpus longifolius Bermuda. Desmodiuin congestum Annamallays. „ latifolium T > „ recurvatum „ „ diffusum .... Jubb til poor. „ gangeticum..... Madras. „ triquetrum Moulmein. , f gyrans..... Rangoon. Lonicera Leseftenaulti Ootacamund. Viburnum capitellatum Coonoor. Potbos scandens - »r Gomphostemma Heyneanii3 Anamallays. Bicerma biarticulatum • Neilgheny Hills* „ pukbelluin.. « Zornea sp »• Madras. Sesbania iEgyptiaca St. Thome. Tephrosia hiirta .- Venkatagherryv „ purpurea Neilgherries. „ suberosa ■•■ Jnggiapet. Atylosia nedgberriensis ~ Neilgberry Hills-. Jonesia asoca i Condapilly Hills Acacia pulchella ..." Ootacamund. „ pobusta.. » „ vertieillata „ „ dodonsefolia , r „ longifolia - Neilgberry Hills. Gnetuin funiculare «» „ Genista lutea ..- n Clerodendron infortunatum „ Cinnamomum ovalilblium ,, Indigofera linifolia • „ Cajanus Indicus Madras. Indigofera cordifalia Neilgberry Hills ,, pentapbylla. » Crotalaria Wallichiana » ,, rubiginosa, » anthylloides Waltaii PROCEEDINGS OE THE SOCIETY DURING THE QUARTER. Locality. od current to different parts of the body, and so we can easily understand how they may turn up anywhere. The very young and the adult worms live in the alimentary canal of the horse; the latter escape from the bowel and discharge egg3 which are hatched by natural influences, and the young escape into the soil, and enter the bodies of small snails, where they reside comfortably until the snails are. swallowed with food by the horse. They then escape into the stomach and intestines, and bore their way through the walls of the alimentary canal. The adults can be expelled and killed by "worm medicines," especially santonin. 6. The " wandering eel-like worms " (Filaria papillosa) must not be mistaken for armed strong} T les. We seldom open a horse in this country without finding wrig- gling about in the warm moist cavity of the abdomen one or more long white worms, the males with corkscrew tails, but smaller than the females. But one of the most familiar appearances of these creatures in an immature form is in the eye of the horse, occasionally of the ox. The eel-like worm of the eye of the horse can he seen quite plainly at first disporting himself in this natural aquarium, but very soon he gives rise to so much irritation as to cause complete clouding over of the eye and often permanent loss of sight. A surgical operation for removal of the worm has to be resorted to, and very frequently proves quite effectual. The parasite is much more frequent in low-lying marshy districts than in others, and in India notably occurs in Lower Bengal. It is remarkable that worm in the eye is practically never seen in England, and therefore its treatment is a speciality of Indian Veterinary Surgery. In other respects this worm is known to cause serious inflammation of the organs of the abdomen. The England " Flukes" or fiat worms (Fasciola hepatica), like those which cause rot in sheep, are not uncommon as cause of diseased liver in horses and asses. lu India this species seems rare, but a near ally, the Amphistome, is very common and rather important. On opening the caecum and colon we not unfrequently find enormous numbers of small reddish bodies, like grains of barley, mixed with the bowel contents. These on examination prove to have a sucker at each end of the body, which tised to be mistaken for mouths, hence their " mouth at both ends." They cause a good deal of irritation, and in their effects resemble and are nearly as serious as the blood-sucking strongyle, than which they in India are more frequent. Liberal salt ration is the best preventative of them, and, indeed, a measure to which all horse owners in this country should constantly resort, care being taken that the horse, not his syce, obtains the benefit 'of the salt. These atnphistomes like other flukes are remarkable for the complex and numerous developmental stages through which they pass. At one time swimming freely in tank water in all the glory of a long tail, at another ignominiously encysted in the body of snail, finally settling down not uncomfortably to a fat living, enjoying otium cum dignitate iu the caecum or colon of the horse. There are many animals that have a much worse time of it than a fluke ! Individual flukes, unlike strongyles, contain both male and female organs. 8. Tapeworms are not frequent in the adult form in vegetable feeders, although among the principal parasite torments of flesh-eaters and man. Yet we do see small taeniae in the large bowel of the horse ; in so far as my experience goes, very rarely 68 NATURAL HISTOEY, in India. They are so short and peculiar in appearance as to be hardly recognizable as tapeworms. They give rise in some cases to severe irritation in the bowels. What is the source of the most frequent tapeworm of the horse is not known, but our knowledge of the development of other Tapeworms gives ns some clue. 9. Thus the horse like other herbivora (but not nearly so frequently as the ox and camel) has often in his liver and lungs, what are known as Hydatids or Hydatid cysts. These look like white tumours, sometimes bigger than a cricket ball, in other cases no bigger than a pea. When cut into liquid contents squirt out with force often into the eyes of the enthusiastic student of Zoology. These contents are watery for the most part, but have little white grains in them which, examined under a low power, are found to be tapeworm heads ; the tumours, in fact, are the cystic or bladder stage of development of the taenia which, more than mankind, deserves Shakespeare's description, a one individual " in its time playing many parts," its acts being seven ages — 1. First the " Ovum" with its shell expelled into the world, 2. And next the " sixhooked embryo" wandering free, 3. Then boring through the tissues of the host becomes a " Cyst," 4. Which nurse-like from its inner coat developes young, 5. The " Scolices," on heads which bear a ring of hooks (5. Hydatids swallowed by flesh-feeders lose their coats, but many heads 7. Develope into fruitful Tapeworms and each segment bears ova in many thousands to preserve the race. 1 have never known a horse die from Hydatids, but cattle suffer much from fchem. 10. The sharp tails (Oxyurides) must for the present complete our imperfect enumeration of equine parasitic organisms. They are probably the most familiar, because they reside in the terminal portion of the alimentary canal and are expelled often in enormous numbers. Almost every horse brought in from the districts has some of these worms. They are feeders on excrement, cause little mischief, and can easily be recognised by their having a round firm body, and a soft tail-half to it. They are something like a thick whip with lash as stout almost as and not long-er than the handle. Although not very serious they cause irritation, and many a tail spoiled by rubbing is due to the presence of these worms- One of the most common and dis- tinctive indications of their presence is a brownish white deposit around theposterior outlet of the alimentary canal, and sometimes a specimen will be found to have become entangled in its passage through the opening. Syces bring specimens with great triumph as proof of the necessity for a native worm medicine of considerable value, Palas papra seed3. The best treatment, however, for the form of jiarasitic organism is Injectio Terebinthinae. The larvre of Oxyurides hatch out in the earth, then enter Borne animal in which they become changed into the hermaphrodite form. Those of Ascarides and Filariae lie encapsuled in some animal, and with it pass into the digestive system of some other animal-form in which they become adult ; those of Strongyles live in the earth, and assume the adult condition in some animal ( Von Linstow). Such are some of the remarkable variations in metamorphoses shown by Nematodes. I trust my brief sketch has established my position that internal parasites are worth studying by the naturalist, to whom nothing should be common or unclean ! PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY DURING THE QUARTER. f>9 The usual monthly meeting of this Society took place on Monday, Dec- 6th, Dr. D. Macdonald presiding. The following new members were elected : — Mr. Proctor Sims, Mr. B. D. Hare, Mr. A. Conroy, Mr. J. S. Ashby, Mr. C. Sykes, Major Elliston, and Mr. H. tloime. Mr. H. M. Plripson, the Honorary Secretary, then read the following list of contri- butions; received since the last meeting : — Contributions. Description. Contributor. 20 Birds' Skins Collected at Simla for the Society. Capt. W. R. L. Anderson. Mr. II. E. Andrews. Mr. A. Newnham. 1 Civet Cat Mr. Tlios. Lidbctter. Major Lyons. Mrs. Succaram Arjoou. Mr. Alfred Walker. An Herbarium (containing 180 specimens.) 1 Black Buck's head From Hurda, C. P Do. Do. Mr. M. G. Turner. 2 Skulls Mr. M. H. Nazar. Mr. A. Witt, Do. Major Yerbury, B. A. Do. Capt. W. H. Walker. Do. Col. Swinhoe. Tvpes Butterflies. Skin of Bed Cat Bear. Mr. E. M. Slater. 2 Black Bucks' Heads ... Do. Capt, F. B- Peile. Mr. W. J. Killen. Miss Langley. Mr. John O'Connell. 1 Large Bee's Comb 1 Fresh Water Tortoise (alive). 2 Lesser Civet Cats (alive.) Mr. T. W Cuffe. Dr. H. J. C Godfrey. Mr. J. D. Inverarity. Mr. E. H. Aitken. of Adelsburgh. Nest of Loten's Sun Bird. Minor Contributions. From Colonel Tollman, Captain L. Herbert, Mr. C- W. L. Jackson, Mr. Burwan Jayram, Dr. Temperley Grey, Mr. C. B. Brendon. Mr. E. C. Crawley, Mr. G. B. Beid, C.S., Mr. M. C. Turner, Mr. J. Wallace, Mr. W. K. Hamilton, and Mr. F. D. Parker. Exhibits. " A long-tailed Japanese Cock" with a tail measuring 8 feet 9 inches, Mr. F. D. Parker; "A Lion's Skin " (shot in Kattiawar), Captain W. P. Kennedy; ''Two Ovia Poli Heads" (from Y'arkand), Mr R. A. Sterndale. Contributions to the Library. " Flora of British India'' (Hooker) Part XIII., from the Government of Bombay; »' Portraits of the Game Wild Animals of S. Africa" (Harris), Mr. Dhunjeebhoy H. Wadia; "Butterflies of India" (Marshall and de Niceville), Vol. II., purchased; " Indian Silk Culture" (T. Wardle), from the author; " Glossary of Vernacular Names of Drugs" from Dr. Dymock ; " Zoological Society of London," Reports, 1883-4-5 from the R. Z. S. of London ; " Geological Survey of India Record," Vol. XIX., part 4, from the Registrar. 70 NATURAL HISTORY. Mr. R. A. Sterndale exhibited two splendid Heads of the Ovis Polii which had been sent to him for sale at Rs. 200 each. Mr. Sterndale dwelt upon the rarity of this giant sheep, which inhabits the loftly snow-clad mountains north of Kashgar and Yarkand. No English sportsman had, he said, ever succeeded in shooting one of these animals, and it was consequently of the greatest importance that the Society should, if possible, secure one of these heads for its collection, as such an opportunity might not occur again. A feeling of regret was generally felt that the funds at the disposal of the Com- mittee were not sufficient to enable them to purchase either of the heads. Dr. D. Macdonald then read the following paper on Coeiia Bites. Members of the Society may have noticed more than two months ago in the daily newspapers the announcement that the stuffer at the V. and A. Museum had been bitten by a tame cobra, and that he died in consequence of the bite. As there are some points of scientific as well as public interest, I have thought it advisable to bring the case before the Society. The snake was purchased for the Museum six weeks before the unfortunate acci- dent took place. As usual the fangs were extracted, and in order to make the snake if possible more completely harmless, part of the poison duct was cut out as well. There are three principal parts in the poison apparatus of a cobra — (1) the gland which secretes the poison ; (2) the perforated fang, which pierces the body of the bitten animal, and at the same time permits the poison to pass along its canal, into the wound made by the fang ; and (3) the duct along which the poison passes from the gland to the hollow tooth. As may be seen in the illustrations here there are several reserve fangs, very small, varying in size, lying loose in the surrounding flesh, and in a loose capsule. Each of these, one after the other, moves forward to take the place of the perfect fang, when that becomes broken or injured, and becomes firmly united to the maxil- lary bone. Some months are required for the full development of these extra- ordinary or supplementary teeth, but whenever one of these moves forward to take the place of an injured or extracted tooth, it is capable, as soon as it can penetrate the skin of any animal, of inflicting a wound as poisonous as that inflicted by the full grown fang ; for, the gland which secretes the poison is first as active as ever. In the special case referred to, the stuffer took the cobra from the hands of the skinner, who had fed the snake with milk ; but, against all rule, incautiously seized the animal with the hand unguarded. It must have been held loosely, for the snake managed to wriggle round a little, and got one of the new fangs, which was still very minute, into a fold of the skin of the forefinger. The stuffer called out for pincers, and some delay took place. At last the assistant took a quill and simply pushed the small tooth out, and the cobra was then restored to its cage. The stuffer at first made light of the bite, but some carbolic acid was put on the puncture, and he was at once sent to the J. J. Hospital. The well-known symptoms of snake- poisoning were already showing themselves, and active measures were at once taken to counteract the effect of the poison. Too high praise cannot be given to the house-surgeon who continued during the whole of the night to keep up artificial respiration ; and next morning there was marked improvement, which went on until all signs of snake poison completely disappeared. In speaking of the first night's experience the stuffer afterwards related how he was able to see, hear, and feel perfectly; although quite incapable of speech or movement. Every one began to PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY DURING THE QUARTER. 71 feel certain that the stuffer was going to make a good recovery: and when it is remembered that every symptom of snake-poisoning had disappeared, it must be admitted that there was good cause for this opinion. Unfortunately, on the third day fever set in, and also inflammation of the lungs, and the stuffer slowly sank under these and died on the fifth day, in spite of everything that skilled medical aid and constant and faithful attendance and nursing could do. As to the temporary recovery from the actual effects of the poison, it will be evident that the amount of poison must have been less than in an ordinary bite. Indeed, remembering that the ducts had been partly exched, it may surprise any one that poison entered the wound at all. But this is accounted fur by the fact that, although the duct was partly excised, the gland is still active, and the poison which it secretes can make its way from the duct into the mouth, were it mixes with the saliva, and becomes diluted. In the case of the stutter the small fang was kept in the wound in the fold of skin for some minutes, during which the poisoned saliva could act on the punctured wound. Had the snake been removed at once, my impression is that very little, if any, poison could have entered the wound, and certainly not enough to do any serious injury; but as the snake was kept in this position for some minutes, with the muscles compressing the gland, and forcing the poison into the mouth, it is not difficult to account for the poison which entered the wound, and, through it, the system. And here an important question arises. One of the daily newspapers in referring to this unfortunate case, expressing its disapproval of poisonous snakes being kept in the V. and A. Museum saying that any one might see any day, in the streets, the same reptiles rendered safe and harmless. The writer either did not know, Or did not understand, that the snakes were believed to be harmless : that not only were the same measures adopted which are taken by the snake-charmers to render harmless the cobras exhibited in the public streets, but an additional safeguard was adopted in excising part of the ducts. And the question I refer to is— are the snakes exhibited in the streets perfectly harmless ? I do not think they are. No- thing save the complete removal of the glands which secrete the poison can render a poisonous snake harmless. It is true, that the perforate tooth, the hypodermic syringe, as it is termed by Mr. Aitken in the chapter on the Hypodermatikosyringo- phoroi in his "Tribes on my Frontier,'' is not there; but, as the poison is still secreted, and as it nvust make its way through the duct or fistula into the mouth, a bite with even the ordinary teeth, may be dangerous. I believe that such a bite has resulted in death, and there are cases on record in which death has taken place after such a bite. Since the unfortunate accident occurred at the Museum we have given up altogether the practice of keeping live cobras, and I should advise every one who sets some value on life to give cobras a very wide berth, no matter how positively it may be asserted that any particular specimen has been rendered harmless. You may see from these drawings how difficult a matter it would be to deprive a cobra of its poison glands. They lie deep in the tissue at the side of the head, covered over by the muscles which, by their contraction, compress the glands, and thus squirt the poison in the gland through the duct, and along the perforation of the tooth, into the wound, just at the moment when the animal strikes. Even without the perforated teeth, there is still the poison gland, and although the poison, by mixing with saliva, is less powerful than when undiluted, it is still there, and with all its dreaded power to destroy life. Young Gibbons (Hylobates hoolook) from Assam, drinking and walking. They walk erect, and drink by dipping the back of the hand into the liquid and then sucking off the moisture. R, A. H. JOURNAL Of THE IB O Is/L IB .A. IT Ho. 2J BOMBAY, APRIL 1887, [Vol. ]{. WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. Part III. — This Konkan and Coast. (By a Membt r of the Society.) We now collie to the aquatic invertebrates, creatures not only in themselves difficult to examine and describe ; but as yet not dealt with in any handy local text-book.* The following notes, therefore, will not be very scientific:- — To begin with the Mollusca, or , but, writing in the jungles, I cannot refer to the catalogue.* We have few native Strombidge, the chief is Roatellaria curia. My next shell is a Murex, closely resembling the English M. erinaceus; and called by children " Aswalia" or "Bear-shell." These children's names are rather useful, as grown up natives here- abouts have but few names for shells. A big univalve is Kuba, and a little one Kubi ; and bivalves in general are " Shipi/' or some * For instance, the pretty blushing Hemristoma seems to be abundant just north of Bombay ; and is often brought into the city in road material, but I have nerejf got it in, or south of the harbour. WATERS OF WESTERN lNDfA, 77 derivative thereof. I have also got other Murices, and a Fusus (probably F. coins), a Ttjrula, arid others unidentified. Of Buccinidte we have a good many handsome sorts Eburnea (spirata?), a Terebra, species at least, and I think a Nassa. Our finest shell is a Volinm, as big as a boy's fist, which makes a pretty ornament when the dull brown epidermis has been scrubbed off ; a thing that often happens, to some extent, during the creature's life- time. We have, I think, two purples, and I get a great number of dead shells of Olives ; but have never secured a live specimen. They are amongst the prettiest shells we have. Cones are numerous, some of them over two inches long, partly or wholly covered when alive with a bristly epidermis concealing the markings. The little boys call them " Kuttrya" ( == dog-shells.) I have once or twice received Mitres, dead shells, and constantly receive living cowries of three species, the reticulated Cyprcea Arabica, a larger species spotted " like a pard," and a small species seldom exceeding an inch in length. This shows a great variety of very beautiful spots, speckles, and marblings and colours varying from marble yellow to very deep brown. The specimens, however, when placed side by side show such a gradation that I think they are all of one species. The young are very unlike their elders, little wheat shaped shells, with a long foraminated, turned-up spike at each end. The money cowry occurs locally on this coast as a dead shell in considerable numbers ; and wherever this happens, you will generally be able to trace it to the wreck of a dhow from Zanzibar. I know two such cowry mines myself.* I have only got Natica and Lamellaria as dead shells. A Pota- mides is common in the inangTOve swamps ; but perfect specimens are rare ; they seem to get broken at both ends during life. A handsome pied Nerita takes the place upon our reefs that the periwinkle does at home, and is, like it, a favourite food of the poor. * The little boys call cowries " Dnkari " ( = pigshell). It is curious that a small shell of the same family is called "piggy" or" pigshell" in the British Isles. Colonel Yule (I think) says that Porcellana " (with the same meaning) is the name of an allied Mediterranean form amongst Sicilian children ; and that probably this gave the languages of Europe their name for porcelain, the texture of that material, when first imported, being fairly enough compared to that of the shell. (Porcelain was little or not at all known to the earlier Greeks and Romans.) I may add, that probably a similar name was applied in France to some shell or other, and may be still. It is certain that the earlier French Canadian discoverers called shell wampum " porcelaine." 78 NATURAL HISTORY. Alone- with it are some very pretty little Navicellce of different shades of blue, with white spots. Among the Turbinidce (top-shells), two species yield " appayas," that is, solid opercula fit for cheap jewellery (studs and so forth)* The first is an Imperator, much resembling I t imperialis, a little grey pyramidal shell warted upon every whorl, and nacreous (mother-o'- pearly) throughout, except the grey outer skin (epidermis). The operculum, or valve, which closes the mouth of the shell, is also "mother-o' -pearly/' aud looks, in fact, like a little pearl, purple or violet-edged, and in shape like one-half of a tiny split bean. The largest of these. opercula does not exceed £ of an inch in length. The second species is, I think, a Monodonta, closely allied to M. labio. It is a good-sized shell, nearly as large, in the finest speci- mens, as a billiard-ball, covered outside with an olive green epider- mis, handsomely mottled with a darker green and with a deep crimson. The whole structure of the shell is nacreous; but the operculum is porcellanous (which is rather curious, but is the case with some other Turbinidce). It (the operculum) is about § of an inch across in the largest specimens ; and much of the shape of half a split pea. The colouring is green or Spanish brown, or both ; with shades of white, pink, or pale orange. This species has long been used in India for buttons, bracelets, and the like, though not very commonly ; but I believe that I myself was the first to use the operculum of an Imperator for such purposes. Some species of Turbo from the Pacific and South Seas are much more beautiful than ours ; and at one time were a good deal worked up in Paris. In the same family come the handsome pyramidal Trochi, gene- rally marked crimson and grey. All the Turbinidce can be stripped of the epidermis by steeping them in dilute acetic acid (or common vinegar), and then show as entirely of mother-o'-pearl. In the next family [Ealiotidce) we find the Ormer or Venus's ear, the largest, perhaps, and most beautiful of British shells. One or two small dead shells of a similar species have been brought to me here ; but I could not find out where they had been got. We have here, however, a remarkable member of this family, viz, an Ianthina, or Oceanic snail, or " Violet shell." The connection of this creature with the Ormer 8 is perhaps a little overstrained. They are rock-creepers. Ianthina, ou the contrary, is at home on the surface of deep " blue water" • where it congregates in great WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. 79 fleets, each snail floating in his own inverted shell. I have some doubts as to whether they can sink at all. It is certain that they cannot do so when breeding, as they have then in tow a sort of raft that they make of glutinous air-bubbles, with their eggs hanging underneath it; and there is no means of withdrawing the air from this float. Moreover, the spire of the shell, which would be the upper part if the snail could crawl on the land or on the bottom, is always of a very pale blue, almost white, and the base (or what ought to be the base) is of a deep blue, which coloration, in a marine animal, is good ground for supposing that the light side is the bottom, aud the dark side the top, in its regular trim. When stranded, the Ianthina is perfectly helpless, cannot crawl an inch, and seems to die almost at once. I never could get a stranded one to live. As for catching them alive, to do that one must find out their fine weather quarters, which are probably, as far as we are concerned, on the other side of a good stretch of herring- pond ; for the winds that bring us Ianthina fleets are north- westers, occurring from August to September ; and the snails must be brought by them from the Arabian Sea. But to be in that sea, N.-W. of Bombay, at that time, they must have got up on the S.-W. gales of May, June, and July from somewhere far to the S.-W., probably the neighbourhood of the Seychelles and north of that. If their head-quarters were much further east we should get them with the early south-westers. I shall have more to say about these winds and currents later on. We have one pink specimen of Ianthina, probably unique, and as probably coloured by disease. I picked it up myself, dead and empty ; but its colour cannot well have been the result of weather- ing. It was perfect, and long before so fragile a shell as Ianthina could bleach upon the " thundering shore" where it was found the waves alone would have smashed it to pieces, to say nothing of frequent ti-affic. I find it difficult to secure a perfect specimen, except by having a watch kept on the shore (for this and other matters). When it is reported that "blue flower-shells" are coming in, I go or send at the moment of high water to pick them up. Being very light, they are always stranded along the high water mark only ; and in an hour after the first of ebb the delicate tissues of the animal are withered ; while a little blue stain on the sand often marks the discharge, in the last agony, of a blue fluid, which may perhaps be used for concealment, like the sepia of the 80 NATURAL HISTOHY. cuttle-fishes, by this otherwise defenceless creature. When the surf of the next tide (if a higher one) has passed over the dead shells, it seldom leaves one perfect. Those cast ashoi'e at the top of springs may be long enough to bleach ; but they always bleach blue-white, the colour of their own paler portions. If, however, there were a pink species of Ianthina, it would probably have been discovered before this. At any rate, it is a rare and lovely little shell. The animal of Ianthina is remarkably pig-headed. I do not mean to impugn his morals or intelligence; but merely his profile, He is said to live upon some gelatinous things called velellse and other acaleplme, whereof I shall have more to say further on ; and certain it is that although I often find them without him, I never find him without them. Our common limpets resemble those of Europe. I have not here got any of the queer " key-hole limpets," ft Bonnet limpets " and. cup and saucer shells, Fissurellidcv and Calyptneidte-; but no doubt they could be found by a collector with more leisure and knowledge, nor have I any of the extraordinary multi- valve Chitons. A very small Dentalium, or Elephant's tusk shell, is found on the sands in large numbers. One of the beauties of our shores is a little sea-snail, Rotella vesti- aria, which (or rather whose shell, as I never got a live one) occurs in countless numbers ; sometimes colouring the beach in bands two or three feet wide and many yards long. How many species of Rotella there may be I know not ; but we have three marked types of colour, viz., an uniform dark crimson, an equally uniform coral pink> and a mottled pattern in which the ground colour runs from crimson to white ; and the markings are of various shades of brown. The largest I get ai*e a little bigger than common "pearl" shirt-studs, biit some in our museum are double as big. The land and fresh water univalves are not particularly interest- ing, and differ little from those of the Deccan ; except the Cremnnconchi previously noticed; and a prettily-shaped Auricula inhabiting salt marshes and the like places, whence it is often washed out to sea and cast on the shore, where it passes for a sea- she 11. The Dorids, or sea-slugs, are pretty numerous; and one or two species reach at least three inches long, These large ones seem WATERS 01 WESTERN INDIA. 81 to haunt pretty deep water, as I get them mostly from fishing-nets worked some way from shore. One reef-species about two inches 'ioixg is of a deep crimson ; another of the same -size pale orange j and one which seldom exceeds an inch in length is cream-eolcured, •with erirasoa and black markings. As a general rule, however, their colours are rather dull greens and browns. •Of iSrucbiopeds I have got none, except dead single valves of what I suppose to be a Lhigula ; but in true, or Lamellibranch Bivalves, we are well off. The oysters naturally take precedence. Between the common eatable oyster of these parts and that of ■the North Atlantic I find two principal differences — (a) that the former is a deal less expensive, and (h) that, as the University has not yet taken his education in hand, he cares no more for the letter R than Mr. Jorrocks did for '"a haitch." He has, however-, •a calendar of his own, based npou the Hindu Almanack, and ' usually from the Mirgs41 to the Diwali, that is, from about June to October, both •inclusive, you will do well to abstain from oysters an these parts, as the fishermen do. This, however , is not a law of the Medes and Persians. "Whesa the monsoon was late, I have been assured by the fishermen that I aright safely eat oysters until there was plenty of fresh water in the -sea ; and have done so, both I aiid my house, without any ill effects, runtil well on in-Jazie. It is however necessary to take great care how the oysters are kept. They should be in clean sea water, and this should tither be changed at least twice a day, or still better, changed every moment by the natural method, i.e., by sinking the basket or other parcel of oysters in a tideway. They should always be kept "this side up, with care," This side is the flat, or slightly ■concave, external side, which never shows any white scar, as the oyster always rests on, and moors by, the other or left valve, convex externally and concave internally, so that it can retain a little water. This is of the highest importance to the oyster, especially if 5 eft out of water by the ebb, or removed from it by violence ; and an oyster turned wrong side up iu a basket or barrel is just as likely to live as a man hung by the heels. Tins is the secret of oyster paekiug. But in any case, tropical climates are ill-suited for the transport ©f marine bivalves, and a good deal of care is necessary whenever that is undertaken, and at the end of it there is always a great deal of risk to tb.6 oyster and some to the man who eats him, 11 82 SATl'RAL HISTORY. On the Coast, per contra, the danger of oyster-eating almos* always arises from gross carelessness on the part of some one or other. Nobody gets poisoned with oysters at the Clubs, or at the Apollo Bunder, where proper care is taken in the matter. In one case that came under my notice, I myself, and my household, ate safely of a basket of oysters for three days, at almost every meal ; and a man who had eaten them there was afterwards "poisoned" with oysters oat of that very same basketfal, only m the meanwhile they had passed out of my hands. As for " copper in oysters/ 7 supposed to be derived from rocks, it is a fact that the juices of oysters do, at least occasionally, con- tain a trace of copper, but a dose of copper likely to affect a man would probably be enough to kill a whole keg fall of oysters, certainly far more than enough for any number of 03's-ters that the mam could hold. If any gentleman doubts this, let him mix a dose of verdigris with the water of an aquarium, and see how long any oyster or any thing else, lives in the poisoned water. The fact is that nothing is so hateful to shell-fish, and especially to the Conchifera, as the exide of copper ; and that is the reason why it is useful on a ship's bottom. Sir Humphry Davy prevented the copper on a ship's bottom from rusting (by a galvanic experiment which need not be described here), and the result was that that ship's bottom immediately became foul ; the Conchifera and Barnacles having no further reason to fear it. We have several other oysters here; one has the lower valve plaited, making it look something like a bird's foot. This is little eaten. Another small and rare species, of the creeks has the valves long, narrow, and rounded like dinner-knife blades, seldom exceeding ]-| inch in length. I have not got here the "Mangrove oyster" (Den drostrea) which " grows on trees." All oysters, or nearly all, will grow upon dead wood. The connection of "oyster poisoning" with Mangroves is a mare's nest. Of the so-called Pearl-oysters, Placuna Placenta, the Window- oyster, is common here ; and is still sought after as containing seed- pearls. It seldom produces large pearls; and since it ceased to be used as a substitute for window-glass, its value has fallen off. I once got here a single small fresh valve of the true Pearl-oyster (Avicula margaritifera). It must be very rare. Our Scallops are small and unimportaut ; and we have, I think, only one small Spondyle, conspicuous by its orange colour ; bnt WATERS OF WtSTERN INDIA. S3 I may have classified it Wrongly. I have only got loose dead valves of this shell. We havB several Arks, usually found as dead shells on the -sands, and prettily marked. We have one very fine sea-mussel, MyiilUs smaragdina, the Emerald-mussel, which earns its name by the green internal border of its valves. There are larger mussels here and there, but taking the average, it is a handsome species. It is here a shell of the reefs, less gregarious than the European Mytilm edulis, and wot common enough to be, like it, an important article of human food or bait. We have one specimen in our Museum with a rough pearl in it. This came to me alive from the Alibag reefs. The true Modiolce are less common, and our basalt rocks are generally too hard for Lithodomvs ■ but 1 have found the latter in Large old dead oyster shells. We have at least two of the Uniotitders of com- merce." (Lee.) ib. 8 Bixineae (The Ar- notto Order.) 9 Pittosporese Flacourtia Ramontchi, | Herb. Co. Pittosporum floribundum, Herb. Co. Polygala persicariaefolia ... Portulaca oleracea, Herb. Co. _ Tambat Sans. Svadu Kantak. Yekadi. Ghol-baji. In the river bed, near Neral station. Kokam, Ratamba. Wild Mangos- teen. Haldi. Matheran Gamboje tree. Harkia, Surangi. ,, ovalifolia,s!/tt. Xan- thochymns ovalifolius. Ochrocarpus longifolius, Syn, Calysaccion lon- gifolium. are considei'ed the most perfectly organized Exogens to those which are least so. Thus all the parts are present and distinct from each other in Thalamiflorae ; other things remaining the same, the stamens adhere to the calyx in Calyciflorse ; the stamens join the petals and the petals each other in Corolliforaj ; and in Monochlamydea?, first the corolla disappears, and then, among the most incomplete orders, the calyx also ceases to be developed." (Lindley's " School Botany.") Orders 43, 44, 4b in this Catalogue are placed under " Calyciflorse," in accordance with De Candolle's arrangement. According to the plan adopted by Lindley, these orders would come under " Corolliflorae." * The juice of the ripe berries of the Cocculus villosus "makes a durable bluiili- purple ink. The leaves rubbed in water thicken into a green jelly. Boots and leaves used in native medicine." (Brandis.) f The Argemone is a small American genus, of which this species is " naturalized throughout India." (Hooker.) X The wood of Flacourtia Ramontchi '• does not warp, is durable, and not attacked by insects. Combs are made of it ; it is employed in turnery and for agricultural implements, and though not large, it is 'occasionally used for building." (Brandia.) CATALOGUE. 113 Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &c. 14 Dipterocarpeoe .. 1j Malvaeea?. (The Mallow Order.) Ancistrocladus Heyneanus. Sida carpinif olia, Herb. Co Abu ti Ion polyandrum Urena sinuata Hibiscus hirtus Thespesia Lampas .. Bombax malabaricum Syn. Salmalia mala barica. 1G Sterculiaceae Sterculia urens* .. ,, guttata.. colorata 17 Tiliaceos. (The Linden Order.) 18 Lineas Grewia tilifefolia „ Microcos, Herb. Co Erinocarpus Nimmoanus.. Triumfetta pilosa „ rhomboidea, Herb Co. Elasocarpus oblougus,//tri Co. ^ . Linum mysorense, Herb Co. Reinwardtia trigyna 19 Geraniaceaa. (The Oxalis coruiculata,i?erb. Co. Cranesbill Order.) Kardor, Kardori. A handsome climbing shrub, with largo, smooth, elliptic loaves and hook- ed branches. Not uncommon at Matheran. Cliikni. It "is used to make be- soms, the twigs being at once supple and tough." (Lee.) Ran-bheudi Bhendy. Lahan Bhendi. Wild Savar, T&mbdi Savar. Silk-cotton tree. Sans. Rakta-salmali. The wood is " used for planking, packing cases, toys, scabbards, fishing-floats and for the lining of wells. * * The calyx of the flower-bud is eaten as a veget- able. The fruit is collected before it opens, and the cotton with which it is filled is used to stuff quilts and pillows." (Bran- dis.) S&ldhawal, Karai, Kuari. Goldor, Gordar, Kukar. Bhaikui, Khavas, Kaushi. The bark is " made into rope."(Bran- dis.) Dhdman. "Made into shafts, shoul- der poles for loads, pellet-bows, handles, masts, oars, employed in carriage building. From the inner bark, cordage is made in Bombay. Twigs and leaves lop- ped for fodder. Fruit eaten, of an agreeable acid flavour." (Brandis.) Chaura, Chor, Cher. Kutre-vandre, i.e., Monkeys." Necharda. " Dogs and Kasu,Khas. AtLingmala and near " Temple Hall," Mahableshwar. Bamburti, Wfindri. Yellow Flax. Abai. Large flowered yellow flax. In gardens at Mahableshwar and Matheran. Nalkarda. Yellow sorrel. * The Sterculia wrens, though not common, is conspicuous on the Matheran Ghat by its cream-coloured, pink and white, shining bark, the thin, transparent coating of which peels off " like that of the birch." Sitars (native guitars), are made of the wood. It yields a gum which is "sold under the name of katila, katira." The seeds are " eaten by Gonds and Kurkus in the Central Provinces." (Brandis ) in 114 NATURAL HISTORY, Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use> habitat, &c. 19 Geraniacese (contd.) Impatiens aeaulis, Herb. Co ,, Dalzellii, Heib. Co. , r Balsamina, Herb. Co. Lahan Terda, Berki. Stemless Balsam. Bare at Matheran. Not so rare at Mahableshwar, where it gro\T3 on wet rocks near streams. It is a small but> handsome plant, with large, pale-mauve rlowei-s. " Well worthy of a place in the con- servatory. ' (Lee.) Sanmukh patri, Terda. Terda Wikl Balsam. 20 Rutacese (The Rue Order.) Glycosuria pentaphylla, Herb. Co. Murraya exotica, var. paniculata. ,, Koenigii, Syn. Bergera Kcenigii, Herb. Co. Atalantia monophylla, Herb. Co. Boswellia serrata. Syn, B. thurifera. Garuga pinnata Cipadessa frutleosa, Syn. Mallea Rothii. Kirmira. Pandri, Knnti. Below Chowfc and Hart Points, Matheran. Bare. Kadhipnt, Kadhi-nimb. Curry Plant. Makad-limbu, i.e., " Monkey lime.' : Salphali, Salera,. Halera. Frankin- cense tree. On the Kartraj and Khandala Ghats, on the road to Mahableshwar. Karak. " Bark employed for tan- ning, a gum exudes from it. The fruit is eaten, raw and pickled." (Braudis.) On Mathe- ran Ghat. Kartraj Ghat. Polara. Rohan. Bastard Cedar, 21 >> 22 Meliaeeae Chloroxylon Swietenia ... Mappia foetida (M. oblonga in Herb. Co.) Indian Red-wood. " The bark is bitter, and has been used as a substitute for cinchona bark." (Brandis.) Billu Hakla. 23 Sub-Class 2.— Calyciflor.*;. 24 Celastrinea? (The Spindletree Order.) 25 Rhamnea? (The Buckthorn Order.) Gymnosporia Rothiana ... ,, montana, Syn Celastrus montana. IJippocratea Grahami Yentilago madraspatana. Zizyphus xylopyrus , ,, rugosa, Herb. Co. Scntia indica, Herb. Co, Mothi Yekadi, Yekali, Yenkli. Yekadi. ■ Yeoti. Kan-vel, Lokhandi. Gnti, Ghuti. Hart Point, Mathe- ran; and on the road to Garbet. Point. Toran. Chimat, "Wait-a-bit" thorn. CATALOGUE. 11$ Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &c. 86 A m pel id ere Vine Order.) r> >» r> ■5) •* Sapindacere Soap wort Or 15 Anacardiaceae Cashew Orde (Tue Vitis discolor, Syn. 1 discolor. Uelicha-vei. Shend-vel. ,, latifolia, Syn. Cissus olia. „ auricalata, Syn. Cissus auriculata. Nadena. Jaugli Kajorni. EajgoKcba-yel. Dhindi, Dindi. Leea satnbuciua, Syn. L. staphylea, Herb. Co. Hemigyrosa cauescens- Syn. Cupania canescens Allophylus Cobbe, Syn- •Schmidelia Cobbe. Herb. Co. Nephelium longana, Herb. Co* Crotalaria vestita, Hero. Co. „ triquetra, Herb. €> Wood ford ia floribunda, Syn. Grislea tomentosa . Lagerstrcemia parvifiora... Dhauri, Dhaut. Nanah. Bentcak tree. >) .".. ,, Flos-Reginse ... Tainan. 38 Bokhada. Mori. >> 39 Cucurbitaceae (The Trichosanthes palmata, Kaundal. Gourd Order. ) Herb. Co. Kat-vel. )> Zehneria Baueriana, Herb. Co. „ umbellata, Herb. Co. Begonia crenata, Herb. Co. Warali. Mahabloshwar Bryony. >i Gomati. ■Jo 41 Ficoidea; (Tho Fig- Mollugo hirta, Herb. Co. Marigold Order-) ■12 Umbelliferas Hydrocotyle rotundifolia. ,, asiatica. Herb. Co.* Karivana, Khopri, Kadu Karan- da. Sunt;. Bhruhini. u Pimpinella monoica, Herb. Co. Peucedanum grande, Syn. Bkilga. >> Baphli. Pastinaca grandis. » Heracleum concanense, Pandi, Pinda. Near Elphinstone Herb. Co. Point, Mahableshwar. 43 Rubiacea?. (Thc Adina cordifolia. Syn. Heel. Madder Order). Nauclea cordifolia. Stephcgyne parvifolia. Syn. Nauclea parvifiora. Kalam. Near One Tree Hill, Matheran . Wcndlandia Notoniana. Herb. Co.- Oldenlandia corymbosa, Herb. Co. A small, much branched herb, with slender, pubescent stem and branches, linear, sessile leaves, and small white flowers. Very common at Mahableshwar on the sides of paths in October. (Cooke.) Anotis carnosa, Syn. Hcdyofis carnosa. >. * Bhntkes, Sarwad. Near Simpson Lake, Matheran. Eandia dumetorum, Herb Co.X Gela. The fruit is used instead of soap by the hill people ; and the pounded bark for poisoning fish. (Lisboa). * An infusion of the leaves of this plant was used by the late Dr. Bhau Daji in his treatment of leprosy. The juice of the leaves is sometimes prescribed, in native medicine, for Epilepsy ; and is also popularly believed to be a cure for stammering, and to stimulate the intellectual faculties, if taken daily. f This showy shrub is not very common at Mathex-an. It can be readily identified by its conspicuous, white, calycine leaves and its umall, golden-yellow flowers. X The Gela is very common on the hills. It is variable in size, sometimes a small tree, generally a shrub, with numerous stiff branches armed with spines, and large, fragrant, white flowers slightly tinged with grcenish-ycllow. 18 NATURAL HISTORY. Natural Order. Genus and Species. 1 j Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &c. 43 Rubiaceae (contd.) Canthimn umbellatum Herb. Co. „ angustifolium ... Vangueria spinosa, Syn.Y edulis, Herb. Co. Arsul, Tnpa. Ch&p-vel, Pavetta indica, Herb. Co. ,, hispidula, var. si- phonantha. Rubia cordifolia, Herb. C>. Centratherum phylloltv- nuni, Herb. Co. Papat, PMphat. Matheran Coffee. furnish the dye called Mar.jit. (Balfour's Botany.) Lamprachsenium micro- cephalum. Adenoon indicum, Herb. Co. Vernonia cinerea „ divergens. Syn. Eupatorium divergens, Herb. Co. Adenostemma viscosum. Herb. Co. Ageratum conyzoides, Herb. Co. Dichrocephala latifolia, Herb. Co. Cyathocline lyrata Kusamb, Mothi Sonki. Bondar. Jirao, Jangli Jirao. Gangotri. Conyza stricta Blumea glomerata, Syn. B. holoserieea. Gnaphalium luteo-album . Wedelia urticasfolia, Syn. Verbesina biflora., Woliastonia biflora. Spilanthes Acsiella Bidens }3ilosa, Syn. B. Wallichii. Tridax procumbens, Herb. Co. Artemisia parviflora, Herb. Co. Gynura nitida, Syn. G. simplex, Herb. Co. Notonia grandiflora. Syn. Cacalia Kleinii. Senecio Lawn Cabbage tree. Khandala Ghafc, near Mahableshwar. ,, Grahami ,. belgaumensis, Syn. Madacarpus bel- gaumensis. Calendula officinalis Tricbolepis glaberrima, Herb. Co. Makmal. Marigold. Kartraj and Khandala Ghats. Motha Bur, Bur. Fitzgerald Ghnfc and near Bombay Point, Maha- bleshwar. Wild Lettuce. CATALOGUE. 119 Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, Ac. 45 Campanulacese. Lobelia trigona, Herb. Co, Lobelia, nieotiaiuei'olia. Herb. Co. Cephalostigma flexuosum. Wahlenbergia gracilis .. Dh'iwal, Devnal. A tall, erect plant, with hollow stems, and light-green, lanceolate leaves, and a deDse terminal raceme of white flowers. Seeds small, ellipsoid, acrid. Sub-Class 3- — Cokolliflok.e. 46 Mvrsinea? 47 Sapotacese. 48 Ebenacea? 49 Styraceae 50 Oleacese 51 Apocynaceae. (The Dogbane Order.) 52 Asclepiadeae. (The Milkweed Order.) Moesa indica, Herb. Co Embelia ribes, Syn. E. glandulifera, Herb. Co. „ robusta, car. ferrugiuea, Syn. E Sp. ? Sideroxylon tomentosum Syn. Sapota tomentosa Herb. Co. Bassia latifolia Mimusops Elengi Diospyros montana, Syn D. Goindu. „ assimilis, Syn D. nigricaus. Symplocos Beddomei Syn Hopea racemosa.fferfr.O'o Jasminium arborescens rar. latifolium, Herb. Co Olea dioica Ligustrum neilgherrense Herb. Co. Carissa Carandas Rauwolfia densiflora, Herb. Co. Holarrhena antidysen- terica. Tabernaemontana dichoto- ma. >, ' • crispa Wrightia tinctoria , Anodendron paniculatum Calotropis gigantea Gymnema silvestre.*Be?'L. Co. Atki, Atak. Waiwarang. Ambti. Khapri Yel. Kanta-Kumbal. Mavra, Mohova. Mowrah Tree. Matheran Ghat. Bokul, Bakuli. Below Simpson Lake, Matheran. Goindu. Malia. Indian Ebony. Hura, Lenda. Koyna Ghat. Knsar. Matheran Jasmine. ParJambul, Parjam. Wild Olive. Lokhandi, Mersingha. Mahablesh- war Privet. Karvand, Corinda. Corinda Bush. Kuda. Sans. Kutaja. The seed is called Indrajava [Sans. Indrayava) and is used as a vermifuge and febrifugev Taital. Pandhra Kuda. Kala Kuda. Limit 'mi. Dr. MacDonald's "Seed- Traveller." See the Society's Journal, Vol. I., p. 237. Rui, Ark. Madar. Kaoli, Pitani, Sirdoli. Dodi, Dudhroli * The leaves of this climber have the property, when chewed, of neutralizing for a time, the taste of saccharine substances. It may be identified by its slender green branches and numerous dense umbels of yellowish green flowers rather than by its most common vernacular name, Kaoli, which is applied to many of the twining asclepiads. (Cooke.) 120 NATURAL HISTORY. Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat; &c. 52 Asclepiadeas (conic?.) 53 Loganiacere 54 Gentianacese. 55 Boraginese 50 Convolvulacea? Dregea volubilis Herb. Go. Dischidia bengalensis Hoya retusa „ Wightii. Syn. H pallida. Leptadenia reticulata Buddleia asiatica, Herb. Co Strychnos colubrina ,, potatoram Exacum bicolor „ Lawii , „ petiolaret Canscora diffusa Swcrtia decussata Trichodesma zeylanicum... Paracaryum caslestinurn Syn. Cynoglossum casles- tinum. Herb. Co. ,, nialabaricum Herb Co. ,, Lambertianum Herb. Co. Argyroia sericoa ,, malabarica Lettsomia setosa Argyreia setosa. Ipomsea dissecta, I. coptica. Porana malabarica, Syn. Syn, Syn, P. raccmosa, Herb. Co. 57 Solanaceae. (The Solanum nigrum Potato Order.) „ denticnlatum, Herb. Co. ,, gigantcum, Herb. Co. „ indicum, Herb. Co.. Nicnndra physaloides Datura fastuosa, var alba . „ Metel? Kaoli. Near the top of the Ro- tunda Ghat and at Babington Point, Mahableshwar. Dhikti Ambri. Golden Fringe. Ambri, Dudh-yel. Wax plant . Khar-Khodi. Kanal, Kajar-vel. Strychnine Creeper. Near Simpson Lake, Matheran. Niwali, Nirmali. Near Hart Point, Matheran. Jatali. Mahableshwar Gentian. Very common amongst grass in October ; dies very soon after the end of the rains. (Cooke.) Common along shady roadsides, both at Matheran and Maha- bleshwar. (Cooke.) Kauri. Flowers in November, in grassy places. Tolerably abun- dant in the fields between the Satara Road and Lingmala, Ma- hableshwar. Used as a febrifuge. (Cooke.) Nechurdi. Mahableshwar " For- get-me-not." Gavel. Gtirud-yel. Bhauri. The " Snow creeper." Flowers in October and No- vember, in many parts of Maha- bleshwar, and along the Garbet Road, Matheran. Flowers small, funnel-shaped, pure white. The dry scariose calyx is often seen on the withered plants in the hot season. (Cooke). Kamani. Common in gardens below the bazaar, and below the lake, Mahableshwar. (Cooke). Karad Kdngoni. Kutri. Chiturti, Bhui-vangi. Kartraj Ghat. Dhotra. CATALOGUE. 121 Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &c. 57 Solanaceae. (contd.) 68 Scrophularineas. (The Figwort Order) 59 Lentibulariacese 60 Bignoniacefe 61 Acanthaceae Brugmansia Candida, Herb- Co. Limnophila racemosa ,, gratioloides ... Herpestis Monniera, Herb. Co. Bonnaya veronicaefolia ... Striga orobanchioides* ... Ramphicarpa longiflora ... Centranthera hispida Sopubia delphinifolia, Herb. Co. Pedicularis zeylanica Utricularia albo-eserulea, Herb. Co. ,, caerulea ... Hetrophragma Soxburghii, Herb. Co. ,, adenophyllum ... Thunbergia f ragrans Hygrophila Serpyllum Syn. Physichilns Ser pyllum, Herb. Co. Phaylopsis parviflora, Syn Mtheilema reniforme. Dcedalaeanthns purpura scens, Syn . Eranthe mum nervosum. Strobilanthes asperrimus. , , Heyneauits ixiocephalus S. Neesianus callosus. Herb. Co ,, perfoliatus.. Calacanthus Dalzelliana, Syn. Lepidagathis gran- diflora. Blepharis asperrima Herb. Co. Barleria Prionitis Syn . . grandiflora courtallica strigoga, iter, ter- minalis, Herb Co. A systasia violacea Haplanthus verticillaris Herb. Co. Lepidagathis cuspidata Herb. Co. Motha Dhotra. (Not described in Hooker's " Flora of British India "). Flowers in April and May. Shewal. Kajutcha-ghas. Not very common. Grows in patches in the wet grass near the Dhobi's Water- fall, Mahableshwar. Bladder-wort. Waras. Padel. Eri-yeL Ran-tewan, Waiti, Karvi. Ankra. Indian Wattle, Matheran. Flowers large, purple. Pahadi-atgan. Common at Matheran. Flowers yellow. Matheran. Flowers large, white. Itari. Koranti. Flowers in November. Flowers blue, the tube of the corolla much paler than the limb. Stigma purple. A hand- some, showy plant. Kala kirat, Kala ankra. * This strange-looking little plant may be readily identified by its dark, reddish- purple stem, branches, and scale-like leaves, and its terminal spike of pink flowers, which have a white spot at the base of each division of the corolla. It grows on rocks and is sometimes parasitical on the roots of other plants. It flowers in November, 16 122 NATURAL HISTORY. Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &c. 61 Acanthaoeae. (contd.) Justicia trinervia, Syn. Adhatoda trinervia. ,, procumlbens. ... Herb Co. Ecbolium Linneanum, Syn. Justicia ecbolium. Eungia parviflora, Herb. Co. Dicliptera zeylanica, Syn. D. bivalvis, Herb. Co. Callicarpa lanata, Syn. C. cana. Herb. Co. Siita. Near Elphinstone Point, Mahableshwar ; abundant, Tharambal. Dh&kta-adulsa. Yesur, Eshwar. Sag, Sagwan. Teak tree. Chambar-vel. Premna coriacea, Syn. P. scandens. Shewan. The pale yellow, close- grained wood of this tree is highly esteemed for planking, furniture, the panels of doors &c- (Brandis.) Nigud, Nigarli. Sans. Nirgundi. Vitex negundo. Berb. Co... The leaves are aromatic. In native medicine, the bruised leaves are applied to the temples as a cure for headache. (Cooke.) Koyna Valley. Borungi, Borsangi, Bh&rang. Near the dharmsala, between Mahableshwar and Panchgani. Clerodendron serratum. Herb. Co. Khapri. Near Elphinstone Point, Mahableshwar. Indian Lavender. On the Ghats on Pogostemon parviflorus. Syn. P. pnrpuricaulis, Herb. Co. Dysophylla myosuroides. Herb. Co. ,, salicifolia ... „ stellata , gracilis. Herb. Co.* Colebrookia oppoaitifolia Syn- C. ternifolia. Herb. Co. Micromeria stellata. Syn M. Malcolmiana. Herb Co. the Mahableshwar road. Pangla, Pangli. As to the use of the leaves of this plant, as a supposed cure for snakebite, see the note at p. 210 of Vol. I. of the Society's Journal. Shewal. Marva. Bhaman. Karwat. ' Scutellaria discolor. Syn S. indica. * Dysophylla gracilis is probably only a tall form of D. stellata. (Hooker, Vol. IV. p. 641). The latter plant can be readily known, when in flower in October, by its narrow, linear, whorled leaves, and its slender spikes of minute, closely-packed, dark purple flowers. Tt grows in patches on the roadside near Sydney Point, Mahableshwar. CATALOGUE. 123 Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &o. 63 Labiatse (contd.) Anisomeles Heyniana. ,, ovata malabarica LeucaB stelligei'a. Herb. Co. „ ciliata Herb. Co. . . . Chaudhara. On Teucrhnn tomentosum the Kartraj Ghat. Flowers in November. This beautiful plant can be readily identified by the snow-white, appfessed wool which clothes its stem and branches, by its large, thick leaves and its dense whorls of pale-purple flowers. Guma, Borambi. Borambi . Mahableshwar Dead Nettle. Flowers in the cold season. Not so common as L. stelligera. May be identified by the short, dense, yellowish brown hairs on the helmet - shaped upper lip of the > corolla (Cooke.) Sub-Cuss 4. — Mox xjhlamyde^e. 64 Plantagiuese... 65 Amarantacese 66 Chenopodiacese. (The Goose-foot Order.) 67 Polygonaceae. (Tlie Buck- wheat Order.) 68 Piperaceae. 69 Laurineae. (The Laurel Order.) Plantago major. Herb. Co. Celosia ai'gentea. Herb. Co. Achyranthes aspera. Herb. Co. Alternanthera sessilis- Herb. Co. Chenopodium ambrosoides Polygonum plebejum, var elegans. ,, glabrum English plantain. Quail grass. Sarata. Burr plant. Dauni- barbatum. Syn. P. rivulare. alatum Herb. Co. chinense. Herb Co. Piper Hookeri „ sylvestre Peperomia portulacoides... Gulum. Machilus macrantha Syn M. glauce^cens'. Actinodaphne Hookeri, Pisa. Syn. A. lanceolata, Herb- Oo. Litssea tomentosa, Syn. 1 Tetranthera apetala. „ polyantha, Syn.\ Kala-Pisa, Tetranthera mo- nopetala. „ Stocksii, Syn. Te- tranthera lan- ceoefolia. ,, fuscata ,, zeylanica Sheral. In the lake, Mahableshwar with the next species. Dhakta Sheral. Narali, Paral. Indian Buck-wheat. Very common everywhere at Mahableshwar. Dongri Mirchi, Hill pepper. 124 NATUKAL HISTOKY. Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &c. 70 Thymelacese. 71 Elasagnaceae 72 Loranthaceee (Th< Mistleto Order.) Lasiosiphon eriocephalus Syn. L. speciosus, Herb Co. Elasagnus latifolia, Syn. E, Kologa, Herb. Co.* Loranthus Wallichianus ... Rameta. Plentiful on little Chauk Point, Matheran, and common on both hills. The bark, which has a very strong fibre, is used by the hill coolies for tying bun- dies of grass and wood. Used also for poisoning fish. Ambulgi. The name Banda or Vanda is commonly given to all these >l ,, obtusatus, Herb. Co. l> ,, cuneatus, Herb. Co. )) ,, elasticus, Herb- Co. >' Loranthus involucratus ... Baudguli. J) >> ,, loniceroides ... J» Viscum angulatum, Herb. Co. Indian Mistleto. 73 Santalacese (The Osyris arborea, Syn. 0. Lotal. Sandalwood Order.) Wightiana, Herb. Co. 74 Balanophoreae The genus is inserted on the au- thority of Mrs. Hart's "Note on a supposed Boot-Parasite found at Mahableshwar in October, 1885." See the Society's Journal, Vol. I., p. 75. f 75 Euphorbiaceae (The Euphorbia Bothiana. Herb. Dudhi. Spurgewort Order) Co. „ Thor. » ji Homonoyia riparia, Herb. Co. Briedelia retusa, Syn. B. »» Hasana, Asana. montana Herb. Co- >> Phyllanthus madraspa- tana. ,, lanceolamis Herb. Co. Kanocha. Pandharphali. Kulti. Sting-nettle Creeper. »> Tragia invoiucrata. Herb. Co. i) Macaranga Roxburgh ii ... Chanddra. * This beautiful species is very variable in habit, taking the form of either a bush, a email tree or a climber (Hooker). At Matheran, it is generally found as a large climber and is readily identified by its oblong, elliptic leaves, which are silvery-white or rusty-red beneath. f Mr. W. E. Hart gives the following description, from memory, of the specimens collected by him. " My specimens approach the description of B. indica nearer than any of the others " (See Hooker, Vol. V. pp. 237, 238.) " The rootstock was tuberous or warty. The peduncle-scales yellowish. * * * They lay close on the peduncle, and * * were imbricate, but separated at the upper extremities. The heads were certainly globular and 1-sexual, reddish brown in colour. The flowers were dioecious, white in colour. The stamens of the male flower united into a central column of conical shape. The peduncles were of all lengths from 1 to 6 inches high, and decidedly thick for their length. The heads were of all sizes from marbles to bagatelle balls." CATALOGUE. 125 Natural Order. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &c. 75 Euphorbiaceae (contd) 76 Urticeae (The Nettle Order). 77 Salicaceae , 78 Gnetaceso Mallotus philippinensis, Syn. Eottlera tinctoria, Herb. Co. Croton hypoleucos ,, Lawianus ,, ramifloram Ceratogynum rhamnoides.. Phyllanthus Emblica „ lanceolarius, Herb. Co. Elatostemma oppositifolia Flemya interrupta. Gerardina heterophylla.- Herb. Co. Splitgerbera scabrella. ... Debrigascea longifolia. .. Trema Wightii, Syn Sponia Wightii, Herb. Co. Ficus heterophylla „ oppositifolia „ bengalensis religiosa var. ? inf ectoria retnsa cordif olia volabilis glomerata ,, asperrima Moras atropurpurea ... Artocarpus integrifolia Salix tetrasperma. Co. Gnetum scandens Herb. Umli. Class II. — Mokocotyledoxes.| Section 1. — Stamens epigynous. Eohen, Bnen, Kapila, Shendri. Pandnrai. Borambi. Kavala. Chickli. Awal. Gooseberry tree. Bhoma. Khajoti. Mothi Khajoti, Agia, Agarra. Gol. Kharoti. Wad. Banyan tree. Below Chowk Point. Ashta.* Kel. Nandruk, Banekuit. Pahir. Datir. Climbing Fig. Umbar. Sans. Ddumbar. The Sycamore tree of the Bible. Situt. Shah-tut. Mulberry. Phanas. Sans. Panasa. Jack- tree. Walunj. Willow. voeionia r« Microstvlis Co. Dendrobiun ii ). ji ii Cirrhopeta turn. Eria braccE Rheedii. Herb. i Lawanum, Herb. Co. ramosissi- /mttm. microbolbon.. barbatulum. Herb. Co. um fimbria- Bechu. This name is coinmonlv given to all Dendrobiums. The " Umbrella orchis" ; so named by Mrs. Jerdon. * The Ashta is distinguished by the hill people from the Pipal of the plains, of which it is perhaps a variety. The name " Ashta" has no connection, apparently, with the Sanskrit name of the Pipal, " Ashvatth." t In the seeds of Monocotyledones there is generally only one cotyledon. If there are two, they alternate with each other. The natural orders in this class are arranged according to the plan adopted in Part. II. of Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Plants. 126 NATURAL HISTORY. Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &c. 79 Orchideae (contd.)... Ambarkhand. ,, pratensis. Herb. Go. Rukhsing. Habenaria Candida. Herb. Co. ,, platyphylla. Herb.'Co. Platanthera Susannae. Herb. Go. Burmannia triflora. Herb. Co. Zinziber maorostachyum Herb. Co. ' Kalabi. Only one plant of this splendid orchis has been found by Dr. Cooke at Mahableshwar, and only one at Matheran. On the road to the Governor's Bund, Matheran. Near the Dhobi's Waterfall, Mahablesh- war. Sheri. Nisam. Wild Ginger. Kachora, Kachola. ,, pseudomontana.. ,, caulina,*Herb. Co. Ran-haldi. White turmeric. Chavar. Arrowroot. Ran-kel, Chawankel, Kawadar. Wild plantain. Khand&lu. Mahableshwar Lily. Kajuri. Shend-vel, Shendon-vel. Kadu-karanda, Nor-vel. Section 2. — Stamens pe Asparagopsis sarmentosa. Herb. Co. Chlorophytum brevisca- pum. „ ' Nimmonii, Herb. Co. Smilax ovalifolia. Herb. Co. Ledebouria hyacinthina ... rig y nous. Ashwal. Asj^aragus creeper. Kula. Got-vel. Commelyna communis ... Dhakti Kaju. Kaju. Spider-wort, ^yauubia *&iu*iis 91 Palmas (Palms) ... Bherli-mid. Fish-tail Palm. For the derivation of the Marathi name, see the note at p. 211 of Vol. I. of the Society's Journal. * The Curcuma caulina, from which arrowroot has been obtained, grows abun- dantly everywhere at Mahableshwar. It flowers in October, and seeds freely in November. CATALOGUE. 127 Vernacular or English name use , habitat, &c. Section 3. — Stamens hypogynous. 92 Graminea? (Grasses) Coix lachryma Kasai, Ran-inakai. Job's Tears. Panicum prostratum Isachne elegans Oplismenus colonus... Arundinella tenella ... ,, stricta ... „ spicata... Setaria glauca Cynodon dactylon ... Eragrostis nnioloides Bambusa stricta 93 Cyperaceae 94 Aroideae .. 95 Lemnacese. „ arundo „ balena Andropogon polystachyus, ,, rauricatus ... Sp. ? Anthistiria cymbaria ... Psilostachys filiformis... Ischsemum conjugatum Bathratherum molle ... Pollinia eriopoda Carex indica Fimbristylis cestivalis Cryptocoryne Roxburghii. Arisaema M urrayii Amorphophalhis panulatus- Remusatia vivipara. Lerana trisulca .... „ globosa Dunda. Kurund. Kolara. Durba. Hariali grass. Vans, Bambu, Udha. Sans. Venu, Kichaka. Bamboo. Chivari. Chaki. Gondal. Elphinstone Point, Maha- bleshwar. Wala, Khaskhas. Khuskhus grass. A grass, with the smell of tur- pentine, near the Neral Station. At Panchgani. Used for paper- making. Indian Rush. Sampacha 'khanda, i.e. " snake - root." Cobra Lily. Suran. Rokh-alu. Wild Caladium. Duck -weed. Division B 9ti Filices (Ferns)... . — Cellulaees. — (Plants iviih cellular tissue only). Class I. — FoliacEjE. — (Leafy plants). Polybotrya appendiculata Acrostichum variabile, Syn. ■ Gymnopteris variabilis, var, Janceo- lata. Herb. Co. ,i virens. Syn. Psecilopteris terminaris, and Gymno- pteris sub- crenata. Asplenium planicaule. Syn. A. lacinlatum. ,, radiatum, Syn. Actiniopteris radiata. „ fulcatum ,, lunulatum, var. trapeziforme. Only one specimen of this fern is known to have been found at Matheran. It has for many years been in the garden at " Underwood." Rooting fern. Once plentiful on several favourite sites at Mathe- ran. Now almost exterminated by fern hunters. Palm fern. Khandala Ghat, Mahableshwar road. 128 NATURAL HISTORY. Natural Order. Genus and Species. Vernacular or English name, use, habitat, &c. 96 Filices (contd.) , 97 Lycopodineae(Club- mosses.) Pteris aquilina* Herb. Go ,, quadriaurita, Herb. Co. ,, pellucida Adiantum lunulatum, Herb. Co. ,, capillus Veneris. Cheilanthes farinosa, Herb. Co. Osmunda regalis, Herb Co. Lygodium pinnatifidum, Syn. L. flexuosum. Sagenia coadunata. Syn. Aspidium cicutarium, Herb. Co. Polypodiurn quercifolium, Syn. Drynaria quer- cifolia. Nephrodium molle, Herb. Co. Pleopeltis membranacea, Herb. Co. „ linearis, Syn. P. Wightiana, Herb. Co. Lasti-ea filix mas, var. rochleata Herb. Co. ,*, filix mas, var. elongata, Herb. Co. Athyrium filix faemina,, var. flabellulata. Herb. Co. Lycopodium imbricatum... Netsa. Brake fern. Hansraj, Rajhans, i.e., "Goose foot " fern. Maiden-hair fern. On wet rocks, near Panchgani. (Cooke). Patkuri. Silver fern. Nadicha Murud. Below the lake, Mahableshwar, and at Lingmala. Hansraj -vel. Creeping fern. Kajaryache Bashing. Indian Beech fern. Kadik-pan. Indian Oak fern. Male fern. Lady fern. Class II. — ArtiYLL.*: — (Leafless plants.) 98 Musci >> (Mosses) ... Alamben. Mushroom. Bhuiphod. Puff ball. Kerambi, Paranza. Common on the Yenna, bleshwar. »' 99 Fungi >> " >i Anisogonium esculentum.. Leucostegia immersa Maha * The brake fern grows in great profusion all over Mahableshwar. At Matheran it is now confined to a single site on the Garbet Ridge. No plants are now to be found on a site near little Chauk Point, where it grew a few years ago. INDEX TO CATALOGUE. 129 INDEX OF VERNACULAR NAMES. {The references are to the figures in the first column of the Catalogue.) Abai ... Agarra A gia Aiu ... Ankra Alaiuibcn Ale Alu ... Amba ... ..v. Ambarkand ... Antbri Ambti Ambulgi Anjan Apta ... Arjuua Ark Arsul Asana Asbta Atak ... Atki Atkura Awal ... Bagvel Bahawa Bakuli Bambn Bamburti Ban da Bandguli Baphli Barga Barki... Becbu Beheda Berki Bhaikui Bhalga Bhauian Bhamburda ... Bharang Bhauri 17 ... 18 Bherli-uiad ... 91 ... 76 Bhonia 75 ... 76 Blmiphod .., 99 ... 34 Bhui-vangi ... 57 ... 61 Bhutkes 43 ... 99 Billu 22 ... 30 Birambol 30 ... 43 Bokhada 38 ... 28 Bokul 47 ... 79 Bondar 30, 44 ... 52 Boratnbi 63, 75 ... 46 Benin gi 62 ... 71 Borsangi 62 ... 36 Brahmi 42 ... 30 Bur 44 ... 34 ... 52 Chaki 92 ... 43 Charnbaryel ... 62 ... 75 Chambuli 30 ... 76 Chandara 75 ... 46 Chap-yel ... 43 ... 46 Chau ra 17 ... 43 Chawan-kel ... 82 ... 75 Chawar 81 Cher 17 ... 34 Ckikakai 30 ... 30 Chickli 75 ... 47 Chikni 15 ... 92 Chi mat 25 ... 18 Chiturti 57 ... 72 Chivari 92 ... 72 Chaudhara ... 63 ... 42 Chor ... 17 ... 30 •Corinda 5i ... 30 ... 79 Daeli 30 ... 34 Dahn... 44 19, 30 Datir 76 ... 16 Dauni... 44, 6G ... 42 Devnal ... 45 ... 63 Dhakta-Adulsa 61 ... 44 Dhakti Ambri 52 ... 62 Dhakta- Karri lal o ... 56 Dkakla-Dhampta ... 30 130 NATURAL HISTORY. Dliakti Kaju... Dhakta Sheral Dharapta Dhaman Dhauri Dhawal Dhotra Duiudil Dindi J Dingala Dodi Dongri-Mirchi Dudliroli Dudk-yel Dudhi Dim da Durba Eriyel Eskwar Ganera Gangotri Garmala Gavel Gela ... Ghagri Ghol-baji Ghnti..! Gol Goldor 1 Gordar J Gomati ... Gondal Gondali Goindu Gotvel Gulum Guma... Guti Halda..o Haldi Hal era Halula ) Haltmda J Harda Hans raj \ Hansraj-yel J H arkia Harkiujal Hasana Hed 89 Indrajav .*. 51 67 Itari ... ... ... 43j 61 30 17 Jambu 1 Jambul j 37 35 45 Jangli-Kajorni 26 57 Jangli-Jirao ... 44 20 Jao 12 Jirao ... 44 30 Jatali... 54 52 68 Kachora ) Kackola J 81 52 52 Kadhinimb ... 20 75 Kadhipat 20 92 Kadu-karanda 85 92 Kadik-pan ... 96 61 62 Kaju... 89 Kajgolitcha-yel 26 Kajar-vel 53 23 Kajutsa-gbas 59 44 Kajuri 84 30 Kalabi 79 56 Kalam 43 43 Kala-Ankra ... 61 30 Kala-Kura 51 11 Kala-Kirat ... 61 25 Kala-Pisa 69 76 Kamani 57 16 Kauri... 54 Kauai 53 39 Kanvel 25 92 Kanchan 30 90 Kauocha 75 48 Kanta-kumbal 47 87 Kaoli... 52 69 Kapila 75 63 Karad-Kaugoni 57 25 Karak 21 Karambel 2 22 Karai.,. 16 13 Kuruud 92 21 Karvi... 61 30 K ardor \ Kardori J 14 34 Karivana . 42 96 Karpa . 27 Karwand . 51 13 Karwat . 63 3 Kasai... . 92 75 Kasu ... . 17 43 Katvel . 39 INDEX TO CATALOGUE. 131 Kaundal 39 Marva ... 63 Kaushi 16 Mavra ) Mobova ) 47 Kavala .... 75 Kawadar 82 Mersingba ... 50 Kel ... 76 Morvel ~1 Moryel J "" ... 1 Kerambi ... 99 Khapri-yel ... 46 Mori ... " ... 38 Kliapri 63 Motba-Dhotra ... 57 Khas ... 17 Motbi-Berki ... 30 Khavas 16 Motba-Bur ... 44 Khajoti 76 Motbi-Khajoti ... 76 Kbakra 30 Mothi-Sonki ... ... 44 Kband-alu ... 83 Mothi-Sadori ... 44 Khar-kbodi ... ... 52 Motbi-Yekdi ... 24 Kharoti 76 Mungii* ... 30 Kbaskbas 92 Murud ... 95 Kbausbi 10 Kher ... 36 Nadena ... 26 Khopri 42 Nadicba-Murud ... 96 Kirkind .".! 75 Nalkarda ... 19 Kirinira 20 Nal-barga ... 30 Kobara ) Kocbam J 27 Nandruk ... 76 Nanab ... 37 Kokam ... 13 Naram-panal. . . ... 3 Kolara 92 Necbarda ... 17 Kolisna 7 Nechurdi ... 55 Koranti ... 61 Nerda ... 30 Kosura 27 Netsa ... 96 Kuari... 16 Nisam ... 81 Kuda... ... 51 Nigud "1 Kukar 16 Nigadi r ■•• ... 62 Kula... 86 NirgnndiJ Kulti 75 Nirmali { Niwali J ... 53 Kumbba 35 Kunti 20 Norvel ... 85 Kusatn 27 Narali ... 67 Kutre-vandre 17 Kutri 57 Padel... 4, 60 Laeli ... Laban-terda ... 30 19 Pabadi-atgan Pabir Palas... [• Pandbarpbali i Panhra-kuda... Pandi... Pandri Pandurai Pangara ... 61 ... 76 ... 30 ... 75 ... 51 ... 42 ... 20 ... 75 ... 30 Laban-bbendi Laintani Lenda Lokbandi Lotal ... Lullei... 15 51 49 ... 25, 43, 50 73 30 Madar 52 Pangla \ Pangli J ... 63 Madvel 34 Makad-limbu ... 20 Panpbue 32 Makinal 44 Papat ... 43 Malia 48 Paral ... 67 132 NATURAL HISTOKY. Paramga ... 30 Sbikakai Paranza ... 99 Sirdoli Par-jam ") Par-jambul J ... 50 Sisam "^ Sisu J Par-yel ... 4 Situt Patkuri ... 96 Sundar Pendguli-yel ... ... 30 S u ran Pbandharpbali ... 75 Surang'i Phanas ... 76 Sberal Phansi 30, 33 Sberi Phapliat ... 43 Siras ... Pinda... ... 42 Pisa ... ... G9 Taital Pitan ... 52 Tambdi Savar Polara ... 22 Tamau ... 30 Tarabat Ragi ... Tan ... Rajbans ... 96 Tali Rameta Ran-bbendi ... Ranekuit Ran-baldi ... 70 ... 15 ... 76 ... 81 Telicba-yel . Tharambal . Tbor Tipau Terda... Ranjai ... 1 Ran-kel ... 82 Torau Tupa Ran-makai ... ... 92 Ran-tewan ... 61 Ran-tur ... 30 Umbar Ratamba ... 13 Umli ... Robau ... 22 Vagata Roben ... 75 Vanda Rokhala ... 94 Vans ... Ruen ... Rui ... 75 ... 52 Vasauvel^l Vatoli \> . Rukbsing' ... 79 Vat- y el J Sag \ ... 62 Vebela Sagwan j Waiti Sabadevi ... 44 Wala ... Sajeri ... 3 Walunj Wundri Saldbawal ... 16 Salera Salpbali ... 21 Wad ... Waruli Sampaeba-kbanda ... ... 94 Sanmukh-patri ... 19 Waras Sonki ... Sarata ... 44 12, 65 Watan-yel Sarub ... 12 Yaksbi Sarwad ... 43 Yekli... Savar ... 15 Yekadi Sheiidvel 26, 85 Yek-yel Sliabtut ... 76 Yela ... Sbendri ... 75 Yenkli Sbewal ... 58 Yeoti... Shewan ... 62 1 Yesur 30 30 76 29 94 13 67 81 30 51 15 37 8 4 30 26 61 75 27 19 25 43 76 78 30 i ± 92 34 61 92 77 18 76 39 60 4 34 24 9 30 34 24 24 62 NOTE ON THE FLORA OF MAHABLESTTWAR AND MATHERAN. 133 NOTE ON THE FLORA OF MAHABLESHWAR AND MATHERAN. By Theodore Cooke, LL.D. F.G.S. An observant visitor to Matheran cannot fail to be struck with the way in which certain plants disappear as he ascends the hill from-Narel. The Teak tree (Tectona grandis), the skeleton of whose dried leaves is so like lace-work, disappears before half the ascent is accomplished. The Sterculia urens, which looks as if its bark had been stripped off, and which is a very conspicuous tree along the ascent, also disappears, as well as the Phyllanthus Ernblica, whose gooseberry-like fruit is used by the natives for pickling. On Matheran hill itself, many plants are met with which are not found on the plains below; and as we ascend to a still higher elevation and reach the table-land of Mahableshwar, 2,000 feet above that of Matheran, we find the effect of increased elevation in the gradual thinning out of certain plants, and the appearance of new ones. This is particularly noticeable on the ascent from the Koyna Valley, which is about 1,500 feet below the table-land of Mahableshwar ; as the paths, by several of which the ascent may be accomplished, pass along well- wooded slopes. Ascending from the Koyna, the valuable Ain tree (Terminalia tomentosa) is very soon lost to view, and the only representative of the family (Combretace.e) on the hill summit is the Terminalia ckebula, which supplies the Myrobolans so largely exported for the tannin they contain. In the same way the Grewia microcos and the Wrightia tinctoria disappear, the former very soon, while the latter is carried up very near to the plateau on the Ghat Road, near the small village of Metala. The Casearia graveolens may be found still higher up, but does not reach the summit, though it grows luxuriantly along the Ghat Boad, not very far below Bombay Point, while the Albizzia stipulata, which is such a conspicuous tree at Matheran, with its dark, reddish-brown, papery pods, and its large, pinkish, brush-like flowers, ceases abruptly on the Fitzgerald Ghat Road, about 4 miles from Mahableshwar. Looking through the list, so carefully and laboriously prepared by Mr. Justice Birdwood, I would make the following remarks : — The Reinwardtia trigyna, which, in the introductory note to the Catalogue, is said to have been found truly wild on Varandha Ghat, 134 NATURAL HISTORY. I have found wild in the Koyna Valley ; at least I have found it growing luxuriantly in a dense jungle near the Koyna, in a locality far removed from any human habitations. The Britgmansia Can- dida is not indigenous. It is, I believe, a native of Peru, but it has found the climate and soil of Mahableshwar well suited to its development, as it grows most luxuriantly over the hill, and has been planted along the Fitzgerald Ghat Road. Its large, white, funnel- like flowers render it a very conspicuous object. The Clematis Wightiana is not, as far as I know, found at Matheran, nor does it extend much below the summit of Mahableshwar. Its flowers are large and yellow, but as it flowers in January and February, when the hill is not much frequented, its blossoms are rarely seen. The plants in Orders 2 and 3 do not occur at Mahableshwar; the Cocculus macrocarpns does not quite reach the hill summit, though it may be found just below the Dhobi's Fall. Poly gala persicaricefolia does not, I think, occur at Matheran, and indeed, is rare at Mahableshwar. It may be met with on the path leading from Lingmala Ravine towards the Waterfall. Ancistrocladus Hey- neanus, though tolerably common at Matheran, does not reach Maha- bleshwar; nor do the plants of the Order Guttiferm, immediately preceding. Of the Malvaceae, neither Hibiscus Jiirtus, Thespcsia Lampas, nor the Bomax, and of the Steeculiace^e, none of the plants catalogued are to be found at Mahableshwar. The Triumfetta rhomboidea is tolerably common, the Elceocarpus oblong us rare. There is a good tree of the latter in Lingmala garden, and a couple on the bank of the stream below the house. There is also a solitary tree in the compound of Prospect Cottage, at the corner of the Cross Road, just opposite the entrance gate of Temple Hall. Many of the leaves of this tree turn red, which render it a conspicuous object among the foliage of the woods, and the fringed petals of its flowers are very beautiful, the brownish-red calyx appearing through the interspaces between the petals. All the plants catalogued under the genus Impatiens are to be found at Mahableshwar, among them a very remarkable one, a yellow balsam (I. Valzellii). Evodia Roxburghiana does not occur at Matheran, and is somewhat rare at Mahableshwar. One tree (a male) may be found on the Panchgani Road, a few yards beyond the turn to Kate's Point. There is another tree at the 4th culvert on the Fitzgerald Ghat Road, and a little further down the road, close to a culvert, are two trees, a male and female. A knowledge of some localities where a tolerably rare plant NOTE ON THE FLORA OF MAHABLESHWAR AND MATHERAN. 135 may be found, will be useful to collectors. Neither of the Orders Burseracejs nor Meliace^e are represented on Mahableshwar. The Mappia foetida is a very remarkable as well as common tree at Mahableshwar. I. do not think it occurs at Matheran. The odour of its yellowish flowers, which appear in October, is most offensive, savouriug of carrion. Visitors to the hill are often puzzled by the strange odour, and unable to account for it. There is a tree in the Superintendent's compound, at the side nearest the Club, and several trees may be found close to the road, just below the Bund. Z'kyphus rugosa is common both at Mathei'an and Mahableshwar, and its white berries are ediblo, though not very palatable. Zizyphus xtjlopyrus does not occur at Mahableshwar, while the Scutia indica is only fouud on the higher Ghats, and does not desceud to the level of Matheran. It is known at Mahableshwar as the "Wait-a-bit thorn," as when its hooked-thorns catch the clothes of a rambler through the woods, there is no going forward till the thorns are unhooked, — often a difficult process. It may be easily identified by its native name " Chimat." Hemigyrosa canescens does not ascend to Mahableshwar, nor does Sch leichera trijuga, but the Order (Sapindaceje) is abundantly repre- sented by the shrub Allophylus Coble, which, with its soft, trifolate leaves and long racemes of small, white flowers, is scattered every- where over the hill top. The Leguminos^; are largely represented on both hills, but it is a remarkable fact that, while in Matheran, there are several trees belonging to the Order, there is not a single tree on Mahableshwar belonging to it. The Grotolarias, Smithias, Desmodiurn, Phaseolus, Vigna, Atylosia, Cylista, and Flemingia are common to both hills ; but the only Acacia on the summit of Mahableshwar is Acacia Intsia. Of the Rosacea, the Bub us lasiocarpus or Mahableshwar Raspberry is very common and well-known. This plant is indigenous here and to the highest Ghats to the Southward. Bubus rnoluccanus has been found at Mahableshwar, but it is very rare. It may be found in a ravine on the road to old Mahableshwar. I found it very abundantly on the high land (Newera Eliya) in Ceylon. Of the Rubiaceje, neither Aclina nor IStephegyne occur at Mahableshwar, the Wendlandia notoniana does not occur at Matheran; and I have only seen it in Mahableshwar, near the banks of the stream (Yenna) below Lingmala. Psychotria truncata is a rare plant, occurring as far a3 I know, at Mahableshwar, in a single 136 NATURAL HISTORY locality, which being far removed from habitations and in a dense jungle, it is difficult to describe. Muss cenda f rondos a does not ascend to Mahableshwar, though common at Ma the ran and in the Koyna Valley, where its velvety, orange flowers and curious, white, leaf-like bracts may be seen throughout the woods. Most of the Composite are common to both hills, but Elephantopus scaler does not ascend to Mahableahwar, though plentiful at Matheran and in the Koyna Valley, aud the same may be said of Cyathucline lyrata, while I do not know that Adenostemma viscosum or Adenoon indicvm have been found at Matheran, though common at the higher elevation. The commonest Composite at Mahableshwar, scattered all over the hill with the brake-fern, is Conyaa stricfa. Of the CAMPANULACEiE, the little Wahlenbergia gracilis does not grow at a low elevation. It is not found at Matheran and is very rave at Mahableshwar, the elevation being apparently insufficient, for at the high elevation of Newera Blliya, Ceylon, it grows very abundantly. The Sideroxylon tomentosum which is verya bundant at Matheran, does not seem to thrive at Mahableshwar. It is nowhere found near the central portion of the hill top, and is confined to its edges. It is to be met with on the path-way up to Lodwick Point, and also occurs near Bombay Point. Neither Bassia Jatifolia nor Mimusops Elengi occur at Mahableshwar, while the Order Ebenace^i does not possess a single representative. Syinplocos Beddomeiis not met with at Matheran, but is tolerably plentiful at Mahableshwar. It flowers in the cold season ; its blossoms have the odour of the hawthorn, and its berries, which ripen in May, are blue. There are one or two trees just opposite the gate of the Cemetery. The Jasminiam arhorescens is common to both hills, and its fragrant white flowers are seen in great profusion in April. The Olea dioica, which is very common at Matheran, is rarely met with in the Mahableshwar woods, while the Ligustrum ncilgherryense is very common on the latter hill, and does not occur at all on the former. Its fragrant white flowers appear abundantly in October. Of the Apocynaceje there is but one representative on the Mahablesh- war hill, and that is a rare plant, the Bainvoljia densiflora. It maybe found in the ravine below the Forest Officer's bungalow at Lingmala. Its white flowers appear in April. Of the Asclepiads, the Galotropis gigantea does not ascend to the elevation of Mahableshwar. The most remarkable plant of the Order which occurs there is the NOTE ON THE FLORA OF MAHABLESHWAR AND MATHERAN. 137 Gymnema sylvestre, which is an extensive climber, with small yellow flowers, appearing in the hot weather. The leaves of this plant, when chewed, possess the strange property of destroying for a time the taste for sugar, while exercising no effect on the taste for substances other than saccharine. If two or three leaves be chewed and the tongue and palate moistened with the juice, the result of taking a little sugar in the mouth is very curious. It appeal's just like so much sand, while salt or anything not saccharine tastes just as usual. Of the Log&niace^;, the Buddleia asiatica is the only plant of the Order at Mahableshwar. It is very rare. There is one plant at Lingmala, near the out-houses of the bungalow, and I have seen a plant on the Fitzgerald Ghat. Of the Gentians, the little purple Exacicm Lawii is all over the Mahableshwar hill, in October, amongst the grass, but dies very soon after the rains cease. The Swertia decussata is found at Mahableshwar occasionally, but not common there. It is very abundant on the hill top above the Panchgani travellers' bungalow. An infusion of this plant is used by the natives as a febrifuge. The Order BoraginejE is represented on both hills by the genus Paracaryum. The Paracaryum ccelestinum is known as the Mahableshwar " Forget -me-not.'' It is very abundant both here and at Matheran. Two other Paracaryurns are tolerably common at Mahableshwar, but as far as I know, do not occur at Matheran. The P. rnala- baricum is the more common, and may be found in large quantities at the Bund. P. Lambertianum may be found on the cliff, opposite the Dhobi's Waterfall, below General Barr's bungalow. Of the Solanace.e, the Solanum giganteum is very abundant at Maha- bleshwar, but does not, as far as I recollect, occur at Matheran. It is to be found everywhere on the former hill, and its bunches of red berries are handsome. / The Heierophragma Roxbvrghii, which is very common at Matheran, does not seem to thrive at Mahableshwar. I only know of two trees at the latter place, and these are poor stunted specimens. One of them is just over the Yenna Waterfall, and the other a few yards beyond the 30th mile on the Satara Road. Of the Acanthape.e, Thunbergia fragrans may be found all along the Panchgani Ghat, and on the road from Panchgani to Maha- bleshwar, but, strange to say, it ceases at the 68th mile, half way 18 138 NATURAL HISTOKY. between these stations. It is somewhat remarkable that it does not extend to Mahableshwar itself, as it is very abundant at the high elevation of Newera Elliya, Ceylon. The term fragrans is a misnomer, as its flowers are destitute of fragrance. Of the Barlerias, B. Prionitis with yellow flowers is very com- mon on the road up to Matheran, but does not occur anywhere near Mahableshwar. Barleria strigosa, with large blue flowers, is common at Matheran, where it may be found in abundance below Ponsonby's Spring, but is only to be found on the slopes of Maha- bleshwar and not on the hill top. It may be seen in flower in the cold season, on the slope some way down below the Dhobi's Glen. Ficbolium Linneanum, which is very common at Matheran, and has green flowers, is not found at Mahableshwar; nor is the magnificent Calacanthns Dalzelliana, which grows in profusion on the wet rocks on the road up to Matheran, about a mile below the Chauki. Of the VerbenacEjE, the Callicarpa lanata is common to both hills, the Tectona grandis does not reach even half way up the ascent to Matheran, and the Premna coriacea and Gmelina arboreaxio not grow at Mahableshwar. Vitex negundo will no doubt flourish on either hill ; it has been largely planted alongthe Fitzgerald Ghat, and Vitex leucoxylon is to be found in the Koyna Valley. The Clerodendron serratum is not found on Matheran, nor on Mahableshwar hilltop, but it may be found about Liugmala Ravine and on the Panchgani Road; it also occurs on the slope below Bombay Point on the road to the Koyna, The most common of the Labiate, both at Matheran and Mahableshwar, is Leucas stelligera. At Mahableshwar, another member of the genus occurs, Leucas ciliata, a larger and much less common plant than L. stelligera. Dysophylla myosuroides is not found at Matheran, but is common in Mahableshwar water-courses. It is abundant in the nulla near the Sassoon Point Tennis Court, just below where the road from the bazaar crosses the stream. Micromeria Malcolmiana is a small plant peculiar to Mahableshwar. It is found along the Yenna, below the Bund, and has a strong odour of peppermint. The Plantago major is rare at Mahableshwar, and is not found at Matheran. It may be found on the banks of the Yenna River. The Lasiosiphon eriocephahis is common to both hills, and is par- ticularly abundant at Mahableshwar. The handsome climbing shrub Elceagnus latifolia, the under-sides of whose leaves have a sheen like silver, and whose pink coloured fruit is edible, is also com- NOTE ON -THE FLORA OF MAHABLESHWAR AND MATHERAN. 139 ffiou to both hills. Of the Loranthus family, I have not found either L. involucratus nor. L. lageniferus at Mahableshwar. The Osyris arborea is not found at Matheran, although growing at Khandalla, which is close by. It can be readily identified by its native name "Lotal." The Order Euphorbiace^: is better represented at Matheran than at Mahableshwar. The Crotons are entirely absent from Mahableshwar ; Fliiggea leucopyrus ascends about half way up the hill from the Koyna and then ceases; while of the three trees, Phyllanthus lanceolarius, Briedelia retusa and Macaranga Roxburgliii, the first only occurs in any quantity in Mahableshwar. Though the Briedelia does occur in one place, the top of the old Rotunda Ghat, below Bombay Point, it does not, as far as I know, occur anywhere else, and should therefore be hardly considered a Mahableshwar tree. The Macaranga does not grow at Mahableshwar at all, but the Bhonia {Phyllanthus lanceolarius) (Sgn. Glochidion lanceolarium) is very abundant. Homnoia riparia is to be found in beds of streams at Mahableshwar, not at Matheran, and may be collected in the bed of the ravine below the Dhobi's Waterfall. Of the UrticacEjE, Gerardina heterophylla, a formidable stinging nettle, is common to both hills, as are also the Splitgerbera scabrella, and the Trema Wightii. Fleurya inter rupta is not found at Mahableshwar, nor is Debrigascea lougifolia, a native of Matheran. Ficus glomerata (Umbar) is common on both hills, but none other of the genus Ficus is to be found on the hill- top of Mahableshwar, except Ficus caricaoides, although F. asperima, F. cordifolia and F. infectoria may be met on the slopes. The Artocarpus integrifolia does not reach Mahableshwar ; it is cultivated near villages in the Koyna Valley, and there is one tree at the village of Metala on the plateau below Bombay Point. The Salix tetrasperma or Indian Willow does not grow at Matheran ; it is abundant along the Yenna River and may be seen in flower in October. With regard to the Orchida££^;/ the handsomest one at Maha- bleshwar is the Mrides Lindleyanum, which does not occur at Matheran, and the most showy one at Matheran is jFrides maculosum, which is not found at Mahableshwar, though it is seen on the Panchgani Road. The Dendrobium barbatulwm is common to both hills, and is in flower in March and April. Dendrobium ramosissimum is not found on the summit of either hill. It is very abundant in the Koyna Valley. Dendrobium Macrcei, a curious looking orchid with many large pseudo bulbs, and a single leaf 140 « NATURAL HISTORY. growing out of the terminal one, is very rare at Mahableshwar, and is not to be found at Matheran. It is very abundant in the Koyna Valley, some of the old trees along the river being literally covered with this, Dendrobium ramosissimum and the bulbs of the Cirrhopetalum fimbriatum. A visit to the Koyna Valley will amply repay a plant-hunter. The ferns and orchids in some parts near the river are in the greatest profusion, and must be seen to be appreciated. Of the two hills, Matheran and Mahableshwar, the former has the more varied flora, but several plants are found in Mahableshwar which do not exist at the lower elevation of Matheran. I have made a rough estimate, which is not correct to a dozen plants or so, that there are about 140 plants (excluding grasses) which occur at Matheran, and which do not occur at Mahableshwar, and that there are about 130 plants which are found at Mahableshwar, and not on Matheran, while there are perhaps 140 common to both hills. I regret that I have not had longer time to devote to this short note, which has been written hurriedly, in order to be in time for the issue of the Journal in which Mr. Birdwood's Catalogue is to appear. T. Cooke. Mahableshwar, April 26tli, 1887. notes on mahableshwar and other indian arrowroot-Yielding plants. By Dk. J. C. Lisboa. There appeared, two years ago, in one of our local papers a short article in which it was sought to prove that there is no arrowroot plant indigenous to Mahableshwar, and a correspondent even attempted to show that a arrowroot prepared there is from Maranta arundinacea, carried from Rutnagherry to the hill and there culti- vated. There is, however, no doubt, that the arrowroot prepared at Mahableshwar is from the tubers of a plant indigenous to that hill, first described by the late Mr. Graham, of the Bombay Civil Service, and as yet not found anywhere else so far as I know. The plant is Curcuma caulina, Nat. Ord. Scitamineass, Grah. Cat. Bomb. PI. It is very common at Mahableshwar, where it is known to the natives CURCUMA CAULINA. ARROWROOT- YIELDING PLANTS, 141 as Chowar. It maybe described thus:~~Root size of an orange, sometimes larger, with large oblong tubers, white inside, pendulous from the fibers. Radical leaves almost opposite, sheathing, short- petioled, oblong lanceolate, 12-20 by 3-4 in., upper leaves alternate frequently tinged with a beautiful red; scape central leafy, 3 feet high. Bracts green, calyx white, and corolla yellow. It is from the roots of this curcuma that the Chinese ticket-of-leave men and a native of Goa, Mr. DeCosta, for many years used to manufac- ture arrowroot and sell it to the Commissariat and in the bazaars of Bombay. Dr. McConaghy says that, in 1878, a European prepared a few hundred pounds of it and sent samples to be tried by Messrs. Treacher and Co., Phillips and Co., and Kemp and Co. Its colour and taste were pronounced good, but it was found to be deficient in nutritive properties. That it is inferior to West-Indian arrowroot may be gathered from its market value, 5 to 6 lbs. to the rupee. During the famine of 1877, it was recommended to the suffering poor, but they never used it except in extreme scarcity. The process of preparing arrowroot at Mahableshwar is simple. The root (of which a cooly will gather four or five large basketsful a day, for as many annas) is scraped, washed and rubbed to pulp on a grater, as mortars are found to crush the globules. The pulp is then washed with cold water, and the fecula allowed about ten pr twelve hours to settle ; the supernatant fluid is then decanted, the sediment stirred with the addition of fresh water and again allowed to settle. The whole process is repeated above twelve times, till the dark scum and the muddiness of the washings slowly disappear and the sediment is pure white, when it is allowed to harden into a cake, which is afterwai'ds reduced to powder. A bas- ketful of roots yields 3 — -41bs. of pure arrowroot. Curcuma caulina flowers at about the end of September. I had planted in pots during the last monsoon tubers which I had brought from Maha- bleshwar, and with which I intended to illustrate my paper, which was meant to be read at the last October meeting. Having, however, been informed by the Honorary Secretary that the Society had resolved to hold, as it did, a fruit exhibition that month, I left Bombay soon after, and my plants had withered when I returned in the early part of December. The arrowroot, a specimen of which I have exhibited though made in a rough manner, is white, and like other kinds of arrowroot insipid and inodorous. Examined under the microscope in a drop 142 NATURAL HISTORY. of water, it is found to consist of numerous granules of various sizes, somewhat resembling those of maranta and tichar. They may- be described as flat, somewhat irregular broadly ovoid bodies, round at the larger end, and narrow, almost drawn to a point, at the other, with a beautiful stratification, consisting of fine concen* trie lines around the hilum, which is visible towards the narrow end. To ascertain the proportion of nutriment principles of this arrow- root, a thorough analysis by a competent chemist is a desideratum. So far as my enquiries go, no such analysis has been made. I am led to believe that arrowroot was obtained by a rough process by the hill men, long before the Chinese ticket-of-leave men manufactured it; and is still obtained by the inhabitants of the hill from the plant, which grows all over. It is now being manufactured at Gutad, about 3 miles from Frere Hall, and sold chiefly to natives, hence it cannot be of a very inferior kind, as stated by Dr. McConaghy. I shall now proceed to describe other Indian plants which yield various kinds of arrowroot. The best arrowroot is that which is prepared from the rhizome of Maranta arundinacea, Rose. Scitam, tab. 25, a herbaceous plant, native of the tropical parts of America, and of the West India Islands. A variety of it, named M. Indica Tussac, Rose. Scitam tab. 26, occurs in Bengal, Java and the Philippines, considered by Grisebach in his Flora of the British West-Indian Islands to be a species distinct from M. arundinacea. It is said that the arrowroot cultivated at first in Brazil, was from the rhizomes carried thither from India by the Portuguese. The chief kinds of arrowroot-, the produce of Maranta, are from Bermuda, Natal, St. Vincent, Jamaica and other West India Islands, Brazil and the East Indies. The latter is prepared from the tuber of M. Indica above mentioned, and sold pure or mixed with Tichar Arrowroot, presently to be mentioned. Maranta arundinancea is extensively cultivated at Dapoli in Rutnagherry, by Mr. Narayen Ramchandra Gupte. The Commissariat Department lately gave him the contract for 1886-87 for the supply of arrow- root to the several military stations in the Bombay Presidency. The total amount required at these stations in 1886-87 was about 5,0001bs. Mr. Gupte will have to supply this quantity of arrowroot at the rate of 4£ annas per pound. It may be stated here that this arrowroot on examination, both microscopic and chemical, proves to be fully equal to the Bermuda arrowroot. It is also cultivated ARROWROOT-YIELDING PLANT. 143 by Mr. Woodrow, of the Poona College of Science ; the produce is stated to be at the rate of 9 tons of fresh root per acre. When manufactured by unskilled hands this gives 2,822*41bs., or 14 per cent, of pure arrowroot per ticre. One of the agricultural students, Mr. R. S. Joshi, has lately invented a wooden machine which reduces the cost of preparing arrowroot by almost 8 per cent. The machine is still capable of great improvement, but its chief merit is that any village carpenter can make it. Arrowroot of all kinds is a favourite article of diet among: the natives, especially for children. The milk-men in Bombay use it to thicken milk which has been watered. — Dymock. Curcuma angustifoUa. Roxb. Tavakhirl (Bomb.) Tickar (Hind.) — This is an annual plant, springing up at the beginning of the rains. Bulbs with oblong tubers hanging from the fibres. Leaves narrow, lanceolate, petioled, striated, with fine longitudinal lines, from one to two-and-a-half feet long ; petioles, 6-10 inch long; spike radical, 4-6 inch long ; crowned with a coma of purple bracts ; flowers yellow, large, expanding in the morning and fading at sunset. It grows wild in various parts of India, Travancore, Nagpore, &c. and in the Bombay Presidency at Ramghat. This species is said to yield portion of what is called Travancore arrowroot. There is no doubt that Curcuma arrowroot (known in Bombay as Tavakhir, tickar in the other presidencies, and to Europeans as East Indian arrowroot) is manufactured in Southern India especially in Cochin, Travancore and Kanara, but in a very rude manner, the granules much resembling those of Maranta arundinacea ; in fact what is called tickar arrowroot is often the produce of the latter plant, or curcuma starch mixed with that of cassava or tapioca plant, the manhihot being much cultivated at Travancore. Malabar arrowroot fetches from Rs. 3 to Rs. 4 per quarter cwt. in Bombay. Drury (useful plants of India, p. 176) -says : — "An excellent kind of arrowroot is prepared from the tuber of this species (C. angustifoUa) , especially in Travancore, where the plant grows in great abundance." This is a favourite article of diet among the natives. The flour, when finely powdered and boiled in milk, is an excellent diet for sick people or children. It is also much used for cakes, puddings, &c. though considered by some to produce constipation. In a commer- cial point of view the East Indian arrowroot is below the West Indian starch, though similar in its qualities and uses. The exports of arrowroot from Travancore average about 250 candies annually/' ]44 NATURAL HISTORY, It appears that in 1869-70, 3272 cwts., valued at Rs. 14,152 were exported from Madras. Drs. Roxburgh and O'Shaughnessy state that G. rubescens, Roxb. Rose. Scitam tab. 107, which grows in Bengal and is there named tickar also yields nutritious fecula. Every part, particularly the root, has a strong but pleasant aromatic odour when bruised; but its chief use is for the preparation of tickar, a fine fecula like arrowroot. G. leucorrhiza, Roxb. Rose. Scitam tab. 102, also named tickar, is common in Behar; its horizontal tubers, long and straight, are of a very pale yellow colour; they also yield an abundance of fine nutritious fecula used by the people of Behar and Bhagalpore. Dr. Royle says: — "The pendulous tubers of Curcuma rubescens, C. leucorrhiza and C. angustifolia yield a very beautiful fecula or starch, which forms an excellent substitute for the West Indian arrowroot, Mar unfa arundinacea. It is sold in the bazaars of Benares, Chittagong, and Travancore, and eaten by the natives. A very excellent kind called tickar is also made at Patna and Bagilpore from the tubers of Batatas (Ipomoea) edulis." 'J he mode of preparing arrowroot at Travancore is as follows: — " The tubers are first scraped on a rough stick, generally part of the stem of the common rattan or any plant with rough prickles to serve the same purpose. Thus pulverised, the flour is thrown into a chatty of water, where it is kept for about two hours, all impurities being carefully removed from the surface. It is then taken out and again put into fresh water, and so on for the space of four or five days. The flour is ascertained to have lost its bitter taste, when a yellowish tinge is communicated to the water, the whole being stirred up, again strained through a piece of coarse cloth and put in the sun to dry. It is then ready for use." — Drury. The process adopted at Behar and Bhagalpore is as follows :— The root of C. leucorrhiza is dug up and rubbed on a stone or beaten in a mortar, and after- wards rubbed in water with the band and strained through a cloth ; the fecula having subsided, the water is poured off and the tickar dried for use. — Roxb. C. pseudo-montana, Grah. Cat. Bomb. PI. Sinderwani ; sinderbui ; sindewan ; helleunda. Bulb oblong, with round, small, potato-like tubers, hanging from the fibres. Leaves, including the petiole 2-3 feet long, narrow at both ends, 6-19 inch broad in the middle, quite green. Coma of a beautiful dark rose colour, waved. Flowers yellow, appear in September. ARROWROOT-YIELDING PLANTS. 145 This plaut, which was first described by Mr. J. Graham of the Bombay Civil Service, is common in the Konkan, Matheran, &c, where it appears at the beginning of the rainy season. The tubers, which are perfectly white inside, are boiled and eaten by the people during seasons of scarcity. Perhaps, this plant too, yields a part of East Indian arrowroot ; for it is stated that in former times, it was manufactured at Ratnagherry from its tubers. (See specimens on the table prepared in Ratnagherry and North- West provinces.) All the plants described above belong to the Nat. Ord. Scitamineae. Ariscema turtuosum, var. hellehori folium, Schott Syn. Ar. 29 ; Prodr. 36; Blume in Rumphia 1-105. Sap Kanda (Khandala name). This belongs to the Nat. Orel. Aroideceand is met with at Matheran, Khandala, and other Konkan hills, as well as in the Himalayas, at Simla, Nepal, Sikkim and Mussooree. In the observations appended to the plate 5931 in Curtis' Bot. Mag., Sir J. D. Hooker says that Kt the tuberous roots of this and allied species of Arisoema are used for food in times of scarcity by the Lipchas of Sikkim ; they are prepared by burying them in masses in the ground, until acetous fermentation sets in, when they are dug up, washed and cooked. By this means the poisonous properties of the roots are in part destroyed, but not altogether, and violent illness often follows a hearty meal of ' tong' as this food is called. The nutritious starch> with which these tubers are filled, might be easily separated by grating and washing and an aliment as good as Portland island arrowroot (the starch of Arum maaulatum) be thus procured in. quantities." Though the tuber of this aroid is utilized as food by the Lipchas of Sikkim, it does not appear to be used as such on this side. The plant described under the name Arisoema curvatum by Sir J. D. Hooker in Curtis' Bot. Mag. tab. 5931, above alluded to, is in the opinion of Engher, Araceas, D. C. Monogr. Phaneg, Arisoema torhiosum var. keUeborifolium^ an opinion which is adopted here. Sir J. D. Hooker himself appears to have had doubts about the identity of the species for after stating that it grows in the forests of the Himalayas from Bhootan to Simla, Nepal and the Kassia mountains at elevations of 5,000 to 7,000ft. says — a "similar if not identical species inhabits the mountains of the Konkan in the Pen- insula of Iudia." Ariscema cwrvatum which is well described in Rox, Fl. I»d. vo\ Til. p. 506, and figured in Wight's Icon. tab. 788 under the i J9 146 NATURAL HISTORY. of Arum curvatum grows only at high elevations ; and so far as It is known, on the Himalayas, Nepal, Naini-Tal and Kumaon; its lamina is pedatisect, leaflets 10-13, sessile, linear-lanceolate, 4-6 inch- by |-| inch approximate, accuminate, entire. A. helleborifolium is a common plant in theKonkan, first described by the late Dr. Stocks, of the Bombay Medical Service, as well as on the Himalaya mountains, Nepal, and Sikkim discovered by Lady Dalhousie, Wallich and others. I have found it also at Khandalla and Matheran, where it is known to the natives as sap khanda. Its lamina is pedate, 6-12 inch diameter and orbicular in outline: leaflets 13-23, 4-8 inch by 2-3^ inch acute, accuminate or caudate at the pit, bright green; central distant and petioled, lateral becoming gradual- ly smaller, shortly petioled or almost sessile. In my book (Useful Plants of the Bombay Presidency, " Bombay Gazetteer," Vol. XXV. chap. Famine Plants) I have stated the following: — " Almost all the species belonging to the order Aroidem are more or less acrid and poisonous ; some, like Lagenandra toxicaria, Vatsunab of the Marathas, Typhonium tribolatum, Surei Kanda of the Teiingas, &c, are deadly poisons. They contain an acrid principle which appears to be destroyed by the application of heat or by mere drying of the aroids. During the late famine in Madras and Southern Maratha country, hundreds of people were seen to live upon tuberous roots and leaves of aroids known to be poisonous. It is believed that the washing, boiling and stewing process these herbs were subjected to prior to being eaten destroyed their delete- rious principle, and thus the tubers, &c, became innocuous or rather wholesome food! The cultivation is also held to modify the poison both in the case of aroids as in that of cucumbers. The Soorun (Amorphophalus campanulatns) which is widely cultivated for the sake of its large root held to be a very nutritious vegetable and extensively consumed by all classes of people of this country, also contains a principle, slightly acrid; this is removed by steeping the sliced tuber in water and by boiling. Nevertheless, not long ago a paper was read at one of the meetings of the Grant College Medical Society in which a case of poisoning marked by severe inflammation of the fauces and throat was described." There is in North Ame- rica a species of Ariscema named A. atrorubens, of which Dr. Lindley says: — "It is violently acrid and almost caustic; the rhizome when fresh is too powerful to render its internal exhibition safe. The acrid principle is extremely volatile, and easily driven off by heat ARROWROOT-YIELDING PLANTS. 147 when the rhizome yields one-fourth of pure delicate amylaceous matter, -resembling the finest arrowroot, very white, delicate and nutritive. Tacca piimatifida, Roxb. Nat. Ord. Taccacse, known to the natives of the Deccan by the name of khunda.— It grows all over India and also in the Malayan Archipelago, the Molluccas and South Sea Islands, and is cultivated in the Mauritius. I found it very common at Damaun and the neighbouring villages of Guzerat. Its root is tuberous, as large as a large orange, often larger, round and smooth, intensely bitter when raw, it yields a great quantity of beautifully white starch, of which it is said the best flour for con- fectionery, puddings, &c, is made/' Drury says: — "The fecula much resembles arrowroot and is very nutritive." "It possesses a considerable degree of acrimony/* says Ainslie, " and requires frequent washing in cold water previous to being dressed. In Tra- vancore, where the root grows to a large size and is called Channay Kelimgoo it is much eaten by the natives, who mix some agreeable acids with it to subdue its natural pungency." Lithe notes appended to Tacca artocarpifolia T. 6124, Curtis' Bot. Mag. Sir J. D. Hooker states: — 'The tubers of Tacca pinnatifida afford the South sea Arrowroot, said to be the best of all in cases of dysentery, and its starch is a favourite article of diet in the shape of puddings and cake. In times of scarcity, the inhabitants of these islands live on the fleshy tubers of taccaJ' ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. Hybrid Wolf presented to the Society. — Mr. Frank Rose, the doner of this animal, writes concerning it : — Apropos of Mr. Sterndale's "JXote. o>i Reversion to Primitive types," giving a case of cross-breeding between jackals and dogs, I have much pleasure in presenting the Society with a Hybrid wolf-whelp — a cross between a village dog and a wolf, age about 3 months, caught in the 69th mileage, Chickli-Dewalgaou, Rajah Road, (Buldana Districts, Berar). The mother with five other wolves (Canis pallipes) and a hybrid are in the vicinity of Javul-Kheira. The whelp was captured on 12th January, under the following circumstances : While examining a quarry about a mile from the road, a dog was observed going leisurely towards a flock of sheep; the latter grazing and looking unconcernedly at their apparent protector ! But, alas ! after a few minutes, au J48 NATURAL HISTORY, outcry from the shepherd was heard, when to our astonishment the carcass of a sheep was being triumphantly carried away by the wolves in fragments, the Hybrid " wolf dog," as he is called, acting as a pioneer (but without the dainty piece of mutton), heading the marauders. One of them made direct towards a bush, when the three whelps came out. Chase was given, and on seizing one it bit a man slightly, when it was soon despatched to its long home ! The one now sent (1st February) also showed fight, and resisted his capture for a long time, but was soon coaxed, and secured ; the third made its escape with its mother and her confreres. For the first three days (12 to 15th January) the pup seemed very unhappy, and sulky, but had a voracious appetite for raw meat. After a time he gradually became very tame, so much so that my children played with him. This may be considered rather an imprndent act, but he appeared so happy and: contented in their arms, I concluded, that he had domestic blood in him like his noble grandfather, the village pariah I The whelp was under domestication for eighteen days. From the same pack there were three Hybrids: — No. 1 — brought up by the special magistrate at Mahona — is now prowling about in that vicinity and Rajah-Dewalgaon, quite domesticated; she will not reside with her master or in one place ; but goes roaming from one village to another in the vicinity, and does not associate with her parents. She ha» never been known to bite any one, but is said to be a renowned thief. I have always seen her escorted b,y an intrepid village cur, who seems to be quite delighted with her agreeable company, in having a charming wife of mixed parentage I No. 2 was shot by a Mr. Burns of Berar, when capturing No. 3, early in 1886, at about the same place as I got mine. No. 3 was quite a pet, but very mischievous with her thieving propensities. She frequently occupied a dark room during the day, and making her exit at; nights, would steal clothes, hats, boots, &c., and deposit them in different bungalows. The poor thing was killed, wilfully I was told. From the above, facts, it is possible that within the next 25 years the wolves in this vicinity may in time become domesticated. The first Hybrid was known in 1885, I believe, and is the one now with the pack. Eminent Naturalists have decided that the anatomical structure of the wolf, its habits, and physical development are very closely allied to the dog; especially in its osteology, which does not at all differ. The only difference is in their oblique eyes. There can be no doubt that the dog and wolf will readily breed and their progeny prove fertile. The above will suffice as an instance in India. There is no gain- saying the fact, that they are mortal and irreconcilable foes, and poor doggie sometimes provides a dainty morsel to its supposed great grandparents ; but yet they are known to follow domestic dogs in pursuit of smaller mammals. We are told that two species of the wolf, Canis Lupus and C. latrans — the latter known as the " Coyote''— (" Meesteh chaggonish ") or " Prairie wolf "—are the originators of a,ll the canine species V Then why could they not breed and be made tameable and just as affectionate as our domestic dogs— Canis familiaris. If I remember rightly, it is on record that a lady in Italy had a very tame and affectionate wolf, which followed her like a spaniel. Business took the lady frou^ ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. 149 home for a few days, and on her return the wolf, through joy went up to her, put its paws on her shoulders, and immediately fell dead ! The Bush Quail (Perdicula enjthroryncha). — The following letter about this bird has been received from Mr. W. Mahon Daly, of Tercand : — It well known that the attachment of birds to their young is not exceeded by that of any other creatures. The boldness and sagacity displayed the other day by a red-billed bush-quail (S"28 Perdicala erythrorhyncha) in the protection and defence of its brood, may not be uninteresting to your readers. A friend of mine caught in his hand a little one of this quail, and sitting silently under a bush watched for the mother. The chicken cried piteously for some few minutes, when, shortly the parent bird arrived, which seemed immediatelv to restore life to its frightened offspring. The bush quail repeatedly pecked at my friend's hand, and he in attempting to catch the bird took off a quantity of feathers. It came again and again, and seemed to peck at his hand beseechingly, rather than hurtfully, till at last it was caught a victim to maternal love. The mother having fairly won its little one was released, and in a twinkling disappeared with its " chick," and they were soon concealed in the long grass that this handsome bush-quail generally frequents. These birds are generally met with in rocky ground with low scrub jungle, and nearly always in pairs, and not in large bevies as stated by Jerdon. An accurate observer has remarked that the natural timidity of birds is a great preservative to them. This quail however is most daring, for I have more than once seen it fly at a dog in defending its brood, and have often caught a bird off its nest, which contains generally six to eight eggs. Note on the Irregular Breeding of Grus Antigone, the Sarus. By Lieut. Edwin Barnes. The normal breeding season of the Sarus is during the latter half of the mon- soon, but that they frequently breed during the cold weather seems not to be generally known. At page 6, " Game Birds of India," Mr. Hume gives the breeding season as above, but in a footnote, says : — " Occasionally, however, they certainly breed also in the spring." Quite recently, Mr. Chill wrote to me from near Delhi: — "Last month (April), my men brought me in a young Sarus, about twenty days old, so it must have been hatched about the end of March ! It is a new thing to me to find the bird breeding in the spring." On the 5th February last year (18§5), while duck-shooting at Gangrar, about 60 miles from Neemuch, I found a nest containing two perfectly fresh eggs, and on the 30th March at Jeerun, about twelve miles from Neemuch, I found another pair, much incubated. This year (1836), on the 18th February, I obtained from a marsh, a few miles from Saugor, two more, very slightly incubated ; these last eggs are perfectly white and spotless, and have a considerable amount of gloss, and my beaters assured me that this was the case with all Sarus's eggs in the Saugor District, but as is not unusual with native sbikaries, they deviated from the truth, for the only two pairs of eggs that I obtained later in September, were fairly well marked. 150 NATURAL HISTORY. A simple explanation of the cause of some few birds breeding in the spring might be that they are birds whose eggs have come to grief at the usual breeding season, and had in consequence laid again later on ; but this theory is met by the fact, that eggs have been found, both by myself and others, in nests from which eggs had been taken two or three weeks previously, but it is not unlikely that they may be birds whose half-reared young have fallen victims to one of the many ac- cidents to which they are liable. The young of the Sarus remain with their parents much longer than is usually the case with other birds. The time at my disposal is very limited, and at most I can only get out for a few hours occasionally, and that three instances of this departure from the natural course should have fallen under my personal observation, seems to point to its being rather a common occurrence, but then, again, seeing that at this season of the year, the marshes and lakes frequented by these birds are almost daily shot over for snipe and duck, it does appear strange that such a prominent nest as that of the Sarus usually is, should escape notice, or it may be that the fact is so common that it fails to excite remark, although it appears to be unrecorded except in the note previously quoted. COLLECTION OF BIBDS' EGGS. Presented to the Society by Mr. W. M. Gibbs. No. of Speci- mens. English Name. Scientific Name. Jerdon's No. 1 1 2 2 18 7 G 3 1 5 1 1 3 4 3 2 1 4 5 9 3 2 1 1 23 2 3 7 1 Indian King Vulture White-backed Vulture ..... Tawny Eagle Ring-tailed Sea Eagle , Pariah Kite Rock-horned Owl Spotted Owlet Common Indian Bee-eater. Common Indian Kingfisher Rose-ringed Paroquet Rose-headed Paroquet .... Indian Koel Purple Honey-sucker Bay-backed Shrike Common Drongo Shrike .... Rusty-breasted Ply-catcher Bengal Babbler Large Grey Babbler Striated Bush Babbler .... Common Madras Bulbul.... Indian Oriole Magpie Robin Franklin's Wren Warbler , M alabar Wren Warbler Common Wren Warbler The Jungle Wren Warbler Pied Wagtail Indian Corby Common Indian Crow ,,,,, Otogyps calvus Pseudogyps Bengalensis Aquila Vindhiana Haliaetus leuooryphus .. Milvus govinda Bubo Bengalensis Cariiie brama Merops viridis Alcedo Bengalensis Palaeornis torquatus Palaeornis purpureas Eudynamis honorata Cinnyris Asiatiaca Lanius vittatus Buchanga atra Siphia Erythaea Malacocercus terricolor... Malacocercus Malcolmi .. Chatarrhaea caudata , Pycnonotus hsemorrhous Oriolus Kundoo Copsychus Sanlaris Pr inia gracilis Prima Hodgsoni Drymoipus inornata Drymoipus sylvaticus Motacilla Madraspatensis Corvns maerorhynchus ... Corvns splendens ,. -J 82 o 79J° 1887. 13th April 21th ,, 10th May 20th „ 1 Rat 75i 73 78 1 Rat .. 1 Rat 1 Hen 82 NOTES ON THE BREEDING OP THE KENTISH RINGED PLOVER (MGIAUTIS CANTIANUSJ WITHIN INDIAN LIMITS. By Lieut. H* E. Barnes. Many years ago Captain (now Colonel) Vincent Legge found the Kentish Dotterel breeding in numbers on the banks of the salt pans in the south-eastern portion of the island of Ceylon. Mr. Hume having received eggs and a skin from Captain Legge writes as follows in Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds : — " Two of these eggs sent me by Mr. Legge measure respectively 1*23 and 1*2 by 0-87 and 0*85, and therefore in dimensions corre- spond precisely with those of the next species,* as, indeed, they do also in colour, shape, and markings. " Mr. Legge also favoured me with one of the old birds, which he considered to have belonged to the eggs. It is clearly Cantianus, but it is in entirely non-breediDg plumage (though killed on the 7th July) without either black or rufous about the head. He also informs me that all the specimens killed by him at that time were similarly in nou-breeding plumage. * 849. Mgialitis dubia. 23 168 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, " The bird sent me is a young bird, a year old or thereabouts,. and I cannot help fearing (every one who has taken their nests in Europe knows how difficult it is to catch thein on their nests) that Mr. Legge's specimens may all have been young birds that remained behind when their parents returned to their breeding haunts, and that the eggs which he attributes to them in reality belonged to individuals of the next species." The following season (1873), Captain Legge again found them breeding and shot the old birds from the nest, but still Mr. Hume remained unconvinced. Up to the present time I am not aware of anything "more beiDg placed on record regarding the breeding of the Kentish Plover within Indian limits, but Dr. Scully found them breeding on the 25th April in Eastern Turkistan, and it will perhaps be remembered that Captain Butler shot a specimen at the island of Henjam, in the Persian Gulf, in May, with the testes much developed as if breeding,, but he does not say what plumage this particular bird was in. He also says that he found the Kentish Plover breeding on the bare' sandy plain at Jashk ; and although he found no eggs, he caught a young bird unable to fly, about ten days old, and a specimen he shot at the same time was in winter plumage. On the ,28th April of the present year, Mr. J. W. N. Gumming, a young but earnest and reliable fellow-worker in Oology, found a clutch of three eggs placed in a slight depression in the sand at the base of a small hillock not far from the sea j on the &th May he found three .nestlings of the same species, and from his descrip- tion of the manner in which the parent bird (which he shot) tried to entice him from their vicinity, there can be no reasonable doubt of their authenticity. This skin was forwarded by Mr. Gumming to the Honorary Secretary of the Bombay Natural History Society, from whom I received it. It is without doubt a young bird of JEgialitis cantianus, exactly as Mr. Hume describes ; but to prevent any possibility of error I had the skin identified by Mr. Murray, Manager of the Victoria Natural History Institute, Mazagon, and for many years Curator to the Karachi Municipal Museum, who, after a most careful examination, fully endorsed my identification. Mr. Cumming's valuable find has therefore confirmed Colonel Legge's assertion, that the eggs he took in Ceylon belonged to M. cantianus and Bot to JEJ. dubia. MIMICRY IN BUTTERFLIES FOR PROTECTION. 169 Mr. Hume lays some stress on the fact that the eggs sent to him ? oy Colonel Legge are much smaller than European specimens usually are ; but if, as seems certain, only yearling birds breed with or near us, then their eggs, being under the average, need, not excite surprise. The eggs of JEyialitis cantiana, taken by Dr. Scully in Eastern Turkestan, are about the same size. Below I append a table giving the dimensions of the two eggs in Mr. Hume's possession, of four with Colonel Legge, three of Dr. Scully, and one sent me by Mr. Cumming. The first eggs of many domesticated birds are often abnormally small, as every housewife knows, and I have a crow's egg, taken from the nest, not much larger than a sparrow's egg. I have very carefully compared one of the eggs taken by Mr. Cumming (which he kindly lent me) with European eggs, and I find that, except in size, it does not differ: the groundcolour and the markings are exactly similar, but on the other hand it differs considerably from eggs of .zZ?. ■minutas, Pall {Jerdoni), of which I took a large number at Neemuch. The difference is hard to explain in words ; but when the eggs are placed side by side it is very notice- able. The markings of the egg of minutus being more speckly and scratchy and not so distinct as in eggs of cantianus, I am myself quite convinced of the authenticity of these eggs. Dimension of Eggs of JEgialitis cantianus. Mr. Hume. Colonel Vincent Legge. Dr. Scully. Mr. Cumming. Remarks. 6 -ta 03 to a © £ 2 - PQ. 0-87 0-85 -J? 03 o 1-21 1-25 1-23 12 T3 m P M CQ "3 «3 tc a a !— ' © d 2 ^2 00° to a 3 3 H3 73 es a © l-t 00 1 2 3 4 123 12 0-85 0-89 0-89 0-92 1'24 1-22 I'll 0-92 0-91 0-90 1-25 0-87 Mr. Hume says that European eggs vary from 125 to 1'64 inches in length and from 0'95 to 096 in breadth. ON MIMICRY IN BUTTERFLIES FOR PROTECTION. By Col. Chas. Swinhoe, f.l.s., p.z.s., f.e.s. That butterflies are to be found all over the world, clothed in colours and patterns closely resembling their surroundings, has been lonp- 170 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. known. Groups like the Satyrinas that are fond of shady places and live on hill sides and rocky dells are nearly always of a dull-brown colour ; the Euplceinee that inhabit dark moist dells and live in the thick undergrowth of forests are all black ; the Pieringe that fly about in the sun in almost any kind of climate are generally white or yellow ; and the desert group of this family, the Teracoli, that mostly frequent barren sandy tracts in the hottest parts of the world, have their white colours tinted and patched with most brilliant sun-spots of bright yellow and salmon colour ; they only fly about in the hottest part of the day, and are very difficult to distinguish. Then there are the leaf butterflies, or Kallimas, and their allies, which, when on the wing, frequent the tops of high trees; their flight is very swift, and most of them are of larg*e size. On the upper surface their wings are often brilliantly coloured, but underneath have the colouration and markings of various kinds of leaves, and when they settle, you see them vanish into a tree and become at once invisible. The com- mon Indian form, Kallima inaclds, for instance, a N.- W. Himalayan insect, generally settles amongst the dried leaves of a tree, and perching head downwards with closed wings so exactly resemble a dried leaf as to be invisible. Many of the Pierinas have also mimic eaves on their under surface. The largest of them are the Hebomoias. I have only two species of this genus, H. glaucijope, from various parts of India — very plentiful in Bombay, on Malabar Hill — and the Nicobar species, Rceepstorffii, and they both represent excellent imitations of leaves on their under surface. The subject, however, of the mimicry of one form of butterfly or another form was first brought clearly before the scientific world by Mr. Bates in an excellent paper which appeared in the Transactions of the Linnaean Society for 1862, Vol. 33, p. 495, and subsequently Mr. Wallace brought many remarkable facts on this subject to light. It was observed by Mr. Bates that imitating species are com- paratively rare, whilst the imitated are to be found in great numbers, the two sets living together. The imitated were for the most part brilliantly coloured insects, and he therefore concluded that they must be protected from the attacks of birds, &c, by some secretion or noxious odour, and this has now been abundantly proved, and his paper on this subject in P. E. S. 1866, 3rd December, p. 45, is well worth reading. I do not propose to give just now a paper of scien- tific deductions. The principle of mimicry has been written about and argued out by many scientific men since Mr. Bates first brought MIMICRY IN BUTTERFLIES FOR PROTECTION. 171 the matter to light in 1862. I simply propose to show as many of the types of mimicry as I can from the examples out of my own private collection of butterflies. As to how one butterfly comes to mimic another for protection has been explained by many authors, and not always on the same theory; but I take it that Darwin's explanation that many species of Lepidoptera are liable to considerable and abrupt variations of colour is the keynote of the whole mystery. Let us look at Hypolimnas misippus. The normal form of this butterfly is black, with large white spots on the wings ; the female mimics Danais chrysippus in its colouration and markings, this butterfly being of a bronze-reddish colour. Now the male of Hypolimnas misippus is a very pugnacious insect and is very active, and has a remarkably quick flight, and is therefore capable of protecting itself; it is very good food for birds, lizards, &c, and whenever caught is a delicious mouthful; the female, however, is much slower in flight, and when heavily laden with eggs is easily captured. Danais chry- sippus, on the contrary, like all the Danainas group, is a butterfly that; no bird or lizard will touch, and both these species live in the same places. Now, supposing at some former period, in accordance with the well-known fact that Hypolimnas misippus in common with many species of lepidoptera being liable to considerable and abrupt variation in colour (I myself have a very curiously coloured female of this group), if a female appeared of a reddish or bronzy tinge (a not uncommon occurrence with black butterflies), would itnot be probable that it would have a greater chance of escaping the attacks of birds and lizards than its black sisters ? Some of its progeny would also probably have a bronzy tinge, and these also would have the greater chance to escape, and so on, from generation to generation the more bronzy the offspring became, and the more they resembled the colouration of the protecting species, the more they would become protected themselves, until, in the course of ages, the black form of the female H. misippus would cease to exist and its place would be taken by the beautiful female mimic of Danais chrysippus; and it is curious to observe that the protected and protecting forms are invariably found together. Danais chrysippus is an insect common in many parts of the world, all over India, Burma, and Ceylon, in the Philippine Islands, in Turkey, Madagascar, Arabia, and the west, south, and south-eastern coast of Africa, and in all these places (I am not sure about Turkey) the protected form, Hypolimnus misippus, is also to be found. In Aden and in several parts of 172 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Africa there is a form of Danais chrysippus, called D. alcippus, with white hind wings, and in all such places the protected form of H. misippus is found with white wings; and in Aden, on the Kutch Coast in Sind, and in parts of the interior of Africa, there is a form of I). chrysippus called D. dorippus, without the black apical patch to the four wings, and in these places the female of H. misippus is also coloured and marked similarly. This form of the female of H. misippus is frequently to be seen in Bombay and other parts of India, audit is not at all uncommon, though not nearly so plentiful, as the D. chry- sippus foimt. On observing this I have for some years collected all the D. chrysippus I could get together in the expectation of getting some D. dorippus, and in this I have not been disappointed, and I have now specimens in my collection from Bombay, Poona, Khandalla, and from the Punjab. It is, however, nothing like so common as the female of H. misippus, which mimics this form, reversing the rule that the imitating species are comparatively rare whilst the imitated swarm in large numbers ; but this only shows that in former ages in these places the form D. dorippus was a common form, and that it has gradually been dying out and is now very nearly extinct. On the principle that mimicry is merely for protection, and that the protecting butterflies are those most abundant, we would here in India naturally expect to find the several species of the sub-families Euplceinge and Dauainse more frequently mimicked than any other kind, because many of the species of both these sub-families are to be found in great abundance in most parts of India, and all are distasteful to birds, lizards, &c, and this is actually the case. It is very difficult to demonstrate facts' of this nature from a private collec- tion from want of sufficient specimens, but happily my collection affords some very interesting examples, and though I cannot in all cases show the exact species mimicked, some of the mimicking species being from parts of India, from which I have not many specimens, still I can show forms sufficiently allied to make the matter un- derstood. We will first take the Euplceinae, of which the common form is E. core. It has many allies all over India, and its allies are more or less closely mimicked by several species of Papilio — Papilio panope, Papilio clytia, Papilio lankeswara, Papilio dravidarum, and the female of P. castor, also Papilio tavoyana, which exactly mimics Euploea alcathoe from the same parts of India, and of which I happen to have two good examples. There is another butterfly the female of which also mimics the Euplceas — a butterfly called Hypolimnas bolina, MIMICRY IN BUTTERFLIES FOE PROTECTION. 173 of the family Nymphalinre, widely separated from the family Papilioninee. In case No. 2 are also some very interesting mimics of two other common species of Euplcea — E. midamas and E. rhada- manihus. On the left of the former are two moths called Amesia aliris, which mimic the male, and three other moths called Amesia midama (all of the family Clmlcosidaj) which, mimic both sexes of E. midamas; and on the right of these Enplceas are also five excel- lent mimics, all butterflies of the family Elymniinse, E. leucocyma and Dyctis patna, the sexes of which mimic the same sexes of E. midamas. In the next column are some specimens of E. rhada- manihus of both sexes and to their right are a number of Euripug halitherses, a butterfly of the family Nymphalinge, the males of which mimic a Danais I do not possess — (I have, however, put in an allied form from Java to show the pattern), and the female mimics two forms of Euplcea, E. rhadamanthus and a black Euplcea I do not possess. Next we will take the red Danainge (case 3), D. chrysippus, D. dorippus, and D. aldppus. We will there see the female of Hypolymnas mimicking all these, as before explained, and Danais genutia you will find in the next column mimicked by the females of three different species of the family Elymniinas, i. e., E. fratema from Ceylon, E. caudata from South India, and E. undularis from Sikkim and Assam. There is a female of the last named species received last week from Rangoon along with the allied form of D. genutia from that part of India, with whitehind wings called D. hegisippust and it is very curious to observe that the hind wingrs of this and E. undularis as also whitish. In this case I also show you another species of this family called Dyctis vasudeva, which mimics a Delias of the family Pierinse, a gaudily-coloured common genus which nothing will eat. In case No. 4 are some white Danias mimicked by various kinds of Papilios, by one species of the family Nymphalina?, Hcstina nama, and by one species of the family Satyrinee, Orinoma damaris. Euplcea tytia and E. malaneus beautifully mimicked by Papilio agestor and P. Govindra; also P. epycides, P. megareus, P. macareus, P. xenocles, and Sestina nama of the family Nymphalinge, all of which mimic various forms of white Danais, the nearest allies of which to be found in my collection I have placed in the case for comparison. Finally, in case No. 5 there are some insects that mimic the common Papilio diphilus and its allies, a butterfly most distasteful to birds, &c. In the left is P. pammon, the female of which mimics two species, 174 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. P. diphUus and P. hector, and in the Nicobars the female of the variety Nicobarus mimics the Nicobar variety of P. dlphilus, called P. camorta. Then you will see P. janaka is mimicked by a moth called Epicopeia polidora, of the family Chalcosidas, and P.aidoneus is mimicked by another moth of the same genus called Epicopeia polinora. If we examine into the moths we find numerous cases of mimicry, commencing with the Zyga3nida3, which mimic various kinds of hornets, wasps, and flies, but time does not admit of my going into these. There is another form of so-called mimicry, which is not mimicry at all. In the family Euplceinas there are many series of species which in their markings much resemble each other, but as they are all distasteful to birds, lizards, &c-, there can be, in so far as we know, no reason why they should mimic each other; but, as has been already shown to you, many of them are very closely mimicked by various other kinds of butterflies, some of which belong to families widely separated from each other and by many moths. All the Indian species of Euplceinas, except one, E. Andamaneusis , are coloured black, and it is undoubtedly a fact that many of them, though differing so much in the shape of their wings and in their sexual marks as to have caused their separation into different sub-genera, are so nearly like each other in their markings as to be hardly distinguishable except to the experienced lepidopterist. These similarly marked species, in so far as I can understand it, must have had the same common ancestor, and for some reason unknown to us, though their markings have remained similai', the shape of their wings and the sexual brands on their wings, have become altered in the course of time, to adapt them to their conditions of life in the great struggle for existence. It is also very curious to note how evenly these changes seem to have occurred in widely separated places, such, for instance, as in Bombay and Ceylon, where we have the common form, E. core, a black insect with largish white sub-marginal and marginal spots; it has the hinder margin of the fore wings nearly straight, and one small sexual brand on the fore wings of the male. We also get in Bombay E. Kollari, so like it in its markings as to make it seem at the first glance to be the same insect, but if yoa examine it carefully you will see that it is quite different in the shape and size of the wings in both sexes, and the hinder margin of the fore wing is deeply curved outwards, and the sexual brand of the fore wing is also quite different. Now in Ceylon we have a form of E. core MARATHI NAMES OF PLANTS. 175 called E> asela, also quite common there, differing from E. core in having all the spots small ; and we also get E. sinhala, differing from E. Kollari in exactly the same way that E. asela differs from E. core. The core form is very common, and the Kollari form is rare, and I believe the latter was the original form; that it is gradually dying out and has been replaced and pushed out of existence by the other, which has now become the common form. I cannot do better than to end this paper with a quotation from Darwin on this subject; he says: — ' c As in each fully-stocked country natural selection necessarily acts by the selected form having some advantage in the struggle for life over other forms, there will be a constant tendency in the improved descendants of any one species to supplant and exterminate in each stage of descent their predecessors and their original parent. " MARATHI NAMES OF PLANTS. WITH A GLOSSARY. By Brigade-Surgeon W. Dymock. Molesworth remarks, in the Preface to his Dictionary, that such words as &\T3T, 3\3> or %csr, *rfa, ^"RT, &c, are applied indifferently to the tree and to the fruit, especially in the Konkan ; but that the Desh-people prefer to say 3?lfcr Bhes. f3j Hevur, tfrSTT ^r^ar Pandhari babhul. ^oS^oST Phalphala. 5RT Shembi, fr3T?T Shemberti. See Albizzia procera. See Albizzia stipulata. sfTTnTSTr Kamtiya. WHSSsK Ldlkhair. gfiTRJffr Kimaji. (Grah. Cat. 468.) 3T3RTf9Ff3Tr Akdkia (impd.) efrcff Kupi, ^r^T^T Khokali. *T??rr Rdsnd, ejjpT^T Kanbher. See Blepbaris edulis. TrTT^r Mardndi, JTRF'Tr Mordnnd. tT^f^Cr Rojamari. f3T*rri% c F Biranjasif. f^ar Chiku, ^^5" Kavath. *TrHT Getand. 3TRFST Aghadd, *sTTJf*rCr Kharmanjari. g-^^R Bachnab, or ^^rrrir Bachnag {impd.) ST^W Atis, armf^T Ativish (impd.) *F3H\ Vakhma, R^jrirr Bikhma. %^pf Vekhand, T3%*sT3" Vachvekhand. 3TT3T T^" Gora-vach. ^rS^^T Mdpursik. 5fr^Tf%^ Gorakhchinch, tfr^^jrfft Go- rakbamli, gr^^TT^' Vavbab. ! CHT*PC Rdnjiren. srr?S Vdl, vtffftf ii*r Thorli gunj. *fhn" ^T^Tr Mothi-sonki. 3T|o5*Tr Adulsd, mm Bdsd, B^F"? Atarusha. g^r^ Mubarak, f*rcr*r Hansrdj, qr^^T Ghorkhiiri. q-f Edii, or |r^Hedu. 3jr*r3T Kanjala. GLOSSARY. 179 Mg\e Marmelos, Corr iErides maculosum, Lindl. ... iErva lanata, Juss iEscbenomene aspera, Linn... .rEtheilema reniforme Agaricus campestris, Linn. „ officinalis Agati grandiflora Agave americana, Linn.... Ageratum conyzoides, Linn. ... Aglaia odorata, Lour Ailanthus excelsa, Roxb „ malabarica, DC Alangium Lamarckii, Thwaites Albizzia amara, Boivin ,, Lebbek, Benth „ odoratissima, Benth . „ procera, Benth ,, stipulata, Boivin , Algse sp. var. (pond weeds) ., Aleurites moluccana, Wiild. ... Alhagi maurorum, Desv , ,, „ manna (impel) Allamanda cathartica, Linn. ... Allium Cepa, Linn porrum, Linn sativum, Linn sp. (Muscat garlic) Allophyllus Cobbe, Bl.. Alocasia indica, Schott. Aloe abyssinica, Lam. . extract of perryi, Baker, extract, (impel). in? Bel, f^ry Bil or fa?3T Bilva. f ^T? Ichvach. eRTgC *T*|*T Kapiir-madhura. ifS" Bhend. The dry stem from Bengal, used by women to [keep earring-holes open. The sola hat is made of it. See Justicia infundibuliformis. *lFffsf Alomben. See Polyporus officinalis. See Sesbania grandiflora. ^r^^Tr^ Palkande, ^flTrfr 3?^^ Jangli an&s. 3TT^T#r Osari. fspi*T Priyangu. jr=r^cT Maharukh. ^TT^pjtr Bagyadhup, 37^ Ud. 371W 3TT3ifa Kala akol, or at^ffa Ankol. f^rf Liilai, ^|*jrt] Layali. nr^T Shiras, f^^r^r Chichola. RTC^ Shiras, f%f%^T Chinchinda or pq^r Chichva. fetfj Kinai, JT^n; Gurar. 37??? Udul, ^ftr Kasir. %3T5S Sheval. 3T*3fiT Akhrot, WFT5S Japbal. ■sr^raT Javasa, or ST^T^T Y&vasa. rTi-il«n''T Turanjabin. ■jj^j- ^pr^^T Jahari sontakka. g^fr Kanda, 3755 Ul, IFft^ Palandu, qfapFT Piyaj, t*T&\ Dungli. j^ft? Kborat. r^rq- Labsan, FHV^l Lasuu, or FrepT Lasbun. 5^fr^O Sirebari (impd.) ^^v^'r^T Wf^TT Ekkanda lahsan, in bazar, it comes from Gogo. rfrrR Tipin, ^fft Mendri. sra^Aliin, %^ 3^ Tere-alun. gr^lT Kunvar, sfirefr? Korkand, -*k+»IT Koraphad. qfg^rr Eliya. #*fhft *&&iti> Sokotri eliya. 180 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Aloexylon Agallochum Alpinia Allughas, Rose. Galanga, Swz. nutans, Rose. „ officinarum, Hance . . Alstonia scholaris, R. Br. Alternantliera sessilis, R. Br.... Aklicea officinalis, Linn, (root) „ (flowers) Alysicarpus vaginalis, D. C. ... Amarantus Blitum, Linn „ gangeticus, Linn.. ,, polygamus, Linn... ,, spinosus, Linn.. .. „ tenuifolius, Willd- Ammannia baccifera, Linn. ... Amomum Cardamomum, ,, Korarima, Pareira.. „ subulatum, Roxb — „ xanthoides, Wall ... Amoora Rohituka, W. fy A.... Amorphophallusoampanulatus, Blume. „ „ wild kind, „ sylvaticus . .. Amygdalus communis Amyris heptaphylla Anacardium occidentale, Linn. » » (tar) ... Anacyclus Pyre thrum, D. C. (root) Anamirta Cocculus, W. fyA... „ „ fruit Ananassa sativa, Linn See Aquilaria Agallocha. rTIT^r Tarak. 5RTS" ^r^^r-T Kosht kulinjan. (The great Galangal, impd.~) gtJjf^Tr Punachampa, JniTrTF^TT Nag- phanichampa. TR^ff*IT Pankijar, JF:r%*R Kulinjan. {China Galangal, impd.) ^TrT^FT Satavin, ^H"7[^r Saptaparni. ^rf^Cr Kanchari. H?}H*fl' Khitmi {impd.') *p7%fr Gulkhairo {impd.) =^rf Cliai, ^^r^ff Ladundi chai. sericea, Dalz ,, speciosa, Sioeet Arissema Murrayi, Dalz Aristolochia bracteata, Retz .. , indica, Linn „ longa, Linn, (root) ,., rotnnda,L«m.(root) ,, serpentaria, Linn. (root). Arnebia sp Artabotrys odoratissima Artemisia Absinthium, Linn... ( , maritima, Linn. (flowers). „ Sieversiana, Willd... ,, sternutatoria ,. „ vulgaris, Linn, var. indica. Arthrocnemum indicum, Moq.. Artocarpus hirsuta, Lam STT^ Arnati. ^t^r Jondhri. See Schweinfnrthia sphserocarpa. 37^^ Karafs, ^ffraT^T^rf Bori-ajmod. See Carum Roxburghii. See Saussurea Lappa, ^T^r Sala. ff#3T*T*; Hindi agar, fTGTPTT Krishna-agar. ^rfHTr Bhuimtig, *Tftr*T Bhuisheng. rfRTrfr Tapmari. f^^?rr Dikna. ^Tr'TT Supari, jiT Pung. <^fr Daruri, rSW ^TT^T Phirangi-dhotri, 3iT5>TRT Kantedhotra. ^t^rt^ Mhaisvel. See Lettsomia elliptica. tJT^ Gavel. ^2?^fr^i Samudra-shok. g*qf^T ^Tr^T Sarpacha kiinda. TT^r^T Gandhati repgTJnT Kiramar. ^TT^PT or ^TT^, Sapsan or Sapsand. HTr3"f37<7PT Zarawandekalan (imjid.) UTr^TT'X Zarawandegird (impel.) ^noSrer^r Kalavala (impd.) incisa, Linn integrifolia, Linn.. Lakoocha, Roxb.., ^TT^trT Ratanjot. See Uvaria odoratissima. B^^frTH* ^*fr Afsantine Rvimi (impd.) R\ WTi" Mt^T Kirmani onva-. ^f°Tr Dauna. See Centipeda orbicularis. ST^ Surband, vulg. ^q«T or Sj-fqT Surpan or Surpin, derived from w& and ^, as it is used to cure bellyache, worms, &c. jp^f?? Machol, srfr Ghnri. 3T%^T Anjeli, TR^T^T Patphanas, ^PT^^^T Ranphanas, qr°rg?y Phanasul. f^Rfrft c FT°r^r Vilayati Phanas. qr°rq" Phanas. ffrcfr Lovi, ar're Aond, srt* Badhar, qrnfar Vatamba. GLOSSARY. 183 Arum nymphaefolium ,, sessiliflorum Arundo Karka, Roxb Asarum europeum, Linn. (root) Asclepias curassavica, Linn. .. Asparagus adscendens, Roxb.. ,, officinalis, Linn. ... ,, racemosus, Willi. .. ,, sarmentosus, Willi Asphodelus fistulosus, Linn. .. Asteracantha longifolia Astragalus sp. (gum sarcocolla). Atalantia monophylla, Corr. ... Atriplex hortensis, Linn. ... Atylosia Lawii Avena sativa, Linn Averrhoa Bilimbi, Linn „ Carambola, Linn. Avicennia tomentosa Azadirachta indica Balanites Roxburghii, Planch Balanophora sp Baliospermum montanum, Miill-Arg. (seed). ,, montanum (root) Balsamodendron Gileadense (fruit). ,, ,, (balsam) „ (wood) ,, Mukul, Ho oh (gum resin) „ Myrra, Nees. (gum resin). ,, PlayfairiiBbo^-./. (gum resin.) ,, Roxburghii, Am- (gum resin). Bambusa arundinacea, Willi .. 25 See Colocasia antiquorum. See Sauromatum pedatum. ^ToS or ^qroS Deonal or Deonal. rT*TT Tagar (impi.), (seldom genuine). 3T^^t Kurki, ^n^FT^r Kdktundi. **%^g^o£r Safedmusli, qtoST^^oifr Dholi musli. frfnr^ Haliyun. "I^Trr^afr Shatmuli, ^tr; Zatar, a fl yj^r / Asvel. ^ftsfrT Bokhat, fsR*3t*r Bingharbij. See Hygrophylla spinosa. *THT Gujar (impi.) tlttfZy^ Ranlimbu, *Tr3ref%^f°fr Makarnim- boni, irrrt'prR Matangnar. 5jfr Juri. *:PT^C Rantur (A. lineata, W. fy A.) f^Rrfr "5Tr^Vilayati Jau. RT^^T Bilimbi. *jTqT3T Khamrak, ^T^F? Karambal, <^w& Karmal. frT^T Tivar (A- officinalis, Linn.) See Melia Azadirachta. ffTPT Hingan, ifm""^ Hinganbc't. TSriTTofr Gajpimpali. ^PTT^freT Jamalgota (false). ^\frf^pS Dantimiil. fifo^^rFr Habelbales^n (B. Opoba- samum (Kunth), (impi.) <4$)*3M Balesan (impi.) 3"f ^^rrT Udebalesan (impi.) JTj37r7Mukul, JTTTT55 Guggal (impi.) [?TJ*?[o5 Hirabol (impi.) 'fHTWTHT Minaharma (impi.) U^TRT^ 5' X !X 5 ^ Mhaisabol, Guggul. JTT^irrf Maodgai. 184 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Bambusa Arundo, Klein. . ,, (silica of) sp „ stricta, Roxb ,, vulgaris, Wendl. Barleria ccerulea montana, Nees. courtallica, Nees. Prionitis, Linn. f%r Kohola or Kovhala ^TR" Kushmand. at^^TfRT Ambarbaris. ^TCf55f Darbalad. ^ftrT Rasot, TO^tft Raswanti. See Murraya Kcenigii. ffcTT^ Hintal. See Pluchea lanceolata. ^^ Chukandar, qr?^ Palak. GLOSSARY. 185 Betula Bhojpattra, Wall (bark) Bignonia chelonoides, Linn... Bignonia undulata, Roxh. ... ,, spathacea „ stans, Willi ,, suaveolens Biophytum sensitivum, D. C Bischoffia javanica, Bl Bixa Orellana, Linn Blepharis asperrima, Nees ... ,, edulis, Pei's „ molluginifolia, Jirss. Blighia sapida, Don Blumea aurita „ holosericea and othei strong smelling Blumeas. „ sp. nov. near to B. eriantha. Bocagea Dalzelli, H.f. & T. Boerhaavia elegans, Chois. „ repens, Linn. ... ,, verticillata, Poir .. Boletus crocatus, Batsch. var. Bombax malabaricum, D. C. (gum).. Borassus dichotomns, White.. „ flabelliformis, Linn.. Borrera Ashneb Boswellia floribunda, End/.. (frankincense.) „ v (bark). ., serrata, Roxb. .. Bougainvillia spectabilis Bovista, sp Bracbyramphus sonchifolius Brassica campestris, Linn... ^TnTT'T Bbojpatr, 5j;^ZT Sal- pbali. gTTfSJTTSr Banberis. q f r{ | cAW' ?^t Pataltumbri. See Lactuca Heyneana. RTf^T Shiris. 186 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Brassica juncea, H. f. fy T- „ nigra, Koch „ oleracea, Linn „ Rapa, Linn Brayera anthelmintica Briedelia sinica ,, montana, Willd .. Bryonia laciniosa, Linn „ umbellata Bryophyllum calcynum, Salisb Buchanania latifolia, Roxb Butea frondosa, Roxb... „ (gum). >, »> (seed). „ parviflora j, superba, Roxb.. Cactus indicus, Roxb Cadaba indica, Lam Csesalpinia Bonduc, Roxb „ coriaria, Willd „ digyna, Rottl „ pulcherrima, Swtz., „ Sappan, Linn „ sepiaria, Roxb Cajanus indicus, Spr Calacanthus Dalzelliana, T. Anders. Caladium sp. var Calamus Draco, Willd. (gum resin). „ Rotang Callicarpa lanata, Linn Callitris quadrivalvis/Fe«£. The gum. Calonyction speciosum, ^tffr Mohari, *jf Rai. cfrrsfr Kobi, gfrf Koi (Port.) ^rFyqTT Shalgham. See Hagenia abyssinica. See Phyllanthus lanceolarius. 3TRTr°Tr ASana TTrR^Rt^ Phattarphor, TH^FT Palehasan, $^rr°fr Hasani. 37T3rfiF3T Kavdori. See Zehneria umbellata. CTRTFoF Ghayal, ErFTTFcr Ghaipat, qrWH' Ghaimaii. 3T3 x TJTS' o r Aranmaran, 4 u H?«i' Parnabij or leaf-seed. Vrm& Piyal, ^tr Char, xTlffafr Charoli, ^RT^R Charabor. To??!" Palas, SjTPRTr Khakara. TSRnTfa Palasgond, ?3T5RpfiT Khakara gond. qoFSTTPT^r PalaspdparA. See Spatholobus Roxburgbii. , parviflorum, Lam ,, umbellatum, Wight. Capparis aphylla, Roth „ brevispina ,, grandis, Linn ,, horrida, Linn, f „ pedunculosa „ Roxburghii, B. C. ... „ spinosa, Linn. (bark). Capsicum sp. var Caralluma fimbriata, Wall Carallia integerrima, B. C Cardiospermum halicacabum. Linn. 3^ or ^r°T Undi or Undin. ^• var Citrus aurantium, Linn ,, decumana, Willd „ Limonum, Linn ,, medica, Linn „ ,, var. acida, Linn. Clausena heptaphylla, W. fy A (Clematis triloba, Heyne Cleome felina, Linn ,, viscosa, Linn Clerodendron inerine, R. Br.. „ infortunatum, Linn ,, phlomoides, Linn.. „ serratum, Spr- ,, Sipbonanthus, R.Br Clitorea Ternatea, Linn Clypea Burmanni , Cnidium diffusum Coccinia indica Cocculus Leoeba, D. C „ macrocarpus, W. fy A. „ villosus, D. C ..., ^"Tr Chana, f^HCT Harbbara. ^rr?l?fr Kasni, (impd.) ^T'K Kapur (impd.) ^"f^r^r or ^psf^RT Darchini or Dalchini (impd.) 371^ 5TR]%^TC Kal^ nagkesar (impd). ^riTqTJfr Darchini rf*r Taj 37*?rrr Kurfa. rTTr^T Tamala. rT'Tr^T^' Tamalapatra. TrfPC^* Pahirvel, qrfr'^o^ Paharmul. See Vitis. fg-RIor Indrayan, fgt^oE Indraphal, f53TF°fr Indravaruni, ,§v?f fr^" 5 ! Kurdrundavan. ^rf^^rg" or gff%JTor Kalingar or Kalingan. fffTq - ^ Dilpasand. TTRTfi' Naringi. TTSRf Papanas. f^^Limbu . *Tf r^TT Mahalung, «rPTFT or *rr^fc Jam bh.it or Jambir- sfaTR'^or r^^Ambat nimbd or limbu ^T?? c T r Fo5' Karanphal. 'ffT^H Morvel- ^^^frCr Suvarnaksbiri. ZKWKZl or ^R^rit Kanphuti or kanphori, fT^o&r frToS^T Pivali-tilavan. TR^ITf Ranjai, ^R^ Koivel. ^Tr^R Bhandir Zfifl Kari. f*;or Iran or qTT Airan. vfr^Tfr Bharangi. yfr^rfr Bharangi. ^^Irfr Kajali TfRT 3 !! Gokarni QTrfr Supli. See Cyclea Burmanni. See Seseli indicum. See Cephalandra indica. TT^-^rGuddcbi. qz^S Vatvel ?jiTj^aFj R>amrifc> cor. of *TT*STr R/imraksha ^T^HST "Vatoli. Kargtil. f ^TT'T Hiranpag. ^Ta^R^n" Sakmuniya {impd.) ^r^TT Vamppi. Coptis Teeta, Wall, (root)...! *rrcf?pr Mamiran (impd.) Corallocarpus conocarpa.j *Tfrf^T Mahadevi, fSRf&T Shivaling. HooJcJ- 3T3^RTf Karvinai. ^fqfTSJT Bahuphali. s 5fHf Chonchen. ^■f^Tofr Babupbali, ^0^310 Hirankhori, ,, epigsea, Hooh.f. Corchorus Anticborus, Rausch ,, capsularis, Linn. „ fascicularis, Lam olitorius, Linn. trilocularis, Linn... „ (seeds), Jrnrf^t Magarmithi. f%^ Chinch, ^TqT3" Banpat. SR"3" f%r^ Karu chinch. ?:nrf*rt Rajjire'n. Cordia angustifolia I ^tV^TT Gondani. (C. Rothii, Rom. et Sch-). „ latifolia I ^fq^rr^Sapistan, ^ Shelu, ^TTf Vargund. 26 192 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Cordia Macleodii, H.f. 8f T. . „ Myxa, Linn Wallichii Coriandrum sativum, Linn. ... „ (fruit).... Corylus avellana, Linn, (nuts) Corypha umbraculifera, Linn. (seed.) Coscinium fenestratum, Colebr. Cosmostigma racemosum, Wight. Costus speciosus, Sm.... Crataeva religiosa, Forst....... Cressa cretica, Linn Crinum asiaticum, Serb ,, augustum, Roxb „ oruatum, Wight. ... Crocus sativus, Linn- (saffron) Crossandra undulaefolia, Salisb. (flowers) Crotalaria juncea, Linn „ Leschenaultii, D. C, Notoriii, W. $ A ,, retusa, Linn Croton hypoleucos, Date „ oblongifolium, Roxb ,, sebiferum, Linn „ Tiglium, Linn „ tinctorium, Burnt. .. Cubeba officinalis Cucumis Colocynthis ,, Melo, Linn „ ,, varutillissimus „ sativa, Linn trigonus, Roxb ^^T or 3"3FT Dbaivnn or Dai van. ^T^T* Bhokar, ^f^H" Shelvant. vr^Tf or f^r Dhavan or Daivan (C. obliquSj, Willd. var. Wallichii.) ^r^lT Kothmir, gffftp?rc Kothimbir. Vfoj- Dhane. fcffe^r Phinduk or Finduk (t'mpd.) q^TT^^Vajrabattu, qT^N"55 Vajrival. |Tr#rf 5^ Jharihalad. ^rat-Jati. ^"ITf eRTfT Kbumbdri k.inda, qfar Penra, ^Tnr^^^r or m*T*JZ[ Vagchavra or Vagrati. ^r^^ u ir Vayavarna, ffS^rorf Harvarna, JTT^F R/imala, ^TIT^T Karvan. ^T^f Khardi, ^"^ Chavel. q-rrr^^or or qpr^JT Nagdavan or Nagdan. Trrsr^pr Gaidavan. TsFfH»^ or T^fNiTfr Gadanikand or Gad- ambikanda. (C. longifolium, Roxb.) %?[[^ Keshar (impd.") 3T#T?ft Aboli, vulg. for3Tr%WT Aboli. 3TTs}t^ or 3TT#r^ Abola or Abole. t{\TT Tag, ^PT^fcr Sanbij. j%*Jo£r or flrio?, Dingli or Dingal, ^T^SST Dayli. *3rj5lsla5rk*lo6J Kbulkhuldingala. 3T55f Kulai. q-pfr Gh£gri. TT^O Pandhari. spiwr Ghansur. fqTT^Tri'cR' Pipalgank. *PnH*ff?r Jamltlgota, ^rqT55 or -SfnTCT^ Japal or Jaipal. ^"^nW Siiryavarta. See Piper Cubeba. See Citrullus Colocynthis. f^a-jf Chibiir. rTWT-^ft, or-^fprTavsi, Tavshi or Tavshin. cfrp*r?f Kakari, f^m Khira. ^nffc or ^ukt Karit or Karint, cfnr%<* Katvel. GLOSSARY. 193 Cucumis trigonus,var. pubescens Cucurbita Citrullus I Pepo, D.C Cuminum Cyminum, Linn. ... Cupauia canescens Cupressus glauca, Spr Curculigo Curcuma Amada, Iloxb ,, angustifolia, Roxb.... „ aromatica, Salisb. .. „ caesia, Roxb „ caulina, Grah „ longa, Roxb „ pseudomontana,(?ra/t „ Zedoaria, Roscoe Cuscuta reflexa, Roxb , •i sp sp Cyamospsis psoraloides, D. C Cyauotis axillaris Cyathocline lyrata, Cass , Cycas circinalis Cyclea Burmanni, Miers. ...... ,, peltata Cydonia vulgaris, Vers , CylicodaphneWightiana, Nees Cylista scariosa, Ait Cynara scolymus, Willd Cynodon Dactylon, Pers Cynoglossum canescens ,, ccelestinum Cyperus bulbosus, Vahl...... .. „ per tenuis, Roxb , „ rotundus, Linn 5"3T*T37 or -gff, Takmak or Takmaki. See Citrullus vulgaris. ;§T*TC: Dangar, *frT3T Bhopla. *r%?f3PC Sufedjire. See Hemigyrosa canescens. *TS" Sard. See Hypoxis. 3TJTRT Amdda, 3iT3[*T^TC*t' KYijuragauri. rPT3ffr*; Tavkir. ^Rf55^ Ranhalad, ST^foSf Ambdhalad, %^Tf55^ Verihalad. ^^=5T^ Narkachdr. ^mx Chavar. ^5Ef Halad, ^n!3T Haridra. j%^*^T Sindarbar, nre^pff Sindervani. 37=3Kr or grefrrSr Kachora or Kachola, C. Zerumbet, Roxb. The name Kachura is often loosely applied to all Curcumas. aTHi'l^W Akashvel, ar^tc? Amorvel, 3^%^ Antarvel, aTT^rRT^r Akashmuli, ^RRfrS Sonarvel, ^nfa Sonvel. aT'Tr^r^fr Aftimun (impd.) ^fH^r Kasds (impd.) ifftTCT Govari. See Tradescantia axillaris. 'T'TT^fr Gangotri. TtTOFft ^fq-R? Malabari sdpari. (C. Rum- phii, Miq.) "THiT Pakar. q^w Parel, . C. Dichopsis elliptica, Benth Dichrostaehys cinerea, W. fy A Digera arvensis Dilivaria ilicifolia Dillenia pentagyna, Boxb „ speciosa Dioscorea aculeata, Boxb. „ bulbifera, Linn. „ oppositifolia, Boxb. „ peutaphylla, Willd. TOT^TPT Gulsham. efit*(T Kerambi. SrlTT Utaran, sirf4."ft Utarni. ^?5ET Dandus, f^r Harani, Tprrfr Gengri. rTIW Tali, rH^Mr Takoli. See Ougeinia dalbergioides. TraT or qrr^fr Pasi or Phasi. f^T^Shisd, f%^TTr Shinshapd. q?iTo£r Pentguli, f^RoST Titabli, zr^ir^ Yekyel. 3T?5Tt Alai, .rfrrT^F? Miinganvel. JTT^fnT^rfr Mazeriyun. q - ^ Pech. ST^RiT or 3T3T?53T, Akalbir or Akalbar. ^rr^tcTCr Kante dhotara, vtt|*t Dhattura. q^rjf Gharbhuli (imjpd.) ^THST Gajar. See Lamprachsenium microcephalum. "ST^^K Jadvar (impd.) ^r^FTrT Trayarmin, 3TW3T Asprak, JT?5*r??r^ Guljalil. 7f^3f Patrika. (D. Lawanum, Lindl.) ^rn^TT Saltan, ^pr Daye, ^rrWT°ff Salparni. *T»T1T*n" Ranganja, (D. laxiflorum, B.C.) HT^r Ranmethi. STr^TraT Kakganja. Tr^ff^r P;inchoti, q^r Palla. f^rT^^RT Sigamkati. See Achyranthes altemifolia. See Acanthus ilicifolius. ztxT^fS Karmal, ^JRlcS Kanglu, gr*JT%t* Karamvel, qT375T3T ; T*T5 Dhakta-kanglii . 'fr'" =F\TTW Mothe Karmal, (D. indica, Linn.) gFrr^RT'ff K&ntekangi, gpniT or g^TTr)- Kangara or Kangi. 3vf^^T or sfT^qrr^fW, Karukarauda, or Karva karanda. *{F? Ma-nda, qTSTqto&T Pashpoli. 3^refr XJlsi, tr^W Sheudvcl. GLOSSARY. 195 Dioscorea sativa, Wifld „ tomentosa(?) perhaps a variety of D. pentaphylla. „ triphylla, Wifld.... Diospyros assimilis, Bedd ,, chloroxylon, lloxb ,, exculpta (roots) „ melanoxylon, Roxb ,, montana, Roxb.... ,, sp. var „ Tupru, Ham Dipterocarpus turbinatus Gdrtn. (balsam). Dodonsea Burmanniana Dolichandrone falcata, Seetn... Dolichos biflorus, Linn „ Lablab, linn var. „ sinensis Dorema Ammoniacum, Von (gum.) (root)... Doronicum pardalianches, Linn (rhizome) Dregea volubilis, Benth Dryobalanops Camphor a, Colebr. (Bhimseni camphor) Dysoxylum binectariferum, Hooh.f. Ecballium Elaterium, A. Rich. (fruit). Ecbolium Linneanum, Kurz.... Echinops echinatus, D. C. ... Echium sp. (leaves and flowers) „ ,, (!) rhizoma Eclipta alba, Hassle Ehretia buxifolia, Roxb. „ laivis, Roxb TOT55 Konphal, p^r, China. =3T3R" or =5rrt^, Clniyen or Chain. JTF5" M&nda 5^t^T Mulliya. PT^- Ninai. Ih^ff Temburni, »TT*cfrfT%?l" Makarkhindi, (D. Embryopteris, Pe?-s.) ST^TrT^ ?3T§" Akshate'che Khor. ft, Garambi or Garbhi, JR<*rt Gardal, (E. scandens, Bth.) W^tsr - Lastuk. fpT Horn of the Parsees, supposed to be the same as the Soma of the Vedas (impd.) See Amoora Lawii. See Streblus asper. See Dadalacanthus purpurascens. ?Fr STRr^l 1 Ranaboli, ^g^fDashrnulijftfagt cRTChn" Tambri-koranti. ^*f Darbha. T^r Maredi, ^fcraTT Sonsali. =qU Chera, =^r*T Choura. TR'Tft^r Margundiya. Tfrfo&T Gondali. tts^; Botkii, 3K*T Arang. &?[ Buti, #T5"f» Botkii. STF^r Shalmali, ^rrfffr^T Shamiridd, ^ff qT^TT Bhujridhaman. q"?T5C Masur. ^vt^ c k; Lantak. qr^T^T Pangra, qrtrr PAranga. f^K Deodar. GLOSSARY. 197 Eugenia aquea, Burnt. 1 „ caryophylloea, Wight. ,, Jambolana, Lam ,, Jambos, Linn „ lanceolaria, Rovb ,, lissophylla, Thwaites.. Eulophia bicolor, Dalz Eupatorium Ayapana, Vent. ... ,, divergens Euphorbia antiquorum Linn ... „ hirta „ neriifolia, Linn „ thymifolia, Burin... „ Tirucalli, Linn „ tithymaloides, Willd (gum) Eurya japonica, Thunb Euxolus polygamus, Moq Evolvulus hirsutus Exacum bicolor, Roxb ,, pumilum, Griseb Exesecaria Agallocha, Willd... ,, baccata, Mull ,, insignia, Miill-Arg. Fagonia mysorensis Farsetia segyptiaca, Tvrr. Feronia elephantum, Corr. ... Ferula alliacea, Boiss „ galbaniflua, Boiss. {gunresin.) „ Narthex Boiss. {gum- resin .) j, sp. {gum-resin)... Ficus asperrima, Roxb „ bengalensis, Linn ,, Carica, Linn „ cordifolia, Roxb fNnrhgoff Tikjambbul. 5f«i«l rJ^iT Jangli lavang, ^PTW^T Ran lavang. 3TT5JSB or Sm^oft, Jiimbhul or Jambhiili. 5TT3T or 5TT>Tr, Jamba or Jambha, q^i^fa Sakarajambha. ^T^T?r %rT Dakti-sheran. TPT'JrPJpE Pan jambhiil. 3t^T5ff^ or 3TT^f Amberkand or Amarkand. STRTFTPT Ayapan. See Vernonia divergens. ^^ST Narsej. 3v;ff Dudhi, ?rni?f Nayati, (E. pilulifera, Linn) PT^?*T Nivarsng, R^^rar Nivalkante, pTTT? Mingut. ^r^^t Nayati, v^r^T VJt Dhaktidudbi, fSTR^^T^rr Hazardana. It?: Sber, ?I%^ Thuvar, Pt^py or-pfr, Nival or Nivali. ^g- Shend, FfFSTCffiT ?pT Vilayati-tuvar. TTCSfpSFJ. Farbiyiin HjTr Bhaunra, *ff?r Gonta, ^jj Devra. ^Wrf *IT«fr Chiilai bhaji. ^f?=T%?fr Shanknaveli, (E. alsinoides, Linn.) 3ffrnWJ wrongly, of course, (if he has rightly identi- fied his bird) E. chinensis is the " Blue-breasted Quail" of Indian sportsmen; our button-quails belonging to the genus Turnix, which has no hind toe ; and as these names were adopted by Jerdon, whose English nomenclature was as systematic as his Latin, they have a right to stand. If size was the only thing to consider, E minima, the Dwarf-Quail of Celebes, wouldput both the Indian birds, as well as the present species, out of court. It is the smallest game-bird in the world. Speaking generally, our voyagers found the fauna of the Sulu group to be Philip- pine in character, and Dr. Guillemard attributes to the Sibutu passage, separating them from Borneo, an importance, as a Zoological boundary little inferior to that of " Wallace's" line at the Lombok Strait, at the other side of the Malayan * Vide for instance plate 37 of Fergusson's Indian and Eastern Architecture ; representing a relief from Amrawati ; and note that Amrawati was in constant communication with the Malay Islands. BOOK NOTICE. 213 From Sulu the " Marchesa" sailed to the territories of the British North "Borneo Company, Brunei, and Sarawak. They were not able to visit the caves ■where the edible swallows- nests are procured in such quantities as to form "by far the most important" export of the country. Dr. Guillemard notes, however, that the caves are not the only habitat of this swallow. He " observed a couple of nests built close together on the face of a small cliff, barely 10 feet from the sea-beach." He does not name the species, and no bird of the genus (Collocalia) appears in his appendices. The party collected many birds, and a live ourang- outang, but met with no particular adventure in Borneo, except that our author found a bird as big as a goldfinch (Mixornis Bomensis) caught in the web of a forest spider (Nepkila) who, "though evidently somewhat deterred by his un- usually large capture and the violent shakings of the web, showed no intentions of flight, and quietly watched the issue of events close by." The masculine gender is perhaps here misplaced. It is probable that no male spider, even of the monstrous genus Mygale, which Dr. Guillemard found reaching 3" by 1" in size, could kill a bird. The female is the bigger, as well as better, half, among the Arachnidse ; and in some species carries woman's rights so far as to kill and eat her undesirable admirers. Aftersome cruising in known waters the " Marchesa," on the 9th August, anchored off Sumbawa ; and entered on the study of the A ustralo- Papuan region, to which that island belongs by climate and zoology, though the population is of the Malay breed. The difference in landscape struck the travellers at once, everything was dry, the jungle scrubby and thorny, and Euphorbias of two or three species were abundant. In Bombay we don't require to go to the Papuan region for these luxuries ; but Dr. Guillemard had been for months in Malay proper, and had come to feel that nothing but a rattan had any business to stop his way with prickly branches. " The forest trees were unfamiliar, and owing to the leaflessness of many of them, there was a remarkable absence of colour in the landscape. Here and there ouly a Bombax caught the eye; its crimson flowers conspicuous at the end of the bare branches. The prickly-pear was growing every- where, and to judge from its abundance, must have been introduced into the island many years ago. No rain had fallen for five months, and the heat and dust were intolerable." From the above quotation it will be gathered that the glories of Sumbawa are pretty much such as may be enjoyed by the aid of the G. I. P. R., and without getting out of range of ice and pomplets. The birds, however, were a little more interesting from the mixture of Indian and Malayan forms; and one new bird, Zosterops Sumbavensis, was obtained. At Bima, in this island, the best shooting was about the town graveyard. From Sumbawa the " Marchesa " sailed to Gunongapi (or fire-mountains), a volcanic isle, where her collectors secured a new button-quail [proper) which they called Turniz Powelli, after one of their party. They also noticed a species of Borassus ; not so common, says Dr. Guillemard, in the islands further west, which flowers but once, and dies immediately afterwards, like the bamboo and some other big endogenous plants. From Gunongapi they sailed for Macassar in Celebes, where they found " dress- coats de'jrigueur, but a frock-coat or even a cut-away may be worn without 214 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. a breach of decorum." This compendium of Macassarian costume is, as Mr. Mathew Arnold would say, slightly wanting in lucidity ; and our author saw nothing of the " incomparable oil, Macassar," which is reported to be made of the fruit of a tree very common about Bombay, the "horse-radish tree" {Moringa pterygosperma, Marathice Shewga). If there is no oil, however, there is lots of grog ; " Port, Madeira, Hollands, and Bitters," and Manilla cheroots abound. "The ladies are far in advance of their Anglo-Indian sisters "; for why, because they wear "sarongs" and " Kibayas, " things which the present writer fears to discuss. But from the context it would seem that if the Holland-Indian sisters advance much further on this line, their progress will be something like that of the Irish sergeant's squad " advance three steps backward, and dress by the gutter" ; a dressing-room appropriate enough to any further change of costume in the direction indicated. Amongst the Batavian disciples of Pantagruel and Lady Harberton Dr. Guillemard picked up a new trick in his own trade, a prophylactic against cholera ; which at any rate, sounds pleasanter than our old friend Mr. Hornaday's " fever-cure" based upon strychnine at the rate of two ounces a week). " Float your liver, sir, keep your liver constantly floating in champagne, " was the prescription of those whom our author naturally calls " the wise Dutch." He might also well call them the liberal and hospitable Dutch ; and they lent the " Marchesa " good charts, the height of friendship amongst seamen. She naturally, cruised a good deal about Celebes, and Dr. Guillemard admired the Dutch colonial system, and compared it with English ways, which he considers inferior. Leaving his generalisations on subjects clearly beyond his competence, it is a pleasure to accompany him on his proper ground— amongst the birds. In Cele- bes these are numerous and interesting, few more so than a dwarf dove [Ptilopus melanocephalus), one of many such in the Papuan region, but distinguished by shining green body and French grey head ; velvet black nuchal patch, bright yellow throat and vent; and under tail coverts of crimson. He also procured Prioniturus plalurus, a racket-tailed parrot, of a genus peculiar to Celebes and the Philippines, and on the small island' of Talisse two fine species of fruit pigeons (Carpophaga) in which he noted the enormous power of gape (due to the peculiar arrangement of the mandibles and quadrate bones) which enables these birds to swallow entire fruits much bigger than their own heads. Returning to the main island of Celebes, the " Marchesas " shot some Babi-rusas, strange pigs whose extraordinary hornlike development of the upper canine teeth has earned their Malay name. " Babi" means a pig in Malay; and "Rusa" a deer. The latter word we have adopted into scientific Latin as the name of a genus of which the first specimens came from Malayana ; though its finest species, the Sambar, is Indian. They also got some pigs of a species unnoted, and had a great hunt for " Maleos," i.e., Megapodes, or "Brush-turkeys" {Megacephalon maleo). These birds, which sometimes weigh over oh lbs. lay their large eggs in the sand of the sea-shore, like turtles, at which operation our sportsmen surprised them, and found that if they * The natives asserted that the Babirusa could ascend trees (easy trees of course) and the " Marchesa's " hunters actually saw one try to do so. BOOK NOTICE. 21 S advanced with great speed and demonstration the poor "turkeys" flew into trees and sat there to be shot down in succession. But if slowly approached they ran off into the jungle before giving a shot. The genus is Australo-Papuan, and Dr. Guillemard agrees with Mr. Wallace in considering its extension to the Nicobars as due to human agency. Another westernmost form was a brush-tongued lory (Trichoglossus omatus). The genus is strong in Papua and Australia; and one species [T. pumilus) is one of the various "love birds" of our aviaries. The party procured two specimens of the Sapi-utan ( Anoa depresslcornis), which is not a monkey, but a forest-bull (as the Malay name implies) ; and left Celebes for Ternate. Here, in the aviary of a Dutch District Officer, they were introduced to many Papuan birds which, at a later period of the voyage, they were to see at liberty. One of the strangest of these was the heavy Black Cockatoo (Microglossus aterrimus) the only bird whose beak is strong enough to crack " kanari nuts"; and another the strangely vulturine parrot Dasyptilus Pecqueti. There were birds of Paradise too, but no reviewer has space to quote the eloquence with which the sight of these lovely creatures alive inspires the dullest traveller. From Ternate the " Marchesa" sailed to Batchian and Obi ; where the thing best worth mentioning, perhaps, was a racket-tailed king-fisher [Tanysiptera obiensis). It is strange how this peculiar form of tail-feather hangs about the skirts of the Malayan region, occurring in birds of veiy various diet and habit, from India to New Guinea. Another bird peculiar to the group, Lorius, fiavo-palliatus, was shot while feeding on wild figs. It is " crimson and olive, with a splash of golden- yellow in the centre of the back," whence the name. The Malay hunters carry valuable spoil of this sort slung across their breasts, a good plan, as a light bird so carried would probably suffer little damage to its feathers. On a small island called Bisu they obtained the Nicobar pigeon (Calanas Nicobar-ica) which, says Dr. Guillemard, is generally distributed, yet rare, in the Eastern Isles. Its somewhat helpless bulk and terrestrial habits (in accordance with which its appearance is very gallinaceous) induce it to prefer remote islets unfrequented by man and other predatory mammals. In this group tbey got their first birds of Paradise, the " Standard-wing" {Semioptera Wallacei) ; the only Paradiseid found out of the Papuan Islands, as restricted, and extremely aberrant from the rest of the family. They also assisted at a deer-hunt, which seems to have been a scramble of many men and " pie " dogs; and saw sago being made. On leaving Batchian, they touched'at the desolate Weda Islands to shoot Nicobar pigeons, and saw none, but got many other pigeons, including Carpophaga Myris- ticivora " hitherto supposed to be confined to New Guinea and the true Papuan Islands" (page 24-7) and described as of "shining green plumage." It is not to be confused with Myristicivora bi-color, mentioned on page 2 of the same volume, which is mostly white and Borneau in habitat. They got a new red lory (-Bos insularis) ; and a fine coloured plate of him is the frontispiece to the second volume. But the Weda isles have no anchorage, and the party had to re-embark, and sailed for the New Guinea group. Here they remained until December, collecting birds of Paradise chiefly ; and other things too numerous to mention, and then returned home by way of Sulu. 29 216 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. The book is throughout extremely interesting ; and about as well got up as any book of its size and class has ever been. Manyoftbe illustrations are extremely beautiful, especially the studies of trees. There is a double-barrelled sketch of jack fruit {Artocarpus intef/rifolia) at page 6 of the second volume; which for truth and beauty is very much to be preferred to the living fruit; and has the further advantage of not smelling nasty, as that does. There is but one thing to regret about " the Cruise of the Marchesa," videlicet, that none of the ship's company seem to have thought it worth while to notice any fish which did not lend itself to being "selected" with a gaff out of half a yard of water, except by eating it. PROCEEDINGS. List of contributions acknowledged at the Meeting held on 10th January 1887. omitted in the last number : — Contribution. 2 Birds of Paradise 1 Monkey (alive) 1 Mauura (alive) Shark Jaws A M ananl Pheasant f> Snakes 30 Lizards 1 Hamadryad Birds' Eggs 1 Octopus (alive) 2 Snakes 3 Bats » 1 Dolphin 3 Snakes Scorpion and Centipedes A large collection. of Fish A collection of Butterflies 3 Eagles 2 Snakes A collection of Plants 1 Cockatiel 1 Gazelle A collection of Plants 1 large Turtle 1 Red Parrot 2 Snakes 1 Snake A quantity of Coralines and Marine Animals. 2 Jackals' Heads with Horns Description. Paradisea apoda Macacus radiatus Paradoxurus musanga Bombay Harbour From Simla From the Dangs Do Ophiophagus elaps ... From Shevaroy Hills Octopus vulgaris From Alibag Do Sotalia plumbia From Perim Island ... Do. From the Red Sea ... From Afghanistan.. From Persian Golf From Scinde Gazella Bennetti From S. India ... Chelonia Virgata From Singapore.., From Kennery Island From Alibag Contributor. H. H. the Maharaja|Holkar, Mr. A. S. M. Ritchie. Do. Mr. Higgins. Mr. H. W. Barrow. Mr. F. Gleadow. Do. Capt. A. Gwyn. Mr. Mahon Daly. Mr. H. Killen. Mr. W. F. Sinclair, C. S. Do. Do. Capt. W . Aves. Do. Do. Col. C. Swinhoe. Mr. J. A. Murray. Do. Do. Victoria Gardens. Do. Mr. F. Murray. Mr. J. C. Anderson. Mr. M. Hakim. Mr. F. Kirby. Mr. W. F. Sinclair, C S. Do. Mr. F. N. Davur. Minor Contributions. From Captain Raffin, Captain Street, Mr. F. Kirby and Captain Gissin, R. N. Contributions to the Library. Magazine of Natural History, Vol. XVIII., Nos. CVII. and CVIII.,.from Mr. H. Littledale; Two Years in the Jungle (Hornaday), from Captain Connop; Useful PROCEEDINGS. 217 Plants of the Bombay Presidency ( Dr. Lisboa), from the author ; Journal of Compara- tive Medicine and Auatomy, Vol. I. ; Journal of the Brookeville Society of Natural History, Nos. I. and II. ; and Proceedings of the Linnsaan Society of N. S. Wales. Vol. I., Part III. List of contributions acknowledged at the Meeting held on 7th Februaiy 1887, omitted in the last, number : — Contribution. Description. Contributor. Lodoicea Seychellarum ... Capt. A. Moore, R. N. Mr. Jamsetjee C. Jamsetjee. Mr. W. S. Price. Sir Fred. Richards. Mr. F. Kirby. A quantity of Shells Sergt.- Major Webb. 1 large Chameleon (alive)... 1 Wolf (alive) Mr. F. Rose 2 Owls (alive) Capt. M. B. Salmon. Mr. J. A. Murray. Do. 1 Eock-horned Owl (mount- ed). A quantity of Butterflies ... A number of Rats From Raipur, C. P Mr. J. A. Betham. Mr. H. T. Silcock, C S Mr. Framjee N. Davur. A collection of Shells Minor Contributions. From Mr. C. E. Crawley, Mr. W. W. Squire, Mr. F. D. Parker and Mr, W. J. Essai. Contributions to the Library. Magazine of Natural History, Vol. XIX., No. CIX. Mr. H. Littledale. List of contributions acknowledged at the Meeting held on 7th March 1887 omitted in the last number : — ■ Contribution. Description. Contributor. Mr. G. A. Kittredge. Mr. F. A. Little. 1 Cobra (alive) Victoria Gardens. 1 Four-horned Antelope ... 2 Young striped Hyaena (alive) A quantity of Fish and Ma- rine Animals. 1 Mounted Head of theTahr. A quantitv of Shells Tetraceras quadricornis ... Hyasna Striata, from Am- raoti. Do. Rev. R. W. Metcalfe. Mr. W. F. Sinclair, C. S. Hermitragus Jemlaicus ... Mr. H. Bicknell. Do. 1 Kite (alive) Mr. J. S. Agran. Mr. G. F. Sheppard, C. S. Minor Contributions. From Mr. R. Baumbach, Captain Bishop, Mr. V. St. J. Cabral. Mr. J. C. Anderson, Mr. H. E. Andrews and Mr. R. Hemming. 218 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTOBY SOCIETY. Contributions to the Library. Bulletin of the California Academy of Science, Vol. II., No. V; Record of the Geological Survey of India, Vol. XX.; Verhandhengen des Zoologisch Botanischen ; Gesellsehaft in Wien XXXVI., Band III., IV. Quartal ; Journal of Comparative Medicine and Surgery, Vol. II., No. I.; Life of Frank Buckland (Bompas), by Mr. E. C. K. Ollivant, C.S.; Sport in India (Aberigh-Mackay), by Mr. J. A. Murray; Annals and Magazine of Natural History, by Mr. H. Littledale. Exhibits. Mr. G. W. Vidal, C. S., sent a collection of snakes on loan, consisting of 40 speciments ; Mr. E. L. Barton exhibited a rug made by him out of 15 Afghan fox skins. Mr. H. M. Phipson announced that through the generosity of a dozen of the members, the Society had been able to purchase, for the sum of Rs. 150, the splendid pair of Ovis Polii horns which had been exhibited in their rooms. The usual monthly meeting of this Society was held on Monday, the 4th April 1887 ; Dr. D. MacDonald presiding. The following new members were elected : — Major R. C. Graeme, Mr. R. A. Willis. Mr. A.J. Haslam, A.V.D., and Mr. B. W. 0. Thompson. Mr. H. M. Phipson, the Honorary Secretary, acknowledged the following contribu- tions to the Society's collections : — Contributions during March 1887. Contribution. Description. Contributor. 60 Birds' Skins 1 Rock-horned Owl (alive) . A collection of Birds' Eggs. 1 Double-barrelled Rifle by Daw. 1 Bat A quantity of Corals 1 Ostrich 1 Black Buck 1 Monkey 1 Indian Screech Owl (alive) ?.0 Crocodile Eggs Several Snakes 1 Snake 2 Sambur Heads 3 Snouts of Saw Fish 1 Snake 1 Owl (alive) 4 Young Dolphins A quantity of Fish and Marine Animals. A quantity of Lizards, Snakes and Scorpions. 1 Fish (mounted) From Dharangaon From Hnrda, C. P 392 Specimens Originally made for Major John Jacob, C.B. From Mozambique From the Laccadives ...... Strix Javanica Crocodilus Palustris Chersydrus Granulatus ... P, Antiquorum Tropidonotus Plumbicolor. Strix Javanica Neomeris Knrrachiensis ... From Alibag From Burmah Barbus Malabaricus (1G| lbs., caught at Poona). Mr. G. Hampton. Mr. B. W. O. Thompson. Mr. H. M. Gibbs. Do. Capt. Frohawk. Mr. M. C. Turner. Victoria Gardens. Do. Do. Mr. J. Malcolm. Mr. E. L. Barton. Col. Kincaid. Mr. T. Bromley. Mr. E. T. Leitii. Do. Dr. Gave. Mr. C. F. Davar. Mr. W. F. Sinclair, C.S. Do. Mr. A. T. Webb. Mr. H. M. Phipson. Minor Contributions. From Mr. H. T. Hatch, Captain F. B. Peile, Mr. H. Tootill and Mr. Percy Benn. PROCEEDINGS. 219 Exhibits. Mr. E. L. Barton exhibited 3 heads of Sambur, Neilghai and Panther, mounted by him for members of the Society up-country. Mr. H. Bicknell also exhibited a handsome rug made of the skins of the Silver Fox. Contributions to the Library. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol. IV., Part II., No. IV. ; Proceedings of the Linnsean Society of N. S. W., Vol. I., Part IV. ; Notarisia (of Venice) Nos. I to V. ; Magazine of Natural History, Vol. XIX., No. III., from Mr. H. Littledale Iu the place of the ordinary monthly meeting, on 2nd May i887, an exhibition of orchids, lilies, begonias and other choice plants was held. The following are the names of the Exhibitors : — Hon. Mr. Justice Birdwood. Mr. W. J. Best. Mrs. Douglas. Mr. A. S. Panday. Mr. M. 0. Turner. Mr. J. K. Johnson. Mr. Chubildas Lulloobhoy. Mr. Cowasjee Dady Limjee. Mr. D. M. Slater. Mr. "Walter Lan?. Mrs. Chambers. Victoria Gardens. Mr. Furdoonjee Merwanjee Banajee. Mr. N. S. Symons. Mrs. Grattan Geary. Mr. L.R. W. Forrest. Mr. H. Knott. Mr M. R. Wyer. There was no Meeting, in the Month of June. JOURNAL OF THE BOMBAY Ipiatiuial Stoiffi Ji0cu% *to. 4.] BOMBAY, OCTOBER 1887. [Vol. n. WATERS OF WESTERN INDIA. Part IV. — Gujarat — (continued). (By a Member of the Society.) The seas of Gujarat, as has been shown above, resemble towards the south those of the Konkan ; and northwards belong to the Sind maritime region, so I need spend no time or ink on them. In the freshwaters, as hitherto, the only important mammal is the Otter (Lutra nair). In the matter of birds, the difference between these waters and those hitherto dealt with is very great. We have here got to the edge of the tropical region, and while we have nearly all its Indian forms, the cold weather brings us many of the Palaearctic birds. 0£ the Aquatic Raptores, the chief is the Ring-tailed Sea Eagle Haliaetus fulviventer (teucoryphus), closely followed by the Osprey, The former certainly breeds Here in the rains, but I have not found an Osprey's eyrie. The Ring-tailed Eagle preys at certain seasons at least as much on water-fowl as on fish, its chief victims, the countless bald coots, being much inferior both on the wing and in the water to ducks, are a comparatively easy prey ; and I have seen, on an island of the Nal, a space of many square yards strewn six inches deep with their feathers, around an old acacia which the eagles used as a dining-room, or, as falconers call it, a " block. " The Osprey, on the other hand, seldom touches feather. l 222 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. The Brahminy Kite, a bird much less restricted in matters of diet than his human godfathers, is also abundant; and Spilomis cheela is fouud in the eastern woodlands, often near water, bat by not means confined to its neighbourhood. The birds of prey of this region seem to require a little more attention than they have hitherto received, but I do not myself think that they will be found to include any forms not found in either Khandesh or the desert region. I have not met with the grey-backed or the white-tailed Eagle on the fresh waters. Limnaetus Cristatellus is not uncommon in Eastern Gujarat, but in spite of its watery name it is not a water eagle but essentially a forest bird. One fish Owl (Ketupa) occurs in the eastern streams, probably in greater numbers than might be supposed from the scanty record as yet published. The Great Blue Kingfisher (H. Leucocephalus) haunts similar waters. The other two Blue Kingfishers (H. Smyrnensis and Alcedo Bengalensis) and the Pied Kingfisher (Geryle rudis) abound, but the region is not generally favourable to the rarer species that belong to or approach the Malayan fauna. Of Cranes we have three. The huge Sarus is a permanent resi- dent, and a familiar object, as few people ever molest him. Iu one flock of these cranes, which I had repeated opportunities of watching there was a half-grown bird who used often, and of his own accord to swim short distances. The common and demoiselle cranes are cold-weather visitors, coming in huge flocks, especially to the north- western plains. They roost in great numbers in certain marshes on the edge of the desert; and as they fly eastwards in the early morning over the cultivated lands, they seem like an aerial army with banners and trumpets. Each corps keeps clear of its neigh- bours, but the whole army advances almost in line, and sometimes the flanks are out of sight on each horizon. But the whole force seldom takes more than a few minutes to pass. These two species are eagerly pursued, but generally take very good care of themselves. All the southern species of Plovers are abundant here. Of the more northern Vanellinae (or Lapwings proper), Chettusi* gregaria the Black-sided Lapwing, occur in small flocks, and Captain Butler mentions the White-tailed Lapwing (0, leucura). Both the 4< Did-ye-do-its" are common; and both Stone Plovers occur in suitable places,, and breed. For the certainty of this, in the case WATERS OP WESTERN INDIA. 223 of the Great Stone Plover, I am iudebted to Mr. Littledale's paper in the fourth No. of this Journal. I have myself seen the bird all the year round in this region, under circumstances which induced me to believe it a native ; but I have not got the nest. This is by no means my only obligation to Mr. Littledale and his collaborator, Mr. Doig. The Turnstone, Crab-Plover, and Oyster -Catcher occur on the coast, and probably breed there. The Snipes are the same as in the regions already treated of, "only more so," or at least more of them. The Woodcock Wood Snipe may occur in the Dangs. The Black-tailed Godwit is common in the cold weather ; its ally, the Avoset Sandpiper, rather rare. Of the Curlews, the true curlew is commonest on the coast; the Whimbrel is far more so inland, and usurps its name in the sporting vocabulary of Gujarat. The Stints are numerous,, especially an the coast. One species (Trimga minuta, I think) is fairly abundant in sandy river-beds, even of moderate size. For instance, I have found large flocks on the Wat-ak, near the famous tomb of the Sayads, above MahmudabaJ. Small as they are, the Stints are well worth pa wder and shot, being, for the table, barely inferior even to S-nipas. Sandpipers are very com- mon ; the Greenshanks and both Redsha nks hardly less so. Totanits calidris, in a few places, occurs in immense flocks, especially towards evening, when scattered foraging parties unite, and fly towards a common roost. On one occasion, finding out their path to bed, I shot in a few minutes enough te supply a large camp and might have killed many more. The Stilt is common, and the Avoset not rare in suitable places; but the great abundance of Ducks and Snipe causes the sports-men of Gujarat to overlook almost all other water-fowl ; and they really kuow less about them- as a rule than the shikaris of less favoured land, who are obliged by necessity to be less "proudful," and know something about eatable " Snippets." Of the Latitores, both Jacanas are common, and both breed. The Rails and Water Bens are very numerous, and as yet by no means worked out. I have little reliable information about them myself. The Purple Coot and Bald Coot abound and breed. The former, as seen strutting on the grass near the edge of a tank, with the sun on its plumage, is a splendid bird, looking like a great blue pullet. In hand its size shrinks, the plumage seems rather 224 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. sooty, and it is only second-rate as a table bird, and can take no rank in presence of so many better birds as we find here. Of the Cultirostres, we have the great Adjutant and the hand- some " Jabira " (Mycteria). The European Stork is a winter visitor, the Black Stork rare, and, as elsewhere, confounded with the black White-necked Stork, which is very abundant. 2he Herons are abundant. On one occasion I saw a bird which I took at the time for Ardea sumatrana, but the observation is doubtful. The grey Purple Herons, the various white Egrets, and the whole tribe of Paddy-birds, swarm in suitable places; the European Bittern is not uncommon in the cold weather and at least one little bittern still less so. Mr. Littledale mentions this as A . jlavicollis, but it is probably not alone. I have often seen various herons associated with crocodiles upon (apparently) the most friendly terms, and once a white Egret {H. minor) appeared actually to pick something off the reptile's side, probably a leech or some parasite. The Spoon-bill is common, usually associated with the White Ibis. The Glossy Ibis occurs in considerable flocks ; and the Black Ibis in smaller parties, but more frequently. This bird is here often a very foul feeder. The Pelican Ibis and Shell Ibis abound. The three last birds all perch on trees ; but I have not seen the Glossy Ibis do so ; and the White Ibis not often, except at night. Of the true Natatores, the first is the Flamingo, which abounds in places in the cold weather, remaining as late (occasionally) as June, I have not, however, found it breeding. (Where does it breed ? ) The typical Wild Goose, A. anser, occurs in the cold weather, especially in the north-western districts bordering on the desert region. The flocks are infrequent, and usually small, and the habits of the bird appears to be rather nocturnal, so it is but seldom shot. No other species of Anser (as restricted) has yet been recorded The Nukta or Black-backed Goose ( Sarkidiomis melanonotus ) is common, and breeds. The other resident Anatidus are the Lesser Whistling Teal, the Cotton Teal, and the Spot-billed Duck. This last is commonly called in Gujarat a Mallard, and is, indeed, very closely allied to the European Mallard, which may perhaps occur in Gujarat as a rare straggler. I have not seen it there myself. The Brahminy Dnck is common enough, and stays late; but does not, I think, breed hers. The Sheldrake (Tadorna vulpanser) is WATERS OF WESTERN INfilA. 225 rare. The Shoveller abounds, but is here little esteemed by sports- men, because of its familiar habits. It may commonly be seen daddling in dirty little puddles besides villages, almost as tame as the Pea-fowl, and not much more particular in its diet. The Pink-headed Duck of Bengal probably does not occur. The Gadwall, Pin-tail and Wigeon are abundant; the last two in larger flocks, and more locally distributed than the first. The common Teal and Gargauey abound, and the latter remains later than any other migrant duck, quite up to the end of April and even the beginning of May. The birds just named, with the Spot billed Duck and White-eyed Pochard, are the ducks most commonly fouud in the bag in Gujarat. I have shot the Marbled Teal in Gujarat and Kattywar, but it is a rare bird. The Red-crested and Red- headed Pochards both occur; but being powerful and wary birds, and affecting the wider waters, are less commonly shot. The Scaup may occur as a straggle'r, and the Tufted Pochard is locally common , especially towards the N.- W. Frontier. The Merganser and Scaup are rare stragglers, as is the Crested Grebe. The Dabchiek is common all over India wherever there is water. The Gulls and Terns, very abundant in some places, are the same as those of the Sind region, and are mostly recorded by Captain Butler. I am surprised, however, to find 8. javanica not noted as a Gujarat bird in his list, as it is not uncommon on the Subarmati or Ahmedabad river. I have not seen the Skimmer (Bhynchops albicollis), but I think it has been obtained on the large estuaries. The Lesser White Pelican is not uncommon in the cold weather ; and I think that the European Pelican will probably be found to occur at least as a straggler. The Grey Pelican is common, and breeds. The rivers of Gujarat sometimes flood very rapidly, a sort of wall of water pouring down the dry bed, and on the crest of this, or little behind it, amidst a confusion of drift and mnddy foam, the Grey Pelican may often be seen looking almost the spirit of the deluge. The Great Cormorant is rare, the lesser and little Cormorants are common ; and the last a permanent resident, as is the Snake Bird. Of all lands that I have shot in, Gujarat is the best for wild fowling in a modest way. The number and variety of birds is less than in many other places, but still sufficient to satisfy any reasonable sportsman. The multitude of tanks, and the great variety 226 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. in their size, enable a busy niau to get a few brace of birds in an hour's walk with little apparatus and arrangement; aud this to a resident sportsman is worth far more than the power of making a big bag at the cost of half-a-day, and of preparations made as if for a battle. The punt-guu is unknown, and the natives, luckily, know little, in most places, of snaring water-fowl. The aquatic reptiles and amphibia of Gujarat differ so little from those of the provinces already dealt with, that no great notice of them is necessary. Crocodiles (C palustris) and freshwater turtles abound. The Crocodiles eat the turtles and the turtles eat what- ever they can get. Both attain a larger size in the great rivers than in the standing waters. The fishes, too, are much the same. I have not myself procured Barb us tor, the typical Mahseer in this province, nor in Khandesh, which, as far as river-fish go, is a part of Gujarat, though its water-fowl are those of the Deccan. In those places in Gujarat where I have fished, the most sporting Barbele was, I think, Barbits sarana, called by the natives " Darai." I have also often got the " Kafria/' a handsome fish, which I take to be identical with the Konkan Masheer, and have somewhat doubt- fully identified with B. pinnauratus. In the same way the occurrence here of Labeo rohita, the true Koho or Rahu fish, is very doubtful. Its place seems to be taken by Labeo ealbasu and two other species, which, I think, must be L.Jim - hriatus or Lesckenaultii, and L. ariza) but I am not prepared to speak with certainty. Of the sea-fishe3 there is little new to say, except that in this province you begin to get the Paila (Clupea iliska) or Indian Shad running up the great rivers to spawn. If, however, the fishes of Gujarat differ little from those of our southern waters in kind, they greatly exceed them in number. A great many tanks are protected by those communities (very powerful in Gujarat) which object to the destruction of life, and the weedy deeps of the lake form natural sanctuaries. During the rains the flat and flooded country affords ample water-way to fry, and the open waters are re-stocked from these reserves. In consequence the number of fish is everywhere very great, and the Labeos in particular attain a very large size, often exceeding twenty pounds in weight. There is scarcely any part of the province where one cannot get a little rod fishing of some kind ; and in the more rapid parts of the great rivers it is sometimes really good. WATERS OF WESTERN INPIA. 227 Of freshwater Crustacea the prawn is apparently identical with that of the Deccan and Konkan, but crabs are much less common here than in those provinces ; I do not know why. To make up for this to the birds and fishes, some of the fresh- water molluscs (gasteropoda) occur in vast numbers in particular tanks and marshes, especially in the North- Western plains. The Uniouidas, however, are not abundant, apparently sticking chiefly to running water and open gravelly or sandy bottoms. Now few of the tanks have sandy bottoms, unless occasionally iu some one corner end of the lakes ; I think that the Nalof Viramgaum is the only one that is not marshy or weedy all round. Accordingly, I have found dead shells of a small Unio on its beach. In the eastern streams there seem to be the same two species as in the former provinces, but they do not abound. During the hot weather the water of some tanks and lakes is affected, by some cause unknown to me (probably the liberation of gases from the mud), in such a manner that all kinds of fish rise and float gasping on the surface, and eventually die in great num- bers. I have described this phenomenon, as witnessed by me on the Little Bokh (a lake of the Ahmedabad district), for the Report on the London Fisheries Exhibition. The fish that die are left to carrion fowls ; but those only moribund are captured in great num- bers, and eaten without any ill result. I have repeatedly eaten them myself, and found them in excellent condition. The cause of death appears to be asphyxia, and not specific poisoning. I have mislaid my notes, but to the best of my memory the Ophioce- phali are not affected ; neither is any aquatic reptile or insect. The prawns do not frequent the tanks, and I do not think that the " hot water/' as the natives call it, is ever observed on any river. It is well known that many bottom fish can be much inconveni- enced by the mere stirring up of the mud, as by the passage of cattle or elephants through a muddy stream or tank, but I have not been able to connect the phenomenon now described with anything of that sort. It generally lasts for several days, but may be confined to a small part of a tank without visible reason for the restriction. The freshwater of Kattywar are not materially different from those of Gujarat, except that there are no large rivers, few small ones, and by no means so many tanks as on the mainland. The chain of lakes and marshes of which the Nal of Viramgaum is the 228 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTOIIY SOCIETY. chief, lying on and often forming the boundary on the isthmus, belongs as much to the peninsula as to Gujarat proper ; the chief difference between these provinces is geological, and outside of our present subject. The next peninsula (one might almost say island), the principality of Cutch, belongs in most way to the region of the plain of the Indus; and must be considered with it. But its internal freshwaters are unimportant. The characteristic hydrographical feature of this part of the country is what we call the Ran, a great hollow separating Cutch from the mainland, which becomes at times a shallow and brackish sea. Whether it has any peculiar fishes we do not know. It might fairly be expected to have some crustaceans of its own, but I have not heard of any, and have no personal acquaintance with that part of it lying north and east of Cutch. The branch called the Little Ran, extending north of Kattywar to the British frontier at Patri and Kharaghora, does not appear to have any fishes, except such as come into it from the surrounding country in flood-time, all freshwater forms. It may, however, fairly be hoped that the aquatic fauna of these interesting peninsulas will hereafter be fully described by some member better acquainted with them than I am. MARATHI NAMES OF PLANTS. WITH A GLOSSARY. By Brigade-Surgeon W. Dymock. {Continued from page 198.) Ficus retusa, Linn ., SP „ volubile Dalz Flaconrti Cataphracta, Roxb. „ inermis, Roxb i, montana, Grab. ... „ Ramontchi, VHerit ,i sepiaria, Roxb Flemingia Grahamiana, W. #• J. » sp •TJcR - Nandrak. pjjh; Lungar. ffrftT Datir. WTT Jangam, <|T3T Tambat. r{\3Z Tambat. 3T?sfr Atak. gjraff Kaki, vf-fir* Bbikal. 3T^T Atrun. f^rwr Daudaula. Jlt'ftf Garangeri. GLOSSARY. 229 Flemingia strobilifera Fleurja interrupta. Flueggea leucopyrus. ,, virosa Fieniculnm vulgarc, Gdrtn,... Fraxinus Ornus, imn.(Manna Fumaria orfccinalis, Linn ,, parivflora, Lam c ... gf^T Bondar. See Urtica interrupta. See Securinega Leucopyrus. See Securinega obovata. ^r^TH Barisbopb, mm aft Varyali. 5ff*f«3$?f Shirkhist (impd.), STrrHT Shahterah (impd.). fn xTTrT^r Pittapapara. Garcima indica, Chois „ ,, (pickled fruit) „ ■>> (raw fruit) ,, Morella, Desiouss. ... „ ,, (Gamboge).... „ ovalifolia, Hook./. .. ,, xanthochy mus, Hook. J< Gardenia florida, Roxb ,, gumuiifera, Linn. f. ,, latifolia, Ait ,, lucida, Roxb ..... ,, turgida, R r^f^r^T Chini gMs. tWnTHf Giutiaria. TT^r^FT^L Qlulegbafis. (impd.) «fffr ^rWr Moti k h aJ oti - See Calycopteris floribunda. See Mollugo hirta. See Phyllantbus lanceolarins. ?S*,*\$t Kalalavi, i&SZWl Kbaryanag, %W Indaye, ?\^tt\ Vaghchabka. qr^^I Phattarsuva. G. linearifolia, Cass. f^tfjT* Kirmir, m** Ratktir. See Notbopegia Golebrookiana. ^^fav* Jesbtimadh. f^T Sbivan, jt^ Gumud. 7KH7Z Kurabal, ar^r Umbali. 230 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Gomphrena globosa , Huxb Gossypium Stocksii, Mast.... var. ar boreum „ ,, var her baceum, Linn. „ ,, var. reli- giosum. Grangea rnadraspatana, Poir... Grewia asiatica, Linn „ Microcos, Linn ,, pilosa, Lam ,, polygarna, Roxb ,, populifolia, Vahl „ salvifolia, Heyne „ tiliaefolia, Vahl .■ Grislea tomentosa Guarea binectarifera Gnatteria longifolia , ,, cerasoides Guilaudina Bonduc Guizotia oleifera Gymnema sylvestre, R. Br..., ,, nepaulensia Gymnosporia einarginata, Roth. ,, montana ,, Rothiana, W. Gynandropsis pentaphylla,Z?C or Gynura nitida Gynocardia odorata, R. Br.... Habenaria sp. var Hagenia abyssinica, Willd. ... Ilarailtonia mysorensis Haplanthus verticillaris, Nees.. *Tf "TTCl" *}% Jiiferi gundi. *rT35T<|sfV Ran-kapusi Wild.). f\KJli\ ^rg^ft Hirgundi kapusi, q^f crpr Palhe or Pale. ^rr^Tr Kapusi. WTnmr Dev kapusi, q-^JT^rr'i'rfr Eksheng kapusi. Yields Nankeen cotton, TSlT'T^ff Masbipatri. TT^^Tf Pbalshi. ?TR55 Shiral, %mm\ Hansoli. ?«I5"^rf Khat-khati. *ff5Sfr Gauli. Tir^fr Gango. j%ff* Bibal. vrrffT Dbaman, ^^f^T Karkani.- See Woodfordia floribunda. See Dj'soxylum binectarifernm. See Polyalthia longifolia. See Polyalthia cerasoides. See Caesalpinia Bonduc. KTHrflm Ramtil, SRT^^MrsP Karlitil. G. abys- sinica, Cass. grr^aff Kavli, ^r^^r Viikbandi, zfftgft efiTff^r Kali-kardori. See Anodendron paniculatum. fJTaff Ingli, fcfr^r Ikarf, qzR\a5 Enkol. FTfT^gFrr^ffofi- Malkangoni. f T^r 'Ingli, %2r€t Ikari. fcToBTT Tilvan, rfto (fruit) Heliolropium Eichwaldi Steud. ,, indicum, Linn „ supinum Helmia bulbifera Hemidesmus indieus, R. Br. .. Hemigyrosa canescen s Thwaites Herarlcum Pinda, Dah Heritiera littoralis, Dry and ... Herpestis Monniera, H. B. § Kth. Heteropbragrra cbelonoicUs.. ,, Roxburghii, D. C ,, suaveolens.... Heynea trijuga, Roxb Hibiscus Abelmoscbus, Linn.. „ cannabinus, Linn. .. „ esculentus „ rosa-sinensis „ Subdariffa, Linn. „ tetraphyllus, Roxb.. „ tiliaceus, Linn. Hippion orientale Hippocratea Grabami, Wight. ^ffH^r^ Nbaianjan, qrt^ft? Parsid. See G a rein i a Morella. ^R?3?r Sontakka. ^fffTT^T Sontakka. 37rwiT Kolar. ^T'TT^rr^'fr Kapurkacbari (sliced rhizome) (impd.). Wlf! Gaimaril. See Oldenlandia dicbotonia. See Oldenlandia Heynii. ^^fr^7r?T Suryakant, H^fr^T^ Suryakamal. ^^T Kevan, ^g^ Varkati, ^r^HY "Dbi- mani. $F^%*T Murursbeng. qrTy^T Popat-buti. ^arr^TT^ Suryakamal. ^5TSJ5? Varasuri. See Dioscorea bulbifera. STWrSff or 3r. Hordeum vulgare, Linn Hoy a viridi flora „ Wightii, Hooh.f llydnocarpns inebrians Hydrocotyle asiatica, Linn. ... Hygrophylla spinosa, T Anders. „ Serpyllum. T. Anders. Hymeuodictyon excelsum, Wall. „ obovatum. Wall. Hyoscyamus seeds Hypoxis brevi folia. „ malabarica — „ orcbioides, Gar In. Hyssopus sp - Icbnocarpus frutescens, Br... Ignatia amara Illicium anisatum (fruit) .,, ImpatienS acaulis, Am ,, balsamina, Linn, cf»a[T?fr Kajlmrati, rffrSiT Taroli. (g^^ffa Daoshir. Hrwt^ Madhvel, ^T^rfr Bokhari, f?55^T* Haladvel, 3?fcT3Tl7r Atimukta. ^^r or qr?^r 5FT1T. Kura or Pandhrd Krira. ^\ %%*t^ K ar " indrajav. See Sorghum vulgare, var. See Sorghum saccharatum. See Sorghum vulgare. See Penniselum typhoideum. f^fTin Htilgiri. H. Arnotteaua, H.f- gscnal Tulttili, f5Tvfl Dudurli, ftr^l^f Shidori. *T^ Jav, w$ Yave. See Dregea volubilis. |^fpj Dudhvel, 3T^r Ambri. ^TsT^v^ Karukavath. H. Wigbtiana, Bl. fir^Y Brahmi. ^m^iTr Karinga, ^rr?f°ir or ^T Karivana. %nrr5T Korata^py^rKalsanda, rfrr^^Rr Talimkbfina, rfrpffiScT^r Talmakhara. 'FT^TT Rau-tevan. SFTSSF ^re^TF KaU-karva, *ff?:STr^ Biiorsal, f#r5 or ^f^r Dandcl or Dandeli. m$\i Sirid. ^nr^RT ST^r^T^ Khorasani ajvan ^Tr^TR'r sffar Khorasani onva (jmpd.). S^&T Miisli, ^rTo5r 3^r55Y Kali-mtisli, ^7^7 Kachdri. fTTTrf ^RT^T Zrifai-yabis,, (impd.). frs°r?TR^rr Krishnasariva, SRT^ifrgfr Kante- bhouri. See Strychnos Iguatii. 3rf3«»TR*?Rrf Badianekhatai (impd.) ?5?R*Trer Lahantera %^f Terada. <".!-.• SSAflY. 233 Impatiensoppositifolia, Linn. Indigofera cordifolia, Heyne.. „ enneapbvlla, Linn.. „ glandulosa, IVilld.. linifolia, Rets „ pulchella, Roxb. ... „ tinctoria, Linn (indigo.).., ,, trifoliata, Linn...... Inga dulcis ,, xylocarpa Ionidium suffruticosum, Ging. lpomcea Batatas, Lam Bona-nox, Linn. campanulata, Bon. ... coccinea, Linn caerulea ,, (seeds.) digitata, Linn ,, (young tubers}, muricata, Jacq ,, (seeds) ... .. pescaprse Quamoclit, Linn reniforrais, Chois reptans sepiaria, Keen. . turpethum, Br. ,, vitifolia, Sw... Iris germanica, Linn. (root).. ,, Pseudacorus, Linn, (rhi- zome Isacbne elegans, Bah. .,...,.. Isch senium pilosum, Wight .. *J5*sff^T Sanmukh-patri. 5T^r Bechaka. ^fTjafr Bbuiguli. *T3T^RrRCr Gravacha malmandi, ^^ Barbed . ^r^rCf^.R^fT Javuricha malmandi, qteu^ToS Pandharaphal. f^FTfT Ciiitnnatti, %C¥r Nerda. 5? ?TC^3" Bhui tarvar. rfids Nil, TT55r Giili. q^KITWr Vekariya. See Pithecolobium dulce. See Xylia dolabriformis. CrR^C^T Ratanparas. ^rrrSK Ratalu, gjrqf or zr\t\t Kingi of Kongi, *?R^r? Ralanvel. *^5;°frr?l Chandrakant, OT^fffh Gfulchan- dani. T^aft Gavali. fq^q 5 ^ Isbkpecba. fftWTS'nft Nilapusbi. I. bederacea, Jacq. 3RT55r ^r°ir Kald dana. i Tf#7r?To5rBhuikobola,K^r'0'^Vidarikand. 3PE*te Asgand. jjr^rf Bbauri. cfirs&r ^r°rr Kald dana. H^N^ Maryadve), inrfc%?T Marjadvel. I, biloba, Forsk. ifor^W Ganesbvel, f*TrTr=%%g- Sita che kes. sft^RT Undirkani, 3Tr^^Fr°ff Akhiikarni. ^trscT^T »Tr*fr Nalicbi bhaji, crR^Panvela I. aquatica, Forsk. aTRTT Amti. V^fprT* Nishottar, %■§• Ter, %fT^i- Sbetvar, %rjr^- Sbetar, qj^rfr Phutkari. prr^Ffr^rwW or?{R'afr Navalichavel or Nauli. ?r^?*T < ^rr Bikbebanafsha {impd.) qrqror^f Pasbanbhed {impd.) S3 - Dtind, *W Nath, SF5" itdnd. 234 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Ixora coccinea, Linn nigricans, Br. .. parviflora, Vahl. Jambosa vulgaris Jasniinum angustifolium, Roxb arborescens, Roxb.. aureum, Dun auriculatum, Roxb. elongatum grandiflorum, Linn. latifolium officinale, Linn ... pubescens, Willcl... Sarnbac, Aiton ,, (double var.) Jateorrhiza palmata, Miers. (root) . Jatropha Curcas, Linn „ glandulifera, Roxb.. „ Manihot, Willd ,, multifida, Linn ,, nana, Dalz Johnia congesta ,..;. ...... .... Jonesia Asoka Juglans regia, Linn, (fruit) ... Juniperus communis, Linn. (fruit) Jussicea villosa Justicia Adhatoda...., „ Ecbolium ,, echioides , , Gendarussa , Linn, f , „ infundibu liformis, Willd ,, paniculata ,, picta, Roxb. ,, 3-#ilTr Bakora, Tfwgy or ^^555 Pentgul or Pendgul. qfT^^Cr Katkura. ^TrT Kurat, ufapr Raikura, »TP*¥f% |TrT Makrichejhar. -See Eugenia Jambos. \^\ Revafci, ^R^fi^r Ranmogra, ajf or %ff Kiind or Kundi. fq-^aTr ^Jf Pivalijui, 5=ffJT^f Sonjui. ^rf Ja ^f Jni. %3T^F Nevali, J. Roxburghianum, Wall. ^%?ff Chameli. ^ET^ Kusar. J. arboresceus, Roxb. var. lati- folia. m*tm Sayli. f^SRPI*r Vikmogra. jfrn^r Mogra. 3^%*HT Batmogra. SffgT^r^O' Kalumkacliari (impd.) Hfasfr^fc^t Moghli erandi, "Sjfqrr* Jaipa.1. ^t*\vft^*3\ Jangli erandi, 3Tf^?^r Under bibi. ^rrf^^rr^ Savarchayen. f^jf ftfj Bhoti, qfcrfl- PoUri. ffjftqr Nirvishi. See Dolichos Lablab. ^TrfPTrCr Sadimandi. ^fir^rr^ff Undirkani. ^ffg Kahu. ^^TTHT Vatsanabba. 5FT^>Tn55r Karubhopla, ^t^h^T Katutumbi, 3T^r«r Alabu. f%^f^$T Chini-mendi. sff^T Bondar, g^sjr Kumbiya, sTr^^iT Bondagi, gaFTr^rr Sukutya. F^rTSfte?! Laban bondar, &c, &c. cfqar Taman. ^T^'raft Jangli-muli. H^iCTIBiT Tukmebalang (impd.). viW^^l Brahrnadandi. sfWKT Ghaneri. The foreign species bear ' the same name. *TH*r Rametha. F>\JT Lang. See Machilus glaucescens. 3T^f*KT Almiro, Trait Pathri. TNT^r Gorea, srrwft Asmani. gj^rf^t^a- Ustakhudus (impd.). )fcf Mendi. 236 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Lebedieropsis orbicularis, Miill- Arg. Ledebouria byacintboides Leea crispa, Willd. ... ,, hirta, Roxb , -. „ macrophylla, Roxb ,, staphylea Leersia aristata, Roxb Leonotis nepetsefolia, Br Lepidigatbis cristat a, Willd. . . , ,, grandiflora. ,, prostrata, Dalz... Lepidium Iberis, Linn, (seeds) „ sativum, Linn Leptadenia Jacqueroontiana .. ,, reticulata, W. 4' A. Lettsomia elliptica, Wight Leucas aspera, Spr „ cephalotes, Spr „ longifolia, Benth „ stelligera, Wall Limnantbemuru cristatum, Griseb. Lindendergia urticsefolia, Lehm Linum mysorense,. Heyne.... „ trigynum ,, usitatissimum, Linn. .. Lippia nodiflora, Rich Liquidambar orientalis, Miller. (S to rax) Litsaea lancif olia, Roxb ........ r „ polyantba, Juss ,, sebifera, Pers „ tomentosa, Herb „ zeylauica, C. fy Fr Nees Lobelia nicotiansefolia, Heyne iftTtJ Graiari. See Scilla hyacinthoides. ^PTffST Raidinda. ^r^F^r Kakjangha. ff^T Dinda. 3T?5$r Althe, cR-^jff Karkaui. Leea sambuchm, Willd, =^ftJT Chauran. *TrrffTf5 Matisul, (^7^55 Dipraal. 5?^1T Bbuiterada, grf^f % ^^ Kolbecbe- cbutar. See Calacanthus Dalzelliana. ^cRW Bakra. rfrCf Todri (impd.). smrf^r Asaliya, 3Tfo§ta Abaliv. fsjTcf Kip. L. Spartiuiu, Wight. KWirff Raidori, f%n^f Shinguti, tgrrortfT Kharkhori 5*T¥3to Bondvel, qfTfrfr Kedari. TC^Nf^ff Thurduribhaji. ?T^r Tumba. TffTr Groma. a^^T Burumbi, affTr Goma. ^cir^r Khatara, 37Rf Knmud. Zfft Dhol, TTfT^ Gazdar. %5f Undri, g/r«rff Bamburti. See Heinwaidtia trigyna. 3T5E^fr Alashi, *[^ Javas. Trfrf^lT R.atoliya, ^^^ Vakkau. f5Tr?r**T Silaras (impd.) J^^ff Gulcbai. SrrafeTR" Katejhnar, f^^rr or fa^F* Pisa or Pisbal. ^R=FTCr Maidalakrf. f^J^7°ir Chikna. ^HW^ Kanvel f^f%*r Chirchira. 5^55 Dbaval, ^^ Deoiial. GLOSSARY. 237 Lodoicea seychellaruni, Labill. Lonicera Leschenaultii, Wall.. Lophopetalum Wightianum, Am. Loranthus amplexifolius, W.fA. >, longiflorug, Vssv. ... ,, 8p. var., a general name for parasites... Luffa acutangula, Roxb....... „ „ var. amara. echinata, Roxb pentandra Lupinus albus, Linn, (seeds) Lycium europaeum, Linn Lycoperdou pratense, Linn .. Lygodium pinnatifidum, pr.S., Maba nigrescens, T)atz., Maearanga Roxburghii, Machilus glaucescens. Maesa indica, Wall Mallotus philippinensis, Mull Malva sylvestris, Linn ..... „ (fruit.) ... Mangifera indica, Linn. ....... „ „ (dried unripe fruit.) „ (dried juice of ripe fruit) „ (seed) Mappia oblonga, Miers Marsdenia tenacissima, W. 4' A. Marty nia diandra, Gloxin ..... 32 ^NfTR55 Daryai naral, sr^RKoS Jahari- naral. S^ Hadf. tr^Tr« Bolpalc. thfTrosr Bainguli (Grah. 671). ^aT^r^T Bandakpushp. ^i^r Vanda. qt^raft Ghosali, a*rf Turai, fatfaST Shirola. f^r^^rfr^^fi Gilchidorki. ^■^fr^^Tr Karu dorki, ^qrarsft Karxi ghosali. t^^lTr Deodangri, araj^tT Kukurvel. qir^raft Ghosali, qmm Parusi. L. eegyptiaca, Mill. fer^^Tirmis (impd.") JTrqf Gangro, f^rcf^gT Chirchitta. ^tlfr^ Bhuiphor. 3rFTt?fr Janveli, f^T^W Hansrajvel. CTpdf^Tr or OiT Raktarohida or Raktarora. ^rf^¥ Chandvar, ^^ Chandar, ^faf? Chandar. M. tomentosa, Wight. *pR- Gulamb, f^*ir Kurma. M. micrantha, Nees. STCqft or STrT^fr Atki or Atki. efiftar Kapila, ^fqr?irKapita f ^f^f7r Kamila. ^fr%T Rohin. fiT^fT^r Trikali. ^^Tffr Khubazi (impd.) srr^r Amba, str ^m- 3T^fr5fr Ambosi. STsrcrfr Ambapuri, ari^H, %m* Ambiya- chesath. arr^RT* Ambabatha. WE Gur, 3Fr^*Tr Kalgiir. ?3r Hab. \%*3 Vinchu. j 238 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Mathiola incana, R. Br. (seed.) Matricaria Chamomilla. Linn... Malaleuca leucadendron, Linn (oil.) Malastoma malabathricum' Linn- Melhania abyasinica,^. Rick.. Melia Azadiracbta, Linn Azedarach, Linn. dubia, Cav „ (fruit). Melilotus bamosa, Link, (pods) ,, parviflora, Desf ... Melochia velutina, Bedd. ... Memecylon edule, Roxb.. .. Mengia tenuifolia Mentha arvensis, Linn, (sweet) mint). „ incana, Willd. (Bomba) Peppermint). Meriandra bengaiensis,2?enM- Mesua ferrea, Linn Michelia Cbampaca, Linn Micromeria stellata Microrbynchus sarmentosus .. Milletia auriculata, Baker Millingtonia bortensis, Linn/, Mimosa hamata, Willd ,, pudica, Linn „ rubricaulis, Linn Mimusopis Elengi, Linn ,, hexandra, Roxb „ Kauki, Linn Mirabilis Jalapa, Linn Modecca palmata, Lam ... Molluga birta, Thunb ., rf^i" Todri (impd.) ^Tg^T Babuna. *f\TQf*lzi Kayaputi (jmpd.) crr#f P&lore. »rnfr Brahri. \$m or f?j^ Nimb or Limb, eivfR^ 1 Karri nimb, gfgjf^sr Ballimb. q , ^»T^T o r Bakayan, ^ Drek. f^RT or r^rT Limbara or Nimbara. ^fToSr^^C Kala khajur, ^r¥^nsr*nr Karva kbajur. ar^f^fSfFNTf^ Aklilulmalik (impd.) ^FTf*T^T Vanrnethika, ffft Zir. *Nfrfr Maithori. 3T*R Anjan, ^pgffr Yalki, c£> (mace) ... „ ,, (seed) ... Myrtus communis, Linn (berries) fTTO Jbaras. M. stricta, Linn. ^^r sfcff Karelo-jangro. ^R??r, ^nr%w, sktccjt, srt^, ^t?fr, alf^. Karli,Karvel,Karti, Karl<§,Kare'lo, Omble'. ^T¥# : Cr Kadavanchi. 3ft?faft Karantoli, 37*27^7 Kartoli. TRT^IT Nagkura. M. citrifolia, var., Linn. 3TH7 Ala,3TIW or 3Tr3TW Ale or Aula, TO^fpft Bartondi, 3TCTrfr Aseti. M. tinctoria, Roxb. var. *R%3"1T or %*ir Ran-shegva or Shegat. STir? or ^nr^r Sbegat or Shegva. £T3" Tut, sr^I Am bat. *ft£V 3Tf|?ft Mothi-kiihili. frffffr Kuhili, grrtsrarfr Kinte-kuyeri. *fpfr *>Qtft Gori-kiiyeli. f^rf Chirati. ?TcT| or &%\ Supi or Supti. zk€\ Kuuti. f|TtTT Jbiraug, qiqftft^ Kadbinimb, iTt^rprw Gorinimb- HjrHfa Kaudir, XJ^$\& Rankel, 37ff* Kavdar Nannorrops Ritchieana, Wend I Itfardostachys Jatamansi, D. C. (rhizome) %55 K61. =^f or =^f«r Chavi or Ghavin. 5T7%^ Bhutkes, ^r^r? Lavasat, RT3T^f5&|' Shivardoli. ^nrqFT35 Kayphal. *R*rRT?T55 Rau jayphal, ?;rTFS5 Ram- phal. ^R"F55 Kayphal. nTT'fr Rampatri. miWX*5 Jayphal. '*tm<*?ft Jaypatri. (impd.) STf^TTToS Jayphal (impd.) fawwft-'^ Vilayati-niendi. ^q^K^Tf^ Habul-Aas (impd.) qftw Fis. 5TCT**rcfr Jatamansi, 3T?S=gC Balchar, QWr*i Sumbul (impd.) 240 BOMBAY NAUTRAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Naregamia alata, W. 4" A Uarthex assafcetida Nauclea Cadamba ,, cordifolia „ elliptica „ parviflora t ... „ purpurea, Roxb Nelumbium speciosum, Willd „ ,, (seeds).. „ ,, (scapes). Nemedra Nimmonii Nepeta ciliaris, Benth Nephelium Litchi, Camb. ..... ,, Longana, Camb Nerium odorum, Solan. Nicandra physaloides, Qartn Nicotiana Tabacum, Linn.... Nigella indica Nothopegia Colebrookiana Blume, Notonia balsamica, Bah ,, corymbosa Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Linn. Nyraphaea Lotus, Linn. Ochrocarpus longifolius, Benth. „ ,, (buds) Ocimum basilicum, Linn >, t, var ,, canum, Sims „ gratissimum,Lmn.. ,, pilosum. efiTg**^ Kaprirhhendi, fafT%<5 Pittvel ?fR Savak, e£^f Kurund. ^T^ Dhand. P. crus-galli, Linn, 242 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Panicum flavidum „ frumentaceum, Roxb.. „ italicum „ miliaceum, Linn „ miliare, Lamb ,, pilosum , „ sp. (Dangali) Papaver Rbeas, Linn „ somniferum, Linn. ... „ (capsules) ... „ (opium) Paracaryum ceelestinum, Benth Paramigyna monophylla, Wight. Parinarium excelsum... Parkia biglandulosa, W. Sf A... Parkinsonia aculeata, Linn... Parmelia caperata, Ach „ kamtachadalis, Esch ilij Biirti, P. brizoides, Linn. gfTOfn - Kathli, ^rw^r Shamiila. See Setaria italica. ^f^Tr^T Varisava. H^r^TTrg Nelashamalu, ^Prar Nainiya. See Setaria glauca. See Pennisetum typhoideum, var. PjrWT Lala. *ftpft ^fif^rr Jangli Mudrika. ig^pg^ fHI S3T3" Rhaskhassi che jhar. On various former occasions I have brought to the notice of the Society that the subject of Indian Cryptogamia, or flowerless plants, has yet to be investigated; that in exhibiting before the Society, from time to time, my specimens of fungi and algae growing in and around Bombay, I nave failed to derive any assistance from works on Indian Botany ; and this I repeat on the present occasion. This fact is borne out by the independent testimony of a distinguished Indian Botanist, Dr. "Wellington Gray, whose observations on the Botany of the Bombay Presidency, as embodied in Vol. XXV. of the Bombay Gazetteer, recently published, contains the following remark: — He says," The species belonging to the indigenous flower- less plants have never yet been fully described or investigated, and there are doubtless multitudes of new species still to be discovered. And this is literally true. Take up any book on Indian Botany, — Professor Oliver's " Indian Botany," for instance. Considering that Professor. Oliver has never visited India, and that the book written is from dried Herbaria, and from species of Indian plants growing in England — in the Kew Gardens — the work is admir- able. In that book containing nearly four hundred pages, however the Cryptogams are disposed of in twenty pages. No mention is made of the order Hepaticre, specimens of which are exhibited this evening. In Gregg's text-book of Indian Botany, recently prepared for the Hooghly College in Bengal, a merely passing allusion is made to the order Hepaticaa. In Boxburgh's "Indian Flora," recently edited by Mr. Clai-ke, there is a chapter added on the miscellaneous Cryp- togamia. No mention is made of the Hepaticao. Now, I do not mention all this to show the magnitude of the result of my researches in that neglected branch of Botany, but rather the magnitude of the difficulties I have had in investigating the subject. I have to depend on my own resources entirely. Considering that one is accustomed to 2 6 6 PLATE IT. Fio. III. Normal Bise Riocia Nil 3. vr.r. ? Polygonal cells ()n<> of the lobules enlarged X 5uo with chlorophyll granules. Alt;.!-: from Ykhak Watei: 1 V& Fio. IV. *•&- 4*: •••• Fio. V. Nostoc Minima ^ x 5T0 * # Protocoocaa Vehar x 50 J PlenrocfH'cn^ Vehar. in masses x 5 f K) K. R. K. ft I. H. del ad nat. INDIAN HEPATIC/E AND VEHAR ALG/E DESCRiBFD BY DR. KIRTIKAR. I LATE 1. JUM* 1 Noi mal size Riccia No. 1 variety ? Fronds majruinod X 50 ft brown Spores X 5' Ml Fig. II. Circular frond-arrangement a Norma] size b Riccia var. ? No. 2. <»« ' a. Enlarged lobule X 600 Tile-arrangement of fronds l. Stomute of Biceia No. 2. c. Polygonal cells with chlorophyll granules. K. K. K. et I. li. del ad nat. INDIAN HEPATIC/E DESCRIBED BY Dr. KIRTIKAR. THE INDIAN HEPATIC^. 251 have information at second-hand in this country, where original facts have to be recorded, great care and caution, and accurate and repeated observations are necessary. I urge the fact of the absence of all previous information more in extenuation of the defects of my own paper than a desire to show what others have left undone. I urge this point also with a view to rouse the interest of those members of the Society who are given to Botanical pursuits, inasmuch as there appears to be an unending field for very entertaining and useful research. For the materials one has not to go very far. In the rainy season we tread these plants under our feet, the carriage wheels daily pass and repass over them near our stable door and our garden gate. They invade our eye as we stand by the garden wall, with the rich beautiful green of their foliage which the artist's pencil can never imitate. They grow on the outer side of our flower pots in isolated or close packed circlets. On dilapidated walls they are more constant, growing from year to year, drying after the monsoons. This, then, is their habitat. A moist ground or a damp spot is necessary for their growth, and they are in their prime in the monsoons. The ground may be clayey, sandy or chunam mixed. With regard to their general appearance they are leafy expansions — foliaceous. The roots of these plants are delicate and silky so entering the ground as to form a web or network, thin and friable, matted with the ground, rendering it difficult to preserve the plant or set it free from the matrix-earth in which it grows. Why the order to which the three plants belong is called hepaticas I do not know. It is possible that from the lobed condition of the frond and its resemblance to that organ in general shape the name hepaticas might have been given. Otherwise there is nothing in common between the liver and the liverworts. The natural order hepaticas is allied to the mosses from which it differs in many respects, mainly in this, that in most of the liverworts there is no stem but simply a patch of green membrane spreading over the ground, whereas in the mosses there is a stem often much branched. The, hepaticas are sub-divided into the liverworts or marchantiaceae, the scale mosses or Junger-manniaceae and the Crystlworts or Ricciaceas. Thehepatics, especially plants of the last sub-division, are often con- founded with lichens, but the lichens can be easily distinguished by even a cursory microscopic examination. The plant depicted in Fig. I., PI. No. I., is of dark green colour. The surface markings of the frond are visible distinctly under an ordinary magnifier. Under the micro- 252 Bombay natural history society. scope the frond presents a reticulated surface, on the upper surface of which there are open spaces representing the " stomata," or breathing si3ores. The frond is elongated and presents a deep groove, dark green in colour, and corresponding to the midrib of the leaf of a phanerogam. The fronds branch dichotomously, and a vertical section presents a figure of eight appearance. The cells are compressed, spherical, and give the appearance of a hexagon by- mere optic illusion. There are abundant chlorophyll granules in the cells, closely packed. The roots arise from the lower surface of the mid groove. They are soft and filamentous. There are also some fine radical hairs; the fronds are succulent and not imbricated. The margins are entire. The sporangium which contains the spores is situated in the frond and is ovoid in form, containing thickly-packed brown black spores of a very definite character. In other parts of the frond there is the commencing formation of the sporangium, where the dichotomous cell division is well marked. The full formed spores are honeycombed iu appearance. No elators or spiral fibre, have been seen at all the examinations of the plane. The plant is therefore consigned to the sub-division or iS Alliance," as Lindley calls it, of Ricciaceae the diagnosis lying between this sub-division and Marchantiaceae, in which elators exist as a matter of necessity. The plant depicted in Fig. II., PI. No. I., is also consign- ed to the sub-division Ricciaceaa. The colour is brighter than that of plant Fig. I. The fronds are more delicate and less succulent, The margins are crenulate and lobed. The stomata are visible on the upper surface even to the naked eye. The roo's are finer and more numerous, coming not only from midribs, but also from the under surface of the frond as a whole. The fructification of the plant has not been observed. Under the microscope the structure of the chlorophyll cells is much more delicate and oval. The stomata are strikingly sharp and hexagonal. The plant depicted on PI. No. II., Fig. III., is peculiar in its arrangement, the tendency being to form circles by the growth of fronds all round from a central point. The colour is dark green, tinged brownish yellow. The tissue is crisp and friable, midway between that of plants figured Nos. 1 and 2. The margins are crenulate, and the greater the number of fronds packed the greater the amount of crenulation. The cells forming the substance of the frond look polygonal and compact, having large thickly set chlorophyll granules in various stages of ■WILD HORSES. 253 development. This plant also belongs to the Alliance Ricciaceae. The three plants require naming. WILD HORSES. By Veterinary-Sukgeon J. H. Steel, A. V. D. (Read at the Society^s Meeting on 1st August 1887.) In bringing forward for consideration by the Society some further questions about horses, I trust that I shall not be thought to unduly force a hobby on my hearers. I feel assured that to a large number of oia* members there is no lower animal more interesting than the horse, and none about which details will be more acceptable. Viewed from the high scientific standpoint no animal-being, save perhaps man himself, could be studied with more prospect of souud results and valuable generalisations. The horse is to us the best representative of hoofed animals and vegetable feeders, and to anatomists he is what Oscar Schmidt describes in the following passage: — "The best known example of this kind of an isolated form of: mammal is the horse and its relatives, the genus equns. The descriptive zoologist places it by the side of the two-hoofed animals. Yet the difference between the one-toed horse and the two-toed oxen and stags remains completely unexplained. Besides this the more perfect dentition of the borse stands in sharp contrast with the reduced dentition of most of the ruminants, which lack the upper incisors ; the only point of connection would seem to be the camel, which again has a much fuller deutition. Nevertheless, the horse remains a phenomenon so peculiar within itself that descriptive zoology has always classed the horse .iu the order of the two-hoofed animals." This eveniug I want to consider wild horses, in some of their practical and scientific bearings, and naturally the first question which arises is, whether there is any sack creature as a wild horse? This is rather a startling question when we consider that in at least four out of the six continents horseg in a free state are found living only to a very limited degree influenced by man and most certainly not in a stat6 of domestication. The mustang 34 254 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. of Mexico, the wild horse of the Pampas of Southern America, the brumbie (or " Scrubby") of Australia, and the terpan of Tartary are to all intents and purposes "wild," but it is very doubtful whether, in the naturalist's sense of the term, they are truly feral. As regards the brumbie of Australia it is certain that he is the descendant of imported horses which strayed within recent years; the enormous numbers of horses of the Americas are known, from historical records, to have resulted from animals imported by the Spaniards and others from Europe. The horse of Tartary or Central Asia has no such historical record, and yet we fiad that naturalists of good scientific reputation almost without hesitation state that he must have resulted from domesti- cated animals which had strayed. Y ouatt says his origin has been clearly traced to horses that were employed at the siege of Azof in 1657, but it is doubtful if he refers to the true Mongolian wild horse. Certainly there are in this region large horse runs, the property of the Imperial Chinese and other Governments, and undoubtedly under not very perfect management horses stray and become lost or are enticed away by their free comrades, as is the manner of wild horses (though Youatt says, I know not on what authority, the wild horses of Tartary quickly destroy any domestic horse which comes into their power), but we have no distinct and definite evidence on this question as to whether in Cantral Asia the original wild stock of horse still exists in the condition of its native proprietors. We may consider the evidence fairly conclusive concerning the horses of America and of Australia, but in the case of those of Central Asia it is not proved whether the breed has descended in unbroken pedigree through ancestors which never have been tamed, or whether at some time or other in the h istory of his race it has yielded to the power of man. Tradition and scientific surmise (we cannot speak of it in stronger terms) poiut to Central Asia as the aboriginal abode of the horse, but this can by no means be proven? and it is certain that fossil horses are found in both Europe and America equal in age to those of Asia, thus tradition dating even from extremely remote periods can have litttle importance attributed to it, and it is much to be doubted whether the scientific view which has hither to been adopted will hold ground against some most recent observations in this connexion. Darwin's statement that "no aboriginal or truly wild horse is known to exist" must still be held as explaining the exact position of this question, but we must supple- WILD HORSES. 251 ment it by stating " it is not certain that truly wild horses do not exist." Our evidence in elucidation of this matter must, as we have seen, be brought to bear on Central Asia ; unfortunately, it cannot be accepted as conclusive, being based on the statement of travellers, which are in each case that I can find only second-hand and through an interpreter, who possibly was well aware his employer would be very glad to hear there was such a thing as a wild horse. The latest information on this subject apparently is that in Preje- vaUky's Mongolia, from the English edition of which, edited by Yule, we find that Father Hyacinthe, writing of Middle Mongolia, speaks of wild camels, wild mules, wild asses and wild horses. Sir D. Forsyth, in a printed report of his last mission to Kashgar, men- tions, apparently from native information, wild horses mixed with wild camels. These " horses " were probably Kulans (Turki for Kyang) "this equivoque is probably at the bottom of many mentions of wild horses ; but I would not say so positively. " (Yule.) Thus Dr. Bellew in his " Kashmir and Kashgar, " p. 400, speaks of a place called Kulan Uldi, which means "The wild horse (ass ?) died" ; and elsewhere he speaks ofmeetingaherdof six or seven Kulan or Kyang. Jerdon tells us that Cunningham calls the Kyang the wild horse and states that it neighs. Now the Kyang or Kulan is an anima. about which there is much debate as to whether he is a horse or an ass. He his bigger than most asses, has a voice which some obser- vers call a neigh and others a bray, his ears are much smaller than those of most asses. He is described by Prejevalsky as " in appearance closely resembling a mule." His importance to us at present is that we must distinctly understand that he is not here considered a wild horse, and all the statements of travellers who seem to have considered him as such must be excluded from our evidence. It would almost be right, if practicable, to exclude all hearsay evidence, for it seeirfs that in Central Asia the Mongols often confuse the wild ass and the wild horse, and mention the two animals under the same name, just as in some parts of India there is only one name for sheep and goats. The only fairly exact and positive evidence I can find is that of Prejevalsky (p. 169, vol. II.), who says: — "The natives repeatedly told us of the existence of both wild camels and wild horses, and described them fully . . . Wild- Horses, called by the Mongols dzerlikadu, are rare in Western Tsaidam, but more numerous near Lob Nor. They arr> generally in 256 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. large herds, very shy, and when frightened continue their flight for days, not returning to the same place for a year or two. Their colour is uniformly bay with black tails and long manes hanging down to the ground. They are never hunted owing to the difficulties of the chase. * * * The plains of Tsaidam are 3,700 feet below Kokondi, and on this account the climate is warmer. The absence of water aslo tends to increase the heat.'' Thus we must conclude that the evidence is slightly in favour of the existence of wild horses in Central Asia, but we have no evidence as to his pedigree in relation to domestication. The Shetland pony is practically the wild horse of the British Isles, and illustrates on a small scale the peculiarites of horses which have gone wild. He is evidently not the British horse exported by Julius Caesar as " being powerful, and by stature and training well suited to war." Tho question now arises as to whether all horses of the present day have come from one original stock or have been tleveloped on parallel lines. Wild horses certainly existed in the distant past, and it behoves us to inquire in what respect they resembled and how they are related to those of the present day and also our domesti- cated horses. The original horse may not now exist in a wild state, but he must be lineally represented by our horses, aud his com- parison with them must result in important observations. The question of origin of the horses of America is soon settled. As Oscar Schmidt shows, the Palasotherium soon disappeared in South America, but became very numerous and continuously developed in North America as in Europe and Asia. Marsh considers that a true equus appeared in the upper Pliocene, and this in the post-tertiarie a roamed over the whole of North and South America, but very soon became extinct. Schmidt concludes that " the true horse of our day never existed in America before its importation." The primi- tive equine forms of America are thus supposed to have been crushed out by the ice formations of the Diluvium. Among the forms thus lost must be included Equus andium (Branco) as found in the volcanic tufa of Ecuador, probably also the coeval diluvial pampas horse, the cave horse of Brazil, and the Equus curvidens (Owen). In Equus andium it has been observed that the eyes must have been situated much deeper than in Equus caballus, in which the orbit, has moved further back. Altogether, concludes Schmidt, the American members of the genus horse have never advanced so closa WILD HORSES. 257 to our present horse as the diluvial members of the European family did. Forsyth Mayor shows that Equus stenonis of the quateruaries of Upper Italy contains all the intermediary stages between Hippariom and Equus. Schmidt continues the argument on this important subject, on which he is not always quite clear, by drawing attention to Goethe's observations on the backward position of the eye in the horses of the Parthenon ; they are far back against the ear, and, says Goethe, this was, though the artist may not have known it, the condition present in the primeval horse.* It must be remarked, however, that evidence tends to show that of the cave horses some had eyes far back and some in the position of those of the present day. These cave horses were useful to man but not domesticated ; they lived in the reindeer period, and found their most deadly foe in man, who pursued and killed them fur flesh food. As yet all conclusions as to their make and shape seem to be derived from the work of a Landseer of the stone period, who drew a picture of a man, horse, and a mammoth in recognizable outlines on pieces of ivory. The horse seems rather a small one and has a bio- head. This curious record of art in the nursery stages of the world's history must not be considered from the severely artistic point of * Youatt's views on conformation of the Parthenon horses will be read with interest as bearing on the text : — " There is a considerable difference in the form and action of the two horses. The right hand one, and the foremost of the two, is sadly defective in the portions of the foreaims which we are permitted to see. The near one is poorly supplied with muscle. The off horse is out of all keeping. The large ears placed so low ; the clumsy swelling of the lower part of the neck ; the bad union of it with the breast ; the length and thinness of the barrel compared with the bulk of the fore parts, notwithstanding the natural and graceful position of the hind legs, show no little want of skill in the statuary. The more animated head of the left and hiuder horte, the inflated nostril the opening of the mouth, the form and prominence of the eye, and the laying of the ears, sufficiently confirm the accounts which we have of the spirit — sometimes un- tameable — of the primitive horses. The neck, however, is to short, even for one with these immense forehands ; it springs badly out of the chest, the shoulder is very defec- tive ; but the forearms, their expression aud their position, are exceedingly good ; the long forearms and short leg are excellent; and so are the off fetlock and foot ; but the barrel is deficient, the carcase is leagthy, and the hind quarters are weak compared with the forearms. The beautful execution of the riders * * * shows that they were portraits, as probably the hoises were to a very great extent. These animals remind us of some of the heavy ones of tha present d ly particularly ; they have the beauties and defects of many of the modern Holstein horses ; they arc high, but perhaps heavy actioned ; courageous, sprited, possibly fierce. They exhibit the g«rms of many future improvemente, and, taken altogether, may be examined with considerable pleasure, remembering that they are horses of nearly 2,300 years ago. Art has done much for the horse since that period, but the countenance and figure of the human being were at that time perfect. These horsemen have not even the switch to guide the animal ; but they are holding by the mane with the left hand, and are evidently directing the horse by pulling the mane, or pressing the neck with the right hand a little higher up." It looks more as if the mane were not held at all, but guidance made by pressure with the forefinger of either hand on the corresponding side of the neck. Youatt seems slow in giving the artist credit for as much faithfulness in representation of the horses as of _ the men ; of courre, he may not havd been an " animal " artist. 258 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. view, but much as we would a child's production in the present day, in no way detracting from the credit of this earliest of the world's known artists. It seems to be generally accepted by British naturalists that the horse of the present day came from one original stock. This was the view of Cobbold. (Museum of Natural History.) Martin Duncan says : •' All true horses are descended from Equus caballus, a well established species," and so on. Schmidt combats the view of the domesticated horse having a single origin from the original wild stock. He shows reason to believe that, perhaps, some of the slighter breeds of the present day have resulted from the taming of the broad-browed horses of Southern Germany, but certainly some of the tamed thin-boned horses of the bronze pariod were of Asiatic origin and introduced by nomads. Ecker also considers that of the two breeds of German horse described by the Roman writers (Caesar included), the small and hardy native race was indigenous, but the Equus caballus germanicus (of Sanson and Pietrement), the heavy horse of Central Germany, was an imported animal, probably of Asiatic origin, tamed and introduced by nomadic tribes in pre- historic times. Two groups of domesticated horses have been distinguished : (1) the Oriental, with well developed cranium, forehead broad, face small, inner side of crescents of upper molar with but few enamel folds, limb bones graceful and firm ; the Arab, for example. (2) The Occidental (Franck of Munich), face much larger as compared with cranium, long narrow skull, forehead narrow, rims of orbits somewhat forward, enamel folds of crescents of upper molars very complex, limb bones thick and massive, and of less dense structure than those of the Oriental. Nehring shows that the diluvial horse of Central Germany — found at Westenregeln near Magdeburg, at Thiede (Brunswick), also along the Rhiue in the neighbourhood of Remagen — presented all the characteristic features of the Occidental horse. Fraas has described a Sehussenried breed of fossil horses, found in S. W. Wurtemburg, with very broad foreheads and grace- ful limbs. In France, Sanson and Pietrement have arrivedatsome very interesting conclusions with regard to the horses in relation to the domesticated races of the present day. Pietrement shows that it is untenable that the horse of Solutre (a primeval form of the reindeer period, which abounds in caves near Macon, north of Lyons) was tamed and domesticated, but Schmidt concludes that in it we WILD HORSES. 259 very likely have one of the races which subsequently became domes- ticated, and which left descendants that probably still exist, Buch as the long-headed Ardennes horse and the Carmague small semi-wild horses of the Rhone delta. Also in Alsace there is a race of large ponies which Schmidt; thinks probably the last offshoots of a race of ti is kind ; they have large and ugly heads, well formed bodies (although no care whatever is exercised over their breeding)* and their limbs are powerful. They are good-natured, docile, and very strong in moving weights. The sum of these observations and arguments is hardly conclusive as establishing that hcrsrs were domesticated locally ; yet it seems to be clearly established, however, that there were at least two well-marked varieties of the cave horse, the large-limbed, narrow-headed form and the small-limbed well- shaped, broad-skulled animal. These variations we must to a very large exent put down to local conditions; the experience of breeding domesticated animals, even during the short period of half a century, shows that the large size of the variety and narrowness of the skull depend on the amount of food obtainable within a limited range of grazing, whereas compactness of bone, smallness of face, and greater relative development of the cranium result from opposite con- ditions, as may be illustrated by comparison of the skull of a Lincoln sheep with that of a Southdown. The result of scientific research so far has, we may conclude, supported what we may term the commonsense conclusions with regard to horse domestication. Of the methods of capturing the horse or wild ass in the present day* almost all would not be practicable to our earliest horse-taming forefathers, for they naturally conld neither adopt the corral nor lassoing system; also they had nothing on which to ride down horses. Either they captured the very young, or else they cured animals captured alive after being maimed with axes, arrows, or other primitve weapon. . Certainly they got many horses for food in those days, and probably, as the Bikanir hunters are described as doing now, they caught the foals and tamed them. Doubtless, • Mehods of capture of wild horses: — . 1. Corraled ; thrown by means of lasso round fore legs, saddled, bestridden, and then let go and spurred until controllable. 2. Loose wild horse lassoed and jerked off legs, then ridden. 3. Ridden down by relays of horses. 4. Bewildered by faloon flapping wings in the eyes. 8. Brought down and stunned by a rifle shot behind the ear. 6. Capture and rearing of foals or of wounded horses. 260 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. from the earliest times migration of equine animals have taken place; it is supposed that in the period of the early tertiaries such a migration occurred to America, and that there was also a very early migration from Central Asia in other directions, as to the western limits of Europe. Doubtless also early human migrations influenced the spread of the horse in such a way that even the special races of different countries have from time to time had constant admixture of foreigen blood both in the pre-historic and historic periods. Yet we cannot believe that so obvious a process as domesticating horses did not take place simultaneously in different countries and so act as an important factor in the production of local breeds. All methods of the present day are but modifications of those of the past; in this, as in other matters, '' there is no new thing under the sun." I cannot conceive that given men of a number of different races with horses to hand and constantly killed as food, it would occur only to the Mongolian to endeavour to domesticate so tractable an animal ! Martin Duncan shows that the domesticated horse was first known in the Swiss Lake period, and must have been driven in the bronze period, for brouze bits have been found iu France and Italy. He quotes Hamilton Smith's conclusion that the first domestication of the post-diluvium horse was achieved in Central Asia, or commenced nearly simultaneously in the several regions where wild animals of the horse form existed; the latter seems the most tenable view. With regard to climatic and physical conditions under which wild, horses live, the Steppes of Tartary are described as great treeless plains at considerable elevation. k The Kyang inhabits the Thibetan plateaux some 15,000 to 16,000 feet above the sea-level, and the Mongolian wild horse of Prejevalsky is found on the plains of Tsaidam, some 1,700 feet below the Kokonor Stepp. In Bolivia the llanos are described by Spence as a series of enormous level tracts watered by navigable rivers and covered by verdant turf, where vast numbers of mules, hoi*ses and asses pasture. These tracts are subject to floods during which the horses take refuge on table-lands, which form, as it were, islands in the flood, and the mares (with their foals) may be seen swimming about in the water browsing on the tops of the long grass projecting over the water. Wide plains of pasture, undulating and even hilly, are suitable for the wild horse, running streams and perennial grass are advantage- ous to him, but he at times undergoes great straits both for food and water. The arguments with regard to th6 nature of the land WILD HORSES. 2f)l on which the fossil horses were found have been rather in a circle. It has constantly been assumed that the occurrence of remains of horses implies vegetation and climate resembling those of the Steppes or, again, that wide grassy plains imply suitability for horses. As a matter of fact, we know that horses thrive in a remarkable variety of climates and on many soils, but a tendency to dryness with heat is favourable, heat with moisture and an alluvial soil are conditions unfavourable in the extreme, and indeed often suffice to produce extermination. When one comes to think of it and to compare America and Australia with South Africa, the question naturally arises, why have not horses gone wild in the latter place, where many must have escaped, just as in Australia and America ? If we may judge from the presence of the zebra, quagga, and Burchell's zebra, the climate and soil is everything that could be required for the production of a wild race in South Africa, and yet one has not appeared ! It seems to me that this is the result of one of two causes or, perhaps, of a combination of each. The South African territory was originally occupied, indeed fully populated, by equines before importation of the horse, and the latter has had to contend with that terrible enemy, the Horse Sickness, not to mention animals of prey and such small but serious foes as the Tsetze fly. Youatt seems to have had a suspicion that wild horses were found at the Cape. He had probably heard the Dutchmen and other travellers talking of the Wilde Paarde, the Boer name for the zebra. He says : "At the Cape of Good Hope we find that the horse, if a native of th^t country, is only occasion- ally seen in its wild state. * * * The wild have long disappeared from the colony, and we have no authentic record that any of them were even taken and attempted to be domesticated.'' This was written about fifty year* ago. Darwin noted some curious facts about the non-spread of horses in the Falkland Islands to the degree that might have been anticipated. Firstly, he attributes some influence to the fact that the hoofs, on account of softness of the soil, become overgrown, and so limit progression ; secondly, the stallions insist ou the mares accompanying them often before the recently born foal is able to move sufficiently fast. Wherever the horse runs wild, there seems to be what we may fairly consi- der as a recurrence to ancestral manners. Each stallion has his following of mares ranging from a few up to forty or even fifty, and these parties may be separate or banded together into 35 262 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. herds of considerable size— sometimes, it is said, 400 strong. The young and weak males remain with but a scanty or even uo following. The stallion has to maintain his supremacy by frequent combats, which especially occur at certain seasons of the year. Youatt mentions frequent combats between different herds, but the general evidence tends only to the occurrence of contests for supremacy between different stallious. The animals are suspicious in the extreme, swift of flight, but bold in defence with tooth and heel in emergency. They range extensively in search of pasture and water, and whom hard pressed by danger or famine, the herds break up. It is said that each troop has a leader and implicitly obeys him, he is the first to face danger and to give the hint to fly ; when hard pressed, the horses form a riug, with the mares and foals in the centre, and defend themselves vigorously with their heels, or they close in on their opponont in a dense mass and trample him to death. A favourite proceeding of these animals seems to be the tempting of domesticated horses to join them, a source of much annoyance to breeders in Australia, as also is the invasion of their runs by wild Btallions, which vitiate select breeds in a most annoying manner. "Wild horses are sagacious in avoiding sportsmen, keen of scent, and vigilant. Many wild horses in America are found with saddle marks, and I have seen the skull of an unfortunate individual with each side of the lower jaw almost cut through by pressure from a halter which he wore when as a youngster he escaped from captivity. With regard to shape, it is much to be regretted that from Job even unto Byron,- our authors and travellers have thought advisable to view the horse in a state of nature from the poetic rather thau from the practical side. We have very few '' horsemen's descriptions'* of these animals in so far as I can learn, and the pictures given ua are either over-artistic, evidently taken from stuffed specimens or not reliable. The brumbies are described by Anthony Trollope as "perfect marvels of ugliness," and elsewhere we are told that they are small, hardy and remarkable for the excellence of their feet but seldom worth the trouble of capture and training. The picture before us of the wild horse of Tartary looks like that of a youngster. Its most striking features are a most ugly head, with coarse Roman nose and convex forehead, short muzzle, little cranium ; head badly set on, no shoulder, deficiency of barrel, ugly quarters, round short hocks, upright pasterns, and great length below the knees and hocks. To counteract these bad points there is power in the quarters, arms, WILD HORSES. 263 and thighs ; the animal is well ribbed up and the feet look good. The picture of the mustang exhibited reminds us of a thorough- bred circus horse let loose, aud is evidently a flight of imagination on the part of the artist. Youatt, in speaking of the wild horse of South America, mentions him as possessing much of the form of the Spanish horse from which he sprang, as not remarkable for speed, but wonderfully enduring, and knowing no pace between a walk and a gallop. Spence, in his "Land of Bolivar," speaks of them as "small, strong built, and capable of enduring any amount of fatigue."* Unsoundness of hoof of the wild horse is not often seen, but its general infrequence under natural influences contrasts markedly with the terrible frequency of foot lameuess, in spite of all care, among domesticated horses. It teaches us the important lesson to get the natural wear and bearing as much as possible, but must not be misled, as by some, into teaching that the domesticated horse should go unshod. According to the latter argument pushed to its logical conclusion, our horses should be fed only on grass and never be groomed I The original colour of the horse has been a subject of much •debate, and seems to have been pretty generally accepted that the primitive horse was dun. Martin Duncan says the evidence on this point dates back as far as the time of Alexander the Great : that the wild horses of Western Asia and of Eastern Europe are d,un, and tkat the duns much predominate among some unmixed breeds, such as those of Hungary and Norway, f It will be seen that the arguments of the learned professor are weak in the extreme. Whether or not the historians of Alexander the Great saio wild horses I can't say, but I consider it extremely probable that they saw only wild asses of Persia, Assyria, Sciude and even, possibly, the Kyang in the Punjab. Again, I doubt very much whether colours were recorded with as great discrimination by those histo.- .* ; * There was nearly half a century between when Youatt and Spence wrote ; the stamp of the South American horse may materially have altered in that time. f I am indebted to Mr. F. Stockinger, Consul-General for Austro-Hungary ia Bombay, for the following interesting information on Hungarian horses, as conveyed, to me in a letter received since the paper on "Wild Horses" was read : — -'The Hungarian is certainly one of the best mixed breeds on the surface of the earth, as the Government and private persons have for more than a century imported Arabs, English, Spanish, Norman, and other blood for breeding purposes ; in fact, half to three-fourth of the blood in the Hungarian horse is foreign. A commission of landowners and officers visits periodically every part of the country and select-? the stallions best suited for the place. The thoroughly Hungarian city of Debreezin owns a stud in which they pride themselves to have preserved the original Hungarian horse in its primitive state unmixed with other blood. I have visited that stud * * and found ?-hat the hgrsp^ are, without exception, bays >5 tion, and marks have probably resulted from domestication. A few of the origiual breed also probably were Albinoes. With regard to shape, all the evidence tends to the belief that in all the points which render a horse useful to mankind, domestication has improved him, though he probably has been rendered less endur- ing and more liable to disease. The cave horse, whose portrait has been handed down to us carved on horn, had a large head, thick neck, big mane, and coarse and clumsy points (Duncan); but we have seen that the artist cannot be absolutely relied on for proportions.* If we be permitted to imagine, on the basis of what we know of the oldest wild horses and of the least cared-for breeds, we may describe the original horse as follows : — Head large, fine or coarse in the muzzle, badly put on, eyes far back, ears large, neck thick and coarse, shoulder small aud upright, forearm muscular and short, tendons a little deficient below the knee, pasterns upright, feet blocky aud good, back rather short, girth moderate, loins muscular, quarters round, tail set on low, hocks big and compact but very short, thighs very short but muscular. Now, such a horse is not at all what we would try to buy for any domestic purpose, but it is the unspecialised form which in the zebra aud wild ass we find compatible with fair speed, remarkable endur- ance, and other high qualities. I, as a horseman, criticising the works of Nature, must not be supposed to be indulging in ridiculous fault-finding with perfection. The wild horse is suited admirably to the wild free life for which he is intended, but he cannot compete either in speed with the race-horse (although his speed is not inconsiderable), in strength with the draught horse (though he can perform collar work moderately well with little training), nor is he, until brought under the controlling influence of man for several generations, and influenced in a particular direction by artificial selection, specially suited for any domestic purpose. The adapt- ability for work shown by the descendants of horses which have recently gone wild is wonderful. The little training the Australian and American horses receive to enable them to work proves that they have not yet outlived the inheritance of the useful quality of obedience to man. That a traveller should be able to cross South America by impressing wild horses successively to carry him is extraordinary. In size there can be no doubt that (though an enormous fossil * One of his ponies is not a bad shaped one, the other is like a Tapir. 266 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. horse is supposed to have lived in South America) the tendency of domestication has been towards increase. All the writers, with charming indefiniteness, speak of the wild horses as "small, strong and not fast. " We have rather more accurate information as to their powers of endurance, which are undoubtedly considerable ; it is not uncommon for an animal to be captured, ridden sixty or seventy miles straight off, and then the animal, tired, not "done up," to be enlarged; this work on grass feed is not bad. In some of the revolutions in South America these wild horses have been used extensively and in rather extraordinary ways. Thus Paez, the cavalry leader of Bolivar, broke in wild horses and so mounted a very considerable force, with which on one occasion he performed the extraordinary feat of capturing gunboats in midstream, the men swam their horses in and jumped on board from off the animals' backs. The aquatic powers of horses in this part of the world are remarkable, and it is peculiar that white horses are there thought most of as being: the best swimmers. It is really wonderful how horses can adapt themseloes to emer- gencies. Those of Central Asia, for example, have often to live like reindeer, eating snow for drink and gathering a scanty feed by scraping away the snow. Darwin tells us what a hard time of it horses sometimes have in South America. Cattle and hoises in time of drought become so exhausted, that when they rush into rivers they are unable to crawl up the muddy banks, and thus are drowned. Ci All the small rivers become highly saline, and this caused the death of vast numbers in particular spots ; for when an animal drinks of such water it does not recover. Azara describes the fury of the wild horses on a similar occasion, rushing to the marshes, those which arrived first being overwhelmed and crushed by those which followed. He adds that more than once he has seen the carcases of upwards of a thousand wild horses thus destroyed." The distinguished naturalist comes to the conclusion that a geologist unacquainted with the occasional occurrence of this phenomenon would draw some conclusions of not altogether satisfactory stability from discovery of a breccia of horse bones. Yet, in spite of adverse influences, rapidity of spread of horses is a phenomenon of which there can be no doubt. The diffusion of horses which in Mexico escaped into the woods and savannahs northward to the Rocky Mountains and to the sources of the Columbia, is, as Low points out, remarkable, yet not to be compared with what has WILD HOUSES. 267 taken place in the plains of La Plata and other parts of the South American Continent. Darwin shows us that whereas tho first horso was landed in America at Buenos Ay res in 1537, in 1580 (less than fifty years) the Patagonians had horses. This spread is, of course, not to be compared with the wonderful increase in numbers of horses in general in Australia which has recently been witnessed, but it may be remarkod as an illustration of how wild horses spread, that in New South Wales, in 1875, 7,000 wild horses are recorded as having been shot without extermination, and the horse pest has attained such importance as, I believe, to have received legislative notice in some parts of Australia. Our members ought to be able to give us some interesting information in this matter. There is evi- dence that even in South America the numbers of horses have been materially lessened by the requirements of man recently. Some curious eccentrici'ies of wild horses deserve a passing notice. Darwin remarks on the extraordinary fact that without any apparent reason, and though there is no appreciable difference in climate and soil between the western and eastern parts of the Falkland Islands on which he saw horses, they had never left the eastern part. Another peculiar point is noticed by Azara, the preference of wild horses for the dropping of excrement in or near roads. This, carried out on a largo scale, in South America, has an important influence on the procuration of fodder along the maiu tracks. Darwin comments on the extreme difficulty of driving large bodies of horses over the South American plains. One remount officer who left Buenos Ay res with 5 DO had under 20 on arrival at his destina- tion. The animals are excitable, and the approach of a puma, or even a fox, during the night will cause the horses to disperse in every direction, and even a storm will have the same effect (" Voyatje of the Beagle"). This teudency to wild heedless bolting of large numbers of horses is a phenomenon not unknown to our cavalry officers and those of other nations. I know of one stampede of horses of a cavalry regiment mounted on Walers in this country, and two serious stampedes occurred araougthe Guards' horses and those of the Queen's Bays at Aldershot at the first autumn manoeuvres. Paez in Bolivia turned this tendency to valuable account in the War of Independence, for he used to stampede bands of wild horses against the enemy at night. Finally, we may observe that, »s the equine animals in South. Africa have been noticed to have a curious tendency to "chum" with the Gnu and other ruminants, the wild horse also has been observed 268 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. on terms of settled friendship with the larger ruminants of the plains on which he is found. The paces of the horse in a natural condition are the walk aud gallop. As regards other paces, the amble and the canter are undoubtedly artificial, but it has been much discussed as to whether the wild horse trots. We need not enter into the arguments in detail here. The question has received much attention in America, and Hiram Woodruffe has concluded that the trot is a natural pace for young untrained animals; also zebras and other wild equines trot. There are evident fallacies in this argument, but to debate on the paces of the horse here would take too much time and trespass too much on the patience of the meeting. Finally, in estimating the influence on mankind of the tvild, horse in the prstent doty, we find a difficulty in separating him from the numerous herds of semi-wild animals which in most parts of the world are utilised as reserves of horse supplies, such as those of the groat breeding establishments in Hungary,* Russia, and even in Chinese Tartary. A description of one of the latter by Prejevalsky may prove of interest: " The great Steppe country through which we passed from Doloknor is the pasture land of the Imperial horses. Every herd [dargu of the Mongols) num- bers 500, and is under an officer ; a superior officer is over all." They supply remounts in time of war. These horses are under 'the average * Mr. Stockinger writes : '' Hungary certainly has large breeding establishments whioh I have mostly seen more than once, but you will not find any animal even approaching the serai-wild state. The largest stud is called Mero Hegyes, which belongs to the Government, and covers an area of about 45,000 acres, numbering between 4 to 5,000 horses. " They are divided according to breed, age, and sex into small herds numbering 80 to 100 at the utmost. Each herd is driven out to the pasture every morning by two to three well mounted men with long whip;?, aud brought back in the evening into large separate enclosures, each of which contains a shed entirely open on one side. " They are all perfectly tame, and one could hardly imagine a prettier sight than being surrounded by a flock of thorough bred or half-bred yearlings searching your pockets for bread. "Thj stallions are kept in stables all the year round, do the carriage and saddle-work of the superintending officers, and are about a^ peaceful and tame creatures as one would wish. I have never heard a scream or a kick in a stable containing perhaps 50 or more stallions "Large 1 Hided proprietors have studs kept very much on the same system ; the stal- lions are either private propeity or belong to Government, who let them out for the season. " The small landlord and persant breeds horses as a domestic animal more like the Arab. They are about the house or farm ; the boys jump on their backs as soon almost as they can stand on their legs ; and he follows his master about like a dog. You will very often see a farmer drive about the country with the offspring and relations of his team after him. I know a good many books contain still accounts of the wild Hungarian horse, but these are things long, long gone by. " The very natural and surest prof of this is that I have mot very, very rarely with an ill-tempered or vicious horse, aud then it can be almost invariably traced to bad treatment." LEPIDOPTEiU OF KARACHI AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 269 height, their legs and neck thick, head large, and coat long and shaggy, possess wonderful powers of endurauce, remaining out in the open in extreme cold, and contenting themselves with the scanty herbage, or, if there be none, with such coarse stuff as camels feed on. In winter the snow serves them for water. They roam almost at liberty over the pasture lands of Northern Kalka and the country of the Chakhars. The larger herds are usually broken up iuto smaller troops of 10 to 30 mares, led by a stallion, who guards them with the greatest jealousy and never lets them out of his sight. The leaders of them have pitched battles with one another in the spring. Darwin observed a tribe of Indians which was gradually changing from hunters on foot to hunters on horseback, a neighbouring tribe lending- them old and inferior horses to prevent their being absolutely starved through want of success in the chase. The wild and semi-wild horses constitute together a grand reserve of remounts for the world's requirements. They are absolutely necessary for travelling in many parts ; they even constitute a source of food supply to mankind; they give scope for reckless energy of certain classes of mankind which might otherwise find a less legiti* mate outlet ; in some countries, as in primitive ages, skin, hair, hoofs, milk, and bones of horses are found useful. There is doubt- less much waste in capture and breaking-iu, yet the supplies SGem almost inexhaustible, thanks to rapid propagation and wide range over suitable country. Even viewed as a feral animal, there are few quadrupeds more useful to man than Equus caballus ; as a domes- ticable being he is one of the grandest of presents of Nature to mankind. J. H. S. Bombay Veterinary College. ON THE LEP1DQPTERA OP KARACHI AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. (Part I.) By Col. C. Swinhoe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. There appears to be no record of any collection of Lepidoptera ever having been made in Karachi or in Southern Sind, beyond a short paper of my own, which appeared in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London for 1884, p. 503. I collected at and about Karachi, from December 1878 up to August 1880, employing (as I always do) the services of a trained 270 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. native collector, and recorded his captures daily in my journal. There was no sweet water in Karachi then, and but very few and feeble attempts at gardening— little but saud everywhere, and conse- quently the Lepidopterous fauna was verv limited, and mainly limited, as might be expected, to desert forms. With the introduction of the Mulleer Water Works the whole face of Karachi is rapidly changing — gardens are springing up everywhere, all kinds of new trees are being cultivated, and this change is bring- ing a number of fresh species of butterflies and moths into the neigh- bourhood. I received a number of new things from Mr. Murray in 1882, after an unusually heavy rainfall, and during my stay there from the 30th March 1885 to 21st September 1886, I captured many more fresh species, and I now purpose giving a complete list of all the lepidoptera within my knowledge taken at Karachi and its vicinity up to date. The list of species is still very limited ; it will no doubt go on increasing every year with the growth of vegetation* until it some- what resembles that of Bombay, but in consequence of the sandy nature of its surroundings, Karachi will always contain many desert species, and will lack many of the species which thrive in the moist atmosphere of the Bombay coast. For instance, the genus Isias, so plentifully represented in Bombay, is entirely absent from Karachi; as also the eucharis group of the genus Callosune, very abundant in Bombay, is nowhere to be seen about Kaiachi, whereas, on the other hand, the dulcis group of the same genus, and xhedynamene group of the sub-genus Idmais to.be met with in abundance in one or other of its species all the year through at Karachi, are only repre- sented in Bombay by very rare specimens of Callosune taflini Swinhoe, and Idmais cyjiroea^ Fabr. PART I. RI1OPAL0CEKA. NVMrFALIDTE. EUPLOEIN/E. 1. Tirumala limniace. Papilio limniace, Cramer, Pap. Exot. i., pi. 59 f. D. E. (1 779) July 1882, in great plenty after heavy rain, and is now quite a common insect daring the months of July and August, since the introduction of the Mulleer water into Karachi and the consequent increase of vegetation. LEPIDOPTERA OF KARACHI AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 271 2. Salatv.ra genutia. Papilio genutia, Cramer, Pap. Exot. iii., pi. 206, f. C. D. (1782). Is also now becoming a common insect at Karachi during the months of June and July and August. 3. Limnas chrysippus. Papilio clinjsippus, Linn., Mus. Ulr., p. 263 (1764). Common everywhere in Sind all the year round. 4. Limans dorippus. Eup/ceu, dorippus, Klug., Symb. Phys., pi. 48, f. 1-5 (1845). Never common ; an odd specimen taken occasionally all the year round. 5. Limans alcippoides . Limans alcippoides, Moore, P. Z. S., 1883, p. 238, pi. 31, f. 1. Same note as above. Sat yrin.se. 6. Melanitis leda. Papilio leda, Linn., Syst. Nat. i., 2, p. 773 (1767). A rare insect at Karachi. I took one in 1879 and one in July 1886. 7. Melanitis ismene. Papilio ismene, Cramer, Pap. Exot. i., pi. 26, f. A. B. (1775) Rare ; one taken by me in May 1886. 8. Ypthirna aster ope. Hipparachia asterope, Klug., Symb. Phys., pi. 29, f. 11-14 (1832). I took one in May 1886; it is identical with specimens in my collection from Arabia identified by Mr. A. G. Rutler of the British Museum. Nymph alin^t. 9. Atella phalanta. Papilio phalanta, Drury, 111. Exot. Ent. i., pi. 21, f. 1, 2 (1773). This is also a rare insect in these parts. I got one at Karachi in July 1882, and received ono in a small collection made by Sir Oliver St. John in Kozdar, Beloochistan. 10. Pyrameis cardui. Papilio cardui, Linn., Faun. Suec, p. 276 (1761). Common throughout the year. 272 BOMBAY NATTRAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 21. Junonia lemonias. Papilio lemonias, Linn., Mus. Ulr., p. 277 (1764). Taken in November 1885. 12. Junonia hierta. Papilio hierta, Fahr., Ent Sy*t. Suppl., p. 424 (1798). Not observed in 1879 or 1880; is, however, becoming corntnoc. It was plentiful in several months of the year in 1885 and 1880. 13. Junonia orithya. Papilio orithya, Linn., Mus. Ulr., p. 273 (17G4). A few taken in April and May 1879 and 1830, but is becoming quite common, and was taken iu great plenty in June, July and August 1885 and 1886. 14. Junonia asterie. Papilio asterie, Linn., Syst. Nat. i. 2, p. 76. (1767). One taken in November 1880. 15. Junonia almana. Papilio almana, Liun., Mus. Ulr., p. 272 (1764). The commonest species of the genus appears in January, April and November. 16. Hypollmnas bolina. Papilio bolina, Linn., Mus. Ulr., p. 295 (1764). Two specimens in July 1882, one iu July 1830, and one in the following month. 17. Hypolimnas misippus. Papilio misippus, Linn., Mus. Ulr, p. 264 (1764). Common from June to December. The female mimics Limnas dorippus more commonly than L. chrysippus. Lyccenid^:. 18. Polymmalus bo?Mcus, Papilio boeticus, Linn., Syst. Not. i. 2, p, 789 (1767). Common in every month of the year. 19. Lampides slrabo. Hesperia strabo, Fahr., Ent. Syst. iii., p. 287 (1793); Lycap.na Jcandarpa, Horsfield, Cat. Lep. E. I. C, p. 82 (1829); Lampides asoka, Kollar, Hug. Kasch. iv., p. 419, $ 6; Lampides didda, Kollar, Hug. Kasch iv, p. 420, £> . Common in July and August. 20. Catoehrysops cm jus, Hesperia- cnejus, Fahr., Ent. Syst. Suppl., p. 430 (1798), Common during August, September and October. LEPIDOPTEEA OF KARACHI AND ITS "NEIGHBOURHOOD. 273 21. Catochrysops contractu. Lampides contracta, Mr. Butler, P. Z. S., 1880, p. 406, pi. 34, f. 3. Common from May to September. Butler's type came from Kandahar ; the Karachi examples are identical with the Kandahar form. 22. CatocJirysops ella. Catochrysops ella, Butler, P. Z. S., 1881, p. 600. Common in December and January. 23. Tarucus nara. Lyccena nara, Kollar, Hug. Kasch. vi. 2, p. 421 (1848). Common from April to August. A species allied to T. nara with attenuated markings on the wings below occur at Karachi in June; it appears to me to be distinct and has yet to be described. I have examples taken in June 1879, in June 1885, and in the Hubb River, taken by Captain Becher, R. A., in September 1885. 24. Tarucus extricatus. Tarucus extricatus, Butler, P. Z. S , 1886, p. 367, pi. 35, f. 2. Taken in May, October and December 1885, and in January and April 1886. 25. Tarucus plinius. Hesperia plinius, Fab., Ent. Syst. iii., 1, p. 284 (1793). Common in May, June and July. 26. Zizera trochilus. Lyccena trochilus, Freyer, Neuere. Beitr. v., pi. 440, f. 1 (1844). June 1885, and taken by Captain Becher on the Hubb River in September 1885. 27. Zizera karsanclra. Polyommatus harsandra, Moore, P. Z. S., 1865, p. 505, pi. 31, f. 7. The commonest Lyccena in Karachi. It occurs in great plenty in April and May, and again in countless numbers in November and December. 28. Zizera mora. Zezera mora, Swinhoe, P. Z. S. ; 1884, p. 506, pi. 47, f. 2. June 1879 and June 1882. 274 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 29. Zizera pygmcea. Lyccena pygmcea, Snellen, Tijdsclier., Eat. xix.., pi. 7, f. 3 (1876). July 1882. 30. Chilachs putli. Lyccena putli, Koolar, Hug. Kasch., p. 424. (1848). Mugger Pir. August, 1880. 31. Azanus zena- Lyccena zena, Moore, P. Z S., 18G5, p. 505, pi. 31, f. 9 # Common from July to November. 32. Azanus uranus. Azanus uranus, Butler, P. Z. S., 1886, p. HQQ, pi. 35, f. 1. Three taken in August 1886, and one taken by Captain Becher in the Hubb River in September 1885. 33. Spindasis (rifurcata. AphncBUs trifarcata, Moore, P. Z. S., 1882, p. 251. Several taken in the Hubb River by Captain Becber in Septem- ber 1885. 31. Spindasis acainas. Lyccena acamas, Kliig., Syst. Pbys., pi. 40, f. 7-9 (1834). Common in January and February 1880 and July 1881. One taken in July 1885. PAPILIONID^E. Pi ERIN M, 35. Terias loeta, Terias Iceta, Boisduval, Sp. Gen. i„ p. 674 (1836). One taken in June 1879 is a common insect at Karachi, and is very plentiful in May and June. 36. Terias hecabe. Papilio hecabe, Linn., Mus. Ind. Ulr., p. 249 (1764). Common from April to August. 37. Terias hecabeoides . Terias hecabeoides, Men., Cat. Mus. Petr. Lep. i., p. 85, pi. 2, f. 2 (1855). Is also common during the summer months. It is doubtfully distinct from the preceding, its only difference being a heavier marginal border, and in the forewiug this border extends further in on the hinder margin. LEHDOI'TERA OF KARACHI AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 275 38. Terias tesiope. Terias opstope, Men., Oat. Mus. Petr. Lep. i., p. 85, pi. 2, f. 3 (1885). July and August, This insect is also doubtfully distinct, the two former are free of all red markings on the wings below. T. tesiope has red apical patch, below the wings above with its deep border being almost identical with T. hecaheoides. 39. Terias curiusa, Terias cnriosa, Swiuhoe, P. Z. S., 1884, p. 50S, pi. 17, f. 3. August, 1879. 40. Terias excavafa. Terias cxcavata, Moore, P. Z. S., 1882, p. 252. August to January. 41. Terias purreea, Terias purreea, Moore, P. Z. S., 1882, p. 252. November to Jauuary. 42. Terias asphodelus, Butler, P. Z. S., 1883, p. 151, pi. 24, f. 13. November to March. 43. Terias irregularis. Terias irregularis, Moore, P. Z. S., 1882, p. 253, pi. 12, f. 3. January, 1886. The last four species all have red patches on the wings below; some Lepidopterists think they are all varieties of one species. This may be the case, or else they may be seasonal forms, but they are not difficult to separate, and a long series of them will show very few intermediates. 44. Terias venata. Terias venata, Moore, Cat. Lep. E. I.C. i., p. 65, pi. 2a, F. 2 (1857). Observed for the first tim) Either head covered with PROCEEDINGS. 291 shields and sub-caudals double or head covered with scales and sub-caudals single harmless. Dr. K. R. Kirtikar read a paper on the " Indian Hepaticas," which is printed on page 250 of this numbor. Dr. Macdonald, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Thipson for his very interest- ing paper on the poisonous snakes, remarked as to the extreme practical importance of the subject. With reference to It. Kirtikar's note, he observed that much new matter had been clearly put together and well observed facts had been given, and that it rested with the members of the Society interested iu the subject of Botany to still further investigate the subject. A vote of thanks was proposed to Dr. Kirtikar for his contribution, after which the meeting dissolved. THE JOURNAL OF THE Bombay Natural History Society. EDITED BY R. A. STERNDALE, and E. H. AITKEN. With- Rules and List of Members. No I.— VOL. II. PRIST ED AT THE EDUCATION SOCIETY'S PEESS, BYCULLA. m&, — 1S87. WM aSar*;- CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. PAGE Waters of Western India, Part III. — The Konkan and the Coast. (By a Member of the Society) 1 On Bots of the Horse and Camel (By Veterinary Surgeon J. H. Steel, A. V. D.) • 27 Parasites in the Wild A&s of Cutch (By Veterinary Surgeon J. H. Steel, A. V. D.) 80 Three New Species of Htdrophis (By J. A. Murray) 32 Butterflies of the Bombay Presidency. — Notes, &c. (By E. H. Aitken)' ^ 35 Notes on "Waters- of Western India." — (By Mr. J. D. Inver- arity) . ,. ... 44 Further Notes on Abnormal Horns (By the Editor) 46 New Species of Fish from Kurraqhee and Persian Gulf (By J. A. Murray) 47 Description of a New Lizard from the Dangs. (By F. Gleadow) 49 Zoological Notes — Deljphinus Lentiginosus — R. A. Sterndale 51 Nest and Eggs of Cinhyris Loterna — E. H. Aitken 52 Cat and Squirrel— A Foster-Maternal freak— J. Vidal 53 Notes on the Habits of Nejpita Cotiforta—K. S. Wise 54 Bird-Nesting Notes from Cutch — A. Newnham, 10th Bo. I. . . . 56 The Two Shamas—H. E. Barnes 56 Mergus Merganser — E. H. Aitken 56 List of Birds from Sind— Col. Swinhoe '. 56 Proceedings of the Society .... fflinBag Batumi gistarg $tamfg. LIST OF OFFICE-BEARERS. |}resiknt. H. E. the Right Honorable Lord Reay, ci.e., ll.d., f.r.g.s. it)itc-|lrcsibcnfs. Dr. D. MacDonald, m.d., b.sc, cm. The Hon'ble Justice Birdwood, m.a,, ll.m. (Cantab,) Mr. R. A. Sterndale, f.r.g.s., f.z.s. |)o«. Smctarg. Mr. H. M. Phipson. -pott, treasurer. Mr. F. Q. Kingsley. €bitors. Mr. R. A. Sterndale and Mr. E. H. Aitken. 1st Section. — (Mammals and Birds.) President — Mr. R. A. Sterndale, f.r.g.s., f.z.s. Secretary — Mr. E. H. Aitken. 2nd Section. — (Beptiles and Fishes.) President— Mr. G-. W. Vidal, c.s. Secretary — Mr. H. M. Phipson. 3rd Section. — (Insects.) President — Colonel C. Swinhoe, f.z.s., f.l.s., f.e.s. Secretary — Mr. E. H. Aitken. 4th Section. — (Other Invertebrata.) President — Dr. G. A. Maconachie, m.d., cm. Secretary — Mr. J. C Anderson. 5th Section. — (Botany.) President — The Hon'ble Justice Birdwood, m.a., ll.m. (Cantab.) Secretary — Surgeon K. R. Kirtikar, f.s.m. (France), f.r,cs. BTJLES OF THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 1. The Society shall be called the "Natural History Society or Bombay." 2. Its object shall be the promotion of the pursuit of Zoology, Botany and Geology in all their branches. 3. Members shall be proposed, seconded, and elected by ballot. A majority of two-thirds of the members who vote shall be required to secure election. 4. Members shall pay an annual * subscription of Rs. 15, payable in advance. If any member's subscription remain unpaid for more than three months, his name shall be liable to be removed from the list .of members after due notice given by the Secretary. 5. Members absent from India shall not pay for the period of their absence. 6. A President and three or more Vice-Presidents shall be elected from among the members resident in Bombay. 7. The President shall take the chair and conduct the business at all meetings of the Society, or in his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents. If neither is present, a Chairman shall be elected by the meeting, 8. A Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected from among the members resident in Bombay. 9. It shall be his duty to record the minutes and proceedings of all meetings of the Society, and to conduct ail the details of business and carry on the correspondence of the Society. 10. The Secretary and Treasurer shall prepare an account of the receipts and disbursements of the Society to be presented at the annual meeting which shall be held in the month of January. 11. The ordinaiy meetings of the Society shall be held in Bombay on the first Monday of each month. 12. The chair being taken x the order of business shall be as follows : — (a) The minutes of last meeting to be read and confirmed. (b) The announcement and election of new members. (r) The reading of letters and the discussion of any ordinary business of the Society which shall be before the meeting. (d) The announcement of presents and donations. 0) The remainder of the time at the disposal of the meeting shall be devoted to the reading of papers, communication of interesting facts, exhibition of specimens, &c. 13. Members having anything of this nature to bring before tin Society, shall give the Secretary intimation before the commencement of the meeting (in the case of papers a full \veek before). The subjects of which such intimation shall have been given shall be taken up in such order as the Chairman may think best. 14. If necessary a Committee of Management shall hereafter be elected from the rnernbei\s of the Society resident in Bombay. 15. These Rnles are provisional and may be amended or added to at some future time. One month's notice of any proposal to alter the Rules shall be given to the Secretary. * For the calendar year. s~ THE JOURNAL OF THtl Bombay Natural History Society EDITED BY R. A. STERNDALE, With three Illusfi'titions. No. II.— VOL. II Bomtau: PKINIhl' K% 1 EDUCATION SOCIETY'S L'KKSS. BYQULLA, L .J CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. PAGE Waters of Western India, Part III. — The Konkaii and Coast. (By a Member of the Soeiety ) , . 73 Some Birds Seen m a Journey Through Persia. By G. J. R. Rayment, A, V. D.) 99- A New Species op Zyg^na prom the Kurrachee Harbour. (By James A. Murray, of the Yict, Nat. Hist. Inst.) 103 Notes on Ploceus Philippinu* (By Lieut, H, Edwin Barnes).. 105 A Catalogue of the Flora oj Mahableshwar and Matheran, with Prefatory Note and Vernacular Index, (By the Hon'ble H. M. Birdwood) , 107 Note on the Flora op Mahableshwab and Matheran, (By Dr. Theodore Cooke) LL.D., F. G. S 133 Notes on Mahableshwar and other Indian Arrowroot Yield- ing Plants. (By Dr. J. C. Lisboa) , 140 Zoological Notes — Hybrid Wolf presented to the Soeiety by Mr. F. Rose 147 Note on the Bush Quail, by Mr, W. Mahon Daly 149 Note on the Irregular Breeding of Grus Antigone, the Saras — By Lieut. Edwin Barnes,. 149 Collection of Birds' Eggs.— By W. M. Gibbs 150 Hook Notice ., 151 Proceedings of the Society t 157 ombau Natural imfflvfi Sacieto. (H. LIST OF OFFICERS AND SECTIONS. tpftsibini. H. E. the Right Honorable Lord Reay, ci.e., ll.d., f.r.g.s. $icc-|)rrsibcn:b. Dr. D. MacDonald, m.d., b.sc, cm. The Hon'ble Justice Birdwood, m.a., ll.m. (Cantab.) Mr. R. A. Sterndale, f.r.g.s.. f.z.s. fjon. £urriarg. Mr. H. M. Phipson. |§•! which such intimation shall have been given shall be taken up in such order as the Chairman may think best. 14. If necessary a Committee of Management shall Hereafter be electi from the members of the Society resident in Bombay. 15. These Rules are provisional and may be amended or added to at some future time. One month's notice of any proposal to alter the Rule* shall be yiven to the Secretary. * For the calendar year. THE JOURNAL OF THE Bombay Natural History Society. EDITED BY THE HON. SECRETARY. With an Illustration. No. TIL— VOL. II. PRINTED AT THE EDUCATION SOCIETY'S PRESS, BYCULLA. 1887. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. ♦ PAGE Waters op Western India, Part VI. — Gujarat. (By a Member of the Society) 159 Note on Hestia Malabarica. (By Captain T. Macpherson, Bo. S. C.) 164 Observations on the Feeding &c. of the Indian Rock Snake, (Python Molurus). (By IL M. Phipson, C. M. Z. S. Hon. Secretary) 165' Notes on the Breeding of the Kentish Ringed Plover (.ZEgi- alitis Cantianus) within Indian Limits. (By Lieut. H. E. Barnes) 167 On Mimicry in Butterflies for Protection (By Col. Chas. Swinhoe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.G.S.) 169 Marathi Names of Plants.- With a Glossary, By Brigade Surgeon W. Dymock 175 The Horse : A Zoological Study (By Veterinary Surgeon J, H. Steel, A. V. B.) 198 Zoological Notes — Snake breeding for the Government Reward 205- Book Notice 206 Proceedings of the Society 216 iambag Natural Mvdaxn fframtv. LIST OF OFFICERS AND SECTIONS. H. E. the Right Honorable Lord Rbay, c.i.e., ll.d., f.r.g.s. Wttt^xesihiri$. Dr. D. MacDonald, m.d., b.sc, cm. The Hon'ble Justice Birdwood, m.a., ll.m. (Cantab.) Mr. R. A. Sterndale, p.r.g.s., f.z.s. jpotr. Setrttarg. Mr. H. M. Phipson, c.m.z.s. jpon. ^ttnmxtt. Mr. E. M. Slater. (SMfor. The Hon. Secretary. 1st Section. — (Mammals and Birds.) President — M. R. A. Sterndale, f.r.g.s., f.z.s. Secretary — Mr. E. H. Aitken. 2nd Section. — (Reptiles and Fishes.) President— Mr. G. W. Vidal, c.s. Secretary — Mr. H. M. Phipson, c.m.z,s. 3rd Section. — (Insects.) . President — Colonel C. Swinhoe, f.z.s., f.l.s., f.e.s. Secretary — Mr. E. H. Aitken. 4th Section. — (Other Invertebrata.) President — Dr. G. A. Maconachie, m.d., cm. Secretary — Mr. J. C. Anderson. 5th Section. — (Botany.) President — The Hon'ble Justice Birdwood, m.a., ll.m. (Cantab.) Secretary — Surgeon K. R. Kirtikar, f.s.m. (France), f.r.c.s. RULES OP THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 1. The Society shall be called the "Natural History Society of Bombay." 2. Its object shall be the promotion of the pursuit of Zoology, Botany and Geology in all their branches. 3 Members shall be proposed, seconded, and elected by ballot. A majority of two-thirds of the members who vote shall be required to secure election. 4. Members shall pay an annual * subscription of Rs. 15, payable in advance. If any member's subscription remain unpaid for more than three months, his name shall be liable to be removed from the list of members after due notice given by the Secretary. 5. Members absent from India shall not pay for the period of their absence. 6. A President and three or more Vice-Presidents shall be elected from among the members resident in Bombay. 7. The President shall take the chair and conduct the business at all meetings of the Society, or in his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents. If neither is present, a Chairman shall be elected by the meeting. 8. A Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected from among the members resident in Bombay. 9. It shall the Secretary's duty to record the minutes and proceedings of all meetings of the Society, and to conduct all the details of business and carry on the correspondence of the Society. 10. The Secretary and Treasurer shall prepare an account of the receipts and disbursements of the Society to be presented at the annual meeting which shall be held in the month of January. 11. The ordinary meetings of the Society shall be held in Bombay on the first Monday of each month. 12. The chair being taken, the order of business shall be as follows :— • (a) The minutes of last meeting to be read and confirmed. (b) The announcement and election of new members. (c) The reading of letters and the discussion of any ordinary business of the Society which shall be before the meeting. ((?) The announcement of presents and donations, (e) The remainder of the time at the disposal of the meeting shall be devoted to the reading of papers, communication of interesting facts, exhibition of specimens, &c. 13. Members having anything of this nature to bring before the Society, shall give the Secretary intimation before the commencement of the meeting (in the case of papers a full week before). The subjects of which such intimation shall have been given shall be taken up in such order as the Chairman may think best. 14. If necessary a Committee of Management shall hereafter be elected from the members of the Society resident in Bombay. 15. These Rules are provisional and may be amended or added to at some future time. One month's notice of any proposal to alter the Rules shall be given to the Secretary. * For the calendar year. THE JOURNAL OF THE Bombay Natural History Society. EDITED BY THE HON. SECRETARY No. IV.— VOL. II. l3omfcai> PRINTED AT THK EDUCATION SOCIETY'S PRESS. 1901. mv CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. PAGE Waters of Western India, Part IV. — Gujarat. (By a Member of the Society) ... ... ... ... >## 221 Marathi Names of Plants. With a Glossary. By Brigade Surgeon W. Dymock ... ... .,. ... 223 Fcrther Hote on Hestia Malabarica. (By Lionel de Niceville, F. E. S.) 242 List of Birds collected by Capt. F. Babington Peile in Cash- mere during the Summer of 1887, and presented by him to the Bombay Natural History Society ... ... ... 244 Xjhe Poisonous Snakes of the Bombay PRESiDENCY.(I>y H. M. Phipson, C. M. Z. 'S., Hon. Sec.) 244 The Indian Hepatic.e. (By Dr. R. R. Kirtikar, F, S. M. (France), M. R. C. S. ) 250 Wild HoRSES.'(By Veterinary Su'geon J. H. Steel, A. V. D.)... 25:? On the Lepidoptera of Karachi and its Neighbourhood. (By Col. C. Swiuhoe, F. L. S., F. Z. S., &c.) 200 List of Birds' Eggs in the Society's Collection 280 Zoological Notes — Notes on a Horn on the margin of a Goat's Ear ... ... 283 Notes on the Food of the Panther (Fells Pardus ) 285 Notes on the Cheetal ... 285 Proeedis.gs of the Society ... ... ... ••. <.. 285