PREFACE.

= SHE first Guide to the Colombo Museum for the use

GN) Of visitors was compiled by Mr. Amyrald Haly in

1886 ; a second, abridged edition of it was printed in

1895.

having the additional advantage of illustrations.

Most of the principal objects will be found mentioned in the

text. One rather important omission may be noted here. Among

the examples of Tamil jewellery referred to on page 17, attention

should have been directed to the “ Thali,” the marriage emblem of

the Tamil race, which is worn round the neck mounted upon a

more or less elaborate necklace.

The collection of rocks and minerals has been entirely re-

arranged and greatly augmented by the Director of the Mineral

Survey, Mr. A, K. Coomaraswamy, B.Sc., who has kindly written

the account of the rocks and minerals of Ceylon for this Guide

(see page 50).

In the compilation of the rest of the Guide I have had the

assistance of the Museum staff, more particularly Mr. Gerard A.

Joseph, Secretary and Librarian ; Mr, H. M. Gunasekara, Assistant

Librarian; and Mr. H. F. Fernando, Taxidermist.

ARTHUR WILLEY,

February 9, 1905. Director, Colombo Museum.

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A GUE TO * THY,

COLLECTIONS IN

THE COLOMBO MUSEUM.

INTRODUCTION.

MIHE collections of objects of antique, local, and general

interest which are exhibited in the Colombo Museum

are intended to illustrate solely the products of human

ingenuity and cultivation, and the forms of nature as manifested

in the Island of Ceylon and its dependencies. With few exceptions,

which are specially noted where they occur, nothing is shown in

the galleries which has not been found in the country or in the

surrounding seas.

Owing to considerations of space on the ground floor, the

various Buddhistical, Ethnographical, and Archeological exhibits

are not arranged in such a strictly systematic manner as could be

desired.

The Zoological collections occupy the upper floor of the Museum,

The Mineral Gallery is situated at the back of the main building.

If reference be made to the ground plan of the Museum it will

be seen that the rooms to the right of the entrance hall are assigned

to the Library and Reading Room. The Library contains an

exhaustive assemblage of books bearing directly or indirectly upon

the religion, agriculture, archeology,and natural history of Ceylon.

There is also a valuable collection of native literature in the

form of Ola Manuscripts, relating in one form or another chiefly to

B 105-04

Cae)

the Buddhist Scriptures. These documents are written in

Sinhalese characters by hand with a pointed iron stylus, upon

properly prepared slips of palm-leaves called “ ola,” and are com-

posed either in Sanskrit, in Pali, or in Elu, the pure Sinhalese

language.

The ola leaves which are employed for the transcription of

the Sinhalese texts are made from the fan-shaped fronds of the

Talipot Palm (Corypha umbraculifera), which grows principally

in the Kandyan Districts; those adapted for Tamil usage by

school children and others are commonly made from the similarly

shaped leaves of the Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabelliformis),

which is especially abundant in the northern parts of the Island.

The Palmyra Olas are narrower, thicker, and less pliable than

the Talipot Olas.

The manuscripts are often consulted by Buddhist priests and

other readers who frequent the Library, and may be inspected, if

desired, on application being made to the Librarian.

CENTRAL HALL.

The first case to meet the eye of the visitor entering the Museum

is that which is placed under the archway before the main stair-

case. It affords a characteristic display of images of Gautama

Buddha, These figures are executed in brass, bronze, wood, and

ivory, and they represent the Founder of Buddhism (who lived

about the fifth century B.C.) in three principal attitudes—sedent,

erect, and recumbent. The head is generally surmounted by a

five-rayed emblem called “sirispota,” which symbolizes the sacred

flame,

On the top of the case there is a large wooden dagaba or relic

case. The ancient dagabas at Anuradhapura and elsewhere are

immense structures supposed to have been erected over various

relics of Buddha and his disciples. Representations of the dagaba

on a small scale, in wood, metal, and ivory, are commonly used as

emblems or as reliquaries, just as the small effigies of Buddhaare

portable copies of the gigantic statues which are scattered about

the country.

The lower portion of this case contains, on the front side, a

selection of Matara Jewellery, dating, at least with regard to the

designs, from the Dutch period (1655-1796 a.D.). The collection

comprises necklaces, brooches, hair ornaments, &c. Most of the

pieces are parures of the so-called Matara diamonds (zircons),

white sapphires, and black tourmalines, in a silver or silver-gilt

setting, manufactured by native jewellers at Matara, Galle, and

Colombo,

findre & Sieich LP

és TALIPOT PALM.

[To face page 2.

Gian)

On the other side of this table case there is a miscellaneous

display of Tamil silver waist-bands, charms, a Mudaliyar’s dress

sword, &e.

Products of the Palmyra’ Palm,—This palm grows in the

low-lying dry parts of the Island. There are extensive native

plantations in the Northern Province, especially in the Jaffna

Peninsula and the outlying islands. It shares with the Cocoanut

Palm and the Date Palm the distinction of providing more

serviceable commodities for the use of man than any other single

species in the vegetable kingdom. As already mentioned, the

leaves are employed in the manufacture of olas; they are also

used for fences, thatching, fans, mats, hats, baskets, water balers,

and umbrellas.

The fruits ripen in the months of August and September, when

they fall to the ground, and are sometimes eaten raw, but more

generally roasted [W. Ferguson]. They vary in qualities of

colour, smell, taste, and shape. From the fleshy part of the fruit

a sweet farinaceous jelly is prepared, called Palmyra Pulp or

“ yunatoo.” The nuts are sown under loose sandy soil, and the

very young subterranean saplings, after being cleaned and dried,

yield the Palmyra Flour.

Palmyra Toddy is prepared from the sap of the flower buds,

which are tapped by the toddy drawers during the months of

November and December, the rainy season of the Northern

Province.

Sugar or “jaggery ” is prepared from sweet toddy,7.e., from the

palm juice which has been prevented from undergoing fermenta-

tion by coating the inside of the toddy receiver with lime or

* ¢hunam,”

On the top of the case there are models of a Jaffna bungalow

with Palmyra Roofing, a shelter for watchers in the paddy fields,

a manger, and a platform for grain.

The Palmyra Palm is dicecious, 7.¢., the male and female flowers

are on different trees. Ina plantation half the trees will be male

and half female. The female tree yields superior timber and a

greater quantity of toddy than the male tree.

The model of the Palmyra Palm and other articles in this case

were presented by Sir W. C. Twynam, K.C.M.G.

Commercial Products.—Until 1880 coffee was the staple export

since the British occupation. During the Dutch administration

the Government held a monopoly of the cultivation of cinnamon,

but this industry is fast disappearing under competition with

other countries, The Cinnamon Gardens of Colombo are noted

for the extreme rarity of the cinnamon shrubs, whole plantations

(fs)

of which have been removed during the past ten years to make

room for building purposes.

From 1880 to 1886 Ceylon passed through a financial crisis in

consequence of the failure of the coffee trees, which were destroyed

by a fungoid disease caused by an organism named Hemileia

vastatrizx, for which no cure could be found. During this time

cinchona and tea planting came into being, and Ceylon is now

chiefly famous throughout the world for the excellence of its tea.

Other products of importance are cacao, cinchona, cardamoms,

and rubber.

More than sixty varieties of rice or “ paddy” are grown in the

Island, all of which, with one exception(the variety called “ el-vi”’),

require more or less continual irrigation.

Another grain of great importance to the poorer natives is that

which is called millet or “kurakkan” (Hleusine coracana). This

isgrown on waste lands called ‘“‘chena,” a corruption of the

Sinhalese word “ hena,” meaning ground prepared for cultivation

at intervals of several years by the cutting and burning of jungle.

The arecanut is the fruit of the Areca Palm, the tall slender

stems of whichafford a pleasing contrast with the unending groves

of cocoanut palms. It is used for chewing with the betel leaf, and

also has some medicinal value.

Native tobacco is extensively cultivated in various parts of the

Island.

On the top of the case are specimens of the gum of the cashew or

caju tree (Anacardium occidentale), a common tree yielding an

edible nut, but not endemic, having, it is thought, been introduced

from Brazil by the Portuguese ; and the resin of the tree called

“hal” in Sinhalese (Vateria acuminata).

Products of the Cocoanut Palm.—The objects exhibited in this

case have on the whole a familiar homely appearance, and bear

eloquent testimony to the world-wide importance of the tree upon

which, in the first instance, the wealth of the Island largely

depends. Almost every part of the tree subserves some useful

purpose, and its general commercial value far exceeds that of the

Palmyra Palm. It begins to bear fruit at about the tenth year,

and a single tree may yield about seventy nuts annually. It is

moncecious, 7.¢., male and female flowers are on the same tree, so

that every tree in a plantation will be fertile.

Most compounds of bungalows in Colombo are planted with

cocoanut palms, which can only be cut down by tenants upon

payment of ten rupees for each tree.

The husk of the fruit yields coir fibre, the shell can be used for

drinking vessels, bowls often handsomely carved, spoons, charcoal,

Caos

&c. The kernel is largely used in cookery, being grated fine by

an instrument called a cocoanut scraper, after which milk can

be expressed from it; when dried in the sun it is known as copra,

from which oil is extracted, the residue being used as cattle food.

The leaves are plaited to form cadjans for thatching roofs, also

baskets; and the trunk yields good timber. The young fruit,

called “kurumba,” furnishes food and ‘drink. The sap of the

unopened flower supplies toddy, arrack, and jaggery.

The dried frond of the palm is twisted into a bundle and used

as a torch. These torches are often employed for purposes of

illumination on festival occasions, being known as “ chulu ” lights,

a corruption of the Sinhalese word “ huluatta.” Torches are also

furnished by the spathes of the tlowers, called “ kolapuwa.” The

midribs of the leaflets are tied into bundles and form excellent

besoms, called “ekel” brooms, a corruption of the Tamil word

“ireku,’ meaning the midrib of a palm leaf.

The preparation of coir fibre is an important industry in the

Western and Southern Provinces. The following account taken

from Dr. Shortt’s Monograph of the Cocoanut Palm applies

equally to the methods in use in Ceylon as to the districts in India,

to which he refers more particularly :—

“The husks, removed from the nuts, are collected and thrown

into pits containing water to soak, and kept there till decompo-

sition sets in.” [Along the railway from Colombo to Galle many

portions of the backwaters and estuaries are fenced in for this

purpose. ] ‘The coir, when taken out of the pit, is beaten with

stout sticks to break up the adhesion and free the fibre from

impurities. Next it is hand-rubbed”’......... and ‘‘ subsequently

rolled into loose pads of about a finger’s thickness preparatory to

being twisted into yarn by the palms of the hands.”

In the bottom sheif is shown the apparatus employed in the

distillation of arrack, and on the top of the case there is a similar

apparatus in native pottery.

Fisheries and Transport,—Many of the models in this case

were made for the Chicago Exhibition of 1893.

On the top shelf are shown models of a bullock cart, a Kandyan

grain store, fish traps, a rattan bridge, and a “chekku” or oil mill

for expressing oil from copraand for the manufacture of gingelly

oil. The “chekku” consists of a huge mortar sunk deeply into the

ground and made of stone inthe Western Province, or of tamarind

wood in the North-Central Province ; in this a heavy pestle

revolves, being worked by a horizontal lever driven round by a

bull or a pairof bulls. A man usually sits on the lever to increase

the weight of the pestle.

Ci}

On the second shelf there are more models of carts and

hackeries, a mud house, and a large native sailing craft called a

‘“‘dhoney.”’

Onthe third shelf there are models of “ kattumarams,”’ a Negombo

canal ‘‘padda” boat, and a boat used in the Pearl Fishery with

representations of the crew and divers. The white man in the

stern holding asuspicious looking bottlein a compromising attitude

is the doctor preparing a dose of medicine.

On the last shelf there are models of outrigger boats, fishing and

passenger boats, a double canoe, and a river raft. There is also a

set of chank shells (Zurbinella pyrum) and several rings cut

from this shell. The chank fishery at Jaffna has been an

important source of revenue. During some years as many as

three millions of these shells have been exported annually to

Caleutta, where they are used for the manufacture of temple

conches and of chank jewellery which is destroyed at funerals.

Other noteworthy exhibits on this shelf are a pearl diver’s coir

basket which has been actually in use, presented by J. Hornell,

Esq., Marine Biologist, and a pearl diver’s sinking stone from

the Pearl Fishery of 1904, presented by the Hon. Mr. E. F. im

Thurn, C.B., C.M.G., then Lieutenant-Governor.

The chank shells and rings were presented by Sir William

Twynam.

Objects from the Maldive Islands.—The Maldive Islands are

an archipelago of coral atolls inhabited by a Mohammedan popu-

lationruled by a Sultan of ancient lineage, who pays annual tribute

to the Ceylon Government. The Maldivians are an artistic

people, the commonest articles in daily use being elegantly shaped,

carved, and lacquered. They make use of Huropean glassware and

earthenware, but protect their dishes and plates and glasses “fin

boxes or cupholders of the most elegant designs and elaborate

carving and colouring. Their boats are also elaborately decorated

when new. On State festivals the capital, Malé, presents a most

gay appearance, the roofs of the houses being covered with richly

coloured cloths, and all the streets profusely decorated with

bunting and curious models of modern steam vessels and little

kiosks furnished with chess tables, the whole being brilliantly

illuminated at night, when the Sultan, amidst a profusion of fire-

works, and preceded by his band, visits the numerous mosques ”

[A. Haly].

The Maldivian sea-going sailing vessels, called buggalows, are

often to be seen in Colombo Harbour, and the view from the end

of the breakwater of one of these boats entering the harbour during

the north-east monsoon is highly picturesque. .

——- = SMES SS ALIA nae

PILLOW AND LACQUERED STAND.

-MAKING

LACE

MALDIVIAN

(Total height, 1 foot 2 inches.)

(To Jue page 6.

RICE MEASURE. PLATE BOX. BOTTLE BOX.

(Diameter, 11 inches.)

MEDICINE BOX FLOWER BOX. INK BOX.

(Height, 8} inches.)

MALDIVIAN LACQUERED BOXES.

To face page 7.)

GE.)

The model of a ship with a mat sail in Case VI. represents, the

kind of boat used for traffic between the numerous islands of the

Maldive group. The models in Case VIII. were presented by the

Sultan of the Maldives, and do not include a copy of the typical

Maldivian buggalow, which is built on characteristic lines unlike

anything shown in these cases. In Case VIII. there are two finely

lacquered drums, spears, and musical instruments. In Case VI.

the chess boards, spinning tops, stands for lace pillows, Nautilus

_ shell spoens, weighing scales, and nautical instruments are

among the more noteworthy objects exhibited.

The lac employed in decorating the fancy boxes, dish covers,

drums, sticks, spears, and stands isimported into the Maldives from

India. The patterns into which it is worked, as well as the designs

followed in wood and stone carving (see below, Maldivian

Tombstones), appear to be exclusively Maldivian.

Many of the objects in Case VI. were presented by H.C. P. Bell,

Hsq., C.C.S., Archeological Commissioner. The rest formed part

of, a collection of Maldivian articles exhibited at the World’s

Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893, and were presented

by Sultan Ibrahim Noorudin Iskander, Sultan of the Maldives

from 1882 to 1893.

Masks and Musical Instruments,—Masks are used in plays,

masquerades, and devil-dancing. Their invention is attributed to

the god of curiosities. Those representing various diseases are

said to be employed by devil-dancers to exercise the devils who

occasion the sickness. Their construction appears to be based

upon the principle of eradicating disease from the system by the

homeopathic method of counterfeit presentments.

In spite of their grotesque character and of the fact that they can

be made to order at the present day, these masks possess a profound

interest as affording a clue to the origin of the ancient masks used

in the Greek plays. The Oriental masks of the demons have been

regarded as the prototypes of the Birds of Aristophanes, the

Giants of Pollux, and the frightful forms of Lucian [Upham].

“The mask is the type of the Metempsychosis, the great pivot of

Oriental doctrine, exhibiting to the spectator, scenically, the

changes and forms which in different stages of mundane existence

attach to the vital principle.”.......- ““Had masks originated with

the Greeks, it is fair to conclude that, instead of such frightful

specimens which abound in every museum, they would have given

the human form as they have beautifully embodied it in their

painting and sculpture ; hence the physiognomical character of the

masks may be said to decide their origin and locality to the East”

[Upham].

The Maha Kéla Sanni Yaka, or Yaksha, represented by the

composite mask in the centre of the case and again over the top of

Case VIII.,* is the great Demon of Fatal Diseases, all of which are

attributed directly to devilish derangements of the three humours,

wind, phlegm, and bile.

The Gopolu, or Gopola Yaka, is the Demon of Cattle, and all

cattle sickness is supposed to proceedfrom him. Heis represented

with horns and tusks and a garment of leaves.

The Gara, or Garra Yaka, is the demon who possesses newly-

built houses, and before a house can be finally occupied a cere-

mony called Gara Yaka Maduwa is generally performed. This

ceremony is presumably equivalent to the European house-

warming.

Stniyama or Huniyama is the art of sorcery, bewitching by

spells and incantations. The word is sometimes anglicized into

Hooniyan, this being the name given to evils inflicted by a man

upon his neighbour or enemy by the agency of charms. In

Hooniyan charms a smallimage of wax or wood is made torepresent

the person whose death or injury is desired. “A few hairs of

his head, some chippings of his finger nails, and a thread or

two from a cloth worn by him, and sometimes a handful of sand

from a place on which he has left his footprint, are required.” The

image is then submitted to aceremony called Jiwama (“ endowing

with life”) performed by a Kattadiya or sorcerer, who recites

mystical wordsover it. Nails made of a composition of five different

metals—gold, silver, copper, tin, and lead—are driven into the

image through the joints, the heart, and the head, and the name

of the victim is marked on the image, which is then buried in the

ground under a stile or at some other spot where the victim is

likely to pass over it. ‘The passing over, or Panna-wana-wa, is

essential to the success of the charm. t .

This Hooniyan charm, or Sunniyan Yaka, as the specimen is

labelled in the case, is of particular interest on account of its world-

wide application in the practice of witchcraft.

On the top of the case, besides more demon masks, there are

large masks called the King and the Queen. These are used in the

native masquerades called K6lama.

The lower portion of the case contains a collection of musical

instruments, The drums are of various kinds, the more charac-

teristic being the flat drum or timbrel called Rabana; the

bobbin-shaped drum called Udikkiya or Udakiya ; Tammettama,

* This Kéla Sanni Yaka was presented by Mr. Justice H. L. Wendt.

{ The account given above of the Hooniyan charm is taken from an article

“On Demonology and Witchcraft in Ceylon,” by Dandris de Silva Gooneratne,

Mndaliyar, in the Journ. Ceylon R, Asiat. Soc., vol. IV., 1865-6, pp. 1-1 17.

GM)

two drums fastened together as kettle drums ; Demala-beré, Tamil

tom-tom ; Yak-beré, demon tom-tom. The Rabana is beaten by

women seated in a group round it on occasions of family rejoicing.

Among the stringed instruments are to be noted the Wenawa or

Vina, the Indian lute, an instrument with a good twang, the

resonator consisting of a cocoanut shell with a skin stretched

across it. The Bandarinha and Viola, presented by H. Holsinger,

Esq., are used by the Mechanics* of Ceylon to accompany their

Lusitanian dances.

There are also a couple of marionettes, employed in a form of

entertainment much in vogue among the Sinhalese. —

Other exhibits in the Central Hallinclude two stands of Kandyan

Spears with lacquered shafts, together with Kandyan blunderbusses

and processional fans.

On the top of Case VIII. there isan interesting relic of the early

conflicts between the British and the Kandyans in the form of a

British drum said to have been captured by the latter.

On a small stand at the foot of the staircase there are some

antique cannon balls, probably of Portuguese origin, which were

unearthed at Medamahanuwara, near Kandy, a place which is

noted for the existence of a cave in which the last King of Kandy

took refuge after his flight from the British, and where he was

captured in 1815.

MEDIA-VAL ROOM.

CASE IX.

Ivory Carvings.—This case contains a varied and valuable

collection of objects made principally of ivory. The specimens

which are worthy of attention include fan handles in ivory and

ebony, combs, panels, dagabas, &c.

The large boxes are carved and shaped after Dutch designs.

The art of making the compressible scent sprinklers is

said to be a secret confined to one family of ivory workers

in the Kegalla District. The little figures of the last King of

Kandy, two of his Ministers or Adigars, and the Chief Priest

are said to be contemporary portraits. Sri Wikrama Raja Sinha

was the last king of the Suluwansa or Lower Dynasty. He

came to the throne of Kandy in 1798 and reigned until 1815,

when he was deposed chiefly on account of his cruelty. The ivory

statuettes of Ehelapolaand his wifearealso of considerable interest.

Ehelapola became First Adigar of the King of Kandy in 1812. He

* The Mechanics of Ceylon are a class of artisans, shoemakers, tailors, blacksmiths,

craftsmen of Portuguese descent, speaking a lingo of their own, Portuguese with

an admixture of Tamil and Sinhalese. Cf. Mr. C. M. Fernando’s article on the

Music of Ceylon in Journ. Ceylon R. Asiat.Soc., vol. XIIT., 1893-1894, pp. 183-189-

Cc 105-04

( 10 )

wasalso Dissave of Sabaragamuwa. Having disobeyed an order to

proceed to Kandy his family was imprisoned by order of the king,

and subsequently his children were beheaded in front of the Maha

Vishnu Dewale at Kandy and his wife was drowned in the tank at

Bogambra, near Kandy. This incident is known as the Khelapola

Tragedy, and constitutes a favourite theme on the modern

Sinhalese stage.

On the lowest shelf of this case there are some more ivory

statuettes of Buddha, ivory flutes, and a richly carved rattle

mounted on a lacquered stick.

There is alsoa handsome ivory Udakiya (without skins) lent by

P. E, Pieris, Esq., C.C.S., and an antique ivory cigar mouthpiece

with receptacle for an extra cigar, presented by Mr. E. R. Goone-

ratne, Gate Mudaliyar.

The quaintly-shaped and lacquered pill boxes and the ola book

covers with the signs of the zodiac deserve notice.

The ivory dagabas are reliquaries or karanduwas, the dome being

screwed upon the base so that it can be removed and a cavity

disclosed in which any small object of veneration or votive offering

can be deposited.

CASE X.

Besides the numerous examples of Kandyan embossed metal

work which are exhibited in this case, the most striking object

is a silver model of the shrine containing the Dalada or Tooth of

Buddha, the reputed original of which is preserved in the Dalada

Maligawa at Kandy. This famous Tooth Relic has played an

important part in the political history of Ceylon. It is esteemed

by Buddhists as the palladium of the country and symbolizes the

inviolability of the Buddhist religion. Itisrelated that the sacred

relic was originally rescued by the sage Khema from the great

teacher’s funeral pyre at Kusinagara and given by him to Brahma-

datta, King of Kalinga, about 2,500 years ago. It was eventually

brought to Ceylon from Southern India by a Brahman Princess

of Kalinga, concealed in the folds of her hair, about the years

310-313 A.D., during the reign of Sri Megahavarna at Anuradha-

pura, where it was wont to be publicly exposed on sacred days

with gorgeous ceremonies. When the relic was first brought

to Ceylon its adventures were recorded in a work called the

Dhatuwansa or Chronicle of the Tooth, written in Elu, the classical

language of the Sinhalese. The tooth is said to represent the left

upper canine or eye-tooth. The legend runs that after all at-

tempts which have been made to destroy the sacred emblem, it

has reappeared resting upon a lotus flower, where it now reposes.

Parakrama Bahu I., surnamed the Great, built a temple for it at

KANDY.

TOOTH.

E OF THE

TEMPL

[V0 face puge 10.

MODEL OF THK TOOTH RELIC,

To tace paye 11).

( FE)

Pulastipura, the modern Polonnaruwa, between the years 1190 and

1195. About the year 1246 a.p. Vijaya Bahu III. enshrined it at

Dambadeniya, whence some forty years later Bhuvaneka Bahu I.

removed it to Yapahu. Thence it followed the fortunes of the

Suluwansa Dynasty to successive capitals, Kurunegala, Gampola,

and Kotte near Colombo.

In the year 1560 A.D. it is said to have been captured by the

Portuguese and taken to Goa, where it was pounded in a mortar

and consumed in a brazier, but Phcenix-like it rose again from

its ashes and is now at Kandy.*

The vicissitudes of the Tooth Relic are matters of speculation

and controversy, but its political importance as a national

palladium during the dynastic periods seems to be beyond

doubt.

The model here shown was exhibited at Chicago in 1893.

The same shelf contains a handsome display of silverware,

amongst which may be specially noted the large silver dagaba

exhibited at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886: two

large boxes of beaten silver embossed with deities and. scroll

work ; a large spherical silver box with intricate design in high

relief ; an elegant silver chatty; a silver chalice for sandalwood ;

and a silver scent diffuser of the kind used for sprinkling guests

at wedding ceremonies and for spraying coffins in funeral proces-

sions. There isalsoa finely worked brassdagaba. The leaf-shaped

tassels hanging round the top of the dagabas represent the leaves

of the sacred Bo-tree (Ficus religiosa).

On the next shelf below a large series of brass bowls called

“chembu” is shown. Some of them are further adorned by the

inlaying of alternating strips of beaten silver and copper.

The bottom shelf contains further examples of Kandyan

brasswork, especially betel trays and rice tables, prominent

among them being an antique Kandyan rice table presented by

A. K. Coomaraswamy, Esq., Director of the Mineralogical Survey

of Ceylon. |

The upper shelves of the case contain on one side a set of

embossed silver and brass plates, and a pair of carved silver ola

covers with ola manuscript descriptive of one of the Jatakas or .

Births of Buddha.

On the other side there are some examples of wood carving,

a carved calamander cocoanut scraper from Panadure, between

Colombo and Galle ; sweetmeat moulds or jaggery boards ; game

boards called ‘‘chonka boards,” in which the seeds of the

* Cf. Memoir on the History of the Tooth Relic of Ceylon, by J, Gerson da

Cunha, 1875.

( 2 )

“olinda” (Abrus precatorius) or any other suitable seeds or

shells are placed in two depressions at the ends, and the players

have to make the circuit of the board from pit to pit along the

sides without occupying the same hole at one time. The player

who gets the seeds home first wins.

On the end-wall of the case there are some carved wooden

sweetmeat pats. Hanging from the top of the case down the

middle is a richly embroidered silk cloth said to have been worn

by the wife of Molligoda, the Second Adigar of the last King of

Kandy.

CASES XI. AND XIV.

Embroidered Cloths.—The narrow wall case contains examples

of dress worn by the old aristocracy of the low country.

In the centre is a hat of peculiar shape, somewhat boat-shaped,

called “ Jagalatta Toppiya,” used by Rajapakse, Chief Mudaliyar

of Mahabadde, 1701 A.D.

There is also a Mudaliyar’s dress sword and a sword with hilt

and scabbard of richly carved tortoise-shell dating from the end

of the 18th century, lent by Tudor Rajapakse, Esq.

On the top shelf there are some Dutch swords.

In the case corresponding to this on the opposite side of the

room (Case XIV.) some further examples of woven cloths are

shown, including a handsome old embroidered Kandyan betel

bag, which was formerly carried slung at the side from the

shoulder. There are also some gold embroidered Chetty costumes.

CASE XII.

This case contains an assortment of antique objects in brass

and bronze, among the more interesting of which are three

Sinhalese water clocks; cocoanut oil lamps; elephant bells ;

karanduwas (dagabas); Pattini bangles, hollow armlets and

anklets with a slot along one side and pellets inside, used in

dances on festival occasions such as peraheras, in honour of

Pattini Deviyo, the goddess of chastity ; epaulettes, also worn by

dancers.

The Sinhalese water clock isa clepsydra, consisting of a copper

bowl, of larger and smaller sizes, with a small pinhole in the

bottom and with or without silver datum marks let in at the

sides. The bowl is set floating ina clay water chatty, the water

gradually entering through the pinhole aperture until a datum

level is reached, and eventually the bowl sinks. In the larger

of the clocks shown with graduations the water reaches the

level of the highest datum mark in exactly forty-eight minutes.

The Sinhalese hour or “ peya” consists of twenty-four minutes,

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The water clock is called “ pe-tetiya.’”*

On the top of the case there are some interesting examples of old

Sinhalese domestic wood carving, an art which. has almost if not

entirely fallen into disuse. The series includes carved cocoanut

ladles and spoons with more or less ornate wooden handles,

carved wooden spoon racks, and a cocoanut scraper.

CASE XIII.

This case contains a large series of boxes and implements

employed in the services of the arecanut and tobacco. The

arecanut is the principal ingredient in that form of indulgence

known as betel chewing. A fragment of a nut with other spices

is wrapped up in a betel (pepper) leaf and eaten. Then the

finger is dipped in slaked lime called chunam and placed upon

the back of the tongue, or sometimes a spoon or spatula may be

employed for this purpose. The lime is kept in metal boxes,

called chunam boxes, which are elegantly shaped, embossed, and

inlaid. The box is suspended by a chain, at the end of which,

when complete, are carried a small silver or brass earpick, a

toothpick, and a spatula. The very large chunam boxes be-

longed to important personages and were carried by an attendant,

The arecanut is cut into slices by an instrument, resembling

a nut cracker in shape, called an arecanut cutter, The handles

of these cutters afford considerable scope for artistic display,

as will be seen by an examination of the large series here

shown.

Elderly persons with failing powers of mastication are in the

habit of pounding their betel bolus before consuming it. For this

purpose they use a small pestle and mortar called a_ betel

pounder, several of which are exhibited.

Above the chunam boxes there are some antique jewel boxes

made from Dutch designs in brass and copper, embossed and

engraved in various patterns. These are known as Dutch boxes,

other examples of which are to be found in the Ivory Case and

in Case XV.

Below the shelf containing the arecanut cutters there is a

large series of brass tobacco boxes, These have also been made

from Dutch designs, some of them having been actually manu-

factured in Holland, whence they were brought here during

the Dutch Administration.

* Further information on “Sinhalese Measures of Time” is contained in an

article by Mr. Herbert White, C.C.S., in The Orientalist, vol. III., 1888-1889, p. 75 :

and in a paper by Mr. F. H. Modder on Sinhalese Weights and Measures, in Journ.

Ceylon R. Asiat. Soc., vol, XII., 1892, pp. 173-202.

( 4)

The bottom shelf of the case contains some more metal bowls,

trays, and goblets.

The picture on the wall over the case is a temple drawing

representing an incident in the life of Buddha.

CASE XV.

A portion of this case contains a number of “ Dutch boxes,”

many of which, however, have been made in more recent times.

They are made with different kinds of wood—satinwood, cala-

mander, and ebony—and are variously carved and inlaid with

ivory, brass, tortoise-shell, and porcupine quills.

The original native wood carving has largely given way to

the manufacture of these articles and of ebony and cocoanut

elephants. There is also shown here a well-executed carving

of a tortoise in calamander wood, the most valuable wood in

Ceylon.

3esides the boxes there are some examples of carved combs and

hairpins in tortoise-shell and in horn.

On the other side of the case some examples of painted

Kandyan pottery are shown. There are three classes of unglazed

pottery in Ceylon, namely, the plain Village pottery, comprising

the water chatties, cooking bowls, and curry dishes of every-day

use; secondly, the painted pottery of Kandy; and lastly, the

Grotesque pottery of Matara, examples of which are placed upon

the top of the case. This pottery possesses features of ethno-

graphic interest in spite of its grotesqueness ; it is made and sold

chiefly during the time of the Dondra Fair in the summer

months.

CASE XVI.

Kandyan Knives and Swords,—Here are shown numerous

swords and daggers used by the Kandyans during the later Dynastic

Period and still worn on State occasions. Many of them are highly

ornate at the hilt, and the scabbard and base of the blade are often

richly damascened. The handle isfrequently carved out of ivory,

horn, and black coral, and the sheath in some cases is covered with

carved tortoise-shell. At the base of the blade ina few instances

the figure of a lion in brass is let into the steel. ‘This seems to be

of the nature of heraldry. ;

Some of the dagger sheaths contain in addition to the dagger a

receptacle for a stylus for writing upon the ola slip.

On the top shelf there is a set of Kandyan Village jewellery

in the form of numerous brass and glass bangles ; and some old

Dutch swords and powder-horns.

On the top of the case are some antique spear heads.

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TABLE CASE XVII.

A rather heterogeneous assortment of ancient odds and ends is

provisionally placed in this case, gold and silver fragments,

beads, and gems from the ruined citiesof Ceylon. The excavations

which have been carried on for many years under the direction of

the Archeological Commissioner have not led to any sensational

discovery of buried treasure. Such precious relics as have been

unearthed have on the whole been disappointing so far as their

intrinsic value is concerned.

In the reverse half of this case there is an ola horoscope and a

copper sannas or deed conveying a grant of land to a Kandyan

temple by the last King of Kandy. There is also shown an

ebony weighing lever, called Tulappadi in Tamil, still used by

traders in the Vanni and Jaffna, presented by J. P. Lewis, Esq.,

C.C.S.

In the glass box over the case there are two old swords, with

Sinhalese legends dating from the years 1374 and 1416 inscribed

uponthem. The inscriptions relate that the swords were presented

by the Rajas reigning during the years mentioned (1917 in the

Buddhist Era = 1374 in the Christian Hra; 1959 A.B. = 1416 A.D.)

in the town of Jayawardhanapura (the modern Kotte, which lies

in the outskirts of Colombo) to two members of an aristocratic

family upon their appointment as generals. These interesting

swords were presented to the Museum by Mr. C. M. Fernando,

Crown Counsel.

TABLE CASE XVIII.

Containing a valuable collection of coins which have at one time

beencurrentin Ceylon. ‘The coins fall into two classes, namely,

the ancient Sinhalese currency, comprising the coins of the Kings

of Ceylon ; and the foreign coins introduced to this Island by

traders from the days of the Roman Emperors down to the estab-

lishment of British Rule. The devices on the coins of the Sinhalese

Kings represent on the obverse the king standing, holding a lotus

flower in his right hand and a kind of sceptre, sometimes called

the trisul emblem, of questionable significance, in his left hand.

On the reverse the same figure is repeated in a sitting attitude with

the name of the king inscribed to the left of the figure in Nagari-

Sanskrit characters.

It has been a too common practice to forge counterfeits of the

gold coins for the purpose of deceiving collectors.

The most ancient coins represented in the collection are rectan-

gular pieces of silver with or without figures of animals punched

upon them, called Eldlings, which have been found during the

excavation of the ruined cities.

(16 )

Among the rarer Sinhalese dynastic coins may be mentioned

the Lion Coin and the Setu Bull Coin, examples of both of

which are exhibited. ‘To these may be added the very rare gold

Lankeswara coin of Vijaya Bahu, lent by P. E. Pieris, Esq.,

0.C.S.

Among the foreign coins may be noted the Roman and Arabian

coins, Venetian gold sequins, Portuguese silver tangas or tangams,

and gold San Thomé coin, the Dutch dukatoons and silver and

copper stuivers, and challies minted by various States in the Dutch

Confederation. Some of the Dutch copper coins were actually

minted in Ceylon, at Colombo, Galle, and Trincomalee. These

are marked with the letters C, G, and T, respectively.

The establishment of the Dutch United East India Company

(Ostindische Vereenigde Compagnie, indicated on the coins by

the monogram &) on the Island of Ceylon dates from the year

1655 and lasted until 1802, when the Island was formally ceded to

the British (who had occupied it in 1796) by the Treaty of

Amiens.

The copper ingots issued by the Dutch, of the value of 4}

stuivers, are a singular form of money.

The general name applied to the ancient Sinhalese coins is

‘““massa.” ‘They appear to date only from the year 1153 A.D. to

1296 A.D.

The common copper coins of the Dutch of small value were

called challies, a corruption of the Sinhalese word “salliya”

(plural “ salli’’), meaning money orcashin general. The smallest

coin now in use, value half a cent, is still called “tamba-salliya,”

“tamba’’ meaning copper. The proper coins of the Sinhalese

King during the famous captivity of Robert Knox (1659-1679)

were fanams of the size of a spangle.

Another interesting form of money is afforded by the Larins

or Fish-hook money. These are said to have originated at a place

called Lari or Laristan on the Persian Gulf. They were formerly

made in the Maldive Islands, and were also in use in Ceylon in

Knox’s time, anybody being allowed to make them. Portuguese

copper tangams were also current.

Further information on the ancient coins of Ceylon is contained

in the well-known memoir by Professor T. W. Rhys Davids “ On

the Ancient Coins and Measures of Ceylon,” published in 1877 in

the International Numismata Orientalia (London, Triibner &

Co.). .

The ancient beads, coins,and dice discovered at Anuradhapura,

Mihintale, and elsewhere have been described and figured by

Mr. H. C. P. Bell, C.C.S., the Archzxological Commissioner, in his

( iW )

Fourth Progress Report on the excavations at Anuradhapura and.

the North-Central Province (Sessional Papers, 1892).

In the large glass shade over this case are shown numerous

ancient images, mostly sedent figures of Buddha, including eight

thin gold images of Buddha, filled with clay, from Panduwas

Nuwara, and above these a similar gold figure from Tissamaharama

and gold and crystal dagabas from Anuradhapura. At each end

of the cover inside there is a bronze Buddha on a throne backed

by a well executed arch called “makara torana.” These are

called “ Enthroned Buddhas.” There are also figures of Krishna

playing with a ball, and of the goddess Pattini, the latter from

Trincomalee. On the top of the case there is a large sedent

bronze Buddha of unique design in the attitude of teaching,

holding a flower (?) inthe lefthand. This was discovered twelve

miles from Badulla along the new road to Batticaloa, and was

presented by G. F. K. Horsfall, Esq., in 1876. On either side of

this image there are two common village coloured wood-carvings,

one representing a large cobra, the other Buddha seated upon the

folds of a cobra and protected by its expanded hood. The latter

is called a “ Serpent-canopied Buddha.”

TABLE CASE XIX.

A selection of silverware occupies the two halves of this case,

and in the glass shade above there is a set of Tamil silver bangles,

anklets, and toe rings.

Besides some richly damascened Kandyan knives, embossed

silver tobacco boxes, and Dutch relic in the form of a silver plate

presented by a former Dutch Governor of Ceylon to the person

named in the inscription, the principal object in the case is a pair

of handsome silver ola covers with bejewelled button. They

consist of bars of wood painted with dagaba devices on the under

side and overlaid with sheets of beaten silver.

TABLE CASE XX.

Examples of Chetty, Tamil, Sinhalese, and Moorish Jewellery.—

The large gold ornaments are represented here by silver-gilt

replicas. ‘“ Chetty” or “Chitty” is the name applied in India to

all members of the trading castes in the Madras Provinces. The

Colombo Chetties, a caste from Tinnevelly, emigrated to Ceylon

about the middle of the sixteenth century. Their language and

customs are Tamil.

From an ethnographical point of view among the most interesting

objects in this case are the Sinhalese “ nawaratna ” rings set with

the nine principal gems, or as near an approximation as is possible

or can be afforded. The nine gems stand for the nine planets

(including sun and moon), and the ring is worn as a corrective

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for horoscopic purposes ; for example, it isworn bya person born

under an unfavourable star, and its constant usage is supposed to

avert disasters.

STONE GALLERY.

Many remarkable remains of fallen greatness, illustrating the

stupendous grandeur of the ancient religious monuments of

Ceylon during the palmy days of militant Buddhism, are exhibited

in this gallery. The statues, pillars, friezes, and slabs are carved

out of gneiss, the country rock of Ceylon, some of them, however,

consisting almost entirely of crystalline limestone.

Among the more notable pieces are the three principal archxo-

logical treasures of the Colombo Museum mounied in position along

the centre of the room. Facing the south window atthe front end

of the gallery is a perforated carved slab, 4 feet 8 inches high,

2 feet 10 inches wide, and 7 inches thick, known as the Yapahu

window, from Yapahu or Yapahuwa, a village in the North-Western

Province, about twenty miles north of Kurunegala. It consists

of a single block of gneiss cut into the semblance of a frame, which

surrounds a composite hieroglyph consisting of forty-five circles

in five vertical rows joined together in a moniliform pattern, each

circle containing an emblematic figure repeated on both sides of

the stone. The matrix of the slab between the carved portions

was removed by the artist who designed and executed this unique

triumph of stone tracery. In the 13th and 14th centuries there

was a royal palace at Yapahu, and the hall of the palace was

lighted by two of these tracery windows of exquisite workmanship.

We are told by Mr. F. H. Modder that one of these windows “ was

perfect in 1850, but the other had fallen and its fragments were

seattered around. The remaining one would doubtless have soon

shared its fate had not Mr. O’Grady, then Government Agent of

the North-Western Province, removed it to Kurunegala..........

Thence it was transported to Colombo, and now occupies a

prominent place among the archzological exhibits at the Museum.”

The human figures in the lowest circles represent "grotesque

manikins, above these are nautch girls, then animals, some of which

are provided with a trunk and appear to represent the fabulous

“ gaja-sinha” or elephant-lion. The star-shaped radiating emblems

are the “ dharma-chakra ” symbols, the wheel or circle of the laws

and teaching of Buddha. The birds in the top row are the

“hansa” or sacred birds, usually represented by geese, sometimes

by conventional representations of birds.*

* For further remarks quoted from an article by Mr. John Bailey, C.C.S., who

explored the ruins in 1850, see the paper by Mr. F. H. Modder on “ Ancient Cities

and Temples in the Kurunegala District : Yapahuwa.” Journ, Ceylon R. Asiat. Soc.,

vol, XTII., 1893, pp. 97-113.

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The next megalith which claims attention is the colossal figure

of a lion called the Lion of Polonnaruwa. This relic of the past

-is exceptionally valuable and interesting, because there is a

Sinhalese inscription on each side near the base giving the date and

purport of the monument. Upon it was placed the throne of

King Nissanka Malla, a Chakrawarti or Emperor of Kalinga lineage,

who was the Lankeswara or Overlord of Lanka (Ceylon) during the

years 1187-1196 A.D.

The lion formerly stood in the Council or Audience Hall of the

King at Polonnaruwa, whence it was removed to the Colombo

Museum about thirty years ago. The ancient name of the city was

Pulastipura, the modern name is Topawewa, meaning the tank

where the ruined topes or stupas are. It is, however, commonly

known as Polonnaruwa, an Elu term of doubtful derivation

adopted by Sir Emerson Tennent (Ceylon, vol. II., 1847). The

ruins were re-discovered in 1820, and all that remained of the

Audience Hall where the inscriptions were found were ‘48 large

stone pillars with carved capitals supported on a’stone platform,

round the base of which are sculptured a row of lions.” The

great lion-throne “ was lying almost entirely buried at some distance

from the Hall, and was set up with great difficulty ; it had probably

been thrown out of the Hall by the Tamils when they took

Pulastipura, and may formerly have stood between the inscribed

pillars.’”’*

The inscription on the left side of the lion is terminated by the

figure of a fish, a symbol of good omen.

The adventures of the lion during its transport from Polonnaruwa

to Colombo are recounted by Sir William Gregory (Autobiography,

second edit., 1894, p. 343), who was at that time (1872-1877)

Governor of Ceylon: “ Hvery mishap attended the transfer of this

huge stone beast. Its first dray fell to pieces beneath its weight.

On descending from the elevated ground where it stood the two

elephants attached to it pulled over-vigorously, and the dray and

the lion and the elephants flew apart in different directions. It

had then to be drawn over a difficult jungle path a distance of

fifteen miles from the main road; but the elephants had now

learned their business, and these obstacles were surmounted. But

* A facsimile of the inscription on the left of the lion, with translation, is

given by Professor T. W. Rhys Davids in his paper on “ Inscriptions at the

Audience Hall of Parakrama Bahu, Pulastipura, Ceylon,” in the Indian Anti-

quary, vol. II., 1873, pp. 246-249. Pulastipura was the capital of Ceylon from the

end of the eighth to the beginning of the fourteenth century. Previously

Anuradhapura had been the capital for over a thousand years.

Pulastipura enjoyed its period of greatest magnificence during the long reign

of Parakrama Bahu I., surnamed the Great, in the latter half of the twelfth

century, preceding the reign of Nissanka Malla.

( 20)

when it reached the high road the worst of all remained. The

wooden bridges, constructed to sustain a moderate load, were quite

unable to bear the combined weight of the lion and the dray, and

the banks were precipitous and deep. But this, too, was overcome

by digging out asloping passage to the bed of the river and another

on the opposite side. The elephants with their immense strength

and sagacity sustained the strain of letting down the lion, and

easily drew it up again. Much of this took place in the solitary

jungle, but when the inhabited regions were approached, the whole

country turned out in amazement.........

“The procession of elephants, the lion decked with wreaths

and flowers, was a magnificent sight. The tom-tommer from each

village joined the cortege. The headman of the district asked

permission for his little boy to ride the monster into Matale,

whence he was to be conveyed by rail to Colombo. The lion now

stands calmly in the Museum, and few know, or could understand

if told, all the cares it caused and the excitement it created. It

is a most valuable archeological record, and would have been

undoubtedly destroyed ere this had it not been removed.”

The risk of destruction referred to by Sir William Gregory in

the foregoing quotation is demonstrated by the fracture on the left

side of the head, which is said to have been perpetrated by enter-

prising burglars ignorant of the solid nature of dynastic art who

hoped to find treasure hidden within the penetralia of the body.

From the base of the forefoot to the crown of the head the lion

stands six feet.

The third object of distinction is an elaborately carved pillar

which has been recently set up behind the great lion. This is

called the Medagoda Pillar, and formerly stood in the Pattini

Dewale at Medagoda, six miles below Ruanwella, in the Province

of Sabaragamuwa, not far from Yatiyantota. An excellent drawing

of this pillar, accompanied by a lucid description quoted below, is

contained in the “ Report on the Kegalla District of the Province

of Sabaragamuwa,” by H. C.P. Bell, Esq., C.C.S., Archeological

Commissioner (Sessional Papers, 1892, p. 58): “The monolith

must originally have been squared to 1 ft. 2 in., the size it assumes

across the lion’s breast, lotus bosses, and capital fillet. Rising

octagonally from the back of a broad-faced couchant lion of con-

ventional type, with frilled mane and raised tail, the shaft slides

gradually into the rectangular by a semi-expanded calyx mould-

ing. Half way up relief is given by a bordered fillet 2 in. in

breadth, slightly projecting, carved with a single flower pattern

repeated round the pillar. From the fillet depend on each face

twoconcentric ......... pearl-bead strings. A few inches above this

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band stand out from alternate faces full-blown lotus, knops, 5 in.

in circumference, with ornamentation resembling much the Tudor

flower upon the intervening sides. Where the pillar becomes

square there are further loops of pearls, four on each side. A

lower capital of ogee moulding, separated by narrow horizontal

fillets, and finished with ovolos and a rectangular band, is sur-

mounted by a four-faced makara and a lowabacus, From the

centre of the roundlet moulding on all four sides drops the

garlanded chakra symbol.”

Other noteworthy stone carvings in this gallery are the Janitor

Stones from Hanguranketa presented by OC. H.de Soysa, Esq., placed

before and behind the cement base upon which the Yapahu

window now stands ; amystie square stone called yantra-eal, with

twenty-five holes, from Anuradhapura, supposed to be a base stone

sometimes called a yogi stone (cf. H. C. P. Bell, Seventh Report on

Anuradhapura, Sessional Papers, 1896, p. 13) ; the Naga Stone from

Anuradhapura, mounted against the east wall, portraying a large

seven-headed cobra in high relief; friezes from Horana; figures

of Ganesa, the elephant-god, from Horana, presented by Sir C. P.

Layard ; marble statue of Buddha from Tissamaharama, presented

by Sir C. P. Layard; friezes and capitals from Anuradhapura ;

statue of Buddha in spongy gneiss from Ambagamuwa, presented

by Hon. Mr. R. B. Downall (against the west wall) ; cast of the

gigantic statue of Parakrama Bahu the Great at Polonnaruwa; cast

of a remarkable Processional Moonstone from Anuradhapura

(below the south window). The moonstones, perhaps so called in

consequence of their semilunar shape, are employed assteps leading

into the porticos of the temples. They are often of fine design

and execution, and are characteristic of Sinhalese Buddhist

architecture. In the cast exhibited here there is a central lotus

flower surrounded by concentric processions of hansas and other

animals. In front of the stone lion there is another simple

Lotus Moonstone from Hanguranketa, presented in 1878 by

C. H. de Soysa, Esq.

Attention may now be directed to the four wall cases in this

room, three of which contain ethnographical models, and the

fourth a valuable collection of ancient bronzes.

CASE XXI.

Models of a Kandyan Chief or Ratemahatmaya and of a Buddhist

priest with begging bowl ; a temple tapestry hangs at the back of

the case.

CASE XXII.

A Low-country Chief or Mudaliyar and a Sinhalese bride.

Ca cd

CASE XXIII. .

A man and woman of the Veddas, the aboriginal hunting caste or

hill tribe of Ceylon. The bark-cloth bag hanging against the side

of the case is made from the bark of the upas tree, Antiaris

toxicaria, called “riti’” in Sinhalese, “metavil’’in Tamil, belonging

to the same natural order (Urticacezx) as the Bread-fruit and Jak-

fruit trees.

The Veddas used to be an interesting race of forest haunting

nomads, but they are rapidly falling victims to civilization,

exchanging their ancient skill as bowmen and woodmen for a more

sordid if less precarious existence dwindling towards extinction.

They are chiefly to be found in the Province of Uva, but it is

possible to tramp through the Province from top to bottom

without seeing a sign of a Vedda. Occasionally persons are

paraded as Veddas, but when seen away from their natural

environment the effect must be pitiful rather than picturesque.

All the models were executed by a local modeller, Mr. R. G.

Andriesz.

CASE XXIV.

Ancient Bronzes.—On the top shelf a three-branched candela-

brum from Munisseram, presented by Hon. Mr. F. R. Saunders ;

below this a pair of gold-plated bronze curtain frames from Kotte

near Colombo, lent by P. E. Pieris, Esq., C.C.S. ; numerous minia-

ture bronze figures of gods and animals from Dondra Head ; bronze

lamps from Munisseram. On the bottom shelf the central object is

a large bronze Kothali or drinking goblet, with spout fashioned

after the manner of an elephant’s head and trunk, from Ratnapura,

lent by P. E. Pieris, Esq.; also an ancient bronze tripod from Kuru-

negala ; bronze hansas or sacred birds from Munisseram ; a heavy

bronze Contemplation Box with thirty compartments, some of

which contain a few coins and other offerings, presented by the

Royal Asiatic Society.

SOUTH VERANDAH.

Passing through the doorway at the side of the Bronze Case on

to the South Verandah, a Portugese cannon dredged up in the

Colombo Harbour in 1888 is an important relic of the Portuguese

occupation of thecountry. Here isalso exhibited a polished pillar

of Ceylon gneiss from the Mahara quarries employed in the con-

struction of the Colombo Breakwater, presented by John Kyle, Esq.

Returning through the Stone Gallery to the

WEST VERANDAH

a number of inscribed stones will be found, together with two

or three Dutch and Portuguese tombstones. ‘The work of collect-

ing and collating the numerous ancient inscriptions scattered over

“ny ahnd sons or)

‘NOTADO AO SHNIDINORVY AHL * SVACHA

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Sy yay

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PETIGAMMANA PILLAR,

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( 23)

the Island was properly organized during the Governorship of

Sir William Gregory, when Dr. P. Goldschmidt was appointed

Archeological Commissioner to the Government of Ceylon in

1874. His reports were published as Sessional Papers from 1875

until his death in 1877. Dr. Goldschmidt was followed by Dr,

Edward Mitller, who compiled a valuable manual on “ Ancient

Inscriptions in Ceylon” (London, 1883), illustrated by a separate

quarto book of plates. Dr. Miiller left Ceylon in 1881, and was

succeeded, after an interval, as Archzological Commissioner by

Mr. H. C. P. Bell, C.C.S., under whose direction the work of

excavation, discovery, and transcription has been continued from

1890 to the present time.

The great slabs placed against the back wall of the verandah are

of interest on account of their antiquity and the characters

employed. The first one, propped up lengthwise on the ground,

is the oldest inscription that has been discovered at Anuradha-

pura, from the Ruanweli Dagaba.* It relates to the restoration

of certain temples during the reign of King Gaja Bahu (113-125

AS Ds Jo

The upright slab next to the Ruanweli Slab is known as the

Tissamaharama Slab, from Tissamaharama near Hambantota in

the Southern Province. It is almost completely preserved, and

according to Dr. Miiller “is the finest specimen we have of an

inscription of the fourth century A.D.”

Adjoining this slab is a narrow flattened stone with an inscrip-

tion on both faces. The inscription is headed on the obverse

side by a symbol of the sun and on the reverse by a crescent

representing the moon, the sun and moon being the usual royal

signs. It is a grant of land to a temple, and concludes (on the

reverse side) with a life-size figure of a crow in sunk relief. This

is the Petigammana Pillar found half buried in a garden within

a few miles of Gampola.t

Many of these inscribed pillars dating from the tenth century

bear, at the top, engravings of the sun and moon as symbols of

royalty [Rhys Davids] or eternity and, at the bottom, the dog and

crow as symbols of instability [Miiller] or meanness; anyone

violating the property of the priesthood renders himself liable te

the penalty of being re-born in the low condition of one of these

animals [Goldschmidt]. The translation of the Petigammana

inscription, according to Mr. Bell, ends with the usual curse:

“* Anyone who disputes this [grant will be born] a crow.”

* Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 5, p. 27, and Plate 5.

t Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 67, p. 43, and Plate 67.

{ H.C. P. Bell, Report on the Kegalla District, 1892, p. 79, with plate.

( 24)

In the middle of the outer side of the verandah there is a large

slab, the Dondra Slab,* recording the grant of land to the Temple

of Vishnu at Dondra Head in the fourteenth century. This slab

and the Dondra Pillart at the front outer corner of the verandah

are of particular interest on account of their association with Dondra

Head near Matara in the Southern Province, the most southerly

point of Ceylon. ‘Like Cape Comorin on the Continent of India,”

says Professor Rhys Davids (Indian Antiquary, I., 1872, p. 329),

“Dondra Head has always been a place of pilgrimage, and seems

to have derived its sanctity from its being the extreme southerly

point of land, where the known and firm earth ceases, and man —

looks out upon the ocean—the ever-moving, the impassable, the

infinite.”

‘Opposite to the Dondra Slab is the Mahakalattewa Pillar, from

the bund of a tank of that name six miles from Anuradhapura on

the road to Galkulam. It is remarkable for its perfect preser-

vation, not a single letter missing; the inscription is on all four

sides.t

Occasionally other symbols besides those mentioned above are

engraved upon the pillars, such as a cobra and a priest’s fan. The

latter occurs, for example, on the Kongollewa Pillar§ (placed near

to the Dondra Slab).

The stone slab bearing the Royal Arms of Portugal was found

at Menikkadawara in the Kegalla District by Mr. H. C, P. Bell

(Kegalla Report, 1892, p. 31, and plate).

Leaving now the West Verandah one crosses the Stone Gallery

to the

| NORTH VERANDAH

at the back of the Museum, where more tombstones, capitals,

- inscriptions, &c., will be met with. Here may be noted quaint

Portuguese tombstones||; a couple of Maldivian tombstones

characteristically carved in coralline limestone; a ‘‘ dressed stone”

with a Tamil inscription of the fifteenth century from the Kota-

gama vihare, found by Mr. Bell, who remarks upon the singularity

of discovering a Tamil inscription in the heart of a Sinhalese

district; thisis called the Kotagama Tamil Slab{ ; another stone

* Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 163, p.71. First translated by Rhys Davids. Journ.

Ceylon R, Asiat. Soc., vol. V., 1870-1871, p. 25. :

+ Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 159, p. 69. Rhys Davids, oc. cit., 1872, p. 57.

{ Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 110, p. 55, with plates 110 A-110D.

§ Miiller’s Inscriptions, No. 112, p. 55. Kongollewa lies about two miles north

of Madawachchi in the North-Central Province.

|| A fully illustrated and historical account of these tombstones will be found

in.a paper on “ Portuguese Inscriptions in Ceylon,” by Mr. J. P. Lewis, C.C.S.,

to be published shortly in the Journ. Ceylon R, Asiat. Soc.

q H.C. P. Bell. Report, Kegalla District, 1892, pp. 68 and 85, with figure on

plate facing p. 72.

EHUNUGALLA SLAB.

(Photograph by H, C. P. Bell, Esq.)

(Zo face page 24.

VANAGALA VIHARE,

AMB FROM

AND J

N DOOR

WOOD!

sq.)

Mei Ogukrs

(Photographs b

V0 Jace puge 25.)

( 3)

slab in a corner of the verandah bearing a short Sinhalese inscrip-

tion with representations of sun (an orb) and the moon (a crescent)

is called the Ehunugalla Slab*; it records a benefaction to a

monastery. Close to this stone is an ancient carved wooden door

from Dewanagala in the Kegaila District. The solid wings of this

door and the left jamb of its frame were found among the lumber

underneath the vihare. There are ten plain panels enclosed by

framework in high relief carved in a foliage scroll. The carving

of the jamb is described as follows: “ Between an outer beading

and inner splayed edge of lotus petals runs a long narrow panel

with gracefully intertwined double scroll of creeper, separating

four figures all different from each other. A space half moulded,

half panelled, in flower design, intervenes between it and the base

panel, in which is placed beside a tree an elephant with head and

right forefoot raised and curled trunk.’

The door, which was presented by F. H. Price, Esq., in 1890, was

reconstructed at the Colombo Museum. The cross beam on the

top with the drooping lotus capitals was brought from the Pinna-

wala Vihare.t

Next tothe wooden door are two carved wooden pillars mounted

as door posts. They belonged toa set of seven balcony pillars

found under the eaves of the porch of the Kumbukgama Vihare.§

Opposite to the wooden door are casts of two Peacock Pillars

from Anuradhapura. At the other end of the verandah there is

a large wooden rice trough or paddy pounder, in which the paddy

which has previously been trodden out of the corn by bullocks is

beatenand husked. Next to this is an old carved rice mortar from

Ratnapura, like those in constant use at the present day, in which

the rice is pounded into flour.

‘BUDDHA SHED.

In the palm-thatched shed in the grounds behind the Museum

further important stone antiquities are exhibited. Chief among

these is the large sedent Buddha found by Mr. Bell in the

jungle near the Nuwarawewa tank at Anuradhapura.| ‘ This

Buddha,” wrote Mr. Bell in 1890, “is admittedly the finest yet

brought to light at Anuradhapura. The wonderful sharpness

* H.C. P. Bell. Report, Kegalla District, 1592, p. 76, with figure on plate

facing p. 72.

+ Id., p. 49.

¢ H.C. P. Bell, op cit., p. 38.

§ Id., p. 22, with figure on plate.

|| H. C. P. Bell. First Report on Archzological Survey of Anuradhapura,

Sessional Papers, 1890, p. 4 [742]. It is known as the Zoluwila Buddha, from

the hamlet of Toluwila. which adjoins the Nuwarawewa buud at the spot where

the statue was found,

B 103-04

( 26 )

and depth of the features, the softness of expression, the symmetry

and repose of the body give the image a tout ensemble which

contrasts markedly with the stolid ‘figure-head’ appearance so

characteristic of these Buddhas in stone.”

In front of the Buddha there is a large moonstone of unique

and admirable design, embossed with wreaths, festoons, and

garlands, a pair of fabulous creatures (makaras) at the sides, and

a pair of two-fold representations of the Svi-patula or sacred

footprints near the base. This is called the Floral Moonstone of

Hanguranketa, and was presented to the Museum in 1894 by

Lady De Soysa.

The representations of the footprint of Buddha, called Syi-

patula, or Sri-pada, of which there are several in this shed carved

in stone, are of considerable interest. The best of them is that

which is known as the Koddaikeni Stone, a double Sri-pada (like

the rest) covered with symbols. The signs on the toes are called

swastika, the radiant emblem in the centre is the dharma-chakra,

in front of which are a couple of flags, at the side a fish-hook

behind a flower vase, a conch shell, a fan, a pair of fishes repre-

senting Pisces, one of the signs of the zodiac ; a complicated cry ptie

emblem occupies the centre of the heel, and on one side of this

opposite to the fishes are the trisul emblems. The exact interpre-

tation of the symbolism of this stone has not yet been attempted.”

Another curious relic is the limestone image representing

aman standing in the jaws of a monster, sent by Mr. C. A. Murray

from Tissamaharama in 1892. The moonstone and carved steps,

with janitors and terminals, which have been arranged at the

entrance to the shed, arrived here from Anuradhapura in the

years 1882 and 1884.t

The stone discs placed round the convex side of the large

Hanguranketa moonstone are described as mural ornaments

from Anuradhapura.

SIGIRIYA FRESCOES.

On the walls flanking the main staircase will be found copies

of the celebrated frescoes discovered in a cave or pocket of the

ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya near Dambulla. Sigiriya, the

lion rock, rises abruptly from the plains of the North-Central

Province to a height of about four hundred feet, with an area of

little more than an acre at the summit. It is said to have been

fortified by the Sinhalese parricide King Kasyapa, who ascended

the throne 475 A.D. and fled to the rock after having immured his

* Of. Memorandum by Messrs. J. P. Lewis and G. M. Fowler, with plate, in

Journ. Ceylon R. Asiat. Soc., vol. XI., 1889-1890, Proceedings, pp. bxii, lxiii.

+ Cf. Administration Reports of the Museum for 1882 (p. 110 D) and 1884(p,18 D).

‘gz abnd aang

‘VALIHIDIS HO MOOU HULYOd LNALIONY

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father King Dhatu Sen, whose capital was Anuradhapura. Kasvapa

made Sigiriya his capital, and took refuge there for eighteen years.

On the western face of the rock chambers have been scooped

out, and in one of these, 160 feet from the ground, protected from

sun and rain, ancient frescoes were painted upon stucco plastered

upon the smooth surface, and still remain in an excellent state

of preservation. The ancient approaches to the summit and to

the chambers having fallen into decay, the rock once more

became nearly inaccessible and, according to local tradition, the

haunt of “yakku” ordemons. It was however tackled by more than

one adventurous climber during the latter half of last century,

and in June, 1889, Mr. Alex. Murray of the Public Works Depart-

ment succeeded in reaching the pocket containing the frescoes

and in making the tracings of them, which he coloured as nearly as

possible like the originals. He hasleftit upon record that the work

of copying took him from sunrise to sunset every day for a week

lying at full length on his back. A Buddhist priest who visited

the chamber gave it as his opinion that the pictures must be the

portraits of some of King Kasyapa’s queens. The portraits are

arranged singly and in couples, the latter representing a maid

offering the sacred lotus on a tray to her mistress.

During the last ten years excavations have been carried on at

Sigiriya under the direction of the Archzological Commissioner,

and fresh copies of the frescoes have been made under his super-

vision in oil colours, but these have not yet been exhi ited in the

Museum.

PALS wl;

ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS.

In the grounds at the back of the Museum a few live animals

indigenous in Ceylon are placed on exhibition in temporary

shelters. The mammals include a leopard, bears, a tiger cat (Felis

viverrina), a jackal, palm or toddy cats, civet cats, porcupines, a

bandicoot rat, mouse deer, hog deer, &c. The birdsare represented

by a pelican ibis presented by Her Excellency Lady Blake, a

pelican, purple herons, Malay bitterns, India koels, Brahminy kites,

scops owl,.and an Alexandrine paroquet. A young rufous-bellied

hawk-eagle has been loaned by His Excellency the Governor

(Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G., F.Z.8.). A small tank contains some

monitors or water lizards, called “kabaragoya” in Sinhalese, and

in a small cage there is a chameleon from Chilaw.

On the other side of the block of buildings in which the Mineral

Gallery is situated (see plan) there are two sheds containing

respectively, the skeleton of a sperm whale or cachalot (Physeter

macrocephalus) and of the whalebone whale (Balanoplera indica).

The carcases of whalesare stranded from time to time on the shores

of Ceylon. Some of them seem to have met their death at the

hands of whalers and to have drifted by gale and current to

Ceylon. A whalebone whale was washed ashore in Weligam Bay

in August, 1884,such bones as were recovered being placed on the

front verandah of the Natural History Gallery upstairs; another

carcase drifted ashore at Ambalangoda in September, 1894; the

almost complete skeleton was brought to the Museum, and is the

one now lying in the large cadjan shed; it measured 65 feet in

length. This species of whales has the distinction of being the

largest of all known animals, living or extinct.

A spermaceti whale or cachalot stranded on the south coast of

Mannar in September, 1889; its remains are now exhibited in the

smaller shed, with the exception of the lower jaw, which dropped

into the sea while the work of salvage was proceeding and was

lost. Another carcase arrived at Athuruwila near Bentota in June,

1904, in a high state of decomposition ; the lower jaw, which alone

carries the functional teeth, was missing. In November, 1904,

another decomposed sperm whale minus the lower jaw was

stranded at Mount Lavinia. The teeth of the upper jaw of the

_ sperm whale are vestigial structures imbedded in the gum.

At the foot of the main staircase leading to the upper floor of

the Museum there may be seen a small glass case containing

GROUP OF § 3UR loninyny se :

F SAMBUR (Cervus unicolor) AND WILD BOAR (Sus cristutus)

(Vo face puge 28.

LoAeNae uss © Gite Suk, EE ai |

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[62 chnd sanf of

“(srumd snaaypdouiiog) SKAMNOW ANV ‘(supind sijag) GAVdOAT ‘(sivv snita)) AAI GALLOdS

C2)

living insects, leaf insects of the genus Phylliwm, remarkable for

their general resemblance to the leaves of the guava, on which

they are fed. The males are smaller than the females, less

numerous, and carry two long feelers or antenne, held backwards,

nearly as long as the body. The females lay their eggs, which

resemble seeds, freely, and the young hatch out without difficulty-

The Natural History Collection comprises representatives of the

fishes, amphibia, reptiles, birds, mammals, insects, crustacea, and

mollusea occurring within the zoological province of Ceylon.

The centre of the gallery is occupied by a jungle scene

containing sambur deer, commonly known as elk, a wild boar,

a crocodile, peacock, and several smaller birds. Most of the

specimens were obtained from the Hambantota District in the

Southern Province, where all of the species are to be found.

Opposite to this group, over the head of the staircase, is a group

of spotted deer, leopard, and monkeys, the material for which was

also obtained from the same locality. The monkeys on the

tree overhead belong to the common low-country species of the

Maritime Provinces, Semnopithecus priamus.

BIRDS.

The birds of Ceylon comprise large numbers of migratory

species, which visit the Island during the north-east monsoon, but

do not breed here; the chief bird of this kind is the Flamingo.

Then there are numerous resident species, which are indigenous to

Ceylon, but occur also in the Indian Peninsula and elsewhere ; the

chief bird of this kind is the Peafowl. There are no fewer than

forty-nine endemic species, which are peculiar to Ceylon, not being

found beyond the confines of the Island; the chief bird of this kind

is the Ceylon Jungle-fowl. Lastly, there are a few occasional

visitors, which do not come regularly, putting ashore here through

stress of weather ; the chief bird of this kind is the Frigate-bird.

BIRD CASE I.

Turning to the left (east) from the staircase the first bird case,

beginning from the top shelf in front, contains representatives of

the Frogmouths (Podargide); the Trogons (Trogonide); the

Cuckoos, Koels, Malkohas, and Coucals (Cuculide) ; Paroquetsand

Loriquets (Psittacidee); Owls (Strigide). The Ceylonese Frog-

mouth (Batrachostomus moniliger), which also occurs in Travan-

core, is a remarkable bird on account of the oddness of its gape,

curiously resembling the mouth of a frog. Of the cuckoos, the

genus Swrniculus, represented by the species S. /ugubris, the

Drongo Cuckoo, is remarkable for its extraordinary resemblance

to a Drongo or King Crow (Dicrurus). It is said to lay its eggs

( 30 )

in the nests of King Crows, and the latter have been actually

observed in the act of feeding a young Surniculus.* This there-

fore appears to be an example of natural mimicry.

The Red-faced Malkoha (Phenicophaés pyrrhocephalus) is pecu-

liar to Ceylon,t as is also the Ceylonese Coucal (Centropus

chlororhynchus). Both of these species inhabit dense and damp

forests. The Common Coucal or Crow-pheasant (Centropus

sinensis) is known locally as the Jungle Crow. It is a familiar

bird in the low-country jungles and in the vicinity of villages, its

chestnut-coloured wings offering a handsome contrast to the glossy

black body. It is a ground-feeding bird, eating insects, lizards,

and small snakes.

The Indian Koel (Hudynamis honorata) is another familiar

Indo-Ceylonese bird. In the breeding season, from March till

July, its cry of ku-il kw-il, increasing in intensity and ascending

in the scale, is to be heard in almost every grove [Blanford, dc.,

p. 229]. In Ceylon it is known to Europeans as the Brain-fever

bird, on account of the persistency of its cry. It feeds on fruit,

and, like the cuckoos, is parasitic in its nesting habits, laying its

eggs in May and June in the nests of crows, generally the Indian

or Gray Crow (Corvus splendens), less frequently in those of the

Black Crow (Corvus macrorhynchus). The crows bring up the

koels, which at times eject the young crows from the nest after

they have been hatched [Blanford]. The male is black through-

out; the female is spotted with white.

The principal parrot of Ceylon is sometimes called the Alexan-

drine Paroquet (Palwornis eupatria), coloured green, with (in the

male) a broad rose-pink collar round the nape. Thelittle Ceylonese

Loriquet (Loriculus indicus) is peculiar to Ceylon. The parrot

which is commonly used as a cage bird by the natives of Ceylon

is the Rose-ringed Paroquet (Palwornis torquatus).

Of the owls which are shown in the bottom shelf, the Ceylon

Bay Owl (Photodilus assimilis), peculiar to Ceylon, is to be noted

on account of its rarity, being found only in the hills round

Kandy. The Demon bird, or “Ulama” of Ceylon, so-called on

account of its dreadful moaning hoot, is commonly identified with

Huhua nepalensis (= Bubo nipalensis) and also with Syrnium

indrani.

In the other half of this case, commencing at the top, are shown

the Barbets (Capitonide), of which the Yellow-fronted Barbet

(Cyanops flavifrons) and the pretty little Ceylon Barbet (Yantho-

lema rubricapilla) are peculiar to the Island; Indian Rollers

* Blanford, W.T. Birds of India, 1895, vol. ILI. p. 224.

+ The distribution of the different species of birds is indivated in red upon the

small maps plaved below the specimens.

(Coraciade) ;* Bee-eaters (Meropide) ; Kingfishers (Alcedinide) ;

Hornbillst (Bucerotids), two species, one of which (Lophoceros

gingalensis) is peculiar ; Hoopoes (Upupide) ; Swifts (Cypselide),

one of which, the Edible-nest Swiftlet (Collocalia fuciphaga),

builds the well-known edible nests in caves, small cups made of

grass, moss, and feathers cemented together by inspissated saliva

[Blanford, /.c., p. 177] ; Nightjars (Caprimulgide), which lay their

eggs on the ground without any nest.

BIRD CASE II.

The second case alongside the first contains some of the Doves

and Pigeons (Columbide), including Turtur risorius, the Ring-

dove, and Columba intermedia, the Indian Rock Pigeon, from

which all the breeds of domestic pigeons peculiar to India are

derived. The Galline or true game birds of Ceylon belong to the

Pheasant family (Phasianide). First in order and importance

comes the Peafowl, referred to and exhibited elsewhere ; then

the endemic Ceylon Jungle-fow!l (Gallus lafayetti), characterized

by its peculiar call and by the yellow patch in the centre of the

comb of the male; the endemic Ceylon Spur-fowl (Galloperdix

bicalcarata), which only occurs in the southern half of the Island ;

finally the Quails and Partridges. The Gray Partridge (Francoli-

nus pondicerianus) is common in India, but is only found in the

northern half of Ceylon and in the small islands (Delft, Iranativu,

&e.) off the Jaffna Peninsula. The Painted Partridge (F. pictus),

unrepresented in the Museum collection, is another Indo-

Ceylonese bird localized in Ceylon to the highlands or patanas

between Nuwara Eliya and Badulla.

The Three-toed Quails, represented here by two female Bustard

Quails (Turniz pugnaz), belong to a separate order, Hemipodii,

and family, Turnicide. The females are larger and more highly

coloured than the males, and “the ordinary conduct of the sexes

during the period of incubation is reversed, for the male alone

sits on the eggs and tends the young brood, whilst the females

wander about, uttering a purring call that serves as a challenge,

and fight each other” [Blanford, Faun. Ind. Birds, vol. IV., p. 150}.

Of the Rails, Crakes, Moorhens, and Watercocks (Rallide),

Baillon’s Crake (Porzana pusilla) is to be noted for its rarity in

Ceylon ; the Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) ranges from Great

* The Indian Roller (Coracias indica) is common at Jaffna, Anuradhapura, &c.,

and is known to Europeans as the Low-country Jay, but it is a Picarian bird

related to the Bee-eaters and Kingfishers, not a Passerine bird of the Crow

family. It is fond of perching on telegraph wires.

jy The Hornbills of the Ethiopian, Oriental, and Papuan regions are the

representatives of the Toucans (Rhamphastide) of South America, and are

sometimes popularly confounded with the latter.

( 32 )

Britain through Europe, Asia,and Africa, and occurs in the tanks

of Ceylon, though rare; finally, the Purple Moorhen (Porphyrio

poliocephalus) is a handsome Indo-Ceylonese bird common in

parts of the low-country.

The bottom shelf in front commences the series of Limicoline

birds, Plovers and Snipes and their allies. The Stone Curlew

(Gdicnemus scolopax) is a north-east migrant to Ceylon, the Great

Stone Plover (Hsacus recurvirostris) is a resident shore bird ; both

belong'to one family, the Gidienemidz. The Crab Plover (Dromas

ardeola), another shore bird, which also breeds in Ceylon, is the

sole type of the family Dromadide.

In the reverse half of this case, commencing from the top, will

be found Courier Plovers and Swallow Plovers, shore birds of the

family Glareolide ; Water Pheasants (Hydrophasianus chirurgus),

Parridz, a common low-country bird: the Turnstone, Lapwings,

Plovers, Oyster-catcher, Stilt,* Avocet,t Curlew, Whimbrel,

Sandpipers,t{ and Stints, all shore birds and waders belonging tothe

family Charadriide; Woodcock (Scolopax rusticula), arare migrant,

and Snipes (Scolopacidz), of which the best known are the

Pintail Snipe (Gallinago stenura), a north-east migrant common

from September to April, and the Painted Snipe (Rostratula

capensis), a resident of the low country, widely distributed in

South Asia and Africa.

Many of the shore birds, like the sea birds, gulls, and terns, have

a very wide distribution. The circum-littoral range of the

Turnstone (Strepsilas interpres) throughout both hemispheres is

remarkable. The Oyster-catcher (Hematopus ostralegus) is con-

fined to the Old World. The range of the Gray Plover (Squatarola

helvetica) is world-wide ; it breeds in the far north and isa winter *

visitor to India, Ceylon, and Burma [Blanford}.

BIRD CASES III. AND IV.

The next couple of bird cases contain the one a group of Acci-

pitrine birds,§ Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Kestrels ; the other a

group of Peafowl (Pavo cristatus). This latter is the principal

game bird of Ceylon, and in fact the most stately bird in the

Island. A frequent ornament in parks and gardens in Europe, it

lives here in its native haunts. It feeds and nests upon the

ground, but roosts in the topmost branches of trees, whence it

* Shown in another case (see below).

+ An occasional migrant, not in the Museum collection.

t The Sandpipers are well known locally by the colloquial Sinhalese name

“ siri-biri”; they are also sometimes called Snippets, because they somewhat re-

semble Snipes in their habits.

§ Other Accipitrine birds, Harriers and Falcons, are shown in another case (see

below).

AFOWL.

face page 32.

°~

surveys the country round and is consequently difficult to

approach. A male in perfect plumage is shown perched upon a

tree ; a dun-coloured female and a partridge-like young are placed

on the floor of the case.

BIRD CASE V.

Passing now towards the other side of the gallery the remaining

bird cases may be inspected, commencing with the case next to

the stairs facing the Sambur and Boar Group. Here are some

of the Passerine birds. The order Passeres comprises about one-

third of the entire avian fauna of Ceylon. The front half of this

case contains Orioles (Oriolidx), represented by the brilliant

yellow-bodied black-headed Oriolus melanocephalus ; Mynas and

Starlings (Sturnide), of which three are peculiar, namely, the

Ceylon Myna, known to ornithologists as the Ceylon Grackle*

(Hulabes ptilogenys), the common Ceylonese Myna (Acridotheres

melanosternus), which is used extensively asa cage bird by the

boutique-keepers and other residents, and the White-headed Myna

or Starling (Sturnornis senex), an inhabitant of the mountain

forests of Ceylon ; Thrushes and Black-birds (Turdidez), of which

the Ceylon Black-bird (Merula kinnis?), a resident of the forests

above 2,500 feet, the Butf-breasted Ceylon Thrush (Oveocincla

imbricata), and the Spotted Thrush (Oreocincla spiloptera) are

peculiar ; Flycatchers (Muscicapidz), of which the Ceylonese Blue

Flycatcher (Stoparola sordida) is endemic, while the Paradise

Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisz), locally known as the Ceylon

Bird of Paradise, is an exquisite and highly characteristic Indo-

Ceylonese resident. The Paradise Flycatcher is not uncommon,

though it is rarely seen about Colombo. The male bird undergoes

remarkable changes of plumage, which are illustrated by the

specimens exhibited.

After the autumn moult of the second year the male has the whole head

and crest glossy black [throat brown, breast ashy, belly white], and the whole

upper plumage rich chestnut; the median tail feathers grow toa great length,

and are retained till May or June, when they are cast. After the autumn

moult of the third year the chestnut plumage is again assumed, and also the

long median tail feathers, but the whole lower plumage from the throat down-

wards is pure white, the breast being sharply demarcated from the black

throat. After this moult a gradual transition to the white upper plumage

takes place, the wings and tail being the first parts to be affected, but the

change toa complete white plumage is not affected till the moult of the

fourth autumn. After this moult the male bird is fully adult, and perma-

nently retains the white plumage ; the head, neck, and crest are glossy bluish

black ; the whole body plumage white.t

* This species is placed by Mr. E. W. Oates (Fauna Brit, Ind., Birds, vol. I..

p. 513) in a separate family, the Eulabetide,

t Oates, E. W. Fauna Brit. Ind., Birds, vol. IT., 1890, p. 46.

F 105-04

((, 34 )

Just as the Indo-Ceylonese Peafowl is replaced in Burma by a

distinet species (Pavo muticus) which ranges southwards to Java,

so the Paradise Flycatcher of India and Ceylon is represented in

Burma by an allied species (Terpsiphone affinis).

The robins are closely related to the flycatchers on the one hand

and to the thrushes on the other. The Black Robin (Thamnobia

Julicata) and the Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis) are, next to

the crows, the sparrows, and the babblers, the commonest birds

in Colombo and throughout the Island; the Long-tailed Robin,

known to ornithologists by its Hindustani name ‘‘ Shama,” is a shy

jungle-bird.

In the reverse half of the case are shown Weaver birds and

Munia Finches (Ploceidz), the Hill Munia (Uroloncha kelaartt)

being peculiar; Sparrows (Fringillide), the House Sparrow

(Passer domesticus) ranging from Great Britain to South Asia;

Swallows (Hirundinidz) ; Wagtails and Pipits (Motacillide) : the

Gray-headed Wagtail (Motacilla borealis) ranges all over Europe,

Asia, and North Africa, and may be seen on the Galle Face Parade

during the north-east season from September to May; Larks

(Alaudide); Sun birds* (Nectariniide) and Flower-peckers

(Diceide), the former with long bills, the latter with short bills,

both families being distinguished from all other Passerine birds

by the serration of both mandibles of the beak ; the Indian Pitta

or Ground Thrush (Pittide), a characteristic north-east migrant.

Finally, the bottom shelf of the case contains the Woodpeckersft

(Picide), a very distinct family of birds well represented in

Ceylon. The type skins of Legge’s Woodpecker (Brachypternus

intermedius) were presented by Sir W. H. Gregory. This variety

is believed to be a hybrid between the Golden-backed Woodpecker

(B. aurantius), and the common Red-backed Woodpecker (B.

erythronotus), which is peculiar to Ceylon. Layard’s Wood-

pecker (Chrysocolaptes stricklandt) is also confined to Ceylon.

BIRD CASE VI.

The case adjoining the one just described, commencing from

the top of the reverse side, contains more Passerine birds, namely,

the Crows, Jays, and Titmice (Corvide), the Ceylonese Jay (Cissa

ornata), coloured chestnut and blue, being endemic, This bird is

sometimes known as the Ceylon Magpie. It is a forest bird of

ps, habits, fesning a good deal on the ground [Oates].

* The Sun Hae are the representatives in the Old World of the eid a birds

of the New World. and like the latter can poise themselves on the wing while

extracting nectar from flowers. They are frequently seen in Colombo feeding

npon the Hibiscus flowers.

+ The Woodpeckers are Picarian birds, not Passerine,

( 35)

The Babblers (Crateropodide) of Ceylon are remarkable for the

large number of endemic species, namely, the Ceylonese Rufous

Babbler (Crateropus rufescens), the Ashy-headed Babbler (C.

cinereifrons), the Ceylonese Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus

melanurus), the Ceylon Yellow-eyed, black-billed Babbler

(Pyctorhis nasalis), the Brown-capped or Quaker Babbler

(Pellorneum fuscicapillum) occurring between 5,000 and 6,000 feet

elevation, the Ceylon Black-fronted Wren Babbler (Rhopocichla

nigrifrons), the Ceylon Arrenga or Whistling Thrush (Arrenga

blight), rare at 4,000 feet, the Ceylon Shortwing or Ant Thrush

(Hlaphrornis pallisert), and the Ceylon White-eye (Zosterops

ceylonensis) occurring above 1,500 feet. |

The Bulbuls also belong to the Crateropodidx, of which they

form a sub-family, Brachypodine. They are shown at the bottom

and continued on the top shelf of the front side of the case. The

Yellow-eared Bulbul (Kelaartia penicillata) is endemic.

Next follow the Drongos or King Crows (Dicruride), so called

because of their remarkable habit of persecuting the crows, which

are double their size. They pursue and chivvy the crows on the

wing with no other apparent object than pure love of mischief ;

they also frequently perch upon the backs of cattle. The species

which is especially tyrannical with regard to the crows is the

Black Drongo (Dicrurus ater). Another exhibited species (D.

leucopygialis) is confined to Ceylon,while the Racket-tailed Drongo

(Dissemurus paradiseus) is distinguished by the great elongation

of the lateral tail feathers with their spatulate tips.

The Warblers (Sylviidee) represent another extensive family of

small birds, the most remarkable of those which occur in Ceylon

being the Indian Tailor bird (Orthotomus sutorius), a nest of

which with the leaf-edges sewn together is exhibited.

Lastly, the Shrikes and Minivets (Laniide) complete the display

in thiscase. The Orange Minivet (Pericrocotus flammeus) bears a

strong resemblance to the oriole in the general colour-pattern of

the plumage.

BIRD CASES VII. AND VIII.

These cases contain groups of birds arranged according to habits

and distribution, but without reference to their position in classi-

fication. One of them consists of a selection of birds from the

Vanni District of the Northern Province, that portion of the

Province which stretches between the settlements of Mullaittivu

and Vavuniya. The other isa group of Waders and Divers, com-

prising Flamingoes, Stilts, Herons, Darter, &c.* The Flamingo

* The Cormorants (exhibited in the adjoining case and also in Bird Vase XII., see

below) of the genus Phalacrocorar are allied to the Darters, and form with the

latter the family Phalacrocoracid, diving and fishing birds,

C865

(Phenicopterus voseus) is a north-east migrant to Ceylon frequent-

ing the salt lakes of the Hambantota and Mullaittivu Districts, Lt

is essentially gregarious, living and breeding in large colonies. The

movements of a flock are remarkably concerted, and at the least

alarm they rise with one consent like a pink cloud across the

horizon. The three specimens exhibited are females in different

stages of plumage.

The Darter (Plotus melanogaster) is sometimes called the Snake

bird, on account of its long serpentine neck, which is persistently

kinked. The method of feeding was described by Mr. W. A.

Forbes as follows* :—‘‘The darters feed entirely under water,

Swimming with its wings half-expanded, though locomotion is

effected entirely by the feet, the bird pursues its prey witha peculiar

darting or jerky action of the head and neck, which may be com-

pared to that ofa man poising a spear or harpoon before throwing

it. Arrived within striking distance the darter suddenly trans-

fixes the fish on the tip of its beak with marvellous dexterity,

and then immediately comes to the surface, where the fish is

shaken off the beak, thrown upwards, and swallowed, usually head

first.” When swimming at the surface the body is submerged, only

the head and neck projecting above the water. The darters are

common about the tanks of Ceylon. When resting ona tree the

wings are held expanded as shown. The stomach of this bird is

provided with a dense hairy plug or sieve guarding the entrance to

the small intestine.

BIRD CASES IX. - XII.

The remaining birds which are placed on exhibition are shown

in the recess facing the Sambur and Boar Group. In Case IX.are

the birds of largest bulk occurring in the Island, gigantesque Storks

and Herons, Spoonbills, and Pelican Ibis or Painted Stork. Case X.

contains Harriers (Falconidz) and Bitterns (Ardeidw, the Heron

family). The Malay Bittern (Gorsachius melanolophus) is a north-

east migrant to Ceylon, arriving towards the end of October and

beginning of November, and fugitive specimens are frequently

captured about this time in Colombo, sometimes landing in the

streets of the Fort and in the ball-room of Queen’s House.

Case XI. contains Gannets or Boobies (Sulide), oceanic birds

sometimes taken here, and Ibis (Ibidide), tank birds. Finally,

Case XII. contains Ducks and Teals (Anatide), Terns and Gulls

(Laride), Frigate birds (Fregatide), Cormorants and Darters

(Phalacrocoracidie), Pelicans (Pelecanide).

* W. A. Forbes, On some points on the Anatomy of the Indian Darter (Plotus

melanogaster) and on the Mechanism of the Neck in the Darters (Plotus), in con-

nection with their habits, P. Zool. Soc., London, 1882, pp. 208-212.

FLAMINGOES AND OTHER WADERS.

[To face page 36,

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( 37)

MAMMALS.

Besides the mammals living in the grounds and those which

have been mentioned above in connection with the groups in the

centre of the gallery, further examples are shown in the western

alcove. Several of the eighty species of mammals recorded from

Ceylon possess insular characteristics ; even such a large creature

as the sambur is said to differ in some respects from its Indian

co-type, but there is nothing like the same degree of endemicity

among the mammals as has been remarked for the birds. As

distinctive Ceylonese mammals may be mentioned the Golden

Paradoxure or Palm Civet (Paradoxurus aureus) and the Ruddy

Mungoose (Herpestes smithi), both of which are called by the same

Sinhalese name “ Hotambuwa.”

There are two principal kinds of monkeys in Ceylon, called res-

pectively in the native language “ Rilawa”’ and “ Wandura,” referred

to by Knox in the anglicized terms “ Rillows” and ‘‘ Wanderows.” .

The former are the Macaques (Macacus pileatus), with cheek

pouches ; the latter are the Langurs, comprising several species of

the genus Semnopithecus, monkeys destitute of cheek pouches.

Troops of “ Rillows” and “ Wanderows” may sometimes be seen on

the same tree, but as arule they keep to themselves.

There are three distinct species of ‘‘Wanderows” in Ceylon. The

commonestis the Madras Langur or Crested Monkey (Semnopithe-

cus priamus), which frequents the low-lying forests of the dry

maritime districts of the North, Kast,and South. In addition to the

crest of hair on the head this monkey is further distinguished by

the fringe of long black hairs of the eyebrows, known as the

supra-orbital fringe.

The Purple-faced Monkey (S. cephalopterus) is without the crest

and fringe ; it inhabits the damp forests of the West at low and

moderate elevations up to about 1,000 feet.

Finally, the Bear Monkey (S. wrsinus), described as endemic,

is the monkey of the mountains, occurring in the country round

Nuwara Eliya. Itis closely related to S. cephalopterus,* of which

it may be a hill variety, and from which it is distinguished by its

longer and denser fur.

The remarkable Prosimian family of the Lemurs, whose head-

quarters are in Madagascar, is represented in Ceylon by a single

species, Loris gracilis, a small tailless, large-eyed, nocturnal,

arboreal creature of retiring habits, sometimes called the Ceylon

Sloth. It is omnivorous, feeding upon young leaves, insects,

* A young live Bear Monkey presented by J. Spearman Armstrong, Esq., from

Kotagala, and a Purple-faced Monkey from Horana, are exhibited in the grounds

at the back of the Museum.

( 38 )

spiders, birds’ eggs, birds, and lizards. It will also eat plantains

and boiled rice, and will drink milk, but is not easy to keep alive

in captivity unless taken young and reared with great care.

The skeleton of an elephant shot by H. W. Varian, Esq., said to

be the largest recorded from Ceylon, is remarkable for the small

size of the tusks, which are reduced to meretushes. The skull of

a large tusker is, however, shown below. Tuskers are rare in

Ceylon, and are believed to be the descendants of imported Indian

elephants. Another elephant skull in section is lying on the floor

next to the skeleton of the sambur. There are also skeletons of

the wild buffalo, wild boar, and the bear. Of the other stuffed

animals, a pair of large leopards, the bear, the otter, and the

pangolin may be noted specially. The Indian Pangolin or Scaly

Ant-eater (Wanis pentadactyla)is one of the most curious mammals

found in Ceylon. It is a nocturnal burrowing animal not often

seen ; its jaws are destitute of teeth (Edentata), and its tongue is

exceedingly long and vermiform, adapted for penetrating into the

burrows of termites or white ants, upon which it feeds. Its

scales are sometimes employed for making imitation tortoise-

shell combs. One such comb, presented by H. J. V. Ekanayake.

Esq., of Balapitiya, is exhibited. The Indian Pangolin is repre-

sented in Burma by an allied species UW. javanica, which ranges

through the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Celebes.-

There is also a Chinese Pangolin (MW. aurita) in Nepal, Assam,

Southern China, and Formosa. Several species of the same genus

occur in Africa.

There are three sorts of lying mammals in Ceylon, namely, the

Fruit Bats or Flying Foxes (Pteropodide), the small Insectivorous

Bats (Microchiroptera), and the Flying Squirrel, Pteromys oral

(Rodentia Sciuridze). The Insectivorous Bats comprise the Leaf-

nosed Bats (Rhinolophide); the Vampire Bats (Nycteridz), which

feed upon frogs, rats, and smaller bats, as well as insects; the

Pipistrelles (Vespertilionide) ; and the Sheath-tailed Bats (Embal-

lonuride). The Flying Squirrel has approximately the same

general distribution throughout India, Burma, and Ceylon as the

Flying Fox (Pteropus medius), inhabits the same districts, and is

also frugivorous and nocturnal. It is not however gregarious,

and does not suspend itself head downwards, as do the fruit bats

and other bats, but rests in the ordinary attitudes of arboreal

mammals, :

The aquatic mammalia (Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, and

Dugongs) are represented by an excellent set of dugongs, male.

female, and young,andaskeleton. The female specimen exhibited

is 10 ft. long ; it wascaptured at Kayts near Jaffna. The Dugong

KRAALIN(

ANT

LEPH

1D)

(10 Face page 38

( 39)

(Halicore dugong) is a gentle creature feeding on seaweeds ; it

allows itself to be handled and killed without resistance. It occurs

off the north-west coast of Ceylon near Jaffna and Mannar, and

ranges from East Africa to Australia. Kelaart, one of the pioneer

naturalists of Ceylon, says that he saw shoals of them on the coast

of Arippu during the Ceylon pear! fisheries of 1835 and 1836, but

they are now scarce. The order Sirenia, to which the dugong

belongs, is represented in tropical America by the manatee. The

tusks of the dugong are the two upper incisors, which, with two

or three molars on each side of both jaws, are the only teeth found

in adults.

On the top of the Dugong Case is the skeleton of a rare cetacean,

Pseudorca crassidens, the Lincolnshire Killer, prepared from a

specimen caught at Moratuwa in 1891, the first recorded from

Indian seas. It is said to feed on cuttle fish, whereas the true

grampus or killer attacks and kills the largest whales. The

Lincolnshire Killer owes its common name to the circumstance

that its skeleton was first discovered in a Lincolnshire fen.

Besides this skeleton there is a stuffed specimen of a dolphin

caught at Negombo in 1883. Its identification is somewhat |

uncertain, but it appears to be closely similar to Elliot’s Dolphin

(Steno perniger).

The smaller mammals of Ceylon (apart from the bats and lemur)

comprise many species of the Rodent order (Squirrels, Rats, Mice,

Hares, and Poreupines). The little squirrel which is a familiar

figure on the trunks and branches of trees in Colombo is called

Sciurus palmarum. The larger tree-squirrel of the low-country

jungles in dry districts is Sciurus macrurus, locally known as the

Rock Squirrel or “* Danduléna.” The largest rat is the Bandicoot or

Pig Rat (Nesocia bandicota), found in all parts of the Island from the

sea-level to Nuwara Eliya. It exceeds a foot in length, exclusive of

the tail. Next to this in size and interest comes the Gerbille or

Antelope Rat (Gerbillus indicus), afield rat. The common House Rat

and the Mouse have been introduced here as to all other parts of

the world. The Musk Rat is more properly called the Musk Shrew

(Crocidura murina) ; it is nota Rodent, but belongs to the family

of Shrews (Soricidz) in the order Insectivora, It is common in

bungalows, outhouses, and compounds in Colombo, and often it

appears in the roads at nightfall. It is pale gray in colour, utters

a characteristic squeak, and hasa long, tapering snout. Finally, the

Black-naped Hare (Lepus nigricollis), the Chevrotain or Mouse

Deer (Tragulus meminna), and the Muntjac or Rib-faced Barking

Deer (Cervulus muntjac), commonly called the Red Deer, must be

mentioned.

( 40 )

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIA.

The collection of reptiles and amphibia is contained under

glass shades over the table cases. The largest reptiles are the Cro-

codiles, Monitors, and the Python. There are two species of cro-

codiles in Ceylon, the Tank Crocodile (Cvocodilus palustris), with

a comparatively short snout, and the River Crocodile (C. porosus),

with a longer and narrower snout. The former is represented by

the skull of a large specimen from the Minneri tank,* the latter

by a young stuffed specimen in the Sambur and Boar Group.

There are also two species of monitors, the large Water Lizard or

“ Kabaragoya ” (Varanus salvator), of which a skeleton is exhibi-

ted in the gallery and some live specimens in the grounds ; and

secondly, the Land Monitor (V. bengalensis), a smaller species,

which lays its eggs in the nests of termites.

Some eighty-one species of snakes have been recorded from

Ceylon, including twenty-six seasnakes (Hydrophide). The

latter are all poisonous, but of the land snakes only six or seven

are poisonous, the most deadly being the Cobra (Naa tripudians),

the Tic Polonga or Russell’s Viper (Vipera russelli), and the

Bungarums or Kraits (Bungarus ceylonicus and B. cowruleus).t

Examples of these are shown over the second table case to the

left of the staircase. The Crotaline or Pit Vipers, so called on

account of the existence of a deep pit of unknown significance on

each side of the snout between the eyes and the nostrils, are not

fatal to man. They are represented in Ceylon by the “ Karawala”’

(Ancistrodon hypnale) and the Green Polonga (Trimeresurus

trigonocephalus).

There is a very common non-poisonous snake which mimics

the dreaded Bungarus ceylonicus in its scheme of coloration,

namely, white transverse bands upon a dark ground colour, and

is sometimes mistaken for it when seen at a distance or when

examined casually. This is Lycodon aulicus, a snake which is

frequently found trespassing in bungalows in Colombo, The

Bungarus occurs chiefly up-country in the country round

Peradeniya, Dimbula, Balangoda, and elsewhere.

A large Python molurus is mounted in the east alcove; some

Hydrophide are shown over the third case; the snakes on the

fifth case include a large Green Polonga and a large Tic Polonga,

somewhat faded ; over the sixth case are the Whip snakes (Dry-

ophis); the “Pol-mal Karawala” (Chrysopelea ornata), which when

fresh shows bright red spots along the back, reputed poisonous,

but in reality harmless and of gentle disposition ; the fresh-water

* Placed on a bench in the east alcove.

+ B. cwruleus has only been recorded from Jaffna,

Colour variations of Rhinophis blythii.

UROPELTID,

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Rhinophis trevelyanus,

Head-shields of Uvopeltis grandis.

UROPELTID A.

(PABh)

or estuarine snake (Cerberus rhynchops,) which, like another

fresh-water snake, Topidonotus plumbicolor, has a viperine look

but is quite harmless; anda rare fresh-water snake, Gerardia

prevostiana, from the Kelani river, caught twenty yearsago. Over

the seventh case will be found a large specimen of the common

Rat-snake (Zamenis mucosus); another snake which attains a

length of five feet and a wide girth is Dipsas forstenii, of which

only a half-sized example is shown. This snake is represented in

Ceylon by two varieties, the typical variety, brown with angular

oblique black bars, and the red variety, uniformly rich reddish-

chocolate above without black bars, paler roseate flush below; a

fine example obtained from Nambapana in September, 1904, is

shown. It is called locally the Lé-polonga (Blood-polonga), and

is reputed poisonous.

On a bench in the fish-gallery or east alcove there are skeletons

of the python, of asea snake, Distira stokesii, from the Pearl

Banks, presented by Captain Donnan, and of a monitor lizard.

- The remaining smaller snakes and lizards are placed over table

cases near the western end of the gallery. These are chiefly

interesting on account of the relatively large number of endemic

forms, species of lizards of the genera Oeratophora, Lyrvocephalus,

Otocryptis, Cophotis, and Acontias being peculiar to the Island;

examples of these are shown over Table Case XVII. Endemic

species of snakes belonging to the genera Aspidur'aand Rhinophis,

as well as specimens of Lycodon aulicus, to which reference has

been made above, are exhibited over Case XVIII. The snake

Cylindrophis maculatus is also a peculiar species, and is the one

to which the native name “ Depat-naya” (two-headed snake) is

specially applied, though the term is equally applicable to Rhino-

phis and allied snakes. The hinder end of the body of these

snakes is truncated, and bears superficial resemblance to a head.

The colour, yellowish on dark brown, varies considerably,

especially in the case of Rhinophis blythi (see illustrations).

‘The giant tortoise from Aldabra, Testudo elephantina, shown

on the far side of the Peacock Case, does not belong to Ceylon, but

lived here for many years in the grounds of the gilla called

“Uplands” in Mutwal, near Colombo. It was found here at the

time of the British occupation in 1796, and had become thoroughly:

acclimatized.* It died in March, 1894.

A striking display of large marine turtles caught off the coast

of Ceylon is to be seen under the large platform in the eastern or

* The Hog-deer (Cervus porcinus), of which two living specimens are shown in

the grounds, is another example of an acclimatized animal, introduced from

India during the Dutch administration into the Kalutara District, where it now

occurs,

(. 44° )

fish aleove. The edible turtle, Chelone mydas, attaining a length

of four feet, is herbivorous.* The loggerhead turtle, Thalasso-

chelys caretta, is obtained by harpooning and netting by the natives

of Iranativu and elsewhere off the coast ; it is carnivorous, feeding

on crustaceans and molluscs. The leathery turtle, Dermochelys

coriacea, Was presented by C. H.de Soysa, Hsq.; it is not common.

Finally, a specimen of the tortoise-shell turtle, Chelone imbricata,

and a young edible turtle, are shown in small tanks on either side

of the staircase.

Some of the Amphibians of Ceylonare shown over Table Case IV.,

next to the Hagle Group. The large bull-frog is Rana tigrina,

the common toad Bufo melanostictus. The common frog of the

Colombo lake is Rana hexadactyla. The tree-frog,t lvalus

adspersus, peculiar to Ceylon, has been found at Pattipola, 6,200

feet, and is one of the rarest frogs existing. The climbing frogs of

the genus Rhacophorus attach their foam-like nests to the leaves of

shrubs and trees overhanging water, into which the tadpoles drop

when they hatch. The most singular batrachian occurring in the

hills of Ceylon above 2,000 or 3,000 feet is the worm-like, legless

‘ salamander,” { Ichthyophis glutinosus. It burrows in soft mud ;

the female lays eggs of large size, and coils round the clump of

eggs until they are hatched. The larve are aquatic, and are

provided with a respiratory orifice or spivaculwm on each side

of the neck. The development has been worked out by two

Swiss naturalists, Drs, Fritz and Paul Sarasin.

FISHES.

A large series of sharks and bony fishes is shown in the eastern

alcove of the gallery. The largest and rarest is the huge shark

which rests upon the platform along the centre of the room.

This is a specimen of the Basking Shark (Rhinodon typicus), 23

feet long, caught at Moratuwa in 1883. This species has also

been obtained off the Seychelles and the Cape of Good Hope;

it was first recorded from the west coast of Ceylon by Mr.

Amyrald Haly, the former Director of the Colombo Museum.

In spite of its bulk the specimen shown is not full-size, and

it is a harmless shark. It is regarded as one of the gems of

the entire collection.

* Chelonia virgata is synonymous with Chelone mydas {| Boulenger }.

+ The true tree-frogs of the family Hylide are not represented in Ceylon.

{ The tailed batrachians (newts and salamanders) form the order Urodela,

which is unrepresented in Ceylon ; the tailless batrachians (frogs and toads)

form the order Anura; the legless batrachians or the oxcilians belong to the

order Apoda,

NEST OF CLIMBING FROG. (COLOMBO.)

(Rhacophorus maculatus.)

[Vo saute page 44.

vi nah, hy

at Tent e

¢ 6°

Unfortunately the form of the mouth is lost in the mounted

Specimen; when fresh the width of the mouth was 3 feet, but

shrunk to lft. 1lin.in drying. ‘‘ When fresh the lower jaw was

quite straight and flat......... and considerably in advance of

the upper, so that the band of teeth in the lower jaw was quite

uncovered.”

The teeth in both jaws consisted of eleven (in the upper) to

fourteen (in the lower) rows of minute, sharp, recurved denticles,

of equal size, 2 millimeters long.* Another specimen, 18 feet

long, was taken at Negombo in March, 1889, and was presented to

the British Museum by the Government of Ceylon. In the same

year one was caught, 22 feet long, off Madras, andis now exhibited

in the Madras Museum.

At the end of the platform three other stuffed sharks are lying

on their sides; that to the right of the Rhinodon is a fine specimen

of the Hammer-headed Shark (Zygena malleus), characterized by

the shape of the rostrum, which is drawn out sideways into two

hammer-shaped lobes, at the ends of which are the eyes with the

nostrils near to the eyes; that to the left of the Rhinodon is the

Tiger Shark or Tope (Galeocerdo rayneri), distinguished by its

formidable notched teeth, This shark is said to be exceedingly

fierce and very cunning, swelling itself out so as to appear like

a floating mass of animal substance, in order to decoy its prey.

Behind the Rhinodon there lies another shark, 9 feet long, named

Ginglymostoma miilleri, Ginther. Below the front window, at

the back of the Rhinodon, is another interesting shark, A lopecias,

or Alopias vulpes, the Fox or Thresher Shark, which was rescued

by Mr. Haly from the Colombo market in February, 1884.

Against the adjoining north window are two sharks of the saw-

fish family; the larger specimen is an example of Pristis cuspi-

datus, the smaller is Pristis perrotteti. These differ from one

another in the position of the first dorsal fin and in the armature

of the rostrum, a considerable portion of the base of which is

destitute of teeth in P. cuspidatus.

A few more sharks are preserved in spirits in the adjacent

wall case, The skates and rays next invite attention. Over the

wall cases beside the north window are two examples of a large

Sting Ray (Zrygon uarnak), and in the bottom shelf of the left

wall case is a Thorny-backed Ray, said to be common in the Indian

eet called Urogymnus es In a trough on the

* Of. A. Haly. Occurrence of Rhinodon ie Smith, on the West Gonat of

Ceylon, Ann. Nat. Hist, (fifth series), vol. XII., 1883, pp. 48-49.

t G&. Day, F. Faun. Brit. Ind., Fishes, vol. L., p. 33.

t &. Note vy A. Haly in the “ Taueobanian 1886, vol. I., p. 167.

( 46 )

south-east verandah is a young specimen of the “ Two-horned ”

Skate (Dicerobatus eregoodoo), exhibited with the lower side up

displaying the gill-clefts with the gills showing through. In

another trough on the opposite north-east verandah is another

well-preserved Sting Ray of the species T’rygon sephen, and near

to this is a young Beaked Ray (Aétobatis narinari). The skates

and rays feed largely upon crabs and molluscs.

The fairly numerous specimens of Teleostean or bony fishes

which are exhibited in the wall cases are somewhat remarkable

on account of the well-preserved colour markings, which in many

cases have retained their freshness after the lapse of several years,,

in a gum and glycerine mixture adopted by Mr. Haly. Against

the window beside the Thresher Shark is a good example of the

Swordfish (Histiophorus gladius). The large stuffed fish in the

bottom shelf of the adjoining wall case is a Wrasse (Labride).

The parrot wrasses, fishes of brilliant colours, feeding in the

neighbourhood of coral reefs at Galle, for example, with parrot-

like beak consisting of teeth soldered together, belong to the

genus Pseudoscarus of the Wrasse family. ‘The ‘ Red Mullet” of

the Colombo market is Serranus sonnerati, of the Perch family.

The Seirfish, the staple fish food of Colombo, belongs to the

Mackerel family (Scombridz), and is named Cybiwm guttatum.*

The jumping fishes to be seen about the rocks at Mount Lavinia

and Galle are blennies of the genus Salarias; and the mud-

skippers of Negombo are gobies of the genus Periophthalmus.

The principal fresh-water fishes of Ceylon are the Carps (Cypri-

nid), including the Indian game fish called the Mahseer (Barbus

tor), the Ophiocephali, tank-fishes, the Labyrinthici or “ climbing

perches” (Anabas scandens and Polyacanthus signatus), and

the Catfishes (Siluride). One genus of catfishes, Arius, called

“anguluwa” in Sinhalese, occurring at Panadure, Kalutara, and

elsewhere, has the remarkable peculiarity that the males carry the

eggs, 15-20 in number, in their mouths until they are hatched.

INSECTS.

' The Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are shown in eight

table cases placed near the Kagle and Peacock Groups.

The Moths or Nocturnal Lepidoptera commence in Table Case II.

with the family Saturniide, the caterpillars of which spin silken

cocoons in which they pupate and from which they emerge in the

adult orimago phase of their life-history. This family comprises

the largest moths found in Ceylon, namely, the Lunar Moth

*Not exhibited. There is an extensive tunny fishery (Zhynnus thunnina) off

Balapitiya during the north-east monsoon, and the fish are daily sent to Colombo.

Salarias Andersoni.

[To face page 46.

(Actias selene), green with a dark bordered whitish circle in the

centre of each wing and with long swallow-tailed hind wings ;

the Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas), deep chocolate with oblique trans-

lucent windows in each wing ; the Tussur Silk Moth (Anthercea

paphia), rich yellow with a transparent round window in each

wing. The Bombycide and Eupterotide complete this side of the

case. The other side contains the Sphingide, which include

among many species the Death’s Head Moths of the genus Aciie-

rontia, the caterpillars of which stridulate, uttering a clicking

sound by rubbing their jaws together ; and the Clear-wing Moths

(Cephonodes hylas), which sometimes become a pest in cultivated

districts. All the caterpillars of this family are provided with a

horn-like appendage on the back near the end of the abdomen.

Case III. opens with the N otodontidzand closes with the Arctiide.

The Syntomide, which follow the Notodontidz, include some

very common species, while the Zygzenide bear the appearance of

butterflies, which they further resemble by their habit of flying

about during the day.

Case IV. continues the Arctiide and commences the extensive

family of the Noctuids, the latter being continued in Case V., which

contains several handsome moths, eg., Phyllodes consobrina with

leaf-shaped forewings, and Ophideres salaminia, which seems to

mimic a Sphingid moth.

Case VI. contains Uraniide, Epiplemidz, Geometride, and the

commencement of the Pyralidz or shining moths. Case VII. con-

tinues the Pyralide and concludes with a few Microlepidoptera

of the family Tineidz. On the other side of this case are shown

some dragon-flies (Neuroptera).

Finally, Cases IX. and X., placed alongside in the central space,

are devoted to the butterflies, which include a fine series of the Leaf

Butterfly, Kallima philarchus.

In addition to the exhibited Lepidoptera the Museum possesses

a large duplicate students’ collection containing many rare species

not shown in the cases. This may be inspected on application.

There are, on the other hand, many moths recorded from Ceylon

which have not yet found their way to the Museum collection.

The other orders of the insects of Ceylon have not been worked

out so thoroughly as the Lepidoptera. They are represented in the

table cases near the west end of the gallery, and are subject to

re-arrangement. Orthoptera (locusts, stick insects, cockroaches,

and mantids) and Coccide (mealy bugs) are shown in Cases XV. and

XVI ; Coleoptera in Case XVII.; Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and

wasps), with a couple of black flies mimicking a eg and a bee

respectively, in Case XVIII.

( 4 9

The Museum is largely indebted for many specimens in the

Insect Department to Mr. E. E. Green, the Government Ento-

mologist,and to Messrs. F. M. Mackwood and O. 8. Wickwar, who

-have also devoted much time to the arrangement of the duplicate

collections of Butterflies, Moths, and Hymenoptera.

CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS.

Some Crustaceans (crabs, hermit crabs, prawns, barnacles) will

be found among the table cases, chiefly on the tops of the cases.

Marine Shells and Land Shells are contained in the table cases

surrounding the central group. The marine shells of Ceylon are

not remarkable for their exceptional variety and abundance.

Ceylon follows far behind many other localities of the Indo-

Pacific Region in the richness of its Marine Molluscan Fauna, but

a sufficient compensation is afforded by the presence of the

celebrated pearl banks.

On the other hand, the land shells of Ceylon are highly pecu-

liar, and comprise many endemic species. The largest snails of

the Island belong to a genus, Acavus, which is confined to Ceylon.

Mr. Oliver Collett, F.R.M.S., who lived for some years at Amba-

gamuwa, was a great collector and connoisseur of the land-shells of

Ceylon, and published three “Contributions to Ceylon Malacology”

in the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

(vols. XV.-XVI., 1897-1900). On his death, which occurred prema-

turely in 1902, his collection was purchased by the Government

of Ceylon for the Colombo Museum and forms a valuable students’

collection, which can be viewed on application. It contains

several species still unnamed.

PEARL BANKS AND CORAL REEFS.

A number of specimens in Table Cases I. and VIII., some of

which were presented long ago by Captain Donnan, many more

having been added recently by Mr. James Hornell, Marine Biologist

and Inspector of Pearl Banks, illustrate the natural history of the

banks or paars which afford anchorage tothe pearl oyster. Prior

to the year 1903 there had been no pear! fishery for twelve years,

and in 1902 a special mission, consisting of Professor W. A.

Herdman, F.R.S., assisted by Mr. James Hornell, was appointed to

report on the Pearl Oyster Fisheries of the Gulf of Mannar. “The

animal (Margaritifera vulgaris, Schum.=Avicula fucata,Gould)

is not a true oyster, but belongs to the family Aviculiday, and is

therefore more nearly related to the Mussels (Mytilus) than to

the Oysters (Ostvea) of our British seas. One very notable

character of great practical importance, in which it differs from

( 49 )

Ostrea, is that the pearl oyster, like our common mussels, has a

‘byssus’ or bundle of tough threads by which it can attach itself

to rocks or other foreign objects.” *

The collection shows pearl oysters from several paars in various

stages of growth, and other organisms, corals, pennatulids, sponges,

sea urchins, &¢., which also grow on the pearl banks in association

with the pearl oysters. Of special interest are the specimens

prepared in spirits showing pearls 77 situ.

Large specimens of stone corals (Madreporaria), sea shrubs

(Gorgonacea), black corals (Antipatharia), and leathery corals

(Alcyonacea) from Galle and the Maldive Islands are exhibited

in wall cases in the fish aleove and on the south verandah. Those

from the Maldive Islands were presented by Mr. J. Stanley

Gardiner, M.A., who organized an expedition for the investigation

of the coral atolls of the Maldives in the years 1899-1900.t

The dried corals which are exhibited are the basal and axial

skeletons secreted by the soft parts of the living coral polyps.

These form large colonies by a peculiar process of budding and

branching, and deposit the mineral substances which they have

absorbed from the sea water so as to form the wonderful growths

which remain after the living tissues have been removed.

The Madreporaria are the reef-building corals forming extensive

reets at Galle and off Jaffna, and especially at the Maldive Islands,

which are themselves partially elevated coral reefs. The pearl

banks are not coral reefs, but sandbanks, formed of sandstone

and concretions upon which isolated corals grow without forming

reefs,

* Of. Report to the Government of Ceylon on the Pearl Oyster Fisheries of the

Gulf of Mannar, by W. A. Herdman, D.Sc., F.R.S., with supplementary reports

upon the Marine Biology of Ceylon by other naturalists. Published by the Royal

Society, Part I., London, 1903. Professor Herdman and Mr. Hornell arrived in

Ceylon in January, 1902, and the former left in the following April. Since then

the work has been carried on locally by Mr. Hornell.

§ The Fauna and Geography of the Maldive and Laccadive Archipelagoes.

Edited by J. Stanely Gardiner. Vols, I. and IT., 1901-1905 (Cambridge University

Press).

H 105-04

( 50 )

THE ROCKS AND MINERALS OF CEYLON.

By A. K. COOMARASWAMY, B.Sc.,

Director, Mineralogical Survey of Ceylon.

I—ROCKS.

THE rocks of Ceylon are known as Granulites, or, using the

term in its widest sense, as Gneisses; they belong to the same

series as that which Mr. Holland has named in Southern India

the Charnockite Series, The rocks are crystalline and show con-

spicuous mineral banding (foliation), and are very varied in

mineral composition. Rocks of igneous origin form by far the

greater part of the Charnockite Series in Ceylon, although it is

possible that amongst these rocks there are some of sedimentary

origin now highly metamorphosed and incorporated with the

others. The bedded appearance so suggestive of sedimentary

rocks is in this respect deceptive, and is due to the banded

structure produced by flowing movements in the _hetero-

geneous magma during its consolidation. No fossils occur in any

of the crystalline rocks.

The most characteristic types of rock exhibited inelude

‘vranular quartz rock, consisting essentially of quartz, but often

with minute quantities of felspar and garnet; leptynites, composed

of quartz and felspar, and very often containing an abundance of

garnet ; typical charnockite, essentially composed of felspar quartz

and hypersthene; pyroxene granulites, characterized by the

presence of pyroxene (hypersthene or augite or both) with

felspar (usually triclinic) and with or without orthoclase, quartz,

or garnet ; amongst these are rocks with the mineral composition

of norites, diorites, and gabbros ; there are also more basic types

consisting almost entirely of pyroxene, amphibole, and garnet ;

these dark heavy rocks frequently occur as lenticular bands and

inclusions in the more acid types. Coarse-grained pegmatites of

an intrusive character are found in dykes and veins crossing or

parallel to the foliation of the other rocks ; in them the minerals

quartz, orthoclase, mica, and hornblende are most characteristic ;

the quartz and felspar are often intergrown as in graphic granite,

The crystalline limestones are found in wide or narrow bands

interbedded with the other rocks, often separated from them

by a zone of heavy dark green rocks composed essentially

of pyroxene and mica, often with spinel. The limestones

( 1)

themselves vary much in purity and in dolomitic character ; the

minerals most frequently occurring and indeed nearly always

present are forsterite and phlogopite; graphite is frequently

abundant in small flakes; other accessory minerals include

pyrite, blue apatite, spinel, amphibole, chondrodite, scapolite, &c.

Of inclusions in the limestones there are (a) aggregates of the

characteristic accessory minerals ; (0) inclusions of rocks indis-

tinguishable from the pyroxene granulites except for the usual

presence of scapolite and sphene.

Certain rocks composed essentially of pyroxene with scapolite,

amphibole, mica, calcite, and sphene occur sparingly in bands

interbedded with the other rocks; separating limestone from

granulite ; or as inclusions in the limestones.

The Galle Group,—aA group of rocks allied to these but distin-

guished by the presence of wollastonite is found at Galle. These

rocks include types composed of pyroxene, scapolite, sphene,

wollastonite, and graphite, and all transitions from these to rocks

composed of quartz and felspars. There are also remarkably

coarse dykes composed essentially of orthoclase, quartz, and

wollastonite, crossing the foliation; the individuals of wollas-

tonite, moulding the idiomorphic crystals of quartz and ortho-

clase, are sometimes as much as 3 feet in length,

The name Balangoda group is given to a series of granitic rocks,

intrusive in the Charnockite Series or granulites; the granites -

occur in dykes and lenticular masses, the best exposures so far

known being in the Balangoda district. The principal types

include zircon granite, allanite-granite or pegmatite, magnetite

granite, and granite without accessory minerals. But although

not yet discovered in situ (except thorianite, which occurred very

sparingly in a pegmatite vein at Gampola, and ilmenite, which is

common in several types), the following additional minerals are

almost certainly derived from rocks of the Balangoda group:

baddeleyite, beryl, cassiterite, chrysoberyl, fergusonite, geikielite,

ilmenite, rutile, some spinels, thorianite, thorite, topaz, and some

tourmaline.

Rocks which arealteration products of those already mentioned

include bands of chert (opaline chalcedonic rock), which usually

occurs replacing the carbonates of the crystalline limestones,

minerals such as spinel and graphite remaining in the chert

unaltered. Laterite (cabook) is a typical decomposition product

of the granulites, and is of interest on account of its use as a build-

ing material, and on account of its chemical composition, consist~

ing largely of aluminium hydrate. Various ¢lays, including

kaolin (china clay, “ kirimeti,” “ makul”) are derived from the

( 52)

decomposition of the granulites, especially from their felspathie

elements.

Volcanic rocks are very sparingly represented in Ceylon. A

typical dolerite (probably occurring as a dyke) from Kallodai,

Eastern Province, is represented in the collection. A few other

dykes are said to have been met with in Ceylon. No lavas or

tuffs occur, and, with the exception of a few hot springs, no signs

of volcanic activity are found. Denudation has been so long at

work that only the most deep-seated rocks are now exposed at

the surface. Of sedimentary rocks, we have (a) river gravels,

sands, and alluvial clays (used for brick making) deposited

by rivers. In the gravels are found the gems which have been

derived from the crystalline rocks ; many have not yet been found

in situ. (b) Marine deposits, including coralline raised beaches,

blown sand, &e. Fossil shells and corals are abundant in the

raised beaches which are found all round the coast and often some

little way inland, but never very far above the present level of

the sea.

II.—_MINERALS.

Before proceeding to refer in systematic order to the nature and

mode of occurrence of particular minerals it will be useful to

consider briefly their nature and mode of formation. Regarded

from this point of view the minerals of Ceylon fall into three

main groups, which are not, however, separated from each other

by any rigid line of demarcation :—

A.—Minerals composing or associated with the crystalline

rocks,

B.—Vein minerals.

C.—Minerals which are alteration products of other minerals

and rocks.

The first class includes those whose origin is for the most part

directly igneous (7.¢., the majority of Ceylonese minerals), and

which occur as original minerals in the granulites and crystalline

limestones. Many of these have crystallized from an actually

molten or viscous magma, others perhaps from masses of rocks

existing merely in a state akin to fusion, some being developed

as the result of contact interaction between the limestones and

granulites when both possessed a high temperature, whilst others

forming pegmatite veins may even have crystallized from heated

vapours or liquids saturated with mineral matter. When suitable

conditions prevail, these minerals each assume definite and charac-

teristic crystalline forms ; this has, however, rarely been the case

in the granulites themselves, where an irregular “ granulitic”

structure usually prevails; in the crystalline limestones, however.

Ce. grils

Pe ava

PLUMBAGO MINE,

To Face page 58.)

(58 a

the accessory minerals have more often been able to crystallize in

their own forms ; for an example see Fig. 1, an octahedral crystal

of spinel. Such “idiomorphic” erystals are commonly known

in Ceylon as “ devil-cut.”

It is interesting to note that of all the gem minerals so famous

in Ceylon few have yet been found in situ. New records of the

occurrence of these minerals in their parent rock is much desired.

Nearly all the gems of Ceylon, moonstone excepted, are obtained

from the river gravels of the Ratnapura, Rakwana, Galle, and

Morawak Korale Districts; but some are found in superficial

deposits whose situation on hill slopes shows that the contained

minerals must oceur in sity at no very distant spot.

Fig 1.—Octahedral crystal of spinel.

Minerals of the second class include the greater part of the

graphite of Ceylon and perhaps a considerable part of the mica.

Associated with the graphite are often found some of the minerals

characteristic of the granulites, such as quartz and felspar. True

veins of pure quartz are rarely met with in Ceylon. Minerals of

the third class include the deposits of iron ore (limonite) and

manganese ore (psilomelane), which are everywhere common as

decomposition products of the granulites ; and also the minerals

hydrargillite and limonite composing laterite.

A few minerals occur in Ceylon which have not been found

elsewhere; these are thorianite, geikielite, and serendibite. The

mineral baddeleyite was first found in Ceylon, but has since been

met with in Brazil.

Further notes on the more important minerals will be found

below, where a list of all the minerals known to occur in Ceylon

is given.

Graphite, C.—Graphite or plumbago is the most important

mineral product of Ceylon. Its compositionis pure carbon. It is

found in veins and nests in the crystalline rocks, occurring often

in a fibrous or flaky form, the flakes being arranged at right angles

to the wall of the vein (see Fig. 2). The veins vary in width from

less thanan eighth of an inch to several feet. Some are found to

follow the foliation planes of the various rocks, others cross them

and ramify in all directions. Much smaller quantities of graphite

occur as flakes in many of the granulites and in the crystalline

linrestones, when it usually forms small tabular six-sided crystals

with well-developed basal cleavage. In these cases the graphite

behaves like the other accessory minerals, and there is no reason

to suppose that it has been subsequently introduced,

Fig. 2.—Vein graphite surrounding a portion of included matrix

(white leptynite).

It is clear, however, that the graphite occurring in veins has been

deposited at atime posterior to the consolidation of the granulites.

The veins are often of the most typical character. Usually they

consist of pure graphite (sometimes there is evidence of more than

one period of deposition ina zoned structure of the vein) ; some-

times the vein shows a central zone of quartz or pyrite with

graphite on either hand, sometimes the graphite is more irregularly

associated with minerals such as felspar quartz and mica and with

fragments of the surrounding rock.

Metamorphism of the surrounding rocks near the veins is found

only on a very small scale ; the rock surfaces in immediate contact

with the veins are not impregnated with scales and flakes of

graphite toa greater depth than half an inch. Nor do. we find that

the quartz and other minerals associated with the graphite veins

Cio a

are filled with disseminated graphite; the latter occurs only in

strings or scales occupying obvious cavities or cracks in the quartz.

It seems that the deposition of graphite has been subsequent to the

formation of the pegmatite veins, though following the same or

similar paths in some cases.

As regards the source of the graphite, we see at once that its

presence cannot be ascribed to the metamorphism of beds of coal

or other carbonaceous deposits, and indeed that the graphite can

have had no direct organic source and is most probably of entirely

inorganic origin. Like other minerals found in veins, it must have

been deposited from vapours or liquids saturated with mineral

(in this case carboniferous) matter; for we cannot suppose that

the graphite was introduced in the form of dykes of molten

carbon.

Sulphur, 8.—Oceurs as a decomposition product of pyrite in

small quantities.

Gold, Au.—Small quantities of native gold are of rare occur-

rence in streams, sands, and alluvial deposits, but there is little

prospect of its ever becoming of commercial importance.

Salt, NaCl.—Obtained by the evaporation of sea waterin natural

and artificial lakes, known as “ lewaya.”’

Cinnabar, Hgs.

Pyrite, FeS,.—Common as an accessory mineral in granulites

and crystalline limestones.

Marcasite, FeS,. ‘

Pyrrhotite, Fe, ,S,.—Occasionally as an accessory mineral in

crystalline limestones and in charnockite.

Ice, H,0.—Frost is sometimes experienced in the hills.

Fig 3.—Corundum.

Corundum, Al,O,,.—Corundumis the most important of the gem

minerals of Ceylon. When red it is known as ruby ; when blue

as Sapphire ; when purple as oriental amethyst ; when yellow as

oriental topaz ; colourless varieties are also found. The peculiar

character of ‘star sapphires ” is‘due to the presence of regularly

distributed minute inclusions arranged along the lines of growth,

producing the appearance known as “ silk ;” a six-rayed star is

seen when the crystalis viewed in the direction of its vertical axis.

Coarser varieties of corundum are used as emery, for which pur-

pose a good deal is obtained in Southern India. Corundum is

found in the river gravels of Ceylon in more or less rounded and

waterworn six-sided crystals, which are either prismatic or doubly

pyramidal in character.

Only two localities are known in Ceylon where corundum

occurs in the parent rock. In one case (Talatu-oya) blue hexa-

gonal crystals occurred in a narrow band of rock composed essen-

tially of orthoclase, microperthite, and oligoclase. In the other

(Haldummulla) violet or purplish hexagonal crystals are found

in a corundum-sillimanite rock (of which a large specimen is

exhibited), but not actually in situ.

In Southern India corundum occurs (a) in felspathic rocks as a

direct product of the magma; (0%) in certain aluminous rocks,

probably as the result of contact metamorphism. Specimens of

these rocks are shown in the collection. In Burma rubies are

found in the erystalline limestones, which in other respects

closely resemble those of Ceylon.

Hematite, Fe,0,-—Less usual than limonite as an iron ore

derived from the decomposition of the granulitie rocks.

Limonite, 2Fe,0,3H,0.—The common ore of iron in Ceylon,

and formerly extensively worked. Almost always found as a

product of the decomposition of the granulites.

Hydrargillite, A1,0,3H,0.—Forms, with limoiite, the greater

part of ordinary laterite (cabook),

Cassiterite, SnO,.

Rutile, TiO,.

Thorianite, ThO,+U0,.— ‘his newly-discovered mineral,

peculiar to Ceylon, is of great commercial importance owing to

the use of thoria in the manufacture of incandescent gas mantles.

It oceurs in very heavy black cubic crystals at Bambarabotuwa,

where over a ton has been obtained. It is valued at £600 sterling

per ton. It is of great scientific interest too, on account of its

chemical composition, one or more new elements being possibly

present ; it contains also a large amount of occluded helium.

Though radio-active, there is no more than a trace of radium

present.

Baddeleyite, ZrO ..

Quartz, Si0,.—Very abundant throughout the Charnockite

Series. The purple variety is amethyst. Drusy groups from

(BF)

cavities in crystalline limestone at Welimada. Doubly terminated

erystals not rare in gem washings.

Fig. 4 shows the ordinary hexagonal prisms of quartz.

Fig. 4.—Quartz hexagonal prisms,

Chert, SiO,.—An opaline chalcedonic rock usually replacing

crystalline limestone.

Chalcedony, SiO,.

Opal, SiO, +H,0.—In some cases a rock consisting entirely of

common opal is found with the less pure cherty varieties.

Psilomelane, MnO+Mn0O,H,O.—Commonly associated with

limonite and hematite in veins and aggregates resulting from the

decomposition of the granulites.

Spinel, (MgFe)OA1,0,;.—Blue, green, and red spinels (especially

the latter, known as Balas rnby) are used as gems, Small well-

formed octahedra (see Fig. 1, page 53) of spinel, usually pink, are

common in the crystalline limestones. Green spinel occasionally

occurs in granulites, and frequently in the heavy dark green

rocks associated with junctions of limestone and granulite. The

gem spinels are obtained from the gravels, but are probably

derived from the crystalline limestones.

Magnetite, FeEOFe,0,.—Common as an accessory mineral in the

granulites ; also in limestones.

Chromite, FeOCr,03.

Chrysoberyl, BEOA],0,.—Includes cat’s-eye and alexandrite.

This important gem stone sometimes occurs in large individuals,

exhibiting characteristic twinnirg. The beautiful chatoyance of

the cat’s-eye is perhaps due to the presence of fine tubular cavities

arranged symmetrically in the crystal. (The much less valuable

I 105-04

(, 58)

“ coast ” or quartz cat’s-eye is of a quite different character, consist-

ing of quartz with included silky fibres of asbestos.) The green

alexandrite appears red by transmitted light and generally also by

candle light, but green by reflected light or daylight.

Calcite, CaCO,.—In the erystalline limestones.

Dolomite (CaMg)CO..—In the crystalline limestone ; sometimes

forming with calcite parallel or ramifying intergrowths.

Forsterite, Mg,Si0,.—This colourless mineral is characteristic

of the crystalline limestones, where it is extremely abundant.

The individuals are usually small. An unusually large crystal

in limestone is exhibited; also some very flattened crystals of a

superficially dark colour. Incipient superficial decomposition

often gives a dark colour to the crystals.

Clinohumite,Mg,(MgF),(Si0,),.—This beautiful yellow mineral

is of rare occurrence in the crystalline limestones.

Pyrozenes :

(1) Hypersthene (FeMg)Si0,.—One of the most characteristic

minerals of the Charnockite Series.

(2) Diopside (CaMg)Si0,.—A colourless to pale green pyroxene

characteristic of the crystalline limestones.

(3) Manganhedenbergite, Ca(FeMn(Si0,),.—Characteristic of

the Galle group,and probably common in similar rocks elsewhere.

(4) Augite, CaMgFe(Si0,). +MgFe(AlFe),(Si0;),.. — Charac-

teristic of many pyroxene granulites.

(5) Wollastonite, CaSiO,.—Characteristic of the rocks of Galle,

in which it occurs disseminated, and also in very large individuals

in coarse pegmatite veins. It has not yet been found elsewhere

in Ceylon.

Amphiboles :

(1) Tremolite, CaMg,(Si0,),.—Includes colourless and pale

amphiboles associated with the crystalline limestones.

(2) Horneblende, Ca(MgFe),(Si0,), &¢.—Includes dark amphi-

boles occurring in the crystalline limestones and the dark green

amphiboles characteristic of many of the more basic varieties or

granulites and of contact zones.

Ilmenite, FeTiO.,.—Of widespread occurrence ; the commonest

ingredient of nd@mbu and black sand. One exceptional and very

large specimen is shown.

Geikielite, MgTiO,.—Not known except in Ceylon, where it was

found in gem refuse.

Titanite (Sphene), CaTiSiO ,— Characteristic of the rocks of the

Galle group; common in junction rocks, &c¢.

Talc (Steatite), H.Mg,(Si0,),.—To be distinguished from mica,

Rare as an accessory mineral in crystalline limestones,

Cae)

_ Serpentine, H,Mg,Si,0,.—Not infrequent as a decomposition

product. of forsterite. ‘:

Apophyllite, (HK),Ca(Si0;)2H,0.

Topaz, (AIF),Si0,.—Commonly found in gem gravels ; yeaa.

colourless, or pink, the latter variety known as king topaz. The

colourless varieties are wrongly knownas watersapphires. The pale

greenish-blue.varietiesarecutas aquamarine. Not met with im s¢tu.

Andalusite, Al(A10)Si0,.

Kyanite, (Al0),Si0.,.—Has only been found in dredgings made

by Professor Herdman off the coast of Ceylon.

Sillimanite, Al,Si0,.—Very rarely in good crystals in gem

gravels. Sillimanite is in some districts a common constituent of

the garnetiferous leptynites, the rocks then resembling the

khondalites of Southern India, of which specimens are exhibited.

Fine coarse sillimanite rocks occur near Haldummulla, the

sillimanite being disposed in sheaf-like and radiating aggregates.

The associated minerals are corundum, garnet, orthoclase-micro-

perthite, ilmenite, and rutile. See also under Corundum.

Kaolinite (China Clay), H,A1,8i,0,.—Common as a decom-

position product of orthoclase.

Felspars :

(1) Orthoclase, KAISi,0, affords the well-known moonstone ; it

occurs in large but well-cleaved crystals in certain acid granulites

associated with crystalline limestones in the Dumbara district,

Central Province. Various pegmatites also, consisting of quartz

and orthoclase, yield moonstone of a poor quality. Large indivi-

duals of idiomorphic orthoclase occur in pegmatite veins at Galle.

An intergrowth of orthoclase with albite is the most usual felspar

of the less basic granulites. The silvery sheen so characteristic of

moonstone is probably the result of the presence of excessively

minute inclusions of kaolin, the products of incipient decom-

position. The bluish-white opalescence of moonstone is best seen

when the crystal is viewed in a direction at right angles to the basal

plane, i.2., when regarding one of the planes of easy cleavage ; the

stone should always be so cut that the flat base of the finished

cabochon gem is parallel to this surface, in order that the opales-

cence may be central and as conspicuous as possible.

(2) Plagioclase (Lime-Soda Felspars).—These are commonly

characteristic of many of the granulites, but are rarely of large size.

A fine blue opalescence has occasionally been observed in the

plagioclase felspars, but none of size suitable for yielding gems have

been found.

(3) Microcline, KAIS,0,.—Rarer than orthoclase in the granu-

lites.

Loe

Micas.—Ceylonese micas are of some importance from a com-

mercial point of view. They include muscovite, biotite, and

phlogopite :—

(1) Muscovite, H,KA1,(Si0,), occurs but sparingly in Ceylon,

and not in crystals large or flawless enough to be of commercial

value.

(2) Biotite, (KH),(MgFe),(AlFe),(Si0,), is chiefly found in

smiil crystals as a microscopic constituent of various rocks

belonging to the Charnockite Series; but a part of vein mica also

belongs to biotite.

(3) PAlogopite, (K,H,Mg,F),;Mg,Al(Si0,), is by far the most

important of Veylonese micas. Minute pale or golden crystals are

almostalways common in the crystalline limestones. Larger mica

crystals occur in veins and bands associated usually with junction

of granulite and crystalline limsstone. ‘hese micas are rarely

colourless, being more usually brown, reddish, bottle-green, or

amber-coloured. The largest crystals found have been two or

three feet in diameter. ‘he veins are usually one or two feet

in width, and are composed of numerous “books” or crystals of

mica which are generally more or less idiomorphic, having a clear-

cut hexagonal outline. Mica is used for the peepholes of stoves,

for lamp chimneys, aud very largely for electrical appliances,

&c.; comminuted mica dust is of use as a non-conducting packing.

Mica has long been used in the Hast for ornamental purposes, also

for medicine. Fine crystals of mica from the Kandy District are

exhibited.

Fig. 5.—Tourmaline,

Tourmaline.—A borosilicate of alumina with magnesia iron and

alkalis. Black varieties associated with quartz are not uncommon.

C361")

The greater part of the foramalli of gemmers belongs properly to

zircon.

Serendibite—A borosilicate of alumina and lime with magnesia

and alkalis. Found only in Ceylon. Insmall crystalsin diopside

rock at the junction oflimestone and granulite. Dumbara district,

Central Province.

Scapolite, Ca,Al,Si,0,;Na,Al,Si,0,,Cl.—Abundant in the

wollastonite-scapolite gneisses of Galle; common in limestone-

granulite junction rocks. Sometimes an accessory mineral in

limestones.

Stilbite, (Na,Ca)Al,Si,0,,6H,0.—In minute crystals; from

Nilhene, near Baddegama, Southern Province.

Zoisite, Ca. A1,(AlOH)(Si0,);.

Allanite, (CiFe),(AlCeFe),(A10H)(SiO,),.—In coarse granitic

dykes near Balangoda.

Beryl, Be, Al,(SiO.;)g.—The pale varieties of emerald known as

aquamarine are abundant in gemgravels. Ceylon specimens with

the true emerald colour have been very rarely met with.

Cordierite (Iolite), (MgFe),Al,Si,0, ,—Inrolled crystals known

as water sapphire. Many stones, however, known as water

sapphire belong to topaz, and are colourless.

Garnets.—Several types of garnet occur in Ceylon. Amongst

these are probably—

Cinnamon stone, Ca,Al1,(Si0,),.—Not known in situ.

Pyrope, Mg,A1,(Si0,)s. These inc!ude the red and pink-

Almandite, Fe, Al,(Si0,)5. | ish-red garnets so Common in and

Spessartite, Mn.Al,(Si0,),. ) characteristic of the granulites.

Fig. 6.—Zircon.

Zircon, ZrSi0,.—A very abundant mineral in Ceylon; occurs

in the granulites as a microscopic constituent; near Balangoda

( 62 )

occurs abundantly in large idiomorphie crystals in a zircon

granite. Common in gem washings, and usually well crystallized.

Colour various : brown, yellowish, green. The colourless varieties

are known as Matara diamonds; the coloured as jargoon and

hyacinth, used as gems.

Thorite, ThSiO,.

Apatite, Ca,(CaF)(PO,),.—A microscopic constituent of many

granulites. Blue apatite is very characteristic of the crystalline

limestones.

Fergusonite, (YErCe)(NbTa)O,.

Anhydrite, CaSO,.

Uraninite (Pitchblende).—Uranate of lead, the chief source of

radium. Not certainly known to occur in Ceylon, as all supposed

specimens may be thorianite.

The above forms a complete list of the minerals at present

known to occur in Ceylon; the discovery of others may -be

expected ; minerals of the samarskite and zschynite groups are

probably present.

For further information as to the rocks and minerals the

following works may be consulted, amongst others :—

Weinschenck, E. Zur Kenntniss der Graphitlagerstatten ; Die

Graphitlagerstitten der Insel Ceylons. Zeit. fur prakt. Geol.:

1900, p. 174.

Griinling, F. Ueber die Mineralvorkommen von Ceylon. - Zeit

fur Kryst, vol. XXXIII., 1900, heft 3.5, pp. 209-239. .

Coomaraswamy, A. K. The Crystalline Limestones of Ceylon.

Quart. Journ. Geol. Soe., vol. LVIII., 1902, pp. 399-422.

Coomaraswamy, A. K. The Point de Galle Group (Ceylon);

Wollastonite-scapolite Gneisses. Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., vol.

LVIII., 1902, pp. 680-689.

III—ROCKS OF SECONDARY ORIGIN.

Of these, Laterite (cabook) is perhaps the most important. It

commonly occurs overlying quite unaltered granulites, forming

a mantle varying from a few feet to many yards in thickness in

different places, but is of rather local distribution. When dug itis

soft, but as it hardens on exposure it forms a useful building

stone. Typical laterite is a decomposition product of the rocks

beneath, and is especially characteristic of tropical lands. Laterites

are usually found to consist of a fine-grained scaly aggregate of

hydrargillite or similar aluminium hydrate, with also ferrous

( 63 )

hydrate varying in amount according to the nature of the parent

rock. When the latter contained free quartz, it is found in the

laterite in angular grains.

Various Clays, including kaolin (China clay), are also found, and

are also decomposition products of the granulitic rocks. ‘Chey

differ chiefly from laterite in consisting rather of aluminium

silicates than of aluminium hydrate.

Cherts and common-opal rock are sparingly found, often in

association with crystalline limestones, and can sometimes be

shown to have been formed by pseudo-morphous replacement of

the latter ; specimens occur containing the phlogopite, graphite,

and spinel of the original crystalline limestone, as well as others

in which remains of the partially disintegrated carbonates can

still be seen.

Travertine (tufa) is a secondary deposit of carbonate of lime

(apparently sometimes containing magnesium carbonate as well)

removed in solution from the beds of crystalline limestone; but

these deposits are but rarely found in large quantity.

IV.—FOSSILS AND RECENT SEDIMENTARY ROCKS.

Even less is known of these than of the crystalline rocks. A

belt of raised beach deposits is almost everywhere to be traced

around the coast, extending to no great height above sea level.

The material composing the deposit varies from a sandstone

cemented by caleareous material to a rubbly rock composed

entirely of the débris of corals and other calcareous organisms.

A series of recent marine fossils from Palanti-aar is exhibited,

and includes shells in a caleareous breccia, and well-preserved

remains of crabs in nodules of mud. There are also fossil chank

shells from the Kadurawala coast ; the latter are regularly

quarried in the recent deposits of the Jaffna District.

An interesting specimen of a bone and shell breccia from the

floor of a Vedda cave is exhibited ; but little is known, however,

as to the occurrence of really ancient cave deposits; masses of

stalactite are rarely found in caves in the crystalline limestones.

In addition to the recent marine sedimentary deposits, there are

river gravels and alluviums. Thick beds of the former are of

somewhat rare occurrence, but rivers, large or small, are not

infrequently bordered by strips of alluvial deposits, and when

they leave behind the mountain country, and with it their often

torrential character, debouch upon extensive alluvial plains where

fine silty muds are still deposited in times of flood. The fine

muds thus laid down are of great value in the manufacture of

bricks and the coarser kinds of earthenware.

( 64 )

V.—GEMS AND GEMMING.

The gems of Ceylon are of such general interest that it will be

worth while to give a brief account of the manner in which they

are obtained. With the exception of moonstone and some garnets,

none are obtained 7n situ, though all of course are derived from

the crystalline rocks where they originally crystallized, like the

other minerals accompanying them. It is however popularly and

erroneously supposed that they have grown where found, and that

small and flawed gems are merely immature.

The gems (of which a tabulated list is given below) are obtained

from gravels which have been deposited by streams and rivers ;

gemming is now only carried on in the Ratnapura District of the

A GEM PIT.

Province of Sabaragamuwa and the Galle District of the Southern

Province ; buta little is done near Hatton in the Central Province,

and a good many gems were formerly obtained near Nuwara

Eliya and in the Horton Plains. Many districts are now moreor

less exhausted. The process of gemming is briefly as follows :—

A pit is sunk where gem-bearing deposits of gravels are known

to occur; a typical section would show five or six feet of muddy

alluvium, resting on a deposit of gem-bearing gravel not more than

one or two feet thick, and called the i/lam, below which is the

malawa, the decomposed (usually kaolinized) country rock, but

gravels are of course obtained at various depths, from the actual

surface to fifty or sixty feet below. Occasionally two beds of 7//am

CRer 2)

are found, separated by a band of clay. However this may be,

the zllam is removed from the pit and subsequently washed in a

““vemming basket.” This is made of cane, and is of conical form,

about 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep, and has a rim about 23 inches

wide. The washer stands in about 2 feet of water, and holding the

basket in the water gives it a turning movement, depressing the

rim below the water once in every turn, so that the lighter stones

are washed over its edge by the centrifugal movement. Fifteen or

twenty basketfuls are thus washed, and the residue, consisting

only of gems and other heavy minerals,examined. The remaining

material, usually thrown away, is called namobu; it often contains

minerals of scientific interest, and further, it isin this way that

the heavy minerals such as thorianite, containing rare elements,

are obtained.

TABULAR LIST OF GEMS FOUND IN CEYLON.

Corundum.—TIneludes sapphire (blue), ruby (red), star sapphire,

and star ruby. White sapphires have had their original pale

blue or yellow colour discharged by burning. Rubies are almost

always burnt in order to discharge in the same way any trace of

blue colour. Yellow sapphires are “oriental topaz,” and violet

coloured ones oriental amethyst. Pinkish-yellow stones are

called “king topaz.”

Quartz.—Includes rock crystal, amethyst, cairngorm, smoky

quartz, &c.

Spinel.—Green, blue, red. The pink and red varieties are

called balas ruby ; the blue, spinel sapphire.

Chrysoberyl.—Green and yellow ; includes cat’s-eye and alex-

andrite.

Topaz.—Colourless, erroneously called water sapphire; rarely

yellow; pale sea-green, cut as aquamarine.

Othoclase-Feldspar.—Includes moonstone, quarried from the

matrix in the Central Province.

Tourmaline. — Brown and brownish-green and yellow; see

zircon.

Bery/.—Pale sea-green, cut as aquamarine (true aquamarine) ;

the true emerald colour is extremely rare in Ceylon.

Cordierite.—Blue, the true water sapphire ; rarely seen.

Garnet. — Red, pinkish-red, and brownish-yellow (cinnamon

stone).

Zircon.—Green, yellow; the colourless “ Matara diamonds”’ are

got by burning pale zircons and so driving off the colour. Most of

the material called toramalli by gemmers is actually zircon, and

not tourmaline.

K 105-04

( 66 )

VI.—ARRANGEMENT OF THE MINERAL GALLERY.

Of the four wall cases, those facing the entrance are devoted

to rocks ; the two right and left of the door to plumbago, iron

ores, mica, kaolin, &c. Of the seven table cases, the five window cases

contain the systematic collection of Ceylon minerals, beginning

with the elements in the first case on the left-hand, and ending with

zircons, &c., in the fifth case on the right. The two central cases

contain the recent fossils, and collections of a general character

illustrating the geology and mineralogy of Ceylon. Some largeand

interesting specimens are also accommodated on the floor. Geo-

logical photographs and others illustrating the processes of

gemming and iron smelting are hung upon the walls. The collec-

tion has been arranged and largely added to by the staff of the

Mineralogical Survey in 1903 and 1904.

GIANT TORTOISE OF ALDABRA,

(See page 43.)

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA, 67

ON THE PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA

COLLECTED BY MR. E. ERNEST GREEN IN CEYLON.

By P. CAMERON.

Plates A and B.

INTRODUCTION.

HE Ichneumonide and other Parasitic Hymenoptera are—

as Dr. Sharp remarks in his volume on Insects (Cambridge

Nat. Hist. Series) —“ One of the most neglected of the great groups

of Insects, though perhaps of greater economic importance to

mankind than any other.” Besides the truly parasitic families,

the group is usually made to inelude the gall-flies—insects which

must be considered as inimical to mankind. It is, however,

with the former families—those that prey upon the vegetarian

insects—that we are chiefly concerned and that form the principal

subject-matter of Mr. Cameron’s paper.

The importance of the Parasitic Hymenoptera will be recog-

nized when it is understood that there is probably not a single

vegetarian insect that does not constitute the host of one or more

species of these parasites. Dr. Sharp states (doc. cit.) that the

destructive “winter moth” (a serious pest of fruit trees) is

known to be attacked by sixty-three distinct species of Hymen-

opterous parasites.

This neglect—by the generality of entomologists—must be

attributed partly to the difficulties of determination and partly

to their somewhat uninteresting exterior, for the family does

not rank among its members many beautiful or remarkable forms.

But the lack of conspicuous external beauty is amply compen-

sated by the interest and complexity of their habits and

development.

In spite of this comparative neglect, nearly 6,000 species of

Ichneumonidz have been described. By far the greater number

of species undergo their early development inside the bodies

of their hosts. The adult female is usually provided with a

prominent slender ovipositor, by means of which the eggs are

inserted into the tissues of the victim. The resulting larve

subsist upon the juices (the lymph or blood), taking up all the

L 8(17)05

68 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

nourishment that should go to the building up of the tissues of

the host, until eventually the latter dies of inanition, This

collapse seldom occurs until the contained parasite (or parasites)

is ready to undergo transformation into the pupal state. In the

Ichneumonidse proper the full-grown larva usually spins a

compact cocoon either within the carcass of its victim or by the

side of it.

The early stages of these parasites are not invariably passed

within the body of the host. Three distinct conditions have

been noticed :—

(1) Both egg and larva may be interior.

(2) The egg may be exterior and the larva interior.

(3) Egg and larva may both be completely exterior.

This last condition may be observed in the case of the

parasite of one of our principal tea pests, the “Tea Tortrix”

(Capua coffearia, Niet.) The egg of-this useful little parasite is

attached to the back of the caterpillar, just behind the head.

The young grub fixes itself in the same position and completes

its growth, fully exposed, except for the leafy shelter constructed

by the host. It is noticeable that even those species that attach

their eggs to the surface of the caterpillarsare still provided with

a well-developed piercing ovipositor. With the parasite of the

Tortrix this weapon is employed in piercing the leafy covering

which conceals the victim. It is remarkable, also, that the

periodical moulting of the caterpillar does not dislodge the

parasite.

Besides true insects, spiders are subject to the attacks of

Ichneumon flies.

K. E. G.

FIRST PAPER.

Our knowledge of the Hymenoptera of Ceylon, and more parti-

cularly of the plant-feeding and parasitic species, is very limited.

There is a paper by the Russian Entomologist V. Motsulsky

in the Bull. de la Soc. Imp. des Natur. de Moscow, XXXVI.,

1863, wherein sixty-one parasitic species are described, ineclud-

ing many new genera. The descriptions, however, leave much

to be desired, while it is doubtful if many of the species have

been referred to their proper genera. Motsulsky, for example,

describes two species of Microgaster, but all the species I have

seen, or have been described by recent writers, belong, not to

Microgaster, but to the allied genus Apanteles. Consequently one

is in doubt if the species described by Motsulsky belong to

Microgaster as now limited, or to Apanteles, or even to some new

genus; as is probably the case with the species I have in this

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 69

paper doubtfully referred to Microgaster. The same remark

applies to the species of Microgaster described by Walker. The

systematic position of some of the genera described by the Russian

Hymenopierist is also doubtful in some cases. Thus his genus

Calliopteroma, referred by him to the Jchnewmonide, belongs to

the Encyrtide (Chalcidide) according to that eminent authority

Dr. Wm. H. Ashmead, cf. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus, XXIII.,152. The

late Mr. Francis Walker described (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1860,

V1.), a number of species and some new genera, none of which I

have been able to identify, nor has Dr. Ashmead, /.c., been able to

refer them to their proper tribes. I donot know where Walker’s

types are. Apparently they are not in the British Museum,

otherwise Col. C. T. Bingham would have described the aculeates

in his work on the Aculeate Hymenoptera of British India and

Ceylon. In that work he has merely reproduced Walker’s descrip-

tions. Ihave myself (Manchester Memoirs) describeda few species

taken by Mr. G. A. J. Rothney and by Col. Yerbury, and in Proce.

U.S. Nat. Mus. XVIII., Dr. Ashmead has described some species,

mostly reared from Lepidoptera and Coccide, taken or bred by

Mr. Green. And some species have been described by J. O.

Westwood in his Thesaurus Entomologicus Oxoniensis. From

what I have said it is evident that our information regarding the

Hymenoptera of Ceylon is of a very restricted nature—a remark

that applies with even more force to Southern India.

The following species are here described :—

SIRICIDA.

1. Xiphydria striatifrons, n. sp.

BETHYLINA,

Epyris foveatus, n. sp.

3. Rhacoteleia pilosa, n. g. et sp.

> bo

CHALCIDIDA.

4, Spilomegastigmus ruficeps, n. g. et sp.

EVANIID.

Evania interstitialis, n. sp.

Evania peradeniy®, n. sp.

Gasteruption tricoloratum, n. sp.

Gasteruption ceylonicum, n. sp.

ieee iia

: AGA'THIDINA.

9. Agathis kandyensis, n. sp.

10. Agathis oya, n. sp.

11. Agathis ceylonicus, n. sp.

12. Microdus greeni, n. sp.

32.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

CHELONINA.

Chelonus tricoloratus, n. sp.

Phomerotoma hendecasisella, n. sp.

CARDIOCHILINA.

Ernestiella nigromaculata, n. g. et sp.

MICROGASTERIN &.

Microgaster carinicollis, n. sp.

BRACONIN &.

Iphiaulax xanthopsis, n. sp.

Iphiaulax fulvopilosus, n. sp.

Iphiaulax greeni, n. sp.

Iphiaulax ernesti, n. sp.

Iphiaulax kirbyi, n. sp.

Iphiaulax erythroura, n. sp.

Iphiaulax haragamensis, n. sp.

Rhacospathius striolatus, n. g. et sp.

Philomacroplea basimacula, n. g. et sp.

RHOGADINA.

Paraspinaria pilosa, n. g. et sp.

Holcobracon fulvus, n. g. et sp.

Tropobracon luteus, n. g. et sp.

Troporhogas spilonotus, n. g. et sp.

Troporhogas albipes, n. sp.

Troporhogas maculipennis, n. sp.

Troporhogas tricolor, n. sp.

Troporhogas ruficeps, n. sp.

Troporhogas lateralis, n. sp.

Troporhogas trimaculata, n. sp.

CRYPTIN A

Bathycrisis striaticollis, n. g. et sp.

SIRICID A.

1.—NXiphydria striatifrons, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 1.

Black, a large irregular mark, broader than long,on the face, two

small irregular oblique marks above the antenna, a line on the

inner eye orbits, with a rounded projecting point in the middle

and dilated above ; on the outer side the line is continued halt

way up the eyes, the upper part projecting obliquely outwards, a

large mark on the top of the temples, irregularly narrowed on the

inner side, the base and lower side of the propleure, the apex, two

small spots on the base of the scutellum,asmallanda large mark

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 7

closely united on the sides of the post-scutellum, a longish mark

on the sides of the firstabdominal segment, asmallone on the third

and fifth, a slightly larger one on the fourth, a large, long, oblique

one on the penultimate, and an oblique mark, transverse behind,

more irregular at the base, and narrowed to a point below on the

last abdominal segment, and a thin curved narrow line on the top

of the mesopleurz, white. Legs dark red, the coxe marked with

white ; the hind tibiz darker, their base and the metatarsus white,

the other joints of the hind tarsi, blackish. The inner side of the

mandibles dark rufous. Wings hyaline, highly iridescent, the

nervures and stigma black, &.

Length 11°5 mm.

Pundalu-oya, February.

Front furrowed in the middle, the furrow widest above; closely,

distinctly striated, the striz becoming strongest below and extend-

ing on to the face. Vertex smooth, shining. Middle lobe of

mesonotum closely rugose ; the apex reticulated; the lateral lobes

irregularly transversely striated. Scutellum coarsely rugose at

the base, the rest smooth and shining. Apex of propleure

sparsely, the mesopleure more closely and strongly punctured

throughout. Transverse marginal nervure received very shortly

beyond the second transverse cubital, which is roundly curved

towards the base of the wings; both the recurrent nervures are

received near the apex of the basal third of the cellule.

The antennz are 15-jointed, have the flagellum thickly covered

with ashort, black, stiff pubescence and taper distinctly and gra-

dually towards the apex.

This species may be known from the two known Indian species

(X. 4-maculata, Cam. & orientalis, West.) by the antenne being

15-jointed, in addition to the other specific differences.

BETHYLIN 43.

2.—Epyris (2) foveatus, sp. nov.

Black, shining, the mandibles,antenne, and legsrufotestaceous ;

wings hyaline, the basal nervures and costa testaceous, the stigma

and stigmal branch darker coloured; the head, thorax, and

ventral surface covered with longish fuscous hair, 6.

Length 4 mm.

Peradeniya, May.

Flagellum of antenne densely covered with long white pubes-

cence, as long as the thorax ; scape about four timesas long as its

thickness at the apex; pedicle longer than wide fully half the

length of the first flagellar joint, which is of the length of the

second ; the last two joints are darker coloured, about three times

12 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

longer than thick. Parapsidal furrows and the transverse furrow

at the base of scutellum wide and deep. Post-scutellum with a

deep, semi-circular fovea in the centre at the base. A deep trans-

verse furrow at the base of the metanotum, widened laterally and

bounded at the apex by astout keel. Metanotum witha stout keel

down the middle, stoutly transversely striated ; the apical slope

finely transversely striated in the middle. Pro-and meso-pleure

smooth ; a deep oval fovea near the centre of the mesopleure,

with a smaller one below ; shortly beyond the middle is a deep

depression finely striated in the centre, rounded below, where it

is wider than it is above. Metapleure finely, closely striated.

First abdominal stoutly keeled in the middle at the base and with

a narrower keel on either side; the apex testaceous. Fore legs

and femora slender. Apical tooth of mandibles long, sharply

pointed, the others indistinct. Clypeus projecting, roundly

narrowed at the apex. Basal abscissa of radius straight, obli-

quely sloped ; the apical roundly curved.

This is not a true Hpyris ; but having only asingle 6, I do not

care to found a new genus on it. It has practically only one

long tooth on the mandibles, and in the clypeus projecting at the

apex it differs from the typical species.

KRhacoteleia, gen. nov.

Sub-marginal nervure long, longer than the others united,

marginal nervure very short, half the length of the stigmal, which

has aknob atthe end, the post marginal aboutthree times the length

of stigmal branch. Antenne 13-jointed, the last six forming a

club. Mesonotum and scutellum flat, the parapsidal furrows

distinct, erenulated. Abdomen longish, longer than the head and

thorax united, convex above and below, the sides margined ;

sessile, the basal segment strongly striated, the striz distinct and

clearly separated ; the base of the second segment depressed, stout-

ly striated ; the base of the first clearly margined. Mesopleure

largely and deeply excavated. Scutellum broader than long,

transverse at the base and apex, where there isa crenulated furrow.

The third abdominal segment is longer than the second and fourth,

which are about the same size. Antenne inserted immediately

over the mouth; the scape long. Legs slender, all the tibize one-

spurred, the basal joint of hind tibie as long as the others united,

about three times longer than the second. Metanotum rugosely

punctured, shorter than the scutellum, depressed and transverse

at the apex.

The head is large, rounded in front, transverse behind; the

occiput margined ; temples wide ; ocelli in a triangle. the hinder

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA, 73

almost touching the eyes. Prothorax small. Malar space large.

HKyes gradually narrowed from above downwards. The wings,

when folded, do not reach to the apex of the abdomen.

Allied to Macroteleia and Chromoteleia ; from the former it

may be known by the stigmal vein issuing from near the sub-

marginal, the marginal being very short as it is in Chromoteleia,

but that has two distinct basal cellules; from both it may be

known by the strongly striated basal segments of the abdomen.

3.—Rhacoteleia pilosa, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 2.

Black, covered with white pubescence, the antennz except the

apical five or six joints and the legs, except the coxe rufo-

testaceous, wings hyaline, the nervures testaceous, 6 and @.

Length 4 mm.

Peradeniya, August.

Vertex finely, closely aciculated ; the front irregularly rugosely

punctured; malar space closely, obliquely striated. Apex of

mandibles broadly rufous. Hind edge of vertex closely, finely

reticulated ; occiput shining, finely closely, transversely striated.

Mesonotum and seutellum with shallow moderately close, round

punctures, thickly covered with white pubescence ; lateral lobes

of mesonotum clearly separated from the middle one; on the

outer side they are bordered by a crenulated furrow. Apex of

scutellum bordered by a smooth, shining keel. The depression

bordering its sides with stout clearly-separated keels. Pleurz

finely rugose, the mesopleural depression shining, bare, its sides

obseurely striated. The third and following abdominal segments

distinctly closely punctured. Mesosternum strongly closely

punctured. Ventral surface of abdomen closely punctured,

thickly covered with white pubescence.

The pedicle of the antenne is about three times longer than

thick ; the first joint of flagellum is longer than the second and

not quite double the length of the pedicle. The club is clearly

defined ; its last joint conical. The apices of the abdominal

segments are smooth and shining ; the ovipositor is longer than

usual. The 6 appears to have the front more strongly rugosely

reticulated than the &.

CHALCIDIDA.

Spilomegastigmus, gen. nov.

Mandibles bidentate, the teeth blunt. Head and thorax smooth,

the mesonotum only slightly transversely striated. Scutellum

smooth, without a transverse furrow. Antenne long, the scape

74 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

slender, its apex reaching to the hinder ocelli. Hypopygium

long, plough-share shaped. Legs long and slender. Apex of

elypeus roundly incised.

This new genus cannot wel] be confounded with any of the

described genera of Megastigmine. It comes nearest to Megas-

tigmus, which may be known from it by the punctured seutellum

with a transverse furrow at the apex, by the distinctly 3-dentate

mandibles and by the shorter antennal scape, the top of which

does not reach to the ocelli. Characteristic is the spotted

abdomen, the red head and the thorax, and the projecting

cultriform hypopygium.

4,—Spilomegastigmus ruficeps, sp. Nov.

Plate A, fig. 3.

Black, the head, antennal scape, prothorax, mesonotum, the

upper part of the mesopleure at the base, and scutellum, red ; the

legs yellow, the femora slightly tinged with rufous; on the sides

of the abdomen are four yellow marks, the second is larger and

rounder than the others, the apical two longer and narrower

than the basal, the wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma black ;

there is a slightly oblique cloud, narrowed below, at the stigma, ?.

Length 6; ovipositor 11 mm.

Kandy, July.

Front excavated in the middle with a keel down the centre, the

sides roundly convex, projecting beyond the eyes; infuscated.

Head much wider than the thorax. Mandibles and sides of

clypeus black. Mesonotum transversely striated, but not closely

orstrongly. Scutellum perfectly smooth. Mesopleurze obscurely

striated. Sheath of ovipositor fringed with long black hair.

EVANIIDA.

5}.—Hvania interstitialis, sp. nov.

Red ; the head and abdomen, except the petiole, black, the four

front legs and hind coxe rufous, the rest of hind legs black.

except the trochanters which are red, mixed with black, the basal

half of metatarsus and calearia which are testaceous and a broad

band on the base of the tibize, which is white; wings hyaline,

the nervures black, the seven or eight basal joints of antennz

testaceous beneath, 6.

Length 5 mm.

Pundalu-oya, October.

Antennal scape as longas the following two joints united ; the

pedicle and first joint of flagellum as long as the second united.

Head thickly covered with white pile; the front and vertex

smooth and shining ; the face, oral region and malar space closely,

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. iB

strongly striated. Apex of clypeus and of cheeks rufo-testaceous.

Mandibles yellow, tinged with testaceous, the teeth black. Hind

ocelli separated from each other by a distinctly greater distance

than they are from the eyes, which very slightly converge above.

Middle lobe of mesonotum with some large scattered punctures ;

the lateral lobes more closely and finely punctured. Scutellum

smooth in the centre, the rest bearing large, round, clearly sepa-

rated punctures. Metanotum closely, reticulated, punctured.

Propleurz smooth, the apex closely striated, the base below with

a few short keels. The dilated lower part of the mesopleure with

shallow,clearly separated round punctures; the edges crenulated.

Sternal process distinctly diverging; the branches stout and

rounded at the apex. Abdominal petiole longer than the rest of

the abdomen, its apical half with scattered punctures, which give

it a rough appearance. On the base of the hind coxe behind is a

smooth shining, raised, elongate space, clearly defined from the

punctured parts and having at the apex a projecting keel, when

pressed together the coxe appear to be united. Tibiz minutely,

sparsely spinose. The long spur of the hind tibiz reaches to

shortly beyond the middle of the metatarsus.

Pronotum transverse in the middle at the base; the sides

broadly rounded, slightly projecting. Cheeks not quite so long

as the antennal scape, parapsidal furrows deep, smooth clearly

defined. Apical abscissa of radius broadly rounded; recurrent

nervure interstitial, as is also the transverse median; the cubitus

is largely bullated at the transverse cubital nervure. There is a

keel on the upper two-thirds of the face, down the centre.

Allied to #. dolichopus, Schl.

6.—Hvania peradeniye, sp. nov.

Length 4 mm. é.

Peradeniya, August.

This species is black with the thorax red as in the preceding

species. The two may be separated thus :—

Recurrent nervure interstitial, oral region rufous at the apex, face

strongly striated and weakly keeled in the middle, hind coxze

rufous above, interstitialis.

Recurrent nervure received beyond the transverse cubital, oral region

entirely black, face weakly striated and strongly keeled in the

centre, hind cox black above, peradeniye.

Scape and pedicle of antennz rufous. Scape of antenne not

much longer than the first joint of flagellum, which is, with the

pedicle, as long as the second. Face closely, weakly striated; a

stout keel on the upper two-thirds; malar space rather strongly,

obliquely striated; thickly covered with white pubescence.

M S(17)05

76 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

Front and vertex smooth and shining. Hind ocelli separated

from each other by a slightly greater distance than they are

from the eyes, which converge very slightly above. Shoulders

broadly rounded. Mesonotum with a regular row of punctures

on the inner side of the furrows and a less regular one on the

outer ; the lateral lobes minutely closely punctured in the centre.

Seutellum with a broad smooth band in the middle, the sides

strongly punctured. Hinder division of propleure rugosely

punctured. Mesopleurze with round closely pressed punctures,

except for an oblique smooth band in the middle and a smaller

triangular space on the upper side at the apex. Anterior tibie

and tarsi testaceous, middle trochanters pale testaceous; the

middle coxe and the underside of the hinder pair at the base

rufous ; the base of the hind tibiz and of the hind tarsi white ;

the spurs testaceous; the long spur of the hinder about two-

thirds of the length of the metatarsus; tibiz and tarsi sparsely

spinose. Recurrent nervure received shortly beyond the trans-

verse cubital; lower part of the apical abscissa of the radius

broadly, roundly curved. Abdominal petiole above finely closely

striated; the sides with two stout keels, which become stouter

towards the apex. Hind coxe aboveat the base coarsely punctured,

the middle closely obliquely striated. Apical branches of

metasternal process, straight, obliquely diverging.

Comes close to H. erythrosoma, Sch., also from Ceylon. It may

be known inter alia from our species by its perfectly smooth

abdominal petiole.

7.— Gasleruption tricoloratum, sp. nov.

Black, densely covered with silvery pubescence ; the four front

cox black, the femora rufo-testaceous, the tibiz fuscous, broadly

white at the base, the fore tarsi white, the middle white, infus-

cated at the apex, the hind legs black, except for a narrow white

band near the base of the tibiz. Mandibles testaceous, tinged

with yellow in the middle, the teeth darker coloured ; palpi pale

testaceous, wings clear hyaline, the nervures black: apex of

ovipositor testaceous, ?.

Length 12 mm. ; ovipositor 12 mm.

Peradeniya, May.

Head smooth and shining, covered with a silvery pile. Hind

ocelli separated from each other by the length of the antennal

scape. Thorax thickly covered with silvery pubescence; the

pro- and mesonotum with round, clearly separated shallow

punctures ; opaque, granular. Scutellum with a row of round,

deep fever along the sides. Metanotum with a deep shining

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 77

furrow down the middle; the rest irregularly reticulated. The

third joint of the antenne is about one half the length of the

fourth, and twice the length of the pedicle. Apical half of

mesepleure obscurely reticulated ; on the apex is a deep, shining,

smooth furrow. Second discoidal cellule divided.

8.—Gasleruption ceylonicum, sp. Nov.

Black, the mesopleurz and mesosternum ferruginous ; the legs

black, the fore coxe ferruginous, the fore femora fuscous ; the

base of the fore tibiz and of the tarsi more broadly, white ; the

hind tibie white on the under side at the base. Wings clear

hyaline, the nervures black, the second discoidal cellule divided, ®.

Length 13 mm.; terebra 13 mm.

Pundalu-ova. Febrnary.

Third joint of antenne as long as the scape, more than half the

length of the fourth and not twice the length of the pedicle.

Mandibles rufous. Centre of clypeus covered with pale golden

pubescence. Hind ocelli separated by the length of the third

antennal joint. Thorax thickly covered with silvery pubescence.

Pronotum stoutly keeled down the middle. Middle lobe of

mesonotum closely finely transversely striated ; the apex coarsely,

irregularly reticulated ; the furrows bordering the middle lobe

crenulated ; the furrows bordering the scutellum indistinct.

Metanotum closely transversely reticulated and with a smooth

line down the middle. Shoulders with strong, stout teeth; the

part behind these closely, irregularly reticulated, the middle

depression crenulated. Lower half of mesopleure reticulated.

AGATHIDIN A.

9.—Agathis kandyensis, sp. nov.

Luteous, the antennex, the hind tibiz and the hind tarsi black ;

wings hyaline, the base tinged with yellow, a large cloud at the

base of the stigma, broadest behind and the apex from near the

second cubital cellule dark smoky, the hind wings with a faint

smoky cloud at the apex, 6.

Length 7 mm.

Kandy, May to August.

Head covered with short fuscous hair, lower part of occiput

and the malar space distinctly keeled. Pro- and mesothorax

closely and rather strongly punctured ; the middle lobe raised

in the centre, depressed on either side. Scutellum strongly

and closely punctured ; its apex roundly projecting. Base of

metanotum obliquely depressed, irregularly reticulated ; the

middle strongly irregularly areolated ; the central area irregular;

78 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

that next to the spiracular triangular, with a curved keel on the

innerside; the apical slope bordered by are which are widest

below ; the centre with some irreguiar keels. Pleure strongly

and closely punctured ; the crenulated furrow on the mesopleure —

wide, with strong striz ; there isan oblique keel on the centre of

the metapleure.

10.—Agathis oyd, sp. nov.

Length 7°38 mm., ? and 6.

Kandy, July and August. Pundalu-oya, May.

This species is very similar to the preceding ; it may be known

by the apex only of the hind tibie being black; by the middle

lobe of mesonotum being smooth and not raised in the centre, by

the central area on the metanotum being distinctly divided into

a large basal and a smalier apical area; it is joined to the base of

the metanotum by a V-shaped area ; the lateral area is triangular;

on the apical slope is a V-shaped area bordered by a more

irregular V-shaped one. Wings yellowish hyaline, with the

costa, stigma, and nervures yellow on the hyaline parts ; the first

cloud commences at the transverse basal and median nervures, and

is narrowed in front, the apical at the end of the stigma; the

nervures in the hind wings are yellow, with a slight cloud at the

apex. Parapsidal furrows faintly striated.

11.—Agathis ceylonicus, sp. nov.

Luteous, the greater part of the vertex, upper part of occiput,

the third and following segments of abdomen and the hind tibixw

and tarsi, black; the wings yellowish hyaline, the apex witha

fuscous cloud, commencing at the end of the radial cellule ; there

is a small square black mark at the base of the stigma, °.

Length 7 mm.

Kandy, July.

The black antennz thickly covered with short, stiff pubescence ;

they are brownish towards the apex. Face and clypeus thickly

covered with white, the upper part of vertex and occiput with

fuscous pubescence, Thorax smooth and shining, above thickly

covered with white pubescence. Apex of scutellum bifoveate,

the fovexre shallow. On the base of the metanotum are three small

are, the central the smaller, with the sides rounded narrowed

towards the base, the lateral longer, obliquely narrowed towards

the apex ; outside these is a triangular area with the apex on the

inner side; the central area on the apical slope is triangular ; the

two aree outside this are open below ; the outer area large, with

three angles on the outer side.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 79

12.— Microdus greent, sp. nov.

Ferruginous, the vertex and more or less of mesonotum may

be infuseated or blackish, antennal scape rufous ; the basal half of

‘the flagellum black, the apical testaceous, tinged with yellow :

wings yellowish hyaline to the base of the stigma, beyond that

dark fuscous, the first and second cubital cellules and a curved

cloud below hyaline; the stigma and apical nervures black ; the

hind tarsi infuscated; the basal three segments of abdomen and

the base of the fourth strongly closely longitudinally, striated.?

Length 10mm. terebra 9 mm.

Kandy, July and August.

Head smooth, sparsely pilose; the lower part of the front

deeply bifoveate ; the space separating the two fovee triangular.

Thorax smooth and shining ; the parapsidal furrows deep, smooth.

On the base of the metanotum is a curved furrow forming a

closed area and having a straight keel in the centre, dividing

itintotwo. From its centre two stout keels run to the apex of the

segment forming an elongated area, obliquely narrowed at the

base. Pleurze smooth, the metapleure densely pilose, the lower

edge bordered by a stout waved furrow. Mesosternal furrow

wide, deep, widened at the apex and with some stout transverse

keels.

This species is probably variable as regards the amount of

black on the vertex, thorax, and apex of abdomen. The antennz

are longer than the body.

CHELONINA.

13.—Chelonus tricoloratus, sp. nov.

Black, the antennal scape, and pedicle rufous; the anterior

legs, middle coxe and trochanters, and posterior trochanters rufo-

testaceous, two spots near the base of the abdomen and a broad

band at the base of the hind tibiz pale testaceous. Wings hyaline

to the base of the radius, fuscous beyond it; the nervures and

stigma black. Antenne 23-jointed, &.

Length 4 mm.

Trincomalee Col. Yerbury.

Head and thorax closely finely rugose, covered with a minute

white pubescence. Mesonotum closely reticulated. Scutellum

with some, not very distinct longitudinal strie. Metanotum

irregularly reticulated, more strongly on the apex than on the

base of the basal division; the apical slope shining, smooth,

reticulated above. Base of abdomen longitudinally striated ; the

striz are not numerous and become weaker towards the apex.

Pleure closely reticulated.

80 SPOLIA ZEYLANIGA.

14.—Phanerotoma hendecasisella, sp. nov.

Pallid ferruginous to pale testaceous, the apical segment

ferruginous: antenne infuscated at the apex: wings clear

hyaline, the stigma and nervures fuscous, the former paler at the

base and apex, 6 and &.

‘Length 3 to 4 mm.

Peradeniya July to December.

Bred from beans (Canavalia, sp.) bored by minute pyralid (/)

and from buds of Jasminwm pubescens infested by larve of Hende-

casis duplifascialis, Hmpsn.

Antenne 23-jointed, longer than the body. Head shagreened ;

temples roundly narrowed, occiput deeply roundly ineised; cly-

peus shining, almost smooth, thickly covered with long pale hair;

its sides above with a large, deep fovea. Mesonotum coarsely

shagreened, its apex obscurely striated ; parapsidal furrows only

indicated. The suture at the base of scutellum crenulated.

Scutellum triangular ; its lateral slope stoutly obliquely striated ;

at its apex is a broad shining black transverse stripe. Meta-

notum more coarsely shagreened—almost punctured—than the

mesonotum: there is a not very strong transverse keel across

the middle, above the apical slope; the sides below this project

into a blunt tooth or tubercle. Apex of propleure obscurely

striated ; the lower part, at the apex, depressed, witha few distinct

short keels. Basal two segments of abdomen shagreened ; the

apical at the base finely, closely reticulated—punctured, the

middle and, to a less extent, the apex, finely, closely, longitudi-

nally striated ; the dorsal sutures obscurely crenulated. Second

cubital cellule much narrowed at the apex, the nervures almost

touching there; the basal abscissa of the radius bounding it is

straight and sharply oblique, the abscissa of the cubitus broadly

roundly curved, pale at the base ; the recurrent nervure intersti-

tial; it and the first transverse cubital nervure are pale, but quite

clearly defined. The apex of the hind femora and the hind tibie

ferruginous; the extreme base of the latter anda broad band

above the middle are pallid, almost white. The basal depression .

of the abdomen is bordered by a keel, which is very faint, if not

absent from the middle.

The first and second abscisse of the radius are roundly curved

downwards, the two forming an arc of a circle; the first trans-

verse cubital nervure is straight, oblique to the stigma, then

bends to run along side it to the radius, which it joins close to

its base, quite close to the stigma. The wings are unclouded and

highly iridescent. The second transverse cubital nervure is

very faint and not half the length of the recurrent nervure.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. Sl

CARDIOCHILINA,

Ernestiella, gen. nov.

Eyes pilose. Malar space large. Front not much excavated,

without keels. Second cubital cellule large, much longer than

wide, wider at the base that at the apex; radius roundly eurved

towards the costa. ‘Transverse median nervure received in the first

cubital cellule, clearly distant from the transverse basal; the

recurrent nervure received in the first cubital cellule. Radial

cellule in hind wings divided. Metanotum areolated. Suturi-

form articulation distinct. Abdomen short: ovipositor short.

Trophi elongate.

The first and second cubital cellules are separated. Parapsidal

furrows deep, the mesonotum distinctly trilobate : the scutellum

raised, not keeled. Areolalarge,7-angled. Theface is notso much

lengthened as in Agathis, the malar space being about one-third

of the length of the eyes. Apex of clypeus broadly rounded: it is

separated from the face by a furrow and is broader than long.

Anal nervure in fore wings interstitial. Antenne about 40-

jointed. Prodiscoidal cellule open at apex ; there is a large cellule

at the base of hind wings. Hind ecalcaria long.

15.—Ernestiella nigromaculata, sp. nov.

Luteous,a large broad mark enclosing the ocelli, three large marks

on the mesonotum, the central the larger, the greater part of the

mesosternum, the antenne and mandibular teeth, black ; wings

hyaline, the apex broadly infuscated, stigma black, yellowish at

the base; the nervures testaceous, the radius pale at the base.

Smooth, shining covered with pale hair. Parapsidal furrows

crenulated at theapex. Scutellar depression with six stout keels,

Behind the large 7-angled area on the metanotum are two small ones

obliquely narrowed behind: on the sides three large irregular ones ;

on the sides of the apical slope a large one, obliquely narrowed

on the outer side, the apex of the middle transverse. Metapleurze

obscurely reticulated. First discoidal cellule at apex half the

width it isat the base. Propleurze deeply excavated, striated below.

Length 6 mm.

Pundalun-oya, March,

MICROGASTERIN A.

16.—Microgasler (?) carinicollis, sp. nov.

Areolet large, rounded in front, transverse below ; cubitus dis-

tinct, radius faint at the base; three cubital cells. Antenne stout,

longer than the body, 19-jointed. Clypeus not separated from the

face, foveate at the sides above. Scutellar depression, with a row

of stout keels; the apex is bordered by a similar row of keels.

82 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

Metanotum keeled down the middle ; the apical slope stoutly reti-

culated, almost areolated ; eyes villose ; malar space large. First

abdominal segment with the central area bordered by keels and

with ashorter keelin the centre. Suturiform articulation distinct.

Mesopleural furrow wanting. Tibial spurs short, about one-fourth

of the length of the metatarsus. There is a narrow, but distinct

keel round the centre of the prothorax. Radius and ecubitus in

hind wings indistinct. Shortly below the middle of the mesopleu-

re is a furrow which bifurcates at the apex. On the mesonotum,

in the centre, are three furrows, central being the shorter and it

isalso less distinct. Apices of tarsal joints spinose.

Black : palpiand four front legs testaceous ; the hind femora and

the abdomen, except at the base, red; the basal two-thirds of the

hind tibie and the calcaria white, wings hyaline, the nervures

and stigma black, the latter white at the base. Head and thorax

densely covered with white pubescence, almost opaque. Metano-

tum depressed at the base. The depression at base of post-

scutellum with four stout keels. Post-scutellum depressed at the

base. Frontal depression clearly separated, deep, stoutly keeled

inthe middle. Last joint of tarsi one-half longer than penultimate.

Length nearly 5 mm.

Thisspecies comes closest to Microgaster as now defined, but is

not quite typical.

Bred from larva of Dasychira securis. June.

BRACONINA.

17.—Iphiaulax zanthopsis, sp. nov.

Luteous, the face, oral region, malar space and inner upper eys

orbits, yellow; the antennz very long, black ; hind tarsi fuscous ;

wings yellowish hyaline to the middle of the transverse basal

nervure ; beyond that blackish-fuscous ; the upper part of the first

cubital cellule and a spot below the first transverse cubital nervure

hyaline ; basal half of stigma luteous, ¢.

Length 11; terebra 4 mm,

Elephant Pass, March.

Face smooth, densely covered with long pale hair. Frontal

furrow narrow; vertex thickly covered with long fuscous

hair. Thorax smooth; impunctate, the median segment thickly

covered with long pale hair. Abdomen ovate, broader than the

thorax, short ; the area on the first segment longitudinally rugosely

striolated ;a keel in the centre; basal depression smooth. Basalarea

onthe second segment closely striated, not much narrowed towards

the apex; not limited at the apex; the rest of the segment and the

third closely, strongly, rugosely, punctured ; the lateral depression

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 83

oblique, large, deep, striated ; suturiform articulation, wide, deep,

striated ; the third segment is closely rugosely punctured ; the

furrow on its apex is obscurely striated ; the fourth segment is

punctured, but not closely or strongly; the furrow at its base wide,

deep, striated ; that on itsapex crenulated. The fifth and following

segments smooth ; the apical two are yellowish; on the centre of

the fifth is a deep wide furrow on the apical half ; on the sides, at

the base, is a wide curved striated furrow.

18.—Iphiaulax fulvopilosus, sp. nov.

Luteous, the antenne black; wings yellowish-hyaline, to near

the transverse basal nervure, beyond that dark fulvous; a

hyaline cloud occupying the greater part of the first cubital cellule

and a smaller one along the outer side of the recurrent nervure ;

the base of the stigma fulvous. Pubescence dense, fulvous, ?.

Length 17; terebra 6 mm.

Kandy, June.

Front and vertex sparsely, the face thickly covered with long

fulvous pubescence. Tips of mandibles black. Palpi fulvous,

covered with fulvous hair. Middle of raised part of first abdomi-

nal segment stoutly keeled from near the base; its apex strongly

punctured. Basal area on second segment large, triangular,

obliquely striated, the oblique strize, united by curved short ones,

forming irregular reticulations; the sides of the segment at the

base depressed, without oblique furrows ; its apical part and the

other segments all over closely, longitudinally striated. Suturi-

form articulation narrow, deep, striated, not cleft at the sides ; the

furrows on the following three segments are wider and more dilated

in the middle ; the basal four segments together are as long as the

thorax. Legsstout; the basal four joints of the fore tarsi as long as

the tibiz. Theabdomen thickly covered with fulvous pubescence.

19.—Iphiaulax greeni, sp. nov.

Black, the scape of antenne, head, thorax, and four front legs

red; wings dark fuscons, the nervures and stigma black, ¢.

Length 11; terebra 17 to18 mm.

Peradeniya, August and November.

Face rugosely punctured, a smooth line, gradually widened

towards the apex in the centre; sparsely covered with long fuscous

hair; frontal furrow shallow. First abdominal segment in the

centre with four stout irregular longitudinal keels ; the outer two

unite into one which goes to the apex; the sides of the raised

central part margined ; on the sides of the central keels are irregu-

lar, more or less transverse keels ; the lateral depressions irregularly

transversely striated, The area on the second segment is long,

N 8(17)05

84 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

reaching beyond the middle of the segment, becoming gradually

narrowed to a fine point and continued to the apex by a keel ; its

base is irregularly longitudinally striated ; the depression border-

ing it closely strongly transversely striated ; on the outer side is

a long pyriform fovea. Suturiform articulation wide, closely,

strongly striated; the furrow on the apex of the third segment

and on the base of the fourth are striated ; on the apex of the

fourth is a smooth furrow; the third segment is strongly and

closely striated, but not so strongly, as the second; the fourth is

more finely and closely striated. Hind tibie and tarsi densely

covered with black hair. Apex of sheaths of ovipositor white.

Apical abscissa of radius curved, slightly longer than the basal two

united; received in the apex of the first cubital cellule, clearly

distant from the first transverse cubital nervure.

20.—Iphiaulax ernesti, sp. nov.

Head and thorax red; the four front legs yellow, their coxz

tinged with rufous, hind legs fuscous black; wings fuscous,

hyaline, highly iridescent, the nervures and stigma black, ¢.

Length 8; terebra 12 mm.

Peradeniya, October.

Face rugose, thickly covered with long fuscous hair. Temples

obliquely narrowed. Antennal scape rufous, about fourtimes longer

than thick, of equal width throughout. Front deeply furrowed.

Middle area of first segment with two keels, which unite into one

shortly beyond the middle; its sides margined and there is a

curved keel which runs from the central two before they unite ;

the lateral furrows with some scattered transverse keels. The

area on the second segment becomes gradually narrowed to a fine

point shortly beyond the middle; the base finely, distinetly

striated; the depression bordering it has some transverse, not

very distinct, strie ; outside it are four curved longitudinal strie ;

the fovea on the outer side is rounded at the apex and is of equal

width. The third segment is closely, strongly longitudinally

striated ; the suturiform articulation, the furrow at the apex of the

third and at the base of the fourth are striated ; that on the apex

of the fourth is smooth ; there is a J-shaped striated furrow on the

sides of the second segment at the base ; the basal two-thirds of

the fourth segment is finely, longitudinally striated.

A much smaller and more slenderly-built species than J. green;

the fore legs are yellow, not rufous ; the antennal scape is more

slender and does not project at the apex, and the first and second

abdominal segments are finely sparsely striated, not coarsely

striated and reticulated.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 85

21.—Iphiaulax Kirby, sp. nov.

Luteous ; antennze black ; wings yellowish-hyaline, the apex

with a fuscous border ; the base and apex of stigma black, the

rest of it and the nervures yellow, a small black cloud at the base

of the first cubital cellule, between the radius and the cubitus, ?.

Length 9 mm.; terebra 7 mm.

Kandy.

Sparsely covered with fulvous pubescence. Face irregularly

rugose, covered with pale pubescence. Front and vertex smooth

and shining, bare; the former deeply depressed with a deep,

clearly defined furrow in the centre. First and second abscissa

of radius united equal in length to the third; the cloud at the

stigma may be continued along the basal abscissa of cubitus.

Middle area of first abdominal segment irregularly, longitudinally

striated, intermixed with some transverse striz ; the lateral de-

pression with some transverse keels ; the second segment coarsely

reticulated in the middle ; the basal area triangular, smooth ; the

oblique furrow on the lateral depression crenulated ; the keel at

the basal area short, indistinct. Suturiform articulation stoutly

crenulated, as are also the furrows on the apex of the third and

fourth segments ; they are closely punctured.

22.—Iphiaulax erythroura, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 7.

Head, thorax, antennal scape and four front legs rufotestaceous ;

the abdomen black, the fifth and following segments bright

ferruginous, the hypopygium paler, more yellowish at the base ;

wings yellowish-hyaline, paler at the apex; the middle tibize

covered thickly with pale pubescence; the hinder still more

thickly with longer black hair, ?.

Length 12 mm.; terebra 17 mm.

Kandy.

Antennal scape thickly covered with long fulvous hair. Face

coarsely rugosely reticulated. Thorax smooth and shining ; the

apex of median segment black. The central area of basal

segment of abdomen stoutly keeled in the middle; the keel

bordered by stout oblique striz. The second segment is strongly

longitudinally striated ; the basal area small, triangular, smooth,

followed by a stout keel which runs to the smooth apex ; the third

is similarly striated, but with a broader smooth apical area; both

segments are depressed laterally; the suturiform articulation wide,

deep; on the fourth segment, shortly behind the middle, is a trans-

verse furrow which is irregularly striated in the middle. The

basal abscissa of the radius is broadly roundly curved towards

86 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

the stigma; transverse median nervure received shortly beyond

the transverse basal. Occiput transverse in the middle, the sides

broadly rounded.

Characteristic of this species is the broadly rounded basal

abscissa—not straight and oblique as usual—of the radius and the

fact of the transverse median nervure being received shortly

beyond the transverse basal. The recurrent nervure is inter-

stitial. The densely haired hind tibiz are also noteworthy.

23.—Iphiaulax haragamensis, sp. nov.

Black; the base and basal half of the sides of the ventral

surface lacteous ; wings fuscous-hyaline, the nervures and stigma

black, ?.

Length 7; terebra 1°5 mm.

Haragam, July.

Head covered with longish hair, fuscous, silvery on the lower

part of the face. Front and vertex smooth ; the former deeply

furrowed. A reddish spot above each antenna. Palpi black,

covered with white pubescence. The pleure and the scutellar

region marked withrufous. The first and basal half of the second

abdominal segment coarsely rugosely punctured ; the following

three strongly, closely, longitudinally striated ; the furrows are

more closely striated ; the last segment white-lead coloured, finely,

closely, transversely striated. Abdomen broad, ovate, as long as

the head and thorax united ; the area on the base of second

segment indistinct, smooth at the base, the apex finely striated.

Rhacospathius, gen. nov.

Plate A, fig. 4.

Transverse median nervure in fore wings received beyond the

transverse basal. Metanotum with three large closed arezx at the

base ; the central keel bifurcates at the apex, forming a triangular

area open at the apex; the rest of the segment and the pleura —

striated. Otherwise as in Spathius.

24.—Rhacospathius striolatus, sp. nov.

Black, the basal two-thirds of the second abdominal segment and

the legs red, the fore legs paler, more yellowish in tint. Wings

hyaline, the stigma and nervures fuscous, ?.

Length 7 ; terebra 5 mm.

Kandy, October.

Mesonotum, except at the base of the central lobe, closely,

strongly, irregularly reticulated. Scutellum minutely aciculated,

the sides with arow of fover, Metanotum irregularly striated and

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 87

reticulated ; the basal aree smooth at the base, the sides furrowed ;

the inner side finely, closely striated along the central keel; the

apical slope irregularly rugosely striated. Propleure strongly

obliquely, the upper part of the mesopleure longitudinally striated;

the lower part, near the base, finely, closely, slightly, obliquely

striated ; the apex rugosely punctured. Basal two-thirds of

mesosternum bordered by a deep furrow. Abdominal petiole

closely, strongly striated. Probrachial nervure in hind wings

interstitial ; the third abscissa of radius longer than the basal two

united. Face, except for a smooth shining line in the centre,

closely transversely striated ; the front closely striated, except at

the sides; the vertex and temples smooth and shining. Legs

sparsely haired ; the hind coxe striated on the outer side,

Philomacroplea, gen. nov.

Apex of sixth abdominal segment broadly, deeply, roundly

incised in the middle. First abdominal segment sessile, excavat-

ed at the base, keeled on the top; it,and the second segment, keeled

down the middle; the sutures of the segments narrow: the

apical segments are curled downwards ; the abdomen short, broad,

not unlike the abdomen of Chelonus. Metanotum smooth and

shining, stoutly keeled down the middle. Parapsidal furrows

distinct, deep, crenulated. Last joint of hind tarsi not much

dilated, as long as the second. Ovipositor short, broad. Antennz

longer than the body, the second joint of flagellum about twice

longer than thick. Malar space large, furrowed down the middle.

Third abscissa of radius about three or four times longer than the

basal two united. Temples obliquelynarrowed. <A broad furrow

behind the ocelli.

Theabdomen is more like what it is in the Chelonine than in the

Braconine. It is allied to Yropidobracon, Baryproctus, and

Plesiobracon, all of which have a stout keel in the centre of the

metanotum ; but, among other differences, the present genus

should be readily separated from them by the keeled base of the

first abdominal segment, by the first and second being keeled

down the centre; by the last segment being roundly broadly

incised, and by the very long third abscissa of the radius.

. 25.—Philomacroplea basimacula, sp. nov.

Head, thorax and the middle of the first and second abdominal

segments broadly rufo-testaceous, the mesosternum and the base

of metapleure above blackish; wings hyaline, the nervures and

stigma fuscous ; the legs pale testaceous, almost white, ? and 6.

Length 3°5 mm.

Bred from Macroplea elisa.

88 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

The long black antennze densely covered with a short white

microscopic pile, as are also the thorax and abdomen. The upper

half of pleurz closely, minutely punctured ; the scutellum is less

distinctly punctured, its sides densely pilose. Metanotum very

smooth and shining. Abdomen very closely, uniformly, and

rather strongly punctured ; the apices of the third and following

segments narrowly rufous at the apex. Scutellum triangular,

broad at the base. The second cubital cellule is widened at the

base, the first transverse cubital nervure being very obliquely

sloped. The anal nervure in the fore wing issues from shortly

below the middle of the transverse nervure. The lower half of

the base of the mesopleure is depressed compared with the upper.

RHOGADIN A.

Paraspinaria, gen. nov.

Abdomen with seven segmenis ; the first longer than broad, the

central area large, wide; the second segment without an area;

the sides depressed at the basal half; ovipesitor short, hardly

projecting. Metanotum irregularly reticulated ; the sides at the

apex, with a long stout tooth. Hind wings with an enclosed

probrachial cellule, reaching shortly beyond the middle of the

' basal abscissa of the cubitus ; the nervure broadly rounded at

the apex ; the cubitus and radius complete ; there are no other

apical nervures. Lower part of mesopleure depressed, clearly

separated from the upper; the hind edge of mesosternum has a

stout conical tooth. Radial cellule long reaching to the apex of

the wing; apical abscissa of cubitus longer than the basal two

united ; recurrent nervure received in the first cubital cellule,

Antenne longer than the body; temples obliquely narrowed ;

occiput almost transverse, margined. Palpi long.

The affinities of this genus are clearly with Spinaria. That

genus may be known from it by the abdomen having only

five segments, these being spined and longitudinally striated ; its

anal nervure is interstitial and the prothorax has a spine as a

rule. The antenne in my genus are placed opposite the middle

of the eyes, which are incised. The pronotum is large; its

centre at the base is triangular, the rest is depressed at the sides

and apex. Abdomen as long as the head and thorax united.

26.—Paraspinaria pilosa, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 9.

Luteous ; antennal flagellum, apical third of hind tibiwe and

the hind tarsi black; wings hyaline ; the nervures and stigma

yellow ; the costa near the stigma and a small square cloud

below it black, ?.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 89

Length 9 mm.

Kandy, June.

Shining, thickly covered with white pubescence. Parapsidal

furrows deep, the middle lobe of mesonotum clearly raised.

Base of propleure with three stout keels, the middle one not

reaching, like the others, to the lower edge. Scutellar depression

large, deep, with a stout central keel and a narrower oblique one

on either side. Metanotum with four arez on the centre of the

basal region; the basal large, longer than broad, the apical

smaller, dilated on the outer side; the other arez not clearly

defined. The apical lateral teeth are large, longer than the width

at the base; they become gradually narrowed, with the apex

rounded. First abdominal segment irregularly reticulated, the

sides less strongly than the centre ; the second is also irregularly

reticulated; there is a keel down the centre, reaching to the apex;

the lateral keels are stouter and shorter. Suturiform articulation

stoutly, closely striated. The apical depression of the middle

lobe of mesonotum is reticulated ; there is a distinct furrow on

the apex of the middle lobe. Metasternum bordered by a stout

keel.

Holcobracon, gen. nov.

Lower part of mesopleure with a distinct crenulated furrow.

Median segment closely reticulated, keeled down the middle ;

the sides at the apex below projecting into a blunt tubercle.

Mandibles stout, edentate, the apex transverse in front, oblique,

the basal half slightly roundly incised. Clypeus separated from

the face by a depression, roundly convex, thickly covered with

long hair. Malar space longer than the eyes. Temples broad.

Occiput margined, more distinctly on the sides than above;

roundly incised. Scutellum flat, legs stout; the fore cox

largely project below, the trochanters issuing from the upper

part; fore tibie stoutly toothed. Anal nervure in fore wings

interstitial ; in the hind wings there is a discoidal nervure which

runs from the prediscoidal to the apex, there being thus three

longitudinal nervures in the hind wings; there is a large

closed prebrachial cellule, which becomes gradually wider

towards the apex. Abdomen broad, the basal segments closely

striated ; suturiform articulation deep, roundly curved.

The apical abscissa of radius reaches to the apex of the wings

and is twice the length of the second ; the transverse median

nervure is received distinctly beyond the transverse basal ; the

recurrent in the first cubital cellule.

Therearethree genera known to me which possess the anomalous

character of having a curved nervure issuing from the prebrachial

90 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

transverse nervure to the apex of the hind wings. These genera

may be separated as follows :—

(a) Hind coxe with two teeth... Acanthobracon, Cam, (Szep.).

(6) Hind cox toothless. Apex of mandibles stoutly

toothed ; sides of median segment toothed at the sides

above the apex, the scutellum convex... 7Tvichiobracon.

Apex of mandibles not toothed, transverse; sides of

metanotum not toothed above ; the scutellum quite

flat... Holcobracon.

These three genera form a natural tribe, Holcobraconint, allied

to Doryctini, which should be readily known by the hind

‘wings having three longitudinal nervures running to the apex

of the wings; the abdomen sessile, the mesopleure with a

distinct crenulated furrow along the lower border, the metanotum

toothed or taberculated above or below, closely reticulated and

the basal three segments of abdomen longitudinally striated,

with a distinct curved crenulated suturiform articulation and

oblique furrows as in [phiaulax, and stoutly toothed fore tibie.

27.—Holcobracon fulvus, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 6.

Rufo-fulvous, the antenne black; wings yellowish-hyaline to

near the apex of the transverse basal nervure, with an oblique,

irregular cloud in the first cubital cellule, extending below into

the discoidal ; the stigma luteous; hind wings yellowish-hyaline,

the apical third smoky, ?.

Length 18 mm.

Kandy, November.

Rody and legs thickly covered with long pale pubescence.

Face and oral region closely, finely rugose, thickly covered with

fuscous pubescence, the clypeus with long fuscous hair. Front

and vertex smooth, shining, almost bare. Pronotum punctured,

the punctures large, clearly separated, and each with ajlongish hair.

Mesonotum and scutellum smooth, sparsely haired. The scutellar

depression with five stout keels ; the central the larger. Metano-

tum with a keel down the centre, closely reticulated, the

reticulations shallow, irregular in shape, some hexagonal. The

centre of propleure with some irregular keels. The lower furrow

on the mesonotum closely crenulated ; the oblique furrow below

the tubercles wide, deep, and with some stout keels. The upper

part of the metapleure irregularly, coarsely reticulated ; below the

furrow strongly, irregularly punctured. Legs thickly covered

with long pale pubescence. Basal three segments of abdomen

strongly closely striated ; the suturiform articulation deep,roundly

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 91

curved, crenulated ; there is an oblique furrow on the base of

the second segment; the base of the fourth and fifth segments are

closely striated.

The metapleurz and base of abdomen are yellowish ; the man-

dibles and ocellar region are black.

Tropobracon, gen. nov.

First abscissa of radius slightly longer than the second, both

together as long as the first transverse cubital nervure. Recurrent

nervure widely distant from the apex of the cellule. Second

cubital cellule much narrowed in front, being there less than

half the length it is posteriorly ; apical abscissa four times the

length of the basal two united, reaching to the apex of the wing.

Parapsidal furrows deep, clearly defined, not reaching to the

apex. Basal two jointsof flagellum equalin length. Last joint of

hind tarsi longer thanthe third, as long as the first. First segment

of abdomen short, broader than long, the sides and top of the

apical slope margined.

Abdomen coriaceous, short, broad; the area on the second seg-

ment large, reaching to the apex ; the ovipositor short, not much

longer than half the length of the abdomen.

This genus should be readily known by the recurrent nervure

being received at a distinct distance from the apex of the cubital

cellule, by the deep, clearly defined parapsidal furrows, keeled

basal slope of first abdominal segment, by the short basal two

abscisse of radius, and by thesecond cubital cellule being narrowed

in front and short. Habrobracon, Ashm., seems to be its nearest

ally, but inter alia, that genus should be known by the “basal joint

of hind tarsi being about the length of the third, shorter than the

second,” while in my genus it is double the length of the third

and much longer than the second. The parapsidal furrows are

much deeper and more clearly separated than usual.

28.—Tropobracon luteus, sp. nov.

Luteous, the antenne black, the hind tibie and tarsi infuscated ;

wings hyaline, highly iridescent, the nervures and stigma black ;

the recurrent nervure received shortly beyond the middle of the

cellule, ?.

Length 4 mm.; terebra 1 mm.

Pundalu-oya, March.

Face shining, aciculated, covered with a white pile; a distinct

curved furrow over the clypeus. Malar space long, two-thirds

of the length of the eyes. Front and vertex smooth. Temples

a) 8(17)05

92 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

oblique, rounded. Occiput rounded, not transverse. Mesonotum

and scutellum shining ; its middle lobe reaches to the base of the

apical third, is then united to the apex by a stout keel, witha

narrow striated border on either side. Metanotum closely rugose.

First abdominal segment short ; its base rather abruptly sloped, its

sidesand apex margined. The segments are closely, finely punc-

tured ; the area on the second segment large, becoming gradually

narrowed towards the apex; the furrows striated, not uniting at

the apex; there are no lateral furrows at the base. Suturiform

articulation striated : there are no furrows on the other segments.

There is a distinct curved furrow below the middle of the

propleure.

Tropor hogas, gen. nov.

Transverse median nervure received near the base of the cellule,

close to the transverse median ; recurrent nervure received near

the apex of the cellule; second cubital cellule twice longer than

wide, of equal width throughout ; anal nervure not interstitial.

Eyes large, clearly incised on the inner side; malar space small.

Temples short, oblique. Occiput sharply margined, transverse.

Palpi very long, slender, pilose, 4- and 5-jointed- Metanotum

with tworoundly diverging keelsonthe base. A depression on the

lower side of the mesopleure. Basal three segments of abdomen

closely longitudinally striated ; the basal two witha keel down the

centre; suturiform articulation crenulated ; there are crenulated

furrows on the fourth, fifth, and sixth segments ; the base of these

segments is depressed, the apex of the segments being raised and

clearly separated from the base of the following. . Hypopygium

large,cultriform ; ovipositor shortly projecting, the sheaths stout ;

antenne longer than the body, slender, pilose, over 50-jointed,

The abdomen is fully twice the length of the thorax ; the legs long

and slender; the femoranarrowed at the base. The first abscissa

of the radius is not half the length of the second ; the third is the

longest and is curved upwards. The tarsi longer than the

tibie; the metatarsus longer than the two following joints

united.

In Dr. Ashmead’s system (/.c.) this genus could only be con-

founded with Rhogas; that genus may be known from it by the

transverse median nervure being widely distant from the

transverse basal, by the metanotum having a stout keel down the

centre, not two at the base, by the shorter abdomen, with the

segments not sharply separated ; the shorter and stouter legs

with the tarsi not longer than the tibie; and the hypopyginm

is not large and cultriform,

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 93

29.—Troporhogas spilonotus, sp. nov.

Pallid testaceous, the legs paler in tint; the ocellar region,

marks, more or less distinct, on the mesonotum, the metanotum to

the top of the apical slope, the base of the mesopleure and large

marks on the base of the abdominal segments, the penultimate

segment entirely, black. Wings clear hyaline, the nervures pallid

testaceous, the basal half of the stigma fuscous, ¢.

Length 7 to 8 mm.

Peradeniya.

The amount of black on the thorax varies; the hind coxe and

trochanters may be marked with black. The entire body and legs

thickly covered with white pubescence. Firstand second abdomi-

nal segments strongly and closely striated throughout ; the third

is less strongly and closely striated, the striz becoming fainter

towardstheapex. The pleurz may be largely marked with black :

the mesopleural furrow is striated. Parapsidal furrows wide and

deep; the apex of the middle lobe of the mesonotum is depressed

and with a distinct furrow in the centre. Scutellar depression

large, deep ; a stout keel in the centre and a narrower oblique one

onthe sides. Scutellum narrowed towards the apex. Metanotum

finely, irregularly rugose ; the apex with some irregular keels.

30.—Troporhogas albipes, sp. nov.

Rufo-testaceous, the oral region, lower outer orbits, and legs

white ; the four hind coxe brownish-red :; a broad band on the

thickened apex ofthe hind femora (but not reaching to the apex)

black ; scape of antenne rufous, the flagellum yellowish-white.

Wings hyaline, slightly suffused with fuscous ; the apex witha

fuscous narrow cloud round the edges ; the stigma testaceous, the

nervures fuscous, 6.

Length 9mm.

Kandy.

Sides of front stoutly, obliquely striated; face irregularly

wrinkled. Propleure stoutly striated ; the mesopleure wrinkled

and irregularly striated, closely and strongly below ; the meta-

pleure closely, finely, rugosely punctured. Prosternum yellowish,

depressed in the middle and witha longitudinal keel there, which

is bordered by a row of fovex. Parapsidal furrows striated ; the

apex of the middle lobe closely striated and reticulated. Scutellum

convex, roundly narrowed towards the apex, which is rounded ;

a keel runs from the sides of the apex to the wings; the space

inside this is depressed and striated in the middle. Median

segment closely rugosely punctured, the punctures running into

reticulations. Back of abdomen closely rugosely striated ; the

furrows are more strongly and distinctly striated.

94 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

31.—Troporhogas maculipennis, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 5.

Testaceous, the part between the ocelli, the greater part of the

mesopleure, and the apical two segments of the abdomen blackish ;

the upper part of the thorax infuscated. Wings hyaline; the

apex smoky, before and behind from before the second trans-

verse cubital nervure, the middle from beyond it; there is a

narrow cloud along the anal nervure, which is thick and black,

the apex white and thinner, @.

Length 12 mm.

Kandy, July and August.

Vertex at the sides of the ocelli closely, the front more strongly

obliquely striated. Face thickly covered with long fuscous hair.

Mesonotum with afew scattered punctures, shining, covered with

a short blackish pubescence. Scutellar depression not very deep ;

the central keel not very stout. Metanotum at the sides of the

base closely rugose, the centre and the rest to the middle of the

apical slope irregularly reticulated. Propleurze with some stout

oblique striz ; the mesopleure obscurely punctured, the centre

with an oblique depression; metapleure closely rugosely

punctured. Basal four segments of the abdomen closely longi-

tudinally striated; the fifth closely and strongly, the others

sparsely punctured.

32.—Troporhogas tricolor, sp nov,

Plate A, fig. 8.

Antenne black. Head rufo-testaceous, the vertex behind and

the occiput black; the oral region, mandibles, and palpi pale

yellow. Thorax black, the mesonotum, scutellum, and upper part

of pleurz rufo-testaceous. The first abdominal segment, the base

and the sides, more broadly, especially behind, of the second, the

sides of the third and fourth, the fifth, except for a line on the

sides at the apex, and the apical, entirely yellow, this being also

the case with the ventral surface. Four front legs whitish yellow :

the middle tarsi infuscated ; the hind legsblack. Wings hyaline;

the stigma and nervures black, ?.

Length 7 to 8 mm.

Kandy, June.

Face closely punctured, the middle at the sides of the raised

part striated. The vertex at the sides of the lower ocellus

transversely, the front more coarsely, obliquely striated. Mesono-

tum and scutellum smooth, neither punctured nor striated. The

basal keels on the metanotum are stout and have two transverse

ones between them ; the part on either side, almost smooth, on the

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. oF

outer side distinctly striated ; the apical slope strongly, irregu-

larly reticulated. Base of propleure and of mesopleure strongly

striated ; the metapleurz rugose, the apex striated. First abdomi-

nal segment closely punctured, finely striated on either side of the

keel ; the second strongly, irregularly striated ; the suturiform

articulation strongly, regularly striated; the third and fourth,

except at the apex, closely striated; the other segments closely

punctured, The radius and cubitus from the transverse cubital

nervure are white.

33.—Troporhogas ruficeps, 8p. nov.

Head and thorax rufo-testaceous, the antenne dark fuscous ; the

abdomen pale yellow, the first segment except round the apex

and more narrowly on the sides, a curved mark on the apex of the

second segment,and the greater part of the third, fourth, and fifth

on the back, black ; the four front legs yellow, tinged with rufous ;

the hind coxe, femora, except at the base, and the apex of the tibiz

broadly, black, the rest of them whitish yellow ; the tarsi infus-

cated ; wings hyaline, the stigma and nervures fuscous, ?.°

Length 6°5 mm.

Peradeniya, December.

Face thickly covered with white pubescence ; the sides striated ;

clypeal fovez deep. Vertex behind the ocelli closely, finely

striated. Pro- and mesonotum smooth, not striated, a furrow on

the apex of the latter; scutellum impunctate. The two keels

on the base of metanotum form a A-shaped area, with a thin

transverse keel at the apex. Basal five segments of abdomen

closely longitudinally striated.

34.—Troporhogas lateralis, sp. nov.

Rufo-testaceous, the upper part of the pleurx, the sides of

metanotum broadly, the sides of the first abdominal segment

broadly on the basal, more narrowly on the apical half, a line on

the sides of the second, the line becoming gradually wider from

the base to the apex, the third at the sides and its apex from

shortly behind the middle, black. Legs pale yellow; the apex of

middle femora infuscated, the apical half of posterior black.

Wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, .

Length 5 mm,

Peradeniya, August.

Face raised in the centre, striated on either side. Side of front

obscurely striated. Pro- and mesonotum shagreened ; parapsidal

furrows shallow; an indistinct transverse furrow at the apex.

96 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Secutellar depression wide, roundly curved, deep, obscurely

striated. Metanotum closely rugose, the basal keels indistinct, the

sides with some oblique strize. Pro-and mesopleure for the greater

part closely reticulated ; the metapleure finely rugose. The first

and second abdominal segments are closely striated, the third

obscurely so, the other segments smooth ; the suturiform articu-

lation indistinct, only indicated through the apex of the second

being raised. The first abscissa of the radius is half the length of

the second; the second cubital cellule is half the length of the

third,

35.—Troporhogas trimaculata, sp. nov.

Rufo-testaceous, the pleure paler, more yellowish in colour,

the ocellar region and three large marks on the mesonotum black ;

wings hyaline, highly iridescent, the nervures and stigma black:

the costa, base and apex of stigma, and the transverse basal

nervure testaceous, ?,

Length 8 mm.

Kandy, July.

Smooth, shining, impunctate. Scutellar depression large,

shallow, divided by a keel. Scutellum smooth, rufous at the

apex. Post-seutellum rounded, conspicuous, smooth, dark rufous.

Metanotum weakly punctured, a keel down its centre, the keel

indistinct at the base. The basal four segments ofabdomen closely

punctured ; the fifth indistinctly so; there is no keel on the basal

segments.

A NEW GENUS OF CRYPTINA FROM CEYLON.

Bathycrisis, gen. nov.

Abdominal petiole of equal width throughout, the post-petiole

not being dilated ; it is long and slender. Median segment with

two transverse keels ; its spiracles about three times longer than

wide. Transverse median nervure in hind wings broken below the

middle. Disco-cubital nervure broken by a stump of a nervure.

' Areolet of almost equal width throughout. Apex of clypeus

depressed, broadly rounded, above clearly separated from the face,

which is dilated in the centre above, there being thus a depres-

sion between its apex and the clypeus. Flagellum of antenneze

densely pilose, the first joint longer than the second. Front

deeply excavated; a stout keel above each antenna. Eyes dis-

tinctly, roundly incised on the inner side ; the malar space

moderate. Parapsidal furrows deep, wide, reaching to the middle.

There isa wide, deep, curved furrow on the base of the metanotum ;

there is no area there. Thorax strongly rugosely punctured.

The abdomen is more slender than usual.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 97

I only know the 6 of this genus. It comes near to Ospryncho-

tus, which may be known from it by the rostriform head, with

long malar space, and by the disco-cubital nervure not being

broken by astumpofanervure. In The Entomologist, 1903, 182, I

described an Osprynchotus peronatus from India. I was not then

acquainted with the type of Osprynchotus from the Cape. Now

that I have seen it, I find that my Indian species is a Linnuceras,

Tasch.=Osprynchotus Schmied. non Spin. (Ent. Nachr. XVI., 85).

Linnoceras may be known from the genus here described by the

transverse median nervure in hind wings being broken at, not

below, the middle, by the more elongate clypeus, not séparated

from the face, large projecting labrum, longer, more slender,

mandibles, of which the upper tooth is much the longer. In

Bathycrisis the mandibles are short, thick, with two short stout

teeth of equal length. In Dr. Ashmead’s tables, Bull. U.S. Nat.

Mus. XXIII., 40, Osprynchotus is placed in the division with the

transverse median nervure in hind wings “broken distinctly below

the middle, usually far below the middle,” whereas it is broken

shortly above the middle.

36.—Bathycrisis striaticollis, sp. nov.

Black, the inner orbits, broadly below, narrowly above, a nar-

row line in the centre of the outer, a mark, longer than broad,

transverse at the apex and interrupted in the middle above by a

fovea, a mark in the centre of the clypeus, mandibles, except at

the apex, a small mark on either side of the pronotum, a smaller

one in front of the tegule and tubercles, lemon-yellow; legs, with

the greater part of the femora, the tibiz and the tarsi, except at

the apex, rufo-testaceous; the coxe and femora marked below

with yellow. Wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, 6.

Length 9 mm.

Trincomalee, Col. Yerbury.

Head covered with long white hair. Face closely punctured,

the clypeus smooth, the lower part smooth and shining ; the part

immediately below the ocelli strongly transversely striated, and

the striz curved.

The vertex behind the ocelli closely punctured ; the occiput

margined, the temples wide, obliquely narrowed. Pronotum

*strongly irregularly striated. Mesonotum closely punctured; in

the depressed centre the punctuation is closer and runs into

reticulations. The scutellum is less closely punctured and more

shining than the mesonotum. Metanotum closely rugosely

reticulated. Pleurz closely strongly punctured.

YS SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

ON THE PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA

COLLECTED BY MR. E. ERNEST GREEN IN CEYLON.

SECOND PAPER.

By P. CAMERON.

fa ii following species are described in this paper :—

ICHNEUMONIN 2.

Melanichneumon kandyensis, n. sp.

Hoplismenus ceylonicus, n. sp.

Haliphera fulvipes, n. sp.

Aluina erythropus, n. g. et sp.

Deniya pleuralis, n. g. et sp.

Tanyphatnus multimaculatus, n. g. et sp.

Wea Pw Pe

Stictichneumon macariez, n. g. et sp.

CRYPTIN &.

8. Buodias rufipes, n. sp.

9. Melcha cinctipes, n. sp.

10. Melcha annulipes, n. sp.

11. Melcha varibalteata, n. sp.

12. Melcha reticulata, n. sp.

13. Melcha erythropus, n. sp.

14. Melcha maculiceps, n. sp.

15. Friona rufipes, n. sp.

16. Friona bituberculata, n. sp.

17. Fenenias erythropus, n. sp.

18. Skeatia acutilineata, n. sp.

19. Skeatia cyclosiz, n. sp.

20. Skeatia panthone, n. sp.

21. Bathythrix rubriornatus, n. sp.

22. Bathythrix striatus, n. sp.

23. Clitiga excavata, n. g. et sp.

24. Clitiga forticornis, n. sp.

25. Earrana lutea, n. g. et sp.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 99

OPHIONID 2%.

26. Ophion bicarinatus, n. sp.

27. Pleuroneurophion erythrocerus, n. sp.

28. Eniscospilus spilonotus, n. sp.

29. Eniscospilus melanocarpus, n. sp.

30. Eniscospilus xanthocephalus, n. sp.

31. Eniscospilus unilineatus, n. sp.

32. Eniscospilus dasychire, n. sp.

33. Eniscospilus horsfieldi, n. sp.

34. Spilophion maculipennis, n. g. et sp.

35. Paniscus intermedius, n. sp.

36. Paniscus orientalis, n. sp.

37. Paniscus levis, n. sp.

38. Campoplex greeni, n. sp.

39. Limnerium taprobanicum, n. sp.

40. Nototrachys reticulatus, n. sp.

41. Clatha longipes, n. g. et sp.

42. Trichomma nigricans, n. sp.

TRYPHONIN &.

43. Bassus orientalis, n. sp.

44. Rhorus spinipes, n. sp.

PIMPLIN 2.

45. Epirhyssa ornatipes, n. sp.

46. Theronia maskeliye, n. sp.

47. Erythrotheronia flavolineata, n. g. et sp.

48. Kchthromorpha ornatipes, Cam.

49. Xanthopimpla taprobanica, n. sp.

50. Xanthopimpla kandyensis, n. sp.

51. Xanthopimpla parva, n. sp.

52. Xanthopimpla minuta, n. sp.

53. Philopsyche albobalteata, n. g. et sp.

54. Lissotheronia flavipes, n. g. et sp.

55. Charitopimpla annulipes, n. sp.

56. Lissopimpla rufipes, n. sp.

57. Tanera annulipes, n. g. et sp.

58. Lissonota greeni, n. sp.

ICHNEUMONIN &.

1.—Melanichneumon kandyensis, sp. nov.

Black, the upper inner orbits, narrowly below, more broadly above,

the line extending round the top and narrowly down the upper part

of the outer, a short line at the bottom ; a line on the pronotum, two

P 8(17)05

100 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

lines, narrowed in front, on the centre of the mesonotum, the apical

half of the scutellum, the mark dilated laterally at the base, post_

scutellum and the apices of the second to fifth abdominal segments

narrowly, the penultimate more broadly, and the last entirely, yellow ;

the second segments broadly at the base rufous ; antenne with a

broad white band in the middle ; legs red ; the four front cox and

trochanters yellow ; the hind black, red, and yellow. Wings hyaline,

slightly tinged with fulvous, the nervures and stigma black, 9.

Length 15-16 mm.

Kandy, July.

Head smooth, mandibles red, black at apex. On the centre and

on the sides of the clypeus isa reddish mark. Prothorax and meso-

thorax closely punctured ; the scutellum smooth. Median segment

more closely and strongly punctured ; the apical slope thickly covered

with white hair ; the areola open at the base, twice longer than

broad ; the inner side furrowed ; it is of equal width throughout

and has the apex roundly curved inwardly. Disco-cubital and

recurrent nervures broken by a stump of a nervure. Apical half of

post-petiole strongly punctured ; the gastrocceli shallow, yellowish.

Agrees fairly well with Melanichnewmon. Scutellum not quite flat,

depressed at base and apex round, longer than the width at the base.

2.—Hoplismenus ceylonicus, sp. nov.

Black; the face, clypeus, the orbits all round, mandibles, palpi,

a line on the pronotum, tubercles, two lines on the centre of the

mesonotum, the apical half of scutellum, the base of the mark trans-

verse, apex of post-scutellum, and the apices of all the abdominal

segments, pale yellow ; the apex of the first segment has the line

broader than it is on the third and following ; on the apex of the

second the band is twice the width it is on the first and there is a

broader band on its base. Legs red ; the four front coxe and trochan-

ters yellow ; the hind coxe black, the apex red below, above they

are yellow. Wings hyaline, the stigma and nervures black. Antennal

scape and a broad band on the centre of the flagellum white ; the

flagellum brownish beneath, especially on the basal half, 6.

Length 14 mm.

Kandy.

Face and clypeus thickly covered with short, white pubescence

and sparsely punctured ; labrum white, largely projecting. Pro-

mesonotum and scutellum smooth, the latter obliquely sloped at the

baseandapex. Propleurze andmesopleurzesmooth. Base of metano-

tum and areola smooth, the rest strongly punctured ; the posterior

median area irregularly rugose ; the apical slope and metapleure

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 101

thickly covered with white hair, the latter strongly punctured.

Abdomen smooth, except the second segment, which is weakly

punctured ; gastrocoeli smooth, shallow.

This species agrees fairly well with Hoplismenus, having the scutel-

lum as in that genus ; but the areola is not ‘‘ wider than long’’ as in

the diagnosis of Ashmead : it is fully longer than wide, open at the

base, and the posterior median area projects roundly into it. The

lateral teeth are small, but distinct. The clypeus is short, transverse

at the apex ; the labrum projects.

3.—Haliphera fulvipes, sp. nov.

Black; the face, clypeus, mandibles, palpi, upper inner orbits

narrowly, the lower half of the outer broadly—more broadly below

than above—a narrow line on the pronotum, tubercles, a mark on

the tegule, scutellum, a line on the centre of the metanotum,

rounded and narrowed at the top and bottom, one-third of it in the

areola, two-thirds on the posterior median area, a broad line on the

first and a narrower line on the second abdominal segment, lemon-

yellow. Legs fulvous, the coxe black; the fore trochanters

yellow, the middle yellow, black behind, the hinder entirely black.

Wings hyaline, highly iridescent, the nervures and stigma black.

Antennal scape yellow, the flagellum fuscous beneath, 6.

Length 12 mm.

Maskeliya, August.

Face and clypeus distinct, but not very closely punctured, sparsely

covered with white pubescence; front and vertex wrinkled irregularly.

Mesonotum closely, finely, but distinctly punctured ; the scutel-

lum with some scattered punctures. The basal three arex of

metanotum finely, closely, irregularly, transversely striated; the

lateral almost smooth at the base ; the posterior median obscurely

striated at the base, the rest strongly transversely striated ; the

lateral areze with some stout oblique irregular striz. Propleure indis-

tinctly, the mesopleure more strongly and closely and the metapleurze

still more closely and strongly punctured, the latter two more or less

closely striated. Petiole smooth ; the second and third segments

closely, but not strongly punctured; the gastrocceli longish, smooth,

and shining; the apical segments densely covered with short blackish

pubescence ; the apical half of the last yellow.

Aluina, gen. nov.

Scutellum rounded, not flat, its basal three-fourths stoutly keeled.

Areola longer than broad, wider at the base than at the apex ; the

keels roundly curved, the apex slightly rounded inwardly ; its

102 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

surface stoutly striated. Abdominal petiole smooth, shining,

impunctate. Ovipositor long, as long as the apical three segments

united. Base of flagellum slender, the joints elongate ; occiput

deeply, widely, roundly incised, sloping,above obliquely from the

ocelli. Disco-cubital nervure angled in the middle, broken there by

a stump of a nervure; the two abscisse straight, oblique, not

rounded.

The head is large ; the eyes large, projecting, distinctly narrowed

below; the malar space moderate. Apex of clypeus transverse ;

labrum hidden. Scutellum longer than broad, rounded at the base

and apex. Face flat, only slightly dilated in the middle, not

separated from the clypeus. Abdomen with the second and third

segments punctured ; longer than the head and thorax united, its

apex acutely pointed.

‘Allied, in some respects, to Cillimus and Hxephanes. It has the

long, projecting ovipositor of the latter, but not its filiform antenne ;

but Exephanes has not the scutellum stoutly keeled ; Cillimus has

the ovipositor short, has the face tumid, not narrowed behind the

eyes; the clypeus is armed at the apex with asmall tooth and the

scutellum short. |

4.—Aluina erythropus, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 11.

Black ; the face, clypeus, the orbits all round, the outer broadly

below, a line on the raised centre of the pronotum, scutellar keels,

the sides of the scutellum narrowly, the apex more broadly, post-

scutellum, the apex of the petiolar area, a broad line on the sides of

the apical slope of metanotum, a triangular spot behind the spiracles,

the lower edge of the propleurz, tubercles, a large mark, narrowed in

the middle on the lower part of the mesopleure, a large oblique

mark on the centre of metapleurz, the base of the first abdominal

segment, two spots on its apex, the apex of the second broadly, two

broad lines of almost equal width on the third, two shorter, smaller

ones, obliquely narrowed on the inner side, the greater part of the

sixth and the whole of the apical two, pale yellow. Antenne black,

the under side of the scape and a broad band on the flagellum white.

Legs red, the four front coxee and trochanters yellow. Wings hyaline,

the stigma and nervures black, the costa at the base of the stigma

fuscous, ¥.

Length 11-12 mm.

Pundalu-oya.

Head smooth and shining, the face and centre of clypeus sparsely

weakly punctured ; the front in the centre slightly raised, almost

keeled. Mesonotum closely punctured, the furrows distinct on the

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 103

basal half. Scutellum sparsely punctured. Base of metanotum

almost smooth; the areola with four siout, curved, transverse

keels, the base and apex with a few broken ones, the lateral arez

stoutly obliquely, the posterior median transversely striated; the

base of the spiracular area punctured, the rest closely, obliquely

striated. Apex of propleurz below stoutly striated, above and at

the base punctured ; the base in the middle with some stout, clearly

separated striz, the lower part smooth and shining. Abdomen very

smooth and shining except the second and third segments, which are

closely punctured ; the former stoutly striated at the base.

In the example described, one mandible is black, the other yellow.

Deniya, gen. nov.

Temples almost obsolete ; occiput almost transverse. Eyes

large, projecting. Apex of clypeus rounded, behind not separated

from the face. Antenne dilated beyond the middle. Parapsidal

furrows distinct, crenulated. Apex of mesonotum reticulated.

Scutellum longer than its width at the base, convex, stoutly keeled

to beyond the middle ; the apex with an oblique slope. At the base

of the post-scutellum are two triangular depressions, bordered by

stout keels. Base of metanotum, deeply obliquely depressed at the

base. Areola longer than wide, transverse at the base, the apex

angularly turned inwardly ; the sides near the apex angled. Post

petiole and the following four segments closely punctured ; gastrocceli

large, deep. Areolet 4-angled ; disco-cubital nervure not broken

by a stump of a nervure ; transverse median nervure received

behind tranverse basal. Sheaths of ovipositor broad, projecting.

This genus comes close to Alwina. The two may be separated

thus :—

Temples wide, occiput widely, deeply incised, apex of clypeus

transverse, transverse basal nervure interstitial ; sides of

areola rounded, not angled, parapsidal furrows indistinct,

the apex of mesonotum smooth, post-petiole smooth, Alwina.

Temples very narrow, occiput transverse, apex of clypeus

rounded ; sides of areola not rounded, angled; parapsidal

furrows distinct, apex of mesonotum reticulated, post-

petiole punctured, Deniya.

5.—Deniya pleuralis, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 10.

Black ; face, clypeus, mandibles, except at apex, palpi, the inner

and upper orbits, the lower half of outer broadly, a broad line on the

pronotum, tegule, scutellum, the sides of the apical slope of the

metanotum, a line on the lower edge of the propleuree, mesopleuree

104 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

from shortly above the middle, mesosternum, tubercles, the apices

of all the abdominal segments—the line on the fourth interrupted—

pale yellow. Legs pale fulvous, the anterior largely tinged with yellow,

the apex of the hind femora, base of hind tibiz, their apex broadly

and the tarsi, black. Wings hyaline, the stigma and nervures

black,?.

Length LO mm.

Peradeniya.

Scape below and a broad ring on the flagellum white. Head

smooth and shining, the face and clypeus sparsely punctured

and haired. Thorax smooth and shining, except the metapleure

and the spiracular area which are closely strongly retjculated,

punctured ; the areola with a stout keel in the centre of the apical

two-thirds ; the metapleure thickly covered with white pubescence.

Post-petiole and the second to fourth abdominal segments closely

punctured.

Tanyphatnus, gen. nov.

6. Areola open behind, more than twice longer than wide, separ-

ated from the lateral arez, the apex almost transverse, the top of the

posterior median area being bluntly rounded. Apex of metano-

tum with a gradually rounded slope. Scutellum not flat, roundly

depressed at the base and apex. Post-petiole in the centre finely,

closely, longitudinally striated ; gastrocceli deep; there are no thy-

ridia. There are eight abdominal segments; cerci long, stout ;

the genital armature much larger than usual; the ventral fold

extends to the apex of the fourth segment. Areolet 5-angled ; the

disco-cubital nervure almost broken by a stump of a nervure. Apex

of clypeus transverse, not separated from the face ; labrum largely

projecting. Upper tooth of mandibles much longer than lower,

projecting twice the length of the latter beyond it; it is sharply

pointed. Spiracles about four times longer than wide.

The temples are moderately broad, rounded ; malar space short ;

the antenne are not much longer than the abdomen, serrate.

Abdominal petiole slender, longish, the post-petiole not clearly

separated. Legs moderately stout. Abdomen slender, more than

twice the length of the head and thorax united; the sides of the

segments spotted with yellow ; the last segments not spotted.

This genus, or sub-genus, has the striated post-petiole of /chneu-

mon sensu str. Comparing it with /. luctatorius, the type given for

Ichneumon s.str., its areolais longer, narrower, and not ofequal width,

it being wider at the base and narrowed roundly in the middle ;

the metanotum has a more gradually rounded slope ; the first

segment of the abdomen is more slender, especially at the apex; the

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 105

scutellum is much more distinctly raised—more convex, and clearly

longer than wide ; the temples are shorter and not so obliquely

narrowed, the malar space smaller, the eyes being longer, and the

upper tooth of the mandibles is longer and more sharply pointed.

6.—Tany phatnus multimaculatus, sp. nov.

Black, the face, clypeus, mandibles, palpi, the inner orbits, the

outer, narrowly above, broadly below, the upper and lower edge of

prothorax, prosternum, the sides of scutellum, narrowly at the base,

more broadly towards the apex, scutellum, a broad band of equal

width on the base of metanotum, extending from the base to the

posterior median area ; the apical slope, except the latter area, the

yellow extending on to the pleure, a mark behind the spiracles, the

lower third of the mesopleure, the apex of the first abdominal seg-

ment and broad marks, closely continuous, on the apices of the other

segments, yellow. Four front legs rufo-yellow, their cox and tro-

chanters yellow; the hind legs rufous, the coxze black, broadly yellow

at the base above, the base of the tibiae broadly yellow. Wings

hyaline, the stigma and nervures black, é.

Length 13 mm.

Pundalu-oya.

Face and clypeus punctured, but not strongly or closely. Front

with some minute punctures. Mesonotum sparsely, irregularly

punctured. Base and areola of metanotum smooth; the rest

closely and strongly punctured, thickly covered with long fuscous

hair. Pleure closely and strongly punctured, the meta irregularly

striated. Basal segment with the post-petiole closely finely striated

in the middle ; the second to fourth more strongly on the basal

half.

The gastroceeli are large, deep, smooth. Transverse median

nervure interstitial. The areola is not separated behind, where

there is no oblique depression ; it is clearly separated from the

lateral arez, is slightly narrowed in the middle, more than twice

longer than wide, and transverse at the apex ; the apex of the seg-

ment has a gradually rounded slope, without teeth. The ventral fold

is on segments two to four.

Stictichneumon, gen. nov.

Clypeus separated from the face by a deep, wide furrow which

unites with the lateral foveze ; its apex not quite transverse. Are-

ola horseshoe-shaped, longer than wide, clearly separated behind;

the petiolar area confluent with lateral. Scutellum roundly convex ;

roundly sloped at the base and apex ; its basal half keeled. Petiole

106 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

strongly, closely punctured, as are also the following three segments;

gastroceeli deep, widely separated. Areolet 5-angled ; transverse

median nervure interstitial ; disco-cubital nervure slightly broken.

There is a distinct malar space. The upper tooth of the mandible is

distinctly longer than the lower. Antennz shorter than the body.

Temples obliquely, roundly narrowed. Post-petiole not clearly

separated, becoming gradually wider towards the apex; it is

strongly punctured. There is a distinct depression at the base of

the metanotum. Legs short and stout.

The body is black, spotted with yellow ; it is more closely and

strongly punctured than usual. Temples obliquely narrowed.

This genus should be readily known by the roundly convex scutel-

lum, keeled to the middle, and by the clypeus being separated

from the face by a deep transverse furrow. The middle area of the

petiole is raised, separated from the sides. The apex of the clypeus

is not quite transverse, the middle being slightly dilated

7.—Stictichneumon macarie, sp. nov.

Black, the face, except for a large mark on its lower half, its sides

produced above, the sides of clypeus, inner eye orbits, lower two-

thirds of outer, base of mandibles, palpi, a line round the base of the

prothorax, one on the pronotum, tegulze, two lines on the mesono-

tum, scutellar keels, two small spots on the base of scutellum, a

line on its apex, post-scutellum, two oblique spots on the apical

slope of metanotum, tubercles, a mark on the lower part of the

mesopleurz, contracted in the middle, the apical part shorter and

more oval than the basal, which is narrowed at the apex, an irregular

spot on the apex of the metapleure, transverse marks on the sides

of the basal four abdominal segments, the centre of the penultimate

and the whole of the last, yellow. Legs black, the four front coxze

and trochanters yellow ; their femora and tibie obscure testaceous

infront. Wings clear hyaline, the stigma and nervures black,é.

Length 10 mm.

Maskeliya, July.

Bred from pupa of Macaria, sp.

CRYPTIN&.

8.—Buodias rufipes, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 13.

Black. the legs red ; a broad. band on the antennz, the upper eye

inner orbits, an interrupted line on the base of the pronotum, scutel-

lar keels, scutellum, metanotal spines and the apices of the basal

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 107

three abdominal segments and of the sixth more broadly, whitish

yellow. Wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, °.

Length 14 mm.; terebra 4 mm.

Kandy, July.

Face and, to a less extent, the base of clypeus irregularly rugose ;

the apex of clypeus smooth and shining. Sides of front coarsely,

obliquely striated. Mesonotum smooth, shortly, densely pilose.

Base of metanotum finely irregularly striated ; the rest stoutly

reticulated—striated ; the spines long, stout. Propleurz stoutly,

closely striated ; the mesopleure irregularly striated at the base,

the rest finely striated—reticulated, but not closely ; the meta-

pleure obliquely striated.

9.—Melcha cinctipes, sp. nov.

Black, face, clypeus, mandibles except at the apex, palpi, the

upper inner orbits, malar space, the upper and lower sides of protho-

rax broadly, metapleurz and apical half of metanotum, the apices

of the basal three segments of the abdomen and the apical pale

yellow ; the scutellum and the keels lemon-yellow. Four front

legs pale yellow ; the hind cox pale yellow, black above, the

trochanters black ; the femora red, the extreme apex black ; the

tibiz black, with a white band near the base, tarsi white, the basal

joint to near the apex, and the apical joint, black. Wings hyaline,

the stigma and nervures black, 6.

Length 7-5 mm.

Peradeniya, August.

Base of metanotum smooth, irregularly punctured to the keel ;

the rest closely reticulated. Propleurze with some stout striz in

the middle behind. Mesopleurz obscurely punctured, with a striated

band in the centre above. Lower part of metapleurz irregularly

punctured—treticulated. The second and following segments of the

abdomen are closely punctured. Tarsi spinose.

Antennal scape fulvous ; flagellum densely covered with short,

thick, black pubescence. There is a yellow line on the centre of the

outer orbits.

10.—Melcha annulipes, sp. nov.

Black, an ovoid mark on the centre of the face, the broad end

above and rounded, clypeus, palpi, mandibles except the teeth, the

upper inner orbits from the antenne, pronotum broadly, tegul,

tubercles, scutellum, metanotum from shortly behind the basal

keel, the top forming two rounded lobes, the yellow extending on to

the metapleurze below the bottom of the lobes and being dilated at

the base below, the apex of the first and second abdominal segments

Q 8(17)05

108 SPOLTA ZEYLANICA.

broadly and the apical four segments entirely, yellow ; the petiole

rufous. Legs rufous, the four front cox and trochanters white ;

the hind tibize fuscous, with a broad ring near the base, the hind

tarsi, except the apical joint, white. Wings hyaline, the stigma

fuscous, the nervures darker, °.

Length 6-7 mm. ; terebra 2mm.

Peradeniya, September.

Antenne broadly ringed with white ; the scape and base of flagel-

lum rufo-testaceous. The part below the ocelli closely, irregularly,

longitudinally striated, keeled in the middle ; the depressed front

with two stout smooth keels. Face finely, irregularly rugose.

Mesonotum finely, closely, rugosely punctured. Scutellum smooth.

Base of metanotum irregularly rugose ; the apex distinctly trans-

versely striated, the strive clearly separated. The centre of propleurz

stoutly striated, the mesopleurze closely, irregularly, obliquely

striated and aciculated ; the metapleure closely, strongly, obliquely

striated. The second and third segments of the abdomen closely,

uniformly punctured.

11.—Melcha varibalteata, sp. nov.

Black, the median segment, apex of mesopleur below, and petiole

rufous ; face, clypeus, mandibles, palpi, lower third of outer orbits,

base of propleurz, pronotum, mesosternum, tegul, tubercles, the

usual plate under the hind wings, the apices of the five abdominal

segments and marks in the centre of the apical two, yellow, the

yellow on the abdominal segments backed with testaceous behind.

Four front legs pale fulvous, the coxz and trochanters white ; the

hind coxe fulvous, their trochanters black ; femora rufous, tibiz and

tarsi fuscous, the tibize broadly rufous at the base. Wings hyaline,

the apex slightly smoky, the stigma fuscous, the nervures darker, 6,

Length 5 mm.

Kandy, July.

Head smooth and shining. Thorax smooth, except the apical

slope and sides of metanotum behind the keel, which are irregularly

rugose. Middle lobe of mesonotum depressed in the centre, and

having a distinct fovea, longer than wide ; the apex at the end of the

parapsidal furrows with a row of fovee. The petiole is black at

the apex, the centre yellowish, as compared with the sides.

12.—Melcha reticulata, sp. nov.

Black, the face, clypeus, mandibles, palpi, the lower fourth of the

outer orbits, malar space, the inner orbits to near the antenne,

a broad line on the apical two-thirds of the pronotum, tegule.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 109

tubercles, antennal keels, scutellum, the usual mark behind the

wings, the apical slope of the metanotum except for a black mark in

the centre, the apices of the basal four abdominal segments and the

apical entirely, yellow. The four front legs yellow, tinged with

fulvous, the hinder rufo-testaceous, the apex of the coxe, trochanters,

apical half of tibiz, and the tarsi blackish. Under side of antennal

scape testaceous. Wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, 6.

Length 7 mm.

Matale, July.—Reared from Psyche subteralbata.

Head shining, impunctate. Mesonotum minutely punctured.

Parapsidal furrows closely, transversely striated ; the part where

they end irregularly punctate—reticulated. The base of metanotum

smooth, the rest strongly, closely reticulated. Propleurz and meso-

pleure smooth; the metapleure irregularly reticulated. The

second and third segments of the abdomen are closely punctured ;

the others smooth, densely pilose.

13.—Melcha erythropus, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 2.

Black, the upper inner orbits broadly, more broadly below than

above, a line on the lower part of the inner, the greater part of the

clypeus, labrum, mandibles except the teeth, palpi, a line on the

apical three-fourths of the pronotum, tegule, tubercles, scutellum, a

large crescent-shaped mark behind the wings, the apices of the basal

three abdominal segments and a narrower line on the apex of the

sixth, yellowish-white. Legs rufous, the anterior cox and trochan-

ters white ; the greater part of the hind tarsi blackish. Wings clear

hyaline, the nervures and stigma black. Median segment, apex of

mesosternum and base of metapleure, rufous, ¢.

Length 7 mm.; terebra 2 mm.

Peradeniya, August.

The sixth to twelfth joints of the antenne are ringed with white

except above. Face closely, irregularly, rugosely striated. Clypeus

obscurely punctured. Front with a distinct keel down the centre,

striated on either side, the striz stronger and more irregular above.

' Pronotum and mesonotum smooth and shining ; the propleure in

the middle stoutly striated ; the mesopleurz except behind, closely,

finely reticulated. Metanotum behind the keel smooth and shining :

the rest closely, rugosely reticulated. Metapleurz closely, obliquely

striated, more strongly above than below the furrow. The second

and third segments of the abdomen are finely, closely punctured ;

the others smooth and shining. Tarsi closely spinose. Areolet

square, the apical nervure faint. Base of mesosternum yellow, the

110 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

rest black : the second transverse cubital nervure faint. The base

of the first abdominal segment is rufous.

A specimen from Kandy is 12 mm. long, has a stripe on the sides

of the fourth abdominal segment, and the penultimate is entirely

white.

14.—Melcha maculiceps, sp. nov.

Black ; the upper inner orbits, a somewhat pyriform mark on the

centre of the face, the thickened end at the top and rounded, the

clypeus except on the sides and apex, mandibles broadly at the base.

tegule, tubercles, scutellum, the apical slope of the metanotum, the

top of the yellow part narrowed, transverse above, with the sides

slightly oblique, and the apices of the abdominal segments, yellow.

Legs rufous, the fore cox and trochanters yellow, the apical joint

of the tarsi black. Wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, ¥.

Length 8 mm. ; terebra 2 mm.

Peradeniya, October. Bred from cocoons of Chrysomelid beetle

feeding on orchid.

The sixth to tenth joints of antennz white below. Face closely

and distinctly punctured. The upper part of the front closely, longi-

tudinally, irregularly striated—reticulated. Mesonotum minutely.

closely punctured ; the apex of the middle lobe closely, strongly.

longitudinally striated, the striated part broad and transverse at

the apex ; separated from the scutellar depression by a smooth

raised part. The scutellar depression is deep and bears stout keels.

Base of metanotum irregularly, closely, rugosely punctured ; the

area with a stout irregular keel in the centre ; the rest is closely

reticulated. Pleurz closely punctured, the propleurz on the lower

half stoutly striated ; the sternum bordering the furrow is on the

basal half, closely, finely, transversely striated. Sides of post-

petiole closely, longitudinally striated.

15.—Friona rufipes, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 1.

Black, the face, except for a triangular large black mark in the

centre, clypeus, except for a black line, dilated in the middle, at the

apex, labrum, base of mandibles, palpi, the upper orbits to the end

of the top, the lower half of the outer more broadly, malar space, a

line on the pronotum, tegule, scutellum, a reversed T-shaped line

on the apical, striated part of the metanotum, the cross pieces being

on the apical slope, a semi-circular mark on the lower, apical part of

the mesopleurz, a smaller mark, longish, rounded above, transverse

below, under and in front of it ; a large mark, rounded in front.

gradually widened towards the outer side behind the wings, an

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 111

elongated mark, narrowest behind, on the metapleure and the

apices of the abdominal segments, pale yellow. Legs rufous ; the

four front coxze and trochanters yellow ; the hind tarsi white,

fuscous at the base, the apical joints black, Wings hyaline, the

nervures and stigma black, &.

Kandy, July

Length 13 mm.; terebra 4 mm.

Antenne black, broadly ringed with white. Front with a distinct

central keel ; on the top and bottom it has, on either side, three or

four irregular, curved keels. Face punctured, the centre irregularly,

weakly striated. Thorax smooth and shining. The metanotum

behind the keel and the pleure closely, distinctly striated as usual.

Median segment and hind coxe and trochanters covered with long

black hair. Areolet one half longer than the width at the base.

The hind coxe are marked above at the base with yellow : in the

é they are black, except at the base above, the middle coxe have

a large black mark on the outer side at the apex above. The apex

of the metanotum at the white transverse line is roundly dilated.

16.—Friona bituberculata, sp. nov.

Length 13 mm. 6.

Kandy, July.

In colouration this species resembles closely F. rufipes, but the

pleurz are not marked with yellow, the hind coxe are red, without

black or yellow, and the face wants the black central mark. Other-

wise the two may be separated thus :

Apex of metanotum not raised, near the apex armed with two

stout teeth or tubercles, which are enclosed by the yellow

apical band ; the apical transverse band as long as the basal

central line, this being narrowed towards the base ; pleura,

immaculate, not strongly or closely striated ; the base of the

first and the whole of the apical two segments, white, bituber-

culata, Cam.

Apex of metanotum raised transversely, not tuberculated: the

apical transverse line narrow, the longitudinal one widest at:

the top, pleure marked with yellow, distinctly striated face :

the base of the first abdominal segment not yellow; the

apical two segments only yellow at the apices, rufipes, Cam.

There is a triangular mark on the centre of the metanotum, the

narrow end at the apex ; the striz on it are irregular and run into

reticulations. The striation on the front is not very strong. Face

yellow. Clypeus black, with a yellow mark, transverse, rounded at

the sides in the centre. Legs red ; the hind trochanters black. Areo-

let not very large, almost square (smaller than in rufipes, which

receives the recurrent nervure shortly behind the middle).

1 Ba I. SPOLIA ZEYLANITCA.

17.—Fenenias erythropus, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 14.

Black, very shining, the centre of the face and clypeus, the latter

more widely than the former ; the inner orbits narrowly from near

the bottom and round the top, the lower two-thirds of the outer,

base of mandibles and palpi, a narrow line on the apical half of the

pronotum, the base below, a transverse small mark on the apex of

the middle lobe of the mesonotum, scutellar keels, apex of scutellum,

the mark longer than broad ; a line on the centre of the apical slope

of the metanotum, followed downwards, on either side, by a similar

line of the same length and united to a mark on the middle, which is.

longer than broad and of equal width ; tubercles. a pyriform mark

on the lower part of the mesopleure near the base, a smaller, some-

what similar mark on the lower side at the apex, a stripe along the

lower side of the furrow, the usual mark under the hind wings. an

oblique mark near the apex of the metapleurz and narrow lines on

the apices of the abdominal segments (the apical interrupted), pale

yellow. Legsred; the anterior at the base and the hind tarsi yellow-

ish. Wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, °.

Length 8 mm.; terebra 4 mm.

Peradeniya, September.

Face and upper part of clypeus distinctly punctured, the former

more closely and rugosely above. Vertex punctured in the centre ;

the front clearly separated from it and with a steep slope. Mesono-

tum distinctly, but*not very closely or coarsely, punctured ; the

furrows deep, wider and striated towards the apex ; they do not

extend near tothe scutellum, which is finely, very sparsely punctured,

its lateral slope is stoutly, obliquely striated at the base, the rest

with some elongated punctures. Base of metano‘um with a smooth,

deep, oblique depression ; in the middle is an indistinct U-shaped

keel ; the centre is irregularly reticulated; the sides much more

finely and regularly reticulated. The apical slope is depressed in

the centre and closely, transversely, irregularly striated—reticulated ;

there is no transverse basal keel; the apical is not very distinctly

defined, especially in the centre ; the teeth are broad and blunt.

Propleure strongly striated except for a punctured space above and

the base below, which is smooth. Mesopleure closely punctured,

coarsely, irregularly, longitudinally striated at the base above, irregu-

larly, closely reticulated in the middle ; the apex with a large smooth

and shining space. First abdominal segment smooth, shining, the

apex with some minute scattered punctures ; the second segment

closely and distinctly punctured, except at the apex ; the basal half

of the third is more closely and finely punctured,

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA, 113

The areolet is minute, closed at the apex ; the transverse median

nervure is received behind the transverse basal; the transverse

median nervure in hind wings broken below the middle. Antenne

long, ringed with white, slender. Metapleural keel reaching close to

the hind coxee. Temples very short, obliquely narrowed. Head not

much wider than the thorax. The basal transverse keel on the meta-

notum is only indicated in the middle.

This species may be separated from the type of the genus thus :—

Metanotal teeth stout ; metanotum with three yellow marks ina

triangle; the mark on the mesonotum oval, longer than

broad, hind tarsi fuscous, albomaculatus, Cam.

Metanotal teeth small; metanotum with the upper part of the

apical slope margined with yellow ; the mark on the meso-

notum transverse, small, broader than long, erythropus, Cam.

In albomaculatus the clypeus is more convex and not so iransverse

attheapex. In Feneniasthe frontis more deeply and widely depress-

ed, the depression reaching closer to the ocelli, than in Skeatia.

18.—Skeatia acutilineata, sp. nov.

Plate A, fig. 12.

Black, face, clypeus, base of mandibles, palpi, the inner eye orbits

to the end of their top, the outer from near the top, the yellow line

becoming gradually wider, malar space, the base of the prothorax

narrowly, the middle of pronotum broadly, tegule, a mark, longer

than broad and of equal width in the centre of the mesonotum,

scutellar keels, scutellum, a triangular mark—the narrow end

above—its base shorter than the sides and laterally united by a

short line to a large mark on the sides of the apical slope, enclosing

the spines and going on to the pleurz, the apices of all the abdominal

segments, tubercles, a large oblique mark on the centre of the meso-

pleure, roundly contracted above and below and narrowed at the

apex, mesosternum, anda mark on the metapleure below the keel,

widest and oblique at the apex, yellow. Antenne broadly ringed

with white in the middle. Legs rufous, the coxe and trochanters

yellow, the hind cox broadly black at the apex above, this part

joined to the base on the lower side by a broad curved line ; the apex

of the hind femora narrowly, the base of the tibiz still more narrowly,

their apex more broadly and the apical joints of their tarsi, black ;

the hind tibiz are infuscated. Wings hyaline, the nervures and

stigma black ; areolet minute, longer than wide, °.

Length 12 mm.; terebra 3-4 mm.

Kandy, July.

Front irregularly rugosely punctured except below the ocelli; the

centre keeled. Face distinctly, but not very closely, punctured:

the clypeus more sparsely punctured above, smooth below. Thorax

114 SPOLIA ZRYLANICA.

closely and strongly punctured ; the metapleure more strongly than

the rest, the metanotum closely reticulated, most strongly and more

irrecularly on the apex. The first abdominal segments sparsely, the

others closely and uniformly punctured.

Characteristic of this species is the acutely narrowed top of the mark

on the metanotum; in the other species it is rounded.

19.—Skeatia cyclosie, sp. nov.

Black, the face, clypeus, mandibles at base, palpi, the upper eye

orbits to the end of the top, the outer from shortly above the middle,

malar space, a broad line on the pronotum, a line on the lower edge

of the propleurz, a small mark, longer than broad, transverse at the

base, rounded at the apex on the centre of the mesonotum, scutellar

keels, scutellum, the sides of the metanotum at the apex broadly,

united above by a rounded line, which has the rounded top broader

than the sides ; tubercles, a large mark on the mesopleure, sharply

contracted in the middle, the basal portion being the larger,

mesosternum and a large mark in the centre of the metapleure, and

the apices of the abdominal segments, yellow. Legs fulvous ; the

coxe and trochanters yellow; the base and a mark on the outer side

of the hind coxz, under side of trochanters, apex of! hind femora,

the base of their tibiz more narrowly and their apex more broadly,

black ; the hind tarsi white. Antenne broadly ringed with white.

Wings clear hyaline, the stigma and nervures black, ¢.

Length 12 mm.; terebra 2-3 mm.

Kandy. Bred from cocoonof Cyclosia panthona, a zygeenid moth.

Front with a distinct keel ; the part next to the keel finely rugose,

outside obscurely striated. Face and top of clypeus punctured,

strongly, but not closely. Mesonotum closely, finely, rugosely

punctured, Scutellum smooth; a small triangular black mark at

the base. Metanotum closely, rugosely reticulated ; the basal area

smooth, wider than long. Propleuree stoutly striated, obliquely

above, below more strongly longitudinally; the mesopleurz and meta-

pleure closely punctured. Base and centre of first abdominal

segment aciculated, the sides of post-petiole closely punctured and

striated ; the other segments closely punctured.

The Malay S. varipes closely resembles this species. They may

be separated as follows :—

The metanotal area small, greatly narrowed at the apex, the top

of the yellow line not dilated, the large line on mesopleure

not contracted in the middle, at apex united to the yellow

on the mesosternum, varipes, Cam.

The metanotal area large, not greatly narrowed at apex, the top

of yellow line greatly dilated ; the large line on mesopleurz

contracted in the middle, not united to the yellow on the

sternum, cyclosi@,

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 115

20.—Skeatia panthonee, sp. nov.

Black ; face, clypeus, mandibles at the base, palpi, inner orbits,

their top, the lower two-thirds of the outer more broadly, malar

space, the edge of the pronotum, the lower edge of the propleure

more broadly, an irregular small mark on the middle of the meso-

notum, scutellum, post-scutellum, scutellar keels, the sides of the

apical slope of the metanotum, united above by a narrow line to a

spot which is longer than broad, rounded above, transverse

below, tubercles, a moderately sized roundish mark on the lower part

of the mesopleurz at the base, a smaller—half the size—somewhat

conical one on the lower side of the apex, a large mark behind the

wings, partly on the top, partly on the pleure, a quadrangular mark

twice longer than broad on the centre of the metapleure, the meso-

pleurze and the apices of the abdominal segments, pale yellow. Legs:

the four anterior yellow, tinged with fulvous, the hinder fulvous.

the cox yellowish, black at the base and with a black large mark

on the apex above, the lower half the larger, and projecting beyond

it at the apex ; the trochanters, apex of femora, the base of tibiz

more narrowly, their apex more broadly, black ;_ the tarsi yellowish.

Wings hyaline, the stigma and nervures black, 6.

Length 11 mm.

Kandy. Bred from Cyclosia panthona.

Face and upper half of clypeus strongly punctured. Front stoutly

irregularly striated. Mesonotum strongly, closely, the scutellum

sparsely punctured. Metanotum behind the keel closely rugosely

punctured, the rest closely strongly reticulated, the reticulations

converging into striz at the apex. Propleure, except at the base,

strongly, closely striated. Mesopleurz closely striated (more closely

and less strongly than the propleurz) obliquely above at the base,

running from the tubercles to the base of the pleure ; the striz on

the lower half are not so oblique and run from the base to the apex.

Base of the metapleurz with some irregular widely separated keels,

the rest closely, strongly, obliquely striated. Petiole obscurely acicu-

lated ; post-petiole smooth and shining ; the second segment thickly

covered with round, clearly separated punctures ; the third similarly

but much less strongly punctured. The area on the base of the

metanotum is wide at the base, not separated from the basal furrow ;

it becomes obliquely narrowed towards the apex.

Although this species has the same host as S. cyclosie it is not,

I believe; its male. The two may be separated thus :

Post-petiole strongly aciculated and punctured ; the mark on the

centre of metanotum broader than long; one long mark cn

the mesopleure, cyclosic,

R : 8(17)05

116 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Post-petiole smooth, shining, impunctate, the mark on the centre

of the metanotum longer than broad ; two widely separated

marks on the mesopleure, panthone.

21.—Bathythrix ? rubriornatus, sp. nov,

Plate B, fig. 4.

Black, the upper part of the propleurze and mesopleure, the meso-

notum, and the scutellum dark red ; the lower part of the propleurse

yellowish; the apex of the first abdominal segment at the sides broadly

testaceous ; the apex of the third and fourth yellow, the latter only

narrowly. Four front legs dark fuscous, the hinder blackish, the

coxe behind, trochanters, and the base of tibiz white. Wings

hyaline, a broad cloud, rounded and narrowed in front behind the

transverse median and the transverse basal, and a much broader one

extending from near the base of the stigma to the end of the radial

cellule, the centre of the apex of the wings, being hyaline ; the apex

of the hind wings smoky, Antenne fuscous, darker at the apex, ¥.

Length 6 mm.; terebra 1 mm.

Peradeniya, April.

In Ashmead’s tables this species would run into the genus Bathy-

thrix, but not having a specimen of that genus for comparison I can-

not say if it be really identical with it or not. In my species the

parapsidal furrows are deep, striated, and broadly rounded behind,

not reaching to the scutellar depression. The areolar is 6-angled,

narrowed behind and much longer than wide ; there is a distinct

petiolar area ; the base of the segment is deeply depressed. The

head (including the clypeus) and thorax are thickly covered with

white long pubescence. Mesonotum aciculated. Scutellum laterally

keeled to near the middle. Median segment closely, finely punctured.

Petiole closely, distinctly, ongitudinally striated ; the second and

third segments are closely punctured. First joint of flagellum as

long as the second.

22.—Bathythrix ? striatus, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 5.

Black, the antennal scape, the base of prothorax, tegula, tubercles,

the base of the basai four segments of the abdomen broadly and of

the last narrowly, yellow. Legs rufo-testaceous, the apical four cox

and trochanters and the base of the hind tibiz yellow. Wings

hyaline, a black cloud behind the transverse median nervure anda

large one beginning at the base of the radial cellule, extending to near

its apex and more dilated on the outer side below than on the upper ;

there is a fuscous cloud near the apex of the hind wings, ¥,

Length 7 mm.; terebra 1 mm,

Kandy,

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. D7

Head closely rugose ; the vertex closely striated in the centre,

closely covered with white pubescence; the centre of the face

roundly tuberculate. Mesonotum very finely and closely transverse-

ly striated; the furrows crenulated. Metanotum closely rugosely

reticulated, the basal central area is wide at the base, becomes

gradually narrowed to the apex, where the keels almost unite ; the

areola is open at the apex, being continuous with the posterior

median area ; the lateral basal arez are large and of equal width.

Except at the apex the basal three abdominal and the basal half of

the fourth segments are closely, regularly, finely, longitudinally

striated.

This is a larger and stouter species than B. rubriornatus ; the

abdominal segments are closely longitudinally striated, the metano-

tum less regularly areolated, there being no regularly defined areola,

and the face is more distinctly tuberculated in the centre.

a ;

Clitiga, gen. nov.

6. Antenne as long as the body, 26-jointed, the first joint

of the flagellum longer than the second. Parapsidal furrows indicated

at base only. Scutellum laterally stoutly keeled to near the apex.

Median segment short, smooth, and shining, the apex with a straight,

steep slope ; completely areolated, the areola wider than long,

rounded behind, transverse at the apex ; there are five are on the

apex ; spiracles small, oval; the sides at the apex toothed. Meso-

pleure largely, deeply excavated in the centre. Areolet 5-angled,

the apical nervure faint, but distinct ; disco-cubital nervure rounded,

not angled or broken; the transverse median nervure received

beyond the transverse basal; transverse median nervure in hind

wings broken below the middle. First abdominal segment greatly

dilated at the apex, the base stoutly, angularly projecting ; the base

of second segment depressed, the apex of the depression transverse,

clearly separated. Legs moderately stout. Face flat, not separated

from the clypeus, which is transverse at the apex. Mandibles with

a long apical and a short sub-apical tooth.

2? Antenne stout, dilated towards the apex, longer than the body,

the basal joints of flagellum elongated, The post-petiole is not so

markedly tuberculated on the sides; the apex of the abdomen is

bluntly pointed ; the ovipositor projects and has stout sheaths.

The areola isnot wider than long, as it isin the 6 I have described,

it being nearly as long as wide ; the base of the second abdominal

segment is not tuberculate laterally, but it is depressed at the base.

asin the 4, The abdomen is short, bluntly pointed at the apex,

118 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

The difference between the Hemitelini and the Phygadeuonini

appears to be somewhat shadowy, and practically consists in the

absence in the former of the second transverse cubital nervure and

in its presence in the latter. It is clear enough in the present

genus, although bullated in the middle. In Ashmead’s arrangement

of the Phygadeuonini it would come in near Leptodermas, having five

arez on the apex of the metanotum, but it has no keels on the first

abdominal segment. The deeply excavated mesopleura is note-

worthy. The pleural furrow is wide, deep, curved.

23.—Clhitiga excavata, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 6.

Black, shining ; the face, except for a line in the centre above,

clypeus, and mandibles except at the apex, palpi, the base of the

prothorax, tegule, tubercles, the lower part of the mesopleural

depression, the mark roundly narrowed above and the apex of the

scutellum, pale yellow. Wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma

black. Front legs fuscous—testaceous ; the cox and trochanters

white ; the middle fuscous, the coxe at the apex and above white ;

the hind legs with the coxe black, the rest fuscous, tinged with

black, ¢.

Length 5mm.

Haputale, ex pupze of Michreseus oblatarius.

January.

Mesonotum clearly, but not closely punctured. The central

excavated part of the mesopleure is smooth, its edges punctured ;

the lower part and the sternum rather strongly punctured. The

upper part of the metapleure strongly, but not closely punctured ;

the lower part smooth and bounded by stout, curved keels. The

posterior median area of the metanotum is surrounded on the inner

side by a row of fovez ; the outer area is stoutly closely striated,

the inner with two or three irregular keels, the central quite smooth ;

the outer is whitish above and there is a white spot on the apex of the

spiracular,

24,—Clitaga forticornis, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 7.

Black, the face, except for a black line broad and narrowed below,

a line on the centre of the clypeus broadly dilated at the apex, the

orbits (broadly above) except on the centre of the malar space, basal

half of mandibles, palpi, a broad line on the apical half of the prono-

tum, the lower part of propleure, tegule, tubercles, scutellums, the

sides of the median segment from shortly above the spines, about

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 119

the lower third of the mesopleurz, the mark rounded at the base and

apex, a large oblique mark on the apical half of the metapleure,

united to the lateral mark on the metanotum, the apices of the basal

two abdominal segments broadly, a large mark on the sides of the

third segment, its apical half dilated inwardly, a line, narrowed at

the apex on the sides of the fourth and the apical segments, pale

vellow. Legs rufo-fulvous, the four front coxe and trochanters

yellow, the hind coxe black, tinged with brown at the apex, yellow

for the greater part above, trochanters black below, yellow above,

their tibize and tarsi infuscated at the apex. Wings hyaline, the

nervures and stigma black. Antenne longer than the body, the

middle broadly clear white, ¥.

Length 5-6 mm.

Ex pupe of Michreseus oblatarius.

Haputale, January.

Face punctured, but not closely or strongly ; the clypeus smooth,

with some scattered punctures above. Front and vertex smooth.

Mesonotum, lower half of mesopleure and mesosternum closely

punctured. Base and centre of metanotum smooth, the edges of

the areola and the posterior median areze with a narrow striated

border, the other arez aciculated. Metapleurze more strongly

punctured than the mesopleure. Post-petiole closely rugose and

finely striated ; the second and third segments closely punctured.

Gastrocceli moderately deep, smooth, yellowish testaceous.

Harrana, gen. nov.

Median segment smooth, with one transverse keel behind the

middle ; long, gradually rounded towards the apex ; the spiracles

large, about three times longer than wide. Abdominal petiole long,

slender, not much dilated at the apex, the spiracles placed imme-

diately behind the middle ; the segments smooth ; the ovipositor pro-

jecting. Areolet punctiform as in Mesostenus, open in front ;

transverse median nervure received behind the transverse basal ;

the transverse median nervure in hind wings broken in the middle.

Parapsidal furrows deep. Thorax more than three times longer than

wide. Legs long and slender ; the hind coxe three times longer than

wide; the fore tarsi twice the length of tibiz; claws moderately

long, slender. Head slightly wider than the thorax. Metapleural

keels stout, reaching to the hind coxe. Eyes large, reaching to

the base of the clypeus, there being a clear malar space. Mandi-

bles edentate, gradually narrowed towards the apex.

The type of this genus is a peculiar insect. It has the deep parap-

sidal furrows and the furrow on the lower part of the mesopleurze of

120 SPOLIA ZEYLANIGA.

the Cryptine, and its minute areolet would place it in the Mesostenini,

but its uniform rufo-testaceous colour is very different from anything

found in that group. It might in fact be readily mistaken for a

Paniscus or an Ophionid. It differs from the Cryptine in the spiracles

on the first abdominal segment being placed quite close to, almost at

the middle—further back than in Ophion, but not so far back as in

Paniscus. Inthe position in which the spiracles are placed it agrees

with the Malay genus Cesula. From the resemblance of the

species to Paniscus and Ophion I have no doubt that observation

will show that it is, like the genera mentioned, nocturnal in habits.

The ocelli, too, are large as in these genera.

25.—EHarrana lutea, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 3.

Luteous, smooth, and shining, the face, inner orbits to the ocelli

and mandibles, except at the apex, lemon-yellow ; the four front

legs at the base yellowish, the hind tibiz and tarsi fuscous ; wings

clear hyaline, the nervures black; antennz longer than the body,

black, the scape luteous ; it is short, thick, not much longer than

oroad. Pleural sutures crenulated; on the median segment,

between the hind cox, are three stout transverse keels, bordered

on the outer side by a keel which runs down to the base of the hind

cox. Mesopleural furrow deep, obscurely crenulated, °.

Length 10 mm.; terebra 2 mm.

Kandy, October.

OPHIONID&.

26.—Ophion bicarinatus, sp. nov.

Dark rufous, the eye orbits broadly, face, scutellum, and pleura

pallid yellow; antennze pale rufous, wings hyaline, the costa

and stigma rufous, the nervures darker; the recurrent nervure

received twice the length of the transverse cubital nervure behind

the base of the apical abcissa of the radius; the stump of a nervure

as long as the transverse cubital. On the apical slope of the meta-

notum, commencing at the transverse keel, are two stout longitudinal

keels ; the sides of the apical slope are bordered by a stout, waved

keel, which extends to the base of the hind coxe. Face minutely

punctured ; clypeal fovee large, deep. Thorax impunctate, meso-

notum covered with a fuscous pubescence ; the parapsidal furrows

distinct on basal half, &.

Length 21 mm.

Maskeliya, November,

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 12]

The depression at the base of the metanotum is deep, roundly

narrowed towards the apex ; its width at the base longer than the

total length. This species is much larger than any of the recorded

British Indian species. It has keels on the metanotum as in O. areo-

latus, Cam., but, apart from the smaller size of the latter (15 mm.),

areolatus has the basal depression on the metanotum semicircular,

not dilated distinctly at the apex as in the Ceylonese species. 0.

fuscomaculatus, Cam., is also smaller and may readily be known

by the recurrent nervure being received opposite the end of the

basal abcissa of the radius. In one specimen there are indications

of three fuscous lines on the mesonotum.

27.—Pleuroneurophion erythrocerus, sp. nov.

Head pale lemon-yellow, the thorax pale testaceous, the mesono-

tum more rufous in tint; the abdomen, except at the base, rufo-

testaceous, darker towards the apex ; legs testaceous, the anterior

paler. Wings hyaline, the stigma testaceous, the nervures blackish ;

the basal abcissa of the disco-cubital nervure slightly roundly curved

downwards at the apex ; there is hardly an indication of a stump

of a nervure on the disco-cubital nervure; its apical abcissa is

slightly but distinctly longer than the basal abcissa of the cubitus,

which is slightly shorter than the recurrent nervure ; the disco-

cubital is thickened in the middle, with a long bulla beyond. Pro-

thorax and mesothorax closely punctured, the propleure obscurely

striated. Basal depression of metanotum with two stout and some

indistinct keels; the base smooth,the rest with broadly rounded striz

Metapleural keel broad, rounded at base and apex, the middle

slightly turned upwards, ¢.

Except that there can hardly be said to be a stump of a nervure

on the disco-cubital nervure this species fits into Plewroneurophion.

It has the thickened base of the radius of that genus and of Eniscos-

pilus, but it wants the horny points found always in the latter genus.

The transverse median nervure is placed behind the transverse

basal; the median nervure in bind wings is broken far below the

middle. The ocelli are not in a black patch. The antenne are

much more reddish in tint than the body.

Length 14-15 mm.

Peradeniya.

28.—Eniscospilus spilonotus, sp. nov.

Rufo-testaceous, the head, except the ocellar region which is

black, yellow ; the mesonotum with three large black lines, the fifth

and following segments of the abdomen black. Antenne black,

fuscous towards the apex. Wings hyaline, the stigma and nervures

122 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

black ; there is one dark horny point, broadly transverse below,

roundly narrowed in front, the base rounded, the apex slightly

rounded inwardly. Transverse cubital nervure two-thirds of the

length of the recurrent, which is more than twice its length from it.

Scutellum yellow, its apical half irregularly striated. Base of

metanotum smooth; the base of the apical part smooth, except for a

few irregular striz ; the centre with roundly curved irregular striz ;

the apex smooth. Propleuree almost smooth, the centre of the

mesopleure finely, closely striated except above; metapleure below

the keel finely, irregularly striated ; the spiracular area coarsely,

irregularly, obliquely striated, much more strongly towards the

apex than at the base. Metasternal keel stout, curved at base and

apex, the base dilated.

‘Brulle (Hymen. IV., 145) describes an O. plicatus from Java

which has three black marks on the mesonotum ; but it is an Ophion,

not an EHniscospilus, it having no horny points in the wings.

29.—Eniscospilus melanocar pus, sp. nov.

Rufous ; the fifth and following segments of the abdomen black ;

the antennz black, broadly rufous at the base ; wings hyaline, the

stigma and nervures black ; the horny point triangular, the sides

rounded, large, and with a long curved tail; there is a small point

beyond the middle of the latter, about twice longer than wide,

rounded behind, transverse at the apex. Transverse cubital nervure

one-third of the length of the apical branch of the disco-cubital and

about one-fourth shorter than the recurrent. Scutellar keels stouter

than usual. Basal depression of metanotum stoutly closely striated,

more closely in the centre than on the sides ; the base smooth ; the

rest closely reticulated, less closely at the base, where there are some

irregular longitudinal keels. Pleure closely, but not strongly

punctured; the metapleure more strongly than the rest; the

propleure striated closely in the centre.

Length 12 mm.

Kandy, August.

30.—Eniscospilus xanthocephalus, sp. nov.

Testaceous, the head and scutellum pallid lemon-yellow; the

ocellar region and the: fifth and following abdominal segments

black ; the occiput and a line in the centre of the face rufous.

Antenne rufo-testaceous ; the basal two-thirds of the first abdominal

segment yellow. Wings clear hyaline, the stigma clear testaceous,

the costa and nervures black ; transverse cubital nervure straight.

oblique, slightly more than one-half the length of the recurrent

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 123

nervure, which is about one-fourth shorter than the apical abcissa of

the disco-cubital nervure ; third discoidal cellule short and wide, in

length not much more than twice its width at the apex. Transverse

basal nervure interstitial. The horny spot is broadly rounded

above, slightly, gradually narrowed to the apex which is transverse ;

the apical spot is much smaller, about three times longer than wide,

oblique at the base, narrowed at the apex, .

Length 11-12 mm.

Peradeniya, June.

Smooth and shining; the upper half of the mesopleure finely

punctured, the lower finely, closely, longitudinally striated. Basal

slope of metanotum with a keel in the centre and one on the sides ;

the basal region smooth, the apical almost smooth in the centre, the

sides transversely striated. Apex.of clypeus broadly rounded.

This species is readily known from the other species here described

by the wide, as compared with its length, third discoidal cellule

31.—Eniscospilus unilineatus, sp. NOV

Pallid testaceous, the head pale lemon-yellow ; the third and

following segments of the abdomen fuscous ; a deep, black, broad

line in the centre of the middle lobe of the mesonotum, the meso-

sternum black; the apex of the first and the second abdominal

segments are more rufous in colour. Legs coloured like the thorax,

the femora deeper in tint. Wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma

black ; the basal horny point is pyriform and is followed by a less

distinct curved line ; beyond it is a small square spot, ?.

Length 17 mm.

Peradeniya, July

Antenne rufous, the scape and the basal 10-11 joints of flagellum

blackish. Head shining, impunctate ; the apex of clypeus broadly

rounded. Mesonotum shining, covered with a pale pubescence.

Basal half of scutellum keeled laterally. Base of metanotum

smooth, irregularly transversely striated laterally, the centre irregu-

larly stoutly reticulated ; the apical slope with some stout, irregular,

roundly curved keels. Propleuree smooth, indistinctly obliquely

striated below. Mesopleure closely, finely punctured. Metapleurz

finely rugose, the upper part with some stout, oblique striz.

32.—Eniscospilus dasychire, sp. nov

Pallid luteous, the abdomen darker coloured, especially towards

the apex ; the head pallid yellow ; antennz rufous. Wings hyaline,

the stigma, costa, and basal abcissa of radius testaceous ; there is

one small pyriform horny point; the transverse cubital nervure

S 8(17)05

124 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

slightly roundly curved, as long as the recurrent nervure. Scutel-

lum keeled laterally to the apex. Base of metanotum smooth ; the

basal depression with a stout central and two or three keels on

either side of it ; the base, behind the keel, is irregularly striated ;

the striz in the centre longitudinal, the others irregularly trans-

versely, the rest of the segment with close, rather strong, regularly

roundly curved striz. Propleure closely, obliquely striated. Meso-

pleure closely punctured. Metapleure closely, coarsely, obliquely

striated.

The disco-cubital nervure is roundly curved and thickened in the

centre and with a large bulla beyond the thickened part. Legs

densely pilose ; the pile on the femora longer, paler, softer, and

sparser than on the tibiz or tarsi, ¥.

- Length 21 mm.

Pundalu-oya, January.

Bred from Dasychira horsfield.

33.—Eniscospilus horsfieldi, sp. nov.

Length 18 mm., ?.

This species is very similar to the above described, but is smaller,

more slenderly built, and paler in colour. The two may be separated

thus :—

Length 18 mm.; transverse cubital nervure straight, oblique,

not distinctly rounded ; distinctly shorter than the recurrent

nervure, horsfieldi.

Length 21 mm.; transverse cubital nervure with a distinct,

rounded curve, as long as the recurrent nervure, dasychire.

Base of metanotum shagreened ; the base of the apical part has

one or two longitudinal keels ; the rest with irregular, curved keels

pointing towards the apex ; the rest is closely covered with roundly

curved backwards, strie, which, at the apex, extend on to the

pleure. Propleurz rather strongly obliquely striated in the middle;

the mesopleure in the centre above broadly, and below entirely

striated ; the upper part of the metapleurz coarsely, irregularly

reticulated ; the rest closely, somewhat strongly, obliquely striated.

Stigma, costa, and basal abcissa of radius, rufo-testaceous ; there is

only one small, somewhat pyriform horny point. Legs densely

pilose. The middle lobe of the mesonotum is darker than the latter.

Spilophion, gen. nov.

Transverse median nervure broken shortly, but distinctly, below

the middle. Base of radius thickened. Disco-cubital nervure

roundly, broadly curved, without a stump ; originating before the

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 125

discoidal nervure. Transverse median nervure interstitial. Ab-

domen strongly compressed, more than twice as long as the head

and thorax united. Apex of clypeus transverse ; labrum projecting,

roundly narrowed towards the apex, more than half the length of

the clypeus.

This genus has the thickened base of radius of Pleuroneurophion

and Enicospilus ; the former may be known from it by the not

interstitial transverse basal nervure and by the angled, almost broken

disco-cubital nervure ; the latter by the presence of blister spots

and by the transverse median nervure in hind wings being broken

far below the middle. Characteristic are the projecting labrum and

the spotted wings.

34.—Spilophion maculipennis, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 13.

Testaceous, largely marked with yellow; three large marks,

narrowly separated, on the mesonotum, apex of metanotum, a large

mark, obliquely narrowed at the base, on the lower half of the

mesopleure, a large ovoid mark on the metapleure ; the third

abdominal segment above and the greater part fifth and sixth black ;

wings hyaline, the base of radial cellule smoky ; the stigma and the

nervures black ; the former pale at the base; face, oral region, and

orbits lemon-yellow ; antennz rufo-testaceous, ¢.

Length 15-17 mm.

Peradeniya, September.

Basal abcissa of radius thickened at the base. Disco-cubital

nervure roundly curved downwards, the apex broadly, roundly

curved upwards; the cellule bare above, but without horny points.

Head smooth and shining, almost entirely yellow. Prothorax and

mesothorax impunctate. Scutellum laterally keeled to near the apex.

Metanotum behind the keel smooth ; the base depressed, with two

stout keels in the middle ; down the centre of the smooth part is a

fine longitudinal keel. The basal part is smooth laterally ; the

centre with three or four irregular keels ; the central stoutly irregularly

reticulated, its sides obliquely stoutly striated, the strize clearly

separated ; the apical slope has some widely separated irregular

longitudinal striz. Pleurze smooth and shining.

35.—Paniscus intermedius, sp. nov.

Fulvous, the thorax slightly tinged with yellow, the face, oral

region, and orbits pale yellow ; antenne rufous, darker towards the

apex, wings hyaline, the stigma fuscous, the nervures blackish.

Scutellum stoutly keeled, the keels uniting at the apex in a sharply

126 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

pointed angle. Areolet oblique, almost appendiculated above ;

the second nervure largely bullated ; the recurrent nervure above

and shortly below the middle widely bullated. Disco-cubital

nervure roundly, broadly curved, not broken by a stump of a nervure.

Transverse median nervure in hind wings broken near the bottom of

the upper fourth. Median segment smooth at the base, the rest

closely transversely striated, the striz running into reticulations at

the apex. Pronotum and mesonotum closely, minutely punctured ;

parapsidal furrows distinctly defined, especially in the middle. Legs

coloured like the body, the anterior paler than the posterior ; tarsal

joints spinose at the apex and more sparsely on the rest, ¢ and 6.

Length 10-11 mm.

Maskeliya; Pundalu-oya.

Owing to their uniform colouration the species of Paniscus are

difficult to define. The present species appears to be sufficiently

distinguished from the known Oriental forms by (1) its smaller size; (2)

by the transverse median nervure in hind wings being broken higher

up, nearer the upper fourth than the upper third as with the others ;

(3) by the keels on the scutellum uniting in a sharp angle, while in the

others they do not unite, but are widely separated. As with the

other species the ocellar region is black. The apex of the clypeus is

more transverse, less rounded than it is in the other species. The

second joint of the hind tarsi is distinctly shorter than the third and

fourth united. The temples are little developed and obliquely,

sharply, roundly narrowed.

36.—Pamniscus orientalis, sp. nov

Rufous, the orbits narrowly pale yellow ; stigma testaceous, the

nervures black. Scutellum more strongly punctured than the mego-

notum, whose furrows are distinct on its basal two-thirds only; the

scutellar keels are stout and do not unite at the apex. Metanotum

smooth at the base only, the rest closely, strongly, transversely

striated. Pleurz closely, distinctly punctured ; the lower part of

the propleurz and metapleur closely, distinctly, obliquely striated.

Transverse median nervure in hind wings broken shortly above the

middle ; disco-cubital nervure not broken by a stump of a nervure.

Ocellar region black. Face strongly and closely, the clypeus sparse-

ly punctured, the apex of the latter bluntly rounded. Wings hya-

line, the stigma testaceous, the nervures black. Tarsal spines long,?.

Length 13 mm.

The pleure are much more strongly punctured than the mesono-

tum, which is almost smooth.

This is a larger species than tntermedius, but still smaller than the

other Indian species ; from intermedius it may be known by its

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 127

deeper rufous colour; by the transverse median nervure in hind

wings being broken lower down, by the scutellar keels not converging

at the apex, by the temples being more largely developed and not so

obliquely narrowed, and by the metapleural keel being much more

broadly developed, especially at the base. Antenne dark rufous,

darker towards the apex.

Pundalu-oya, October.

Paniscus ceylonicus, Cam., is a much larger (nearly 25 mm.) and

stouter species than the two I have described here ; the stigma is

dark fuscous ; the disco-cubital nervure is broken distinctly by a

stump of a nervure; the recurrent nervure forms two rounded curves,

the upper being more broadly rounded, while in those here described

it forms one curve only.

37.—Pamniscus levis, sp. nov.

Pallid yellow, entirely smooth and shining ; the antenne with a

rufous tinge, not darkened towards the apex, wings hyaline, the

stigma pallid yellow, the nervures blackish, ?.

Length 8 mm.

Kandy, July.

This species differs from the other Oriental species in being perfect-

ly smooth, the head and thorax being impunctate and the metano-

tum not striated. It differs also in the transverse median nervure

being received at a greater distance from the transverse basal, and

the eyes below are separated by the same distance as they are at the

top, while in the others, e.g., orientalis and intermedius, the distance

is clearly greater below than it is above. The parapsidal furrows,

too, are much less strongly indicated.

The scutellar keels do not unite at the apex. Apex of clypeus

rounded ; above it is not separated from the face. There is no

malar space, the eyes touching the base of the mandibles. Temples

distinct, obliquely narrowed. Transverse median nervure in hind

wings broken close to the bottom of the upper fourth, the lower part

with a more sharply oblique slope than usual. The antennz are

much more densely pilose than usual, the pile being close, long, and

white. The metasternal keel is wider at the base than at the apex.

It is a more slenderly built species than the others.

38.—Campoplex greent, sp. nov.

Black, the third, fourth, and fifth abdominal segments red ; the

apex of the fore femora, tibize, and tarsi testaceous; the nnddle

femora near the apex and the tibia more broadly at the base,

128 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

obscure testaceous ; calcaria dark testaceous. Wings hyaline, the

nervures and stigma black, °.

Length 10 mm.

Hatton ; Pundalu-oya, February.

Head and thorax thickly covered with silvery pubescence. Head

closely punctured. Mandibles uniformly dark rufous including the

teeth, their base thickly covered with white pubescence. Palpi dark

testaceous. Thorax closely, distinctly punctured, the pleurz less

closely than the mesonotum ; the middle and lower part of the pro-

pleure with curved, oblique, clearly separated striz; the apical

central depression on the mesopleurz closely, regularly striated.

On the base of the metanotum are two roundly curved keels, forming

two aree, which are as long as wide ; the centre is depressed and

transversely striated closely above, more widely and broadly below.

Areolet small, oblique, shortly appendiculated.

39.—Limnervum taprobanicum, sp. nov.

Black ; the mandibles and palpi pale testaceous ; the four front

legs dark rufous, the coxe black at the base, trochanters pale yellow ;

the hinder darker red, their coxe and basal joint of trochanters, apex

of tibize, and the tarsi black ; wings hyaline, the nervures fuscous

black ; the stigma paler below, ?.

Length 6 mm.

Maskeliya.

Head and thorax opaque, covered with white pubescence finely

closely punctured. In the centre of the base of the metanotum is a

clearly defined area about three times longer than wide and of equal

width throughout ; from the apex of this two keels run ; they are

at the base roundly curved outwardly, then run obliquely to the

outer side of the apical slope, uniting with the pleural keel above the

middle of the coxe. Propleurz closely, and rather strongly oblique-

ly striated. Areolet shortly appendiculated, 4-angled, its width

at the angles as long as its length ; the recurrent nervure is received

in the middle.

40.—Nototrachys reticulatus, sp. nov.

Black, the four anterior legs and the antennal scape testaceous

tinged with fuscous, wings hyaline, the apex slightly fuscous, the

nervures and stigma black, ?.

Length 7-9 mm.

Peradeniya, January.

Antenne 20-jointed, the last joint as long as the preceding

two united, densely covered with a microscopic pile ; testaceous

towards the apex; the first joint of flagellum distinctly longer

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 129

than the second. Front and vertex shining, the former transversely

finely striated, keeled down the middle. Face and clypeus closely

punctured. Mandibles rufous. Mesonotum closely, irregularly reti-

culated, the sides closely strongly punctured. Scutellum more widely

and irregularly reticulated, its sides stoutly keeled. Metanotum

reticulated, more widely and distinctly on the basal than on the

apical slope ; the base bordered by a keel and with a small area,

longer than broad and of equal width in the centre. Propleuree

smooth, the apex with a stoutly striated border. Mesopleure finely

rugose and irregularly obliquely striated. Metapleuree rugose and

irregularly reticulated. Abdomen smooth and shining; the basal

two segments as long as the head and thorax united; the first

shorter than the second and dilated at the apex.

Transverse basal nervure interstitial ; disco-cubital roundly curved ;

third discoidal cellule at base more than half the width at the apex ;

transverse median nervure in hind wings unbroken. Hind tarsi

longer than tibiz, claws minute, the calcaria of moderate length ;

tarsi minutely spinose, slender. Antenne, slender, as long

as the head, thorax, and first segment of the abdomen. Scutellar

depression large, wide, deep.

Thave, unfortunately, not an example of Nototrachys for com-

parison, but the species I have described agrees fairly well with the

descriptions of that genus.

Clatha, gen. nov.

Hind wings with only two cellules, a large anterior, reaching to

shortly beyond the middle, and with the apex broadly rounded, and

a posterior, not reaching to the middle of the anterior and with its

apex straight and slightly oblique. Disco-cubital nervure intersti-

tial with the discoidal, rounded at the base, the third discoidal cellule

narrowed and pointed at the base ; second discoidal cellule one-third

wider at apex than at base. Hind tibiz as long as the trochanters

and femora united, curved and narrowed at the base; the basal

joint of the trochanters about four times longer than the apical.

Mandibular teeth large, unequal. Hind metatarsus as long as the

other joints united.

The transverse median nervure interstitial. Claws small, simple ;

apex of clypeus rounded. Eyes bare, converging below. Occiput

transverse, margined.

This genus comes close to Agrypon, Foer., as defined by Ashmead

(Bull. U. 8. Nat. Mus., XXTIT., 89), which apparently is identical

with Atrometus, Schmied. (Zeits. fiir Hymen. u. Dipt. 1902, 361) non.

Ashm. The total absence of apical nervures in the hind wings should

130 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

readily separate the present genus. In them the anterior nervure

forms one piece, it being in one continuous rounded curve; the

second nervure is joined to it by.a transverse nervure. The hind legs

are very long.

41.—Clatha longipes, sp. nov.

Rufo-testaceous, a line of equal width, enclosing the ocelli, across

the vertex, a line on the centre of the mesonotum extending from the

base to near the apex, a shorter, broader line on the sides, more

irregular in form, not commencing at the base, but reaching to the

apex, the scutellar depression, the base and apex of the scutellum,

the base of the metanotum, a line down its centre and one of similar

size on the sides, a band on the centre of the propleurz, a smaller one

on the mesopleurz, and one on the base of the metapleure, black.

Four front legs yellowish testaceous, the hinder black, their coxe

testaceous, with a black line on the outer side. Antenne filiform,

longer than the body, black, the base testaceous below. Wings

hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, 6 (7?)

Length to apex of second abdominal segment 9 mm. (the other seg-

ments missing).

Kandy, July.

Head smooth and shining ; the lower part of the face, clypeus,

mandibles, the parts behind and before the ocelli, yellow. Meso-

notum and scutellum rugosely punctured ; the metanotum closely

reticulated. Pleurz coarsely, rugosely reticulated, the centre of the

propleur and mesopleure striated. Legs densely shortly pilose ;

the hind femora streaked with testaceous below. The basal two

segments of the abdomen are as long as the thorax ; are thin, of

equal length, and the first is dilated at the apex.

42.—Trichomma nigricans, sp. nov.

Black ; face, clypeus, mandibles, orbits all round, a broad band

narrowed at the base on the pronotum, tegule, scutellum, four front

cox and trochanters, the fore femora and the four front femora

and tibiz anteriorly, the calcaria and the hind coxe broadly at the

base above, yellow. Wings hyaline, the nervures and stigma

black, °.

Length 16 mm.

Kandy, August.

Head covered with white pubescence, smooth ; the front with a

striated band which gets narrower below. Mesonotum opaque,

the furrows and the part at their apex irregularly reticulated ;

the apex in the middle finely, closely, transversely striated. Scutel-

lum smooth. Metanotum coarsely reticulated, as are also the pleure.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 131

The apex of the propleure from above the middle stoutly striated ;

the mesopleurze more finely, closely striated. Thorax except the

mesonotum thickly covered with silvery pubescence.

Eyes large, pilose, converging below, incised on inner side, reaching

close to the base of the mandibles. Transverse median nervure in

hind wings unbroken. Second recurrent nervure received beyond

the transverse cubitus; the transverse median about the same

distance beyond the transverse basal. Mesonotal furrows distinct.

Second discoidal cellule not much wider at apex than at base ;

the third half the width at the base it is at the apex. Scutellum

laterally keeled. Mesopleure strongly, closely, longitudinally

striated. The second discoidal cellule not much wider at the base

than at the apex ; the third half the width at the base it is at the

apex. Ovipositor half the length of the abdomen. Occiput margin-

ed, not quite transverse. Temples not narrowed. Mandibular

teeth of equal length. Basal joint of hind trochanters more than

twice the length of the apical; the hind femora narrowed at the

base.

TRYPHONIN &.

43.—Bassus orientalis, sp. nov.

Black ; the face, clypeus, mandibles, palpi, the eye orbits to near

the ocelli, a large mark on the sides of the mesonotum reaching to the

tegule, broad in front, becoming gradually narrowed towards the

apex, the upper hinder edge of the propleurz touching the tegule,

tubercles, tegulee, scutellum, post-scutellum, and a small triangular

mark below the hind wings, lemon-yellow. The apices of the basal

three segments of the abdomen narrowly lined with pale yellow ;

the apical two lines widely interrupted in the middle. Four front

legs yellow, their femora tinged with fulvous ; the hind coxe yellow,

tinged with fulvous ; the femora fulvous ; the hind tibiz yellow to

shortly beyond the middle, the rest of them and the tarsi black.

Scape of antennz yellow, the flagellum brownish beneath. Wings

hyaline, the stigma and nervures black, 6...

Length 6 mm.

Peradeniya.—Bred from Syrphid larvz feeding on the tea aphis.

April.

The lateral sutures bounding the clypeus straight, oblique, the top

rounded, the apical half narrowed, the sides roundly curved, the

apex slightly, but distinctly roundly incised ; the face and oral region

covered with short white pubescence. Vertex punctured but not

strongly or closely ; the front less strongly punctured and distinctly

furrowed down the centre. Thorax closely punctured ; the metano-

tum is more closely, more rugosely punctured ; the central apical

L 8(17)05

132 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

part is bounded by a rounded keel and is closely distinctly reticulated.

The basal three segments of the abdomen are closely, distinctly,

rugosely punctured, as is also the basal half of the fourth and less

strongly the basal third of the fifth ; the apical half of the fourth is

sparsely punctured ; in both segments the punctured basal part is

bounded by a transverse furrow, there being also a similar furrow on

the third and a less distinct one on the second. The raised central

part of the first segment of the abdomen is depressed in the centre.

The metapleure below the keel are smooth, above it rugosely

punctured.

Allied to the European B. multicolor. The now cosmopolitan, B.

letatorius, Gr., probably is found in Ceylon. I have seen it from

India, and lately from South Africa.

44.—Rhorus spinipes, sp. nov.

Black ; face, apex of clypeus, mandibles, malar space, inner orbits,

a mark on either side of the mesonotum, the mark triangularly

dilated on the inner side at the apex, scutellum, a broad band on

the apex of the metanotum, a roundish mark on the upper side of the

base of mesopleure, a larger quadrangular one on the apex below,

the usual mark under the hind wings, the apex of metapleure, the

mark united to that on the metanotum and the apices of the abdominal

segments, yellow. Four front legs yellow, the hind coxe black,

yellow above, the trochanters for the greater part black, femora

rufous, tibie dark red, blackish at the apex, tarsi black, Wings

hyaline, the stigma fuscous, °.

Length 7 mm. ; terebra 2 mm.

Kandy.

Antenne longer than the body, the scape marked with yellow,

the flagellum brownish below. Smooth and shining ; the metano-

tum obscurely, fincly, transversely striated, the basal half furrowed

down the middle. Abdomen smooth, shining, densely, shortly pilose.

Areolet oblique, triangular, shortly appendiculated. Four hind

tibize and tarsi thickly spinose.

This is probably not a typical Rhorus, but there is no other genus

into which Ican make it enter. I do not know the type of the genus.

In my species the transverse median nervure in hind wings is broken

near the bottom, the transverse median nervure is interstitial, and

the recurrent nervure is interstitial with the second transverse cubital.

PIMPLIN 4%.

45.—E pirhyssa ornatipes, sp: nov.

Pale fulvous yellow ; the middle of front, the ocellar region, the

mark united to the eyes by a black band of equal width throughout,

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 133

the occiput in the centre, its black mark united to the black on the

vertex by a short line ; mesonotum except for a large mark in the

centre, longer than broad, of equal width and transverse at the base

and apex, post scutellum, a narrow line on the base of metanotum, a

large, somewhat triangular mark on the apical half, a line on its

apex, a conical mark on the lower side of the propleure, the lower

side and apex of metapleurz and bands on the base and apex of the

back of the abdominal segments, deep shining black. Wings

hyaline, their apex smoky, the nervures and stigma black. Legs

coloured like the body, the base of the four hinder trochanters, a

broad band on all the femora behind in the centre above, a shorter

line on the hinder pairin front; the base and apex of the hind tibize

broadly and the four hinder tarsi, black, 6.

Length 10 mm.

Hantane, March.

Antenne black. Mandibles and the parts at their base black.

Head and thorax shining, smooth, except for the usual striation on

the mesonotum and the scutellum which is finely transversely

striated. Head and pleure covered with a short, white pubescence.

The black basal and apical bands on the penultimate abdominal

segments are united with a black line down the centre. The apical

joint of the fore tarsi is black.

46.—Theronia maskeliye, sp. nov.

Pallid yellow, the ocellar region, the mesonotum except for two

lines on the basal three-fourths in the centre and the outer side, a

mark in the centre of the scutellum, dilated roundly at the apex,

the base of the metanotum, narrowly in the centre, broadly at the

sides, a large mark roundly narrowed at the apex, incised at the base,

and broad bands on the base of the other segments, black. Antenne

stout, as long as the body, black, the scape yellow below, the base of

flagellum fuscous. The femora broadly marked with black above,

the middle tibize infuscated behind ; the base of the hind tibiz and

a broad band below it, fuscous black ; the four hinder tarsi blackish.

Wings clear hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, ¥ and 6.

Length 10 mm.; terebra 3 mm.

Kandy, August ; Maskeliya, April.

Smooth and shining, covered with a short, white down. There is

no central area on the base of the metanotum, but two lateral ones,

longer than wide, narrowed towards the apex; the outer keel is

straight, oblique, the inner rounded ; from its outer side a keel

runs along the sides of the segment to its apex, there being thus a

134 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

large central area extending from the base to the apex of the metano-

tum, the base being narrowed owing to the basal aree. There is a

curved black line on the occiput.

A variable species as regards the size of the black markings. The

scutellum may have no black mark ; the size of the black lines on the

legs varies, that on the hind femora may be cleft, wholly or in part,

the pleurze may be marked with black, and, as is the case with many

Pimplides, there is a considerable variation in size.

Erythrotheronia, gen. nov.

Median segment areolated, not toothed ; the spiracles longer

than wide. Scutellum raised, stoutly keeled laterally to near the

apex. Abdomen smooth, without furrows. Eyes incised, but not

deeply on the inner side; malar space almost absent. Last joint of

antenne shorter than the preceding two united. Areolet oblique,

5-angled ; the transverse median nervure interstitial. Transverse

median nervure in hind wings broken distinctly above the middle.

Temples moderately large, obliquely narrowed. Legs stout; the

claws large, edentate.

The type of this genus looks like a red Xanthopimpla or Theronia.

In Dr. Ashmead’s system it comes near to the New Zealand

genus Allotheronia, from which it differs in the regularly areolated,

not dentate median segment. Theronia and Neotheronia differ,

inter alia, in having pectinated claws.

47.—Erythrotheronia flavolineata, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 12.

Ferruginous, smooth, and shining ; the face, clypeus, mandibles,

palpi, lower outer orbits, malar space, lower half of propleurz, two

lines on the mesonotum, inner side of tegule, the edges of mesonotum

at the base, scutellar keels, apex of scutellum, post-scutellum, apical

slope of metanotum, pleurz except above and the apices of the

abdominal segments, yellow. Legs ferruginous, the four anterior

coxe and trochanters yellow, as are also the hinder trochanters.

Wings hyaline, with a slight fuscous-violaceous tinge and highly

iridescent ; the stigma testaceous, the nervures black, 2 and 6.

Length 14 mm.; terebra 3 mm.

Kandy, July.

Antenne black, the scape yellow, the flagellum brownish beneath.

Face sparsely, but distinctly punctured, the sides raised. Thorax

and abdomen smooth, shining, impunctate ; the mesonotum thickly

covered with fuscous pubescence. On the base of the metanotum

are five large arev, a large central, twice longer than wide, with two

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 135

wider than long on either side of it, the basal being the larger, the

keel bordering it being broadly rounded at the apex; the apical

are widest on the outer side; there is only one larger area on the

apical slope, on the sides is a large spiracular area, followed by a

much smaller, somewhat triangular one at the apex.

48.—Echthromor pha ornatipes, Cam.

Plate B, fig. 8.

This species (described from the Khasia Hills, Assam) has been

taken at Peradeniya by Mr. Green.

49.—Xanthopimpla taprobanica, sp. nov.

Pale yellow, a triangular mark enclosing the ocelli, a broad band,

irregularly trilobate—one on each lobe—across the base of the meso-

notum at the tegule, a mark on the tegule continuous with it, a

large transverse mark, roundly curved at the base and extending

on to the scutellar depression, a broad band, narrowed in the centre,

on the base of the metanotum, two large oblique marks on the centre

of the first abdominal segment, dilated in the centre at the base, a

small oblique mark, obliquely narrowed at the base and apex on the

second, alarge broad band on the third, irregularly narrowed laterally

and slightly incised in the middle at the base and apex, two large

broad bands, rounded on the outer side on the fifth, a broad band on

the basal half of the penultimate and two marks on the last, black.

Legs coloured like the body; the middle knees, base of middle

tarsi, the greater part of hinder trochanters, a broad band on the

lower part of the hind femora, apex of femora narrowly above, base

of tibiz, and the tarsi (the middle joints paler in colour), black.

Wings hyaline, their apex with a fuscous cloud, °.

Length 10 mm.; terebra 2 mm

Kandy.

Face rugosely punctured ; the upper part of the clypeus sparsely

punctured. Mesonotum smooth, impunctate ; parapsidal furrows

reaching shortly beyond the middle. Scutellum roundly convex,

the keels not very stout. Areola large, open at the base, transverse

at the apex, longer than broad, the sides angled shortly behind the

middle ; the basal lateral area wider on the outer side, the: sides

roundly curved ; the second large, broad, oblique, of equal width

throughout ; the apical lateral area triangular; the apex on the

outer side, the upper angle longer than the lower. First segment

of abdomen in length clearly longer than its width at the apex,

smooth, except for some punctures in the middle, the second to

136 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

fourth segments closely and strongly punctured, the furrows crenu-

lated. Areolet small, oblique, triangular, shortly appendiculated.

The occiput is immaculate, except that the ocellar black spot

slightly projects into it- Pleuree impunctate. Ovipositor as long

as the hind tarsi.

In Professor Krieger’s work on Xanthopimpla this species would

come in near X. splendens. Cf. Bericht d. Naturf. Ges. zu

Leipzig, 1898, 69.

50.—Xanthopimpla kandyensis, sp. nov.

Yellow ; the ocellar region, the mark longer than broad, three

almost continuous marks on the mesonotum at the base, the central

placed more in advance than the others, longer than broad, transverse

at the base, rounded behind, the lateral longer compared with the

width, more irregular, slightly incised in the middle at the base,

rounded and narrowed at the apex ; two irregular, slightly oblique

marks, narrowed on the inner side, on the first segment ; two large

marks, broader than long, with the sides rounded, on the third ;

two somewhat similar ones on the fifth, but broader, more slender

compared with the length, and two similar but larger (the largest of

all) on the seventh and two marks on the base of the metanotum,

broader than long, transverse behind, rounded at the apex, black.

Antenne black, the flagellum brownish, the scape yellow below.

Wings clear hyaline, the nervures and stigma black, .

Length 11 mm. ; terebra 4 mm.

Kandy, July.

Face and clypeus closely, distinctly, but not very strongly punc-

tured. Thorax smooth and shining. The areola on metanotum

broader than long, slightly obliquely narrowed from the apex to the

base ; the lateral arez are of almost the same width, the outer side

obliquely narrowed ; following them is an area which becomes

obliquely narrowed from the base on the inner to the apex on the

outer. Basal two segments of abdomen smooth, the others closely

but not strongly punctured ; the furrows closely striated.

The occiput has no black.

Allied to X. punctata, F.

51.—Xanthopimpla parva, sp. nov.

Pallid yellow, a triangular mark enclosing the ocelli, an irregular

transverse line on the base of mesonotum, with ragged edges, a mark

at the base of the scutellum, two marks, narrowed from the outer to

the inner side, on the base of the metanotum, and marks, broader

than long, on the first, third, and following segments, black. Legs

coloured like the body, two small marks on the hind trochanters, a

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 137

mark on the base of the hind tibiz, and a smaller one on the base of

the hind tarsi, black. Wings clear hyaline, the nervures blackish, é.

Length 6 mm.

Peradeniya, August.

Face closely punctured. Thorax impunctate; the parapsidal

furrows indicated only at the base. There is no central area on the

base of the metanotum, but two semicircular large lateral ones

enclosing the black spots ; there is none on the apex. The basal

two abdominal segments smooth ; the furrows striated ; the other

segments are closely punctured. The apex of the wings slightly

infuscated. Base of mesonotum rounded.

This and the following species are very much smaller than any of

those described hitherto.

52.—Xanthopimpla minuta, sp. nov.

Yellow; a triangular mark enclosing the ocelli, the scutellar de-

pression, two marks on the first abdominal segment, a transverse line

on the third, two closely continuous ones on the fourth, two more

widely separated ones on the fifth, two still more widely separated

marks on the sixth, and a line on the seventh, black. The base of the

hind tibiz marked with black. Wings hyaline, the nervures and

stigma black, &.

Length 5 mm.

Kandy, July.

Face minutely punctured. Base of mesonotum transverse, the

parapsidal furrows distinct, the middle lobe clearly separated.

Smooth and shining. There is no area on the base of metanotum :

there is a clearly defined lateral area, broader than long, broad on the

outer, becoming gradually narrowed to a fine point on the inner side;

the sides of the metanotum are keeled. Abdomen closely punctured,

with distinct, striated furrows. The apical half of the first segment

is raised, clearly separated, smooth, of equal width and twice longer

than wide. Antennal scape for the greater part yellow, the flagel-

lum brownish beneath. The antennz are clearly longer than the

body. The ovipositor short.

This species can easily be distinguished from X. parva by the

distinct parapsidal furrows and by the mesonotum being transverse,

not rounded at the base.

Philopsyche, gen. nov.

Kyes very large, reaching to the base of the mandibles, there being

no malar space ; on the inner side they are distinctly incised. Face

keeled down the middle, clearly separated from the clypeus by a

138 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

furrow ; the extreme apex of clypeus depressed, not quite transverse.

Last joint of antenne as long as the preceding two united. Scutel-

lum roundly convex. ‘Transverse median nervure in hind wings

broken far below the middle. Areolet triangular, small, appendi-

culated. Transverse median nervure in fore wings placed immediately

behind the transverse basal, almost interstitial. Abdomen and

legs as in Pimpla. Metathoracic spiracles round. Claws slender,

curved, untoothed. The sharp lateral ridges of the mesonotum do

not extend on to the scutellum. The eyes do not converge anteriorly

The last joint of hind tarsi about three times longer than the pre-

ceding.

If the apex of the clypeus is to be considered ‘‘ impressed anteriorly

at apex ” this genus, in Dr. Ashmead’s arrangement, would come in

near [toplectis and Hremochila, with neither of which can it be con-

founded ; if ‘‘ not impressed’’ then it would come nearest to Tromato-

bia, which is easily known from it by the entire eyes. The meta-

pleural keel is distinct, complete. The disco-cubital nervure is

angled beyond the middle, but not broken by the stump of a nervure.

The genus should be readily known by the large, clearly incised eyes,

reaching close to the base of the mandibles, round metathoracic

spiracles, angled disco-cubital nervure, transverse median nervure

in hind wings broken near the bottom, and smooth, white-banded

apex of abdominal segments

53.—Philopsyche albobalteata, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 10.

Black ; the antennal scape except above, palpi, hind edge of

pronotum, tegulz, and the apices of the basal six abdominal seg-

ments, white. Four front legs white, the hind coxe and femora

red ; the basal joint of trochanters red, the apical white ; the hind

tibiz at extreme base, and broadly in the middle, white, the rest

black ; the hind tarsi black, the basal joint white to near the apex, 6.

Length 7-8 mm

Bred from Psyche albipes and P. subteralbata.

Matale ; Peradeniya, August.

Head smooth and shining, the face covered with white, the clypeus

with longer white hair ; the former obscurely shagreened. Mesono-

tum and scutellum closely punctured, thickly covered with white

pubescence. Metanotum smooth, shining, and bare at the base and

apex, the middle punctured and thickly covered with long white

hair. Abdomen closely and strongly punctured except on the white

apices of the segments and thickly covered with black pubescence.

Pleurzsmooth, almost bare, except on the metapleure above the keel.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 139

Lissotheronia, gen. nov.

Abdominal segments broader than long, perfectly smooth, shin-

ing, impunctate; the first segment bituberculate at the base.

Median segment strongly, closely, transversely striated, the spiracles

about three times longer than wide, broader below than above.

Hyes large, incised on the inner side ; malar space small. Clypeus

clearly separated, its apex obliquely depressed. Transverse median

nervure in hind wings broken distinctly above the middle. Trans-

verse median nervure received beyond the transverse basal. Disco-

cubital nervure broadly rounded, unbroken. Claws simple ; tarsi

thickly spinose. Antennz slender, longer than the body, the last

joint nearly as long as the preceding two united.

This genus might be mistaken for a Pimpla, from which, however,

it can be readily known by the perfectly smooth, shining abdomen.

In Dr. Ashmead’s system it would come in near Allotheronia, which

may be known from it by the metathorax having a strong transverse

apical area, with the upper angles dentate or tuberculate, the whole

thorax, too, being “ closely, finely, rugosely punctate ” except for a

spot on the middle of the mesopleure. It has the metanotum closely

transversely striated as in Lissopimpla, having also the smooth

abdomen of that genus ; but otherwise is readily separated from it

by the absence of parapsidal furrows and of a tooth on the hind

femora.

54.—Lissotheronia flavipes, sp. nov.

Black, shining, except the median segment which is closely striated,

the pleure more closely and obliquely than the dorsal surface ; the

legs yellow, except the fore coxe in the middle below, and the

four hind coxe and trochanters, which are black ; wings hyaline,

slightly suffused with yellow. A spot on the scutellum in the centre,

a curved one on the post-scutellum, and one on the base of the

tegule are yellow. The depressed apex of the clypeus is smooth and

shining ; the raised upper part sparsely punctured. Face closely

punctured ; the sides of the lower part roundly convex. Tarsi

spinose, much longer than the tibie. Sternum and under side of

cox thickly covered with fulvous pubescence, .

Length 15 mm. ; terebra 4 mm.

Pundalu-oya, February.

55.—Charitopimpla annulipes, sp. nov.

Plate Le pifea UP

Black; antennal scape except above, tegule, hind edge of prono-

tum, and palpi, yellow; the apex of the abdominal segments narrowly

yellow ; the yellow lines dilated at the sides and tinged with rufous

U 8(17)05

140 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

there. Four anterior legs yellow, tinged slightly with rufous ; the

hind coxe and femora rufous, their trochanters yellow ; hind tibiz

black, their base narrowly and the middle broadly white ; hind tarsi

black, the metatarsus to near the apex black. Wings hyaline, the

nervures and stigma black, the areolet small, triangular, with a

long pedicle, it being as long as the branch of the first transverse

cubital nervure, &.

Length 12 mm.; terebra 5 mm.

Pundalu-oya.

Face sparsely pilose and punctured, the middle keeled. Apex

of clypeus brown round the central incision. Mandibular teeth

piceous. Front and vertex smooth and shining. Prothorax smooth,

except along the upper edges. Mesothorax and metathorax closely

punctured, thickly covered with pale pubescence ; on the metanotum

the pubescence is longer and more fulvous in tint. Except at the

apices of the segments the back of the abdomen is closely and strong-

ly punctured ; the apical segments are only slightly punctured.

The antennz are stout, as long as. the abdomen ; the last joint

is as long as the preceding two joints united. The apices of the

tarsal joints are spinose. The metapleurze below the keel are

smooth. The hind coxz below and the extreme apex of the hind

femora are black.

Charitopimpla was described by me in the Journ. Str. Br. Royal

Asiatic Society, 1902, 48.

56.—Lissopimpla rufipes, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 14.

Black ; the upper orbits broadly, the outer narrowly above, broad-

ly below, the malar space, face, clypeus, labrum, mandibles, palpi,

a raised line on the basal half of the pronotum, interrupted by the

parapsidal furrows, a mark on the apex of the middle lobe of the

mesonotum, transverse at the base, gradually roundly narrowed to

the apex, scutellar keels to shortly beyond the middle, the apex of

scutellum, the lateral keels, post-scutellum, the three tubercles on the

apex of metanotum, a line on either side of the base of pronotum, the

lower edge of propleurz, tubercles, a small roundish mark on the

base of mesopleure above the middle, the basal half below, a

large mark, roundly narrowed at the apex, obliquely truncated at

the base on the apex of the metapleure, the apex above the hind

cox, two narrow lines on the centre of the first abdominal segment

and about the apical third of the others, yellow. Legs rufous, the

four coxee and trochanters yellowish, the apex of the hind coxe

marked with black, as is also the base. Wings clear hyaline, highly

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 141

iridescent, the nervures and stigma black or fuscous black. The

hind tibiz are darker coloured, the hind tarsi fuscous, &.

Length 9-12 mm.; terebra 3-4 mm.

Maskeliya, April; Peradeniya, August.

Antenne longer than the body, slender ; the 8-12 joints of flagel-

lum white. Labrum and clypeus closely and rather strongly punc-

tured. Face depressed, stoutly keeled in the centre, the sides of the

depression roundly curved. Prothorax and mesothorax smooth,

shining ; the pleural sutures closely striated. Metanotum, except in

the centre at the base, closely transversely, the upper part of the

metapleure obliquely, striated. Areolet, as in the typical species of

the genus, oblique, the nervures uniting above. Femoral tooth

small, but distinct.

The occurrence of Lissopimpla in Ceylon is of great interest, the

genus hitherto having been regarded as Australian.

‘Tanera, gen. nov.

Abdominal petiole long and slender, narrowed at the base, as long

as the following two segments united; the segments smooth and

shining, longer than wide ; there is a projecting ovipositor. Median

segment uniformly coriaceous, without a transverse keel; there is

a stout metapleural keel. Legs slender ; the claws not pectinated ;

hind coxz three times longer than wide. Areolet with a long pedicle,

the cubital nervures roundly curved; the recurrent nervure is

received at its apex; transverse median nervure _ received

behind the transverse basal. Clypeus roundly convex, separated

from the face ; its apex broadly rounded. Occiput transverse ; the

ocelli placed close to the edge. Temples very short, almost obsolete

behind the eyes. Antennz nearly as long as the body ; the last

joint longer than the penultimate, but not so long as the preceding

two united.

The eyes are large, converging slightly above ; there is a distinct

malar space ; the ocelli are on the outer edge of the vertex. The

keel on the edge of the metasternum projects at the apex into a

distinct tooth. Metathoracic spiracles small, oval. The abdominal

petiole is longer, more slender and narrower at the base than it is in

Lissonota. If it is to be called “sessile,” in Ashmead’s table (U. 8S.

Nat. Mus. X XIII., 49) it would fit in near 7'revoria, with which it

cannot be confounded ; if “ petiolate’ then it would come in near

Atropha.

57.—T'anera annulipes, sp. nov.

Plate B, fig. 11.

Black, smooth, and shining, except the pleursze and metanotum,

which are closely and strongly punctured ; the latter more coarsely

142 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

than the former ; the clypeus, mandibles, palpi, a spot on the malar

space, the inner orbits, more broadly above than below, scutellum,

a line on the centre of the pronotum, tegule, tubercles, the apex

of metapleure ; the basal third of the first abdominal segment,

about the basal third of the second and third, the apex of the third

more narrowly, and the apical segments, yellow. Legs rufous, the

four front cox and trochanters tinged with yellow ; the hind tibize

and tarsi fuscous, tinged with rufous, their base white. Wings

hyaline, the apex of the radial and of the third cubital smoky ; the

stigma fuscous, ?.

Length 8 mm.; terebra 5 mm.

Hatton.

58.—Lissonota greent, sp. nov.

Black ; the clypeus broadly at the apex, more broadly in the centre,

mandibles except the teeth, palpi, underside of the antennal scape,

and the lower edge of the propleure, yellow ; first abdominal seg-

ment, basal third of the second, the base of the third narrowly,

and of the fourth still more narrowly, red ; the apices of the second

and third yellow, tinged with rufous. Legs red ; the anterior coxe

and trochanters and the middle coxe at the base, yellow; the hind

tibize and tarsi black. Wings hyaline, the stigma and nervures dark

fuscous, &.

Length 8 mm.; terebra 5 mm. .

Peradeniya, March.

Closely and regularly punctured. First segment of abdomen

closely, distinctly, longitudinally striated, except in the middle at

the apex ; the second and third segments and the base of the fourth

closely and regularly punctured ; the apical smooth and shining; the

last and the apex of the penultimate white. Areolet not appen-

diculated.

SPOLJA ZEYLANICA.

Plate A.

West, Newman ad.nat.lith

HYMENOPTERA.

ree ae

ori

er. rs a

ri ir rs

> “i,

a! 4 a

Te _— i,t ®

oc oe ye a

wi sy tse ee

fa tte Bi i 5 ee

ve eat ¥ os

7 .

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. Plate BE

West,Newman ad.nat.lith.

HYMENOPTERA.

PHYTOPHAGOUS AND PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 143

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES

illustrating Mr. P. Cameron's Paper on Phytophagous and Parasitic

Hymenoptera.

PLATE A.

PAGE

1.—Xiphydria striatifrons os Pes 70

2.—Rhacoteleia pilosa see ari 73

3.—Spilomegastigmus ruficeps wt a 74

4,—Rhacospathius striolatus ae ae 86

5.—Troporhogas maculipennis ase it 94

6.—Holeobracon fulvus fee es 90

7.—Iphiaulax erythroura ahs wee 85

8.—Troporhogas tricolor “ee a 94

9.-—Paraspinaria pilosa as “ee 88

10.—Deniya pleuralis... es ssav) SOS

11.—Aluina erythropus ae saat ge OZ

12.—Skeatia acutilineata ss eee 0c

13.—Buodias rufipes... ae Sse OG

14.—Fenenias erythropus She woos vehe

PLATE B.

1.—Friona rufipes Ne bas ane er acl)

2.—Melcha erythropus Se caer) ey

3.—EHarrana lutea “Ae eae see — eh

4.—Bathythrix rubriornatus Pe See

).—Bathythrix striatus a oe Bb

6.—Clitiga excavata ... site Ruled Abe

7.—Clitiga forticornis ... Aas ala a

$.—Hehthromorpha ornatipes ses eG)

9.—Charitopimpla annulipes oes PE BSL,

10.—Philopsyche albobalteata es loo

11.—Tanera annulipes ... cas ppl (Fa

12,—Erythrotheronia flavolineata sve 134

13.—Spilophion maculipennis oe sone lea

14.—Lissopimpla rufipes re oe _ 140

144 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

NOTES ON SNAKES COLLECTED AT HAKGALA, CEYLON.

By F. WALL, C.M.Z.S., CAPTAIN, I.M.S.

Fyzabad, United Provinces, India.

HROUGH the kindness of Mr. Nock I have received two

collections of snakes at different times from Hakgala,

Ceylon (5,600 feet).

The number of species included is small (6), and all are

common; nevertheless, collections such as these are of distinct

value with reference to distribution. It will be seen also that

some very interesting information has been gleaned from the

numerous specimens of Aspidura trachyprocta and Ancistrodon

hypnale. have omitted to give measurements, as the specimens

were all preserved in spirit, and under these conditions do not

lend themselves to accurate investigation.

Aspidura trachyprocta.

(48 specimens. )

With reference to this species I notice Gunther says (Rept.

Brit. Ind., p. 203): ‘‘ This species is nearly as common in Ceylon

as A. brachyorrhos.” In the locality of Hakgala A. trachy-

procta is evidently not only vastly more numerous than A. brachy-

orrhos, but by far the commonest snake to be met with at all.

No single specimen of A. brachyorrhos was included.

Food.—Several specimens had their stomachs distended witha

soft putty-like mass, the nature of which I could not determine.

Once I thought I could distinguish a slug, and once agrub. On

four occasions without doubt the ingested material consisted of

earth-worms. I never found traces of any hard-cased insects.

Breeding.—The ovarian follicles are normally about } inch in

length. In one specimen I found 8 follicles (4 in each ovary),

about } inch long, and in another 6 (3 in each ovary) about the

same size, and these appeared to be impregnated. The dates of

both are not known. A third specimen obtained on the 10th of

August, 1904, had 14 follicles (6 in one ovary and 8 in the other)

enlarged to ,2, of an inch. The smallest specimens, which I

believe were hatchlings, measured 4} and 4,% inches. The latter

were found in company with an adalt female on the 10th of

SNAKES COLLECTED AT HAKGALA, CEYLON. 145

August. The adult, however, showed nothing unusual upon

anatomical investigation. The navel involved 2 shields in

both cases. In the 6 10 ventrals intervened between the navel

and the anal shield, in the ? 7.

Sexes.—Of the 48 specimens collected, 21 were males and 27

females. Without actually measuring them, I think there is

no doubt that the females were usually larger. Adult males had

all the scales about the anal region keeled. In the median rows

these were tuberculate, and often bi, tri, or pluridentate, and

in the lowest lateral rows markedly spinose, with the points

directed backwards. The spines were hooked, reminding one

forcibly of rose-thorns, and were attached by a long base to the

anterior three-fifths of each scale.

In young males, or at least in some, the keels were obtusely

tuberculate as in females. The tails of the males were longer, and

the subcaudals varied from 21-26, whereas in females these

shields numbered from 1]-16. The ventrals in males were

however 135-148, against 139-151 in females.

Scale peculiarities.—The scales anteriorly (two head-lengths

behind the head) number 15, mid-body 15, posteriorly (two head-

lengths before vent) 15, keels were absent in all these situations.

The vertebral row was the narrowest of the series, and the

ultimate row very slightly largest. The supracaudals were in odd

rows, as is the rule where the subcaudals are entire. The first

subcaudal was as often divided as entire.

Abnormalities. —One specimen had no preocular. The upper

postocular was confluent with the parietal in one. The labials

were 7, of which the 4th only touched the eye on one side in one

specimen ; 7 with the 5th only touching the eye on the left side

in two specimens.

One very aberrant specimen requires special remark, viz., a

male in which the subcaudals numbered only 16. In addition

the scales anteriorly (two head-lengths behind the head were

‘15 or 14, mid-body 18, posteriorly (two head-lengths before the

vent) 13. Investigation showed that the 2nd and 3rd rows above

the ventrals blended on both sides, one rather before the other,

at the site I select to count the scales anteriorly. The large row

occasioned by this coalescence divided and blended two or three

times before the rows were finally established as 13. One sees

the same vacillation frequently exhibited in snakes whose scales

normally reduce in number, as for instance in T'ropidonotus

piscator, where the scales number 19 in the anterior and mid-

body, and 17 posteriorly. In all other respects this specimen was

normal, and so probably does not deserve specific isolation.

146 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Colour.—Uniform or nearly uniform black, or blackish

dorsally, or varying shades of brown, olive-brown, or olive-green

more or less spotted or speckled blackish. The spots vertebrally

and laterally have a tendency to confluence, and may form lines,

Belly pale yellowish, yellow, ochraceous, or ruddy, sparsely or

profusely spotted, speckled, or marbled with black.

Tropidonotus stolatus.

One female killed on the 12th September, 1904, besides

containing a much digested frog was found to be pregnant.

There were 8 eggs (6 in one ovary and 2 in the other). The

ventrals were 139, subcaudals 66, of which the 32nd, 50th, 51st,

59th, and 60th were entire. As in Malabar specimens the labials

were 8, with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th touching the eye. The nasals

were in contact with the Ist and 2nd labials, a very unusual

character in Indian examples of this species. Usually it is only

the Ist labial that is apposed to the nasal.

Zamenis MUCOSUS.

One specimen about one-third grown, with nothing remarkable

to mention.

Naia tripudians.

I received the head of one of this species, which is uncommon

at the same altitude in India.

Ancistrodon hypnale.

Twenty-seven specimens of this species were collected, so that

it must be a very common snake in this locality.

Food.—It evidently subsists mainly upon the skink, Lygosoma

taprobanense, as no fewer than 11 specimens contained one or

more of these lizards, or in some instances the tails only. I also

found in the stomach of 5 examples small soft-shelled eggs about

half an inch long, probably lacertine, but possibly ophidian.

From one male specimen one such was seen protruding from the

anus, which I extracted and examined. It consisted of the egg

envelope only, compressed, and wrinkled longitudinally, but with

no opening that I could discover, so that it was a mystery to

me how the contents had been absorbed unless by a process

of exosmosis. I floated it in water, teased out the wrinkles,

and examined it most closely, then cut it carefully from pole to

pole and re-examined it from the interior, but could find no sus-

picion of a breach in its continuity. Birds’ eggs are occasionally

passed entire “* per anum,” but are more frequently, I believe,

wholly dissolved by the digestive juices. Perhaps the coriaceous

investment of ova such as this offers a greater resistance to the

SNAKES COLLECTED AT HAKGALA, CEYLON. 147

action of the alimentary secretions than the calcareous envelope of

the former. One specimen contained about two inches of the

tail of a lizard such as a Calotes. Two others contained frogs in a

condition too dissolved to identify, and in one example I found a

snake Aspidura (trachyprocta).

Breeding.—Three specimens were pregnant, but unfortunately

the dates of capture were not noted in any instance. The

prospective mothers measured 1 ft. 2 in., 11} in., and 11} in.

Two contained 6, and one 4 immature eggs.

Sexes.—Of the 27 specimens 10 were males, 13 females, and in 4

the sex was doubtful owing to mutilation. Both sexes appear to

grow to about the same length, and the tails also show little, if any,

disparity. The ventrals and subcaudals were as follows :—

Ventrals 6 123-131 (?); subcaudals 29-37

Ventrals 2 121-138 —; subcaudals 27-36

In 7 at least out of 9 males the tails were bent over ventrally

in a hook-like manner, but in no single female was this seen.

The clasper of the male was bifid on each side as in other

members of the family Viperide, and was surmounted with the

usual array of falciform tentacles. The testicles were not nearly

so elongate as is the rule in snakes, but, as in some other vipers

I know, were oval in form, I could discern no difference in

colouration between the sexes, nor were the keels more pro-

nounced in the scales of males.

Scale peculiarities —One or two things deserve notice. The

nasal shield touches only one labial, viz., the first, and this often

is produced upwards behind the nasal to meet the supraloreal, or

when this is not the case one or more minute intercalary scales

occupy this situation. The lowest preocular is often entire,

often broken up into two. The swbhocular may be entire, in

which case it meets the 3rd and 4th labials, or a small portion is

often detached anteriorly. The 2nd labial variably contributes

to the formation of the loreal pit, often it does not do so, a separate

furrowed scale lying above furnishing a floor to the pit. The

scales are anteriorly (2 head lengths behind the head) 17, midbody

17, and posteriorly (2 head lengths in front of the vent) 17.

Abnormalities.—In one example there were 9 /abials on the left

side. The swblinguals touched 2 infralabials only in 3 specimens.

The 5th swhcaudal was entire in one example, and the 8th, 9th,

and 10th in another.

, Vipera russelli.

Two small specimens were procured, showing that in Ceylon as

in India this species sometimes ascends to a considerable elevation,

though really an inhabitant of the plains.

x 8(17)05

148 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

NOTES CHIEFLY ON BIRDS SEEN AT THE PEARL FISHERY CAMP,

MARCH AND APRIL, 1905.

By W. E. Warr.

‘TDIRD-LIFE in the dry littoral zone of the north-western part

of the Island possesses many distinctive features, and as the

birds which for three-quarters of the yearare left in undisturbed

possession of the camp site do not appear to be scared away by the

bustle during the fishery, one constantly saw forms or marked

habits unnoticed elsewhere.

Among the flocks of Brahminy Kites and Gray Crows which

gathered over the offal on the beach, one generally saw two or

three Marsh Harriers (Circus eruginosus). The Common and

Blue-tailed Bee-eaters (Merops viridis and phillipensis) chose the

same unsavoury haunts to feast on the swarms of flies. There

was a foetid pool fed by the drain which carried off the refuse

water from Mr. Dixon’s oyster-washing machine. Here they

might be seen not only hawking for insects on the surface, but

dipping their beaks into the water, probably to fish out the

drowned maggots which were carried down in myriads.

On the short walk from my bungalow just above the beach to

the Kachcheri a few hundred yards iniand I invariably met with

the Rufous Rumped Shrike (Lanius caniceps) flitting among the

mustard trees. ‘This bird, which is I believe almost confined to the

Manaar District, was one of the commonestincamp. Towards the

end of the Fishery while out on an evening stroll with Mr. Ferguson

we saw one attack a large rat-snake.

The bird swooped down into some high grass near the road, and

we watched to see what it had caught. Immediately a six-foot

rat-snake came out into the open, followed by the shrike, which

pecked viciously at its head. The snake made straight for a

hollow tree close by, up which it disappeared, and the bird,

catching sight of us, flew away. It had probably been driving off

the intruder from its nest, but the wonder is that a bird no larger

than a thrush cowed such a big snake.

Between the Governor’s and the Government Agent’s bungalows

lay asmall openspace on which stood two or three gnarled trees.

These were frequently occupied by a few Chestnut-headed Bee-

eaters (I. Swinhoti) and a pair of Hoopoes (Upupa ceylonensis).

BIRDS SEEN AT THE PEARL FISHERY CAMP. 149

Close by was asandy bank, in the side of which a pariah belong-

ing to Mr. Dixon had excavated some burrows wherein she

brought up a litter of puppies. I noticed that another pariah had

dug a similar burrow in the bluff above the Government kottu.

They were doubtless made for the sake of coolness and shade,

which could not be obtained otherwise. I wonder whether the

jackal, or any species of wild dog, is ever in the habit of making

such lairs: whether in fact this was a reversion to the instincts

of the fox or an adaptation to environment. No one that I asked

had noticed pariahs elsewhere make burrows like these.

The neighbourhood of the tani set apart for drinking water

was a favourite roosting-place fora large flock of the Lesser White

Egret. A few Whistling Teal occasionally came there, while the

strip of jungle on the north sheltered several pairs of the Gray

Indian Dove (Turlur risorius). A solitary Grey Heron (A.

cinerea) used often to fish in the shallows at the head of the tank.

To the south of this tank on the opposite side of the cart track

leading to the Manaar road lay several insignificant little tanks

irrigating a small tract of fields which during the fishery lay

fallow. In the small trees and bushes which fringed the water

the Black Drongos (D. atra) had their headquarters, while on

two occasions I saw a pair of the pretty little Yellow-fronted

Woodpecker (Picus mahrattensis) round some Euphorbias which

grew near one of the tiny bunds.

South of the camp, the bare tidal flats of the lagoon at the

river mouth were the happy hunting grounds of innumerable

waders, from the Large Stone Plover tothe Little Stint. Several

species of tern flocked here, sometimes accompanied by a colony

of the beautiful Brown-headed Gull, which usually kept to the

sand-spit on the south side of the bar. On the northern bank, in

the face of the sand cliff just under the Governor’s bungalow, a

large Fish Owl (Ketupa ceylonensis) had his burrow, at the

entrance of which he used to sit of an evening blinking and

ruffing his plumage until it was time for him to fly off on his

rounds. A little further up the river I occasionally met with

the Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) skimming along under the

bank.

Of other noticeable birds, a species of Sky-lark could be heard

twittering inthe air any morning, and a Gray Partridge (Ortyg-

ornis pondiceriana) might be found on the outskirts of the camp.

A large Fish-eagle came several times to the lagoon ; whether it

was H. leucogaster, or P. ichthyewius I never got close enough

to ascertain. I also heard of the occurrence of a Pariah Kite

(Milvus govinda), but did not see it myself.

150 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

In conclusion I would express the hope that some one possess-

ing a good knowledge of ornithology could spare a visit to the

camp when a pearl fishery is in progress. My observations were

made at odd intervals during two very busy months ; my know-

ledge of birds is limited, and if it had not been for Mr. Ferguson,

who knows the Natural History of the district well, and in whose

company I saw practically all the species mentioned, I should

have been, in many cases, uncertain of my identification.

The circumstances are particularly favourable for observation.

Most of the birds have paired before their quiet isinvaded. They

are unwilling to leave the breeding-places they have chosen, and

soon become accustomed to the busy crowd, which passes them

by unheeded. For the species that feed on insects and carrion

there is the attraction of a food supply, the like of which they

can find nowhere else.

An official at the camp, however good his knowledge of the

subject might be, has but little leisure. To the ornithologist an

interesting but out-of-the-way district is rendered easily accessible

by the steamers which during the fishery run from Colombo to

the camp. His visit could not fail to be of interest to himself.

and would, I feel sure, add considerably to the knowledge of the

avi-fauna of Ceylon.

KANDYAN HORN COMBS. 151

KANDYAN HORN COMBS.

By ANANDA K. COOMARASWAMY, B.Sc., AND ETHEL M.

COOMARASWAMY.

With three Plates and two text-figures.

S its title shows, the present paper has no reference to the

merely ornamental fortoise-shell combs now worn by the

low-country Sinhalese (a comparatively modern fashion), nor to

the practical and beautifully carved zvory combs formerly used,

and still often preserved in Kandyan families ; theseivory combs

are pretty well known and are seen in most collections; there is

a fine series of them in the Colombo Museum. Horn combs,

though more generally used, are less familiar, but in some respects

even more interesting than the ivory ones ; for the latter, though

for the most part certainly made in Ceylon, sometimes seem to

show Dravidian influence, and at any rate are often very like

Indian combs of the same type, while the horn combs are more

purely native in form and decoration.

A short account of the making of the ordinary 10-cent horn

comb (Pl. B, fig. 3), used even by the poorest classes,* will now

be given. The horn comb-makers are men of low caste, Rodiyas

in the Bandarawela district for example, and blacksmiths (achari

caste) near Kandy. At Ratnapura and Balangoda the work is

done by Beruwayas and Durayas ; it is never done by goiyas,

who would consider it very degrading. The pictures and descrip-

tion apply specially to the manufacture of combs by Rodiyas

near Bandarawela.

The combs are made of buffalo horn cut transversely, the tops

of the horns being used for tool and knife handles and the like.

The usual tools of the horn comb-maker include a small adze (14

inch cutting edge), a coarse rasp, one or two knives, a marking

awl, a vice, two or three saws, a file, and one or two tools for

incising patterns ; the iron tools are made by local blacksmiths.

A flat piece of horn is sawn off and cut roughly into the

shape of the comb, and then made thinner with adze and rasp

(PI. A, fig. 1), and the shaping then finished with a knife. Next

the guide lines for the inner ends of the teeth and for the patterns

* Those who are better off would now use ordinary European-made combs,

instead of decorated horn or ivory ones of native make.

152 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

are scored with the marking awl, which is a small bone tool with a

sharp point inserted near one end. The comb is now set in the

vice, which is held conveniently against a stone by pressure of the

worker’s leg (Pl. A, fig. 2).

The vice (fig. I.) consists of two pieces of wood tied together

near one end, and having a wedge inserted at the other, which,

when it is driven in, causes the short ends to grip very tightly

whatever is placed between them. The vice is usually orna-

mented with a little primitive carving. The teeth are now ent

(P1.. A, fig. 2), first on one side, small teeth with a fine saw, then

on the other, coarse teeth with a thicker saw ; these teeth are cut

very regularly and with astonishing quickness. Each tooth is

next filed back and front to make its edges smooth. Finally the

comb is taken out of the vice and a simple pattern incised with a

chisel-shaped iron tool, as in the upper comb (PI. B, fig. 3), or

Fig. I.

A, the vice, length 114 inches (Bandarawela District).

B and C, two pattern-marking tools (Pallebedde, Atakalan Korale, Province of

Sabaragamuwa) (reduced ).

with a two or three-pointed tool asin the lower comb (Pl. B, fig. 3).

The pointed tools (B and ©) in fig. I. were used in ornamenting

the comb last referred to, which was made at Pallebedde, Atakalan

Korale, Province of Sabaragamuwa. Last of all the comb is

polished by rubbing with wood ashes and horn shavings.

More elaborately carved and pierced horn combs are sometimes

met with, but their actual manufacture has not been seen by us,

and it is very doubtful if they are any longer made.

The comb shown in fig. [I. is pierced, and deeply carved with

a characteristic Kandyan pattern. Fig. 4, Pl. B, shows a

more elaborate comb, carved and pierced with the nari lata

(woman creeper) design. The nari latd is a well known and

interesting Kandyan pattern, consisting essentially of a female

figure holding a creeper in each hand. In the horn comb shown

the figure seems almost to spring from the tree itself, suggesting

a possible origin of the design in the idea ofa sacred tree with its

KANDYAN HORN COMBS. ] 53

in-dwelling or guardian spirit ; but in other examples the lower

part of the figure is fully developed, and the dress carefully

indicated (as for example on an embroidered betel bag in our

possession), and the pattern is a good deal less suggestive of a

mythological origin ; it seems likely, however, that it may once

have had a symbolical significance of the sort suggested. The

design is a very usual one and is found on all sorts of Kandyan

decorative work.

A still more elaborate comb is seen in fig. 5, Pl. C3; this

unusually large comb is carved and pierced with a hansa putuva

design (geese with intertwined necks), and four heads of makaras

in the corners, and inlaid as well with ivory pegs, square for one

bird and round for the other. This hansa putuva is also a well

known Kandyan design; it may be found for example on such

Orr a>

Se est

Bd) : aN a2,

Ea ain

Fig. II.—Carved and pierced horn comb, Ratnapura District, x 2.

—_

various things as key plates, embroidered betel bags, and painted

pottery. It will be seen that these decorated horn combs are

striking and appropriate in character, and varied and individual

in their ornamentation, and it is a reproach to the modern

Sinhalese that there is now-a-days so little demand for good home-

made wares of this or any kind.

Nots.—Since this paper on Horn Combs was written it has

occurred to us that the nari lata design so frequently seen in

Kandyan decorative art may possibly be derived from the early

representations of the goddess Siri (Lakshmi), seated on a lotus

and holding lotus flowers in either hand. If so, the abundance

of foliage is a late rather than a primitive feature; but its

154 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

development from the original simple sprays appears quite

natural considering the fondness for “ creeper” decoration shown

in Kandyan design. On this view the most elaborate types, in

which human faces appear like flowers amongst the foliage (the

main stems of which are always grasped in the two hands of the

seated figure), would be a still later development,

A. K, C.

EH. M. C.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.

PLATE A,

Rodiyas making Horn Combs at Ella, near Bandarawela.

Fig. 1.—Using the rasp; a vice, knives, and other tools are seen

in the foreground, ready for use.

Fig. 2.—Cutting the teeth ; an adze is seen on the right.

PLATE B.

Fig. 3.—Above : horn comb made by Rodiyas at Ella; incised

pattern done with a chisel-shaped tool. Below: horn

comb made at Pallebedde (Sab.) ; incised pattern done

with the three-pointed tool shown in the text, fig. I.

x §. Authors’ collection. |

Fig. 4.—Horn comb carved and pierced with nazi laté design.

x 4. Kegalla Kachcheri collection.

PLATE C.

Fig. 5.—Horn comb carved and pierced with hansa putuva design

and four heads of makaras, and inlaid with ivory pegs.

x 8. Authors’ collection.

Fig. 6—Another example of the ndri latd design, from an

embroidered betel bag. x 3}. Authors’ collection. The

embroidery is chain stitch in red and white cotton on

(Kandyan) blue cotton. Compare this with fig. 4, Pl. B.

ZHYLANICA.

SPOLIA

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CARVED AND PIERCED HORN COMB WITH HANSA PUTUVA

NARI LATA DESIGN ON EMBROIDERED BETEL BAG.

Lo be compared with fig. 4, Plate B,

NOTES. 155

NOTES.

1. On the Loris in captivity.a—With any wild animal in ecapti-

vity the first and most important thing to find out is what

food is most likely to suit its taste. And with a very small

nocturnal beast, such as the Loris, concerning whose habits I

imagine that but little is Known, this is not at first easy. A

list of what I have found Loris eat and thrive on, and of what I

have known him eat and not thrive on, may therefore be of

interest.

First of all, I am convinced that the Loris is by nature purely

insectivorous, and even carnivorous. If not fed for a day or so he

will eat plantains, pumpkins, boiled rice, &c., so will a hungry

leopard eat rice, or a starving man his boots, but not with any

marked gusto.

What a Loris really enjoys is a heavy meal of grasshoppers ;

all varieties seem to be equally appreciated, from the large brown

red-underwinged piéce de résistance to the thin pale green

“salad.” Ihave known a Loris eat 60 mixed grasshoppers at a

sitting. Crickets, moths, ordinary flies, most beetles, and cock-

roaches are all accepted eagerly ; while the rather horrid skill

with which a loris seizes and manipulates a strongly struggling

gecko seems to suggest that this is a not unfamiliar prey.

Worms, brightly-coloured butterflies, certain evil-coloured

beetles, and meat, such as chicken, beef, &c., are rejected, some-

times rather indignantly, and I have known the brown shell-

backed variety of cockroach (I do not know its name) make a

Loris very sick.

About a teaspoonful of water a day seems to be the correct

quantity of liquid, but I fancy the little beast can go fora long

time without any drink at all ; he must often have to do without

it in the hot windy weather from June to September.

After food, perhaps the next most important subject is medicine.

With the Loris I have only experienced two forms of ill-health,

diarrhoea and cramp, and both seem curable by the same remedy,

viz., opium, taken in the form of laudanum; three drops in a

teaspoonful of milk and water is in my experience a safe dose,

and it can be repeated twice in a day if the patient can be got to

take it ; he can be forced to do so of course, but he is rather frail.

we 8(17)05

156 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

If moral characteristics be added to physical, the Loris is very

high in the scale ; for his manners are excellent, rather like those

of an old-fashioned child who does not play, but takes his

pleasure in some more dignified manner. For the Loris never

plays; life is for him a very serious matter. Except the Pan-

golin, all other animals I have kept or known, play, all but the

Loris. If one comes to think of it, any Loris who in his natural

haunts attracted attention by frisking about and playing, would

very soon be snapped up by an owl or other enemy, for he is

very weak, and very slow, and his safety, like that of a new boy

in a public school, must depend almost entirely on unostentatious

self-effacement. Hence his good manners.

But besides modesty he has one other means of defence, and a

very curious one indeed it is. For he imitates a cobra. Before

relating the instance in which I saw this done, I must supportmy

testimony by the only reference to this habit that I know of.

Sinhalese of the North-Central Province have several times told

me little stories about the “ Unahapuluwa,” and I have thought

them far-fetched and absurd. And among the stories of its habits

told me by jungle men has been this : “ That the Loris copies the

sound of the cobra as a means of self-defence.”

Now that I have had an opportunity of testing this story and

of finding it true, the other yarns do not seem so absurd. It

happened this way.

I was sitting in the verandah spoiling my eyes by reading by

the last flicker of afterglow, when I heard the regular breathing

sound made by acobra when he inflatesand deflates his body. A

cobra moving ordinarily, or hunting anything much weaker than

himself, does not make this sound, but only when with expanded

hood he sits up to fight.

With the breathing sound came the occasional quick hiss of a

strike. So I got up and took a stick, for I thought that a cobra

might be attacking my Loris, who was not in his cage, but only

tethered to the top of it.

The sound came from my room, where, although it was dusk,

there was plenty of light to kill a snake.

As I went into the room I looked at the cage, which was on the

floor, and on the top of it I saw the outline of a cobra sitting up

with hood expanded, and threatening a cat who crouched about

sixfeetaway. This wasthe Loris, who, with hisarms and shoulders

hunched up, was a sufficiently good imitation of a cobra to take

me in, as he swayed on his long legs, and every now and then let

out a perfect cobra’s hiss. As I have said, it was dusk at the time,

but the Loris is nocturnal, so that his expedient would rarely be

NOTES. 157

required except in the dusk or dark; and the sound was a perfect

imitation. I may mention that I have kept snakes, including a

cobra, and am therefore the less likely to be easily deceived by a

bad imitation.

And, as I said above, the native legend bears me out.

Another native legend concerning the Loris, which obtains

universal acceptation in the North-Central Province, is that he

kills peafowl by creeping slowly up their backs when they are

roosting, and then, twining his long arms round the poor bird’s

neck, clings on until he has bitten to the brain.

The Loris is a charming and most original pet; his fault is

peevishness. But any one who has seen one thrust his long arm

into a bottle full of grasshoppers, pick one out and eat it like a

radish ; who has seen one sit on the table at dinner and catch the

moths and “ poochies ” that fly against the lamp; or has felt one

climb up his face and pounce into his moustache as into an

insect—will agree with me that our not so very distant cousin

is as fascinating a being as any in the forests of Ceylon.

JOHN STILL.

Anuradhapura, February 27, 1905.

2. On the larval habits of the butterfly, Parata alexis, Fabr.

Peradeniya, 27th March, 1905.—It is not often that the larve

of Hesperide (“ Skipper” butterflies) occur in large numbers in |

close proximity to each other. Parata alexis appears to be an

exception in this respect. On the 19th March I observed a fair-

sized tree of Pongamia glabra that had been completely

defoliated by the larve of this butterfly. So much so that they

had been compelled to descend and pupate amongst the foliage

of the shrubs below, for lack of shelter on the tree itself. There

must have been many hundreds of these pupz within a space

of a few square yards. From 50 pupze—collected at haphazard—

there emerged 18 males and 16 females; the remainder failed.

The flies were disclosed on two successive days (March 24 and 25).

On the first day 5 males and 12 females appeared ; on the second

day, 13 males and 4 females, the proportion of the sexes being

almost exactly reversed.

EK. ERNEST GREEN.

3. Curious behaviour of a snake in captivity. Peradeniya,

27th March, 1905.—A small example of Coluber helena which has

been an occupant of my vivarium for several weeks, and has

158 SPOLIA ZEYLANIOA.

hitherto exhibited a gentle and even timid disposition, commenced

to behave in a quite extraordinary manner to-day. On looking

into the cage I found it tightly coiled round atoad many times too

large for its capacity, visibly constricting it, but not attempting

to swallow it. It presently abandoned the toad and then struck

out wildly at anything that approached it, including my hand,

though I have previously repeatedly handled it with impunity.

The excited helena then—without any provocation—seized a

large “‘ Whip-snake” by the middle of the body, around which it

instantly coiled itself in a tight knot, remaining in that position

for half an hour—its head free, but its body tightly constricted—

defying all attempts of the whip-snake (which appeared greatly

inconvenienced) to dislodge it. When offered a small lizard—

as a distraction—it bit at it viciously, but would not retain it. A

large T'ropidonotus stolatus was next assailed in the same manner,

but that snake easily threw it off. In the intervals of these

attacks it moved about the cage with the anterior part of its body

laterally compressed and twisted to one side, thereby displaying

to unusual advantage the white lateral ocelli. The constricting

habit was most marked, and is probably employed when capturing

prey ; but I have not yet detected it in the act of feeding.

K, ERNEST GREEN.

4. On the nesting of the snake, Bungarus ceylonicus.—I have

received specimens of some eggs and young snakes which I have

identified as Bungarus ceylonicus, Giinth. My correspondent

tells me that they were found in a shallow depression, beneath a

wood-pile, in the month of January, 1905. ‘Both parents were

curled up in the hollow (made like a duck’s nest, but not lined

in any way, just scooped and hollowed out of earth), and under

them were lots of eggs and little snakes.”

The eggs have a soft leathery shell and are lightly agglutinated

together. They are cylindrical, with rounded ends, varying in

length from 29 to 35 mm., with a breadth of 17 mm, The young

snakes are brownish black above, with well-defined white annuli;

white beneath. The two specimens in my possession show 24

and 16 annuli respectively, exclusive of the broad fascia across

the head and the white tip to the tail. They measure 230 and

260 mm. in length. Even at this early age the vertebral row of

broad hexagonal scales is well demarked. The parent snakes

were unfortunately destroyed without any measurements being

taken.

KE. ERNEST GREEN.

NOTES. 159

5. Millipede killed by Reduviid bug.—While watching a large

millipede crawling over my lawn I noticed an immature

specimen (nymph) of the Reduviid bug (Physorhynchus linnet,

Stal.) following and manceuvring about it. Suddenly the bug

closed and fastened upon the hinder extremity of the millipede,

plunging its proboscis into the intersegmental tissue on the

ventral surface between the legs. The millipede immediately

writhed about apparently in great pain, but failed to dislodge

its enemy. It tried to crawl away, but rather more than half the

body and limbs were paralyzed. After feeding for about a

minute the bug left its victim, which I then picked up and

confined in a box, meaning to note how soon the paralyzing

effects would pass off. Twelve hours later the millipede, instead

of having recovered, was found to be quite dead. The victim

measures 53 inches in length with a proportionate thickness.

The predatory bug was scarcely } of an inch long. The bite of

many of the Reduviid bugs is—as I have experienced—extremely

painful; but I was astonished to find its action so fatal in this

case. The poison evidently acted directly upon the ventral

nerve cord.

Peradeniya, May, 1905. K. ERNEST GREEN.

6. Remedies adopted against the Paddy Fly.—One of the great-

est enemies of the paddy plant (Oryza sativa) is the so-called rice

sapper or paddy fly (Leptocorisa varicornis), called in the vernacular

goyan-messa.

The common remedy adopted against this pest is smoking the

fields by smother-burning vegetable refuse to windward. The

suffocating effect of the dense smoke that is thus raised is some-

times intensified by adding to the burning mass such substances

as tar, sulphur, tobacco, leaf, and margosa oil (from Azadirachta

indica).

The paddy fly is believed to object strongly to the odour of

resin, and for this reason cultivators often draw a rope saturated

in melted resin across the field.

The flies are sometimes captured by means of “ bird-lime,” in the

following manner. A winnow smeared with the sticky latex of

the jak tree (Artocarpus integrifolia) is fixed to the end of a pole

and drawn over thetips of the plants. Thefliesas they are captured

are collected in a pot strung to the waist of the operator and after-

wards destroyed. The process is carried on in the early morning

or late in the evening.

A method of decoy is also employed thus. An earthenware

160 SPOLIA ZEYLANIOA.

pot riddled with holes is set up in the field with a burning

lamp inside, The flies collect round the heated pot and are

thus destroyed.

But there are often extraordinary “ remedies ” (favoured by the

more superstitious) carried out through the agency of the village

soothsayer. One form of this is where the soothsayer, choosing

his day and hour, enters the field with some tender cocoanut

leaves plaited into a rough mat or “ ola,” and supervises the erection

of a tiny booth or “ mal-messa” on which a floral offering is placed.

In this booth the soothsayer burns some camphor, while he

indulges in a weird incantation. The final act in this ceremony

consists of the stretching of ropes from the mal-messa to various

points in the boundaries of the field.

The following is another form of charming. The soothsayer, as

before choosing his day and hour, proceeds to the field clothed in

spotless white, erects a mal-messa on which he gets some rice

boiled in cocoanut milk (the expressed juice of the kernel of the

cocoanut), and not the liquid contents of the cocoanut as generally

understood, and then with a branch from the inflorescence of

the areca palm proceeds to sprinkle the liquid from the boiling

pot over the fleld, muttering incantations the while.

A variation of this last consists in sprinkling charmed water

from a new clay pot by means of the twig of a lime tree.

In some Catholic villages it is the custom to carry a few paddy

flies tothe nearest church, there to be anathematized, and let loose

again in the field to influence the colony of pests to quit.

For much of the information in this note Iam indebted to Mr.

P. Samaranayaka, late Agricultural Instructor, now of the Veteri-

nary Department.

C. DRIEBERG.

Government Stock Garden,

June 15, 1905.

—

7. The Lacteal Tract of Loris gracilis—In Flower and

Lydekker’s well-known “ Introduction to the Study of Mammals”

(London, 1891) it is pointed out that in the order Primates “there

are always two mamme in the pectoral region, except in Chi-

romys”’ (l.c., p. 681).

The long-tailed African lemurs of the genus Galago have four

teats, namely, two pectoral and two inguinal (/.c., p. 690).

In the tailless Oriental lemurs belonging to the sub-family

Lorisinz there are said to be two pectoral mamme only (/.c., p. 691).

Chiromys, the Aye-aye of Madagascar, has two inguinal mamme

only (/.c., p. 695).

NOTES. 161

In a much more recent treatise on Mammalia by Dr. Max

Weber (Die Siugetiere, Jena, 1904) the statement that the

Lorisine are distinguished from the Galagine, among other cha-

racters, by the possession of two pectoral teats only, is repeated

on p. 760 of that work,

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Situs mammarum of Loris gracilis, Ceylon.

The villagers who, Iam told, procure the Loris in Ceylon, while

snaring monkeys for purposes of trade, occasionally bring them

alive to Colombo for sale. I have recently procured two females,

each carrying a young Lorisine clasped to her bosom. LEach of

162 SPOLIA ZEYLANIOCA

the mothers had four equal pendulous mamme placed conse-

cutively in two pairs in the posterior pectoral (below the last rib)

and in the anterior abdominal regions, surrounded by a nearly

hairless tract.

Each teat is about a quarter of an inch in length; the anterior

pair is distant about one inch and a quarter from the axillary

region ; the posterior pair is about two and a half inches from the

inguinal region.

The tetramerous arrangement of the teats in the Loris gracilis

of Ceylon is a constant character, and may be observed in young

females as well as in females during lactation. ‘he more primi-

tive mammals of the orders Edentata and Sirenia, represented in

Ceylon by the pangolin and the dugong respectively, have only

one pair of teats in the axillary region, but this fact does not

militate against the idea that the four teats of Loris may bea

primitive feature, at least within the limits of its own order.

Not only the organization but the strictly arboreal habits of the

Loris suggest that it is a creature of remote antiquity. Whether

the character of the lacteal tract affords a further indication of

this may be a matter of opinion, but the numerical data should be

correctly given. The plurality of teats is remarkable also on

account of the fact that the Loris, like bats and monkeys generally,

only produces one young ata birth, which remains clamped to

the parent by its extraordinary prehensile limbs until able to look

after itself.

ARTHUR WILLEY,

Colombo, July, 1905.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

163

HELMINTHES FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE COLOMBO

MUSEUM.

By Dr. O. VON LINSTOW.

( Gottingen.)

With three Plates.

HIS report on Parasitic Worms from Ceylon is a continuation

part IV. (1904).

of my description of Nematodes in Spolia Zeylanica, vol. I.,

There are altogether in the second consignment

which was sent to me fifty-one species, of which thirty belong

to the Nematoda, one to the Acanthocephala, seven to the

Trematoda, and thirteen to the Cestoda; of these, thirty are

described as new, and three new genera of Cestoda have had to be

established,

The following species are dealt with :—

bo no 89 bo LO

Pian be

Se Re ee ee ee

Costar Pw We S © os OM oem oo Ne

NEMATODA,

Ascaris spiculigera, Rud., from Plotus melanogaster.

Ascaris fissicollis, n.sp., from Haliastur indus.

Ascaris coronata, n.sp., from Ardeola Grayt.

Ascaris brachycheilos, n.sp., from Tropidonotus asperrimus.

Physaloptera brevispiculum, n.sp., from Felis rubiginosa.

Spiroptera secretoria, n.sp., from Plotus melanogaster.

Spiroptera orca, n.sp., from Manis pentadactyla.

Spiroptera sanguinolenta, Rud., from Canis familiaris.

Sptroptera, spec. ? from Cittacincla macroura.

Spiroptera, spec. ? from Pawo cristatus.

Spiroptera, spec. ? from Sciurus palmarum.

Heterakis pusilla, n.sp., from Gallus Lafayettt.

Heterakis granulosa, n.sp., from Gallus gallinaceus.

Strongylus digitatus, n.sp., from Bos taurus.

Kalicephalus willeyi, v. Linst., from Typhlops braminus.

Oxyuris megaloon, n.sp., from Hemidactylus Leschenaultir.

Oxysoma falcatum, n.sp., from Nicoria trijuga.

Dispharagus macrolaimus, n.sp., from Plotus melanogaster.

Sclerostomum equinum, Miiller, from Hquus caballus.

Ankylostomum minimum, n.sp., from Felis rubiginosa.

Ankylostomum trigonocephalum, Rud., from Canis familiaris.

Syngamus trachealis, v. Sieb., from Gallus gallinaceus.

Filaria ? Zschokkei, Meyer, from Manis pentadactyla.

Filaria immitis, Leidy, from Canis familiaris.

8(17)05

ol.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

49.

50.

51.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Filaria piscicola, nu.sp., from Marine Fish.

Filaria equina, Abilg., from Equus caballus.

Filaria digitata, n.sp., from Bos indicus.

Filaria tuberosa, v. Linst., from Mabwuia carinata.

Filaria flavescens, Castellani and Willey, from Calotes versicolor.

Trichocephalus discolor, nu.sp., from Bos indicus.

Tetradenos tiara, v. Linstow = Ctenocephalus tiara, v. Linst.

ACANTHOCEPHALA.

Echinorhynchus tener, n.sp., from Spilornis cheela.

TREMATODA.

Lyperosomum squamatum,n.sp.,from Dissura episcopus.

Distomum, spec. ? from Plotus melanogaster.

Distomum hepaticum, L., from Bos indicus.

Paramphistomum calicophoron, Fisch., from Bos indicus.

Paramphistomum gracile, Fisch., from Bos indicus.

Gastrothylax crumenifer, Crepl., from Bos bubalus.

Tristomum megacotyle, n.sp., from Histiophorus.

CESTODA.

Hymenolepis septaria, n.sp., from Upupa ceylonensis.

Hymenolepis clausa, n.sp., from Dendrocygna javanica.

Hymenolepis spinosa, n.sp., from Rostratula capensis.

Dipylidium caninum, L., from Canis familiaris.

Tenia, spec. ? from Haliastur indus.

Diorchis occlusa, n.sp., from Phenicopterus roseus.

Davainea polycalcaria, n.sp., from Corvus macrorhynchus.

Diplochetos volvulus, n.gen. et sp., from Lobipluvia malabarica.

Ophryocotyle ceylonica, n.sp., from Lophoceros gingalensis.

Brochocephalus paradoxus,n.gen. etsp., from A’gialitis mongolica.

Cittotenia bursaria, n.sp., from Lepus nigricollis.

Ichthyotenia cryptobothrium, n.sp., from Chrysopelea ornata.

Aphanobothrium catenatum, n.gen. et sp., from Phenicopterus

TOSeuUs.

I.—NEMATODA.

Ascaris.

The definition given previously (S. Z., part 1V., p. 91) is to be

amended in so far that the intestinal ccecum lies dorsad of the

cesophagus ; the cesophageal gland is produced backwards ventral

to the intestine.

1.—Ascaris spiculigera, Rud.

From the csophagus and stomach of the Darter, Plotus

melanogaster, L.; Wirawila, Southern Province.

2.—Ascaris fissicollis, n.sp.

Pl. I, figs. 1-2.

From intestine of the Brahminy Kite, Haliastur indus, Bodd.;

Nedunkeni, Northern Province.

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 165

Three females, 15, 34, and 36 mm. long, 0°79-1'25 mm. wide.

Cuticle annulate; behind the lips the annulation is so deep

that the contours appear fringed. Lips with intermediate lips;

without teeth ; dorsal lip semi-circular, ‘083 mm. x ‘11 mm.”

the two papille lie in front ; intermediate lips obtusely conical,

attenuate from the middle, with an outer groove. Cisophagus §,

acuminate tail ,),.t Eggs thin-shelled, spherical, 065 mm.; the

small vitellus distant from the shell.

3.—Ascaris coronata, n.sp.

J2iL Uy ate ok

From the csophagus and stomach of the Nestling Pond

Heron, Ardeola Grayi, Sykes ; Tissamaharama.

Cuticle narrowly annulate ; lips edentulous with large trian-

gular interlabia ; dorsal lips nearly circular, ‘065 x -078, with two

inner anterior prominences ; papille anterior; cesophagus ¢.

Male, 17 x :79; tail conical, very short, ;4;. On each side of

the caudal extremity 17 pre-anal papille in a row becoming

more closely placed behind ; post-anal papille absent; the cirri

are 2°37 mm. long, straight, the end bent falciform.

Female, 26 x 1:5; tail rounded, anus nearly terminal ; at the

posterior end a small finger-shaped appendix ; the vulva lies in

front of the middle, dividing the body in the ratio 7: 15; eggs

immature.

4.— Ascaris brachychetlos, n.sp.

Pl. IIL., fig. 48.

From intestine of Tvropidonotus asperrimus, Boulenger ;

Colombo,

Cuticle smooth ; lips depressed, dentiferous, with small conical

interlabia; pulp emarginate; papille large; dorsal lip

078 x -177; cesophagus ;},- 1; ; tail in male 545, in female ;3,,

rounded in both sexes carrying a small terminal appendix.

Male, 55 x *83; cirri broad, curved like a sabre, rounded at

the end, 1:19 x :035; at each side of the tail three very small

pre-anal and two post-anal papille; the last of the latter lies

dorsally exactly at the hinder end of the body dorsad of the

styliform appendix.

Female, 104 x 1°58; anus nearly terminal ; vulva near the

end of the anterior third, dividing the length in the ratio 14: 39 ;

eggs spherical, thick-shelled, closely beset with small granules,

086 mm.

* All measurements are in millimetres, and the length always precedes the

breadth.

} These are fractions of the total body length throughout.

166 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

d.—Physaloptera brevispiculum, n.sp.

Pl. L, fig. 4.

From stomach of Felis rubiginosa, Geoffr.; Kandy.

Cuticle finely annulate ; head end with a thickened cuticular

collar from which two round lips protrude, each of which carries

three small peaks at the summit; at the tail end there is a simi-

lar preputium-like cuticular ring from which the tail emerges ;

cesophagus z=.

Male, 11:1 x °95, with rounded tail 344 ; at each side of the

cloacal orifice four stalked papille ; behind these four paired

ventral post-anal papilla, unstalked, in successive couples; cirri

very short, feebly curved, ‘79-81.

Female, 11-4 x 1:06; tail conical, 545; eggs thick-shelled,

036 x ‘0381.

P. preputialis, v. Linst., which occurs in Felis catus in Brazil,

has a similar caudal sheath with a body length of 21-30 mm.

6.—Spiroptera secretoria, n.sp.

PIS, feb}

From esophagus and stomach of Plotus melanogaster, L. ;

Wirawila ; in company with Ascaris spiculigera.

Dimensions up to 382 x 1:6, but all specimens immature; both

ends strongly attenuated ; cuticle annulate; some are larve in

process of exuviation. At the head a dorsally placed obtusely

conical papilla; in a circle behind this are six roundish papilla,

and behind these in the submedian lines four truncate papille

with a very small one at the inner side. Alongside the

cesophagus runs a long gland containing a long granular

secretion often projecting through the orifice which lies close

behind the papille. Tail short ‘with small finger-shaped

appendix; lateral lines strongly developed, one-fifth of the

diameter of the body, enclosing a lateral canal.

7.—Spiroptera orca, D.sp.

Pl. L., figs. 6-8.

From stomach of Manis pentadactyla, L.; Horana.

Cuticle annulate; head with two large lips placed dorsal and

ventral, expanded in front; behind these in the submedian lines

four finger-shaped procumbent processes.

The mouth leads into a vestibule, ‘2 mm. long; csophagus

in the male 4, in the female s+; coarse cuticular rings ‘053

apart, fine rings ‘0054 mm. apart.

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 167

Male, 25 x °71; tail involute; cirri long; the left cirrus

measured 3:74 mm. in a young specimen of 11°8 mm., ¢.e. nearly

one-third of the body length; the right cirrus is broader and

much shorter, ‘57 mm.; on each side there are four pre-anal

and two post-anal papille, large and round; tail rounded, 5.

Female, 32 x ‘95; tail rounded, 2,; vulva lies behind the

middle dividing the body in the ratio 7: 5; immature eggs

elliptical, 044 x :026; mature, flattened at the poles, ‘047 x :029,

barrel-shaped, surrounded in front and behind by a raised hoop.

8.—Spiroptera sanguinolenta, Rud.

From cesophagus of Canis familiaris, L.; Colombo.

Cf. A. Railliet, Traité de zoologie médicale, Paris, 1895, pp.

536-538, figs. 373-375.

9.—Spiroptera, spec. ?

From intestine of Long-tailed Robin, Cittacincla macrouwra,

Gmel.; Nedunkeni.

One entire and one half specimen spirally wound, not to

be identified.

10.—Spiroptera, spec. ?

From csophagus of Pavo cristatus, L.; Buttuwa.

Three imperfectly preserved fragments.

11.—Spiroptera, spec. ?

From peritoneum of Sciwrus palmarum, 1..; Colombo.

Fragments of a female.

12.—Heterakis pusilla, n.sp.

PL. L, fig. 9.

From rectal coeca of Jungle Fowl, Gallus Lafayetti; Mamadu,

Northern Province.

Head with small roundish lips; cuticle smooth; cesophagus

thickened, club-shaped behind, in the male 1}, in the femaie are

Male, 5 x 0°19; tail »',, finely pointed, adhering to the ventral

side by a granular, opaque cement; cirri very unequal, the

left 0°53, the right 0°15; in front of the cloacal orifice a round

sucker, and behind this, on each side, four large post-anal

papille, of which the last lies at a greater distance from the

third than the three anterior from each other.

Female, 5:13 x 0°24; tail gis. very long and pointed ; vulva

far behind the middle, the pre-genital region to the post-genital

region as 12: 5; eggs, thick-shelled, 0:065 x 0-031.

168 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

13.—Heterakis granulosa, n.sp.

Pl. III., fig. 49.

Intestine of domestic fowl, Gallus gallinaceus, L. ; Colombo.

Cuticle annulate ; head with three low semi-circular lips; tail

pointed.

Male, 27 x 0:59; cesophagus |, ; tail Jj); the two straight

rod-shaped cirri, 0°57; sucker long, oval, with a small circular

groove behind, and surrounded by granulations ; on each side

three pre-anal and six post-anal papille, of which the most

anterior is transversely elliptical, the fourth, seventh, and ninth

spherical and marginal ; radial muscles pass to the sucker.

Female, 55 x 0°79; wsophagus ;,; tail ~,; vaginal orifice

immediately in front of the middle dividing the body in

the proportion 16: 17; eggs thick-shelled, 0:078 x 0042.

14.—Strongylus digitatus, n.sp.

Pl. L., fig. 10.

Stomach of Bos indicus ; Colombo.

Cuticle without longitudinal lines, but with very fine annu-

lation; head attenuate, mouth surrounded by four papille ;

cesophagus of male +, of female ,', ; the nerve ring surrounds the

cesophagus at the limit of the first and second quarters and

below it the porus excretorius opens.

Male, 24 x 0°36; cirri very long, 4°54, coalescent throughout

their entire length and thickened fusiform at the end; the

lateral lobes of the bursa are curved claw-like inwardly; each

lobe is supported by six ribs, of which one lies at the inner

margin, two side by side at the hinder border, and three in

a group at the outer margin ; there is no median lobe; the end of

the body is rounded with a pair of finger-shaped, slightly curved

hyaline cuticular lobes.

Female, 29 x 0:47; genital orifice lies far back dividing the

body in the ratio 8: 1; tail pointed, ;j53 eggs 0097 x 0:053.

Eleven species of Strongylus have been found in Bos

taurus, the European domestic ox ; ten of them have short cirri;

only Strongylus filicollis, Rud., has long cirri, but in this species

the cuticle shows 18 longitudinal ridges.

15.—Kalicephalus willeyi, v. Linst.

Rectum of Typhlops braminus, Russell ; Colombo.

Cf. O. v. Linstow, Spol. Zeyl., vol. I., part IV., 1904, pp. 99-100

pl. L, figs. 14-18.

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 169

16.—Ozyuris megaloon, n.sp.

Intestine of Gecko, Hemidactylus leschenaultii, Dum. et Bibr.

Mamadu.

Females only in the collection, 6°52 x 0°91; cuticle deeply

annulate; head with three small lips; cesophagus <, narrow,

ending behind in a spheroidal bulb; tail conically pointed, + ;

eggs very large, 0:083 x 0:047.

Oxysoma.

Head with three or more lips ; cesophagus witha spheroidal bulb

behind ; male with two equal cirri and three paired pre-anal

papille ; number of post-anal papille variable; tail in both sexes

finely pointed; Secernentes-Meromyaria ; in reptiles and amphibia.

17.—Oxysoma falcatum, n.sp.

Pl. IIL., figs. 50-51.

Intestine of the Tortoise, Nicoria trijuga, Schweigg. ; Colombo.

Cuticle smooth; head broadly rounded with six stalked

papille ; the stalks are divided giving off an inner branch ;

behind the head are four large papille in the submedian lines ;

cesophagus thin, in the male oe, female me the bulb is

embraced by the cup-shaped commencement of the intestine ;

excretory pore behind the middle of the cesophagus dividing the

latter in the ratio 21 : 16.

Male, 11°6 x 0°55; tail 54, bent hook-like towards the ventral

surface ; cirri equal, falciform, very broad before the middle, 0°44,

pointed at the end; three pre-anal and five post-anal papille

(paired).

Female, 141 x 0°56; tail 54; genital orifice behind the

middle dividing the body as 5 : 3 ; the vagina runs forwards ;

eggs 0°14 x 0-097.

Dispharagus.

Head with two lips; in the region of the so-called neck the

cuticle shows four longitudinal pleats; male with two unequal

cirri ; on each side of the tail four pre-anal papille; it belongs

to the Secernentes-Polymyaria; occurring in the cesophagus,

stomach, and gastric submucosa of birds,

18. —Dispharagus macrolaimus, nusp.

Stomach ofthe Darter, Plotus melanogaster, L. ; Wirawila.

Females only in the collection, 7°3-11°4 x 0°28-0°47 ; cuticle

annulate, with elevated lateral lines; head with two small,

conical, rounded lips; the mouth leads into a long vestibule ;

170 SPOLIA ZBYLANICA.

cesophagus very long, ais <tail zy, terminating in a small finger-

shaped point; the nuchal pleats run 0°80 mm. backwards, rather

beyond the first section of the cesophagus; immediately before

their termination there is on each side a cone-shaped nuchal

papilla; eggs very numerous, with a double shell, 0-031 x 0°011.

Sclerostomum.

Head with buecal orifice set with one or several rows of teeth ;

male with two equal cirri and trilobate costiferous bursa ; female

genital orifice posterior ; Secernentes-Meromyaria ; in mammals

and birds.

19.—Sclerostomum equinum, Miller.

Intestine of horse ; Colombo,

Of. A. Looss, The Sclerostomidz, Records Egyptian Government

School of Medicine, 1901, pp. 76-77, pl. I., figs. 1-5.

Ankylostomum.

Head with chitinous buccal capsule, bent and open towards the

dorsal side ; often with teeth in its fundus; male with trilobate

bursa and two equal cir7i; bursal lobes supported by ribs;

female genital orifice behind the middle; Secernentes-Mero-

myaria; in the intestine of mammals.

20.—Ankylostomum minimum, D.8p.

Pl. L., figs. 11-12.

Stomach of Felis rubiginosa, Geoffr.; Kandy.

Cuticle thick and annulate; buccal capsule dorsally inclined

with four ventral longitudinal “ribs” and a tooth at the bottom.

Male, 2°38 x 0°24; cesophagus }; cirri brown and very short,

0-062 ; lateral lobes of bursa rounded, supported by six ribs, of

which the two anterior lie close together, the third, fourth, and

fifth form a group, and the sixth lies isolated.

Female, 4°46 x 0:20; cesophagus a ; tail 3,3; genital organs

almost confined to hinder half of body ; genital orifice posterior,

dividing the body as 31 : 12; eggs not numerous, 0°088 x 0-053 ;

one branch of the uterus runs forwards, the other backwards.

21.—Ankylostomum trigonocephalum, Rud,

Intestine of dog ; Colombo.

Of. A. Railliet Traité de Zoologie Médicale, Paris, 1895, pp.

470-473, figs. 8327-330.

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 171

Syngamus.

Mouth with a chitinous capsule, the wall of which is enlarged

dise-like in front ; male small with a buvsa and two equal cirri ;

female orifice anterior ; male and female in permanent copula ;

Secernentes-Meromyaria; in the trachea, bronchi, and nose of

birds and mammals.

22.—_Syngamus trachealis, v. Sieb.

Trachea of domestic fowl ; Colombo.

Of. A. Railliet, op. cit., pp. 453-455, fig. 312, also Neumann’s

Parasites of Domesticated Animals, p. 607, fig. 318.

23.—Filaria ? Zschokkei, Meyer.

Peritoneum of Manis pentadactyla, L.

Cf. Meyer, Archiv f. Naturgesch. Jahrg.. 61, Berlin, 1896, pp.

56-69, Taf. IV., figs. 1-9. Sexually immature.

24.—Filaria immitis, Leidy.

Pleural cavity of dog; Ragama.

Of. A. Railliet, op. cit., pp. 509-513, figs. 354-356.

25.—Filaria piscicola, n.sp.

From supraorbital region of a marine fish (? Lethrinus, sp.).

One incomplete female, 225 x 0:57; the diameter at the head

is 0°13; the head is rounded, destitute of lips, teeth, and papille ;

the tail is lost from the specimen ; genital orifice quite anterior,

only 0°79 from cephalic extremity ; eggs 0:031 x 0:023 ; it is ovo-

viviparous ; the embryos with acuminate tail measure 0°53 x

0-016.

Filarie are very rare in fishes, and it is therefore to be regretted

that only an imperfect description of this species can be given.

26.—Filaria equina, Abildg.

From eye of horse.

Of. A. Railliet, op. cit., pp. 524-526, figs. 364-366.

27.—Filaria digitata, n.sp.

Pl. IIL., figs. 52-55.

Peritoneum of Bos indicus ; Colombo.

Head with two straight teeth notched at the sumunit, thereafter

four papille in the submedian lines; cuticle finely annulate; a

long vestibule (in the female 0°59) leads into the cesophagus, }

2A 8(17)05

1 ly iy SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

in the male, } in the female; tail rounded, carrying in the

female a spherical appendix; in the male the tail is coiled in

a close spiral, in the female a loose spiral; in the male 31,5;

in the female ,},; in both sexes in front of the extremity on each

side a finger-shaped appendage, 0-044 long in male, 0-10 in female.

Male, 42°5 x 0°35; the curved cirri 0°16 and 0-065 respectively ;

four pre-anal* and four post-anal* elongated papille ; in front

of the former on each side about 140 small rod-shaped, close-set

papille reaching forwards 1°9 mm. from the tail end.

Female, 56°9 x 0°55; genital orifice anterior dividing the body

as 1:71; eggs 0-039 x 0-026.

28.—Filaria tuberosa, n.sp.

Filaria Mansoni, Castellani and Willey, Sol. Zeyl., vol. I1.,

1904, pp. 79-80, pl. VI., figs. 1-6.

In the peritoneum of Mabwia carinata, Schneid., the Brahminy

Lizard ; Colombo. Larve in the blood.

Only two females in the collection, of which the larger measures

34 x 0°37; tail attenuate, ending with a hemispherical dilatation,

in front of which there is a papilla on each side; anus absent;

head rounded without teeth and papille ; cesophagus very short

#5 ; genital orifice 0°44 from head end; thin-shelled eggs 0-018 x

(013 ; ovoviviparous.

The original name of the species must be altered because

Cobbold named one F. Mansoni, from the orbit of Gallus

gallinaceus in 1880.

29.—Filaria flavescens, Castellani and Willey.

From Calotes versicolor, Dum. et Bibr.; Colombo.

Of. Castellani and Willey, imprim.

Head rounded without teeth and lips; body attenuate and

rounded behind ; anus absent ; esophagus very short, +’, in male,

gx in female. Male, 19 x 0°33; tail, ;}5, with five very small

post-anal papille ; cirri, 0°16, conical with very broad base.

Female, 56 x 0°63; genital orifice 1°97 from head end ; eggs

0-021 x 0:016 ; ovoviviparous.

Trichocephalus.

Body strongly attenuate, cesophagus cellular, hind body

thickened, anus terminal. Male with one spiculum; female

genital orifice at the end of the esophagus at the limit between the

* These papille are always paired unless otherwise given.

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 173

thin fore body and thick hind body; eggs barrel-shaped ;

belongs to the Pleuwromyaria, with muscles in place of the lateral

fields; in the cecum of mammals.

30.—Trichocephalus discolor, n.sp.

Pl. L, figs. 13-14.

From Bos indicus, Colombo; said to have occurred in the

stomach.

Cuticle annulate at intervals of 0:0091 mm.; contours, at the

fore body, serrate.

Male white, 45 x 0°14 in front, 0°55 behind; cirrus sheath

spinose ; cirrus long and narrow, of even width except at the

rounded apex, 1°76 x 0°011; hence not to be confounded with

T. affinis, Rud., from Bos taurus.

Female, 50 x 0:13 in front, 0°67 behind ; fore body white, hind

body yellow ; eggs 0°065 x 0-031, with large spherical opercula

at the poles.

Tetradenos tiara, v. Linst.

In Spolia Zeylanica, vol.1., 1904, p. 102, I described a Nematode

from Varanus bengalensis under the name Ctenocephalus tiara.

It happens that Tholenati gave the name Clenocephalus to a

Dipteron in the year 1857, and I have therefore altered the

generic name of the Nematode to Vetradenos.

Cf. Arch. f. Naturg., Berlin, 1904, p. 301.

Il.—ACANTHOCEPHALA.

Echinorhynchus.

Nemathelminthes without intestine; at the head a proboscis

beset with hooks which can be retracted into a proboscis sheath,

alongside which are two lemnisci (fluid reservoirs); male with two

testes, six cement glands (“ prostate”), and a protrusible, bell-

shaped bursa with penis; female with a ligament in which the

placentule arise; the mature eggs are passed through the

sphincter apparatus of the bell-shaped uterus into the vagina ;

the species live in the adult condition in the alimentary canal of

vertebrates.

31.—LHehinorhynchus tener, n.sp.

P). 1:, figs: 15-17.

Intestine of the Serpent Eagle, Spilornis cheela, Daud.; Nedun-

keni, Northern Province.

Body extended very long, delicate and fragile, head feebly

thickened ; rostellum broad and short, thickened in front, 0°43 x

0°39 (in front), the so-called “neck,” 0°28, closely covered with

174 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

hooks; rostellum hooks in forty-five transverse rings with twenty

hooks in each ring; hooks of the twelve anterior rings, 0:042,

with a long root, those of the thirty-three posterior rings, 0°021,

thorn-like without root.

Male, 39x 0°52; the group of genital organs extends forwards

9°45 mm. from the thickened tail end.

Female, 72 x 0°79; placentule ovate, 0°17 x -097; eggs with

double shell, the outer shell showing wavy longitudinal iines,

0:053 x 0°023; tail end after copulation carries a layer of cement

substance.

IIl.—TREMATODA.

Lyperosomum.

Distomids with long intestinal rami ; testes behind one another

and behind them lies the ovary; vitellarium on each side laterally

behind the ventral sucker ; genital orifice in front of latter.

32.

Lyperosomum squamatum, n.sp.

Pl. I, fig. 18.

(Hsophagus of the White-necked Stork, Disswra episcopus ;

Gould ; Palatupana.

Length 4°86, breadth 1°78. Oral sucker 0°59; ventral sucker

0:87, its middle point lying at the limit of the second and third

fifths of the body; the cuticle of the ventral surface alone closely

beset with scales; cuticle everywhere very thick; the thickness of

the body is to the width as 1: 2; the cesophagus divides after a

short course into two intestinal diverticula, the epithelium of

which is strongly developed ; they extend to the hinder end; the

genital orifice lies immediately in front of the anterior margin of

the ventral sucker; behind this the two testes follow one behind

the other and, behind the last testis, the small ovary with the

shell-gland ; the vitellaria occur as two tracts behind the ventral

sucker occupying about 4 of the body length; the coils of the

uterus liein the posterior half of the body; the eggs are small and

numerous, narrow and elongate, 0083 x 0:036; they present a

large double black spot which corresponds with the two ocelli

of the embryo; the cirrus sac is small, destitute of a cirrus.

33.—Distomum, spec. ?

Esophagus of the Darter, Plotus melanogaster, Lin.; Wirawila,

Only one opaque specimen which could not be determined

without sections, thus destroying it; moreover a single indivi-

dual would not have sufficed for the investigation. The genus

could therefore not be ascertained since the old genus Distomum

has been broken up into more than 80 genera.

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. iG

34.—Distomum hepaticum, Lin.

Liver of Bos indicus, [Scinde Cow] ; Colombo.

Of. A. Railliet, Traité de Zoologie médicale, Paris, 1895, pp.

342-356, figs. 219-235.

The generic name Distomwm is here adopted instead of

Fasciola, which was established by Linneus in 1746 for

Distomum hepaticum, Dendrocelum lacteum, and Schistocephalus

solidus, these being taken to be one and the same species.

Fasciola, L., is therefore a scientific impossibility, incapable of

being diagnosed. The definition of Distomum, s. str., 18 as

follows :—

The two intestinal rami richly branched towards the outside ;

ventral sucker lying well forwards with the porus genitalis in

front of it, the uterus and branched ovary ‘behind; farther

back the much-branched testis and the vitellarium at the

margin of the body ; parasitic in the liver of mammals.

Paramphistomum.

A small sucker in front, a large sucker behind; intestinal

rami long; two testes lying obliquely one behind the other,

lobate, without cirrus sac; porus genitalis in front in the

median ventral line with the ductus ejaculatorius and the

uterus opening into it; ovary and shell-gland behind the last

testis; vitellaria lateral close beneath the surface of the body ;

parasitic in the stomach and bile passages of ruminants.

35.—Paramplhistomum calicophorum, Fisch.

Stomach of Bos indicus; Colombo.

Cf. F. Fischoeder, Die Paramphistomiden der Saugethiere,

Zool., Jahrb. Syst. XVII., Jena, 1903, pp. 541-546.

36.—Paramphistomum gracile, Fisch.

Stomach of Ceylon black cattle (Bos indicus).

Cf. Fischoeder, op. cit., pp. 520-524.

Gastrothylax.

Amphistomids with ventral pouch which commences as a

transverse groove shortly behind the mouth; genital pore inside

the ventral pouch, male and female genitalia immediately in

front of the caudal sucker.

37.—Gastrothylax crumenifer, Crepl.

Stomach of Bos bubalus, the country-bred buffalo of Ceylon.

Of. Fischoeder, op. cit., pp. 557-563.

176 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Tristomum.

Body ovate or circular, flat, with two round suckers in front and

a large, disc-shaped posterior sucker with seven rays and small

rods ; cerebral commissure with four ocelli; genital orifices and

vagina in front on the left ventral side; testes numerous; ecto-

parasitic on the gills and surface of the body of marine fishes.

38.—Tvristomum megacotyle, n.sp.

Pl. L., figs. 19-20.

From the surface of the body of a sword fish, Histiophorus, sp.;

Beruwala, February 5, 1904. .

Length 7:5, breadth 6 mm.; ventral cuticle, except on the

suckers and head, thickly beset with circular papille, measuring

0°31 mm.

The two anterior suckers are equal to } of the body length;

the caudal sucker has a diameter equal to 4 the body length, and

shows seven radial ribs (pl. 1, fig. 19) which abut upon a central

roundish area produced backwards; the sucker is bounded at the

periphery by a striated border; in the posterior region of the sucker

there are two straight undivided rods attenuated at the ends, 0°48

mm.long; these rods are always described as hooks in the defini-

tion of the genus 7’ristomum, but they do not deserve this name

since they do not serve for attachment, but, on the contrary, for

releasing the sucker from its adhesion, assuming a vertical posi-

tion by the action of special muscles for this purpose.

A similar, though much larger species, also living upon Histio-

phorus, is Tristomum leve, Verrill=T7. ovale, Goto; the length of

this species amounts to 13 mm. and its breadth 12 mm.; the

diameter of the anterior suckers equals } of the body length; the

rays of the caudal sucker are narrow, its margin is unstriated,

and the rods are expanded and irregularly laciniate at the

roots.

Of. S. Goto, Studies on the Ectoparasitic Trematodes of Japan.

Journ. Coll. Science, Japan, VIII., part 1, Tokyo, 1894, pp.

241-244, .

IV.—CESTODA.

Hymenolepis.

Teniids with armed scolex; proglottids generally broader than

long ; genital orifices marginal and unilateral ; in each segment

three testes ; the mature uterus completely fills the proglottids ;

parasitic in mammals and birds.

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. ET

39.—Hymenolepis septarva, n.sp.

PIPE het 21:

Intestine of Upupa ceylonensis, Reich.; Weligatta. :

Length 25 ; the proglotiids begin directly behind the scolex and

measure, in front, 0°13 broad x 0°022 long, farther back, 0°79

broad x 0°18 long; towards the end of the chain they become

longer than broad, 0°35 broad x 0:48 long, the last member round-

ed ; the dorsoventral diameter is to the transverse as 2: 3.

The scolex is short, 0°13 long x 0°22 broad, truncate in front ;

suckers 0:089 ; rostellum small and knob-shaped ; hooks absent,

no doubt through casual loss. On each side are two vessels, a

large dorsal and a small ventral; outside these occurs the nerve.

Bundles of longitudinal muscles appearing circular in trans-

verse section course beneath the thick cuticle ; calcareous bodies

absent.

Cirrus-sac with inner side directed obliquely ventrally ; three

small oval testes lie in a row in the middle of the proglottids at

the dorsal side. Vagina dorsad of cirrus sac, expanding to a large

roundish veceptaculum seminis, reaching the middle line and

touching the anterior margin of the segment. Ovary strongly

developed occupying the whole longitudinal extent of the seg-

ments; ventrally a broad transverse branch from which right and

left two broad cornua extend horseshoe-shaped towards the

dorsal side, leaving room for the testes, the vitellarium, and the

shell-gland ; the roundish vitellarium (“ Dotterstock ”’) lies in

the middle line ventrad of the testes; the small shell-gland is

still more ventral in position. The uterus fills the last segments

completely and is subdivided by dorsoventral septa; the eggs

have a triple membrane, the outer 0:073 x 0-064, the inner 0:031

x 0023.

40.—Hymenolepis clausa, n.sp.

Pl. II., figs, 22-23.

Intestine of the Whistling Teal, Dendrocygna javanica, Horst.:

Tissamaharama.

Length 18; proglottids commence at once behind scolex,

measuring in front 0°053 long x 0°35 broad, behind 0°47 x 1°56,

Scolex small, 0°10 x 0°23; suckers 0°10; rostellum hemis-

pherical, carrying eight hooks of 0-057 length. In the paren-

chyme are to be found two layers of longitudinal muscles, outer

small numerous bundles, inner large sparser bundles ; calcareous

bodies not present ; two very large vessels traverse the chain:

outside them the nerves.

Genital pores absent; on one and the same side in each pro-

glottid, + of the cross-diameter distant from the margin, the

178 SPOLIA ZBYLANICA.

cirrus-sac (bursa) and vagina merge into one another directly ;

three testes lie dorsally and posteriorly in each segment, the

central one somewhat backwards; cirrus-sac very large, about

3 of the cross-diameter of the body, containing a very long cirrus,

a uniforraly thin chitinous tube coiled several times ; the orifice

of the cirrus-sac where it passes into the vagina is closely beset

with small equal hooks. The ovary lies unsymmetrically ventrad

of the vagina and cirrus-sac,a racemose body, in the centre of each

follicle a black granular nucleus ; vitellarium ventral, median,

transversely elongate, in front of itthe round shell gland ; no eggs

developed.

I agree with Wolffhiigel in the opinion that the absence of

genital pores is not of systematic importance, and therefore the

species is assigned to Hymenolepis.

4).—Hymenolepis spinosa, n.sp.

Pl. II., figs. 24-25.

Intestine of the Painted Snipe, Rostratula capensis, Lin.;

Vavuniya.

Length 15 mm., anterior proglottids 0°12 broad x 0°044 long;

hindmost proglottids greatly expanded at the hinder margin,

0°62 broad x 0°35 long; all are therefore broader than long.

Scolex thickened towards the fore-body with breadth of 0°22,

the foremost portion of the chain being 0°11 broad.

The rostellum carries ten hooks 0°028 long; the hooks are

slender and have a long root and small hook and lever; genital

orifices marginal and unilateral, approximately at the end of

the first quarter of each member of the chain. The cirri are

remarkably large, 9°14 long, 0:018 broad at the base, closely spi-

nose. The broad cortical layer occupies on each side } of the

dorsoventral diameter; a layer of transverse muscles occurs at

its inner side and inside these numerous small groups of longi-

tudinal muscle-bundles, inside these again eight stronger bundles

of longitudinal muscles; on each side a large ventral and a

smaller dorsal vessel, ectad of these, the nerve.

The large cirrus-sac occupies nearly % of the transverse diam-

eter; dorsad in the middle of the proglottis, three large testes,

one in front beside the cirrus-sac, the two others side by side

farther back. The coiled vagina lies below the cirrus-sac and

expands to form a small receptaculwm seminis which does not

reach to the middle line; the ovary lies in the middle third of

the transverse diameter, behind it the vitellarium, a transverse

strand of about 4 the cross-diameter; the ovate shell-gland

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 179

occurs in the middle between the second and third testes. The

eggs have a triple membrane, the outer irregular, 0:047; the

oncosphere is 0:026 long x 0:018 broad.

Dipylidium.

Rostellum with several circlets of rosethorn-shaped hooks ;

genital pores marginal and bilateral; genital organs in each pro-

glottid duplicated ; testes numerous ; parasitic in mammals.

42,—Dipylidium caninum, Lin.

Intestine of Canis familiaris ; Colombo.

Of. A. Railliet, op. cit., pp. 284-290.

43.—Teenia, spec. ?

Intestine of Haliastur indus, Bodd.; Nedunkeni.

Defective fragments without scolex, indeterminable.

Diorchis.

Scolex with simple crown of hooks; in each member two

testes ; genital pores marginal and unilateral ; the mature uterus

fills the proglottids completely ; parasitic in birds.

44,—Diorchis occlusa, n.sp.

Pl. II., figs. 26-27.

Intestine of the Flamingo, Fhenicopterus roseus, Pall.; Weligatta.

Length 75 mm.; the body is thick, ovate in cross section, the

dorsoventral diameter is to the transverse as 7: 9; formation of

proglottids commences at once behind the scolex; anterior

proglottids 0°40 broad x 9°018 long, posterior 0°97 broad x 0°18

long, the breadth always exceeding the length and the contours

serrate.

The scolex, 0°53 broad, is triangular in profile ; the rostellum

is in some cases retracted, in others protracted, appearing short

and broad ; it carries eight hooks, 0:14 mm. long ; the root-branch

is shorter than the hook, in the proportion 25: 29; at the base

there is a small finger-shaped prolongation, and the concavity

thus produced articulates with a roundish body, eight of which

occur in a circle at the summit of the rostellum.

Genital pores absent ; male and female ducts fuse together on the

same side in all segments at a distance of 0°03 from the margin ;

radial bundles of longitudinal muscles occur not far from the

cuticle ; calcareous bodies are present in small quantity ; on each

2B 8(17)05

180 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.,

side a large ventral and small dorsal vessel, the latter strongly

and regularly sinuate, outside these the usual nerve, round in

section.

A long thin convoluted chitinous cirrus lies in the cirrus-sac,

the duct is finely spinulose, and a seminal vesicle leads into the

cirrus-sac ; two small oval testes, 0°10 x 0:06 lie dorsally.

The wide vagina is ventral to the cirrus-sac; it is finely

spinulose internally and presents a forcipate apparatus ; it leads

into a receptaculum seminis reaching to the middle line; the

fusiform dilatation of the vagina is 0°042 wide. The ovary lies

ventrally in the middle third and consists of separate aggregates ;

the horseshoe-shaped vitellarium lies near the dorsal side and

dorsad of it, the shell-gland.

_Eggs not present.

Davainea.

Scolex with hundreds of very small, generally hammer-shaped

hooks in two circles; suckers generally beset with hooks at the

margin; genital pores unilateral or irregularly alternating ;

numerous testes; eggs in capsules; parasitic in mammals and

birds.

45.—Davainea polycalcaria, n.sp.

Pl. IL., figs. 28-29.

Intestine of Corvus macrorhynchus, Tem. ; Colombo.

Length 65 mm.; in front the proglottids measure 0:03 long x

0°25 broad, in the middle 0°20 x 1°78, behind 0°99 x 1°34; they

become at the end slightly narrower and longer, but always

broader than long; the scolex is button-shaped and very short,

0°31 broad by 0°088 long ; the suckers, 0°10, carry several hundreds

of small hooks at the margin ; the likewise very numerous hooks

of the rostellum are closely packed in circlets, they are pointed

and measure (015. A transverse muscular layer marks off the

broad cortical zone from the medullary layer ; ectad of the trans-

verse muscles are numerous longitudinal muscles which do not

form bundles ; calcareous corpuscles are closely packed through-

out the body ; two large vessels run 3, of cross-diameter distant

from margin and are connected by a transverse ramus communi-

cans in the posterior part of the segment; close beside them

outside is the nerve. The pyriform cirrus-sac occupies +) of the

cross-diameter ; numerous testes occur in the medullary sub-

stance ; they are oval, about 0°039 by 0°026; female organs not

yet developed.

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 181

Diplochetos, n.gen.

Genital pores marginal bilateral ; genital glands in only one

group ;.at the scolex a double crown of hooks ; testes numerous ;

three layers of longitudinal muscles; segments much broader

than long; uterus with ventral orifice right and left of the

middle line.

46.—Diplochetos volvulus, n.sp.

Pl. IL., figs. 30-31.

Intestine of Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Sarciophorus malabari-

cus, Bodd.; Weligatta. aes

Length 8°5; anterior segments 0°018 long x 0-21 broad,

middle segments 0°10 x 0:40, posterior 0°37 x 0:70, always

broader than long. The pyriform scolex is 0°35 broad x 0:26

long; the rostellum carries twenty-four hooks in two circles of

twelve, the hooks 0:047 long ; in the parenchyme are three layers

of longitudinal muscle-bundles, which become stronger towards

the interior ; on each side two strongly sinuate vessels, the dorsal

larger ; the nerve runs along much nearer the margin ; calcareous

deposits not present. Genital pores marginal, right and left in

each proglottid; the cirrus-sac occupies } of the cross-diameter

and contains coils of the vas deferens; entad of the cirrus-sac

occur extensive convolutions of the vas deferens; the vagina

lies ventral to the cirrus-sac and expands into an irregularly

shaped receptaculum seminis which reaches about 4 of the cross-

diameter. In each transverse section about ten oval testes are to

be found. The ovary lies in the inner third of the medullary

substance and consists of separate follicles ; the round vitellarium

lies ventrally in the middle; the site of the uterus breaks

through the musculature and parenchyme ventrally about 4

of the cross-diameter from the margin, sometimes to the right,

sometimes to the left without opening to the exterior; I have

not found it in full development. The eggs are 0:016 long

x 0°013 broad. Other Tzeniid genera with biserial genital pores

are the following :— ;

Diploposthe, with simple hook-crown and three testes in each

segment.

Amabilia, with double cirrus-sac and simple vagina opening

ventrally.

Diplophalius, with double male organs and simple female

organs.

Dipylidium, with several rings of hooks on the rostellum and

elongate segments. ee

The large genera from ruminants and rodents do not concern

the question.

182 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Ophryocotyle.

Scolex without rostellum, with five depressions, the margins of

which are beset with numerous small hooks; the margins of the

suckers are also armed with numerous small hooks ; genital pores

marginal, irregularly alternating or bilateral ; parasitic in birds.

47.—Ophryocotyle zeylanica, n.sp.

PL. IL., figs. 32-34.

Intestine of the Ceylonese Hornbill, Lophoceros gingalensis,

Shaw; Nedunkeni, Northern Province.

Length 55; anterior proglottids 0°035 long x 0:097 broad,

posterior 0°12 long x 0°70 broad. Scolex, 0°29 long x 0:19

broad, club-shaped, the so-called neck behind it, strongly

attenuate, 0°079 broad; no rostellum; the suckers occur

laterally behind the middle of the scolex; the inner ring

enclosing the lumen is beset with very numerous hooks ; at the

apex two parallel loops forming five finger-shaped rays whose

margins are beset with very numerous small thorn-like hooks

without root and lever, measuring 0°0053.

The cortical zone is very wide and separated from the

medullary zone by a transverse muscular layer, outside of which

are regularly placed large bundles of longitudinal muscles and

farther outside numerous, irregularly grouped, smaller bundles ;

two large vessels run ventral in the medullary layer forming a

posterior anastomosis in each segment ; the nerve occurs near the

transverse muscles. In the layer between the subcuticular cells

and the outer longitudinal muscles lie caleareous bodies. Genital

pores marginal bilateral at the anterior lateral margin of the seg-

ment ; cirri protruded, 0:19 long and 0°:035 broad at the base, they

are finely spinulose ; cirrus-sac carries outwardly longitudinal

muscles, thereunder circular muscles; it occupies almost } of

the cross-diameter ; numerous testes lie in the medullary substance,

about twelve appearing in a transverse section ; the vas deferens

is coiled and leads into a sigmoid seminal vesicle which has a

narrow lumen and a very thick hyaline wall.

The vagina courses ventral from the cirrus-sac and the

receptaculum seminis reaches almost to the middle of the

segment ; the ovary consists of large isolated cells and occupies a

large place in the medullary substance, not forming a closed

body ; the vitellarium abuts ventrally upon the transverse muscles

and is a roundish body of ,!, the size of the cross-diameter ; the

eggs are 0°036 by 0:029.

The genus Ophryocotyle hitherto comprised three species :—

O. proteus, Friis (1869), from Tringa, Callidris, Charadrius, and

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 183

Larus ; O. Lacazei, Villot (1875), from Limosa ; and O. insignis,

Lénnberg (1850), from Hematopus and Mergus.

Friis and Villot describe at the apex of the scolex five distinct

suckers in a row armed with hooks, whereas Lénnberg speaks of

undulating loops ; in O. proteus and O. insignis the genital pores

alternate irregularly ; the similarity in the formation of the

scolex seemed to require that the species here described should

be placed in the genus Ophryocotyle.

Brochocephalus, n.gen.

Scolex with long rostellum with six backwardly directed loops

of hooks; genital pores marginal, regularly alternating ; cirri

large, strongly and closely spinulose ; no veceptaculum seminis ;

three testes in each segment ; segments (proglottids) broader than

long ; eggs two-shelled, the inner shell narrowed at the poles,

48.—Brochocephalus paradoxus, n.sp.

Pl. II., figs. 36 and 38; Pl. IIL., figs. 35 and 37.

Duodenum of the Lesser Sand Plover, Agialitis mongolica,

Pall. ; Weligatta.

Length 85 mm.; without “neck ;” anterior proglottids 0-062

broad x 0-0088 long, posterior 0:75 broad x 0:18 long, always

much shorter than wide; scolex with four suckers and long

protruded knobbed rostellum, 0:10 long x 0-062 broad in front ;

at the apex six backwardly directed tracts of thirteen hooks each,

v.é.. seventy-eight hooks in all; the hooks are slender with very

small hook and lever, measuring 0:029. ;

Two layers of longitudinal muscle-bundles are seen in cross-

section under the cuticle ; on each side two vessels, the larger

forming a posterior anastomosis in each segment; the nerve runs

near the margin. Genital pores marginal and almost regularly

alternating, rarely two follow on the same side ; no calcareous de-

posits. Cirri very large, broad and spinulose, as long as half the

cross-diameter of the proglottid; the large muscular cirrus-sac

is expanded outwardly and oceupies about 4 of the ecross-diameter :

three small ovate testes in the middle line, one in front, the

others symmetrical behind it; behind the testes a transverse

vitellarium occupying } of the cross-diameter:; the Ovary sur-

rounds the testes in the middle third; vagina and cirrus-sac

lie between the two vessels ; the eggs are elliptical and two-

shelled ; outer membrane 0-081 x 0-047, oncosphere spherical ;

the inner thick shell is narrowed at the poles.

The genus Gyrocelia shows a zigzag line, interrupted at eight

points, with forty hooks on the rostellum; four testes in each

segment, and the spherical eggs have two appendices,

184 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Oittoteenia.

Both the genital organs and their ducts are duplicated in each

segment; proglottids broader than long ; scolex unarmed ; uterus

transverse; eggs with pyriform apparatus ; parasitic in rodents.

49.—Cittotenia bursaria, n.sp.

P1.IL., figs. 39-40.

Intestine of Lepus nigricollis, Cuv. ; Nedunkeni.

No complete examples were present in the collection, the

largest fragments measuring 55 mm. in length. The body is

broad, rounded in front ; no ‘‘neck”; anterior segments 0°20 long

x 5 broad, posterior 1:34 long x 7 broad. The scolex is not

protruding ; the four suckers measure 0°14 in diameter ; rostellum

absent. In the parenchyme, two layers of longitudinal

muscles, transverse muscles and many dorsoventral muscles ;

on each side two longitudinal vessels, ventral larger, dorsal

smaller ; outside these, the nerve ; no calcareous bodies. In each

segment there are two groups of genital organs, each occupying

1 of the cross-diameter and having their several ducts The cirri

protrude behind the middle of the margin of the proglottid ; they

measure 0°44 long x 0°035 broad at the base ; the cirrus-sacs are

short and club-shaped; entad of them lies a fusiform bursa

ejaculatoria provided with longitudinal and circular muscles ;

entad of this a fusiform seminal vesicle and still further inwards

a convoluted vas deferens ; the very numerous spherical testes,

0:044 diameter, are distributed through the entire proglottids

without forming two lateral groups. ‘the vagina is broad, with

high endothelium, expanding toa large receplaculum seminis ; il

runs ventrad of the cirrus-sac: entad of the receptaculum and

ventral in position lies the roundish ovary surrounding the

vitellarium.

The uterus traverses the proglottid from right to left and has

roundish protuberances in front and behind ; eggs round, 0-078,

with triple membrane ; the inner membrane forms the so-called

pyriform apparatus ; the spherical oncosphere measures 0:014.

Ichthyotenia.

Secolex unarmed with four suckers, and often a fifth apical

sucker; genital pores marginal, irregularly alternating, testes

numerous; the vagina forms coils at the posterior margin of the

proglottids in the middle, which replace a receptaculum SEMINAS :

parasitic in fishes and reptiles.

HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 185

50.—Ichthyotenia cryptobothriwm, n.sp.

Pl, IIl., figs. 41-42.

Intestine of Chrysopelea ornata, Russell, a tree-snake; Kuru-

negala.

Length 130 mm.; head end rounded, scolex retracted, the four

suckers being found only in transverse sections surrounded by a

parenchyme-ring with eight vessels ; the suckers extend 0°40 mm.

backwards ; their lumen communicates outwardly by two lacune,

a dorsal and a ventral, which ceases in the midst of the suckers ;

a median plug projects freely.

The anterior proglottids are very short, 0'02 long x 1:00 broad ;

the middle are 0°59 long x 1°69 broad; the posterior 2°48 long

x 0°87 broad, much longer than broad; the last proglottid is

rounded behind.

Caleareous bodies sparsely distributed ; two layers of longitu-

dinal muscle-bundles parallel with the cuticle traverse the

parenchyme, outer thinner numerous bundles, inner thicker and

sparser; at the margin on each side run two vessels, ventral

stronger, dorsal thin and highly sinuous; outside these the stout

nerve.

The genital pores are marginal and irregularly alternating in

the anterior third of the margin of the proglottid. The cirrus is

small, rod-shaped and plain; the cirrus-sac occupies } of the cross-

diameter ; the genital sinus is retracted ; the vas deferens forms

abundant coils reaching to the middle of the cross-diameter ; the

numerous testes lie in a transverse row in the dorsal half of the

medullary substance and measure 0°052 to 0:065. The vagina

runs ventral straight inwards; ventrad of the ovary it forms

numerous coils as equivalent of a receptaculum seminis.

The ovary consists of very large cells and occupies searcely } of

the cross-diameter ; dorsal lies the roundish vitellarium ventral

to which the shell-gland is ‘applied and ventral to this a haust-

orium (Schluckapparat). The spherical eggs have a double

membranous shell, measuring 0:047 to 0:052.

Aphanobothrium, n.gen.

Body broad and thick like a Schistocephalus larva, with short

posteriorly acute-angled proglottids; in the frontal region a

dorsoventral slit leading to five suckers ; destitute of scolex and

hovks; genital organs simple, ducts double, marginal ; the uterus

discharges ventral in the middle line; cortical layer broad ;

cirrus closely beset with hooks; on each side two vessels, the

larger with transverse anastomosis; ovary resolved into coils

which lie dorsoventral and transverse; belongs to the Anoplo-

cephalinz. .

186 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

51.—A phanobothrium catenatum, n.sp.

Pl, IL., figs. 43 and 46; Pl. IIL, figs. 44, 45, and 47.

Duodenum of the Flamingo, Phanicopterus roseus, Pall,; Weli-

gatta.

Length up to 135 mm.; breadth 9-10 mm.; body attenuated in

front, truncate behind and very thick; the dorsoventral diameter

isto the cross-diameter as9: 20; anterior end rounded and retracted

in the middle and confined by arching cross lines; scolex not

visible externally ; proglottids sharply delimited, at first 0:20,

then 0:27, behind 1:18long. The middle 2 of the body width are,

dorsally and ventrally, occupied by five longitudinal rows of flat

dells which are also disposed in transverse rows; posteriorly

these deepen into small grooves; the cortical layer is to the

medullary substance dorsoventral as 2: 5; in the tissue occur

oval calcareous bodies measuring on the average 0:018 x 0:012.

Under the cuticle are circular and longitudinal muscles; a strong

transverse muscular layer divides the cortex from the medullary

substance; in the cortex run radial bundles of longitudinal

muscles; on each side two vessels run close together, dorsal a

smaller thick-walled vessel, ventral a larger thin-walled; the

latter forms in each proglottid a strongly sinuous cross-

anastomosis; the longitudinal nerve-trunk runs close outside the

vessels.

The scolex is retractile; in transverse sections 0°05 to 0°07 mm.

from the frontal point are found four suckers of 0:10 diameter,

and a fifth in the middle; these are circular and open outwards

through a dorsoventral slit. The cirrus, 0°39 x 0:079 (0°12 broad

at the base), is regularly beset with hooks like the rostellum of an

Echinorhynchus, arranged in transverse rings of sixteen each ; it

protrudes from a hemispherical protuberance ; the cirrus-sac

occupies } of the cross-diameter; the numerous round testes of

0:26 diameter lie in the medullary substance approximated to the

transverse muscles.

The vagina runs dorsad of the cirrus-sac ; both lie between the ~

vessels. The ovary consists of strands extending from the dorsal

to the ventral side and then bending inwards where they unite in

a short transverse branch; dorsad of this lies the radiate shell-

gland, and dorsad of the latter the small vitellarium consisting of

nodular strands ; the ovarian cells are 0-013 large, those of the

vitellarium 0°0052; only the efferent duct of the uterus was

developed, perforating the transverse muscles ventral in the

middle line; eggs not yet present.

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HELMINTHES : COLOMBO MUSEUM. 18

EXPLANATION OF PLATES

Illustrating Dr. von Linstow’s Paper on Helminthes of Ceylon.

g. vessel ; ”. nerve ; ¢. cirrus-sac ; vd. vas deferens ; /. testis ;

v. vagina ; 7s. receptaculum seminis ; k. ovary ; d. vitellarium ;

u. uterus; s. male seminal vesicle ; sch. shell-gland; schl. haus-

torium.

PLATE I.

Fig. 1.—Ascaris fissicollis. Dorsal lip.

Fig. 2—Same. Accessory lip.

Fig. 3.—Ascaris coronata. Dorsal lip with accessory lips.

Fig. 4.—Physaloptera brevispiculum, 6. Tail from below.

Fig. 5.—Spiroptera secretoria. Head; f.free projecting secretory

filament.

Fig. 6.—Spiroptera orca, 6. ‘Tail from below.

Fig. 7.—Same, . Immature egg.

Fig. 8.—Same. Mature egg.

Fig. 9.—Heterakis pusilla, 6. Tail from below.

Fig. 10.—Strongylus digitatus, 6. Tail from below.

Fig. 11.—Ankylostomum minimum. Head from the right side.

Fig. 12.--Same, 6. Tail from the right side.

Fig. 13.—Trichocephalus discolor, 6. Tail from right side.

Fig. 14.—Same, 2. An egg.

Vig. 15.—Hchinorhynchus tener. Anterior hook of rostellum.

Fig. 16.—Same. Posterior hook.

Fig. 17.—Same. An egg.

Fig. 18.—Lyperosomum squamatum, from below.

Fig. 19.—Tristomum megacotyle, from below.

Fig. 20.—Same. Rod from the caudal sucker.

PLATES TT, AND III,

Fig. 21.—Hymenolepis septaria, Transverse section.

Fig. 22.—Hymenolepis clausa. Transverse section.

Fig. 23.—Same. Hook.

Fig. 24.—Hymenolepis spinosa. ‘Transverse section.

Fig. 25.—Same. Hook.

Fig. 26.—Diorchis occlusa. Transverse section.

Fig. 27.—Same. Hook.

Fig. 28.—Davainea polycalcaria. Transverse section.

Fig. 29.—Same. Hook.

Fig. 30.—Diplochetos volvulus. Transverse section ; on one

side the vas deferens is figured, on the other the vagina.

2¢ 8(17)05

188 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Fig. 31.—Same. Hook.

Fig. 32.—Ophryocotyle zeylanica. Transverse section ; on the

one side the male organs are figured, on the other the female.

Fig. 33.—Same. Scolex from the frontal surface.

Fig. 34.—Same. Hook.

Fig. 35.—Brochocephalus paradoxus. Horizontal section; this

figure is reproduced on Plate III.

Fig. 36.—Same. Rostellum in side view.

Fig. 37._Same. Hook (on PI. III.).

Fig. 38.—Same. An egg.

Fig. 39.—(Pl. I1.). Cittotenia bursaria. Portion of a trans-

verse section ; s. 7. Bursa ejaculatoria ; s. 77. Seminal vesicle.

Fig. 40.—(PI1. II.). Same. An egg.

Fig. 41.—(P1. IIL.) Ichthyotenia cryptobothriwm. Transverse

section through the scolex, 0°30 mm. from the apical point.

Fig. 42.—(P1. II1.).. Same. Transverse section.

Fig. 43.—(P1. II.) Aphanobothrium catenatum. Head end in

flat view.

Fig. 44.—(Pl. III.). Same. Head end in frontal view.

Fig. 45.—(Pl. III.) Same. Transverse section through the

retracted suckers.

Fig. 46.—(PI1. I1.). Same. Surface view of posterior end.

Fig. 47.—(Pl. III.). Same. Portion of a transverse section.

N.B.—The remaining figures are on PI. III.

Fig. 48.—Ascaris brachycheilos. Dorsal lip.

Fig. 49.—Heterakis granulosa, 6. Tail from below.

Fig. 50.—Oxysoma falcatum. Head end.

Fig. 51.—Same, 6. Tail from right side.

Fig. 52.—Filaria digitata. Head end.

Fig. 53.—Same. Tail end of male from right side.

Fig. 54.—Same. Tail points of male from below.

Fig. 55.—Same. Tail points of female from below.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 189

NEW AND INTERESTING LIZARDS IN COLOMBO MUSEUM.

By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc.

(Deputy Superintendent of the Indian Museum.)

HANKS to Dr. A. Willey I have lately had an opportunity

of examining the Lizards in the collection of the

Colombo Museum, the specimens in which are, without exception,

from Ceylon. Notes on many of them have been published in

Mr. A. Haly’s “ Report on the Collection of Reptilia and Batrachia

in the Colombo Museum” (1891); but several additions have

been made more recently, while a re-examination of some speci-

mens has had interesting results, the most important of which is

the establishment of a new genus for the reception of Nevill’s

Euprepes halianus.* Another new Skink is also described.

GECKONID:.

GYMNODACTYLUS NEBULOSUS, Bedd.

The collection contains a half-grown specimen of this species

from a locality 18 miles north of Kandy (see A. Haly, Adminis-

tration Report, Colombo Museum, 1900). Boulenger records

another Ceylonese example in the British Museum; but the

species, common in some parts of Southern India, must be rare in

Ceylon.

GYMNODACTYLUS FRENATUS, Gthr.

An examination of the two males and two females in the

collection enables me to point out a peculiarity of the adult male

which is possibly assumed at the breeding season and is quite

absent in the female. The ventral surface of the base of the tail

is swollen in the former sex, and there are two large closely

adjacent papille close behind the opening of the penis on each

side,

*H. Nevill. Taprobanian, II., 1887, p.56 ; also Boulenger, Reptiles, Fauna Brit.

India, 1890, p. 213,

190 SPOLIA ZEYLANIGA.

AGAMID 4.

CALOTES OPHIOMACHUS, Merr.

Judging from a young specimen from Kandy in the collection

and from an adult lately captured by myself in Colombo, the

“two groups of spines on each side of the head” noted by

Boulenger may be united into a single series.

SCINCIDAL.

MABUIA BIBRONII (Gray).

Though Boulenger only records this species from the Carnatic

in the “ Fauna,” it is probably not uncommon in some parts of

Ceylon, whence there are several specimens in the Colombo

Museum which I have re-examined (see Haly’s Report on

Reptilia, &c., Colombo, 1891, p. 14, where the species is recorded

from Mullaittivu).

LYGOSOMA MEGALOPS, sp. nov.

Sub-genus Kenewxia, Gray (see G. A. Boulenger, Catalogue of

the Lizards in the British Museum, Second Edition, vol. IIL,

1887, pp. 210 and 214).

Habit lacertiform ; length from snout to fore-limb contained

about 14 times in the length from axilla to groin; limbs well

developed, pentadactyle, overlapping when adpressed; snout

short, obtusely pointed ; eye large; diameter of orbit as great as

length of snout ; distance from orbit to ear-opening much longer

than snout; ear-opening much smaller than eye, circular,

without denticulations.

Rostral much broader than deep, forming a straight suture

with the frontonasal ; no supranasals ; nasal undivided. Frontal

nearly as long as the frontoparietals and the interparietal

together ; interparietal completely separating the parietals ; no

distinct nuchals. Four large, subequal supraoculars ; seveu or

eight superciliaries; six upper and five lower labials. Dorsals

and laterals smooth, ventrals feebly keeled ; body scales subequal,

imbricate, in twenty-four to twenty-six rows round the body ;

anals and caudals not enlarged ; no enlarged scale on the heel ;

middle toe with twelve to fourteen subdigital plates. Colour

almost uniform dark brown. Length of head and body, 2

inches ; length of tail, 23 inches.

Localities.—One specimen from Puttalam ; another from

Kitulgala.

LIZARDS IN THE COLOMBO MUSEUM. 191

THECONYX, gen. nov,

Limbs well developed, pentadactyle ; claws retractile ; other

characters as in Lygosoma. This new genus is intermediate

between Lygosoma and Ristella, from the latter of which it differs

in having five digits on each foot and in the other points which

separate the former genus from the latter, except as regards the

claws.

Fig. 1.—Young Theconyx halianus showing general form and coloration,

from above, X 3.

192 : SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

THECONYX HALIANUS (Nevill).

As the description of this species drawn up by Haly and

published by Nevill, who gave it its name (Huprepes halianus),

is not very clear, I have based the following diagnosis on three

specimens in the Colombo Museum.

Habit lacertiform, rather stout ; limbs approaching one another

or slightly overlapping when adpressed ; tail cylindrical, of the

same length as the head and body. Tympanum as smal) as

nostril, deeply sunk. No postnasal ; a narrow supranasal which

does not meet its fellow; rostral much broader than deep;

frontal three times as long as broad, much longer than inter-

parietal, from which it is completely separated: four large

supraoculars, seven or eight superciliaries ; no distinct nuchals.

Lower eyelid scaly ; body scales large, imbricate ; dorsals with

three or five indistinct keels; laterals smooth ; twenty -four scale

round the body ; anals slightly enlarged.

Fig. 2.—Left hand from below. Fig. 3—Left foot from below.

x about 4. x about 4.

SEES

Fig. 4.—Claw. xX 12.

Coloration.—Dorsal surface olive (yellow in young) with six or

seven dark transverse bars on the body which are narrower than

the interspaces, and eight or nine on the tail, These are much

more conspicuous in the young than in the adult and equal to

the interspaces. Head variously marked with olive and dark

brown. Ventral surface dirty yellow. Length of head and

body 13 inch : length of tail 1} inch.

Localities.—In addition to Nevill’s types (an adult from the

Western Province and a young specimen from Anuradhapura)

the Colombo Museum possesses a third example (half-grown)

from Horana, collected and presented by G. H. Swayne, Esq., 8th

November, 1901. It is this specimen I have measured, as the

tail is injured in the adult, which is at least twice as large.

SPOLIA ZEYLANIGA. 193

STALKED BARNACLES (CIRRIPEDIA PEDUNCULATA) IN

THE COLOMBO MUSEUM.

By N. ANNANDALE, D.Sc.

(Deputy Superintendent of the Indian Museum.)

MONG the Cirripedes in the Colombo Museum I have been

able to identify the following :—(1) Lepas anserifera, Linn.,

the commonest pedunculate form on floating objects in this part of

the Indian Ocean ; (2) Dichelaspis pellucida, Darwin, a somewhat

scarce species only taken on sea-snakes; and (3) Dichelaspis

equina, Lanchester, which was not described until about three years

ago [Lanchester, P. Zool. Soc., London, 1902 (2), p. 375] but appears

to be common on shallow-water crabs of the east coast of India

as wellas in some parts of Malaya.

The specimens of L. anserifera are attached in dense masses to

pieces of wood and to a bottle ; those of D. pellucida are scattered

on the body of a sea-snake (Hydrus platurus) ; while D. equina

is represented by numerous individuals crowded together on the

posterior walking legs and carapace of a Dorippe dorsipes (Linn.),

and by others scattered on the dorsal and ventral surfaces and

mouth parts of Scylla serrata (Forsk.).

The distribution of Z. anserifera is world-wide. So far as I

am aware, neither species of Dichelaspis has been reported

hitherto from the immediate neighbourhood of Ceylon. D.equina

was described from the east coast of the Malay Peninsula, while

D., pellucida is an Oriental species which probably has a fairly

extensive distribution.

DICHELASPIS TENUIVALVATA, Sp. nov.

Diagnosis.

Capitulum compressed ; carinal edge rounded ; oceludent edge

sinuous, slanting outwards from above; lower edge straight, }

horizontal ; opening large. Five imperfectly calcified plates ;

carina not reiching the upper edge of the capitulum above,

194 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

furcate below, the two rami extending along the base of the

capitulum ; tergum large, triangular, almost entirely covering the

upper part of the membrane between the carina and the opening ;

scutum large but very imperfectly developed inferiorly (the

lower border being quite indistinct), in contact with the tergum

along the tergal margin above, feebly separated from the carina

behind, not cleft. Peduncle very short, transversely wrinkled.

Mouth-parts well developed; the mandible very large, with five

teeth ; the labrum feebly bullate ; the maxilla furnished with

stout bristles along its free edge, the inner half of which is

almost straight, while the outer half is deeply concave,

we,

-* Scales of Sake

D. tenuivalvata Annand,. x 30. The specimen has been removed from the

body of the snake to which it was attached, some of the scales of the snake still

adhering to the short stalk of the barnacle.

STALKED BARNACLES IN THE COLOMBO MUSEUM. 195

Measurements.

Length of capitulum ... «. OS DTM.

Breadth of capitulum ... .. 4 mm.

Length of peduncle Fe aia, Set Ot TENNIS

This interesting species is represented by several specimens,

growing, side by side with D. eqguina, on the ventral surface of a

sea-snake (Hydrus platurus) from the coast of Ceylon.

All the members of the genus Dichelaspis are notable for the

reduction of the capitular plates which they exhibit. In D.

tenuivalvata, however, the degeneracy is of structure rather than

of form. The five plates represented are all large, but their

calcification is so imperfect that although the mantle is very

transparent, I was unable to see their limits without staining the

specimens. Hven when thus prepared they were by no means

easy to examine critically, and failed entirely to discern the

lower termination of the scuta. On the whole, the affinities

of the new form would seem to lie with Lanchester’s D. occlusa

(P. Z. S., 1902 (2) ) from the east coast of the Malay Peninsula.

From this species it may be distinguished by its extremely short

peduncle and imperfectly differentiated but undivided scuta.

2D 8(17)05

196 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

NOTES.

1. Lacteal Tract of Oriental Lorisine.—Dr. Nelson Annandale

Deputy Superintendent of the Indian Museum, writes from

Calcutta under date September 25, 1905 :—

“Tn connection with what you told me regarding the mamme

of Loris gracilis* I have examined the only two specimens we

have in spirit in the Indian Museum of Nycticebus tardigradus,

viz., (1) a male foetus 55 mm. long, and (2) a large female. The

first is quite hairless, and I had no difficulty in detecting two

pairs of mamme as minute tubercles on its skin. The first lies

in a line with the centre of the upper arm when the limb is

pressed down along the side ; the second only a short distance

above the umbilicus, but in the same position relative to the

sides of the body as the first.

* A somewhat prolonged search among the hair of the large

female, which was not in lactation, also resulted in the discovery

of four mamme in the same position. One pair therefore may

be said to be pectoral and one abdominal, though there is not any

very great separation between the two pairs.”

N. ANNANDALE.

2. Curious action of a Toad when confronted by a Snake,—lI

have in my vivarium a “striped ground snake” (Z'vopidonotus

stolatus, L.) which feeds exclusively upon toads and is always

ready for a meal. Under ordinary circumstances it seizes its

prey before the latter is aware of its presence. But, if the toad

catches sight of the snake in time, it can always (temporarily)

avert its doom by assuming a very characteristic attitude that

seems to completely disconcert its would-be captor. The toad

faces its enemy, depresses its head till the snout almost touches

the ground, erects itself on tip-toe, in which position—owing to

the superior length of the hind limbs—the rump is elevated.; at

the same time inflating its abdomen to its utmost extent. If the

snake does not immediately move off (which it usually does),

the toad alternately lowers and raises the hinder part of the

body, a movement which finally routs the enemy. This curious

action is taken by even quite small toadsand cannot be the result

of individual experience. It would appear to be an inherited

instinct.

E. ERNEST GREEN.

Peradeniya, October 26, 1905. ;

* Willey in Spolia Zeylanica, part X., 1905.

NOTES. -- “797

-3. On the constricting habit of Coluber helena.—With reference

to my note (vol. IIL, part X., p. 157) on the constricting habit of

Coluber helena, I have since been able to prove the correctness of

my supposition that this action is normally employed in the

capture of its prey. I have several times observed its capture of

a small skink (Lygosoma, sp.). On one occasion the Coluber had

captured a lizard and was tightly constricting it, the whole body of

the snake being twisted into a complicated knot. It commenced

work upon the tail, which became detached from the body of the

lizard and was promptly swallowed. The snake then apparently

forgot that the largest part of its captive was still enclosed in the

folds of its body, and began looking about for another victim.

Eventually it re-discovered its original capture and commenced

toengulph it, drawing it gradually through the encompassing coils.

In hunting the lizardsit seems to be very inexpert, and repeatedly

failed to effect a capture. As soon as the lizard stopped the snake

lost interest in it and was attracted only by moving objects.

EK. ERNEST GREEN.

4. Scorpion stings.—The sting of the small gray scorpions

(Lsometrus, spp.) is popularly reputed to be more virulent than

that of the large black—or rather, dark blue-green—scorpion

(Palamneus, sp,). If thisis really the case the sting of the latter

must be almost negligible. I have been recently stung on the

palm of my hand by afull-grown male Jsometrus europeus. The

pain was by no means intense—not nearly as severe as that

caused by the sting of a bee-or wasp—and completely passed off

within a very few minutes, without the application of any

remedy, leaving no trace or mark of any kind. It is possible that

the poison spine could not fully penetrate the thick skin, though

the puncture was in the median softer area of the palm. Butl

have observed a case in which a child of three years old was

stung on the finger. The skin of a child at such a tender age

cannot afford any serious obstacle to penetration. In this case

also the pain was very transient. Though productive of

momentary tears, within ten minutes the incident had been quite

forgotten. I have been assured by other persons that no seriously

unpleasant effects have followed the sting of Palamneus.

Are these cases exceptional, or is the popular apprehension of

scorpion stings greatly exaggerated ? It would be interesting to

collect evidence on this question. Will readers of this Journal,

who may have had personal experience in the matter, comeforward

with particulars of their sensations under such circumstances ?

EK. ERNEST GREEN.

198 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

5. Minerals new or rare in Ceylon.—Of the following

minerals, some were omitted from the list of Ceylon minerals

given in Spolia Zeylanica, part IX., 1905; the remainder have

been discovered since.

A.—Minerals new to Ceylon.

Galena.—Occurs in small cubes and rolled fragments in nambu

from the Getaheta-oya at Murutangala in Getaheta. Reported

from other localities.

Cassiterite.—Occurs as small black pebbles in nambu at

Niriella and Noragala, and in larger fragments at Kuruwita.

Selenite-—Massive at Kukulawalakanda, Ratmale, Pasdun

Korale, intergrown with pyrite between veins of graphite [James

Parsons | ; also in crystals in fossiliferous marine clays, Matti-aru,

Kuchaveli, north of Tricomalee.

Monazite.-—Occurs in waxy yellow well-worn grains in sands

of the Getaheta-oya and other rivers near Avisawella; but was

first detected by Dr. J. W. Evans in specimens of heavy sands from

the Niriella-ganga sent to the Imperial Institute by the Mineral-

ogical Survey.

Orangite.—It has been pointed out that the “thorite” of

Ceylon really belongs to the variety known as orangite, dis-

tinguished by slightly greater specific gravity and orange colour,

The apparently orthorhombic form of the mineral however

remains unexplained. The crystals are not good enough to give

satisfactory measurements, and too much altered internally for

optical examination.

Platinum.—Occurs very sparingly, associated with gold in

river sands at Dombagomuwa and Karawita, Sabaragamuwa.

[James Parsons].

The following minerals have been reported, but on present

evidence cannot be accepted as found in Ceylon. The sulphides

are quite likely to be found:—Cinnabar, Stibnite, Realgar ;

Epsomite, Olivine [see Bertha Vukits Centralblatt fiir. Min. ete.,

1904, No. 23, p. 715]. Minerals sent by the Mineralogical Survey

to the Imperial Institute were provisionally identified as

Annerodite and Adschynite or Polycrase.

B.—Mineral names omitted in the List.

Molybdenite.—Recorded by Dr. Gygax, andin Gustav Leonhard’s

“ Handworterbuch der topographischen Mineralogie,” 1843. I

re-discovered this mineral this year in the Kegalla District,

where it occurs [at Hettimulla| in a vein of pegmatite cutting the

granulites.

NOTES. 199

Wolframite is also recorded by Leonhard, as well as Saltpetre

and Rose quartz, both of which latter are certainly found in

Ceylon.

“ Oriental Emerald ” ismentioned by Max Bauer in his “ Edels-

einkunde,” which is however totally unreliable as regards Ceylon.

Greenish sapphires do occur, but rarely, and hardly deserve the

name of Oriental Emerald. N.B.—Max Bauer states erroneously

that Beryl does not occur in Ceylon.

Beccarite.—A biaxial variety of Zircon from Ceylon.

Andesine.—(Des cloiseaux, 1884).

Borax.—(Mentioned by Dana).

I am indebted to Mr. L. J. Spencer for several of these refer-

ences.

C.—Some early Records.

Nicolo Conti, who travelled in the East between 1419 and 1444,

speaks of a ‘‘ very noble island, called Zeilan, in which they find

by digging, rubies, saffares, garnets, and those stones which are

called cat’s-eyes.”

Albanasius Nilikin, who travelled between 1468 and 1474,

speaks thus of Ceylon: ‘‘ Ceylon is another not inconsiderable

port of the Indian sea. There, ona hill,isthe tomb of Adam, and

in the vicinity are found precious stones, antimony, fastisses,

agate, cinchai, crystal, sumbada.” A little after he says: “ At

Ceylon you findammone, antimony, fatisses.” Of these, antimony

is not known to occur in Ceylon; cinchai doubtless refers to

spinel (kivinchi). Agate ofa sort does occur sparingly in Ceylon,

but itis more likely that agate of Indian origin is here referred to.

Ludovico de Varthema, who travelled from 1503 to 1508,

speaks of the rubies, garnets, sapphires, jacinths, and topazes of

Ceylon.

These references are extracted from Sir George Birdwood’s

* Report on the Old Records of the India Office,” London, 1891.

A. K. COOMARASWAMY.

6. Recent Marine Clays at Kuchaveli, Ceylon: Ananda K.

Coomaraswamy.

Note on some Post Tertiary Mollusca from Ceylon: R. Bullen

Newton.

Geol. Mag., Dec. v. vol. II., No. XI., November, 1905,

A recent marine clay is exposed near Nachchiarmalai on the

Matti-aru (near Kuchaveli, 22 miles north of Trincomalee) about

200 SPOLIA ZBYLANICA.

14 mile from the coast, at about sea level. The section shows

about 9 feet of alluvium resting on the clay bed which is about

21 feet thick, the lower part being under water. The bed is full

of marine shells, and contains also concretionary nodules with

shells, serpule, and crab remains. All these also occur commonly

washed out and scattered over the sand banks of the Matti-aru.

The common crab, used medicinally, is Macropthalmus Latreiller

(Desmarest), the “ medicine” crab of the Chinese pharma-

copoeia; it has been found in the Post-tertiary clays of Southern

China. A single chelate pincer belonged to Scylla serrata (De

Haan), the great Indian swimming crab. The following shells

together with annelid tubes, Balani, fossil wood, and the crabs

complete the list of organisms collected :—

Telescopium telescopium (Linnzeus).

Potamides fluviatilis (Potiez and Michaud).

Purpura carinifer'a (Lamarck).

Nassa ornata (Kiener).

Melongena pugilina (Bour).

Natria, sp.

Scapharca rhombea (Bour).

Arca, sp.

Placuna placenta (Linneus). This is the ‘* window-pane

oyster,” and it is exceedingly abundant in the bed.

Tapes undulata (Bour).

Tapes textrix (Chemintz).

Diplodonta, cf. oblonga (Hanley).

Tellina, sp.

Dosinia salebrosa (Roemer).

Chione allied ¢mbricata (Sowerby).

Three points in Mr. Bullen Newton’s paper must be

noticed :—

(1) As stated in my paper, nodules occur in the clay bed,

and one crab-nodule was found im sitw; there is

therefore no foundation for his suggestion that the

fossils in the nodules may be younger than those in

the clay.

(2) It does not appear how the identity of littoral fauna

can prove the recent connection of Ceylon with

India.

(3) The particular specimens examined were not presented

as stated,

ANANDA K, COOMARASWAMY.

NOTES, 20]

7. “ Contributions to the Geology of Ceylon. 4. Intrusive

Y y

Pyroxenites, Mica-pyroxenites, and Mica-rocks in the Charnockite

Series or Granulites in Ceylon”: Ananda K.Coomaraswamy

Geol. Mag., Dec. v., vol. II., p. 363, August, 1905.

The following is a summary of the observations recorded in

this paper. A group of pyroxenites in which the minerals

diopside, phlogopite, horneblende, and scapolite predominate,

while sphene, plagioclase, pyrite, apatite, calcite, and spinel are

often accessory, occurs in small sills and dykes intrusive in the

charnockite series or granulites of Ceylon, and in one case

apparently also in a zircon granite of the Balangoda group. The

pyroxenic intrusions have usually a zoned or laterally symmetri-

cal structure analogous to that of mineral veins. The intrusions

rarely exceed 6 feet in thickness, and are usually smaller ; they

are widely distributed in Ceylon. The intrusive material never

shows a chilled edge, but there is a rapid transition from the

pyroxenite to the granulite. The course of the small sills and

dykes of pyroxenic material is usually determined by the

foliation planes and joints of the granulites.

ANANDA K, COOMARASWAMY.

8. Snake lore—Some extraordinary ideas about the cobra are

entertained by the Sinhalese—at least in some parts of the

Island, as will be gathered from the following :—

(1) The cobra drops a segment of its body —beginning of course

at the tail end—after every biteit inflicts, and is ultimately

reduced to a mere head or “ hood,” when it is known as “ Kobo-

nayi,” in which form it is capable of great activity and is able

to perch, bird-like, on the branches of trees.

(2) The cobra grows shorter and thicker as it grows older, and

finally attains to gigantic proportions, “as thick as the stem of a

full-grown arecanut palm.” An ancient reptile of great age and

size is believed to be in occupation of the cave to be found in

Elakande, Horana, where a princess of the Sinhalese dynasty,

who was afflicted with an incurable disease, is said to have lived

in retirement. The trail of this cobra is described as like that

of a log drawn over the surface of the ground.”

(3) When honey bees work for many years in the same spot

they build in the centre of their hive a dome-shaped comb

resembling, in shape, the ash-pumpkin, and hence referred to as

“puhul.” ‘To such hives the cobra finds its way, and coiling

202 SPOLIA ZAEYLANICA.

itself round the “pumpkin” feasts upon bee larve and honey.

The colour of the reptile found in such situations is reddish-

brown, and its sting is innocuous.

C. DRIEBERG.

9. Snakes and fowls—While sitting on the verandah of

Gokarella resthouse, some 12 miles from Kurunegala, I observed

a pullet pursuing a snake 12 to 15 inches in length. At intervals

the latter turned upon its antagonist, and attempted to entwine

itself round the neck of the bird, which, however, snatched it

away without much difficulty with its claws, and proceeded to

peck at its head, when the snake would again try to get away.

In the end, when the snake was about half dead, the fowl

started to swallow it, taking the head first, and after persistent

efforts the reptile, wriggling to the last, disappeared down the

throat of the bird.

To me this was a novel experience, but I subsequently learned

from the resthouse-keeper and others that it was a common

enough occurrence in the countryside, and that village poultry as

a rule attack and make a meal of such snakes as Haldanda,*

Aharakuka,f and Khetuwa.t

C. DRIEBERG.

10. Moths at sea.—During the forenoon of November 18, 1905,

when about sixty miles from the coast of Ceylon, several specimens

of Ophideres fullonica were found on board H.M.S. Sealark and

were brought to me. The noon position of the ship was 6° 115’

N., 79° OL’ E., Colombo Clock Tower bearing N.49 E. 67 miles ; so

that the nearest land was the coast about Barberyn. The wind was

northerly and light (force about 2). Itseems probable that these

specimens came off with the land breeze of the preceding night,

but the distance from land which they had attained appears

noteworthy.

Several specimens of Cephonodes hylas were also flying about

the ship at the same time, but this species is a well-known

migrant,

THOS. BAINBRIGGE FLETCHER,

H.M.S. Sealark.

December 4, 1905.

* Dendrophis pictus. + Tropidonotus stolatus. { Dryophis mycterizans.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 203

TERMITE TRUFFLES. *

By Dr, F. DOFLEIN (Munich).

MONG social insects the Termites [or “ white ants” ] have

been the object of the least amount of biological investiga-

tion. What has become known concerning their life and political

organization is to be found scattered chiefly in systematic works.

So it happened that one of the most interesting discoveries

connected with Termite life was hardly recognized in Science

although the analogous conditions among the ants had awakened

the highest regard.

The faculty possessed by certain Termites of cultivating fungi

in their hillocks has been remarked and more or less clearly

portrayed by a succession of naturalists from the time of

Smeathman, 1781. I will not review the literature here as I shall

do this in a more detailed work. It may be mentioned that

hitherto no one has investigated the phenomenon in all its aspects

and that consequently, in spite of its importance, it has hardly

been touched upon in general biological literature.

Thus I was completely taken by surprise as I opened a Termite

hillock in Ceylon not far from Colombo in order to procure well-

preserved material of Termite brains which I had promised to a

colleague. The nest had the form of a high arched dome,

terminating above in two chimney-like funnels. The height

amounted to 1-13 metre; the funnels had a length of about 20-30

centimetres.

Upon opening the hillock it was at once evident that its thick,

solid clay mass was traversed by a large number of chambers.

Hach of these chambers had approximately the size of a cocoanut.

The walls were smooth and several or many narrow passages

connected each chamber with the neighbouring compartments,

Every chamber was filled with peculiar formations, namely,

brown cakes of a moist, friable substance which in form, size, and

structure strongly resembled middle-sized bath-sponges. One

* Translation of an article by Dr. Doflein entitled “ Die Pilzkulturen der

Termiten,” published in the Verhandlungen der Deutschen Zoologischen

Gesellschaft (xv., Breslau, 1905), Leipzig, 1905, pp. 140-149, two text-figures.

25 10-06

204 SPOLIA ZEYLANIOA.

or several of such cakes were present in each chamber; when

several occurred they were piled one over the other like dishes.

These cakes were occupied by thousands of Termites. The

plan of composition of the “cake” consisted of a multitude of

small cells each of which had its numerous inhabitants ; especially

the passages between the cells seethed with larves and nymphs of

all stages.

The framework of the cake was furthermore beset with rela-

tively numerous white nodules, about the size of a pin’s head,

i-2 mm. diameter, which at first I took to be Termite eggs.

Microscope examination showed me however that they were

structures of quite a different nature.

One could perceive with the unaided eye that the entire “ cake”

was covered, inside and outside, with a fine felt of fungus hyphe

These associated themselves in masses at certain places and as

theirterminal parts branched and expanded ina particular manner

globular aggregates of club-shaped bodies—in other words, the

white nodules, which I will henceforth designate mycelial nodules—

were produced. At present I will not discuss the botanical side

of the question.

The resemblance to the growths observed by Modller in the

fungus gardens of ants of the genus Aéta in Brazil, immediately

occurred to me. As a matter of fact the mycelial nodules serve

the same purpose to the Termites that Moller’s nodules do to the

South American ants. At the same time there are certain bio-

logical peculiarities to be mentioned which are of interest and

have not hitherto been observed.

I was able to prove by different ways that the mycelial nodules

are eaten. In the first place I opened the intestine of numerous

individuals and found them in the crops of all the larve and

nymphs which I examined. Indeed the crops were completely

filled with them, and nothing besides. The cells of the mycelial

nodules were all quite uninjured. The foregoing applies alike to

the larve of workers and soldiers and to the larve and nymphs

of the sexual individuals.

IT also succeeded in aetually feeding the larvee of the workers

and soldiers as well as the larve and nymphs of the sexual

insects with the mycelial nodules. By offering a single nodule

on the point of a needle to animals which had hungered for some

hours or for a day, they accepted the proffered diet. It was

interesting to observe how they first of all investigated it with

their palps, then took it between the mouth-parts, and slowly

turned it round for a long time working it with the points of the

mandibles. It is not easy to observe these operations because the

TERMITE TRUFFLES, 205

insects are readily disturbed by the breath, and it is necessary to

watch them through a fairly strong lens. It is remarkable that a

nodule exactly fills the space between the mouth-parts when

these are fully open. Even the queen accepted a nodule and

consumed it in the same way as the others.

On the contrary, I have never succeeded in inducing an adult

soldier or worker to accept a nodule. Indeed I found their

stomachs to be always filled with vegetable detritus, consist-

ing exclusively of finely divided particles of wood. In spite

of careful examination I could detect no trace of mycelial nodules.

My experiments are not sufficiently numerous to permit a final

opinion as to the mode of feeding of the Termite species investi-

gated by me. Meanwhile it seems reasonable to suppose that

with this species the larvae receive a concentrated and easily

digested food in the form of the mycelial nodules and that these

constitute the permanent food of the sexual forms, while the

larve of workers and soldiers after a certain age obtain other

fodder. Through this consideration the further inference is

suggested that the fodder plays an important part in the differ-

entiation of the “ cells” in the community of Termes obscuriceps,

Wasm.

I may here add some remarks upon the structure of the nest,

the material of the fungus plantations and the bringing of the

latter within the Termite enclosure, which I have investigated

partly in Colombo, partly in Peradeniya and in the Northern

Province.

It has been mentioned above that the dome-shaped nest with

its chimney-like terminals consists of a clayey substance. In its

construction the Termites employ earth, sand, clay from the

neighbourhood, and mix these materials together with their

glutinous saliva. They eject this saliva upon the human skin

when they bite, whereby viscid, brown, tenacious spots arise.

The bite is hardly painful.

For the purpose of observation I placed portions of a nest into

a large glass receptacle and covered the entire mass which com-

prised fragments of the wall, fungus cakes, and thousands of

Termites, with a bell-jarin sucha way to allow access of air. The

whole apparatus was exposed to diffuse daylight. It is well-

known that the majority of Termite species, especially the blind

workers, avoid the light. They immediately commenced in a

methodical manner to construct a roof over the fungus plantations,

using the débris of the nest for this purpose, notwithstanding

the fact that the royal cell with king and queen had been taken

away from them. Within a few hours they had roofed over the

206 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

space of a square foot by unceasingly applying small clumps of

masonry mixed with their saliva.

An interesting observation could now be made. Owing to the

fact that evaporation was greatly reduced under the bell-jar, the

newly built roof remained soft and unstable and retained this

consistency for several days until I exposed it to the free air,

when it completely hardened after a few hours.

The mixing of the building material with the saliva of the

Termites not only ensures a very firm construction, but makes

the walls in a high degree resistent towards wetting. The Ter-

mite buildings brought by me to Munich still show this property

with great clearness. When I tried to saturate one of the nests

with lime water in order to strengthen it, it could not be wetted,

whereas this method was constantly employed with advantage to

the nests of Kuropean Hymenoptera, &c. The Termite nest

showed an equal resistance against being wetted with alcoholic

solution of shellac.

From this observation something may be inferred which other-

wise the inspection of the internal disposition of the Termite nest

reveals. For this purpose I will first describe the fungus cakes

in regard to their structure and in their relations to the nest.

Upon opening a Termite nest one finds that the substance of the

‘truffle ”’* is friable and soft. Only when this is the case are the

recesses of the truffle covered with mycelial nodules and the

entire structure populated by numerous Termites with their

larve. Sometimes I came across places in the nests where the

truffles were hard and dry; then they were destitute of nodules

and were not inhabited, except for afew scattered workers in the

cells. Fresh “cakes” dry rather readily when exposed to a current

of air. It is thus very easy to prepare them for transport, and they

have frequently been received into zoological collections, although

their actual nature has not been recognized. They become as

hard as wood, but always remain brittle and very fragile owing to

their delicate composition.

Microscopic examination of their substance shows that the fine

brown scaffolding of which they are composed consists exclusive-

ly of finely chewed wood. Thus the great wood-hunger of the

Termites and the cause of their extraordinary destructiveness

became clear tome. Just as the species of Atéa in South America

occasion great damage to the leaves of living plants in that they

employ their substance for their fungus plantations, so the

* The term truffle is used in the translation as an alternative term for fungus

cake.

TERMITE TRUFFLES. 207

Termites are the destroyers of wood. It appears that only a few

species attack living wood ; most kinds content themselves with

dead wood or such as has been in any way already damaged

by fungi. In the open therefore they are beneficial rather than

injurious, since they act as scavengers of rotten wood. But when

they come into contact with man they become some of the most

injurious insects of the tropics, since woodwork which is adapted

for their purposes forms an tenor constituent of human

dwellings and furniture.

The wood is bitten up quite fine, in the substance of the

fungus cakes and in the intestinal contents of the workers

one finds the finest vessels of the wood isolated. This wood-

brew is discharged through the vent as a small clump which

is evidently mixed with saliva and used in building the fungus

cakes. It is interesting to note that in other cases where Termites

build their dwelling or the main part of it out of dung, the same

fundamental arrangement of walls and passages recurs, as here,

where they build for the purpose of the fungus cultivation.

Ifa fungus cake from a Termite nest be exposed to the light

under a bell-jar to protect it from draught and evaporation, the

fructification of the Termite fungus can be easily induced, a

property which distinguishes it markedly from the Rhozites

forms cultivated by the Attia species. Aftera few days numerous

long club-shaped fructifications grow forth from the thick felt of

hyphe which has meanwhile developed. I will say no more

about the species and form of the fungus in this place as my

studies are not yet completed. I need only point out that other

species of fungi appeared very gradually on the cake, whereas

other objects in the vicinity were subject to a daily coating

of mould. The tendency of the fungus cultures of the Termites

to grow in pure culture appears to be very strong, even when the

cake contains scarcely any Termites. The purity of the culture

cannot therefore be placed to the account of the tireless weeding

by the workers, as is.done by Moller for the fungus plantations

of Atta. At the conclusion I will revert to this point once more.

When a Termite truffle is kept under a bell-jar with moderate

access of air, in very short time the inner surface of the jar is

covered with water drops which after some hours run in small

streams down the glass and form small accumulations of water

in which the Termites can be drowned. The fungus cake

therefore gives off a quantity of water by evaporation. Under

such great moisture the fructification of the fungus takes place

and the formation of mycelial nodules is stopped and the entire

structure tends in high degree to mouldiness.

208 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

There is a further point worthy of note in the cultivation

under the bell-jar. After a short time, 1-2 days, one sees the

Termites in large numbers lying upon their backs and realizes

that they are suffocated. Termites taken from the same culture

and kept between two hermetically closing watch-glasses without

pieces of cake, which were kept during the same time, lived and

were perfectly active. It follows from this that the suffocation

of the former was not due to lack of air, especially since access

of air to the main culture was not entirely prevented.

Upon raising the bell-jar it was noticeable that the space was

filled with a gas mixture which was clearly very different in its

composition from the atmospheric air. In breathing it one

experienced a strong oppression, as well as a very remarkable

odour like that of the gas proceeding from fermenting substances.

In any case a large amount of carbonic acid gas had formed, it

not other gases, perhaps as a collateral result of the growth of

the fungus at the expense of the wood.

All those appearances which are observed under the special

conditions of culture outside the Termite nest are naturally

absent inside the hillock. There, through the special construction

of the nest, it is arranged that necessary temperature and

moisture for the development of the fungus remains constant.

The building material is up to a certain point waterproof, so that

neither an excessive evaporation from the fungus cake through the

wall of the chamber, nor the entrance of rain from without, ensues.

What however is most important is that the entire method of

construction of the hillock ensures the elaborate ventilation of

its inner spaces; the Termite hillocks with their chimney flues

are hygienic dwellings.

The chimneys are air shafts which conduct away moisture,

carbonic acid gas, and other injurious gases, while fresh air can

enter through the lower openings. These ventilation flues can

at any time according to the increase of the stock, climatic varia-

tions, &¢., be altered and adapted. Thus is explained the quite

different number of chimneys which arise from a Termite hillock,

and it would be of interest to undertake a comparative study of

the size and number of chimneys, size of hillock, number of

fungus chambers, climate and locality, building material, popula-

tion, andsystematic position of the Termite species under question.

That the draught in these chimneys can, under circumstances,

be considerable, is indicated by the application which travellers

have frequently found forthe Termite nests. Quite recently it has

been repeatedly reported that our troops in South-West Africa

have used the Termite nests as ovens, selecting those forms

TERMITE TRUFFLES. 209

in which chimneys open into a great central dome chamber. In

the case of the form investigated by me in Ceylon I found the

chimneys communicating directly with the fungus chambers,

although the design is generally such that rain cannot directly

reach the fungus-cultures. Whether there is any arrangement

for the disposal of water I was unable to ascertain.

In conclusion, I should like to discuss one point briefly. It is

a remarkable fact that we find the cultivation of fungi practised

by ants and termites: that is to say, by the two orders of social

insects which are farthest removed from one another in point of

affinity. How is such a wonderful convergence to be explained ?

In the history of the social insects there are many phenomena

whose first appearance will always remain inexplicable. More

interesting and important is the question whether we can in any

way conceive and analyse the phenomenon. At first sight the

convergence as between Termites and Ants is quite wonderful

and could lead to the rashest hypotheses, like the convergence

between the ant species Oecophylla smaragdina and Campanotus

senex, both of which use their larve as spinning machines in

weaving their nests. Is their any means of tracing the causal

relations in the origin of the fungus cultures of the Termites and

eventually of investigating them experimentally ?

I think that the biology of Termites gives us points which will

_ support a hypothesis, and I very much regret that the thought

did not occur to me while I was in Ceylon so that I might under-

take the not very difficult testing of its principles. My suspicion

is that the fangus which grows in the fungus cakes is a common

fungus occurring in rotten wood in the neighbourhood, and that

it is conveyed with the chewed wood quite unconsciously by the

insects into the nest. The fact that it grows there almost

in pure culture could be explained by supposing that the wood-

brew is partially sterilized by the action of the saliva or gastric

juice, so that the chewed wood becomes a medium for the

exclusive growth of the particular fungus, all others being

suppressed. Thus the structures automatically become fungus

gardens (although, as in many other cases, originally intended

only as passages and resting places for the larvae, &c.), which are -

then methodically utilized by the Termites. It is not excluded

from possibility that the inhabitants acquire a weeding habit, as

Moller assumes for the species of Atta.

Such an explanation still leaves riddles to be answered in con-

nection with the cultivation of fungi by Termites; but perhaps

it helps to elucidate part of the problem and points to the

solid ground of natural law.

210 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF “OPIUS” FROM CEYLON.

By P. CAMERON.

Opius dacusit, sp. nov.

" UTEOUS, the flagellum of antennz and the hinder tibiz and

tarsi black; the wings hyaline, with black stigma and

nervures; @. Length near 5 mm.; terebra fully 5 mm., Pera-

deniya; bred by Mr. E. E. Green from Dipterous maggots

infesting fruit of Cucurbitacee.

Antenne longer than the body, over 60-jointed, towards the

apex minutely haired. Head smooth and shining, the face

covered with white pubescence. Prothorax and mesothorax

smooth and shining, the parapsidal furrows deep; middle lobe

of mesonotum clearly separated, long, gradually narrowed from

the base to the apex which reaches close to the scutellum.

Scutellar depression wide and deep; a stout keel in its centre.

Metanotum areolated ; the areola large, its base narrowed to a

sharp point; the rest slightly, gradually narrowed towards the

apex, which does not reach to the end of the segment; it is

closed and transverse there ; there is a somewhat triangular area

bordering the base of the areola; the other arex are not very

clearly defined. The basal two segments of the abdomen are

closely, regularly, longitudinally striated; the other segments

are smooth and shining ; the first is longer (but not much) than

its width at the apex; the second is wider than long. Pleure

smooth. Mandibles black on the apical half. First abscissa of

radius very short, basal abscissa of radius curved; the recurrent

nervure is received in the second cubital cellute ; the transverse

median nervure is received distinctly beyond the transverse

basal. Malar space as long asthe antennal scape ; the clypeal

fovee large,deep. There is astout keel down the centre of the

basal abdominal segment, the lateral strie being weak compared

with it, The abdomen is slightly shorter than the thorax, broad

and sessile at the base; the apex is bluntly rounded. Meso-

pleural furrow smooth.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA, 211

NOTES.

1. Historic Trees.—The substance of this Note appeared in the

correspondence columns of the Ceylon Observer on December

29, 1905, and January 6, 1906.

It is probably due to Sir James Emerson Tennent that an idea

prevails that Baldzus preached his first sermon in Ceylon under

the big tamarind tree which still flourishes at Point Pedro.

Tennent says: “Close by the beach there is still standing the

tamarind tree ” commemorated by Baldzus, who preached under

its shade to the first Protestant converts in Ceylon (vol. II.,

p. 535).

It isno doubt due to this passage in Tennent that Mr. J.J. Cotton,

M.C.S., in his “ History of Monumenta] Inscriptions in the Madras

Presidency,” recently published, refers to “ the tree at Point Pedro

under which the celebrated Baldzus preached his first discourse

to the natives.”

But Baldzus, though he certainly commemorates the tree by

recording that “just before the church stands a tall Tamarin

Tree,” which affords “a very agreeable shadow in the heat of the

day,” says nothing about having preached under it himself, but

merely that “the people are often instructed by the Minister to

the number of 3,000” under it (pp. 806-7).

It is certainly not true that he preached his first sermon in

Ceylon at Point Pedro, for that he had done at Mannar on 24th

February, 1658, and it is recorded that in the same year, “in the

church at Telippalai, Baldzeus began the introduction of the

reformed religion into the Jaffna Peninsula.” This being the case,

it seems hardly likely that he preached his first sermon to converts

at Point Pedro; at any rate, there is nothing that I know of to

warrant the statement. Perhaps Mr. Donald Ferguson may beable

to throw alight on the subject. (See “ Baldwus and his Book on

Ceylon,” by Donald Ferguson, p. 6.)

Tennent goes on to state that “ this historical tree ” was in his

day 42 feet in circumference at the base of the trunk. I have had

the tree measured at the base of the trunk; it is now 31 feet.

This is doubtless explained by the fact that until 50 years ago the

2F 10-06

ZAZ SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

tree was surrounded by a masonry platform, built right up to the

trunk. This platform was three or four feet high, and as many

wide, so that in measuring the tree, Tennent’s informant must

have included the platform.

There is no doubt that the tree still existing is the tree referred

to by Baldweus and Tennent. It is situated about 300 yards from

the seashore, and was evidently at one time fully visible from the

landing place. The whole intervening space has since been built

over with the high stone-walled houses, godowns, and temples that

are characteristic of Point Pedro, but the top of the tree can still

be seen from the Customs, and the tree is a conspicuous landmark

for vessels approaching the harbour. It is, I think, the tallest

tamarind tree I have ever seen. | have ascertained from the oldest

inhabitants that there were never any old tamarind trees of any

size in the neighourhood, but that this tree was always said to be

a very old one, I should think it might easily be 300 years old.

The tamarind is a slow growing tree. Opposite it used to stand,

until they were removed by Mr. Dyke to the present sites, the

Police Magistrate’s house and the Police Court, and near them the

Dutch church. There is no trace of any of these buildings now.

The square open space behind the tree is now occupied by the

market. A good many years ago, but within living memory, the

tree and the adjoining Police Court were frequented by monkeys

(the wandura). These have long since disappeared.

Baldeeus alludes to the grateful shade of the tree. There isa

Tamil proverb that a “ widow’s son should not sleep in the shade

of a tamarind tree.” It is supposed to be more pleasant than that

of any other tree, and, therefore, calculated to make any one, who

lies down in its shade, disinclined to move or to bestir himself as

is necessary in the case of the son of a widow.

Christian Frederick Schwarz, the well-known Missionary of

Tanjore, whose monument by Flaxman is in Schwarz’s Church at

Tanjore, visited Point Pedro on 5th September, 1760, for the ex-

press purpose of seeing this tree (see “ List of Monumental In-

scriptions of Madras, by J.J. Cotton). In any case it deserves the

title of “a historical tree.”

As to the age to which tamarind trees attain, I think there can

be no doubt that like the oak they live for some hundreds of years.

I have seen a tamarind tree at Kachchilamadu in the Mullaittivu

District, which is still known as “Pandara’s tree.” Pandara was

a Vanni chieftain, who enteredinto a league with the Sinhalese

chiefs of Nuwarakalawiya who were hostile to the British, and was

defeated here by Captain Driberg on 31st October, 1803. (See

MOGRISH DAGGER AND SHEATH & }.

To face p. 213.)

NOTES. 2a

“ Vanni Manual,” pp. 19-63.) The tradition is that after the fight

the arms of the defeated Sinhalese (for they were chiefly Sinhalese

of Nuwarakalawiya) were piled under thistree. I had it measured

the other day ; the trunk was 21 feet in girth, 4 feet from the

ground, so that it is 10 feet less than Baldzus’s tree. There isno

doubt that this tree was in existence 102 years ago, and in all

probability it was even then a large tree. Native opinion is that a

tamarind tree may live two or three hundred years. I have seen

very large trees inthe Vanni, and they always indicate the sites of

abandoned villages—villages abandoned perhaps 100 years ago or

more.

The Park, Jaffna, J. P. LEWIS.

2. Lhe Moormen’s Weapon.—I annex a photograph of a curious

kind of dagger with its wooden sheath from the collection of the

late Mr. R. W. levers, C.M.G., C.C.S., which has been acquired

for the Museum. It is known as a samusadu or jamyadu,

for both forms of the word are used, and it appears to be the dis-

tinctive weapon of the Moormen of Ceylon, for a representation

of it is one of their brandmarks for cattle. Thereare two forms of

this brandmark given in the paper on “ Brandmarks on Cattle,”

by the late Mr. James de Alwis, published in the Journal of the

Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society for 1874 (vol.

V., p. 60). In one (No. 51) it is represented as of the shape

(fig. 1), which shows that the weapon itself was hardly familiar

to the people who used its shape for a brandmark.

In the other (No. 53), which is given as the brandmark of the

Moormen of Chilaw it has become an ordinary dagger (fig. 2),

but in the Tangalla District, where I also found it used as a

brandmark by the Moormen, the shape was nearer to the original.

I met with three forms. 3

Here (fig. 3) the idea of a weapon also seems to have been lost, and

this particular brandmark was described to me as tambu jadiya (a

copper jar) into which the word samusadu had been corrupted in

the course of time—another proof that the true origin of the mark

had been forgotten. The other shapes were known as ulmadakku

samusadu. (samusadu with an inwards bend) (fig. 4), and

pera-madakku-samusadu (samusadu with an outwards bend)

(fig. 5).

I do not know where Mr. levers came across this specimen.

Possibly specimens of the weapon might be found in India,

214 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

where in all probability this particular form of dagger had

its origin, 4

[

This specimen is rather an elaborate one, the handle and sheath

having on them silver work of artistic design. It is a foot

in length. It is noteworthy that the handle is rather too narrow

for a Kuropean hand to grasp comfortably, as I have found to be

the case also with Ceylon knuckle dusters.

January 1906. J. P. LEWIS.

[The weapon described in the foregoing note has the same form

as the Katar or Indian dagger, which has been described as the

national weapon of the Hindu and “is mentioned by Ibn Batuta,

who lived in the days of Mohamed Toghluk—that is, about

1532 A.D.”

NOTES. 215

Examples of it, beautifully damascened, are figured by T. Hol-

bein Hendley, C.I.E., in his work entitled “ Damascening on

Steel or Iron, as practised in India ;’ London, 1892. ]

3. Scorpion stings.—In connection with my Note on this

subject in Part XI. of this Journal, the following extracts from

letters which I have received from Dr. A. K. Coomaraswamy,

speak for themselves.

KE. #. GREEN.

Extract referred to.

‘You know scorpion and centipede stings and bites are

supposed not to be bad, except on “ Pohoya” days, four timesa

month. The bite of venomous serpents is also worse on those days.

Another point of interest is that one should not kill the animal

that inflicts the wound (snake, scorpion, or centipede) until the

next day, as there is an idea that in some way it can take back the

poison if it remains alive.”

“7 was stung in the foot one evening at Avisawella by the small

species of scorpion and it hurt badly, and I expected to have a bad

time. I rubbedin ammoniaandchunam. The pain went off soon

and in ten minutes there was scarcely any. No trace next day.

Mr. W. D. Holland tells me the scorpion stings are of no account

too. I have told you about bad days for bites. People rely on

mantrams as a cure a good deal. Here is one given by the

Kadadeka Pansala Priest to Mr. Saxton as a sastvi for snake

bite :—

Det HS HS acdsee:

at da da groom Osan:

@dt Ja Seo DS OED

if. e.—On turi turi yéswah

On jaya jaya annatyanéswah

On jaya jayan khapdléswah

“Jf the snake bites you on the left side, you must stroke

yourself with the left hand downwards from top of head right

down the arm, and touch the ground with your righthand ; do this

manytimes. If the snake bites youon the right side, do the same

with the other hand. The above (mantram) is to be learnt by

heart and repeated ”’.

216 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

* When I was stung by the scorpion they would not let me kill

it till the next day. Probably it was considered that, as with

snakes, the animal withdraws the poison to itself if not killed.”

A. K. COOMARASWAMY.

4. Flight of white and yellow butterflies.—This well-known

phenomenon takes place twice annually, in the months of

February and November, and is always a source of interest, not

only to entomologists but to all who have eyes to see, and many

are the remarks of wonderment at this curious and pretty sight

which enlivens the monotony of the streets and byways of

Colombo. Iam not going to explain this bi-annual migration, for

I cannot, but these few lines are based upon observations taken

during the flights, more especially the flight of November last,

which commenced on the lst November and lasted practically

till the end of that month, although a few stragglers are still to

be found laying eggs which will give rise to the February flight.

The butterflies are almost exclusively composed of different

species of Catopsilia, and as these show a variety of forms and

phases the whole makes up a very varied collection of yellows

and whites.

T have taken great interest in these flights for several years, but

never before have I seen the numbers so prolific as during last

November in Colombo.

At 2 P.M. on the 21st November, when the flight was at its

highest, I counted during one minute 150, during another minute

170, and during a third minute 148 butterflies passing between

two points 30 feet apart and 12 feet high, making an average

of 156 per minute. At two other places I made similar reckon-

ings, resulting in an all round average of about 150 per minute

traversing a given space. In many different parts of the

Cinnamon Gardens I observed equally large quantities in flight so

that, according to my computation, the number of butterflies

passing in one direction between two points, a mile apart and 12

feet from the ground, would be 26,400 per minute, 1,584,000 per

hour, and 6,336,000 between the hours of 11 A.M. and 3 P.M. on

the one day alone.

They were flying particularly fast and in constant procession ;

rarely one would stop for a few seconds to alight on some

NOTES. 217

conspicuous flower, such as the Hibiscus and Cosmos, as though to

quench its thirst, then away again in greater haste than ever as

if to make up for lost time.

As usual in Colombo, the flights were northwards, but this

does not appear to be the case all over the Island, for Major

Manders* observed that they followed the coast line, starting

somewhere north of Trincomalee and working right round the

south coast to Negombo. Major Manders does not record the

direction of the flights in the more central portions of the Island,

for instance, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Diyatalawa, &c. In Nuwara

Eliya and Diyatalawa a westerly direction is taken and this is

probably maintained all over the central portion of the Island ;

it would therefore be interesting to know the direction taken by

flights between the central provinces and the east coast, namely,

whether they strike east and join the circuminsular flight or

strike west passing over Diyatalawa, Horton Plains, Nuwara

Hliya, &c.

Major Manders, in his interesting notes, deals with the direction

of flight of those proceeding from Trincomalee to Negombo, 7.e.,

in the maritime regions only, so that we have still to ascertain

where the butterflies come from which pass over the central

provinces:

The abrupt manner in which the flight starts is very remark-

able. For instance, last November a few straggling. Catopsilias

were to be seen on the first of that month ; on the following day

the flight was in full swing, the numbers gradually increasing

until the 2lst, then diminishing to quite a few on the 3]st.

Before the 2nd November there was no regular flight in one

direction.

In the case of Catopsilia pyranthe I have carefully observed

that the females begin laying their eggs towards the end of the

rush, the few straggling females being then responsible for the

next or February flight. In November of last year oviposition

commenced towards the end of the month and is still going on

up to the time of writing, as an examination of the food plant

(Cassia occidentalis) will show.

The question now arises—When and where are the eggs laid

which produce the prolific November flight? The eggs laid

towards the end of November flight are undoubtedly responsi-

ble for the February flight—the period normally occupied from

egg to imago being from three to four weeks. (In countries

having a winter many insects hibernate, but I have not observed

* Trans. Entom, Soc., London, 1904, No, 26.

218 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA,

such a dormant period in any Ceylon butterflies). If the females

of the February flight lay the eggs for the November flight,

presuming they are to hatch in November, the chances are that

the heavy rains of S.W. monsoon (May to August) would destroy

the majority, leaving few for the November flight, whereas the

latter is the more prolific ; but supposing the feeding grounds of

the larve of the latter are in districts not effected by S.W.

monsoon then it is difficult to understand why they, apparently,

do not emerge and form a flight similar to the other two, some-

where about March, April, or May, but, in Colombo, at any rate,

practically no Catopsilias are to be seen during the seven or eight

months preceding the November flight. I can only arrive at two

explanations :—

(1) The offspring of the February flight must lie in a dormant

state during one or other of their stages, for several months; or

(2) the species must breed throughout the year in some favour-

able locality as regards food-plant and weather. The reason they

do not migrate at regular intervals is most probably due to the

habit of their favourite food plant, which is an annual leguminous

shrub ; it dies off during the first dry months of the year after

shedding its seeds ; these spring up again with the commence-

ment of the rains, and about September-October the plant is plen-

tiful and vigorous, thus forming ample food supply for immense

numbers of the larve. Their numbers increase so rapidly and

to such an extent that the females, prompted by some natural

instinct, migrate, followed by males, and seek pastures new

whereon to deposit their eggs. Thus the bi-annual migration

seems to arise from the abundance of food plant available, which

is greatest shortly before the November flight takes place,

gradually diminishing as the dry weather approaches.

The species Catopsilia chiefly concerned in these flights are

Catopsilia pomona and its variety crocale, and C. pyranthe with

its varieties gnoma, ilea, and chryseis. CU. pomona was most

predominant, but I did not secure a sufficient number during

the flight to ascertain which sex was most abundant. In the

case of OC. pyranthe the males appeared to predominate during

the November flight, for out of 100 specimens secured in one

day, 87 per cent. were males,although towards the end of the flight

the remaining stragglers were almost entirely females. In a

previous capture during a February flight in Colombo (referred

to by Manders) 75 per cent. were females.

OSWIN S. WICKWAR,

Colombo, January 20, 1906.

NOTES. 219

5. Notes by the Way.—In company with two Entomologist

friends I have recently visited the low-country below Koslanda

(in the Province of Uva); making Telulla resthouse our head-

quarters. These notes cover a period extending from November

15 to 24.

On a section of the road between Koslanda and Wellawaya a

few examples of the rare and local butterfly Symphedra nais

were observed and captured. Iam toldthat it always haunts this

particular locality. I have previously taken the species only on

the road to Batticaloa. Manders quotes “the eastern side of the

Island near Trincomalee and the grassy country near Haldum-

mulla” as localities for this insect.

The annual migration of butterflies was in full progress.

Large numbers of them were following the cart road, appearing

to find it a convenient route for travel. They were moving ina

northerly direction. Catopsilia crocale and Appias paulina

were most in evidence. But Hebomoia glaucippe, Ixias ceylonica,

Papilio erithonius, jason, crino, and aristolochic were associated

with them. Huplea asela was also on the move, but not in very

large numbers. It was distinctly a flight of Pieridae, more

particularly of the genus Catopsilia. They settled in dense

array at every damp spot in the road, and rose up in whirling

clouds when disturbed by passing carts or pedestrians. Various

species of Cassia along the route had evidently provided food for

their larve. P. avristolochie appeared to be more exclusive,

having its separate congregating spots. Cvino usually settled

singly. The other butterflies, noticed above, might be seen

mingled in the same group. A very remarkable abnormality of

erithonius was captured by one of my companions and has been

presented by him to the Colombo Museum. The area beyond

the postmedial band on both wings is almost uniformly black.

We collected moths, each night, pitching our powerful

acetylene lamps in different spots—often in the heart of the jun-

gle, and secured a prodigious number of moths and miscellaneous

insects, including such rarities as Azygophleps scalaris, Gunda

apicalis, Stawropus viridescens and S. grisea, Mimeusemia ceylo-

nica, and Afgocera bimacula ; with many smaller species probably

new tu our lists. My attention was drawn, one night, toan insect

that, to outward appearances, was an ordinary “ Daddy-long-legs”

(Tipula). It had captured a small Pyralid moth, which it was

holding with its hind legs and devouring. On closer exami-

nation it proved to be one of the so-called “Scorpion Flies”

(Panorpide) and appears to be a species of Bittacus. To the

best of my belief, this family of insects has not previously been

26 10-06

220 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

recognized in Ceylon. A long series of this species was taken in

the moth traps.

In the last number of the Journal of the Bombay Nat. Hist.

Soc. (vol. XVI, No. 4, p. 747) is a note by Capt. Nangle, describ-

ing an attack by flies upon flying Termites in India. A similar

occurrence was noticed one night at Telulla, when a flight of

winged Termites invaded the tent of my moth trap. Imme-

diately following the ‘White Ants” came a number of Muscid

flies which proceeded to pounce upon them. They did not

attempt to carry away their prey, but commenced to feed upon

them there and then, piercing their helpless victims between the

segments of the abdomen. Specimens of this fly have been sent

to Europe for determination.

. Beating for moths, in the daytime, was made difficult by the

presence of enormous numbers of the common Noctuid Amyna

selenampha, which rose in clouds whenever the undergrowth

was disturbed. We saw several trees stripped of their leaves by

the larve of this moth. Fortunately this species did not fly at

night or—at any rate—respected our moth traps.

Our traps were pitched, one night, on the bund of the Telulla

tank. Behind us was an abandoned paddy field. As soon as the

lamps were lighted myriads of frogs joined in a deafening

chorus which soon became so intolerable that we had to stop our

ears with cotton wool.

Reptiles were not much in evidence. But we surprised a large

specimen of Dendrophis pictus swallowing a full-grown lizard

(Calotes versicolor). Younger examples of this snake are said to

feed upon grasshoppers. A fine example of the large rough

tailed snake—Uropeltis grandis—was picked up on the cart road

where it was engaged in extracting grubs from a pat of cow

dung.

EK. ERNEST GREEN.

6. On the Species of Leaf Insects (Phylliine) occurring in

Ceylon.—Mr. W. F. Kirby, in his recently issued “ Synonymic

Catalogue of Orthoptera,’ credits Ceylon with three distinct

species of this subfamily of Phasmide. These are,—Pulchrj_

phyllium agathyrsus, Gray ; Pulchriphyllium crurifolium, Serv.,

and Phyllium athanysus, Westw.

I have recently submitted specimens of our commoner species

to Mr. Kirby, for an authentic determination. There has hitherto

been considerable confusion in the nomenclature ; the commonest

Ceylon species having been variously referred to under the names

2 pane

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of seccifolium, scythe, pulchrifolium, and bioculatum. In reply,

Mr. Kirby tells me that this species is apparently crurifolium,

which Gray confused with his previously described biocwlatum.

“Tt has nothing to do with Phyllium siccifolium, which does not

occur in Ceylon.” He also states that ». athanysus can be recog-

nized at once by the hinder edge of the front femora being entire,

and that P. agathyrsus “ seems to differ from P. crurifolium in

having the hinder edge of the front femora more deeply and

irregularly excavated.”

Cc j d

Fig 2. (a) Egg of Pulchriphyllium crurifolium eek

(6) Do. Phyllium athanysus )

Fig 3. (c) Femur of front right limb of P.crurifolium x12

(d) Do. do. Phyllium athanysus

Of these three species, crurifolium is comparatively abundant.

Native boys collect them in considerable numbers, in the neigh-

bourhood of Kandy. They find them by waiting under the trees

that they are known to affect and watching for falling pieces of

green leaves dropped by the feeding insects. This species is very

easily raised from eggs laid by captive females.

I have met with very few examples of athanysus.

Agathyrsus is quite unknown to me, though it is recorded only

from Ceylon. If the “more deeply and irregularly excavated

hinder edge of the front femora” is the only distinction between

this species and crurifolium, then a great number of bred exam-

ples of the latter might be classed as agathyrsus, for very few

222 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

individuals reach maturity without having this part of the limb

more or less extensively nibbled away by their comrades in cap-

tivity. Can this accidental erosion have led to the supposed

distinction of the species? The slender individuals in the lower

right hand corner of the figure (4) are the males, which have

functional wings and very small wing-covers, the reverse being

the case with the female insects.

There is a well marked difference in the eggs of crurifolium

and athanysus. ‘That of the former has five winged lateral ridges

and a prominent spiked cap. The egg of athanysus is very much

smaller, has only asmall tubercle on the cap, and the lateral ridges

are low and inconspicuous, merely giving to the eggs a slightly

angular appearance.

In the accompanying photograph, the second and third insects

in the middle row, show signs of having been nibbled by their

companions.

E. ERNEST GREEN.

7. A Harbour Worm and a Boxing Crab.—Ever since the

visit of Professor Haeckel to these shores in 1881 it has been

recognized that Colombo offers few inducements to biologists

who cumber themselves about things of the sea. Nevertheless, if

time and opportunity allowed, a great deal might be gleaned

from the outer;reaches of the Colombo Harbour; and the Northern

Arm of the Breakwater is already attracting a host of creatures from

the surrounding depths. Amongst these there comes occasionally

a remarkably fine Annelid worm belonging to the family Am-

phinomide. Its name is Chloéia flava (Pallas); it is particularly

characteristic of the Indian Ocean and has been known to

naturalists for nearly a century and a half. It attains a length of

nearly five inches or more when fully extended and an inclusive

breadth of about one inch. The number of segments is limited,

not exceeding forty, and this number is only reached in the

fully mature condition. Smaller and therefore younger indi-

viduals have fewer segments, the number of the latter being

roughly correlated with the size; thus examples about half to

three-quarters of an inch in length will have 24-26 segments.

The head region is characterized by the presence of a peculiar

organ called the caruncle, which stretches back over several

of the anterior segments. Behind this region, each segment

Fic. 4 —EGGS, LARVA, NYMPH, AND ADULT (4 aND &) OF “FULCHRIPHYLLIUM CRURIFOLIUM.”

(Lo face p 222,

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NOTES. 223

carries along the dorsal side a large purplish violet spot, a pair of

arborescent gills* and, at the sides, two dense tufts (upper and

Chloéia flava.

lower) of long, hair-like, golden yellow bristles or seta, with

which: are associated dorsal and ventral sensory cirri. In

* The gills are coloured a dark sepia with rose-coloured rhachis. Violet

bands may also occur laterally between the bases of the gills and the dorsal

bristles, which appear pale, golden-tipped. The colour is of course snbject to

some variation.

224 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

preserved specimens it often happens that most of the sete are

lost ; they are deciduous, those of the dorsal tuft being provided

with recurved barbs by which they remain attached to foreign

bodies when touched or handled. ‘The function of the set is

therefore partly defensive, but during what may be called the

swarming period the tufts of sete act as paddles or swimmerets,

working to and fro in succession like the legs of a centipede,

accompanying the swaying movements of the body when swim-

ming. It is not common to obtain full-sized specimens of this

worm, and the three which the Museum has acquired in recent

years have been kindly sent by Mr. A. D. Prouse from the

Harbour Works, one in March, 1904, another in January, 1905,

and a third in January, 1906.

The small crab which I have called the Boxing Crab was taken

by me last November at Weligama from under a rock close

to the shore at the northern end of the bay. It affords a singular

and by no means widely known example of symbiosis or com-

mensalism between a crab and sea-anemones or Actinians. In

each claw the crab holds a small white sea-anemone in full

activity, tentacles expanded, which it presents with great science

in true boxing attitude to the observer, when alarmed. It is

impossible to exaggerate the singularity of the action. The

ground colour of the crab is whitish with a delicate roseate flush

in the anterior half of the carapace, and a characteristic pattern

formed by blackish lines; there are tufts of bristles behind

the frontal margin and on the surface of the carapace.

I forwarded a sketch of the living crab and its two guests to the

Indian Museum, Calcutta, and was favoured by Major A. Alcock,

F.R.S., with the name of the crab and references to the literature

dealing with it.. It is not mentioned in Dr. J. G. de Man’s |

Crustacea of the Mergui Archipelago (Journ. Linn. Soc., London,

NOTES. 225

XXIJ., 1888), nor in the same author’s work on the Crustacea

of the Malay Archipelago (Decapoden des Indischen Archipels,

1892), nor in Dr. J. R. Henderson’s Contribution to Indian

Carcinology (Trans. Linn. Soc., London, vol. V., part 10, 1893).

It was described from Mauritius under the name Melia tresselata

by H. Milne Edwards in 1834 (Hist. Nat. Crust., Paris, vol. I,

p. 431, pl. 18, f. 8) and figured though without the actinians. Its

correct name is Melia tessellata (Latreille) and a capital figure of

*t is given by L. A. Borradaile in his Report on the Marine

Crustaceans in Stanley Gardiner’s Fauna and Geography of the

Maldive and Laccadive Archipelagoes, vol. I., Cambridge, 1903,

p. 249.

Borradaile places this crab in the subfamily Menippine of the

family Xanthide and points out thatits habit of holding actinians

was noted in 1880 by Richter in Mobius’ Meeresfauna, Mauritius,

but since then the fact has been generally overlooked.

Probably both crab and actinians benefit by the association, the

actinians enjoying an increased mobility and the crab sheltering

and defending itself with the living gloves with which it is

provided ; all sea-anemones, coral polyps, hydroid polyps, and

meduse possess microscopic weapons of offence called urticating

or stinging threads, and no doubt these come into play in this case

when occasion requires it, although I was unable to detect their

presence by the sense of touch. On this subject | may quote from

Mr. Borradaile’s work (.c., p. 250). Hesays: “The object of this

habit is not known, but it is certainly a voluntary act on the part

of the crab, for the actinian is not attached, but held between the

fingers of the Melia, and, if it be taken away, will be again seized.

Usually there is an anemone in each hand, but sometimes one or

both hands are empty. The actinians, which are grasped firmly

round the middle below the tentacles, may be useful, by means of

their stinging cells, either for defence or to ‘fish’ for food with,

or perhaps for both purposes. The chelipeds are slender and

feeble, ill-suited for defence, but at the same time mobile and

well adapted to wield the anemones they carry, and, if the crab be

threatened, it will stretch out its arms towards the aggressor, as

though it would ward him off with the disagreeable obstacles it

thus presents to his attack.”

The crab from Weligama is small, measuring only 10mm. in

width between the lateral angles of the carapace ; the actinians

are retained in position in the preserved state, but the ground-

colour has darkened to a reddish brown.

Finally, it must be mentioned that two other species of Melia

have been recorded from these seas by Major Alcock, namely, M.

226 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

cestifer (J. A. S. Bengal, vol. LXVII., pt. 2, 1898, p. 231) and UM.

pugil (ibid.).

I desire to express my thanks to Major Alcock for his kindness

in referring me to the above sources of information concerning

Melia.

A. WILLEY.,

Colombo, January 23, 1906.

8. Stridulation of Gongylus gongylodes.—During a recent

visit (December) to Anuradhapura as I was descending the bund

of Tissa tank behind Isurumuniya, I espied a dark brown

Mantid upon a low green shrub, and upon bending closer found

that it was a male Gongylus. Tts actions upon being alarmed by

my approach arrested my attention. Its colour and general

appearance were those of a brown shrivelled leaf, but it appeared

to be intent upon a foraging expedition with no idea of mimicry

or of any conformity to its surroundings. The under surface of

the flattened prothorax had a dull neutral tint paler in the centre,

but not glistening norin any way attractive. Such mimicry and

protective coloration as carnivorous animals—of which Gongy-

lus is one—frequently exhibit appear to be closely correlated with

their infinite capacity for lying motionless in wait for passing

prey.

As I drew near to the Mantid several times in succession,

on each occasion it dressed itself for the fray, squaring the elbows

of its forelimbs nearly at a right angle to the body as shown in

the upper figure of the second plate illustrating this species

in Spolia Zeylanica, part VIII. (vol. II,), 1905, page 198. The

alert defensive attitude which it assumed was evidently intended

to be terrifying in the sense in which this term has become fami-

liar to students of mimicry, and the terrifying effect was enhanced

by a loud rasping sound which it produced by rubbing the

borders of its hind femora against the rim of the forewings.

The male is distinguished from the female by greater slender-

ness and length of body and wings, by the smaller size of

the foliaceous expansions of prothorax and limbs, and above all

by the feathery antennex, these being hair-like in the female.

The outer free border of each forewing is thickened by a distinet

chitinous rim which is finely serrate. In the region of the hind

femur, on each side, the border of the wing is slightly concave,

allowing free play to the thigh under ordinary circumstances.

The femur itself is smooth, carrying a few minute hairs but

without any rough edge,

NOTES. 227

When the insect is alarmed each hind femur is deliberately

rubbed to and fro against the saw-like edge presented to it along

the concave border of the wings and a very effective stridulat-

ing sound results from the friction. The sound can be approxi-

mately reproduced upon the dead insect by gently passing a

porcupine quill backwards and forwards along the wing-border.

The serrate border of the wing is also present in the female

where the concavity is more pronounced ; and it seems likely that

the sound can also be emitted, on occasion, by the female.

Many pther insects, especially beetles, produce sounds by rasp-

ing. The stridulation of the caterpillar of the Death’s Head Moth

has been alluded to on page 47 of this volume. Many grass-

hoppers emit a loud clicking sound when rising from the ground

in flight, but I have not yet succeeded in ascertaining how this is

produced. The vocal apparatus of male locusts and cicadas be-

longs to a different category of sound-producing organs, and the

object of the call is also different.

What may perhaps lend particular interest to the habit of

stridulation as manifested in Gongylus is the deliberation with

which the action is performed by an inseet which is well known

in other ways for its defensive and offensive tactics.

A. WILLEY.

Colombo, January, 1906.

9. Terrestrial Colubride of Ceylon.—In his admirable syste-

matic work on the Reptiles of British India, Ceylon, and Burma

(1890), Mr. G. A. Boulenger notes the existence of a general desire

felt by those not well acquainted with snakes to know at least how

they may distinguish poisonous from harmless kinds. It is not

a simple matter and there is no way of rendering it simple. The

examination of the teeth is the fundamental test, but they are

often broken and some snakes, the Dipsadinz, possess grooved

fangs and yet are not poisonous. It is in fact necessary to know

the snake before pronouncing upon its character.

In an island like Great Britain where only three species

of snakes occur, one of which—theadder—is poisonous though not

deadly, their identification is not a matter of daily or frequent

necessity. In Ceylon, which covers an area of some 25,331 square

miles, smaller in extent than that of Ireland and yet possesses an

ophidian fauna comprising, exclusive of the sea-snakes, upwards

of fifty species, of which eight are poisonous and three or four

24 10-06 °

228 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

fatal, their determination not only stands in constant request.

but may even assume a medico-legal or statistical importance.

In the Vital Statistics issued by the Registrar-General of Ceylon

for the year 1903, the number of deaths attributed to snake-bite

during that year amounted to 217, and the average from 1898 to

1902 is given as 198. In 1904 the number of deaths from snake-

bite was 174, and the average from 1898 to 1903, 201°2, or in

round numbers 200 per annum.

In the Indian Empire, which is roughly about seventy times as

large as Ceylon both in area and population, there is only

a slightly greater proportion of deaths attributed to snake-bite

annually ; namely, about 20,000.

I believe it rarely happens that the offending reptile is caught

and identified, so that statistical tables give little or no informa-

tion concerning the number of victims claimed by different

species of poisonous snakes.

Last September a Malay woman living in Colombo was bitten

by a snake during the night while she was asleep. She must

have unconsciously alarmed the snake in some way, other-

wise it would not have bitten her. A vedarala was called in, but

the woman was beyond help, and died within twelve hours.

The snake had been caught and killed at the time of the accident

and was subsequently sent to the Museum by the Coroner for

identification. It proved to be a dangerous poisonous snake of

the kind called “bungarum ” or,in Northern India, ‘ krait,” in

Sinhalese “ karawala.”

Two months later, in November (1905), another snake was sent

to me from Mullaittivu by Mr. R. A. G, Festing, C.C.S.. with the

information that it had bitten and killed 2 woman two nights

previously. This time the snake was a harmless one and very

common in Ceylon, Lycodon aulicus, often called “ karawala ” or

‘tel-karawala” through confusion with Bungarus, since it

resembles the latter very strikingly and may be said to mimic it.

It was generally believed that the victim in this case had died ot

fright, since it appeared from the evidence at the inquest that she

had been bitten, twelve small punetures being visible on the

right forearm. ,

Bungarus may be recognized at once by the circumstance that

the median dorsal or vertebral scales are much enlarged ;, in

Lycodon the scales are equal. It is, however, partly owing to the

extraordinary parallel series of colour variations in poisonous and

harmless snakes, giving the impression of a natural mimicry, that

so much confusion exists with regard to the vernacular names in

this country. There are also other sources of confusion, The

NOTES. 229

late Mr. William Ferguson, F.L.S., pointed out in 1877,* that the

common Pit-viper, well known here as the “ kunukatuwa,” was

originally figured by Dr. Davey as the “ karawala,” and the latter

erroneous name has adhered to it in English writings ever

since.

There are three or four kinds of so-called ‘“karawala” in

Ceylon, namely, the ‘“‘dunu-karawala,” Bungarus ceylonicus, the

“mal-karawala ” or “ pol-mal-karawala,” Chrysopelea ornata ; and

the “mudu-karawala,” Coluber helena. The expression “ tel-

karawala” is sometimes applied indifferently to varieties of

Bungarus ceylonicus and Lycodon aulicus,t in allusion to the oil-

like gloss of the scales. The term “ mapila” belongs to certain

snakes which have a suspicious look but are not dangerous,

namely, species of the genus Dipsas (cf. Spol. Zeyl., vol. 1., part

III., 1903, pp. 81-84).

The most convincing evidence of mimicry as between harmless

and poisonous snakes is afforded by the specimens of a white-

ringed variety of Bungarus ceylonicus and the white-ringed

species of Lycodon, L. carinatus, which have been kept in the

same jar in the Museum. The similarity between these two

forms was remarked upon in 1877 by Mr. William Ferguson. To

the unaided eye the resemblance is quite deceptive, but with a

lens it will be seen at once that the scales of the Lycodon

carinatus are keeled, besides being equal.

Precisely analogous examples of mimicry are known to occur

among the so-called coral-snakes of Brazil, of which there are four

genera, one (Hlaps) poisonous, a second suspicious, the two others

harmless. The colour is described as a “ rich red with black and

yellow transverse bands,” and the species of these snakes

inhabiting the same districts are so like each other that only

a naturalist could distinguish the harmless from the poisonous

kinds (¢f. Darwin, Descent of Man, Second Edition, p. 353).

The accompanying schedule, which is based primarily upon

Mr. Boulenger’s Monograph, is intended to serve as a guide to the

identification of a section of the snakes of Ceylon. It is complete

so far as it goes, including as it does all the members of the three

subfamilies of Colubride mentioned, namely, the Colubrine,

Dipsadinez, and Elapine, which are known to occur in Ceylon.

The sea-snakes (which are poisonous) and two other small sub-

families of water-snakes (Acrochordine and Homalopsine)

* Wm, Ferguson, Reptile Fauna of Ceylon. Letter on a collection

sent to the Colombo Museum. Colombo, 1877 (printed by the Government

Printer).

+ Lycodon aulicus is also called ** alu-polonga”’ at times.

230 SPOLIA ZEYLANIGCA.

are omitted. The earth-snakes (‘“depat-naya”’), the Python or

rock-snake (“ pimbura”), and the Vipers (‘“ polonga’”’) are not

included within the scope of the schedule.

Two points may be noted in connection with the guiding

characters which I have selected in the index. All the species

mentioned have less than thirty rows of scales round the body

(excluding the ventral shields) and in all cases the general con-

dition of the head-shields is normal and remarkably constant on

the whole. Seen from above there is a rostral shield in front

(usually barely visible in dorsal view) followed by a pair of

internasal shields between the nostrils, then a pair of prafrontals,

a median frontal between two supraoculars and a pair of parietals

behind. ‘he shields which appear in side view of the head are

less constant, the most important feature being the presence or

absence of a loreal shield between the preocular and the nasal,

this being one great distinction between Lycodon and Bun-

garus.

When once a character has been observed all the species which

are shown by the index not to possess this character are excluded,

and thus by continuing the process of exclusion at least the genus

of the specimen can be fixed with certainty, and this is enough for

practical purposes.

A. Side view of head of Lycodon aulicus ; 1. Loreal shield; L*., Ninth

upper labial.

B. Side view of head of Bungarus ceylonicus ; showing absence of loreal

shield; L’. Seventh upper labial.

The species which offers the most generalized characters is No.

XIL., Polyodontophis subpunctatus, a harmless snake which may

NOTHS. 231

be found under logs. I took one recently near Puttalam,* and it

occurs round Colombo and Kalutara,

The regularity with which snake-bite returns appear in Vital

Statistics demonstrates the necessity for a more detailed analysis

than is usually given. Whatis wanted is information concerning

the snakes which are alleged to have inflicted bites on human

subjects. Like as not many of them would prove to be harmless.

In the schedule the numbers prefixed by the letter B refer to

the numbers of the species in Mr. Boulenger’s volume on Reptilia

and Batrachia in the Fauna of British India; S. Z. refers to Spolia

Zeylanica ; Tropidonotus asperrimus, No. XXVI., the Ceylon

representative of 7’. piscator was named by Mr. Boulenger subse-

quently to the publication of the volume (see Ann. Mag. Nat.

Hist. vol. VII., 1891, p. 281).

By way of coincidence it is to be noted that the principal and

proper food of Lycodon aulicus consists of the Brahminy Lizard

or “hikanella ” (Wabuia carinata) whichis swallowed entire by

the snake and may be removed practically uninjured from the

stomach of the latter, if taken at the right time. The size of the

ingested lizard in comparison with the snake is sometimes astonish-

ing. This lizard is believed both here and in South India to

inflict a poisonous bite, and in the Vital Statistics for 1904 (Ceylon)

one death is attributed to injury caused by Brahmin Lizard. In

reality the “ hikanella” is harmless. A similar tradition of folklore

is recorded by Dr. Gadow (Cambridge Nat. Hist. Amphibia and

Reptiles, 1901, p. 506) from the South of Spain and Portugal where

geckos, called “osga,” are abundant and are considered to be

dreadfully poisonous by the country folk. Dr. Gadow points out

that geckos are absolutely harmless; they cannot even inflict

painful bites, but in many countries they are feared as much as

the most poisonous snakes.

There are special difficulties in the way of identifying snakes

which have inflicted bites upon the person. Firstly there is the

difficulty of catching the snake and of making certain that the

one caught is the culprit. Then again in the country districts of

Ceylon, as ail residents in the Island are aware, there is a reluct-

ance to kill the snake, and if killed in some cases, notably in

regard to “‘ mapila ” and “ karawala,” the snake must be burnt in

accordance with immemorial custom. Because the “ mapila” and

* At Karawalagaswewa, on the road from Puttalam to Anuradhapura. This

snake was quoted by Bateson (Materials for the Study of Variation, London,

1894, p. 123) as an example of maximum variation in the number of ventral

shields which correspond with the number of vertebra, as may be easily seen by

observing the ribs pressing against them during locomotion. In this case the

number of ventral shields has been observed to vary from 151 to 240,

232 SPOQLIA ZEYLANICA.

“ karawala ”’ are believed to travel in flocks of seven, and when one

is killed and burnt the smoke is supposed to keep away the other

six. This incineration of snakes is an actval and definite practice

in Ceylon aud the burning of a “ pol-mal-karawala” (Chrysopelea

ornata) under the conditions indicated has been witnessed by my

friend Mr. James Parsons of the Mineralogical Survey, as he has

been good enough to inform me.

Another difficulty in connection with the casual identification

of snakes is more apt to trouble those who know something about.

snakes to begin with than those to whom they are a terra incog-

nita. refer to the occasional capture of snakes of unusual size

belonging to well-known species. A case in point has quite

recently occurred to me as concerning the snake Aspidwra copit.

The specimens of Aspidura which I have seen are slender snakes

of rather small size, a length of two feet being exceptional ; and

the head is long and tapering (compare this Journal, vol. II.,

part VIL. plate facing p. 96).

The other day (January, 1906), a bulky snake was sent to the

Museum from Avisawella by Mr. William Ferguson, Jr., which

severely tested the merits of my schedule. The last genus to

which it might belong seemed to be Aspidura. It had a single

internasal, short frontal, no przocular,* 6 upper labials, 17

smooth scales round the middle of the body, 137 ventral shields

mottled with the dark ground colour, anal entire, 20 unpaired

-eaudals : in short, it wasa female example of Aspidura copii. Its

size however, and therewith its general appearance, was remark-

able ; the length, as nearly as it could be measured in the coiled

condition in which the snake had been preserved and hardened,

amounted to rather more than 25 inches, of which the tail only

occupied two inches; the girth was as much as 33 inches, giving an

appearance of great bulk; the head was widest in the occipital

region, close upon one inch across and greatly flattened, the small

eyes occupying a dorsal position and the snout rapidly tapering in

front of theeyes. In the Fauna of British India, Mr. Boulenger

gives the following dimensions of A. copii: Total length 165

inches, tail 2°8, these figures probably relating to a male.

Upon opening the snake now under consideration, the ovaries

proved to be full of large eggs, three-quarters of an inch long by

about half an inch wide, seven in the left ovary, fourteen in the

right. From what has been said it will be clear that thisis quite

* The preocular shields are shown in the text-figures A and B. Aspidwra

copii and Drummondhayi axe the only Colubrine snakes in Ceylon which have no

preocular,

NOTES.

a noteworthy individual.

233

In Mr. Haly’s Report on the Reptiles,

&c., in the Colombo Museum (1891) A. copii is recorded from Dik-

oya and Balangoda and is said to range between 2,000 and 7,000

SCHEDULE OF THE TERRESTRIAL COLUBRIDA OF CEYLON.

Remarks.

Harmless.

eter Hill-snakes, sometimes

brightly coloured.

feet,

Names.

A.—Colubrine.

Tr. Aspidura brachyorrhos ... B342 ...

II. 7 COpll . B343 ...

IIT. . guentheri . B44 ...

EY. » trachyprocta'... B345 ...

WV: » drummondhayi B.S.Z. ...

VI. MHaplocercusceylonensis B&46 ...

VII. Lycodon striatus Ae sor {ee

VIII. ry aulicus 5. 1B33M aac

IX, . carinatus - DSDG ..

X. Hydrophobus nympha ... B357 ...

XI. gracilis .:. Babs ...

XII. Polyodontophis he a

tatus... anf p04: 255

XIII. Ablabes calamaria ~ B64 =.

XIV. Simotes arnensis ios DOU a5

XV. Oligodon templetonii ... B391 ...

XVI. S sublineatus ... B392 ...

XVII. us subgeriseus ... B394 ..:

XVIII. Zamenis mucosus = BBE Son

XEX.. “3 fasciolatus... B402 ...

XX. Coluber helena SSG) ee

XXI. Dendrophis pictus ~ ALT 2.

2 OIE e bifrenalis... B419

XXIII. caudolineatus B420 ...

XXIV. Tropidonotus ceylo-

nensis... . B430 ...

XXV. stolatus ... B434

XXVI. = asperrimus B1891 ...

XXVII. i plumbicolor B439 ...

XXVIII. Helicops schistosus B440 ...

B.—Dipsadine.

XXIX. Dipsas barnesii . B44 .,..

MX: Hd

BMT li eto:

ceylonensis ...

forstenii

MOK, i,

pulverulentus

XXXIV. Chrysopelea ornata B463 ...

C.—Elapine.

XXXV. Callophis trimacula-

GRAYS ccs teenie...

XXXVI. Bungarus ceylonicus B481 ...

XXX VII. -" coeruleus B482..

XXX VIII. Naia tripudians B485 .

<<a

B446 ...

et BS51 sc.

XXXII. Dryophis mycterizans B461 ...

B462 ...

Striated Wolf-snake, Peradeniya.

Bungalow Wolf- snake, “ Tel-

karawala.”

White-ringed Wolf-snake.

Jaffna, Anuradhapura.

“ Ceylon.”

Collared Sand-snake.

Rare.

Black-banded snake.

Paucidentate Dwarf snakes.

Rat-snake, “‘ Garandiya.”

Jaftna.

Ocellated Land-snake, “ Mudu-

karawala.”’

i ; Tree-snakes, ‘‘ Haldanda.”’

Ceylon Ground-snake.

Striped Ground-snake, “ Ahara-

kukka.”

Amphibious Ground-snake,

‘“ Diya-polonga.”

Viperine Ground-snake.

Freshwater snake.

Non-poisonous.

( Nocturnal Tree-snakes,‘‘Mapila.”’

Green Whip-snake, “ Ehetulla.”

Brown Whip-snake, “ Hena-

. kandaya.”

Florid Tree-snake,

karawala.”

“ Pol-mal-

Poisonous.

Dwarf Bungarum.

Ceylon Bungarum,

karawala.”’

Indian Krait (Jaffna).

Cobra.

* Dunu-

Norr.—Nos. VIII. and XXV. are the sun onERE snakes in Ceylon ; next

in abundance is XX VI., and then follow the Tree-snakes and Whip- snakes,

234 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

INDEX.

N.B.—The following common characters may be regarded as occurring

normally since they are presented with great frequency and are therefore

not specially noted in the index ; they are to be presumed unless otherwise

stated :—

(a) Anal Shield divided ; (b) Head

Internasals paired ; (d) Loreal single,

not clearly distinct from neck ; (c)

separated from eye ; (¢) Preocular

single ; (f) Pupil round ; (g) Rostral barely visible from above ; (4) Seales

equal and smooth ; (7) Subeaudals paired.

Anal shield entire i to v., Vi., ix., Xi.,

xx.

Head distinet from neck. x., xi., xviil.,

Kiki, XX. XKLbO KEM. | xy Pto

EVil,, Xxtx, tO RRS, \xxza1;

XXXili,, XXXIV , XXXVili.

Internasal single. i to v., vi., xxviii,

Labials* six. i to v., XXXV.

Labials seven. vi., X., Xi., Xiil., XiV., XV

to xXvii., XXvil., XXXVi., XXXVii.,

XXXViil.

Labials eight. vii., xviii. xix., XxXiv.,

REV MRK) RK, OR RTT

Labials nine. viii., ix., xii., (9-10), xx.,

xxi. (9-10)., xxii., xxiii, (8-9),

XXV1., XXviil., (8-9) xxxiv.,(9-10).

Labials indefinite, xxxi., (8-11).

Loreal absent, i to v., vVi., XXXii.,

SEK, KER, SERVE KV.

XXXVIlii.

Loreal entering the eye, x. xi. xv.

Loreals two, xxii.

Loreals three, xviii.

Maxillary teeth equal, i to v., (20).,

vi. (10)., xii. (40).. xiii. xx., xxi to

xxill.

Maxillary teeth enlarged in front,

vil to ix.

Maxillary teeth enlarged behind, x., |

xi, xiv., xv tO XVli., XVili., Xix.,

Xxiv to XXvil., XXvili.

Maxillary teeth fanged behind, xxix |

tO) SEX, KES eee RI

Maxillary teeth fanged in front,

XXXV., XXXVI., XXXVii., XXXviii.

Colombo, January 23, 1906.

Preocular absent, ii., v.

Preoculars two, xXiv., XXVi., XXX1i,,

XXX1ii,

Preeoculars three. xxix.

Preoculars variable (1 or 2)., X., Xxx.

Pupil horizontal, xxxii., Xxxili.

Pupil vertical, vii to ix., X., Xi., XXix.

to Xxxi,

Rostral} large, xiv., xv to xvii.

Rostral produced., xxxil., XXxXiil.

Seales in 13 rows, x., xxili., xxxv.

Scales in 15 rows, iv., v., Xi., Xili., Xv.,

XVi., Xvii., XXL, Xxii., XXxii.,

XXXlil., XXXVi., XXXVii.

Scales in 17 rows, 1., ii., ili., vi., vii.,

Viil., xil., Xiv. Xvili., XxXxiv.

Scales in 19 rows, 1x., XXiv., XXV.,

XXVi.. XXVIIM_, XXIX.

Scales in 19 or 21 rows, xxx.

Scales in 21 or 28 rows, xix.

Scales in 23 to 27 rows, xx., XXVii.,

XXXVili.

Scales in 25 to 29 rows, xxxi.

Scales keeled, vi., ix., xxiv., Xxv.,

KXVi., XXVii., XXViii.

Scales keeled in posterior part of

body only, ii., iv., v., xviii.t

Subcaudal shields in single row, i to

iv., Vi., ix.

Subocular present, xviii., Xix., XXxii.,

XXXiii,

Ventral shields keeled laterally x., xi.,

EX1., KKil., RXV.

Ventral shields with dark spots at

the sides, xii., XxxXV., XXX., XXXiv.

Ventral shields with dark spots along

sides and middle, xv., xvi.

Vertebral scales enlarged, xxi to

XXlil., XXX., XXXIi., XXXIil., XXXVi.,

XXXVii.

A. WILLEY.

* Upper labials or shields bordering the upper lip.

+ The rostral shield covers the front of the snout.

t In the young rat-snake the keeling of the scales may be absent.

(‘JeqQuaNy Jaye AYQI8q) “VIINVIASS SILOHdOO 371vW

TO i ed cl eth ake

Swe, .

: a tod : - oe reed

NOTES, 235

10. Viviparity of Cophotis ceylanica and Oviparity of Cera-

tophora stoddartii.—Cophotis and Ceiatophora are two genera of

Agamoid lizards containing species which are peculiar to Ceylon.*

Cophotis ceylanica and Ceratophora stoddartii are found in the

districts of Nuwara Eliya (6,200 ft.) and Hakgala (5,580 ft.) ; the

former species is distinguished by the possession of a prehensile

tail, the latter by its rostral appendage (¢f. Spolia Zeyl., part L,

opposite p. 11). Another species belonging to the same family

(Agamidz), also peculiar to Ceylon, is common at Hakgala on way-

side bushes ; this is Calotes nigrilabris.

The other families of lizards which are represented in Ceylon

are the Geckonide, Varanide, Scincide, and Chameleodontide,

Here I am only concerned with the Agamide and Scincide.

It is well known that most of the Agamoid lizards are oviparous,

laying their eggsinsmall holesinthe ground. The occurrence of

viviparity or ovoviviparity, where the eggs undergo their develop-

ment within the oviducts so that the young are born active with

the characters of the parent, is both rare and exceptional among

Agamoids. The only case noted in the Fauna of British India, &e.,

of a viviparous Agamoid is that of the genus Phrynocephalus, not

found in Ceylon (op. cit., Boulenger, Reptiles and Batrachians,

p- 110).

During a recent visit to Hakgala, where I occupied the Botanical

Laboratory by kind permission of Dr. J. C. Willis, at the end of

January and beginning of February, I ascertained that the tree-

dwelling lizard, Cophovis ceylanica, is viviparous, At the proper

season the ripe eggs pass into the oviducts and there undergo their

development without any shell being formed, so that the half-

formed embryo is clearly visible through the thin transparent

wall of the oviduct. One female showed three whitish embryos

lying upon the yolk in the right oviduct and two in the

left, all in the same stage of development; a second had two

advanced embryos in each oviduct, with scales and dark pigment

appearing. :

The size of the eggs, 13 mm. in major diameter, causes the wall

of the oviduct to stretch and to invest each egg closely. After

removal of an egg from the oviduct, the embryo with the yolk is

still surrounded by three membranes, which I interpret as follows

from the examination of flat preparations :—(1) a very thin, trans-

lucent, finely fibrous, non-cellular, vitelline membrane ; (2) an

equally thin and transparent chorionic membrane which is cellular

_ * All species of Ceratophoraareendemic. Cophotis has another species in Suma-

tra (Boulenger),

21 10-06 ©

236 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

but non-vascular ; this membrane, which I take to be the epidermal

tract of the outer amnion, consists of a pavement-epithelium in

which the cell-boundaries, vesicular nuclei and nucleoli are clearly

visible without staining ; (3) a thicker, though still transparent,

vascular allantoic membrane traversed by blood-vessels which

give rise to dense capillary networks over the surface of the egg.

From the above description it is evident that, from a reptilian

standpoint, the viviparity of Cophotis is very complete. In this

connection it may be noted that the wall of the oviduct is also

well-supplied with blood-vessels, a large trunk proceeding along

the mesometric line. It seems almost certain that gaseous and

probably also liquid transfusion from parent to embryo takes place

through the thin intervening membranes. It is not always easy

to’ suggest an explanation for the exceptional occurrence of

viviparity in groups of normally oviparous animals. It seems to

depend upon various conditions which may react upon the

organism separately or in combination. Of these conditions the

most obvious are habits and habitat (whether arboreal, deserti-

colous, subterranean), temperature and moisture. There are

Embryo of Cophotis ceylanic« lying in a dilatation of the oviduct. The

dotted portion indicates the yolk. At each side of the figure is the cut end

of the oviduct.

‘several parallel examples which may help to throw light on this

subject. Cophotis is arboreal as shown bionomically by its actual

occurrence as well as structurally by its prehensile tail, but less so

than the Chameleon which has modified hands and feet in addition

to its prehensile tail. Nevertheless most Chameleons lay eggs, an

exception being afforded by Chameleon pumilus, the Dwarf

Chameleon of South Africa which is ovoviviparous. This species

is described by Dr. Gadow (Cambridge Nat. Hist. Amphibia and

Reptiles, 1901, p. 580) as “relatively hardy, being as a native of

South Africa, accustomed tocold nights.” In this respect it offers

an analogy to Oophotis ceylanica, which has almost exactly the

same size as the South African Chameleon, namely, 5-6 inches,

and is accustomed to the cold nights of the upper montane zone

of Ceylon. i)

NOTES. 237

Another parallel example is afforded by the Agamoid genus

Phrynocephalus (referred to above) which inhabits the desert

regions of Central Asia, as compared with the viviparous Iguanoid

genus Fhrynosoma* which inhabits the desert regions of Central

America.

In many or most cases of viviparity among reptiles an egg-shell

is formed round the vitellus, but the egg is not laid, the young

hatching out 7m sztwintheoviducts. In Cophotis there isno trace

of an egg-shell.

With regard to Ceratophora the eggs are laid in small holes in

the ground after the manner of Calotes. JI came acrosssuch a hole

containing four freshly-laid, soft-shelled eggs in the Hakgala

jungle in January and disturbed the female who was apparently

attending to it. Ceratophora stoddartii is usually found clinging

to the trunks of trees or the stems of shrubs and saplings in a

vertical attitude with the rostral appendage directed upwards.

This appears to be its normal resting attitude and it remains

motionless for hours together. Its food consists in large part

of earthworms, to obtain which it descends to the ground. The

female descends to the ground also for the purpose of egg-laying,

the mating taking place on the stem of a young or small tree.

The existence of the rostral appendage is, I think, more or less

closely correlated with the vertical resting attitude of the lizard.

In contrast with the Agamidz most of the Scincoid lizards are

viviparous, but an exception occurs in the species, Mabuia

macularia,f which is oviparous. Some eggs which I found in

the month of December at the base of a kumbuk tree at Karawala-

gaswewa, between Puttalam and Anuradhapura, no doubt

belonged to this species. I placed them in a match-box,and within

an hour or two young skinks hatched out which by an oversight I

omitted toidentify. Thespecies however occurs in Ceylonas well

as in India and Burma. It is closély allied to the well known

Brahminy Lizard which is viviparous (Boulenger op. cit., p. 190).

There is an Australian skink, Tvachysaurus,{ which is strictly

viviparous in so far that like Cophotis no egg-shell is formed,

and the embryos “are ripened in uterus-like dilatations of the

oviducts.”

In conclusion, it may be noted that the geckos (Geckonide) are

’ oviparous lizards; “the only species at present known to be

ovoviviparous are the New Zealand Nawltinus elegans and Hoplo-

dactylus pacificus”’ (Boulenger, op. cit., p. 55).

Colombo, February, 1906. A. WILLEY.

* See Gadow, op. cit., p. 533. Tt See Boulenger, op. cit., 180.

$ See Gadow, op. cit., p. 560.

238 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

1]. Subsidence at Kokhilay on the East Coast.—The village of

Kokkutoduvay lies on the narrow strip of land which separates

Kokkilay lagoon from the sea and is some half a mile from

the latter. Across a small “ villu”’ from the village and right on

the sands just above highwater mark, where a very moderate

north-east gale would carry the waves, is a large area containing

a deposit of ancient pottery débris, undoubtedly the site of an old

settlement. This, in conjunction with an existing tradition that

Kokkilay lagoon was once astretch of paddy fields, is very strong

evidence of the land having subsided.

The pottery is old—how old it is impossible to say ; perhaps a

thousand years, perhaps more. But the land hereabouts must

have also risen and that long before the time of the potters. For

the coast is strewn with fossils, sea-shells imbedded in sandstone

which was formed I suppose in a considerable depth of water.

Thus at this little village we have evidence, natural and artificial,

of two alterations, in opposite directions, from the present level.

JOHN STILL.

Anuradhapura, April 19, 1905.

12. Association of a crocodile with a tortoise—EKarly in March,

1905, I was at a village named Kanjuramotai, a few miles south of

Nedunkeni in the Mullaittivu District. Two of the villagers

showed me a few ruins in the jungle, just by the edge of their

paddy fields ; and among them was an old well. This had been

dug out six or eight years ago, and then abandoned, after which

the sides had collapsed inwards leaving a hollow about 10 feet

deep, circular in shape, and 12 or 15 feet in diameter. Its sides

are perpendicular save at the very top where they overhang, held

up hy the matted roots of the undergrowth, so that the place is a

regular trap.

In the well there are two captives, both well known to the

villagers : one a crocodile, about six feet long, the other a very

large mud tortoise (Nicoria trijuga). The villagers aver that the

crocodile gotin during the rainy weather three years ago and that

the tortoise has been there for six months. Neither can get food

(except perhaps frogs), neither can get out; and in the dry

weather they must go without water for months on end.

The turtle has no fear of the crocodile, but when stirred up will

walk up to his snout. The crocodile, which is miserably thin,

resents being stirred up by hissing and snapping his jaws, but

NOTES. 239

makes noattack on the tortoise. The villagers say he is afraid of

being left alone if he eats the tortoise, but perhaps the shell is too

much for him in his enfeebled state.

JOHN STILL.

Anuradhapura, March, 1905.

13. Distribution of flying squirrels in Ceylon.—The squirrel

called Pteromys oral which possesses a dermal parachute by means

of which it can travel through the air for limited distances, and on

this account is always called the flying squirrel, belongs to the

Rodent family Sciuride, which is the squirrel family. This

information is given in a condensed form on p. 38 of this volume.

An illustration showing the animal at rest and in flight is given

on p. 361 of Blanford’s Mammalia (Fauna Brit. Ind.) Another

species called the “Small Travancore Flying Squirrel,” Sciwrop-

terus fuscicapillus, is recorded by Dr. Blanford from the hills of

Ceylon, but no information concerning it is available locally.

The Flying Fox (Pteropus medius) which, as stated on p. 38

(this volume), is a Fruit-eating Bat, occurs in the low-country,

forming ‘‘ camps” during the daytime at such places as Beruwala

(Barberyn), Henaratgoda, and Peradeniya. The flying squirrel

also occurs at Peradeniya, whence several examples have been sent

to the Museum by Mr. E. E. Green. Thisis an example of a local

overlapping in distribution, since the flying squirrel hardly

occurs below the elevation of Peradeniya and the flying fox does

not go much above it. Mr. Edgar Turner has kindly written to

say that he has never seen “flying foxes” in the up-country

jungles, but has often seen the “ flying squirrels” in the jungles

up to 5,000 feet or more, particularly in the Hewaheta jungles by

Rookwood estate.

Ed. (5S. Z:

END OF VOLUME III.

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SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

ISSUED BY

THE COLOMBO MUSEUM,

CHY LON.

VOLUME Iil.

COLOMBO:

G. J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON.

—_—

1906.

7 "ind wi

: n / pia

a 4 Lae AS ane

;

mee 3

; ae oF

ero

CONTENTS OF VOLUME IT.

Part [X.—Marcg, 1905.

Guide to the Antiquities, Minerals, and Natural History Collections

in the Colombo Museum

Part X.—OcrosBeEr, 1905.

Cameron, P.—

On the Phytophagous and Parasitic Hymenoptera collected

by Mr. E. Ernest Green in Ceylon (First Paper)

Cameron, P.—

Idem (Gecond Paper)

Wall, F.—

Notes on Snakes collected at Hakgalla, Ceylon

Wait, W. E.—

Notes chiefly on Birds seen at the Pearl Fishery me

March and April, 1905. Se

Coomaraswamy, A. K. and Ethel M.—

Kandyan Horn Combs

Notes.—

1. On the Zoris in captivity. John Still “ct

2. On the larval habits of the Butterfly, Parata alexis, Fabr.

E. E. Green oe vee

3. Curious behaviour of a eenen in apie. E. E. Green..

4. On the nesting of the Snake Bungarus ceylonicus. H. E.

Green nee .

Millipede killed by a Bedagud Bug. E. E. Green ore

Remedies adopted against the Paddy Fly. C. Drieberg...

7. The Lacteal Tract of Loris gracilis. A. Willey

Part XI.—Janvuary, 1906.

Linstow, O. von—

Helminthes from the collection of the Colombo Museum...

Annandale, N.—

New and interesting Lizards in the Colombo Museum

Annandale, N.—

Stalked Barnacles Levene Pedunculata) in the Colombo

Museum a ws

Notes.—

1. Lacteal Tract of Oriental Lorisine. N. Annandale

2. Curious action of a Toad when confronted by a Snake.

j EK. E. Green zs

On the constricting habit of Coluber alain EB. B. Green ...

Scorpion stings. KH. EH. Green : one

Minerals new or rare in Ceylon. A. K. Coomaraswamy

PAGE

144

148

151

155

157

158

159

160

163

189

193

196

197

198

( Senn

6. Recent Marine Clays at Kuchaveli,Ceylon. A. K. Cooma-

raswamy out a;

7. Contributions to the Geology of Ceylon. A. K. Coomara-

swamy . <P

8. Snake eres C. Daebeneie

9. Snakes and Fowls. C. Drieberg

10. Moths at sea. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher

Part XIT.—AprIL, 1906.

Doflein, F.—

Termite Truffles

Cameron, P. —

Description of a new species of Opius from Ceylon

Notes.—

Historic Trees. J. P. Lewis

The Moormen’s Weapon. J. P. Lewis

Scorpion stings. A. K.Coomaraswamy ...

Flight of white and yellow Butterflies. O.S, Wickwar

Notes by the Way. .E. E. Green ie

On the Species of Leaf Insects occurring in a Geilo: K. E.

Green ...

A Harbour Worm and a Bosine Crab. A ‘Willey

Stridulation of Gongylus gongylodes. A. Willey

Terrestrial Colubride of Ceylon. A. Willey aa

Viviparity of Cophotis ceylanica. A. Willey cs

Subsidence at Kokkilay on the Hast Coast. John Still

Assoclation of a Crocedile with a Tortoise. John Still

Distribution of Flying Squirrelsin Ceylon. Ed. 8. Z.

238

239

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

ISSUED BY

THE COLOMBO MUSEUM,

CEYLON.

CONTENTS.

Guide to the Antiquities, Minerals, and Natural History Collections

in the Colombo Museum.

With Plates and Illustrations,

[For Rate of Subscription and other Information see back of Cover. ]

; COLOMBO ;

GEORGE J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON.

1905,

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raid ’ tod wih’ e _

whe ye sy

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Pyrtlna | ‘Cea ee hae Me settle WALLS de

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AR AES WE Saree

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SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

A Quarterly Publication designed to promote a knowledge of

the Natural History of Ceylon (exclusive of Botany) for the

information of residents in the Island, and also for the advance-

ment of Science.

It will contain Records and Contributions, together with Notes,

Abstracts, and Reviews, relating to the economic and systematic

knowledge of the natural resources (Zoology, Anthropology,

Geology) of the Island-and of the surrounding seas.

Each Volume will consist of four Parts, the size of which will

depend on circumstances, and the Parts will be published as near

to the quarter days as possible.

The Journal will be illustrated by line-blocks, balf-tone blocks,

and lithographic plates.

Authors will receive 25 copies of their contributions gratis, or

50 copies if desired.

Subscription, Rs. 5 perannum ; single copies, Re. 1:25; post free.

Communications should be addressed to the Director, Colombo

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Complete sets of this Journal may also be obtained from

Messrs. R. Friedlander and Sohn, 1], Carlstrasse, Berlin, N.W.

ISSUED BY

CEYLON.

SPOLTA ZEYLANICA,

THEHE COLOMBO MUSEUM,

Vou. III.—PArRT X. OCTOBER, 1905.

CONTENTS.

1. Cameron, P.—

On the Phytophagous and Parasitic Hymenoptera collected

by Mr. E. Ernest Green in Ceylon (First Paper)

2. Cameron, P.—

On the Phytophagousand Parasitic Hymenoptera collected

by Mr. E. Ernest Green in Ceylon (Second Paper) ...

3. Wall, F.—

Notes on Snakes collected at Hakgalla, Ceylon

4, Wait, W. E.—

Notes chiefly on Birds seen at the Pearl Fishery Some

March and April, 1905 are Bs

5, Coomaraswamy, A. K. and Ethel M.—

Kandyan Horn Combs ... ose

6. Notes.—J. Still, E. B. Green, C. Drieberg, A. Willey

With Plates and Illustrations.

COLOMBO :

PAGE

1i4

[For Rate of Subscription and other Information see back of Cover. ]

GEORGE J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON.

1905.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

A Quarterly Publication designed to promote a knowledge of

the Natural History of Ceylon (exclusive of Botany) for the

information of residents in the Island, and also for the advance-

ment of Science.

It will contain Records and Contributions, together with Notes,

Abstracts, and Reviews, relating to the economic and systematic

knowledge of the natural resources (Goology, Anthropology,

Geology) of the Island and of the surronnding seas.

Each Volume will consist of four Parts, the size of which will

depend on circumstances, and the Parts will be published as near

to the quarter days as possible.

The Journal will be illustrated by line-blocks, balf-tone blocks,

and lithographic plates.

Authors will receive 25 copies of their contributions gratis, or

50 copies if desired.

Subscription, Rs. 5 perannum ; single copies, Re. 1:25; post free,

Communications should be addressed to the Director, Colombo

Museum,

Complete sets of this Journal may also be obtained from

Messrs. R. Friedlander and Sohn, 11, Carlstrasse, Berlin, N.W.;

from Mr. Bernard Quaritch, 15, Piccadilly, London; and from

Messrs. Wyman & Sons, Ltd., Fetter Lane, London, K.C.

SPOLTA ZEYLANICA.

ISSUED BY

1906.

THE COLOMBO MUSEUM,

CEYLON.

Vou. III.—ParRT XI. JANUARY, 1906.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

1. Linstow, Dr. O. von—

Helminthes from the collection of the Colombo Museum 163

2. Annandale, N.—

New and interesting Lizards in the Colombo Museum ... 189

3. Annandale, N.—

Stalked Barnacles (Cirripedia Pedunculata) in the

Colombo Museum .., See eee 193

4. Notes.—N. Annandale, E. E. Green, A. K, Coomaraswamy,

C. Drieberg, T. B. Fletcher — ase 196

With Plates and Illustrations.

[For Rate of Subscription and other Information see back of Cover.

COLOMBO :

GEORGE J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

A Quarterly Publication designed to promote a knowledge of

the Natural History of Ceylon (exclusive of Botany) for the

information of residents in the Island, and also for the advance-

ment of Science.

It will contain Records and Contributions, together with Notes,

Abstracts, and Reviews, relating to the economic and systematic

knowledge of the natural resources (Zoology, Anthropology,

Topography, Geology) of the Island and of the surrounding seas.

Each Volume will consist of four Parts, the size of which will

depend on circumstances, and the Parts will be published as near

to the quarter days as possible.

The Journal will be illustrated by line-blocks, balf-tone blocks,

and lithographic plates.

Authors will receive 25 copies of their contributions gratis, or

50 copies if desired.

Subscription, Rs. 5 perannum ; single copies, Re. 1°25; post free.

Communications should be addressed to the Director, Colombo

Museum,

Complete sets of this Journal may also be obtained from

Messrs. R. Friedlander and Sohn, 1], Carlstrasse, Berlin, N.W.;

from Mr. Bernard Quaritch, 15, Piccadilly, London; and from

Messrs. Wyman & Sons, Ltd., Fetter Lane, London, E.C.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

ISSUED BY

THE COLOMBO MUSEUM, =

CEYLON.

Vou. I1].—Part XII. APRIL, 1906.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Doflein, Dr. F. (Munich)—

Termite Truffics ase Abe ae 203

Cameron, P.—

Description of a new species of “‘ Opius” from Ceylon... 210

Notes.—J. P. Lewis, A. K. Coomaraswamy, E, H. Green,

O. S. Wickwar, A. Willey, J, Still me eee 211

With Plates and Illustrations.

[For Rate of Subscription and other Information see back of Cover. }

COLOMBO :

GEORGE J. A. SKEEN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON,

1906,

ye aieae Padyor) To tiie

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SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

A Quarterly Publication designed to promote a knowledge of

the Natural History of Ceylon (exclusive of Botany) for the

information of residents in the Island, and also for the advance-

ment of Science.

It will contain Records and Contributions, together with Notes,

Abstracts, and Reviews, relating to the economic and systematic

knowledge of the natural resources (Zoology, Anthropology,

Topography, Geology) of the Island and of the surrounding seas.

Each Volume will consist of four Parts, the size of which will

depend on circumstances, and the Parts will be published as near

to the quarter days as possible.

The Journal will be illustrated by line-blocks, balf-tone blocks,

and lithographic plates.

Authors will receive 25 copies of their contributions gratis, or

50 copies if desired.

Subscription, Rs. 5 perannum ; single copies, Re. 1:25; post free.

Communications should be addressed to the Director, Colombo

Museum.

Complete sets of this Journal may also be obtained from

Messrs. R. Friedlander and Sohn, 1], Carlstrasse, Berlin, N.W.;

from Mr. Bernard Quaritch, 15, Piccadilly, London; and from

Messrs. Wyman & Sons, Ltd., Fetter Lane, London, E.C,.