C8 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



to be looked for is a specimen of the black variety of the Common 

 Green Lizard. The latter is common all over Malta, but on the islet 

 of Fifla, which is a mere rock, it is replaced by a black variety. The 

 raison d'etre of this black variety is not, I believe, properly ascer- 

 tained ; but Professor Giglioli, of Florence, writes that he has 

 invariably found that our Common Lizard (P. muralis) constantly 

 presents dark varieties in islets adjoining small islands. This islet of 

 Fifla is also a breeding place of the Manx Shear water (P. anglorum) 

 and also, I believe, of P. griseus. When I visited it in April I only took 

 eggs of the former, though I captured and let go again one or two of 

 the latter. But as Fifla is not likely to be visited by the voyager, I 

 ■will sav no more about it. A walk round Manoel Island is interesting, 

 poking about at the edge of the sea. After rain some fresh water 

 pools are left amongst the rocks; in some of them may be seen a 

 large Entomostracan, at first sight like some bivalve swimming 

 about: this is Estheria melitensis, and any observations concerning 

 it are worth noting. 



Another interesting stroll is on the rocks beyond Ricasoli. Many 

 fossil shells and echinoderms, &c, will be seen in situ, and perhaps a 

 shark's tooth or so, the Malta formation being a great repository of 

 the latter. The Malta rocks can be divided into 4, the upper being 

 a coral limestone and below this sand. No. 2, marl. No. 3, sand- 

 stone. No. 4, semi-crystalline limestone, but for more detail I would 

 refer to Ltith Adam's book on Malta and Spratt's Geology of Malta, 

 which can be seen in either the Garrison or the Public Library. 

 The great geological feature is the large fault across the island, 

 forming the Benjemma height. A good way of occupying spare time, 

 better than by loafing about Valetta, is to take train to Notabile and 

 then drive to St. Paul's Bay. A very good idea of the island can thus 

 be got. At St. Paul's Bay, just opposite the little island of Salmone 

 is the restricted area for Clausilia scalaris before mentioned. This 

 Bay is — '* When it was dny they knew not the land but they 

 discovered a certain creek with a shore into which thay were minded 

 if it were possible, to thrust the ship * * * and falling into a 

 place where iwo seas meet they ran the ship aground. * * * " This 

 place is said to be the strait between Salmone and the maiuland. 



Books to read on a voyage are often inquired for. If before reaching 

 Malta the History of the Knights of Malta can be read, it will add 

 much to the interest of the place, especially to those who can picture 

 the past in the present. Just inside the Gate of St. Elmo is a small 



