MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 359 



The length of the snake was 10 feet 1 inch ; circumference, thickest part, 

 ll£ inches. 



Prompt measures were taken by my native Doctor Babu to try and save the 

 woman's life. 



W. RABY NOBLE. 



Barganj, T. E„ Behalli, Assam. 

 17th July, 1903. 



[The snake sent is undoubtedly a Hamadryad or King-Cobra (Naia bun- 

 garus) — which is noted for its ferocity, — although fortunately not often to such 

 an extent as the above. It may possibly have had its nest somewhere in the 

 vicinity, which might account for its exceptional fierceness. — Ed.] 



No. XVI.— NOTES ON THE INSECTS OF QUETTA. 



At the request of Mr. R. Hughes-Buller, I.C.S., who is in charge of the 

 " Gazetteer of Baluchistan," now in course of compilation, I made some notes on 

 the insects to be found near Quetta. As they may perhaps interest members of 

 the Bombay Natural History Society, Mr. Hughes-Buller has kindly consented 

 to their publication in the Society's Journal. 



The following remarks refer exclusively to the insects found near Quetta and 

 Peshin, where the writer has had opportunities for collection and observation. 



Among the Orthoptera two species of locusts are the most conspicuous, and 

 do considerable damage. One of these, Schistocerca peregrina frequently called 

 Acridium peregrinum, is very widely spread. The other species is probably 

 Pachytylus cinerascens. During the present year (1903) the former species 

 appeared in large numbers in March, but a spell of cold weather killed most of 

 them off. 



Many species of Neuroplera are common, especially dragonflies. These 

 insects serve a most useful purpose in killing large numbers of flies and mosqui- 

 toes. I believe that the larvae of dragonflies also destroy mosquito larvas. 

 During the present year enormous swarms of a large species of dragonfly 

 appeared in June and July, and to their presence I attribute the comparative 

 scarcity of mosquitoes. Termitida (white ants) are also numerous, and do 

 some damage, but less than at most places in India. llTyrjneleonides (ant-lions) 

 are not uncommon, and one very large species occurs. Among the lesser known 

 Neuroptera a species of Embia is found, and I received some years ago from 

 Peshin a species of Nemoptera, which is a very remarkable looking insect. 



Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, etc.) are very numerous, and as my attention 

 has been chiefly devoted to this family, I will give a somewhat longer account 

 of those that occur in Baluchistan. Situated, as the country is, on the border 

 of the Palaearctic and Oriental regions, the species that occur here comprise 

 many Indian and European species. There is also some resemblance between 

 the Hymenopterous fauna of Kashmir and that of Baluchistan. As may be 

 expected, many of the species that occur here have been found in Russian Central 

 Asia, and have been described by Russian naturalists. Sawflies I have not 

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