224 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XVJ1I. 



mon to each other, but differing from the characteristcs of collections from 

 other regions. 



On seeing the variations of colour and form between the specimens of one 

 region and another, the first question that comes to everyone's mind is, what 

 is the cause of these variations ? Is it dne to different soil, temperature, or 

 what? I assure you there is nothing so interesting as puzzling out such prob- 

 lems for ourselves. They are not useless problems, but of scientific value. 

 As Dr. Wallace writes in the concluding passage of his book, which I bave 

 already quoted, ' They constitute a mine of wealth for the enterprising worker, 

 and they may not improbably lead to the discovery of some of the hidden laws 

 which seem to be required in order to account for many of the external char- 

 acteristics of animals,' and, I may add, plants. 



Now this is why I advocate our working at the Natural History of Baluchis- 

 tan on geographical lines. Let us work out the geographical distribution of 

 the animals and plants of Baluchistan as a whole and of those of each geogra- 

 phical region of Baluchistan sepai'ately. 



That, again, is wby I impress on you to be careful, in your collections and in 

 your lists, to record exactly where each thing is found. 



This work is one that will suit us better than more scientific Zoological and 

 Botanical work, because it can be done, and important results can be obtained 

 in so doing by amateurs. 



All can help Those who cannot make big collections can make small ones, 

 or can mike lists, which, however, should be accurate, of what they have seen 

 at various pLices, or send us brief notes on any one particular thing they see 

 or notice." 



Sir Henry here expressed regret that certain visitors to Baluchistan, whose 

 names he left u mentioned, had made collections of beetles, etc.. in the country 

 and sent them all away without leaving any duplicates for the Museum. He, 

 however, expressed the hope of securing lists of these collections, if not some 

 of their duplicates. 



Sir Henry then mentioned, as matters full of interest, some of the minor 

 problems which present themselves to those who engage in the study of Zoology 

 and Botany viz : — 



(1) The dividing line in Baluchistan between the Indian and European wolf. 



fos - 



hare " 



„ n Indian and Persian Gazelle. 



(2) Is the Euphratic viper, found in Ziarat, to be found between Ziarat 

 and Persia ? 



(3) Why are most of our Baluchistan wild flowers yellow ? There must be 

 some reason for this, just as there must be for the fact that flowers at high 

 altitudes are mostly blue ? 



(■4) Why hive so many of our plants such a strong pungent smell, and why 

 are so few sweet scented? [ 



