lIVnRACARINA 115 



If we compare the Scandinavian mountain watermite fauna, living above the forest hmit, 

 with that of the Alps, we see that the Alpine fauna is much richer, consisting of 60 species, 

 as against 18 in Scandinavia. This, moreover, is true not only of the watermites but of other 

 groups, such as the insects. One of the reasons for this richness is that the Alps are sur- 

 rounded by a much more abundant fauna and have received immigrants from many different 

 directions. Tropical mountains also will probably be found to have a rich fauna, though 

 experience on Mt. Elgon hardly supports this contention, for but two species were found there 

 above the forest belt. It must, however, be remembered that the fauna at the top of this 

 mountain has not been at all thoroughly studied. 



Considering the favorable situation of Kashmir, in the middle of a large continent, 

 bounded to the North by the enormous palaearctic area and to the South by the tropical 

 Indian region with its luxuriant fauna, one should expect to meet a rather rich assemblage of 

 watermites there, comparable to that of the Alps. This is not the case, however, and conse- 

 quently there must be some special causes preventing the development of such a fauna. Proba- 

 bly the main obstacle is to be found in the high Himalayan ranges, which most of the mites 

 are unable to force and by which the Kashmir upland is isolated from the surrounding 

 districts. 



