64 



NATURAL SCIENCE. 



has already been hinted at by several writers. The Punjab Urial 

 must, accordingly, be regarded merely as a local race of the Sha, 

 modified by the low elevation and the hotter climate of the regions 

 which it inhabits. We reproduce Mr. Blanford's excellent figure of 

 the Bharal, or Blue Sheep of Tibet (0. nahitra) which forms a con- 

 necting link between the more typical sheep and the goats. 



In the latter group, Mr. Blanford's observations on the extra- 

 ordinary range of variation presented by the horns of the different 

 races of the Markhor (Capra falcoiieri) will be read with interest. In 

 spite of the extreme difference in the horns of the two varieties of 



Head and Horns of the Kashmir (A) and the Suleman (/?) varieties of the Markhor 

 (Capra falconeri). 



which the figures are reproduced, there appears to be no doubt but 

 that they both belong to one and the same species, as there are inter- 

 mediate forms, showing a complete transition from the one to the 

 other through a third variety from CaLul. In separating the Hima- 

 layan Tahr and the so-called Nilgiri Ibex from Capra, as Hemitiagus, 

 we think Mr. Blanford is fully justified, since the differences between 

 these animals and the true goats are very considerable; but we are not 

 quite so fully assured as to the advisability of regarding the Goral as 

 generically distinct from the Serows {N emorhadus) although there 

 can be no doubt that if that view be adopted the name Cemas is the 

 proper title for the former. 



The Antelopes and Gazelles calling for no special remark, we 

 pass on to the consideration of the Cervidae. Here we note that the 

 author includes all the Indian species, with the exception of the 



