The Naturalist in India 297 



our best known field ornithologists, to give a separate specific name to every 

 individual that differs in the slightest degree from another. It is a great pity, 

 when a species is found somewhat different from a given type, that we should 

 not allow it a place among the varieties of that type and species until such time 

 as proper comparison has been instituted between them." — (P. 263.) 



We quite agree that no species should be proposed upon indi- 

 vidual specimens, unless clearly and manifestly distinct ; but we 

 have great indulgence to the mistaken species-maker who, by dint 

 of long poring over long series, at last convinces himself that 

 he has found a new species. Let us, therefore, not undervalue 

 any portion of the naturalist's labours, nor attempt to elevate 

 one mode or branch of study above another. All are working to 

 the same end, and each throws light upon the progress of his neigh- 

 bour. 



Mr Adams contributes a good quota of original field observations, 

 and the closet naturalist will find many facts among them which 

 he may apply to theoretical purposes. As an interesting example, 

 we may take the account given by him of a visit which he paid to 

 the crocodile pond called Mugger-peer in Scinde. This resort of 

 crocodiles occurs in an oasis lying in the heart of sandy deserts, a 

 considerable distance to the north-west of Kurrachee ; and how 

 these reptiles came there forms a subject of speculation somewhat 

 akin to the puzzle of a reel in bottle, and as the reader will, we 

 think, find only to be explained on the same principle. 



The accompanying illustration sent to us from Mr Adams' work 

 by favour of his publishers will help to give an idea of this reptilian 

 depot, although his graphic description scarcely requires it : — - 



" The journey for the first few miles is of the usual uninteresting description 

 — sandy plains, intersected with deep fissures and ravines, or studded hei^e and 

 there with ' scrub,' the oleander-leafed spurge (Euphorbia nerefolia), plentiful 

 in all waste and desert parts of .Scinde. 



"Emerging from a defile, which leads through a low range of hills, the 

 traveller enters on a desert waste, stretching westward towards the mountains 

 of Beloochistan. In the far distance two oasis are visible, whose date and 

 coco-nut trees are refreshing to the sight after eight miles of the most monoto- 

 nous scenery. In the vicinity of the nearest grove is an antient burial-ground, 

 where may be observed several curiously carved gravestones. 



" I visited the crocodiles (Crocodilus palustris) on two occasions, at an interval 

 of several years, and although during that time they had been seen by hundreds 

 of Europeans, including a certain class of mischievous young Englishmen (whose 

 chief amusement, we were told, had been to shy stones and sticks down the 

 throats of the gaping monsters as they lay basking on the banks of the pond), 

 yet there seemed no diminution in their numbers, and the wild and unearthly 

 TRAVEL X 



