156 Kev. H. B. Tri:struiii on the 



exception of the Cactus and Agave, manifestly American intro- 

 ductions. The most characteristic plant, Chameei'ops nana, 

 abounds in Sardinia. Turning southwards to the Flora of the 

 Sahara, I have catalogued 335 genera and upwards of 600 

 species, one-third of which are unrepresented in Europe, but 

 represented by identical or closely-allied species in Egypt or 

 Arabia. 



But when we turn to the mammals, a singular contrast pre- 

 sents itself, and it seems scarcely possible to connect these ^\ath 

 the European centre of creation. 



I cannot help expressing my thorough agreement with the 

 remark made by the able reviewer of Breeds " Birds of Europe," 

 in the 1st No. of ' The Ibis,' with all due deference to our learned 

 Editor's opinion in the foot-note : — " We believe the Algerian 

 mammals and reptiles are entirely distinct from those of the 

 opposite coast." I have before me my friend Capt. Loche's 

 ' Catalogue des Mammiferes de PAlgerie,' which I have verified 

 by examination of the specimens in the Algerian Museum. He 

 gives a list of 75 mammals, to which I am able to addfour. Of 

 these, 31 are common to Europe ; but of these 21a close scrutiny 

 will enable us to eliminate several. Pithecus innuus can only 

 be deemed a straggler in Europe ; for this monkey is confined to 

 Gibraltar, and must have reached that rock from the opposite 

 shore, or perhaps have been introduced. Canis aureus (the 

 Jackal), though certainly now European, has, historically, I be- 

 lieve, been introduced across the Dardanelles. Mu^ decumanus 

 (the Norway Rat) is confessedly not indigenous. Dama vulgaris 

 is given by Capt. Loche ; but other authorities maintain that the 

 Algerian Dama is specifically distinct. 



Of seven bats given by Capt. Loche, six are supposed to be 

 identical with European species. But I believe that I possess 

 three other non-European species; and when the whole series 

 has been examined by Mr. Tomes, and further researches made 

 by the only living naturalist capable of giving a decided opinion, 

 it seems probable that the Atlas will be found to possess its 

 characteristic Vesper tiliones. Still, when we remember the power 

 of flight these creatures can exercise on an emergency, and that 

 stragglers of various North American species have frequently 



