127 

 2. Linnean Society of London. 



3^ February. 1887. — Brigade Surgeon J. E. T. Aitchison read a 

 paper on the Fauna and Flora of the Afghan Boundary based on the collec- 

 tions made by him in the recent Afghan Delimitation Commission. Of the 

 Zoology of the region transversed the following is a summary. There were 

 obtained 19 species of mammals, belonging to 15 genera, besides 4 other 

 species were seen belonging to 3 genera. Probably the most interesting as 

 least known, is the mole-like Rat Ellobius fuscicapillus , the type of which 

 was originally got near Quetta, many years ago. The geographical range of 

 the Tiger [Felis tigrts) has been fixed as far east and north as Bala Morghab 

 and that of the Cheetah [Felis j ubata) to the Valley of the Hari-rüd ; while 

 the Egyptian Fox ( Vidpes famelica) has been obtained as far north and east 

 as Kushk-rüd and Kin in the basin of the Harût river. There were collected 

 in all 123 species of Birds belonging to some 84 genera, while 14 other 

 species were identified though not preserved. There are only 2 new species 

 viz. Phasianus princijialis and Gecinus Gorii. The birds are chiefly migratory. 

 Exceptions occur in the above new pheasant, Raven, Rook, Carrion Crow, 

 Jackdaw, Sparrow, Starling, Sky Lark [Alauda arvensis) Crested Lark (G^a/e- 

 rida cristata) , Bokhara Lark [Melanocorypha bimaculata) , Wall Creeper 

 [Tichodroma muraria), Bittern (5ote?/r?<s stellaris) , an owl, several Raptores, 

 Sandgrouse [Pterocles ai-enarius] , and Red legged partridge [Caccabis chukar] . 

 As Spring advances birds are seen to arrive, following each other very 

 rapidly — such as Aedon familiaris, Sylvias, Saxicolae, Lanius, Motacilla, 

 Pastor^ Merops and Coracias. Various Ducks leave, but the Brahmini duck 

 [Casarca rtitila) nests and remains throughout the year. The largest number 

 of species occur in the genera: Saxicola (8), Lanius (6), Sylvia (5), Mo- 

 tacilla (5) and Emberiza (4). 35 species of Reptiles w^ere collected, these 

 consisting of 1 Tortoise [Testudo], 21 species of Lizards of which 3 are new, 

 and of Ophidians 13 species Avhereof 1 is new, viz. an adult fine example of 

 Naia oxiana which heretofore has only been recognized from young undeve- 

 loped specimens. Of Batrachia 2 species were got, viz. Rana esculenta and 

 Bufo viridis, and on the latter the Leech Aulostoma gulo was found. Circum- 

 stances prevented more than 7 species of fish from being procured, these 

 belong to 6 genera, two of which prove to be new. Schizothorax interme- 

 dins is interesting as it was found by Griffith in the Cabul river an affluent 

 of the Indus. In the great eastern drainage of E. Turkestan it was found at 

 Youngsi-Lissar by the second Yarkand mission. The new species of Schizo- 

 thorax was only met with in the Hari-rüd and its tributaries. Over 100 

 species of Insects were collected, of which 20 are new to science. The mass 

 of the insects seem to be types of Arabian, North African and Mediterra- 

 nean fauna ; a few only seem Indian, and Central Asian in character. It was 

 observed that the Lepidoptera generally appeared when at irregular intervals 

 there was perfect stillness in the air, and only then in small groups. 



3. Linnean Society of New South Wales. 



29*'^ December, 1886. — 1) On new or rare Vertebrates from the Her- 

 bert River, North Queensland. By C. W. De Vis, M.A. The following 



