338 Records of the Indian Museum. 1 Vol. Ill, 1909. J 



that it shows a greater affinity with the Fauna of the Gangetic 

 Plain, East, though distinct from it. The fauna is not a distinct 

 one, in the sense that it is derived, not originating on the 

 spot; it is derived probably by immigration through Lower 

 Bengal and Eastern Bengal from Burma, and possibly Malaya. 

 Man^'' species which have penetrated into Lower Bengal have not 

 penetrated to this area, possible'' on account of the period of 

 intense dry heat which prevails from March 15th to May 15th as a 

 rule. It contains probably a number of species which are now 

 established all over the plains of India, successful species whom 

 heat does not affect or who find in the undiversified vegetation an 

 abundance of the food-plant they require. 



If our conclusions are correct, there is justification for 

 considering what are the faunal zones of this continent. We 

 cannot here repeat what is said in Indian Insect Life, but we 

 would urge the collection of data upon this point ; collectors 

 situated in India can alone provide the data ; we want collections 

 made at widespread points by resident collectors ; a collection is 

 not a mere agglomeration of specimens, like postage-stamps, but a 

 valuable mass of data from which can be drawn deductions 

 regarding wide subjects such as this ; there is scope for many 

 collectors, and until such work is started, this cannot make the 

 progress it should do. 



It is perhaps unnecessary to say that we will give any assist- 

 ance that can be given, and that this subject is being worked at 

 both in the Indian Museum and Pusa. An impetus might possibly 

 be given to collecting, were it realised how valuable are accurately 

 localised collections. We would also point out to systematists 

 and others in Europe that India is not just one level uniform plain 

 and that the accurate record of localities and elevations in the 

 specimens they describe increases the value of their work. Such a 

 locality as " Indes Oriental es " is meaningless; North Bengal may 

 be Pusa at 150 feet elevation, Kurseong at 4,700 feet, or Darjiling 

 at 7,000 feet, the three places being tropical, sub- tropical and 

 palgearctic, respectively. If anyone is in doubt as to the elevation, 

 latitude or longitude, or the faunal area of an^^ Indian locality, we 

 will do our best to enlighten him. The accurate record of localities 

 is an extremely important matter, and we hope that such vague 

 terms as "Indes Orientales," " India Orientalis," " Deccan," 

 ''Bengal," "South India," will pass completely out of use and 

 give place to greater accuracy. 



