FAUNA OP CEYLON. 13 



unearthed, while four species are still living, is one of those 

 animal types which are of peculiar interest to the morphologist 

 on account of their ancient lineage (a record of which has been 

 preserved in the sedimentary rocks), their primitive or generalized 

 organization, and their manifold affinities. 



There is an imperfect specimen of Limulus moluccanus* in the 

 Colombo Museum, labelled " Dutch Bay," but no further informa- 

 tion is available, and the fishermen of Karativu know nothing 

 about the creature. 



Colombo, February 5, 1903. 



* For the most recent account of the classification and distribution of the 

 Limulidfe, see Pocock, R. I. The taxonomy of recent species of Limulua, Ann. 

 Nat. Hist. (7th series), vol. IX., pp. 250-266, pi. V.-VI., 1902. For an acicount of 

 the morphology and affinities of Linmlus:, Professor E. Ray Lankester's article 

 "Arachnida" in the first of the new volumes of the Encyclopjedia Britannica 

 (1902) should be consulted. 



