44 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



had previously been abundant, and this, taken in connection with the occur- 

 rence of heavy northerly gales and the presence of much inshore ice at the 

 north, leaves little doubt that some unusual lowering of temperature in the 

 warm belt brought immediate death to many of its inhabitants. 



From analogy and from the known facts of the case it therefore 

 seems possible that the fishes of the Colombo lake met their death 

 in consequence of the recent sudden alteration of meteorological 

 conditions. Unfortunately no specimens found their way to the 

 Museum, so that it is impossible to say what families, genera, or 

 species were most affected. This is the more to be regretted, 

 because the identification of the fishes would have rendered it 

 possible to put forward a more definite explanation of the 

 occurrence, and at the same time would have afforded useful 

 information for fishery purposes. In this connection it may be 

 pointed out that one of the chief objects of this journal is to 

 preserve exact and authoritative records of vital phenomena for 

 future guidance and reference. 



