Erythrcean Molhiscan Fauna. 197 



on a Collection of Marine Shells from Aden, with some 

 Remarks upon the Relationship of the Molluscan Fauna of 

 the Red Sea and Mediterranean," was read * before the 

 Zoological Society of London, being founded on gatherings 

 made bj Major f J. W. Yerbury, R.A., and the Rev. A. W. 

 Baynham. 



This was, up to the time of its issue, by far the most com- 

 plete list that had been compiled, and the author praise- 

 worthily rendered it more perfect still by appending the 

 species mentioned (a) by Dr. Jousseaume, (b) by Caramagna, 

 which had not been noticed by either Major Yerbury or 

 Mr, Baynham, 



These latter collected 269 species, and 83 are enumerated 

 in (a) and (^), making a total of 352 in all. 



Commander Shopland's collections nearly double this 

 number, and it may therefore be said, without fear of contra- 

 diction, that this experienced investigator can claim to have 

 done more than any of his predecessors towards rendering 

 such a catalogue complete. Most of his specimens have been 

 dredged — it would be impossible to make satisfactory- 

 gatherings otherwise ; and I can only express the earnest hope 

 that before many years have elapsed as assiduous a raala- 

 cologist may examine the shores and seas impinging on the 

 Hadramaut and Dhofar districts of South Arabia as far as 

 Muscat in the east, for I am not aware that any work to 

 speak of has been carried out in those localities. 



Further east, from Muscat, including the Persian Gulf, 

 along the Mekran coast of Baluchistan, to Karachi, Mr. F. W. 

 Townsend, of the Indo-Oceanic Telegraph Service, has for the 

 past five years been engaged in dredging wherever oppor- 

 tunity offered, and the results have been published in papers 

 by Mr. G. B. Sowerby J, and latterly by the writer §, many 

 novelties occurring. Mr. Townsend has hardly yet essayed 

 the 100-fathom line — indeed, 75 fathoms seems to be the 

 greatest depth he has yet attained ; but it is hoped he will 

 be able to effect this desirable end shortly, and so aid in 

 removing the reproach uttered by Dr. Giinther, F.R.S., 

 in the last annual Presidential Address to the . Linnean 

 Society H, when, speaking of the various deep-sea explorations 

 over the various marine areas of the world, he remarks : — 

 " We know nothing whatever of the sea to the west of the 

 Laccadives or of the north-western part of the Arabian Sea." 



* Proc. Zool. Soc. 1891, pp, 390 sqq. 



t Now Lieut.-Colonel. 



X Proc. Mai. Soc. Lond. i. pp. 160, 161, and pp. 278-280. 



§ Mem. Manch. Soc. vol. xli. part iii. 1897, &c. 



II Proc. Linn. Soc. 1896-97, p. 46. 



