678 



EEPORT — 1881, 



to those of Jerdon abeady quoted. There is no occasion for very detailed disserta- 

 tions on habits, distribution, &c., althouf^h a condensed account is necessary, 

 together with sufficient references to enable a student to consult other works on 

 the subject. Of each species a brief synonymy with the more important references, 

 a concise description, and a sufficient account of variation, habits, and distribution 

 should be given, enough to enable a fairly intelligent obser^-er to identify each 

 species and to learn the principal facts in its history, and to assist those who wish 

 for further information in consulting the literature of the subject. Synopses or 

 keys for the determination of families, genera, and species are desirable, and illus- 

 trations of structiu'e and occasionally of whole animals would be very important 

 additions. The best illustrations would perhaps be furnished by woodcuts in the 

 text. The best size for volumes is from 400 to 600 pages. Books are far better 

 printed in England, and quite as cheaply as in India, whilst all illustrations are 

 much better and more cheaply executed in the former country. 



It is very difficult to ascertain what is the number of Invertebrata known to 

 occur in India. The vertebrate species can be enumerated with a nearer approach 

 to accuracy. No attempt has been made to determme the marine Invertebrata. 

 Taking the ' red line ' as a limit, and including protected and tributary States such 

 as Baluchistan, Cashmere and its dependencies, and Nepaul, and adding Ceylon, 

 the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the following is an approximation to the 

 number of species hitherto described in the various classes and orders named, only 

 terrestrial and fluviatilo Invertebrata being included. A considerable amovmt of 

 time has been devoted to these lists, but it is to be feared tliat, in the case of the 

 Invertebrata, they are very imperfect. Those marked with a note of interrogation 

 are, indeed, little more than guesses. 



3990 



MoLLTisCA (Land and Freshwater only). 



12,370 



