1895.] THE MAMJIAIS OF ADEN. 543 



Examples of all the above-mentioned animals were collected by 

 Yerbury, with the exception of the Baboon and Monticelli's new 

 Bat, Vespertilio dogaleiisis ; and he also obtained or observed 

 examples of 29 additional species, bringing up the total to 36, a 

 number which is more than could have been expected from so 

 barren a place. 



Of these additional species four are Gerbilles, all of which, to our 

 surprise, prove to be quite distinct from any species found elsewhere, 

 and have therefore had to be described as new. 



On the whole, judging by the numbers of specimens of each sort 

 brought home, we think it probable that there are not many more 

 terrestrial species to be obtiiined at Aden, however many Bats or 

 marine mammals may hereafter be found to occur there. At the 

 same time, Yerbury believes that a second Vox and a second 

 Hare are to be found in the district, while, as will be seen below, 

 several animals, of the existence of which he has certain personal 

 knowledge, escaped captiu-e during iiis last visit. 



The following account of the localities is contributed by Yer- 

 bury :— 



The peninsula of Aden is situated in lat. 12° 47' N. and long. 44° 

 59' B., and is, roughly speaking, live miles in its greatest length and 

 three miles in breadth. The centre of the peninsula is formed by the 

 Shum Shum Range, the highest peak of which rises to 1760 feet. 

 From this range spurs run down to the sea, with deep ravines 

 between them ending at the sea in sandy beaches. On the north 

 side an elevated plateau lies between this range and the canton- 

 ment of Aden (the Crater); this plateau being deeply cut by 

 watercourses, the greater number of which form the feeding- 

 channels supplying the tanks. The peninsula is united to the 

 mainland by a low, sandy, barren isthmus, about two miles long by 

 three-quarters of a mile broad. 



Near Shaik Othman, five miles from the Barrier Gate, the aspect 

 of the country alters slightly, the plain being covered with salsola 

 bushes, while round Shaik Othman itself a considerable amount of 

 cultivation has sprung up in the last few j^ears. Onwards inland 

 the plain continues with some stunted salsola, baubal, and caper 

 bushes — in a few places the baubals having grown into good-sized 

 trees ; and so with a few rolling sand-hills here and there the plain 

 runs on until the outskirts of cultivation round Al Hautah (Lahej) 

 are reached, about sixteen miles from the Barrier Gate. About three 

 miles beyond this point the town of Al Hautah is arrived at, while 

 eight miles beyond Al Hautah is Haithalhim, \^"ith the remains of 

 an old garden ; close by the river bifurcates, and it is between 

 the branches of this fork that the bulk of the cultivation lies. 



This oasis is very fertile and produces jowari, Indian corn, telli, 

 and other crops ; there are, too, a few gardens with almond, cocoa- 

 nut, and other trees, and several groves of date-palms. From 

 near Haithalhim to Zaidah (six miles) the river runs in a single bed ; 

 there is always water in this part of the river (though in dry seasons 

 the water loses itself in both branches close to Haithalhim). There 



