382 DU. A. GtnN"THEK ON THE 



In the consideration of the TJrmi fauna we have to bear in 

 mind that the rivers of this basin do not communicate with the 

 sea, and, consequently, that migratory fishes are absent : like the 

 Jordan, they are not inhabited by shad, eel, sturgeon, or lamprey. 

 Neither is there direct communication between the rivers them- 

 selves in spite of the close proximity of their mouths, the water 

 of the lake being of such concentrated salinity as to prevent the 

 passage of fish from one river into another. Such an isolation of 

 the inhabitants of the several rivers must have been a favourable 

 factor for the development of differential specific characters. The 

 great severity of the climate in winter will account for the absence 

 of warmth-loving types such as Oyprinodon. 



If we are permitted to draw conclusions from so small a col- 

 lection, we may say that the fauna bears distinctly the character 

 of that of Central Europe, so far as the genera are concerned 

 (with the addition of Capoeta) ; and although the majority of the 

 species seem to be sufficiently differentiated local representatives, 

 two of them, namely, the Silurus and Chub, are identical with the 

 European forms. Probably further investigations may reveal 

 the presence of certain other fishes, such as stickleback, trout, 

 Mhodeus, which Mr. G anther has not been able to find ; but the 

 fish-faiina as a whole is certain to prove to be poor in species, 

 much poorer than that of the Kur and Araxes, to which, however, 

 it is most closely allied, as is evidenced by the identity (real or 

 supposed) of five out of the ten species enumerated below. 



The specimens were collected, — 



1. In the Tatawa Chai near Sujbulak, entering the south end 

 of the Lake. 



2. In the Grader Chai near Ocksa, likewise at the southern end 

 of the Lake. 



3. In the Urmi Eiver (Shaher Chai). 



4. In the Nazlu Chai, entering the north-western part of the 

 Lake, at Superghan near the mouth, and at Tergawar in its upper 

 courses. 



5. In the Zola Chai, near Ula. 



SiLITEUS GLANIS, L. 



It miight have been supposed that the Silurus of "Western 

 Persia would prove to be identical with the form which Sauvage * 



* Bull. Soc. Pliilom. 1882, p. 163 ; Nouv. Arch. Mus. 1884, vii. p. 19, pi. 

 fiff. 1. 



