392 CATALOGUE OF 



ductions, as in climate, from all places situated on the low open level 

 of the Gangetic plains. The Anth. Paphia avoids the open plain, as 

 well as the mountainous heights, and, as seems to me, is exclusively 

 confined to primitive forests, on the level, or near it, of the plains. 

 If, therefore, the species be found wild in Bhaugulpore, Sylhet, Chit- 

 tagong, or even Chota Nagpore, it is, I apprehend, confined in all 

 those districts to the uncultivated and forest tracts at the base of 

 their respective hill-ranges. Further inquiry as to the food of the 

 wild worm of the Saul forest confirms my prior information that this 

 species feeds almost, if not quite, exclusively on the leaves of Shorea 

 robusta ; and, as that tree extends not westerly beyond Hurdwar, the 

 habitat of Kussowlee appears to me dubious, unless there be some 

 mistake about the species. 



" The above remarks," continues Mr. Hodgson, " may seem tire- 

 some ; but those who are aware of the stress now laid on the geo- 

 graphic distribution of species, and of the numerous errors of fact 

 that have crept into the subject, as relates to this quarter, from the 

 source above adverted to, will probably deem otherwise. My atten- 

 tion was drawn to the subject of the distribution of silkworms in 

 India, with reference to the notices which the classics have left us 

 of the ancient trade of India with the "West, in the Roman times 

 particularly." 



To the above Mr. Frith replies : — " Regarding the geographical 

 distribution of the species, I am almost at a loss how to satisfy 

 Mr. Hodgson as to the circumstance of its being found at Darjeeling, 

 having received it from thence myself from a party collecting for me. 

 Again, those from Cherra Poonjee were collected by persons on the 

 spot, who are employed by me for the sole purpose of forming 

 entomological collections." 



Again Mr. Hodgson writes : — " The wide diffusion of silkworms 

 throughout the continent of India in the plains seems clear, and is a 

 very interesting circumstance with reference to what we find in the 

 classics about the trade of India with Europe in the latter days of 

 Rome, and thereafter. Mr. Taylor (Journal Asiatic Society of Bengal) 

 supposed that the chief ' things in commerce ' in those days were 

 products of Assam only. But I had long before traced most of them 

 as indigenous products of all India extra Gangem, from Suddiah to 

 Hurdwar, leaving silk only as an apparent exception. It need be no 

 longer : fine wild worms of various kinds being, it now appears, found 

 north-west all the way to the debouche of the Ganges into the plains. 

 So far, then, I agree with Mr. Frith. But I confess myself still quite 



