542 Remarks on the 



The iEgagrus is here ranked as a species distinct from 

 the domestic races, although it is still an undecided point 

 whether the latter have sprung from the former or not. 



There is likewise a note on the Himalayan Ibex or 

 Skeen, which Mr. Blyth has pronounced to be distinct from 

 the European species. Of this animal I now possess the horns 

 and a skin, the markings of which correspond very exactly 

 with those of C. Ibex of Europe ; it is of a brownish grey 

 colour, with dorsal stripe and black band on the shoulders, 

 with the anterior part of the limbs dark brown or black, and 

 a black tail and beard. The tips of the horns in this decided- 

 ly wild species are likewise turned inwards in the two speci- 

 mens in my possession. The inward spiral turn of the horns 

 in the Markbur would seem therefore to be a very poor, or 

 indeed no proof, of the animal's descent from the domestic 

 stock ; for I have here cited no less than four wild species, 

 which have either constantly or occasionally the tips of the 

 horns turned inwards, while I possess domestic goats, whose 

 spiral horns turn strongly outwards at the apex. 



Remarks on the Calcutta Delta. By Capt. Hutton. 



To the Editor of the Calcutta Journal of Natural History. 



My dear Sir, 



Looking upon the " Calcutta Journal of Natural History," as the 

 channel through which the fair and impartial discussion of scientific 

 subjects is to be carried on, I make no apology for troubling you with a 

 few remarks on your summary of the causes, and changes which have 

 been instrumental to the present condition of that portion of the Gangetic 

 Delta, through which the late boring experiments in Fort William have 

 been made. 



I trust, however, that no difference of opinion, as to the correctness 

 of the theories we respectively follow, will give rise to the expression or 

 exhibition of other feelings, than those which should ever characterise 

 the discussions of such subjects, and that we may ever bear in mind, 



