THE ZOOLOGIST. 



THIRD SERIES. 



Vol. XVII.] NOVEMBER, 1893. [No. 203, 



A SCHEME FOR MAPPING THE GEOGRAPHICAL 

 DISTRIBUTION OF VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 



By Miller Christy, F.L.S. 



1. Introductory Remarks. — The following outline of a scheme 

 for the compilation of a comprehensive work on the Geographical 

 Distribution of Vertebrates, to consist of a coloured map to show 

 the distribution of each species, accompanied by descriptive 

 letter-press, was drawn up by me several years ago, at which 

 time I contemplated commencing a work on the distribution of 

 the vertebrate animals inhabiting the Palaearctie region upon the 

 lines herein suggested. Various causes combined to hinder the 

 actual commencement of the work, and now I regret to find that 

 my leisure promises to prove insufficient to allow of my carrying 

 it out for some time to come. Under these circumstances, as 

 this mere outline of my scheme involved a good deal of thinking 

 out, and as it may contain ideas useful to others (especially to 

 those undertaking monographs of genera or families), I have, 

 with the approval of the Editor, thought well to print it in 

 * The Zoologist,' though I do not claim for my ideas any great 

 originality. 



In brief, my scheme aimed at supplying a map for each 

 species, showing, by means of different colours, in considerable 

 detail, and with the nearest possible approach to accuracy, the 

 following points for each species : — 

 (a). Its present (indigenous) area of permanent residence 

 throughout the world ; 

 zoologist. — NOV. 1893. 2 I 



