1 850.] Lead Mines of Kohel et Terafeh. 2 1 7 



than in the two Indian species. Both scissor-teeth are indeed most 

 developed in T. microura, and the teeth generally are'more robust. 



The specimens of T. microura from Asam, like those of Nepal, have 

 generally a very minute tail, which can at least be distinctly enough 

 felt under the fur ; but those from the vicinity of Darjiling have no 

 external trace of tail, whether sent as skins or in spirit. I have found, 

 however, no perceptible difference in the skulls and dentition, nor in 

 any other character whatever, that should warrant us in considering 

 the tail-less Darjiling Moles as a distinct species, separable from T. 

 microura. The Society's museum contains T. leucura stuffed and in 

 spirit, and the skull of the specimen preserved in spirit has been 

 extracted and cleaned ; while the dentition of the stuffed specimen is 

 exposed, and is quite similar to that of the other here described. It is 

 not improbable that T. leucura may extend its range eastward into 

 China ; and in that direction we may look for additional species of Talpa, 

 if not also in western Asia. In Africa the genus is unknown, but is 

 represented in the south by Chrysochlore ; in N. America by Scalops 

 and Condylura ; while in S. America the Insectivora, Cuv., do not 

 occur, their functions being performed by numerous diminutive species 

 of Didelphys, as also may be said in Australia by the Ferameles 

 tribe ; and it is far from unlikely that Australia may yet be found to 

 produce a fossorial marsupial form, resembling the Moles as other 

 Marsupialia present an analogical but superficial likeness to certain 

 other Insectivora. 



Explanation of plate. Skulls of the genus Talpa, magnified to twice 

 the natural size. — 1, T. leucura — 2. T. microura. — 3. T. europcea. — 

 1, a. Tail of T. leucura, nat. size. — 3, a. Upper pseudo-canine of T. 

 europcea, magnified. 



Note on the Formations and Lead Mines of Kohel et Terafeh, Eastern 

 desert of Egypt, by Hekekyan Bey. Communicated by Captain 

 T. J. Newbold, F. R. S., Foreign Member of the Philomathique and 

 Geological Societies of France. 



Note. — The old Lead Mines of Kohel lie near the Red Sea, a day's journey N. 

 by E. from Gebel Zubdra, in about Lat. 24° 40'. Not far distant are the Lead 

 Mines of Gebel Rassds, (lit. mountain of lead.) 



The use of lead was known at an early epoch in the history of 

 Metallurgy. Mention of it is made by Moses in his song of triumph 



