364 Further Notice of the Species of Wild Sheep. [April, 



Hodgson will find it necessary to become familiarly acquainted with 

 many more Species of wild Sheep, than those found upon the Himalaya, 

 if he thinks of subdividing the series otherwise than most crudely and 

 unsatisfactorily ; and when he has properly studied the whole genus, 

 even as now known, he will find its subdivision considerably more 

 difficult than may seem to him at present, and he will then be able to 

 declaim with a better grace on the short-comings of others, who 

 may have opportunities and local advantages which he has not, as he 

 likewise enjoys some which they would assuredly not fail to turn to due 

 account. 



Should it prove that O. musimon is really devoid of the facial cavities, 

 the value of this character would fall to a mere specifical distinction ; 

 for however the wild Sheep may be arranged into minor groups, the 

 O. Vignei (which has the sinuses) could scarcely be placed in a different 

 subdivision from O. musimon. And to the same group must be referred 

 O. Gmelini and 0. ophion, though together perhaps forming a subsec- 

 tion of it ! Both in O. Gmelini and O. Vignei, we find indications of 

 affinity with the African O. tragelaphus. 



12. O. ophion, nobis. Founded on the coloured figure and de- 

 scription, by M. M. Brandt and Ratzeburgh, of a specimen in the Berlin 

 Museum. 



13. O. aries, L. The domestic Sheep. Several wild types, as I 

 still strongly suspect : but none of those above enumerated ; unless, to 

 a partial extent, O. Vignei, though even this very doubtful. 



14? 0. (?) Ixalus probaton, Ogilby. Described from a hornless 

 specimen, which is at least closely allied to Ovis. 



15. O. tragelaphus, Pallas. A well known species. Described 

 from specimens, observed both alive and in museums. 



The reader may now judge of the data upon which I founded my 

 various new species of wild Ovis ; and equally of Mr. Hodgson's dis- 

 paraging assertion of my " founding many of them upon an inspection 

 of the horns solely." Such assertions, if not promptly repelled, as I 

 trust this has been, are calculated to damage the reputation of a work- 

 ing zoologist, who should endeavour to do the utmost that is fairly 

 practicable with the means at his disposal ; but who should know 

 better than to transgress the bounds of moderation in these matters, 

 as by publishing such a name as Asinus equioides to the world, upon 



