AN ISLAND IN THE CHILKA LAKE. 287 



axis) has been introduced. Their effect on the vegetation has not, however, been 

 very great except perhaps in preventing the introduction of new species, as there are 

 few plants in it suitable for their food. They leave the Glycosmis, the Tephrosia, 

 the Crotalaria and most of the other shrubs and larger herbs untouched, and feed 

 mainly on the leaves of Canthium parviflortim and Capparis hrevispina and on the 

 scanty herbage of cleared and levelled ground. This has the effect of dwarfing the 

 latter still further. The deer have also eaten away the leaves and twigs of fig-trees 

 accessible to them, thus giving the trees a somewhat peculiar appearance, as though 

 all their lower branches had been pruned. This is particularly noteworthy in the 

 trees immediately round the bungalow, the trunks of which are protected by brick- 

 work. 



In the foregoing pages I have attempted to write a summary analysis of the 

 main factors other than zoological that have influenced and are influencing the fauna 

 of the island of Barkuda. Various specialists have been kind enough to promise 

 me reports on different groups of animals. To them, as well as to the botanists and 

 geologists mentioned in my prefatory note, m}^ hearty thanks are due. 



Let me in conclusion reiterate my firm conviction that to study the fauna of any 

 area as a whole, and gain a clear conception of its peculiarities and their causation, 

 it is necessary first to study the physiography, paleontology and vegetation of that 

 area. It is highly desirable, moreover, that the observer sho d have the knowledge 

 of the principles of zoological taxonomy only to be gained by practical experience. 

 The generous co-operation with which those I have mentioned have as.sisted me has 

 alone made my work on Barkuda possible, but may not the mere fact that it has 

 been possible, and indeed not very difficult, to carry out a preliminary investigation 

 of the kind embodied in this memoir, perhaps indicate that pure museum taxo- 

 nomy plays too important a part in our present ideals of faunistic work ? Taxo- 

 nomy is necessary and valuable, but can any faunistic investigation be considered 

 complete, or even placed on a firm basis^ when the work of the taxonomist is accom- 

 plished without reference to environment ? 



