132 



JOURNAL, R.A.S, (CEYLON). [VOL. XIIL 



south-east of Persia. The first objection has little weight. 

 The paddy-field deer is by no means uncommon, and yet 

 during nearly twenty years' residence in the Island I have 

 never seen one, nor have my interviews with headmen 

 and promises of large rewards to native huntsmen availed 

 to secure a specimen for the Museum. As for the geo- 

 graphical distribution, this species extends from the Atlantic 

 coast of Africa, all along the south coast of the Mediter- 

 ranean, through Asia Minor into Persia. 



The British Museum contains a specimen of the closely 

 allied species T. leithii, found in Egypt and Syria, which 

 is labelled Scinde. This Dr. Boulenger accounts for by the 

 hypothesis that Dr. Leith purchased a specimen imported 

 into that country. This may be the case with this individual. 

 It is useless, however, to discuss the question, until we 

 obtain more information ; suffice it to state that it was 

 purchased of a man who said he picked it up on the sea- 

 shore at Vellawatta, and that he had seen the species- 

 before. 



3. Mr. Harwabd read the following :— 



