420 



Correspondence. 



These remarks apply in particular to the Natural History of this country, 

 which appears to be but imperfectly known, even to those from whom 

 we have some right to expect more than ordinary or common-place 

 information. Take for example, the Anglo-Hindoostanee lexicographer, 

 (Mr. Shakspear,) who gives such definitions as the following: — (Thomp- 

 son's Oordoo Dictionary on the basis of Shakspear' 's.) 



Bunsee-but — name of a plant. Bhung'ua — a kind of fish. 

 Buz'a — name of a bird. Geuth — name of a fish. 



By'la — a species of bird. Gohoonuh — a kind of snake. 



Definitions like these, (and there are numerous others, though, no 

 doubt, the best that the author could give,) are little calculated to en- 

 lighten those who, like myself, having no scientific knowledge or 

 scientific works of reference on the Natural History of this country, 

 are unable to recognize the name or class of any object which may fall 

 under their notice, though familiar with the native name, if that, 

 through the medium of a more communicative Dictionary, could but be 

 identified with its correct English synonyme. 



If, however, your excellent Journal be open to the correspondence 

 of enquirers like myself, the defects to which I have adverted will very 

 speedily be corrected, and the Natural History of India be no longer, 

 as it now is, a mystery to the unlearned.* Information may be sought 

 regarding the names, habits, &c. of the birds, beasts, fishes, insects, and 

 reptiles, of the land in which we live, and the information so sought may 

 be in your power, or that of some one of your contributors to furnish ; 

 thus not merely gratifying the enquirer, but also a very large class of 

 your readers. 



To illustrate one means through which information may be elicited, 

 I beg to forward and place at your disposal, with this letter, a bottle 

 containing two snakes, and an insect bearing some resemblance to a 

 large cockroach. 



The lower of the two snakes was caught some days ago, and killed 

 by immersion in hot water. The servants here say, that its native 

 name is " Chittee." Dr. Russell, in his continuation of " Indian Ser- 

 pents," describes a Coluber, (No. 4,) and illustrates it with a coloured 



* The Journal of Natural History is intended for such communications as the one now 

 inserted from our excellent correspondent, from whom we hope to hear often. The serpents 

 presented, are Coluber Nooni Paragoodoo, Russ. No. 21, which seems to be called Chittee in 

 Bengal, a name which in Madras is bestowed on quite a different species. The other two 

 specimens are the Wanna Pam of Russell, or Coluber Stolatus, Lin. The Naowur is as suggested 

 by our correspondent, the Ncpa grandis of Hutton, or large water Scorpion ; the other insect is 

 a locust. — Ed. 



