\m JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII. 
The most important Fauna met with in these jungles are the Langur Monkey 
{Semnopitkecus entellus) whose hordes under Hanuman rescued Sita from the 
clutches of Ravan, the demon king of Ceylon ; the little brouTi bandar (Macacus 
rhesus). Tiger {Felis tipris). Leopard {F. pardus), Hyaena (H. striata). Wild dog 
(Cyan dukhunensis). Jackal (Cams aureus). Black Bear (Mehirsus ursinus). 
Nilgai* (Boselaphus tragommelus). Black Buck (Antilope cervicapra), the Four- 
homed antilope (Tertacervus quadricornis), Chital (Cervus axis), Sambhar (C. 
unicolor). Wild Boar (Sus cristatus). 
The bison and buffalo, once common, have long disappeared in this part of the 
country. In Mughal days elephants and lions were numerous, the lion surviving 
in the neighbourhood to modem times, the last being shot near Guna on W^aterloo 
day 1872. The usual game birds and reptilia of course exist in this area. 
Round Kachnaria, tales of snakes being numerous and scorpions abounding 
were circrdated, as is not unusual, the presence of such unpleasant neighbours 
being calculated to impress visitors. But in point of fact Colonel Luard, who is 
* Regarding Nilgai, Col. Luard, the Political Agent in Bhopal, told me 
of a rather useful way of making use of a Nilgai skin when shot. In view 
of the fact that a Nilgai is generally considered one of the poorest trophies 
afforded to the sportsman in India — this information is most valuable. Col. Luard 
told me “ A Nilgai skin, if chrome tanned is porous and make a wonderful water 
cooler ; it will make a jar of butter placed in it in the hot weather as hard as if 
it had been iced, and make the temperature of water as cold as possible.” 
Col. Luard very kindly had a drawing made for me of a Nilgai skin water 
cooler. Nilgai marrow bones by the way are as is well known, exceedingly 
good eating. The leather is as good as sambhar leather for making shikar 
boots and gaiters. 
PLAN 
PLAN 
SHOWING 
COMPARTMENTS FOR 
BOTTLES. 
SHOWING 
WOODEN BASE WITH 
DRAIN HOLES. 
NILGAI SKIN WATER-COOLER. 
