leoptera and Lepidoptera of the adjoining Arabian peninsula, viewed at large, differ only specifically from those of the Mediterranean region, and that the greater part are also found in Egypt, Nubia, and Abyssinia. It may, perhaps, upon the whole, be not far from the truth to affirm, that throughout the southern parts of the country, nearly the same genera prevail as in Arabia, Persia, and on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean, but that the species are in most instances distinct. The northern division, however, from its comparatively elevated character, possesses a very different entomological fauna. It is nearly related to that of the Caucasus, which is remarkable for producing many fine species of Carabida, a tribe which seems to have its principal seat in the mountainous districts of Western Asia. Not a few European and even British forms, such as Papilio machaon, Parnassius Apollo, Pieris brassica, and Limenitis aceris, are well known to occur in the Himalayan range; and it is very probable that they likewise exist on the Taurus and its subordinate branches, as a kind of intermediate locality. Dr. Helfer had made a considerable collection, more particularly on the Euphrates, the publication of which was anxiously expected by entomologists. In the mean while we present the following short summary, which appears in Mr. Ainsworth's work. The most characteristic groups during the dry months are Truxales, Locustæ, and Acridium; some striped Lepidoptera, chiefly of the genus Maniola, also still flutter about. Four species of Pimelia occur in the most arid spots, two of which are very common. After the rains, 200 Coleoptera were obtained, among which many genera, supposed to be exclusively proper to the temperate and northern parts of Europe, or which have only a few representatives in a southern region, occur. Such are the Brachyletrous beetles, of which forty species were found, and five of Pselaphon, the type of which is considered Swedish. Dr. Hope had questioned whether there were a true Carabus on these plains; but Dr. Helfer * See Ménétié's Catalogue des objets d'histoire naturelle, recueillis dans un voyage fait au Caucase, &c., and the Bulletin de la Soc. des Nat. de Moscou. + We regret to learn that this accomplished naturalist, having incautiously exposed himself on the Andaman islands, Bay of Bengal, was cut off by the savage inhabitants on the last day of January, 1840. See Asiatic Journal, vol. xxxii., May to August, 1840, p. 152. found the C. Hemprichii one of the most common insects there. Melasoma and Pimeliaria are very numerous. The Curculionides furnished sixty species; Coccinella were in abundance; Crysomelina, rare; the Lamellicornes also furnished a bad harvest. Aphodi were particularly common, in certain seasons in flights like locusts. The prevailing types during spring are the Heteromera, and among these, especially, Pimeliaria.* A few cursory remarks were made by Mr. Rich in his travels through the eastern parts of the country, which may here be introduced. When describing his house at Solymaneah, he says, "In the divan khaneh (that part of the house where the master sees his visiters, and the men-servants reside) is a large hall, supported by posts, and almost dark: this is said to be a cool retreat in summer; but much annoyance arises from scorpions, which are said to be numerous, large, and venomous. Centipedes are also found here, but, I believe, are not much dreaded." In another place he remarks that a great quantity of honey of the finest quality is produced in Kurdistan, the bees being kept in hives of mud. Moschetoes and fleas, however, evidently attracted the largest share of this gentleman's attention. He talks of the latter as a terrible nuisance all over the East. Again, when courting repose at Solymaneah, swarms of sandflies soon demonstrated the folly of the attempt, "and our beds," he states, "were drawn into the talar; here our success was no better, and we were kept awake by these Kurdistan tormentors." In allusion to the Tigris, near Bagdad, he says, "The swarms of moschetoes are incredible; they literally filled the air, though there was a good strong breeze from the northwest, and the wind was cold. It was impossible to obtain the slightest rest for a moment."t If we are to give credit to Keferstein, the Cossus of the Greeks and Romans, which was regarded as a great luxury, was the larva of a large species of weevil (Calandra), and was brought from Persia and Mesopotamia to supply the tables of the rich. However this may be, we know that a large species of the same genus (C. palmarum) is in great request in Brazil, of which country it is a native, as an article of food. * Ainsworth's Researches, p. 47. Rich's Narrative, vol. i., p. 84-86, 142; vol. ii., p. 167. A. INDE X. ABBASSIDES, p. 230. Accad, ancient city of, 99, 129. Alexander the Great, 31, 70, 72, Al Heimar, mound of, 116, 118, 122, Ali Ullahis, sect of, 229, 289. Alp Arslan, a Seljuk monarch, 235. Amran, hill of, 111, 117, 120. Aneiza Arabs, a powerful tribe, 23, Angora goat, 316. Antony, Marc, 178; invades the Arabs, various tribes of, 22, 23, 260. Arbaces and Belesis, their revolt, 293. Asshur, founder of the Assyrian cient and modern divisions, 20- Assyrian monarchy, history of, 37- of information-Sacred Writ Its an- Astronomical knowledge of the an- B. Babel Mountains, 24, 294. Babylon, ancient, 18. Taken by Babylonia, ancient, 20, 24. Its fer- abundant, 95. Ruins of the cap- Sunkhera, ib. Babylonia, modern, 230-259. Bag- Babylonian kings, lists of, 42-45. |