OCR Text |
Show 1895.] THE MAMMALS OF ADEN. 543 Examples of all the above-mentioned animals were collected by Yerbury, with the exception of the Baboon and Monticelli's new- Bat, Vespertilio dogalensis-, and he also obtained or observed examples of 29 additional species, bringing up the total to 36, a number which is more than could have been expected from so barren a place. Of these additional species four are Gerbilles, all of which, to our surprise, prove to be quite distinct from any species found elsewhere, and have therefore had to be described as new. O n the whole, judging by the numbers of specimens of each sort brought home, w e think it probable that there are not many more terrestrial species to be obtained at Aden, however many Bats or marine mammals may hereafter be found to occur there. At the same time, Yerbury believes that a second F'ox and a second Hare are to be found in the district, while, as will be seen below, several animals, of the existence of which he has certain personal knowledge, escaped capture during his last visit. The following account of the localities is contributed by Yerbury :- The peninsula of Aden is situated in lat. 12° 47' N . and long. 44° 59' E., and is, roughly speaking, five miles in its greatest length and three miles in breadth. The centre of the peninsula is formed by the Shum Shum Range, the highest peak of which rises to 1760 feet. From this range spurs run down to the sea, with deep ravines between them ending at the sea in sandy beaches. On the north side an elevated plateau lies between this range and the cantonment of Aden (the Crater); this plateau being deeply cut by watercourses, the greater number of which form the feeding-channels supplying the tanks. The peninsula is united to the mainland by a low, sandy, barren isthmus, about two miles long by three-quarters of a mile broad. Near Shaik Othman, five miles from the Barrier Gate, the aspect of the country alters slightly, the plain being covered with salsola bushes, while round Shaik Othman itself a considerable amount of cultivation has sprung up in the last few years. Onwards inland the plain continues with some stunted salsola, baubal, and caper bushes-in a few places the baubals having grown into good-sized trees; and so with a few rolling sand-hills here and there the plain runs on until the outskirts of cultivation round Al Hautah (Lahej) are reached, about sixteen miles from the Barrier Gate. About three miles beyond this point the town of Al Hautah is arrived at, while eight miles beyond Al Hautah is Haithalhim, with the remains of an old garden; close by the river bifurcates, and it is between the branches of this fork that the bulk of the cultivation lies. This oasis is very fertile and produces jowari, Indian corn, telli, and other crops; there are, too, a few gardens with almond, cocoa-nut, and other trees, and several groves of date-palms. From near Haithalhim to Zaidah (six miles) the river runs in a single bed; there is always water in this part of the river (though in dry seasons the water loses itself in both branches close to Haithalhim). There |