Sunder Lal Hora

Author(s): E. G. Silas
Source: Copeia , May 29, 1956, Vol. 1956, No. 2 (May 29, 1956), pp. 134-136
Published by: American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1440452

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134
COPEIA, 1956, NO. 2

ScMdmT,
ScMdmT,Curator
Curatorofof
Zoology
Zoology
Emeritus,
Emeritus,
Chicago
Chicago
Natu-
Natu-anese
anesefishes
fishesin in
lifelife
colors"
colors"
(1931)
(1931)
or Okada,
or Okada,
Uchida,Uchid
ral
ral History
HistoryMuseum,
Museum,Chicago,
Chicago,
Illinois.
Illinois. and
and Matsubara's
Matsubara's "Illustrated
"Illustrated
text text
of Japanese
of Japanes
fishes"
fishes"(1935;
(1935;
seesee
Copeia,
Copeia,
1955:1955:
245) Tomiyama's
245) Tomiyama'
FISH MORPHOLOGY AND HIERARCHY. figures
figuresappear
appeara bit
a bit
gaudy
gaudy
and stylized.
and stylized.
How well
How wel
Parts II and III. (For Part I see Copeia, 1956: 66.)
they
they actually
actuallydepict
depict
the the
fishes
fishes
is impossible
is impossible
for onefor on
By Kiyomatsu Matsubara. 1955. (In Japanese.)-unacquainted
unacquainted with
withthethe
Japanese
Japanese
faunafauna
to say.to say.
Part II, of 815 pages, continues the systematic
accounts and keys from the ophidioids through the
REPTILES
REPTILES OFOFWEST
WESTAFRICA.
AFRICA.
By G.ByCansdale.
G. Cansdal
angler fishes. This section is followed by 15 pages
Penguin
PenguinBooks,
Books,
London,
London,
1955:1955:
104 pp.,
1048 pp.,
figs.8 figs
LES METAMORPHOSES DES BATRACIENS.
of general references, 19 pages of English glossary
with equivalents and definitions in Japanese, By
and P. C. J. Roth. Les Heures Scientifiques,
separate indices for scientific and Japanese Durod,
fish Paris, 1955: 98 pp., figs.
names. Part III, bound separately, contains 135
A BIBLIOGRAPHY ON THE VERTEBRATE
plates with 461 figures of fishes in black and white
FAUNA OF IRAQ AND NEIGHBORING
republished from various sources. Parts II and III
COUNTRIES. III. Reptiles and Amphibians.
are sold together for approximately $15.00. IV. Fishes. Iraq Natural History Museum,
Bagdad, 1955.
KEY TO THE FISHES OF INDIANA. By FISH SAVING, A HISTORY OF FISH PROC-
Shelby D. Gerking. Investigations of Indiana ESSING FROM ANCIENT TO MODERN
Lakes and Streams, 1955, 4: 49-86.-Deals with TIMES. By Charles L. Cutting. Philosoph
174 species (including Moxostoma breiceps andcal Library, N. Y., 1956: xv + 372, 45 pls
Notropis dorsalis, expected but not definitely re- 16 figs. $12.00.
DISEASES
corded from the state) in 29 families and 71 genera. OF FISHES. By C. van Duijn, J
Subspecies are recognized in 11 species, making Water Life, Dorset House, London, 1956: xii
185 forms. The format and much of the dichotomy 174, illus. $2.15.
is taken from Hubbs and Lagler. Petromyzon SNAKES AND SNAKE CATCHING IN SOUTH-
marinus and Carpiodes forbesi have been added ERN AFRICA. By R. M. Isemonger. Publ. by
since 1945. Recent nomenclatorial changes have Howard B. Timmins, 58 Long Street, Cape
been adopted (e.g., Ameiurus = Ictalurus, Schil- Town, 1955: 106 pp., 50 illus.
beodes = Noturus, Leucichthys = Coregonus, and ESSAYS IN MARINE BIOLOGY. Edited by
Clinostomus = Gila). There is an annotated list ofS. M. Marshall and A. P. Orr. Oliver and Boyd,
new distribution records for the 130 collections Edinburgh, 1953: vii + 144, figs. $1.75.
made since 1945, when the author's distributional
NORTH AMERICAN PRAIRIE. By J. E.
study appeared. A key to the families is followed Weaver. Johnsen Publ. Co., Lincoln, Neb.,
by a key to the species, each of which is given a1954: xi + 348, 87 figs., $5.00.
common name. There are no illustrations. THE SNAKES OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN.
By K. G. Charpurey. Popular Book Depot,
COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE Bombay, 1954: vi + 154, 76 figs.
FISHES OF JAPAN. By Toshiji Kamohara. THE WORLD AQUARIST. A quarterly journa
Hoikusha, Osaka, Japan, 1955: xi + 135, 64 col. published by World Federation of Aquarists
pls.-Another book of color plates of Japanese Administrative Center W.F.A., % W. Veldhuizen
fishes of the type put out in Japan so frequently 37, Stieltjeslaan, Hilversum, Netherlands. Vol. 1
and so well. As compared with Tanaka's "Jap- 1955.

EDITORIAL NOTES AND NEWS

SUNDER LAL HORA
been extinguished, and ichthyology in particu
The sudden death of Dr. Sunder Lalis Hora,
rendered poorer by the loss of one of its mo
accomplished
Director, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta, on devotees. His death has also left
December 8, 1955, comes as a great shock gapto
inhis
the scene of Indian zoology which will
hard
many friends and colleagues throughout the to fill.
world.
A very brilliant star in the world of science
Bornhas
in Hafizabad, Punjab, on May 2, 189

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 EDITORIAL NOTES AND NEWS PLATE I

Photograph by L. P. Schultz

Dr. Sunder Lal Hora, Dec. 2, 1953, Calcutta

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 EDITORIAL NOTES AND NEWS 135

Hora studied at the Das-Anglo Sanskrit High

among the foundations on which Hora's opinions
School, Jullunder, and later attended theon the broad zoological questions of adaptation
Govern-
ment College, Lahore, of the Punjab University.and evolution later became resolved. His work on
On a visit to Lahore in 1919 Dr. Nelson Annan- the torrential fauna culminated in a monograph on
the "Ecology, Bionomics and Evolution of Tor-
dale, founder and then Director of the Zoological
Survey of India, saw in Hora great promise and rential Fauna, with special reference to the organs
invited him to Calcutta to continue researches as anof attachment" (Trans. Roy. Soc. London (B)
218: 171-282), which will remain a classic on
associate. The distinguished Indian Zoologist Dr.
Baini Prashad was already working in Calcutta account of its masterly exposition. He felt that the
and after Hora's arrival, Drs. B. N. Chopra andunit of evolution is not an individual, much less a
chromosome, but that the entire population is
H. S. Rao joined their ranks in the early twenties,
to form a select band of Indian zoologists who affected by some external factors and hence that
received their training from Annandale. At the evolution may be defined as "an increase in the
Survey, Hora was appointed Assistant Superin- capacity of a group of individuals to respond to the
changes in the environment in a way more suitable
tendent in 1921 in charge of ichthyology and her-
petology and later became Superintendent andtointhe conditions of existence."
1947, when Prashad was called to advise the Gov- He was critical of the usage of the term "non-
ernment on matters of fisheries developmentadaptive
in characters" and would rather have them
India, Hora became Director. labelled as "uninvestigated characters." He con-
Hora's prolific output of research began withsidered
a "preadaptation" as partly explaining how
faunistic study of "The Fish of Seistan," written certain animals could colonize difficult situations,
in 1920 in collaboration with Annandale. In recent or "dynamic environmental conditions" such as a
years, despite heavy administrative duties, fre- torrential environment, or the breaker zone close
quent travels and other preoccupations he continuedto the shore, where everything is subordinated to
his interest in research with the same vigour and the environment. His views on convergent and
at the time of his death had published over four divergent evolution are well expressed not only in
hundred scientific papers on a great variety of his works on the hill-stream fauna, but also in his
subjects, mainly dealing with various aspects of studies of the evolution of the air-breathing fishes
ichthyology. He had an abiding interest in the and the adaptations of the gobioid fishes of the
study of animal ecology, adaptation and evolution Gangetic estuary. He attributed the marked re-
and later became concerned with zoogeographical semblance of the homalopterid and gastromyzonid
and palaeogeographical problems. fishes, to an extreme case of convergence and de-
Hora always recalled with love and gratitude the
duced the origin of the two groups which he later
lasting influence Annandale had on his thought andtreated as phyletically separate families, the former
early scientific development; for, from him he evolved from the Cyprinidae and the latter from
the Cobitidae.
acquired an insatiable curiosity to delve into the
habits and habitats of the animals that he came Early in 1927 he contemplated a much-needed
across. Annandale advocated a policy, whereby revision of Day's "Fishes" in the Fauna of British
each member of his staff had the opportunityIndia of series, but his various other activities inter-
spending a few months every year in the fieldfered.
and However, his many faunistic studies and
Hora himself availed of this from the very begin-revisions of Oriental cyprinoid and siluroid fishes
ning and developed an uncanny knack for selectingwill serve as a foundation for any future compre-
hensive work on Indian fishes.
problems in the field which were worthy of inten-
Hora's researches of hill-stream fishes led him
sive laboratory study. To him animals were complex
on to zoogeographical and palaeogeographical
systems interacting always with the almost equally
studies and in 1937 he propounded the "Satpura
complex and ever-changing environment. Hence
it is no wonder that his writings, whether they
hypothesis"
be to explain the occurrence in Peninsular
in systematic ichthyology or in faunistic studies
India of fishes closely allied to those of the Malaya
are all impregnated with much valuable data Peninsula. His attack on this problem became a
gained through field observations. This quality
collaborative synthesis of biological, meteorological,
marked him as an outstanding field naturalist.geological and geographical data which led to a
It was while engaged in a field survey of meaningful
the interpretation of a considerable amount
Manipur Valley in the eastern Himalayas (Assam)
of faunistic and taxonomic data. Although opinions
with Annandale that Hora was first struck by may the slightly differ as to the different time of migra-
amazing adaptations of animals inhabiting the tion indicated by Hora, the major part of his thesis
remains irrefutable.
hill-streams. Subsequently, both studied the adap-
tive modifications of fishes and batrachians in- Hora became interested in fisheries while doing
habiting the hill-streams. These researches were
the "Fish and Fisheries of Manipur...," in 1920.

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136 COPEIA, 1956, NO. 2

Between
Between1942 1942andand1947,
1947,as as
Director
Director
of Fisheries,
of Fisheries,recovered.
recovered.Not Notbeing
being oneoneto to
be be
downed
downedby circum-
by circum-
Bengal,
Bengal, hehewas
wasable
abletotofurther
further hishis
interests
interests
in this
in thisstances,
stances,hehesoon
soonresumed
resumed thethe
full
full
swing
swing
of activity.
of activity.
field
field and
andbefore
beforelonglong was
was recognized
recognized
as aasleading
a leading His
His tireless
tirelessactivity
activity after
afterillness
illness
waswas
astounding.
astounding.
exponent
exponentof ofpond
pondculture
cultureof of
freshwater
freshwater
fishes and, and, Nothing
fishes Nothingcouldcoulddiminish
diminish hishis
ardor
ardor
forfor
work.
work.
For For
at
at the
the time
timeofofhishisdeath
deathhadhad
completed
completed an extensivesuch
an extensive such aa soul,
soul,nothing
nothing is is
more
morebefitting
befitting
thanthan
to face
to face
treatise
treatiseon onthe
thesubject.
subject. Many
Many in America
in America will will the
the end
endwhile
whileininthe
the line
line
of of
duty.
duty.
On On
December
December6, 6,
remember
rememberhis hislast
lastvisit
visit
to to
this
this
country,
country,
when
whenunder
under while
while addressing
addressinga ameeting
meeting in in
thethe
Asiatic
Asiatic
Society
Society
the
the auspices
auspicesofofthe
theUnited
UnitedNations,
Nations,
he opened
he opened
a aof
of Bengal,
Bengal,hehehad
hada second
a second stroke
stroke
andand
passed
passed
discussion on "Pond Culture of Warm Water away
away two
twodays
dayslater.
later.
It It
is is
unfortunate
unfortunate
thatthat
timetime
Fishes" at Lake Success in 1949. His advice on ran so short that he could not fulfill some of his
major projects.
fishery matters was always sought by the Govern-
ment of India, by the different State Fishery
Only those who knew the Horas well can say
officials in India, and by fisheries biologistshow much he and science owed to his wife's sym-
from
other countries. He represented India inpathetic
many understanding and her devoted care of
international fisheries conferences. him during and after his period of illness in 1953.
A born naturalist, Hora's interest in wildlifeHe is survived by her and by one son and two
conservation can be well understood. As Honorary daughters.
General Secretary of the Indian Board for Wildlife In this brief notice, I am able to give only a
Conservation, he helped a great deal in the formu-glimpse of the many sided activities of a versatile
genius and a great teacher-one who has been a
lation of plans for more judicious methods of wild-
life conservation, for the formation of National great asset to his country and to science in general.
Parks, etc. -E. G. Silas, Scripps Institution of Oceanography,
Hora became deeply interested in assessing the University of California, La Jolla, California, and,
knowledge of ancient Hindus concerning the fishes Trivandrum, Travancore-Cochin, India.
and fisheries of India, with the idea of tackling
fishery problems in India today against the back- Daniel Giraud A ARD of the Daniel
ground of the wealth of traditional knowledge that ElliotElliot
MedalMedal L Giraud Elliot Medal of
had hitherto remained buried in Pall and Sanskrit the National Academy of
literature. His many contributions on this themeSciences to DR. ARCHIE CARR of the University
were published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Florida in recognition of his "Handbook of Turtle
Hora's pre-eminence in the field of biology in was announced February 2 by the President of th
Asia was well recognized and he was honoured byAcademy, DR. DETLEV W. BRONK.
various scientific bodies both in India and abroad. The Elliot Medal has been awarded by the Acad
He recalled with pleasure his election as an Honor- emy annually since 1917 under a provision of th
ary Foreign Member of the American Society of will of DANIEL GIRAUD ELLIOT expressing his wi
Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. The highest to provide a medal and honorarium to the autho
honour that his country and fellow scientists could of any paper, essay, or other work published eac
bestow on him was accorded him in 1954, when he year in zoology or paleontology and judged by t
was elected General President of the Indian Science Academy to be of outstanding merit.
Congress Association for that year.
As a man, Hora was well above medium height
and of heavy build. During college days he dis-
Senckenberg LA COMPREHENSIV
account of the amphib-
kMuseum, ians and reptiles of South
tinguished himself in the athletic field. He wasFrankfurt
quite unassuming and possessed a rare blend of a Mn, western Africa by DR.
am Main ,
humility and kindness. He was an excellent speakeram Main, ROBERT MERTENS, has been
and writer, a good conversationalist and had a published in "Abhandlungen
capacious mind. As an administrator, he was mildly der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesell-
firm but no dictator. He was always ready to praise schaft" (No. 490, 1955). The extensive material
the scientific success of his colleagues, and gave
collected by DR. MERTENS during the winter of
every encouragement to members of his staff and1954-55 in Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela has arrived
pupils who will always remember him as a wisein Frankfurt. The investigations on the difficult
and friendly counselor and a revered master. InPeruvian Tropidurus are already terminated and in
keeping with the tradition handed down to himpress. The herpetological collection, brought from
by his distinguished predecessors, he kept the
the Galapagos Islands by DR. EIBL-EIBESFELDT
Zoological Survey of India in the forefront of in-with the "Xarifa" Expedition, has been received.
DR. EIBL has described a remarkable new form of
stitutions of its kind in the world, and as a center
for zoological research in India. Amblyrhynchus cristatus. Another important acquisi-
Early in 1953 he suffered a heart attack, buttion is the herpetological collections of the Museum

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