Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/136

108 lum, and takes a curve, passing with a slight deflection over the pectoral fin, thence straight to the middle of the tail. The colour of the whole upper surface is a dark reddish brown, mottled with rather large black-brown spots and irregular smaller markings, which extend over the fins. The pectoral fin on the under side much smaller than the upper, 4½ lines in length, the under side perfectly smooth, and when alive of a pure white, which changes to a pinkish white after death, with a silvery spot on the gill-covers; the colour of the back also fades considerably.

It will be seen by the figure that this fish is distinct from Rhombus punctatus, which Mr. Yarrell describes as having the caudal free, the dorsal and anal passing under it, as in the above. The spots on the back seem to correspond tolerably well with those in Mr. Yarrell's figure.

The specimen was taken in a drift net off Teignmouth, the 2nd of January, 1843, and was perfectly unknown to the fishermen.

F.W.L. Ross.

Note on the voracity and carnivorous propensity of the Eel. On the 21st of May, 1829, I was witness to a scene of no ordinary occurrence. Whilst walking near the bank of the principal water in Pilling, in the parish of Garstang, Lancashire, I beheld opposite to me a large rat, apparently struggling and evidently much alarmed, in a