Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 4 (1846).djvu/50

1216 Speaking of the Father Lasher (Cottus bubalis), he says "it will live along time out of water as has been already noticed ; yet, when taken out of the sea, if put into fresh water, it dies instantly." The ahove appears not to have been the result of Mr. Yar- rell's own observations, but to be extracted from ' Loudon's Magazine of Natural His- tory.' While staying at Brighton during the summer of last year, I took several " Rock Dolphins " as they are there called, with a hand line from the Chain Pier, and the following note on one I extract from my journal, "caught a rock dolphin which after being half an hour out of water and seven hours in fresh water is still alive." It did not shew any dislike to the fresh water, and when after the above period had ex- pired I transferred it to some sea water, it took no notice of the change. It died dur- ing the night. It appeared to be a sluggish fish, seldom moving, except when disturbed. Immediately I saw Mr. Yarrell's figure of the father lasher, I recognized my old friend the rock dolphin ; two of my friends did the same. — George Guyon, Ventnor; Isle of Wight, December 8th, 1845.

Singular mode of catching Eels. — In the hard frosts of last year I saw a method of eel-catching practised which was new to me, and would go far to prove that the hear- ing of fish is nearly deadened by cold. The eels had come, as they usually do in such cases, to the surface of the water immediately below the ice, and where it was clear, were easily seen. About two or three inches off them, a hole was cut through the ice large enough to admit a pair of nippers, with which the eel was summarily pulled out. Where there were reeds projecting through the ice the concussion carried downwards by any blow on them was sufficient to startle the fish, but where the ice was uninterrupted they usually lay quite still till extracted ; I tried the plan myself after watching it for some time, but did not calculate the difference of weight between myself and the boys whom I saw fishing, so that though the hole I broke was large enough in all conscience, it was in a position much more likely to give me as food for the fishes than vice versa. I saw only eels taken, but was informed that some perch and tench had also been captured in this singular way. — H.T. Frere, Aylsham.

Carnivorous propensity of common black slug.— A few days ago I caught a large black slug (Limax ater), in the act of devouring a common earth-worm, fully one- third of which had disappeared, when I left him to the enjoyment of his morning meal. — T.J. Bold; 42, Bigg Market, Newcastle.

Carnivorous propensity of common Slug. — In my daily walks between Exley and Halifax I have had opportunities of noticing the carnivorous propensities of the com- mon slug. I have twice observed them feeding on dead specimens of the family to which they belong, and once I watched one for nearly a quarter of an hour making a meal of a large worm. — Francis Richardson; Halifax, October 22nd, 1845.

Irish locality for Amphipeplea involuta. — This very beautiful little shell, so well known for its rarity, I had the satisfaction of taking in abundance, in September last, in the only locality in which it has hitherto been found in the United Kingdom. It was first discovered in Ireland by Mr. Harvey, of Limerick, and was subsequently taken by Mr. Thompson of Belfast, Mr. R. Ball of Dublin, and others, but always in exceed- ingly small quantities. It probably occurs in many of the lakes so common on the Kerry mountains ; nevertheless, it is a singular fact that it has not ever been observed in any other than the original locality. During a recent visit at Killarney I examined