Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/398

370 scarcely probable that our old friend the so-called "Cape Salmon," Otolithus æquidens, could be the fish referred to. I therefore sought, and not in vain, the opinion of Mr. G.A. Boulenger, of the British Museum, on the subject, who has informed me that the fish was probably a Herring, Chanos salmoneus. Dr. Günther describes this species as "extremely common; it enters fresh waters, and exceeds a length of four feet; its flesh is highly esteemed."

The Common Cockroach.—A few days ago my daughter brought me a full-grown Cockroach, Periplaneta orientalis, of a pure white colour, excepting the eyes; it was even whiter than the white satin moth, but before I had time to kill it the colour had changed to a light brown. It was found among some papers in a closet.— (33, Western Hill, Durham).

[Immediately after the moulting of the Cockroach its colour is of a creamy white; but after a few hours, and the influence of air and light, it acquires the depth of coloration characteristic of its age. Before reaching the adult form it changes the skin an uncertain number of times—not less than five, probably as many as seven. A good account of the Common Cockroach may be found in E.A. Butler's 'Our Household Insects.'—]