Note on the capture of Apate capucinus. I took a remarkably large and fine specimen of this rare insect in Kensington Gardens, in July, 1839.-F. Holme; Oxford.

Note on the variableness of Aphodius rufescens. Aphodius rufescens varies occasionally to an uniform dull piceous black, having only the anterior angles of the thorax rufous. Stephens does not notice this variety, and I had been at a loss to what species to refer an individual which had been for some years in my cabinet, when in September, 1838, I found several others in company with the common one, and a complete series of intermediate stages of suffusion. Perhaps it is an autumnal change. -Id.

Note on the habits of a Water-beetle. I derived great amusement, a few days since from watching the movements of a large Dyticus in a ditch, which the extraordinary clearness of the air and water gave me unusual facilities for doing. The minnows and other small fry gave way in all directions on its approach, apparently in great alarm; but I did not perceive that any symptoms of hostility were manifested by the insect, whose speed appeared to be inferior to theirs, although I have found that specimens confined in a bottle, speedily dispatched and devoured any small fish enclosed with them, (Zool. 200). I was an eye-witness however to the fate of a luckless leech, upon which the Dyticus darted while wriggling its way out of a tuft of aquatic herbage, and seizing it, as appeared to me, with the jaws and fore feet at once, carried it off under the bank. Esper, who kept one of these insects alive for a long period, states that it will attack and kill the giant Hydrous piceus, by seizing it in the only vulnerable part, between the head and thorax. But with all deference to the high authority of the German naturalist, I much doubt the practicability of this; since, setting aside the powerful means of defence possessed by the prey, it appears impossible for a Dyticus to seize any object except from above, its attitude in the water being always with the head much lower than the other extremity, from the preponderance in swimming power of the hinder limbs, which prevents its raising the head even to a horizontal posture; the mandibles also are covered above by the labrum, so as to be unable to act on any object above them: and it is only on the under side of the neck that the Hydrous can be attacked with success, as the juncture of the head is protected above by the overlapping of the prothorax.-Id.

Anecdote of long abstinence in a Beetle. Walking near Porrock-wood in Kent, on the 24th of September last, I found a specimen of Melasoma Populi, which I put into a card-board pill-box and forgot it. On the 28th of February I accidentally opened the box and found the beetle as lively as when I put it there, its long abstinence from food appeared to have had no effect on it, but in fonr days after it died. I do not remember any account of this insect living so long without food.-Geo. J. Dalman; 61, Willow Walk, Finsbury, April 30, 1844.

Note on the occurrence of the Glow-worm in Scotland. So far as I am aware, the glow-worm is very seldom seen north of the Tweed. Two localities where it is found have come to my knowledge. The one is the Girvan hills in Ayrshire, which lie on the shore of the Atlantic, nearly opposite to the picturesque rock of Ailsa. The other is the Muchart hills, which form a part of the Ochil range, immediately to the north of the river Forth. An individual, on whose veracity the utmost dependance can be placed, assures me that in the latter of these places it is not an uncommon occurrence for the herd-boys to bring home half a dozen of these creatures with them when they return from their evening labours.-Robert Dick Duncan.

Note on captures of Coleoptera near Cambridge. The following insects have occur red, with one or two exceptions, in tolerable abundance during the last few months at

Cambridge; and it may be well to remark that the season, although upon the whole prolific in Coleoptera, has proved particularly unfavourable to several of our most local species. Panagæus crux-major and Odacantha melanura have as usual appeared in the greatest profusion, especially the latter, which has occurred by tens of thousands amongst the sedge.

Apion carbonarium and subsulcatum. Very abundant in dead leaves and moss. It is remarkable that out of at least one hundred specimens of the former insect which I have examined, not a single male has occurred, nor can I discover a single example in any of our local cabinets. I should be glad to know if any contributor to 'The Zoologist' has observed in other localities this unequal distribution of the sexes.

Crepidodera Salicaria. In the utmost profusion amongst sedge, in company with Crypta bipunctata.

Ischnomera cærulea. Three specimens from an old ash tree, in company with Triplax ænea, at Trumpington.

Acalles variegatus. Granchester, one spn. Were I to add less recent captures, I might enumerate, amongst other rarities, Athoüs pubescens, Ptinus 6-punctatus, Ips 4-punctata, Linnobius fulvipes, Dorytomus salacinus (Gyll.) and Thyamis dorsalis. I may also here mention that I had the good luck in June last to capture a specimen of Omias Baumanii (Germ.), which I brushed into my net from a meadow in the neighbourhood of Stamford, in Lincolnshire. - T. V. Wollaston; Jesus College, Cambridge,

Note on a proposed Substitute for Spirits of Wine in preserving Specimens of Natural History. Perhaps the following cheap substitute for spirits of wine, in preserving anatomical and other specimens, may be new and useful to some of your readers, viz., kreasote, 10 drops, water, 1 pint. The antiseptic properties of this solution, which are said to be superior to those of spirits of wine, were discovered by M. Pigne, and first published by him in the 'Gazette Médicale de Paris,' March 9, 1844.-R. C. R. Jordan; Lympstone.

Anecdote of extraordinary duration of torpidity in a Bat. A very curious instance of the great length of time that a bat can remain in a state of torpidity, came under my notice about three weeks since; and as I believe instances of the kind are but rarely observed, perhaps an account of the facts of the case may not prove uninteresting. Upon opening a vault in Bishopsbourne church, the bricklayer observed a large bat clinging to the wall. Thinking it a curious thing to find a bat in a vault which he knew had not been opened for twenty-one years, in the evening he sent it to me by his

boy, who, when he arrived at the door, was tempted to open the basket to look at the inmate, when most unfortunately it made its escape, and flitted into a leaden spout which was placed against the house, from whence I was unable to recover it. Upon learning the particulars of its discovery, I made a careful search about the vault, but was unable to trace any hole or crack, through which the smallest bat could have crept. The bricklayer also informed me that there was no place where a bat could have entered, in the part where he opened the vault, as the entrance was bricked up, and over the steps was placed a slab, which fitted close. If indeed it had been possible for a bat to have got between this, the brickwork at the entrance would most effectually have prevented it from finding an asylum in the vault. The natural inference therefore is, that the bat must have got into the vault when it was last opened, and consequently, had been entombed since the year 1823! It was most unfortunate that I was not able to decide what species it was, but from the bricklayer's description, I think it must have been Vespertilio Pipistrellus. When first taken out of the vault it was in a torpid state, but the effects of the air may be imagined from its taking the first opportunity to escape in the evening; it flew, however, far more "leaden winged" than even bats are wont to fly, which was by no means marvellous, when we consider it had been out of practice for twenty-one years. The fact of toads living in blocks of stone, and in the timber of trees for a great length of time (and it is impossible to say how long) is now so clearly established, that no one possessing any knowledge of Natural History for a moment doubts it. And not only has the fact itself been established, but it has also been proved that the frog and salamander tribes imbibe their chief supply of fluid through their skin alone, the liquid particles being absorbed by the skin. In an experiment made by Dr. Townson, he found that by placing a frog upon blotting-paper soaked in water, it absorbed nearly its own weight of fluid in an hour and a half; and it is supposed they only emit it when suddenly frightened or pursued, and that their reason for so doing is to lighten their bodies, and enable them to escape with greater This, then, is doubtless the cause of toads being able to live in quarries and trees. Only a few weeks since, in cutting down a fir tree here, the workman discovered, completely imbedded in the centre, a toad, which had doubtless been there some years, as the tree had completely grown over it: it must have been kept alive by absorbing the moisture of the tree. It was not in a completely torpid state, and after being exposed to the air a few hours, it crawled in true toad-like style. The age of the tree in which it was found, was, as far as I could judge from the number of circles, about twenty-five years. A knowledge of the peculiar mode of absorbing fluids by the frog tribe, accounts for toads being able to live when enclosed in quarries or trees, but does not assist us in determining how bats contrive to exist for a great space of time, without food and almost without air.-J. Pemberton Bartlett; Kingston Rectory, Kent.

ease.

Anecdote of a Cat catching Eels. One often hears of the great dislike cats have to the water, but also occasionally of exceptions to the rule. I remember, when living at Worcester, many years ago, many times seeing the cat of a near neighbour of ours bring fish, mostly eels, into the house, which it used to catch in a pond not far off. This was an almost everyday occurrence. — Beverley R. Morris, A.B., M.D.; York, May 2, 1844.

Anecdote of a Fox. In the summer of 1842, a bitch fox reared a litter of cubs here in the middle of a wheat-field. The crop was in full ear when they were discovered, and being thick and high, afforded them excellent shelter. The spot occupied by the young family was on the top of a dry land, and the stems of the corn were trodden

The parents

down and padded close to the earth for many yards in circumference. provided a most bountiful table; for scattered around them lay no less than two leverets, a young Bantam cock, a partridge. the wings of a pheasant, besides the remains of fowls and a vast profusion of feathers and bones. The novelty of the scene tempted the curious to visit the spot, and the dam led her family away, not quitting the field, however, but concealing them amongst the thickest parts of the crop which hovered over or were laid by the rains and wind; and although eventually reared, they were rarely seen afterwards.—J. J. Briggs; Melbourne, Derbyshire, May 20, 1844.

Note on the discovery of the Badger near Melbourne. During the second week in April last, one of the Donnington park-keepers, in digging for some rabbits, discovered a nest of badgers; animals which have long been considered as nearly extinct here. In the larger woods an individual may be killed in nine or ten years, but they are never seen in the open country. This litter consisted of three young ones, though they will have as many as five at a birth. It was secreted in a very long and most curiously excavated earth. From the principal chamber occupied by the young, led several others, which, in their execution must have swallowed considerable labour. They were deep in the ground, and in one was a bed of leaves, dried grasses, and moss, for the better accommodation of the young.- Id.

Note on the Foumart. In former times the foumart haunted the coverts, copses, and retired parts of our neighbourhood, especially those which produced the most game; but through the vigilance of gamekeepers, became extremely rare, and is now only known by name. In the Complete Angler' by Isaac Walton, in the quaint dialogue between Piscator, Venator and Auceps, where each discourses about his favourite art, Auceps gives his companions a list of those wild animals which were formerly hunted in the chace, and amongst them is mentioned the “foulmart.” The practice of hunting this animal was in use here about sixty years ago. Three or four dogs were employed in the pursuit, and the first or best wore round his neck a bell, which, as their object was hunted by moonlight, served the better to point out the course it was taking. Little can be gathered at this period of its habits, but some of our ancient villagers remember well the pastime, and recount the pleasures of it with more than their usual felicity.-Id.

It

Anecdote of a Stoat being tamed. Great doubt having hitherto existed as to the possibility of taming the stoat, the following account of one of these animals, which was for some months in the possession of a gentleman residing in Cambridgeshire, may be deemed worthy of note. The little creature was first discovered as it was borne across a river in the mouth of the parent stoat; and Mr. Thurnall having fired at and killed the mother, succeeded in saving the little one, which was at the time so young that it had not the power of seeing. For some days it was fed with milk, but as it appeared to make but little progress, the limb of a small bird was offered to it, which it took most readily, and being constantly fed in this manner, it soon grew rapidly. became very tame, and would follow Mr. T. to any part of the garden or fields, and when set at large in the sitting apartment would evince the greatest playfulness, bounding up on the different articles of furniture, and taking in its mouth gloves, balls of cotton, or anything which was thrown down for its amusement. It gave signs of the greatest sociability, and evidently courted the attention of any one who attempted to sport with it, frequently taking a finger in its mouth, without offering to bite or injure it in any way. To bound upon the person of any one present was a favourite practice with it, often springing upon the shoulders of the ladies of the family, and seating

itself in the braids of their hair. Its sense of hearing was extremely acute, as it could distinguish Mr. Thurnall's step long before he appeared in sight, and would bound upon the window-sill to watch for his coming. After having kept it for some months, it unfortunately made its escape one evening, and the next morning was found dead near the stable in which it was always kept. The cause of its death was never quite ascertained, but as the night was very wet and cold, it was supposed that the exposure to the air was more than it was able to bear, having been previously accustomed to warmth and shelter.-C. Thurnall; Duxford, Cambridgeshire, May 20, 1844.

Note on hunting the Squirrel. To chase this beautiful animal from tree to tree, formed a favourite amusement with the lower classes during the earlier ages, and the practice is still kept up in some parts of this county. It is customary for the young men of the village of Duffield to assemble in troops on the Waltes[?] Monday, and carrying with them horns and instruments calculated to make a great noise, to proceed to Kedleston Park. Here they commence blowing them and shouting, and frighten the poor animals until they drop off the trees and are taken by the hunters. After taking several in this manner, they go back to Duffield, release the squirrels and commence hunting them again in a similar way. It was said of Charnwood forest, in Leicestershire (using the language of an old tradition), " that at one period a squirrel might be hunted six miles without once touching the ground," owing to the number of thick woods, and the proximity they bore to each other.—J. J. Briggs.

Note on the Black Rat. A young rat of this species (Mus Rattus) was trapped in a dry bank in a field near some farm buildings, at Leyton, Essex, on the 15th of May. About twelve months since we caught another of this species near the same place; and several years back a third was killed on the premises.-H. Barclay; Leyton, Essex.

Note on the Two-toed Sloth. It may be interesting to some of my readers to know that a specimen of the two-toed sloth (Bradypus didactylus) has been for nearly a month in the possession of the Zoological Society. It is kept in the giraffe-house, occupying a spacious cage to the right of the ourang outang. During the day it is extremely lethargic, lying on its back at the bottom of the cage, and holding the sides of the cage, or the branches of its artificial tree, by the long claws of one or both of its hind feet. The head is bent forwards on the chest, and the fore legs folded over it so closely, that were it not for the stretched out hind legs, the animal would seem little more than a living mass of long shaggy hair. I observed that the body was in continual motion, not as with the regular process of inspiration and expiration, but as though constantly acted on by some irregular convulsive movement, which gave me the idea that its slumbers were painful or its position uncomfortable. The keeper told me that at night it was more active, but I could not learn that it has ever shown that activity which, since the publication of Mr. Waterton's 'Wanderings,' sloths are supposed to possess in a state of nature. I need scarcely add, that the sloth is a native of South America, and that its being brought alive across the Atlantic, is a very uncommon occurrence. I only recollect a single instance of this on record. It will, of course, give me pleasure to add in a future number any particulars I can learn, and I shall feel greatly obliged for any information on the subject with which my correspondents may be able to furnish me. Every incident in the life of so extraordinary a being is worthy of note, and I trust those of my readers who reside in London, and who have leisure, will not fail to pay him a visit, and record their observations in the pages of "The Zoologist.' A careful drawing for engraving would be a most acceptable present.-Edward Newman; Hanover St. Peckham, June 15, 1844.