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from his canoe, when in still water, the salmon-trout chase the white fish; and that whenever they perceived he was near them, they invariably turned round as if to look their danger in the face, and making no resistance, were taken head foremost into the jaws of the enemy. A curious provision of Nature, unnerving the weak to feed the strong. In the winter season the Indians cut holes in the ice where it is transparent, and contrive to drag their nets beneath it. They also spear the trout, using upon such occasions a painted fish as a decoy, which attracts the minnows. The voracious trout, perceiving that something is going on, now gets in motion, and the minnows, aware of his approach by the movement of the water, run off in a contrary direction; which apprising the Indian of the quarter from whence he is making his approach, he adjusts his spear, and transfixes him as he comes up. These large trout look very much like cod-fish; but in their huge gaping mouths are rows of excessively sharp teeth, indicative of their voracious nature. The white fish is a sucker, and is not, I think, as pleasant to eat as the trout. This last fish is very firm, and but faintly resembles the salmon, both in colour and flavour; neither is it as rich, but it is very good, and is a blessed sight to set before a hungry traveller. The white fish, however, is preferred by the inhabitants of Michilimackinac, who almost live upon it when it is in season. Featherstonhaugh's Canoe Voyage up the Minnay Sotor,' i. 144.

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Deadly encounter between two Salmon.-Instances of the ferocity of the varied species of bipeds and quadrupeds have been often recorded in the public journals, and Mr. Jesse and Mr. St. John have lately furnished interesting incidents regarding the traits and habits of these animals; but we have this week to narrate a more remarkable occurrence, in the character of the salmon, than we have yet had the opportunity to record. The facts are these: while several cuttermen (of the Preventive Service) were on their rounds the other day, and bearing along the Findhorn, between Glenferness and Dulcie Bridge, they observed an unusual commotion among the spawningbeds of the ford. On approaching the spot two large male salmon were seen engaged in mortal combat for the possession of a female. Never did chivalric knights contest for the hand of "ladye fair" more fiercely than those buirdly "lords of the flood." The tranquil bosom of the stream was lashed into foam by the struggles of the finny antagonists; in the meantime the object of the fray beating silently about, " spectatress of the fight." From the appearance of the stream-dyed with blood, and gradually assuming its former smooth surface—it was evident that the contest was over. One of the salmon, at last, flounders on the surface-dead, and the victor, it may be conjectured, exhaustedly bore off his prize. The men, who had the curiosity to watch the fight, as a proof of their story, conveyed the dead salmon to the nearest dwelling, that of Mr. George Mackintosh, March Strype, near the entrance of the secluded valley called the Streens. The victorious salmon had torn off the flesh, or rather fish, along the back from head to tail, to the very bone. In the movement of salmon spawning, the males have often been seen chasing one another, but such a fray as this has not been witnessed by the oldest fisher or poacher on the Findhorn. — Elgin Courier.

Occurrence of Bulimus Lackhamensis and Dreissena polymorpha near Cheltenham.— There are three localities for Bulimus Lackhamensis near Cheltenham: Cranham wood, where last year I collected between seventy and eighty specimens; Halling wood; and beech trees on the north side of Lineover Hill. On the submerged timbers of the third canal bridge from Gloucester, Dreissena polymorpha is found most abundantly: I also noticed it, three years ago, on timber in the Ouse, near St. Neots', Huntingdonshire, which shows that this foreign shell will probably one day become as plentiful, in our navigable rivers and canals, as that veritable native Anodon Cygneus. -Charles Prentice; 1, Oxford Villas, Cheltenham.

Enquiry respecting Gossamer-webs.—Would you have the kindness to explain to me the cause of the gossamer-webs which are floating about in the air, and covering the fields, and also the reason of their being found only in a frosty atmosphere? Is it possible that they can be the work of spiders?—Henry Shepherd; North Wales, Winchester, October 27th, 1846.

[So much has been written on this subject, and with so little advantage to the enquirer, that I prefer referring my correspondent to Nature herself: the webs are undoubtedly the product of spiders, but their great elevation has never been satisfactorily explained.-E. Newman.]

Habits of a minute Spider.-Whilst walking on the South Downs, between the villages of Piddinghoe and Rottingdean, in Sussex, I observed, on several branches of gorse, that the extreme ends of the branches were covered with a thick web. This web was studded with myriads of small scarlet spots, which, on closer examination, proved to be insects in constant motion. I broke off a small branch, and placed it in a tin collecting-box, to the sides of which the insects had, in a few hours, attached the branch, by means of their web. On my return home, I transferred them, with the piece of gorse, into a glass tumbler, in order to be able to watch their operations. In the course of the two following days, they had fixed the branch to the sides of the glass, and had filled the interior of the tumbler three parts full of web. The glass was placed on a warm mantelpiece, about two yards from a south window, and the insects principally carried on their operations on that side of the glass nearest the light. The web was not very firmly attached to the glass, as a breath of air would displace it. The height of the web increased most on the side of the glass facing the window, and on turning the glass half round they gradually congregated on the opposite side, leaving the seat of their former work for a situation nearer the light. During the daytime, most of the insects were moving about at the sides of the glass, or on the top of the web; but at night they retired under the web, or between the web and the sides of the glass, and were generally congregated rather thickly at that side of the tumbler where they were last at work. Their operations were suspended soon after sunset, and commenced again an hour after sunrise. At night, the presence of a strong light produced no sensible effect on them. On the third day, I observed on the sides of the glass, and near the bottom, several small scarlet spots, about half the size of the inCould this have been their excrement? The following is a description of one of the specimens:-body irregularly oval, breadth and thickness being each equal to about half the length; colour scarlet or pale blood-red, the head and legs being rather paler than the other parts: abdomen with three (perhaps four) darker blood-red, trans

sects.

verse, broad bands across the back, where there were ten to twelve single hairs: legs eight, fringed with hairs: hairs quite white, and most numerous at the feet, where four or five were in a cluster. Down the centre of the back was a plain disc, equal to onefifth of the greatest breadth, bounded on each side by a longitudinal row of hairs, and on the spaces on either side were a few solitary hairs placed irregularly. Length th to ¿th of an inch. It required seven of them placed lengthwise to reach one-eighth of an inch. The insect, when irritated, assumed a much darker colour, and the transverse bands were then scarcely distinguishable. They were found about noon, on the 8th of February, 1844, and there had been a sharp frost in the morning: the sky was cloudy, and there was a fresh sea breeze. Thermometer 36 to 38. Wind S.W.-W. Thomson, Jun.

Occurrence of Argynnis Lathonia near Norwich.-Two good specimens of Argynnis Lathonia have been taken, and others seen, at Harleston near this place.—Charles Muskett; Norwich, October 9th, 1846.

Assemblage of Cynthia Cardui.—Perceiving in the last number of your very valuable and interesting work, the Zoologist, a paper soliciting that any interesting or remarkable facts, which may have fallen under observation, might be forwarded to you, I beg leave to mention a circumstance connected with the Cynthia Cardui, which lately fell under my notice. In an entomological excursion from Croydon, over the Addington Hills, I noticed in a small clump of elm trees, on the right hand side of the road, about mid-way up the hill, great numbers of this butterfly (some fifty or sixty) flying or flitting about in all directions, yet not going out of this group of trees, even when disturbed. I obtained thirty-six of them, mostly much rubbed, but a few in excellent condition. Also, in another clump of trees adjacent, in which, singularly enough, were the Vanessa Atalanta, in equally great numbers, of which, also, I obtained a great quantity. Now it is curious that the Cynthia should be found in such numbers, as I believe they generally are considered somewhat rare, and particularly in a place not containing a vestige of their food, and all concentrated in one little spot, and not to be found in any other place, although many similar in appearance are near.— Charles H. Griffith, 9, St. John's Square, London.

Capture of the Vanessa Antiopa, at Stoke Newington.—I write to inform you of the capture of a Vanessa Antiopa, in Lordship Lane, Stoke Newington, on Friday afternoon, last. I have just received it, but in a damaged condition, owing to the person taking it not being an entomologist.—Thomas Hall; 7, City Road, 16th Nov. 1846.

Capture of Vanessa Antiopa, near Bristol.—I have the pleasure of recording the capture of V. Antiopa, in this neighbourhood, on the 22nd of last month; the insect was flying pretty swiftly in the sunshine, and was knocked down by a boy, and slightly injured. I am happy to add, that it is now in my cabinet.—Thomas Lighton; Clifton, Bristol, October 26th, 1846.

Occurrence of Vanessa Antiopa, near Ely.-On the 7th of September last, a specimen of Vanessa Antiopa (now in my possession) was taken in a garden at Mepal, about six miles west of Ely. The margin of the wings is of a very pale colour. Mr. Doubleday states that a female was taken at Yaxley; if Yaxley in Huntingdonshire is meant, the distance is not more than eighteen miles north-west of Mepal.—Marshall Fisher; St. Mary's, Ely, 15th October, 1846.

Occurrence of Vanessa Antiopa, near Coventry,-To the numerous notices already recorded in a late number of the Zoologist, of the occurrence of Vanessa Antiopa during the last summer, I have to add the capture of this fine insect, in the adjoining parish of Berkswell. The butterfly was taken about the middle of August, by a sort of birdcatching person, who collects a few of the more showy insects, for the purpose of adorning his bird-cases, and was not recognised by him as a rarity, nor valued so much as the admirals and peacocks he caught for the same purpose. The specimen, which has lost a little of its original brilliancy, is now in the possession of my son.-W. T. Bree; Allesley Rectory, near Coventry, January 18th, 1847.

Note on the capture of Deilephila Livornica, near Preston and Carlisle.—I am in possession of two specimens of this rare moth, one of which was taken in this town, and the other near Carlisle. I have also heard of another having been taken in the west of Cumberland, and which is now in the possession of a gentleman in York.— James Cooper; Preston, October, 1846.

Capture of Deilephila Celerio, in Norfolk.—A specimen of this insect was taken off a door on the Church Plain.-George Fitt, Jun.

Capture of Deilephila Celerio, at Seaford, in Sussex.-A specimen of this rare Sphinx, a female, in pretty good condition, was taken, the first week in October, at Seaford, Sussex, and is now in my possession. It flew into the kitchen of a house there, about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and a lady, who has since given it me, having had her attention directed to it, caught it in her hand. The struggle it made to escape, slightly broke and rubbed the tips of the upper wings, and also damaged the thorax; in other respects, it is a fine, perfect specimen.-Thomas Ingall; Bank of England.

Capture of Deilephila Celerio, near Ledbury.-As you are desirous, I believe of recording in the Zoologist, the captures of rare insects, I have to inform you that a specimen of the silver-striped hawk moth (Deilephila Celerio) is now in my possession, having been kindly presented to me by the Rev. J. H. Mapleton, who took it in his stable, in the village of Tarrington, near Ledbury, in the summer of 1845; he believes, but is not quite sure, that it was in the month of August. From the appearance of the specimen, I should judge that it had very recently come out of the chrysalis.-W. T. Bree; Allesley Rectory, December 22nd.

Capture of Deilephila Celerio at Huddersfield.-A very fine specimen of the Deilephila Celerio was taken at Huddersfield, in September last. It flew into a small public-house, in the precincts of the town, and was fortunately captured without receiving much injury. Several specimens of the Sphinx Convolvuli have likewise occurred in the same locality.-Peter Inchbald; Storthes Hall, Huddersfield,

Capture of Sphinx Convolvuli, at Yarmouth.—These insects have been taken in immense quantities in Yarmouth, during the past summer and autumn, not less than one hundred and fifty were captured. One person, within my knowledge, has taken fifty-seven, and others have captured a great many. One which I now have, was taken off a ladder. A person told me he saw a flight of them on "Caistor Marrams," which would seem to confirm our opinion, that they migrated from the continent. Another reason for supposing them to be migratory, is, that no person has yet succeeded in finding the larvæ.-George Fitt, Jun.

Larva of Sphinx Convolvuli.-About two weeks ago, I had brought to me, a caterpillar, which I supposed to be that of Sphinx Convolvuli; it agreed with the description of the larva of that insect, in Stephen's British Entomology, being of a dark olive green colour, with dark yellow oblique lateral stripes, and was rather larger than the

caterpillar of S. Ligustri. The person who found it, stated she got it out of the ground, but when put into the breeding-cage, it refused to bury itself, or eat, and died in the course of a short time. I see the end of July is the earliest period for the appearance of the perfect insect, mentioned in the Zoologist for this month, and I imagine this caterpillar must have been produced from eggs, laid at, or previously to that time.— A. Greenwood; Chelmsford, November 3rd, 1846.

[I particular request information about the larva of Sphinx Convolvuli: it is almost, if not entirely, unknown to British Entomologists.—E. Newman].

Occurrence of Sphinx Convolvuli, and Acherontia Atropos, near Ipswich.-Having observed in the Zoologist, some accounts of very rare insects, I thought the following might not be wholly void of interest. I have obtained a specimen of the death's-head moth (Acherontia Atropos), which was caught at Aldbro', and which was kept alive several days on some potatoes, on which the caterpillar of this insect feeds. I have also received two specimens of the convolvulus hawk moth (Sphinx Convolvuli), the first of which, was found on removing some leaves of deal: the latter was brought me October the 9th, by a poor woman, into whose house it had flown. Both these last specimens were caught in Ipswich. I write this, because, not having observed in the Zoologist, an account of these insects from that locality, I thought it might be worth inserting.-R. J. Ransome; Ipswich, November 25th, 1846.

Capture of Sphinx Convolvuli, in the Isle of Wight.-Having read in the Zoologist for September, accounts of the capture of this rare moth, I forward you an account of a capture I made last September. I was spending a few days at Sea View, near Ryde, Isle of Wight, and in the garden belonging to the house, there were several patches of a species of Enothera, with very large white blossoms, growing close to the ground, these blossoms appeared to attract them very much (for I did not see them hover over any other plant in the garden). In one evening, I saw five or six over it, but captured two only. I visited the spot every evening, and although I saw several more, I was not fortunate enough to take any; but I took another specimen in the day-time, while at rest at the foot of a fir-tree, amongst the grass, my attention being drawn to it by some children, who ran to inform me, that there was a " large bat lying under a tree," this was an extraordinary large specimen, measuring five inches and nearly one-eighth from tip to tip of the wings.—Robert Davis; Belgrave Place, Pimlico.

Capture of Sphinx Convolvuli, near Bristol.—On the 28th of August, I had a specimen of this fine insect brought me, which had been captured on a wall, and on the 31st of the same month another specimen was brought me, taken among beans; and on the 10th of September, I had the pleasure of capturing one myself, hovering over Salvias; and on the 12th, another on Petunias. About twenty other specimens were taken by collectors in the immediate neighbourhood.-P. H. Vaughan; Redland, near Bristol.

Occurrence of Acherontia Atropos near Bristol.- On the 12th of October I bred a female specimen of this insect from a larva that I found beneath an ash tree on Durdham Downs, on the 24th of July; it changed to pupa on the 1st of August. A specimen of the larva was also taken at Henbury near Bristol, but unfortunately it died before it arrived at maturity.-Id.

Capture of Sphinx Convolvuli near Maidstone.-Three specimens of this insect were caught at Beuming, near Maidstone, between the 20th of August and the 6th of September last; one was captured over a plant of the Marvel of Peru, and the two others were found in the day-time, in a pickle-jar on a shelf, which most probably had had sugar in it.-E. M. Attwood.

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