1,56 Ichthyology. 



On digging lately at Frescati in Italy, not far from the 

 ancient Tusculum,a quantity of amis, vases, human bones, 

 and a broken statue were found. The latter seemed to be 

 that of a Roman consul ; and a few days afterwards another 

 statue was found resembling that of a Roman matron. 



M. Vincenzio has lately published at Rome two scien- 

 tific works: one entitled Lettere scicntifiche, and the other, 

 Spiegazione di due fascetti di gemma anticke. The same 

 author has also written a dissertation, to prove that the 

 colossal horses of the Ouirinal have been changed in 

 their places, and that they have been in fact badly placecj 

 originally. 



ICHTHYOLOGY-, 



Mr. Joseph Foster, fishmonger in Carlisle, has at pre- 

 sent in his possession a pilot fish, the only one we believe 

 that has appeared on these coasts. — The fish is of the order 

 of thoracici, which comprehends seventeen genera and up- 

 wards of two hundred and twenty species. It is found in 

 the Mediterranean and Atlantic, chiefly towards the equator; 

 The body is shaped somewhat like that of a mackarel ; the 

 head is long and smooth, and the snout advances some di- 

 stance beyond the mouth. It has two small fins ntarthe 

 head; another running along the back from the head to the 

 tail ; and one under the belly, of similar length. The co- 

 lour in general is brownish, changing into gold; and there 

 are several transverse black belts. Mariners observe, that 

 this fish frequently accompanies their vessels: and as they 

 see it generally towards the fore part of the ship, they ima- 

 gine it is employed in guiding and tracing out the course ; 

 whence it has received its name. Probably it is either 

 amusing itself, or pursuing its prey. It sometimes attends 

 the dog-fish and the shark ; and swims at the height of a 

 foot and a half from the snout of the latter ; imitates all 

 its movements, and seizes with address any part of the 

 spoil which the shark allows to escape. Though so small 

 as not to exceed six inches, it will keep pace with ships in 

 their swiftest course. — The one in Mr. Foster's possession 

 was caught a few days ago in the Sol way Frith. 



A species of hemp, manufactured from the leaves of a 

 particular kind of palm, which abounds in Sierra L,eone 

 and its neighbourhood, has recently been sent to this 

 country; and being made into cord, subjected to experi- 

 ments calculated to ascertain its strength, as compared 



with 



