CURRENT LITERATURE 243 



notch ; simply squeeze the berry on the smooth bark of first or 

 second year twigs ; the seed adheres by the viscous matter in the 

 berry. The following summer a green shoot like a small caterpillar 

 may be seen : this bends downwards, and seems to enter the bark, 

 disappearing altogether the following winter. Then the twig of the 

 host begins to swell ; it may be one year, or two or even three 

 years before the mistletoe reappears with a brace of small leaves, 

 after which growth is rapid. One small apple tree in my garden 

 carries two huge bunches, which threaten ultimately to destroy 

 their host. HERBERT MAXWELL. 



Wilson's Filmy Fern on Foula. On the 25th May last, while 

 climbing the steep hillside on Foula towards the Kaim in company 

 with Mr. P. G. Ralfe, we found, under large boulders, and growing 

 among the moss, many plants of Hymenophyllum Wilsoni. FRANK 

 S. GRAVES, Ballamsar, Alderley Edge, Cheshire. 



CURRENT LITERATURE. 



The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His- 

 tory which have appeared during the Quarter July-September 1899. 



[The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as 

 possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and 

 will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the 

 sources of information undermentioned.] 



ZOOLOGY. 



WILD CAT IN ARGYLLSHIRE. D. A. Maccoll. The Field, 5th 

 August 1899, p. 234. A specimen captured on, or in the vicinity of, 

 Craig Deer Forest, Glen Orchy, a few miles to the north of Loch Awe. 



LARGE SEAL IN ORKNEY. Geoffrey Ellis. The Field, 2nd Septem- 

 ber 1899, p. 401. Specimen of gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) shot 

 during the second week of August, weighing 370 Ibs. and measuring 

 about 7 ft. in length. An editorial note refers to other large specimens. 



PIED FLYCATCHER IN SHETLAND. Wm. Eagle Clarke. The Field, 

 8th July 1 899, p. 84. Corrects a statement in The Field tor 24th June 

 (p. 907) to the effect that the species had not been met with until 

 this year in these islands, and draws attention to the record in the 

 Annals, 1898, p. 178, of its occurrence at Dunrossness on 3oth April 



1898. The note refers also to the Ortolan Bunting. 



PROTECTION OF PLOVERS' EGGS. " B. G. J." The Field, 1 5th July 



1899, p. ioo. Refers to the scarcity of the Plover in Forfarshire, 

 and expresses regret that the eggs of the species are not protected 

 by law in this county. 



