l62 



ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



V. BANKS' OAR-FISH IN THE MORAY FIRTH. 



A specimen of Regalecus banksii, 16 feet 3 inches in 

 length, and weighing i-^ cwt., was captured early in May 

 last off the mouth of the Findhorn. It was observed skim- 

 ming along the surface of the water by the salmon fishermen 

 while proceeding to their nets, and a rope was passed round 

 it. In the attempt to haul it on board the boat it parted in 

 two ; both parts were, however, secured. The fish is described 

 as silvery coloured, with the skin rough like that of a shark, 

 and having along the whole length of the back a row of 

 dorsal spines connected by a red membrane. 



This specimen was forwarded to the British Museum, 

 where it was duly identified. 



ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE EDIBLE FROG, 



RANA ESCULENTA, IN SCOTLAND. 



By PHILIP J. WHITE, M.B., F.R.S.E. 



Professor of Zoology, University College of North Wales. 



LAST March I paid a brief visit to Kincardineshire, staying 

 for a few days in the parish of Fordoun. Soon after my 

 arrival I \vent to examine a small isolated bog beside the 

 Drumsleed Woods, and situated about a quarter of a mile 

 from the village of Auchinblae. On reaching the ground 

 I heard proceeding from it a continuous and somewhat 

 sonorous croaking. As I advanced, the sound suddenly 

 ceased, and the water was set in commotion by retreating 

 frogs. I caught a few of the animals, and I at once saw 

 that they were specimens of the Edible Frog, Rana esculenta. 

 On the succeeding days I visited several places in the 

 vicinity of Auchinblae, and I found this frog in the following 

 localities : In a small dam, and the ditches leading to it, 

 between Auchinblae and Fordoun Station ; in ditches on 

 the top of the Harescha Hill, above Auchinblae ; in pools 

 beside the Bervie to the north of the Harescha. In the 



