186 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



very probable that it is the same species which inhabits the leaf 

 buds and the acorns, for they occur on the same tree. Although 

 he had bred specimens in the autumn, he was inclined to believe 

 that this was owing to their having been reared in a room, for at 

 present he had a considerable number collected in autumn which 

 have not yet become mature. He had sent specimens to Dr 

 Franz Loew, who stated that they were undoubtedly a new form. 

 The acorns in which they were found were only about the size of 

 a small pea. 



II. — The Mammals of the Neighbourhood of Loch Lomond, 

 By Mr Jajmes Lumsden, F.Z.S. 



In the country which borders on Loch Lomond there has been 

 found a large proportion of the land mammals of Britain j but as 

 in other districts, several species which were at one time common 

 are now rarely or never met with, the advance of agriculture and 

 the greater attention paid to the preservation of game having 

 been most destructive to many of our wild animals, as well as to 

 our rapacious birds. 



Within late years a great change has taken place in the mam- 

 malian fauna of this district. At one time Wild Cats were well 

 known, and Martens, if not often seen, betrayed their presence by 

 their thieving habits ; Polecats were not uncommon : Eats, 

 except a few of the harmless Mus Llattus, Rabbits, and Squirrels 

 were unknown, and mountain Hares seldom met with. How 

 changed is it now ! The Wild Cat, Marten, and Polecat extinct, 

 the Brown Rat swarming in and around all farm steadings, 

 Rabbits plentiful on hill and low country alike, and the Mountain 

 Hare numerous on all the higher ranges. Squirrels are also 

 common in all the plantations, and are extending their 

 distribution. 



The nature of the ground round Loch Lomond renders the 

 district peculiarly suited for all kind of mammals. In the 

 agricultural land at the southern end of the loch are found Moles, 

 Shrews, Mice, and Voles, while the more rugged ground at the 

 northern end gives shelter to the wilder animals and Mountain 

 Hares. 



So far as we know, no complete list of the mammals found 

 throughout the Loch Lomond district has ever been drawn up, 

 although the subject has not been neglected by naturalists and 



