356 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



while the one captured on 31st of July weighed no less than 9 Ibs. In all 

 these fish the wound caused by marking was covered with skin, and in some 

 a coating of scales had formed over the part. Although twenty-two only are 

 mentioned, the taking of which rests on indubitable evidence, nearly as many 

 more are reported from distant parts ; the weights and sizes of these have 

 not been forwarded. Tne experiment at Stormontfield has afforded satisfac- 

 tory proof that a portion at least of the fry of the salmon assume the migra- 

 tory dress and descend to the sea shortly after the close of the first year of 

 their existence ; and what is far more important in a practical point of view, 

 it has also demonstrated the practicability of rearing salmon of marketable 

 value within twenty months from the deposition of the ova. A very inter- 

 esting question still remains to be solved. At what date will the fry now in 

 the pond become smelts? Hitherto, they have manifested no disposition to 

 migrate; and if the silvery coat of the smelt be not assumed till the spring 

 of 1856, a curious anomaly will present itself. Some of the fry as smelts 

 will, for the first time, be descending seaward^ of the average weight of 2 

 oz. ; some as grilse will be taking their departure to the sea ; and others still 

 more advanced will even have completed their second migration, and return 

 to the river as salmon 10 or 12 Ibs. in weight. It is much to be desired that 

 the experiment at Stormontiicld could be continued for a year or two longer, 

 till the links in the chain of evidence now wanting to complete the natural 

 history of the salmon should be obtained. 



NEW ANIMALS FROi! WESTERN AFRICA. 



At the recent meeting of the British Association, Mr. A. Murray read a 

 paper "On the recent Additions to our Knowledge of the Zoology of Western 

 Africa," in which he notices a new electric fish, called Malupterurus Benineusis. 

 Mr. Thomson, who has studied its peculiarities, states that its electrical prop- 

 erties are made use of by the natives as a remedy for their sick children. The 

 fish is put into a vessel of water, and the child made to play with it : or the 

 child is put into a tub of water in which several fishes are placed. It is in- 

 teresting to find a popular scientific remedy of our own anticipated by the 

 unlettered savage. Mr. Thomson also mentioned an instance of the electric 

 power of this fish, which may be worth mentioning. He had a tame heron 

 which, having been taken young, had never had the opportunity of searching 

 for and choosing its food for itself. It was fed with small fishes ; and on one 

 occasion there happened to be a newly-caught electric fish among them, 

 which iv swallowed but immediately uttered a loud cry, and was thrown 

 backward. It soon recovered, but could never afterward be induced to dine 

 upon Malapterurus. 



Among other interesting fish there is a species of Lophius, or Mud-fish, 

 which appears undescribed. The curious habits of this semi-amphibious 

 family, of crawling out of the water, using their fore-fins like legs, arid then 

 sitting staring about with their great goggle eyes, is noticed as very marked 

 in this species. If placed in a basin, it will crawl up the side, and sit on the 

 edge looking about. 



