G. GENERAL NATURAL HISTORY AND ZOOLOGY. 347 



ter, where they can bury themselves a certain distance into 

 the mud. There they knot themselves together, forming an 

 enormous mass constantly in motion, the result of which is 

 that the mucus becomes detached from them, and this, after 

 a time, is found to swarm with myriads of little eels. 3 R, 

 May 13, 1875, 79. 



FOSSIL LEPIDOSTEUS. 



Professor Gervais announces the discovery, among other 

 fossils of the Paris Basin, of a species of true Lepidosteus 

 a genus of fishes now found living only in North America. 

 He had previously made this suggestion, but somewhat 

 doubtfully, and it is only quite recently that he has ascer- 

 tained to his satisfaction that the species belonged where lie 

 had assigned it. 8 R, October 12, 1874, 846. 



REPRODUCTIVE SEASON OF THE COD OX THE FAROE ISLANDS. 



In a notice of the fisheries of the Faroe Islands, in the 

 Revue Maritime et Coloniale for March, 1874, a fact is stated 

 in regard to the natural history of the cod-fish which seems 

 to require confirmation. According to this account, the cod- 

 fish is, as may be supposed, the most important element in 

 the fisheries, and those taken at the beginning of the year 

 are said to be large and fat ; and the time is also better fitted 

 for drying them than at other seasons, as the air is then pure 

 and cold. Their average weight when taken, after the head, 

 entrails, and backbone are removed, is from twelve to thirty 

 pounds. The cod is also very good during the months of 

 March and April, but after this it becomes poor. It enters 

 the harbors in May for the purpose of spawning, and is taken 

 in great numbers in the summer. Cod, however, which re- 

 main in the open sea, on the Banks, are good throughout the 

 year. The point of inquiry is as to the spawning of the cod 

 in May, as Steenstrup has shown that on the coast of Nor- 

 way they spawn in the winter season. Revue Maritime et 

 Coloniale, March, 1874, 762. 



SOFTNESS OF BONES IN OLD CONGERS. 



M. Camille Dareste (Comptes Rendus Acad. Se., Nov. 3, 

 1874) has confirmed in quite a number of individuals the 

 fact that conger-eels not infrequently attain full size without 



