G. GENERAL NATURAL HISTORY AND ZOOLOGY. 287 



common in that state. The little striped skunk (Mephitis 

 bicolor) is very abundant in certain sections, and was first 

 detected by Mr. Maynard as occurring east of the Mississippi 

 River. It is confined to the narrow strip of land between 

 Indian River and Turnbull Swamp, as far north as New 

 Smyrna, and as far south as Jupiter Inlet. 



The manatee is mentioned as still occurring in large num- 

 bers about the inlets of Indian River, and also on the west 

 coast, between Tampa Bay and Cape Sable. Several species 

 of bats are also mentioned, not hitherto found in this state. 

 An interesting paragraph is given in regard to the domestic 

 hog, which appears to have run wild, and to be very numer- 

 ous. They are generally black, and furnish an interesting il- 

 lustration, according to Professor Wyman, of the idea of 

 natural selection, and the survival of the fittest. The light- 

 colored hogs, according to his statement, contract a disease 

 by eating a plant called the paint-root, which causes their 

 hoofs to drop ofi*, whereas the black ones are not affected by 

 it. Mr. Maynard finds, however, that it is only the hogs 

 with black hoofs that can safely eat the paint-root, the black 

 hoojs with white hoofs beinff made lame. The mere existence 

 of a certain plant causes the hogs of a certain section to as- 

 sume a dark color, since, if the hoofs are dark, the whole ani- 

 mal is usually so; and at the same time it is found that in 

 some sections of the state, where this plant does not grow, 

 white hogs are as plenty as the black. 



In addition to this matter of natural selection, the settlers 

 prefer hogs of a dark color, since they stand a better chance 

 of escape from the bears by night, being much less conspicu- 

 ous. Mr. Maynard finds, however, that a protective color is 

 assumed by the hogs, and that those that have lived for gen- 

 erations in the piny woods are of a reddish hue, correspond- 

 ing exactly with the color of the fallen pine leaves. 



DIFFEREXCE BETWEEN COLUMB^ AND GALLING. 



Mr. Tegetmeier calls attention to the very great difference 

 in many respects between the gallinaceous and the columbine 

 birds, considering it very remarkable that naturalists should 

 so frequently unite them. Thus he remarks that the pigeon 

 never lays more than two eggs, and in many cases only one. 



