March 1, 1S70.] 



HARDWICKE'S S C I E N C E-GO SSIP. 



G3 



specific name of an author when one of the names 

 is changed is wrong in principle. NitzscMa hilo- 

 hata cannot be fairly described as latestriate, and 

 M. de Brebisson ought not to be made responsible 

 for the blunder. Pleurostauron FraueufehUanum, 

 Grunow, seems to be identical with Stauroneis 

 scaphulieformis of Greville. Ilk. Journ., vol. xiv. 

 p. S5, pi. 9, fig. 32, differs from Stauroneis Legumen, 

 var. of Lewis, in the staurons being dilated at 

 the margins. Not uncommon in the Java deposit 

 (fig. 65).* F. Kitton. 



FEROCITY OF THE WILD CAT. 



(Cahcsf erics.) 



A PORTION of the forest near my house bears the 

 name of " Wild Cat Wood," from a tragical 

 event which occurred there some years ago. One 

 winter's morning a keeper on going his rounds dis- 

 covered the footmarks of a Wild Cat on the freshly- 

 fallen snow; overjoyed at his good fortune and at 

 the prospect of destroying the brute, he .speedily 

 followed up the track, which led him eventually to a 

 large hollow beech-tree. It was evident, on exami- 

 nation, that the cat was concealed within the tree 

 itself, the keeper therefore proceeded to strike the 

 stem with a hammer which he chanced to have with 

 him, in order to frighten the animal from its lair, 

 at the same time keeping his gun ready for a shot. 

 One, two, three strokes were given, when without 

 a moment's warning, the animal sprang on the 

 man's back and began tearing at his head and neck > 

 In a moment it had clawed off his thick fur cap, 

 and was biting savagely at his neckcloth, with the 

 evident purpose of getting at his throat. The 

 keeper taken by surprise, and thinking only of 

 getting rid of his assailant, flung away his gun and 

 hammer, and threw up his hands to save his face 

 and neck, at the same time shouting loudly to his 

 son, who he knew was not far off. The cat mean- 

 while was lacerating his face and throat with teeth 

 and claws, until the miserable man fell to the 

 ground in a state of exliaution. Just at this moment 

 the son came; on the scene, and seeing the state of 

 affairs, seized the hammer, and after some trouble 

 managed to give the fierce beast its coup de grace. 

 With the aid of some peasants, whom the noise of 

 the scuffle had attracted to the spot, the unfortunate 

 keeper was carried to his house in a pitiable con- 

 dition. A medical man was soon on the spot, but 

 his efforts were of no avail : before night closed in 

 the keeper died in great agony, having, however, 

 recovered his consciousness sufficiently to give an 

 account of his death-struggle with the Wild Cat. — 

 lllustrirtes Thierleben, by A. Brehm. 



* The figures, with the exception of fig. 61, are copied from 

 Herr Grunow's work. 



GIGANTIC RIBS. 



npHE following description does not appear to 

 •*- relate to the " Dun Cow," but it may prove 

 interesting in connection with the recent corre- 

 spondence. 



I well remember a delightful geological and 

 j botanical excursion made in June, 1S6G, in the 

 higher portion of the beautiful valley of the Tanat, 

 which small but clear-flowing river rises in Mont- 

 gomeryshire, upon the Berwyns, passes along the 

 southern border of Denbighshire, and re-enters 

 the former county, only to lose its waters in the 

 broader and longer Byrnwy, a few miles above the 

 junction of the latter with the Severn. 



Tracing the Tanat upwards, we pass Llanymy- 

 nech and Blodwell villages, and then Llangedwyn 

 Hall, one of the seats of the well-known ^baronet 

 Sir Watkin W. Wynn, leave Llanrhaiadr-yn- 

 Mochnaut upon the right, and finally arrive at 

 Llangynog, noted for its once valuable lead-mine 

 and its slate-rocks. Here the present valley 

 terminates upon the broad side of the Berwyns, and 

 the river turns almost at a right angle, by a con- 

 tracted passage, into another valley, narrower but 

 more diversified, following the line of that lofty and 

 far-stretching range, which forms its western 

 boundary, the eastern one consisting of a series of 

 high and precipitous hills, with deep "cwins" or 

 intersecting tributary depressions. This upper 

 valley forms one of the most secluded and charming 

 spots in the Principality. It also ends upon the 

 Berwyns, from which the river, now only a narrow 

 rill, descends over a rugged precipice in a water- 

 fall— Pistill Blaeuycwm— of great height and wild 

 beauty. In the centre of this valley, about two 

 miles from Llangynog, where it widens by receiv- 

 ing secondary valleys from between the bounding 

 hills, there stands the quaint and anctent, and now 

 dilapidated, church of Pennant Melangeil, once of 

 great ecclesiastical importance and celebrity. It 

 is dedicated to St. Monacella or Melangeil. The 

 traditional history of this saint is curious. She is 

 said to have been the daughter of an Irish king, 

 who, to avoid an unwilling marriage to a noble for 

 whom she was intended by her father, took a vow 

 of celibacy, crossed the Channel, found refuge in 

 North Wales, made her way to this hidden and 

 romantic spot, and lived here undisturbed for fifteen 

 years. A prince of Powys, while coursing, dis- 

 covered her retreat by the frightened hare taking 

 refuge in her cell, which his dogs, by reason ot 

 her sanctity, were afraid to enter. Much struck 

 with her beauty and character, the prince established 

 an abbey here, gave it special rights of sanctuary, 

 and appointed her its abbess. As such she lived for 

 many virtuous and beneficent years, and was then 

 buried in the present churchyard. She became the 



