MISCELLANEOUS. 307 



stage of two furrows, with four segmentation nuclei, the small circular white spot 

 heing the embryonic area; (21 older egg of Echidna, from the uterus, about the 

 stage of a two-day chick; (3) still older egg of Echidna, from the uterus, equal to 

 a four-day chick; (2 and 3) have increased in size by absorption of fluid from the 

 uterine glands, as in the higher mammalia ; (4) laid eggs of Ornithorhynchns and 

 Echidna; (5) recently hatched young Echidna, with remains of shell, found 

 together in the mother's pouch; and (7) older stages of Echidna. 



The adult Ornithorhynchus possess a duck-like bill which is destitute of teeth, 

 although, until the animal is halfvgrown, it possesses true teeth (twelve in number) 

 which disappear as development proceeds. They are lost by shedding, their place 

 being taken by horny thickening of the gum which precedes the shedding. — The 

 Field, 5th July 18 UO. 



A PANTHER CHASING A NILGHAI. 



The following is, I think, worth recording, as it illustrates an exceptional method 

 of hunting, which the Panther is occasionally forced to adopt. 



In August last, I was askeil by the Patel of a village in the Amraoti district to 

 accompany him one evening to a forest nursery of young bamboo shoots, to assist 

 in killing a large boar which nightly visited the place and did immense damage. 

 We waited for some time, when just as it was getting dark, we heard the short 

 guttural sound of a Panther and heavy footfall of some running animal. The 

 noises came nearer and nearer, until a Nilghai and a Panther could be distinctly 

 seen against the sky-line, the former being chased by the latter. The Nilghai 

 kept moaning, and was evidently in an abject state of fear. 



The two ran round in a circle of about 160 yards diameter within 30 yards of 

 where we were standing, and passed us twice, both of them making their respective 

 noises. They then disappeared, but I have reason to believe the nilghai got 



away. 



I was so interested in the sight that I did not think of firing, but it would have 

 been an exceedingly difficult shot in the dusk. 



J. M. COODE. 

 NAgptjr, C. P, I 



Auyust 1890. J 



6. THE PROTECTIVE COLOURING OF CHRYSALIDES. 



It is well known that many butterflies and moths in their larval and imago 

 states imitate and assume the forms and colours of various animals and things for 

 protective purposes, but though only hinted at, it does not appear to be known 

 that in their chrysalis stage also an All-Wise Providence has gifted them with 

 the means of eluding discovery and escaping detection, thereby completing the 



