llcptiles, Fishes. 527 



an individual of the species [red viper, Coluber chersea Lin.~\ 

 described in p. 399., although it was brought to me by an old 

 experienced viper catcher. As it was, unfortunately, in rather 

 a putrid state, I, not suspecting that it presented more than 

 the usual appearance of the young of the common species, 

 after examining it in rather a cursory manner, threw it away. 

 Its length was 9 in., and the colour and markings coincided 

 exactly with those described of the red viper (Coluber cher- 

 sea L.), by Mr. Strickland, in p. 399. It was killed in Coombe 

 Wood, Surrey. I have been informed that 



A Black Species of Viper* exists in the west of England. — 

 Edward Blyth. Tooting, Surrey, Sept. 23. 1833. 



On the " New species of British snake, Coluber dumfrisi- 

 ensis," described and figured in Vol. II. p. 458., about which 

 I have (for the sake of bringing correlative things together) 

 asked in Vol. VI. p. 401., a remark by the Rev. L. Guilding 

 is lying by ; which, till now, has been overlooked. 



This is probably the young of Coluber jVatrix just hatched. 

 The scales may not assume their perfect form till the casting 

 off of the first exuviae. — L. Guilding. St. Vincent, May 1. 

 1830. 



Fishes. — Fishes possess an audible Voice. — Sir, That 

 fishes have a distinct voice, out of water, as stated by Mr. 

 Thompson (Vol. III. p. 147-)> there can be no doubt. Thus, 

 the herring, when first caught by the gills, and lifted out of 

 water, has a shrill note, somewhat like that of the mouse. The 

 gurnard will continue to grunt like a hog for a considerable 

 time after it is caught and lies at the bottom of the boat. In 

 early life I used to join some of my companions in fishing out 

 at sea, with the deep-sea line, and the latter phenomenon was 

 a very familiar one. so twg"^ \> a^'m^ s«o Y»s$ &s svwYY 



If my engagements, during the summer, allow me, I may 

 send you an account of a very interesting fish, found where 

 the inmates are remarkably tame, in connection with the tame 

 fish we read of in ancient story, and the question whether fish, 

 devoid as they are of external ears, do or do not hear by 

 means of some internal auditory organ. — J. Murray. Jan. 20. 

 1833. 



See Vol. V. p. 31 1, 312., for a notice of the sounds uttered 

 by the Trigla Hirundo, T. lyra, T. Cuculus, and T. Gurndrdus. 

 — J. D. 



Facts in the Habits of the Gold Fish (Cyprinus aurdtus L.) 

 and Silver Fish (C. aurdtus var.). — Happening to be at Derby 

 in the autumn of 1830, I then visited the show rooms of the 

 Derbyshire Spa manufactory, belonging to Mr. Hall, where 

 I noticed several glass globes in vases, containing gold and 



