438 MISCELLANY. 



gian order, and appai*ently to the family Clupeidse. Mr. P. discovered this 

 species on the northern coast, near Oifiord, in pools left by the retiring tide, his 

 attention being excited by the Gulls which were preying on it. We have been 

 induced to notice this fish in consequence of being unable to identify it with any 

 of Cuvier's genera, in his Regne Animal. In length it varies from five to five 

 and a half inches ; the back olive brown; under parts and lateral line silvery ; 

 head compressed; jaws elongated — the under being the longer; teeth on the 

 maxillaries and tongue, but so small as to be almost imperceptible ; body more 

 cylindrical and longer in proportion than that of the Common Herring ( Clupea 

 harengus) ; the number and position of the fins the same as in C. harengus, 

 excepting that the first ventral is a little more in advance ot the dorsal, and its 

 having a slightly adipose dorsal, which clupea has not. Branchiee, as usual, 4 ; 

 brancheostegous rays 8 ; of the dorsal fin 13 ; pectoral 17 ; ventral 8 ; anal 20 ; 

 caudal 20 ; vertebrae 69. It contained several intestina. Mr. Yarrell, in his 

 History of British Fishes, alludes to a small variety of the Herring, which, 

 according to Crantz, is found on the northern coast of Greenland, and he states 

 that this small variety, or species, was found by Sir John Frankland on the 

 shore of the Polar basin, on his second journey. We have never seen a specimen 

 or a description of this Herring, but we are inclined to suppose that it is a 

 distinct species from Mr. Proctor's, because it does not appear to be met with 

 southward of the last-mentioned localities. Should our opinion be well founded, 

 and Mr. P.'s fish prove to be an undescribed species, we would propose that the 

 specific name of Proctori should be applied to it — a just and proper compliment, to 

 one who has been so indefatigable in the pursuit of natural science. — Durham 

 Advertiser, April 27, 1838, communicated by Mr. W. Proctor. 



Occurrence of Amara ovata. — This insect, which is stated in my " Notes on 

 the Amarce" (Vol. II., p. 240) to be rare near London, Warrington, &c, occurred 

 rather frequently in this neighbourhood during last month, and the commence- 

 ment of the present. — Peter Rylands, Bewsey House, Warrington, May 19, 

 1838. 



The Scarce Swallow-tail (Papilio podalirius).— -In the first volume of 

 The Naturalist, p. 32, and also in a then recent number of Curtis's British 

 Entomology, it is mentioned that a specimen of the Scarce Swallow-tail had 

 been taken near Windsor, by W. H. R. Read, Esq., F.L.S., Z.S., E.S., O.S., &c, 

 of Frickley Hall, near Doncaster. We have, however, seen Mr. Read on the 

 subject, and he expresses himself not quite certain as to its being actually a 

 British specimen. " Others have lately been purchased as British, by Mr. G. 

 Robertson, Dr. Bromfield," and Mr. Allis (see Naturalist, I. c, and Vol. II., 

 p. 38). It would seem, then, that this beautiful and rare insect still holds a 

 doubtful place in the British Fauna. — Ed. 



