86 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



nest, which he was huilding in the church tower. The moment he alighted, both male and 

 female rushed at him, and a regular battle ensued, which lasted for some minutes, when the 

 Jackdaw finding himself over-matched, bolted. I frequently see Magpies pursued by these birds 

 from tree to tree, and they generally compel them to leave the neighbourhood. — Idem. 



u4.n Adder, (Pelius Berus,) with two heads. — 'A young Adder with two distinct heads was 

 found a few miles from hence on the 9th. of October last, and was exhibited in the neighbour- 

 hood for a month or two shut up in a miserable bottle. I had the pleasure of examining it on 

 the 27th., when it was quite lively, both pairs of eyes bright, and the tongues frequently and 

 rapidly protruded, either both at once or singly; one head sometimes looked upwards, whilst 

 the other was downwards, or they were moved in opposite directions horizontally. On turning 

 it out, and allowing it fair play on the table, I observed that the right head was often laid 

 over the left, when quiet, but in progression, they were side by side, and the right projected 

 a trifle forward. Its colour appeared dark brown, as seen by candle-light, with the usual 

 markings distinct ; length, six or seven inches. A similar specimen was killed here four or five 

 summers ago, with both heads and necks distinct, which I saw in a bottle of spirits a few hours 

 afterwards.— Clement Jackson, East Looe, December 20th., 1851. 



Occurrence of the Black Fish, (Centrolophus pompilus,) at liedcar. — A specimen of this remark- 

 ably rare fish was found this day near First "Water East, Redcar. It measured thirteen inches 

 in length, and four inches and a half in depth. None of the fishermen remember having 

 seen one here before. According to Tarrell it is a small specimen; and only two others are 

 recorded as having occurred in England. — D. Ferguson, Redcar, March 13th., 1852. 



The Crab, (Cancer Pagurus.) — Mr. Ferguson's notice of the Crab with three Oysters attached 

 to its carapace, vol. i. page 46, induces me to ofier a few explanatory remarks on this occur- 

 rence. That the Crab does change its shell admits of little doubt. We have the testimony of 

 many eminent naturalists who have witnessed tliis suigularity, together with the fact that 

 specimens, devoid of shelly covering, have occasionally found their way into the fishermen's 

 creels or pots. They are seldom brought to market in this state, but are cast overboard, being 

 considered watery and insipid. In some parts of America, soft crabs are esteemed a delicacy. 

 If we examine minutely the anatomical structure of this shelly covering, it will convince us 

 that a frequent change is necessary for the full development of the body. This takes place 

 several times in the course of a year in young specimens, the growth at this period proceeding 

 rapidly. On approaching maturity, it only takes place at long intervals, afibrding ample time 

 for the full development of any testaceous body which may be attached. Mr. Ferguson's Crab 

 must have been an adult specimen; the spat, or spawn of the Oyster would in the course of 

 twelve months become as large as a crown-piece; after which the dimensions increase more 

 slowly, while the shelly matter is increasing in thickness. Mr. Couch, in one of his interesting 

 communications to the "Magazine of Natural History," states he has found Oysters on the 

 Crab two inches and a half in diameter. Se\cral fine specimens with this singularity are 

 deposited in the British Museum. It is said the Crab is much attached to its native haunts. 

 Many have been marked and deposited at considerable distances, and after some time had 

 elapsed, were again captured in their old quarters. They occasionally attain a large size, as 

 we may see from the many examples deposited in local Museums. The largest I ever saw is 

 at Walton Hall, the seat of Charles Waterton, Esq. , the indefatigable and unrivalled taxidemiist, 

 dissected into sixty-six pieces, previous to mounting. Much has been written on the natural 

 history of the Crab, but we are still in the dark on many interesting points. It is to be hoped 

 our friends on the coast will fall into the views of "The Naturalist," and communicate such 

 infonnation as may occasionally reward their researches. Natural History appears to have 

 received a new impulse; the numei-ous advocates for its further extension are daily on the 

 increase; and wc may look for many interesting and important results; rewarding those who 

 are devoting their leisure hours to this delightful study, which cannot fail to exalt our ideas 

 above the ordinary level, and teach us to appreciate more fully the wonderful dispensations of 

 an all-wise Creator. 



Nature, a mother, kind alike to all, 



Still grants her bliss at labour's earnest call. 



Jno: Dixon, 7, Copenhagen-Street, Leeds, November 3rd., 1851. 



