inhabiting the Cminty of Sutherland. 161 



to the different form of the tail, other well marked characters exist. No 

 mixed breed ever appears to take place between the species even in situ- 



.ations the most likely for such an event to occur. 12. Phoca Vitulina, 



Common Seal. Abounds in all the salt-water lochs, where it preys chiefly 

 upon the Salmonida). The Phocaharbata (an inhabitant of the Fern Islands) 



is not known here. 13. Mus musculus. Common House Mouse. 



14. M. sylvaticus. Field Mouse. 15. M. decumanus. Brown or Norway 



Rat. 16. Lepus timidus. Common Hare. Common in the lower lands, 



and the limestone district about Inch-na-Damff. 17. L. variabilis, ^/pin« 



Hare. Abundant throughout the central and mountainous parts of the 

 county, and descends to the flat grounds upon the borders of Loch Shin, 



&c. 18. Arvicola aquatica, Water Rat. Common upon many of the 



slower running streams, and the islands of the various lochs. The black 

 Tariety (at first supposed to be a distinct species) is met with about the 

 head of Loch Naver, and a large colony of the same inhabits a low sandy 



island of Loch Laighal. 19. A. agrestis. Short-tailed Field Mouse* 



Common. 20. Capra Hircus, Common Goat. A few inhabit tlie fast- 

 nesses of the rocky districts, but it is doubtful if they can be regarded 



as indigenous. 21. Cervus elephas. Red Deer. This noble animal 



is fostered with great care, and is at present numerous in certain dis- 

 tricts of the county. About Ben Stack, whose base is clothed with birchen 

 woods, it may be seen in large herds, as well as about Ben Hope, Ben 

 Laighal, &c. A hind that we suddenly came upon by the margin of Loch 

 Shin, immediately took the water and swam across the loch, upwards 

 of a mile in breadth. Upon Ben Stack we came upon a young fa^vn 

 concealed in ferns and low underwood, crouched in its form like a hare ; 

 it bounded away with great agility at first, and was supposed to be a roe, 

 but, after a short chase, was pulled down by a water dog that accompanied 

 us, fortunately without receiving any very serious injury. After examina- 

 tion, we left it near the spot from whence it had been roused. 22. Cef . 



Capreolus, Roe Deer. This beautiful species, owing to the want of ex- 

 tensive woods, is not numerous in Sutherland. 



( To he concluded in next Number.) 



Notice concerning the Life and Writings of Professor Brink- 

 ley, Bishop ofCloyne. By M. Arago. 



Brinkley having passed nearly the whole of his scientific 

 life in Dublin, has been often taken for an Irishman. Thi^ 

 however, is a mistake ; for he was born in England, and of 

 English parentage. He studied at Cains College, Cambridge, 

 where his brilliant success speedily attracted the attention of the 

 friends of science. He was senior wrangler of his year, Mal- 

 thus taking his degree at the same time. He soon became a 



VOL. XX. NO. XXXIX. JANUARY 1S36. L 



