392 Scientific Intelligence. — Zoology. 



singular conformation, forty or fifty of which are found de- 

 posited in irregular groups, on shells or other substances. 

 A short stalk rising from a broad thin sole, firmly attached 

 to the substance subjacent, is crowned by a globular head, 

 with a distinct umbilicus on the side. Here is contained a 

 tenacious transparent albumen, of the faintest red. The egg is 

 originally of a fine soft downy aspect, white, or rather tinged 

 with the lightest carnation ; the umbilicus of beautiful orange. 

 But the whole speedily alters, and in two or three days, be- 

 comes of that dark uniform olive, vmder v/hich it always ap- 

 pears when withdrawn from the sea. Each egg contains a 

 single embryo, which, on attaining maturity, issues through the 

 umbilicus. It is then about an inch long, and of a brown 

 colour. Both eggs and young have been produced in my pos- 

 session, from January until April.'"' Mr Dalyell has remark- 

 ed some curious facts respecting this animal. " If solitary, 

 it is torpid in confinement. But, on a stranger leech being- 

 introduced, boxh seem to experience very agreeable sensations. 

 Their necks are intertwined, considerably activity is displayed, 

 and one or more milk-white vesicles, resembling minute grains 

 of oats in figure, are seen protruding from the neck or its 

 vicinity. Some observers have represented a leech, apparently 

 the muricata, with horns. Have they been deceived by the 

 vjesicles, — or is there really a leech with horns .^" None such 

 has ever occurred to Mr Dalyell among eight species of Scotch 

 leeches, of which he possesses drawings and descriptions. 



39. The Elk. — That magnificent animal the elk, the monarch 

 of the northern forests, and which so greatly exceeds every other 

 in size, is an inhabitant of the more southern latitudes of Sweden 

 and Norway ; but is not found in Finmark. This animal pos- 

 sesses, in a singular degree, the qualities of both the horse and 

 the ox, combining the fleetness of the former with the strength 

 of the latter in drawing burthens. In former times, when it 

 was found in greater abundance in Sweden, the powers of this 

 animal were made subservient to purposes of public utility ; and 

 Fischerstrom informs us, that, in the reign of Charles the Ninth, 

 elks were made use of for the purpose of conveying couriers, 

 and were capable of accomplishing, what would appear incredi- 

 ble, namely, 36 Swedish miles, about 234 English miles, in a 

 day, Mihen attached to a sledge, which far surpasses the powers 



