728 SCIENTIFIC RECORD FOR 1883. 



denskiold's work as the " Dog-fish from the Ohukche Peninsula" (p. 444). 

 The resemblance, however, is only superficial, and the animal is found 

 to have many peculiar characters. The pectorals have very numerous 

 rays (33-35), and are set on convex skin-covered bases, and when the 

 skin is taken up it is found that there is a simple cartilage, and no 

 bones, as in most fishes. Further, the bones of the upper jaw are 

 grown together, and not separate, as is usual. In fact, the Dallia is the 

 only known representative of a very remarkable family (Dalliidae), and 

 even of a peculiar suborder (Xenomi) of fishes. The fish rarely grows 

 much beyond six inches long. 



Banger from Garfish. — The fishes variously known along the United 

 States coast as garfish, bill-fish, and needle-fish are remarkable for their 

 elongated, bill-like jaws, and are very agile, and may occasionally be 

 seen to leap out of the water. It seems that this propensity may be 

 not without some inconvenience, or even danger, especially in the case 

 of the large, stout-billed species. Mr. S. Archer " was being pulled 

 off from the shore to H. M. S. Himalaya in the harbor of Aden, when a 

 fish jumped out of the water over the boat, and in doing so struck the 

 hat of another officer and knocked it into the water. When the hat was 

 recovered" there was found "in the hard felt a slit about four inches 

 in length" (Nature, vol. xivin, p. 226). The fish was doubtless a gar. 

 Professor Moseley, in comments upon this incident, asserts that "it is 

 the constant habit of large belones," some of which attain a length of 

 five feet, " when startled, to move along the surface of the water with 

 astonishing rapidity." Professor Moseley had "seen them thus spring 

 out of the water when scared by a boat," and had been told "that in some 

 of the Pacific islands these fish not uncommonly cause the death of the 

 natives, who, when wading in the water, have their naked abdomens 

 speared by the sharp snouts of the fish, with the result of causing peri- 

 tonitis. The fish appear to bound blindly away from danger, and strike 

 any object in their way haphazard." (Nature, vol. xxviii, p. 436.) 



Amphibians. 



Spermatozoa of Newt. — In view of the great uniformity of the sperma- 

 tozoa, an observation by Mr. G. J. Dowdeswell is of some interest. The 

 spermatozoa of the common newt of Europe (Triton cristatus) were found 

 to have a structure not found in any others. The head of each sperma- 

 tozoon was found to be surmounted by a minute barb about 2 y. long 

 and 1.5 p. broad. It is thought that this barb may have as a function 

 an enhanced power for the spermatozoon to attach itself to and pene- 

 trate into the ovum in the early stages of fertilization, as has been shown 

 to occur by Fol and others. (Quart. Journ. Royal Mic. Soc, vol. n, pp. 

 336-339.) 



Reptiles. 



A new reptile-house. — A special reptile-house, or " reptilium," was 

 built in 18S2 and 1883 by the Zoological Society of London, which will 



