72 MISCELLANEA. - 



tended beyond the Cranium. It is, therefore, satisfactory to 

 observe that this specimen perfectly agrees in every particular 

 with the description given of the Grey Seal. On examination 

 it proved to be a female, and contained a fully developed foetus ; 

 thus corroborating the assertion that this species breeds in 

 November. In consequence of it being with young the girth of 

 the lower part of the body was probably much increased; it 

 measured 5 feet, being 2 inches more than the girth of the 

 chest, which is usually much the broadest part of the animal. 

 The foetus was very large, being 3 feet 3 J in. in length, from the 

 muzzle to the extremity of the hind foot ; it weighed, including 

 the chorin, 401bs. — John Hancock, Newcastle, 2\st Oct., 1858. 



On the Occurrence of the Great Tortoise-shell, Vanessa Poly- 

 chloros, at Whithurn. — I may take this opportunity of recording 

 the capture of the Great Tortoise-shell butterfly at Whitburn, 

 by a relative of mine, on the 23rd of July last. It flew in at 

 an open window, and was captured in good order. The wings 

 are slightly chipped, but in other respects it is in fine condition. 

 This, I believe, is the first authentic capture of this beautiful 

 insect within our district. Mr. Geo. Wailes has introduced it 

 into his catalogue of the Lepidoptera, published in our " Transac- 

 tions," on the somewhat doubtful authority of Wallis ; since whose 

 time no Entomologist has met with it either in Northumberland 

 or Durham. Its capture therefore is very interesting. I may 

 also state that Mr. Charles Adamson saw a specimen of this 

 Butterfly in his garden at Jesmond, in September ; it settled on 

 a flower, and he had an excellent opportunity of observing it. — 

 Ibid. 



