1S8 MI8CELLAXEA. 



and weighs about 1401b. The sun-fish Orthagoriscus (a genus of 

 cartilaginous fishes belonging to the family of Gymnodontes^ and 

 so named on account of the almost circular form and shining 

 surface of the typical species), appears like the head of a large 

 fish separated from the body. While swimming it turns upon 

 itself like a whale. It grows to a large size, often attaining a 

 diameter of four feet, and occasionally extending to twelve feet. 

 It is found in all seas, from the Arctic to the Antarctic circle. 

 Two or three species are known, the present specimen being the 

 Orthagoriscus Mola. It is now in the hands of a taxidermist, and, 

 when stuffed, will be presented to the Sunderland Museum. 

 The Whitburn fishermen are an intelligent class of men, and, in 

 deep-water fishing, they often obtain rare fishes, zoophytes, &c. 

 &c., which they might preserve if they were properly encouraged. 

 — St. John Crooks^ Sunderland^ December 8, 1859. 



Occurrence and Localities of Lepidoptera. — Melita?a Artemis, in a 

 bog near Lintzford; very plentiful in May, and a few in July. 

 Hipparchia Megccra, near Winlaton Mill ; July. Thecla Quercus, 

 Lintzford; July. Vanessa Urticce, in Gateshead, 7th December. 

 Smerintlius Ocellatus, South Tyne, in May. Pijgcpra Bucephala, 

 Blaydon ; June. Sphinx Convolvidi, in a garden at Swalwell ; 

 July. — Wni. Dinning, Gateshead, Dec. 1859. 



Occurrence of the Seal (Phoca vitidina) at Seaham Hai'hovr. — As 

 two men and a little boy were amusing themselves amongst the 

 rocks south of this place, on the 18th July, one of their party 

 espied a strange animal in a rock pool, where it had evidently 

 been left by the retreating tide. After being stoned to death, it 

 was dragged out of the pool, and great were the surmises as to 

 what it was. At last the group was joined by a man, who re- 

 membered to have seen a similar animal many years ago, which 

 he thought very like this, and which was a seal. A seal also 

 the animal before them proved to be. It appeared to be a young 

 animal, and in very good condition; length from tip to tip, 

 3 feet 4 inches, extreme girth, 2 feet; colour, pejiper and salt, 

 and spotted on the back; belly, dirty-white. About four yeai's 

 since, I found a similar specimen high and dry, on our shore, 

 but so far gone in decomposition as to render a careful examina- 



