^^_ NOTES AND COMMENTS. 167 



poraneous Phosphorites of Central France, are now identified from the 

 Siderolites ; while of still wider interest is the identification of certain 

 Swiss forms — especially Lemuroids — with genera from the Eocene of 

 the United States. We note that the Professor does not accept the 

 identification of the Lemuroid from the French Phosphorites 

 described as Necroleiiinv, with Microchcerns of the English Oligocene ; 

 and it seems probable that some emendation will have to be made in 

 regard to the mammals he refers to the genera Hyracotherium and 

 Hyopotamus. Some interesting observations are recorded as to the 

 hom.ology and nomenclature of the component elements of the molar 

 teeth ; and the Egerkingen fauna is carefully correlated with other 

 faunas of the same age. We must venture to take objection to the 

 title page of the memoir bearing the date of i8gi, when it is perfectly 

 clear from internal evidence that it was not published until the present 

 year was far advanced. 



In the February number of the American Naturalist just received, 

 Professor Cope discusses the affinities of the so-called " Marsupial 

 Mole" [Notoryctes typhlops) from Australia, lately noticed in Natural 

 Science (p. 36). He considers that its relationship to the Marsu- 

 pials is not proved, and suggests that it ought rather to be placed 

 with the Insectivora. He especially emphasises the resemblance of 

 Notoryctes to the South African Chrysochloris, and thinks that the 

 Notoryctidae may belong to one of the groups required to connect the 

 marsupial and placental mammals. He adds that the existence of a 

 South African type of placental mammal in Australia is not surpris- 

 ing, since the freshwater fish Gonorhynclms greyi is common to both 

 countries, and the ratite birds and pleurodire tortoises are found in 

 both. 



The subject of the so-called "tailless " trout met with in several of 

 the Scottish lakes is discussed again by Dr. R. H. Traquair in the 

 April number of the Scottish Annals of Natural History. The tail-fin 

 in these trout, instead of being forked and fan-shaped, is rounded and 

 degenerate. Many new facts are added, and there are several 

 beautiful figures ; but the explanation of the strange phenomenon is 

 still as mysterious as ever. 



Captain Chaves, of the Portuguese Army, who has made a 

 special study of the fauna of the Azores, has lately found a very 

 remarkable crustacean off the Isle of San Miguel. It is a Mysid of 

 remarkable appearance, covered with an overhanging carapace of very 

 large size (8 or 9 miUim.) compared with the total length of the 

 animal (12 milHms., not including antennae). Under this carapace, 

 which is armed with spiny processes and characteristic ridges, the 



