208 Recent Observations in Natural History. [Sess. 
in which each pinna is divided at a short distance from the 
rachis, one branch growing upwards at an angle of about 
45°, the other downwards at about the same angle, the 
branches crossing each other and forming a lattice. If Scot- 
land has produced that one, what may not be in store for 
the diligent searcher ! 
XITI.—RECENT OBSERVATIONS IN NATURAL 
HISTORY. 
By Mr TOM SPEEDY. 
(Read April 24, 1901.) 
STALKING A SEAL. 
Many of you will have read recently in the newspapers a 
description of the scenery which is now opened up by the 
Mallaig Railway. Irrespective of its wild and picturesque 
nature, this district has attractions to many from its being 
associated with memories of Prince Charlie and the Rebellion 
of 45. Jacobites will here find classic ground; while lovers 
of nature will revel amid an ever-varying panorama of mountain 
and lake scenery, unsurpassed by anything to be witnessed in 
the fjords of Norway. It is not, however, the natural beauty, 
nor yet the historical associations, of the district that I desire 
at present to bring under your notice, but an observation 
in natural history showing the intelligence animals often 
display in noting the disturbed movements of other wild 
creatures, though themselves unaware of the source of the 
danger, and the consequent defeat of the intruder who 
threatens to destroy them. 
Being retained by several of the proprietors of the ground 
intersected by the Mallaig Railway, with the view of giving 
evidence in their behalf at a reference, I spent a few days 
last summer in the district. Residing in the Kinloch Aylort 
Hotel, I received that motherly hospitality from Mrs Macnab 
with which all who stay under her roof are familiar. Sunday 
