266 NOTES ON NOVA SCOTIAN ZOOLOGY—PIERS. 
evidently basking on the calm, warm surface. At times we 
thought another fin could be seen above the surface at a little 
distance from the first one; and if this was so, a second fish 
must have been present. Finally we obtained a boat and rowed 
out to the bobbing black fin. The boat was put alongside the 
animal, which made no attempt to escape. It was lying on its 
side at the surface, a yard or two from us, and in full view. We 
estimated its length to be about 54 feet, and it did not differ 
in shape from former specimens. It showed no alarm until 
struck with a pole, when it slowly sank, turned over, and pro- 
pelled itself away beneath the surface by lateral movements of 
the dorsal and anal fins. It soon came up and once more waved 
its dorsal in the air. On being touched, it again went out of sight, 
but soon re-appeared and then sank once more. Finally the 
fin rose out of the water not far away and we pulled alongside. 
The animal, however, was now more alarmed, and on being 
merely lightly touched with an oar, turned over and, more 
rapidly than before, made off in an oblique direction down- 
ward. It was beneath for some time, and then appeared close 
to the shore, but was very shy and disappeared as soon as 
approached. A little later a wake was seen on the surface of 
the smooth water, progressing with a good deal of rapidity. It 
was without doubt caused by the fish swimming a little beneath 
the surface. It made toward the shore and then sheared off and 
went close along the beach, but in deep water, and then finally 
disappeared. 
BATRACHIANS. 
Rep Err (Diemyctylus viridescens = miniatus). The 
viridescent form of this species has been reported in the province 
by Dr. MacKay and myself, but the red, immature land form 
(miniatus) has not previously been collected. About October 
10th, 1896, however a red terrestial specimen was taken at Lake- 
view, near Bedford, by Miss M. H. King, and was brought to me 
for identification. 
Up toafew years ago these young specimens had been a 
great enigma to scientists. The red form is so different in 
