460 Exlraordinanj Eel. — Live Bat in the Centre of a Tree. 



are yet attached, and in a coaly state, spread out into the Sand- 

 stone on every side : it is seldom that these Remains are quite 

 round, but niostlv somewhat oval, particuiarlv towards tlie hot- 

 torn, where they usually swell out into an irregular club-like 

 form, much more resembling the lower parts of coralline and 

 other aquatic Stems, than the commencement of the Roots of a 

 Tree, or of any Land Plant ; no Branches have ever been ob- 

 served, proceeding from the sides or the tops of these Remains; 

 but it is very common to observe the smaller and medium sizes 

 of them, to terminate at top in a Imge Bud, very closelv resem- 

 bling the top of an Asparagus shoot, in the state the same are 

 brought to market. 



In a free Sandstone Quarry on the Western side of Glasgow, 

 a large Organic Remain has lately been found, which in every 

 essential particular seems to agree with the description above 

 mentioned. 



EXTRAORDINARY EEL. 



A few days ago an eel, of the common species, but of extraor- 

 dinary dimensions, got entangled in the herring cruives on the 

 Firth of Forth, near Higgins' Neuk. On being approached by 

 the fishermen, it flapped its tail most violentlv, and, had it struck 

 one of them, there is no doubt he would have forfeited his life for 

 his temerity. Aware of their danger, thcv cautiously ajjj)roached 

 it; and, after many efforts, they succeeded in fixing it with a 

 hook to which was attached a cord, and dragged it on shore, 

 where they triumphed over their victim. When measured, it 

 was found to be 18 feet in length, and two feet in girth at the 

 middle. The skin, which is stuffed, and which we understand 

 is in the possession of Mr. Higgins, the proprietor of the cruives, 

 must excite the attention of the naturalist. Part of the fish be- 

 ing dressed, was found to be most delicate eating. — Siirling 

 Journal. 



MVE BAT FOUND IN THE CICNTRE OF A TRKE. 



A woodman, engaged in splitting timber for rail posts, in 

 the woods close by the lake at Haining, a seat of Mr Prin- 

 gle's, in Selkirkshire, discovered in the centre of a laige wild 

 cherry tree a living bat, of a bright scarlet colour, which he 

 foolishly suffered to escape, from fear, — being fully persuaded 

 (with the characteristic superstition of the inhabitants of that 

 part of the country) that it was a " being not of this world." 

 The tree ))resents a small cavity in the centre, where the bat was 

 inclosed, but is perfectly sound and solid on each side. — Cale- 

 donian Mercury, Nov. 11. 



•\VALL-FRUIT. 



Mr. H. Dawsj of Sloughj lias ascertained that the ripening of 



wa'l- 



