237 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Naturalization of Zosterops dorsalis in New Zealand. 
By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c. 
Mr. Ricwarp Taytor has sent to the British Museum a specimen of 
Zosterops dorsalis, with the following notes :—‘“A singular little bird, 
which has lately made its appearance in Wanganaui, New Zealand, and 
now abounds. It appears to be migratory, and, I fancy, is originally 
from Tasmania. Mr. Butler, an enthusiastic ornithologist, thinks it 
belongs to the south end of the middle island; but I was assured 
last summer, when visiting Dunedin, that it was equally a stranger 
there. I fancy, therefore, that he is mistaken. The bird bids fair 
to prove a blessing, by arresting the rapid progress of the American 
blight, which is destroying all our apple-trees. It stays the winter 
with us, and, we suppose, passes the summer at Taupo.” 
The Boar Fish (Capros aper). 
A fine specimen of this fish was taken on the 24th of January, near 
Swanage, on the coast of Dorsetshire. The colour is very brilliant 
when alive. The specimen has been presented to the British Museum 
by the Rev. J. M. Colson.—J. E. G. 
On the Occurrence of Paludicella Ehrenbergi 7x Shropshire. 
To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. 
GENTLEMEN,—I have lately discovered the very interesting fresh- 
water Polyzoon Paludicella Ehrenbergi in the Shropshire Union 
Canal near my house. It is the first time I have met with this 
' species, though I have been on the look-out for some years. Allman 
remarks that this Polyzoon is very widely distributed, and says he 
can scarcely account for its having so long escaped notice, except by 
supposing that its resemblance to some of the Confervoid Algze caused 
it to be overlooked. Paludicella is certainly, as the above-named 
naturalist observes, ‘“‘a very timid little animal, and a specimen may 
be for hours under observation before the polypides will venture to 
issue from their cells, and then it is often for only a few seconds at a 
time that they will continue visible.” 
I may here remark that the most successful method of procuring 
freshwater Polyzoa, according to my own experience, is to hunt for 
the characteristic statoblasts (which may in most cases be found in 
great numbers at the surface of the water in winter and spring), and 
to take a supply of this water, with aquatic weeds, and place all 
together in a glass vessel, which should be kept in subdued light in 
a moderately warm room. The statoblasts will soon germinate and 
afford specimens for examination. In this way I have obtained 
young specimens of Cristatella and various species of Plumatella. 
Indeed the naturalist will find it well worth his while to take at 
random a can of water and a handful of freshwater weeds at any 
time during the open weather in winter, and to keep a glass vessel 
