266 NOTES ON NOVA SCOTIAN ZOOLOGY PIERS. 



evidently basking on the calm, warm surface. At times we 

 thought another tin 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 5J 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. 



RED EFT (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 to a few years ago these young specimens had been a 

 great enigma to scientists. The red form is so different in 





