536 



of flatural f^ts'tory ; 



protruded, giving them a disgusting appear- 

 ance. They readily attack wounded birds : 

 cormorant in this state having taken to 



the shore, was immediately seized on by 

 several, and its death hastened by their 

 blows. The Beagle was at the Falklands 



only during the summer, but the officers of 

 the Adventure, who were there in the winter, 

 mention many extraordinary instances of 

 the boldness and rapacity of these birds. 

 They actually pounced on a dog that was 

 lying fast asleep close by one of the party ; 

 and the sportsmen had difficulty in prevent- 

 ing the wounded geese from being seized 

 before their eyes. It is said that several 

 together (in. this respect resembling the 

 Carrauchas) wait at the mouth of a rabbit- 

 hole, and together seize on the animal when 

 it comes out. They were constantly flying 

 on board the vessel when in the harbour ; 

 and it was necessary to keep a good look 

 out to prevent the leather being torn from 

 the rigging, and the meat or game from the 

 stern. These birds are very mischievous 

 and inquisitive ; they will pick up almost 

 anything from the ground ; a large black 

 glazed hat was carried nearly a mile, as was 

 a pair of the heavy balls used in catching 

 cattle. Mr. Usborne experienced during the 

 survey a more severe loss, in their stealing a 

 small Rater's compass in a red morocco 

 leather case, which was never recovered. 

 These birds are, moreover, quarrelsome, and 

 very passionate ; tearing up the grass with 

 their bills from rage. They are not truly 

 gregarious ; do not soar ; their flight is heavy 

 and clumsy ; on the ground they run with 

 extreme quickness, very much like phea- 

 sants. They are noisy, uttering several 

 harsh cries ; one of which is like that of the 

 English rook ; hence the sealers always so 

 call them. It is a curious circumstance 

 that, when crying out, they throw their 

 heads upwards and backwards, after the 

 same manner as the Carrancha. They build 

 on the rocky cliffs of the sea-coast, but only 

 in the small islets, and not in the two main 

 islands. This is a singular precaution in so 

 tame and fearless a bird. The sealers say 

 that the flesh of these birds, when cooked, is 

 quite white, and very good eating." 



POLYGASTRICA. The name given by 

 Ehrenberg to the most minute and simple 

 kinds of Infusorial Animalculae that exist. 

 They occur in all parts of the world, and 

 ditter according to diversity of climate, 

 region, kind of water, &c. ; and though they 

 are invisible to the naked eye, they are all 

 endowed with an organization characteristic 

 of the animal kingdom ; most of them having 

 a distinct mouth, and internal cavities for 

 the reception of food ; and they enjoy the 

 most extensive powers of reproduction. 

 They are not confined to infusions of or- 

 ganized matter ; they are found in the 

 stagnant waters around our cities ; in the 

 waters of rivers, harbours, and lakes ; and 

 even, it is believed, in every fluid drop of 

 the ocean. Their forms are extremely va- 

 rious : some appear composed of a mass of 

 gelatinous matter that may assume almost 

 any shape ; others seem to undergo various 



ve: 



mi 



forms according as they are differently si- 

 tuated ; while other species remain un- 

 changed, their soft bodies being enclosed in 

 a delicate but firm integument, strengthened 

 by an envelope formed of siliceous matter, 

 and termed the sheath. Most of the Poly- 

 gastriea have the power of freely moving 

 through their native element : but others at- 

 tach themselves to a solid base, like Polypes. 

 In almost all, we find the body furnished 

 more or less abundantly with cilia, usually 

 disposed around the mouth, towards which 

 they produce a vortex of fluid, that brings 

 a supply of alimentary particles. But it is 

 necessary to state, that, notwithstanding 

 this subject has occupied the attention of 

 many learned naturalists, and many extra- 

 ordinary discoveries have been made of late 

 ears, the nature of the organization and 

 '"e of these Animalcules is still involved in 

 great mystery ; and the question is infinitely 

 too comprehensive for us to attempt to enter 

 into any of the details upon which the va- 

 rious scientific opinions have been formed. 



POLYNEMUS, or MANGO-FISH. A 



group of Abdominal Fishes, chiefly confined 

 to the warmer latitudes ; and distinguished 

 by the rays of the pectoral fins being ex- 

 tended into long filaments, which hang 

 loosely on each side of the body, giving it 

 a singular and beautiful appearance. The 

 fishes of this genus are usually very brilliant 

 in their colours ; and are reckoned very de- 

 licious as articles of food. The general form 

 of the body somewhat resembles that of the 

 Perch. 



" Considerable interest is attached to the 

 Polyncmi on account of some recent dis- 

 coveries, which tend to show that they pro- 

 duce isinglass in considerable abundance. 

 The attention of the members of the Zoo- 

 logical Society (says Mr. Broderip) was first 

 directed to this subject by Dr. Cantor. 'In 

 the December number (1838) of Parbury's 

 Oriental Herald, says this naturalist, ' ap- 

 pears a letter on the Suleah fish of Bengal, 

 and the isinglass it affords : ' this fish, says 

 the anonymous writer, ' when at its full size, 

 attains about four feet in length, and is 

 squaliform, resembling the Shark species in 

 appearance, but exhibiting a more delicate 

 structure. The meat of this fish is exceed- 

 ingly coarse, and is converted by the natives, 

 when salted and spiced, into " burtah," a 

 piquant relish, well known at the breakfast 

 tables of Bengal. The bladder of the Suleah 

 may be considered the most valuable part of 

 it ; this, when exposed to the sun, and suf- 

 fered to dry, becomes purely pellucid, and 

 so hard, that it will repel the edge of a sharp 

 knife when applied to it. These bladders 

 vary in weight from half a pound to three 

 quarters of a pound avoirdupois when per- 

 fectly dry. This fish abounds in Channel 

 Creek, off Sangor, and in the mouths of 

 all the rivers which intersect the Sunderbuns, 

 and are exceedingly plentiful in certain 

 seasons. 



" The discovery of isinglass as a product 

 of India was so important, that Dr. Cantor 

 determined to investigate the subject, and 

 to ascertain, if possible, what the Suleah 



