Mr Gibson on the Grampus caught near Granton. 99 



Should undoubted organisms be found in it, they might also 

 be discovered in that bed of limestone which runs through 

 the length of the Shetlands. 



II. — Note on the Gramims (Orca gladiator, Lacep) recently 

 caught near Granton. By John Gibson, Esq. 



On Saturday, March 18th, a Grampus (Orca gladiator, Jjacei^.) 

 was captured about one mile west of Granton. On being 

 dragged ashore, while still alive, it gave forth shrill piercing 

 cries, somewhat resembling in their sharpness a woman's 

 voice. The specimen was an adult male having the following 

 dimensions : 



Total length along curve of back, 21 ft. 10 in. Girth of body, 13 ft. Height 

 of dorsal fin, 3 ft. 10 in. Length of flipper, 3 ft. 10 in. Breadth of dorsal 

 fin, 2 ft. 8 in. Length from snout to origin of flipper, 3 ft. 11 in. ; to origin 

 of dorsal fin, 8 ft. 1 in. ; to blow-hole, 2 ft. 5 in. Dentition, ^f. 



Colour on the upper surface, a uniform deep black, with the 

 exception of a patch of light blue situated at the posterior 

 base of the dorsal fin. Eight over the eye, and extending 

 posteriorly for 25 inches, was a narrow white blotch about 5 

 inches broad at the broadest part; the lower surface of a creamy 

 white colour, the white of the anal region sending off a broad 

 branch on each side. The front tooth on each side of the 

 lower jaw was exceedingly small and almost hidden by the 

 overlapping of the gum. The two teeth immediately succeed- 

 ing these on each side were worn down almost to the level of 

 the gum. 



III. — Note on the Occurrence of Helix arbustorum, Linn., var. 

 alpestris, Zeigler, at a height of 1730 feet in the Ochils. 

 By J. C. PuRVES, M.D. 



Although Helix ccr'bustoru7n, Linn,, is a widely distributed 

 species, ranging as it does throughout the temperate parts of 

 Europe, it is by no means a common form, its occurrence 

 I)eing decidedly local. The shell is very little variable in 

 colour and the pattern of its markings; but its form and 

 dimensions are considerably affected by its vertical range. At 

 great elevations it undergoes a marked diminution in size, 

 the spire, at the same time, becoming relatively more elevated. 

 Its usual habitat is in osier beds or clumps of EpiloUum 

 hirsutum, etc., by river sides, or in damp, shrubby places in 



