^836 The Zoologist — September, 1869. 



On the 7th of July, 1866, I captured another female of Lacerta agilis, which apjain 

 dropped seven eggs on the 22nd of ihat month. The young emerged from their shells 

 in half an hour, lived until September, and then died in their first moult: I have 

 several times since endeavoured to rear these creatures for the purpose, if possible, of 

 ascertaining when copulation takes place, whether before or after hybernation, and how 

 long the female carries her young. In my next attempt I failed through unfortunately 

 introducing two males, which fought so desperately that each died of wounds inflicted 

 by the other. In my last, I lost the female from the bite of a spider {Epeit'i 

 diadema): it was an immense creature, and I had only introduced it out of curiosity 

 to see if the lizard would attack one so large. She did seize it, but it immediately 

 turned, and bit her in the lip; and, although she at once shook it off, she grailually 

 became paralyzed, and died twenty-four hours after receiving the wound. — Henry 

 Moncreaff; Soulhiea, May 2, 1869. 



Variety of Anguis frayilis. — Having in my possession a full-grown blind worm 

 {Anyuis fragilis) of an unusually daik colour, with two irregular bands of bright 

 blue spots running along the whole length of its sides, and having a broader head 

 than is common to this animal, I should be much obliged if the Editor or any reader 

 of the 'Zoologist' could inform me if this is owing to old age, or is indicative of a 

 variety. — A, de Huyel ; Florian, Torquay, June 6, 1869. 



Sturgeons in the Severn. — Sturgeons have visited us early this season : about a 

 fortnight since two large ones were caught by the fishermen in the neighbourhood of 

 Oldbury-upon-Severn, and in accordance with custom tliey were forwarded to the Lord 

 of the Manor of Thornhury; and on Saturday last one weighing nearly 130 lbs. wiis 

 caught, by a fisherman, near Wuolaston Station, in the river Severn. I saw the fish 

 soon after il was taken out of the water: it was in very fine condition, and I much 

 enjoyed part of it, which I purchased. — Edward Siveetapple ; Cone Mill, Lydney, 

 May 6, 1S69. 



A Monster Salmon. — This village is proverbially noted for the size and excellence 

 of its salmon, but for this season at present, and fur a half century of past ones, the 

 palm must certainly be awarded to Mr. George Highnam, who caught on Friday last 

 a monster salmon of the following extraordinary dimensions: — Length, 4 feet 8 inches; 

 girth 2 feet ^ inch ; weight, 43 lbs. The fish was very bright in appearance, and 

 capitally grown. Its quality we bad not the opportunity of testing, but doubtless it 

 was as rich as it was gigantic — OW6ury-on.5ei)frn ; May 28, 1869. 



Land and Fresh Water Mollusks, collected in the immediate vicinity of Henley- 

 upon-Thames during the Season of 1868. — I have arranged the shells according to the 

 systematic list in Lovell Beeve's ' Manual' : — 



Limax agrestis (Field Slug). Common. 



Limax flavus (Yellow Slug). Common. 



Limax cinereus (Ash Slug). Common. 



Succinea elegans (Elegant Amber Shell). Not rare. 



