440 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
regions referred to, yet I think the facts advanced do not admit of 
the supposition that the collections made by the recent Arctic 
Expedition do not fairly represent that of Smith Sound and 
northward—from lat. 79° to 82° 30’ N. 
Number or Recent MoLtuscaA OBTAINED IN Davis SrRAIvT, AND 
NorTHWARDS IN THE AMERICAN ARCTIC CIRCLE. 
Expeditions. Localities. Latitudes. Species 
obt’ned, 
‘Valorous,’ Jeffreys .| Davis Strait . . . .| 60°—T7O0°N. 122 
Northumberland and Sgt seat 
Belcher - Wellington Channels Oe e 
Hayes .| Port Foulke . . . .| 78°—79° 21 
British Arctic of : a cant 
1875-76 } Smith Sound . . . .| 79°—82° 30 35 
OCCASIONAL NOTES. 
Buack Rar iN SoMERSETSHIRE.—On September 18th one of our village 
‘ cats distinguished herself by capturing a fine specimen of a Black Rat, 
the only example of this ancient breed which has ever fallen under my 
observation.—M. A. Maruew (Bishop's Lydeard). 
ABSENCE OF THE WEASEL FROM IRELAND. — It is a pity that the few 
who believe in the existence of the Weasel in Ireland have never been able 
to produce an Irish specimen. Some years ago a friend of mine made it 
known that he would give £5 to anyone who would bring him such an 
animal; yet up to the present time not one has been produced. — 
W. Kinsey Dover (Castle Connor, Ballina, Co. Mayo). 
Wixp Cat in THE Iste or Wicut.—It may be inferred from the 
Editor's scepticism in regard to the alleged- existence of the Wild Cat in 
the South of England (p. 339) that he believes in its existence in the 
North. What dwellers in the New Forest may think of it I know not; it 
may not have been met with there, but of its occurrence here there can be 
no doubt. This Cat is not “of hearth-rug ancestry” I am confident. 
Countless generations could not have so transformed it; but, however 
that may be, here it is, and may be inspected. Having so recently 
described a Wild Cat from Inverness-shire (‘ Zoologist,’ 1876, p. 4791), the 
minute description of another would be a work of supererogation. — Henry 
HaprigLp (Ventnor, Isle of Wight). 
Swimaunc Powers or tHu Mote. — The following facts concerning 
the swimming powers of the Mole were communicated to me the other day 
by my brother-in-law, the Rev. Geoffrey Hill. He was fishing on Loch 
