NOTKS AND QUERIES. S26 



quadrifid processes were bathed in the slimy semi-fluid animal substance, 

 and the processes themselves appeared to contain abundance of fine granular 

 matter, possibly the result of absorption, but the large quantity of sur- 

 rounding animal matter present rendered the observation uncertain. The 

 usual swarms of Infusoria were present in the decomposing matter. Speci- 

 mens of the Utricularia with the little fish fast in the bladder-trap, and 

 their heads or tails hanging out, can be well preserved in spirits, and show 

 the conditions well, notwithstanding that the plant becomes colourless, and 

 there is no longer the marked contrast between the glistening white dead 

 fish and the green bladders, which in the fresh condition renders the com- 

 bination of the trap and prey conspicuous. Mr. Simms, by whose per- 

 mission I write this, intends shortly to publish an account of his observations 

 himself. I have advised him to endeavour to prepare spirit specimens of 

 Utricularia plants with numerous trapped fish in situ for sale to those 

 interested in the matter who may care to apply for them. His address is 

 37, Broad Street, Oxford. — H. N. Moseley. — ' Nature,' Maij 22nd. 



MAMMALIA. 



Capture of a White Whale on the Coast of Caithness.— It will be 

 recollected that in June, 1879, a specimen of the Beluga, or White Whale, 

 Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas), was captured at Little Ferry, near Dun robin, 

 Sutherlandshire, where it was found at ebb tide close to the salmon nets, 

 caught in a singular manner by the tail between two short posts to which 

 a stay-rope of the stake-net was fastened. This specimen has been described 

 by Prof. Flower, in the 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society' for 1879 

 (p. 667j, where an illustration is given of the animal in the position in which 

 it was found lying. Quite recently, namely, on the 30th April last, another 

 specimen of this cetacean, so rarely observed in the British seas, was taken 

 in the salmon-nets at Dunheath, Caithness, and towed ashore, where it lay 

 for some time exhibiting considerable activity. It was forwarded to Prof. 

 Struthers, Aberdeen University, and deposited for examination in one of 

 the courtyards of the University. It was pure white throughout, and being 

 quite fresh presented a beautiful appearance. It proved to be a female, 

 length about twelve feet six inches, which was the length of the specimen 

 previously captured at Dunrobin. The pectoral fin was very broad and 

 short, length sixteen inches, breadth ten inches. The tail-fin, deeply notched, 

 measured thirty-two inches from tip to tip. There was no fin on the back, 

 but a low ridge two or three feet long about the middle of the back. The teeth 

 were nine in number on each side of the upper and lower jaw. The blow- 

 hole was eighteen inches from the snout, measured round the very projecting 

 forehead. The minute rudimentary ear-passage was found six inches behind 

 the eye Photographic views of the Whale as it lay in the College-yard have 

 been taken by Mr. Wilson, photographer, Aberdeen, and after Professors 



