380 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



affection is its ruin. Its place will be taken by the less philoprogenitive 

 but not less delicate bivalve of Baltimore or of Portugal. Meanwhile the 

 contrast between the two may well serve to point the moral of scientific 

 research, and to promote the establishment in these isles of Marine Bio- 

 logical Laboratories. What Science has already done for the Oyster it may 

 well be expected to do in time for many another of our sea-fishes and shell- 

 fishes. The field of research is almost inexhaustible, and Science would be 

 perfectly ready to cultivate it, if once it could obtain the means and oppor- 

 tunities. It is impossible to doubt that the study of the structure and habits 

 of the fishes which frequent our coasts will result in an accumulation of 

 knowledge which must in the end direct and inform the practice of our 

 fishermen. But it is not merely for the increase of the supply of Oysters, 

 or even for the improvement of our fishing industries in general, that the 

 Marine Biological Association has been formed. The object is the scientific 

 study of a branch of Natural History which has hitherto been neglected for 

 want of adequate means and opportunities for its prosecution. The under- 

 taking is a costly one, and it is hoped that the necessary funds will be freely 

 forthcoming. — From ' The Times' July 9th. 



[We understand that the Corporation of Plymouth has already offered 

 a site for the erection of the building as well as a very liberal donation to 

 the building fund. — Ed.] 



MAMMALIA. 



Wild Cat in Lincolnshire.— In the spring of the present year I saw 

 in the shop of Mr. W. Barber, of Lincoln, a cat which was received by him 

 in the flesh from one of his country customers. It was shot in the early 

 part of March, 1883, by Mr. Arthur Beltou, a farmer living at Bullington, 

 near Wragby, and under the following circumstances: — He was out with 

 his gun in a small plantation near Bullington Wood, when his dog — a small 

 terrier — brushed the animal from beneath a thicket of brambles. Instead 

 of flying the cat at once attacked the dog, which it severely mauled. Seeing 

 his dog was getting much the worst of the combat, Mr. Belton rushed in, 

 on which the cat took refuge in an oak tree, crouching between two branches 

 above the bole ; perceiving the creature apparently making preparations to 

 spring, he fired at its face and brought it down. He thinks it is the same 

 cat which had been seen at intervals in the neighbourhood for many years 

 past. Mr. Barber told me that on skinning it he found all the characteristics 

 of a wild animal; the muscles were very strong, red, and highly developed, 

 and the intestine was much shorter than in the common cat. On com- 

 paring the animal with the best written descriptions, as well as with a 

 Scotch Wild Cat obtained many years ago in JSIar Forest, I have not the 

 least hesitation in stating that it is undoubtedly a genuine Wild Cat, Felis 

 catua. It agrees closely in coloration and dimensions with the wild type, 



