NOTES AND QUERIES. 85 



FISHES. 



Large Pike in the Avon. — About the end of July last a large fish of 

 this kind was caught in the Avon not far from Ringwood. It had been 

 previously seen on several occasions, and many an unsuccessful attempt 

 had been made to capture it by those versed in the " gentle craft." The 

 fish, however, had apparently disappeared from its usual haunt for some 

 considerable time, till one day a small boy, whose angling experience could 

 not have been very extensive — much to his surprise — chanced to hook the 

 ponderous-jawed monster, and brought it " to bank," with the assistance of 

 a man who came to the rescue. I saw the fish soon after its capture, and 

 it measured three feet ten inches in length, and weighed just over 25 lbs. 

 Its appearance was somewhat lean and gaunt, which would, I suppose, 

 account for the comparatively small weight of the creature. Judging from 

 the formidable aspect of its open mouth, it must have been an old enemy to 

 its finny companions, as some of its teeth, especially in the lower jaw, stood 

 up nearly an inch in length. The man who landed it told me he distinctly 

 saw a rat in its throat when first brought ashore. I understand that much 

 heavier Pike have from time to time been met with here, but few exceeding 

 it in length. I am well aware that larger aud heavier Pike have been met 

 with in other rivers, but I think perhaps the above may be worth recording. 

 — G. B. Corbin (Riugwood, Hants). 



MOLLUSCA. 



Food of the Oyster. — Can you give me any information about the food 

 of Oysters? I have looked into several books for details on the subject, 

 but have only encountered very general and vague remarks. It would 

 appear that while the culture of Oysters has provoked considerable discus- 

 sion, little or no attention has been directed to a discovery of the nature of 

 their food. — R. A. 



[The most recent contribution to our knowledge on this subject is con- 

 tained in an article by M. Certes in the ' Bulletin de la Societe Zoologique 

 de France,' 1882, pp. 347-353, entitled Note sur les Parasites et les 

 Commensaux de I'Huitre. In this article the writer observes: — " L'huitre 

 est omnivore. Lorsque Ton examine au microscope les liquides extraits de 

 l'estomac on y retrouve plus on raoins desagreges par les sues gastriques, 

 des [grains de pollen, des acariens, des debris d'algues et de crustaces, des 

 diatomees, des foraminiferes, des radiolaires, et en tres grand abondance a 

 certaines epoques de l'annee les ceufs et les spermatozoides de l'animalcule 

 lui-meme." — Ed.] 



ARCHEOLOGY. 



Ancient Camps in Epping Forest. — There is a little confusion in the 

 archaeological note (p. 36) referring to the explorations at the Forest Camps 

 aud the Essex " Dene Holes," which it may be well to remove. The 



