434 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



disposition, aud allowed me to handle it without showing the least 

 inclination to bite, and when released glided slowly away, in this respect 

 being very dissimilar to both the Viper and the Common Snake. The 

 situation in which I found it was very similar to its well-known haunts 

 in the New Forest, the soil around being sandy and covered with heather. 

 I expect it will be found to be more widely distributed than it is generally 

 supposed. — H. N. Ridley (British Museum). 



The Smooth Snake at Bournemouth. — In October, 1879, I received 

 from a Bournemouth birdstuffer an adult specimen of the Smooth Snake, 

 Coronella hivis, of which the under parts were of a beautiful salmon-colour. 

 It died when on loan to a friend in December, 187'.), and I placed it in the 

 Oxford Museum, but its colour faded after death. I mention this because 

 Dr. Stradling recently described, in 'The Field,' a similar variety from 

 Germany. — H. A. Macpheuson (Oxford). 



Thresher Shark off the Coast of Devon. — A Thresher (Squalus 

 vulpes), fourteen feet in length, its tail measuring six feet three inches, was 

 captured by a Brixham lisbing-smack on September 15th. It was purchased 

 by Mr. Brookes, fish merchant, Kiugskerswell.— John (Jatcombe (Durnford 

 Street, Stonehouse, Devon). 



Spinous Shark on the Coast of Dublin. — On the 25th September 

 last 1 saw, lying in the shop of a tishmonger in William Street, Dublin. 

 a fine specimen of the Spinous Shark (Echinorhinus spinosus, Blainv.), 

 which I was informed had been captured near Skerries, about fifteen miles 

 to the north of Dublin. This is, I believe, the first record of the occurrence 

 of this rare fish in Ireland. — A. G. Moke (Dublin). 



Large Sword-fish off Plymouth. — On September 21st a Sword-fish 

 was taken in a mackerel-net, near the Eddystone, eleven feet in length. 

 The sword measured three feet and u half; depth of body proportionately 

 small, beiug only one foot one inch, as reported by the person who measured 

 it. — John Gatcombe (Stonehouse, Devon). 



NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS. 



Cameos from the Silver-land ,• or, the Experiences of a Younq 

 Naturalist in the Argentine Republic By Ernest William 

 White, F.Z.S. Vol. II. London : Van Voorst. 1882. 



The first part of this work was noticed in ' The Zoologist ' 

 for January last (pp. 37 — 40), and the author's narrative ended 

 for the time with his return from a visit to the extreme north- 



