Eadiata. 4021 



table during the summer, and consequently there is a pretty good store of fish kept in 

 the pit, amongst which are some carp, and many good tench, varying from 1 to 4 fbs. 

 in weight ; and there are also a few pike put with them, of from 4 to 9 fbs., as well as 

 some perch, and but a few roach, for the pike to feed on. These different kinds of 

 fish can be easily seen swimming about in the clear water, and the loud splash of the 

 pike indicates that he has seized some victim, and brought it to an untimely end. The 

 other day I saw, at some distance from the side of the pit, and deep in the water, a 

 bright shining substance slowly moving about, and which T could by no means satis- 

 factorily make out ; but after watching it for some considerable time, and endeavour- 

 ing to discover its nature, I at last perceived that across the middle portion projected 

 a dark band, looking as if it were fastened to it and pushing it along : and this turned 

 out to be the head of a large pike. The latter, having seized a tench, of about 3 fbs. 

 weight, crossways, which it was totally unable to swallow, was gently swimming about 

 with its head somewhat elevated and its tail sunk lower in the water, vainly endeavour- 

 ing to get the tench down its throat, or to twist it round so that the head of the tench 

 might the more easily lead the way for the rest of its body further into the capacious 

 jaws of its captor ; but this could not be effected. The latter therefore continued to 

 carry its prize slowly about the pit, as a dog would a bone. After watching the two 

 fish for some time while engaged in this way, I saw the pike approach the side of the 

 pond, and the keeper, happening to be near at hand, brought a casting-net and threw 

 over both ; but unfortunately a bough in the water kept the net from closing, so that 

 the two fish escaped, and were afterwards seen in the pit still in the same position as 

 before, the pike retaining a firm hold of the physician. At last, however, I thought I 

 perceived the latter freed from the tenacious grasp of the pike, who probably finding it 

 impossible to devour so large a prize, let it go free, and the tench, no doubt, rejoicing 

 at its timely escape, considered the attack of its foe a most ungrateful return for fa- 

 vours conferred. This is the only instance I ever met with in which the tench was 

 attacked by any other fish, though I have constantly had them put, together with pike 

 and perch, in small stews and other places, where the absence of food for the predatory 

 species has induced them to seize upon almost every other living thing : all other 

 kinds of fish, rats, young ducks and moor-hens have fallen a sacrifice to the all-de- 

 vouring pike, but not the tench ; and keepers always avoid setting their trimmers or 

 trolling for pike with a tench for a bait, alleging as a reason that no other fish will 

 touch it. — W. H. Slaney ; Hatton Hall, August 10, 1853. 



Note on Uraster glacialis and Mullers Top-knot. — Since I sent the notice of the 

 occurrence of Uraster glacialis in Dalkey Sound (Zool. 3990), I have learned that it 

 was obtained from a rock called the Corrig, off Dalkey Island, in from 8 to 10 fathoms 

 water. For the notice of it, and of Muller's top-knot, I am indebted to D. J. Corigan, 

 Esq., M.D., by whom they were both captured. — J. R. Kinahan; July 16, 1853. 



