1244 Quadrupeds. 



midieae cannot be sufficiently displayed by lithography. Upwards of one hundred 

 species will be introduced, many of them either altogether new, or now first noticed as 

 British. The conjugated state of the Desmidieae is interesting sometimes, from its re- 

 semblance to the same state in the Conjugate, sometimes from the similarity of the 

 spores to fossil bodies found in flint, and considered by Ehrenberg and other natural- 

 ists as species of Xanthidium. On these accounts, and also because few instances have 

 been hitherto recorded, it is intended to give, not only full details of the process, but as 

 far as practicable, to show the different stages by figures. Examples will be taken from 

 one or more species in each of the following genera : Glceoprium, Didymoprium, Mi- 

 crasterias, Euastrum, Cosmarium, Xanthidium, Staurastrum, Tetmemorus, and Clos- 

 terium. As their animal nature has been maintained by many able writers, this ques- 

 tion will be examined, and sufficient reasons produced for considering the Desmidieae 

 to belong to the Vegetable Kingdom. Their modes of growth and other facts which 

 may illustrate their economy will receive particular attention. That nothing may be 

 wanting to the utility of this Monograph, the introduction will contain ample direc- 

 tions for finding and gathering these minute plants and the different methods of 

 mounting them for the microscope. As the work cannot be produced without a con- 

 siderable outlay, the author is desirous of receiving the names of subscribers. The 

 price is to be 21s. — Edward Newman. 



Remarks on the piscatory habits of the Polecat. — As the 37th No. of ' The Zoolo- 

 gist ' only reached me late on Saturday the 17th of January, I fear it will be impossible 

 for my few remarks on the piscatory habits of the polecat to reach you in time, for inser- 

 tion in your February number. If, however, these can be admitted without any injus- 

 tice to your other more valued correspondents I shall be greatly obliged, as I flatter 

 myself they are calculated to solve some of Mr. Frere's doubts respecting certain habits 

 of the polecat and eel. I confess that I am much gratified that your observing corres- 

 pondent Mr. Frere has forwarded to you such interesting remarks in the same number 

 of * The Zoologist ' on certain habits of the polecat (Zool. 1204), and also on the eel 

 (Zool. 1216), and more especially as these facts, taken conjointly, conspire to prove 

 what otherwise, to some persons might appear a contradiction. I beg therefore to make 

 a few hasty observations on the habits of the polecat which I have noticed in my own 

 neighbourhood, and more especially in reference to its predilection for eels, and trust 

 they may serve in some degree to corroborate and illustrate the statements of Mr. 

 Frere. We have polecats abundant in Pilling during the whole year, and in the 

 winter season, when the water in the ditches and main-drains, is chiefly congealed, and 

 more especially when the ice is slightly covered with snow, the foot-prints of the pole- 

 cat may be traced on the ice, and the most indubitable evidence is then afforded of its 

 predilection for fish. Under such circumstances as I have just now mentioned, I have 

 repeatedly ascertained that this animal is a most expert fisherman. For in severe and 

 long-continued frosts many eels ascend our open drains, and as these water-courses are 

 most slightly frozen over nearest to these springs, the polecats, either by instinct or 

 experience, discover the retreat of the eels. In tracing the foot-prints of the polecat, 

 it will soon be ascertained, that he halts at every hole or opening he meets with in the 

 ice, and at once commences fishing by introducing a fore-foot into the water, and no 

 doubt groping all around under the ice as far as he can reach in search of such eels as 



