Quadrupeds. 2343 



cunning or subtlety. There is marvellous little subtlety, as Mr. Couch 

 intimates, in lying still to be taken up by the tail, when a moderate 

 use of the four legs would instantly place their owner in safety. 



But still, though the distinction between reason and instinct, and 

 the actions originating in each, not very easy in itself, is rendered still 

 less easy to many by that vague use of terms which we have just re- 

 ferred to, there is no doubt that common attention and accuracy will 

 enable any one to satisfy himself, in the way above suggested, con- 

 cerning the question which forms the subject of these observations; 

 that is to say, if he thinks our adduced instances insufficient in num- 

 ber, or too unsatisfactory in themselves, to furnish the necessary sub- 

 stantiation for the conclusion we have come to, as to the undoubted 

 possession — by certain families of the animal creation — of the gift or 

 power of reasoning. 



J. C. Atkinson. 

 Dauby, Whitby, 



November, 1848. 



Occurrence of a Foreign Bat in Orkney. — About September, 1847, a bat was 

 caught, by some people digging potatoes, in the island of South Ronaldsha, and it 

 was kept alive for some weeks, on sugar and water I believe. It was considered a 

 very great curiosity there, though any bat would have been equally so. I obtained 

 the kind permission of the Rev. John Gerard to take it to London for examination. 

 Mr. Waterhouse informs me that Mr. Gray believes it to be a large specimen of Ves- 

 pertilio pruinosus. It is a native of North America. Its general appearance is not 

 unlike the Noctule : the general colour may be called badger-like. A bat is a very 

 likely animal to be brought in a ship : insects we know are brought from America to 

 Liverpool in great plenty. — John Wolley ; 3, Roxburgh Terrace, Edinburgh, Novem- 

 ber 16, 1848. 



Cats and Nemophila insignis. — Having read in the ' Zoologist' (Zool. 2252 and 

 2289), of instances in which cats are represented to have destroyed the Nemophila in- 

 signis, I think it but right to the feline race to say that such is not the case with all; 

 for in the garden at the house in which I live, the plant in question occupies a most 

 prominent position, it being the border to a long walk, — and although the garden is 

 the rendezvous of the whole street for courtship and fighting, yet I have never ob- 

 served (and I look rather closely to such matters) a single instance of their even touch- 

 ing the plant. May not the cases in question be the exceptions, for I cannot learn 

 from any of my friends of a like complaint against Pussy? — Alfred Rain; 14, West 

 Derby Street, Liverpool, December, 1848. 



Note as to the Stoat changing its Coat. — Mr. Briggs inquires (Zool. 2282), "whe- 

 the ' pied ' stoats are merely varieties of the common species, or individuals changing 

 from their winter to their summer coats ? " Stoats commence changing their coats 



