2380 Quadrupeds. 



thin and hairy, and the fingers and nails finely developed. Wombwell, we believe, 

 had one in his collection ; but this is considered the finest specimen which has been 

 seen in this country. — ' Doncaster Gazette.' 



Bat flying by Day. — Taking a walk with a friend in Axwell Park, I saw a com- 

 mon bat flying among trees, with as much spirit as ever I saw one flying on a sum- 

 mer's evening, and making rapid evolutions amongst thickly-studded branches of 

 trees, and never touching them. I watched it for more than half an hour, expecting 

 it to alight, but it never lingered, until it took a rapid dart forward amongst trees, 

 and I could see it no more. Bats seem to fly quicker than birds, rising frequently a 

 little upwards, then dropping instantly down and making beautiful sallying curves in 

 rapid succession. Sun, at the time of flying, both clouded and clear ; clouds moving 

 fast and a fine day ; rather warm at this season : bat evidently taking food. — Thomas 

 Robson ; Swalwell, December, 1848. 



Cats and Nemophila insignis. — If it is desirable to multiply instances of the fond- 

 ness of cats for Nemophila insignis, in answer to Mr. Rains' observation (Zool. 2343) 

 I may mention that out of a large clump that I had in the spring of last year, only 

 about half a dozen plants came to maturity after having been rolled, evidently by cats, 

 while all the other plants in the same border were unmolested. My garden is not 

 very extensive, measuring but eleven feet by two feet ; but why the particular spot on 

 which the Nemophila grew was that most preferred for the recreation of the cats did 

 not occur to me till I saw Mr. Lawson's contribution on this subject (Zool. 2252). — 

 Henry Bull ; Portsmouth, January 16, 1849. 



Extraordinary example of the Common Fox. — A very extraordinary male fox was 

 found on Tuesday, January 30th, 1849, imbedded in the sand on the banks of the 

 Wear, about half a mile west from this place, by Robert Halem, animal preserver. 

 It had evidently been shot, and either thrown into the river, or, I think more likely, 

 had perished in the stream by attempting to escape after being wounded ; for it was 

 shot in the left shoulder with No. 2, but none, that I could detect, had entered a vital 

 organ. The weight was 70 lbs. : I did not see it weighed, but was so informed by two 

 respectable men who did. The following are the dimensions, which I took : length 

 4 feet 9 inches (including the tail, which is a very bad one, not longer than that of a 

 fox of the ordinary size) ; height at the shoulder, 1 foot 1 0| inches ; girth round the 

 body, behind the fore legs, 2 feet 9 inches ; girth round the neck, 1 foot 9£ inches ; 

 breadth between the ears, 4£ inches ; breadth between the eyes, 3£ inches ; length of 

 head, from the centre of the ears to the muzzle, 9 inches ; canine teeth, from the sur- 

 face to the gums, 1 inch 1 line. — Joseph Duff; Bishop's Auckland. 



Occurrence of the Crested Seal (Phoca cristata) in the Orwell River. — Some months 

 ago (Zool. 1870) I inserted the description of a seal captured near Ipswich, and which 

 I then supposed to be new to Britain. The skull was subsequently examined by Pro- 

 fessor Owen, who has decided it is that of the crested seal, and states that this is the 

 first instance of its occurrence in Britain. — Edward Newman. 



Note on the New Forest Hybrid. — I observe in your note on the new forest hybrid 

 (Zool. 2345), you remark that Landseer's sketch, " excepting in the shortness of the 

 tail, does not differ from the portrait of any ordinary foal." You must surely have 

 overlooked the partially divided hoof, which is clearly indicated in the engraving, and 

 I think the most remarkable character in the animal. — George Guyon ; Ventnor, Isle 

 of Wight, February 8, 1849. 



