Quadrupeds . 2619 



Cream-coloured Polecat. — Seeing an inquiry (Zool. 2440) whether any of your 

 readers had seen a cream-coloured polecat, 1 beg to state that in January, 1847, I 

 saw one amongst some rocks in our neighbourhood, and I believe they are not un- 

 common with us. — J. R. Pedder ; Ambleside, October 22, 1849. 



Cats and Nemophila insignis. — In January last my attention was directed to two 

 communications inserted in the * Zoologist,' respectively from Mr. Lawson (Zool. 

 2252) and Mr. Luxford (Zool. 2289), stating that cats evinced a great partiality for 

 the Nemophila insignis ; so much so, as to disfigure the plant wherever it might be 

 growing. I then ventured to remark (Zool. 2343) that the cases in point might be 

 exceptions, as I had failed on inquiry in hearing of a single case. Mr. Bull (Zool. 

 2380), confirms the statements of Messrs Lawson and Luxford, and Mr. Mc'Intosh 

 (Zool. 2407) adds a note on the correctness of their remarks. So many confirmations 

 made me think that mine must be the exception, yet, still feeling doubtful, I deter- 

 mined to endeavour to ascertain how far I was incorrect. I therefore procured a 

 large parcel of seed, from Carter's, of Holborn, and distributed it to many of my 

 friends, earnestly requesting them to report progress. I have now heard from the 

 greater portion, and all, without an exception, most singularly confirm my remark 

 (Zool. 2343). The places I have heard from are Plymouth, Lewisham (Kent), Wells 

 (Norfolk), Wallasey (Cheshire), Walton Breck (Lancashire). I also planted a large 

 quantity in my own garden, examining it most closely ; and I fancy that my obser- 

 vations may possibly explain away several of the notes hostile to the cat. When this 

 annual has grown to a certain height, it falls on one side (like mignonette), the stem 

 being unequal to the weight imposed upon it : this gives the plant an appearanee of 

 having been rolled or trampled on : more especially is this the case when growing 

 near a wall. — Alfred Mains ; 14, West Derby Street, Liverpool, September 5, 1849. 



The Yellow -breasted Marten (Martes ?) — I see an inquiry in the ' Zoologist ' 



(Zool. 2588) respecting the specific character of the above animal : on that occasion 

 it is described as M. foina, while another contributor (Zool. 2440) describes a Gla- 

 morganshire specimen as M. abietum. Do not these names refer to the two species, 

 if species they be ? It would be well in such cases if the intestines were carefully 

 measured as to length, and any peculiarity as to the size or length of the vermiform 

 appendage noted. I merely throw out this hint, as I think it very probable that ac- 

 curate anatomical investigation only is wanted to prove the identity of the two British 

 martens with the common species. Mr. Dillwyn, in his * Materials for a Fauna, &c, 

 of Swansea ' (unpublished), mentions some of the martens from that part of Glamor- 

 ganshire as being characterized by the yellow throat ; but he seems rather to doubt 

 the existence of any specific difference. He says that Mr. W. W. Young, A.L.S., 

 assured him that the martens of the Neath Valley have generally, if not always, the 

 throat more or less tinged with yellow. (See also Zool. 345, 1806, 1870). — Beverley 

 B. Morris, A.B., M.D. ; York, October 8, 1849. 



Food of the Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius). — Mr. Gurney will excuse me, I 

 trust, for doubting the correctness of his supposition (Zool. 2588), that the water vole 

 feeds on the fresh-water mussel. Nine years ago I was led into a similar error, by 

 finding heaps of broken and empty shells of that fish on the bank of my lake, near 

 burrows, which I took to be those of the water vole. I mentioned my opinion to a 

 brother naturalist, and thus commenced a very pleasant correspondence with Mr. 

 Harley, of Leicester, who advocated the innocence of the water vole, upon the ground 

 that the anatomical structure of its teeth, stomach and viscera, were against such a 



