708 Former Range of New England Mammals. [| December, 
The rapidity with which the young flounders adapt themselves 
to the color of the ground upon which they are placed is marvel- 
ous. In one of the species the red, yellow, and black pigment 
cells were brought into the proper combination and prominence 
with such rapidity that it seemed hardly credible that the same 
` fish could assume such different hues in so short a time. The size 
and number of. these pigment cells, however, readily account for 
all this. 
The young of this transparent flounder do not invariably lie 
down on the right side; it seems almost a matter of chance which 
side they choose. Out of fifteen specimens eight lay down on 
the left and all died without being able to accomplish any part of 
the transfer of the left eye to the right side, although they lived 
quite long enough for the other seven, which turned down on the 
right side, to accomplish the transfer, or nearly so. This in- 
capacity may account for the rarity of sinistral forms of floun- 
ders, and vice versa. In the other species mentioned above, all 
the young I have had occasion to keep alive turned down on 
the proper side for a successful transfer of the eye. I may also 
mention here that at a certain stage of growth of our Ctenolabrus 
the young show a very decided tendency to lean on the right side. 
This is even seen in fully grown specimens, in the peculiar slant- 
ing position often taken by individuals when they approach an 
obstacle. : 
THE FORMER RANGE OF SOME NEW ENGLAND 
CARNIVOROUS MAMMALS. 
BY J. A. ALLEN. 
Pee geographical range of the larger mammals of New En- 
gland is well known to have been much more extended 
formerly than it is at present. Not only have most of the larger 
species greatly decreased in numbers throughout the more thickly 
settled portions of the Eastern States, but not a few have be- 
come, extirpated over regions where they were formerly abundant. 
This restriction of range and numerical decrease are obviously 
due to man’s agency. Most of the carnivorous species existed 1n 
such numbers at the time of the first settlement of the country 
by Europeans that their presence was a great check upon t . 
rearing of stock, and even a source of danger to human life. 
Hence, naturally, an exterminating warfare was speedily 
begun 
upon them, which was stimulated by the offer of rewards by the 
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