1878. ] . Zoölogy. 695 
seer Champlain, in America, in the year 1761, by Lieut. Moses 
Nhe figure has a lighter U-shaped mark upon the heads, and a 
dorsal row of rectangular spots alternating with a similar lateral - 
row on each side, reminding one strongly of the arrangement 
of the squares on a checker board.— F. S. Kingsley. 
Mimetic CororinG IN Taprores.— Recently I came across a 
very pretty instance of imitative coloration in some tadpoles 
caught in a weedy pool in Cold Spring, New York. The largest 
tadpoles are an inch and three-quarters long, poe half an inch 
long, and widest part of tail half an inch. ind legs are visi- 
ble, but very small. They are greenish Sate: with black mark- 
ings, and have minute golden spots about the eyes and along the 
sides; beneath they are silvery white. Their tails are orange-red 
for more than two-thirds the length, and the color deepens toward 
the end and along the margin. There are black spots and irregu- 
lar lines, which are very distinct, on the cases The largest 
tadpoles are more brightly and distinctly color 
In the same pool there is a plant Liidowideha pres whose 
lower leaves, which are under water, are exactly t e same color as 
the tails of the tadpoles. The brightest ones are generally full of 
holes. The tails of the tadpoles also resemble the leaves in 
width and shape. The resemblance of color is so striking that a 
friend, who is not on the lookout for analogies, pointed out a leaf 
very much paler, both the green and red, and the spots are almost 
invisible. These tadpoles show how early Batrachia begin to 
adapt themselves to their color-surroundings.—Sarah P. Monks. 
FRESH-WATER MussEts vs. Ducxs.—In the Natura.ist for July 
I notice a communication from Mr. R. Ellsworth Call, in which he 
mentions that he has been informed that Mr. A. F. Gray has the foot 
of a water-fowl to which is attached a bivalve shell. Several years 
ago: while shad-hatching for the United States Fish Commission, 
on the Pamunky river, near White-house landing, Va., I noticed 
great quantities of Unios, and in remarking on it toa gentleman 
residing there, was informed that it was not possible to raise 
ducks in that locality. on their account, for at low water the duck- 
lings were liable to be caught by the mussels and held until 
drowned by the rising tide. 
his story was afterward confirmed by the Tarsai Indians, 
who live on an island below White-house, and who, wi 
facility for raising large quantities of ducks, do not keep them.— 
Fred. Mather, Newark, N. F. 
