8464 



Mollusks. 



peculiarly marked belly were exposed to view ; these glistening in the rays of the early 

 sun, as it lay on the wet sand, having been but very recently left by the receding tide, 

 made me doubt whether or not I was still in bed and dreaming. Stooping down, how- 

 ever, and taking the elegant little creature gently up in my hand, all doubt on the 

 subject fled, and gave place to a thrill of delight, on discovering that I had found a 

 prize, in the shape of a very fine specimen of an argentine (Scopelus Humboldtii). 

 Three other specimens have been obtained on different occasions, but all within a few 

 yards of the same spot: so much alike are these four that the most casual observer 

 would at once pronounce them to be one species. I am not aware what Yarrell says 

 of this species, but in a work since published the account of it is very meagre indeed, 

 and differs, in some instances, from my fish. I am induced to believe, from the same 

 work, that the probability of there being more than one species is a disputed point 

 amongst ichthyologists. A short description of the one captured by myself may not 

 therefore be out of place ; the reader must, however, bear in mind that the description 

 is that of a fresh specimen. In length my specimen is nearly two inches; in breadth, 

 where broadest, scarcely half an inch. The back is of a dark glossy brown colour, 

 marked along its whole length with two zigzag lines of a lighter shade, one being on 

 each side the dorsal ridge. The sides are like a piece of the purest and brightest 

 polished silver, and having a most remarkably and bright metaliic lustre. The belly 

 is of a slate-blue. The tail, which is very deeply forked, is of a grayish white, having 

 a dark streak crosswise near its base. On the upper jaw, or rather lip, there are two 

 kidney-shaped streaks, one on each side, of a bluish green, similar marks occurring oa 

 the lower jaw or lip, but in this case they are round ; these, when the lips are closed, 

 give the mouth a darkish appearance. From the under side of the mouth run six rows, 

 three on each side, of little roundish dots or spots of a beautiful light or pea-green; 

 the first, passing along the side of the head, ends beneath, but on a line with the back 

 part of the eye ; the second, which is lower down, terminates a little beyond the 

 pectoral ; the other (or rather others, for they go side by side) stretches along the belly, 

 with a slight interruption at the vent, to the tail, being smaller and closer set as they 

 proceed backwards. Properly speaking, however, these spots are not plain or simple 

 markings, but are rather a series of minute shallow dimples or impressions, as it were; 

 at least, so they appear to me. With respect to the second dorsal, it is quite visible, 

 and is of a rounded form. — Thomas Edward ; Banff> February 7, 1862. 



Note on Limax marginatus of Muller. — There appears to be a deficiency, in both 

 the English and German books, of any extensive descriptions of the interesting families 

 of the Limacidae, although I believe there are some excellent monographs, in French, 

 of those inhabiting that land. Some time since Mr. J. F. Heyneman, of Frankfort, 

 informed me that from the lingual dentition he was inclined to separate Limax 

 marginatus and L. Gagates from the other slugs, and place them with L. vitrina. 

 I am unable of my own knowledge to speak of their affinity in this respect, but I notice 

 one habit in which L. marginatus differs from all other English and German slugs 

 with which I am acquainted, and in which it assimilates to L. vitrina and L. zonites, 

 namely in the period of ovipositing. On the 4th of February there had been a sharp 

 white frost in the morning, but after that had passed away the day was mild, and I 

 visited the timber yard of the Commercial Docks, and there found numerous examples 



