Report of the Committee on Marine Zoology. 131 



tion that the whitebait of Parnell and Yarrell existed at 

 present in the Firth of Forth, in many localities in great 

 abundance ; and that, if properly fished with suitable appa- 

 ratus, it would probably be found very generally distributed 

 in the estuary. The reporter added, that when sweeping 

 with the net in an east wind, or any wind blowing upon the 

 shore, no whitebait appeared; and that, on the contrary, 

 during the prevalence of winds from the shore, they were 

 always present. A marked peculiarity was observed in re- 

 gard to the herring, which was absent in the whitebait and 

 sprat, viz. a constant effusion of blood from the mouth and 

 gills, and this occurred without fail in hundreds of specimens 

 examined. 



In reference to this report, Dr M'Bain and Mr Bryson 

 remarked that much credit was due to Professor Dick in 

 calling the attention of the public to the large supply of 

 whitebait to be obtained on the coast near Kinghorn and 

 Burntisland ; and through the energy of the Professor, nets 

 had been obtained and premiums had been offered for the 

 encouragement of the Fishery. 



II. A Specimen of the Canada Goose (Anser Canadensis), shot on 

 Duddingston Loch, was exhibited by R F. Logan, Esq. 



This bird was quite perfect, without artificial marks of any 

 description, and was watchful and wary, remaining always 

 about the middle of the lake. It was of large size. 



III. Extracts of Letters from Dr Livingstone's Expedition to the 

 River Zambesi, Africa. By Alexander Bryson, Esq. 



Mr Alexander Bryson read extracts from letters received 

 from Dr Livingstone and other officers of the Zambesi expedi- 

 tion by a friend in Glasgow, describing the valley of the 

 " Shire," and giving some particulars of the natives, besides 

 stating that the steamer which had been sent from Liverpool 

 had turned out a complete failure in every respect ; but the 

 information contained in these letters is in substance the 

 same as that which appeared in the report of the meetings of 



