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 ejQfusion 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. 
Ill, 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 oflScers 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 
