PISC1^^« 
1B9 
the great Ataterslied ,* and, 2, that the distribution of the species is hot go** 
verned by the outlet of the rivers, streams having similar discharges (Hoi* 
ston and Kanawha) Roanoke) and Susquehaiiiiah) possessing less in comhion 
than others having different outlets (Kanaivlia and Susquehannah, or James), 
He thinks that the ocdurrence of species not universally distributed in the 
heads of different but adjacent riverS) may be best accounted for in this 
manner, that the water of one stream, in some elevated part of their course, 
may occasionally have sunk into a fault, or penetrated the limestone oh one 
side of a monoclinal mountain, and so have found its way into the opposite 
valley of a stream of another hydrographic basin, carrying with it several 
‘species of fishes. The paper concludes with some general remarks on tho 
distribution of freshwater fishes in North America east of the Rocky Moun** 
tains. From an examination of typical examples the EeOorder has convinced 
himself that, with regard to the distinction of genera and specieS, Mr. Cope 
goes still further than the late J. Heckel in European ichthyology, a pro- 
ceeding which must be taken into consideration before an Unqualified belief 
is granted to the general conclusions arrived at by the author. 
Hr. Ai LwtTii AfiAMs describes a case of simultaneous destruction of an 
imiUonsG number of Sea ffsheS in the Bay of Eitndy. Anier, Natuf. il, iSOB, 
pp. 337-342. 
JFtSsi hiditis, The Hon. R. Hill enumerates the marine fisheS known to 
be hurtful or dangerous as food. He states that in most of them the poison 
is only incidental or accidental, but that it is an inherent quality in Cluped 
thryssa, Proc. Sc, Assoc. Trinidad, 1868, pp. 210-228. In a Second article 
the same author treats on fish-poisoUs, pp. 227-237, stating that Certain fisheS 
acquire their poisonous qualities from their sojourn on reefs and shoals 
covered with polyps, echinoderms, &c., and from the food on which they 
subsist in those localities. In other cases tho poison is produced by piitrefac* 
tion or chemical process which tho flesh of the fish undergoes a few hours 
after death. Fishes from deep water ought always to be safe eating. 
Cuba. Prof. Poey revises tliO nohieiiclatafe of the fishes Be-* 
scribed by him j the corrections are so numerous that this paper 
must bo consulted by all wlio study Cuban fishes. Some are 
simply adopted from the ^ Catalogue of Fishes,^ without further 
reference (which, in fact, would have been only just, but by no 
means necessary) ; most of them will be referred to in the special 
part. Rep. Fis.-nat. de Cuba, ii. 1867, pp. 153-174. 
After having added 18 new species to this fauna (ibid. pp. 229- 
245), and described 26 species of Eels from Cuba (ibid. pp. 245- 
268; see this Record, p. 168), he publishes (pp. 279-484) a 
synopsis of all the Cuban fishes collected by him. He adds 
a few synon 5 ^ms, the vernacular names, and sometimes cri- 
tical and historical notes. The number of species treated of 
is about 660, not including numerous others which, at pre- 
sent, are regarded as dubious and not named. They may he 
referred to the following families : — Fercidm 84, Fristipoma- 
tidds 26 j Bquaimpinnes 16, Mullidm 3, Spdy'idcB 10, Scorpaenida 4, 
Berycidd^ 13, Curtidm 1, Polynerniddi 2, ^ciainldm 7, Xiphiidce 4, 
TrichiuridcR 6, Acronurid<B Cat any id<^ 6^, Cory ph<^niddi 6 , 
