150 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
flowers are seen sparkling amidst the golden Buttercups, and one characterized by 
its large purple corolla—the Meadow Cranes-bill ( Geranium pratense) cannot fail 
to be noticed, as well as the tall rough Cow-parsnep ( Heracleum sphondylum) v 
while here and there the Bird’s-foot Trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus ), the long-rooted 
Cat’s-ear ( Hypochceris radicata ), and several other composite flowers, form grow¬ 
ing patches of gold, finely contrasting with the argent masses of Daisies and 
Anthemi , or the bright pink clusters of the Best-harrow and Clover. 
In some romantic hollow lane, overrun with Foxglove, studded with many an 
old wizard-like pollard with bare extended arms, and high overbowed with wild 
Boses and Honeysuckle, day at last closes upon our observation, and the cold 
perfumed breath of evening fans our forehead. The streamlet that forms a deep 
gulley in the bottom, has begun a patter among the pebbles that was almost 
unheard amidst the din and hum of day—and the Bat, careering among the 
Wytch Elms high in air, is seen at recurring intervals in fine relief upon the 
brilliant ruby that tinges the evening sky. And now, as the road begins to 
appear obscure, upstarts the Glow-worm’s “ineffectual fire” to cheer our path and 
stud the deepening gloom. 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Occurrence of the Opah, or King-fish ( Lampris guttatus ), in the Mersey. 
To the Editor of the Naturalist. N 
My Dear Sir,— Mr. Henry Johnson, of the Boyal Institution, Liverpool, has 
sent me an account of the capture of a specimen of the Opah ( Lampris guttatus , 
Betz), with a request that I would forward it for insertion in The Naturalist. 
Mr. Johnson mentions that “not having a postage-free (or penny-postage) mode 
of communication, he had given up the idea of sending a notiee of the capture to 
The Naturalist.” Many are thus, undoubtedly, prevented giving the scientific 
public the benefit of facts, &c., which may have fallen under their observation* 
Mr. Bowland Hill’s plan will obviate this difficulty, and I have little doubt 
that Natural History will be much benefited by its adoption. 
Mr. Johnson states that on the 3rd of July a specimen of the Opah was 
“ caught in the Mersey, at the mouth of the Dee, by the common fishermen. It 
weighed 50 lbs., and was brought to the Liverpool market, where it attracted the 
attention of hundreds. A Mr. Allcock, tavern-keeper, purchased it for £5 5s., 
and exhibited it at a charge of two-pence for a few days; but like the rest of 
the finny race (and especially the bright-coloured ones, amongst which the Opah, I 
