MISCELLANY. 
221 
slightest symptom of having heard the report. This experiment was afterwards 
often repeated, and precisely similar results were invariably obtained; neither 
could I or others ever awaken symptoms of alarm in the fishes near the hut by 
shouting to them in the loudest tones, although our distance from them sometimes 
did not exceed six feet. It is possible that fishes may be in some^manner affected 
by vibrations communicated to their element, either directly or by the interven” 
tion of aerial pulsation, although it is not clearly proved that they possess 
organs appropriated exclusively to the purpose of hearing.— Ronald’s Fly Fisher s 
Entomology. 
Phosphoric Lights in the higher Animals.— Professor Muller, in his 
Handbuck der Pkysiologie des Menschen , says, “ Unter den hoheren Thieren 
hennt man hein Leuchten ” &c. This, however, is incorrect, since phosphoric 
lights are noticed at night in the breast of the Bittern, and we believe that some 
fishes exhibit a similar phenomenon. —Ed. 
Capture of the Ca’ing Whale. —On Friday, the inhabitants of Fort George 
were thrown into a state of excitement by the unwonted appearance of a monster 
of the deep, which had got into shallow water in Campbelton-Bay, and was 
writhing his unwieldly proportions in order to extricate himself. Boats from 
Campbelton were immediately under weigh, and directing their course to the 
scene of attraction ; but a little bark from the garrison, well manned and armed 
with rifles, &c., was first on the spot, and succeeded, after desperate efforts and 
imminent risk, in throwing a noose over his tail and towing the monster to the 
beach of the fort; two of the visitors bestrided his huge body as he was dragged 
slowly along. The animal, which measured 20 feet 7 inches in length, and 11 
feet 5 inches in circumference, was a Grampus ( Delphinus globiceps of Cuvier, 
and D. deductor of Scoresby). — Salisbury Herald , Oct. 13, 1838.—[We con¬ 
clude the animal here alluded to is the Ca’ing Whale, Delpkinus melas , Traill. 
—Ed.] 
Nail swallowed by a Cow—singular Result. —As Mrs. Kinder, of Toad- 
hole, was milking one of her Cows a short time since, she was astonished at 
observing a substance of some kind protruding from the side of the animal. On 
examination this proved to be piece of a spike-shaped iron. Mrs. Kinder imme¬ 
diately informed her husband, who had to use considerable force to effect its 
removal. It proved, on extraction, to be a common mop-nail, of the length of at 
least six inches, and proportionably thick. It was crushed, and the head in 
particular seemed wasted by oxidization, but was still as large as a sixpence. 
Mr. Kinder remembered three years ago being told that the Cow had eaten the 
head of a mop, but he took no further notice of the circumstance, and th e 
beast to all appearance has been in good health ever sine e.—Derbyshire Courier , 
June , 1838. 
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