The Zoologist/4th series, vol 4 (1900)/Issue 708/Editorial Gleanings

by editor W.L. Distant

 

EDITORIAL GLEANINGS.

 

---

 

Notes on the mode of growth of Tubicinella trachealis, the Barnacle of the Southern Right Whale, have been contributed to the 'Transactions' of the South African Philosophical Society (vol. xi. p. I), by Dr. R. Marloth. The question had been raised by what means these parasites were able to penetrate into the epidermis of the Whale, seeing that their base was quite unarmed, their mouth being turned outwards towards the water. Dr. Marloth suspected that the Barnacle possibly secreted some fluid which possessed the power of dissolving the epidermis, and tested this theory by chemical experiment, which he details. This proved that a peptonising ferment diffuses through the basal membrane of the animal, and this fact explains its peculiar structure, as well as that of the skin of the Whale at the infested parts of its head. The young Tubicinella simply dissolves the epidermis with which it is in contact, absorbing the peptonised liquid. As it continually grows at its lower end, it gradually descends in this way into the epidermis, the digesting of the epidermal layers taking place at the same rate as the downward growth.

 

---

 

In the last published Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. of Glasgow (vol. v. n. ser. pt. iii.), Mr. R. Hedger Wallace has concluded his communication on "White Cattle; an Inquiry into their Origin and History," the first part of which was referred to in our volume for 1899 (p. 41). The author in this instalment has dealt with the historical data relating to his subject, and has gathered considerable evidence pointing to the sacrificial customs connected with White Cattle, such as the erstwhile "Oblations of the White Bull" at Bury St. Edmunds, and the autumnal sacrifices of cattle in South-western Brittany, where at the present day the sacrifice takes the form of an auction, instead of the more ancient burning. Mr. Wallace concludes that this yearly custom in Brittany supports him in the views he has already expressed, "that a study of the folk-lore of this country, coupled with a study of the ceremonials, festivals, and traditions of the church, will afford us a satisfactory explanation why White Cattle have been carefully preserved, so that we yet find them preserved in parks." A most valuable and extensive bibliography relating to the subject is appended to this very thorough publication.

 

---

 

In the 'Contemporary Review' for May, Mr. Matthias Dunn contributes an article on "Mimicry and other Habits of Crabs." The instances adduced as mimicry seem to fall under the terms "Assimilative Colouration" or "Active Mimicry." Of "Habits" there is quite a number of most interesting observations recorded. Of Cancer pagurus, the Great Crab, Mr. Dunn has been led to believe that the finest specimens exist between Dartmouth in Devon and the Lizard headland in Cornwall, where males are often known to reach thirteen and fourteen pounds weight, and where they are only called half-Crabs when under eight inches across the back; whereas on most other parts of the British Isles Crabs two or three pounds weight and six or seven inches across the back are considered large. The powers of smell and eyesight in this species are fairly good, and it prefers fresh red-coloured fish as food, such as the Red Gurnard, Red Mullets, and Bream, or the strongly perfumed flesh of the Whitehound Shark. Its enemies are all the large Skates existing on the coasts, with the Octopus vulgaris, and the Nursehound Sharks; while the Sea-Breams and Wrasse delight in feeding on the remains of their slaughter. The Skates hunt them with great energy, and with their tough snouts rout them out of the crevices of the rocks, and, after crushing them, devour them whole. Mr. Dunn has seen as many as five of these Crabs in the stomach of one Skate. The Octopus also feeds on them ravenously, and, but for their sharp nippers, would scarcely look for any other food. He has more than once seen such Cuttles with their arms bitten clean off, which no doubt was the result of battling with these Crabs. The Nursehound also feeds on the smaller forms.

 

---

 

In the 'Cornhill Magazine' for May, Mr. C. Parkinson writes on "The Great Birds of the Southern Seas." The Albatross was well observed, and graphically described. On approaching Tristan da Cunha three or four species of Albatross had congregated round the ship, as many as thirty birds settling on the water astern in a manner highly satisfactory for close and continuous observation. After half a gale of wind a lull not infrequently occurs, when the speed is reduced to two or three knots; then the hungry creatures literally clamour for food. Directly a bird intends to alight, the legs appear straddling downwards in ungainly fashion—a moment when even an Albatross looks like an ill-balanced Goose of unwieldy size. For half a minute it runs along the surface of the waves, treading water, so to speak, until the enormous wings become manageable. Then the bird swims with both wings thrown back, like a pair of lateen sails—a very Argonaut on the translucent sea. At length the difficulty is overcome, the wings are packed away, and—like a large Gull—it rides the waves with consummate ease. Sometimes it paddles to and fro, or again it dives gracefully beneath the surface after Squids or similar ocean dainties. Half a dozen birds perhaps gravely assemble to inspect an empty beer-bottle thrown overboard to bob up and down idly upon the waves, and inquisitive bills peck vigorously at the unsatisfactory flotsam, until a battle-royal disperses the family party. The wiser ones meanwhile hover in mid-air, craning their necks to throw penetrating glances from a superior height.

Of the Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans), the writer found eleven feet six inches to be the average wing measurement, although a gigantic specimen in the Sydney Museum extends seventeen feet six inches, with a bill six inches long. At Randwick, near Sydney, he knew of one of the "Mollymauks" having lived for fifteen years in a garden. It is a universal pet, a sort of monarch of the domain, and quite unabashed even at the presence of strangers. It will answer to call, possesses an imperturbable temper, and is gentleness itself with children. Although the "thrice resounding waves" for ever reverberate on the shore close at hand, the bird, strangely enough, never evinces the slightest desire to return to a seafaring life. Yet on a ship the captive refuses all food, and simply pines away; the heat of the tropics is said to be always fatal.

 

---

 

Some records of heavy weights of fishes have lately been published, and it is desirable that these should be preserved.

Sturgeon (Acipenser sturio).—On May 30th, at the stores of Messrs. Spiers and Pond, Water Lane, London, a huge fish was exhibited, weighing 614 lb., measuring from tip of tail to extremity of snout a little over 11 ft., with a girth of 5 ft. 6 in. It was taken in the North Sea on May 28th. Another specimen from the North Sea was in the first week of May on view in the Pentonville Road. This fish weighed 525 lb., but its length was not ascertained. (R.B.L. in 'Field.')

Salmon (Salmo salar).—One caught in the Severn of 51½ lb., at the shop of Mr. Grove, Bond Street, on May 15th.

Red Mullet (Mullus surmuletus).—A large specimen caught off Land's End on May 18th. Weight, 3 lb. 3 oz.; length from nose to tail, 18 in.; girth, 12 in. (H.T. Welch, 'Field.')

Cape Salmon (Otolithus æquidens).—A specimen caught at Algoa Bay by Dr. Bateman, weighing 65 lb., 61 in. in length, 32½ in. in girth. Preserved, and exhibited at a meeting of the British Sea Anglers' Society, May 30th.