where to be seen, while, in shady nooks on the cliffs, Asplenium marinum is noticed, though it is not abundant. The flora of Tory would be very poor in variety but for the superior conditions for existence afforded to plants by a great hollow about the centre of the island, on the north side, called the Ram's Hollow, or in Irish, Lagareithe. This is like a steep amphitheatre in form, and was likely at one time a large cave, the roof of which has collapsed. There is still an arched opening to the sea. On the sides and in the bottom of this hollow may be found :

Solidago virgaurea.

Rumex acetosella.

Angelica sylvestris.

Thymus serpyllum.
Lonicera periclymenum.

Bellis perennis.*

Sedum anglicum.

Athyrium filix-foemina.

Hedera helix.

Polygala vulgaris.

Tormentilla officinalis.

As might be inferred from its position, the larger Laminariae and Fuci are abundant, and of robust growth. The specific gravity of the sea water at Tory is greater than near the mainland, or than the water at any part of the Derry or Antrim coast. This may be, and likely is, the cause of the fronds of Laminaria digitata being thick and "leathery" here as compared with those of other places, and of the extraordinary development of Laminaria bulbosa. In the sheltered bays the Himanthalia lorea grows to a length of 20 feet, and forms, at low-water, a barrier almost impassable by boats.

Thus it is that the burning of these seaweeds into kelp is carried on vigorously in the months of June, July, and August, and used to be the source on which the people depended for paying their rents. Now, however, they appropriate the money to their own uses, most of them having determined to resist such payments as a relic of the dark ages.

During the remainder of the year, when not employed at kelp making, the inhabitants of Tory reap the harvest of the sea by

* Also all over the island.

fishing. Every season brings its appropriate kind of fish. In July and August "Braziers," as the Tory folk call them, but known elsewhere as "Barwin" and "Gunner" (Pagellus centrodontus), are caught from the curraghs, or canvas boats, with long lines, in great numbers. The bait used is the common limpet. This fish is split open, salted, and dried in the sun, and forms an important article of export. At other times the Cod (Gadus morrhua), the Haddock (G. aeglefinus), the Ling (Lota molva), the Mackerel (Scomber scomber), are captured and taken in open boats to Ballinass, Dunfanaghy, Ramelton, and Letterkenny.

The Dogfish (Scyllium catulus) is very common on the coasts, and a deadly war is waged against it by the islanders. Among the smaller fishes to be met with, often under stones on the shore or in rock pools, are—

The Cornish Sucker (Lepidogaster cornubiensis), the Worm Pipefish (Syngnathus lumbriciformis), the Smooth Blenny (Blennius pholis), the Spotted Gunnell (Blennius gunnellus), the Black Goby (Gobius niger).

I will conclude these notes by saying that I have not looked into the Mammalia of the island beyond ascertaining that there are no rats on the island, but abundance of rabbits and mice, and that there are no snakes, toads, or frogs.

III.-On the Yellow Opossum (Didelphis crassicaudata), from Cape San Antonio, Province of Buenos Ayres. By Mr. ERNEST GIBSON, Corresponding Member.

In my last paper* I treated of the companion species, the Black and White variety (Didelphis aurita), and I now put together these notes on the Yellow Opossum, the "Camadreja colorado" (Red or Yellow Opossum), as it is called in our district, and exhibit two or three skins. The usual measurement of adult specimens may be seen in the following table:

Eyes black, small, and very sinister-the latter because they are set obliquely in the head. Bare portions-such as nose, ears, soles of feet, and tip of tail-pale flesh-colour. Fur, yellow or yellowish-brown, deeper in colour on the abdomen, but varying there to an orange or reddish tinge. Frequently very beautiful varieties are found, either bright orange, or orange with a coppery tinge of red, both metallically bright; but after two or three weeks I have always been disappointed by finding the skins change to a dull, dead colour, completely losing the pretty gloss they have in life. The fur is short, but very close and fine. Occasionally one sees a tobacco pouch of yellow 'possum skin, which is the only use it is ever put to.

Though of late the species has been very abundant in this district, three years had passed here before I met with it for the first time, which is rather surprising, considering that I was then regularly egg-hunting in its favourite haunts-the swamps and fens. Since then the swamps have been unusually full of water, remaining so even during each summer's drought, and consequently affording both security and abundance of food for the animal in the shape of young birds and eggs.

The aforesaid first-met-with specimen I found in a "Biscachero," a colony of Lagostomus trichodactylus, while drowning out Biscachos one day. Desirous of securing it alive if possible, I took off my coat and endeavoured to entangle it in that-no easy matter, for it would turn on me now and then, and spring at my knee above the riding boot. Even when I did manage to throw my coat over it, its head would suddenly appear in the most unexpected proximity to my hands and cause me to let go. Successful at last, I drove my bowie-knife into the ground, and, clasping one end of a long silver watch-chain to the Opossum's hind leg, attached it by that. At sundown I returned for my captive, but was rather puzzled as to how I should get on to my horse with it, as I was riding bare-backed, and the said horse was young and anything but quiet. So I elected to reach for the knife without dismounting, and after a short struggle managed to do so; but at the critical moment my horse shied, his 'possumship swung up against the off fore-shoulder and incontinently put in his teeth, upon which I experienced the well-known sensation of being astride a young earthquake, followed by the pampas rising up and striking me heavily over the head and shoulders. Then I went for that

heathen" Opossum and smote it violently, professing a momentary and most thoroughly unzoological contempt for the value of this particular cranium. But I met with my punishment, while at the same time adding to my knowledge of the family, for on going to pick up the now apparently dead Opossum, I had my thumb instantly bitten to the bone.

This was the only case I ever knew of the Yellow Opossum using its tail to aid it in springing at an enemy. In doing so, the tail was curved round into an arch, so that about a third of its length rested on the ground, and on the animal springing up-nearly perpendicularly—the muscles evidently acted as a propelling power, enabling it to jump nearly two feet in height. As the action was repeated several times, I retain no doubt on the matter, though surprised that it should never have occurred again in any other instance.

When on land "Biscacheros" (inhabited ones) and vacant armadillo burrows generally afford this species a home. How it agrees with the inmates of the former I never ascertained, but confess to having my doubts. On this subject, as on having a skunk as occasional hall-porter, I should like to have the frank opinion of some communicative "member for the burrows" of L. trichodactylus!

Though as much at home in the water as an Otter, the Opossums I surprised sleeping on any little islands during the flood of 1877 would not leave the land, and if driven to the edge of the water, stood at bay there rather than take to it.

As I described the black and white species as being entirely terrestrial and arboreal in its habits, so may the present one be distinguished as being as entirely terrestrial and aquatic. The nature of its food may be imagined, when I cite one instance of finding a specimen in a duck's nest, in the middle of a swamp. It was rolled up among the eggs and sound asleep, actually letting me touch it with my riding whip before it awoke, when it took to the water, and escaped. As birds, and even eggs, are to be found all the year round, the only hard times for the Yellow Opossum is during a drought, when the swamps dry up and deprive it of both shelter and food.

One spring, about the end of September, I rode over to the Cañada de Cisneros (Swamp of the Swanneries), in search of eggs of Cygnus nigricollis. Three or four nests gave me as much to