complex, with several cavities; the intestines, as in all herbivorous animals, are of great length, being about seven times as long as the body.
The respiratory organs are no less remarkable. The nostrils are circular openings with valves, which are closed when the creature is below the surface of the water. The lungs are of unusual size and great length, enabling the animal, after once taking in air at the surface, to remain submerged for a considerable time before rising again.
The living specimen now in the Westminster Aquarium is fed upon lettuce and water-cress, and is kept in a large tank of water, the temperature of which is maintained at 70°, to suit its supposed requirements, and approximate the surrounding conditions, as nearly as may be, to what is found to exist in a state of nature.
PROVINCIAL NAMES OF BRITISH ANIMALS.
Norfolk.— In consequence of an intimation, in a recent number of 'The Zoologist,' that local lists of the names of mammals and birds would be acceptable, I have noted the following names now or formerly in use in the county of Norfolk :—
| Mammalia.
Stoat. Lobster. These names for the badger are given by Forby, but are now obsolete, the animal being almost extinct in Norfolk.
Birds. Short-eared Owl. Woodcock Owl. I have also heard this name applied to the Long-eared Owl.
Barn Owl. Madge; Jill-hooter (Forby).* |
Spotted Flycatcher. Bee-bird; Beam-bird; Wall-bird.
The two last names are evidently derived from the usual situation of the nest. The first term may be merely a corruption of the second.
Missel Thrush. Fulfer. Apparently a corruption of Fieldfare.
Song Thrush. Mavish. Evidently a corruption of the old English name "Mavis." The cotemporary term of "Merle" for the Blackbird seems to have become quite obsolete.
Fieldfare. Storm-bird. |
See also Hunt's 'British Birds.'
t Probably the Barn Owl.
