ART. VII. Microscopic Amusement, as a Means of educating the Feelings.

MR. CARPENTER, in Gill's Repository, vol. iv. p. 336., speaking of the fine displays of anatomy and wonderful construction of insects, creatures so much "despised, and which are, indeed, but too often made the subject of wanton sport by many persons, who amuse their children by passing a pin through the bottom of their abdomen, in order to excite pain and long suffering in the insect, and thus making them spin, as they ignorantly term it," has the following most humane and benevolent observations: "Many of these cruel sports might undoubtedly be effectually checked, if the teachers of schools were occasionally to exhibit to their pupils, under the microscope, the various parts of an insect with which they are familiar; and, by interesting lectures of instruction, to point out the uses to which those parts are applied by the insect, for its preservation and comfort; and that, when they are deprived of them, or they are even injured, a degree of suffering takes place in the creature, which the children at present seem to be wholly uninformed of. I certainly think that, if the above-mentioned useful lessons were inculcated, they would afford a check to those cruel propensities in many children, which they at present indulge in, for want of being better instructed."

We think this a most excellent idea, and have little doubt that its adoption in schools and families would have the intended effect. We earnestly beseech such of our readers as are patronesses or patrons of girls' or boys' schools to purchase, and give or lend to the mistress or master, a common microscope of any power that can be afforded, from 5s. to 17. Directions for its use will be sent along with it; and the mistress or master may first instruct two or three monitors in its use, and then grant permission to examine objects with the aid of a monitor, as a reward for merit, and as a gratification during a part of the hours of recreation, and on holidays. Vestries might do worse than purchase a microscope for parochial schools; and, in rich parishes, a seven-guinea microscope might be purchased, which would show the active molecules of Mr. Brown, Dr. Drummond, and others, which we have seen, or think we have seen, through such a microscope. If a microscope would be a good thing in a school, it would evidently be most valuable in a private family; and we should say at once, that whoever can afford to keep a governess or tutor, ought to afford also to have a seven-guinea microscope. In our next Number, we shall commence a series of papers, exemplifying the use of different kinds of microscopes, with a view to the prosecution of this excellent idea of Mr. Carpenter.

ART. VIII. Hints for Improvements.

A NATURAL History Society.-Sir, In looking at the prosperity and high attainments made in this country, in perfecting all kinds of machinery, we are led to consider what is the cause, and what has placed knowledge on this head in so much more an advanced state than on many others, and in this I allude to the study of natural history. It may be answered, because it has not the means for remunerating the toil and labour used in acquiring it. This may be true and yet not be all. In zoology and entomology, the correct information of the commonest, as well as the rarest, of their parts will be best obtained by those who make it their endeavour to collect specimens. Now, the persons who do so are generally those of no

great abilities, yet having a taste for the pursuit, which the profit arising from it enhances. This profit is derived by supplying those who desire to possess, without the trouble of collecting, as well as those whose study is directed to the theoretical and physiological part. Hence we see the majority of books, published for the extension of these studies, are in error in many parts, for the want of that information which only the practical pursuit of them can give. Thus, those who publish apply for guidance to those who collect; but the pecuniary advantage they derive from secrecy on this point, leads them to give wrong dates and circumstances. Many instances occur of the public being wrongly informed, from these causes, by publishers of works on natural history.

I would, therefore, propose something that would obviate this, and make a more public acquaintance with what may be the desiderata, to those who pursue it, of natural history, viz. the habits and places of their specimens.

My ideas are, that a fund should be established by those who are desirous to join in a theory of this sort, by subscription; a society formed, who should be at liberty, in the same way as the Royal Society, to offer money or medals as a reward for the best information respecting any subject that might be proposed by the society, due care being taken that such was truly authenticated. Such a course would operate materially on those who only look to pecuniary advantage; as in addition to the reward would be a self-satisfaction, that what they had discovered would be duly attributed to them, and made known as such, which their present want of ability to communicate properly their ideas precludes. A simple medal would induce these people to give information, when the offer of four or five times its value has been unable to accomplish it, because it would enable them to show they had done something for the pursuit they had embraced. Persons publishing would give more satisfaction, and would get rid of an idea that has some hold now, viz. that book-making, and not science, is the inducement. In furtherance of the plan I have proposed, I am quite ready to contribute to the promotion of it by my subscription. I remain, Sir, yours, &c.-K. Ipswich, Feb. 17. 1829.

Songs of Birds.-A very pleasant letter in the Magazine of Natural History (Vol. I. p. 414), on the subject of American song-birds, suggested to me an idea, that letters on English birds, written in the same lively strain,' would be interesting. Many persons, who are highly interested in all the operations of nature, are at a loss to distinguish the songs, cries, flights, &c., of birds; the more, as many vary at different seasons of the year. I think, if a familiar account of the haunts, habits, sounds, &c., of such birds as are more commonly seen in any particular season, were given in the Magazine preceding it, it would be both interesting and useful. I have not a sufficient practical acquaintance with the feathered tribe, to do justice to such a thing myself, or I would send you a specimen of what I mean; it should be done by a person familiar with their notes and flights, not by one who must put "salt upon the tails of the birds" to examine their colours and forms, before he could tell you how they ought to fly and sing. I find that comparatively few persons are aware of the vocal powers of that very familiar bird, the robin: I have frequently heard this bird sing in a manner to do honour to its connection with the nightingale; when it has been disputed, whether or not it could be the robin. I would at any time silence the finished song of the chaffinch, in three distinct parts, to listen to the mellow notes of my warm-hearted friend, robin. I doubt, even, if there be any bird I would prefer but the nightingale itself: I hesitate as to the black-cap. I wish, however, some one would introduce them to us more familiarly, and make us acquainted with their several claims and merits. E. K. Feb. 7. 1829,

Baron de Humboldt. -I have frequently heard it regretted that no English translation has yet been announced of many of the works of this illustrious traveller and natural philosopher, such as his Tableaux de la Nature, Recueil d'Observations de Zoologie, On the Geographical Distribution of Plants, On Isothermal Lines, and other detached essays and memoirs of a popular character. Considering the lofty situation this incomparable author occupies on the hill of science, it is surprising this has not been already done; and should the respectable publishers of the Personal Narrative, &c., not be engaged in accomplishing it, I hope some competent person will take the hint, and immediately set about conferring so signal a benefit upon the English reader, from which he may safely calculate upon an ample remuneration for his labours. J. E. B. The Court near Wrexham, Feb. 4. 1829.

ART. IX. Queries and Answers.

SKULLS of Brutes. Your correspondent C. (p. 209.) asks if the skulls of brutes are in two tables in the manner of those of the human race. It is not clear, whether by brutes he means all animals except man, or the Linnean order of Béllua; however, in either case he will find the information he wants in Cuvier's eighth lecture on Comparative Anatomy, where he will also find what he does not seem aware of, viz. that the skulls of men are formed of eight instead of two plates, Yours, &c.— Thos. Thompson. Hull, Sept. 9. 1828.

The Owl feeding on Fish.-The Rev. W. T. Bree has narrated the circumstance of the common brown owl's feeding on fish (Vol. 1. p. 179), confessing his ignorance of the methods by which the bird is enabled to take its prey. I am as ignorant of the subject as the reverend gentleman, but I humbly suggest the probability of there being a luminous appearance in the eyes of the owl, by which the fish are enticed within the reach of its beak or claws. Fishing by torch-light is practised in some countries: it is likely that it could have derived its origin from a consideration of this kind. J. S. Thurgarton, Norfolk, April 17. 1829.

Rearing of Pheasants. The following observations are for the use of your correspondent from the Isle of Wight (Vol. I. p. 300.). Pheasants may be easily reared, if they are fed on boiled eggs till they are able to eat small wheat, when a heap of gravel should be deposited in their coops. It is usual to give them the larvæ of ants, but they should never have more of them at one time than they would be likely to find in the fields. I should recommend the larvæ of the black ant, because I think that the larvæ of the red ant sometimes prove fatal. I once supplied a very healthy brood of pheasants with a hearty meal of them, and in less than an hour some of the birds were dead. If I am right in classing cause and effect, this is a singular fact. I accounted for it by supposing that the peculiar acid which is so predominant in the perfect insect, may be equally potent in the larvæ and as fatal. Id.

The Crow, noticed by P.H. (p. 101.), was evidently the Royston, or Hooded, Crow (Córvus Córnix Linn.), which is a peculiar species that comes over to us from the north of Europe at the approach of winter, about the same time with the woodcock and other birds of passage, is seen generally in pairs, and near to the sea coast, and leaves us again in the spring. — J. C. The Crow alluded to in p. 101. is the Hooded, or Royston, Crow, common in the Isle of Thanet and parts of East Kent, Corvus Córnix of Linnæus. Anon. Bishopsbourne, Kent, March 26. 1829.

Scolopax Sabini (in answer to A. C. R., p. 207.)- There is a very good representation and description of the Scolopax Sabìni in the second volume

of Bewick's British Birds, p. 416., last edition. I am, Sir, &c. Hunter. May 6. 1829.

The Black-headed Bunting. — Do you call the Black-headed Bunting a Blackcap? as we have no migratory bird in this neighbourhood but it which deserves the name. What is called the blackcap here is the largest titmouse, which stays the winter with us, and in summer is so injurious to crops of peas, that I have known them sometimes eat them all, not leaving a single pod for any one else. -T. G. Clithero. April 17. 1829.

the

Stourchat and Wheatear. What is the difference between the stourchat and the wheatear? The same bird is called by both names here. I am, Sir, &c. Id.

Superfotation of a Pheasant's Egg.-I had a pheasant's nest last year, on one of my fences, containing eleven eggs. In due time ten birds escaped from the shell and one egg proved barren. In one of the shells, out of which a bird had evidently gone, was a thick film, extending entirely across the middle, in the direction of the conjugate diameter, and dividing the egg into two cavities. Beyond the film, when broken, was discovered another egg, of a globular form, having a very hard shell, and containing, as usual, white and yolk. My brother still retains it in his collection. Is this an instance of what medical men call superfotation?-J. S. Thurgarton, Norfolk, April

17. 1828.

Winter Quarters of Frogs.-In reply to the query on the winter quarters of frogs (p. 103.), it must be recollected, that on the breaking up of the ice at the end of winter, or in the early part of spring, in these climates, vast numbers of full-grown frogs make their way to the surface of the water in the ponds and ditches which they inhabit, and there congregate, with their heads out of the water, making such a gurgling noise as often to attract the attention of idle boys, whom I have often seen contending with each other in the numbers they could knock on the head with their missiles; a circumstance which probably suggested the fable of the Frogs and the Boys, and which our young friends will, we hope, bear in mind, when they contemplate this annual display of joy in these harmless creatures on the return of genial spring; and recollect what the old frog said, viz. “ Although this may appear fine sport to you, remember it is death to us." As, then, the frogs reappear in spring, it is evident that they do not die at the beginning of winter; and the general belief is, apparently not without foundation, that they lie dormant amongst the weeds at the bottom of the water, or buried under the soft mud; the reason for which may probably be found in the abstraction of food during the winter season: as they can neither obtain food nor get to the surface to respire, these functions, as in all hybernating animals, become suspended, and the animal, as in a profound sleep, remains quite unconscious of its existence. J. C.

Gelatinous Mass like the Remains of a Frog.—In reference to the remarks about frogs in p. 103., permit me to say, that the gelatinous mass your correspondent refers to, is not unlikely that commonly called "Shot-star," and occasionally met with in fenny countries and meadows. I have no doubt but it proceeds from frogs having been swallowed by sea-fowl, and ejected again from the stomach; the gelatinous substance is, in all probability, the oviduct of the frog, which expands by the temperature of the stomach, and is the principal cause of its being voided shortly after having been swallowed. Thus the oviduct of the frog, if placed in a tumbler of water, about blood heat, expands to very many times its original volume.

As to showers of frogs, an officer of high rank in India informs me that he has not unfrequently seen, after a shower, the roof of his tent covered with minute frogs, and sufficiently lively too; may not powerful evaporation be also a source of their transport into the air, or the tube of the water-spout inhale them which the nimbus diffuses and scatters? J. Murray.

Mole Cricket (Gryllus gryllotalpa) (fig. 77.), (in answer to Mr. Robert

Jones). These cu

rious hemipterous insects are oftener heard than seen; as they only come abroad in the night, and then, as may be seen by their paths, but a little way from their dwelling place. They live, breed, and constantly inhabit

the sides of ditches and drains, in boggy grounds. Here they form numerous tunnels about 6 or 8 in. under the surface, for which their two foremost feet are well adapted, being remarkably strong, and shaped like the large claws of a lobster. They are an ugly and hostile-looking insect, though perfectly harmless; 1 in. in length, of a dirty brown colour, and entirely covered with close short down, which serves to form an envelope of hair, and defend them from the contact of water while immersed. Their chirp or call, which appears to be produced by the vibration of their shells, is a deeptoned jar, performed in their recesses, and has caused them to be called the Churr-worm; a name very significant of their call.-J. M. Chelsea. Harvest Bug (A'carus autumnalis Shaw). Passing some days in Gloucestershire, with my family, in the early part of September last, we were daily annoyed by the appearance of small vesicles, chiefly on the neck, arms, and legs. These vesicles seemed to be filled with a semi-transparent fluid, were surrounded with more or less of redness, and attended by very troublesome itching, especially if irritated by rubbing. Our friend (a medical man) assured us it was caused by the harvest bug, which he described as an insect of very minute size, and of a bright red colour. It may be remarked, that we invariably found fresh vesicles making their appearance after walking in a neighbouring plantation. If you or any of your readers could throw any light upon the natural history of this troublesome little insect, it would oblige yours, &c. G. B. K. Birmingham, Nov. 14. 1828. The Sea Spider alluded to in p. 211., and which, by being exhibited under the title of a tarantula sea spider, has no doubt extracted some money from the pockets of John Bull, cannot be regarded in any other light than as one of those gross impositions upon the public, which are occasionally offered to the credulous and ignorant in all countries, but more particularly our own. Your Magazine, and the increasing taste for natural history, will gradually diminish the number of such experiments, by causing them to be detected and exposed in the first instance. Enough of the description of this new cheat is given by M. C. G., to enable a zoologist to determine it to be no other than a species of cuttle fish, probably Sèpia officinàlis, disguised by the removal of its suckers, by the addition of a spiral tongue half a yard in length, armed with a pair of forceps at the end! and that of a very large spinner out of which the exhibiter had taken a web !" The bone in the species above indicated terminates posteriorly, but within the exterior tunic, in a short spinous point, so that it would appear that this also had been exaggerated by some addition. It will readily occur to those acquainted with these animals, that the possessor of this treasure has either wilfully or ignorantly mistaken the position of the mouth, which, as described by M. C. G., is the opening of the sub-abdominal pouch, the place of the real mouth being within the centre of the arms which crown the head of the animal. T. J. May 21. 1829.

Remarkable Spider.- Sir, I beg leave to send you the following account of a remarkable spider, which I took some time ago, I believe about the end