connected with the chalk, clearly proves this; for that word, as used by the learned authors of the Description Géologique shows where the beds of true unaltered white upper chalk commence, and so distinguishes the line of demarcation between the diluvially altered beds above and the regular undisturbed strata below. The bed d (D) is more interesting than at first appears; for it is decidedly coincident with the diluvial beds that cover a great portion of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, and are there locally termed "rubble," consisting of yellow clay, containing egg-like portions of chalk, of which I possess numerous memoranda, some of them deserving of publication. The bed e (E) is the upper surface of the chalk, as changed and discoloured by the infiltration, &c., from above; and numerous examples of this nearly superficial chalk may be found all over the chalk district of this country, as well as of France, where, I trust, Mr. Moggridge's researches have been in general more successful than in this "singular instance." Mr. Lyell (Geological Transactions, vol. ii. new series, p. 84.) has these words, in speaking of the junction of the plastic clay beds and the chalk at the Old Harry rocks, in Studland Bay, Dorsetshire (about three miles directly from the spot in which I write):-" the chalk for two feet is a soft marl, and minutely striated with yellow and white lines, occasioned, perhaps, by stains derived from the breccia," which lies next to it; a parallel case to that of some of the beds above alluded to. In The Outlines of the Geology of England and Wales, by Conybeare and Phillips (p. 62.), there is a reference to the surface of the chalk at the locality in question, namely, at Lower Meudon, near Paris, the Meredon* of Mr. Moggridge; and at p. 63. (note), instances are quoted from England. Mr. Moggridge does not say where the other instances are which he met with in his late researches ; but they are probably those alluded to by Cuvier and Brongniart, and treated of by them at p. 134. 137. 141. of their work. (Vide Description Géologique, p. 327.)

Mr. Moggridge would have rendered "his sketch" and "explanation" more worthy of notice, had he reproduced the observations of the authors from whom he borrowed, namely, that the stag's horn was not discovered in the chalk, but in a cavity in the chalk filled with the chalky breccia (or rubble), washed in thither before the vegetable soil b (B) was de

This change of Meudon to Meredon is wholly our deed. The manuscript had been singed (in truth, a little burnt) where this word occurred, and by the tops and bottoms of the letters left remaining we determined the word to be Meredon, as it now appears erroneously, as it should have been Meudon. — J. D.

posited; an "explanation" which not only explains the fact itself, but explains away the incorrect description of a "subsidence." Cuvier and Brongniart state (p. 328.) that they saw and copied the circumstance, as it was discovered by M. Langlois, whilst digging a well in the garden of Madame Fourcroy; and that the workmen ceased labour till they could arrive at the spot. But I very much doubt whether they discontinued working altogether, in order for Mr. Moggridge to commence his "late researches" ten years afterwards; and whether he ever became acquainted with this "singular instance of subsidence!" except in the pages of his predecessors. If so, this instance is very singular indeed, and his late researches" quite remarkable! W. B. Clarke. Parkstone, near Poole, Dec. 22. 1832.

19

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The Rain Gauge or Pluviometer (Vol. V. p. 769.), and Rain Gauges generally.- An objection to the rain gauge proposed Vol. V. p. 769., and to all rain gauges with floats, is, that they do not measure the rain which is balancing the weight of the float and rod. It is obvious, on looking at the figure [we repeat the cut fig. 19.], that a good deal of rain will fall before the float and rod are raised from the bottom of the gauge. Of course, in graduating the rod, an allowance might be made for this; but, nevertheless, if only a small quantity fell after each emptying of the gauge, insufficient to raise the float, it would not be indicated at all by the proposed gauge. I should prefer to dispense with the float and rod, and measure the rain into a glass jar or tube, graduated into cubic inches and tenths, and divide the amount by the area of the funnel, which will give the rain on each square inch of its surface. The funnel should have a raised edge, or, in high winds, part of the rain may be blown out of it.

20

b

C

The stopcock may be left out, and a good cork substituted, and the whole constructed like fig. 20. which is a box with top 10 in. square, the funnel about 1 in. below its edge, and on the side a short tube for removing the water, with cork or stopcock.

Suppose you have found 17.8 in. of rain in the gauge, the area

being 100 square in., the amount, per inch, is 0.178 in., which leaves nothing to desire on the score of minuteness. A graduated jar may be procured from any seller of chemical apparatus. The above is particularly adapted for daily or weekly observations. The water being removed at every observation, the effects of evaporation on the results will be diminished.-E. See also Newton's Journal, vol. i. p. 48. A figure and description of a self-registering pluviometer, the invention of a Mr. Crosley, are given in Vol. I. p. 71. — J. D.

Magnifying Power of a dense Atmosphere. (Vol. V. p. 494.) I can certainly verify the fact of the magnifying power of the atmospheric medium, under similar circumstances to those adverted to by Sir John Byerley. (Vol. V. p. 494.) When at Bristol, about two years ago, I distinctly perceived, with the naked eye, the spots on the sun's disc, and communicated the circumstance to Mr. John Braham, optician, of that city. The sun had not risen far above the horizon, and the dense medium tempered the solar blaze. I never saw, with the telescope, the spots on the sun's disc better defined, or more distinct, or of greater diameter, than in this instance. The phenomenon of the horizontal moon, on similar principles, is a problem of easy solution.-J. Murray. Jan. 20. 1833.

ART. II. Queries and Answers.

PRESERVING the Colour of the Legs and Bills of stuffed Birds. (p.92.)—Sir, I take an early opportunity to inform your correspondent, T. K. (p. 92.), that I consider it impossible to preserve the colours unimpaired in the legs of stuffed birds. I have seen the lake-coloured leg of the beautiful yawarraciri of Guiana lose every particle of the red; and I have found that no external application can preserve the fine colours in the legs of the scarlet curlew, the trumpeter, the water-hen of Guiana, and many other birds too numerous to mention.

Under the outward scale of the leg, in the living bird, are substances from which the leg derives its colour. They fade in time after the death of the bird, and then the whole complexion of the leg is changed. Perhaps your correspondent might partially succeed in renewing the faded colours of the leg, by means of paint mixed up with water: at best it is a bad business. The legs of birds stuffed on the old system are so shrunk and hideous to the eye, that, in my opinion, their colour is a mere secondary consideration. In the bills of birds, the colours are either produced from internal sub

stances, as in the base of the lower mandible of the toucan; or inherent in the horn or bone itself, as in the cassique. In either case, dissection is absolutely necessary, if your correspondent wishes to have the beauty of the bill retained or renewed.-Charles Waterton. Walton Hall, Jan. 9. 1833.

What Relation do the Colour and Markings of any Egg bear to the Bird hatched from such Egg?-Is it not possible that the variations of colour and markings on the eggs of various species of birds may have some connection with the bird to be hatched? It must be well known to those who have attended to oology, that there is a great dissimilarity in the colour and spots on the eggs of the blackbird, magpie, starling, canary, &c. Such variations, it appears to me, cannot arise from accident; therefore, by patient observation, perhaps, some cause for it may be found.-C. Birmingham, June 6. 1832.

Eggs of the Common Fowl remarkably spotted.-Sir, I send you a sketch (fig. 21.) of two hen's eggs, which have recently

come under my notice; and, as some doubts are entertained whether or not the spots are natural, I shall be obliged to some of your correspondents to state, through the medium of the Magazine, if such have ever been observed by them. The colour of the spots is as nearly represented as was possible, and there were no marks on any other part of the eggs. Daniel Stock. Bungay, July 2. 1832.

Does the Willow Wren (Sylvia Trochilus Lath.) sip the Nectar of the Flowers of the Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis L.)?-In the tenth edition of Priscilla Wakefield's Introduction to Botany (p. 18.), after describing the nectary

of the Fritillaria imperiàlis, it is stated, "the willow wren creeps up the stems of this plant, and sips the drops of honey as they hang from the petals." I very much doubt if the willow wren can effect this, if it be inclined. I have watched a great many plants at different times, and never could detect a wren on or near them. If any of your correspondents have seen them performing the above act, and will inform us, they would particularly oblige. Yours, &c.-H. Turner. Bury St. Edmunds, April 30. 1832.

The "Bird whose nightly Note foretells approaching Weather" (p. 93.) may, I think, be referred to the tinnitus aurium, that peculiar singing in the ears which often precedes a change of weather; and is caused by the alteration in the weight of the atmosphere, and the diseased state of the auditory nerve. I have heard it in almost every variation of sound, from a very low note to the shrillest piping imaginable, and I have noticed that the very high notes usually prognosticate rainy weather, the change, in every instance, taking place within 24 hours after it had been heard. The lower notes are frequently accompanied by a feeling precisely like to that which is observed on approaching a wall in the dark. I noticed it about 10 P. M., on Dec. 30. 1832: it in that instance sounded very shrill, and was followed by a fall of snow. I also noticed it at 8 A. M. of the following day; it was then in a lower key, and so faint as to be but just audible: the thaw began here about 11 A. M. These indications of the weather are noticed in Forster's Encyclopædia of Natural Phenomena. I conceive that they might be arranged according to the notes of the gamut, and, by having the change noted opposite, would form a novel weather table.B. B. W. Norwich, Jan. 7. 1833.

Some Account of the Natterjack (Bufo Rubèta Fleming, Rana Rubèta L.).-Sir, A correspondent in the Imperial Magazine for May last states that a new species of frog exists in the neighbourhood of Lewisham, in Kent, and was peculiar to that part of the country. As I have nearly ready for the press a Monograph on the Zoology and Comparative Anatomy of the genus Rana, and of the R. temporària in particular, I shall feel thankful for any information on this subject which any correspondent may please to favour me with. On perusing the paragraph in the magazine alluded to, I wrote to some scientific friends at Lewisham and its neighbourhood, but can obtain no information respecting any new species. Professor Rennie, in answer to a note I addressed to him on this subject, informs me, that he has heard that the natterjack (the Ràna Kubèta) has been found at Blackheath: but he doubts; it at