of its parent tree. The elegant and lamented author of the invaluable English Flora, with characteristic diffidence, says, "the real root is, I believe, fibrous and parasitical;" and the profound philosophic botanist to whom we are indebted for the Prodromus Flora Nov. Hol., &c. &c., and whose extensive knowledge of vegetable physiology first suggested the true nature of the gigantic Rafflèsia, confessed to me, not many months since, that he had recently endeavoured to discover the mode of growth of the Lathrea, without success. Allow me, then, to state, that after having been frequently baffled in my attempt, I was fortunate enough, during the last season, to ascertain this hidden fact. I also detected some peculiarities in its organisation and economy, which throw considerable light on the functions of this singular and interesting plant; but before giving them to the public through another channel, I wish to confirm them, by further investigation, the ensuing spring. In the mean time, I would feel much gratified to see, in your next Number, any observations which Mr. Smith or any other correspondent may have made, bearing upon this more important part of the subject.-J. E. Bowman. The Court, near Wrexham, Nov. 18. 1828. Smell of new-mown Hay. — Sir, In your Magazine of Natural History (Vol. I. p. 381.), I observed an article on the " Cause of the smell in newmown Hay," in which the writer there seems inclined to believe that the fragrance in new-mown hay arises from the sweet-scented vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoràtum). I have made, on a small scale, several species of grasses, separately, into hay, with a view to satisfy myself on the subject; and I found the hay made from them all, more or less, partake of fragrance. Might not the scent arise from the fermentation of saccharine matter contained, more or less, in grasses in general, and also from the manner in which the hay is got up? I remain, Sir, yours, &c.-Humphrey Gibbs. London, Dec. 1828.

Skeleton Plants. Will any of your correspondents favour me, by communicating, through your pages, the process necessary for divesting the leaves and capsules of plants of their soft parenchymatous matter, leaving only the blanched and reticulated vessels, which so clearly displays their interior structure or framework, and presents so beautiful a picture of vegetable anatomy? The ingenious Mr. Crow, of Kensington, has brought this art to the highest pitch of perfection; and I am inclined to think it is effected by some simple means.-J. E. B. Wrexham, Feb. 4. 1829.

Durability of Seeds.-Permit me to ask you for a reference to any work or works in which the durability and indestructible qualities of seeris are treated of at length ?- Charles Greaves. Devonport, Nov. 24. 1828.

Marine Vegetables.- Will you call the attention of botanists to marine vegetables, with a special view of ascertaining if there are not many plants fit for eating, which would be serviceable to our seamen on distant shores? Has not Dr. Maculloch printed a paper on this subject? - Id. Coal Fossils from Clifton, near Manchester.- Sir, I send you a sketch (fig. 24.) of a fossil cane or reed, which I got out of the little mine coal in

the township of Clifton, near Manchester, at the depth of 81 yards. It is about 2 in. broad, pressed flat on the under side, but raised in the middle on the upper side. I also send you a sketch of two other vegetable fossils

(fig. 25. and fig. 26.), from the same mine. Fig. 25. has the appearance of

a kind of rush laid side

by side, and extends to about 5 ft. in length, and about 2 ft. in width: it generally is about an inch in depth, and contains three layers, both sides being similarly marked. Fig. 26. is simply marked upon a thin seam of coal, for if the coal is taken from off the metal, no part of the impression remains. The fossils (figs. 25. and 26.) are composed of metal, being a kind of blue shale, and

were both covered with a thin seam of coal. Can you inform me to what order and genus they belong, and also what is the best work published on fossils, with plates? B. St. Helen's, Jan. 19. 1829.

The article on the Progress of Geology (Vol. I. p. 442.) adverted, in chronological order, to the most distinguished and valuable publications which have illustrated this science and its different departments. To this series we refer our correspondent. As an introduction to the knowledge of fossil organised bodies generally, B. will find Mr. Parkinson's Introduction, or outlines of oryctology, highly useful; and it is further recommended by its cheapness. It is well deserving a conspicuous place in the library of the geologist. The fossil Testàcea are best illustrated in Mr. Sowerby's splendid and costly Mineral Conchology. Artis's Antediluvian Phytology deserves also to be consulted. That branch of the science which relates to fossil botany has been, perhaps, the least cultivated in this country. Both of Mr. Parkinson's works contain some valuable illustrations. One volume, indeed, of the Organic Remains of a Former World is exclusively devoted to the consideration of its vegetable relics. Martin's Petrifactions of Derbyshire may be consulted by B. to advantage. Messrs. Coneybeare and Phillips have contributed some valuable pages on this obscure subject in their Outlines. Count Sternberg's magnificent book is of the highest authority in this department. The Histoire des Végétaux Fossiles of Adolph. Brongniart, of which two numbers are published, promises to be the first work on the subject.

There is evidently a great general analogy between the fossil Flora of the English and the Continental coal-fields; but the comparison of these plants has scarcely been pursued with the attention necessary to the complete establishment of their identity, although very interesting collections are by no means rare in this country.

In the absence of a work especially devoted to the elucidation of this branch of natural history in England, our collectors have not unfrequently experienced difficulties in referring the fossil plants to their respective genera. Some mention has been made of an intention to supply this deficiency; and it is conceived that the Flora of our carbonaceous formations will furnish an abundant supply of new and interesting productions, and, by a comparison with the existing vegetation, will further illustrate the phenomena of heat and climate in the former world. As an instance of the necessity for such a work, might be mentioned the fact, of a collection of coal plants having been sent from this country into Germany by an eminent naturalist, for the sole purpose of being identified, named, and

returned.

Figs. 25. 26., referred to in B.'s communication, are common, probably, to all coal districts, and appear not only in the argillaceous and bituminous shales, but in the superincumbent and inferior sandstones.

Fig. 24. is probably one of those arundinaceous plants with fluted and jointed stems, known by the name of Calamites, and probably the Calamites dùbius of Artis: they commonly appear in a flattened form, particularly in the shales, and are often distorted when the casts are filled with argillaceous iron ore.

Fig. 25. is somewhat obscure, but most probably Euphorbìtes vulgàris of Artis.

Fig. 26. is a Phitólithus (Aphýllum ásperum of Artis).

The appearance of the same species, and even of parts of the same plants, of this class, varies according to the circumstance of their presenting either epidermal, cortical, or ligneous impressions and surfaces; each representing the epidermis, the bark, and the wood; and hence these have been properly styled Protean fossils. — R. C. T.

Optical Phenomenon. Sir, On Sunday, the 11th of November, 1827, about two o'clock, my attention was called to the singular circumstance of the passengers, walking on the north side of the High Street of this town, having two shadows, which were well defined, and nearly equally strong. They were projected partly on the pavement and partly on the front of the houses, and formed an angle of about twenty degrees, the heads being nearly 3 ft. asunder. Wishing to ascertain whether the double shadow was visible to the person by whom it was formed, I passed through that part of the street, and found that only one was apparent; but, upon retreating into the middle of the roadway, two shadows were seen as before. This optical phenomenon I am induced to attribute to refraction, occasioned by the state of the atmosphere. About an hour before, rain had fallen, the air was filled with watery particles, and the surface of the street was wet, which would naturally cause a strong exhalation under a brilliant sun, which was the case at the time, and formed a bank of mist, on which the images might be represented. I offer this hypothesis with great diffidence, and should be happy to learn the opinion of yourself, or of some of your scientific readers, on the subject, through the medium of your Magazine. During the eclipse of the sun, on the 29th of November, 1826, I noticed that two shadows were formed. This was the first time I observed it; but similar appearances have occurred twice during the last month.— Muphatamet. Wycombe, December 8. 1823.

Scriptural Geology. Sir, Having lately read a book entitled Scriptural Geology, purporting to be written in answer to M. Cuvier's Theory of the Earth and Dr. Buckland's Reliquiæ Diluvianæ, I much wish to get other

opinions than my own as to its merits, and would therefore consider it a great favour if you would inform me whether it has been reviewed in any of the periodicals. If not, some one of your correspondents may, perhaps, at your suggestion, be inclined to notice it in your Magazine.

I trouble you with this communication, also, from the fears I entertain of the mischief which the book is likely to produce among those who are ignorant of the theory of geology, and the evidence on which it is founded, if it be suffered to remain unanswered, and the narrow-minded sentiments therein, in my opinion, displayed, unpointed out. An Admirer of Buckland.

The book is certainly, with some unlearned readers, a little calculated to create the impressions your correspondent speaks of; but I question if such people read the Magazine of Natural History, or any works of science or philosophy. It is wasting words and time to combat with ignorance and prejudice.

- R. C. T.

A Fossil Shell from a Quarry in Radnorshire. Sir, The fossil from which I copied the drawing I have sent (fig. 27.) was found in a quarry on the estate of D. Thomas, Esq., Wellfield House, Radnorshire, where I believe

they abound. As I am but a novice in the study of natural history, and cannot inform you in what stone it is embedded, I have endeavoured to represent it as near the colour as possible. To me it is rare, never having seen a similar specimen before; and I should therefore feel obliged if you would inform me, in your next Number, what it is. The copy is the exact size of the impression. I am, Sir, &c.-J. A. H. Kingston, Herefordshire, Sept. 29.

The above figure represents a fine specimen of Trilobites (A'saphus) Debuchi A. Brongniart (Hist. Nat. des Crust. Foss. 20. tab. 2. f. 2. Parkinson, iii. pl. 17. f. 13.) The stone it occurs in is either transition slate or limestone.-J. D. C. S.

ART. IX. Retrospective Criticism.

ERRATA.-In Vol. I. p. 242., line 25., should not the word two be three? - No; the three species enumerated are by some considered only two. Cond.

In p. 362. there is no reference made to figure 169. b; what is it? — It is Salpiglóssis pícta.

In p. 375. for 32 read 52.

In p. 375. for Prov. xxx. 25. read Prov. xxx. 28.

In p. 383., line 45, should not the word Wernerian be Huttonian ? [J. R. says no.]-G. M. Lynn Regis, Nov. 17. 1828.

Errors in printing the List of the Birds of Passage in the Neighbourhood of Carlisle. (Vol. I. p. 290.) : —

Line 2, for 1808 read 1828.

5, for Pypsètus read Cypselus.

9, for gaisìla read grísola.

10, for vendùtie read Enánthe.

-T. C. Heysham. Carlisle, Sept. 29.1828. Skeleton for Perennial Calendar.—Sir, Pyrus japónica is a bad plant to select, for it shows some blossom more or less in every month of the year; and every observer, delighted to vaunt the praises of his own situation, will be sure to report it in bloom in every one of the winter months. One in the neighbourhood of Bristol now (November 28th) has a hundred blossoms.-P. T. Bristol, Nov. 28.

Picùs Minor.-I observe one of your correspondents notes the Pìcus mìnor, "very rare," and another regards the individual in his possession as" the only authentic British specimen;" whereas, in the course of last year, I enriched my own collection of British birds by the addition of three selected specimens, all shot at Wynnstay; and two others passed through my hands, obtained from Llanymynech. Had it been my desire, their number might easily have been extended, I will not say how far.— B. D. Wrexham, Nov. 17. 1828.

Perennial Calendar.— Observations drawn from bulbous flowers which are planted at various seasons, and make their appearances accordingly, tell but little; nor are we much the wiser from those of annuals, for the same reason.-J. R. Kilkenny.

List of Rare Plants and Insects.—Sir, I hope I may be allowed to remark, without giving offence, that some of the articles occasionally enumerated by your correspondents in their lists of rare plants and insects are hardly worth recording as such, or rather have no pretensions whatever to be considered in that light, being, on the contrary, of every-day occurrence in most parts of the country. Thus e. g. in Mr. Babington's "list of the rare plants and insects found in the neighbourhood of Bath," (p.392.) the following, among many other common plants, are mentioned, viz. Campánula rotundifolia, Solànum Dulcamàra, Alísma Plantàgo, Epilobium hirsùtum, Oxalis Acetosella, Lychnis dioíca, Spiræ a Ulmària, Nuphar lùtea, Anemone nemoròsa, O'rchis mòrio, and maculàta, Tórtula muràlis, and Bryum argenteum and of insects, the following, viz. Dýticus marginàlis, Nèpa cinèrea, Panórpa commùnis, Póntia nàpi? ràpæ? and chariclèa, Pygara Bucéphala, and A'rctia càja. Surely the above rank among our more common, not our rarer, plants and insects; and if subjects of no greater degree of rarity are worth selecting for particular notice, why not increase the lists an hundred-fold? Observe, I do not object to complete catalogues of the plants and insects to be found in any district; so far from it, indeed, such local Floras and Faunas would in my judgment be highly