1-98 Retrospective Criticism, 



scriptions there with the specimens. This will teach him the application 

 of technical terms, and he may afterwards be able to discover the name of 

 any plant by finding out its class and order, generic and specific distinctions. 

 — Cond. 



The Lemming or Scandinavian Rat^ Mxxs L^mmus Lin.y Campagnol i^cam- 

 pa7ia, a bell; bones of the head in that form ?) Lemming Cuv.y which, after 

 a wet season, is known to descend in myriads from the great mountains in 

 the north, and to deluge the adjacent plains, as it is supposed, in its way to 

 the sea, proceeds, as naturalists inform us, in so straight a line, that no ob- 

 ject is capable of turning it out of its way, and that, sooner than alter its 

 course, it is known to prefer even death itself. If, as they inform us, this 

 curious creature happens to find a large fire or a deep well in its way, in- 

 stead of going round either of them, in the one instance, it boldly darts 

 through the flames, and, in the other, resolutely proceeds down one side 

 and up the other; in both cases, in imminent danger to itself. Similar 



{)henomena are related, though not to such an extent, of the Bahama 

 obster ; and naturalists seem to rest content by informing us that these 

 creatures obey, in this manner, some extraordinary impulse, or some won- 

 derful law of nature, from which it is impossible for them to diverge ; but 

 yet they seem to have made no inquiry as to why such should be the case. 

 Animals, as well as mankind, migrate for various reasons, but most generally 

 to obtain a better home than the one they already possess; but in the case 

 of the particular animals of which I have spoken, it is their persistency in 

 a straight line which is so truly astonishing. Do you think, Mr. Editor, 

 that this phenomenon can have any thing to do with optics, and that their 

 eye being so constructed as to hinder them from seeing in any other than a 

 direct line, may not impel them to pursue their route in the manner they 

 do? — C. Ma^, 1828. 



The Foul Water of Fishermen. — The St. Ives fishermen took but few 

 mackerel last week; they have met with large spots of what is called " foul 

 water" in the fishing ground, from five to ten leagues oiFthe coast. The 

 nets, when in this water, which frequently extends to a considerable dis- 

 tance, are covered with a glutinous and exceedingly offensive substance, 

 from which it is found difficult to cleanse them. {Exeter Alfred, May 29.) 

 What can this be ? Is it any excrementitious discharge from the shoals of 

 fish?— M. June, 1828. 



Standard of Colours. — Speaking of colours, it really would be important 

 to naturalists and artists if a standard diagram of colours were established, 

 (and, if you please, deposit it in the Tower with weights and measures). 

 The original should be in stone, and authenticated copies may be issued in 

 metallic colours. Thus any tint could be referred to by number or name. 

 You are nearer to the useful Secretary than myself, and should ask Mr. Peel 

 to add it to his list of desirables. — JB. M. JSromsgrove, March 3. 1828. 



Art. X. Retrospective Criticism, 



The late James Soiverby, Esq., F.L.S. the projector, draughtsman, en- 

 graver, and in part author of the " English Flora." — Sir, On reading the 

 memoir of the late Sir James Smith in your Magazine of Natural History 

 (p. 91.), I perceive that one of the works of which he is stated to be the 

 author (viz. English Botany) is so mentioned as to give the whole merit of 

 that laborious work to this distinguished botanist. There can be no doubt 

 that Sir James, by his great talents, is entitled to the warmest praise of his 

 countrymen ; still it is but justice to those who have prosecuted with equal 

 zeal the study of nature, that the late Mr, James Sowerby's name should be 



