Natural Hhtoi-y in the English Coimties. S97 



since, as some workmen were sinking a well near Woodend, in this county, 

 about eight miles from the Hambleton Hills, at the depth of 60 or 70 

 yards they came to a large mass of compact red granite, which, not being 

 able to remove, they cut through. Granite has also been found in several 

 places towards the hills. The soil in that part of the country is a rich 

 alluvial earth, to a good depth. What makes this still more curious is, that 

 no granite is found in that part of the country, as the Hambletons are com- 

 posed principally of mountain limestone. It is, therefore, more than pro- 

 bable, that this stratum is connected with others of the same nature in the 

 Hambletons ; for, if it is not stratified, can you or any of your readers 

 account for the presence of the granite in such immense masses ? This 

 question is well worth the attention of any person conversant in these mat- 

 ters. — L. E. O. Richmond, Yorkshire, August 16. 1828. 



Snakes caught hy Fishermen. — Sir, On Saturday last, August 2, a fisherman 

 brought me a snake (Coluber A^atrix Lin.) which he had caught in his net^ 

 while fishing in Haslar Lake, one of the branches of Portsmouth harbour ; 

 and, on the following morning, a seaman brought me a second, alive and 

 healthy, which had been just caught from the tide, on the opposite shore, 

 among the boats, at the sally-port, or landing-place, at Portsmouth. Both 

 the men were amazed at the occurrence j and the former, an aged fisher- 

 man, had never met with the like before. I am, Bir, &c. — Henry Slighty 

 Sicrgeon. 100. High-street, Portsmouth. 



' Symphytum officinale (3 grows in a hedge, on the left-hand side of the 

 road continuing, or forming a part of, South-hill lane, not half a mile from 

 Highgate church, at a blunt corner, where the road changes its direction. 

 — E, K. 



Museum at Norwich. — This establishment owes its origin to a few scien- 

 -tific and public-spirited individuals residing in Norwich and its vicinity, who, 

 in 1824, united themselves for the purpose of promoting the study of natural 

 history. At this time, a body of laws and regulations were drawn up, a pre- 

 sident, vice-president, and a committee of twelve gentlemen appointed, for the 

 transaction of business, and apartments taken in the Hay-market, under the 

 rooms of the Literary Institution, for the reception of their future collec- 

 tion. The late lamented president of the Linnean Society, Sir J. E. Smith, 

 was elected president, which office he filled till his death ; on which occur- 

 rence, Dawson Turner, Esq., of Great Yarmouth, author of Synopsis of 

 British Ficd, &c. &c., was appointed. The present object of this Society is 

 confined to collecting specimens in natural history, together with coins, an- 

 tiques, and miscellaneous articles which are objects of curiosity and admir- 

 ation, as well to the gieneral as the scientific observer j hoping, by this 

 means, to excite a spirit of enquiry, and promote the pursuit of this inte- 

 resting and engaging study. Should this attempt be successful, in inducing 

 many to support the establishment by their purses and patronage, they will 

 be enabled to pursue their plans of publishing their proceedings, establish- 

 ing lectures, and adopting such means as would render the establishment 

 more effectual in disseminating that spirit and that knowledge which it is 

 their wish to promote. 



Their museum now contains several skeletons and parts of skeletons, 

 animals, and birds, including the hippopotamus, elephant, buffalo, crocodile, 

 and lion ; a few animals preserved ; about 300 specimens of ornithology, 

 chiefly British ; a valuable cabinet of South American insects, consisting of 

 about 4000 specimens ; a cabinet of British insects, consisting of about 

 2000; a few specimens of conchology, and about ."550 specimens of mine- 

 ralogy and geology, besides 300 specimens of fossil organic remains. In 

 botany it possesses but few specimens, chiefly from Switzerland. 



To these may be added, a small collection of coins, Roman and other an- 

 tiquities, various instruments of war and numerous other articles from dif- 

 ferent countries, and an Egyptian mummy and sarcophagus. 



