108 MISCELLANY. 



probing the mud — where they cannot see or smell their prey — are probably 

 guided to it by the sense of taste, which resides in the soft and delicate mem- 

 brane extended over the bill, and which is very plentifully supplied with nerves. 

 Such are the Ducks, Snipes, &c, and these birds alone can be said to have a true 

 sense of taste. Ornithorhynchus paradoxus also has its bill covered with a highly 

 organized membrane in the same way, and this probably performs a similar 

 office for it that it does for the birds above-mentioned. — Beverley R. Morris, 

 Charmouth, Dorsetshire, Dec. 17, 1837. 



How to find the Larvae of Tortrix. — The larva? of some species of Tor- 

 trix may be found in winter by splitting open Teazle-heads. — J. C. Dale, Glan- 

 ville's Wootton, Dorsetshire, Dec. 12, 1837. 



Butterfly seen on Christmas-Day. — On Christmas-day the thermometer 

 stood at Gl°, and a neighbour informs me that he saw a large coloured Butter- 

 fly flying about in the church. I do not know what species this was — probably 

 Vanessa polychloros. I have seen it at a lower temperature in March. — Edwin 

 Lankester, Campsall, near Doncaster, Jan. 12, 1838. 



Phrenological Society of Warrington. — With unfeigned pleasure we take 

 this early opportunity of announcing the recent formation of a Phrenological So- 

 ciety at Warrington — especially after the confessions of a learned physician at 

 the late meeting of the British Association, held in the same county. Phreno- 

 logy has no longer cause for alarm : it rests on a sure basis, and interested or 

 blind opposition will but serve to increase, if possible, the zeal of its numerous 

 advocates. Even the most timid of its supporters no longer fear openly to avow 

 their belief in this science, and although it can no more be expected that every 

 man should be a phrenologist, than that we should all be chemists or naturalists, 

 yet the time rapidly advances when he who still persists — despite the astounding 

 mass of facts and arguments which court his attention — in opposing its grand 

 truths, will be considered too ignorant or too bigoted to merit notice. When 

 Metaphysics issued its mystic theories and vague speculations — alike destitute 

 of beauty and of truth — when the most ordinary indications of character puzzled 

 the brains of the wisest philosophers — what wonder if few felt inclined to wander 

 through a fog so appalling in its density ! But now that almost every difficulty 

 is cleared away — since there is a system which not only explains anomalies here- 

 tofore inexplicable, but which can indicate, with the utmost minuteness, every 

 shade of character — who will venture to affirm that he should not be the better 

 for an acquaintance with at least the general principles of Phrenology ? A phre- 

 nologist, in the true acceptation of the term, is not a mere believer in the " ge- 

 neral principles," but one who has studied it long and ardently, from every source 

 within reach. We repeat, therefore, that it is impossible for the whole human 



