MTSCKLT.ANEOITS NOTICES. 45 



Carr, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, early in June, by Mr. John Hancock, of that city. The female, 

 to remove all doubts concerning identity, was shot as she flew from the nest, which contained 

 four eggs. — H. S., llichmond, September 13th., 1853. 



The Purre, (Tringa variabilis,) at Kafferton.—S. specimen of the Purre, (the Dunlin when 

 in the summer plumage,) was .shot on the Nafferton "Beck," within about a hundred yards of 

 Nafferton Vicarage, on the 4th. of January, during the prevalence of the severe snow-storm. 

 It is ten miles from the sea. I never knew an instance of the kind before; a proof I consider 

 it, if one were wanted, of the extraordinary severity of the season. Even Hens' eggs were frozen 

 hard, and the Gas-meter at Driffield froze, so that when I came through the station one evening, 

 it was in darkness.— F. 0. Moiiius, Nafferton Vicarage, January 6th., 1854. 



Ourious circumstance. —h. few days ago I was informed by a friend that in February, 1852, 

 he found a quantity of Sea-weed, which he did not identify, in some comparatively sheltered 

 places on Stinchcombe Hill, in the Cotswold range, near Dursley. It had evidently been carried 

 there by a recent storm, either from the Bristol Channel, a distance of about thirty miles, or 

 from the muddy banks of the Severn, about six miles oflf. — "W. Waldo Cooper, West Easen, 

 November 9th., 1853. 



The Jack Snipe, (Scolopax gallinula.)— On the 16th. instant, I saw a Jack Snipe killed 

 in the middle of Toft plantation. The plantation is an old one, nearly square, and contains about 

 ten acres. I believe the occurrence of Snipes in old woods, except in cleared spaces, to be 

 unusual, and as such may be interesting. — Idem. 



Late stay of the Swallow, (Hirundo rustica.) — Last year I observed two Swallows on the 1st, 

 of December; and this year I , 'observed two on the 30th. of November; I took notes of both 

 occurrences. — George Jackson, Chichester, December 21st., 1853. 



The Little Auk, (Mergulus alle,) near Whitby. — During the first week in March, I had 

 three specimens of the Little Auk brought to me ; they seem to have been driven to our coast 

 by the prevailing north-east winds. They were in an entirely exhausted condition, having been 

 caught by the hand; I understand they are a very scarce bird in this country. Should any of 

 your correspondents desire to possess one, I would dispose of one in exchange. — John Braim, 

 Sleights Bridge, Whitby, 1853. 



Asplcnium fontanum.— I have had a specimen of this rare plant given to me to day. It was 

 obtained in England this year. — H. C. Stcaut, Christ's College, Cambridge, December 2nd., 1853, 



Hooker only gives two localities for this verj' rare and distinct plant. Can Mr. Stuart ascertain 

 the exact locality of his specimen? — B. R. M. 



Note on the Caterpillar of the Goat Moth, (Cossus ligniperda.) — I met with a singular instance 

 of tenacity of life in the Caterpillar of the Goat Moth, It had escaped from the box containing 

 it, and when upon the floor was unfortunately trodden upon, a tea-spoonful of thick cream-like 

 matter was squeezed out, and speedy death seemed certain. It lived however under these painful 

 circumstances more than a week: it laid upon its back apparently lifeless, but moved when 

 touched, — T. P. Fernie, Kimbolton, December 22nd., 1853. 



Note on the development of Euphorbia. — I have in my possession, through the kindness of 

 Professor Forbes, a dried specimen of Euphorbia Pepliis, in which the stamens and pistils are 

 developed into separate and distinct leafy branches, a satisfactory evidence, if any were wanting, 

 that the stamens and pistils of Eujihorbia are each a separate and independent floret. — J. E. Smith, 

 45, Bedford-place, Kensington, August 10th., 1853. 



On the Vitality of Seeds. — I give the following on the authority of Professor Forbes : — Gardiner 

 Wilson obtained wheat froln mummies that had never been opened, carefully preserved and 

 planted the grains which grew and came to perfection. There are now growing in the Horticultural 

 Society's garden several raspberry trees, which were raised from seed obtained by Professor 

 Lindley from an Aftcient Saxon tomb, at the opening of which he was present. I think this 

 is conclusive evidence that seeds will lie dormant for immense periods without having their vital 

 principle destroyed. — Idem. 



We have known several instances where mummy wheat has germinated. Some sown by our 

 friend, Martin Tupper, Esq., author of "Proverbial Philosophy," grew readily, and produced well, 

 We believe. — B. R. M, 



