2S2 MISCELLANEOUS. 



adhere to tlie flesh, except down the breast-bone, where it is as usual fixed," 

 &c ; and conchides his notice thus : " It is strange that Montagu is the onljr 

 author, among the few whose works I possess, who takes notice of this great 

 peculiarity in the fonnation of this bird; Yarrcll, Macgillivray, and old 

 Bewick, all pass it over in silence." On referring to Macgillivray's History 

 of British Birds, vol. v. page 418, I find the following remarks : " Although 

 the history of the Gannet is given much more fully above than in any 

 British work known to me, it is yet very imperfect, there being many details 

 of its organisation of great interest, but for which I have scarcely space left. 

 The skin, which can be inflated by blowing into a puncture made in it, 

 appears as if connected with the subjacent parts only by shreds and cellular 

 tissue." He then mentions what is said by Montagu, and adds, — " It 

 appears, however, much more probable, that the singular anatomy of the 

 Gannet is connected with its mode of plunging after its prey." 



From the above, I think it can scarcely be said that Macgillivray has 

 passed over the subject in silence ; as to Yarrell and Bewick, I cannot speak, 

 not being fortunate enough to possess a copy of their works. — John Bkown, 

 Everton, near Bawtry. 



October Uth, 1855. 



Possibly Mr. Burton may have only referred to Macgillivray's small work 

 on British Birds.— B. E. M. 



Would it be correct to term fruit vegetables, or products belonging to the 

 vegetable kingdom? If vegetables, would not a Greengage tart be a vege- 

 table tart ? Is not the word " vegetables " applied to such roots and plants 

 only as are prepared for nutriment, taken in conjunction with animal food? 

 Could a tree with propriety be termed a vegetable, or a member of the 

 vegetable Icingdom ? If a vegetable, would not a grove of Oaks be a grove 

 of vegetables ? Established usage, I believe, must be the criterion for 

 decision. For would it not be as ridiculous to call a beautiful Butterfly 

 an animal ? the Canary a sweetly singing animal ? as it would be to term a 

 Greengage tart a vegetable tart? — G. K. T., March 11th, 1854. 



Will any correspondent of The Natukalist have the kindness to inform 

 me what is the nature of the sticky substance on the leaves of trees 

 called Honey Dew, and whether Bees are in the habit of feeding on it? I 

 have heard the absence of Honey Dew this year given as a reason for the 

 scarcity of honey this Autumn. — T. G. Bonney, St. John's Coll., Cambridge. 



