224 



remain fixed to the spot, and their roots radiate in every direction, and extend far 

 and wide, as purveyors in search of food, there are others that are truly locomo- 

 tive ; the Orchis and Monkshood move laterally from their original position — 

 a phenomenon still more remarkable in the Arum dracunculus. In these the 

 motion is superficial ; but some Cape bulbs display a feature equally curious. 

 Some of the Ixias form their future bulbs below the original or parent bulbs, so 

 that they sink deeper into the sand ; a most wise and beautiful provision-, when 

 it is considered that they are constantly subject to denudation from the moving 

 sands and the blasts of the desert. This is the case, too, with the Aniholyzas, 

 and even the Anomatheca cruenta. 



(To be continued). 



INSTANCES OF CURIOUS VARIETIES OF BIRDS. 



One of the mostremarkable varieties of plumage in the feathered race that 

 ever fell under my observation, was a Cuckoo entirely white. I regret that I 

 know nothing of its history, or even where it was shot ; but it is still in the pos- 

 session of Mr. Reid, Animal Preserver, of Doncaster, where I saw it. I 

 have known two or three instances of white Jays, one of a white Jackdaw Crow, 

 one of an entirely white Hedge Coalhood (or Hedge Alp, as it might be named), 

 and several of partially white Garden Ouzels, (Merula vulgaris). The distri- 

 bution of the black and white is generally pretty much the same in the varieties of 

 the last-mentioned species. In my collection is a variety of the Garden Ouzel, 

 a female, which was about to lay when it was shot. " I have a female Whin Lin- 

 net (Linaria cannabina)" writes Mr. Blyth, " which I purchased last year, 

 having a very little white ; it has moulted this season, and has now become at least 

 one-third white, its bill and feet also losing their colour. Next autumn I expect 

 it will turn entirely white." A Rook was recently shot by the keeper to John 

 Silvester, Esq., of the Grove, near Ashbourn, the head, feet, and bill of which 

 are nearly white, and the primary feathers of the wing are perfectly white." 



N. W. 

 Campsall Hall, 



.. Nov. 2, 1836. 



