MISCELLANIES. 101 



covered with similar crystals of calcareous spar, but the crystals in the speci 



mens in the Berlin museum are considerably injured. 



From a comparison of the first series of these phenomena — that is, of the 

 Honey-Bee Echinites — with the second, it evidently results, that the qaartzy 

 cells on the interior of the Ananckites, converted into silex, are but the enve- 

 lops of analogous crystallizations of calcareous spar, formed on the interior sur- 

 face of their blades, and destroyed later. It is, therefore, a confirmation of the 

 nature of the impressions, provided we keep in mind how much the elongated 

 hexagonal form of the blades modifies the shape of the crystals of calcareous 

 spar, and to what extent the faces of the rhomboidal crystals can vary. The 

 structure of quartz is an equal confirmation ; it is perfectly adapted to serve as 

 the envelop of a similar cellular formation. — Karsten's Archiv fur Mineralogie. 



CHAPTER OF MISCELLANIES. 



ZOOLOGY. 



On the Backwardness of the present Spring. — What a dismal spring 

 we have had ! 1 fear much that it will be the destruction of many of our fea- 

 thered friends. All seems to be with them at a stand-still. The Missel 

 Thrush is as full of song as it was a month ago, and I do not think any bird, 

 except the Rook, has yet begun to breed. I observed the other day (April 3), 

 during a most pitiless storm of snow and a strong wind, a Swallow and a Sand 

 Martin hawking for Flies, in the neighbourhood of a wier of the river Derwent. 

 They seemed much exhausted from contending with the storm, and frequently 

 rested on the margin. — W. C. Hewitson. Derby, April 13, 1837. [Up to 

 this day (April 20) not a single Spring visitant has made its appearance in 

 the north of England. — Ed.] 



Plumage of the Warblers (Sylvia). — I have no doubt but the Willow 

 and Dark-legged Warblers (Sylvia melodia and S. loquax,) acquire their yel- 

 low or second plumage by moulting, but in what manner does this color after- 

 wards disappear ? by a change of plumage, or by a gradual change of color in 

 the feathers themselves ? From a series of specimens in my possession, I have 

 reason to suspect the latter, but I should very much like to know from direct 

 observation. Have you ever seen the Wood Warbler in yellow plumage ? 1 

 am inclined to believe it never acquires this hue. — Edward Blyth, in a letter 

 to the Editor •, dated Tooting, Aug. 25, 1835. 



