CHAPTER OF MISCELLANIES. 169 



sideration which must not be overlooked, and which I believe to be a very excel- 

 lent distinctive character. It is, that the feet of the Sandpipers are webbed to a 

 certain extent, while those of the Tringas are not so at all ; this, probably, is on 

 account of their wading more than the latter, which only approach the margin 

 of the water, while the the Sandpipers run fairly into it in search of food. This 

 is another instance of the perfect adaptation of animals to their mode of living; 

 as we may suppose that the muddy places generally frequented by these birds are 

 softer before the water has run off than afterwards, and therefore the partial 

 waders require a more expanded foot than those whose habits do not lead them 

 further than the margin of the water. — Beverley R. Morris, Trinity College*, 

 Dublin, May 10, 1837. 



The Note of the Corn Crake (Crex pratensis). — I have this day heard the 

 note of the Corn Crake. I thought I heard him two days ago, namely, on the 

 11th, and I have now no doubt that I did. Mr. Bree says (p. 102) that he 

 likes the harsh scream of the Swift almost as well as the melody of the Nightingale. 

 I entertain a similar sentiment with respect to the Corn Crake, whose creaking 

 voice I love to hear even better than the Thrush's — to my mind the finest song- 

 ster of the grove. The Corn Crake is associated with my earliest recollections. 

 Where I once lived it was abundant — I can now hear its note. I used always to 

 consider it a bird of mystery, and I never hear it without the most delightful 

 pleasure. — F. Orpen Morris, Doncaster, May 13, 1837. 



BOTANY. 



The British Species of Nuts. — Only one species of Nut is described by 

 botanists as indigenous to Britain. Is not the Filbert a distinct species, and 

 equally indigenous ? I should be glad if any of your correspondents could inform 

 me on this point. — F. Orpen Morris, Doncaster, May 5, 1837. 



Veronica, its Derivation, and how pronounced ? — I should be glad if any of 

 your correspondents can inform me the proper method of pronouncing the name 

 Veronica, which I have seen accentuated in two different ways. If its deriva- 

 tion were known, perhaps that might throw some light on the matter. — T. B. 

 Hall, Woodside, Liverpool, May 15, 1837. 



GEOLOGY. 



Singular Fact regarding the Road from Shoreditch to Newington.— 

 It is a singular fact that the first mile of the road from Shoreditch to Newington 

 has been for some time past repaired with the black porphyry stone brought from 

 China as ballast in the tea-ships, and that the next half mile has been repaired 

 with granite from Bombay. 



Geological Construction of Asia Minor. — M. Texier, in his summary 



