CORRESPONDENCE. 213 



of* lime, about three or four inches long, and two broad, having irregular surfaces, 

 the greater part of which are of a yellowish colour (ferruginous carbonate of lime), 

 with patches of red oxide of iron, and a little green vegetable efflorescence. 



My object in sending this brief notice to you arises from my knowledge of your 

 devotion to. science, and to everything that may advance the human mind in 

 moral or intellectual excellence ; hence I trust you will allow this a place in your 

 interesting miscellany. I ask this, being convinced that the absurdities of va- 

 rious local traditions might be traced to some similar source of ignorance (like 

 that of the bloody stones), and become ineffective and harmless, when 

 examined by the recognised principles of true philosophy, and the refulgent lights 

 of science. 



I have the honour to be, Dear Sir, 

 Your obedient Servant, 



J. L. Levison. 



Hall-Gate, Doncaster, May 13, 1837. 



On the Backwardness of the Season ; and on the management of this 



Magazine. 

 To the Editor of the Naturalist. 



My dear Sir, — Whatever our friend — may say — his wishes doubt- 

 less qualifying his language — I am bound to assert, that the migratory birds have 

 7vot generally made their appearance in this part of the country within nearly 

 three weeks of their usual time. Why if they had, we should have witnessed 

 the phenomenon of the Nightingale " pouring his music [in the night's dull ear" 

 with a thermometer below the freezing point, and amidst clouds of falling snow. 

 Witness the following extract from my log-book : — April 1 1 . — " This afternoon, 

 about two, p. m., the atmosphere having been obscure the whole morning, a 

 furious snow-storm came on, and continued almost without intermission till late 

 in the evening. About eight, p. m., the snow had become a sort of rime, which 

 clung to and encrusted everything, so that the whole face of Nature was again 

 enveloped in its wintry robe ; the trees in particular being covered as with hoar- 

 frost. So closely did this rimy snow cling, coming from the north-east, that in 

 walking up to my house from Worcester, though with an umbrella, and defending 

 myself in the best possible manner, my breast became as regularly encased with 

 snow as if it had been thickly laid on artificially." " April 12. — A complete and 

 wintry picture presented itself to view, every object glistening in its decorated 

 and sparkling ermine robe ; even the tower and pinnacles of Worcester cathedral, 

 and old St. Andrew's spire, were encased at their very apices, and for some dis- 

 tance downwards, presenting a curious and singular spectacle." " April 13. — 



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