MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS. 347 



majority of this lovely little creature departed this year, as usual, about the 

 first week in September ; but we heard one at Campsall, near Doncaster, so 

 much later as the 29th of that month ; and we observed a second, the same 

 morning, in the grounds of Michael Tasburgh, Esq., at Burghwallis, 

 near Campsall. It is remarkable that the first mentioned individual was 

 singing. — Ed. 



The AcadLmie de Medecine of Paris and its Decision on Phre- 

 nology The Acade'mie de Me'decine has been called upon to decide the 



important question of Phrenology. The discussion occupied four sittings, 

 Dr. Broussais, who is at the head of the Phrenological School, maintained 

 the principles which he had laid down in his lectures. M. Gueneau de Mussy 

 had to sum up the arguments on both sides, and in conclusion gave an opinion 

 that the system ought not at present to be adopted. The Academy, concur- 

 ring in this opinion, deferred its decision till the system was established upon 

 more solid basis. — Paris Journal — [This sagacious decision proves to us most 

 clearly, that the learned Academicians either could not or would not rightly 

 understand the true science of the mind — Eds.] 



Powers of the Piano-Forte — Composers of solos for other instru- 

 ments, seem anxious to combine every possible variety of style and expres- 

 sion, while those who write for the piano-forte, seem afraid of exposing its 

 defects, and accordingly display nothing but its peculiarities. But if we con- 

 sider this instrument as an amusement for home and solitude, we cannot con- 

 sent to give up the sublime and beautiful for the ornamental alone, to neg- 

 lect the higher and cultivate only the lower walks of the art. Played on the 

 piano-forte, ever} 7- species of music, both vocal and instrumental, ancient and 

 modern, sacred and secular, may be more or less enjoyed. The imagination 

 readily supplies the absent words of a finale, or chorus, previously heard at 

 the opera or oratorio. The piano-forte seems to speak, and the qualities and 

 tones of different instruments, seem almost distinguishable. — Crotch's Mu- 

 sical Lectures, p. 157- 



Herefordshire Natural History, Philosophic, Antiquarian, 

 and Literary Society. — Under this comprehensive title, an institution 

 has been recently formed at Hereford, and has already received most exten- 

 sive patronage. The Dean of Hereford presided at the preliminary meeting, 

 which was attended by 150 influential individuals, most of whom enrolled 

 themselves as members. 



Early Arrival of the Fieldfare Thrush ( Turdus pilaris ) in Dum- 

 friesshire. — The Fieldfare Thrush has appeared remarkably early this 

 year, having already been seen here in large flocks. These pretty foreigners 

 were first observed at the beginning of September, or even earlier. Whe- 

 ther the ripening of the berries of the Mountain Ash, which have been early 

 this year, and upon which they greedily feed on their first arrival, may have 

 attracted them, or not, I cannot say — James Stuart Menteath, Close- 

 burn Hall, Dumfriesshire, Oct. 25, 1836 — [Up to this time (Oct. 30), we have 

 not met with a single Fieldfare Thrush in the north of England. — Ed.] 



Obituary — It is our painful duty to announce the deaths of two men 

 whose names will ever be held in deserved estimation by the zoologist and 

 botanist — Dr. Leach and Mons. A. L. de Jussieu. Dr. L. died at Genoa, of 

 a few days' illness from cholera; Jussieu expired at Paris, at the advanced 



