CORRESPONDENCE REPORTS. 213 



unusual, but I never noticed it so pronounced before ; nor do I 

 remember to have seen any explanation of the chemical change that 

 has taken place, though that may be due to my want of knowledge. 

 That oxidation has taken place, and that the humus acids of the peat 

 may have been the cause, is all that I can suggest ; but this of itself is 

 interesting when we consider iiow very much longer the same rocks 

 may remain buried in ordinary earth or clay ; for example, in a 

 moraine, of which there are so many instances near at hand, with almost 

 no evidence of chemical action. — In common with, I believe, many 

 of my moderately observant countrymen, I was under the impression 

 that pigs evinced a decided objection to enter cold water, unless it was 

 only a few inches deep, and had at least the consistency of pea-soup. 

 What was then my astonishment the other day, when fishing in the 

 River Artro, Merionethshire, to see a fine young porker rush to the 

 bank and take a header into a not very deep but very rapid stream. 

 It was soon evident that he intended to make his way across, and, 

 helped by the boulders, he gradually got nearer the other side. Once 

 he was carried swiftly down, and, knowing the dangers below, I thought 

 he was a lost pig ; but a rock fortunately pulled him up. and at last he 

 reached the opposite bank, and, crossing a second smaller stream, he 

 cantered up amongst the trees, evidently with some object in view. 

 According to the old story, pigs cut their throats when swimming down 

 the tide. I have not the quotation at hand, but this is doubtless a 

 libel, as most of our quadrupeds can swim. In this case he may have 

 first ventured when the water was lower. — In the same river, on the 

 same day, a small liatfish was taken with a worm at least a mile and 

 a half beyond, and perhaps a hundred feet above tidal influence. This 

 may not be extraordinary, but it seemed to me worthy of a note. The 

 creature does not look " cut out " for ascending rapids, however little 

 difficulty a salmon may find in doing so. — On the neighbouring rugged 

 mountain of Rhinog-fawr there are numerous wild goats. It is the 

 custom to hunt these down with the active sheep dogs. When one is 

 singled out he is generally driven to take refuge on a very inaccessible 

 ledge, and a man is let down with a rope to secure him. There are, I 

 believe, very few wild goats left besides these in North Wales. — In the 

 same district I was told that kites were numerous. I did not see any, 

 but should have been glad to catch sight of those noble birds. 

 Buzzards were plentiful, and I think these must be mis-called kites. — 



W. SOUTHALL. 



lUports of S^otictin 



BIRMINGH.VM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.— 

 Geological Section— July 25.— The following exhibits were made :— Mr. J. 

 Morley : Apiocy.stis Brnunidiia; and, on behalf of Miss Tauuton.souie eg^s of the 

 comniou snake from Stockbridgo. Mr. W. Southall : Allium vineali. with 

 viviparous buds (gemmse) taking the place of flowers, and Euphorbia cypurissias, 

 with proliferous flowers. Mr. C. Mantell, .iun. : a microscopic section of rock 

 cut from specimens brought from the Pre-Cambrian rocks near Nuneaton at the 

 last excursion of the Geological Section; also some pebbles from California, 

 near Harborne, showing the glacial strite very well. Mr. E. Wagstaff : FreiUri- 

 cella Sultana, from near Harborne. Mr. R. W. Chase : CarcluuJi nutans, Erythcsa 

 cintaureum, Spirtea fillipentlula, Lychnis Githai/o and Calmnintha acino.i. all 



