CORRESPONDENCE. ae 
A Rare Brrp.—A fine specimen of the bittern (Botaurus stellaris, 
Selby,) was shot near Leicester, on December 28th, and is now in the 
possession of Messrs. W. Adcock and Son, Taxidermists, 96, Dorset Street, 
Leicester.—C. A. 
How are THE SHELLS oF GARDEN Snams Formep ?—Will Mr. Tye or 
some other conchologist give a description of the mode in which the 
common garden snail developes its shell? By what means does the tiny 
thing by which the baby snail is protected grow with its growth, enlarging 
and yet retaining its proper form, enriched by its typical markings? The 
history cannot fail to prove intensely interesting —H. Cou. 
WHAT Is THE CAUSE OF HarpInEss IN Puants ?—Why does frost kill some 
plants and produce no effect on others? I should be much obliged if 
some one will enlighten me on this most interesting subject. Are there 
any published papers in which the question is well discussed? It seems 
to me a subject of great importance; but I am unaware that anything 
of real value concerning it has yet appeared. Information will be 
valuable to many besides myself.—W. E. 
AqguaRris.—Will some of the readers of the ‘‘ Midland Naturalist ” 
kindly inform me what is the best artificial food for freshwater fishes, 
viz., carp, minnows, perch, tench, dace, roach, &c., as I find a difficulty 
in feeding them properly at this time of the year. Two or three of my 
gold carp were covered with a sort of white fungus, and died in a few 
days after that made its appearance. Can anyone explain this, 
and if there is any cure? Any information on the management of 
Aquaria generally would be esteemed a favour.—H. M., Derby. 
Tar Mipranp Union anp THE ‘“ Mipianp Naruratist.”—I have been 
making enquiries as to the number of members who subscribe for the 
magazine, and I am astonished to find how few show any willingness to 
support a publication which has already done much useful work for our 
Natural History Societies. I desire to offer a suggestion. Let every 
member who is already a subscriber make up his mind to get one, or, 
better still, two fresh subscribers for the current year. To do this need 
involve very little trouble, as among his fellow-members every one can 
surely influence some one by his recommendation. It will be a poor 
return for the gratuitous labours of the editors, and for the enterprise 
and good nature of the publishers, if the Societies in the Union will 
not, each and all, lend a helping hand to ensure the permanent publica- 
tion of the “ Midland Naturalist.” Every student of any branch of 
Natural History in the Midland Counties ought to feel himself bound in 
honour to do what he can to increase the circulation of our valuable 
monthly.—F. E. L. 
Frost PHenomensa.—At page 22 is a very interesting account by Mr. 
F. T. Mott, of Leicester. I will add a line or two as to a very beautiful 
phenomenon which I noticed here on Christmas night last. The first 
great frost of the memorable winter of 1878-9 commenced on the 6th and 
terminated on the 25th of December by a thaw and subsequent rain in 
the afternoon and evening. To this succeeded, about ten o’clock at night, 
a sharp frost. The partially melted snow on the trees and hedges, and 
apparently the rain itself, formed a mass of icicles, covering almost every 
twig and branch of hedge and tree. They were variously club-shaped, 
spindle-shaped, or coral-shaped, and in the gaslight sparkled like brilliants. 
Moreover, as a gentle wind sometimes passed through the trees, a 
peculiar grating sound was heard as the icicles ground against each 
other, not of an unmusical character, as though calcareous matter in the 
nature of coral had been gently rubbed together. This was observed 
between eleven and twelve o’clock at night.—W. R. Hueuzs, Handsworth 
Wood, near Birmingham. 
