Lusus Nature.—Natural Curiosity.— Ornithology. 465 
as to preserve the position of defence just mentioned. ‘The at- 
tention of the traveller was for a moment withdrawn, and, upon 
turning to view the combatants, he was surprised to find the 
herd of swine dispersed, and the wolf no longer to be seen. On 
riding up to the spot, the wolf was discovered dead on the ground, 
a rent being made in his side, more than a foot in'length ;—the 
boar having, no doubt, seized a favourable opportunity, and 
with a sudden plunge dispatched his adversary with his formidable 
-tusks. 
It is a little remarkable that the ancient Romans, among the 
various methods they devised for drawing tp their armies in bat- 
tle, had one exactly resembling the position assumed by the 
swine above mentioned. The mode of attack they called the 
Cuneus, or Caput porcinum.—Silliman’s Journal, Jan. 1822. 
LUSUS NATUR. 
At a place called Keene, in the United: States of America, in 
April last a remarkable calf was taken from a heifer owned by a 
Mr. D. Clark, having no less than eight legs, two bodies, one 
head, three tails, and a large trunk (as the account states) mea- 
suring three feet! Its skin is undergoing a partial dressing, when 
it is to be stuffed in its true and perfect shape, and exhibited for 
the gratification of the public. 
Mr. Ambidge, of Stowell Park, near Northleach, has now 
athongst his fine flock of sheep, a lamb with three shoulders and 
five legs; itis, though of so extraordinary a form, now doing 
well, and likely to live. 
NATURAL CURIOSITY. 
At Fawley,near Stanswood Mill, in the New Forest, is a floating 
island, upwards of two acres in extent, covered with trees of alder 
and willow, situate in a large piece of water called Pondhead, 
which was detached from the land during a high wind which oc- 
curred on Shrove Tuesday in 1781; it has continued floating 
since that time, and being shifted by the wind in its various di- 
rections, it is sometimes close to the road, and at other times 4 
distance from it. 
ORNITHOLOGY, 
Shrewsbury, May 12, 1822. 
Among the many interesting subjects which still remain open 
for research, is that of the natural history of Birds, Amongst 
others the Siskin (the Fringilla Spinus, of Linneus; Le Taun, 
of Buffon) is peculiarly worthy of our remark. This little bird 
was seen in the early part of April, hopping from twig to twig 
in the gardens of Dr. Butler and Mr. Johuson, of the Flash. Its 
length is nearly five inches ; bill white; eyes black ; top of the 
Vol. 59, No, 290. June 1822. 3N head 
