38 LETTERS TO HIS BROTHER 



ward, and one lid backward (like the double-lidded snuff-boxes), 

 which when shut conceal the head and legs and tail of the reptile 

 entirely and keep out all annoyances. Two such (very small 

 they were) Mrs. Snooke had formerly ; the shells lie still in her 

 room over the hall. Now concerning shells of this construc- 

 tion Linn, makes no mention at all ; and this construction is 

 certainly the most curious, and perhaps the most uncommon. 

 But what I would infer from all this is that in his genus 

 Testudo express mention should be made of this diversity ; 

 and the genus should be divided into testis clausis cardinatis, 

 and testis apertis, or by some such expression. He loves, you 

 know, to subdivide his long genera ; and such subdivisions 

 are very consistent with system. I hope I have expressed 

 myself so as to be understood in this matter ; and I wish you 

 would mention it to him, and ask if such a subdivision would 

 not be proper. Thus he divides his genus of (Enas into " rostro 

 basi gibbo," and u rostro basi aequali," &c. &c. Can't you 

 hear yet where and how the Panorpa coa feeds ? It is pity that 

 part of its hist, should escape you. I shall transcribe my 

 swift anew before it be read [redde] * to the R. S. I have alter- 

 ations of some consequence to make, such as the number of 

 its eggs, &c. It is remarkable that none of the martins round 

 my buildings have this year any second broods. Is this owing 

 to the cold, wet, uncomfortable equinox? We had sweet 

 weather this August till towards the end, but since, sad doings 

 much corn damaged and our fruit spoiled. We have vast 

 quantities of hops ; but they are mostly distempered. My 

 thanks are due for your kind letter of Sept. 1 1th ; some of the 

 contents are very strange ! Over Leicester-house gate should 

 be written in letters of gold, Museum Leveriense. 

 Our respects to my sister. Yours affect. 



GIL. WHITE. 



Just as I had finished thus far, your entertaining letter of 

 Sept. 18 came to hand. I am convinced by Reaumur with 

 respect to the (Estrus bovis &c.,and much pleased that you have 



* [" Redde " is the word repeatedly used at that period in the f Philo- 

 sophical Transactions.' T. B.] 



