NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 143 



can't be suitable to short descriptions in a work that 

 professes to be a synopsis. 



If you should think it proper to have the Hirundo 

 melba taken, would it not be right to have it drawn on 

 its back ; because the colour of the belly is, size excepted, 

 the chief thing that distinguishes it from the Hir : apus. 

 It is a swift to all intents & purposes. 



You pay us a great compliment when you say that 

 our account of Gibraltar will in a manner comprehend 

 the animals of South Europe. It is a work, I must 

 acknowledge, that I could wish to see reduced to some 

 degree of correctness : & therefore am much gratifyed 

 whenever you tender us y r best assistance, which I am 

 perswaded would be it's best support. I have been in a 

 pother lately about writing to that place, fearing lest 

 this misunderstanding between the two nations may inter- 

 rupt the correspondence by the post ; & suspecting my 

 last letter never reached my Bro r - M n Harrington seems 

 to think that the intercourse is still subsisting. 



I have looked over M r - Forster's catalogue of British 

 insects, & have somewhat to advance on that subject : 

 but time will not permit me at present, as I am pretty 

 much hurryed. We have had vast rains for these ten 

 weeks past, & some great storms ; especially one on 

 y e 20 th of Dec r - in the morning: now severe frost. 



Hoping y r troublesome cold has left you, & desiring 

 you to accept of the good wishes of the season, 



I conclude with great esteem, 

 Y r obliged, & 



humble servant, 



GIL: WHITE.] 



