1 92 Qiieries and Aris'wers. 



tre, except secondarily, by the extension of the disease to the surrounding 

 parts. It is properly a disease affecting the thyroid gland. As it is gene- 

 rally of little consequence except from the deformity it occasions, those 

 affected with it (in this country at least) are very unfrequently the subjects 

 of a severe operation for its removal ; and, if by " the knife" Obscurus means 

 the extirpation of the gland, I beheve no one would be so mad as to attempt 

 it, unless the patient's life were in immediate danger from the pressure of the 

 diseased structure on the trachea obstructing respiration. The arteries 

 supplying the tumour (which are generally enlarged) have been tied with 

 partial success, and setons, blisters, leeches, friction with or without medi- 

 caments, and pressure, with alkaline and tonic medicines internally, have each 

 and all been more or less successful in different instances j but the greatest 

 dependence at present is upon the preparations of iodine, which are used, not 

 "to neutralise any noxious qualities of the water" drank by the patient, 

 but on account of its peculiar action on the glandular system of the body 

 generally. To its good effects in the early stage of the disease, I can bear 

 witness, but I do not think it would be found equally beneficial in a case of 

 long standing. I am, Sir, &c. — -J. Aaron, M.B,C.S. — Birmingkar7i, Sej)t. 

 17. 1829. 



A Fight between a Rat and a Hedge-sparrow. — In the beginning of No- 

 vember, a friend of mine was witness of a fight between a rat and a hedge- 

 sparrow. The sparrow acted on the offensive as well as on the defensive, 

 by striking the rat on the head with its beak. On hearing my friend 

 approach, the sparrow flew away, and the rat, of course, disappeared among 

 the bushes. What could have been the cause of this fight ? It was too late 

 for the sparrow to have young or eggs to defend ; and I am at a loss for any 

 other reason for her attack on the rat. It evidently could not be in self- 

 defence, for she could fly away as well at first as at last. — Y. Dec. 1829. 



The Cuvia Cobaya, or Guinea-jiig (in answer to C. Lamb, Vol. II, p. 205.), is a native of Guinea and 

 the BrazilSjWhere it is generally of a pure white colour, and seldom variegated with orange and black, 

 in irregular blotches, as in England. They dwell in warrens, like rabbits, whom, in their food and 

 manner of living, they strongly resemble ; and would, without doubt, be speedily extir|)ated by the 

 smaller kinds of cats, in which their country so greatly abounds, were it not for the rapid and 

 almost incredible multiplication of their species, six hundred, on an average, being annnally pro- 

 duced from each female. In confinement, their food consists of the most juicy and succulent 

 herbs ; they will also eat bread sopped in milk, grains and fruits of all sorts, especially apples : and 

 here it may be well to correct an error of Buffon's, who states, " that, though perpetually throw- 

 ing out urine, they never drink." This, however, is not the case ; for all those that I have seen 

 have always manifested a strong inclination for drinking, being particularly fond of milk, and 

 never refusing water when offered them. Their sleep is short and frequent ; they utter a shrill 

 piercing cry when in want of any thing, or when any one approaches near them, and frequently 

 perish from cold, moisture, or want of exercise. On the whole, they are extremely timid, delicate, 

 and feeble, but inoffensive, docile, and elegant : useless for food, in this country, at least, or for 

 any of the purposes to which domesticated animals are generally applied, but very well adapted, 

 from their gentleness and beauty, to be kept as pets. — Perceval Hunter. June4i. 1829. 



The Night-Jar, or Goatsucker. — Is it generally known that the Night-Jar, 

 or Goatsucker (Caprimulgus europge'us), is reared in the manner of the 

 cuckoo ? At least, one circumstance- of the kind has occurred within my 

 knowledge. Last spring, a large bird was observed to visit a hedge conti- 

 guous to the road-side, and enclosing a garden at Newington, near Sitting- 

 bourne, Kent. It was soon remarked that a hedge-sparrow had built her nest 

 there, and that there was an egg of a larger size than hers, and of a different 

 colour, in the nest> The incubation was watched, and a stranger of larger 

 dimensions than the progeny of the hedge-sparrow was hatched with her 

 own offspring. In a short time the intruder grew so fast that it occupied 

 the whole nest itself, having previously ejected the young of the rightful 

 owner. When the bird was fledged, and nearly ready to take wing, it was 

 placed in a cage, supposing it to be a young cuckoo ; but, as the plumage 

 became perfected, it proved itself a night-jar. I am not aware that a similar 

 circumstance of this bird has been recorded. — W. Masters, Curator of the 

 Canterbury Museum. Jan. 3. 1830. 



Softening the Skins of Birds (in answer to J. A. H.). — The skin should be 

 thrown into a vessel of sufficient capacity to admit it without bending, and 



