EATS EAIN LIZAEDS. 85 



It would not be at all strange if your bat, wliicb you have 

 procured, sliould prove a new one, since five species bave 

 been found in a neigbbouring kingdom. The great sort 

 tbat I mentioned is certainly a nondescript : I saw but one 

 this summer, and tbat I bad no opportunity of taking. 



Your account of tbe Indian grass was entertaining. I am 

 no angler myself; but inquiring of those tbat are, what 

 they supposed tbat part of their tackle to be made of, they 

 replied, " of tbe intestines of a sOkworm." 



Though I must not pretend to great skill in entomology, 

 yet I cannot say tbat I am ignorant of that kind of know- 

 ledge : I may now and then perhaps be able to furnish you 

 with a little information. 



The vast rain ceased with us much about the same time 

 as with you, and since we bave bad delicate weather. 

 Mr. Barker, who has naeasured tbe rain for more than thirty 

 years, says, in a late letter, tbat more rain has fallen thii» 

 year than in any be ever attended to ; though, from July, 

 1763, to January, 1764, more fell than in any seven months 

 of this year. 



LETTER XXIII. 



TO THE SAME. 



Selborne, Feb. 28, 1769. 

 Deab Sir, — It is not improbable that the Gruernsey lizard 

 and our green lizards may be specifically the same; aU. 

 that I know is, that when, some years ago, many Gruernsey 

 lizards were turned loose in Pembroke college garden, 

 in tbe imiversity of Oxford, they lived a great while, 

 and seemed to enjoy themselves very well ; but never bred. 

 "Whether this circumstance will prove anything either way, 

 I shall not pretend to say. 



I return you thanks for your account of Cressy-hall ; but 



do so. This is much to he regretted ; for it is one of our most interesting 

 birds of passage, and its arrival is hailed with pleasure hy those who watch 

 its curious habits and instincts. — Ed. 



