January 7 .] 
tock road, intending to go to the Hampton, and having 
passed the village of Jump, which is about six miles from 
Plymouth, some altercation arose between them ; that one 
word brought on another until the unfortunate woman said 
she would return to Plymouth, and make known the fact of 
his desertion as well ns the road he had taken. Upon this 
remark lie said he would take care she should not, and 
struck her a violent blow on the head with a stick he 
bad in his hand. She fell at once insensible to the 
ground ; he jumped upon her and kicked her until 
he -was satisfied she was quite dead. Ho then 
took up the body, and carried it some distance 
across the down, and threw it down near some old 
ruin. He washed his walking stick in a small stream of 
water, to which he says there was an embankment two feet 
deep, which agrees with either of the streams from which 
the towns of Plymouth and Devonport aro supplied with 
water. In this embankment, on which furze was growing, 
he dug a hole with his hands, and buried the body, covered 
it with the loose earth and stones, and then went on to 
Okchampton. At that town he burnt the stick with 
which he had struck Bundle, and enlisted in the Royal 
Artillery. , . 
After M’Donnld had made this statement to the wavdors 
of the military prison, Mr. Gifford, the superintendent of 
the Devonport polico, was sent for, and, after being 
cautioned, ho repeated the same story to him. Mr. 
Gifford is now making every effort to test the truth of 
this strange and horrible story, and should a thaw render 
it possible for the wretched man to point out to the 
polico the spot where he buried the body, which he has 
promised to do, a search will be made under liis guidance. 
The corporal of the escort who accompanied McDonald 
from Okehampton to Devonport, and to whom ho used 
expressions which made the corporal suspect ho had 
been guilty of some crime, is at present on furlough. The 
self-accused murderer has it is rumoured also attacked one 
of the warders of the prison, but into this lesser point there 
is no necessity at present to enter. 
THE FIELD. 
17 
HORTICULTURE. 
The Vine.— At the last meeting of the Linnean Society, 
Mr. John Curtis, F.L.S., read a “ Note regarding a Weevil 
of the Vine, and its Parasite.” The injury sustained by 
the vineyards in the south of Europe, from the attacks of 
insects, has long occupied the attention of naturalists, and 
their history and economy have been ably investigated by 
Messrs. Walckenaer and Audouin. Among the beetles, a 
weevil ( attelabus bctideti, Fabr.) sometimes docs very ex- 
tensive mischief to the vines of Burgundy, whilst in England 
it feeds upon the birch. Whilst staying at Genoa last 
June, Mr. Curtis’s attention was directed to the vines against 
the walls in the Botanic Gardens there, which were attacked 
with mildew, then so prevalent throughout the wine-grow- 
ing countries of France and Italy. Whilst thus engaged, 
he°was surprised to see the leaves of the vines rolled up 
like cigars, as shown by some examples which were ex- 
hibited to the meeting. Referring to an elaborate memoir 
by Dr. Debcy, on the attellabus betul'M, for a detailed 
account of the wonderful way in which these little animals 
generally cut nnd roll the leaves with mathematical pre- 
cision, Mr. Curtis contented himself with stating that the 
female weevil cuts the leaf through, across the transverse 
diameter, without dividing 1 the midrib, deposits an egg or 
two upon the upper surface, and subsequently rolls up the 
lower portion, leaving the upper part uutouchcd, so that 
it remains green for a considerable time. The attelabus 
bctuleti , however, seems to differ in her mode of manipu- 
lation from the attelabus betake and most other weevils ; 
since the author observed in this case no cutting trans- 
versely, the entire leaf appearing to bo rolled up from 
the base to the tip. After this preliminary notice of the 
habits of the attelubi , Mr. Curtis proceeded to his move 
immediate object on the present occasion, viz., to call 
attention to a memoir by Professor Filippi, of Turin, re- 
lative to a minute hymenopterous insect, whose province 
it is to keep down’ the multiplication of attelabus betu- 
Icli. This little four-winged fly, probably a pteromalus, 
contrives to lay its eggs in those of the weevil, which is 
not very difficult; but the most extraordinary part of M. 
Filippi’s discovery is, that a still smaller insect, of the 
same family, deposits an egg in that of the parasite, so 
that the maggot of. the first parasite becomes the food of 
the second. It is a curious question, said Mr. Curtis, 
how, when, and where the egg of the second parasite is 
introduced into that of the first. We are well aware that 
many minute hymenoptcra puncture the eggs of other 
insects to deposit their own, but we never before heard 
of these being again punctured by other parasites. The 
author concluded by pointing out the great importance 
to thoso engaged in the pursuits of agriculture and hor- 
ticulture, of becoming accurately acquainted witli the 
economy of parasitic insects, by whose agency other 
noxious insects aro rendered much less destructive than 
they must otherwise become, if unchecked in their mul- 
tiplication. At the request of Mr. Curtis, the secretary 
(Mr. Bennett) afterwards translated from the original 
Italian, and read to the meeting, part of Professor Filippi’s 
very interesting memoir, by which it appeared that the 
views attributed to him by Mr. Curtis, and which he 
had in point of fact originally entertained, had, on fur- 
ther examination, been considerably modified, he having 
eventually come to tho conclusion that the two lurviu 
above described belong to one and tho same species, and 
afford a very remarkable instance of what Steenstrup 
has called “the alteration of generations,’ the pteromalus 
not producing in tho first instance, crontures like it- 
self, but intermediate beings, which are the mothers ot 
other offspring, which are capable of being developed into 
perfect pteromali. Thoso intermediate beings have rccoived 
from Steenstrup tho name of “ nurses.” It has long been 
known that aphides, or plant-lico, posscss i the wouderlul 
property of generating other fertilo and viviparous aphides 
without copulation, as in tho caso of the pteromalus the 
first larva generates tho second ; but M. Filippi points out 
that there is a remarkable difference between tho two 
cases ; tho viviparous aphides must be considered as 
females in which the eggs are developed by tho remote 
influence of a copulation between their parents, grand- 
parents, or still more distant ancestors, to which tho suc- 
cessive generations of progouy all boar a close resemblance, 
whilst tho first larva of the pteromalus is entirely destitute 
of sexual characters, to say nothing of tho immense differ- 
ences of external confirmation betwoon it and the winged 
insect whence it proceeds, and which it is destined to re- 
produce. 
THE WEATHER. 
THE GREAT SNOW STORM. 
On Thursday London experienced a continuance of the 
serious interruptions to its business which occurred on 
Wednesday, owing to the non-arrival of the mails, and 
an extensive stoppage of railway traffic, in consequence of 
the great fall of snow which took place on Tuesday 
night throughout the midland, northern, and north-western 
districts of the kingdom, and over the metropolis itself. A 
fog, which settled down heavily over the city between 3 
and 4 o'clock in the afternoon, continued to hang about 
during the whole evening, and about 7 o'clock a smart 
shower of sleet or bail— it was difficult to say which — fell 
for about lmlf-an-liour. At the same time the wind was 
shifting. The mass of snow upon the carriage-ways was 
but little decreased in bulk, but where traffic was great, in 
almost all the leading thoroughfares, it bore a strong re- 
semblance, from the mud with which it had become inter- 
mixed, to dark wet sea sand, and, rising from eight inches 
to a foot in height, vehicles nnd animals got through it 
with difficulty, the footway being slippery in the extreme. 
At the same time, in some parts, especially in the New- 
road, near Regent’s Park, where the traffic was less and 
the influence of the atmosphere more bracing, the footways 
were hard and dry, while tho snow on the carriage road 
was impressed to an even surface apparently us hard as 
granite. Over this wheels slipped along easy enough, 
but the footing of horses was most precarious. Omni- 
buses were more numerous than on Wednesday — in 
fact, the supply was much as usual; but the great 
majority were drawn by three or four horses, and mak- 
ing slow progress even then. Of cabs the supply was 
also greater than on the previous day, nnd of those out 
fully one-half were drawn by two horses, some being tan- 
dem, many, however, having the leader mounted by a boy. 
Other cabs had their horses harnessed in pairs. That por- 
tion of the cabs which was only single-horsed was generally 
drawn by “ prime cattle,” the “ screws ” being stabled, as 
unequal to the emergency. At the railway stations the 
supplies of both omnibuses and cabs was nearly equal to 
the demand, fares being at the same time somewhat more 
moderate than on Wednesday. The Paddington, Hamp- 
stead, and other long stage omnibuses generally carried a 
placard addressed to tlio public, stating that in consequence 
of the inclemency of the weather the proprietors hadfound 
it necessary to increnso the fares. Cabmen having two 
horses made their own terms, seldom running for less than 
Is. per mile, and frequently getting more ; in fact, the shil- 
ling was always asked, and generally cheerfully given where 
only a single* horse was driven. Passengers, however, 
whether by omnibus or cab, were not numerous, a marked 
disinclination being exhibited to venture out of doors except 
under the compulsion of necessity. Few private vehicles 
were observed in the streets, while pedestrians were much 
less numerous than usual. The snow which fell on Wed- 
nesday appears to have extended far over the country, nnd 
railways have been snow-blocked to an extent unknown in 
their previous history. 
Great Western. — Guards arriving reported snow 
during the night down the entire line to a depth of six or 
eight inches. 
London and North-Western.— When the Liverpool 
and Manchester morning mail train arrived on Wednesday 
at 12-30 p.m., nearly eight hours behind its time, after having 
been blocked for five hours in the cutting at Tring, it was 
confidently anticipated that this train having cleared the 
way, other trains would follow an hour or two later. Un- 
fortunately, however, this hope proved fallacious, the train 
in question, ns it now appears, having come on in advance 
of the snow, leaving more formidable drifts behind it than 
that in which it became imbedded at Tring. Except from the 
Birmingham line no other train arrived during Wednesday, 
and no "other had arrived up to Thursday afternoon ; the 
station-master at Euston-square learning by telegraphic 
despatch that the Manchester and Liverpool line was so 
completed blocked below Stafford that clearing it so as 
to allow the passage of a train during the course of Thurs- 
day was almost hopeless. The mail train which lelc 
Liverpool on Wednesday morning, and that which loft 
London on Wednesday night, with numerous other trains, 
remained blocked at Stafford, where a demand arose for 
beds which tho town could hardly supply. Telegraphic 
despatches also stated that the Trent Valley line was 
impassable, as was also tlie Holyhead line, upon which 
the snow lies piled in parts to the height of nine feet. 
Captain Hnish and the resident engineer were engaged 
during the whole of Wednesday night and Thursday with 
a largo body of labourers in endeavouring to remove the 
obstructions, but so vast was the accumulated mass of 
snow that their progress was necessarily slow. Up to 11 
o’clock on Thursday night no fewer than 13 through trains 
wore due at Euston-square, not one of which it was ex- 
pected could possibly arrive until next day. 
Great Northern.— The main line between Feterbo- 
rongh and Newark continued blocked throughout Wed- 
nesday night and the whole of Thursday. Their exertions, 
however, were more successful on the loop lino which 
diverges from tho main line at Peterborough, and joins it 
again n t Retford, beyond Newark. The first through train 
since Tuesday night which came in was a mixed train 
after 6 a.m., being nearly two hours behind its time. This 
delay was caused more from the slippery state of the rails 
than snow. 
Severity of the Weather. — The accustomed bene- 
volence of the well-disposed, for the assistance of their 
poorer brethren at this season, is, wc arc happy to say, 
in active operation. Soup and other societies, for the 
relict of the poor, have been opened at Brompton and 
other places, and wo have no doubt that, as the unusual 
seventy of the weather calls for larger means of relief, the 
benevolence of the public will increase in proportion. Let 
everybody hear in mind this saying of Jeremy Taylor, 
God is pleased with no music from below so much ns in 
the thanksgiving songs of relieved widows, of supported 
orphans, oi rejoicing, and comforted, and thankful persons. 
Tins part of our communication does the work of God and 
of our neighbours, and bears us to heaven in streams made 
by the overflowing of our brother’s comfort .’’— Maidstone 
Journal. 
Weather Superstitions.— If it rains much dnring the 
twelve days after Christmas day it will he a wet year. So 
say tho country people. “ If there is anything in this, 1853 
will be a wet year, for it has rained awy’day of the twelve." 
So wrote I under date January 9. No one, I think, will 
deny that for once the shaft lias hit the mark.— R. C. 
Warde, in Notes and Queries. 
Dublin, Dec. 27. — The first shower of snow with which 
we have been visited this winter lias commenced falling this 
morning, and as the ground had been previously hardened 
by frost the white covering lies thickly on the surface. 
The wind is from the north-west, and the cold is intense. 
Liverpool, Dec. 27. — The town and surrounding 
district were this morning visited by a heavy fall of snow, 
accompanied with thunder and lightning. The lines of 
the London and North-Western Railway Company were 
so clogged by the drifted snow that the down train from 
London, which is due between 12 and 1 o’clock, did not 
arrive until late in the afternoon. The weather is now 
fine and frosty, hut snow lies several inches deep upon the 
ground. 
Paris, Dec. 30. — At six o’clock yesterday morning M. 
Chevallier’s thermometer stood at *9 3-lOths below zero 
centigrade (15] Fahrenheit). At a quarter before eight 
yesterday morning the Seine was still drifting ice, but 
about half an hour after the blocks became stationary, nnd 
the whole river, between the Pont Notre Dame and the 
Pont Royal, was completely frozen over at nine. This 
morning the cold was intense, and in the afternoon wc had 
a regular snowstorm, which lasted about two hours. For 
some days past the arrivals of the mails have been 
irregular, the London evening papers not being received 
until 24 hours after due. 
Dublin, Dec. 31.— The iuclemency of the weather is 
general in Ireland as well as at the other side of the 
Channel. The English mails have been extremely irregular 
in their arrival for some days past. The one duo’ yesterday 
at half-past tea a.m., did not reach Kingstown harbour 
until past five p.m. Such delays at this critical juncture 
of political affairs, foreign and domestic, are productive of 
great disappointment and inconvenience. The canals arc 
frozen over to-day, and afford safe footing for pedestrians. 
Death on Dutt. — We regret to state that two con- 
stables attached to the metropolitan police forco were 
found frozen to death, on Tuesday morning, in the neigh- 
bourhood of Hounslow. [Contradicted. Ed. “ Field”]. 
City of London, Thursday. — No letters were received 
in the City this afternoon from Liverpool or Manchester, 
or, indeed, any place north of Wolverhampton. From 
Aberdeen the last letters were on the 30th of December. 
The Glasgow and Belfast advices aro three days overdue, 
and the Edinburgh and Dublin two days. The mails from 
the west (Bristol, Exeter, &c.) were delivered this after- 
noon at three o’clock, and those from the eastern counties 
(Ipswich, &c.) at about four. Friday — A rapid thaw has 
set in, and the mails are now' arriving in proper course, 
but accounts of floods in tlie country are expected. 
Madrid, Dec. 30. — The cold has increased daily, and 
been intolerable during the last three nights. All the 
fountains of tlie public walks nnd tho pond of the Retiro 
are frozen, and tlie ice over the latter sufficiently strong 
for the amateurs of skating to indulge in that amusement. 
from York, bringing all the detenus up to the time of its 
departure. This arrived at King’s-cross at 4.20 Thursday 
afternoon. A second train arrived from York, which city 
it quitted at 12.30 p.m., ahont 9 o’clock, being about an 
hour and a half behind its time. Both these trains came 
by the loop line. , , , , . 
* Doncaster —Tho lino has been blocked up for upwards 
of 30 hours, and it was not until lmlf-past G o’clock on 
Thursday morning that a train arrived from London, via 
the Lincolnshire loop. 
All tho trains from the north now continue to arrive 
regularly, nnd though a considerable quantity of snow fell 
beyond York, on Thursday, the obstruction is not nearly 
so great in that part of ’the country as it is south of 
Newark. _ „ .. „ 
It is calculated the Great Northern Railway Company 
will lose between 4,000/ and 5,000/. by the suspension ot 
traffic, especially the coni traffic, consequent on the storm. 
At 9 o’clock on Thursday night a telegraphic despatch, 
received at the Shoredieh station, conveyed the gratifying 
intelligence tlint the entire lino, with the exception of the 
loops, had been cleared, after almost superhuman exertions. 
Tlie Norwich mail arrived about 14 hours behind its time. 
All the trains, with the exception of the express, woro for- 
warded on Friday. , rn 
South-Eastern. — The Dover mail, duo at 4..)0 on 
Thursday morning, did not orrivo at London Bridgo until 
SCOTLAND. 
The Suspected Murder near Peterhead.— Dr. 
Smith, physician, Peterhead, who is charged with the 
murder of a farmer named Macdonald, near the village of 
St. Fergus on the 21st of November last, with the view of 
receiving tho amount of the insurances he had effected 
upon the life of the deceased (about 2,00u/.), has, by 
“running his letters,” as it is termed in Scotch phraseology 
(requiring public trial within forty days), so precipitated 
that ordeal that it must take place about the third 
week in January, at Edinburgh, as the next circuit of 
the Judiciary Court at Aberdeen will not he held till 
spring. Nothing further has transpired regarding this 
mysterious case. 
Mr. St. John. — The lovers of natural history ana 
of field sports will learn with much regret that Mr. St. 
John, author of “ Wild Sports in the Highlands,” &c., 
has been prostrated by an attack of illness of a character 
calculated to cause the deepest sympathy and anxiety 
among his family and friends.. Mr. St. John has for some 
time resided in Elgin, esteemed and respected by all — 
Inverness Courier. . . . 
The Glasgow Jewel RonnERT. — i he trial ot 
George Jackson for the robbery at Mr. Rail s, the jeweller, 
at Glasgow, took place at the Winter Circuit on lhurs- 
day week. Owing, however, to the illness of a juror, the 
prosecution was abandoned, hut tho prisoner was recom- 
mitted. _ 
Murderous Assault on a Medical Gentleman. 
A serious assault upon a native of Djtlry was committed 
on the evening of Friday last, near Milngavie. Mr. W m. 
Logan, M.D., a practitioner there, formerly m Balfour, 
and son of Mr. Logan, Windy-edgo, Dairy, was ont on 
duty betwixt tho hours of 11 and 12, and while returning 
homo on foot was attacked and assaulted by a cowardly 
ruffian in a state of nudity, lie seized Dr Lognu by 
tho throat; resistance was of course made, and the parties 
wont down. The doctor’s hat wont off, but after finding it 
j ie vetfred from his assailant. Ilo had not gone far, 
however, when ho found that he was stabbed m the 
groin; ll0 called at tho first farm-house, where he still 
remains seriously ill, under the medical care of Dr. Lawrie, 
from Glasgow. We learn that the ruffian has boon appre- 
hended and lodged in gaol. — Ayr Advertiser. 
