m 
Natural History. -^Zoology. 
lls» It is also remarked of these, as of many other hot springs, 
that if faded flowers be partially immersed in them they speedily 
revive, and that flowers in bud soon expand in this highly heat- 
ed water. 
2»S. RemarTcahle hiternal Combustion of the Trunks qfScots- 
Fir Trees. — Dr William HoAvison, who^ visited the north of 
Russia in 1818, having observed many large trees of the Pinus 
sylvestris or Scots-flr standing erect in the forest, in a withered, or 
frequently in a dead state, was led to examine into the reason. He 
was not a little surprised to find, that in many cases, although 
the bark was entire, the interior part or wood of the tree was in 
a great measure charred. On inquiry he found, that this Avas 
occasioned by the travelling boors, in the sultry dry weather of* 
summer, seeking the shade of large trees, and making fires for 
dressing their victuals over above the roots of the trees. Many 
of these roots lie near the surface, and as they abound very 
much with resinous matter, they readily catch Are. The fire 
seems to be propagated slowly, as in match-paper ; a gradual 
and stifled combustion creeps onAvard,encouraged by the drought, 
and constantly fed by the empyreumatic oil of turpentine (or 
tar) which is produced by the heat, until the interior of the 
trunk itself be destroyed. 
ZOOLOGY. 
24. Notice of a peculiar Habit of the Starlings ( Sturnus 
vulgaris). — Among the singular and instinctive habits of the 
feathered creation, the fact of flocks of starlings alighting upon 
the ground in circles, is not one of the least curious, and though 
perhaps little known or noticed, is not uncommon. I have at 
different times watched large flocks of these birds, and have 
often noticed them alight in a circular form : Once I remember 
to have seen the birds composing a numerous flock, divide 
themselves into two companies, and each form a distinct circle. 
I have endeavoured, but unsuccessfully, to approach sufficient- 
ly near them, to notice whether or not they were couched on 
the ground, or standing ; indeed, their extreme timidity ren- 
ders any, but general observations, almost impracticable. They 
will sometimes, if undisturbed, remain a considerable time on 
the same place, Avhere the circularity in which their excrements 
