CORRESPONDENCE. 
213 
of lime, about three or four inches long, and two broad, having irregular surfaces, 
the greater part of which are of a yellowish colour (ferruginous carbonate of lime), 
with patches of red oxide of iron, and a little green vegetable efflorescence. 
My object in sending this brief notice to you arises from my knowledge of your 
devotion to science, and to everything that may advance the human mind in 
moral or intellectual excellence; hence I trust you will allow this a place in your 
interesting miscellany. I ask this, being convinced that the absurdities of va¬ 
rious local traditions might be traced to some similar source of ignorance (like 
that of the bloody stones), and become ineffective and harmless, when 
examined by the recognised principles of true philosophy, and the refulgent lights 
of science. 
I have the honour to be. Dear Sir, 
Your obedient Servant, 
J. L. Levison. 
Hall-Gate^ Doncaster^ Ma^ 13, 1837. 
On the Backwardness of the Season ; and on the management of this 
Magazine. 
To the Editor of the Naturalist, 
My dear Sir, —Whatever our friend-may say—his wishes doubt¬ 
less qualifying his language—I am bound to assert, that the migratory birds have 
not generally made their appearance in this part of the country within nearly 
three weeks of their usual time. Why if they had, we should have witnessed 
the phenomenon of the Nightingale “ pouring his music ^in the night’s dull ear” 
with a thermometer below the freezing point, and amidst clouds of falling snow. 
Witness the following extract from my log-book :—April 11.^—“ This afternoon, 
about two, p. m., the atmosphere having been obscure the whole morning, a 
furious snow-storm came on, and continued almost without intermission till late 
in the evening. About eight, p. m., the snow had become a sort of rime, which 
clung to and encrusted everything, so that the whole face of Nature was again 
enveloped in its wintry robe ; the trees in particular being covered as with hoar¬ 
frost. So closely did this rimy snow cling, coming from the north-east, that in 
walking up to my house from Worcester, though with an umbrella, and defending 
myself in the best possible manner, my breast became as regularly encased with 
snow as if it had been thickly laid on artificially.” “ April 12.—A complete and 
wintry picture presented itself to view, every object glistening in its decorated 
and sparkling ermine robe ; even the tower and pinnacles of Worcester cathedral, 
and old St. Andrew’s spire, were encased at their very apices, and for some dis¬ 
tance downwards, presenting a curious and singular spectacle.” April IS .— 
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