MISCELLANT. 
108 
probing the mud—where they cannot see or smell their prey—are probably 
guided to it by the sense of taste, which resides in the soft and delicate mem¬ 
brane extended over the bill, and which is very plentifully supplied with nerves. 
Such are the Ducks, Snipes, &c., and these birds alone can be said to have a true 
sense of taste. Ornithorhynchus paradoxus also has its bill covered with a highly 
organized membrane in the same way, and this probably performs a similar 
office for it that it does for the birds above-mentioned.— Beverley R. Morris, 
Charmouth, Dorsetshire , Dec. 17, 1837. 
How to find the Larvje of Tortrix. —The larvae of some species of Tor- 
trix may be found in winter by splitting open Teazle-heads.—J. C. Dale, Glan- 
villes Wootton , Dorsetshire , Dec. 12, 1837. 
Butterfly seen on Christmas-Day. —On Christmas-day the thermometer 
stood at 61°, and a neighbour informs me that he saw a large coloured Butter¬ 
fly flying about in the church. I do not know what species this was—probably 
Vanessa polychloros. I have seen it at a lower temperature in March.— Edwin 
Lankester, Camps all, near Doncaster , Jan. 12, 1838. 
Phrenological Society of Warrington. —With unfeigned pleasure we take 
this early opportunity of announcing the recent formation of a Phrenological So¬ 
ciety at Warrington—especially after the confessions of a learned physician at 
the late meeting of the British Association, held in the same county. Phreno¬ 
logy has no longer cause for alarm: it rests on a sure basis, and interested or 
blind opposition will but serve to increase, if possible, the zeal of its numerous 
advocates. Even the most timid of its supporters no longer fear openly to avow 
their belief in this science, and although it can no more be expected that every 
man should be a phrenologist, than that we should all be chemists or naturalists, 
yet the time rapidly advances when he who still persists—despite the astounding 
mass of facts and arguments which court his attention—in opposing its grand 
truths, will be considered too ignorant or too bigoted to merit notice. When 
Metaphysics issued its mystic theories and vague speculations—alike destitute 
of beauty and of truth—when the most ordinary indications of character puzzled 
the brains of the wisest philosophers—what wonder if few felt inclined to -wander 
through a fog so appalling in its density! But now that almost every difficulty 
is cleared away—since there is a system which not only explains anomalies here¬ 
tofore inexplicable, but v r hich can indicate, with the utmost minuteness, every 
shade of character—who will venture to affirm that he should not be the better 
for an acquaintance with at least the general principles of Phrenology ? A phre¬ 
nologist, in the true acceptation of the term, is not a mere believer in the 46 ge¬ 
neral principles,” but one who has studied it long and ardently, from every source 
within reach. We repeat, therefore, that it is impossible for the whole human 
