/ 
MISCELLANY. *11 
this tissue which acts when excited, insomuch that what is termed “ vegetable 
irritability,” is found to belong to a fibrous tissue which acts by oxygenation and 
by curvature. The word irritability , which has no precise meaning, ought there¬ 
fore to be here replaced by incurvability , adding that this power of incurvation is 
associated, in the case under consideration, with excitability , or the power of 
receiving the influence of stimulants, which govern the action of the incurvable 
fibrous tissue .—Annates des Sciences Naturelles, Tome Sixieme, pp. 185—9. 
CHAPTER OF MISCELLANIES . 
As notices on Natural History published in provincial newspapers are only locally 
read, and meet the eyes of very few naturalists , we consider them almost equal 
in value to similar paragraphs supplied by our correspondents, if properly 
authenticated, or bearing the stamp of truth. We therefore take every oppor¬ 
tunity of collecting these scattered facts, invariably acknowledging the sources 
from which they are obtained.— Ed. 
ZOOLOGY. 
Oological Cabinets. —At page 167 of the second volume of The Naturalist , 
your valuable correspondent, Mr. J. D. Salmon, is so kind as to give us some 
instructions on mounting birds' eggs. It would impart much additional value to 
his communication if he would inform us of the relative depths that he has his 
drawers, as it would give the tyro considerable assistance, in ordering a cabinet. 
I have seen a small collection in Liverpool, in which the eggs were placed on 
mahogany sawdust, which can be procured from the cabinet-makers. It is very 
fine, and I thought the colour gave great effect to the eggs ; and by forming in it 
a slight depression for the specimen, the security is materially increased.—T. B. 
Hall, Woodside , Liverpool , Feb. 3, 1838. 
Rare Birds captured during the late Frost. —The late severe weather has 
given our townsman, Mr. Henry Bluett, an unusual opportunity of adding to 
his fine collection of birds. Last week a female Goosander (Meryus merganser) 
was brought to him, and within two days after he was furnished with the Red- 
breasted Merganser and the Blue-winged Shoveller, deemed by ornithologists the 
most beautiful of the Duck tribe. They are all rare birds, especially the Red¬ 
breasted Merganser .—Taunton Courier , March 7, 1838. Blue Shoveller” is 
merely a provincial name for the Common Shoveller (Spaikulea clypeataf and 
the Red-breasted Merganser is the well-known Mergus serrator of Linnjsus. 
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