MISCELLANEA. 
303 
OUR veterinary readers will not forget “ that the first Monday 
in May” (the 7th inst.) is the day appointed by the Charter for the 
holding of the General Meeting of the Members of the Royal Col¬ 
lege of Veterinary Surgeons.” 
MISCELLANEA. 
Extraordinary Destruction of Wasps. 
The Earl of Traquair had for several years given a liberal 
reward to the children in the neighbourhood for destroying those 
destructive insects during the months of April and to the middle of 
May, as it is understood that at that period every wasp is the pa¬ 
rent of a nest of some thousands. Owing, it may be supposed, 
to the limited fall of rain or snow during a recent winter, these 
noxious creatures were unusually numerous in the spring, as the 
following account will shew. The children, about fifty in number, 
were desired by his lordship to attend at Traquair House with their 
spoil every Saturday afternoon, where they were counted by his 
lordship’s gardener, and each one paid so much per dozen. The 
following has been the result. April 26, 756 dozen, weighing 
2 lbs. 1 oz.; May 3,114 dozen, weight 6 oz.; May 10, 59J dozen, 
weight 2J oz.; May 17, 643J dozen, weight 111 oz. Total, 
1573 dozen, weight 4 lbs. 9J oz.; making the incredible number 
of 18,876 wasps’ nests destroyed in four weeks, and in one parish. 
It may be presumed, if each of these had been allowed to multiply, 
however favourable the season might have proved, there would 
have been but little fruit or honey left for miles round.— Cale¬ 
donian Mercury. 
The Oak planted by Squirrels. 
The general truth, that nothing is created without some wise 
purpose is beautifully illustrated in the case of the squirrel. It is 
a singular but well-authenticated circumstance, that most of those 
oaks which are called spontaneous are planted by this animal, in 
which way he has performed the most essential service to man¬ 
kind, and particularly to the inhabitants of England. It is related 
in some English work, that a gentleman walking one day in the 
woods belonging to the Duke of Beaufort, near Troy-house, in the 
county of Monmouth, his attention was diverted by a squirrel, which 
