June 2. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
much shorter period. Less permanency, therefore, of 
their several features and properties induces us to 
expect less original distinction than seems probable^ 
with reference to the domestic fowl. 
We have argued on the supposition that all our 
! horned cattle owe their descent to the same parents, but 
| the present features of the Bison, the Buffalo, the 
Indian Brahmin cattle, the wild race of Lord Tanker- 
ville’s park, the Musk Ox, and last, not least, the 
Aurocks of the Lithuanian forests, give weight to views 
of an opposite nature. 
In conclusion, let us observe, that the mutations of 
form and covering that may be recognised in many 
members of the same species that are found in localities 
of opposite temperatures, and under different conditions 
of existence, seem to be limited to such merely external 
points as are essential to existence in their altered state. 
There appears, so far as we are aware, no change in 
their structure, or anatomical formation. Fowls, it has 
been shown, do not manifest this peculiarity; and, 
whether brought from India to England, or sent from 
the latter to the former country, these external charac¬ 
teristics p-emain unaltered. We find a different rule, 
therefore, in these several cases, and thence conclude 
that, however powerful may have been these influences 
in the one case, they are inadequate to produce the 
results that are before us as regards the case of our 
domestic fowls. 
Again, wc notice a strong case of structural variety. 
'The skull of the Poland, for instance, is round as a 
marble, while that of other fowls deviates but little 
from a straight line. 
There are some other points, to mention which would 
unduly extend the limits of these notes, that, in addition 
to what we have now alluded to, prevent our adoption 
of the prevalent opinion, that the natural deviations of 
progeny from parents, even when aided by the impor¬ 
tant results of domestication, and acclimatization, are 
sufficient to account for the multiplicity of present per¬ 
manent forms, characteristics, and properties, visible 
amongst our domestic fowls. 
Similar views are entertained, it may be mentioned, 
with respect to the common Blue Rock Pigeon (Co- 
Imnba livid). To this bird the honors of paternity over 
the whole family of Carriers, Pouters, Fantails, Runts, 
Tumblers, and all the other inhabitants of the pigeon, 
house, have been unhesitatingly assigned in the same 
' summary manner. Domestication, we are told, has 
been amply sufficient for all these striking contrasts in 
form, colour, size, and properties, now so fixed and per¬ 
manent. The gradual progression towards the present 
state, however, is not explained; and when we see the 
Blue Rock, not merely on its native cliffs, but in our old 
manorial dovecots, where for centuries they have had 
their abode, still unaltered, and in both states presenting 
the same identical features, we may still be permitted 
to doubt whether this derivation is more accurate than 
the similar process in reference to the tenants of our 
| poultry-yards. W. W. Wingfield. 
155 
Various modes have been described of for miner durable 
roads and walks with gas coal-tar, so that now its cheap¬ 
ness, from one penny to twopence a gallon, at the 
manufactory, offers great facilities to those near a gas 
work for obtaining hard and dry thoroughfares. 
In the case of roads, it may be preferable to mix the 
tar and the stones, &c., before spreading ; but so far as 
our limited practice goes, there is little necessity for 
mixing the materials in the case of walks not subjected 
to the tear and wear of horses feet. 
Gas tar is useful for other purposes, however, so we 
will glance at a few purposes for which it may be used 
in the garden. 
In making walks that are not to be very much used, 
the first thing to be attended to is forming the bottom 
of the walk of the proper shape, and getting it hard and 
smooth. On this, during a dry day, spread a layer of tar, 
from one-eighth to one quarter-of-an-inch in thickness, 
and, as you proceed, throw on clear gravel, small, but 
freed from the dusty particles; roll this in, and then 
give a surface-dressing of the finer, so as to cover the 
blackness of the tar. A little experience will soon 
enable any oue to get into the knack of just putting 
on as much as the tar will penetrate, and yet leave the 
surface of the natural colour. If near a gas work, we 
know of no plan cheaper and easier for making a good 
walk, as the wet cannot enter it from above, and the I 
frost will seldom or never affect it. 
For keeping rain out of the soil, the ground being 
levelled smooth, we find the thinnest covering sufficient; 
less than the thickness of sixpence; a little drift sand 
being then thrown over it. 
For making a standing place for plants in pots, so that 
worms shall not visit the roots, we proceed just the same 1 
as we would in preparing a walk that would have little 
stress upon it. We lately covered a court, some seventy 
feet by forty, that was always very troublesome to keep j 
clean, both in summer and winter. It never had more t 
than an apology for being gravelled, as a good-sized 
weed, when pulled up, brought plenty of clay and loam 
along with it. A stone path went through it, and, 
therefore, to do anything in the shape of gravelling, the 
clay must be excavated. This was rather too trouble¬ 
some a job; therefore, nothing being in the way, tarring 
was resolved upon. First, the ground was levelled 
and swept clean, leaving a firm, hard bottom; a cart 
brought a couple of barrels of tar ; as near as we 
could calculate, sixty-five gallons were used; the day 
being hot, it ran from the barrel just as if it had been 
oil, was carried in a little tub, poured on the ground, 
and spread with a bricklayer’s trowel. If you multiply 
seventy by forty, you may judge with what thickness. 
As the work proceeded, four loads of fine siftings from 
rough gravel was thrown on it, levelled neatly, and 
when dry on the surface rolled. In a few places the tar 
shone through, and on these a little more siftings was 
spread, the whole piece swept gently on the surface, and 
rolled again, and we are sure, if it gets fair play, it will 
want nothing more for a twelvemonth, and most likely 
not for a number of years, while in dry weather, and 
