July 18 .] 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER, 
245 
same thing was originally said of the “ Limoges,” from 
whence its name. 
9. Monthly Pigeon : Columba menstruapedibusphimosis .— 
Frisch calls it in Latin, Columba menstrua (Monthly pigeon), 
“because," he says, “it produces every month; and only waits 
until its young ones are able to feed themselves to lay again ; 
we must, however, except the depth of winter, and only 
reckon on eight or nine broods in the year.” It is, in fact, 
one of the most productive ; and only differs from the pre- 
( ceding by its crest. 
10. Norwegian Pigeon : Columba Norwegica pedibits phi- 
i mosis. — It is extremely large, tufted, and quite white. Some 
authors consider it as a species, but the greater part of them 
1 speak of it as a variety of the Dove-cot pigeon. 
11 Goat Sucker Pigeon : Columba caprimulga pedibus 
phimosis. —This bird has a flat and square head, which gives 
! it a little resemblance to the bird after which it is named. 
It has a black iris, and no filament round the eyes; its feet 
are ornamented with feathers, and the colour of its plumage 
is grey. This pretty pigeon, like all mongrels, is very pro¬ 
ductive. 
12. The Plunging Pigeon: Columba winator pedibus phi¬ 
mosis. —It has received its name from the habit it has, when 
flying, of swimming, if I may so call it, on its throat, which 
it swells a little for this purpose, says M. Vieillot, although 
we have never been able to perceive it, in spite of our re- 
] iterated observations ; but it is most certain that it hovers a 
very long time in the air without moving its wings, in 
the same manner as birds of prey. Its feet are thickly 
covered with feathers, and its thighs are also covered with 
long feathers, forming what amateurs call “ breeches." The 
author of the article, “ Dove-cot Pigeons,” in the new Dic¬ 
tionary of Natural History, says, “ that its plumage is silvery 
white, or blue with black bars,” but we have never seen it 
anything but grey. This bird is interesting from its great 
fecundity. 
13. The Frizzled Pigeon : Columba pedibus phimosis 
crispa. —Aldrovandus considered this variety as a true species. 
This bird is very rough-footed, quite white, and curled all 
over the body; the beam feathers of its wings having their 
beards separated and curled, which deprives it of the faculty 
of flying. The female resembles the male in all respects ; 
it is about the size of the Tambour, and very productive. 
(To be continued.) 
I 
EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 
Hedge-rows. —Those who, like myself, are fond of country 
rambles will have noticed, particularly in remote places, the 
large quantity of rank and luxuriant herbage which often grows 
neglected along the hedges and ditches of our fields. Here 
and there a farmer of the better sort will not suffer this; some 
will be at the cost and trouble of cutting, and leaving it to rot; 
but the greater number neglect it entirely, and then it becomes 
a positive evil, affording shelter to vermin, and sowing the land 
with weeds. My object in mentioning the subject is to convert 
this evil into a boon to the deserving cottager who has a cow, 
pony, or donkey. If a person of this description be allowed 
to collect the herbage upon condition of his keeping the hedge¬ 
rows clean, he would be serving the farmer and himself at the 
same time. This plan is partially adopted in my neighbour¬ 
hood, and with good results. One man, who is a small coal- 
carter, keeps his donkey through the summer months by this 
means. Another who carts wood, and has more leisure, collects 
his material into a stack, at the corner of the lane, and is thus 
provided with provender for his horse throughout the year.— 
S. P., Ruslimere. 
Effects of Lightning on Trees. —At a recent meeting 
of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, Mr. M‘Nah, of the 
Royal Botanic Garden, made a communication on the effects 
of lightning on trees. He remarked:—“ A few days ago I 
accidentally heard of a tree which had been struck by light¬ 
ning on the 5th inst. (June, 1850), at Pitferrane, Fifesliire, 
the residence of Andrew Buchanan, Esq.; and, being anxious 
to ascertain the species, I wrote for a small branch, with any 
history which could be given regarding it. I have just re¬ 
ceived the leaves shown, which prove it to be the Ulmus 
montana, or IVycli Elm. My object in bringing the notice 
before the Society, is to ascertain from its members any 
varieties of trees known to them as having been struck by the 
electric fluid. About this time last year a very large oak on 
the grounds of John Wauchope, Esq., of Edmonston, was 
shattered to pieces ; and a few years previously a laburnum 
standing close to the oak was likewise destroyed. While on a 
tour over a portion of the American continent, some years 
ago, I had several opportunities of observing gigantic trees 
torn to pieces by electric influence. In every instance I ob¬ 
served they were oaks. During a thunder-storm I found the 
workmen (chiefly in Canada) resorting to the beech trees for 
protection, from an idea that they were not liable to be struck 
by lightning ; certain it is, that I saw none, notwithstanding 
the prevalence of large sized beeches in many districts. The 
elm above alluded to at Pitferrane, had an iron fence standing 
close to it, which was supposed by the inhabitants to have 
had some influence in attracting the fluid. The above ob¬ 
servations are thrown out, in the hope of ascertaining if 
there be anything in the composition of one species of tree 
rendering it less liable than another to electric influence.” 
Several other members present at the meeting mentioned 
that the beech, the horse chestnut, and the ash, had all been 
struck by lightning. 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
*** Wc request that no one will write to the departmental writers of 
The Cottage Gardener. It gives them unjustifiable trouble and 
expense ; and we also request our coadjutors under no circumstances to 
reply to such private communications. 
Hartley’s Patent Rough Glass (A Constant Render ).—You 
complain that the hardier plants, such as Geraniums, Fuchsias, Oleanders, 
&c., turn yellow, while Ixoras and other stove plants flourish ; and as 
shading would be difficult, you have tried whiting and size, but it was 
washed off by the first shower, and you ask whether more ventilation 
would not be an advantage. We reply, decidedly, yes; and if you have 
not already formed a division between your stove and. greenhouse plants, 
that you may give more air to the latter. If such a house had several 
compartments, as recommended by Mr. Fish, you would carry out your 
object more fully. We have had but little experience with Hartley’s 
rough patent, but imagined one object intended was to prevent burning. 
The shade of your vines will likely assist you as respects that matter, but 
if you are covetous of having fine grapes, you must make up your mind to 
second-rate plants, unless you confine the vines to the rafters, and the 
sashes are wide. Mr. Fish never expected the whiting would last long, 
but he would cover a roof with a syringe quicker than you could cover it 
with any sort of blinds, unless you had one large one to cover the whole, 
and that would be much preferable to any mixture, as you would have all 
the light in a dull day. He was well aware that the mixture of size and 
whiting would not remain inside, owing to the condensation of moisture, 
