284 THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION— January20,1857. 
THE PECULIARITIES IN THE SKULLS OF 
CRESTED FOWLS. 
Some short time since I was honoured by a request from 
Mr. Mitchell, the Secretary of the Zoological Society, to 
bring before the members, at one of their scientific meetings, 
the specimens that I had made to illustrate the very extra¬ 
ordinary structure in the shrill and brain of the different va¬ 
rieties of feather-crested fowls. Thinking that a more popular 
account of my paper than the semi-official notice iu the 
Athenaum might be interesting to the readers of The 
Cottage Gardener, I am induced to forward the following 
abstract:— 
In the fowls known generally as Polish the bone of the 
forehead, instead of being fiat as in the Spanish, or slightly 
arched as in the Cochin, is swollen out into a large globe- 
shaped protuberance, which, however, is not entirely formed 
of bone, but consists, in great part, of a fibrous membrane. 
This globular swelling contains by far the larger portion of 
the brain of the fowl, and as it communicates with the 
cavity of the skull by a very narrow passage, through which 
the brain passes, the latter is necessarily of the shape of an 
hour-glass (rather a puzzling fact for the phrenologists). 
This remarkable structure exists even before birth, and 
gives rise to the extraordinary appearance that well-bred 
Polish chickens present on emerging from the shell. It is 
found in an equal degree in both the cocks and the hens, 
and is present in all varieties of fowl that have a largely- 
developed crest; in fact, the development of the globular 
swelling and the size of the crest are intimately dependent on 
eacli other, it being impossible to have a good crest on a 
fiat-lieaded bird, a point that should be borne in mind by 
the Polish breeder, as by it he is enabled to select those 
chickens that are likely to reward his care, even at a very 
early period of their lives. 
The different breeds in which I have observed this 
wonderful structure are the White-crested Black, the Golden 
and Silver-spangled, both bearded and beardless, and the 
White. I should, however, state that there are differences 
in the skulls of the first named, proving them to be a distinct 
breed from the Spangled and White birds. The Sultan 
fowls, or Feather-legged While Polish, have also the pro¬ 
tuberance well developed; but in the so-called Ptarmigans, 
which are evidently only bad and deteriorated specimens of 
the same breed, the head is flat. In the Rumpless White 
Polish which I have exhibited, tire crest, and consequently 
the protuberance, are well developed. 
No person can have paid any attention to Polish fowls 
without observing the peculiar nostrils characteristic of the 
breed. This peculiarity arises from the absence of the 
bones which iu other fowls form the bridge of the nose, and 
the place of which in Polish is supplied by cartilage or 
gristle. 
The peculiar shape of the brain in Polish would lead most 
persons to anticipate some alteration in their intellectual 
character from that of fowls in general; but this does not 
appear to be the case. They are, as far as my observation 
extends, neither more nor less intelligent than other poultry. 
It is true they are not sitters ; hut neither are the Pencilled 
and Spangled fowls, that have skulls of the ordinary con¬ 
struction. Sometimes they will hatch, as happened to a 
White Polish hen that was formerly in my possession, and 
that was one of the best crested hens I ever saw. 
This remarkable structure was, as far as I am aware, first 
noticed by the old anatomist Peter Borelli, two hundred 
years since, in 1056 ; it was also described by Pallas, and 
later by the celebrated Blumenbach, who gave some drawings 
of the skulls in a rare Latin tract on “ Extraordinary 
Formations." But the facts appear to have escaped notice 
| until recently, for in the Museum of the College of Surgeons 
; is a skull, in which the formation is attributed to disease. 
More recently, R. P. Williams, Esq., of Dublin, observed 
the facts, without knowing they had been previously described. 
Dr. Horner, also, made some observations which were 
independent of prior investigations. I also made the same 
discovery; but all question as to who was the original 
discoverer was settled when I found that old Peter had 
outwitted us six generations ago. Truly, these ancients 
were terrible fellows at robbing us of our ideas.—W. B. 
Tegetmeier. 
Since writing the above a circumstance has occurred that 
strikingly illustrates the small amount of protection that the 
brain of the Polish receives from the membrane which, as 
I have stated, forms so large a part of the frontal pro¬ 
tuberance. One of the Polish cocks that took a prize at the 
last Birmingham Show escaped from bis run, and had a tilt 
with a Spanish cockerel. In the very first rise he was struck 
on the head by the young cock, the brain was injured, and 
his late owner now laments his loss.—W. B. T. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Rabbit Hutches.— “I wish to ask your opinion of a plan I have 
thought of for removing the possibility of unpleasant smells, and of all the 
concomitant evils connected therewith, but being only a young breeder of 
the animal, I should prefer the opinion of more experienced persons than 
myself before trying it. My hutches are built on the precise plan re¬ 
commended in The Cottage Gardener of last week, being three feet 
six inches long and two feet deep. I propose now, in place of the railed 
bottom, to have fitted a drawer of about four inches in depth to pull in 
and out from the front, and to keep this full of dry sand for the bottom 
of the hutch, renewing the sand entirely about once a fortnight. This, 
I think, would prevent the possibility of the wood becoming saturated 
with urine, and, consequently, smelling offensive.”—J. N. 
[It is a very good plan, but we should use sawdust oi chaff, and then 
it would form a very rich manure.—E d. C. G.] 
LONDON MARKETS. —January 19th. 
COVENT GARDEN. 
In addition to our last week’s report, we have now to notice the first 
arrival of some good French Lettuce, Endive, Globe Artichokes, and 
Barbe de Cupucin, whiclx we shall receive regularly three or four times a 
week, weather permitting. There has been, also, some good Cornish 
Broccoli sent up this week, varying in price from 3s. to 5s. per dozen, a 
most useful article at this season. Forced vegetables comprise French 
Beans, Cucumbers, Seu-kule, and Ilhuburb, The Botuto trade re¬ 
mains much the same. 
POULTRY. 
There has been little poultry at market since Christmas, and prices 
have risen in proportion ; but senders must not reckon upon its duration, 
as it is probably only temporary. 
London: Printed by Hugh Barclay, Winchester High-street, in 
the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published for the Proprietors 
at The Cottage Gardener Office, No. 20, Paternoster Row, in 
the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.—January 20, 1857. 
Vegetable and Flower Seeds, &c. 
Teeter Lawson & Son, Seedsmen and 
Nurserymen to Her Majesty the Queen, and to the Highland and 
Agricultural Society of Scotland, respectfully intimate that they are 
now sending out the above Seeds, comprising many newly-introduced 
and valuable varieties, and all carefully selected from true stocks, They 
solicit the favour of speedy orders, which will insure an early delivery. 
Catalogues will be sent free on application. 
Their Stocks of Agricultural Seeds and Grasses for alternate hus¬ 
bandry, permanent Pasture, &c., are of very superior quality this 
season, being the result of repeated and very careful selections. 
Priced Catalogues are in course of publication. 
Everything connected with their trade can be supplied in any quantity 
from their London Branch. 
27, Great George Street, Westminster. 
JOHN WEEKS & CO., KING’S ROAD, CHELSEA, 
HORTICULTURAL BUILDERS. 
egister for Gardeners.— No charge 
except for postage. The Nobility and Gentryin wantof Gardeners, 
Bailiffs, Foresters, &c., are respectfully informed that Gardeners are 
classed here according to their various qualifications. By sending full 
particulars, such Gardeners only will be introduced as are worthy, and 
well adapted for each particular situation 
Gardeners in want of situations are requested to apply to JOHN 
WEEKS & Co., Horticultural Establishment, Chelsea. 
WALTONIAN PROPACATINC CASE. 
West, Surbiton, Kingston-on-Thames, 
* sole Manufacturer. These Cases are made of the best material, 
and on an improved plan, which has given great satisfaction. He is 
now sending them to all parts of (he country, packed in rough cases, 
on the receipt of a Post-Oflice Order on Surbiton, at the following 
prices Complete, with Lamp painted, 48s. Grained, 3s. extra. 
