course of which time, I was perpetually and practically reminded of the truth and beauty of the following passage, in Mr. Brande's Dissertation on the Progress of Chemical Philosophy:-"The phenomena of the universe present a series of changes of which the regularity and harmonious succession excite the surprise of superficial observers, and awaken the admiration and attention of the philosophical mind. These changes are either accompanied by visible motion susceptible of measurement, and relate to the exterior forms and mechanical characters of bodies; or they depend upon the mutual agencies of the elementary principles of matter, upon its composition, or upon its susceptibility of acquiring new properties, by entering into new combinations." John H. Moggridge. Woodfield, Jan. 2. 1832.

Singular Subsidence, with a Fossil Stag's Horn, in the Chalk Measures near Meredon, France. - Sir, Having become acquainted with the singular instance of subsidence portrayed

a, Rubbish of different kinds, supposed to have been wheeled there from a neighbouring quarry. b, Stratum of vegetable earth. c, Calcareous marl, impure, but friable. d, Chalk, compact, and in small fragments, wrapped in yellow clay. e, Stratum of compact marl, approaching chalk, in large masses. Chalk, with its ordinary accompaniment of flints.

g, Fossil stag's horn.

in the annexed sketch (fig. 87.), together with others, during my late researches in France, I send it you, accompanied by

explanations, in the hope that you may deem it worthy of publication. I am, Sir, yours, &c. -John H. Moggridge. Woodfield, Feb. 1832.

RUSSIA.

Longevity in Russia. It is in Russia, much more than in any other country, that instances of longevity are not only more numerous, but also the most remarkable. In effect, in the report of the Holy Synod, published in 1827, we find that during the year 1825, and only among those of the inhabitants of the empire who profess the Greek religion, 848 men reached upwards of 100 years of age. Of this number 32 had passed their 120th year; four from 130 to 135. Out of 606,818 men who died in 1826, 2785 were above 90; 1432 above 95; and 818 above 100 years of age. Among this last number, 88 were more than 115; 24 more than 120; 7 were above 125; and 1 had attained the age of 160. (French Paper.)

ASIA.

A Mode of Fishing in China. - Among the many amusing scenes which strike the eye of a European, on his first visit to China, is the ingenious mode of fishing which he sees practised in the neighbourhood of Canton.

At the stern of their little punt-like boats, a small mast like a flagstaff, about 8 ft. high, is fixed. To the top of this, a block is made fast, having a sheave to carry a 1 in. rope. One end of this rope is fixed to a bamboo pole 12 or 15 ft. in length, and which is hoisted higher or lower according as it is wanted. The but end of the pole is kept inboard; and at the other end a light net, about 8 ft. square, is slung; being kept distended by two slender rods, fixed diagonally to the opposite corners, and bound together in the middle where they cross each other; and where, also, they are fixed to the end of the swinging-pole before mentioned. (fig. 88.) A

stone is thrown into the middle of the net to assist it in sinking, so that it may be, when down, spread out on the bottom

of the river. When the fisherman thinks any fish are passing over the net, he suddenly hoists it above the water; and if he has made a capture, he swings the net inboard to take out the fish; if none are caught, the net is dropped again in the same or some other place.

Success in this method of fishing depends on the knowledge of the fisherman as to the haunts of the fish its special advantage is its being managed by one person, like a castingnet, but with much more personal comfort to the man. It is also preferable to any other mode in that part of China; because the fisherman can pursue his calling among the tiers of junks (barges), which crowd the river opposite the city; or in any creek or canal, where drawing-nets would be useless. It is, moreover, favourable to the custom in that country of exposing all their fresh fish alive in the markets.

This plan might be useful in this country for carp-fishing, in ponds having steep and rugged banks. By taking advantage of a tree, to which the pole and net may be slung, lowering it in the daytime, and throwing thereon a handful of brewers' grains or other bait, at night the fish would come to feed; and if then the net were cautiously approached, and quickly hoisted, a fine haul might be taken. Eels might be so taken in rivers, were the net sunk with a heavy piece of garbage.-J. M.

The Divi Ladner is the Tabernæmontàna alternifòlia of botanists (fig. 89.), and Eve's apple of the descendants of the Portuguese in Ceylon. The name applied to this tree by the latter people originates in the tradition which prevailed in former days, among the Mahometans and the Portuguese, that Ceylon was the paradise described in the Scripture; that the garden of Eden was situated in it; and that the fruit of this tree was the forbidden fruit of which Eve eat a piece. In confirmation of this tradition, they referred to the beauty of the fruit, and the fine scent of its flowers, which are most tempting; and to the circumstance of the fruit having been excellent before Eve tasted it. The shape gives it the appearance of a fruit, a piece of which had been bitten off; and its effects are so poisonous at present, that two European soldiers, shortly after the capture of Colombo in 1795, being unaware of the nature of the fruit, were tempted by its appearance to taste it, and very soon after sickened and died. Sir A. J. Sept. 1827.

Our woodcut has been executed from a drawing sent us by Sir Alexander Johnston; and, although it in all probability accurately exhibits the general character and aspect of

the tree, we are apprehensive, from what botanical references we have been able to make, that the peduncles of the pendulous clusters of fruit are represented of a length exceeding their natural one. -J. D.

AFRICA.

Swallows in Africa. "I cannot quit the subject of ornithology without stating, that Adanson in 1783, and M. Afzelius in 1793, informed me that they saw Hirundo rústica, the former near the colony on the river Senegal, and the latter at Sierra Leone, in that time of the year when it is absent from Europe: Adanson desiring me to let Barrington know that l'hirondelle was the French name for Hirundo rústica. Mr. Tudsbury of Chesterfield, who resided at Sierra Leone and Rio Nunez from 1821 to 1828, as agent to a VOL. V.-No. 27.

GG

mercantile house in London, informs me, with English specimens of H. rústica, úrbica, and Apus before him, that it is seen all the year in the neighbourhood of Rio Nunez and Sierra Leone; but that they are less numerous in the rainy season, from June to September. They inhabit rocks from 80 to 90 miles from the coast, flying about rivers and lakes. He never observed any on the sea shore. Neither did he see any nests or eggs. The natives never shoot them; but they are pursued by hawks. Thunberg saw them in September and October, building their nests, soon after their arrival in Caffraria; whence he says they migrate, but whither the people of the country are unable to ascertain. From the above, I conclude that it is an inhabitant of both extremities of the old continent; breeding in the temperate regions from June to August in Europe, and in September and October at the southern extremity of Africa: both sets migrating to the equator in the winters of the countries where they breed, their migrations corresponding with those of the thrushes of Scandinavia." (Stokes's Botanical Commentaries, vol. i. p. xxiii.) Scarabe'us Ateuchus sàcer. (fig. 90.)--"During the first

90

night watch, Dr. Ehrenberg found a Scarabæ us Ateùchus sàcer; and his account is curious enough for those who are unacquainted with the mythological significance of this animal. He heard a noise, and soon afterwards discovered in the dark a great rolling ball. He expected to find a hedgehog or tortoise, but it was only a ball formed of the excrement of the horse. Behind it was a great black Scarabæ us, which was pushing on the ball with his hind legs. The ball, from its rolling in the sand, became soon so large that, from the juxtaposition, the Scarabæ us appeared most insignificant in size. It is well known that the Egyptian priests believed the Scarabæ us to come forth from the excrement of a bull; which, being hidden twenty-eight days under ground, was supposed to produce the kantharos without the interference of a female. Hence the Scarabæus became a symbol of various import. Descript. de l'Egypte Ant., vol. ii. p. 413." (For. Rev. and Cont. Misc., Oct. 1828.)

The Fezzan Ram. The ram, of which an accurate representation is subjoined (fig. 91.), was imported by Mr. George Davis into New York, in the year 1810, on his return from Tripoli, where he had been consul for the United States. The ram was tall, and his long legs were covered with short hair; he had two spiral horns, which were small for a male of his size.