observation of them can elicit is, that all those found in our quarries must have lived in fresh water. They were, in other respects, different from those now found in our rivers. animals, which, although less numerous, are also found sion of our Saviour, but is of too rude a nature for the present times. The morris-dance, another of the pastimes of our ancestors, (and compared with the above a very It may perhaps be said that they are the remains of harmless one) appears to be on the wane, and will, a I have so long dwelt upon the history of the fossil qua- thousands of generations which have been discovered suc- doubt, soon disappear altogether: indeed, it is, I believe, druped animals peculiar to the basin of Paris, that I have cessively. This may be the case; but why are the same only in Lancashire, and perhaps in Cheshire, that a ves neither time nor space left sufficient to enable me to enter remains much less numerous in all the other plaster quartige of it can be found. Although the amusements of the into any particulars respecting those of inferior classes. ries of the neighbourhood? Is not our hypothesis the only present day are infinitely superior, yet to me it is matter I shall content myself with informing you, that the num-one by which we can account for this superabundance of of regret, that this last relic of the olden time should be ber of fossil invertebrés is incomparably greater than that fossil bones in a hill of so small extent? When we pic on the eve of vanishing for ever. When I have seen them of vertebrés; and that amongst the latter, fish are more ture to our imaginations these animals, though destined cutting their rude capers, arrayed in all the colours of the numerous than reptiles, and reptiles more numerous than by nature to shun each other, driven to perish together by rainbow, I have thought, that on such have rested the mammalia, &c. their common terror of the great catastrophe which de-eyes of our Edwards and our Henries, the pride of Cresy The animals of the last classes have been discovered the stroyed, indiscriminately, all living creatures; we are re- and of Agincourt.-But I know I am a bit of a dreamer. first. It is true, that in the most ancient layers of alluvial minded of the ingenious fiction of the poet, who, in his Another of the sports of the mobility at this season of soil there have been found testaceous molluscas, madre-description of the deluge, represents the sheep, flying by the year (Easter) has puzzled me more than enough; it pores, and other animals belonging to similar genera; but is called pesegging-the performers, peseggen. I should their remains are exceedingly numerous, and are, in all suppose it had its origin in former times, though the lancases, found in a good state of preservation, because the guage of the present piece appears to be moden daggered. substance of which they are composed is hardly susceptible Perhaps some of your correspondents can give me akeof alteration. mation on the subject. Cunningham says, the side of the wolf, which, being under the influence of All circumstances prove that, in the different ages of the ancient world, the dry land did not, as it now does, consist chiefly of large continents, but that it was divided You may easily imagine, Madam, that, in general, only into numerous islands, where the terrestrial aniinals were, the shells of animals are found in a fossil state; but this in a manner, inclosed, and kept separate from each other. circumstance does not prevent naturalists from studying Thus, all the islands of any considerable size, that have them, as the testaceous mollusea, and zoophytes now liv-been discovered in our days, are found to contain races of ing, are classed according to the form of the skull: the knowledge of them is, therefore, in a very advanced state. It has been positively ascertained, that the fossil genera are entirely different from the living genera, and those deposited in the most superficial layers of soil are most nearly allied to the latter. animals peculiar to them, and, if men had not, in all ages, transplanted animals from one country to another, the geographical separation of the genera and species would be much more marked than it now is. Now, man did not exist at those periods; this circumstance, therefore, suggests a new reason for the collection of animals into An immense majority of the fossil animals that have hi-distinct groups, which may be added to that afforded by therto been found, in all the countries where researches have been made, belong to marine genera; this is a very evident confirmation of the fact, that there is no place which has not been covered by the ocean, during a larger portion of the time that has elapsed since the creation of the earth, than it has remained dry. Quadrupeds are found in layers of much more recent deposition than these, in which the first zoophytes and molluseas are deposited. Those which first appear are oviparous quadrupeds, like the crocodiles of Honfleur and of England, deposited under the chalk, and like the monitors of Thuringen, which belong to a still more remote period. Viviparous quadrupeds begin to appear in the gross shelly calcarious earth, which covers the chalk. It is not unusual to find, also, in the same layers, phocas, and manatis. Terrestrial mammalia, as I have already told you, are found only in the thick layers of soil of fresh water formation, deposited above the gross calcarious earth. The study of the order of succession of fossil animals is the different layers, leads to very important results; but it is no less curious to consider the distribution of each particular class in the layers, where it is found. the different divisions of the earth. Fossil vegetables are considerably more numerous than fossil animals; they are sometimes found scattered abroad in different places; but they are, for the most part, atcumulated in masses so considerable that they form, as it were, immense vegetable rocks: such are mines of coals, which supply so large a portion of the immense quantity of fuel consumed to supply the wants of man. But, although fossil vegetables are, in general, much more numerous than fossil animals, they are not in so good a state of preservation. The only parts, whose forms can yet be distinguished, are the stalks and fruits: fossil roots are exceedingly rare. Some leaves have also been found belonging to plants of the ancient world, but they must have been very small. A flower has been discovered at Monte Bolca, whose form is still perfect; it is deposited in the Museum, and is the only fossil flower contained there. I cannot describe to you the impression produced upon me by the contemplation of this frail ornament of an extinct world. Men and Manners. RURAL AMUSEMENTS. TO THE EDITOR. You must already have remarked that some species are exclusively confined to certain places, or that they are found no where else in so great abundance. The palaotheriums and anoplotheriums of our neighbourhood afford SIR, Your correspondent Reformer has very justly an instance of the first case. The second is exemplified entered his protest against the low pastime (peculiar I beby the Val d'Arno, where more bones of rhinoceroses have lieve to this county) called lifting. In Manchester it is been found than in all the rest of Europe; by the camp carried to an equal extent, but as far as my observation of the giants in South America, which is particularly goes, the fair sex must be exonorated from the charge abundant in mastodentes with narrow teeth; and by the brought against them of being the principal performers in shores of the Ohio, in North America, remarkable for the this Easter drama. On the contrary, it is chiefly confined numerous remains deposited there of the great mastodontes.to youths, of the lowest description, who assemble in This partial accumulation of the remains of animals of the same species is accounted for by supposing that, at the period when the countries inhabited by them were inundated by the sea, they all fled before the waters to the places which were last overflowed, and that they were there destroyed together. gangs, and assault (that is, lift) all the unprotected females they meet, at least in the same class of life as themselves, for I must do them this justice, that they seldom or ever attack respectable people. To such a height is this carried, that on Easter Sunday a good portion of the Lancashire witches are under the necessity of remaining at home, otherwise they would most certainly be insulted. It is full time so disgraceful a practice should be put a stop to. This Easter lifting is doubtless of very ancient origin, that the paleotheriums, anoplotheriums, and carnivorous and must be intended to typify the resurrection and ascen. It would be impossible, without this consideration, to account for the prodigious number of fossil bones found at-Montmartre, for instance, where it cannot be supposed "In days of yore, when round the jovial board, How he had kill'd the Dragon once in fight." The following is a list of the peseggers dramatis personæ, to which L have annexed a short extract from t of their speeches. The performers are youths dread ng in all the finery and tinsel they can muster, someday after the fashion of the London chimney sweepers, May-day. The characters are each furnished wi sword (tin) with the exception of his Satanic Majesta wields a club. Thus arrayed, they sally forth, (ang and for the value of sixpence will recite or enact, fata gratification of those who may feel disposed to hear th their most heroic and chivalrous drama. Enter BOLD SLASHER. For I'm not one of the ragged sort, I'm St. George, that noble Knight Here I'm the man that dare before thee stand, With sword and buckler by my side I hope to win this game. They fight Slasher is wounded. Slasher: Pardon, St. George, I'm wounded. St. George. No pardon will I give to thee, But wound thee more and more. Fight again-Slasher's killed. CHORUS. Now bold Slasher's dead and gone, I will not tire your patience much more: suffice say, the remainder only introduces further prod George's prowess, who wounds both the Movers Kny the noble Turk; upon which the Doctor is introed, who recites the following precious morsel: Here come I, that never come yet, I've got enough to cure you all. When St. George has no more to conquer, the piece by a dance of all the characters (the Doctor cures Slasher, though dead) round Beelzebub, himself club forming the centre, upon which they beat time their swords. You will perceive that Old Nick is a unimportant character, and why introduced at all I Lot conceive, as we may naturally suppose his compa s should be dead ere they are carried off to that place : must not name to ears polite. tan's speech thus begins: Here comes in old Beelzebub, And in my hand I carry a club. The rose, with all its sweetest leaves yet folded,' now tempts the changeful atmosphere of May; but, too oft oppressed with ungentle showers, and overcharged with wet, bows her head to the coming storm, reserving her riper beauties for the more powerful sun of June. The gentle budding rose, quoth she, behold, That first scant peeping forth with virgin beams, The bud and blossom of the life of man. Fairfax's Tasso, Towards the end of the month that magnificent and beautiful tree, the horse-chesnut (hippocastanum) displays its honours of fine green leaves, and its handsome spikes pyramidal' of white and red flowers: it is quite the glory of forest-trees. The hawthorn ( white and pink) is usually it enough of this (I think I hear you say) so here in blossom about the middle or end of the month. k we off-Yours, &c. ilford, Baster Monday. [Concluded from our last.] J. A. 'he orchis (orchis mascula) will now be found in moist ures, distinguished by its broad black spotted leaves spike of large purple flowers. The walnut (Juglans a) has its flowers in full bloom. he banks of rills and shaded hedges are ornamented the pretty tribe of speedwells, particularly the gerder speedwell, the field mouse-ear, the dove's-foot e's-bill, and the red campion, the first two of azure and the last two of rose colour, intermixing their ers with attractive variety. The country is now in 'ection, every bush a nosegay, all the ground a piece of roidery: now Many a blossom, passing fair, And through velvet leaves the wind, he air, indeed, is enriched with native perfumes, and whole creation seems to smile; on each tree we hear voice of melody, and in every grove there is a concert arbling music; every bough maintains A feathered chorister to sing And now the nightingale, not distant far, Now let's go forth to feast the conscious spirit A princely vestment, and profusely showers, The Forest Minstrel The principal show of tulips takes place this month. We are now, indeed, ushered at once into Flora's drawingroom, and surrounded by her choicest beauties. The garden's flow'ry pride' is spread before us, and we are lost in wonder, love, and praise, while we fondly contemplate The narcissus bright In snowy whiteness, marked with various stripes Young hares, or leverets, in favourable seasons, are now seen feeding near the edges of woods and copses. These may be considered as the first produce of the year; but the mother will commonly bring forth two or more pairs in the season. Towards the end of the month, the phalæna humuli, called, by some, the ghost-moth, makes its appearance, and continues visible during the greater part of the month of June. The female glow-worm (lampyris noctiluca) is now seen on dry banks, about woods, pastures, and hedgeways. And what is there that can delight and interest the inquisitive naturalist or the less scientific observer, that is NOT to be seen in the pleasant month of April? We have but taken a rapid glance at the passing wonders of nature, 'a bird's eye view of the sights to be seen' in this month: we have only presented our readers with a few rough sketches The lilac, the barberry, and the maple, are now in of birds, and flowers, and trees, after nature; and to them wer. At the latter end of the month rye is in ear; the we must leave it to pursue the delightful study, to shadow Duntain ash, laburnum, the guelder-rose, clover, colum-out and complete the pictures. In the mean time we mes, with their singular and fantastic nectaries, the alder, will retire to our friend Mr. Moir's garden, and, seated in e wild chervil, the wayfaring tree, or wild guelder-rose, his arbor, hymn the pleasures of a vernal eve, enjoying d the elm, have their flowers full blown." Thoughts that lie too deep for tears.'. The various species of meadow-grass are now in flower. De buttercup spreads over the meadows; the cole-seed corn-fields, bryony, the arum, or cuckoo-pint, in hedges, - Tartarian honeysuckle, and the corchorus Japonica, slow their flowers. Now the little buds unclose, Red, and white, and pled, and blue, And that virgin flower, the rose, Opes her heart to hold the dew. O, 'tis delightful, on a vernal eve, To hear the small drops plashing on the stems As if, again, the Pagan deities, Pan or Sylvanus, for one season more, Had sought the empires of their ancient reign; Miscellanies. CHESS. The following account of the origin of Chess is given by the Arabian writers:-At the commencement of the fifth century of the Christian era, India was governed by a young and powerful monarch, of an excellent disposition, but who was greatly corrupted by his flatterers. This young prince soon forgot that monarchs ought to be the fathers of their people, that the love of the people for their king is the only solid support of the throne, and that they constitute all his strength and power. It was in vain that the Bramins and the Rajahs repeated to him these important maxims. Intoxicated by his greatness, which he imagined to be unalterable, he despised their wise remonstrances. Here a Bramin, named Sissa, undertook, in an indirect manner, to open the eyes of the prince. With this view he invented the Game of Chess; in which the king, though the most important of the pieces, is powerless to attack, and even to defend himself against his enemies, without the assistance of his subjects.-The new game speedily became celebrated. The king of India heard talk of it, and wished to learn it. Sissa, while explaining the rules of it, gave him a taste of those momentous truths, to which, till this moment, he had refused to listen. The prince, who possessed both feeling and gratitude, changed his conduct, and gave the Bramin the choice of his recompense. Sissa required to be delivered to him the number of grains of wheat which would be produced by all the squares of the chess board,-one being given for the first square, two for the second, four for the third, and so on, still doubling the amount up to the sixty-fourth square. The king, without hesitation, acceded to a request of such apparent moderation; but when his treasurers had calculated the quantity, they found that the king had engaged to perform a thing to which not all his riches, nor his vast estates, would suffice. They found, in reality, that the amount of these grains of wheat would be equal to 16,384 cities, each containing 1,024 granaries, each granary containing 174.762 measures, each measure consisting of 32,768 grains. Of this circumstance, the Bramin availed himself to make the king sensible, how much sovereigns ought to be on their guard against those who surround them, and how much they ought to fear, lest even their best intentions should be perverted to sinister ends. Liquid Leather.-A Dr. Bernland, of Larria, in Germany, is said to have discovered a method of making leather out of certain refuse and waste animal substances. A manufactory of this nature has been established near Vienna. No part of the process is explained, only it is said that the substance is at one time in a complete state of fluidity, and may then be cast into shoes, boots, and other articles of dress. Puzzle for Genealogists. At a christening in the parish of Plymstock, a short time since, there were present two godfathers and two godmothers, two grandfathers and two grandmothers, three fathers and three mothers, three husbands and three wives, two uncles and two aunts, two sons and one daughter, two cousins and one grandson, one brother and one sister, two fathers-in-law and two mothers-in-law, two brothers-in-law and two sisters-inlaw, one son-in-law and one daughter-in-law, though the whole party consisted only of seven persons. WHEN WILD WAR'S DEADLY BLAST WAS BLOWN. THE WORDS BY ROBERT BURNS. This Air originally appeared in the Manchester Iris, a publication which has been discontinued for a considerable time. We believe it never appeared in any other publication. To John Gotlieb Ulrich, of Bucklersbury, London, upon the subject of gymnastics; it calls the atten chronometer-maker, for improvements in chronometers. the town in which we live to a measure of consis 25th March.-6 months. HYGE Gymnastics for youth, translated from the Germ C. G. Saltzmann. London: printed for Johnson, 18 We believe we may state, with perfect confidence, that To Aaron Jennins and John Belteridge, both of Bir-importance to the health and welfare of the young the problem has been solved, in regard to the hitherto inys-mingham, japanners, for improvements in the method of of the community. All that I could offer on this terious course of the Niger, and solved, too, by a native of preparing and working pearl-shell into various forms and has been so well said in an excellent work on the Dumfriesshire, Lieutenant Clapperton of the royal navy. devices, for the purpose of applying it to ornamental uses not so much known and valued as it ought to be, Our information on the subject is too scanty to admit of in the manufacture of japan ware and other articles.-29th shall make a few extracts for insertion in your mise our giving any details; but one most important fact has March.-6 months. been ascertained, namely, that the Niger falls into the sea, with the earnest hope of exciting further interest in contrary to the hypothesis of more than one eminent geo: sirable a project. Yours, &c. grapher. At one point of his pilgrimage in the cause of science, the intrepid traveller was within four days' journey of the spot where Mungo Park breathed his last; and, in dependently of the great geographical discovery he has made, will doubtless be able, from the information he must have gained, to throw much light on an event, To James Haumer Baker, of Antigua, (now residing If we harden the body more, it will acquire more which, even up to this moment, interests the feelings of every man in Britain. In a hurried note, written to a rela- in St. Martin's-lane) for improvements in dyeing and ca- bility and firmness of nerve; if we exercit it, it will tive in this country, not one word is said respecting Tim-lico-printing by the use of certain vegetable materials.come strong and active; in this state i will invite buctoo; but, from what was formerly stated, in regard to 29th March. 6 months. mind-it will render it manly, energetic, indefatigabl his researches in the same direction, we think it more than To Maurice de Jongh, of Warrington, cotton-spinner, firm, and courageous. probable that he has also visited the far-famed capital of for improvements in spinning machines, and mules, jenAll this is to be accomplished by edging the bo central Africa. But upon this and all other points con-nies, slubbers, &c.-29th March.-6 months. more hardly, and in particular by exercising i nected with the expedition, we must patiently wait for To Edward Sheppard, of Uley, Gloucestershire, clothier, Thus, at the end of the polished eighteenth cent those communications which will, doubtless, soon be made and Alfred Flint, of the same place, engineer, for im- I venture to recommend to my contemporaries what through the public offices. The last letters from Lieut.provements in machinery for raising the wool or pile on antiquity and unmerited neglect have rendered Clapperton were dated from Mourzouk, the capital of woollen or other cloths by points, also applicable to brush-careless of the reception it may meet from the plaider Fezzan, on the 25th November, 1824. He was then on ing, smoothing, and dressing cloths. 29th March.-2 the beaten tract. The voices of many nations, his return to Tripoli, having happily accomplished the ob- months. tutors, of many great physicians, and, what is jects of his mission; and, though his health has suffered, To Thomas Parkin, of Bache's-row, City Road, Mid. of sound reason, are in its favour; and before the from the rigour of the climate and the terrible fatigues to dlesex, merchant, for a mode of paving parts of public and fashion must ultimately bow the head. which he was exposed, we hope shortly to hear of his safe roads, whereby the draft of waggons, carts, coaches, and It is inconceivable how, in the long series d arrival in England. Mr. Clapperton was born in the other carriages is facilitated.-29th March.-6 months. during which an acquaintance with ancient Gree town of Annan, in this county, and is descended from a To Rudolphe Cabanel, of Melina-place, Westminster Rome has been cultivated, the excellent princi man eminent for his attainments in general science. Like Road, Lambeth, engineer, for improvements on engines physical education pursued in those countries, our townsman, Dr. Richardson, he is in the prime of life, or machinery for raising water, part of which machinery course, the accounts of their gymnastic r possesses all the qualities of an accomplished traveller, is applicable to other useful purposes. 30th March.-6 been read and re-read in every school, and y and has served his country in various parts of the world. months. without any thing being introduced from them In stature, he is about five feet eleven inches high, patient To John Heathcoat, of Tiverton, Devon, lace-manu- education of the day. The experience of many of fatigue, capable of enduring great privation, vigorous, facturer, for improved methods of figuring or ornament- convinced me of the great benefit that accrues b handsome, athletic, and daring and intrepid in a high de-ing various goods manufactured from silk, cotton, flax, &c. and mind from daily exercise: but we do gree. These are qualities that have made Humboldt the 31st March.-6 months. conviction: it is well known that our youth an most renowned traveller in the world: and to those Dumtoo tenderly and inactively, that they sit too m they cannot uninterruptedly pursue mental lab that in consequence their bodies likewise must action; that, among a thousand families, scarcely find occupations for their children when the school are ended, and that, of course, this leisure time i most part spent idly, or to no useful end. Era dispensible. If these be not prepared for childre respect alone bodily exercises are highly useful, will commonly choose such as are dangerous, a quate to any valuable purpose, if listless idlenes b their unfortunate lot. But few parents or master quainted with proper exercises; assuredly, ther practical guide to such will be a less superfluous |