canary's life at from sixteen to twenty years. This has reference only to a state of celibacy. Those birds, on whom devolve the cares inseparable from large and rapidly-increasing families, rarely live half that number of years; and it must be borne in mind that the song of a canary, in wedded life, degenerates from the day of his espousals. He never afterwards sings so long together, nor so sweetly. In sober truth, his value as a 66 songster " is altogether lost. Hence the necessity, or rather the prudence, of selecting a male bird for his fair proportions, color, and health, principally. As for song, never fear his progeny being found deficient in this matter. There are infallible methods of making them all first-rate, as we shall

show.

One very great vulgar error that exists among the million about the rearing of birds, requires removing. We mean their recognition of "February 14" as being the "pairing time" for birds, and the signal for putting them up in cages to breed. In such a climate as England, what is the necessary consequence of such a step? Why this: the hens build their nests, lay their eggs, sit their thirteen days, hatch their young; and when the latter come forth, the chilliness of the weather either kills them at once, or compels them to be reared, like hothouse plants, in the close vicinity of a blazing fire. This fact sufficiently accounts for the puny apologies for birds which we see from time to time in the families where we visit.

The earliest period that common prudence would sanction for birds being put up is the latter end of April. If perchance the month of May should prove fine and warm -we just remember such an occasional treat, why, then, your birds will thrive nobly; and you will not deplore your want of success. Nothing can be more galling to a lover of birds, after all his wariness, watchfulness, and anxiety-than to find his expectations cut off, and the whole process of incubation to have again to be gone through. We want to establish a rational mode of proceeding, and we trust our readers will kindly bear with us, while we so earnestly urge its adoption.

(To be Continued.)

PHRENOLOGY FOR THE MILLION.

"He who opposes his own judgment against the consent of the times, ought to be backed with UNANSWERABLE TRUTHS; and he who has TRUTH on his side is a fool, as well as a Coward, if he is afraid to own it because of the currency or multitude of OTHER MEN'S OPINIONS."DEFOE,

No. VIII. THE LIFE OF DR. GALL. ANOTHER faculty which Gall possessed in a remarkable degree, as his organisation shows, was

that of Elevation, Pride, or a high opinion of one's self. We will here quote a remarkable passage, where, in speaking of that organ, he has "There are certain men,' delineated himself.

says he, "with minds sufficiently strong, who are so deeply impressed with a sense of their own how to repel every external influence which value,and so independent withal, that they know tends to subject them. As far as practicable, they choose the freest countries to live in, and devote themselves to an employment that renders them independent and exempts them from the caprices and favor of the great. That domination over their inferiors, which becomes slavery under an absolute master, would be insupportable to them. The honors and distinctions that are withheld from merit, while they are lavished on insignificant men, are but humiliations in their eyes. If they prosper, it is only by their own efforts; like the oak, they are sustained by their own strength, and it is to their own resources that they would be indebted for all they possess." He was in fact, proud and independent. He never was anxious for titles, and cheerfully practised the profession of medicine. As a political man, he loved liberty and good laws.

There is another innate sentiment, Vanity,

Ambition, Love of Glory, approaching the preit, which was feeble in Gall. We always obceding in its nature, but still quite distinct from served him to be indifferent to the praise and approbation of the multitude, as he was also to their blame and ridicule. He labored for the love of science, and under the conviction that his ideas would triumph in the end. We could recall a thousand anecdotes to prove that his vanity was not very susceptible. How many times have we seen him laugh at the squibs of the little journals, and unaffectedly despise the gross abuse which they heaped upon him. Let us cite one fact which will answer for many others. Gall had lived for some time at Berlin, with the celebrated poet Kotzebue, who profited by the occasion to learn of him the technical terms of his science, and such ideas and principles as he could best turn to ridicule. He composed his play, "Craniomania," which was immediately performed at the theatre in Berlin, and Gall at tended the first representation, and laughed as heartily as any of them.

66

Caution," by means of which the effects of our actions are referred to the future, which sometimes renders us distrustful of the world and indecisive in forming our resolutions, was very strong in Gall. Observe what a fulness the head presents in its superior posterior lateral region. Gall proceeded with extreme prudence in every step; he was distrustful, and much disposed to give credit to bad insinuations against his friends and acquaintances, and would rather break with any one than live in the disquietude of doubt. He often said, that it is more difficult to sustain a reputation than to create one, and that we must always act as if making the first efforts to render ourselves known.

Let us now pass to the faculties whose organs are situated in the anterior part of the head, beginning with the sense of the memory of things (Individuality). This sense is the source of

possessed it in a moderate degree, but it was not one of his most remarkable faculties.

He easily forgot whatever had no connection with his doctrines, or with any of his predominant faculties.

It was the same with the faculty of local memory (Locality). We will once more leave him to speak for himself. "My taste for natural history," said he, "often led me into the woods, for the purpose of ensnaring birds or taking them in their nests. In the latter object I was very fortunate, because I had often observed, towards which of the cardinal points each species were accustomed to build their nests. I should have succeeded equally well by disposing my nets properly, because I was in the habit of ascertaining the district the bird frequented, by his song, and his movements; but when, after a week or fortnight, I went to find what birds had been taken, or to carry off a nest, it was often impossible for me to find the tree I had marked, or the nets I had placed." He also forgot the residence of his patients whom he had frequently visited in his carriage, and had considerable difficulty in remembering in what storey of the building they lived. He was ignorant of geography, and whenever he looked upon a map he found something new, though he had observed it a thousand times before. So we may be sure, that if he travelled, it was not from taste, but with the sole object of propagating his doctrines. If it be true, as we believe it is, that there is an organ of " Order," Gall was absolutely destitute of it. The arrangement of his house was a curiosity. He said it was order to him. Let one imagine to himself, huddled together in his bureau-drawers, for instance, old journals, quittances, quack advertisements, letters from distinguished men, pamphlets, nuts, pieces of gold, silver, and copper, and packets of seeds. We have seen him take up a bundle of these papers, and shake out from them the money he happened to need. In this manner he kept his records and his desk.

Weaker still was his fiemory of persons. "This faculty," said he, "is too feeble in me, and the defect of it has, all my life-time, caused me a thousand troubles. When I rise from the table, I cannot distinguish either man or woman who sat by my side during the meal." In verbal memory, Gall was also deficient. At school he never could learn his lessons, and when the task was one that exercised the memory, he was always surpassed by his school-fellows, whom he excelled in original composition.

The organ of the sense of language, which gives the talent of philology, was a little better developed. He knew, besides his own, the Latin, and French language, which he wrote and spoke with facility, though defective in pronunciation, and had some knowledge of English and Italian. He had a strong dislike, however, for questions about mere words, grammatical discussions, compilations, and works of that kind.

The sense of the relations of Colors, which is one of the fundamental qualities indispensable to the painter, was absolutely wanting in Gall. He was obliged to depend upon the opinions of his friends, whenever he treated of painters or paint

pronounce an erroneous judgment which the critics never failed to remind him of. As for his taste, he was fond of those brilliant porcelainlike pictures of modern times; and when in a gallery, he bestowed his attention on portraits, and especially on those of women when painted in a classical style.

As he was a poor judge of paintings, so was he as poor an amateur in music. He generally got wearied at the Opera or Concert; but a woman's voice in conversation he said, was very agreeable.

He was no more apt in the science of numbers; every kind of numerical calculation fatigued him, and we believe we never saw him go through a process in simple multiplication or division that was at all complicated. He knew nothing of geometry, nor the problems of mathematics. What a contrast to those philosophers who make this same science the basis of all positive knowledge!

In mechanics, architecture, and the arts, he was no happier than in calculation, music, and painting. We will only remark, that the execution of the Plates of his great work, after Spurzheim ceased to overlook them, was detestable, which would not have been the case if Gall had possessed the slightest knowledge of design, or of the arts in general.

Having thus finished our notice of the organs situated in the lower part of the forehead, it remains for us to examine those higher faculties whose organs are placed in the upper part of that region. It is these that gave Gall his eminence over the generality of men.

That comparative sagacity, by means of which we promptly discern the relations of agreement and disagreement between the objects of our examination, and are led to search for affinities, comparisons, and similes, was very strong in Gall. Accordingly, you will observe that not only were all his researches but a continual comparison of organisation with faculties, and of the faculties of man with those of other animals, but that he also employed this method in his familiar conversations and public lectures, whenever he was particularly anxious to impress his ideas on the minds of others.

The following interesting account of an interview with Gall was published in the "Birmingham Gazette," and may serve to give the reader some idea of the habits of the philosopher at home.

"Most of us find some satisfaction in tracing on Fancy's tablet the portrait of a person of whom we have heard much, and particularly after we have read many of the works of an author, but with whom we have had no personal acquaintance. It generally happens, however, that our portrait is not correct, when we compare it with the original. Thus it was with myself. I found Dr. Gall (in 1826) to be a man of middle stature, of an outline well proportioned; he was thin and rather pallid, and possessed a capacious head and chest. The peculiar brilliancy of his penetrating eye left an indelible impression. His countenance was remarkable,-his features strongly marked and rather large, yet devoid of coarseness. The general impression

that a first glance was calculated to convey would be, that Dr. Gall was a man of originality and depth of mind, possessing much urbanity, with some self-esteem and inflexibility of design.

་

"After presenting my letters of introduction to him at seven o'clock, A. M., he showed me into a room, the walls of which were covered with bird-cages, and the floor with dogs, cats, &c. Observing that I was surprised at the number of his companions, he observed, All you Englishmen take me for a bird-catcher; I am sure you feel surprised that I am not somewhat differently made to any of you, and that I should employ my time in talking to birds. Birds, Sir, differ in their dispositions like men; aud if they were but of more consequence, the peculiarity of their characters would have been as well delineated. Do you think,' said he, turning his eyes to two beautiful dogs at his feet, that were endeavoring to gain his attention, Do you think that these little pets possess pride and vanity like man?' Yes,' said I, 'I have remarked their vanity frequently.' We will call both feelings into action,' said he. He then caressed the whelp, and took it into his arms; 'Mark, his mother's offended pride,' said he, as she was walking quietly across the chamber to her mat: do you think she will come if I call her?' Oh yes,' I answered. No, not at all.' He made the attempt; but she heeded not the hand she had so earnestly endeavored to lick but an instant before. She will not speak to me to-day,' said the doctor. He then described to me the peculiarity of many of his birds; and I was astonished to find, that he seemed familiar also with their dispositions (if I may be allowed the word). Do you think a man's time would be wasted thus in England? You are a wealthy and a powerful nation, and as long as the equilibrium exists between the two, so shall you remain; but this never has, nor cannot exist beyond a certain period. Such is your industry, stimulated by the love of gain, that your whole life is spun out before you are aware the wheel is turning; and so highly do you value commerce, that it stands in the place of selfknowledge, and an acquaintance with nature and her immense laboratory.'

"I was delighted with this conversation: he seemed to me to take a wider view in the contemplation of man than any other person with whom I had ever conversed. During breakfast, he frequently fed the little suitors, who approached as near as their iron bars would admit. You see they all know me,' said he, and will feed from my hand, except this blackbird, who must gain his morsel by stealth before he eats it; we will retire an instant, and in our absence he will take the bread.' On our return, we found he had secreted it in a corner of his cage. I mention these, otherwise uninteresting anecdotes, to show how much Dr. Gall had studied the peculiarities of the smaller animals. After our breakfast, he showed me his extensive collection; and thus ended my first visit to the greatest moral philosopher that Europe has produced; to a man, than whom few were ever more ridiculed, and few ever pursued their bent more determinately, despite its effects; to a man, who alone effected

more change in mental philosophy than perhaps any predecessor; to a man, who suffered more persecution, and yet possessed more philanthropy than most philosophers."

(To be Continued.)

SHELL-FISH.

Notes on the Crab.

IN the "Naturalist" for April, are some curious remarks on the CRAB, of which it appears there yet remains much to be known. We quite agree with Mr. John Dixon, the writer of the article we allude to, in hoping that our friends on the coast will tell us all they know of the habits of this singular animal; and it is with this view, we give extensive publicity to Mr. Dixon's Contribution: --

That the Crab does change its shell, admits of little doubt. We have the testimony of many eminent naturalists who have witnessed this singularity, together with the fact that specimens, devoid of shelly covering, have occasionally found their way into the fishreman's creels or pots. They are seldom brought to market in this state, but are cast overboard, being considered watery and insipid. In some parts of America, soft crabs are esteemed a delicacy. If we examine minutely the anatomical structure of this shelly covering, it will convince us that a frequent change is necessary for the full development of the body. This takes place several times in the course of a year, in young specimens, the growth at this period proceeding rapidly. On approaching maturity, it only takes place at long intervals, affording ample time for the full development of any testaceous body which may be attached. Mr. Ferguson's Crab must have been an adult specimen; the spat, or spawn of the oyster would in the course of twelve months become as large as a crown-piece; after which the dimensions increase more slowly, while the shelly matter is increasing in thickness. Mr. Couch, in one of his interesting communications to the "Magazine of Natural History," states he has found Öysters on the Crab two inches and a half in diameter. Several fine specimens with this singularity, are deposited in the British Museum. It is said the Crab is much attached to its native haunts. Many have been marked and deposited at considerable distances, and after some time had elapsed, were again captured in their old quarters. They occasionally attain a large size, as we may see from the many examples deposited in local museums. The largest I ever saw is at Walton Hall, the seat of Charles Waterton, Esq., the indefatigable and unrivalled taxidermist; dissected into sixty-six pieces, previous to mounting. Much has been written on the natural history of the Crab, but we are still in the dark on many interesting points. It is to be hoped our friends on the coast will fall into the views of "The Naturalist," and communicate such information as may occasionally reward their researches. Natural History appears to have received a new impulse; the numerous ad

CORRESPONDENTS Sending in any "facts" connected with Science or Natural History, are requested in every case to append their names and places of abode. In no instance, however, will their names be published with

out their express sanction. PRIVATE LETTERS.-Of these we daily receive such immense quantities, that we must really beg the

writers to excuse our not replying to them; our time being overwhelmingly occupied with PUBLIC duties. To obtain this Paper without any difficulty, our readers need only ORDER it to be sent to them by any of their local Booksellers or Newsvendors. It is published simultaneously with all the other weekly periodicals.

KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL.

Saturday, April 24, 1852.

EVERY DAY now reminds us that our long patience is about to reap its reward. We have perhaps some reason to rejoice, now that the day of trial is over, that we have had keen, biting winds from the north-east, and a succession of changeable weather. We have experienced much suffering; our deliverance will be the more highly prized. It is ever so with the moralist rising from the bed of sickness,-for strong, hearty folk, who never knew what sickness was, never can know the joys of recovery. We have known both; and the feeling lives with us never to be forgotten.

But let us see what now awaits us out of doors; for at this season we have no business in the house. Of course, we all rise early, to greet the morning sun; and enjoy a lovely walk before we sit down to the

morning meal. Every reader of our

JOURNAL either does, or must do this.

The first thing to admire now is, the

grass. How green it looks! how refreshing to the eye after so long an absence! And see the buds all swelling, and ready to burst into flower at the sun's bidding. The gorse is in full bloom! Along the hedge-rows, in the woods, and in the dells, the primroses

lie like sunshine, and breathe forth their delicious perfume. Cowslips abound all over the meadows; and daisies with their lovely frills, smile on us with all the modesty of their native purity. Bees are everywhere upon the wing, to gather sweets from the expanding flowers; and their sun-shiny hum gives ample evidence of their renewed happiness. Butterflies too have made their appearance; and several of the "birds of their have reached passage quarters. The "jug" of the "nightingale " greeted our ear some days since. These birds, be it known, hold our grounds as sacred. They build with us, and return regularly to the same quarters, year after year. We must soon attempt to sing their praises at greater length.

summer

The grand charm of this month, both in the open country and in the garden, is beyond all doubt the restoration of that beautiful color, green, which pervades all nature in every direction. Ön this, we should gaze our fill whilst we may,--for it lasts but a short time. Too soon will it merge into an endless variety of shades and tints that are equivalent to as many different colors. It is this, and the budding forth of every living member of the vegetable world after its long winter death, that constitutes our SPRING, and raises in us emotions known at no other period of the year.

We have remarked, that the general prevalence of refreshing green is the principal charm of Spring. It is so doubtless. But there is another charm, hardly less attractive, and that is, the bright flush of blossoms that prevails over and almost hides everything else in the fruit garden and orchard. What exquisite differences, distinctions, and resemblances there are between all the various blossoms of the fruit trees; and these are observable no less in their general effect than in their separate details. The almond tree, in its blushing attire, looks like a huge rose, magnified by fairy magic to deck the bosom of some fair giantess. The plum, peach, and nectarine too, are equally lovely. The blossoms of the two latter, now fast resolving themselves into fruit, look peculiarly pretty. They have all the appearance of growing out of a hard bare wall, or from a rough wooden paling.

Let us not take our leave of the blossoms of April, until we have done due honor to the cherry tree. What a sight have we here! What a luxuriance of flower,-what a promise of fruit! Who can regard without feelings of intense admiration this beautiful tree,-clasping its white honors all round the long straight branches from heel to point; and not letting a leaf or bit of stem be seen, except the three or four leaves that

come as a green finish at the extremity of each branch? But we hear the step of the printer's messenger,-our warning to halt. The other blossoms of the pears, and, loveliest of all lovely trees,-the apples, do not come to perfection until MAY. For these we can well afford to wait, seeing that we have so much to rejoice in meantime.

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Noble Character of the Newfoundland Dog.No Paper could be more suitable than your JOURNAL, for the record of all that is noble in the dog. I therefore feel pleasure in sending you an authenticated ancedote which has come into my possession, and which I should like to see registered in your columns. Although it is not a "novelty," it still possesses the strongest claims to attention. During the American war, when the animosity of our opponents was at its height, Sir Charles Asgill, a British officer, was taken prisoner by the Americans, on suspicion of his being a spy. He was moreover guarded with the utmost vigilance. A Newfoundland dog, the companion of his captivity, slept constantly at the foot of his bed. This had been his practice for some months. One memorable night, on his master retiring to rest, the dog placed himself directly across his body, so that no person could get access to him without his being first apprised of the intrusion. Sir Charles objecting to this mode of arrangement, removed the dog several times; but he as often returned to his former position. At length the thought struck Sir Charles, that the dog might have observed something suspicious in the neighborhood of his prison; and knowing that in his presumed character of a spy he could expect no mercy, he composed himself to rest, under his fidus Achates; anticipating his assassination in the night-a by no means uncommon fate for people in his situation. With morning dawn, a deputation arrived bearing his pardon, great interest in high quarters having been used to obtain it. The dog's vigilance had been aroused by the absence of the usual guards, and by certain doors being left open, which, until that evening, had always been bolted, barred, and guarded. The dog was brought to England, and kept by the mother of Sir Charles (Lady Asgill), as a valued member of the family. After living with them many years, he was eventually stolen, to the great grief of his mistress and all the household.-MARY M.

Habits of the Woodlark.-I have two woodlarks-in separate, adjoining rooms. One simply "calls" to the other, and does not yet even "record." The other sings, but not continuously, or even well. My complaint is about his annoying restlessness. Every night at 11- and not till 11 -he begins to get "the fidgets." He bolts up and down the cage, pecks at the wires, and knocks himself about, till he makes me nearly as wild as himself, and awfully ill-tempered. The up-shot is, I am driven from the room. My birds are in cages wired both at the back and in front. I want my birds to sing at night, but not to go periodically mad at the approach of midnight.

What shall I do with these birds, so as to get them quiet and in song?-D. O. T., Dublin.

[You must have patience with your birds. Woodlarks have queer tempers; and, like a noisy You can't drive them. When the weather gets wife, they must be humored, and well-managed. warm (if it ever means to do so), procure two proper woodlarks' cages, made of mahogany; and let the back be boarded. If the sides too were boarded half way up, it would be all the better; for these birds love and court retirement. The cages should be made on the model of a skylark's cage,-only smaller. When thus lodged, suspend them out of doors in a cheerful situation,-quite out of sight of each other, and almost out of hearing. This will bring them into a state of repose. Cover them up when the candle is introduced; for they hate shadows, and grow very timid after their first sleep. They will then roost quietly, and let you be quiet also. They will break out into song directly the weather gets warm, provided they be male birds, and they will continue singing until July. Give them some root-liquorice in their water, and occasionally a meal worm. After these, if there be any song in them, it will assuredly come out. them scraped chalk, and plenty of old, bruised mortar in their sand; and they will soon become saucy. Their song is so delightful, that no trouble can be too great to accelerate its development. A bright, blue, clear sky, has an irresistible charm that calls forth all their eloquence,-but pray guard against draughts.]

Give

Improved Bird Cages.-You have an excellent article in your JOURNAL (p. 74) about some cages, fashioned like those in the Zollverein department of the late Great Exhibition. It is written by a person whose initials are "J. C." Can you tell me where I can procure these cages?H. R.

[What you refer to is at present merely a suggestion. We marvel much at the want of ingenuity in our fellow countrymen, in the matter of bird cages. Any person of taste and energy, who would set his wits and his hands to work, might realise a very handsome fortune by the manufacture of improved bird cages. Those now in general use are frightfully inelegant, and every way unsuited to the comfort and requirements of the feathered race who are doomed to imprisonment.]

Sagacity in a Terrier. As the sagacity of dogs is always popularly interesting, the pages of KIDD'S JOURNAL should record a singular trait in the character of a terrier, belonging to Mr. Parker, of the George Inn, in Stroud. Mr. Peter Hawkins some years ago, directed my attention to the dog, which, in appearance, was remarkable only for his ugliness; being in color a dirty yellowish brown, bow-legged, and altogether the shape of the old-fashioned turnspit. A specimen of the genus may be seen in the Queen's kennel in Windsor Park, where indeed may be seen a specimen of every kind of dog. Mr. Parker's dog had an inveterate taste for catching rats, and that, in a mode entirely unique and peculiarly his own. The stables of the inn abutting on to the brook, afforded a