for the general information of the public, and, at the same time, be sufficiently scientific for all the objects of the institution. Professor Jameson's, erected upon the system of the illustrious Werner, has been found best calculated to effect these objects; more especially as it will permit accumulations to be thrown into the respective families or groups of which it is composed, without deranging the series. But as no system of mineralogy, strictly speaking, embraces the numerous aggregates so extensively scattered throughout the regions of the earth, a class has been appended to the four forming the system of Jameson, for the purpose of comprehending them, and of making the arrangement complete. All the objects, therefore, forming this department of the museum are arranged under the five following classes: 1. Earthy minerals; 2. Saline minerals; 3. Inflammable minerals; 4. Metallic minerals; . Aggregates. Under each of these classes there is an instructive assemblage of specimens. With regard to aggregates, it is observed that isolated specimens are of themselves of but little value; but when in assemblage with a natural series of bodies mutually related they become singularly interesting and instructive. It is therefore hoped that the lovers of science, possessing objects of this description, will favour the institution, by presenting such as they may have, to be arranged with this collection. The Society is largely indebted to Dr. Carter and Mr. Alderman Browne, who have considerably augmented the number of European specimens; and to General Miller of Wingham, for a valuable case of South American minerals. — The museum is rich in fossils, from the gigantic ammoth to the minute zoophyte. During the formation of the new road at Boughton Hill, a period of nearly four years, a great number of fossils were found through the unremitting industry of Mr. H.Wrighte, which he has since presented to the Society. Amongst them is a common hazel nut, so perfectly mineralised that sparks may be elicited from it by concussion with flint or metal. This specimen was seen by the late Dr. Clarke, Professor of Mineralogy at Cambridge, and pronounced by him to be perfectly unique. One of the most interesting is the strobilus, or cone, of some tree of the fir or cypress family, with its footstalk: it looks as perfect in its detail as if fresh from the tree; as do also the catkins of some of the amentaceous trees. Amongst the fossils is a lobster, remarkable as being one of the most perfect specimens hitherto met with. It was very highly valued by its late possessor, and has been eagerly enquired for by the scientific who have visited the present institution. It does not appear to differ in any particular from the species at present used as an article of food. There are a collection of dried specimens of plants, and several vegetable skeletons principally executed by Mr. Crow.-In the conchological department there is a complete collection of British shells, presented by Henry Boys, Esq., of Eastry. The present collection of insects has been arranged on the system of Linnæus, as being the most simple, though it must be acknowledged that some of the genera of the order A'ptera contain insects that ought to have been referred by him to other classes. Later naturalists have done this, and it is intended to arrange the present collection again, for this purpose, at some future period. The birds are arranged according to the Linnean classification, and are exhibited as they stand in the Systema Naturæ. The foregoing slight outline of a museum, which bids fair to rival any provincial museum in the kingdom, we have been enabled to give through the kindness of the curator, Mr. William Masters, F.H.S. - Chatham Philosophical and Literary Institution.-At the Annual Meeting of the shareholders, held at the Sun Tavern, Chatham, on Tuesday the 29th of September, 1828, W. A. Davies, M.D. V.P., in the chair; the Secretary, Mr. T. Baldock, read the report of the Committee, and the Treasurer, Mr. T. Atkinson, the accounts for the past year. The Curator read the list of the donations presented to the museum during the year. Officers were elected for the year ensuing, and various resolutions passed. From the report of the Committee, we find that the library contains upwards of 600 volumes, 200 of which have been purchased by direction of the Committee, at the expense of 96l. These include several standard and voluminous works, indispensable to a public library. The remainder of the library is composed of volumes presented by proprietors, annual subscribers, and friends to the Institution; and amongst them there are many works adorning English literature, which could not have been expected thus early upon the shelves without the assistance of those proprietors, who have taken so effectual a method of demonstrating their anxiety for the prosperity of the Institution. In addition to the above works, the reading-room has been regularly supplied with all the most useful reviews and magazines. The museum contains upwards of 2000 specimens of natural history, &c., many of them of great rarity and value. Upon the general affairs and future prospects of the Institution, the Committee can speak with great pleasure; and “ they cannot close their labours without a cordial expression of their gratification at the success which has thus far attended the Institution. They have a confident hope that, by the collective and individual exertion of the proprietors, and by unanimity amongst those to whom the direction of the affairs is intrusted, every prospect that was, in the first instance, contemplated, will be fully and speedily realised.” — ¶ ESSEX. Plants collected by the Rev. S. Palmer of Chigwell, Essex. The rather uncommon marked with a star (*), the more rare with a cross (†).+Melampyrum cristàtum: this rare plant was gathered in a wood between Linton and Saffron Walden. *Thymus Népeta, near Audley End. Verónica scutellàta, officinalis, spicata, Epping Forest, near Thoydon. Lycopus europæ`us, common in ditches in the neighbourhood of Chigwell. Bidens tripartita and cérnua, common in ditches in the neighbourhood of Chigwell. Eupatorium cannábinum, common in ditches in the neighbourhood of Chigwell. +Aspídium Thelypteris, Filix Mas, aculeàtum, and lobàtum, common in ditches in the neighbourhood of Chigwell. Pìcris echiöìdes and hieracioìdes, common in ditches in the neighbourhood of Chigwell. Lysimachia némorum, Hainault Forest, near Chigwell Row. *Verbáscum Blattària, Epping Forest, near Loughton. Tormentilla réptans, hedges, Mr. Palmer's, Chigwell. *Antirrhinum Elatine, common in ditches in the neighbourhood of Chigwell. +Thláspi arvénsis, on a dunghill in the lane leading to Hainault Forest from Abridge. +Bártsia alpina, Epping Forest, near Thoydon. Hypéricum +Androsæ mum, *púlchrum, humifùsum, and other plants of the same family, Hainault Forest. Verbena officinalis, Loughton Hall. +Tordýlium officinàle, in a field by the lane leading from Thoydon to Loughton. Astragalus hypoglóttis, Forest, near Woodford Bridge. It is evident, from the above list, that a more promising field than this neighbourhood, for botanical researches, will not be found in the vicinity of London. I did not commence my search till after the middle of September, before which time many flowers had disappeared; but, from what has been accomplished, an estimate may be formed of what remains to be done when the proper season arrives. These forests, with the neighbouring country, afford great diversity of soil, and endless variety of shade, exposure, and surface. Numerous marsh and aquatic plants grow about the rivers Lea and Rodon; besides, there are many purling streams, in various parts of the forest, whose deep margins and turfy banks will amply gratify, with their modest beauties, the most enthusiastic admirer of flowers and sylvan scenery.-S. P. Sept. 1828. HERTFORDSHIRE. Plants collected by the Rev. S. Palmer of Chigwell, Essex. The rather uncommon marked with a star (*), the more rare with a cross (†).— Aspérula odoràta, common in a copse near Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead. Menyánthes trifoliàta, marshes near Two Waters. Campánula hybrida, corn fields, Hemel Hempstead; this is the original of the favourite garden annual, Venus's Looking-Glass. *Hyoscyamus niger, roadside near the Swan, below Two Waters. *Narcíssus Pseudo-Narcissus grows spontaneously in the meadows near Leverstock Green. *Pàris quadrifòlia, Hon. Ryder's park, near Hemel Hempstead. +Tragopogon porrifolius, edges of fields near Hemel Hempstead. O'rchis bifòlia, copses near Hemel Hempstead. *O'phrys muscífera and apífera, on the chalk bank of a field between the Swan and the Hon. Ryder's Park. *O`phrys aranífera was found in a copse near a brick-work, on the side of the lane leading from Two Waters to Leverstock Green. - S. P. Sept. 1828. HUNTINGDONSHire. Plant collected by the Rev. S. Palmer of Chigwell, Essex.- - Stratiòtes alöìdes, ditches near Molesworth.-S. P. Sept. 1828. CAMBRIDGESHIRE. The Cambridge Philosophical Society have lately purchased an extensive collection of British birds. The money for the purpose was raised by subscription; and it is highly gratifying to observe that nine tenths of the subscribers are clergymen. The wild Cochineal Insect found in the Botanic Garden at Cambridge. Dr. Gorman discovered, a few weeks ago, the Gròna sylvestris, or wild species of the cochineal, living among the leaves of the coffee plants, the acacia, &c., in the botanic garden at Cambridge. This is the kermes, or gronilla of Spain, about which so much has been said; some endeavouring to identify it with the Grona fina, and others as strenuously denying such identity. At all events, this is the same species as the gronilla found on the leaves of the green oaks in the Ronda Marisca, in Andalusia; and, in some years, large and valuable crops of the gronilla are gathered in that part of Spain by the peasantry, and sold to the Moors to dye their scarlet. The gardener at Cambridge could not inform Dr. Gorman how long the insects had been there, or whence they came; but they went there by the appellation of " Amelca bug." The gardener found these insects very destructive to plants upon which they fastened; and although he tried every means, short of injuring the plants, to remove them, he found it impossible, as they adhere to the leaves and parts of the stem with such tenacity, and are so prolific, that the young ones are often found spreading themselves over the neighbouring plants. On this account, it would be worth while to attempt the cultivation of the prickly pear in the open air in this country, and place the insects upon them; for, in all probability, the insects would, by good management, do well. — A Traveller, in the Times, January 26. 1829. Plants collected by the Rev. S. Palmer of Chigwell, Essex. - Delphinium Consólida, corn fields on the roads between Loham and Fordham. Centaurèa Calcítrapa, near Newmarket. Bùtomus umbellàtus, ditches near Chatteris.-S. P. Sept. 1828. SUFFOLK. Bungay Botanical Society.This Society was established in April 8. 1826Its rules have been transmitted to us, and from them we learn that the members meet once a month, at 7 o'clock in the evening from April 1. to October 51., and at 6 o'clock from November 1. to March 31. At each meeting every member pays eight-pence to the treasurer, to form a fund for the purchase of books, for the expenses of the annual feast, &c. Members are admitted by ballot. The feast is held on the Tuesday preceding the longest day, when 5s. is allowed to each member, for that purpose, from the fund. Members may invite friends, on giving due notice to the president, and paying 5s. for such admission. The money remaining, after the expenses of the feast and other contingencies are disbursed, is laid out in books, which are kept for the use of the members. When any plants are brought to the meeting, they are shown to the members; and those who state their correct names in writing are entitled to a mark. The member who gets most marks is chosen president for the following year, and vicepresident for the one succeeding; and, while in office, he is expected to give the members every information in his power, without claiming any marks for himself. No more than thirty members are allowed to belong to the Society at one time, and while four attend its meetings it is to remain undissolved. Expulsion of members, alterations in rules, &c., are decided, as usual, by majorities. We observe that a Hortus Siccus was to be commenced on the formation of the Society, and kept with the books, for the inspection of the members. -¶ The Discovery of Plants varying with white Flowers seems to be quite fashionable, and I must, of course, do something in that way. A short time since a friend of mine took me to two meadows about five miles from this place, in which there was a profusion of the Cólchicum autumnàle, and the variety with white flowers was equally abundant with the purple. It was a truly delightful spectacle. Daniel Stock. Bungay, Nov. 17. 1828. Triòdia procumbens. — I have also, since I wrote to you last, found a grass growing on Bungay Common, which was new to me and to our botanists here; it was the Triòdia procumbens of Smith, in tolerable abundance. - Id. GLOUCESTERSHire. A White Rook, in full feather, was taken at Eyford rookery, on the estate of Vernon Dolphin, Esq. The eyes were blue, with two white rings, and the legs and bill perfectly white, as well as the body. — Cheltenham Chronicle, May. HEREFORDSHIRE. Picus minor.-You mentioned in your Magazine (Vol. I. p. 395.) the Picus mìnor as being a rare bird. In the large oak groves of Herefordshire it abounds, and may constantly be heard emitting its jarring note, though difficult to be seen. - William Henry Hill. Newland, Gloucestershire, Sept. 10. 1828. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Plants collected by the Rev. S. Palmer, the rather uncommon marked with a star (*). Hyoscyamus niger, Barnwell, All Saints, near Oundle. A'tropa Belladonna, road-sides near Peterborough, also in Blatherwicke Park, at Kingscliffe. *Cynoglossum sylvaticum, the same. *Aquilègia vulgàris, woods between Wansford and Kingscliffe. *Datùra Stramònium, Blatherwicke. *Sambùcus E'bulus, Rockingham Forest, near Kirby House. — S. P. NORTHUMBERland. Newcastle upon Tyne Literary and Philosophical Society. - The Museum Committee commence their Report for May, 1827, by informing the So ciety, that, in consequence of the acquisition, by Mr. Fox, of the original manuscript catalogue of the museum, they have it in their power to contradict the report that only a part of the museum had come into the possession of the Society. Considering the real value of the museum to depend upon the facility it affords to students to acquire knowledge with ease and precision; and that to become thoroughly acquainted with British, is the sure road to the more extensive field of foreign, natural history, the Committee have particularly directed their attention to the obtaining and arrangement of the productions of this kingdom; and with this view they had printed and circulated a list of desiderata of British birds. By this measure 26 species, out of 115 which were wanting, were almost immediately procured, and the ornithologist may now have an opportunity, by inspecting the collection, of ascertaining above two thirds of the British species, besides several varieties, and 152 species of foreign birds. Of the British shells, two thirds have been presented and are arranged in the cabinets, together with a considerable number of exotic specimens, and some corallines; and one half of the phænogamous plants may be consulted in the herbarium. In the geological department the museum is rich, possessing not less than 3000 specimens; and the Committee feel warranted in saying, that there is scarcely a formation in the kingdom which has not contributed to the collection. In this department, as well as that of the plants, the museum also possesses several foreign specimens. Independently of the British, there have been arranged into genera, by the curator and other gentlemen conversant with the subject, nearly 1000 foreign species of insects; and, in consequence of the very liberal donation of jars, by the Northumberland Glass Company, the valuable collection of reptiles and snakes will, by the same assistance, be also ready for inspection in a short time. The Committee conclude by stating the decisive opinion of Mr. Sabine, whose knowledge in these branches of science few will venture to dispute, that the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne had done great service to naturalists in general, by preserving entire so curious and valuable a collection as the Wycliffe museum, and to those of this district in particular, where these specimens are now safely deposited. 126 distinct presents have been made to the museum since the last anniversary, many of them containing a great variety of subjects of natural history; in all, amounting to considerably above 200. The following is the list of desiderata:-Land Birds. Ring-tailed eagle, Falco fúlvus; Honey buzzard, Fálco apivorus; Goshawk, Falco palumbàrius; Lanner, Falco lanàrius; Spotted falcon Penn., Fálco versícolor; Ashcoloured falcon, Fálco cineràrius; Woodchat, Lànius rùfus; Mountain bunting, Emberìza montàna; Lapland finch, Emberiza calcaràta; Parrot crossbill, Lóxia Pytiopsittacus; Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa Grisola; Rock lark, Anthus aquáticus; Dusky lark, Alaúda obscùra; Richard's pipit, A'nthus Richárdi; Red lark, Alaúda rùbra; Grasshopper warbler, Sylvia Locustélla; Reed warbler, Sylvia arundinacea; Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia Sylviélla; Wheatear, Sylvia Enánthe; Alpine warbler, Accéntor alpinus; Crested titmouse, Pàrus cristàtus; Rock dove, Colúmba Lívia. —Water Birds. Black stork, Ardea nìgra; Crane, Ardea Grús; Gardenian heron, Ardea Gardèni; Purple heron, Ardea purpurea; Squacco heron, Ardea comata; Little egret, Ardea Garzétta; Great white heron, Ardea álba; Freckled white heron, Ardea lentiginòsa; Cayenne night heron, Ardea cayanénsis; Ibis, Tantalus fancinéllus; Pygmy curlew, Numènius pygmæ'us; Curlew dunlin, Trínga subarquàta; Temminck's knot, Trínga Temminckii; Little stint, |