fices every day in this huge metropolis. The pearly hairs of a grandmother might thus become the means of augmenting the beauty and saving the life of the grandchild, by affording a pearl white of a delicacy of tint, and bland harmlessness, that cannot be equalled by any chemical preparation. To afsist those who wish to engage in this set of experiments, I shall make a few observations.

It ought to be remarked, that every colour that has been produced upon the substance on which the animal feeds, by means of a dye, must of necefsity be lighter in the pigment thus obtained than it appears upon the dye; for this good reason, that as the dye only covers the outside of each filament, without affecting the heart of it, which still continues of its native white; and, as the whole of the filament is eaten by the animal, it follows that the white of the heart blended with the dye of the surface of the filament must render the colour of the pigment always paler than the dye. The experimenter, therefore, if he wishes to have the full power of effect, must always choose deep shades of the colour he aims at. From the same considerations, it will appear obvious, that the finer the filament on which the creature feeds, the nearer will the pigment approach to the depth of shade of the dye; because in a large filament the internal parts of it will bear a much greater proportion to its surface than in the fine filament. If, for example, horse's hair and coney wool were dyed in the same vat, and of the same shade of any colour, the pigment thus produced from the coney wool would be of a much deeper shade than that obtained from

make choice of the finest materials that can be obtained in making these experiments.

Of course also, the black that is obtained from undyed black filaments will be purer and deeper (if the original black has been good) than can be obtained from filaments that have acquired their black tint by means of dying. The same observation will apply to undyed filaments of every colour that can be obtained. Hence the pigments made from native feathers of brilliant colours will be by far the richest that can be obtained. In this case, however, I proceed on the supposition, that all these native-coloured filaments are of the same colour internally as on the surface; but I do not know whether this has ever been experimentally proved to be so.

Nothing more need be added on this subject, unless it be to observe, that shearings of cloth, which is an article of no use that I know of at present, would be at the same time the best and the cheapest material for this manufacture; and, although it may appear to some persons, that the quantity of pigment that could be thus obtained must be very little, because the creature is itself of such a small size; yet these could be easily multiplied to such a degree, as to make the aggregate mafs very great. Indeed, it could always be increased in proportion to the quantity of food furnished to them; so that all the wool and hair, and feathers and fur in the kingdom could be thus applied if necessary, and if it could not be applied to other more valuable uses. Many articles of dress and furniture, it is obvious, could be applied to this use after they are totally unfit for any other purpose whatever, except to be thrown on the dunghill.

This is the Phalaena Tinea pellionella of Linn. Syst. Nat. page 888, n. 372. Linnæus describes three other species of Tinea equally destructive to woollen cloths and furs.

To the Editor of Recreations in Agriculture, &c.

SIR,

THERE are few things that appear to me so well calculated to afford an innocent recreation to the mind, as that of contemplating the objects of nature; and, though I have made but little progrefs in this study as yet, I feel that every step I advance, the pleasure it affords is the greater. The mind, when delighted, expands; and, when one is much pleased, the wish that others should participate in it is so strong, that one feels that pleasure divested of half its charms, if no one is to be found to whom it can be communicated. Such a sensation I strongly felt on reading lately an account of two little birds, which, appeared to me so interesting, that I could not help transcribing it, with a desire that others might participate with me in that pleasure, and if you will be so kind as to give it a place in your valuable miscellany, I shall take it as a particular favour. The author from whom I borrow it [Mr. Bonnet, in his contemplation de la nature] was a serious man, and a very acute observer of nature. The birds, he says, were a species of paroquet, known among bird fanciers by the name of Guinea sparrows,* and had been carefully observed for many years by a solitary gentleman, whose principal delight had been in observing the unsophis

ticated conduct of animals, and in contrasting them with the corrupted manners of man, which, in many instances, deviate so widely from those of nature. Excuse this trouble from

A YOUNG OBSERVER.

An instance of the conjugal affection of a pair of Guinea sparrows.

These two little birds were lodged in a square cage, such as are usually appropriated to that species of bird. The cup which contained their food was placed in the bottom of the cage. The male was almost continually seated on the same perch with the female. They sat always close together, and viewed each other, from time to time, with a tender air. If at any time they separated, it was only for a few instants, for they hastened to return and place themselves in their favoured position close to each other's side. Together they went to take food; and no sooner had they satisfied this want of nature, than they hastened together to the highest perch of the cage. From time to time they seemed to begin a sort of conversation, which they continued for some time in a low voice, and seemed to answer one another; they even varied the sounds in these little conversations, elevating and lowering their voice occasionally during its continuance. Sometimes they even seemed to quarrel; but these little quarrels were but of a momentary duration, and always terminated in additional tenderness, in which they were emulous who should most excel.

This happy couple passed thus four years of their life in a climate greatly different from that in which

they were born: but, at the end of that term, which was seemingly a long while for that kind of paroquet, the female fell into a state of languor, which had all the appearance of old age; her legs swelled, and there appeared upon them knots, as if the disease were of the nature of the gout. It was no longer possible for her to go to take her food as formerly; but the male, ever attentive and alert in whatever concerned her, went and brought it to her, carrying it in his bill, and emptying it into hers. He was thus her vigilant purveyor during the space of four months entire. The infirmities of his dear companion, however, increased every day; at length she was no longer able to sit upon the perch; she remained crouched at the bottom of the cage, and from time to time made a few useless efforts to regain the lower perch. The male, who remained perched close by her, seconded these her feeble efforts with all his power. Sometimes he seized with his bill the upper part of her wing, to try to draw her to him; sometimes he took her by the bill and tried to raise her up, reiterating his efforts for that purpose many times. His movements, his gestures, his countenance, his continual solicitude; every thing, in short, indicated in this interesting bird the ardent desire to aid the weakness of his companion, and to alleviate her sufferings. But the spectacle became still more interesting when the female was upon the point of expiring. Never was there seen among birds a more moving scene. The unfortunate male went round and round the expiring female without ceasing; he redoubled his afsiduities and tender cares; he tried to open her bill, with a view to give