The Sun.
London, England, 1824-02-12 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICE

A SUPPLEMENT to the APPENDIX to Capt. PARRY'S
VOYAGE for the DISCOVERY of a NORTH-WEST
PASSAGE, in the Years 1819-20. Containing an Ac
count of the Subjects of Natural History. Plates.
(Continued from yesterday's SUN.)
A Polar Bear was met with on the return of
the ships through Barrow's Straits, swimming in
the water .mid-way between the shores, which
were above forty miles apart; it became alarmed
and dived, but rose again speedily. Of the
Woolverence no living specimen was obtained;
and of the Ermine several were seen about Pos-
session Bay.
The Arctic Fox and Polar Hare were found
in all parts, and the latter proved extremely use-
ful, as provisions to the ships' companies. The
Hudson's Bay Lemming was also abundant on
the west side of Davis's Strait. The Musk Ox
inhabits the North Georgian Islands in the sum-
mer months, and was more difficult to approach,
and less numerous than the Rein Deer, only
three were killed, the weight of each exceeding
7001bs. yielding about 4001bs. of meat; the
head and skin weighed 1301b5.; and they stood
101 feet at the withers. The flesh was in gene•
ral liked, although tasting strongly of musk.
The Rein-deer also afforded an agreeable sup-
ply of fresh provisions, and twenty-four of them
were killed. A young male Walrus, not full
grown, was killed in Davis's Strait, being in
length from the nose to the extremity of the hind
flipper, two feet three inches, and weighed
1,384 lbs. A Narwhal was killed in Prince
Regent's inlet, which concludes the description
of the article. Of Birds there are the descrip-
tions of 32. Of the Snow Bunting attempts were
made to keep them on board the ships in cages
through the winter, and they soon apparently
were reconciled to the confinement, but did not
long survive the loss of liberty. Rock Grous and
Ptarmigau were also met with. The latter is the
Ptarmigan of Scotland. Wild Swans, Bunt
Geese, King, Eider, and long tailed Ducks, were
also met with. Of Fish only eight different
species are enumerated,all of which are minutely
described.
The land invertebrate animals, or insects, as
might be expected, are but few, and a short space
is allotted to their description. The Marine in.
vertebrate animals and shells, all of which are mi.
nuteiy described, conclude the zoological part of
the work. The Rock Specimens are fully de-
scribed, but want of room prevents our making
any extract, except the following one, which
shows that at one period those high northern lati-
cc The two specimens of sand-stone,
tudes enjoyed a different climate to what they
now possess.
" containing
the above mentioned secondary fos-
cc ails, are pretty similar in their appearance to
" those others brought from Melville Island,
`cwhich abound in vegetable remains, characte-
" istic of the coal sand-stone. These are, most
44 of them,
merely impressions and filmy carbo-
" naceous remnants of leaves (or ponds with ovate
" lanceolate leaflets), and stems, which, by their
cc placed oval marks, indicate, that the
pes belonged to the arborescent forms
cc which
regularlyroytt
owe observe in such great abundance in
" the coal sand-stone of more southern latitudes;
" a proof that the inhospitable hyperborean re-
" eion where they occur, at one time displayed
•'the noble scene or a luxuriant and stately vege-
" tation. There is also among the specimens of
" sand-stone from the same place, one bearing
" the irepression of a thin longitudinally-striated
" stem, not unlike that of some reed."
The Botanical part, with four well engraved
plates, finishes the Work ; which certainly now I
completes the whole of the account of the first
voyage, and displays the
zeal which all the offi-
cers and men employed upon that hazardous un-
dertaking evinced in the cause of science.

LEEDS.

COMMUTATION OF THE VICARIAL TITHES OF
THE PARISH OF LEEDS.
One thousand pounds are still required before
this very beneficial plan can be carried into effect; and we
do therefore most earnestly hope that those gentlemen who
have hitherto withheld their subscriptions, will view the
case in all its bearings, before they finally decide upon re-
fusing it their countenance and support. A munificent in-
dividual, who has long observed with pain the heart-burn-
ings and dissensions created between the Vicar and his
poorer parishioners, in consequence of the necessary enforce-
ment of his just claims to those mixed and personal tythes,
which, of course, constitute an important part of his yearly in-
come—volunteers, in a spirit of princely generosity, his
assistance to free the inhabitants of this town from the
burthen which they appear to have considered so exceedingly
grievous and oppressive. As a noble proof of his sincerity, he
comes forward with an unsolicited benefaction of seven thousand
pounds, to enable the parishioners to effect a commutation
which will exonerate them and their posterity from the further
payment of the obnoxious tithes in question. But the sum in-
dispensable for this purpose is about as much again as the
amount of Mr. Fountayne Wilson's splendid gift; and the
project therefore languishes for the present, because a popula-
don of 80,000 persons are unable, or rather unwilling, to raise
a fund for their own benefit, equivalent to that already vested
for their advantage by ONE disinterested individual ! Many
of the inhabitants of Leeds have subscribed, and some of
them very handsomely ; but a few of the principal proprietors
in the parish, and among them some of the Nobility, do not
as yet appear to have directed their attention to the subject—
This must have arisen, in most instances, from inadvert-
ence ; as common justice to his tenantry or fellow-towns-
men, as well as that sense of pride which is snore or less im-
planted in every breast, would, we should think, snake a gen-
tleman ashamed of standing indebted to his poorer dependents
for the redemption of tithes which he is so much better able
to commute himself. This system is reversing the order of
things with a witness to it ! It would be an indelible disgrace
to the town of Leeds if we were finally compelled to reject Mr.
Fountayne Wilson's magnificent offer, for want of a little liber-
ality on the part of the landed proprietors in the neighbour-
hood. Yet this appears to he the only alternative ; unless these
persons whose especial duty, as well as interest, it is to assist
in this 'labour of love,' will come forward as they ought to dc.'
—( Leeds listelligencer. )

THE BAYONET.—The use of the bayonet at
the end of the musket was instituted by Louis
XIV. ; before his time it was used occasionally,
and some companies only had this weapon ; there
was no uniform usage nor exercise with it ; all
was left to the General's discretion : the pike was
looked upon as the most formidable weapon.
The first regiment which had bayonets, and was
trained to this exercise, was that of the Fusileers,
established' in the year 1671.

The main pipes have been laying down for
several days past for lighting all the open spaces
in Somerset House with gas, with about 40 large
lamps. The works for lighting the towns of
Margate and Ramsgate with gas arc commencing.