Exampie, Phytotoma rara. Description, Habits, &c.-Molina describes the Rara or Parakeets. They build their nests, which are spacious and round, in little groups; and Le Vaillant affirms that they sleep suspended with their heads downwards, and that, when it is cold, they are found so benumbed in the morning, that they may be taken one after the other. The number of eggs is generally five or six, and the flesh of the birds is said to be delicate. (Lesson.) Example, Colius Senegalensis. (Latham.) Description.-Round the eye a naked, reddish skin; forehead yellow; colour pearl-grey, with greenish reflections; abdomen ruddy. This appears to be the Colius Quiriwa-the trivial name is taken probably from its note-of Le Vaillant; and the Coliou huppé du Sénégal of Buffon. Chilian Plant-cutter. Mr. Swainson observes that in Phytotoma the four toes appear to be arranged as in the Finches, but in Hyreus the toes are only three. He compares the size and entire aspect of Phytotoma to that of a Bullfinch. Colina. Colies. The only definition of this subfamily given by Mr. Swainson is, 'all the four toes placed forward,'* and the only genus contained in it is Colius. (Brisson and Gmelin.) Generic Character-Bill short, strong, conical, slightly compressed, entire, with the mandibles equal and the edges arched; nostrils rounded; nails arched and long, that of the hind-tee shortest; wings short; third quill longest; tail graduated and very long. Habits, Geographical Distribution, &c. of the Genus. The plumage of the species is soft and silky, and the colours generally sombre, whence they are called at the Cape, according to Le Vaillant, Oiseaux Souris (Mouse-birds). Africa and the East Indies are the localities where they have been found, the Colius viridis of Latham, said to from New Holland, belonging probably to another genus. The Colies are gregarious, live upon fruits, and are the scourges of gardens. They walk badly, but they climb almost continually on the branches of trees, where they hold on, assisting themselves with their bills like the Other authorities state that the hind-toe is versatile; and this would more accord with their climbing habits. Colius Senegalensis. Musophagina. Plantain-eaters. Three toes forward and one backward; the outer toe placed obliquely. (Sw.) Genera. Corythaix. (Ill.)` Generic Character.-Bill short, rather small, high, and greatly compressed. The frontal feathers reposing over and concealing the nostrils. Culmen high, curved to the tip. Lower mandible narrow; both mandibles distinctly notched three first quills graduated. Tail long, broad, rounded. at the tip and finely serrated. Wings short, rounded; the Feet short, strong. Middle toe longer than the tarsus; lateral toes equal, hind-toe shortest; external toe capable of being turned a quarter of the way backward. Claws short, thick, and much compressed. pally on soft fruits. The prevailing colour of these birds is The Touracos are most elegant birds, and feed princigreen, varied in some species with purple on the wings and tail. They are natives of Africa, where they perch on the highest branches of the forest trees, and thus keep out of gun-shot, as Le Vaillant found to his cost. Having at last succeeded in bringing one to the ground, he broke through into one of the covered pits which the Hotcould not find it, and, stamping in his rage at the loss, he elephants. This accident might have been fatal. When tentots employed to catch ferocious animals, particularly I recovered my first surprise,' says he, 'I began to consider how I should extricate myself from this embarrassment, ex tremely happy that I had not been impaled on the sharppointed stake placed in the bottom of the pit; and still happier that I found in it no company. I was however apprehensive that some might arrive every moment, especially if I should be obliged to remain there during the night. In this dilemma Le Vaillant fired his fusee at intervals; the shots at last were answered, and he was delivered by his Hottentots. But he did not forget his Touraco, and now, by the aid of his dogs, which had followed the Hottentots, found it squatted under a tufted bush. He afterwards laid snares for them on the fruit-trees, to which they resorted to feed, and took them alive. The following cuts will give but an imperfect idea of these elegant birds. Corythaix erythrolophus. Several specimens of Touracos are to be found in our museums, and there are at present (September, 1839) two (Corythaix Buffonii) living at the gardens of the Zoological Society, Regent's Park. Chizærhis. (Wagler.) Generic Character.-Bill large, high and thick at the base, compressed_beyond. Culmen thick, convex, considerably arched. Lower mandible not half so high as the upper; the tips of both deeply notched, with their margins finely crenated. Nostrils basal, placed close to the top of the bill, naked, lunular, and pierced in the substance of the bill. Wings lengthened; the four first quills graduated. Tail lengthened, slightly rounded; the tips very obtuse. Feet as in Corythaix. (Sw.) Example, Chizærhis variegata. phus of k; and for some Regent's Description.-Light grey above; a blackish stripe down each feather; front, top of the head, chin, and throat as far as the breast, chestnut-brown; under plumage beyond the breast white, but each feather with a dark middle stripe; primary and secondary quills blackish, with a spot of pure white varying in size in the middle of their inner webs; tertiaries and middle tail-feathers grey, tipt with black; lateral tail-feathers black; bill yellow; feet grey. Crest placed very far back on the nape. Total length about 20 inches. This appears to be the Touraco huppé-col of Le Vaillant; Phasianus Africanus of Latham, and Musophaga variegata of Vieillot. Locality, Africa. but the base enormously dilated, so as to spread like a casque or helmet over the fore part of the head as far as the crown, where its thickened sides form a semicircle. Nostrils naked, oval, open, placed nearer to the tip than to the eyes, and pierced in the substance of the bill. Wings, feet, and tail as in the Corythaix. (Sw.) Example, Musophaga violacea. Description.-Bill rich yellow, passing into crimson; orbits naked, and, like the compact velvetty feathers of the crown, glossy crimson; a white stripe beginning below the eye and extending above the ear; secondary and part of the primary quills carmine, with lilac reflections, margined and tipped with blackish violet, which is the general colour of the plumage, only that it changes into a very deep green on the under parts, and is very rich on the tail; legs strong and black; gape wide, opening beneath the eyes. This magnificent bird appears to be the Cuculus regius of Shaw. Locality, Africa: Gold Coast and Senegal. MUSQUASH, the Cree name for the Fiber Zibethicus of Cuvier (Ondatra of Lacépède), a genus belonging to the family Castoride. Dr. Richardson (Fauna Boreali-Americana) gives the following synonyms of this rodent: Rat-Musqué of Sagard Theodat; Castor Zibethicus of In a tract which has for its title 'A Perfect Description of Virginia, 1649, we find among the 'Beasts great and small, A Muske Rat, so called for his great sweetnesse and shape.' Chizærhis variegata. Musophaga. (Isert.) Generic Character.-Bill resembling that of Chizærhis; Teeth of Musquash. (F. Cuv.) Description.-Head short. Body thick and rather flat; legs very short; hind-feet large, not webbed.* Dark umber brown above; sides, anterior part of belly, middle of breast, lateral part of neck and cheeks, shining yellowish-brown; chin, throat, sides of the chest, and posterior part of the abdomen, ash-grey; tail compressed, convex on the sides, with its acute edges in a vertical plane, covered with a thin sleek coat of short hairs, which allow a number of small roundish scales, well separated from each other, and which, as well as the hair, are dusky-brown, to appear through them; acute margins of the tail (which is rather thicker in the middle than at the root, and tapers gradually from its middle to its extremity, which is not acute) covered with a close line of longer hairs dark brown on the upper edge and soiled white on the under one. Length of head and body 14 inches; of the tail 8 inches 6 lines. The fur, which much resembles that of the Beaver, but is shorter, resists the water during the life of the animal, but is easily wetted immediately after death. Habits; Utility to Man, Geographical Distribution, &c.-Charlevoix states that the Musk-Rat takes the field in Hearne erroneously says that the hind-feet are webbed. March, at which time its food consists of bits of wood, which it peels before it eats them. After the dissolving of the snows, he says that it lives upon the roots of nettles, and afterwards on the stalks and leaves of that plant. In summer it feeds on strawberries, &c., to which succeed the autumnal fruits. During this time, he states that the male and female are rarely seen asunder. According to the same author, they separate in winter, when each takes up its lodgings apart, in some hole or in the hollow of a tree, without any provision; and the Indians declared that not the least morsel of anything is eaten by them whilst the cold continues. 'They likewise,' adds Charlevoix, 'build cabins nearly in the form of those of the beavers, but far from being so well executed. As to their place of abode, it is always by the water-side, so that they have no need to build causeways. The flesh is tolerably good eating, except in the time of rut, at which season it is impossible to cure it of a relish of musk, which is far from being as agreeable to the taste as it is to the scent.' Dr. Richardson (Fauna Boreali-Americana), from whom the abridged description is taken, and to whose details we refer the reader, states that the Musquashes vary considerably in size, and that though they have a strong musky smell, particularly the males, in spring, their flesh, which somewhat resembles flabby pork, is eaten by the Indians, who prize it for a time when it is fat, but soon tire of it. They have, according to this author, three litters in the course of the summer, producing from three to seven at a litter, in 55° N. lat., and begin to breed before they attain their full growth. Great numbers are destroyed by the inundations which cover the low grounds where they haunt, and in severe winters they are almost extirpated from some localities by the freezing of the swamps inhabited by them. Famine in such cases drives them to destroy each other. A great mortality, the cause of which is unknown, also sweeps them away, and the deaths at such periods (which are uncertain) are so numerous, that a fur-post, where the Musquash is the principal return, is not unfrequently abandoned till the fecundity of the animal has repaired, which it does in a very few years, the ravages of disease. Dr. Richardson places the southern limit of the Musquash about 30° N. lat. According to Bartram, they are found in the north of Georgia and Florida, and Dr. Richardson ascertained that they extended northwards to the mouth of the Mackenzie, 60° N. lat. Small grassy lakes or swamps, or the grassy borders of sluggish streams with muddy bottoms, are favourite haunts, and there they feed chiefly on vegetables. In the northern districts the roots and shoots of the bulrush and reed-mace, and the leaves of various carices and aquatic grasses, form their staple. Pennant states that they are very fond of the Sweet-flag (Acorus Calamus), which, according to Dr. Richardson, does not grow to the northward of Lake Winnipeg. The last-named author often saw small collections of fresh-water mussel-shells (Unio), on the animals of which they are said to feed, and which, he was informed, had been left by them. The habitations of the Musquashes and the mode of hunting them are thus described by the Doctor:-'In the autumn, before the shallow lakes and swamps freeze over, the Musquash builds its house of mud, giving it a conical form, and a sufficient base to raise the chamber above the water. The chosen spot is generally amongst long grass, which is incorporated with the walls of the house, from the mud being deposited amongst it, but the animal does not appear to make any kind of composition or mortar by tempering the mud and grass together. There is however a dry bed of grass deposited in the chamber. The entrance is under water. When ice forms over the surface of the swamp, the Musquash makes breathing-holes through it, and protects them from the frost by a covering of mud. In severe winters however these holes freeze up in spite of their coverings, and many of the animals die. It is to be remarked that the small grassy lakes selected by the Musquash for its residence are never so firmly frozen nor covered with such thick ice as deeper and clearer water. The Indians kill these animals by spearing them through the walls of their houses, making their approach with great caution, for the Musquashes take to the water when alarmed by a sound on the ice. An experienced hunter is so well acquainted with the direction of the chamber and the position in which its inmates lie, that he can transfix four or five at a time. As soon as, from the motion of the spear, it is evident that the animal is struck, the house is broken down and it is taken out. The principal seasons for taking the Musquash are, the autumn before the snow falls, and the spring, after it has disappeared, but while the ice is still entire. In the winter time the depth of snow prevents the houses and breathing-holes from being seen. One of the first operations of the hunter is to stop all the holes with the exception of one, at which he stations himself to spear the animals that have escaped being struck in their houses and come hither to breathe. In the summer the Musquash burrows in the banks of the lakes, making branched canals many yards in extent, and forming its nest in a chamber at the extremity, in which the young are brought forth. When its house is attacked in the autumn, it retreats to these passages, but in the spring they are frozen up. The Musquash is a watchful but not a very shy animal. It will come very near to a boat or canoe, but dives instantly on perceiving the flash of a gun. It may be frequently seen sitting on the shores of small muddy islands in a rounded form, and not easily to be distinguished from a piece of earth, until, on the approach of danger, it suddenly plunges into the water. In the act of diving, when surprised, it gives a smart blow to the water with its tail. Varieties.- Dr. Richardson records three varieties besides that above described. 1. The Black Musquash, rare. 2. The Pied Musquash, with dark, blackish-brown patches on a white ground. 3. The White Musquash (Fiber Zibethicus-albus, Sabine). This Albino is not unfrequent. Dr. Richardson saw several. According to Hearne, the Musquash is easily tamed, soon becomes attached, and is cleanly and playful. The fur is used in hat-making, and there is, according to Dr. Richardson, an annual importation of between four and five hundred thousand into Great Britain from North America for that manufacture. Charlevoix also notices the employment of the fur in the hat trade. MUSSCHENBROEK, PETER VAN, was born at Leyden, March 14th, 1692. He received a good classical education in the university of his native city, being a pupil of Perizonius and Gronovius, and afterwards applied himself to the study of medicine, which science, as well as those of chemistry and natural philosophy, he studied under Senguerd, Bidloo, Le Clerc, Burnard, Albinus, Boerhaave, and Rau. He was excessively fond of the mathematical sciences. In 1717 he formed an intimacy with the celebrated s'Gravesande, and their tastes being similar, they pursued their studies together. The introduction into Holland of the Newtonian system of philosophy, and the science of experimental physics, was principally owing to the labours of these two men. They worked together with equal zeal and success, but in different paths; s'Gravesande took the mathematical or theoretical part of physics, while Musschenbroeck applied himself more particularly to experimental physics, in which he excelled, and in which he made a great many discoveries. On the occasion of taking his degree of doctor of medicine, in 1718, Musschenbroek wrote an inaugural dissertation, De aëris præsentia in humoribus animalium;' a very rendered his observations on this subject more complete in 4. In 1731 Musschenbroek published, at Leyden, in 4to., Latin translation of the 'Saggi di Naturali Esperienze fatte nell' Accademia del Cimento,' which appeared at Florence in 1667. This work, valuable in itself, was rendered much more so in the translation by the numerous notes and additions of Musschenbroek, which contain an account of some new experiments on the dilatation of different bodies by heat, and also a description of a pyrometer which he had invented, and which was the first instrument of the kind which had been made. clever production, which contains a description of many careful experiments, from which accurate conclusions were drawn, and, though published more than a century ago, it may still be read with interest. The author showed in this dissertation both a fondness and talent for experimental philosophy, and he was luckily placed under favourable circumstances for the development of this talent. At the commencement of his career the speculations of Descartes were rapidly dissipating before the lights of the Newtonian philosophy, but they still retained some supporters; Mus-a schenbroek therefore determined to visit England, for the purpose of seeing Newton and making himself fully acquainted with his system. While in London, he was introduced to Dr. Desaguliers, and other scientific men besides Newton; and on his return to Holland, he soon came into public notice. In 1719 he was appointed professor of philosophy and mathematics, and professor extraordinary of medicine in the university of Doesburg on the Rhine, where he gained great reputation by his lectures. In 1723 Besides the above works Musschenbroek delivered sevehe was invited to fill the chair of philosophy and mathe-ral public orations, which have been published. He also matics in the university of Utrecht, which had been long wrote many papers on meteorology (a subject to which he distinguished as a school for legal studies, and which Mus- paid considerable attention), some of which appeared in the schenbroek soon rendered equally well known in the depart-Memoirs of the French Academy of Sciences,' and some in ment of natural philosophy. He remained at Utrecht many the Transactions of the Royal Society of London.' He years, and this city was the seat of his principal labours. published some observations on the Leyden phial, in the The curators of the university were so fully impressed with Memoirs of the French Academy of Sciences' for 1746; the importance of keeping his services, that they conferred and a Dissertation on Barometers,' which was printed in on him, in 1732, the professorship of astronomy. In 1737 the Memoirs of the Academy of St. Petersburg.' George II. of England, elector of Hanover, offered to Musschenbroek a professorship in the newly established university of Göttingen. The offer was refused, but two years afterwards he accepted the professorship of mathematics in his native city, Leyden, which had become vacant by the death of Wittichius. Musschenbroek remained attached to the university of Leyden for the remainder of his life, though he was successively invited to fill other appointments by the kings of Prussia and Spain, and by the emperor of Russia. He died on the 19th of September, 1761, in the seventieth year of his age. The following are Musschenbroek's principal works:1, Epitome elementorum physico-mathematicorum,' 12mo., Leyden, 1726. This work went through several editions, each succeeding edition being considerably altered and improved. It was reprinted in 1734, under the altered title of Elementa Physicæ,' 8vo., Leyden. An English translation is mentioned as having been made of this work by Colson, in 1744, 2 vols. 8vo., but we have not been able to meet with it. The last edition of this work appeared after the death of the author in 1762, and was named ‘Introductio ad Philosophiam Naturalem. This edition is much more complete than either of the former, and contains a very good summary of all that was then known on natural philosophy. These three editions are often spoken of as distinct works, though it is only the titles that are different. This introduction to natural philosophy (the last edition is here referred to, which is the most complete) contains many original researches, on the cohesion of bodies, on the phosphorescent properties which many substances acquire from exposure to light, and on various points in experimental physics. It also includes a much more complete table of specific gravities than had before been published, entirely formed from the author's own investigations. Rigaud de Lafond translated the 'Introductio ad Philosophiam' into -French (1769, 3 vols.). This translation must not be confounded with another which appeared at an earlier date (1739) with the title of Essai de Physique,' which was translated by Dr. Massuet from a Dutch edition of the same work, published by Musschenbroek, which Dutch edition (containing many researches which were not included in the later Latin ones) was written in a popular style for the purpose, which it fully answered, of diffusing a taste for natural philosophy in Holland among those who were not acquainted with the learned languages. MUSSELBURGH, an antient burgh of royalty in the parish of Inveresk and shire of Edinburgh. It is seated on the right bank of the Esk, near the confluence of that river with the Frith of Forth, and is about five miles east from the city of Edinburgh, with which communication is kept up by stage-coaches. The name is supposed to refer to a mussel-bank near the mouth of the Esk. The monks of Dunfermline were the sole proprietors of all the territory comprised within the limits of the burgh, down to the time of the Reformation. After that event the property came into the possession of the king, James VI., by whom the lordship and royalty, together with the patronage of the church of Inveresk, were conferred upon his chancellor, Lord Thirlstane, from whom they have descended, by inheritance and purchase, to the family of Buccleuch, the present proprietors. The high street is spacious, and contains many good houses, and the town is surrounded by gardens and villas. To the south is the suburb of Newbigging, which branches off to the church of Inveresk. On the opposite bank of the Esk is the suburb of Fisher-row, inhabited chiefly by fishermen, who supply the markets of Edinburgh during the greater part of the year. There is a stone pier, and the harbour, though small, is convenient. The management of the affairs of the town and suburbs is vested in a council of 18 members, of whom 10 are chosen from among the inhabitants of Musselburgh, and the rest from those of Fisherrow. The tanning of leather, making of sailcloth, hats, bricks, earthenware, &c., and the manufacture of fishingnets by loomis, constitute the principal business of the place. The salmon-fishery is carried on by stake-nets,' but is not very productive. A branch of the Commercial Bank of Edinburgh has been established, and elegant gas-works for the supply of the town have recently been erected. Four bridges cross the Esk, two of which are of stone; the uppermost is of considerable antiquity; the new bridge is a handsome structure erected from a design by Rennie. In 1831 the population of the burgh and the rest of the parish of Inveresk was 8961. By the Reform Act. Musselburgh, Leith, and Portobello were erected into a parliamentary district which now returns one member. For a description of Pinkie House, formerly the residence of the abbot of Dunfermline, and now the abode of Sir John Hope, bart., the reader is referred to Chambers's Gazetteer of Scotland, 8vo., 1832; from which, and the Parliamentary Report on Scotch Burghs, this notice is chiefly drawn. In the former work will be found many interesting particulars relative to the antiquities of the place and the MUSSULMAN. [MOHAMMED.] 2. The work which has gained the author most celebrity is his Physica Experimentales, et Geometrica Dissertationes, Leyden, 1729, 4to. This work consists of four trea-historical events with which it is connected. tises: one on the magnet, one on capillary attraction, one on the size of the earth, and one on the cohesion of bodies. All these dissertations contain many interesting researches and new experiments, which were conducted with great care. The labours of Musschenbroek on the power of cohesion between different bodies were very great; and he afterwards P. C., No. 981. MUSTAPHA I., sultan of the Turks, succeeded, in 1617, his brother Ahmed I., but, a few months after, was deposed by the janizaries, who placed on the throne his nephew Othman. A few years later the janizaries revolted again, deposed Othman, put him to death, and recalled VOL. XVI-F |