[We would recommend our correspondent to remove his paper from the albumen still more slowly; and to take care not to draw it along, but so to lift it that the last corner is not moved until it is raised from the albumen. In pinning up be careful that the paper takes the inward curl, otherwise the appearances exhibited will be almost sure to take place. As the albumenizing liquid is of very trifling cost, we recommend the use of two dishes, as by that means a great economy of time is obtained.] * * * * * Replies to Minor Queries. _Marcarnes_ (Vol. viii., p. 365.).--Can this curiously sounding name be an archaic form of Mackarness, a name, I think, still borne by living persons? FRANCIS JOHN SCOTT. Tewkesbury. _X on Brewers' Casks_ (Vol. viii., p. 439.).--Your correspondent B. H. C., though ingenious, is in error. The X on brewers' casks originated in the fact, that beer above a certain strength paid 10_s_. duty; and the X became a mark to denote beer of that better quality. The doubling and tripling of the X are nothing but inventions of the brewers to humbug the public. [Hebrew: B]. [Hebrew: D]. _No Sparrows at Lindham_ (Vol. vii., p. 233.).--Amongst the various responses in connexion with the Queries given on the page above noted, communicated direct, the only one which I have thought worthy of insertion in my MSS. is as follows: "As for there being no sparrows at Lindham, it may be accounted for in the following legend:--A few years ago I was in that district when I heard some account of a person called 'Tom of Lindham;' who, by the way, was a curious personage, and performed some very extraordinary and out-of-the-way feats. At one time he was left at home to protect the corn from the _sparrows_; when, _to save trouble_, he got all of them into the barn, and put a _harrow_ into the window to keep them in; and so _starved_ (_i. e._ hungered) them to death." Furthermore Mr. Whittaker kindly communicated of the above Yorkshire worthy: "At the close of Tom's life he took it into his head to make a road across a part of Hatfield Chase to his own dwelling; when, according to the legend, he employed supernatural aid: with this clause in the contract, that he, Tom, should not inquire any particulars as to the character of his assistants or helpmates. One day, however, being more curious than prudent, he looked behind him; his workmen immediately disappeared, and Tom of Lindham was no more heard of. His road still remains in the state he left it." M. AISLABIE DENHAM. Piersebridge, near Darlington, Durham.