I have looked into every book on natural history I could get hold of, and in none is the slightest notice taken of this; therefore I suppose my conclusion as to its blindness is wrong; but I do not consider this to be conclusive, as all we can learn from books is, "_Scomber_ is the mackerel genus, and is too well known to require description." I believe less is known about fish than any other animals; and should you think this question on natural history worthy a place in your "N. & Q.," I will feel obliged by your giving it insertion. AN ODD FISH. * * * * * Minor Queries. _Original Words of old Scotch Airs._--Can any one tell me where the original words of many fine old Scotch airs are to be found? The wretched verses of Allan Ramsay, and others of the same school, are adapted to the "Yellow-haired Laddie," "Ettrick Banks," "The Bush aboon Traquair," "Mary Scott," and hundreds of others. There must exist old words to many of these airs, which at least will possess some local characteristics, and be a blessed change from the "nymphs" and "swains," the "Stephens" and "Lythias," which now pollute and degrade them. Any information on this subject will be received most thankfully. I particularly wish to recover some old words to the air of "Mary Scott." The only verse I remember is this,-- "Mary's black, and Mary's white, Mary is the king's delight; The king's delight, and the prince's marrow, Mary Scott, the Flower of Yarrow." L. M. M. R. _Royal Salutes._--When the Queen arrives at any time in Edinburgh after sunset, it has been {246} remarked that the Castle guns are never fired in salute, in consequence, it is said, of the existence of a general order which forbids the firing of salutes after sunset. Is there such an order in existence? I would farther ask why twenty-one was the number fixed for a royal salute? S. _"The Negro's Complaint."_--Who was the author of this short poem, to be found in all the earlier collection of poetry for the use of schools? It begins thus: "Wide o'er the tremulous sea, The moon spread her mantle of light; And the gale gently dying away, Breath'd soft on the bosom of night." HENRY STEPHENS. "_The Cow Doctor._"--Who is the author of the following piece?--_The Cow Doctor_, a Comedy in Three Acts, 1810. Dedicated to the Rev. Thomas Pennington, Rector of Thorley, Herts, and Kingsdown, Kent; author of _Continental Excursions_, &c. This satire is addressed to the Friends of Vaccination.[1] S. N. [Footnote 1: On the title-page of a copy of this comedy now before us is written, "With the author's compliments to Dr. Lettsom;" and on the fly-leaf occurs the following riddle in MS.: "Who is that learned man, who the secret disclos'd Of a book that was printed before 'twas composed? _Answer._ He is harder than iron, and as soft as a snail, Has the head of a viper, and a file in his tail."--ED.