.

Hypomagirus.

Trinity College, Oxford, Feb 14.

N.B. "Heifer" has already been explained as "heif-ker, half-cre,"
A.-S., "anner," Br.

_Haviour, Haver, Hyfr_ (No. 15. p. 230, and No. 17. p. 269.).--If I
may throw out a question where I cannot give an explanation, I would
ask, are we not approaching very near to the word "heifer" (from the
Saxon) in these, but especially in the last of the above terms? They
seem to me to be identical. The introduction of the sound of _y_
between the sounds of _v_ and _ur_, is not uncommon in the vernacular
or corrupted pronunciation of many words; nay, it is sanctioned by
general usage, in "behaviour" from "behave," "Saviour" from "save,"
&c. If the words are identical, still the history of the appropriation
of the one to male animals of the class described, and of the other to
females, must be curious and worth investigating. May not the _aver_
and _averium_, like _irreplegibilia_ and other barbarous law terms, be
framed (rather than derived) from one of our English terms, as well as
from the French _avoir_?

G.W.

_America known to the Ancients_.--I have a note of the following
references, as illustrating the passage quoted by "C." (No. 7. p.
107.), and countenancing the idea that the existence of America was
at least suspected by the ancients. As I have not had an opportunity
of consulting the authorities myself, I cannot tell how far they may
affect the point in question; and I fear the references are not as
accurate as might be wished, but I shall be truly glad if they prove
at all useful:--Diodorus Siculus, _Bibl._ lib. iv. pp. 299, 300 edit.
Rhodoman; Apuleius, _De Mund. Oper._ vol. ii. p. 122.; _Avitus in
Senec. Suasor._; Horn, _De Origin. Americ._ lib. i. c. 10. p. 57.

G. William Skyring.

_Error in Meyrick's Ancient Armour_ (No. 17. p. 266.).--In the second
edition of Meyrick's _Armour_, the error pointed out by Mr. Hudson
Turner has not been corrected. The passage is, "Item a gamboised coat
with a rough surface of gold embroidered on the nap of the cloth;" and
with the note, "Like a thicket."

F.C.B.

_Nomade_.--The last Indian mails brought me the following derivation
of the word _Nomade_, in a letter from a friend, who was, when he
wrote, leading a nomade life among the Ryots of Guzerat:--

"Camp, Kulpore, Jan. 30. 1850.

"The natives use [for their tents] a sort of woollen stuff,
about half an inch thick, called 'numbda.' * * * * * *