And the high water table already makes burials a challenge in some areas. Where hand digging is the only option, and it's very common in south Lincolnshire, it's obvious that a vertical grave is impractical. Its general resemblance to a crayfish or lobster should have been a bit of a clue.JOHN GEEABERYSTWYTH Standing room only Sir: In case the nation is carried away with enthusiasm for burying the dead standing, may I add a note of caution? Many older cemeteries and churchyards do not have the space for the circular excavator mentioned by Robin Allington (letter, 2 June). I'll think about it and let you know"?MICHAEL CULEHIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Scorpion or shrimp? Sir: The picture accompanying the piece on new species from Israeli caves (1 June) is not a scorpion, as captioned, but a crustacean. Apart from the uropods where the missing sting should be, the specimen has too many legs and antennae to pass muster.

Then either the Lords will save the Government from its folly (and be abused for it) or the lawyers will earn a lot as it works its way through the courts.Does no one in the present administration have enough testicular fortitude to say, "There might be grounds for doing something about this. In months, a clause composed of ill-thought-out drivel will be put into omnibus legislation and force-marched through the Commons. Cyclists are not permitted on the latter although they would be far safer than on the A roads.The Ministry of Transport has never produced a convincing argument why the more dangerous cycle lanes are encouraged, and the less dangerous forbidden.DAVID SELBYSOUTH WONSTON, HAMPSHIRE The Blairite way with legislation Sir: A newspaper publishes a story in the morning By tea-time, the Government has promised new legislation. On motorways there is a three metre-wide strip at the side and the maximum permitted speed is still 70 mph. As a safe cycling campaigner for many years, one thing still puzzles me.On stretches of the A34, Winchester to Oxford road, and on recently built sections of the A43 past Silverstone, one metre-wide cycle lanes are clearly marked on dual carriageways, maximum permitted speed 70 mph. I also recognise the impossibility of cycle-paths.But my most abiding memory of cycling in London was after I was cut up on Lancaster Gate by a female driver (obviously no solidarity there), a vehicle came screeching to my side and Mr White-Van-Man stuck his head out of the window and said: "Are you all right, love? Do you want me to get her for you?"Stunned as I was, I feebly nodded and he sped away, cutting up several other motorists in the process of exacting my revenge.I now live in Bangkok, where if you walk on the pavements, you need to watch out for the motorbike taxis speeding up behind you, dodgy paving slabs that rear up in your face and the dogs sniffing your ankles for fresh meat.CHLOE PEARSEBANGKOKSir; Thank you for encouraging the cycling correspondence which has produced a wide range of interesting views.

Having cycled in London I can unfortunately see all sides.I too have been annoyed at cyclists who seem blind to red lights, who jump on pavements to avoid traffic jams and generally cycled faster than me. Fifty-seven of them, many with Irish relatives, said that they would prefer not to go. The War Office agreed the Irish officers could disappear, for a few weeks, if the operation went ahead. The Liberal press cried "Mutiny!"RICHARD MIDDLETONBELFAST Rescued by knight in a white van Sir: I am compelled to add to the correspondence about cycling. Brigadier-General Hubert Gough inquired whether his cavalry officers, at the Curragh, wanted to head north.