change into the pupa state till the following summer. Rösel adopted the following method of observing the transformations of the insect. He took some grubs, as they emerged from the nut, and placed them at the beginning of winter in glasses half filled with earth, covered with green turf. They all immediately dug down into the earth, remained there all the winter, and did not change into pupæ till the following June: the perfect insects appeared from the first of August till about the twentieth.

The mistakes occasionally made in poetry respecting the habits of different insects are extremely annoying to the entomologist. On this subject Kirby and Spence have the following passage:

The gratification which the entomologist derives from seeing his favourite study adorned with the graces of poetry is seldom unalloyed with pain, arising from the inaccurate knowledge of the subject in the poet. Dr. Darwin's description of the beetle to which the nut-maggot is transformed may delight him (at least if he be an admirer of the Darwinian style) as he reads for the first time,

So sleeps in silence the Curculio, shut In the dark chamber of the cavern'd nut; Erodes with ivory beak the vaulted shell, And quits on filmy wings its narrow cell. But when the music of the lines has allowed him room for a pause, and he recollects that they are built wholly upon an incorrect supposition, the Curculio never inhabiting the nut in its beetle shape, nor employing its ivory beak upon it, but undergoing its transformation underground, he feels disappointed that the passage has not truth, as well as sound.

We have mentioned the nuthatch as being one of the enemies threatening the existence of the nutmaggot, and as perchance some of our young readers may have heard its peculiar tappings during their nutting excursions, without ever being able to get a sight of its form, as it glided about among the higher branches of the trees, we present them with a description of this pretty little bird.

To those who value the productions of the different varieties of nut-trees, and wish to retain the fruit as long as possible in a perfect state, it may not be uninteresting to give a few directions for keeping it during the winter season. Let the fruit be perfectly ripe ere it be gathered from the tree, and let it remain for a day or two spread out on a shelf or floor in an airy room, that any moisture which may remain about the shells may be thoroughly dried up. Then place the nuts in earthen jars in a cold but dry place, covering the surface with a layer of dry sand. This will prevent the nuts from becoming shrivelled, owing to the evaporation of their moisture, and on the other hand will preserve them from the mouldiness and unpleasantness of flavour, which often follows upon their being gathered too soon, or kept in a damp situation.

He was still the listless, passionless creature, that suffering of mind and body had left him.

We call this a state of childishness, but it is the same poor hollow mockery of it that death is of sleep. Where, in the dull eyes of doting men, are the laughing light and life of childhood, the gaiety that has known no check, the frankness that has felt no chill, the hope that has never withered, the joys that fade in blossoming? Where, in the sharp lineaments of rigid and unsightly death, is the calm beauty of slumber; telling of rest for the waking hours that are past, and gentle hopes and loves for those which are to come? Lay death and sleep down, side by side, and say who shall find the two akin. Send forth the child and childish man together, and blush for the pride that libels our own old happy state, and gives its title to an ugly and distorted image.- -DICKENS.

LIFE is a 'shadow that departeth, a dream of error, the fruitless labour of imagined existence,-RUSSIAN FUNERAL SERVICE.

THE common nuthatch is remarkable for its activity and expertness in climbing, or rather in gliding about the branches of trees in search of its peculiar food. As a British bird it is confined to the south of England, where it remains during the whole year. It is bold and fearless in its habits, and may frequently be seen on trees in the immediate vicinity of dwellings. This interesting little bird exhibits much adroitness in the formation of its nest, and in the means it employs for procuring food.

The length of the nuthatch is about six inches, including the bill, which is three quarters of an inch in length, slender, but firm in its texture, and stiff, by both mandibles being curved. The feet are furnished with very strong claws. The colour of the back and head is blueish gray: the lower mandible and throat are white, shown off by a black streak, which extends from the gape to the neck; the sides and thighs are brown-orange; the two middle tail-feathers are gray; the others black, with a white spot and ash-gray tips.

The food of this bird consists of the kernels of nuts, of insects, and seeds: the tapping noise which it makes with its bill, and by which it attracts our attention, as we pass near the tree on which it works, proceeds from its efforts to break the shell of a nut, which it first places very cleverly in a crevice of the bark, and then hammers at with great perseverance until it has extracted the kernel. To this end it not

only makes use of its strong bill, but, grasping the branch with its claws, which are admirably fitted for the purpose, it throws the full force of its head, beak, and body into the blow, and soon succeeds in breaking the shell in pieces. If, during these efforts, the nut should slip aside, or fall from the tree, the little creature instantly replaces it, and commences anew his attack. It is said that the motion of the bird is so swift as to catch the falling nut ere it reaches the ground.

The nuthatch chooses some natural hole in a tree as its place of nidification, or if such cannot readily be found it excavates one for itself. The deserted

habitations of wood-peckers are frequently taken possession of by these birds, and made to suit their purpose. When they form their own nests, they invariably make the entrance so small that it will not admit any larger bird; when they make use of a ready-made nest, they build up a wall of clay at the entrance, so as to suit their own dimensions. This clay is kneaded very dexterously, and if too soft for the purpose, is strengthened and made more consistent by the intermixture of small stones. If the clay barrier be broken down, or injured, before the process of incubation is completed, the birds immediately repair it. The nest is lined with dead leaves, generally those of the oak, which are heaped

together without much order. The eggs are six or seven in number, white, spotted with rust-colour. The female is a very determined sitter, and menaces with bill and wings any one offering to interrupt her in her task, making at the same time a loud hissing noise like a serpent. If this method of defence proves ineffectual, she suffers herself to be taken captive, rather than desert her charge,

As these birds have no song, they are seldom kept in confinement, or if so, it is merely for the sake of observing their peculiar method of working. Bechstein gives an instance of their being partially tamed in a free state. During a very severe winter a lady amused herself with feeding a number of small birds on the terrace beneath her window. They soon became accustomed to her, and at the clapping of her hands, which was the signal made use of, would come in crowds to partake of the different kinds of seeds which she distributed among them. She put some hemp-seed and cracked nuts on the windowsill, and on a board, particularly for her favourites, the blue-tits. Two nuthatches came one day to have their share of this repast, and were SO pleased that they became quite familiar, and did not even go away in the following spring to get their natural food, and to build their nest in the wood. They settled themselves in the hollow of an old tree near the house: as soon as the two young ones which they reared there were able to fly, they brought them to the hospitable window where they were to be nourished, and soon after disappeared entirely. It was very amusing to see these two new visitors hang or climb on the wall or blinds, whilst their benefactress put their food on the board. These pretty creatures, as well as the tits, knew her so well, that when she drove away the sparrows which came to steal what was not intended for them, they did not fly away also, but seemed to know that what was done was only for their defence and protection. This fact is sufficient to convince us that the nuthatch is not untameable, though when confined within a cage, its efforts are so persevering and energetic to reagin its liberty, that it seems impossible to divert it from its task, or by any means to reconcile it to its cage.

One of these birds, accidentally wounded by a sportsman, was placed in a small cage of plain oak-wood and wire. He ate and drank freely of the food given to him (which consisted of minced chicken, bread-crumbs, and water,) thereby proving that he was not alarmed at his state of confinement; yet the efforts he made to escape were most extraordinary: during a night and day that his imprisonment lasted, he carried on his work of battering down the frame of his cage, spending most of his strength on the corner pillars, which he reduced in that short space of time to the appearance of old and worm-eaten timber. By the perpetual application of his beak he unloosed a double knot of string with which the door of his cage had been fastened, and when hindered from escaping in that direction, he would try the size of the hole left as a drinking-place, and seek to extract the ends of the wire from the place where they were rooted in the wood, making use of his beak as a sort of pick-axe. His hammering was peculiarly laborious, for he did not perch, as other birds do, but grasping his hold with his large feet, he turned upon them as upon a pivot, and struck with the whole weight of his body, thus assuming the appearance, with his entire form, of the head of a hammer. These excessive exer. tions caused the death of the poor bird, after a night and day's confinement, and it is hoped that the account of its anxiety and impatience under such

circumstances will deter our young readers from attempting to keep a nuthatch in a cage.

The common nuthatch is the only one found in Europe, but there are others in America and in the eastern Asiatic islands. The habits of all these birds are very similar, and their expertness in climbing is everywhere remarkable.

The Carolina, or white-breasted nuthatch, (Sitta melanocephala,) differs much in the colour of its plumage, and is considered by some naturalists as a distinct and separate species from the European. The upper parts of the head, neck, and shoulders, are deep black, glossed with green; the breast and belly pure white; the lower parts of the thighs rust-colour. The nest of this bird is placed in the hole of a tree, in the hollow rail of a fence, or some similar situa tion. The eggs are laid early in April, and are five in number, of a dull white, spotted with brown. The male supplies the female with food during the time she is sitting, seldom rambles far from the nest, and on the approach of danger, regardless of his own safety, flies instantly to alarm her. This species of nuthatch is common almost everywhere in the woods of North America, and may frequently be seen moving upwards and downwards in a spiral direction around the body and larger branches of trees, probing behind the scaly bark, and shelling off considerable pieces in his search after spiders, ants, insects and their larvæ, Mr. Wilson represents this little creature as possessing a degree of curiosity not common in many birds, frequently descending very silently within a few feet of the root of the tree where you happen to stand, stooping, head downwards, stretching out his neck in a horizontal position, as if to reconnoitre your appearance; and after several minutes' silent observation, again mounting with fresh activity, and piping his peculiar note of quank, quank, as before. Strongly attached to his native forests, he seldom forsakes them; and amidst the rigours of the severest winter weather, his note is still heard in the bleak leafless woods and among the howling branches. Sometimes the rain, freezing as it falls, encloses every twig, and even the trunk of a tree, in a hard, transparent coat, or shell of ice. On these occasions, the nuthatch may be heard plaintively expressing his anxiety and dissatisfaction at being with difficulty able to make his way along the smooth surface. He is frequently obliged to abandon the ice-bound tree, and approach out-houses, stables, and barns, examining rafters and beams, and picking up a subsistence on insects, grain, or anything else he can find,

It

There is a small species of nuthatch, called the red-bellied, black-capped nuthatch, (Sitta varia,) which breeds in the northern States of America, and migrates to the southern States during the winter months. corresponds in the colour of the back and tail feathers, and in the form of the bill, nostrils, and tongue, with the species last mentioned. The breast and belly are reddish brown, and the head is deep black on the upper part. This bird is only four inches and a half long, and eight inches across the expanded wings. It is a useful little creature, being, in common with the rest of the tribe, a great devourer of insects and larvæ.

The brown-headed nuthatch, (Sitta pusilla,) is another American species, much resembling the last, but still smaller in size, seldom exceeding four inches and a quarter in length. The voice of this bird is more shrill than in the other species, and it appears to have more of a social character than the Sitta varia. It is exceedingly active and vigilant, so that specimens of it are very difficult to be obtained.

Nuthatches likewise occur in Jamaica and other

With regard to the structure and general economy of this insect, we cannot refrain from presenting to our readers the following admirable remarks of Mr. Newman:

In the larva, as well as in that which may be called the chrysalis state, these animals respire water by receiving and rejecting it at an aperture at the termination of their bodies. Although there is a necessity for this sort of respiration, so that the insect is distressed by being withdrawn from the water for a short time, yet the interior part of the body is well provided with air-tubes, and there are several small openings destined for the admission of air. By means of the apparatus by which the insect first receives and then pumps out the water, it is also aided in its motion, and at every current thus sent out, propelled through the water. A current is likewise formed around the insect in the direction of the mouth, and thus the small water-insects, and even minute fishes, become a more easy prey. From the larva state the insect approaches the pupa, or chrysalis, in which the only difference consists in the appearance of the rudiments of future wings, which are enveloped in short cases or processes on the back. In this state it remains for two years, and is very voracious.

Having attained its full size the insect undergoes its last transformation, and in preparation for this, it creeps up the stem of some water-plant, and after resting some time in the sunshine, it forcibly grasps the stem, and makes several efforts by which the skin of the head and back is gradually forced open, and the complete libellula emerges. At first the wings are weak and tender, and folded up into a narrow compass, from their having been compressed, during so long a period, within the scales on the back of the pupa, but in about half an hour, they become dry and fully expanded, and have acquired the strength and solidity necessary for flight. The insect then commences its aërial journeys, and is thenceforward as much dependent on air for its being and enjoyment as it formerly was on water.

We have already noticed the variety of colours in the perfect libellulæ. These have been observed to consist of different shades of green, blue, crimson, scarlet, and white, or, in some individuals, of most of these colours united. The gay and brilliant colouring of this race of insects has given rise to a variety of names, which are scarcely consistent with the predacious habits of the dragon-fly. These names are Demoiselles (damsels), Virgo (virgin), Sponsa (a bride), Puella (a girl), Calepteryx (pretty-wing.)

The particular species of dragon-fly to which our remarks are chiefly confined is the Libellula varia, or great dragon-fly, as being the most brilliant and conspicuous of British species. It makes its appearance in the vicinity of small streams and rivulets towards the decline of summer. It measures across the expanded wings about four inches: the head is very large, and is fixed to the thorax by a very slender neck: the eyes are of a blue colour, with a varying lustre, and occupy the greatest part of the head. The thorax is variegated with green, yellow, and black : the body, which is long, slender, and cylindrical, is black, with rich variegations of bright blue and grassgreen. The wings are transparent, strengthened with numerous black reticulated fibres, and each marked with a black spot near the tip. The legs are black,

Nature, in the formation of her instruments, has always adopted the best size and best form. If her creatures wanted but to see, a globular eye floating in space might perhaps be the uniform character of the animal world; if to move swiftly in the air were desirable, wings must be to see and to eat, an eye and a mouth would be given; if supplied; if on earth, legs must be added; if in the water, fins. To carry all these organs, and to contain muscle to guide and govern them, a body must be added. Each part of the body will be of the best size, and best form for the functions it has to perform. Observe the dragon-fly, the emperor of his tribe: his wings rustle as he hovers tiable; his food the active occupants of his own element. stationary and hawk-like in the air; his appetite is insaIt is given to him in charge to set bounds to the increase of the insect race: he beholds his prey afar off; he darts on it like the rapidity of a lightning flash: to devour it ere life is departed is the work of an instant: he sails round and round; he soars up and down. When the sky is serene he seeks his prey, like the swallows, almost beyond the reach of human sight. What organs does such an animal require? Are they not these eyes, mouth, and wings? How has nature provided for his wants? Regard his head

below, it is all mouth; above, it is one continuous eye. Contemplate his wings their character is strength and activity, power and lightness. His body is slender and graceful: like a rudder, it serves as an instrument wherewith to shape his course. Feelers would be comparatively useless to an animal whose dependence for support is on the keenness of its vision and the velocity of its flight. We find them but little prominent-his every organ of the required size. There is truly a best form, and a best size, and nature provides both.

Ir was the violet which induced John Bertram, a Quaker of Pennsylvania, to study plants. He had employed his time in agricultural pursuits without a knowledge of botany, but being in the field one day, he gathered a violet, examined its formation, and reflected upon it until he became so prepossessed with the flower that he dreamed of it. Thus circumstance inspired him with a desire of becoming acquainted with plants; he therefore learned for that purpose as much Latin as was necessary, and soon became the most learned botanist of the New World.-PHILLIPS.