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sap is gradually exhausted, the substances existing which cannot be branch withers, and finally, the arranged in either of the above divistate which is termed death ensues. sions. Among these, we find the

The distinguishing feature be- interesting class of gases; and altween the vegetable and animal though the gaseous elements are domains consists in sensation. never presented to our notice in an When we separate a branch from uncombined state, but are obtained a vegetable, it betrays no symptoms by various chemical processes, yet of feeling; but detach a limb from they are so extensively diffused an animal, the individual expresses, through nature, and enter into so by certain sounds, and various mo- many combinations with other subtions of its body, that it feels consi- stances, that we may pronounce derable pain. Hence, we may no- them the most useful of all. To tice an essential difference between them we are indebted for the air we the separation of a branch from a breathe, and the refreshing draught vegetable, and the removal of a from the crystal fountain, with limb from an animal. In the for- which we quench our thirst. The mer instance, if the detached branch world of waters, too, is produced by be placed in the earth, the orifices their combination-and what a magof its sap-vessels will, in many nified and varied scene does this cases, absorb nourishment from the open to our view; from the pearly surrounding soil, and those portions dew that is gently deposited on the of the stem situated beneath the exhausted herbage during the transurface, to which the leaves are quil hours of the night, when the attached, and from which, had it not moon walks in brightness, and thoubeen separated from its parent, fresh sands of suns irradiate the vast exbranches would have sprung,-will panse of heaven to the mighty ocean, throw out radicella, or rootlets; between the most distant lands, and while the corresponding portions supports within its extensive bosom above the surface will produce the various finny tribes. branches, and thus, the separated Between these extremes, how branch will become a perfect plant. numerous are the links that unite But not so with the limb of an them! Sometimes, instead of the animal, when separated from the pellucid dew-drop, we observe the body; plan it in whatever situation gentle showers descending on the you please, it cannot live. Deprived plain, and irrigating the smiling pasof the circulation of the vital fluid tures. At others, we are astounded from the heart, it no longer derives with the roaring tempest ;-the rain nourishment therefrom; its nerves descends in torrents; the wind separated, and their communication whistles fearfully among the trees, with the sensarium broken, the nice and the loud tremendous claps of sensation of feeling is no more dis- thunder, together with the vivid coverable; it is consequently re-glare of the forked lightning, strikes signed to the chemical action of the But if our substances by which it is surrounded, and reduced to a mass of putrid and offensive matter.

It requires but a cursory glance at the innumerable products of nature, to convince us that there are

us with amazement.
minds are agitated with the awful
grandeur of the storm-the purling
brook, meandering among the mea-
dows, its softest murmurs striking on
the ear, and its glassy surface re-
flecting the sylvan beauties around,

tend to restore unto them tranquility we take our stand on an iminence— and hush them to repose.

-that li

How superb the ocean-t quid world, in which the immense whale sports with amazing facility, and

how grand the scene before us : Even the stagnant pool is capable in the distance, we observe the of affording amusement and instruc- splendid city, with its thousand tion to the attentive observer of na- spires and princely habitations; ture. It is in these reservoirs that around us we notice the variegated we behold the seemingly insignifi- landscape, interspersed with hill and cant mona, the lowest link in the dale; and the mighty river rolling great chain of animal life, a mere in splendour at our feet, while the inflated bladder, floating among continual motion of the vessels that myriads of animalcule, some of glide along its silvery surface adds which are of the most complicated considerably to the beauty of the forms. Here, also, we become appearance. acquainted with the polypi, the connecting link between the animal and vegetable kingdoms, and which possesses properties peculiar to each; and here we may be gratified in the various movements of the various tribes the gradations by which when illuminated by the faint they rise one above another, and twinkling of the starry host. voracity with which the larger de- How tranquil is the bright surface vour the smaller species, and this, when nought terminates the view too, in the small space of a single but the mingling elements of air drop. How overwhelming is this and water. How appalling when consideration! What vast extents the wind, skimming fearfully along of animal existence does this open the surface, raises it into immense to the imagination; for, if myriads waves, the frail bark rises to the of these minute beings exist in a summit, and is then engulfed in single drop of water, how numerous the abyss. The vivid lightning must be the individuals that inhabit the immense number of reservoirs that may be found in the world!

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Where the dim ships like shadows ride,"

glares, the thunder rolls in awful peals, and the tempest, arriving at its utmost fury, the helpless mariners are terrified with the dreadful prospect before them, and their efforts to save themselves from approaching destruction, are paralyzed with fear. The fury of the contending elements has destroyed their vessel, they sink in the overwhelming flood, and none are left to tell the dreadful tale: nor will any light be thrown on such affective incidents, until the earth shall disclose her slain, and the ocean shall

The view of a magnificent river is calculated to aflord us considerable gratification. On the banks we perceive the active tradesmen attending to the busy concerns of the day, and every one who is passing appears to be intent on the business in which he happens to be engaged. Survey the magnificent Thames small wherries and barges, swiftsailing vessels, and the more rapid steamer, the stately merchantman, and the stupendous East Indiaman, give up her dead. floating on its silver bosom. Here For the rural, magnificent, and are ships from every nation, and the terrific appearances that we have just produce of every clime are, by their glanced at, we are indebted to the means, brought to our shores. If useful class of gases, as before

are

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE

MONTHS.

With Astronomical Notices. By Professor DEWHURST, F. E. S. L., Lecturer on Astronomy, and Natural Philosophy, &c.

FEBRUARY.

*

noticed; for although the verdure of the rural landscape is produced by the soil in which the plants contributing thereto found, yet, without the assistance of these substances, there would be no THE earlier part of this month may vitality, and, consequently, no ver: still be called winter; though somedure. This, in a most beautiful times the cold abates. But such manner, illustrates the dependence has not been the case this year. The of one part of nature on another. In the existence of a single plant, sun acquires more power, so that days are sensibly lengthened. The how many substances enter into its the snow and ice may be slowly constitution; the rain from the melted. Occasionally, a sudden clouds above, consisting of some of thaw occurs, with a south wind and the gaseous elements in a combined rain, which dissolves the snow. state, moisten the earth, and reduce Torrents of water descend from the to a liquid form the various mine- hills: every little brook and rill at rals, and other substances that are this time is swelled to a large stream; dispersed therein, and which they and the ice is swept away with great are capable of acting on by the pro- violence from the rivers. Yet, the cess of solution. This solution en- frost often returns with a greater inters the vessels of the root, and tensity, with heavy falls of fresh ascends through the stem to the snow, and thus, alternate changes leaves, where it is presented to the take place during most part of this action of the air. Here it is fitted month. for the purpose of nourishing The following were the astronomical the plant, and returns by a set of other vessels to the root, distribut- phenomena during the last month :ing, in its course, a due portion to every part by which the individual D is augmented, and the principle of vitality kept up. In this circulation of the juice, we perceive the necessity of the agency of the gases, both by conveying solid particles of nourishment into the plant, and elaborating the sap when presented to their action in the leaves.

PHASES, OR CHANGES OF THE MOON.

First Quarter-1st day-5h. 34m. aftern. Full Moon-9th day-1h. 52m. aftern. Last Quarter-17th day-5h. 39m. aftn. New Moon-24th day-Oh. 8m. aftern, On the 11th, Jupiter was in conjunction with the moon, and Venus, which, during this month, was an evening star, and in perihelium on her nearest distance from the sun. 12th-Mercury was at his greatest But all these active agents are elongation; and on the 17th, Saturn only instruments under the control was in his quadratures with the Sun, and guidance of a superior power. and in conjunction with the moon. The primitive agency of the varied 20th.-Mars in his perihelium. 22nd. phenomena which the world exhi--Mercury in conjunction with the bits, can only be found in the great Moon. 24th.-Mars in conjunction and eternal GOD.

with the Sun and the Moon, as was also Uranus with our Satellite; the planet Venus was in conjunction

* Owing to an accident, this was omitted last month-it has therefore been slightly altered, and is now inserted, that the series might not be broken. EDITOR.

with the moon on the 25th, and Uranus on the 27th with the Sun.

MARCH.

"Winter still ling'ring on the verge of Spring,

Retires reluctant, and from time to time Looks back, while at his keen and chilling breath,

Fair Flora Sickens."

Various signs of returning Spring occur at different times in February. Ewes begin to drop their lambs at the end of this month. The Mole (Talpa Europea) commences his operations as soon as the earth is WE are now in the third month of softened, and burrows in every pos- the year, when the sun has acquired sible direction, in order to capture sufficient power, so that on a clear its chief food,-viz., earth-worms, day, we often feel all the genial influand the roots of plants. Many ence of Spring, though the naked plants emerge from under ground in shrubs and trees still give the landFebruary, although very few flowers scape the comfortless appearance of adorn our fields or gardens; and, Winter. But soft pleasant weather in during the past month, the intensity March is seldom of long duration, for of the frost has prevented the gar-"As yet the trembling year is unconfirm❜d, dener paying attention to his land. And Winter oft at eve resumes the breeze; Those in flower are- viz., the Green Chills the pale moon, and bids his driving Hellebore, sometimes called the black (Helleborus viridis), the Crocus (Crocus Sativa), the Primrose Some birds from northern climes, (Primula Vulgaris), the Yellow who took refuge here, now begin to Celandine, or common lesser Pile- leave us and return to their native wort, the Daisy (Bellis pernnris). homes. The red-wing, woodcock, Dr. Mason, the author of the Book of Nature, thus observes, respecting the daisy

"Not worlds on worlds, in phalanx deep,
Need we to prove a God is here:
The DAISY fresh from nature's sleep,
Tells of his hand in lines as clear.

For who but HE who arch'd the skies,
And pours the day-spring's living flood,
Wondrous alike in all he tries,

sleets

Deforms the day delightless."

fieldfire, and thrush, are of this nature, and who spend their summer in Norway, Sweden, and other parts of the north. The gannets or soland geese, now resort to breed in the Scottish isles, in such numbers as almost to cover the whole surface of the ground with their eggs and young. The mellow note of the thrush, who sings on the bough of Could raise the daisy's purple bud." some lofty tree, is heard at the beAccording to Dr. Forster, the ginning of this month; at the same Snow-drop (Galanthus nivalis), is time the ring-dove cooes in the almost proverbially constant on woods. The rookery is now all in Candlemas day- appearing blos- motion, the inhabitants being still soming through the snow, snow, and employed in building and repairevolving its white and pendant ing nests; and highly amusing it flowers in accordance with those is, to observe the tricks and artinatural laws dictated for its guidance fices of this predatory order of the by omnipotence. feathered tribe; some to defend, and to plur for

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month, rise to the surface of the wa-
ter in great numbers. The smelts or
sparlings begin to run up the rivers
in order to spawn.

The following are the astronomi-
cal phenomena for this month :-

THE MOON'S PHASES.

▷ First Quarter-3rd day-6h. 35m. morn.
Full Moon-11th day-8h. 39m. morn.
Last Quarter-19th day-6h. 31m. morn.
New Moon-25th day-9h. 45m. morn.

"Which comes before the swallow dares, and takes

The winds of March with beauty."

Besides the hazel, the fallow now enlivens the hedges with its catkins full of yellow dust, and the alder trees with male and female flowers. Honey-suckle leaves are fully expanded. The peach, nectarine, almond, cherry, and apricot trees, are in full bud this month. The gar4th. Jupiter will be in opposition deners are employed in pruning to the Sun. 5th. Venus will be in trees, digging and manuring beds, her inferior conjunction with the and sowing seeds for the flower and Sun. 10th. Jupiter will be in con- kitchen garden. The farmer ploughs 12th. the land, and, if fair weather conjunction with the Moon. Mercury in conjunction with Venus. tinues, proceeds to sow his oats and 14th. The same in conjunction with barley, though it is seldom completed Uranus. 17th. Saturn will be in until the next month. The importconjunction with the Moon. 21st. ance of a dry season for sowing, is Sun enters Aries -Spring com- expressed in the old proverb— mences, being the Vernal Equinox. 23rd. Venus in conjunction with the Moon. Mercury in conjunction with An equality of day and night takes Mars. 24th. Uranus in conjunc-place during this month, when the tion with the moon. 25th. Mars sun is an equal time above and below and the Moon in conjunction, also the horizon. The morning and

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"A bushel of March dust is worth a king's ransom."

Verulam Cottage, Pentonville.

Mercury with the latter. On this evening twilight make apparent day
day there will be a total eclipse of considerably longer than the night.
the Sun invisible in England; but This is the vernal equinox. At
visible on the western coast of South these times, storms and tempests
America, and islands in the South are very frequent, when they have
Pacific Ocean. 30th. Mercury in always been the terror of mariners;
superior conjunction with the Sun. in fact, March winds are boisterous
During the mild days in the middle and vehement to a proverb.
of this month, the Hive Honey Bees
(Apis Mellifria), venture out of
their hives in search of food from
flowers. The gardens are gay with
crocuses, the mezereon shrubs are
beautiful, the fields are green
with
springing grass, but few wild flowers
as yet appear. Daisies, however,
are sprinkled over dry pastures; and
the moist banks of ditches are enli-
vened with the glossy star-like yel-
low flowers of pilewort. Towards
the end of the month, the violet per-
fom the surrounding air-also the

WEEP NOT FOR THE DEAD!

He has rent the thin garments of life ;*
The darkness has fled from above;
He has hung up the weapons of strife

In the temple of Glory and Love.
He has cast the dark cypress away,

And assum'd the rose-wreath in its stead, And pleasures which cannot betray

Line the path along which he is led.

* "Who have rent the robes of life." Pocock. From the Persic.

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