From scythe and plough secure, While earth and skies endure ! MONTGOMERY. Linnæus, in his Species Plantarum, considered the Primrose, Primula vulgaris, and the Oxlip, P. elatior, only as varieties of the Cowslip, P. veris. Modern experiments have proved that such is truly the case. The Hon. Mr. Herbert remarks, "I raised, from the natural seed of one umbel of a highlymanured red cowslip, a primrose, a cowslip, oxlips of the usual and other colours, a black polyanthus, a hose-in-hose cowslip, and a natural primrose bearing its flower on a polyanthus stalk. I therefore consider all these to be only local varieties, depending upon soil and situation."-Hort. Trans. vol. 4, p. 19. Prof. Henslow has also repeated the experiment, and obtained a similar result; and hence, in his useful Catalogue of British Plants, has very properly restored them to their ancient situation under the Primula veris. See Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. 3, p. 406-409. MORNING SONG TO THE SHEPHERD. WAKEN, drowsy slumberer, waken! Round and round, from glen and grove, HOGG. TOUCH not the little Sparrow, who doth build Bids us be gentle with so small a friend; With what nice care he builds his nest, and guards 'Midst hostile tribes, twenty times big as he, From scythe and Linnæus, in his Species Plantarum, e garis, and the Oxlip, P. elatior, only as Modern experiments have proved that Herbert remarks, "I raised, from the n manured red cowslip, a primrose, a cov colours, a black polyanthus, a hose-in-bo bearing its flower on a polyanthus stalk. only local varieties, depending upon soil an 19. Prof. Henslow has also repeated the result; and hence, in his useful Catalogus restored them to their ancient situation un.. Nat. Hist., vol. 3, p. 406–409. MORNING SONG TO T WAKEN, drowsy slum Round and round, from THE WATER-OUZEL. THE Bird Is here, the solitary bird that makes The rock his sole companion. Leafy vale, But flits from ledge to ledge, and through the day To him in strains he loves and lists For ever. N. T. CARRINGTON. Water-Ouzel, or Dipper, Cinclus aquaticus, frequents the sides of rocky 1-streams; it commences its song as early as January and February; says Mr. Polwhele, "has a great resemblance to the sound of water among pebbles," The cheerful bird that loves the stream, Murmuring deliciously. umberland this retired bird is known by the name of the Bessy But Feed, and Ay, serves His book of Bids be p Who clean His offspring ton A persevering W THE WAY-FARING TREE. WAY-FARING Tree! what ancient claim Unhopedly to thee, In the brown desert's weary way, Bless'd the Way-faring Tree? Skill, perseverance, courage, parent's love,— Untiring follower! what doth chain thee here! So, long live The household Sparrow! may he thrive for ever! A brief, but sweet domestic melody! Long may he live! and he who aims to kill Our small companion, let him think how he Would feel, if great men spurn'd him from their hearths, To pains or sudden death. Then let him think, And he will spare this little trustful bird; For nothing makes so bright the soul, as when B. CORNWALL. "We have scarcely another bird, the appetite of which is so accommodating in all respects as that of the House-Sparrow. It is, I believe the only bird that is a voluntary inhabitant with man, lives in his society, and is his constant attendant, following him wherever he fixes his residence. It becomes immediately an inhabitant of the new farm-house, in a lonely place, or recent inclosure, or even in an island; will accompany him in the crowded city, and build and feed there in content, unmindful of noise, the smoke of the furnace, or the steam-engine, where even the swallow and the martin, that flock around him in the country, are scared by the tumult, and leave him: but the sparrow, though begrimed with soot, does not forsake him; feeds on his food, rice, potatoes, and almost any other extraneous substance he may find in the street; looks to him for his support, and is maintained almost entirely by the industry and providence of man. It is not known in a solitary and independent state." -Journal of a Naturalist. |