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MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS.

With a Catalogue of all really British
Plants, as they come into Flower.

MAY.

THE month of May has been celebrated by the poets for its refreshing breezes, and pleasing character. The air has acquired a feeling that renders it agreeable to be abroad, the trees are clothed in umbrageous green, their shoots are advancing; and they afford a shade, when, in the middle of the day, it becomes agreeable to seek retirement from the direct

beams of the sun. Flowers no longer appear as if afraid to shew themselves; but they embellish the hedges with their beauty and fragrance; so that the scenery of nature in this month, affords the most perfect idea of what the fancy imagines to itself of Spring.

[1821.

som to blossom continually: and for the purpose of taking it from the bottom of the flower, without injuring the tender vegetable organs, the slender bill of this genus of birds is well adapted. An opinion has prevailed, that the Titmouse devours the blossom, which perhaps originated from observing the white petals that were ready to fall, scattered by it as it perches on them; but this is a mistake, the Beetle alone is destroyed; and the dung of the bird may often be observed to consist almost entirely of the wing-cases of the insect.

Hay advances in growth, usually in proportion to the wetness of the season; and Corn prepares to shoot into ear. Cattle soon experience the benefit of feeding on the new grass, acquiring a sleek skin, renovated health, and increased activity. Angling for the trout is in its chief perfection; the One of the most pleasing appear- fish frequent the most rapid streams, ances of the vegetable world, that and one of the best and most temptOccurs in May, is the bloom of Apple ing baits, the Mayfly, now abounds. orchards, which is red at the commence- Young Salmon, which have for some ment, but becomes like a white sheet time swarmed in the rivers, are swept spread over the trees about the middle by the first land-flood this month, into of the month. The blossom of the Apple, the sea, where multitudes of them are like that of the Pear, Cherry, Straw- devoured by the ravenous natives of berry, and many other fruits, does the deep; the remainder soon acquire not close, like various other flowers, a considerable size. Shoals of Mackaat the approach of wet; on the con-rel become common along all the Britrary, frequent showers appear necessary to the well setting of the fruit. That the presence of wet in the flower does not render it sterile, is to be accounted for by the fact, that the numerous stamens do not come to prolific perfection at one time; so that a continued deluge can scarcely prevent some of the seeds from being impregnated; and when this is effected, the setting of the fruit follows of course. At the time when the blossoms are open, a small species of Beetle very commonly gets into the flower, probably to its great injury. This Beetle, which sometimes exists in great numbers, is a favourite food of Titmice, which search after it with great eagerness, jumping from blosNo. 27.-VOL. III.

tish coasts; they are taken in immense
numbers. Young broods of birds quit
the nests never to return; and are fol-
lowed by the parents, who shew as
much care for their safety, and pride
in their appearance, as any of the hu-
man race can do in the case of their
offspring. It is amusing to see the
little Wren full of importance, in the
presence of a numerous
race still
more diminutive than itself. Ittempts
them to fly from the slender twig, to
which they hold with unsteady foot;
they flutter to the ground, and at the
least alarm, hide in the nearest tuft of
herbage, while the old ones seek safety
in no distant flight. The young are
fed for some time after they have
quitted the nest; but by some birds a

2 C

395

Monthly Observations.

second nest is begun, before the young have quitted the first.

About the beginning of the month, the Swift, the last and largest of the Swallow tribe, makes its appearance; and as its time is short, soon proceeds to form its nest, either in towers, or holes under the eaves of houses. It brings up but one brood while it remains in this country. Young Eels appear in rivers. Eels produce their young alive; and endeavour to get within the reach of the tide, to fulfil that work of nature. The young soon proceed up the stream, at first in small numbers, and as the Summer advances, in considerable quantities; and to get as high up the river as possible, overcome formidable obstacles; and they will even quit their element to facilitate their ascent. The object of this migration is not clear; but they thereby become the prey of birds, which devour multitudes of them.

396

color & lutea; Pale perfoliate Honeysuckle, Lonicera caprifolium; Buckthorn, Rhamnus catharticus; Berrybearing Alder, R.frangula; Prickwood, Euonymus Europeus; Common Currants, Ribes rubrum; Acid Mountain Currants, R. spicatum; Rock Currants, R. petræum; Black Currants, R. nigrum; Lesser Periwinkle, Vinca minor; Greater Periwinkle, V.major; Perennial Goosefoot, Chenopodium bonus Henricus; Whiterot and Floating Whiterot, Hydrocotyle vulgaris & inundata; Wood Sanicle, Sanicula Europea; Knotted Stone Parsley, Caucalis nodosa; Great and Common Earthnut, Bunium bulbo castanum & flexuosum; Spignel, Meum atharmanticum; Sweet Cicely, Scandix odorata; Rough Chervil, S. anthriscus ; Alexanders, Smyrnium olusatrum; Rock Parsley, Pimpinella dioica; Goutweed, Egopodium podagraria; Wayfaring Tree, Viburnum lantana; Mousetail, Myosurus minimus; Sum

Come into flower in May:-Mare'stail, Hippuris vulgaris; Privet, Li-mer Snowflake, Leucojum æstivum; gustrum vulgare; Common Ash, Frax- Poetic Narcissus, N. poeticus; Raminus excelsior: Common Speedwell, sons, Allium ursinum; Wild Hyacinth, Veronica officinalis; Smooth Speed- Scilla nutans; Lily of the Valley, well, V. serpyllifolia; Mountain Speed- Convallaria majalis; Angular Solowell, V. Montana; Germander Speed- mon's Seal, C. polygonatum; Comwell, V. chamædrys; Wall Speed- mon Solomon's Seal, C. multiflora; well, V. arvensis; Common Butter- Narrow-leaved Hairy Rush and Wood wort, Pinguicula vulgaris; Sweet- Rush, Juncus forsteri & sylvaticus; scented Vernal Grass, Anthoxanthum Barberry, Berberis vulgaris; Sea odoratum; Meadow Foxtail Grass, Arrow Grass, Triglochin palustre; Alopecurus pratensis; Water and Chickweed Winter Green, Trientalis early Hair Grass, Aira aquatica & Europea; Bilberry, Vaccinium myrpræcox; Wood Melùgrass, Melica tillus; Sycamore, Acer pseudo-plauniflora ; Bulbous, and smooth-stalked tanus; Common Maple, A. campestre; Meadow Grass, Poa bulbosa & pra- Herb Paris, P. quadrifolia; Blacktensis; Common Quaking Grass,Briza berried Alpine Arbutus, A. alpina; media; Allseed, Polycarpon tetra- Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage, phyllum; Sweet Woodruff, Asperula Chrysoplenium alternifolium; Oppoodorata; Crosswort, Galium crucia- site-leaved Golden Saxifrage, C. optùm; Cleavers, G. aparine; Barren- positifolium; White Saxifrage, Saxiwort, Epimedium alpinum; Holly, fraga granulata; Rue-leaved SaxiIlex aquifolium; Procumbent Pearl- frage, S. tridactylites; Palmate Saxiwort, Sagina procumbens; Annual frage, S. palmata; Ladies' Cushion, small-flowered Pearlwort, S. apetala; S. hypnoides; Wood Stitchwort, StelUpright Pearlwort, S. erecta; Mossy laria nemorum; Greater Stellaria, S. Tillæa, T. muscosa; Common Grom-holostea; Lesser Stellaria, S. grawell, Lithospermum officinale; Corn minea; Plantain-leaved Sandwort, Gromwell, L. arvense; Creeping Arenaria trinervis ; Vernal Sandwort, Gromwell, L. purpuro coeruleum; A. verna; Yellow procumbent Wood Evergreen Alkanet, Anchusa semper- Sorrel, Oxalis corniculata; Red Gervirens; Common Lungwort, Pulmo-man Catchfly, Lychnis viscaria ; Red naria officinalis; Common Comfrey, Symphytum officinale; Yellow Pimpernel, Lysimachia nemorum ; Creamcoloured Violet, Viola lactea; Pansy, and Yellow Mountain Pansy, V. tri

and White Campion, L. dioica; Narrow-leaved Mouse-ear Chickweed, Cerastium viscosum; Tetrandrous Mouse-ear Chickweed, C. tetrandrum; Field Chickweed, C. arvense; Asara

397

Varieties of the Human Mind.

398

bacca, Asarum Europeum; Cypress | Heath Pea, Orobus tuberosus; Bitter Spurge, Euphorbia cyparissias; Bird Vetch, O. sylvaticus; Grass Vetch, Cherry, Prunus padus; Cherry, P. Lathyrus nissolia: Common Vetch, cerasus; Hawthorn, Mespilus oxy- Vicia sativa; Bush Vetch, V. sepium; cantha; Medlar, M. germanica; Ap- Bird's-foot, Ornithopus perpusillus; ple, Pyrus malus; True Service Tree, Tufted Horseshoe Vetch, Hippocrepis P. domestica; Mountain Ash, P. au- comosa; White Trefoil, Trifolium recuparia; White Beam Tree, P. aria; pens; Subterraneous Trefoil, T. subRaspberry, Rubus idæus; Wood terraneum; Honeysuckle Trefoil, T. Strawberry, Fragaria vesca ; Common pratense; Rough Trefoil, T. Scabrum ; Avens, Geum urbanum ; Baneberries, Slender Bird's-foot Trefoil, Lotus difActæa spicata; Celandine, Chelido- fusus; Black Medick, Medicago lunium majus; Violet-horned Poppy, pulina; Heart Medick, M. polymorGlaucium violaceum; Hoary Dwarf pha; Purple Goat's-beard, Tragopogon Cistus, C. marifolius; Pheasant's Eye, porrifolius; Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Adonis autumnalis; Grassy Crow- Hieracium pilosella; Mountain Fleafoot, Ranunculus gramineus; Butter-wort, Cineraria integrifolia; Great cups, R. bulbosus; Small-flowered Leopard's Bane, Doronicum pardaCrowfoot, R. parviflorus; Ivy Crow-lianches; Wild Chamomile, Matricafoot, R. hederaceus; Water Crowfoot, ria chamomilla; Meadow Orchis, O. R. aquatilis; Globeflower, Trollius moris; Military Orchis, O. militaris; Europæus; Marsh Marigold, Caltha Marsh Orchis, O. latifolia; Bird's palustris: Common Bugle, Ajuga rep-nest Ophrys, O. nidus avis; twentytans; White, Red, and Yellow Dead eight species of Carex; Dwarf Birch, Nettle, Lamium album, & purpureum, Betula nana; Bryony, Bryonia dioi& Galeobdolon luteum; Reddish Bas- ca; Wake Robin, Arum maculatum ; tard Balm, Melittis melissophyllum; Chesnut, Fagus Castanea; Horn Purple and White Bastard Balm, M. | Beam, Carpinus betulus; Scotch Fir, grandiflora; Ivy-leaved Snapdragon, Pinus sylvestris; Crakeberry, EmpeAntirrhinum cymbalaria; Linnæa, L. trum nigrum; Misseltoe, Viscum alborealis; Simple hard Whitlow Grass, bum; Sallow Thorn, Hippophæ rhamDraba hirta; Twisted-podded Whit-noides; Sweetgale, Myrica gale; low Grass, D. incana; Common and Roose Root, Rhodiola rosea. English Scurvy Grass, Cocklearia officinalis & anglica; Danish Scurvy Grass, C. Danica; Horse-radish, C. armoraica; Naked-stalked Candytuft, Iberis nudicaulis; Seakale, Crambe maritima; Impatient Ladies' Smock, Cardamine impatiens; Yellow Rocket, Erysimum barbarea; Sauce-alone, E. allieria; Wild Wallflower, Cheiranthus fruticulosus; Scentless Dames' Violet, Hesperis inodorata; Bristol Rock Cress, Arabis stricta: Tower Wall Cress, A. turrita; Smooth Tower Mustard, Turritis glabra; Hairy Tower Mustard, T. hirsuta; Rape, Brassica napus; Sea Cabbage, B. oleracea; Charlock, Sinapis arvensis; Sea Stork's Bill, Erodium maritimum; Dusky Geranium, G. phæum; Knotty Geranium, G. nodosum; Stinking Geranium, G. robertianum; Shining Geranium, G. lucidum; Jagged-leaved Geranium, G. dissectum; Common Mallow, Malva sylvestris; Yellow Fumitory, Fumaria lutea; Common Fumitory, F. officinalis; Broom, Spartium scoparium; Hairy Greenweed, Genista pilosa; Petty Whin, G. anglica;

THE VARIETIES OF THE HUMAN
MIND.

AMONG the contemplations of the
thinking and intelligent, the varieties
incident to the human Mind will not
be overlooked. What is man? He
is indeed a creature; but he possesses
a spark which was imparted by the
Almighty. What, we may ask, was
he in his primeval state? Then that
spark shone in all its brilliancy,—then
he was spotless and innocent; but, at
present, he is degraded, and he has
lost that happiness which he before
enjoyed. Even now, however, he
shows himself superior to other crea-
tures; but let him beware of being
proud of a bestowed eminence.

We are all at present liable to passion, and subject to change. It is pleasing to observe this not only in other persons, but also in ourselves. At one time cast down, at another time cheerful, we are, and must necessarily be influenced by circumstances; and we bend to them all, being affected in as many different shapes as there

399

Observations on New-Zealand.

400

the sting is blunted, if sympathy extend her aid. But for the assistance of kind friends, many a one could hardly have sustained the heavy burden. So strong is the desire of sym

may be circumstances to cause the variations. Prosperity elates us; we should, therefore, remember that we do not exceed proper bounds; nor indulge so much in our joy, that we should be unable to bear sorrow when-pathy, that we often hear people reever it may come. Adversity depresses us; Christians can bear it with patience, knowing that this world is not their home and resting place: others can tell better than we can, how they endure it.

count their troubles, I could almost say, with a sort of satisfaction. In fact, the desire of it is inherent in human nature; and all must allow its beauty. We have those two golden sentences recorded in the Scriptures: Weep with them that weep;" and, "Rejoice with them that rejoice."

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What is in opposition to this sentiment is disagreeable to both the parties. Who, that has experienced the burden of ill-timed mirth, would wish to feel it again? There is a season for every thing, both for mirth and sorrow. Nature will have her way in this imperfect state. Perfection will not arrive till the immortal spirit, unfettered from the shackles of flesh and sense, shall enjoy its primitive freedom and blessedness.

A. H.

OBSERVATIONS ON NEW-ZEALAND.

London, Feb. 28th, 1821.

People are too often apt to lay their losses and gains to fortune: I think that a good and wise Providence ordains what shall befall a man; that there is no acting at random. Sometimes a man has to blame his own negligence, when adversity overtakes him. Act with a good conscience in all things; humbly rely on the Almighty; act up to the great doctrines of Christianity, and the precepts of our blessed Redeemer; and you will be his care, and he will give you needful things for body and soul. Those who despise our holy religion, have no consolation afforded them in the season of adversity: they are worse off than even the Roman moralist, who was a heathen. He could with rapture adopt those words so consoling to his mind, "O præclanum diem, cum ad illud divinam animorum, consilium coelumque proficiscar; cumque ex hac turba et colluvione discedam." It would be too much to contemplate at present the difference of motive, occupation, and workings, which exists between the mind of one individual and that of another. The varieties which are evident within one individual mind, are enough to astonish. At one time eager after one pursuit, it climbs its difficulties with agility: then comes the moment of reflection; this object is not worth its consideration; or another starts up in its place, which is liked better, and which pleases, perhaps, merely on account of its novelty. And, when old age comes to sum up the time it has occupied, taking into the account all the events intervening between the day in which the man was born and the present, it appears like a dream-tians with spirits of enterprise, espeit is scarcely believed to have been

realized.

There is one passion so closely knit with the human heart, that I cannot forbear mentioning it; viz. sympathy. In misfortunes, as they are called, half

MR. EDITOR. MANY of the New-Zealanders with whom I am acquainted, possess fine tempers and natural dispositions.— From this, we, as having a concern for their souls, and breathing a missionary spirit, may derive great encouragement to labour among them, and for their benefit, both in temporal and spiritual subjects. The awful customs, and cruel superstitions, with which the minds of this people are enveloped, call aloud for Christian zeal and benevolence, in order to rescue them from the grand enemy of man's salvation.

New-Zealand must rise in importance in the eyes of the nations of Europe. Its situation is favourable. Its climate and soil are very encouraging. Its natural productions are inviting; and the noble inhabitants are calculated to inflame the hearts of Chris

cially in the missionary department, I which has for its object the universal spread of the gospel of peace, and the salvation of every tribe and race of men.

New-Zealand is, and will be more

401 Letter from New South Wales.-Fooleries of Olden Time. 402

and more, a place of importance to the South-sea whalers. While I continued in the island, a ship came into harbour to procure provision for their passage home; which was done without any difficulty, and at a very small expense. This was a saving of 150 pounds, if not 200; for if the captain had gone to Sydney in Newed, partly by rippling streams, partly South Wales, he would have had harbourage to pay, and provision to procure at a dear rate; besides, the ship being at New-Zealand, the captain was a fortnight's sail nearer home, then he would have been had he put into Port Jackson; and provided the ship had not been full, she was within one day's sail of the whaling district.

road will be clear in a month. The country is beautiful, and fully equal to my most sanguine expectations, for all the necessary purposes of colonization. Picture to yourself large extensive downs, not plains, some as large as from fifty to sixty thousand acres, without a tree, and well water

by chains of ponds in all directions. There are many plains of different sizes, and the hills and broken country around are thickly clad with excellent timber. It is in fact a most desirable country; and before next Christmas I confidently anticipate, we shall prove that the snow and rain which fall on the mountains and high I have no doubt of the safety of country seen to the S. W. have an ships, when lying at anchor at New-outlet to the sea. The lake is called Zealand, provided captains and crews treat the natives with humanity and kindness; if they do not so, the NewZealanders will be revenged. If a European should kill a native man, the brethren of his tribe will demand an European to be put to death on his account. However, I can say, that the great kindness and hospitality of this people towards me, during my stay among them, far surpassed my most sanguine hopes and expectations. They are in my view a noble race of people.

I am Sir, your's, &c.
SAMUEL LEIGH, Missionary.

LETTER FROM NEW SOUTH WALES.

London, Feb. 28th, 1821.

MR. EDITOR.
THE following is a letter lately re-
ceived from New South Wales. It
gives an account of the great exer-
tions of a gentleman I well know,
Mr. Throsby, who some time since
discovered a way to the fine country
beyond the Blue Mountains. His
last enterprise has been crowned with
The letter is dated

great success.
the 5th of September, 1820.

by the natives Warrewaa, and is stated by them to empty its waters in a southerly direction, where we perceive an opening in the high land, on its west margin, by a river they call Murrum-hid-gee. The lake runs from N. to S. about 30 miles, and extends in breadth from two to ten miles, its margin abounding in the most picturesque bays and points."

FOOLERIES OF THE OLDEN TIME.

MR. EDITOR.

SIR,--The following extract from Evelyn's Memoirs will show that the art of rope-dancing has not made a great advance since the period in which he wrote, although its professors at the present day belong nominally to a higher class of creation:

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Sept. 16th, 1660. I saw at Southwark, at St. Margaret's Fair, monkeys and apes dance and do other feats of activity on the high ropes; they were gallantly clad a la mode, went upright, saluted the company, bowing and pulling off their hats: they saluted one another with as good a grace as if instructed by a dancing-master; they turned heels over head with a basket having eggs in it, without breaking any; also with lighted candles in their hands, without extinguish"You will see I am in a fair way of ing them; and with vessels of water, verifying my prediction, that ere long without spilling a drop. I also saw a route would be continued as far to an Italian wench daunce and performe the southward on our continent, as all the triks on the high rope to adTwofold Bay. The lake now dis-miration: all the court went to see covered is full 140 miles S. S. W. of her. Likewise here was a man who Sydney, to which an open carriage took up a piece of iron cannon of

I am, Sir, your's, &c.
SAMUEL LEIGH, Missionary.

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