the back, have often more the appearance of young shoots than of an animal, and easily escape the eye of the most vigilant collector: thus, though to all appearance unprotected, they are providentially shielded from the insectivorous birds. In the autumn of 1822, Mr. John Chant, a most industrious entomologist, met with the larva of Geometra roboraria of Hübner and Haworth, on oak trees, in the new forest of Hampshire: it kept feeding until very late in the season, so late, indeed, that the winter was far advanced, and no more oak in leaf could be procured for it; it, however, did not seem to require it, as it shrunk considerably in bulk, but still kept itself attached to the stem of the oak, in its usual position when not eating: in this state it remained motionless, and without food, during the winter. Early in the spring it exhibited signs of returning animation; but was, however, weak and wrinkled, being reduced in substance. As soon as the slightest movement was observed, the earliest shrub was procured, which was white-thorn, and just beginning to bud; this it readily ate, but did not confine itself to the buds alone, feeding also on the bark of the younger shoots: it now throve rapidly, young branches of oak were introduced, on which it likewise fed; but it confined itself to the youngest, and apparently the most tender shoots. Long before the oak-trees were in leaf the insect had acquired its full size, and had retired to the pupa state.'-See an excellent paper on En tomology, in Mr. Boys's instructive and amusing "CIRCULATOR,” p. 179.

If the season have been wet, the earwig will be found in greater abundance than the florist could wish; and his carnations will exhibit melancholy proofs of the ravages of this destructive insect. An experienced florist advises the amateurs to plant in pots such of their best flowers as they may be particularly anxious to preserve, and put them in frames, and place the

feet of the frames in vessels filled with water.

This he considers is the only effectual plan to preserve the flowers from the earwig.

In the flower garden and shrubbery, the greatest attention is now required to remove decaying flower stems of every description, to pull up weeds as soon as they appear, and to gather, or destroy by limewater, snails and worms: the latter will now begin to be troublesome on walks and lawns, which should therefore be well soaked with lime-water; or for gravel, salt water may be used, as that destroys both insects and weeds. The gardener ought to consider that this and the succeeding month are the breeding months of earth-worms and snails, and, therefore, that one of those reptiles destroyed now, is as good as a dozen killed in spring. Towards the end of the month, green-house plants are taken in, and bulbous roots intended to be forced are potted. The stock of mignonette in pots should be carefully kept up; a bluish-green caterpillar often attacks it at this season. Sweet peas and other annuals may be sown in pots the last week of the month, to stand through the winter in cold frames, and flower in April next.

Much amusement may be derived, in September, from watching the curious operations of the garden spider, and observing the rapidity with which he forms his beautiful web; and the artifices he uses to entangle his victims, entrapping not only the small defenceless fly, but the armed wasp and honey-laden bee in his gluey toils. The following curious experiment respecting the respiration of the spider, is worthy of our notice:-' A house spider was placed by a gentleman on a small platform, in the middle of a glass full of water, the platform being about half an inch above the surface. It presently made its escape, as might have been anticipated, by suffering a thread to be wafted to the edge of the glass. The person who witnessed this, suspecting that it might

have been assisted by the water, being so nearly on the same level, poured some of the water away, and placed the spider as before. It descended by the stick that supported the platform, till it reached the water, but, finding no way to escape, it returned to the platform, and, for some time, employed itself in preparing a web, with which it loosely enveloped the abdomen, by means of the hinder legs. It now descended, without hesitation, to the bottom of the water, when the whole of the abdomen was covered with a web, containing a bubble of air, probably intended for respiration, as it evidently included the spiracles. The spider, enveloped in this little diving-bell, endeavoured on every side to make its escape, but in vain, on account of the slipperiness of the glass; and, after remaining at the bottom for about thirteen minutes, it returned, apparently much exhausted, as it coiled itself close under the little platform, and remained afterwards without motion.'-Scientific Gazette, No. 8.

Herrings pay their annual visit to England in September, and afford a rich harvest to the inhabitants of its eastern and western coasts. At Boulognesur-Mer in France, before the herring fishery commences, the priests, accompanied by a host of people, proceed to the sea-side, perform the ceremony of blessing the ocean, and invoke success on the labours of the fishermen, in prayers adapted to the occasion.

To the frequenters of our watering-places it may be interesting to be informed that the marine curiosity called the SUN FISH, is sometimes to be seen on our coasts. The shape of this fish is round, and surrounded with a fin which answers the purpose of nature, and brings to our mind the idea of the Sun, as it is painted, encompassed with rays of light. This fish is also known by the name of Diodon. He appears like the upper part of the body of a very deep fish which had been amputated in the middle. The mouth is small,

with two broad teeth only in each jaw. When alarm-
ed, he inflates his body to a globular shape of a great
size, and is beset with large and sharp spines, which
the animal can erect or depress at pleasure; by this
manœuvre he defends or secures himself against the
attacks of his enemies, and might have been named
the hedgehog of the sea, if other fishes had not al-
ready obtained the name of Echini. The back of this
curious marine animal is of a rich blue colour.
The SUN FISH.

See how along the dazzling wave
The sun fish bends his eagle way,
Still looking to that Pow'r who gave

Both boundless deep and gladd'ning ray.

For ever thus, with face upturned,
He sails along from sea to sea;
Each tempting object round him turned
To gaze upon immensity.

Thus, as we sail o'er life's frail tide,
We should for ever gaze above,
Nor let one thought from Heav'n glide
O'er earth's delusive joys to rove.
As we pursue our path along,

Oh! like the sun fish, we should sever
Our gaze from folly's tempting throng,
And gaze on that which lasts for ever.

OCTOBER.

RICHARD RYAN.

OCTOBER was named, like the preceding, from the place it occupied in the Romulean calendar; it was the eighth. Mars was its tutelar deity. Under the reign of Antoninus, the senate were inclined to give to this month the name of Faustinus, in honour of Faustina, the wife of that prince. Commodus gave it the name of Invictus, and Domitian that of Domitianus; but, notwithstanding all these denominations, it still retains the name October. Scorpio is the sign into which the Sun enters during this month.

Remarkable Days

In OCTOBER 1826.

1.-SAINT REMIGIUS.

REMIGIUS, the great apostle of the French, was born in 439, and was chosen Archbishop of Rheims at 22 years of age. He died in his 96th year.

6. SAINT FAITH.

This virgin martyr suffered death under Dacianus, about the year 290, the most cruel torments being inflicted upon her.

*6. 1825.-cOUNT DE LACEPEDE DIED, ÆT. 68. He was the favourite and distinguished pupil of Buffon, and was known throughout Europe by his continuation of the great work of this eminent naturalist, the • Natural History of Oviparous Quadrupeds and Serpents,' his Histoire Naturelle des Cetacées, and numerous articles in the Annals of the Museum of Natural History. His lectures at the Jardin des Plantes were numerously attended, and the opening addresses particularly admired. The sciences were not the only objects of his meditation. Passionately fond of the fine arts, and especially of music, he composed several symphonies and sonatas, which display consi derable taste. He also entered the regions of fiction, and was the author of two novels. His opinion of vaccination, as a preservative from the small-pox, was not in consonance with the general doctrine; and having taken the infection, and the disease proving of a very malignant kind, his life became a sacrifice to his prejudices. In private life, M. Lacepede was a model of the social virtues: he was respected and esteemed by all who had the honour of his acquaintance. For further particulars of this eminent natu ralist, we must refer to the Literary Gazette for October 15, 1825, p. 668.

9.-SAINT DENYS.

Saint Denys, or Dionysius, was converted during