Indicatorial Calendar of Nature* 



=89 



balmy fragrance of innumerable flowers and opening buds. Almost 6verv 

 part of the vegetable creation is in vigorous growth, and holding forth 

 the pleasing hope of future perfection. The ear is ever saluted by the con- 

 cert of the groves, and all nature seems to rejoice. The winds are generally 

 variable, in which case there are alternations of showers and sunshine ; if 

 steady from any of the northerly points, with a clear sky, frosty air some- 

 times chills the early hours, and checks the tender shoots. Changeable 

 weather having continued for the last three months, it is probable it will 

 continue four or six weeks longer. 



Quadrupeds. — Moles are affected by the season ; though the constant 

 tenants of darkness, their economy in forming their abodes, and exertions 

 in search of their food, arrest the notice of the observer. In the beginning 

 of May, the female begins to prepare a nest, either under a bush or hedge, 

 and not uncommonly in the open pastures, by throwing up alarger hill than 

 usual. The water shrew may be seen diving in search of food amongst the 

 mud in spring water ditches. 



The Fishes which appear in the London market in May and June, are 

 chiefly the salmon, turbot, mackerel, doree, red mullet, and pike. The 

 doree (corrupted from adoree^ worshipped, or probably from doree ^ gilt ; in 

 allusion to its splendid colour) Zeus T^ber hm., {fig' 44.) is said by some to 

 be the fish out of whose 

 mouth St. Peter took the 

 tribute-money, leaving on its 

 sides those incontestible 

 proofs of the identity of the 

 fish, the marks of his finger 

 and thumb. Others contend 

 that the fish in question was 

 the haddock. It is rather 

 hard to determine the dis- 

 pute ; for the doree also as- 

 serts an origin of its spots 

 of a similar nature, but of a 

 much later date than the 

 former. St. Christopher, in 

 wading through an arm of 

 the sea, having caught a fish of the kind, en passant^ as an eternal me- 

 morial of the fact, left the impression on its sides to be transmitted to all 

 posterity. In our own country it was very long before the fish attracted 

 notice, at least as an edible one. We are indebted to that judicious 

 actor and bon vivant, the late Mr. Quin, for adding a most delicious luxury 

 to our table, who, overcoming all the vulgar prejudices on account of its 

 deformit}^, has effectually established its reputation. It is found on the 

 southern shores of this kingdom. Those of the largest size are taken in the 

 Bay of Biscay, and in the Mediterranean. Ovid has called it rams Faber, 

 which must have been owing to its excellence, not its scarcity. While living, 

 4.5 V the colour is very resplend- 



ent, and as if gilt, whence, 

 according to some, the 

 name; but Sir Joseph Banks 

 used to say it should be 

 adoreey and that it was the 

 most valuable of fish, be- 

 cause it required no sauce. 

 The red mullet, or sur- 

 mullet, ikfullus Surmuletus 

 im., (^g. 45.) was highly 

 esteemed by the Romans, and bore an exceedingly high price. The ca* 



