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AN AFTERNOON'S RAMBLE, OR LEISURE HOUR. 



BY MR. J. O. HARPER. 



The following lines are penned with the anticipation of stimulating others 

 (wlio have at their command, sometimes, a leisure hour) to ramble on the 

 outskirts of our cities, and to observe for themselves what an extensive fifeld 

 is open to their view in the study of Nature's works; also, to show what can 

 be accomplished in a few hours, by an attentive observer of that which is 

 daily and hourly passing around them, and yet so little noticed ; many hours 

 — now, perhaps, unprotitably spent — if devoted to this interesting branch of 

 science, would, I feel persuaded, ennoble the mind, and bring us in com- 

 munion with the Creator and Giver of All. 



Being a half-holiday with my son, we started on the 5th of this present 

 month, at two o'clock, en route for Trowse and Lakenham, for the pui-pose of 

 obtaining specimens of the finny tribe for his Aquaria, which are all the rage, 

 at this period, in this ancient city, — from the little urchin, with his mother's 

 pickle jar, to the adult specimen of the genus homo, and some very tasteful 

 ones have been got up ; more especially two, of large dimensions, adapted 

 for fish and zoophytes, which have been recently addpd, by subscription, to 

 our public museum, so rich in zoological specimens ; — standing out promi- 

 nently, is an extensive and valuable collection of the I'aptorial birds of 

 Europe, liberally presented by J. H Gurney, Esq., M. P. 



Let us return to our ramble : Passing over the Eastern Union Railway, 

 Sand Martins (which appeared here on the 20th of April) were soaring high 

 on outstretched wings, now skimming with lightning speed in search of in- 

 sect prey ; for in this locality are two large gravel pits, one being situated at 

 the back of my garden, where these birds annually congregate and bring 

 forth their young. Many an hour, on a summer's evening, have I watched 

 these, to me, interesting birds. Proceeding on our way, we arrived at the 

 summit of Bracondale Hill ; in the valley below, lies the pretty village of 

 Trowse, with its neat church and clear running stream ; midway between 

 the hill and village, we entered a gate on the left, passing some Ivy-covered 

 walls, once the support of the far-famed " Carrow Abbey ;" then crossing the 

 Eastern Counties Line, we arrived at Trowse Meadows. Commencing our 

 search in the surrounding ditches, captured several specimens of the three 

 and ten-spined Sticklebacks; (Gasterosteus aeuleatus) et (O pungitiis) ; the 

 former were all males, rich in varied hues. Also, small specimens of [Tinea 

 vulgaris), ( Anguilla acutirostris) , and {Petromyzon fluviatilis) ; these complete 

 our capture of Pisces. 



Mollusca were exceedingly abundant in the ditches. We dredged with a 

 small net, and obtained the following : — * 



• Should any of your correspondents require any of those mentioned, I shall be happy to fonvard them. 



