47: 



The lanes around Salem, Howgill, Newby and Eimington 

 are as lovely as any in Lancashire, the beautif,al contrasts of 

 colour in the large masses of " forget-me-nots," 'primroses, wild 

 orchids, ragged robins, red and white campions, &c., growing in 

 such rich abundance on the hedgebanks and lane sides, is a sight 

 never to be forgotten. Later on, the beautiful mealy primrose, 

 " primula farinosa." is also to be found in the neighbourhood. 

 The white campions by the way open only in the evening and 

 are sweet scented, but the coloured ones are open all day long, 

 and scentless. The hedges are all aglow with the rich pink and 

 white petals of the crab apple and the pendulous blossoms of the 

 bird cherry; the latter tumbling like little cataracts of snow, 

 adown the gentle slopes of their green leaves. Standing on the 

 little wooden bridge at Howgill, where the brook crosses the 

 lane, you may see the finest bird cherry in this county, it over- 

 hangs the stream and its lovely image is clearly reflected on tlie 

 placid waters, reminding one of Lowell's lines " a dogrose blush- 

 ing to a brook, aint modester nor sweeter." This tree is worthy 

 of a special visit when in full bloom ; its odour is delightful, 

 being very like that of the lime tree, only more heavily laden 

 with honey. 

 • •••••••» 



The cuckoo is now (June 12th) in full song, calling continu- 

 ously. The woods at Whalley Nab, Moreton Hall, and Clerk 

 Hill as viewed from near Cock Bridge, being in full leaf are a 

 "picture to behold." The view down the river from the cliff 

 opposite Moreton Hall with the Nab on the left, and Waddington 

 Fells away in the distance, forms one of the most striking bits 

 of scenery in this district. This blue flower growing in the 

 ditches and so often taken for the "forget-me-not" is called 

 "brook-lime," its flowers are a darker blue and without the 

 pretty pale yellow centre which contrasts so beautifully with the 

 light blue petals of the true "forget-me-not." The hop plant 

 with twining tendrils and light green vine-shaped leaves is trail- 

 ing along the hedges ; and here and there are the pretty black 

 and yellow caterpillars of the magpie moth feeding on the hazel, 

 being the onlyinstance of the kind I have ever known or heard 

 of, their natural food being the currant leaf. 



They are busily at work, but the moment my hand approaches, 

 they fall apparently dead on the leaf, and allow me to tumble 

 them about without showing any signs of life. I believe it is 

 not generally known that this instinct is common to the cater- 

 pillars as well as to the fully developed insect. 



Drinkmg from a stone trough on the road side I have an 

 opportunity of watching a diving beetle perform his aquatic 

 evolutions, coming occasionly to the surface to take in fresh 

 supplies of air, which he carries safely down again under cover 



