238 



dam, also, they were noticed under the name of Putex 

 aquations nrborescens, the latter name being given to 

 them in allusion to their branching antennae. It has 

 been observed as a remarkable circumstance, of which 

 but few instances occur in nature, that a single impreg- 

 nation is sufficient for several (six or more) genera- 

 tions. An analogous law occurs amongst the plant 

 lice (APHIDES, which see). Occasionally these insects 

 abound in stagnant water to such a degree as to im- 

 part to it their own tint ; and as one of the species is 

 of a red colour, the colour thus imparted to the water 

 has been supposed to have been caused by blood. 



The type of the genus is the species above men- 

 tioned, or the Monoculus pulcx (Linnseus). It is about 

 one-twelfth of an inch long, and in spring is of a red 

 colour, which towards the summer becomes rosy; but at 

 other seasons it becomes of a greenish white colour. 

 It is very abundant. 



DARNEL, is the Lolium temulentum of Linnaeus, 

 a species of grass too often found in autumn-sowed 

 crops of corn. If its seeds, which are nearly as large 

 as those of rye, are mixed with wheat, and made into 

 Hour therewith, it renders the bread bitter and un- 

 wholesome. Indeed, the plant is the dread of 

 farmers, and the seeds are detested by the miller ; 

 nor is there any easy way of ridding the wheat of it, 

 if thrashed together. Hand-picking the sheaves, as 

 they pass through the hands of the binder and 

 thrasher, is most effectual, because neither sieve, nor 

 skreen nor fanners, can separate the darnel from the 

 wheat ; and if a single grain of the former be seen in 

 the sack at market, the value of the latter is very 

 much reduced. 



There are two old popular errors relative to this 

 plant which are not entirely discredited at this day. 

 The first is, that it is the plant whence the cultivated 

 wheat was originally obtained, and that wheat may 

 be grown till it all turns again to darnel ! This is 

 truly ridiculous ; for, except being in the same natural 

 order, no two plants can be more unlike in quality 

 than the Lolium temulentum and the Triticum hyber- 

 nmn, or common wheat. 



It is said to be sometimes used in the manufacture 

 of low wines, for the purposes of the compounder of 

 strong liquors ; but this requires confirmation, as it is 

 o strongly poisonous. 



There is another grass which is sometimes con- 

 founded with darnel, because it is sown and reaped, 

 and appears in the sample along with true darnel. 

 This is the Bromus secalinum, a plant yielding seeds 

 little inferior to small oats, and of fully as good 

 quality. This last is called ray, and the other is 

 called by its right name, darnel, though they are 

 often mistaken for each other. The one is sweet and 

 wholesome, the other bitter and stupifying. 



DARTER Anhinga. A genus of web-footed 

 birds belonging to the pelican family, and in many of 

 their appearances and habits nearly allied to the 

 cormorants. The species are not very well made 

 out ; but as the nearly allied genus of the cormorants 

 is subject to considerable varieties of colour, both 

 with age and with season, it is probable that the birds 

 which have been noticed as differing a little from 

 each other are all of (he same species. 



The species which is best known, if not the only 

 species, is the white billed anhinga (Plotus melano- 

 gaster), which is found in the humid parts by the 

 rivers, pools, and lagunes near the snores in the 

 southern part of the United States, in Brazil, and 



DARNEL DARTER. 



other parts of South America ; and also on the humid 

 parts of the west coast of Africa to the south of the 

 desert. 



Darter. 



The length is about two feet ten inches ; the wings 

 long ; the tail very long, the head and neck slender ; 

 the bill long and perfectly straight ; the mandibles 

 enlarged at the base, tapering to points at the tip, 

 and finely serrated in the tomia ; the upper mandible 

 slightly channelled on each side ; the nostrils linear 

 in the channels, and concealed by a membrane ; the 

 tarsi short, but very thick and strong ; all the toes 

 webbed, the web of the hind toe joining the inner one 

 as in the cormorant and all the birds which dash into 

 the water for fish ; the toes armed with crooked 

 claws. The head is smooth, the colour of the belly 

 white, all the other parts raven black, except a few 

 mantlings of white on the tail. 



It reposes on trees, where it also nestles, finds its 

 food in the waters, and is rarely seen on the ground. 

 When in a state of repose, the long neck is folded 

 back upon the shoulders, and the bird stands upon 

 the top of the tree rather than perches. Its perch or 

 nest is seldom far from the water ; and when the 

 weather is very sultry, it may be often seen standing 

 on a branch which projects over the water, and ex- 

 panding and moving its wings and tail, as if producing 

 a current of air to cool it. On these occasions it 

 is said to contemplate its own image in the stream, 

 but that wants confirmation, though many birds are 

 known to be much interested with looking-glasses. 

 If disturbed while thus fanning itself, it drops head 

 foremost into the water as if shot, or rather struck by 

 lightning, and instantly disappears, producing very 

 little rippling, as its pointed bill, slender head and 

 neck, and finely tapered shoulders, divide the water 

 with the greatest ease. After a little time it ascends 

 and shoots out of the water like an arrow at a con- 

 siderable distance from the place at which it dived. 

 At other times they fly high over the waters, and 

 with powerful wing, darting down occasionally and 

 capturing fish, which they do with great rapidity and 

 certainty. 



They are social birds, always found in packs, and 

 sometimes in pretty numerous flocks ; and though 

 they are thus numerous in the same locality, they are 

 generally fat, as they resort only to those places 

 where they find plenty of food. They frequent only 

 the perennial waters ; they do not need to fatigue 

 themselves by migrating from place to place. Their 

 nests are rudely formed of sticks in the tops of the 



