OCTOBER. 317 



and what is commonly called the fruit, (but is botanically a 

 seed,) is so divided by the internal cells of the shell, as to be 

 much less in bulk than the walnut,, and difficult to extract. 

 It is best cracked by holding it perpendicularly on a stone,, 

 and striking the base with a hammer, when the shell gene- 

 rally flies in pieces without crushing the seed. 



C. Here is a little strange-looking mouse, lying dead. 



F. It is not a mouse ; it does not even belong to the 

 same order ; this is a Shrew ( Sorex Brevicaudis ? ) belong- 

 ing to the order Ferae, whereas the mouse is placed in Glires. 

 I believe this genus is the smallest of the Carnivora> to 

 which its teeth claim affinity j its usual food is, however, 

 insects, worms, &c. It is not commonly seen here. This 

 has probably been killed, and rejected by one of the house 



cats. Have you ever examined any of that large 



patch of bulrushes (Typha Latifolia) which grow in the 

 bottom of this field ? it is difficult to get at them, as it is a 

 complete bog all around, but they are so curious that they 

 repay the trouble of obtaining them. The thick cylindrical 

 head appears like a fine, but very closely set brush, radiating 

 from the axis or stalk, which it covers for about six inches. 

 On picking out a lump of what we may call the bristles of 

 this brush, we are surprised to see that we have a handful 

 of the softest down, that which before was not bigger than 

 one's thumb, now, on being freed from the stalk, filling one's 

 hand ; and the hiatus made by the loss is filled up by the 

 expansion of the remainder, so completely as scarcely to be 

 perceivable. In short, the whole head is composed of this 

 very expansive down ; and I am told that poor persons 

 sometimes collect quantities of it to make beds, which are 

 said to be soft and elastic. 



C. Yonder goes a flock of Wild Geese (Anas Cana- 



