340 On natural Ph^enomena, 



was the species of Hirundo^^^ called the chimney 



* Hirundo Pelasgia, See Vol. 5, Wilson's Ornithology, page 

 48, & seq. 



" But if a wood of leaves o'ershade the tree, 



" Such, and so barren, will the harvest be. 



" In vain the hind shall vex the threshing-floor, 



" For empty chaff and straw will be thy store." Dryden, 



Whatever be the fallacy or correctness of such prognostics ; they 

 have existed from the earliest times. — Following this, we shall find 

 the practice oi steeping seed-grain, mentioned ; — 



" Semina vidi eguidem multos medicare ferentes" &c. 

 Also, culling or choosing the largest grain for seed ; (the best sub- 

 stitute for change,) we perceive to be recommended. 



" Degcnerare tamen : n't vis humana quxjtannts^ &c. 

 So that, with Solomon, one may truly say, " there is no new thing 

 under the sun." We see that Virgil was of opinion, that grainy 

 (like every other product,) has a tendency to deteriorate ; " dege- 

 iierare.'* 



'——4——" Sic omnia fatis 



" In pejus mere, ac retro, sublapsa refer ri.*^ 



I give Dryden' s translation of what Virgil has said, on these sub- 

 jects. — It would occupy too much room and time to take notice of 

 other topics, treated on in his other books. 



" Some steep their seed, and some in cauldrons boil, 



" With vigorous nitre, and with lees of oil, 



" O'er gentle fires ; th' exuberant juice to drain, 



" And swell the flattering husks with fruitful grain. 



*' Yet is not the success for years assured, 



*' Tho* chosen is the seed, and fully cured ; 



" Unless the peasant, with his annual pain, 



" Renews his choice, and culls the largest grain, 



" Thus all below, whether by nature's curse, 



'' Or Fate's decree, degenerate still to worse. 



