216 IN BIRD- LAND 



rotted to the very root. How to repair my loss I 

 know not, for I could never make any of the seed 

 which came from the rock sampier (though mine 

 were of the very kind) to grow. The aborescent 

 and other sedums, aloes, &c., though housed, 

 perished with me ; but the yucca and opuntia 

 escaped. Tulips, many are lost, and so the Con- 

 stantinople narcissus, and such tuberosae as were 

 not kept in the chimney-corner, where was con- 

 tinual fire. Some anemonies appear, but I 

 believe many are rotted ; but I have made no 

 great search in the flowery parterre ; only I find 

 that most capillaries spring, and other humble and 

 repent plants, notwithstanding all this rigorous 

 season. My tortoise, which, by his constant bury- 

 ing himself in the earth at approach of winter, I 

 looked upon as a kind of plant-animal, happening 

 to be obstructed by a vine-root from mining to 

 the depth he was usual wont to inter, is found 

 stark-dead, after having many years escaped the 

 severest winter. Of fish I have lost very few ; and 

 the nightingales, which for being a short-winged 

 bird and so exceedingly fat at the time of the year, 

 we commonly suppose them to change the climate, 

 whereas, indeed, they are then hardly able to flee 

 an hundred yards, are as brisk and frolic as ever ; 

 nor do I think they alter their summer stations. 



