IN JULY. 249 



JULY. 



' Deep to the root 



Of vegetation parch'd, the cleaving fields 

 And slippery lawn an arid hue disclose ; 

 Echo no more returns the cheerful sound 

 Of sharp'ning scythe ; the mower, sinking, heaps 

 O'er him the humid hay, with flowers perfum'd." 



JULY is the hottest month in the year. The di- 

 rect influence of the sun, indeed, is diminishing ; but 

 the earth and air have been so thoroughly heated, 

 that ihe warmth which they retain, more than com- 

 pensates for the gradual diminution of the solar rays. 



The effects of this weather upon the face of nature 

 soon become manifest. All the flowers of the for- 

 mer month lose their beauty, and the whole plant 

 hastens to decay Many plants, however, do not 

 begin to flower till July. 



While the animal creation seem oppressed with 

 languor, during this hot season, and either seek the 

 recesses of woods, or resort to pools and streams, to 

 cool their bodies and quench their thirst, the insect 

 tribe are peculiarly active and vigorous. These 

 minute creatures are for the most part annual ; being 

 hatched in the spring, and dying at the approach of 

 winter. ^ * 



The excessive heats of this period of the year, 

 cause such an evaporation from the surface of the 

 earth and waters, that, after some continuance of dry 

 weather, large heavy clouds are formed, which at 

 length let fall their collected liquor, in extremely co- 



