IN JULY. 251 



worms and ggs ranged around. When opened in 

 the winter, the labourers are in torpor The} lay up 

 no provision. They prey upon beetles, caterpillars, 

 dead mice, rats, frogs, and juices from leaves, and 

 when they meet with more than they can carry, they 

 return to fetch their comrades to help them. 



In this month the poultry moult. Young par- 

 tridges are found among the corn, and first broods 

 of swallows and martins congregate. 



The farmer now gets home the products of the 

 earth, particularly hay. 



Hemp and flax are pulled this month. These 

 plants are cultivated in various parts of Europe more 

 than in England. The stalks of both are full of 

 rough fibres or strings, which separated and pre- 

 pared in a particular manner, become fit for spin- 

 ning into thread. Of flax linen is made, from the 

 finest cambrick to the coarsest canvas Hemp is 

 chiefly used for coarse cloth ; it is also twisted into 

 ropes and cables. 



In the southern parts of our island the corn har- 

 vest begins ; and, 



" Soon as the morning trembles o'er the sky, 

 And, unperceiv'd, unfolds the spreading day, 

 Before the ripen'd field the reapers stand 

 I a, fair array." 



