CHAPTER OF VARIETIES. 89 



church-yard, took possession of some lofty elm trees, on the parade in 

 the Tower, which they soon filled with their nests ; and the shortness 

 of accommodation there, perhaps led some of them to occupy the 

 crowns, which are fixed on the top of the vanes at each turret of the 

 white tower. The remains of the nests may still be seen filling these 

 singular stations." — Page 48. 



Rain predicted by monkeys. — Some time before rain commences 

 in South America, there is heard through the woods the melancholy 

 howling of monkeys (Simia Beelzebub, S, Seniculus, Sfc.) The coming 

 noise of the storm is afterwards heard at a distance. The intensity of 

 the cries of the monkeys may be partly understood from the fact that a 

 single tree is sometimes the abode of sixty or eighty of them. — Baron 

 Humboldt's Darstellung. 



Flig ht of the albatross. — How powerful must be the wing mus- 

 cles of birds which sustain themselves in the sky for many hours together ! 

 The great Albatross, with wings extending fourteen feet or more, is 

 seen in the stormy solitudes of the Southern ocean, accompanying ships 

 for whole days, without ever resting on the waves. — Dr. Arnott. 



Honey-dew and aphides not found in Britain. — Speaking of 

 Honey-dew beingejected by Aphides -a fact proved beyond all question, 

 and which may be seen in every wood and hedge in the empire — Mr. 

 Huish says, " I acknowledge that it not only exceeds my belief, but also 

 my comprehension. Its not having been observed in this country may 

 proceed from diversity of climate, which is not congenial to the growth 

 of the insect!!!" — Huish on Bees, p. 201. 



On frost causing plants to flower. — Plants are often checked 

 in their growth from cold and frosty nights ; one striking effect of which 

 is, to force them prematurely into bloom. — Patrick Neal. 



The hunted hare. — A hare closely pursued by the hounds was 

 suddenly lost sight of ; she had plunged into a deep ditch overgrown 

 with briers ; and, after running some distance along its bottom, crept 

 slowly up the bank and stretched herself, breathless and almost dead 

 with terror and fatigue, beneath the legs of a group of school-boys, who 

 had there seated themselves, watching with deep anxiety and interest 

 the fortunes of the chace. As soon as the astonishment excited by 

 this unexpected appearance of poor puss had somewhat subsided, an 

 animated debate arose amongst the youngsters, respecting the disposal 

 of the exhausted creature. The majority, allured by the hope of reward, 

 voted for the prompt surrender of the unfortunate refugee to her mer~ 



