JULY. 
Ml 
though unknown a few years agO;, it is now spreading with 
alarming rapidity and laughs at our efforts to control it. 
Another pernicious weed is likewise becoming an object of 
some attention ; though it has not yet attained the noto- 
riety of the former. I allude to Spurry f Spargula Arven- 
sis), so abhorred by some of our farmers, that they have 
given it the name of devil's gut." It has a long^ but very 
slender stem, trailing on the ground^ with nodules about an 
inch apart, at each of which the stem forms an angle. The 
leaves and flowers are inconspicuous ; the seed-vessels are 
numerous, globular, and about as large as peas : the stems 
trail a long way from the roots^ and twine and entangle one 
with another. It chiefly infests new land ; but I suppose 
the seed has been imported with other seeds from Europe. 
There^ I have understood^ it is sometimes sown for the sake 
of its herbage, which affords an abundant and nutritious food 
for cattle. These three are the worst weeds that infest our 
crops : we have many others ; but they do not spread so 
rapidly as these, and can in some measure be kept under. 
C — Oh ! what a beautiful bird is on that apple tree : 
his back is bright azure blue, and his breast reddish brown. 
F, — That is the Blue Bird ( Saxicola Sialis ). It is not 
very common with us^ but is a universal favourite wherever 
it appears. I have seen it here as late as the month of Oc- 
tober, and have no doubt that it arrives from the south 
pretty early in spring, though I have not met with it at 
that season. It appears to frequent the clearing more than 
the forest, and to be rather familiar with man, and of a 
mild and confiding disposition. In the south I have seen 
them abundant ; but cannot add anything to Wilson's very 
minute and accurate account of their economy. His simple 
stanzas in honour of this pretty bird are so beautifully feel- 
ing, that I need make no excuse for repeating them to you. 
M 
