AUGUST. 
273 
Father. — I lately caught an allied species^ but consi- 
derably larger, of a smooth shining black, but like it in other 
respects f Gymnodus Drakii), It was in the dusk of the 
evenings when it came buzzing round the verandah, and 
at length alighted at my feet. But go on with your forest 
researches. 
C. — I found, in another rotten tree, seveml specimens of 
a large Julus^ or thousand legs," three inches long, and a 
quarter of an inch in diameter : it is of a dark purplish red, 
slow of motion, and, when touched, coils itself up in a circular 
form, the head in the centre. 
F. — This insect ( Julus Marginatus) is considered by 
the American inhabitants as being highly poisonous if taken 
into the stomach : I have been told of instances in which a 
person has accidentally bitten one, and has hardly escaped 
death. 
C. — There were many groups of a pretty flowering plant, 
bearing numbers of hanging blossoms, shaped somewhat like 
a cup, with a long curved tube at the bottom, of a bright 
yellow, with red spots. Hearing a loud hum, I looked round, 
and saw a beautiful Humming-bird poising itself before these 
flowers, inserting its bill for an instant, then whisking to 
another like lightning ; while I stood motionless,, it approach- 
ed and sucked flowers within a yard of me, but on the least 
motion it was ofl" to a distance. 
F, — The flower is the Touch-me-not (Impatiens noli- 
tangere ) ; it grows in considerable quantities in wet situa- 
tions, both in woods and in open places. It is a favourite 
resort of the Ruby-throaty numbers of which may be seen 
about a cluster of these flowers on almost every bright warm 
day. They do not blossom much before this period. 
