24*2 
HABITS AND LATIN NAMES OF BRITISH PLANTS. 
of modern cookery—a Pigeon-pie, which I have often thought must be the 
nearest approach to 44 ambrosia” we poor sons of Earth have discovered) ; when I 
threw them on the table, a Russian servant who was near, after several ejacula¬ 
tions against my impiety and cruelty (for they do not understand the respect with 
which the English treat their superiors in station), snatched up one of the dead 
birds, and bursting into tears commenced kissing and fondling it; yet a few days 
afterwards she plucked them without displaying the least uneasiness, a thing 
characteristic of the people, who for the most part act from impulse. 
The House Sparrow (Fringilla domestica) breeds here, and continues the whole 
year; they go in flocks, mixing with Mountain Sparrows ( F . montana ), which 
retreat from their wilds when the frost sets in ; for the benefit of a better stock of 
food they resort to barns, and as night approaches they betake themselves to the 
roofs of cottages, and roost by the warm chimnies. They get through the cold 
season better than our little birds, which a Russian Winter would utterly exter¬ 
minate; but they are very thin, and in January, 1836, I found several decidedly 
frozen, not starved to death. I have observed that the beaks and claws of many 
individuals of F. domestica grow preternaturally long, so that the bird at first 
sight looks like a distinct species. I have thought this peculiarity may arise from 
their diet, which is now entirely granivorous, and from the supply of small stones 
necessary for the process of digestion being cut off in a great measure; but this 
is merely a theory. The Wood Grous ( Tetrao urogallus) is seldom found near 
St. Petersburg^. The Black Grous ( T. tetrix) and the Ptarmigan (T. lagopus) 
are rare at this season, though the market is abundantly supplied with them from 
the interior. But as I have finished my sheet of paper, I must defer speaking of 
animals, &c., till another time. 
Bought on, Norfolk , 
Nov . 27, 1838. 
ON THE HABITS AND PECULIARITIES OF BRITISH PLANTS, 
AND ON THE DERIVATIONS OF THEIR LATIN NAMES. 
By T. B. Hall. 
(ContinueiHrom p. 194.) 
Ballota. — BolWcotyi. From to reject; on account of its disagreeable 
smell; or according to Littleton to send forth, and o s utos the ear, 
because it sends forth flowers like ears. 
Ballota nigra , Black Horehound, or Henbit.'— It is recommended in hysterical 
