214 
THE FLORIST. 
JULY. 
To the real lover of Nature July will be found a very busy month. 
Let him direct his steps in what quarter he will some portion of 
Nature’s productions will intrude themselves on his notice. To the 
Botanist July is the most prolific month of the whole year; and to the 
lover of flowers nothing is more delightful than a stroll down the lanes 
and hedge sides, where flowers of all hues will obtrude themselves upon 
his notice, some by their gaudy colours, and others by their sweet 
perfumes. The student will find this month most productive of all the 
Grass families, which offer a very wide field of observation and interest; 
the agricultural student will find it much to his advantage to make this 
branch of Botany his especial study. The Ferns and all Cryptogameous 
plants will also be found in perfection. Now the Ferns will present 
their fructifications in all their varied forms, opening very large scope 
for observation and admiration: and the important family of Leguminosse 
will be found in their prime. The Heaths will be now tinging the 
moors and commons with their bright tints; the Foxgloves will also be 
conspicuous objects. Not only will all terrestrial plants be attractive 
now, but our ponds and lakes are especially so with their Water Lilies, 
Buckbean, Water Plantain, the beautiful Villarsia, or Water Violet; 
with the curious Bladder-wort, with its feathery leaves floating by their 
air bladders. The salt marshes will also be found rich with the marine 
aquatics, such as the Thrifts, the yellow horned Poppy, and members of 
the Cruciferous, Leguminous, and Syngeneceous Orders. The Ento¬ 
mologist will have plenty to do this month, as more insects are now on 
the wing than at any time of the year. This branch of natural history 
is a very attractive one, for in no part of Nature’s work can we discover 
more delicate organisation or more exquisite beauty ; and, like Botany, 
the study of Entomology is well adapted to those who, by their daily 
engagements, are unable to apply themselves to more severe studies; 
and to the enterprising young gardener this study will be found to prove of 
infinite service, as insects enter so largely and closely into all a gardener’s 
operations; therefore, “ to know an enemy and his tactics is half a 
victory over him.” Many conceive the notion that to be a collector of 
insects would take up too much of their time, and that it requires 
expensive apparatus. Nothing is more fallacious. As to the time, it is 
the pleasantest recreation 1 know of, and of course to those who have 
their daily occupations in the open air nothing more is required than to 
keep on the alert; and as to the apparatus a gauze net about half a yard 
long, and about a foot in diameter at the mouth, like a fisherman’s 
landing net, only lighter, and with a long handle, is sufficient; a few 
pins and a collecting box will be found sufficient to commence with, and 
a stroll by twilight by the hedge sides will give pleasant occupation to 
the beginner. For further instructions I should refer him to “ West¬ 
wood’s Introduction to Entomology,” a perusal of which will initiate him 
in the modus operandi. 
Our ornithological friends will find the heat of July has a great effect 
upon birds ; they are now almost mute, and seldom seen excepting in 
