naturalists’ calendar. 
4-3 
Geography of Mars. —In this planet we discern, with perfect distinctness, 
the outlines of what may be continents and seas. Of these, the former are dis¬ 
tinguished by that ruddy colour, which characterizes the light of this planet, 
which always appears red and fiery, and indicates, no doubt, an ochery tinge in 
the general soil, like what the red sandstone districts on the earth may possibly 
offer to the inhabitants of Mars, only more decided. Contrasted with this, by a 
general law in optics, the seas, as we may call them, appear greenish. These 
spots, however, are not always to be seen equally distinct, though, when seen, 
they offer always the same appearance. This may arise from the planet not 
being entirely destitute of atmosphere and clouds; and what adds greatly to 
the probability of this is the appearance of brilliant white spots at its poles, 
which have been conjectured, with a great deal of probability, to be snow ; as 
they disappear when they have been long exposed to the Sun, and are greatest 
when just emerging from the long night of their polar winter. By watching the 
spots, during a whole night, and on successive nights, it is found that Mars has 
a rotation on an axis in a period of 24th. 39m. 21s. in the same direction as the 
earth’s, or from west to east.— Sir. J. FTerschel/,on Astronomy .— Cab. Cyclopcedia. 
p. 279. 
The Dragon Fly —The situations where these insects are most commonly 
found are near the water’s edge, sporting among the flags; in pasture lands and 
in gardens. The Sfreat Dragon Fly is remarkably rapid in its career, seldom 
stopping to rest, and is extremely watchful. Every one, who pretends to any 
thing like observation, must have remarked the beautiful and perfect eye of this 
insect. It forms an interesting object for the microscope. Although the insect 
seems formidable from its size, it is quite harmless. The country folks, however, 
in some places, have given it the uncourteous name of horse-stinger. It has no 
sting, nor does it infest horses .—Field Nat. May. 
Chrysalis of the Death’s Head Hawk Moth.—Those who endeavour to rear 
these moths often fail, after the insect has passed into the chrysalis state. A good 
method is to moisten the chrysalis every morning with warm water, and to place 
it in the breeding cage near the pie, by which means the fluids of the body are 
preserved, and the case is not too strong for the perfect insect to penetrate. It 
placed in a bark stove with plants, and covered with the earth, they will not per¬ 
ish, as is the case with those generally exposed to the temperature of our climate. 
—Field Nat. May. 
The Lilac Moth. —(Gracillaria anastomosis) is double brooded, the first ap¬ 
pearing in May, from the Caterpillars of the preceding autumn, the second in 
July. The eggs are laid in rows, consisting of from three to a dozen, and are 
placed along the nervures on the underside of the privet. In five or six days, 
the eggs are hatched, and the larvae eat into the leaf, mining to the upper surface, 
where they eat the parenchyma, leaving the epidermis untouched. In about a 
fortnight afterwards, they leave their mines, and commence rolling the leaves : 
the roll is fastened on the outside with a few threads, and the ends are drawn 
close. Here they remain until full grown, eating only half the substance of the 
leaf, when they drop from the leaves and retire underground, where they spin a 
strong case, and in a few days change into the pupae. It is principally on trees 
in shaded situations, and on the ground-shoots, and under-branches of others, 
that the mother-moth lays her eggs.— Brit. Ent. 
