naturalists’ calendar. 
189 
and bears yellow flowers, often plentiful, in cultivated fields, particularly amongst 
flax, with which it is often introduced from abroad. In some parts of Europe it 
is cultivated for the seeds, from which oil is obtained. In woods, where the soil 
is of a light sandy nature, the Adoxa Moschatellina (4) thrives almost unnoticed. 
Birds. —About the middle of the month the Nightingale, Black Cap, Red¬ 
start, and many other summer visitors arrive. We never yet met with an in¬ 
stance of the Nightingale having been either seen or heard in the High Peak of 
Derbyshire; last spring we heard one in a coppice near Derby, but we conceive 
even that to have been a solitary instance, notwithstanding in some parts of 
Nottinghamshire they abound, and their nests are not uncommon. The Black¬ 
cap is very common with us, and with his mellow notes, in some measure com¬ 
pensates for the absence of the Nightingale. 
Molluscous Animals. —In old walls and under hedges is sheltered the Helix 
rufescens, (5) the shell is nearly three-fourths of an inch in diameter, semi¬ 
transparent, varying in colour from pale ash, to rufous brown, often marked with 
paler or darker blotches, rarely pure white. The Helix Carthusiana (6) is not 
uncommon in chalky and sandy districts; it is about three quarters of an inch 
in diameter, thin and nearly transparent, ofa pale yellowish white, or lead colour. 
Also in similar situations the Helix Carthusianella (8) may be found; the shell 
is about half an inch in diameter, more depressed than the last, and not so 
glossy; on the outside of the aperture is a milk white band. The Helix Arbus- 
torum (7) is not uncommon in moist, wet, shady places, it is about three quarters 
of an inch high, and about as much in diameter. Its usual colour is brown, 
marbled with yellowish spots, with a single blackish band winding round the 
middle of the lowest volution and continuing round the base of the rest. The 
colour, however, is rather variable, sometimes it is greenish-yellow with a pale 
band, and in other instances without a band, and marbled with white spots. 
Insects. —Those who are notversed in the technical terms of Entomology, may 
spend many amusing hours in studying the habits of the more ingenious insects. 
The various species of ants, for example, are now busily repairing the damages 
which the severities of winter have produced upon their domiciles. 
