478 
naturalist’s calendar. 
cause it is believed to migrate to the,south, and, therefore, cannot visit us for 
the sake of climate , since it comes in the most temperate part of the year, and 
leaves us when the hot weather commences. It breeds almost immediately upon 
its arrival, and leaves ns as soon as it has performed the necessary duties for 
propagating the species.— Field Nat. Mag. 
Diffusion of Seeds. —The economy of Providence in distributing seeds 
may be remarked in those of the Dandelion, (Leontodon Taraxacum,) which are 
every where to be seen during summer, floating'about on the air, supported by 
its feathering down. It is not to be supposed that half of these seeds ever fall 
upon spots favourable to germination ; but when so great a number of them, 
and of their congeners of the class Syngenesia, are scattered about by the winds, 
there is not merely a chance but a certainty, that some of them will fall on spots 
where they had not previously existed, or where vegetation was scanty ; on the 
tops of walls for instance, where a thin stratum of soil is formed by the decay of 
the winter crop of mosses. The process during the formation of such soil is ex¬ 
ceedingly interesting, and may even in cities be observed on a small scale, on 
brick or stone walls. There is first the green incrustation, called by Linnaeus. 
Byssus, but recently proved to be primary germination of several mosses, such 
as Polytricha and Tortola. When this decays, a very thin layer of vegetable 
earth is formed, which affords a scanty support for the roots of the next year’s 
crop of mosses : and in process of time, soil is formed of sufficient depth for 
Drabaverna , and other wall plants.— Mag. Gard. Bot. 
Growth of Plants. —The several opinions prevailing on this subject may 
be referred to three general heads. First. —That growth in diameter is carried 
on by the annual change of the inner bark into pulp wood, and of pulp wood 
into hard wood, and by the successive renewal of the inner bark. Secondly .— 
That the successive formation of the layers of wood is produced by the evolving 
of buds. And Thirdly , That the annual formation of woody layers is owing to 
the pulp, which, every year, forms, at one and the same time, a new layer of 
pulp wood, and a new layer of inner bark.— Rennie. 
Aglossa pinguinalis, or Tabby Moth. The larvm of this moth, unlike most 
others, feed upon animal substances, such as butter and bacon, and are srated 
by Linnaeus to inhabit even the human stomach, being the most dangerous of 
worms, possibly from a capability of perforating the intestines. Although many 
years have elapsed since Linnaeus made this remark, no one has either confirmed 
or contradicted it! 
The Green-Rose Chaffer, (Cetonia aurita.)—These beetles do not attack 
the essential parts of flowers, but only suck the honey at the bottom of the co¬ 
rolla. The larvae are blind, and roll themselves on their backs, contracting the 
annulations of their body, to move forward instead of walking. They are two 
or three years in arriving at their perfect state. 
The Forest Fly, (Hippobosca equina.)—These flies run swiftly, and like a 
crab, either sideways or backwards : they are very tenacious of life, and live 
principally upon horses, attracting themselves to the belly. It is remarked by 
Latteille, that the ass fears them the most; and that horses suffer very little from 
them, since probably after the first irritation they cause little pain, otherwise 
horses could not live in the forests in the summer.— Curtis' Entomology. 
The Amount of Sunshine during the month of August. 
August. 
Morning. 
Evening. 
82 hours. 
f>4 hours. 
Total. | Average Daily. 
146 hours, j 4 hours, 42 min. 1.0 sec. 
