‘>86 
VI.—NATURALIST 8 CALENDAR. 
FOR DECEMBER. 
BOTANY. 
This montli, to the Botanist, is one of the most barren in the year ; it produces fey? new ob¬ 
jects. The Lichens and a few Mosses are almost the only vegetables in a state of fructification. 
Among the latter may be mentioned the following, Buxbavmia aphylla, PhascMtn mullicaptH- 
lare, P. muticum, Gymnostomum ciliatum, Orthotrichum aristatum, Hypnum prtelonyum, H 
plumosum, H. schreberi, and Bryum Toseum. 
The berries of the Holly, Ilex aquifolium, are now ripe, and their bright scarlet makes a rich 
contrast to the dark green of the leaves. The berries of that singular and interesting parasite, 
the Misseltoe, Piscum album, are also ripe, and both afford food to various species of the 
Thrush family. 
The stmcture of the buds of trees, the investigation of their modes of defence against coldi 
and of the various forms in which their leaves are folded, form an interesting and very appro¬ 
priate study for this time of the year; indeed there are many parts of physiological Botany 
which may now be advantageously studied. 
The dried specimens of plants gathered in the summer should now be mounted aud arranged 
according to the directions given in August. The Mosses may either be pressed and treated as 
other plants, or they may be folded up in small paper packets, properly labelled, which is per¬ 
haps preferable, as they will at any time, by immersion in water, revive so as to be fit for 
examination. Should the former mode, however, be preferred, they should be pressed imme¬ 
diately after being gathered, as they'are apt to shrivel by exposure to the air. 
ZOOLOGY. 
INSECTS.—The December Moth, may be found in the beginning of the 
month. “It is remarkable that in several other species of Moths, which appear in the perfect 
state in the winter months, the female is not furnished as the male is, with wings. Though 
considering the habits of female Insects, this is not to be much wondered at, foi* nature leaves 
it to the instinct of the males to find them out; and while they remain motionless, stationary, 
or nearly so, the males are pursuing their flight iu every direction, continually on the wing, 
and seldom alighting. Besides the Moth just mentioned, one or two others now make their 
appearance; and in open weather, the Common Gnat, Culexpipiens, and several of its conge¬ 
ners may be observed on the windows of rooms, or dancing under the shade of trees ."—( Comp. 
Aim., 1829. J The Yellow-line Quaker Moth, Aoctua flavilinea, appears towards the end of 
the month. 
BIRDS.—Should the weather prove severe, those Birds which in summer frequent woods, and 
solitary places, now approach human habitations, and if the cold be intense, even venture 
within the doors;—among these may be mentioned the Redbreast, Sylvia rubicula ; the Wren» 
Sylvia troglodytes; and the Pipit Lark, Alduda triv'ialis. Many of the rarer winter birds, 
may now be occasionally met with; as the Hawfinch, Loxia coccothraustes, which comes in 
small flocks, at uncertain periods, and feeds on the fruit of the Hawthorn; the Chatterer, Am- 
pe/js ^«rrw/Mi, a very rare bird; the Snow Bunting, or Snow-flake, Emberiza nivalis ; and the 
Siskin, Fringilla spinus, this bird is not regular in its migrations, it comes in flocks, and feeds 
on the fruit of the Alder, Alnus glutinosa. The Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla, is some¬ 
times seen in large flocks, particularly on the coasts of Kent and Sussex Many species of 
Sea-fowl, and other water Birds, will now be found on such rivers as remain unfrozen, as the 
Goosander, Mergus Merganse; many species of Wild Ducks and Geese, Anas; Gulls, Larus ; 
Divers, Colymbvs; Grebes, Podiceps; Terns, Sterna; and others which are only met with 
here when the winter in the northern countries of Europe is uncommonly severe. 
QUADRUPEDS.—Many animals now become torpid or inactive. The Hedgehog, Erinn- 
ceus Europreus, forms a warm and deep habitation of moss and leaves, and there, coiled up 
like a ball, it sleeps away the winter, awakening at short intervals to take food. The Dor- 
mouse, Myoxus muscardinus, which also becomes torpid, lays up a store to subsist on during 
the winter. Bats, f espertilio, retire to caves and old buildings, and there, closely wrapped up 
in the membrane.^ of their fore feet, or wings, they hang suspended by their hind feet, till the 
reviving heat of ^Iiring brings them forth in pursuit of their in.sect prey. 
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