382 
iv.^naturalist's calendar, 
FOR FEBRUARY. 
BOTANY. 
The delightful labours of the Botanist, (if labours they may be called) have now again com¬ 
menced, and for many months to come, he will find full occupation for the powers of his mind, 
in examining and arranging the various and almost endless variety of vegetable productions, by 
which he will be surrounded. 
Though the ascertaining of the Genera and Species of Plants, must be considered an essential 
part of the study of Botany ; yet it is not to be pursued as the end of the Science, but merely 
as a in^ans of acquiring a knowledge of their structure, properties, and uses. The attaining of 
this knowledge, should be the chief object of the student,;—he should not content himself with 
merely examining their external characters, but should minutely investigate the internal ar¬ 
rangement of their parts, He should also, as far as possible, make himself acquainted with 
their virtues, and the uses to which they can be applied; and indeed, no part of their natural 
history, should be neglected. 
The'manner in whidi the leaves are folded in the bud, (Vernation, or Gemmation,) and 
that in which the Petals and Calyx are folded in the flower-bud, (^Estivation, or Pr^eflo- 
BATiON,) will form an interesting branch of his study. 
He may, even at this early period of the year, find examples for all the grand divisions of 
Vegetables, as follows:— 
Vasculahes.-( 
Dicotyledones, 
or 
Exogenes. 
f Thalamiflorse. Erophila, &c. 
Dichlamvdeaj.-< Calyciflorae, Leont(}don,Ulex,Scc 
\ Corolliflorm. 
Monochlamydeae. 
Achlamydeae 
Celi,oiabes.{™(‘“5 
Monocotyledones, 1 Petaloidese, 
or Endogeues, \ Glumaceae. 
I 
Coniferae. 
Veronica. 
Daphne. 
Sdltgf Cory'lus, 
P&pulus. 
Tdxus. 
Galdnthus. 
Pou. 
Polytrichum, &c. 
Various species of Lichens and Pungi. 
Tdiis Table, it is hoped, may be useful to those who are commencing the study of the Natural 
Systwn of Plants; as they will have an opportunity of comparing the principal divisions of 
that arrangement 
This month is naturally the commencement of Spring; the more hardy plants begin to ]mt 
forth buds and flowers. The Snowdrop, Galcinthus nivalis is now in full beauty; and the 
fertile-blossoms of the Hazel, CoryHus avelldna, appear like small crimson stars, on the sum¬ 
mits of the buds. The structure of this flower is well worth attention. 
The diminutive Witlow-cress, Erdphila vulgaris, {Druba verna, Lin.) is frequently to be 
found in flower this month, and makes a very pretty appearance on old walls. The Whin, 
Furze, or Gorse, U'lex europce'us; Mezereon, Daphne Mezereum; Field Speedwell, Veronica 
agrhtis; Dandelion, Leonid don Tardxacum; and the Common Daisy, Beilis perennis; may 
frequently be found in flower this month. The first of these, is proverbial for flowering the 
whole year. 
The fertile catkins of the Alder, Alnus glutindsa; the flowers of the Yew, T&xus haccdta; 
and the catkins of many species of Willow, {Sdlix) and Poplar, {Pdpulus) begin to show 
themselves. The leaf-buds of the Elder, Sambucus niger; Gooseberr^ Ribes Grossuluria; 
and some species of the Rose, &c. begin to unfold their leaf-buds. 
Many Mosses are now m perfection, as Heath Moss, or Moor-silk, Polytrichum commune ;— 
this sometimes grows to a considerable length, and was formerly used in some parts of Derby¬ 
shire, for making brooms for sweeping cai'pets, &c. Lesser Water-Moss, Fontinolis minor; 
Greater Watei'-Moss, Fontindlis antipyretica; Field Griramia, Grimmia controversa; and 
Dwarf.Broom-Moss, Dicrdnum pusillum. 
ZOOLOGY. 
INSECTS.—Insects, like plants, begin to feel the influence of Spring, and many are now to 
be found in their usual haunts: The Ditch Beetle, Hydrdphilus carabbides, and the Lurid 
Pool Beetle, Berdsus liiridus; may be found in ponds, ditches, and stagnant waters. The 
Dark Carrion Beetle, Silpha opaca, on decaying animal substances, and under the rotting bark 
of trees. The Bacon Beetle, Dermestes laradrius, —the insects of tliis genus are very destruc¬ 
tive in collections of Natural History, as they feed on skins, furs, and other dried animal 
substances. 
The Brimstone Butterfly, Gonepteryx rhamni, is usually found from April to June, though 
sometimes, when produced in the autumn, it lives through the winter, and is met with in this 
month. In the same manner, the Peacock Butterfly, Vanessa I'o, and the Painted Lady 
Butterfly, V.cdrdui; having lain torpid during the winter, revive earlier or later in the spring, 
according to the temperature of the atmosphere. The Moths now to be found, are the Pale 
Chequered Brown, Capilldria tesserella; the Clouded Lead, and Rosy Day, Diurnea torlri. 
cGla, and salicflla; the Small Egger, Eriogdster lanestris; the February Carpet, Aplocera 
ctesidia-, the Orange Upper-Whng, Xdnthia crocedgo; the Small Brindled Beauty, Amphi- 
ddsis hispiddria; the Spring Usher, Anisdpteryx leucophedria-, and the Dark-bordered Usher, 
xi. leucophedria, var. nigricnria. 
The Hive Bee, A pis melUjica, leaves its hive in search of honey, in the few flowers which 
arc now to be found. 
