280 Monthly Naturalist’s Report. [April 4, 
an error than the most learned of travellers? The observations of such men on any subject_of 
natural history, must indeed have’ been useless; but natural history is not an indispensable 
knowledge for a traveller, to enable him to make instructive, as well as entertaining obser- 
vations. . 
‘The unlearned-English botanist seems_likely soon to have every assistance in his native lane 
guage to enable him to study this amiable science, as is to be found by the inhabitants of France 
or any other country in Europe. In addition to Dr. Smith’s introduction, mentioned in our 
last report, we have to announce an Introduction to the Study of Cryptogamous Plants, tran- 
slated from the German of Professor Sprengel, and published by Mr. J. White. This treatise, 
which has born so great acharacter in Germany, has never before appeared in an English dress. 
it explains, in a more familiar manner than it might be supposed the subject would admit of, 
the physielogy and systematic arrangement of this numerous and difficult tribe of vegetables. 
The observations are illustrated by ten coloured plates, in 4to. containing a great number of 
microscopic figures, explaining the anatomical structure of the natural orders, and representing 
the characters by which the various genera are distinguished. By the help of these and more 
~ satisfactory definitions, than are to be met with elsewhere, the genera are more firmly estab- 
- lished and rendered more intelligible to the student in cryptogamy, and this difficult branch of 
the science is made comparatively easy. 
In the natural order of Filices, not only the genera but most of the European species are 
described. The translation of this valuable and interesting work is executed in a manner far 
superior to. the generality of translations from the German language. It has evidently been 
performed by a person conversant with the science of botany, as well as with the languages of 
both countries. - 
We have not seenthe Paradisus Londinensis for this month, 
‘ NATURALIST’s MONTHLY REPORT. 
ae FEBRUARY, 
, Thawing Mentb. 
Subdued, 
The frost reso!ves into a trickling thaw 
Spotted the mountains shine; loose sleet descends, 
And floods the country round. 
OR several days in the beginning of February, we had mild and pleasant weather, accom- 
panied by gentle gales from the south west. In the night of the dith there was a heavy 
fall of rain; which was immediately succeeded by almost a hurricane. This subsided, the 
‘wind changed to the east, and before morning a hard frost set in, which continued for four or 
five days. From the 18th to the end of the month, the weather, however, was remarkably 
warm ; on the 19th, it was as much so as it usually is in the middle of May. . 
February 2. On this day the first salmon that has been taken this year, was caught; and 
only one other befote the end of the month. The old salmon are now returning down the 
rivers to the sea. They are black and appear almost lifeless ; are often entangled in the nets 
but are always thrown into the water again, being out of season, and not eatable. 
February 10th. The coltstoot (Tussilago farfara) and the ivy leaved speedwell, (Veronica 
hederefolia) two of the earliest spring-plants, I observed this day to be bothin flower. 
‘February 18th. Two cock-chaffers were brought to mein a perfect state, They had 
been, with several others, dug out of the earth in a garden. , It is yet much too early for these 
insects to make their appearance, as, at present, there are no leaves on which they could feed. 
These were therefore, no doubt, disturbed at least six weeks before the time at which they 
would, of themselves, have conse forth. ; . weslie 
About a week ago a siskin or aberdavine (Fringilla spinus of Linnzus) was caught in a net. 
In most parts of England this is an uncommon bird. 4 hes 
February 19th. The buntings (Emberiza Miliaria) have been in flocks since the beginning 
of the winter ; andI had one brought to me this day with the tail and almost all the upper part 
of the back and wings, white. . # ate 
The cow-keepers begin to cut the water crow-foot (Ranunculus aquatilis var. fluviatilis) for 
‘their cattle. ; : | : , 
‘February 24th. Serpents come out of their holes and lie in the sun on the sides of warm 
banks. ; 
The nettle butterfly (papilio urticz) is seen. 
The first leaves of the tansey ( Tanacetum vulgare) appear. 
Several species of small birds are beginning to pair. 
THe yellow hammer and chafficch sing. 
February 28th. The brimstone butterfly (papilio rbamni) appear. . 
{ remarked, upom the furze bushes, a great number of the sevea-spotted or common aa 
4 UgSs 
