three years in the water, and extracts its nourishment from earth and clay. After transformation, this animal seldom exists longer than one day, during which myriads of eggs are deposited on the surface of the water. These eggs produce worms or caterpillars, and the same process goes perpetually round. ORDER II.HEMIPTERA. Some multipede, earth's leafy verdure creep, And oft, amphibious, course the neighb'ring shores; Or who nor creep, nor fly, nor walk, nor swim, And buoyed upon their own inventions rise; Insects of the second order have four wings, but the upper pair, instead of being hard and horny, rather resemble fine vellum. They cover the body horizontally, and do not meet in a direct line, forming a ridge or suture, as in the beetle tribe. The whole of this order are furnished with a proboscis or trunk for extracting their food. The principal genera are:-1. Blutta, cock roach.-2. Gryllus, locust, grasshopper.-3. Fulgora, lantern-fly.-4. Cimex, bug, &c. of which are called grasshoppers, others locusts, and others crickets. The caterpillars of the grylli have a great resemblance to the perfect insects, and, in general, live under ground. Many of these insects feed upon the leaves of plants. Others, which live in houses, prefer bread, and every kind of farinaceous substance.-The foreheads of several of the genus, called fulgora, or lantern-fly, especially of those that inhabit China, and other hot climates, emit a very lively shining light during the night, which often alarms those who are unacquainted with the cause of the appearance. To this insect Thomson alludes in bis view of the torrid zone : * From Menam's orient stream, that nightly shines And Mrs. Barbauld: Some shoot like living stars, athwart the night, And scatter from their wings a vivid light, To guide the Indian to his tawny loves, As thro' the woods with cautious steps he moves. The caterpillars of some of the genus called cicada, or flea-locust, discharge a kind of froth or saliva from the pores of the body, under which they conceal themselves from the rapacity of birds and other enemies.-The papa, or water scorpion, frequents stagnant waters. It lives chiefly on aquatic insects, and is exceedingly voracious.— Many species of the cimex, or bug, feed upon the juices of plants, and others upon the blood of animals. Some of them are found in waters, and others frequent houses, among * THE FIRE FLY. When the Snn, with garish eye Unseen thy pale, thy purer light, The blutta, or cock-roach, is an animal which avoids the light, and is particularly fond of meal, bread, putrid bodies, and the roots of plants. . It frequents baker's shops and cellars, and flies the approach of danger with great swiftness. The head of the mantis, or camel-cricket, appears, from its continual nodding motion, to be slightly attach- But when the clouds dissolve in rain, ed to the thorax. This insect is regarded by the Africans as a sacred animal; because it frequently assumes a praying or supplicating posture, by Thus Pleasure's fals and fickle light resting on its hind feet, and elevating and folding the first pair.-The gryllus comprehends a number of species, some And night enshrouds the world in gloom: Fades like dim Evening's transient rays; common. which, though it wants wings, is the bed-bug, a pestiferous insect, which is too well known, and too generally diffused. The bugs differ from other insects by their softness; and most of them emit a very fetid smell.-The insect called aphis, or tree-louse, is very There are a great many species, denominated from the trees and plants which they infest: they are viviparous in summer, and oviparous in autumn. Numbers of those called vine-fretters are devoured by the ants, on account, it is supposed, of a sweet liquor with which their bodies are per petually moistened. The caterpillars of the chermes have six feet, and are generally covered with a hairy or woolly substance. leap or spring with great agility, and The winged insects infest a number of different trees and plants: the females, by means of à tube at the termination of their bodies, insert their eggs under the surface of the leaves, and the worms, when hatched, give rise to those tubercles, or galls, with which the leaves of the ash, the fir, and other trees, are sometimes almost entirely covered. BIOGRAPHY-SIR JOSEPH BANKS, N Monday morning, June 19,1820, at 8 o'clock, died, at his house, Spring Grove, near Hounslow, the venerable President of the Royal Society, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, G. C. B. &c. &c. &c. The loss to science by the demise of this excellent man and liberal patron will be long and severely felt. It will be recollected, that when it was determined to send Captain Cook on his first voyage round the globe, Sir Joseph Banks, then a young man, whose ardent mind glow ed with a love of science and of ingenious enterprise, determined to accompany him. His liberal spirit and generous curiosity were regarded with admiration, and every convenience from the Government was readily supplied to render the circumstances of the voyage as comfortable as possible. Far, however, from soliciting any accommodation that might occasion expense to Government, Mr. Banks was ready to contribute largely out of his own private fortune towards the general purposes of the Expedition. He engaged as his Director in natural history during the voyage, and as the companion of his researches, Dr. Solander, of the the British Museum, a Swede by birth, and one of the most eminent pupils of Linnæus, whose scientific merits had been his chief recommendation to patronage in England. He also took with him two draughtsmen, one to de lineate views and figures, the other to paint subjects of natural history. A secretary and four servants formed the rest of his suite. He took care to provide likewise the necessary instruments for his intended observations, with conveniences for preserving such specimens as he might collect of natural or artificial objects, and with stores to be distributed in the remote isles he was going to visit, for the improvement of the condition of savage life. In the course of the voyage dangers were encountered of no ordinary magnitude. On the sion to view the natural productions of coast of Terra del Fuego in an excurSolander had nearly perished in a storm the country, Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. of snow. land, amid the storm, they at last, and After passing a night on with much difficulty, made their way back to the beach, and were received persons who accompanied them were on board the ship; but three of the lost. this voyage, Sir Joseph, in company Shortly after his return from with his friend Dr. Solander, visited Iceland, A knowledge and of specimens compenrich harvest of new sated for the toils and expense of this scientific adventure. They afterwards visited the Western Islands of Scotland and among other things worthy of notice, they discovered the columna stratification of the rocks surrounding the caves of Staffa; a phenomenon : till then unobserved by Naturalists, but was no sooner made known in a description by Sir J. Banks, than it became famous among men of science throughout Europe. In 1777, when Sir John Pringle retired from the Presidency of the Royal Society, Sir Joseph Banks was elected to fill the vacant chair; and never perhaps has it been filled with more honour to the individual, or more advantage to the interests of science. His time, his wealth, (which was a princely fortune,) his influence, his talents, an incomparable library of science and art; knowledge and judg ment to advise; affability to conciliate and encourage; generosity to assist; all in short of which he possessed, and it was all something either of goodness or greatness, be made the patrimony of the studious and learned, not of his own country alone, but of the whole world. VARIETIES. From the English Magazines, July 1820. NABBING A LION. THE people of Doomansansa, a town on the banks of the Gambia, suffered intolerable annoyance from the depredations of a fierce and enormous lion. Their forbearance being exhausted, indubitable courage enkindled within the bosoms of men and boys, and even women, timid by nature, grew valiant in desperation; and multitudes, rushing from the peaceful surk, where they reared their little ones, urged their spouses to oppose this cruel destroyer of their cattle, and offered all the assistance they could render. The men, embracing their wives, enjoined them to return, and collect the children at the Bentang, holding themselves in readiness to defend the helpless babes, in case the monster should break away from their pursuit. Each man, armed with his best fowling-piece and choicest assingay, proceeded in search of the common enemy. They found him concealed in a thicket, and were so for tunate as to wound him in such a manner that, in attempting to spring upon his assailants, he fell down among the grass, and was unable to rise. Still, in his painful writhings, he manifested such signs of vigour, and his glaring eye-balls flashed with fire so tremendous, that the most intrepid warriors deemed it fool-hardy to approach him: yet, as some white men have done, they sought to conceal these precautions under a shew of heroism, and held a consultation concerning the means for taking their prize alive. This capture ould furnish a glorious evidence of their prowess; they could cure the lion of his wounds; they could tame him while convalescent, and turn their enterprize to great pecuniary advantage by taking the animal to the coast, where he might be sold at a high price to the white traders. While all proposed one plan, approved only by the speaker or a few partizans, an old warrior proffered what he affirmed must be an infallible device. This scheme was to strip a roof of its thatch, and to carry the bamboo frame (the pieces of which are well secured by thongs), and to throw this cage over the lion. If in marching up to him he attempted to spring, they had nothing to do but to drop the roof over themselves, and to fire at the monster through the rafters. This expedient was instantly adopted. As by magic, a hut was unroofed, and the lion-hunters, each bearing a cocked fusil in one hand, and part of the bamboo fabric on his shoulder, undauntedly strided up to the panting beast. But when they came so near as to feel the air agitated by the lashing of his tail, and the fierce glances of his eyes darted upon them, they thought it prudent to provide for their own safety by covering their closed ranks with the roof. The lion, restored to all the strength of his elastic sinews, was unhappily too nimble for them: making a sudden bound, he got into the midst of his foes just as the roof was let down; and being caught in the same trap, the lion devoured them at full leisure, to the unspeakable grief, dismay, and mortification of the ! spectators. It is dangerous to tell this story at Doomansansa; for it has become a subject of derision in the neighbouring countries, among whom it is proverbial, that the Doomansansas are never content with killing the lionthey must seize him alive. FEMALE LOQUACITY. In the antient tenures of land in this country, it was one of the properties of a feud, that it could not be held by women, and the reason assigned is, "that the lord could not employ them in military duties, for which alone feuds were given; for they could neither handle arms, which was the proper service of vassals, nor could a woman be admitted into the counsels of the lord, since she could not keep a secret. 66 Cum quæ audit reticere nesciat." Crag. de Jure Feud, 48, 50. This impeachment of female taciturnity is, I imagine, much older than our feudal tenures. Indeed Crag. might have borrowed his reasons for their exclusion from Juvenal, who, in the sixth satire, furnishes him with both. 2. When some of the mental organs are awake, and all the senses are asleep; then dreams occur, and seem to be realities. 3. When the above condition exists, and the nerves of voluntary motion are also in a state of wakefulness; then may occur the rare phenomenon of somnambulism. 4. When one of the senses is awake, with some of the mental organs; then we may be conscious, during our dream, of its illusory nature. 5. When some of the mental organs are asleep, and two or more senses awake; then we can attend to external impressions, and notice the gradual departure of our slumbers. 6. When we are totally awake, and in full possession of all our faculties and pow ers. 7. When under these circumstances we are so occupied with mental operations as not to attend to the impressions of external objects; and then our reverie deludes us like a dream. POETIC FESTIVAL. The congress of Bards, which was to have taken place at Wrexham in August, is, in consequence of the coronation, postponed to the second week in September. — omnis Quem præstare potest mulier galeata pudorem," Turba tacet, nec causidicus, nec præco loquatur, Altera nec mulier."-v. 437. COFFINS. Thomas Camberworth, knight of the diocese of Lincoln, by his last will, made in the year 1450, thus provides for his funeral;" Furst, I gyf my sawl to Gode, my Lord and my Redemptur, and my wrechid body to be beryd in a chitte" (i. e. sbrowd) "with out any kyste" (i. e. coffin), "in the north yle of the parish kirke of Somerethy," &c.-Ex Reg. Epise. Linc. There is now preserved in the parish church of Whitwell, in Derbyshire, one of the vehicles in which bodies were carried to the place of interment before the use of coffins. DREAMING. SHERBET. It it not generally known that this beverage, so often mentioned with praise in Arabic poetry, is neither more nor less than a decoction of oatmeal and sugar, seasoned when cold with rose water. PRECIOUS STONES. A diamond said to be worth 20,000l. and consequently one of the largest in the world, was among the spoils of the Peishwa, and is now in the East India Company's treasury, to be sold for the benefit of the captors. It was brought to England by the ship York, A block of amethyst, or rather a mass of amethysts, has been sent from Brazil to Calcutta. This extraordinary specimen is four feet in circumference, and weighs 98 pounds. It is in its rough state, and consists of more than 50 irregular columns, smooth, transparent, purple and white, shooting up like crystals from a common matrix. Mr. Andrew Carmichael has published a very ingenious theory of dreaming. He enumerates no less than seven different states of sleeping and waking 1. When the entire brain and nervous system are buried in sleep; then there is a total exemption from dreaming. its characteristic properties to the pres CHAMPAGNE. This celebrated wine is indebted for ence of carbonic acid. It produces rapid intoxication, in consequence of the alcohol, which is suspended in, or combined with, this gas, being thus applied in a sudden and very divided state to a larger extent of nervous surface: for the same reason its effects are as transitory as it is sudden. THE PRESENT EMPEROR OF MOROCCO. The following anecdote serves to shew the high wisdom of the emperor of Morocco. A Jew had ordered a French merchant to furnish him with a considerable quantity of black beaver hats, green shawls, and red silk stockings. When the articles were ready for delivery the Jew refused to receive them. Being brought before the Emperor, who, as it is well known, administers justice himself, he denied having given the order, and maintained that he did not even know the French merchant. "Have you any witnesses?" said the Emperor to the Frenchman. "No." "So much the worse for you; you should have taken care to have had witnesses:you may retire." The poor merchant, completely ruined, returned home in despair. He was, however, soon alarmed by a noise in the street; he ran to see what it was. A numerous multitude were following one of the Emperor's officers, who was making the following proclamation at all the cross-roads:" Every Jew, who within four and twenty hours after this proclamation, shall be found in the streets without a black beaver hat on his head, a green shawl round his neck, and red silk stockings on his legs, shall be immediately seized, and conveyed to the first court of our palace, to be there flogged to death." The children of Israel all thronged to the French merchant, and before evening the articles were purchased at any price he chose to demand for them. After this, who will presume to question the sovereignty of the monarchs of Morocco. PICHEGRU. The following is another trait of jus tice. When General Pichegru entered Maestricht, he experienced some difficulty in obtaining quarters for his troops. A merchant, who considered himself very patriotic, called on him and gave him a list of Orangists, who had soldiers quartered on them, though not in sufficient numbers, in the opinion of this demagogue, who wished that the aristocrats should have their houses filled with troops, from the cellar to the garret. "I am obliged to you for this information," said Pichegru; "and have they sent you any soldiers, citizen?" "Yes, general." "How many?" "Four." "That will do." The merchant had no sooner returned home, than forty more soldiers arrived, and took possession of his house. He hastened back to the general to inform him that some mistake had taken place. "Oh no," said Pichegru, "I only removed my men from those vile Orangists, who I knew would ill treat them, to place them in the house of a patriot like you, where I am sure they will be received hospitably." PHILOSOPHIC GIRL. The Italian journals mention that a young lady, only 13 years of age, named Maria Catherina Gherardi, a native of Serola, has maintained in public a series of philosophic theses, in Latio. INGENIOUS AUTOMATON, A German journal asserts, that an artist at Cemberg, in Prussia, has constructed a watch which imitates the hu-man voice, and answers questions in German and Polish; besides executing musical airs. SHERRY. signifies dry; the sec wine prepared at ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA. The most striking difference in the results of the atmospheric phenomena, conjecture which receives additional strength from |