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peckers run up and around the trunks, tapping from time some times of the year they are collected in numbers, hunter endeavours to get a good view of them on the tree, to time with their powerful bill The bird knows at once which would appear incredible to any one unaccustomed that he is almost uniformly persuaded the young crows by the sound whether there be insects below or not. If to witness their accumulations. are also concealed there; but he does not perceive, as he the tree is sound, the woodpecker soon forsakes it for Individually, the common crow (corvus corona) may is cautiously trying to get within gun shot, that they are another; should he begin to break into the bark, it is to be compared in character with the brown or Norway rat, moving from tree to trec, and at each remove are farther catch the worm, and such trees are at once to be marked being, like that quadruped, addicted to all sorts of mis- and farther from the place where the young are hid. for the axe. In felling such pines, I found the woodmen chief, destroying the lives of any small creatures that After continuing this trick, until it is impossible that the alway anxious to avoid letting them strike against neigh- may fall in its way, plundering with audacity wherever hunter can retain any idea of the situation of the young bouring sound trees, as they said that the insects more any thing is exposed to its rapaciousness, and triumphing ones, the parents cease their distressing outeries, fly readily attacked an injured tree than one whose bark was by its cunning over the usual artifices employed for the quictly to the most convenient lofty tree, and calmly unbroken. The observation is most probably correct, at destruction of ordinary noxious animals. Where food is watch the movements of their disturber. Now and then least the experience of country folks in such matters is at any time scarce, or the opportunity for such marauding they utter a loud quick cry, which seems intended to bid rarely wrong, though they sometimes give very odd rea- inviting, there is scarcely a young animal about the farm their offspring lie close and keep quiet, and it is very sons for the processes they adopt. yards safe from the attacks of the crow. Young chickens, generally the case that they escape all danger by their A full grown pine forest is at all times a grand and ducks, goslings, and even little pigs, when quite young obedience. An experienced crow-killer watches eagerly majestic object to one accustomed to moving through it. and feeble, are carried off by them. They are not less for the tree where the crows first start from; and if this Those vast and towering columns, sustaining a waving eager to discover the nests of domestic fowls, and will sit can be observed, he pays no attention to their clamours, crown of deepest verdure; those robust and rugged limbs very quietly in sight, at a convenient distance, until the nor pretence of throwing themselves in his way, as he is standing forth at a vast height overhead, loaded with the hen leaves the nest, and then fly down and suck her satisfied they are too vigilant to let him get a shot at cones of various seasons; and the diminutiveness of all eggs at leisure. But none of their tricks excited in me them; and if he can see the young, he is tolerably sure surrounding objects compared with these gigantic child-a greater interest, than the observation of their attempts of them all, because of their inability to fly or change ren of nature, cannot but inspire ideas of seriousness and to rob a hen of her chicks. The crow, alighting at a little place readily. even of melancholy. But how awful and even tremen- distance from the hen, would advance in an apparently The time of the year in which the farmers suffer most dous does such a situation become, when we hear the careless way towards the brood, when the vigilant parent from them is in the spring, before their enormous congre first wailings of the gathering storm, as it stoops upon would bristle up her feathers, and rush at the black rogue gations disperse, and when they are rendered voracious the lofty summits of the pine, and soon increases to a to drive him off. After several such approaches, the hen by the scantiness of their winter fare. Woe betide the deep hoarse roaring, as the boughs begin to wave in the would become very angry, and would chase the crow to corn field which is not closely watched, when the young blast, and the whole tree is forced to sway before its a greater distance from the brood. This is the very ob-grain begins to shoot above the soil! If not well guarded, power. In a short time the fury of the wind is at its ject the robber has in view, for as long as the parent a host of these marauders will settle upon it at the first height, the loftiest trees bend suddenly before it, and keeps near her young, the crow has very slight chance light of the dawn, and before the sun has risen far above scarce regain their upright position cre they are again of success; but as soon as he can induce her to follow him the horizon, will have plundered every shoot of the germiobliged to cower beneath its violence. Then the tempest to a little distance from the brood, he takes advantage of nating sced, by first drawing it skilfully from the moist literally howls, and amid the tremendous reverberations his wings, and before she can regain her place, has flown earth by the young stalk, and then swallowing the grain. of thunder, and the blazing glare of the lightning, the over her, and seized one of her chickens. When the cock The negligent or careless planter, who does not visit his unfortunate wanderer hears around him the crash of nu- is present, there is still less danger from such an attack, field before breakfast, finds, on his arrival, that he must merous trees hurled down by the storm, and knows not for chanticleer shows all his vigilance and gallantry in either replant his corn, or relinquish hopes of a crop; but the next may be precipitated upon him. More than protecting his tender offspring, though it frequently hap- and without the exertion of due vigilance, he may be once have I witnessed all the grandeur, dread, and deso-pens that the number of hens with broods renders it im-obliged to repeat this process twice or thrice the same lation of such a scene, and have always found safety possible for him to extend his care to all. When the season. Where the crows go to rob a field in this way, either by seeking as quickly as possible a spot where crow tries to carry off a gosling from the mother, it re- they place one or more sentinels, according to circumthere were none but young trees, or if on the main road quires more daring and skill, and is far less frequently stances, in convenient places, and these are exceedingly choosing the most open and exposed situation out of the successful than in the former instance. If the gander be vigilant, uttering a single warning call, which puts the reach of the large trecs. There, seated on my horse, in company, which he almost uniformly is, the crow has whole to flight the instant there is the least appearance who seemed to understand the propriety of such patience, his labour in vain. Notwithstanding the advantages of of danger or interruption. Having fixed their sentinels, I would quietly remain, however thoroughly drenched, flight and superior cunning, the honest vigilance and de- they begin regularly at one part of the field, and pursu until the fury of the wind was completely over. To say termined bravery of the former are too much for him. ing the rows along, pulling up each shoot in succession, nothing of the danger from falling trees, the peril of be- His attempts to approach, however cautiously conducted, and biting off the corn at the root. The green shoots ing struck by the lightning which so frequently shivers are promptly met, and all his tricks rendered unavailing, thus left along the rows, as if they had been arranged the loftiest of them, is so great as to render any attempt by the fierce movements of the gander, whose powerful with care, offer a melancholy memorial of the work to advance at such time highly imprudent. blows the crow seems to be well aware might effectually which has been effected by these cunning and destrucLike the ox among animals, the pine tree may be disable him. The first time I witnessed such a scene, I tive plunderers. looked upon as one of the most universally useful of the was at the side of the creek, and saw on the opposite Numerous experiments have been made, where the sons of the forest. For all sorts of building, for firewood, shore a goose with her goslings beset by a crow; from crows are thus injurious, to avert their ravages; and the tar, turpentine, rosin, lamp black, and a vast variety of the apparent alarm of the mother and brood, it seemed to method I shall now relate, I have seen tried with the other useful products, this tree is invaluable to man. me they must be in great danger, and I called to the most gratifying success. In a large tub a portion of tar Nor is it a pleasing contemplation, to one who knows its owner of the place, who happened to be in sight, to in- and grease were mixed, so as to render the tar sufficiently usefulness, to observe to how vast an amount it is annu- form him of their situation. Instead of going to their thin and soft, and to this was added a portion of slacked ally destroyed in this country, beyond the proportion that relief, he shouted back to me, to ask if the gander was lime in powder, and the whole stirred until thoroughly nature can possibly supply. However, we are not dis- not there too; and as soon as he was answered in the af- incorporated. The seed corn was then thrown in, and posed to believe that this evil will ever be productive of firmative, he bid me be under no uneasiness, as the crow stirred with the mixture until each grain received a univery great injury, especially as coal.fuel is becoming would find his match. Nothing could exceed the cool form coating. The corn was then dropped in the hills, annually more extensively used. Nevertheless, were I impudence and pertinacity of the crow, who, perfectly and covered as usual. This treatment was found to rethe owner of a pine forest, I should exercise a consider- regardless of my shouting, continued to worry the poor tard the germination about three days, as the mixtare able degree of care in the selection of the wood for the gander for an hour, by his efforts to obtain a nice gos-greatly excludes moisture from the grain. But the cron's ling for his next meal. At length convinced of the fruit- did no injury to the field; they pulled up a small quantity lessness of his efforts, he flew off to seek some more casily in different parts of the planting, to satisfy themselves it procurable food. Several crows sometimes unite to plun- was all alike; upon becoming convinced of which, they der the goose of her young, and are then generally suc- quietly left it for some less carefully managed grounds, Among the enemies with which the farmers of a poor cessful, because they are able to distract the attention of where pains had not been taken to make all the corn so or light soil have to contend, I know of none so truly the parents, and lure them farther from their young. nauseous and bitter. formidable and injurious as the crows, whose numbers, In the summer the crows disperse in pairs for the purcunning, and audacity, can scarcely be appreciated, ex-pose of raising their young, and then they select lofty cept by those who have had long continued and numer- trees in the remotest parts of the forest, upon which with ous opportunities of observation. Possessed of the most dry sticks and twigs they build a large strong nest, and It rarely happens that any of the works of nature are acute senses, and endowed by nature with a considerable line it with softer materials. They lay four or five eggs, wholly productive of evil, and even the crows, troubleshare of reasoning power, these birds bid defiance to al- and when they are hatched, feed, attend, and watch over some as they are, contribute in a small degree to the most all the contrivances resorted to for their destruc- their young with the most zealous devotion. Should any good of the district they frequent. Thus, though they tion; and when their numbers have accumulated to vast one by chance pass near the nest while the eggs are still destroy eggs and young poultry, plunder the cornfields, multitudes, which annually occurs, it is scarcely possible unhatched, or the brood are very young, the parents keep and carry off whatever may serve for food, they also rid to estimate the destruction they are capable of effecting, close, and neither by the slightest movement nor noise the surface of the earth of a considerable quantity of Placed in a situation where every object was subjected betray their presence. But if the young are fledged, and carrion, and a vast multitude of insects and their destructo close observation, as a source of amusement, it is not beginning to take their first lessons in flying, the ap- tive larvæ. The crows are very usefully employed when surprising that my attention should be drawn to so con-proach of a man, especially if armed with a gun, calls they alight upon newly ploughed fields, and pick up spicuous an object as the crow; and having once com- forth all their cunning and solicitude. The young are great numbers of those large and long-lived worms, menced remarking the peculiarities of this bird, I con- immediately placed in the securest place at hand, where which are so destructive to the roots of all growing vege tinued to bestow attention upon it during many years, the foliage is thickest, and remain perfectly motionless tables; and they are scarcely less so, when they follow in whatever situation it was met with. The thickly and quiet. Not so the alarmed parents, both of which the seine haulers along the shores, and pick up the small wooded and well watered parts of the state of Maryland, fly nearer and nearer to the hunter, uttering the most fishes, which would otherwise be left to putrify and load as affording them a great abundance of food, and almost discordant screams, with an occasional peculiar note, the air with unpleasant vapours. Nevertheless, they be entire security during their breeding season, are espe- which seems intended to direct or warn their young. So come far more numerous in some parts of the country cially infested by these troublesome creatures, so that at close do they approach, and so clamorous are they as the than is at all necessary to the good of the inhabitants,

axe.

NO. X.

NO XI.

and whoever would devise a method of lessening their way as gently as I could. At last we reached the trees of moderate length to the limb of a naked tree in a numbers suddenly, would certainly be doing a service to upon which the crows were roosting; but as the foliage neighbourhood frequented by the crows. The owl is one the community. of the young pines was extremely dense, and the birds of the few enemics which the crow has much reason to About a quarter of a mile above the house I lived in were full forty feet above the ground, it was out of the dread, as it robs the nests of their young, whenever they on Curtis's creek, the shore was a sand bank or bluff, question to distinguish where the greatest number were are left for the shortest time. Hence, whenever crows twenty or thirty feet high, crowned with a dense young situated. Selecting the trees which appeared by the discover an owl in the day time, like many other birds, pine forest to its very edge. Almost directly opposite, greater darkness of their summits to be most heavily they commence an attack upon it, screaming most vocithe shore was flat, and formed a point extending in the laden with our game, my companion and I pulled our ferously, and bringing together all of their species withform of a broad sand bar, for a considerable distance triggers at the same moment. The report was followed in hearing. Once this clamour has fairly begun, and their into the water, and when the tide was low, this flat af by considerable outcries from the crows, by a heavy passions are fully aroused, there is little danger of their forded a fine level space, to which nothing could approach shower of pine twigs and leaves upon which the shot being scared away, and the chance of destroying them in either direction, without being easily seen. At a had taken effect, and a deafening roar caused by the sud-by shooting is continued as long as the owl remains unshort distance from the water, a young swamp wood of den rising on the wing of the alarmed sleepers. One injured. But one such opportunity presented during my maple, gum, oaks, &c. extended back, towards some crow at length fell near me, which was wounded too residence where crows were abundant, and this was unhigher ground. As the sun descended, and threw his badly to fly or retain his perch, and as the flock had fortunately spoiled by the eagerness of one of the gunlast rays in one broad sheet of golden effulgence over gone entirely off, with this one crow did I return, rather ners, who, in his anxiety to demolish one of the crows the crystal mirror of the waters, innumerable compa- crest fallen from my grand nocturnal expedition. This fixed upon some that were most busy with the owl, and nies of crows arrived daily, and settled on this point, for crow, however, afforded me instructive employment and killed it instead of its disturbers, which at once ended the purpose of drinking, picking up gravel, and uniting amusement during the next day, in the dissection of its the sport. When the crows leave the roost, at early in one body prior to retiring for the night to their accus-nerves and organs of sense, and I know not that I ever dawn, they generally fly to a naked or leafless tree in tomed dormitory. The trees adjacent and all the shore derived more pleasure from any anatomical examination, the nearest field, and there plume themselves and chatter would be literally blackened by those plumed marauders, than I did from the dissection of its internal ear. The until the daylight is sufficiently clear to show all objects while their increasing outcries, chattering and screams, extent and convolutions of its semicircular canals, show with distinctness. Of this circumstance I have taken were almost deafening. It certainly seems that they how highly the sense of hearing is perfected in these advantage several times to get good shots at them in derive great pleasure from their social habits, and I of- creatures, and those who wish to be convinced of the this way. During the day time, having selected a spot ten amused myself by thinking the uninterrupted clatter truth of what we have stated in relation to them, may within proper distance of the tree frequented by them which was kept up, as the different gangs united with still see this identical crow skull, in the Baltimore Mu- in the morning, I have built with brushwood and pine the main body, was produced by the recital of the adven-seum, to which I presented it after finishing the dissec-bushes a thick, close screen, behind which one or two tures they had encountered during their last marauding tion. At least, I saw it there a year or two since, persons might move securely without being observed. excursions. As the sun became entirely sunk below the though I little thought, when employed in examining, or Proper openings, through which to level the guns were horizon, the grand flock crossed to the sand bluff on the even when I last saw it, that it would ever be the subject also made, as the slightest stir or noise could not be opposite side, where they generally spent a few moments of such a reference "in a printed book." made at the time of action, without a risk of rendering in picking up a further supply of gravel, and then aris- Not easily disheartened by preceding failures, I next all the preparations fruitless. The guns were all in oring in dense and ample column, they sought their habi- resolved to try to outwit the crows, and for this purpose der and loaded before going to bed, and at an hour or tual roost in the deep entanglements of the distant pines. prepared a long line, to which a very considerable num- two before daylight, we repaired quietly to the field and This daily visit to the point, so near to my dwelling, and ber of lateral lines were tied, having each a very small stationed ourselves behind the screen, where, having so accessible by means of the skiff, led me to hope that fishing hook at the end. Each of these hooks was bait-mounted our guns at the loop-holes to be in perfect reaI should have considerable success in destroying them. ed with a single grain of corn, so cunningly put on, diness, we waited patiently for the daybreak. Soon after Full of such anticipations, I loaded two guns, and pro- that it seemed impossible that the grain could be taken the gray twilight of the dawn began to displace the ceeded in my boat to the expected place of action, pre-up without the hook being swallowed with it. About darkness, the voice of one of our expected visitants vious to the arrival of the crows. My view was to have four o'clock, in order to be in full time, I rowed up to would be heard from the distant forest, and shortly after my boat somewhere about half way between the two the sandy point, made fast my main line to a bush, and a single crow would slowly sail towards the solitary tree two shores, and as they never manifested much fear of extending it toward the water, pegged it down to the and settle on its very summit. Presently a few more boats, to take my chance of firing upon the main body other end securely in the sand. I next arranged all my would arrive singly, and in a little while small flocks as they were flying over my head to the opposite side of baited lines, and then covering them all nicely with followed. Conversation among them is at first rather the river. Shortly after I had gained my station, the sand, left nothing exposed but the bait. This done, I limited to occasional salutations, but as the flock begins companies began to arrive, and every thing went on as scattered a quantity of corn all around, to render the to grow numerous, it becomes general and very animatusual But whether they suspected some mischief from baits as little liable to suspicion as possible. After taking ed, and by this time all that may be expected on this ocsecing a boat so long stationary in their vicinity, or could a final view of the arrangement, which seemed a very casion have arrived. This may be known also, by obsec and distinguish the guns in the boat, I am unable to hopeful one, I pulled my boat gently homeward, to wait serving one or more of them descend to the ground, say; the fact was, however, that when they set out to the event of my solicitude for the capture of the crows. and if the gunners do not now make the best of the oc- fly over, they passed at an elevation which secured them As usual, they arrived in thousands, blackened the sand casion, it will soon be lost, as the whole gang will prefrom my artillery effectually, although, on ordinary oc- beach, chattered, screamed, and fluttered about in great sently sail off, scattering as they go. However, we rarecasions they were in the habit of flying over me at a glec, and finally sailed over the creek and away to their ly waited till there was a danger of their departure, but height of not more than twenty or thirty feet. I return-roost, without having left a solitary unfortunate to pay as soon as the flock had fairly arrived and were still ed home without having had a shot, but resolved to try for having meddled with my baited hooks. I jumped crowded upon the upper parts of the tree, we pulled if I could not succeed better the next day. The same into the skiff, and soon paid a visit to my unsuccessful triggers together, aiming at the thickest of the throng. result followed the experiment, and when I fired at one snare. The corn was all gone; the very hooks were all In this way, by killing and wounding them, with two or gang, which it appeared possible to attain, the instant bare, and it was evident that some other expedient must be three guns, a dozen or more would be destroyed. It the gun was discharged, the crows made a sort of halt, adopted before I could hope to succeed. Had I caught was of course needless to expect to find a similar oppordescended considerably, flying in circles, and screaming but one or two alive, it was my intention to have em-tunity in the same place for a long time afterwards, as most vociferously, as if in contempt or derision. Had I ployed them to procure the destruction of others, in a those which escaped had too good memories to return to been prepared for this, a few of them might have suffer- manner I shall hicreafter describe. so disastrous a spot. By ascertaining other situations at ed for their bravado. But my second gun was in the considerable distances, we could every now and then bow of the boat, and before I could get it, the black obtain similar advantages over them. gentry had risen to their former security. While we were sitting at tea that evening, a black came to inform Had I succeeded in obtaining some living crows, they vastly accumulated and destructive in the state of Maryme that a considerable flock of crows, which had arrived were to be employed in the following manner. After land, that the government, to hasten their diminution, too late to join the great flock, had pitched in the young having made a sort of concealment of brushwood within received their heads in payment of taxes, at the price of pincs not a great way from the house, and at a short good gunshot distance, the crows were to be fastened by three cents each. The store-keepers bought them of the distance from the road-side. We quickly had the guns their wings on their backs, between two pegs, yet not boys and shooters, who had no taxes to pay, at a rather in readiness, and I scarcely could restrain my impa- so closely as to prevent them from fluttering or strug-lower rate, or exchanged powder and shot for them. This tienee until it should be late enough and dark enough to gling. The other crows, who are always very inquisi-measure caused a great havoc to be kept up among them, give us a chance of success. Without thinking of any tive where their species is in any trouble, were expected and in a few years so much diminished the grievance, thing but the great number of the crows, and their in- to settle down near the captives, and the latter would that the price was withdrawn. Two modes of shooting ability to fly to advantage in the night, my notions of certainly seize the first that came near enough with them in considerable numbers were followed and with the numbers we should bring home were extravagant their claws, and hold on pertinaciously. This would great success; the one, that of killing them while on enough, and I only regretted that we might be obliged have produced fighting and screaming in abundance, and the wing towards the roost, and the other attacking to leave some behind. At length, led by the black boy, the whole flock might gradually be so drawn into the them in the night when they had been for some hours we sallied forth, and soon arrived in the vicinity of this fray, as to allow many opportunities of discharging the asleep. I have already mentioned the regularity with temporary and unusual roost; and now the true charac-guns upon them with full effect. This I have often ob- which vast flocks move from various quarters of the ter of the enterprise began to appear. We were to leave served, that when a quarrel or fight took place in a country to their roosting places every afternoon, and the the road, and penetrate several hundred yards among large flock or gang of crows, a circumstance by no uniformity of the route they pursue. In cold weather, the pines, whose proximity to each other, and the diffi- means infrequent, it seemed soon to extend to the whole, when all the small bodics of water are frozen, and they culty of moving between which, on account of the dead and, during the continuance of their anger, all the usual are obliged to protract their flight towards the bays or branches, has been heretofore stated. Next, we had to caution of their nature appeared to be forgotten, allowing sea, their return is a work of considerable labour, espebe careful not to alarm the crows before we were ready theinselves at such times to be approached closely and re. cially should a strong wind blow against them; at this to act, and at the same time were to advance with cocked gardless of men, fire-arms, or the fall of their compa-season also, being rather poorly fed, they are of necessity guns in our hands. The only way of moving forwards nions, continuing their wrangling with rancorous obsti-less vigorous. Should the wind be adverse, they fly as at all, I found to be that of turning my shoulders as nacy. A similar disposition may be produced among near the earth as possible, and of this the shooters at the unch as possible to the dead branches, and breaking my them by catching a large owl, and tying it with a cord time I allude to took advantage. A large number would

NO. XII.

About the years 1800, 1, 2, 3, 4, the crows were so

collect on such an afternoon, and station themselves close wretches will swallow bits of leather, rope, rags, in short veller would find delightful occupation, and the tedium along the foot-way of a high bank, over which the crows any thing that appears to promise the slightest relief. of the sea would be forgotten.

were in the habit of flying; and as they were in a great Multitudes belonging to the Bristol roost, perished dur- Much of my time was employed in catching these degree screened from sight as the flock flew over, keeping the winter of 1828-9 from this cause. All the water minute animals with a net of bunting secured to a cane ing as low as possible because of the wind, their shots courses were solidly frozen, and it was distressing to twelve feet in length, with which practice soon rendered were generally very effectual. The stronger was the observe these starvelings every morning winging their me so adroit, that little escaped me that floated within wind, the greater was their success. The crows that weary way towards the shores of the sea in hopes of three feet of the surface. I cannot hope, by mere dewere not injured found it very difficult to rise; and those food, and again to see them toiling homewards in the scription, to inspire others with the same enthusiastic that diverged laterally, only came nearer to gunners sta- afternoon, apparently scarce able to fly. admiration which I felt in a personal examination of the tioned in expectation of such movements. The flocks In speaking of destroying crows, we have never ad- wonders of my net; but I trust that, in introducing were several hours in passing over, and as there was verted to the use of poison, which in their case is wholly some of these new acquaintances to your readers, I shall generally a considerable interval between each company inadmissible on this account. Where crows are common not be accused of making a burdensome addition to their of considerable size, the last arrived, unsuspicious of what hogs generally run at large, and to poison the crows circle. had been going on, and the shooters had time to recharge would equally poison them; the crows would die, and their arms. But the grand harvest of crow heads, was fall to the ground, where they would certainly be eaten derived from the invasion of their dormitories, which are by the hogs. well worthy a particular description, and should be visited by every one who wishes to form a proper idea of the number of these birds, that may be accumulated in a single district. The roost is most commonly the densest pine thicket that can be found, generally at no great distance from some river, bay, or other sheet of water, which is use. the last to freeze, or rarely is altogether frozen. To such a roost, the crows, which, are during the day-time, scattered over perhaps more than a hundred miles of circumference, wing their way every afternoon, and arrive

Crows, when caught young, learn to talk plainly, if pains be taken to repeat certain phrases to them, and they become exceedingly impudent and troublesome. Like all of their tribe, they will steal and hide silver or other bright objects, of which they can make no possible

The vast tract of waters constituting the Gulf stream, stretching itself along the coast of North America, lies like a huge ocean desert, shunned even by the fish, which are seen but rarely within its limits; but on the farther side a counter current travels at a slower pace in the opposite direction. The surface of this current is thickly covered with masses of sca-weed and other floating bodies, swept by the stream from the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the southern states, and collected in the eddies. Each little tuft, if carefully taken, and placed in a tumbler or basin of salt water, will display a number of beautiful shrimps, spotted, chequered, or striped with shells, and not unfrequently fish, in comparison with which the minnoes of our creeks are leviathans. Most of these various tribes which have been carried by the cur rent from their native shores, would speedily perish in the unfathomable depths of their own element, if deprived for a long time of the support afforded by their little

shortly after sunset. Endless columns pour in from Reminiscences of a Voyage to Endia. every shade of colouring; a variety of minute crabs, little

NO. I.

MINUTE ANIMALS OF THE OCEAN.

vessel.

various quarters, and as they arrive pitch upon their accustomed perches, crowding closely together for the benefit of the warmth and the shelter afforded by the We are tempted to insert, from the same journal, the thick foliage of the pine. The trees are literally bent by following Reminiscences of a Voyage to India, written their weight, and the ground is covered for many feet in by Dr. Reynell Coates, of this city. They furnish depth by their dung, which by its gradual fermentation, must also tend to increase the warmth of the roost. descriptions in a department of natural history but little Such roosts are known to be thus occupied for years, attended to, and are penned with a skill which will pro- miles, performed in company, and within the narrow One would suppose that a voyage of three thousand beyond the memory of individuals, and I know of one or duce lasting fame to the author, should he undertake a confines of a tuft of leaves, would be sufficient to es two, which the oldest residents in the quarter state to more extended effort. tablish a good understanding in the little community; have been known to their grandfathers, and probably had but, alas! the natural propensities to violence and plunder, been resorted to by the crows during several ages prewhich not even the lofty attribute of human reason can vious. There is one of great age and magnificent extent, control, here rage with unrestrained violence; no sooner in the vicinity of Rock Creek, an arm of the Patapsco. is this mimic world confined within the precincts of the They are sufficiently numerous on the rivers opening The American public need not be reminded of the folly tumbler or the basin, than the whole vessel displays a into the Chesapeake, and are every where similar in their of those tourists, who, after a week's residence in a capi-system of inveterate warfare. In vain do the smaller general aspect. Wilson has signalised such a roost at no tal city, take passage in a line of coaches, and hastily shrimps dart through the labyrinth of leaves to elude the great distance from Bristol, Pa. and I know by observa- circumambulating a small portion of a great continent, pursuit of the crabs; they are speedily torn in pieces, or tion, that not less than a million of crows sleep there return to launch out into profound disquisitions on na-driven from their shelter to become the prey of some vonightly during the winter season. tional character and the mutability of governments. racious fish, which, flying before the persecution of its To gather crow heads from the roost, a very large am not of this school; but as no one can travel round larger brethren, thus repays the hospitality of those in party was made up, proportioned to the extent of surface two thirds of the circumference of our globe, either by whose dominions it seeks obscurity and safety. But this occupied by the dormitory. Armed with double barrelled land or sea, without acquiring many facts, and making ingratitude seldom passes unpunished. Pent within narand duck guns, which threw a large charge of shot, the many observations highly interesting to those who quietly row bounds, and unable to elude pursuit by shooting be company was divided into small parties, and these took enjoy the sweets of social intercourse around the paternal yond the grasp of its insulted protectors, a desperate constations, selected during the day time, so as to surround hearth, I hope that these detached reminiscences, while flict ensues between the fish and the crabs, and in a few the roost as nearly as possible. A dark night was always they contribute to my own happiness by recalling scenes hours nothing of the animated scene survives, except preferred, as the crows could not when alarmed fly far, of grandeur and of beauty which I can never hope to some two or three mutilated combatants, who, no longer and the attack was delayed until full midnight. All revisit, may also prove a harmless recreation. possessed of their dangerous weapons of offence, or exbeing at their posts, the firing was commenced by those hausted with wounds, are fain to make a peaceable meal who were most advantageously posted, and followed up successively by the others, as the affrighted crows sought The innumerable tribes of insects which swarm in moral might the observer extract from the high daring upon the carcasses of their former associates. What refuge in their vicinity. On every side the carnage then every part of the world, delighting us by the brilliancy and noble prowess of these little aquatics, none of which raged fiercely, and there can scarcely be conceived a of their colouring, or tormenting us with their attacks ever acquire the paltry magnitude of three quarters of more forcible idea of the horrors of a battle, than such a upon our persons or our property, although their armies an inch! What exquisite similes might be drawn from scene afforded. The crows screaming with fright and sometimes render whole countries uninhabitable, destroy-such a fertile source to embellish the pages of history, or the pain of wounds, the loud deep roar produced by the ing every blade of grass in their career; even these seem-to be sounded upon the harp of flattery, to swell the raising of their whole number in the air, the incessant ingly interminable hosts must yield the palm in number, festive raptures of the hero! flashing and thundering of the guns, and the shouts of beauty, every thing except destructiveness, to the skytheir eager destroyers, all produced an effect which can tinted denizens of the ocean. Every leaf of sea-weed, never be forgotten by any one who has witnessed it, nor every fragment of floating timber, teems with life in some contrast between the grandeur and the immensity of can it well be adequately comprehended by those who of its most interesting forms, and the blue expanse of power displayed by the angry waves around him, and have not. Blinded by the blaze of the powder, and be-waves is every where studded with animated gems, which the delicate and fragile forms which crowd their surface. wildered by the thicker darkness that ensues, the crows sail along its surface or lie hidden in its bosom. The crest of a billow, which causes the tough fir-ribbed rise and settle again at a short distance, without being The seaman, as the vessel hurries along, catches occa-vessel to tremble beneath it like a child under the rod of able to withdraw from the field of danger; and the san- sional glimpses of misty specks floating beneath him, its tutor, passes harmlessly over myriads of beings, which, guinary work is continued until the shooters are fatigued, which, to his careless eye, appear like the spawn of fishes, when removed from their native element, dissolve under or the approach of daylight gives the survivors a chance or the slime washed from their bodies, yet in these un- the fervour of the sun, or break in pieces by their own of escape. Then the work of collecting the heads from promising and neglected atoms, closer examination dis-weight. Yet, unobtrusive as are these lower links in the dead and wounded began, and this was a task of con- covers beings whose delicacy of structure defies the the scale of nature, escaping by their very humility that siderable difficulty, as the wounded used their utmost pencil, and whose tints are rivalled only by those of a destruction which so often overwhelms the proud lord of efforts to conceal and defend themselves. The bill and summer's evening. the creation in spite of all his science and his strength, half the front of the skull were cut off together, and strung It is much to be regretted that many minds capable of they are often individually dressed in beauty before which in sums for the tax-gatherer, and the product of the night enjoying, in the highest degree, those pleasures which the lily would fade, and the rose hide its blushes; and, divided according to the nature of the party formed. may be drawn from every department of natural history, collectively, they produce some of the most sublime pheSometimes the great mass of shooters were hired for the are arrested on the threshold of the study by the dry and nomena, which have even astonished the philosopher, night, and received no shares of scalps, having their am- technical systems, which are but the common-place books building up islands in the midst of the deep, or, in mimic munition provided by the employers; other parties were of the science, but which are too generally regarded as sportiveness, alarmning the mariner with the appearance formed of friends and neighbours, who clubbed for the the science itself. Some knowledge of these systems of unreal shoals, and wakening the lightning of the waammunition, and shared equally in the result. seems indispensable to the grand and general views which ters to increase the brilliancy of moonlight, or to render During hard winters the crows suffer severely, and constitute the chief interest of many departments of na- more terrific the gloom of the midnight tempest. perish in considerable numbers from hunger, though ture; but the minute inhabitants of the ocean possess a This picture may appear too glowing to many, but in they endure a wonderful degree of abstinence without charm for every eye, an interest peculiarly their own. my next I will endeavour to establish its correctness. much injury. When starved severely, the poor In observing their beauties and their manners, the traC.

Nothing is more striking to the naturalist than the

NO. II.

"MOLLUSCÆ. FALSE SHOALS.

worm.

are often large enough to tear them in pieces could they spines of jelly, curved into hooks at the points, by means retain their natural vigour during the contest. De- of which numerous individuals attach themselves toThose who have sought relief from the summer heats ble is brought into contact with the back of the hand, Cords of this kind, composed of forty or fifty animals, ceived by the extreme pain which is felt when the ca-gether in double rows like the leaflets of a pinnated leaf. at Long Branch or Cape May, have probably noticed, naturalists have concluded, I think too hastily, that this were often taken, but they separate and reattach themin their ramblings along the beach, certain gelatinous transparent masses deposited by the receding tide upon benumbs any unfortunate fish or other animal that venorgan secretes a poisonous or acrid fluid, by which it selves at pleasure. To the gregarious habits of this little mollusque we the sands. They resemble very large plano-convex lenses, and are devoid of colour, except in a few minute tures within its toils, allured by the hope of making a owe a very singular and striking phenomena, which I points, which appeal like grains of yellow sand, or the meal upon what, in its ignorance, it has mistaken for a have never seen noticed by naturalists, although we freeggs of some shells embedded in their substance. This careful examination of the organ itself. The chord is The secret will be better explained by a more quently witnessed it near the Cape of Good Hope. The animals are occasionally found associated tohas led many to consider them as the spawn of some composed of a narrow lair of contractile fibres, scarcely gether in such countless myriads that the sea is literally marine animal. If one of these gellies be placed in a tub of brine im-visible when relaxed, on account of its transparency. filled with them, sometimes over three or four square mediately after it reaches the shore, the observer will be If the animal be large, this layer of fibres will some-miles of surface, and to the depth of several fathoms. surprised to find it possessed of animation. The supe-spiral line of blue bead-like bodies, less than the head of only coloured portions of their body, give to the whole times extend itself to the length of four or five yards. A The yellow spots which have been described being the rior, or convex part, will expand like the top of an umbrella, and from its under surface several fringed and a pin, revolves around the cable from end to end, and tract the appearance of a shoal or sand bank at some leaf-like membranes will be developed. The remains under the microscope these beads appear covered with distance below the surface. The deception is heightof numerous threads, or tendrils, will float out from the minute prickles, so hard and sharp, that they will rea- ened by the greater smoothness of the water at these margin of the umbrella, following the motions of the dily enter the substance of wood, adhering with such places, particularly in calm weather, for so closely are pertinacity that the cord can rarely be detached without the animals crowded together, that the water is rendered breaking. in a manner less fluid; the smaller billows break around the margin and are lost, while the heavy waves of the southern ocean are somewhat opposed in their progress, and take on in a slight degree the usual appearance of the ground swell. There can be but little doubt that of this region, but which have never been seen by any many of the numerous shoals laid down in the charts but the supposed discoverers, have been immense banks of these gregarious mollusca. In sailing through a tract of this description, in which the progress of the ship was very sensibly retarded, I have dipt up with the ship's bucket a greater bulk of the animals than of the water in which they were suspended. How wonderful are the effects produced by the minute links of creation!

It is to these prickles that the man-of-war owes its power of destroying animals much its superior in strength and activity. When any thing becomes impaled upon the cord, the contractile fibres are called to less than the same number of inches, bringing the into action, and rapidly shrink from many feet in length prey within reach of the little tubes, by one of which it is immediately swallowed.

animal as it swims around the tub. These threads are
often several feet in length before they are broken by
the sand; they are probably employed both to entice
and secure the prey, and they produce a sharp, stinging
sensation, when applied to the skin. It is from the ap-
pearance and offensive power of these last organs, that
seamen have given the animal the title of the sea nettle,
and naturalists the generic name medusa.
I have offered this rude description of the medusa, as
a familiar example of the class of animated beings
This weapon, so insignificant in appearance, is yet
which are the subjects of the following remarks. They sufficiently formidable even to man. I had once the
are all alike gelatinous and transparent, and many of
them melt and flow away when exposed in the open air misfortune to become entangled with the cable of a very
large man-of-war while swimming in the open ocean,
to the direct rays of the sun.
Of all the tribes of mollusca which are scattered over eve-and amply did it avenge its fellows, who now sleep in
ry part of the ocean, the most splendid and the best known my cabinet robbed at once of life and beauty. The
is the Portuguese 'man-of-war (physalia). This is an pain which it inflicted was almost insupportable for
some time, nor did it entirely cease for twenty-four
oblong animated sack of air, elongated at one extremity
hours.
into a conical neck, and surmounted by a membraneous

"C.

C. wishes those of his friends who have devoted themselves to the study of natural history, to understand distinctly that the anatomical and chemical terms contained in these essays, are employed, not in their no-scientific but in their popular sense, and also that in drawing the organs of the salpa he has followed Lamarck and Cuvier, without committing himself by any opinions upon the correctness of their generic descriptions, as applicable to this particular species.

No. III.

PHOSPHORESCENCE OF THE OCEAN.

I might now proceed to describe many analogous aniexpansion running nearly the whole length of the body mals scarcely inferior in interest, but it is time to and rising above into a semicircular sail, which can be expanded or contracted to a considerable extent, at the tice some individuals of another tribe, residing beneath the surface, and therefore less generally known. pleasure of the animal. From beneath the body are The grandest of these is the beroe. In size and form suspended from ten to fifty or more little tubes, from. half an inch to an inch in length, open at their lower it precisely resembles a purse, the mouth, or orifice, anextremity, and formed like the flower of the blue bottle.swering to one of the modern metallic clasps. It is These have been regarded as temporary receptacles for perfectly transparent, and in order to distinguish its food, like the first stomach of cattle; but as the animal filmy outlines, it is necessary to place it in a tumbler of is destitute of any visible mouth or alimentary canal, brine held between the observer and the light. In certain directions the whole body appears faintly irridesand as I have frequently seen fish in their cavities apAs the glow-worm and the fire-fly enliven the night parently half digested, I cannot but consider them as cent, but there are several longitudinal narrow lines proper stomachs, nor indeed is it a greater paradox in which reflect the full rich tints of the rainbow in the by land, so do many of the mollusca and other marine wology that an animal should possess many indepen-most vivid manner, for ever varying and mingling the animals kindle their mimic fires by sea-but on a far hues, even while the animal remains at rest. Under grander and more imposing scale. dent stomachs, than that the strange carniverous vege- the microscope these lines display a succession of innuIf, during a dark night, we watch attentively the adtable, the saracinea, should make use of its leaves appa-merable coloured scales or minute fins, which are kept vance and retreat of the breakers on the beach, we shall rently for a similar purpose. lours by continually changing the angle of reflection. unceasingly in motion, thus producing the play of co-nated by a faint flash at the moment of its fall; and after generally perceive the crest of each billow to be illumiThe movements of the beroe are generally retrograde,nute but brilliant specs, which shine for a few moments the wave subsides, the beach will be spangled with miand are not aided by the coloured scales, but depend and then disappear. These lights will convey an idea upon the alternate contraction and dilatation of the little fish and shrimps which play around them are con- thrown up by the bow of the vessel is thickly strewed mouth. The lips are never perfectly closed, and the of what is meant by the phosphorescence of the ocean. At all times, and in nearly all situations, the spray tinually entering and leaving them at pleasure. The

From the centre of this group of stomachs depends a little cord, never exceeding the fourth of an inch in thickness, and often forty times as long as the body. The size of the Portuguese man-of-war varies from half an inch to six inches in length. When it is in motion, the sail is accommodated to the force of the breeze, and the elongated neck is curved upward, giving to the animal a form strongly resembling the little glass animal is dependent for its food upon such semi-anima.during the night with little silvery stars, that dance wwans which we sometimes see swimming in goblets. and whirl about among the eddies, until they are lost It is not the form, however, which constitutes the led substances as it draws within its grasp by moving in the distance. These luminous particles are generally chief beauty of this little navigator. The lower part of slowly backwards in the water, and retains them in conso small that they are caught with difficulty, and so the body and the neck are devoid of all colour, except a sequence of their own feebleness and inability to escape perfectly transparent, that they can scarcely be distinthe weakest of snares. guished from the drops of brine adhering to the net. Another tribe of the sea-purses, (salpa,) though much Their own radiance, by which they are visible in their smaller than the beroe, are more complex in structure, native element, is soon lost when brought into the air, and possess a higher interest in consequence of the sin- for it ceases instantly on the death of the animal. The gular habits of some of the species. They are double few specimens which I have examined were either gelasacks, resembling the beroe in general form, but destitute of irridescence.

The outer sack, or mantle, rarely exceeds an inch in length, and is commonly about half as wide. The inner sack is much smaller, and the interval between these

tinous mollusca or microscopic shrimps; the former being luminous throughout their entire substance, and the latter, like the glow-worm, emitting an intermittent light from a lantern near the tail.

Such were the appearances noticed in most parts of

faint irrisdescence in reflected lights, and they are so perfectly transparent that the finest print is not ob scured when viewed through them. The back becomes gradually tinged as we ascend, with the finest and most delicate blue that can be imagined; the base of the sail equals the purest sky in depth and beauty of tint; the summit is of the most splendid red, and the central part is shaded by the gradual intermixture of these colours through all the intermediate grades of purples. Drawn as it were upon a ground-work of mist, the tints have an aerial softness far beyond the reach of art, and war- forms a cavity for the water which they breathe, and the North Atlantic Ocean, excepting the Gulf stream. ranting the seemingly imaginative description given at for some of the viscera. Their visible organs are a trans-The fretful waves of this region, vexed as it is by perthe close of the first number. parent heart, which can only be seen in the strongest petual squalls, appear to be wrapped in total darkness. The group of stomachs is less transparent, and al- light; a splendid double row of whitish bead-like cavities But in the tropical regions, and throughout the vast exthough the hue is the same as that of the back, they forming a spiral line near one extremity, and supposed panse of the Southern and Indian Oceans, the grandeur are, on this account incomparably less elegant. By their to be either lungs or ovaries; numerous broad, flat, and sublimity of the night scene were often beyond weight and form they fill the double office of a keel and pearly muscles, barely distinguished by their mistiness, description. The vivid hues of “the double headed ballast, while the cord-like appendage, which floats out and an alimentary canal as fine as horse-hair, with a shot clouds," which rise like immense mountains from for yards behind, is called by seamen the cable. slight enlargement at one spot, which has been called the water of the western horizon, seemed to fade into a stomach. This enlargement resembles both in size twilight only to give place to a still more beautiful illuand colour a grain of sand. From the base of the ani-mination in the bosom of the waves. The bow of the mal arises two longer and four or five shorter conical vessel scattered far around a blaze of light, which shone

The mode in which the animal secures his prey has been a subject of much speculation, for the fish and crabs that are frequently found within the little tubes,

pearance alone.

Biographical Memoir

OF

JOHN LEYDEN, M. D.

From the Miscellaneous Prose Works of Sir Walter Scott, Bart.

INTRODUCTION.

The example of such men as the subject of the fol

brilliantly under the brightest moon, and was often suffi-ledgded physical law, that like causes produce like ciently intense to enable us to read upon the deck. effects, would lead us to expect an uniformn diffusion of Leaning over the stern, our track resembled a vast the phosphoresence over a considerable extent of water trough of fire, studded with innumerable floating lanterns under the same latitude and longitude; but this is not and stars, such as fall from an exploding sky-rocket. In the case. A ship will often be enveloped for a few mothe eddies, the whirling of these bodies produced long ments in so bright an illumination that a book may be streams of light like serpents drawn in flame, and oc-read upon the deck, and at the next instant she may be casionally immense globes of fire would roll along be involved in almost total darkness. Again, electricity neath the keel, at the depth of several fathoms, yet so is eliminated with the greatest facility in a cold and intensely bright that the little rudder fish were distinctly dry atmosphere; but the phosphoresence of the ocean visible sporting beneath the cabin windows. These is most considerable in tropical climates, nor is it dimin-lowing sketch is peculiarly adapted for the instruction of globes are generally as large as a flour barrel, and ac-ished by storms or rain. The supposition of a fermen- the aspiring and energetic youth of a rising republic. cording to Peron and Lesueur, they are sometimes seen tation of the surface is equally unsatisfactory, for such His talents were bestowed by nature, but they were im to reach the enormous diameter of twenty feet. I had a process would lead to an equable diffusion of light over proved, enlarged, and brought into service, by his own once the gratification to observe one of these animals the whole space in which it acted. But the luminous within a foot of the surface. It was a medusa, large matter is almost always seen in distinct masses or par assiduity and studious research. The vocation of Leyenough to fill a bushel basket, visible in every fibre by ticles; and the few exceptions to this rule which have den's father was little above that of a day labourer, and its own illumination, been observed, do not admit of an explanation according all his household establishment corresponded with his At these times the crest of every wave resembles a to the known effects of fermentation. The fight elimi-external means. A friend to whom we had loaned the long line of ignited phosphorus, and every dip of the nated by putrid fish furnishes a most plausible theory: memoir, says :-" I well and fondly remember the time oar, or plunge of the bucket, produces a flash of light, but the very wide extent of the illumination, is, of itself, and scattered scintillations on every side. Even the sufficient to prove its incorrectness. It has been already when I partook of the kind hospitality of the patriarch larger fish, when they aproach the vessel, are followed shown to what an incalculable amount the living inha- under the roof of their thatched cottage. Their board by a luminous path like the tail of a comet, and they bitants of the ocean increase, but the reverse is true of was humble, and their fare frugal, but the serenity, the are often struck with the harpoon, guided by this ap- the dead. The air and the water swarm with innume cheerfulness, the intelligence, that pervaded the happy rable depurators, who devour every thing that dies, The sea at times resembles a field of snow or milk, whether beneath the surface or upon it. The albatross, circle, rendered the paternal mansion of Leyden a scene and Peron asserts that it is often tinged with prismatic the stormy petrel, the Cape pigeon, some of the gulls, which kings and princes might envy.” colours, varying at every moment; but these phenomena and other marine fowls, which are constantly soaring Springing from such origin, bursting, by the force of were not witnessed in our voyage. by thousands over every sea, seize upon all unprotected The strangest of all the nodes in which the phospho-animals, dead or living, which remain within their almost unaided genius, through the many obstacles rescence of the ocean is exhibited, was witnessed near reach. The three former birds will follow the ship for to success, he at an early age took a distinguished rank the island of Tristan D'Acunha, ünder circumstances days during calm weather, to share the offals thrown among contemporary literary characters. He made for too impressive to be forgotten. over by the cook; and so ravenous is their appetite, that himself a name, and what is still more honourable, he The night was dark and damp, and the breeze too they are frequently caught with the hook and line baited left it untarnished. His principles, based on an immulight to steady the vessel. She rolled heavily over the with meat, and trolled in the wake of the vessel. I have waves, making it difficult for a landsman to walk the frequently seen them bathing their feathers in the table foundation, resisted all the allurements of pleasure, deck. A fog bank, which hung around the northern grease which floats around the refuse of the camboose, and the whisperings of selfishness. Manfully he pur horizon at sunset, now swept slowly down towards us. and skimming it up with their spoon-shaped bills with sued his course-but his desires soared beyond the power The captain ordered the light sails furled in expectation every demonstration of pleasure. Those bodies that of accomplishment, and he no doubt fell a victim to his of a squall, and we stood leaning together over the rail, sink by their gravity fall a prey to the fish, and those watching the mist, which approached more and more that are too minute to attract the attention of the eager pursuit after knowledge. Is there not, however,Elora rapidly, till it resembled, in the increasing darkness, an larger animals, are speedily devoured by the molluscæ. attained in such a life than in the three score and ten immense wall extending from the water to the clouds, Thus the waters are preserved in a high degree of pu-years of the idler, or the dull and lazy plodding of so and seemed threatening to crush us beneath it. Just at rity, and probably there does not remain sufficient puthis moment, a flash, like a broad sheet of lightning, trescent matter in a cubic league of water to render many of our race? spread itself over the surface of the ocean as far as the luminous a cubic yard. In passing over an extent of Where talent and principle are so finely blended, we eye could reach-five or six times, at intervals of a few ocean greater than the whole circumference of the have the more confidence in recommending it as an exseconds, the flash was repeated, and then the vessel was earth, I did not see a single dead animal of any kind. ample to the young, while we gratify our senior readers enveloped in the fog. The breeze quickened-the bustle The purpose for which this phosphorescence is deof preparation attracted the attention of every one, and signed, is lost in conjecture; but when we recollect that with a delightful biographical sketch of a distinguished in a few moments we were bounding along at the rate fish are attracted to the net by the lights of the fisher.man, and that sketch written by Sir Walter Scott. The of ten miles an hour, over waves sparkling in the clear men, and that many of the marine shells will leave their Poetical Remains of Leyden were collected and edited moonshine, but the " lightning of the waters" had native element to crawl around a fire built upon the by the Rev. James Morton, and are in the Philadelphia ceased. I have always regretted that I did not ascer-beach, are we not warranted in supposing that the anitain by what animal this most singular phenomenon mals of which we have been speaking, are provided Library, as well as the "Malay Annals,” and an “His was produced, but the wild interest of the scene ban- with their luminous properties, in order to entice their torical Account of Discoveries and Travels in Africa," ished every thought of the kind. In the course of the prey within their grasp? enlarged and completed by Hugh Murray, Esq. The night we passed through several beds of the salpa, and In quitting the subject of the minute animals of the latter is the basis of a more recent work, entitled, "Nar it is very probable that the flashes were produced by ocean, I should not neglect to refer the curious to three rative of Discovery and Adventure in Africa, by Profes these little creatures, induced, by a wonderful instinct, engravings in the volume of plates to the Voyage aux to act in concert for some inscrutable purpose. Terres Australes, by Peron and Lesueur, where may be sor Jameson, James Wilson, and Hugh Murray," repub There are few phenomena in nature which have led seen the happiest efforts of the pencil in delineating lished in Harper's Family Library. to a greater diversity of opinion among modern men of some of these interesting beings. The work is conscience, than the luminous appearance of the ocean dur- tained in the Philadelphia library, and will amply repay ring the night. Some have regarded it as the effect of the trouble of a visit. electricity, produced by the friction of the waves; others as the product of a species of fermentation in the water, occurring accidentally in certain places. Many have attributed it to the well known phosphorescence of putrid fish, or to the decomposition of their slime and exuvia, and a few only to the real cause-the voluntary illumination of many distinct species of marine animals, generally analogous to the tribes which were described in the former number of these Reminiscences. those authors who have acknowledged the agency of animal life in producing this wonderful appearance, have been in a manner compelled, by its universality, and by the almost incredible multiplication of beings which it infers, to admit the probable co-operation of other

causes.

Even

My own observation has led to the conclusion, that the phosphoresence of the ocean is due solely to the peculiar instinct of the molluscæ, and some genera of the

crustacea.

The electrical hypothesis is certainly fallacious, for were we even to grant the possibility of producing an electric light in an agitated fluid, which is itself an imperfect conductor, similar to that occasioned by the attrition of white sugar or glass in the dark, the acknow

FINLAND SONG.

ADDRESSED BY A MOTHER TO HER CHILD.

By Dr. John Leyden.

Sweet bird of the meadow,
Oh, soft be thy rest!
Thy mother will wake thee
Ät morn from thy nest;
She has made a soft nest,

Little redbreast, for thee,
Of the leaves of the birch,

And the moss of the trec.
Then soothe thee, sweet bird
Of my bosom, once more!
'Tis Sleep, little infant,

That stands at the door.
"Where is the sweet babe,"
You may hear how he cries,
"Where is the sweet babe
In his cradle that lies;
"In his cradle, soft swaddled

In vestments of down?
""Tis mine to watch o'er him
Till darkness be flown."

C.

The subject of the present brief memorial will be long distinguished among those whom the elasticity and ardour of genius have raised to distinction from an obscure and humble origin. John Leyden was descended from a family of small farmers, long settled upon the estate of Cavers, in the vale of Teviot, Roxburghshire, Scotland. He loved to mention some traditional rhymes, which one of his ancestors had composed, and to commemorate the prowess of another, who had taken arms with the insurgent Cameronians, about the time of the revolution, and who distinguished himself by his gal lantry at the defence of the church-yard of Dunkeld, 21st August, 1689, against a superior body of Highlanders, when Colonel Cleland, the leader of these rustic enthusiasts, was slain at their head. John Leyden, residing in the village of Denholm, and parish of Cavers, Roxburghshire, and Isabella Scott, his wife, were the p1rents of Dr. Leyden, and still survive to deplore the irreparable loss of a son, the honour alike of his family and country. Their irreproachable life, and simplicity of manners, recommended them to the respect and kind. ness of their neighbours, and to the protection of the fa mily of Mr. Douglas of Cavers, upon whose estate they

resided.

John Leyden, so eminent for the genius which he dis played, and the extensive knowledge which he accumu

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