Natural History.

The fall of a Shower of Insects during a Snow Storm in Russia. The Journal de St. Petersburgh, bearing date November 14, 1827, gives the following interesting detail:

On the 17th October, 1827, there fell in the district of Rjev, (in the government of Twer,) a heavy shower of snow in the space of about ten versts, which contained the village of Pokroff and its environs. It was accompanied in its fall by a prodigious quantity of worms of a black colour, ringed, and in length three quarters of a verschok. The head of these insects was flat and shining, furnished with antennæ, and the hair in the form of whiskers, while its body from the head to about one-third of its length resembled a band of black velvet. They had on each side three feet, by means of which they appeared to crawl very fast upon the snow, and assembled in groups about the plants, and the holes in trees and buildings. Several having been exposed to the air in a vessel filled with snow, lived there till the 26th October, although in that interval the themometer had fallen to 80 below zero. Some others which had been frozen continued equally long in life, for they were not found exactly encrusted with the ice, but they had formed round their bodies a space similar to the hollow of a tree. When they were plunged into water they swam about as if they had received no injury, but those which were carried into a warm place perished in a few minutes.-Brewster's* Jour.

Rare Insects.-Furia Infernalis and Meggar.-There exists in Livonia, a very rare insect, which is not met with in more northern countries, and whose existence was for a long time considered doubtful. It is the Furia Infernalis, described by Linnæus in the Noveaux Mémoires de l' Academie d' Upsal, in Sweden.

This insect is so small that it is very difficult to distinguish it by the naked eye. In warm weather it descends from the atmosphere upon the inhabitants, and its sting produces a swelling, which unless a proper remedy is applied, proves mortal.

* Along with this interesting article the Editor states he was favoured with a few of the insects themselves,

During the hay harvest, other insects named Meggar occasion great injury both to men and beasts. They are of the size of a grain of sand. At sunset they appear in great numbers, descend in a perpendicular line, pierce the strongest linen, and cause an itching and pustules, which, if scratched, become dangerous. Cattle, which breathe these insects, are attacked with swellings in the throat, lieved. They are cured by a fumigation which destroy them, unless promptly refrom flax, which occasions a violent cough.-Ibid.

Ross.

Account of the fall of a Shower of Herrings.-A remarkable, though not unprecedented occurrence, recently happened in the neighbouring county of As Major Forbes Mackenzie of Fodderty, in Strathpfeffer, was traversing a field on his farm, he was not a little surprised to find a considerable portion of from three to four inches in length. The the ground covered with herring fry, of fish were fresh and entire, and had no appearance of being dropped by birdsbruised and mutilated. The only rational a medium by which they must have been conjecture that can be formed of the cired thither in a waterspout—a phenomecumstance is, that the fish were transportnon that has before occurred in this county, and which is by no means uncommon wall lies at the distance of three miles in tropical climates. The Frith of Dingfrom the place in question; but no obstruction occurs between the field and the and waterspouts have been known to trasea, the whole is a level strath or plain, vel even farther than this. Major Mackenzie has forwarded a small quantity of the fish to the secretary of the Northern Institution.-Inverness Courier.

DATE. DAYS.

DIARY.

DATE

CORRESPONDING CHRONOLOGY.

Aug. 6 By the primitive Christians, this day was observed to commemorate the change which our Lord exhibited on the top of Mount Tabor to his disciples, Sts. Peter, John and James; yet it is but of recent date in the church of Rome, as it was not instituted by Pope Calixtus until the year 1455. 1638. Born on this day at Paris, the eminent Philosopher, Nicolas Malebranche. His principal work, "The Search after Truth," was much es teemed on its first appearance, for the accuracy and solidity of the sentiments and remarks which it contained.

7This saint was born A.D. 1480. He associated himself to the confraternity of the Love of God. He afterwards joined the Order of the Theatins, of which he was made general for three years, in 1530. The life of this saint is recorded as an example of piety and zeal.

1799. Expired on this day, the celebrated sculptor John Bacon, ÆT. 59. There is hardly any of our cathedrals or public edifices but what are enriched by the talented and skilful performances of this great master of his art. A knowledge of this artist's excellence may be attained by viewing his monument to Earl Chatham, in Guildhall, and those to the memory of Howard, the Philanthropist, and our great Lexicographer, Dr. Johnson, in St. Paul's.

8 St. Cyriacus was a deacon at Rome during the pontificate of the Popes Marcellinus and Marcellus. He suffered martyrdom A.D. 303.

1540. Henry VIII. on this day married his fifth wife, Lady Katherine Howard, niece to the Duke of Norfolk, and daughter of Lord Edmund Howard. This unfortunate Queen, like her cousingerman Anne Boleyn, was beheaded for inconti

nence.

9 St. Romanus was a soldier in Rome at the time of the tormenting of St. Lawrence, and from beholding the firmness with which he suffered, he embraced the faith, for which he was beheaded the previous day to that saint's martyrdom. 1593. Born on this day at Stafford, Izaac Walton, the author of that well known and curious book, the "Complete Angler," of which gentle art he was a passionate admirer. This work, as well as his lives of Donne, Wotton, Hooker, Herbert, and Bishop Sanderson, is written in a plain and entertaining manner, and interspersed with a variety of curious anecdotes.

10 St. Lawrence was a native of Huesca, in Spain. Valerian caused him to be broiled on a gridiron, for refusing to deliver up the treasure of the church, which he imagined was in his custody. His martyrdom took place A.D. 261.

1557. The Battle of St. Quintin, a town in Picardy, was fought on this day, when the French Constable, De Montmorenci, was signally defeated by the Spanish forces, commanded by Count Egmont.

1589. The marriage of James I. of England with Anne, the daughter of Frederick, King of Denmark, took place on this day.

11 This saint was beheaded in the third century, by order of Fabian, on the Lavican road, three miles from Rome.

1715. Nicholas Rowe, the poet and dramatist, was made poet laureate on this day, on the accession of George II.

12 1712. Jonas Hanway, the eminent philanthropist, and principal founder of the Marine Society and the Magdalen, was born on this day at Portsmouth.

1762.

Anniversary of the birth of our gracious sovereign, George IV.

Ellustrated Article.

SIR GABRIEL VESTYNDEN.

A FRAGMENT.

"Nowe shalle mye goode swerde doe mee justyce on thy villaine bodie! !"-OLD PLAY.

THE bell at even-song tolled loudly, and the surrounding cottages were one by one involved in darkness, as a weary traveller crossed the well known Salisbury plain on his way to the town. The sun had sunk behind the distant hills, and the ignis fatuus danced o'er the swamp, as if rejoicing in its departure. The peasant returned to his hut, the shepherd led his flock to the fold, and the bee and the beetle flew humming to their cells, while the deer-stealer cautiously issued from his hovel, with his cross-bow concealed beneath the ample folds of his coarse mantle, and sought the neighbouring forest. The stranger moved on, although his weary step and dusty sandals plainly told that he had travelled far that day. He bore upon his back a small VOL. II.

F

harp, and supported himself on a stout oak staff; his venerable beard descended to his girdle, in which was stuck a small horn-hafted whittle. He passed those huge monuments of antiquity, which were then, as they are now, the wonder and admiration of all who visited them; and in a short time had crossed the plain. The road to the town now lay before him, when the turrets of a strong castle overshadowed it, and the sound of merry wassail struck on the stranger's ear. Resting on his staff, he paused awhile, not knowing that he was observed by a man on the walls; he listened to the rude shouts of mirth and laughter which sounded within; when he was suddenly awakened from his reverie by a voice near himthe traveller looked up, and perceived the man who had been watching him, who accosted him with

"Well, old Sir Pilgrim, hast had thy musing fit out? Art an honest man, or a thief? Or wilt have a goodly bolt through thy hide?"

The stranger replied,

"Methinks if thou do'st desire a mark, there is a fairer one in the merry green

33

wood; there was better quarry at Cressy and Poictiers."

"Ah! ah! say'st thou so? then thou can'st sing of such; I see thou hast a harp at thy back; wait awhile, and I will admit thee; by my fackins, this is no time for hard blows and broken coxcombs." As he said this, he disappeared whistling, and in a few minutes the heavy drawbridge fell, and the stranger crossing it, entered the castle. His companion led him through the vaulted passages, and entering one of the rooms, placed on a table some venison and a loaf of bread, together with a stoup of ale. The stranger ate little, which the man observing, said, "Hast thou no stomach for such cheer, old Sir ?"

"Little, indeed, my son, for I have walked far, and am sore weary."

"Then thou shalt have a good litter of clean rushes anon; but thou must needs give my master and his guests a ballad; they are making merry in the hall, for he weds the fair Lady Beatrice to-morrow; and I, Launcelot Dowbiggin, am appoint ed her ladyship's falconer. Art fond of hawking, old Sir, or can'st draw a bow,

or play backsword, or-?" Here Launcelot paused, as he perceived the stranger was much moved on hearing his news; but the latter, recovering himself, replied,

"I was a proper hand in all these pastimes; but those days are gone by: there was a time when Dick Moncley could hit the white, or rein a horse, or throw the bar with any youth in Gloucestershire,-but 'tis past. I have seen many strange countries since then; my youth is gone, and I am now a withered and sapless tree; but I have lived to see French pride humbled, and have seen our brave king's banner floating in the breeze on their highest towers."

"Ah, 'tis a goodly sight; can'st sing of these same things?" enquired Launcelot.

"Some few lays and ballads," replied the stranger.

"Then follow me," said Launcelot, taking up a torch, "I warrant thou wilt find company who will well repay thee for thy minstrelsy." As he said this, he led the way, followed by the stranger.

As they passed through one of the passages, the large mantle and frock in