is by M. Ricord, for the use of naturalists. The insect is to be
fixed on a piece of cork and put under a jar or vessel with a little
ether; the latter being placed either in a capsule, or on the plate
on which the jar or glass is placed: the vessel should apply closely,
that the vapour of the ether may be retained, and the air within be
prevented from changing its place. The insect thus immersed in the
ethereal atmosphere will soon die without having time to hurt its
form or appearance by violence.—_Bull. Univ._ B. xii. 295.
15. _Destruction of Snails by common Salt_.—M. Em. Rousseau had
applied common salt as a manure to a small piece of garden, and
remarked that where snails had come in contact with the salt they
quickly died. Wishing to confirm the fact, he strewed some salt upon
the ground and placed a number of snails amongst it; all those which
came out of their shells and touched the salt immediately threw out a
greenish globular froth, and in a few minutes were dead. The fact may
be turned to account by agriculturists and gardeners.—_Bull. Univ._
D. viii. 276.
16. _Remarkable Hairy Man_.—The following account is given of an
individual of this kind in Crawford’s Mission to Ava. “As connected
with this department may be mentioned the existence at Ava of a
man covered from head to foot with hair, whose history is not less
remarkable than that of the celebrated porcupine man who excited so
much curiosity in England and other parts of Europe near a century
ago. The hair on the face of this singular being, the ears included,
is shaggy, and about eight inches long. On the breast and shoulders
it is from four to five. It is singular that the teeth of this
individual are defective in number, the molares or grinders being
entirely wanting. This person is a native of the Shan country, or
Lao, and from the banks of the upper portion of the Saluen, or
Martaban river; he was presented to the king of Ava as a curiosity,
by the prince of that country. At Ava he married a Burmese woman,
by whom he has two daughters; the eldest resembles her mother, the
youngest is covered with hair like her father, only that it is white
or fair, whereas his is now brown or black, having, however, been
fair when a child, like that of the infant. With the exceptions
mentioned, both the father and his child are perfectly well-formed,
and, indeed, for the Burman race, rather handsome. The whole family
were sent by the king to the residence of the Mission, where drawings
and descriptions of them were taken.”—_Jameson’s Jour._ 1827, p. 368.
17. _Application of Remedies by Absorption from the Surface_.—The
following are the results obtained by M. Bailly, who has been
assiduously engaged in trying this plan.
_Salts of Morphia_, applied in this manner, speedily exhibit their
[p494] action upon the brain and nervous system, by the contraction
of the pupils, and often by dysuria and ischuria; nausea and vomiting
are rare; sometimes a sensation of itching is felt in the nasal
cavities, and papular eruptions not unfrequently appear upon the skin.
_Extract of Belladonna_, applied upon the upper surface of the feet,
produced all the consequences derived from its internal exhibition;
such as dilatation of the pupil and impaired vision.
_Extract of Squill_, while it augments transpiration, promotes the
urinary secretion, and facilitates expectoration.
_Well powdered Strychnine_ supports the suppuration of wounds
tolerably well, and stimulates the locomotive system without
inconveniently exciting the brain. It happens also in certain
palsies, such as those which are caused by the carbonate of lead,
that the power of motion is restored without the production of those
violent shocks which have been so unpleasant to patients. M. Bailly
has observed, with respect to this medicine in general, that it often
excites a marked turgescence about the head, heightening the colour
of the face, which demands the suspension of the remedy, if not the
intervention of blood-letting.
_Perchloride of Mercury_ (corrosive sublimate) produces an intense
sensation of heat, and corrodes the parts with which it comes in
contact. Sometimes, however, it has been known to relieve the pains
of exostoses, &c. _The proto-chloride_ (calomel) also excites pain,
particularly if rubbed upon a recently blistered surface. In this way
it may cure old syphilitic affections; but as a set-off against these
advantages, there is sometimes a difficulty in keeping up the action,
as the absorbent powers of the surface wear out by long continued
contact.
One great advantage of the _endermic_ practice is the exemption of
the digestive organs from an inconvenient or unaccustomed stimulus;
and its importance must be apparent where the stomach is incapable of
retaining medicines, or the power of deglutition is lost.—_Nouv. Bib.
Med._—_Med. Rep._ v. 341.
18. _On the Strix Cunicularia, or Coquimbo Owl_.—Captain Head, and
every reader of his “Rough Notes,” will, we are sure thank us for
any hint tending to throw light on facts related in that spirited
and interesting narrative; particularly as, in the course of his
adventures, circumstances are occasionally recorded somewhat
startling to those who are in the habit of considering whatever
surpasses their ken or comprehension as a travellers’ tale. Thus the
concluding part of the following passage, however true to the very
letter, as we shall show, has we know excited considerable surprise,
and possibly considerable doubt as to its accuracy.
“The Biscacho[136] is found all over the plains of the Pampas;
like rabbits they live in holes, which are in groups in every
[p495] direction, and which make galloping over these plains very
dangerous. These animals are never seen in the day, but as soon as
the lower limb of the sun reaches the horizon, they are seen issuing
from their holes in all directions, which are scattered in groups
like little villages, all over the Pampas. The biscachos, when full
grown, are nearly as large as badgers, but their head resembles a
rabbit, excepting that they have large bushy whiskers. In the evening
they sit outside their holes, and they all appear to be moralising.
They are the most serious looking animals I ever saw; and even the
young ones are grey headed, have mustachios, and look thoughtful and
grave. _In the day time their holes are always guarded by two little
owls, who are never an instant away from their post. As one gallops
by these owls, they always stand looking at the stranger and then at
each other, moving their old-fashioned heads in a manner which is
quite ridiculous, until one rushes by them, when fear gets the better
of their dignified looks, and they both run into the biscachos’
“hole_.”—(Head’s Rough Notes, p. 82.)
Captain Head has not given us the name of this owl, but in all
probability it was the Strix Cunicularia, or Coquimbo Owl, which is
described as flying _in pairs_, sometimes by day, and making its nest
_in long subterraneous burrows_[137]. In the singular motion of its
head, it however corresponds with the Strix Brasiliana, or Brownish
Horned Owl, mentioned by Maregrave in his History of Brazil, which he
says is easily tamed, and can so _turn about its neck_ that the tip
of the beak shall exactly point at the middle of the back; that it
also plays with men like an ape, _making many mowes_, (as Willoughby
translates it,) _and antic mimical faces_, and snapping with its
bill. But for the best account we have met with, we are indebted to
the splendid continuation of Wilson’s American Ornithology by Lucien
Bonaparte, under the title “Burrowing Owl—a bird,” he says, “that so
far from seeking refuge in the ruined habitations of man, fixes his
residence within the earth; instead of concealing itself in solitary
recesses of the forests, delights to dwell on open plains, in company
with animals remarkable for their social disposition, neatness, and
order. Instead of sailing heavily forth in the obscurity of the
evening or morning twilight, and then retreating to its secluded
abode, this bird enjoys the broadest glare of the noon-day sun,
and flying rapidly along, searches for food or pleasure during the
cheerful light of the day. In the trans-Mississippian territories
of the United States, this very singular bird _resides exclusively
in the villages of the Marmot, or Prairie Dog_, whose excavations
are so commodious, as to render it unnecessary that it should dig
for itself, as it is said to do in other parts of the world, where
no burrowing animals exist. These villages are very numerous, and
variable in their extent, sometimes covering only a few acres, and at
others spreading over the surface of the country for miles together.
They are composed of slightly [p496] elevated mounds, about two
feet in width at the base, and seldom exceeding eighteen inches in
height. In all these Prairie dog villages, the burrowing owl is seen
moving briskly about, or else in small flocks scattered among the
mounds, and at a distance it may be mistaken for the marmot itself
when sitting erect. They manifest _but little timidity, and allow
themselves to be approached sufficiently close for shooting_; but if
alarmed, some or all of them soar away, and settle down again at a
short distance: if further disturbed, their flight is continued until
they are no longer in view, _or they descend into their dwellings,
whence they are difficult to dislodge_. The burrows into which these
owls have been seen to descend on the plains of the river Platte,
where they are the most numerous, were evidently excavated by the
marmot, whence it has been interred by the learned and indefatigable
Say[138], that they were either common, though unfriendly residents
of the same habitation, or that the owl was the sole occupant by
right of conquest.” We have in the statements of Captain Head,
however, a proof that both tenants habitually resort at the same time
to one burrow; and we are assured by Pike and others, that a common
danger often drives them into the same excavation where lizards and
rattlesnakes also enter for concealment and safety.
In the above extracts we have noted in italics the striking
similarity to the account given by Captain Head.
E. S.
FOOTNOTES:
[136] This animal is probably either the Cavia Paca, Spotted Cavy,
or Arctomys Monax, Ferruginous Brown Marmot, though the latter is
described as principally found in North America.
[137] Turton, Lin. vol. i. 169.
[138] We have had no opportunity of consulting Say, and therefore
can only refer our readers to an author who has collected an
interesting store of facts relative to natural science, and
particularly with regard to this bird.
19. _Naturalisation of Fish_.—We have received the following from Mr.
Arnold of Guernsey.
Sir, 16th _August_, 1827.
Having understood that the correctness of Dr. Mac Culloch’s
statements respecting my pond, and the attempts to propagate sea fish
in it, have been questioned, I beg to say that his statements are
perfectly correct; and to add further, that during nearly four months
of the year the water is perfectly fresh, and is drunk by cattle.
In summer, the saltness varies; but no examination yet made has
discovered in it more than half as much salt as is contained in the
neighbouring sea-water.
I further beg leave to add, that the general size of the pond in
summer is about four acres and a half; in winter, when swelled by the
rains, it is extended to upwards of fifteen acres; which will account
for the freshness of the water.
I remain, Sir, your obedient humble servant,
_To the Editor of the Quarterly Journal_. J. B. ARNOLD.
20. _Mode of keeping Apples_.—It seems not to be generally known,
that apples may be kept the whole year round by being [p497]
immersed in corn, which receives no injury from their contact. If
the American apples were packed among grain, they would arrive here
in much finer condition. In Portugal it is customary to have a small
ledge in every apartment, (immediately under the cornice,) barely
wide enough to hold an apple: in this way the ceilings are fringed
with fruit, which are not easily got at without a ladder; while
one glance of the eye serves to shew if any depredations have been
committed.
21. _On the Cultivation and Forcing Sea Kale_.—The Crambe maritima,
or Sea Kale, is an indigenous plant of this and other countries of
Europe, and found on the sandy beach of the sea-shore.
It has been long introduced into our gardens as a culinary vegetable,
but it is only within the last thirty years, that it has been brought
into general use, and subjected to a mode of cultivation, very
different from that which was first bestowed upon it.
The principal value of this plant is its property of early growth;
appearing at table at a time when few such things can be had. It
precedes asparagus, for which it is no bad substitute; and as it
makes a dish of itself, it gives a variety to the delicacies of the
table; and if the opinions given of its medicinal virtues be correct,
it is well worth cultivation, and the notice we are about to take of
it, in describing an easy method of having it in great perfection
throughout the winter months, and up to the time it may be gathered
from the natural ground.
Prepare one or more beds (with alleys two feet wide between) for the
reception of the seeds, in the following manner: mark out the bed or
beds two and a half feet wide, and of any required length, as near
as can be from east to west; line off the sides and ends, driving a
stake at each corner to ascertain the boundaries; dig out the earth
of the bed one spade deep, removing it to some distance; fill this
excavation with the purest and finest sand which can be procured in
the neighbourhood, either from the sea-shore, the bed of a river, or
from a pit. It signifies nothing of what colour it is, so it be pure,
and as free from loam as it can be had; for in proportion as the soil
of the bed is poor or rich, so will the flavour of the plant be when
dressed. When this precaution is not taken, and when the plants are
suffered to enjoy the rich and cultivated soil of a kitchen garden,
or the situation made so, by rich dressings or coverings of fresh
manure, the plants are stimulated into an unnatural luxuriance, which
deteriorates the flavour, imparting to them that strong disagreeable
scent and taste, resembling common cabbage, than which nothing can
be a greater drawback on the value of the vegetable; but when grown
entirely in pure sand, the flavour is mild and pleasant, and is
relished by most palates.
When the bed is filled with sand and raised therewith about six
inches above the natural level of the ground, (and this should be
done previous to the end of March, which is the sowing season,) draw
a drill along the middle, from end to end, about three inches [p498]
deep, in which drop the seeds pretty thickly, as they can be thinned
out to the proper distance after they come up. If the sand or weather
be dry at the time of sowing, give a little water in the drill and
immediately cover up. If the seed be good, the plants will soon
appear, and when they are advanced to a size large enough to enable
the gardener to choose the most promising, let them be thinned out
to the distance of six or seven inches, the distance at which they
may remain. During the summer, the bed should be occasionally watered
with _dung water_; and this for the purpose of encouraging the growth
of the plants on their first setting off; and as manure given in
this shape is more fugitive than when applied in a more solid or
concentrated state, it cannot impart rankness to the plants when they
arrive at that age fit to be brought to table.
The plants cannot be forced, nor should any of their shoots be cut,
the first winter after sowing; but should be suffered and assisted to
establish themselves, and gain sufficient strength to yield adequate
crops, in the succeeding years.
About the month of November in the second winter after sowing, a
part at one end of the bed should be prepared for forcing. For this
purpose, and in order that it may be done with facility and effect,
a rough wooden frame or frames should be made, eighteen inches high
behind, and one foot high in front, shaped like a common hot-bed
frame, and of any convenient and portable length; and in width, the
same as the bed. Light wooden covers in convenient lengths should
be fixed by hinges to the back; these may be raised at will for
admission of light and air, and, in fine weather, may be thrown
entirely back. When the frames are placed, dig out the alleys one
foot deep to receive linings of hot dung, which may be banked op
against both the back and front of the frame. The surface of the bed
within the frame must be covered with soft, short straw, or hay, nine
inches thick, to arrest the heat which rises from the linings, and
form that warm humid region into which the shoots will advance. The
temperature of these dark frames must be regulated by due attendance;
and in intensely cold or frosty weather, the frames at night will
require coverings of mats and litter, to prevent the plants receiving
a check.
The required supply of the family—the time for it—and the length or
number of the frames, must be judged of by the gardener, and who will
act accordingly; but two frames are indispensable; because the second
should be considerably advanced by the time the crop in the first is
all cut.
Young plants may be transplanted; and if they are to be had, may
be tried; but the safer way is to sow and plant both, to prevent
disappointment; and in order that the roots be not too much exhausted
by forcing, one bed should be forced in one year, and another the
next.
The crowns of the roots have a tendency to rise; and as annual [p499]
additions of sand will be required after the autumnal dressing, the
beds by these additions become unsightly; but cutting off the most
aspiring (with its flowering stem) every summer, will keep the whole
within proper bounds. Instead of covering with dung or litter, to
protect from winter’s frost, the frames may be set on those parts
intended to be forced, to answer that purpose; and the uncovered
parts of the beds may receive a coat of mould out of the alleys, to
be drawn back off the sand in the spring.
The writer of this began to force Sea Kale as long ago as 1798, using
hot dung within, as well as without, a frame with glazed lights; but
soon found that, neither the glass nor dung _inside_ was necessary or
suitable; he, therefore, afterwards succeeded, by the above plan, to
produce the finest crops of this vegetable, at any time in the winter
months; and can confidently recommend such management, especially to
those who have no hot-house or hot-bed frames; because when there is
any early forced house or frames, if old roots are properly selected
and potted in the autumn, and placed in such house or frame, where
there is sufficient heat, and well shut up from light by whelming
other empty pots over them, a crop may be had in this way, without
the trouble and expense of out-door forcing.
J. M.
[p500]
METEOROLOGICAL DIARY for the Months of September, October, and
November, 1827, kept at EARL SPENCER’s Seat at Althorp, in
Northamptonshire.
The Thermometer hangs in a North-eastern Aspect, about five feet
from the ground, and a foot from the wall.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FOR SEPTEMBER, 1827. |
+----------------+-------------------+---------------+---------------+
| | Thermometer. | Barometer. | Wind. |
| +---------+---------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| | Lowest. | Highest | Morn. | Eve. | Morn. | Eve. |
+-----------+----+---------+---------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Saturday | 1 | 37 | 60 | 30.20 | 30.20 | E | EbS |
| Sunday | 2 | 42 | 64 | 30.20 | 30.18 | NE | NE |
| Monday | 3 | 44 | 64 | 30.18 | 30.18 | NE | NE |
| Tuesday | 4 | 51 | 59 | 30.18 | 30.18 | NE | NE |
| Wednesday | 5 | 51 | 61 | 30.17 | 30.17 | NE | NE |
| Thursday | 6 | 48 | 57 | 30.17 | 30.17 | NE | NE |
| Friday | 7 | 51 | 59-1/2 | 30.17 | 30.15 | NE | NE |
| Saturday | 8 | 52 | 60 | 30.11 | 30.07 | NE | EbS |
| Sunday | 9 | 51 | 62 | 29.83 | 29.77 | EbS | SW |
| Monday | 10 | 55 | 67 | 29.74 | 29.69 | SW | SW |
| Tuesday | 11 | 55 | 69-1/2 | 29.66 | 29.58 | SSE | SbW |
| Wednesday | 12 | 55 | 62-1/2 | 29.54 | 29.57 | SW | W |
| Thursday | 13 | 50 | 61 | 29.70 | 29.93 | W | W |
| Friday | 14 | 46 | 65 | 30.03 | 30.03 | W | W |
| Saturday | 15 | 50 | 67 | 30.10 | 30.13 | W | WNW |
| Sunday | 16 | 58 | 67 | 30.17 | 30.17 | WbN | W |
| Monday | 17 | 57 | 66 | 30.17 | 30.16 | E | ENE |
| Tuesday | 18 | 57 | 62 | 30.13 | 30.10 | ENE | NE |
| Wednesday | 19 | 45 | 57 | 30.02 | 30.02 | SW | W |
| Thursday | 20 | 46 | 54 | 29.69 | 29.70 | SE | NE |
| Friday | 21 | 43 | 63 | 29.70 | 29.48 | NNE | SW |
| Saturday | 22 | 45 | 60 | 29.44 | 29.34 | SW | WbS |
| Sunday | 23 | 43 | 59 | 29.30 | 29.40 | SW | WSW |
| Monday | 24 | 40 | 60 | 29.50 | 29.50 | SE | SW |
| Tuesday | 25 | 42 | 61 | 29.50 | 29.50 | SSW | S |
| Wednesday | 26 | 48 | 65 | 29.48 | 29.48 | SE | S |
| Thursday | 27 | 52 | 66 | 29.48 | 29.57 | NE | NE |
| Friday | 28 | 48 | 64 | 29.57 | 29.57 | NE | SE |
| Saturday | 29 | 47 | 61 | 29.57 | 29.54 | E | SE |
| Sunday | 30 | 53 | 63 | 29.60 | 29.60 | SE | SE |
+-----------+----+---------+---------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FOR OCTOBER, 1827. |
+----------------+-------------------+---------------+---------------+
| | Thermometer. | Barometer. | Wind. |
| +---------+---------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| | Lowest. | Highest | Morn. | Eve. | Morn. | Eve. |
+-----------+----+---------+---------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Monday | 1 | 52 | 65 | 29.67 | 29.70 | SE | SE |
| Tuesday | 2 | 54 | 63 | 29.74 | 29.90 | E | ENE |
| Wednesday | 3 | 46 | 62-1/2 | 30.04 | 30.12 | ENE | ENE |
| Thursday | 4 | 45 | 60 | 30.21 | 30.23 | NE | NNE |
| Friday | 5 | 42 | 62 | 30.28 | 30.17 | NNE | NNE |
| Saturday | 6 | 44 | 61-1/2 | 30.10 | 29.96 | E | E |
| Sunday | 7 | 43 | 58 | 29.87 | 29.73 | E | SbE |
| Monday | 8 | 39 | 61 | 29.60 | 29.33 | SE | SE |
| Tuesday | 9 | 46 | 62 | 29.20 | 29.08 | SE | WSW |
| Wednesday | 10 | 48 | 53 | 29.20 | 29.13 | SW | NE |
| Thursday | 11 | 46 | 56 | 29.04 | 29.08 | SW | SW |
| Friday | 12 | 44 | 55 | 29.12 | 29.32 | W | W |
| Saturday | 13 | 34-1/2 | 53 | 29.39 | 29.39 | W | W |
| Sunday | 14 | 44 | 57 | 29.60 | 29.68 | W | SW |
| Monday | 15 | 46 | 61 | 29.70 | 29.71 | SW | SSW |
| Tuesday | 16 | 57 | 64 | 29.71 | 29.71 | SW | SSW |
| Wednesday | 17 | 49 | 62 | 29.71 | 29.69 | SE | SE |
| Thursday | 18 | 38 | 61 | 29.69 | 29.63 | SE | E |
| Friday | 19 | 45 | 60 | 29.63 | 29.63 | ENE | E |
| Saturday | 20 | 52 | 62 | 29.63 | 29.59 | E | E |
| Sunday | 21 | 50 | 59 | 29.50 | 29.42 | E | E |
| Monday | 22 | 52 | 59 | 29.28 | 29.10 | EbS | SE |
| Tuesday | 23 | 51 | 59 | 29.02 | 29.18 | SE | SE |
| Wednesday | 24 | 47 | 60 | 29.44 | 29.74 | SE | WbS |
| Thursday | 25 | 46 | 59 | 29.87 | 29.88 | WbS | SSW |
| Friday | 26 | 52 | 61 | 29.96 | 29.84 | SW | SE |
| Saturday | 27 | 46 | 60 | 29.63 | 29.46 | SE | SSW |
| Sunday | 28 | 45 | 57 | 29.31 | 29.50 | NE | NE |
| Monday | 29 | 33 | 48 | 29.77 | 29.88 | NE | WNW |
| Tuesday | 30 | 33 | 52 | 29.82 | 29.68 | W | W |
| Wednesday | 31 | 46 | 53 | 29.64 | 29.64 | NW | NNW |
+-----------+----+---------+---------+-------+-------+-------+-------+