SELECT CALENDAR OF BRITISH INSECTS. Pristonychus Terricola. Haunts, Cellars and caverns. To 9. Silpha opaca. Sandy places. To 7. Dermestes lardarius. Houses, etc. To 10. Coccinella 7-punctata, 7-spotted Lady-bird. Various plants. To 10. Tenebrio Molitor, Meal-worm Beetle. Houses, flour-mills. To 10. Eriogaster lanestris, Small Egger. Hedges and thickets. To 6. Zanthia croceago, Orange Upper-wing. Amongst dry leaves. To 6. Aplocera cæsiata, The February Carpet. Skirts of woods. Pristonychus Terricola. I have in this instance deviated from the plan of naming the insects in the above lists from Mr. Stephens's Catalogue, where its generic name is Sphodrus, and adopted that given in his "Nomenclature of British Insects," as established by De Jean. It is distinguished from Sphodrus leucophthalmus by its smaller size and the absence of wings. Hydrophilus caraboides. This species, which is so common in the south of England, (particularly near London,) is rarely met with in the north. In Nottinghamshire I have never heard of its being taken: the Nottingham district, including Sherwood Forest, is however very productive, although some species are extremely local. The first British specimens of Saperda ferrea were taken by myself in the county. Berosus luridus. The insects of this beauti ful genus are frequently confounded. I would, therefore, advise the young entomologist to examine them with care: they delight in pools having a clayey bottom, and haunt the roots and stems of aquatic plants near the margin. Silpha opaca. This rare species is sometimes taken in the vicinity of Nottingham, in this and the two following months. Coccinella septem-punctata, or Lady-bird, is associated with the remembrance of almost every country ramble, and is welcomed with rapture by every child who has heard the nursery air of Lady-bird! lady-bird! fly away home: Thy house is on fire, thy children will burn! etc. It is an insect that deserves the protection of every gardener and lover of plants, its food being the various species of aphides, those destroyers and disfigurers of our hothouses and gardens. The whole genus is subject to great variation; so much so, that it is impossible to determine the species without carefully collecting couples. Tenebrio Molitor. The larva (commonly called meal-worms) of this domestic beetle form the favourite food of the nightingale when in confinement. LAYS OF THE SEASONS. BY MARY HOWITT. I. SPRING. The Spring-she is a blessed thing"! She is the mother of the flowers; She is the mate of birds and bees, Our star of hope through wintry hours. The merry children when they see They are soonest with her in the woods, Or catch the earliest wild-bird's song. The aged man is in the field; The maiden 'mong her garden flowers; The sons of sorrow and distress Are wandering in forgetfulness Of wants that fret and care that lowers. She comes with more than present good- Up!-let us to the fields away, And breathe the fresh and balmy air : The bird is building in the tree, The flower has opened to the bee, And health, and love, and peace are there! |