AUTO-BIOGRAPHY OF A DOG.-NO. XIII. WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. (Continued from Page 235.) THE SNOWY WEATHER we have had so very recently, Mr. Editor,-(it is now March 18th)reminds me of the same period of the year in my own country; and induces me to write a little | entomologically. You will, I am sure, excuse this, when you consider that I have not trespassed much in that way lately. A great deal of snow used to fall in the month of January, more particularly towards the latter end of the month, and the beginning of February. The Bise also is very severe, and pretty frequent. The old saying runs, that the Bise lasts three days; but if it should continue longer, and very sharp, the old market-girls will call out-"Eh, ma foi! c'est furieusement froid. C'est une Bise de neuf jours." Now at the commencement of February, in some parts, there would be from four to six feet of snow; and generally, at the lower parts, near the lake, about one or two feet. I do not, of course, speak of any exposed situation, or where the snow had drifted. There you might reckon from eight to fourteen feet. But I talk of a fair general level, and on such it would top the hedges on our highways. I need hardly say that, at such a period of the year, everything travels on sledges. A delightful and amusing way of travelling, that is; as I shall soon take occasion to show you. My object in sending you this, is to give you a little description of one of our snowy entomological rambles. We would start as usual, at this season of the year, after a capital breakfast, and did not forget two or three tea-spoonsful of Kirschenwasser in our coffee. Myself and brother, however, preferred the coffee without the Kirschenwasser. Walking fast was out of the question, in consequence of the snow; but by the time we reached the Châlet of Montmeilan (already noticed in a former communication), we were as warm as we could wish to be, and right glad to rest half an-hour. This gave us time to dispose of some bread and cheese, and a glass of old wine; and, we always contrived to enjoy ourselves thoroughly, we used, with the greatest delight, to hear the old Bombyx call for mine hostess, and order dinner for three o'clock. This consisted of a hot sausage, some nice macaroni soup, a hot ham, or any other piquant morceaux that the larder afforded. Then would we start forwards, and upwards too, Mr. Editor; for smooth travelling, even for pedestrians, is not much known in my country. Sauvabelin used indeed to wear a very winterish garment at this time; and even we, who knew every corner of it, were sometimes singularly out in our movements. as From six to eight feet of snow generally lay underneath our shoes. This was frozen so hard that our passage made little or no impression-but singular indeed was the appearance of just the summits of the young trees projecting from about eight to twelve inches above the snow-and more particularly the "Sapins," one of which that we knew to be about eight feet in height, caused us much amusement, as it had still attached to it, at about six inches from the top, the skin of a serpent. This we had killed the previous spring, and tied there. Serpents, and some of these not of the most innoxious description, are not uncommon in parts of this forest, and it is very imprudent to venture there without strong and high boots. Well; after we had strolled about a short time, Polychroros was seen tripping from tree to tree, accompanied by his cousin Urtica; and occasionally beautiful Rhamni, with his lovely though faded wings (just the color of the early common primrose), was seen skipping before our eyes; and this used to rejoice the heart of old Bombyx. But list! What's the matter? Jean is calling out lustily, "A beautiful moth!" "Another!" "They are very good," quoth Bombyx; "take all you can. After one o'clock you'll lose sight of them. Before that hour, however, at least a dozen Parthenias, for such they were, helped to fill our hunting box. This, Mr. Editor, allow me to tell you, is about the earliest of our entomological friends that proceeds ex pupa. Sometimes also during February, if the weather be open, Puella and Notha, which, although very similar to, Parthenias, are very much rarer, and generally appear about a fortnight after, at least so I have heard my old master say. Instabilis will also occasionally come forth, as well as Lanestris. Stabilis also appears. Retusa, Rubricosa, and Libatrix, too, rarely fail. The pretty little Depressaria Applana is also now to be met with. C. album and Rape, too, make their appearance towards the end of the month. The former, half dreaming that he is still in his winter slumber; the latter quite fresh out of his chrysalis. At one o'clock, Bombyx and his party used to move their quarters and go to a particular corner, of the forest, best known to themselves (or, I ought rather to say, ourselves), and hunt underneath the snow for the caterpillars of Dominula. This spot was not more than about forty feet long by twenty broad, and has most assuredly been inhabited by the family of Dominula for a vast many years. This is a very singular and well ascertained fact. I have often spoken to my old master upon this point; and if I could get the old boy to tell me how he honestly can account for it, I would inform you. I'll worm it out of him one of these days, and then you shall know all about it. This colony of Dominula was so bedecked by the intermingling of the branches of "Sapin,' that a vast quantity of snow could not accumulate immediately under the branches. The Rubus, too, curled about in beautiful arches; and where the Rubus was not, a few inches under the snow was found the common wood-strawberry--both favorite articles of food with Dominula, and (I blush not to say it, Mr. Editor,) favorite food of mine also. I do not care for the cream, mind; but I am uncommonly fond of poking my nose into a patch of wood-strawberries. Let me not, however, confess all my faults, else the old Bombyx might hear of them. But let us return to Dominula. Going quietly to work, my old master would pick up some forty caterpillars in one day. I know this is a very difficult caterpillar to rear; and if you succeed in bringing up one-third of your number, you may consider it very fair. Whilst Bombyx was hunting Dominulas, I and my brother were hunting ferrets. We had observed, nere and there, certain funny little round holes in the snow; and on applying our noses, we became acquainted with a peculiar odor. "What is it?" said I to Carlo. "I'm blest if I know, Fino. Let us set to work, and, by scratching, find out. It smells rather savory." We worked away like niggers; but while pausing a moment, just to take breath,-"Hey ho! Carlo! look there!" said I, "what's that?" He never stopped to answer me, but was off, like a mad fool; and the little beast slipped down one of these very little holes. I saw it distinctly, and would have given Carlo a sound thrashing for frightening it, had I not learned to entertain respect for my elders. As it was, I told him my mind; when the unmannered cub, instead of listening to me, and profiting by what I said, actually had the insolence to turn round, and grip me by the ear. Our quarrels were sometimes disagreeable, but never, Mr. Editor, did we let the sun go down upon our wrath. If mankind would only take the trouble to imitate us poor dogs (I have often said this myself, and often heard my old master say the same thing) in these matters,-aye, and in some others too, how much more real happiness would exist among us! Let pride and conceit, treachery and falsehood, be universally discarded from among mankind, say I, as it is among dogs; and let honesty and sobriety, fidelity and truth, replace them. Then, Mr. Editor, what a different world this would be! [So it would, FINO.] Having now loitered about till we were pretty sure nothing more was to be got, and our appetites becoming very sharp,-Bombyx said to Jean, "Well Jean, what do you make the time?" "Voyons voir," replied Jean, with an expressive smile and stroke of the chin; at the same time producing his tabatière, and invigorating his olfactory nerves. "I think," said he, "by the time we get to the Chalet, the jambon and sausage will be done to a nicety. I will tie up a bundle of Rubus, which Monsieur can keep fresh for three or four days, and then we'll go and have a warm. I take it, we shall do no more good." "None at all, Jean." We had just turned round with the intention of making the best of our way to the Chalet, when we heard the well-known melodious voice of the old Grandpapa des Papillons blithely singing: "Parbleu! Oui, Jean. Listen! I was just coming up to see how the wood looked, when mine hostess of the Chalet told me you were somewhere about, but she expected you at three o'clock. If I had not fallen in with you, I should have returned to the Chalet." Jean, with his characteristic kindness of heart (oh! what a man he was, Mr. Editor!-one of a million!), placed his athletic body by the side of our worthy octogenarian, to be of use in case of a helping hand being required; and merrily trudging along, we arrived at the rendezvous. I know not of anything more contributing to the enjoyment of good health, than a rough day's sport in winter. It produces a freshness and elasticity both of mind and body, which are quite exhilarating. Then the return to the blazing fire at the Chalet, after our sport in the wood! There was the long table nicely covered with a snowwhite table-cloth. Bottles of old Red wine were set before the cheerful fire, just to have the chill taken off; the exquisite soup was arranged by mine hostess; and plenty of savory little mor ceaux brought up in the clean "Bagnolet." for the two handsome dogs, expressly by Mon Mari himself. Imagine every one, also, with an appetit de loup, and you will readily admit that, even in the depth of winter, an entomological party is a cheerful one, especially where all are intent upon practically studying entomology, and not losing their time in quarrelling about the particular name or synonyme that should be given to any particular insect. Full justice having been done to the jambon and saucisse, we would return home about dusk; and the remainder of the evening till supper-time would be spent in listening to the remarks of the old grandpapa on various insects; whilst myself and my brother would creep on each side of the kitchen fire, where cook had got some fine large potatoes roasting dans les cendres, a favorite repast of our aged guest. After supper, at which myself and my brother never failed to be present, Bombyx would bring up a "krug" of delicious "Kirschenwasser," from the Forêt Noire. accompanied by boiling water and sugar; and old grandpapa, who was a genuine troubadour, and sung with great taste and fine feeling, would enliven us with some sweet romances of upwards of a half-century earlier. At eleven o'clock he would light his little lantern, and wrap up his aged body in a good warm mantle. Then would the ever-noble Jean poke his nose out of the kitchen : "Un moment, Monsieur! Je suis prêt, Monsieur me permettra de porter cette petite lanterne, et de le voir sauf et sain à la maison. Cela me fera bel et bien plaisir." "Bravo! bravo! excellent et digne Jean. Je voudrais bien qu'il y avait encore au monde d'autres comme vous." And off they went. Shortly after, we retired to our resting quarters; which were so comfortably contrived that neither the intense cold nor the severe Bise had any inconvenient effect upon us. The only thing that used to annoy me was the restless temper of my brother, who would be in and out every five minutes. I am bad enough myself, Mr. Editor, but not such a fidget as he was. He really became a perfect nuisance. I should certainly have given him many 46 MORE 46 CURIOUS FACTS." BREAD,- NEW AND STALE. M. Boussingault avers that the change of condition in bread, known by the terms "new" and stale," is usually attributed to loss of moisture; and that the presumed greater nutritive qualities of stale over new bread are due to the greater weight of nourishment contained in the former than in the latter. He also tells us plainly that the crispest and nicest crust becomes tough and leathery by mere keeping, whilst the soft part or crumb as readily loses its springy flexibility, becoming erumbly under the same circumstances. Now it is this change of the crumb of bread with which we have to do; for there can be no doubt that the change in the crust, from crispness to toughness, is wholly due to the absorption of water, chiefly yielded by the soft crumb, but sometimes in part from a damp external atmosphere. M. Boussingault fairly instances the return of stale bread to the condition of new, on being again put into the oven or toasted, when stale bread itself parts with water, as good and sufficient evidence against the supposition that staleness is due to dessication. Various experiments have been made with bread under diverse conditions; from the chief of which it appears that a loaf just drawn from the oven requires the lapse of about twenty-four hours to fall to the temperature of the surrounding air, when it became what is termed " half-stale," the loss of weight from evaporation of water being 0.008 per cent.; this loss amounting to 001 per cent. when the loaf was a week old and very stale. Other experiments demonstrate a fact well known to good housekeepers, that stale bread may be made to assume the condition of new bread by merely heating it for an almost indefinite number of times; that is, until it is has actually been dried up; and they also show that this return to the "new" condition may be effected at 1209 to 1500 Fahr. From a consideration of these circumstances, M. Boussingault inclines to the belief that, during the cooling of bread, a special molecular state is induced, which is developed to its full extent when the bread becomes very stale; it continuing in this special molecular condition whilst the temperature remains below a certain point. However, when re-heated above this point, it reassumes its primary molecular condition as "new" bread. Change of molecular condition may be familiarly illustrated by the melting of crystalline sugar at a comparatively high temperature into a transparent liquid, which may be moulded at discretion; becoming a transparent solid, barley-sugar, on cooling. By the lapse of time a molecular change is set up, and the barley-sugar becomes opaque and gradually returns to its original state of crystalline sugar. that bread is a hydrated body, softening by heat M. Thenard somewhat inclines to the opinion and solidifying by cold-an opinion wholly unten able, the molecular change advocated by M. Boussingault being both probable and consistent with observation. WEATHER WISDOM. THE perplexity even shrewd guessers of the weather often labor under, as to whether an umbrella should be exchanged for a walking-stick, or an extra coat be taken for the journey-must render this branch of information extremely useful. By attending to a few simple rules, drawn from nature and confirmed by experience, the veriest tyro in meteorology may predict with accuracy the probable changes of the weather from day to day. DEW.-If, after one fair day, the dew lies plentifully on the grass, it is a sign of another. If not, and there is no wind, rain must follow. A red sunset, without clouds, indicates a doubt of fair weather; but after a red sunset in clouds a fine day may be expected. A watery sunset, diverging rays of light-either direct from the sun, or behind a bank of clouds, is indicative of rain. CLOUDS.-When the clouds increase very fast,and accumulate huge masses of vapor, much rain, and, in the summer time, thunder will follow. When the clouds are formed like fleeces, but dense in the middle and bright towards the edge, with the sky clear, they are signs of a sharp frost, with hail, snow, or rain. When the clouds (cirri) are formed like feathers, and appear in thin white trains, they indicate wind. When formed into horizontal sheets, with streamers pointing upwards, rain is prognosticated, but with depending, fringelike fibres it is found to precede fair weather. When a general cloudiness covers the sky,-and small black fragments of clouds fly underneath, wet weather will follow; and probably of long continuance. Two currents of clouds always portend rain; and in summer, thunder. PLANTS.-These are truly the barometers of Nature, and are most faithful in their indications. Chickweed forms of itself an excellent criterion. When the flower expands fully, rain will not fall for many hours; and should it continue expanded, no rain will disturb the summer's day. When it half conceals its diminutive flower, the day will be showery; but when it entirely shuts up, or veils the white flower with its green mantle, then let the traveller provide an umbrella and top-coat, for the rain will be lasting. If the Siberian sowthistle shuts at night, the following day will be fine. If it remain open, rain will ensue. If the African marigold continues shut in the morning, long after its usual time for opening, rain is approaching; and the convolvulus, tulip, bindweeds, scarlet-pimpernel and all the different species of trefoil, contract their leaves on the approach of a storm or wet weather. NATURE'S LOVE-KNOT. TRUE hearts by secret sympathy are tied, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS,—KEW. AS THE SUMMER STEAM BOATS, and numerous other public conveyances, are now facilitating access to these most beautiful-most enchanting gardens, which are opened "free" to the public, daily, from 1 p.m. until 6,-we append the notes of a gentleman who paid them a recent visit. They will assist the stranger in his progress of examination. We are now in the gardens; and taking the houses pretty much in the order in which they are generally seen by visitors, we arrive first at the house devoted to the Proteacere. Notwithstanding the name applied to this order is indicative of the great variety of appearance it presents, there is yet such a general resemblance throughout it that few persons could be at a loss to distinguish a proteaceous plant, even when not in bloom. The stiff and rigid foliage, and its peculiar blueish-green tint, must strike every one; and it is well known that it is the great predominance of this order in Australia and the Cape which gives so peculiar a character to the vegetation of those regions, and has occasioned them to be designated by Schouw the "zone of rigid-leaved woods." Considerable interest is attached to this collection just now, from the circumstance that a large proportion of the species are in bloom. Among these we observed some half-dozen species of Grevillea, four or five Dryandras, Hakea Undulata, Banksia Ericifolia, &c. Several species of Acacia were also in bloom in this house, and a fine plant of Rhododendron Arboreum. In the old Orchid houses, now devoted principally to Ferns, we noticed of the latter in fructification, Hemitelia Horrida, H. Speciosa, H. grandiflora, Drynaria Irioides, Sitilobium, Adiantoides, &c. We must not forget also to mention a remarkably fine specimen of Cymbidium Aloifolium, which, though one of the oldest Orchids in cultivation, is yet well worthy to be retained. The plant in question had five handsome spikes of flowers, and produced a very showy appearance. Some interesting miscellaneous plants were in bloom in these houses. Especially worthy of notice, may be remarked the following:-Kopsia or Cerbera Fruticosa, a pretty little shrub of the Apocynaceous order, much resembling Vinca Rosea, a native of the Malay Islands, introduced many years ago, but by no means common. It is decidedly handsome, and blooms many times in the year; but, judging from the specimens which have come under our notice, the flowers are not produced very freely. Siphocampylus Coccineus, which we regard as unquestionably the most beautiful of its genus. The flowers are large, of a brilliant scarlet, and very abundant. S. Microstoma was blooming in the same house; but, though a handsome species, we can hardly consider it equal as an ornamental plant to the former. Roylea Elegans is a very pretty little plant of the Labiate order, from Nepal, with bright blue flowers, but having a somewhat weedy appearance for an in-door plant. In a small stove, among some other Gesneraceous plants, we observed in bloom a plant of Gloxinia Argyrostigma Splendens, the leaves of which, beautifully variegated, spread out so as to cover the pot; the flower stalks are more slender than in most of the Gloxinias, and the flowers, which are very large, are of a deep violet blue. In the Aloe house were blooming plants of the Aloe Africana, about twelve feet in height, Charlwoodia Congesta, and Xanthorrea Hastilis. The Orchid house presented but few plants in bloom which demand notice; we noticed, however, Oncidium Horridum, Phalenopsis Amabilis, Acrides Virens, Dendrobium Fimbriatum, D. Sanguinolentum, and a good specimen of Lycaste Harrisoniæ, a very striking species, with cream-colored petals and purple lip-perhaps the handsomest of the beautiful genus to which it belongs. In this house is also a fine healthy plant of Nepenthes Rafflesiana, and a small specimen of the beautiful Eranthemum Leuconervum, with delicate white flowers. In the Azalea house we noticed a tolerably large plant of Rhododendron Ciliatum in bloom, and several small ones, not more than six inches high; the pretty little Azalea Amoena, and a number of hybrid varieties of the latter_genus. In the large Palm house, the Doryanthes Excelsa has just bloomed; it is now nearly over. The flowering stem is apparently about fifteen feet in height, and it is stated to have been in flower three weeks. It is growing in a tub, about three feet square. The principal novelties deserving attention are the Aralia Papyrifera, or rice-paper plant of China, about which so much controversy has been raised; Impatiens Hookeri, from Ceylon; Semeiandra Grandiflora, a shrub something resembling a Fuchsia; and Crossandra Flava, a pretty Acanthad, introduced by Mr. Whitfield, from tropical Africa, and bloomed at the Royal Botanic Garden, Regent's Park. It is stated by Sir W. Hooker to be the only example of yellow flowers in the genus Crossandra, which has, moreover, been hitherto supposed to be confined to the East Indies. Many of your readers are aware that a new Victoria house has been erected. It is a building of glass and iron, about forty-five feet square, and has an entrance porch at the east end. The tank is circular, about thirty-four feet in width, lined with concrete, over which is placed sheet lead. A plant has been placed in the centre, which had at the time of our visit eight leaves, the largest probably about twenty inches in diameter, and presenting a tolerably thriving appearance. There is a small tank in each corner of the house, containing Nelumbiums, Caladiums, and other tropical aquatics. The greenhouses mostly presented a gay appearance, Acacias, Azaleas, Boronias, Heaths, Epacrises, and three or four species of Eriostemon, making a conspicuous display. Before these remarks are presented to the public exhibited out of doors. This is just the season to eye, there will be many things of great interest win for them the admiration they deserve. SOCIAL CONVERSATION. TALK not of music to a physician, nor of medicine to a fiddler; unless the fiddler should be sick, and the physician fond of a concert. He that speaks only of such subjects as are familiar to himself, treats the company as the stork did the fox-presenting an entertainment to him in a deep pitcher, out of which no animal in creation could feed but a long-billed fowl.—JONES, of Nayland. HINTS TO AMATEUR GARDENERS. THE CALENDAR FOR JUNE. FRUIT. Cherry-trees on walls usually become infested with black fly at this season, which, if not checked, will extend to the fruit. An effectual and simple remedy is, immediately they are perceived mix some clayey soil with water in such | proportions as will form a thin puddle, into which dip the infested points, leaving them to dry in the sun. After the inclosed insects have perished, the clay may readily be washed off; but it will do no harm in remaining. Roses and many other plants may be cleaned in the same manner. Vines trained against the house or walls must now be looked over weekly, and all weak and superfluous shoots removed. The earlier this is attended to the better, and more likely to forward the ripening of the fruit. A common fault committed in the management of Vines, is leaving too much wood, which not only hinders the fruit of the current year from receiving due nourishment, but prevents the fruiting wood for next season from maturing its buds, to assist which all the sun and air possible should be permitted to penetrate. This should be borne in mind when thinning out young and useless shoots: do not allow one spur to support two bunches of grapes, but remove the smallest or uppermost one, and stop the shoots at an eye above the fruit. Continue to water Strawberries, if necessary. Keep newlygrafted shoots securely tied, and the summer shoots of trained trees fastened in. FLOWERS. Small plants of Pelargoniums or Fuchsias intended for the windows in autumn will make fiue specimens for that purpose, if planted out early this month; or they may be potted at once into their winter pots, and plunged out of doors, taking care that they have good drainage, and using precautions against their rooting through the bottoms or over the tops of the pots. ANNUALS. Some of the quick-flowering kinds may yet be sown, as Virginian Stock, Venus's Looking-glass, Clarkia, Collinsia, Gilia, &c. Some of those thinned out from the border may be potted for flowering in the window, or be placed in a shady place, to form a succession. They will require plenty of water. Some of the more tender kinds which were sown in pots, and raised in the cucumber-pit, may be planted in the open bor ders, as French and African Marigolds, Ten-week Stocks, China Asters, Zinnias, and Phlox Drummondii. BULBS of Ranunculus, Hyacinths, Anemones, and Tulips, as soon as the foliage has turned yellow, must be taken up, if they are choice kinds, and stored away when dry in paper-bags until the planting season. If suffered to remain in the ground, they shoot again in the autumn, which weakens the bulbs, and spoils their blooming at the proper season; and Tulips, when left in the ground, become run in their colors. The soil should be carefully cleansed from them, but none of the skins removed. Care must be taken in handling Ranunculuses and Anemones not to break their claws. CARNATIONS should have neat sticks placed to tie their flower-stems. This should be done loosely, to admit their elongating without breaking. If aphides infest the young buds, they may be brushed off with a stiff feather, or dusted in the morning, when damp, with Scotch snuff. Palecolored kinds will be much benefited by applications of liquid manure, once or twice a week. Liquid manure will be found of great advantage to other florists' flowers when putting forth their flower-stems-namely, Pinks, Ranunculuses, Polyanthuses, and Hyacinths. DAHLIAS.-Keep them neatly and securely tied up, and water them if necessary. FUCHSIAS, Verbenas, Heliotropes, and similar plants, readily strike by cuttings now. ROSES may be budded towards the end of the month. PERENNIALS and BIENNIALS, raised from seed, may be pricked out, to strengthen before their final transplantation. PINKS. Many kinds of choice Pinks, in expanding, are liable to burst their calyx, either from robust growth, or a naturally short calyx. To prevent this, a narrow strip of parchment or bladder may be passed round them, and secured with a little gum-water; or if bladder is used when moist, it will adhere of itself, and can be readily removed before exhibition. Some circular pieces of card should also be cut of the same width as the flower, to arrange the petals upon; for although the petals of a first-rate Pink do expand even and level, they are better secured by this contrivance. Slit the card to the centre on one side, and in the centre make two or three cross-cuts, to admit its being fixed upon the calyx without bruising it. As the flowers expand, the small or irregular petals must be extracted, and the others laid out horizontally, so as not to interrupt the circular lacings. Some short-calyxed Pinks burst in defiance of these precautions. To prevent this being done irregularly, it is better to slit the calyx of such kinds a short distance down at each of their segments before placing the ligature round them. Expanded flowers must be shaded from the sun, if it be wished to retain their beauty any length of time. Various means in the absence of an awning will suggest themselves for this, as caps of stout paper, painted, and supported above them with a stick, like a miniature umbrellaor square pieces of thin board, about six inches wide, fixed upon a stick. The best time for piping is when the plants are in full bloom; if delayed much longer, the shoots get hard, and do not root so readily. They should be taken off when about two inches long, and have the leaves from the two lowermost joints stripped off. Do not shorten the remaining leaves, as is frequently practised. Then in a shady part of the garden prepare some light soil, by digging it fine and level, watering it until it becomes a puddle. Whilst in this state plant the pipings, but do not water them after they are planted. To ensure success, a hand-glass should be placed over them; or they may be planted in wide-mouthed pots with a piece of flat glass over, as recommended in April; or place them at the front of the Cucumber-pit. These early pipings make handsomer |