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's, except that they have large bushy whiskers. In the evening, they sit outside their holes, and they all appear to be moralising. They are most serious-looking animals; and even the young ones are grey-headed, have mustachios, and look thoughtful and grave. In the daytime, their holes are always guarded by two little owls, who are never an instant away from their posts. As one gallops by these owls they always stand looking at the stranger, and then at cach 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 biscacho's hole.-See a beautiful figure of this bird in the Magazine of Natural History. The hay-harvest commences about the end of the month, in the southern and midland parts of the kingdom. The mower now, at morning blythe, Sweeps o'er the mead till night's reprieve ; And withering scents the dewy eve. About this time, birds cease their notes. The rural ceremony of sheep-shearing usually takes place in June, and was formerly celebrated with much innocent pastime.-See our former volumes. Seek he who will in grandeur to be blest, Place in proud halls, and splendid courts, his joy; For pleasure or for gold his arts employ, Whilst all his hours unnumbered cares molest,- And shadowy woods, and rocks, and tow'ring hills, * Each in my mind some gentle thoughts instils; Ah, gentle thoughts! soon lost the city cares among. In the Magazine of Natural History we find the following notes for June 1828.-Wheat came into flower on the 16th, the white lily on the 22d, and the evening primrose on the 28th.-Young wasps appeared on the 20th; the geometric-web-making spider on the 25th. About the same time the little moths, the larva of which had been so destructive to the foliage of many plants, particularly apple trees and whitethorn hedges, came forth from their chrysalis state. They proved to be the Phalana pyralis of Linnæus, and very much resembled the common small moth so destructive to woollen garments and house furniture. The eggs of these insects, it is probable, were deposited on the branches, near the buds, in the preceding autumn, or early during the very mild spring. Poetical Pictures in June. When to my fevered brain, the long drear night And silent bliss, more exquisite than mirth! D. L. RICHARDSON. Pinebeh at Sunset. On Nineveh's proud towers the sinking sun Empress of nations. The flaming orb descends: his light is quenched: But joyous is the stirring city now: The moon is clear, the stars are coming forth,- All rarest flowers, Heard by the lonely traveller through the vale, Invite the taste. Methinks the westering sun shines cooler in the garden-that the shades are somewhat deepenedthat the birds are not hopping round our head, as they did some hour ago that in their afternoon siesta they are mute. Another set of insects are in the air. The flowers, that erewhile were broad and bright awake, with slumbering eyne are now hanging down their heads; and those that erewhile seemed to slumber, have awoke from their day-dreams, and look almost as if they were going to speak. Have you a language of your own-dear creatures--for we know that ye have loves?-Blackwood's Magazine. But chief when summer twilight mild And though, perchance, with secret dread, While winds, that waved the long lank grass, Yet with a pleasing horror fell Evening. But noon's subduing heat and glare Have melted to a milder air; And oh! there comes, so calm and boon, The eve-the Paradise of JUNE. Past is the glare-but there is still PRINGLE. All there is peace, and you may hear The hoarse, quaint whisperings of the crake. |