the insect to expand and dry, upon its appearance, which took place the latter end of October. Upon searching for the shell of the pupa, it was observed that the larva had formed a nest about the size of a pullet's egg, which was delicately lined with silk, and enabled the pupa to twist and move freely. As the insect is frequently found by persons employed to dig for potatoes, we would suggest the forming of artificial cells in garden pots, as before observed, and covering them with moss, which should be occasionally sprinkled with water.- Scientific Gazette, No. 8. We cannot take leave of the insectile visiters of July without noticing a monthly work on British Insects, which possesses strong claims to the notice and the patronage of the lover of this interesting portion of the natural history of our country; it is entitled BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY; or Illustrations and Descriptions of the Genera of Insects found in Great Britain and Ireland; containing coloured figures from Nature of the most rare and beautiful Species, and of the Plants upon which they are found. By JOHN CURTIS, F.L.S.' This work, at once valuable to the man of science, and pleasing to the man of taste, contains figures of many Species of British insects never before published, as well as the most accurate and beautiful dissections of each object; an advantage peculiar to this interesting and useful publication. The delineation of the plant upon which the insect is found, we consider an extremely valuable addition to Mr. Curtis's British Entomology—a work which reflects the highest credit upon the ingenious author, and offers, even to foreigners, a compendium of science and accuracy, with which no other publication on the subject can at all compete. The unusual heats experienced in July 1825, were extremely favourable to the wheat crops; but being unaccompanied with rain, were more or less injurious to every other. The pastures were burnt up, in a manner almost unprecedented, and there was every appearance that cattle-food would be scarce. The hay harvest, however, throughout the country was excellent; and the copious rains of August and September contributed, in a great measure, to restore the herbage, and to afford some promise of lattermath. Vegetables were bad and dear; and round Paris, every thing was burnt up but the artichoke; and so scarce were the culinary productions of France, that it became a good speculation to bring turnips and potatoes from Holland, a circumstance that had not occurred since the time of Louis XIV. In England, more wheat was cut in July 1825, than, in 1816, was reaped by the middle of September. The various tints of green which have been so refreshing to the eye, now lose half their verdant beauty, the insect tribe having commenced their devastations; and we regret to see our trim hedges displaying their net-work leaves in the place of that fresh unspotted foliage which, a short time since, administered so much pleasure to our visual organs; but although deprived, in this month, of many of the exquisite beauties of Flora, her sister-goddess Pomona offers, with liberal hand, her cooling fruits:the juicy gooseberry, the liquid currant, the rich raspberry, and the substantial cherry, all contend for our preference. As we commenced our Diary with a Morning Hymn by Mr. Ryan, an EVENING HYMN by the same author will form an appropriate conclusion to the observations of this month. Praise ye the Lord in plenitude of soul, While worlds of light unnumbered o'er us roll; Oh! Thou, who mak'st the Sun to shine, We turn, and, trembling, own Thy power; For us the Sun each passing year For us the Planets lend their light, We, trembling, own Thy mighty pow'r ; Oh! then in gratitude once more We turn, and, trembling, own Thy power; AUGUST. THIS month, called Sextilis, the sixth of the Romulean year, took its name from the place in which it stood; it received the name of Augustus in honour of Augustus, who, in this month, obtained the consulate before the time generally prescribed, and who triumphed thrice over Egypt. Its tutelar divinity was Ceres. The sign of this month is Virgo. Remarkable Days In AUGUST 1826.. 1.- LAMMAS DAY. THIS was anciently loaf mass, it being customary for the Saxons to offer an oblation of new bread on this day, as the first fruits of the harvest.-On Lammas Towers, see our last volume, p. 208. *2. 1825.-EARTHQUAKE AT BELIDA. On this day, a violent earthquake was felt at Al giers. It did no damage; but the inhabitants were so alarmed, that many families fled into the country, and took refuge under tents. The effects were much more dreadful ten leagues from Algiers, the earthquake having destroyed the town of Belida, and swallowed up half the inhabitants, 6,000 persons being buried under the ruins. Colea and Mascura suffered the same fate within the last twenty years. *2. 1704.-BATTLE OF BLENHEIM. In the reign of Queen Anne, the honour of the British arms was raised to an amazing height, particularly by the Duke of Marlborough, who humbled the pride of France, and firmly established the power of Austria in the battles of Blenheim, Ramillies, &c. The former of these engagements took place on the above day, when ten thousand of Bavarian and French troops were left dead on the field, and thirteen thousand made prisoners. The Duke of Marlborough distinguished himself by acts of the greatest bravery, riding from rank to rank, in the very heat of the engagement, and giving his orders with that coolness of mind and deliberation so peculiar to his character. 6.-TRANSFIGURATION. This festival, in remembrance of our Lord's transfiguration on the mount, was instituted by Pope Calixtus in 1455. 7.-NAME OF JESUS. This day, previously to the reformation, was assigned to Donatus; our reformers gave it its present appropriation. 10.-SAINT LAWRENCE. Saint Lawrence was by birth a Spaniard, and flourished about the middle of the third century. He was laid upon a gridiron, and broiled till he died, August 10th, 258. While he was thus broiling, the martyrologists tell us, that he called out to the em peror Valerian, who was present, in an extemporaneous Latin distich, which has been thus translated: This side enough is toasted, Then turn me, tyrant, and eat; 12. 1762.-KING GEORGE IV born. *12. 1825.-CAPT. J. D. COCHRANE, R.N., DIED. He was the author of A Narrative of a Pedestrian Journey through Russia and Siberian Tartary, from the Frontiers of China to the Frozen Sea and Kamstchatka; performed during the Years 1820, 1821, 1822, and 1823, two vols. post 8vo, with charts and plates'-a Third Edition of which has, been lately published; and of ‹ A Journal of a Residence in Colombia,' from which some interesting extracts are given in the present volume. Captain Cochrane died in Colombia. 15.-ASSUMPTION OF B. V. M. This is a festival in the Greek and Romish churches in honour of the supposed miraculous ascension of the Virgin Mary into heaven.-See an account of a splendid pageant formerly exhibited at Dieppe in honour of this day, in T. T. for 1823, pp. 224-227. Plays, to celebrate the Assumption, were acted in the nave of the church in England, so late as the year 1483. 24.-SAINT BARTHOLOMEW. This apostle translated St. Matthew's Gospel into the Indian language, and propagated it in that part of the world. He is generally supposed to have been beheaded. A curious custom on St. Bartholomew's Eve is recorded by Stow in his 'Annals,' A.D. 1555. The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London, on Bartholomew Even, after they had ridden about St. Barthol. Fair, they came to X" Hospital, within Newgate, where they heard a Disputation between the Scholars of Paul's School, St. Anthonie's School, and |