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Alexander Tilloch. GSD. &c. &c.

Published by Henry Fisher, Caxton, London, Sep.1, 1821.

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MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS.

With a Catalogue of all really British Plants, as they come into Flower.

SEPTEMBER.

THE general warmth of the season, with the cold frequently experienced at night, operate together to accelerate the perfection of different kinds of seeds, as the means whereby the vegetable races are to be perpetuated. In this necessary process, two objects are chiefly kept in view: the first is, to produce in sufficient perfection that which is to continue the species, in which we include the intention of depositing it in a proper situation: the second is, to provide food for man and animals; which is sometimes effected simply by means of a surplus quantity of seed, as in the different species of corn; sometimes by adding to the seed something not absolutely necessary to its perfection as a seed, but at the same time adapted to the nourishment of animals, as the pulp surrounding stone fruit, and that which forms the chief bulk of the apple and pear. In the instances here mentioned, the latter part of both intentions are included in one; for when the fruit is devoured, the seeds, which are indigestible, pass through the body uninjured, and fall to the ground, mixed with a manure well adapted to their future growth.

The Misletoe is singular in this respect; it grows only on trees, to which its seeds are distributed by birds (generally the thrush kind) which devour them, and pass the prolific part through their intestines unhurt. The mucus with which they are covered, causes them to adhere to the branches until the plant has time to fasten itself by the roots.

In nothing is the wisdom and goodness of the Allwise more apparent to the naturalist, than in the different plans which are used to disperse the seeds of plants, and to convey them to such situations as are best fitted for No. 31.-VOL. III.

[1821.

The

their growth. When we walk in the Wood, or by the hedge, our ears are frequently saluted by a sudden snap, caused by the bursting of the seedvessel of the Furze, through the heat of the sun; which causes its oblique fibres to contract, whereby the seeds are scattered in all directions. legume of the pea kind is opened in a similar manner; the membranous lining of the cavity, the fibres of which are oblique, becomes twisted, and the seeds are permitted to drop through the opening. In the pod, which is a long seed-vessel of two valves, somewhat like a legume, but with the valves separated by a receptacle along which the seeds are ranged; the opening and consequent dispersion of the seeds is effected by the extremities rolling back. Some plants, as the Dandelion, have the seeds attached to a light downy substance, by means of which they float about in the air, until a drop of water, by rendering the down less buoyant, fixes them to the earth. Winged seeds, as of the Ash and Sycamore, cannot wander so far; but as they are most usually separated from their place by a smart breeze, the expanded membrane prevents their dropping immediately to the earth, and thus assists in their dissemination. The seeds of the Burdock, and different species of Galium, (cleavers) adhere to the coats of animals, and by them are carried to situations most adapted for them; for they are observed to thrive best in a rank soil. The Acorn and Hazel-nut are hoarded in the ground by the squirrel; and, as many of them are never recovered by the little animal, they are thus planted in a favourable situation, which otherwise they might never have reached. The shell of the nut, as also the stone of the Cherry and Plum, are calculated to resist violence as they lie on the ground, but they open spontaneously to give exit to the germ in spring.

Many valuable seeds are conveyed to distant regions by means of the currents of the ocean; and 3 D

even

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Monthly Observations.

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from America they are annually con- | the rivulets swell, and with the equinox veyed to the British shores in a pro- we have an anticipation of winter. lific state. Most of the British plants shed their seeds through the heat; the other requisite, moisture, being rarely long deficient: but it is worthy of notice, that in the sandy desarts of Africa there are plants whose seedvessels open only in rainy weather; at any other period they would be shed to their own destruction. The capsule of the Poppy, when ripe, becomes pervious at the top; at which time a little motion from birds or animals causes them to be dispersed in all directions. The Blackberry is now ripening, and forms a favourite food of various species of birds. It is the only British vegetable which displays blossoms and green and ripe fruit, at the same time. This berry, though usually neglected, is capable of being converted to useful purposes: the vinegar made by the fermentation of its juice, is not inferior to that which is prepared from the best wine.

Gregarious birds now congregate; larks assemble in the stubble fields; and linnets and others are observed in places where downy seeds are ripening, these being, at this time, their principal food. When birds are devouring seeds, and more especially berries, they assist considerably in dispersing them; as, for one that is devoured, many are separated from the plant, and, amidst the universal plenty, the plunderers will not stoop to the ground for them.

Those birds which reside in winter in places different from those which they frequent in summer, now change their quarters; and in performing the necessary journey, often become captives to the bird-catchers. We have already noticed the departure of the Swift, the largest of the swallow tribe; the other species leave us about the middle or towards the end of this month; but sometimes small flocks are seen passing off in October, and even so late as November. It is supposed, upon pretty good authority, that they take up their winter residence in Africa.

Towards the end, the weather becomes overcast, the sky at intervals assumes a deeper blue, the wind blows chill, all nature anticipates a change, which, though necessary in the economy of divine wisdom, still all dread. At last the winds howl, rains descend,

Insects more especially feel the alteration; they lose their strength of wing, and at the same time the wings themselves become soiled and ragged; so that, disabled by age and hardship, they soon fall a prey to their adversaries. This is the month in which it is usual to rob Bees of their honey, either by transferring them from one hive to another; or, as is most common, by depriving them at the same time of their lives. Those who follow the pleasures of angling, lay up their tackle until another season: marine fishes retire to the deep; and the hardy fisherman, complying with necessity, employs himself in getting his materials in order, that he may be ready to meet the tribes which he expects shortly to visit the shores. When trees have parted with their fruit, which is almost universally the case by the end of this month, a new process commences in the formation of the embryo, which is then kept wrapped up in the bud, to be in readiness against the return of spring.

Come into flower in September:-Saffron, Crocus sativus; Oval-fruited Corn Salad, Valeriana dentata; Field Gentian, Gentiana campestris; Garden Angelica, A. Archangelica; Grass of Parnassus, Parnassia palustris; Autumnal Squill, Scilla autumnalis ; Meadow Saffron, Colchicum autumnale; Biting Persicaria, Polygonum hydropiper; Small Creeping P., P. minus; Strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo; Fragrant sharp-leaved Mint, Mentha acutifolia; Tall red M., M. rubra ; Penny-royal, M. pulegium; Sand Rocket, Sisymbricum murale; Nodding Bur Marygold, Bidens cernua; Small Fleabane, Inula pulicaria ; Jointed Pipewort, Ericaulon septangulare; Unarmed Hornwort, Ceratophyllum submersum; Ivy, Hedera Helix.

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On the Approximation towards the Poles.

accompanied with an intimation that this would shortly be succeeded by some memoirs of his life. In the fulfilment of our wishes, we have however been under the necessity of submitting to some delay, but we hope very shortly to redeem our promise.

In the meanwhile, we conceive that the following observations from the pen of this intelligent writer, on the probabilities of reaching the North Pole, cannot fail to prove highly interesting to a numerous class of our readers.

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son penetrated the ice on the northwestern coast of Spitzbergen to the latitude 80° 23′ N. In 1773, Captain Phipps, in a Voyage towards the North Pole," advanced on a similar track, to 80° 37' of north latitude. In the year 1806, the ship Resolution of Whitby, commanded by my father, (whose extraordinary perseverance and nautical ability are well appreciated by those in the Greenland trade, and proved by his never-failing success,) was forced, by astonishing efforts, through a vast Captain Scoresby, who now com- body of ice, which commenced in the mands the Baffin, a large whale-ship, place of the usual barrier, but exfitted out from the port of Liverpool, ceeded its general extent, by at least has spent nearly all the summers of a hundred miles. We then reached his life in the Greenland seas; and a navigable sea, and advanced, withhaving made his observations on out hinderance to the latitude of 81 passing events, he must be admitted north, a distance of only 170 leagues to be intimately acquainted with those from the pole; which is, I imagine, probable obstacles which would im- one of the most extraordinary ap pede the progress of any daring ad-proximations yet realized. On this venturers, who should undertake to explore this hitherto untrodden region of the globe, and also with those facilities which would tend to expedite the accomplishment of their hazardous expedition. We do not know that ever an attempt to reach the pole will be undertaken; but we live in an age of enterprise and bold adventure, which danger and hazard tend rather to encourage than to retard.

In the efforts which have been made, and are now making, to find a Northwest Passage, the nations of Europe, and particularly Great Britain, are deeply interested. Should such an issue as general expectation seems to sanction, crown the daring intrepidity of Captain Parry, an expedition to the North Pole may next be undertaken; the progress of which may give to fact, that place which theory now occupies. And in case these enterprises ultimately prove successful, the reign of George IV. will be distinguished in the records of science, and the eras of chronology, as one of the most brilliant that the annals of this country can boast.

"We have already remarked, that the 80th degree of north latitude is almost annually accessible to the Greenland whale-fishers, and that this latitude, on particular occasions, has been exceeded. In one of the first attempts which appears to have been made to explore the circumpolar regions, in the year 1607, Henry Hud

voyage, I accompanied my father in the capacity of chief mate."

"The southern hemisphere, towards the Pole, was explored by Captain Cook, in various meridians, and with indefatigable perseverance. In his first attempt, in 1772, they met with ice in about 51 deg. south, and longitude 21 deg. east. They saw great fields in 55 deg. south, on the 17th of January 1773, and, on February the 24th, were stopped by field-ice in 62 deg. south latitude, and 95 deg. east longitude.

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Again, on the second attempt, in December of the same year, they first met with ice in about 62° south latitude, and 172-173 deg. west longitude; and on the 15th saw field-ice in 66 deg. On the 30th January 1774, they were stopped by immense ice-fields in latitude 71° 10′ 30′′ and 107 west longitude, which was the most considerable approximation towards the south pole that had ever been effected.

"Thus, it appears, that there subsists a remarkable difference between the two hemispheres, with regard to the approach of the ice towards the equator; the ice of the southern being much less pervious, and extending to much lower latitudes, than that of the northern hemisphere.

"That the 73d or 74th degree of north latitude can be attained at any season of the year; whereas the 71st degree of south latitude has been but once passed. And,

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783

On the Approximation towards the Poles,

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"That whilst the antarctic ne plus | human exertions alone, but would ultra appears to be the 72d degree of require the assistance of some fleet latitude, that of the arctic extends quadrupeds, accustomed to the harfull 600 miles further; the nearest ap-ness. proach to the southern pole being a distance of 1130 miles, but to the north, only 510 miles.

"With regard to the probability of exploring the regions more immediately in the vicinity of the pole than has yet been accomplished, or even of reaching the pole itself, I anticipate, that, without reference to the reasoning, on which the opinion is grounded, it might be deemed the frenzied speculation of a disordered fancy. I flatter myself, however, that I shall be able to satisfy the Society, that the performance of a journey over a surface of ice, from the north of Spitzbergen to the Pole, is a pro- | ject which might be undertaken, with at least a probability of success.

"It must be allowed, that many known difficulties would require to be surmounted-many dangers to be encountered-and that some circumstances might possibly occur, which would at once annul the success of the undertaking. Of these classes of objections, the following strike me as being most formidable, which, after briefly stating, I shall individually consider in their order.

1. The difficulty of performing a journey of 1200 miles, 600 going and 600 returning, over a surface of ice-of procuring a sufficient conveyanceand of carrying a necessary supply of provisions and apparatus, as well as attendants.

"The difficulties may be increased by (a.) Soft snow;

(b.) Want of continuity of the ice; (c.) Rough ice; and (d.) Mountainous ice. "2. The difficulty of ascertaining the route, and especially of the return, arising from the perpendicularity of the magnetical needle. "3. Dangers to be apprehended,

(a.) From excessive cold;
(b.) From wild beasts;
"4. Impediments which would frus-
trate the scheme:

(a.) Mountainous land;
(b.) Expanse of sea;

(c.) Constant cloudy atmosphere. "It is evident that a journey of 1200 miles, under the existing difficulties, would be too arduous a task to be undertaken and performed by

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"Rein-deer, or dogs, appear to be

the most appropriate. If the former could sustain a sea voyage, they might be refreshed in the northern part of Spitzbergen, which affords their natural food. They could be yoked to sledges framed of the lightest materials, adapted for the accommodation of the adventurers, and the conveyance of the requisites. The provision for the adventurers, for compactness, might consist of portable soups, potted meats, &c. and compressed lichen for the rein-deer. The instruments and apparatus might be in a great measure confined to indispensables, and those of the most portable kinds; such as tents, defensive weapons, sextants, chronometers, magnetic needles, thermometers, &c.

"As the rein-deer is, however, a delicate animal, difficult to guide, and might be troublesome if thin or broken ice were required to be passed; dogs would seem, in some respects, to be preferable. In either case, the animals must be procured from the countries wherein they are trained, and drivers would probably be required with them. The journey might be accelerated, by expanding a sail to every favourable breeze; at the same time, the animals would be relieved from the oppression of their draughts. It would appear, from the reputed speed of the reindeer, that, under favourable circumstances, the journey might be accomplished even in a fortnight, allowing time for rest and accidental delays. It would require a month or six weeks with dogs, at a moderate speed; and, in the event of the failure of these animals on the journey, it does not seem impossible that the return should be effected on foot, with sledges for the provisions and apparatus.

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(a.) Soft snow would diminish the speed, and augment the fatigue of the animal; to avoid which, there fore, it would be necessary to set out by the close of the month of April, or the beginning of May; or at least, some time before the severity of the frost should be too greatly relaxed.

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(b.) Want of continuity of the ice, would certainly occasion a trou

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