ness, and at intervals to pick up something from the ground; and was so bold as to render it difficult to make it rise from the ground, in order to take a more secure aim on the wing. The note was unlike that of any known bird. A British-killed specimen of this desert-loving bird is preserved in the fine collection in the British Museum. CURUCUI. [See TROGON.] CURVIROSTRA. [See CROSSBILL.] CUSHAT. The Wood-pigeon [which see]. CUTTLE-FISH. (Octopus.) A molluscous animal, belonging to the genus Sepia, order Cephalopoda; and sometimes called the Ink-fish. It is of an oblong form, about six inches in length, and three and a half in breadth. The body is somewhat oval; but it is broadest near the head, and grows smaller towards the extremity, where it is obtusely pointed. The head is surrounded with eight arms and two feet; the two feet being nearly similar in their structure to the arms, or tentacula, but considerably larger in their dimensions. The head is divided from the sac on all sides by a neck. The sac is furnished on each side throughout its whole length with a narrow fin. The suckers are irregularly scattered on the arms CUTTLE-FISH. (OCTOPUS) and feet. The back is strengthened by a complicated calcareous plate, which plate has been long known in the shop of the apothecary under the name Cuttle-fish bone, and was formerly much prized in medicine as an absorbent, but is now chiefly sought after for the purpose of polishing the softer metals. The superior half, or the one next the head, is the longest, rounded at the extremity, and thin. The inferior portion becomes suddenly narrow, and ends in a point. It may be considered as consisting of a dermal plate, concave on the central aspect, having its concavity filled up with layers which are convex on their central aspect. The dermal plate consists of three different lamina, arranged parallel to one another. The external or dorsal layer is rough on the surface, and marked by obscure, concentric arches towards the summit, formed by minute knobs, which become larger towards the base, where they appear in the form of interrupted trans verse ridges. It is uniform in its structure, and the tubercles possess a polish and hardness equal to porcellaneous shells, although they blacken speedily when put in the fire, and contain a good deal of animal matter. On the central side of this layer is one flexible and transparent, similar to horn, and smooth on the surface. The third layer is destitute of lustre; and, in hardness and structure, resembles mother-of-pearl shells. The term bone has been improperly applied in composition, is exactly similar to shell, to this complicated plate; for this substance, and consists of various membranes, hardened by carbonate of lime, without the smallest mixture of phosphate. Under the throat there is a vessel or bladder containing a fluid blacker than ink, which the Cuttle-fish, when pursued by its enemies, ejects in considerable quantities; and this, darkening the water all around, enables it to escape with facility. The most remarkable species of the genus is the Sepia officinalis, which is distinguished from the others by its smooth skin. It inhabits the British seas, and although seldom taken, its "bone" is cast ashore on different parts of the coast, from the south of England to the Zetland isles. It is said that the Cuttle-fish is considered a luxury by all classes of the Sandwich islanders, and that when fresh and well cooked it is excellent, being in consistence and flavour not unlike the flesh of a lobster's claw. “I The singular habits of the Cuttle-fish did not escape the notice of Mr. C. Darwin, while at the Cape de Verd islands. was much interested," says he, " on several occasions, by watching the habits of an Octopus or Cuttle-fish. Although common in the pools of water left by the retiring tide, these animals were not easily caught. By means of their long arms and suckers, they could drag their bodies into very narrow crevices and when thus fixed, it required great force to remove them. At other times they darted, tail first, with the rapidity of an arrow, from one side of the pool to the other, at the same instant discolouring the water with a dark chestnut-brown ink. These animals also escape detection by a very extraordinary, chameleon-like power of changing their colour" [which Mr. D. minutely describes. He then adds: “ I was much amused by the various arts to escape detection used by one individual, which seemed fully aware that I was watching it. Remaining for a time motionless, it would then stealthily advance an inch or two, like a cat after a mouse; sometimes changing its colour: it thus proceeded, till, having gained a deeper part, it darted away, leaving a dusky train of ink to hide the hole into which it had crawled.... That it possesses the power of ejecting water there is no doubt, and it appeared to me certain that it could, moreover, take good aim by directing the tube or siphon on the under side of its body." CYAMUS, or WHALE LOUSE. A small crustaceous animal belonging to the order Lamodipoda. This minute claw-limbed creature, with others allied to it, inhabits the seas of northern and temperate Europe, A Popular Dictionary of Animated Nature. side the superior wings are of a fine light orange-colour, but they become of a deep crimson near the body; and the parts towards the tips are of a pale brown, having five white spots, corresponding with those on the upper surface; the remaining parts are dappled with black, with one large white and nearly square spot on the sector edge. The inferior wings are of a pale yellow brown, dappled with dark brown spots nearly equal in size; and near the lower border are five ocelliform spots. The caterpillar, which feeds on thistles, nettles, mallows, &c., is a grayish brown, with yellow lateral lines. The chrysalis is grayish, with golden dots, and whitish brown longitudinal streaks. "On the blue heads of the pasture scabious (Scabiosa succisa,)" says the author of the Journal of a Naturalist," we occasionally see, toward the end of the summer, the Painted Lady Butterfly (Cynthia cardui); but this is a creature that visits us at very uncertain periods, and is vivified by causes infinitely beyond the comprehension of the entomologist, seeming to require a succession and variety of seasons and their change, and then springing into life we know not how. This was particularly obvious in the summer of 1815, and the two following, which were almost unceasingly cold and rainy; scarcely a moth or butterfly appeared. And in the early part of 1818, the season was not less ungenial; a few half-animated creatures alone struggled into being; yet this " painted lady" was fostered into life, and became the commonest butterfly of the year: it has, however, but very partially visited us since that period. The keenest entomologists, perhaps, would not much lament the absence of this beauty, if such cheerless seasons were always requisite to bring it to perfection. Some years ago a quantity of earth was raised in cutting a canal in this county; and in the ensuing summer, on the herbage that sprang up from this new soil on the bank, this butterfly was found in abundance, where it had not been observed for many years before. In some particular seasons we have acres of this scabious in bloom, during the months of September and October, giving a tender shade of lavender colour to the whole field, affording now great pleasure to the entomologist, by reason of the multitude of insects that resort to it for the honey in the tubular florets in the plant. Late as this period is, I have seen, in some bright morning, besides multitudes of bees, flies, and such creatures, eleven different species of lepidopterous insects, feeding and balancing on the blue heads and glancing their 1." This species gay wings in the sunny beam." is, apparently, found every where: and in the Museum collection are specimens from nearly every part of the world. CYNOCEPHALUS. [See BABOON.] CYPHONIDE. A group of beetles detached from the Cebrionidae on account of their small size; hemispheric, depressed, or ovate, and rather soft bodies, and furcate labial palpi: they are of dull colours, and attached to plants in damp situations; and Crustacea, containing numerous OYPRIS VIDUA tory, is that of a bivalve shell. They are mostly found in fresh or stagnant water, where they sometimes abound in myriads. Delicate though they are, yet there are abundant indications, in strata of different formations, of their existence in a previous condition of the world, and, like shells and some other fossils, they form curious and interesting medals of creation. [See ENTOMOSTRACA.] CYPRUS BIRD. The Black-cap (Sylvia atricapilla), which has received this name from its frequency in the isle of Cyprus. It is by no means uncommon in this country. [See BLACK-CAP.] CYTHEREA. A genus of marine Mollusca, of which there are numerous species, inhabiting the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The shell is equivalve, inequilateral, triangular or transverse; ligament on the longest side; four cardinal teeth in one valve, and three in the other. beauty and colouring these shells much reIn their semble the l'enus. One species, the Cytherea lusoria, is found in the Chinese seas: it is used by the Japanese and Chinese in certain games, and the interior is painted by thein of various colours. DAB. (Pleuronectes limanda.) This species of flat-fish is of a very broad, ovate shape; generally of a uniform pale brown colour on the upper side, and white on the under side; the lateral line is very much curved at the beginning, but afterwards proceeds straight to the tail. It is usually caught along with Plaice and Flounder, from which it is readily distinguished by the roughness of its scaly surface, and its flesh is considered superior to either. It feeds on small fish and crustacea; and is in highest perfection for the table in February, March, and April. It is caught on various parts of our coasts, averages about eight or nine inches in length, and is well known in the London markets. The LEMON DAB, SMOOTH DAR, or SMEAR DAB (Pleuronectes lavis), is much larger than the preceding, more rare, and its flesh is equally esteemed. It approaches nearer to a rhomboid in form than any of the genus; and is a handsomer fish than the common Dab, on account of the various shades of reddish brown and yellow which are seen on its upper side. The body is smooth, and covered with a mucous secretion: the head is very small; the eyes are placed very near each other; and the mouth is full of small teeth. The LONG DAB (Pleuronectes limandoïdes), as its name imports, greatly exceeds the other species in length, approaching, in fact, much nearer to that of the sole; the form of the body being an elongated oval, almost equally pointed at both ends. It is covered with harsh scales; is an inhabitant of the northern seas; and preys on small crabs and other crustaceous and molluscous animals. DACE. (Cyprinus leuciscus.) The Dace, or, as it is sometimes called, the Dare, or Dart, is a fish of the Cyprinide family, and is rather like the Roach, both in habits and and less plentiful than the latter. appearance, but the former is more local found in clear and quiet streams, and feeds upon worms and other soft substances: it is DACE. OTFRINUS LEUCISCUS.) It is gregarious, extremely vivacious, and, like the day-fly, or at an artificial fly. The head the Trout, it will occasionally rise either at of the Dace is small, and the muzzle pointed; much forked; the scales are rather small, the back is slightly elevated, and the tail the sides and belly silvery, and the general form of the body elegantly shaped. During the highest season. "The Dace," says Mr. the months of April and May the Dace is in Yarrell," is frequently used as bait for Pike in trolling, on account of its silvery brightness; but where live bait are required, as for night hooks, Roach are preferable, on seldom refuses a fly at the surface of the account of their being more tenacious of life." Although this fish, in warm weather, stream, and thereby affords an expert angler much diversion; during the cold months the bait must be sunk within three inches of the bottom. DACELO. A genus of Kingfishers, from New Holland. For an account of them we are indebted to Mr.Gould. [See KINGFISHER.) Passerine birds inhabiting Mexico. The coDACNIS. A genus of small and elegant lour of the body is cerulean blue; the forehead, shoulders, wings, and tail are black; and it has a sharp, conical bill. DACOLYTHUS. thopterygious fishes, the generic characters of which are, a large and long flat head, rising suddenly from the muzzle; the preoperculum furnished with an elongated strong spine; the jaws armed with masses of minute conical teeth; six branchiostegous rays; the sub-pectoral rays numerous, very long, and connected by a membrane; body covered with hard carinated scales. By means of their large fins, these fishes dart out of the water when pursued, and are able to sustain themselves in the air for several seconds. There are only two species; one, the Flying Gurnard (Trigta volitans of Linnæus), which inhabits the Mediterranean; the other, the Dactylopterus orientalis of Cuvier, inhabits the Indian seas. Neither of these, however, must be confounded with the common Flying-fish, which belongs to the genus Exocetus. DAGGER [MOTHS). A name given by collectors to Moths of the genera Acronycta and Diurna. DALMATIAN, DANISH, SPOTTED, or COACH-DOG. This variety of the canine race, known by each of the foregoing names, is easily distinguished from all other species by its numerous small black spots. Its form is rather elegant, partaking both of the hound In they assume a red colour, the swarms which abound in stagnant water give it the appearance of its being occasioned by blood. this country, Dr. Baird, F. L. S., has given to the world the history of Daphnia; and its congeners; and interesting histories they are. DART (MOTHS]. A name given by collectors to Moths of the genus Agrotis. DART-SNAKE. [See ACONTIAS.] DARTER. (Plotus.) The Darters are a genus of web-footed birds, of the Pelican tribe, found near the eastern coasts of the tropical parts of America, and on the western coast of tropical Africa. The general form have a long slender bill, broad at the base, of their bodies is like that of the gulls: they but compressed and pointed at the tip: they perch on trees by the sides of lakes, lagoons, and rivers; and, after hovering over the water, they suddenly dart at their finny prey with unerring aim. Their movements are alike rapid and graceful. "The DARTER or SNAKE BIRD, (Plotus melanogaster,)" says Wilson, "seems to have derived its name from the singular form of its head and neck, which at a distance might be mistaken for a serpent. In those countries where noxious animals abound, we may readily conceive that the appearance of this bird, extending its slender neck through the foliage of a tree, would tend to startle the wary traveller, whose imagination had pourtrayed objects of danger lurking in every thicket. Its habits, too, while in the water, have not a little contributed to its name and pointer; its limbs are tolerably stout, and its general appearance is showy. The animal has, however, few claims on us for its services; neither its scent nor its sagacity being such as to render it the useful companion of man. It is kept chiefly as an appendage to the carriage, and shows an instinctive fondness for the stable. DAPHNIA. A genus of minute Crustaceans, belonging to the order Branchiopoda; the best known and most interesting of which is the Daphnia pulex (sometimes termed Monoculus, from having but one eye). This animalcule, which is popularly called the Arborescent Water-flea, is a favourite microscopic object. The head is prolonged into a snout, and provided with a single central compound eye: it is also furnished with antennæ, which serve as oars, to propel it through the water by a series of short springs or jerks. The Daphnia pulex is very abundant in many ponds and ditches, being seen on the surface in the mornings and evenings, as well as in cloudy weather; but seeking the depths of the water during the heat of the day. They are extremely prolific; and when, in the summer time, DARTER, OR SNAKE-BIRD, (PLOTUS MELANOGASTER.) It generally swims with its body immerged, especially when apprehensive of danger, its long neck extended above the surface, and vibrating in a peculiar manner. The first individual that I saw in Florida was sneaking away, to avoid me, along the shore of a reedy marsh, which was lined with alligators, and the first impression on my mind was, that I beheld a snake, but the recollection of the habits of the bird soon undeceived me. On approaching it, it gradually sank, and my next view of it was at many fathoms distance, its head merely out of the water. To pursue these birds at such times is useless, |