and inanimate objects, that it would be difficult indeed for the most patient naturalist to describe them. Myriads swarm around us they float in our drink; overspread our food and fruits; and if viewed with a microscopic eye, would make some loathe the choicest viands, and nauseate the most delicious productions of nature. The Mites possess great powers of life, resisting for a time the application of boiling water, and living long in alcohol.-It is a species of Acarus that Mr. Crosse is thought to have produced by galvanic action; but naturalists who have attended closely to such matters can readily and rationally account for their production in the usual way. ACASTA. A genus of Cirrhipedes, found imbedded in sponges. [See BALANUS.] ACCENTOR. A group of Passerine birds, many of which are peculiar to America; but including also our well-known Hedgesparrow (Accentor modularis). ACCIPITRES. The first order of birds in the Linnaan system, comprising such as have the beak or upper mandible hooked, and an angular projection on each side near the point; as the Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, and Owls. They are among birds what the Carnivora are among quadrupeds. ACEPHALE. An order of Mollusca, distinguished by having no apparent head, but a mouth only, concealed in the bottom, or between the folds, of their mantle. The testaceous Acephalae are by far the most numerous; all Bivalve shells, and some kinds of Multivalves belonging to them. [See LAMELLIBRANCHIATA; and for a familiar example, see OYSTER.] ACERA. A name applied to a group of Apterous insects, characterized by the absence of antennæ. ACERE. A family of Gasteropodous Mollusca, distinguished by the tentacula being so much shortened, widened, and separated, that there seem to be none at all, or rather, they form together a large, fleshy, and nearly square buckler, under which the eyes are placed. They approximate in many respects to the Aplyside. The shell, in those which have one, is more or less convolute, without a visible spire, and the mouth has neither sinus nor canal. The genus Bulla belongs to this family. ACHATINA. A genus of terrestrial Pneumonobranchous Gasteropods, popularly known by the name of agate-snails. They are characterized by an oval oblong shell, striated longitudinally, with the aperture ovate, and never thickened or reflected, and a smooth, straight columella, truncated at the base. All the species are oviparous; and among them are some which are the largest of all land shells. They always live near water about trees, and are very plentiful in Africa, near the Cape of Good Hope. Some are found in the West Indies; an1 there are two small species, Achatina aci ala and Achatina octona, found in England, among the roots of trees at the base of limestone ACHERONTIA. A genus of Lepidopterous insects belonging to the family Sphingida. Of this genus there are two or three species closely resembling each other: one of these is found in this country; and is (Acherontia atropos). This magnificent insect varies in the expanse of its wings from four to considerably more than five inches. The upper pair are of a very dark brown colour, varied with black, especially near the base, near which is an undulated bar of pale ochre: the disc is varied with deep black known as the DEATH'S-HEAD HAWK-MOTH DEATH'S BEAD HAWK-MOTH (ACHERONTIA AIROPOS.) undulated lines, and ferruginous patches, minutely irrorated with white, of which colour there is a central spot, and several wavy connected bars beyond the middle. The posterior wings are fulvous orange, with a narrow central and a broader dentated bar running parallel with the hinder margin. The head and thorax are brownish black, the latter with a large pale, skull-like mark on the back: the abdomen is fulvous, with the incisures of the segments black, and a lead-coloured stripe runs down the back. When disturbed or irritated, this insect emits a squeaking sound. From this circumstance, as well as from the singular mark just mentioned, its appearance is regarded with much dread by the vulgar in several parts of Europe, as ominous of some approaching calamity. The Caterpillar from which this curious insect proceeds is in the highest degree beautiful, and far surpasses in size every other in this country, measuring sometimes near five inches in length, and being of very considerable thickness. Its colour is a bright yellow; the sides being marked with seven elegant broad stripes or bands, of CATERPILLAR OF DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH. a mixed violet and sky-blue colour, which meet on the back, and are there varied with jet-black specks on the last joint of the body is a horn or process, curving over the joint in the manner of a tail. This caterpillar is principally found on the potato and the jessamine, those plants being its favourite food. It usually changes into a chrysalis in the month of September, retiring for that purpose pretty deep under the surface of the earth; the complete insect emerging in the following June or July. ACHETIDEÆ. A family of Orthopterous insects, ordinarily called Crickets. [See CRICKET.] ACHEUS. A name applied by M. F. Cuvier to such of the Tardigrada, or Sloths, as have three claws on their fore-feet. ing to the order Malacopterygii; in form ACHIRUS. A genus of flat-fish, belongresembling the Sole, but distinguished from all other genera by the total want of pectoral fins; hence their name. The Achiri have no air-bladder, and consequently remain for the most part at the bottom of the sea; yet their motions are there frequently very rapid. They abound mostly in the East and West Indies; and as they keep near the shores, they furnish a plentiful supply of wholesome food to the inhabitants. The most remarkable of this species is the Achirus marmoratus, which has the caudal fin distinct from the anal and dorsal, all of which are of a pale bluish-white colour, thickly studded with small black spots. The flesh is of a delicate flavour, and highly esteemed. There is also another of the Achiri decalled from the beauty of its spots, which serving notice, the Achirus pavonicus, so cover the body of the fish like those on a peacock's tail. ACIPENSER (sometimes written ACCIPENSER). A genus of fish in the Linnæan system, the distinguishing characteristics of which are, that the mouth is retractile and destitute of teeth, and the gills have only one aperture on each side. [See STURGEON.] ACONTIAS. A genus of Serpents, formerly confounded with the Angues, or common snakes, but differing from those repformation, as well as in their habits; and tiles in certain peculiarities of osteological therefore Cuvier considered it necessary to racterized by the absence of all the bones establish this new genus. They are chawhich represent the extremities of the other angues, while they retain the structure of the head common to those animals and the lizards, and have the body similarly covered with small scales only. The progressive movements of the Acontias are consequently very different from those of common serpents: they carry their heads and breasts erect; and, though by nature harmless and even timid, when pursued they will dart courageously at their assailant. There are few countries in the Old World in which some species of Acontias are not found; but our them with serpents of a dangerously venomelder naturalists have generally confounded "Another peculiarity connected with the history of this Moth," Mr. Westwood ob"consists in its attacking bee-hives, serves, ravaging the honey, and dispersing the inhabitants. It is singular that a creature with only the advantage of size should dare, without sting or shield, singly, to attack in their strongholds these well-armed and numerous people; and still more singular, that amongst so many thousands of bees it should always contend victoriously. Huber, who first noticed the fact, asks, May not this moth the dread of superstitious peoplealso exercise a secret influence over insects, and have the faculty, either by sound or some other means, of paralysing their courage? May not such sounds as inspire the vulgar with dread be also the dread of bees ? He also states that he was witness to the curious fact that some bees, as if expecting their enemy, had barricaded themselves by means of a thick wall of propolis and wax, completely obstructing the entrance of the hive, but penetrated by passages for one or two workers at a time; thus instructing us, that at the period when the moth appears, ACORN-SHELL. The popular name for when also wasps and robber bees attack the the Balanus and other Cirrhipeds, which inhive, it is advantageous to narrow the en- habit a tubular shell, whose base is usually trances to it, so as to prevent the depreda- formed of calcareous laininæ. It is always tions of these obnoxious insects. The species found attached to some shell or foreign body: appears to be distributed over the greater it is multivalvular, unequal, and fixed by a part of England and Scotland, and many stem, or sessile; the valves lie parallel to each specimens are annually obtained by labour-other, and in a perpendicular position. The ers when employed in getting up potatoes." inclosed animal performs its necessary func ous nature: hence the numerous fabulous stories which are related of them by ancient historians. Sea-nettles, spoken of under the head ACALEPHE. They are distinguished by the form of their body, which is cylindrical, soft, fleshy, and susceptible of contraction and dilatation. They are also furnished with numerous tentacula, which are appended round the margin of the aperture that serves both as the mouth and vent; and these being not only radiated but of various lively colours, have given rise to the popular names of Animal-flowers and Sea-Anemonies, by which the Actinia are familiarly known. They are found on the shores of every sea, often covering the sides of rocks as with a tapestry of flowers. As in other tribes, each species has its peculiar haunt, and they differ from each other in shape, size, and colour; those in tropical regions far surpassing in gorgeous brilliancy such as are inet with in the seas of colder latitudes. "These singular creatures," says an able contemporary," have a power of reproduction equal to that so well known in the freshwater polypus. They may be cut perpendicularly or across, and each cutting will SEA-ANEMONIES. (AOTINIE.) give origin to a new animal. The young Actini are seen issuing, already formed, sometimes from the mouth; and sometimes the base of the old animal is dissevered, a portion remaining attached to the rock, where it continues to live, increasing in size, becoming more and more rounded, while, in a short time, a mouth, stomach, and tentacula are formed, presenting, to the surprise of an observer, a complete Actinia. At length, the side portions of this base give out globules, which are detached, and fix themselves upon adjacent rocks, where they grow and produce a new colony like the parent animal." Among the best ascertained Actinic are the large leathery Sea-Anemone (A. scnilis), the purple Sea-Anemone (A. equina), the white Sea-Anemone (A. plumosa), and the deep crimson species (A. Jordiaca), which is found in the Mediterranean, and esteemed by the Italians a great delicacy for the table. ACTINOCAMAX. A name given by Miller to the fossil shells of an extinct genus of Cephalopodous Mollusca, apparently connecting the Belemnites with the existing Sepic. They are principally found in the chalk formations of England and Normandy. ACULEATA. The name for a section of Hymenopterous insects, whose antennæ are simple, and composed of a constant number of joints, namely, thirteen in the males, and twelve in the females. The larva have never any feet, and subsist on food which the females or neuters provide them with: one division of them, the Prædones, or predaceous tribes, which do not collect pollen, feeding upon other insects that have been stored up for them; and the other division, the Mellifera, or honey-collectors, feeding upon honey or pollen paste, similarly reserved for their use. ADAPIS. The name given to a genus of Pachydermatous quadrupeds, now existing only in a fossil state, some imperfect specimens of which were found in the plaster quarries of Montmartre, and described by Cuvier in his great work, Sur les Ossemens Fossiles. ADDA. A small species of Lizard, celebrated throughout the East as being efficacious in the cure of various cutaneous diseases to which the inhabitants of Egypt and Arabia are peculiarly subject. It is about six inches long; the body and tail cylindrical, the latter ending in a very sharp point; the face is covered with black lines, which cross each other; the body is of a light straw colour with black bands; and the scales shine as if they were varnished. It burrows in the sand. ADDAX. (Antilope addax.) A species of Antelope, more heavily formed than the generality of Antilopido, and having large spiral horns, annulated to within about six inches of the points. It lives solitarily or in pairs on the borders and oases of the Nubian deserts. It has remarkably broad hoofs, provided by nature to enable the animal to move the more easily over the fine loose sand. The general colour of the Addax is a greyish-white; but the head and neck are of a deep reddish-brown with a mark of pure white across the lower part of the forehead. ADDER. (Vipera berus.) The Adder, kind, seldom more than two or three feet or Viper, is a venomous reptile of the serpent long, being considerably shorter than the common snake in proportion to its bulk. It is of a dull yellow colour with black spots, and the abdomen entirely black. VIPER.] [See ADEPHAGA. A name given to a family of carnivorous and very voracious Coleopterous insects. ADESMACEA. A family of Lamellibranchiate Mollusca, which either bore tubular dwellings in rocks, wood, &c., or live in testaceous tubes, their shells being consequently destitute of the hinge ligament. The genera Pholas, Teredina, Teredo, Fistulana, and Septaria belong to this family. ADJUTANT, or GIGANTIC CRANE Leptoptilos Argala), the Argala of India. This remarkable bird is a native of the warmer parts of India, and is of great use in removing noxious animals and carrion, which it devours with avidity. It stands five feet high, measuring from the tip of the bill to the claws seven and a half feet, and from the tip of each outstretched wing not less than fourteen feet. The head and neck are nearly bare; the beak is extremely large, ADJUTANT (LEPIOPTILOS ARGALA.) long, and strong; and under it hangs a downy pouch or bag, like a dewlap, which is capable of being inflated; the upper part of the bird is of an ash-grey colour, and the under part white. The voracity of the Adjutant is not more extraordinary than its capacity for swallowing: it makes but one mouthful of a rabbit, a fowl, or even a small leg of mutton; and when domesticated its habits of purloining render it necessary to keep all kinds of provision out of its reach. Dr. Latham observes that these birds in their wild state live in companies, and when Been at a distance, near the mouths of rivers, coming towards an observer, which they often do with their wings extended, "may well be taken for canoes upon the surface of a smooth sea: when on the sand-banks, for men and women picking up shell-fish or other things on the beach." ADONIS BUTTERFLY. OMMATUS.] [See POLY EGA. A genus of Isopodous Crustacea, parasitic on fish-hence frequently called Fishlice. They are found in all parts of the world. In Newfoundland the fishermen call the species fishdoctors, and believe that the soft matter (mixed with eggs) found on the under side of the body of the females, is very useful in healing wounds. The adjoining cut will give some idea of the form of the species of this genus, which have the eyes generally large and approximating in FISH-LOUSE. front. ÆGERIIDE. A family of Heterocerous Lepidoptera, comprising a moderate number of interesting insects, whose resemblance to various Hymenoptera and Diptera (owing to the elongate form of the body, and the nakedness of the wings, which are more or less transparent in many of the species) is somewhat remarkable. The antennæ are simple, fusiform, or thickened towards the tips, and generally terminated by a small pencil of hairs; the ocelli are distinct, and the labial palpi elevated; the abdomen is elongated; the wings have but comparatively few nervures; and the posterior legs are furnished with very long spurs.-The larvae of these insects are of a cylindrical form, and with naked bodies destitute of a caudal horn: they have six pectoral, eight ventral, and two anal feet. They live in the interior of the branches or roots of trees, where they undergo their transformations to chrysalides, whose abdominal segments are armed with transverse rows of recurved points: these enable the chrysalis to push itself not only through the cocoon which the caterpillar had constructed from the decayed roots or branches, but half out of the hole in the stem previously made, it having had the instinct to turn round in its burrow, so that the head of the pupa should be towards the orifice. The larvae of some species, such as the Egeria culiciformis and E. formiciformis, feed upon the apple, and that of Egeria tipuliformis upon the pith of currant trees; in the neighbourhood of which the perfect insects may be scen flying, in the hottest sunshine, with great activity, or basking upon the leaves, alternately expanding and shutting the fan-like glossy appendages of hair which decorate the end of the body. EGITHALUS. A name given to a genus of birds (the Pendulous Titmice) of the order Passering. [See TITMOUSE.] EGOTHELES. A name given to a genus of Passerine birds, distinguished by long tarsi, and toes apparently fitted for hopping from bough to bough; the wings comparatively short. The only known species inhabits Australia, and is the Caprimulgus Nova Hollandice of Phillips. In the day it resorts to the hollow branches of trees (or spouts as they are called), and holes of the gum trees. It feeds on the smaller Coleoptera. Its flight is straight; lays four or five white eggs, which are nearly round; and has at least two broods a year. EQUOREA. [See ACALEPIA.] AGAMA: AGAMIDE. A genus and They have family of Saurian Reptiles. thick bodies covered with a loose skin, which is capable of being distended with air, at the will of the animal; the head is short, broad, and flat; the neck also is short, and the tail seldom longer than the body. Different species of them are to be met with in every climate; and as some are capable of changing the colours of their skin, they are in some parts of South America called chameleons. They generally lurk among rocks, heaps of stones, and mouldering ruins, their dull and sombre colours protecting them from observation: the more slender and active kinds, however, ascend trees with great facility, sport among the branches, and feed upon the insects which are generally to be found there |