be the patient Chinese carver, who cuts the most elaborately decorated boxes out of a solid piece of ivory, or the turner of Europe, who produces every variety of elegant form by the skilful application of the simplest

means.

Our land abounds with many varieties of solitary wasps and bees; and their nests may therefore be easily discovered by those who, in the proper seasons, are desirous of observing the peculiarities of their architecture.

In September, 1828, a common species of solitary mason-wasp (Odynerus, LATR.) was observed on the

Odynerus.-Natural size.

east wall of a house, very busy in excavating a hole in one of the bricks, about five feet from the ground. Whether there might not have been an accidental hole in the brick, before the wasp commenced her labors, is unknown, as she had made considerable progress in the work when first observed; but the brick was one of the hardest of the yellow sort. The most remarkable circumstance in the process of hewing into the brick, was the care of the insect in removing to a distance the fragments which from time to time she succeeded in detaching. It did not appear to suit her design to wear down the brick, particle by particle, as the furniture

Mandibles-Jaws of Mason-Wasp.-Greatly magnified. beetle (Anobium pertinax) does, in making its pin-hole galleries in old wood. Our wasp-architect, on the contrary, by means of her strong tranchant-toothed jaws,

severed a piece usually about the bigness of a mustardseed. It might have been supposed that these fragments would have been tossed out of the hole as the work proceeded, without further concern; as the mole tosses above ground the earth which has been cleared out of its subterranean gallery. The wasp was of a different opinion; for it was possible that a heap of brick chips, at the bottom of the wall, might lead to the discovery of her nest by some of her enemies, particularly by one or other of the numerous tribe of what are called ichneumon flies. This name is given to them, from the similarity of their habit of destroying eggs to that of the little animal which proves so formidable an enemy to the multiplication of the crocodile of Egypt. They may be also denominated cuckoo flies, because, like that bird, they thrust their egg into the nest of another species. These flies are continually prowling about and prying into every corner, to find, by stealth, a nidus for their eggs. It might have been some such consideration as this which induced the wasp to carry off the fragments as they were successively detached. That concealment was the motive, indeed, was proved; for one of the fragments which fell out of the hole by accident, she immediately sought for at the bottom of the wall, and carried off like the rest. It was no easy matter to get out one of the fragments, as may readily be conceived when the size of the insect is compared with that of the entrance, of which this is the exact size, as taken from the impression of a bit of dough upon the hole when finished. It was only by seizing the fragment with her jaws, and retreating backwards, that the matter could be accomplished; though, after the interior of the excavation was barely large enough to admit of her turning round, she more than once attempted to make her exit headforemost, but always unsuccessfully. The weight of the fragments removed did not appear to impede her flight, and she generally returned to her task in about two or three minutes.

Within two days the excavation was completed; but it required two other days to line it with a coating of clay, to deposit the eggs, two in number, and no doubt, to imprison a few live spiders or caterpillars, for the

young when hatched,-a process which was first observed by Ray and Willoughby, but which has since been frequently ascertained. In the present instance, this peculiarity was not seen; but the little architect was detected in closing up the entrance, which was formed of a layer of clay more than double the thickness of the interior lining. In November following, we hewed away the brick around this nest, and found the whole excava tion was rather less than an inch in depth.

Notwithstanding all the precautions of the careful parent to conceal her nest, it was found out by one of the cuckoo flies (Tachina larvarum?)-probably a common species very similar to the house-fly, but rather

Cuckoo-Fly-(Tachina larvarum ?)-Natural size.

larger, which deposited an egg there; and the grub hatched from it, after devouring one of the wasp-grubs, formed itself a cocoon (a,) as did the other undevoured

Mason-Wasp's Nest and Cocoons.-About one-third the natural-size. grub of the wasp (b.) Both awaited the return of summer to change into winged insects, burst their cerements, and proceed as their parents did.

The Snow-bird of America is remarked among ornithologists for the obscurity which hangs round its history. On the first approach of winter, it suddenly makes its appearance at the farm-houses, apparently driven by the inclemency of the weather to court the VOL. II. 27

society of man. Whence it comes no one can tell, and
whither it goes, (for its exit is as sudden as its entrance,)
no one has yet been able to discover. It is supposed by
some to be, in reality, another bird, only that its plum-
age, by some mysterious and irresistible power, has
been suddenly and entirely changed. It delights to
hover near hay-ricks, feeding on the wheat which they
contain; while, in very bleak weather, when the ground
is clad in universal snow, and the air is piercingly cold,
it may be easily attracted to the parlor window, by
throwing forth a few crumbs-the desolation of its lot
causing it to forget its natural fear of man. There is a
feeling of melancholy passes across the mind, when the
bleak and dreary landscape, deserted by all other ten-
ants of the air, is only enlivened with the presence of
the mournful Snow-bird. Yet, even in the bitterest
weather, he is always gay and lively; and the desola-
tion of the scenery around him seems to have no sad-
dening effect
upon his cheerful heart.—

From distant climes which none can tell,
In dress of bright and changeful hue,

I greet the bird beloved so well,

When childhood's hours around me flew.

Sure, though the northern storms may spend
Their fury over field and tree,

Their blasts are welcome, if they send
So gay a visitant as thee.

I care not that the laughing spring

Its blue-bird messenger may own,

If winter be but sure to bring

The Snow-bird I have always known.

How oft in childhood's rainbow hours.
I've watch'd thee at the parlor pane;
Hiding thee from the ruthless showers,
Till vernal airs shall breathe again!

Oh! how my youthful eyes would strain,
Pursuing in thy wayward track!
How oft I've spread the attractive grain,
To bring thy wandering pinions back?

Yes, gentle bird! I mind the time

Thou'st sported round my window-seat, (Thoughtless of evil, as of crime,)

Pleased, it would seem, my face to greet,→

And feeding with confiding stay,

On tiny crumbs I threw to thee:-
"Twere base, 'twere cruel, to betray

A bird that ne'er had injured me.
There breathes an everlasting Power,
Unknown, but felt-unseen, but heard;
He clothes each tree, He tints each flower;
His arm protects my darling bird.

Let winter come with stormy voice;

Let snow-wreathes crown the highest hill;
He bids thee in the storm rejoice,

He sees, protects, and feeds thee still.

INTERESTING AND USEFUL EXTRACTS.
THE FEAR OF DEATH.

There is nothing to which we are subject in this life, that presents a more formidable aspect than death. It is the boundary of all human prospects, and the end of every earthly enjoyment-it is justly styled the king of terrors! Its victorious sceptre has humbled the glory of successive empires and the pride of kings. It enters alike the palace of the greatest earthly prince, and the most secluded cave of the solitary hermit.

Men have succeeded in fortifying themselves against implacable enemies, but the strongest bulwarks and the most solid towers, afford no shelter from the ruthless arrows of death. No stratagem however deeply laid, can avert or retard for a single moment, its triumphant progress. Faithful in its work, this messenger of the grave leaps the highest walls, and the most inaccessible rocks, in pursuit of the victims of its rage-the subjects of the Almighty's firm decree, "dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return."

The blood of every living thing, for nearly six thousand years, hath not been sufficient to quench the thirst of the devouring monster-its insatiable hunger never cries it is enough. Inexorable in its demands, it regards not the tears of affection nor the entreaties of friends, but plucks from the mother's arms the darling of her hopes, and delights in trampling upon the beauties of innocence and youth. We weep! but it mocks our lamentations, and laughs at our grief,