desired to keep it pure, it was kept in stack to the the greatest droughts ever known so early in the tribute much to accelerate the secretion of milk, last, that I might the better clean up and keep it season, which curtailed our crops of small grain, make its progress less distressing; and, by removing separate from all other kinds. Being longest in clover, meadows, and indeed every thing else-we the bitter exudation naturally deposited on the nipstack it was most affected, for I did not get it out have been visited by one of the greatest and most ple, facilitate the suckling's first exertions at obtainuntil the first of September. I ought to state too destructive freshets ever known in this part of the ing the vital fluid destined for the nourishment of its that this early wheat was nearly a fortnight sooner country. The rain which caused it fell on Sunday helpless days. While this is being done, she should in stack than any other wheat. That it was not in night, the 25th of June. The losses sustained in retain a lying posture in the bed, and be exposed to jured by the storm of the 4th of June last year, I various ways are incalculable. The greater part of the least possible annoyance, or fatigue, or danger count nothing on, as the occurrence of the storm the wheat and other small grain on all the low of cold. Without changing her attitude, the babe and the period it came, were accidental things. All grounds of the rivers and creeks, has been swept may now be admitted to her breast, and will, in the other wheats happened to be in blossom at the off-the tobacco also carried away or buried up-general, begin attempting to suck. If, however, it time of that storm and suffered; the early wheat the corn broken down and ruined; fences swept off, be listless and reject the nipple, it ought to be had passed through that stage and fortunately mill dams broken-and many mills and saw mills withdrawn, so as to not disquiet or exhaust the paescaped. The grain was fine and heavy. entirely carried off, and the lands much washed in rent with its refusals or unavailing efforts:-but, in I seeded this wheat again last autumn, from the the cultivated fields The loss of crops on James' a short time, a new trial of its inclinations may be 1st to the 20th October, but owing to the weevil river, from Lynchburg to Richmond, will be im- made. When mothers cannot give the breast, exfly it came up badly. The failure this season in mense. I consider my loss in tobacco and grain cept in a sitting posture, they should be raised with the wheat crop from defective seed last autumn is not less than $1000, besides the loss of soil. The the gentlest caution, have themselves comfortably very general. Being absent from home during the wide extent of this calamity must be seriously felt supported with pillows, and secured by proper cowinter, I did not see this crop on the ground from for some time in Virginia. I have not yet seen any verings from sustaining injury by the influences of the 24th of December until the 10th of March fol- of the Richmond papers since the freshet, but anti- external air. WM. WOODS. * lowing, when, although not very fine, it was greatly cipate gloomy accounts. But these are occurrences Infants, at the beginning, are able to obtain but superior to my expectations from it, when I recol- to which we must submit with resignation and for- little milk:-this little however, is of the highest lected the appearance it presented when I left home titude, double our diligence, and hope for better use for promoting objects in them, which have alin December previous. Up to the first of May this times. Wishing you health and prosperity, I re-ready been explained. In each successive endeayear, (1826,) the spring season was favourable for main, Your obed't serv't, vour, from its exciting the nerves and vessels of the wheat of all kinds; but the drought then commencbreast, the supply becomes more copious, and they ing, the destruction of the fly has been great. My imbibe it in greater abundance and with the greatearly wheat was uninjured by fly this season; other est ease:-in the end, it constitutes a most delicious wheat near to it, and seeded after it, was a good fare on which they feast with advantage and dedeal injured; other wheat again, seeded at the same SIR, light. time, in a different field, was much destroyed. I In your last number (13, vol. 8,) Mr. James WilNotwithstanding its being the natural and posicommenced harvesting this wheat this year on the liams speaks of, and partly describes, a planting tive duty of all mothers, under ordinary circum9th of June, and secured a good crop from the tube, admirably adapted for saving the back. Will stances, to suckle their infants, yet such reasons ground before the general harvest and the wet he please to inform us farther of what material this may exist or be induced, with regard to some indiweather came on. tabe is made? Of tin or wood? If the latter, of viduals, as shall render their engaging in the dis PLANTING TUBE-INQUIRY. Yours, &c. TELLUS. From my former knowledge of this wheat, and what kind, and must we not go to the turner's lathe charge of this duty either impracticable or improfrom the experience of the two past years, I am for it? I wish to get one, although I know a sly old per. Such mothers, however desirous, cannot therepersuaded it is the wheat that will not only most neighbour who will say, when he sees it, that "lazy fore undertake the charge of suckling, who have frequently escape the effects of the Hessian fly, but folks always take the most pains." As the culture the organization of their breasts naturally imperfect, that it will hardly ever be injured by it. request it, any quantity of eggs for gratuitous dis- because, both these states give rise,- to defect in of silk appears to be agitated, I can send you, if you or injured by the effects of accident or disease; tribution. the milk's quantity or quality, sometimes to its total absence,-to undue contraction of the mammary vessels, with consequent difficulty to the child, of sucking them, or, to faulty relaxation, inducing both a want of power in them to retain the secreted milk, and a constant involuntary extillation of it from the nipples. Others, after having attempted it, will require to discontinue nursing when they find it proving injurious to their own health, by occasioning pains in the back, loins, and chest,cough, panting, and uneasy breathing,-head-ache, LADIES' DEPARTMENT. NUTRITION-FOOD. It has been thought that this wheat will not yield well, because the head is short; yet it ought to be remembered, that no wheat head is so well filled generally, and we seldom find any wheat that averages better to the acre or to the stack. When the old white wheat succeeds, or the blue straw, I believe no wheat yields so abundantly; but the early wheat never fails to give you good grain, from its early maturity. It depends, of course, like other wheat, for its product, on the quality of the land and the season. But I believe it will average more With the force of all these observations, it is inpounds of grain in any given number of years, upon tended to impress strongly on the minds of parents, the same land, than any other wheat that we know the importance of the following practical conclu- failing of the sight, with inflammatory and other af of. It is thought, too, by some, that this wheat is sions: that, the maternal milk is the natural food of fections of the eyes;-insuperable watchfulness dura tender species. Of this I have no evidence, but infants; that mothers, except for the most urgent ing the night,-and loss of appetite, thirst, slowness the opinion of those who assert it, some of whom reasons, ought never to renounce the delightful duty of the bowels or their excessive freedom, and simiare entitled to much consideration from their intel- of suckling their own offspring; that the first milk lar symptoms of impaired digestion. ligence and experience I am satisfied that since constitutes the best nourishment and the best medi- Very few females have constitutions naturally so our late improvements in agriculture, by manuring, cine for a new born child; that next to the mother's weak and feeble as to incapacitate them for enjoyand draining, and better cultivation, our country is in suitableness for the object, is the milk of a healing the delights of suckling their babes. Has not better adapted to this wheat now than before; and I thy nurse whose own child's birth was, as nearly as such a mother already been able, without injury to am further satisfied, that upon all dry wheat lands, possible, coeval with that of her nursling:-that af- her health, to furnish from her own system the in(as all wheat lands oight to be,) whether stiff or ter these, stands what is furnished by the cow or cessant supplies required for the nourishment and light, it will be found the most productive wheat other animal in whom it retains properties approach-growth of the new one throughout all its fœtal age? generally, as long as the Hessian fly remains with ing to that of human milk:-and that, as milk is fa- Many, the most delicate and despondent, are daily As Maryland must be a grain country, I have vourable to the perfect development of the teeth seen to remain quite vigorous and happy so long as stated these facts, and thrown out these sugges and bones, and indeed of the whole animal econo- they continue employed in the performance of this tions, to induce othe's to make fair experiments on my, it ought to enter, in proportions appropriately this wheat, in order that all may receive the bene-varied, into the diets of all infants, children, and fit, if my opinions should be proved to be correct. growing persons. us. AGRICULTOR. DROUGHT AND FRESHET IN VIRGINIA. *Defect in the size of the formation of the nipple, is described as having sometimes been observed; and vaPreparatively to putting her young one to suck rious_mechanical contrivances, or its being sucked by for the first time,-which may be in three or four an adult or an older infant or even by a lamb, have hours after its birth,-the mother should have her been recommended as appropriate remedies:-but, this breasts carefully fomented,-primarily with tepid is a defect which must be regarded as being almost uniDear Sir,-Yo no doubt will have heard, before a lotion composed of milk and water in equal pro calculated to injure the delicate organ on which such water and soap of the blandest kind, and then with versally rather imaginary than real; and, when unnenessary attempts at supplying it are instituted, they are this reaches you, of the late disaster which has hap-portions, slightly sweetened, and warmer by a few practices may be employed, as well as to defraud the pened to a greatportion of the farmers and plant- degrees than the temperature of her own person babe of a precious boon which the proudest ingenuity ers of Virginia. After having experienced one of Such means, notwithstanding their simplicity, con-lof science is unable to replace. J. S. SKINNER, Esq. Albemarle, Va., July 1, 1826. interesting office. Observation of such a fact, then, would suggest the propriety of every one engaging, at least, in a trial of her powers:-but, this may be discontinued so soon as she finds herself unequal to the task of furnishing enough of healthy milk, or of undergoing the cares and fatigue inseparable from her charge. SPORTING OLIO. (From the Petersburg Intelligencer.) ANNALS OF THE TURF—No. V. other distinguished racers and stallions, Medley got the following, viz: Boxer, out of a Fearnought mare. Opernico, out of a Lindsey Arabian mare. Young Medley, out of a Blue and all Black. Lamplighter, out of a Longsdale. Fitz Medley, out of a Dandridge Fearnought mare. Gimcrack, out of an Ariel. Bellair, out of a Yorick. Mothers who resolve on rearing their progeny with the maternal milk, ought to form an unyielding resolution of denying themselves the enjoyment,-if there be such a thing in nature,-of every pleasure and amusement which may lead to per- Respectfully inscribed to the Amateur, the Sportsman sonal or mental exhaustion. Irregularity of all Bellair may justly be distinguished as the best kinds,-excessive indulgencies, by whatever name and the Breeder of the Virginia Turf Horse. son of old Medley, not only as being upon an equathey may be called,-intemperance under every The stock of old Medley may justly be ranked lity as a racer, but as having got more fine stallions, shape and in every degree,-all indeed, in social or as among the most remarkable and valuable that racers and brood mares, and as being decidedly the domestic life, that conduces whether immediately have ever signalized themselves on a Virginia race best bred son of his distinguished sire. Bellair or remotely to depress the mind or exalt the pas- course. This stock of horses lacked nothing but partook of the best blood that has been highly vasions, is absolutely incompatible with the tranquility size to have made the best racers in the world; and lued in Virginia, viz. of Morton's Traveller through of that equal and sedentary life which the duty of yet their want of size was not manifested on the Yorick, Fearnought, Partner, Mark Anthony, &c. suckling infants demands. If there be such mothers, turf, as their ability to carry weight exceeded that Col. Tasker's famous running mare Selima, that then, who are unable to seclude themselves from of any other stock; they were also more remarka- was the dam of Partner, was the great grandam of such engagements or resist the incentives to such ble for good wind or bottom, for fine limbs and good Bellair; and I will here take occasion to correct an practices, it is in all respects proper that the pious eyes than other races of horses which have been bred error in the pedigree of this celebrated mare, as it labours, for which they thus ungenerously disqual- in Virginia. These qualities resulted in this stock has prevailed for more than thirty years in all the ify themselves, should be transferred to the manage (and were more peculiar to them than to any other,) published pedigrees which I have seen of Bellair. ment of a faithful nurse. from the close proximity of the points of the hips Col. Tasker's Selima is represented to have come Various and discordant sentiments have been en- to the shoulder, from the uncommon solidity of out of a mare called Snap Dragon, by Snap, this is tertained on the question,-whether females having their bones, the close texture of their sinews, and a manifest error: the Godolphin Arabian, who sired the consumptive taint ought to become nurses. the bulk and substance of their tendons, which al- Selima, died in 1753; Snap was foaled in 1750 and How, it has been asked, can an infant possibly sus- ways enabled them to carry the highest weights did not commence covering until six years old; tain injury from sucking milk secreted from the and to endure the greatest stress on their bodily hence the first Suap mares were not foaled till 1757, blood of a being, by whose blood alone and with powers. To these qualities may be added their four years after the Godolphin was dead. Colonel out the intervention of other agency, the elements uncommon purity of blood, derived from their sire Tasker's Selima was bred by Lord Godolphin, and of its fœtal existence was furnished, and, in the end, old Medley, who was one of the purest blooded came out of a mare by old Fox, that was the dam favourably perfected? Experience, however, re- horses ever bred in England. of Daphne, (full sister to Selima, see Stud Book,) solves the difficulty by presenting instructive facts Gimcrack, the sire of Medley, was one of the and also of the celebrated running horse Weasel, to the consideration of mankind. It is well-known most remarkable horses of his day in England. He that was the property of Lord Rockingham-the that, though many of the worst symptoms in a was a grey, and called the "little grey horse Gim- grandam of Selima by Flying Childers-Makeless phthysical woman do subside during her pregnancy, crack," foaled in 1760, got by Cripple, a son of the Taffolet Barb-Natural Barb mare they all re-appear, and often in an aggravated form, Godolphin Arabian. Gimcrack was one of the se- I would urge upon the breeders of the Virginia immediately after that condition has terminated. verest running and hardest bottomed horses that turf horse to take in, in their different crosses, as Her lungs fast decay, her strength sinks, her person ever ran in England; although small, yet his ability much of the blood of old Medley and Bellair as becomes emaciated, she gradually ceases to desire to carry weight was very great, for he frequently possible, to give their stock firm limbs, very much or properly digest food, and her infant, however gave the odds as high as 28 pounds, and he con- needed at this time, as the Virginia race horses of healthy in appearance, forthwith begins to exhibit tinued on the turf until 11 years of age, thereby the present day train off the turf too early. signs of suffering from griping pains, or from ac shewing his uncommon hardiness of constitution The following letter, appropriate to the present cessions of nervous agitation, which have been and firmness of limbs-qualities which he richly subject, from that eminent breeder and sportsman, known to become permanent. For the purpose of transmitted into the veins of Medley. Gimcrack at Col. John Tayloe, formerly of Mount Airy, Virgipreventing the affections so often consecutive to 4 years old won seven 50l. plates, 4 miles; also in nia, now of Washington city, will conclude the childbirth, such mothers may lose their milk for one 1765, at 4 miles, 50l.; also 1000 guineas, 250 gui- present number: fortnight or a month,-and, it has been advised neas forfeit. He beat the Duke of Cumberland's "In reply to your favour, I shall be happy if any hat a young one of the sheep or dog should be Drone, 4 miles, for 500 guineas, giving him 21 lbs. information I am able to give you, in regard to old employed in this office:-but, for her infant's sake In 1766 he was sent to France, and 1767 returned Medley and such of his stock as I have owned, can is well as her own, no woman having a decided ten to England, and won in that year four 50l. plates, be of service to you. Old Medley was imported dency to consumption ought to undertake the charge 4 miles. In 1768, two 50l. plates and the silver into this country about the year 1785; was owned of suckling a child. The vitality of blood is ma- bowl. He beat Mr Vernon's Barber for 300 gui- by Mr. Malcomb Hart, and stood at Hanover Courttured in the lungs, and the milk's perfection de- 'neas, giving him 28 lbs. in 1770 He beat Lord house. He was one of the most beautiful horses I pends much on the purity of the blood; consequent- Rockingham's Jacko for 3000 guineas, giving him ever saw; I cannot at this remote period pretend to ly, the milk of a consumptive nurse cannot be nu 28 lbs; also Lord Rockingham's Pilgrim for the describe him, further than he was a grey horse of tritious,because her blood is insalutary in propor- whip and 200 guineas, the whip equal to the gui the finest proportions and not more than 143 to 15 tion as the organization of her lungs has suffered neas. Gimcrack was then ten years of age. Eari hands high. I have always esteemed him one of from the depredations of disease. Grosvenor had two portraits taken of Gimcrack: the best horses ever imported into the United States, (o be continued.) that of Gimcrack preparing to start is reckoned ex and concur with you in opinion that his stock is decellent of its kind. The two portraits, it is said, cidedly the best we have had His colts were the WASHING SALADS. represent this horse in different shades of grey; the best racers of their day, although they were geneIn the first number of the "Gardener's Magazine," iron grey of his youth, and the hoary white of his rally small; but their limbs were remarkably fine, conducted by Mr. Loudon, and just published, is a old age. Gimcrack had acquired such fame and and they were distinguished for their ability to paper on the best modes of washing water cresses celebrity, that his last proprietor left him a length carry weight. I owned some of the best of his and other salads, so as to free them from the larva of time at Tattersal's for the inspection of the colts. Bellair and Calypso bred; Grey Dioof insects and worms. The method is very simple, public. med and Quicksilver I purchased from the proand consists in merely placing the salad in salt The dam of Medley was Arminda, by Snap, (full fits which I realized from their successful perforwater or sea water, for three or four minutes, which sister to Papillon, the dam of Sir Peter Teazle, the mances on the turf. I have reason to hold Medley is sufficient to kill and bring out the worms, after best in England.) Medley acquired his beautiful in grateful remembrance. which the vegetables are washed in fresh water in symmetry and proportions from Snap, who was a "As respects Bellair, he was strong built and rathe usual way. The information is brought out in horse of "great beauty and justness of proportion, ther stout, good eyes and remakably fine boney the proper time, just after the salad season com strong, vigorous and muscular, and was upon an legs, rather above 15 hands I do not think his mences; and as all salads are subject to insects, and equality as a racer, if not superior to any horse of bottom was surpassed by any hose on record; if many of them inconceivably small, the hint, as a his time." Medley was imported to this country by ever he locked his antagonist, Ilt confident of matter of cleanliness, is worthy of attention. Malcomb Hart, in the year 1785. Among many success. When he ran with Mr. Landolph's Gim- crack, he was in excessive bad order, after a long a quantity of worms: but it can never be depended "I concur with you respecting the old Virginia stock, which should not be lost." bers MISCELLANEOUS. ENTOMOLOGY. OBSERVATIONS ON THE Locust. MR. SKINNER, New Jersey, July 7, 1826. with which it comes in contact, that are not fastened on the intestines, but loose as it were, in expectation of food, will be brought away; but such as are fast to the intestines (and many will be always A FRIEND TO THE VIRGINIA TURF HORSE. found so situated) stick like leeches, and thus pre- In my last communication, I gave you the history N. B. Having given an account of Col. Tasker's vent the effects of the oil. There is nothing so of the beetle, and at the conclusion promised to speak imported mare Selima, it may not here be impro affectual as calomel. Calomel administered exter- of the locust. I am not so well acquainted with the per to add that of Carter Braxton's imported mare nally, in tolerable plenty, upon the human subject, locust as with the beetle, for at the time when the Kitty Fisher; as those two mares bred more fine will destroy worms in the stomach.-If the worms former made their appearance, my attention was stock in Virginia than any other imported mares are situated near the anus, the calomel may be so not directed to these objects, and of course I am brought to this country; it being well known to the completely absorbed, when taken inwardly, as to not prepared to state any thing definitively of their sportsmen and breeders for the turf, that some of lose its effect before it reaches that part; some to- history. It is now seventeen years since these inthe highest formed racers and stallions bred in that bacco smoke blown up the anus (which may be ea- sects made their appearance, there have been, to be state were descended from those two mares sily done by inserting the thin end of a pipe) will sure, during the interval, two other kinds of the Kitty Fisher was a grey mare, foaled in 1755, most completely destroy these noxious vermin, and same species, differing only in size and colour, and and imported by Carter Braxton in the fall of 1759. they will be voided most likely, in prodigious num- in the distance of the time between their winged She was bought by Mr. Braxton, at New Market, states; one coming every seventh, one every fourEngland, in the spring of 1759. being then the The remark which was made on the last article teenth and those of this year every seventeenth property of the Marquis of Granby, and stood at the would equally apply in this place, respecting the nu- year, but as they all perform the same offices, viz. time engaged in a sweepstake for 36001. for 3 years merous remedies prescribed for the same disease. that of destroying any green thing by their numold fillies; but the Marquis being abroad with the What are mentioned throughout are such as will be bers and voracity, it will not be necessary to speak British armies, he was allowed to withdraw himself found to answer the purpose; and to give a number of them, for the history of one is the history of all. from his racing engagements, and directed all his of doubtful and ineffectual recipes, for the sake of About the first of June the locusts appeared in running stock to be sold. At the sale she was pur- making a long list, or giving a false air of impor- great numbers. They generally came up during chased as above, and sent over to this country. She tance to the subject, would be as perplexing to the the night, and fastened their case or shell in the was got by Cade, (one of the finest sons of the Go-reader, as it would be contemptible and even dis- fibres of posts and boards, as well as in the trunks dolphin Arabian,) her dam by the Cullen Arabian, honest, in the writer. and limbs of trees. Every one knows their manner out of the famous mare Bald Charlotte. [Bald However, for worms, generally speaking, the fol- of sloughing their skin, and some few have seen Charlotte was a high bred mare, of the finest form, lowing may be regarded as a sovereign remedy, and them perform the operation; but very few know that and winner of King's plates.] there are few cases which it will not effectually the work of destruction commences very soon after Kitty Fisher was trained in this country and run, cure-take they begin to fly. Indeed, many sensible people and won easily, several matches. persuaded themselves that the locust is an innocent harmless insect, which, if they do eat at all, live either on the moist or the putrescent particles of veThe leaves of the walnut tree, General Hunger getables. Farther than this no one has cared to ininforms us are an effectual remedy for the worms. quire. Perhaps at the time of their former appear"In summer, when the leaves are green, they must ance, some speculation arose respecting them; but Dogs, like human beings, are subject to worm be dried and baked on a plate before the fire, then it must have died away with the insect, for further diseases of various kinds. A disorder, generally rubbed to a fine powder with the hands. In winter than the announcement of their approach in this distinguished by the appellation of lank madness is when dry, you must buy them at the medical herb year nothing satisfactory remains. produced by short thick worms, which occasionally shop, Covent Garden. I gave my dog two largish Old people say that this year has produced greatbreed in prodigious quantities in the animals sto-tea-spoons full, heaped up; first boiling half a pinter numbers of them than that of any preceding year, mach and intestines. This, and what is denominat- of milk, letting it cool, and putting the powdered forget as to numbers, but I distinctly recollect ed sleeping madness, appear to be merely two names leaves into it: the dog will take it well; but he will that every living green thing, and even fences and for the same disease. When a dog is thus afflicted not take it in grease, for the leaves have a very walls, were covered with caterpillars the _summer he will become lean, though he will feed voracious- strong taste and smell. By the bye, I caution all after the locusts made their appearance. But they ly; as the disorder increases, his appetite in a great sportsmen never to give dogs milk, which has not gave rise to no other remark than that, "The last degree forsakes him; his eyes appear dull and drow-been boiled, for it will purge them as much as a year was the locust year, this year is a caterpillar sy, and he will manifest an almost continual inclina-dose of physic. I gave my dog, eight days follow- year." I am only speaking now of what passed tion for slumber, without being able, however, to ing, one dose; after which for above two months, he before my notice It is possible that some more sleep soundly:never voided one single worm. distinguishing than others soon became aware of "There is a peculiar excellence in these leaves; the fact, that caterpillars were the progeny of the they never, in the least, purged my dog: his body locust, but I imagine that the inquiry was not conwas in the same state, as if I never had given him tinued. any thing. This is a vast benefit; for, as it does! If therefore caterpillars be the produce of locusts, not purge the dog, it may be given him even when in what way are they continued-how many transhe hunts. I am told by medical men, who have formations do they undergo, during the seventeen studied botany, that walnut leaves are a positive years of their remaining in the reptile state, and in poison to worms, but by no means detrimental to what shape do they appear in the last summer man or beast. previous to their becoming a locust? (To be continued.) DISEASES OF DOGS. Take of calomel, six grains; made into two bolusses, one of which to be given at peat the course. Linseed oil, half a pint; Oil of turpentine, two drachms;* repeat the dose, if necessary. I Extract of coloquintida, two scruples; made into three bolusses and one given every morning: on the fourth morning, give the animal a table "You may observe, in the autumn, when the cater- If I could add the experience of those who have spoonful of syrup of buckthorn. If the worms pillers and grubs eat the. leaves of trees, and de- carefully attended to all the transmigrations of the should not be entirely destroyed in a little time, re-stroy the garden stuff, you will never see the leaves locust for the last seventeen years, I would bestow of walnut trees eaten by them: no caterpillar nor much time and labour on a new investigation. I Dogs are often troubled with large worms, which, grub will approach a walnut tree. Besides, I will could then watch for signs and be prepared for any without medicine, are occasionally voided singly or give you another proof of their abhorrence of wal new circumstance If there appeared a similarity in clusters. Their existence may be known by the nut leaves: in summer, when the ground is so dry in our discoveries-if I arrived at the same results dog's voracity and leanness. The best remedy is that you cannot dig for worms to go fishing with, by the same mode of reasoning and investigation, the preceding, though the following may probably fill a pail, about one-third full, of walnut tree leaves, with those of one who had been engaged in the answer the purpose:— Calomel, three grains; Golden sulphur of antimony, four grains; and pour a large kettle of boiling water on them; same pursuit-then an accurate history might be cover the pail over with a thick cloth, and let them given of this destructive insect, which for seventeen stand till cold; then go to a bowling green, where years pursues its destructive career. you observe many worm casts; spread the water As woods and forests are unploughed, the larva of mixed up with butter or fard into one dose. Three over the grass, and the worms will immediately the locust sremain unmolested, and it is therefore in of these doses to be given-one every other morning. come up above the ground.-This I have tried.” A table spoonful or two of linseed oil given the first thing in a morning will frequently bring away * I am supposing a full grown dog. such places that they are most numerous; for although they are in considerable numbers in orchards and on fences, yet they are scarcely in proportion of one to 1000, nay I should say one to 10,000.-in a very conspicuous manner. Farther than this Idition above the ant-hill, where they left them exBut whether it be a forest or a fruit tree, their mode cannot say, but I hope through your paper to be in-posed to the influence of the heat. Their ardour of puncturing the limb of the tree is the same. As formed of further facts, either as they occur from suffered no relaxation; the female larvæ (which are far as my observation goes, the hickory among forest time to time, or as they have already occurred in a heavier, and much larger than those of the other and the peach among fruit trees, seem to be the most former period. Of one thing there seems to be a cast) were carried, with some difficulty, through the suited to their purpose. certainty, and that is, that however an insect may narrow passages, leading from the interior to the exIt is immaterial to the present limited state of the be transformed, it never yet has been known to terior of the ant-hill, and placed in the sun, by the question whether the female puncture the limb her- assume the form of more than one kind of winged in- side of those of the workers and males. After reself, and then deposite the eggs, or whether it be sect. But whether, during the period of sixteen years maining there a quarter of an hour, the ants again done by the male; I am inclined to the latter belief: from the present, it be of one kind of reptile, or took them up, and sheltered them from the direct all we need know is that in a few days the locust whether it change from the long, thin, green and rays of the sun, by placing them in chambers, situatpierces the bark-in fact cuts through the woody fi black, smooth caterpillar, to that of the hairy one, ed under a layer of straw, which did not entirely bres of the limb or twig, and then deposites a certain remains yet to be known, that they do not perish as intercept the heat. number of eggs. Every insect has its own peculiar the locust do themselves, is well ascertained, as mode of protecting its young, and this of the locust they have been traced deeply into the earth either is as singular as any. Difficult as the operation ap-as chrysalis or as grubs. pears, the wood is punctured, scored and the eggs deposited in less than ten minutes, and so deeply are the eggs imbedded that they require no glutinous or downy covering. Their instinct teaches them that nature will take that part upon herself, for no sooner is the tree injured, than an exudation of gum takes place, which protects the wound from the injurious effects of the weather: already are the edges of the wound closing over the eggs, and the place where they are destined to remain until the ensuing spring, will scarcely be seen in another month. A SUBSCRIBER. NATURAL HISTORY The workers, after having fulfilled the duties imposed upon them in regard to the larvæ, did not forget themselves; they sought in their turn, to stretch themselves in the sun, lay upon each other in heaps, and seemed to enjoy some repose, but it was of no long duration. I observed a great number constantly employed on the surface of the antOF THE EGGS, LARVE, AND PUPE OF ANTS. hill, and others engaged in carrying back the larvæ, (Continued from page 127.) in proportion as the sun declined. The moment of Nature has formed the eggs of some other insects nourishing them being at length arrived, each ant in such a manner, that they are also capable of in-approrached a larvæ and offered it food. "the larvæ crease: such are, according to M. Vallisnieri, the of ants," observes M. Latreille, "resemble when eggs of the Tenthredo, which produce those larvæ they quit the egg, little white worms, destitute of that feed upon the rose.* feet, thick, short, and in form almost conical; their These remarkable examples authorise me in ad- body is composed of twelve rings; the anterior part Notwithstanding my vigilance, numbers of these mitting the increase in size, in the eggs of ants, as is slender and curved. We remark at the head two locusts flew into my orchards among the peach fully proved; although it may not be exactly under little horny pieces or hooks, too distant from each trees. I caused as many of them to be destroyed the same circumstances as those of which the philo- other to be regarded as true teeth; under these as could be caught, and thereby saved myself much sopher I have just quoted speaks; but if they are hooks we observe four little points or cils, two on after trouble, but enough remained to occupy me not surrounded with a liquid, or preserved from the each side, and a mamelon or tubercular process, for upwards of a week with the assistance of two influence of the external air, their pellicle, moistened almost cylindrical, soft, and retractile, by which the larva receives its food."* expert men. every instant by the workers, may preserve a cerIt is easy to follow the "trail" of the locust, for tain degree of suppleness, and the faculty of exten- The ants do not prepare for their larvæ provisions in their haste to deposite their eggs, they do not suf- sion, according to the developement of the worm de bouche, as happens with several species of bees ficiently consider the nature of the twig on which they enclose. and other insects, which provide beforehand for the they make their incision. Subjoined is the appear- At the end of fifteen days, the little worm is seen wants of their little ones; they give them every day ance of a twig after they have finished laying their to quit the shell: its body is then perfectly transpa-the nourishment best suited to their condition; the ineggs, and so deeply do they almost always cut into rent, and presents only a head and rings, without stinct of the larvæ is sufficiently developed, to enable the wood, that high winds snap the twigs asunder. any rudiment of feet or antennæ. The insect, at them to demand and receive their repast, in the same In this manner, dangling in the air, hang the ends of this period, is completely dependent upon the work way as the young of birds receive it from their pathe slender branches, thereby directing your search, ers. When hungry, they erect their body, and rents. and enabling you not only to pull off the broken I have been enabled to observe, through the glass- search with their mouth that of the workers, who part in which there are frequently three or four dis-es of my artificial ant-hill, the great care taken of * What a world of wonders is there not opened to our tinct layers of eggs, but to cut off those layers which these little worms, which bear also the name of lar-view, in the transformations the insect tribe undergo, remain on the twig. I have cut off two or three væ. They were generally guarded by a body of from the period of their birth, to the full and complete bushels of ends of limbs in this way, and now I am ants, who, raised upon their feet, with their abdo-development of their several organs. Unless well asemployed among the thicker central branches, in men brought between these members, were pre-sured of the fact, how could we imagine the feeble helpmany of which they have likewise left their marks. pared to cast their venom upon all intruders, whilst, less worm just described, would ever become the indus here and there, other workers were engaged in trious, enterprising ant, furnished with organs of moclearing the passages, by removing the materials tion and of flight. How devoid of probability would which were out of place; a great number of their appear the statement, did we not possess evidence to companions taking at the same time their repose, and the contrary, that the magnificent butterfly we see hoappearing fast asleep: but a busy scene occurred vering from flower to flower, ever drew its origin from the creeping caterpillar. But these changes, surprisat the moment of transporting their little ones to ing as they are, are yet equalled by other circumstanenjoy the warmth of the sun. When the sun's rays ces connected with the metamorphoses of insects, for fell upon the exterior portion of the nest, the ants, with these changes in appearance, the animal alters its who were then on the surface, descended with great habits and mode of life. The butterfly in its first or This is a more tedious process than the first, for rapidity to the bottom of the ant-hill, struck with larva state of existence eats voraciously, and in a manin many cases, it would not be proper to cut off the their antenna the other ants, ran one after the ner greatly disproportioned to its size, devouring twice entire limb, as it would disfigure the tree. I go pre-other, and jostled their companions, who mounted its weight of leaves in a day; in its second or pupa pared for the operation. I have a great many splints at the moment under the bell-glass, and re descended state, this inordinate appetite ceases, and all its active made of shingles, from 4 to 6 inches in length and with the same speed, putting in their turn the whole powers are suspended; in its third, imago, or perfect about an inch square in thickness, these I tie on colony in motion, so that we could observe a swarm takes a wider range, cleaves the regions of the air, state, no longer bound to the spot that gave it birth, it the limb after I have cut off the whole length of cells, of workers filling up all the passages; but what and sips the nectar of flowers. That beautiful silvercovering the limb and splints with a little fresh cow proved still more their intention by these move-winged insect (Libellula) now crossing our path, passed manure, and tying the whole up with a piece of old ments, was the violence with which the workers the first part of its existence as a water insect, and rag. Three persons cau go over two or three thou-sometimes seized, with their mandibles, those who that little creature (Ephemera) we see sporting in the sand trees in a few days, and while so employed, did not appear to understand them, dragging them sun-beam, whose existence as a winged insect is limited the step ladders being present, a number of uncouth, forth to the top of the ant-hill, and immediately only to a few hours, and seemingly with no other view unnecessary branches can be taken off, and a num- leaving them, to go and seek those still remaining period of its life in the same element. The common than that of continuing its kind, has also passed the first ber of stray caterpillars and insects can be dis- with the young. gnat, that so much annoys us in our evening walks, was lodged. The eggs are about the twelfth of an inch As soon as the ants had intimation of the appear-originally an inhabitant of some stagnant pool. The in length, of an oblong shape, and white. They lie ance of the sun, they occupied themselves with the beetle that flits along our even-tide, lay in worm-like lapped over one another in the acute angle that is larvæ an pupae; they carried them with all expe-state for a considerable period, locked up in the caformed for their bed, increasing gradually, but slowverned chambers of the earth, and-but why proceed, ly in size, until vegetation stops: they lie torpid un- * Latreille alludes to this increase in the size of the when the whole insect tribe, generally speaking, undertil spring, and then they make themselves known eggs, both in these insects, and the Cynips.-T. go such developments.-T. are appointed to nourish them. The ant then sepa-morphosis. This cocoon is of a cylindrical form, who employed labourers, and failed to make puncrates its mandibles, and allows them to take from elongated, of a pale yellow colour, and very smooth tual payments. Arrangements have been made to its very mouth the fluids they seek. and close in its texture. A remarkable circumstance prevent a recurrence of such failures. The work [Pittsburgh Gazette. I know not if these fluids undergo any change in for which no cause has been yet assigned is, that on the Licking summit is progressing rapidly. the body of the workers, but I am far from believing there are ants whose larvæ never spin; but this exit to be the case, since I have often seen the ants ception only holds with those species that possess a offer them nourishment, almost immediately after sting and two knots on the peduncle of the abdothey have themselves taken it; perhaps honey and men. Thus, there are some larvæ which undergo sugar dissolved in water. I presume, however, that their change in a silken envelope, and others which the regimen is proportioned to the age and sex of become pupa, without lying under the necessity of each individual, that the aliment is more substantial spinning or weaving one.* RECIPES. TO PREVENT CORNS FROM GROWING ON THE FEET. Easy shoes; frequently bathing the feet in luke. the nearer the time of their metamorphosis, and that The larvae of some ants pass the winter heaped warm water, with a little salt or pot-ashes dissolved more is given to the larvae of females than to those up in the lowermost floor of their dwelling. I have in it. of the workers and males; but the questions which found, at this period, very small larvæ in the nests The corn itself will be completely destroyed by have reference to the quality and quantity of these inhabited by the yellow ant, the field ant, and some rubbing it daily with a little caustic solution of aliments are of difficult solution: however, as it is of other species, but none in those of the fallow, ash-potash, till a soft and flexible skin is formed. some importance to ascertain if the nourishment coloured, and mining ants. Those that are to pass which the larvæ takes, has any influence upon the the winter in this state are covered with hair, which CURE FOR WARTS. COURT PLASTER. development of the sexes in the female of ants, as is not the case in summer; affording another proof The milky juice of the stalks of spurge, or of the obtains in bees, I purpose making some experiments of that Providence at which naturalists are struck common fig leaf, by persevering application, will, by nourishing myself the larvæ of different species. at every step. We do not find the larva of males to a certainty, soon remove them. Let us at present follow the workers in the last care and females but in the spring; their transformation they bestow upon the larvæ; it is not sufficient to lay them in the sun and give them food; it is still necessary to keep them remarkably clean. These insects, therefore, who in point of tenderness to the young committed to their charge, do not yield tion. Previous to changing this skin, the larvæ spin themselves a silken covering or cocoon, (as is the case with many other insects,) in which in the form of pupæ, they prepare to undergo their last meta takes place at the beginning of summer. RYE BREAD. CERTAIN CURE FOR THE CRAMP. Take of isinglass, half an ounce; Turlington's (or Friar's balsam,) a drachm; melt the isinglass in an ounce of water, and boil the solution till a great part of the water is consumed: then add gradually "Even those (says Mr. Jacob, in his recent report to it the balsam, stirring them well together. After to any of the females of the larger animals, pass on the state of agriculture on the Continent) who the mixture has continued a short time on the fire, their tongue and mandibles continually over their can afford wheaten bread, eat commonly that of take the vessel off, and spread the extended silk bodies, and thus render them perfectly white.* The ants have also another occupation; that of ex-both in Germany and Poland, though wheaten bread for spreading it. rye from choice. At the tables of the first families, with it, while it is yet fluid with heat, using a brush tricating them from their cuticle, which becomes distended and soft at the period of their transforma- scarcely ever tasted it, and I have met many Engwas always to be seen, I remarked that the natives tries, have given the preference to bread of rye. lishmen, who after a long residence in those coun- An effectual preventative for the cramp in the calves of the legs, which is a most grievous pain, is From the time I left the Netherlands, through Saxo-to stretch out the heel of the leg as far as possible, ny, Prussia, Poland, Austria, Bavaria, and Wur- at the same time drawing up the toes towards the temburg, till I entered France, I never saw, either body. This will frequently stop a fit of the cramp in the baker's shops, in the hotels, or private houses, after it has commenced; and a person will, after a * As these insects evince so much attachment to the a loaf of wheaten bread. In every large town, small few times, be able, in general, to prevent the fit charge committed to their care, I was desirous of ascer- rolls made of wheaten flour could be purchased, coming on, though its approach be between sleeptaining if they would shew equal concern for the off- and they were to be seen at the tables at which the ing and waking. Persons subject to this complaint spring of another species. For this purpose, I visited a foreigners were seated. Wheat is only used by the should have a board fixed at the bottom of the bed, nest inhabited by the little black ant, where there were natives in making what our English bakers would against which the foot should be pressed when the only larvæ, and removed a few to a nest occupied by call fancy bread, or in pastry and confectionary. If pain commences. the yellow ant, containing only pupa. Here they lay there be no foreign demand for wheat, the difficulty To Alleviate the pain OCCASIONED BY THE STING for a time unnoticed. At length, one or two of the ants of selling is very great." took them up, with the intention of carrying them away, when another who appeared stationed as centinel, ran The disagreeable itching occasioned by the sting violently against and overthrew them, thus occasioning Upwards of 2000 hands, and 300 teams, are em- of these insects may be removed by volatile alkali, them to relinquish their hold: this part of the nest was at length deserted, the larvae were left where first deployed on the section of the Ohio Canal between or immediately rubbing and washing the part affectCleaveland and Kendal, and work to the amount of ed with cold water. posited, and the centinel retired. At this time not a At night, to rub with fuller's earth and water lessingle ant was within view. In about five minutes a between 40 and 50,000 dollars is performed in a little troop sallied forth, and, as if acting under some month. The excavation and embankment are near-sens the inflammation. general impulse, carried off their unwelcome visitors to y completed from the portage summit to Cleaveone of their under-ground apartments. Visiting this land. Of 44 locks required between the summit nest from day to day, I never afterwards saw these lar- and the lake, the pits of 30 have been dug, and væ, and therefore, conclude they had been set apart, nearly half of the others are now excavating, the where from neglect they had perished. Had the larva stone for the whole is prepared, and some of the been brought up in common with those of their own walis have been commenced. The contracts refamily, I must have known it; for, as I before said, the nest contained pupa only. In an after-visit to this nest, quire the completion of the whole work on this secI reversed the experiment, by carrying away some of tion, by the first of October. The Cleaveland the pupe, and placing them in the nest from which I Herald from which we make this abstract, mentions had before taken the larvæ. This done, a similar scene that some alarm has been occasioned by the bad took place. The pupa were at first regarded with in- management, want of integrity, and consequent difference. Some of the inhabitants then attempted a failure of a few persons, chiefly sub-contractors, removal, to which there was, for a time, strong opposi OF GNATS. TO CURE THE STING OF A WASP OR BEE. To the part affected, apply oil of tartar, or solution of potash, and it will give instant ease; as also well bruised mallows. THE FARMER. BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1826. DEATH OF JOHN ADAMS. In our last we announced the death of the illus tion. In a few minutes, however, they were carried off * Among the spinning larvæ, there are some whose to the subterranean chambers. In these experiments, web is marked with a black point at one of the extre-trious JEFFERSON, because, though we keep no obithere was this slight difference: in the former instance, mities, which has been taken for the remains of the tuary register, it happened to reach us at the mothe ants retired, as it would seem, to deliberate: in the skin of the pupa, which they reject in their preceding ment when our paper was going to press, and when, latter, they remained the whole time within sight, a state; but as I have found the cocoons, thus stained, through it many of our readers would learn it for little distance from the pupa. Had the larva or pupa before the larvæ they contained had undergone their the first time. been suffered to remain where first placed, this would metamorphosis, this supposition falls to the ground. We have now to add to the mournful record, have greatly embarrassed the ants in their daily opera- I am fully convinced it is nothing more than the residue that of his illustrious associate in life and in tions, this being the spot where they were in the habit of the aliment which these insects discharge a little death-JOHN ADAMS. But why call it mournful? of bringing their young to enjoy the sun's warmth. But time before their change.-A. why they should take them under ground, in preference Gould is of our author's opinion; but Sir Edward Should we not rather, under all circumstances, rejoice and be thankful, that they were permitted to to carrying and depositing them beyond the nest, is a King, who published a memoir on ants in an early numquestion I can only answer by supposing they there ber of the Philosophical Transactions, conjectures that remain, as Mentors to the rising generation for conveyed them to insure their certain destruction, and it is a secretion cast out by the larvae in its transforma- half a century: living exemplars in themselves thus prevent further molestation.--T. tion.-T. of all that humanity has exhibited of wisdom in |