The Treasury of Natural History: Or, A Popular Dictionary of Animated Nature: ... to which are Added, a Syllabus of Practical Taxidermy, and a Glossarial Appendix |
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Page 4
... thickness . Its colour is a bright yellow ; the sides being marked with seven elegant broad stripes or bands , of ... thick wall of propolis and wax , completely obstructing the entrance of the hive , but penetrated by passages for ...
... thickness . Its colour is a bright yellow ; the sides being marked with seven elegant broad stripes or bands , of ... thick wall of propolis and wax , completely obstructing the entrance of the hive , but penetrated by passages for ...
Page 5
... thick as entirely to hide the surface of the log , is a strange sight . They look like an enormous collec- tion of ... thicker from the head to the vent , and there suddenly con- tracting so as to form a very short slender tail ...
... thick as entirely to hide the surface of the log , is a strange sight . They look like an enormous collec- tion of ... thicker from the head to the vent , and there suddenly con- tracting so as to form a very short slender tail ...
Page 10
... thick and pointed ; tongue , short , flat , and fleshy ; the nostrils at the side of the base of the bill running obliquely ; the tail and legs short . These birds for the most part live on fish , which they transfix with the bill as ...
... thick and pointed ; tongue , short , flat , and fleshy ; the nostrils at the side of the base of the bill running obliquely ; the tail and legs short . These birds for the most part live on fish , which they transfix with the bill as ...
Page 14
... thick mist , hanging over the edge of the water , to the height perhaps of half a yard , stretching along the coast as far as the eye could reach , and always retiring with the water . When this cloud came to be ex- amined , it proved ...
... thick mist , hanging over the edge of the water , to the height perhaps of half a yard , stretching along the coast as far as the eye could reach , and always retiring with the water . When this cloud came to be ex- amined , it proved ...
Page 17
... thick , and fleshy , jointed like arms , and divided in the insides . The colour of the upper surface of the body is brown , the lower part white , and the skin smooth throughout : ventral and pectoral fins white ; tail nearly ...
... thick , and fleshy , jointed like arms , and divided in the insides . The colour of the upper surface of the body is brown , the lower part white , and the skin smooth throughout : ventral and pectoral fins white ; tail nearly ...
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Common terms and phrases
America anal fins animal antennæ appearance beak beautiful beetles belly belonging beneath bill birds body breast breed British British Museum brown burrows caterpillars claws coasts colour common covered Crustacea dark deep distinguished dorsal fin dusky edges eggs elytra extremely eyes feathers feed feet female fins fish flesh fore frequently furnished genera genus green habits hair head hind horns inches in length inches long inhabits insects kind larva larvæ lateral line legs light limbs live male mandible marked Mollusca Moths mouth name given native nature nearly neck nest observed ocelli oval pair pale pectoral fins placed plants plumage prey pupa quadrupeds racter reddish remarkable resembling round seas shell short side skin slender sometimes South America species spots surface tail teeth thick thorax throat tion toes trees tribe upper whitish whole wings yellow yellowish young
Popular passages
Page 127 - In the month of September these beetles gather on the locust trees, where they may be seen glittering in the sunbeams, with their gorgeous livery of black velvet and gold, coursing up and down the trunks in pursuit of their mates, or to drive away their rivals, and stopping every now and then to salute those they meet with a rapid bowing of the shoulders, accompanied by a creaking sound indicative of recognition or defiance. Having paired, the female, attended by her partner, creeps over the bark,...
Page 461 - ... for at least three weeks, making only the same allowance for them as for the old ones, their share would amount to four thousand two hundred millions; making a grand total of sixteen thousand two hundred millions of noxious insects destroyed in the space of four months by this single species! The combined ravages of such a hideous host of vermin would be sufficient to spread famine and desolation over a wide extent of the richest and best cultivated country on earth.
Page 38 - So far are the beavers from driving stakes into the ground when building their houses, that they lay most of the wood crosswise, and nearly horizontal, and without any other order than that of leaving a hollow or cavity in the middle. When any unnecessary branches project inward they cut them off with their teeth, and throw them in among the rest, to prevent the mud from falling through the roof. It is a mistaken notion that the wood-work is...
Page 324 - Maitsha, being very intent on observation, I heard something pass behind me towards the bed, but upon looking round could perceive nothing. Having finished what I was then about, I went out of my tent, resolving directly to return, which I immediately did, when I perceived large blue eyes glaring at me in the dark.
Page 348 - The length of the peacock, from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail', is about three feet eight inches.
Page 375 - ... or rather I should say, like a strong breeze passing through the rigging of a ship. The sky, seen through the advanced guard, appeared like a mezzotinto engraving, but the main body was impervious to sight ; they were not, however, so thick together, but that they could escape a stick waved backwards and forwards.
Page 33 - Who hath sent out the wild ass free? Or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass? Whose house I have made the wilderness, And the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the multitude of the city, Neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. The range of the mountains is his pasture, And he searcheth after every green thing.
Page 159 - This cuttle-fish displayed its chameleon-like power both during the act of swimming and whilst remaining stationary at the bottom. 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...
Page 456 - His motion on the ground was plainly not his natural mode of progression, for even when assisted by his hands or a stick, it was slow and vacillating : it was necessary to see him amongst trees in order to estimate his agility and strength. On being driven to a small clump...
Page 462 - From dawn to nearly sunset, this open and daring devastation is carried on, under the eye of the proprietor; and a farmer, who has any considerable extent of corn, would require half-adozen men at least, with guns, to guard it; and even then, all their vigilance and activity would not prevent a good tithe of it from becoming the prey of the blackbirds. The Indians, who usually plant their corn in one general field, keep the whole young boys of the village all day patrolling round and among it; and...