The Natural History of SelborneHarper, 1842 - 335 pages |
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Page 15
... perhaps have been the original site of the town , while the woods and coverts might have extended down to the oppo- site bank . At each end of the village , which runs from southeast to northwest , arises a small rivulet ; that at the ...
... perhaps have been the original site of the town , while the woods and coverts might have extended down to the oppo- site bank . At each end of the village , which runs from southeast to northwest , arises a small rivulet ; that at the ...
Page 18
... perhaps , in all history a more remarkable instance of command of temper and magnanimity than this before us that a young prince , in the moment of victory , when he had the fell adversary of the crown and roy- al family at his mercy ...
... perhaps , in all history a more remarkable instance of command of temper and magnanimity than this before us that a young prince , in the moment of victory , when he had the fell adversary of the crown and roy- al family at his mercy ...
Page 22
... perhaps fourteen or sixteen inches in diameter . But as these did not consist of firm stone , but were formed of a kind of terra lapidosa , or hardened clay , as soon as they were exposed to the rains and frost they mouldered away ...
... perhaps fourteen or sixteen inches in diameter . But as these did not consist of firm stone , but were formed of a kind of terra lapidosa , or hardened clay , as soon as they were exposed to the rains and frost they mouldered away ...
Page 27
... perhaps , lie in this parish , my account of Selborne would be very imperfect , as it is a district abounding with many curious productions , both animal and vege- table , and has often afforded me much entertain . ment , both as a ...
... perhaps , lie in this parish , my account of Selborne would be very imperfect , as it is a district abounding with many curious productions , both animal and vege- table , and has often afforded me much entertain . ment , both as a ...
Page 44
... perhaps , of the motacilla trochilus ) still continues to make a sibilous shiver- ing noise in the tops of tall woods . The stoparola of Ray ( for which we have , as yet , no name in these parts ) is called in your Zoology the FLY ...
... perhaps , of the motacilla trochilus ) still continues to make a sibilous shiver- ing noise in the tops of tall woods . The stoparola of Ray ( for which we have , as yet , no name in these parts ) is called in your Zoology the FLY ...
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Common terms and phrases
abound Alauda Andalusia animals appear April autumn birds of passage birds of prey blackcap brood build called chaffinches colour Comb Wood common buzzard congeners coppice cuckoo curious DEAR SIR district eggs feed feet fieldfares fields flocks frequently frost garden Greatham ground Hanger hatched haunt hedges hirundines hirundo house-martins hundred inches insects late legs LETTER Linnæus manner martins mentioned migration morning Motacilla neighbour neighbourhood nest never night observed owls pair parish perhaps ponds prey procured quadrupeds Raii rain redwings remarkable remiges reptile retire ring-dove ringousels rooks roost season seems seen Selborne shot sing snow soon sort species spring stone curlew strange summer birds suppose Sussex swifts tail thrushes tion titmouse trees vast village weather whinchats whitethroat wild wings winter Wolmer Forest wonder woodcocks Woodlark woods young
Popular passages
Page 328 - Less than archangel ruined, and the excess Of glory obscured ; as when the sun, new risen, Looks through the horizontal misty air Shorn of his beams, or from behind the moon, In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs.
Page 18 - In the midst of this spot stood, in old times, a vast oak, with a short squat body, and huge horizontal arms extending almost to the extremity of the area. This venerable tree, surrounded with stone steps and seats above them, was the delight of old and young, and a place of much resort in summer evenings ; where the former sat in grave debate, while the latter frolicked and danced before them.
Page 168 - Part loosely wing the region, part more wise In common, ranged in figure wedge their way, Intelligent of seasons, and set forth Their airy caravan high over seas Flying, and over lands with mutual wing Easing their flight...
Page 90 - Amusive birds ! say where your hid retreat, When the frost rages and the tempests beat ? Whence your return, by such nice instinct led, When Spring, soft season, lifts her bloomy head? Such baffled searches mock man's prying pride, The God of Nature is your secret guide!
Page 228 - When these junci are thus far prepared they must lie out on the grass to be bleached, and take the dew for some nights and afterwards be dried in the sun.
Page 239 - ... worms seem to be the great promoters of vegetation, which would proceed but lamely without them, by boring, perforating, and loosening the soil, and rendering it pervious to rains and the fibres of plants, by drawing straws and stalks of leaves and twigs into it; and, most of all, by throwing up such infinite numbers of lumps of earth called wormcasts, which, being their excrement, is a fine manure for grain and grass.
Page 286 - But as he avoids heat in the summer, so, in the decline of the year, he improves the faint autumnal beams, by getting within the reflection of a...
Page 202 - Each species of hirundo drinks as it flies along, sipping the surface of the water ; but the swallow alone, in general, washes on the wing, by dropping into a pool for many times together : in very hot weather house-martins and bank-martins dip and wash a little..
Page 81 - I have reason to lament this want in my own country ; for such objects are very necessary ingredients in an elegant landscape.
Page 8 - Being of an unambitious temper, and strongly attached to the charms of rural scenery, he early fixed his residence in his native village, Till where he spent the greater part of his life in literary occupations, and especially in the study of Nature. This he followed with patient assiduity, and a mind ever open to the lessons of piety and benevolence, which such a study is so well calculated to afford. Though several occasions offered of settling upon a college living, he could never persuade himself...