Moon's Passage over the Meridian. Such of our readers as wish to see the Moon pass the first meridian this month, will have an opportunity at the following times, if the weather be favourable: viz. November 4th, at 42 m. after 4 in the morning 5th, - 39 7th, 19 3 8 20th, 21 5 in the evening 6 8 9 24th, - 20 T lar of t at th cou are, PHENOMENA PLANETARUM. Phases of Venus. The phases of this queen of the planets have the following proportion to each other at the commencement of this month: viz. Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites. The visible eclipses of these small satellites will be numerous this month, and are exhibited in the following list: viz. of as the at m in 28 midnight i 57 6 in the evening 23 51 17 45 23d, 2 in the morning 8 in the evening 4 in the morning 10 in the evening 10 midnight l be a transit of Mercury across the soout 18 m. after 2 in the morning of the 5th nth; but as the Sun will not have risen e, it will consequently be invisible in this The chief circumstances of this transit junction Longitude cury's Latitude south the Sun's centre oon will be in conjunction with 8 in Taurus after 7 in the morning of the 2d of this with a in Scorpio at 36 m. past 3 in the morn15th; and again with 8 in Taurus, at 41 m. the evening of the 29th, Mercury will be action with a in Libra on the 3d, when the ill be 52' south of the star; he will also be nferior conjunction at 20 m. after 2 in the of the 5th, and attain his greatest elongation 2d. Mercury will likewise be in conjuncVenus on the 9th, when the former will north of the latter; he will also be stationhe 14th. Venus will be in conjunction with a in Libra on the same day, when she will be 40 south of the star. Jupiter will be in opposition at 15 m. past 6 in the morning of the 24th of this month. The Naturalist's Diary For NOVEMBER 1822. Farewel hill and vale, And silence sweet, fresh blooms, and dewy sky! NOVEMBER is, usually, a very gloomy month, yet there are some intervals of clear and pleasant weather: the mornings are generally sharp, but the hoarfrost is soon dissipated by the sun giving a rich tinge to the autumnal colouring of the decaying foliage, and affording a fine open day. At other times, November Chills, with dense fogs, the cheerless, tardy Morn, But whether November be gloomy or fine should be The peculiarities of a November evening are thus well described by a living poet: It was an AUTUMN evening, and the rain Had ceased awhile, but the loud winds did shriek, The flag-staff on the churchyard tow'r did creak, 7 sta the ear YOU Sus S mo Var din wh car fro pea flo bir Cou Cu spe of as per ou W an we a yo rie re is ti to to th is now surcharged with moisture, and the he ground is well suited to new planting; ains and even the winds consolidating the nd the roots of the young plants, and fahe action of their fibres, before an entire n takes place by severe frost. irds begin to congregate, to pass the winter associated bodies; and as the spring adney again separate to fulfil the earliest orof nature. It is by no means obvious for pose birds are incited to associate, as we omprehend any individual benefit arising security or mutual protection does not apbe thus procured, as the largeness of the a means of inviting notice, and attracting rey and other dangers to them: food which obtained by a few, would be less easily pronumerous assembled individuals. Some of wild fowl, the rook, and a few other kinds obtain mutual security by feeding in society, ch appears to be placed carefully at these o warn them of approaching danger, but all regating small birds take no such precaution. cannot be obtained by it: that pleasure, or fication, is procured by such associations, no evidence for the purposes of migration, action of individuals appears desirable; the birds are thus directed by the more expenes, and the whole conducted to the desired but for unmigrating tribes such a guidance anting, and it becomes rather a subject of lative enquiry, than of reasonable explana Oggy mornings' of November are favourable rowth and appearance of mushrooms, and e the reeking meadows in search of them, at an early hour in the morning, is the occupation of many of the village children. The fungi or mushroom tribe are very numerous, and of singular construction: their various species abounding at this season offer to the naturalist a wide scope for observation; they attract the notice of every one; even children admire them, and they afford to the philosopher a subject of interesting speculation. They constitute the first link in the great chain of vegetable life, which connects organized bodies with inorganic matter. It is now perfectly demonstrated that mushrooms have organs appropriated for the production of seed, and, like all other vegetables, are capable of being raised from this, and of perpetuating their race by the production of a very numerous progeny. Their seeds are so light as to be easily dispersed by the air. The fungi take possession of every kind of decaying matter: the dry rot of our ships of war is caused by them; or rather ships are converted into a coriaceous or leathery fungus. The fairy rings in fields, at first sight so wonderful and unaccountable, are produced by the growth of fungi in a circle. They exhibit some of the finest colours in the vegetable kingdom: no artist can do justice to some of their brilliant hues; many of them rivalling the rose and the lily in symmetry and splendour. Their uses are important and their properties singular; but the investigation of them would lead us into a wide field of inquiry. The Russians eat many fungi which are deemed poisonous in England. The truffle, the morel, and the mushroom, most celebrated in katsup, are known to all lovers of savoury dishes, and agreeable stimulants. The boleti or puff balls, the blight and smut of wheat, the tinging matter of the celebrated Northern Red Snow', all belong to this interesting class of vegetables. a b |