The Natural History of Selborne

The Lathraea squammaria grows also on the bank of Trimming’s orchard, just above the dry wall, opposite Grange-yard.

Wild cherries in bloom make a fine show in my hedges.

Made an hot-bed for the hand-glasses. I opened a hen swift, which a cat had caught, & found she was in high condition, very plump & fat: in her body were the rudiments of several eggs, two of which were larger than the rest, & would probably have been produced this season. Cats often catch swifts as they stoop to go under the eaves of houses.

The quantity of rain that feel at Selborne between May 1st 1779, & May 1st 1780.

Tortoise marches about: eats part of a piece of cucumber-paring.

A sprig of Antrrhinum cymbalaria, the ivy-leaved Toadsflax, which was planted last year on a shady water-table of the wall of my house, grew at a vast rate, & extended itself a full nine feet; & it was in perpetual bloom ’til the hard frost came.  In the severity of the winter it seemd to die: but it now revives again with vigor, & shows the rudiments of flowers.  When in perfection it is a lovely plant. Lathraea squammaria blows in the coppice below the church-litten near the foot-bridge over the stream.

Tortoise comes-forth & walks round his coop: will not eat lettuce yet: goes to sleep at four o’clock p:m:  In the hot weather last summer a flight of house-crickets were dispersed about the village: one got from the garden into my kitchen-chimney, & continued there all winter.  There is now a considerable encrease & many young appear in the evening running about, & hunting for crumbs.  From this circumstance it should seem that the impregnated females migrate.  This is the case with ants.

The tortoise heaves up the eart, & puts out its head.

On this day Sir G: B: Rodney defeated the French fleet of Martinique.

Cucumbers swell.  Tortoise sleeps on.  Radishes are drawn.

Planted two more beds of asparagus.