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distributed as this. They form the principal portion of the herbage of the earth, giving to the hills and plains their lovely green. Though our Flora contains many native species, only a small number are of value, our meadow grasses being, with few exceptions, of foreign origin. The principal of these are, Timothy (Phleum pratense), making the best of hay; Sweet Vernal grass (Anthozanthu odoratum), which, when half withered, gives out a pleasant odor of vanilla; Meadow grass (Poa pratensis), Blue grass (P. compresse) and Rough grass (P. trivialis), most of which have spread ever all our pasture grounds. Wheat (Triticum), Rye (Secale) and Oats (Avena), are extensively cultivated in all parts of the state. Zizania aquatica, or wild rice, a favorite food of the Indians, and affording sustenance to myriads of wild fowl, is a native of the northern counties.

The Wild Oat and Chess (Bremus), into which our farmers wrongly believe that wheat and rye degenerate, are common, Piragmites, the largest grass of the northern states, looking at a distance like broom corn, grows by the river side, and borders of swamps and ponds.

Some grasses are peculiar to the sands; their matted roots, forming a thick sod, prevent the loose soil from being carried away, by the water or wind. Many others, by their annual decay, aid in tertilizing the soil, that would otherwise be arid and unproductive.

Ferns and Fernlike plants occupy a wide extent of terriory. Most common of all is the Brake (Pteris), under cover of which the sportsman is sure to find the rabbit, or the partridge. Maiden Hair (Adiantum), a delicate fern, with dark brown polished stems, is not uncommon. The Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum) is remarkable for striking root from the extremities of the fronds. The Climbing Fern (Lygodium) is the only species of the tribe, with a twining stem, found in so high a latitude. The tall Osmunda ( 0, cisnamomea) grows in large bunches, in damp woods and low grounds; sometimes attaining the height of a man.

Club Moss (Lycopodium), a creeping evergreen, is in great request at Christmas time, to form festoons and wreaths.

The Scouring Rush (Equisetum) is used for polishing wood and metals.

In the report of the recent Geological and Botanical survey, ordered by the legislature, the whole number of species of flowering plants, in the state, is said to be about 1450. Of these, 1200 are herbaceous, and 150 may be regarded as ornamental. Of woody plants there are 250 species, including about 80 that attain to the stature of trees. Of plants that are reputed medicinal, we have (native and naturalized) 160 species. The naturalized plants exceed 160 species.

We must here leave this short notice of New York plants, though we have, by no means, exhausted the materials, nor even touched upon many, that are most frequently met with, in a morning walk, Those who would pursue the study must seek their information in two large volumes, written by Dr. Torrey, which form the Botanical part of the Natural History of New York.

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birds with which we are familiar, and whose departure for a more southern clime in autumn, renders winter more cheerless, as their return in spring, makes the approaching summer more joyous and delightful.

3d, Gallina, the cock tribe, including not only our domesticated fowls, but the wild turkey, grouse, prairie hen, &c.

4th, Gralla, waders. This includes all those long legged birds which obtain their subsistence on the borders of streams; the plover, crane, heron, poke, &c.

5th, Lobipedes, lobefooted birds: the coot, dipper, &c.

6th, Natatores, swimmers. This includes loons, gulls, gannets, wild ducks and geese, &c.

The following catalogue embraces all the birds, of these different orders, known to exist in the state.

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There are but three orders of reptiles found in the state, viz. 1st, Chelonia. The turtle tribe. Among the animals belonging to this order are the green turtle, which, though a mative of warm climates, occasionally makes its appearance in the waters of New York bay, and Long Island sound; the leather turtle, a gigantic species; the soft shell turtle found in the Mohawk, and in the lakes; the snapping turtle; the salt water terrapin, or mud turtle; the smooth terrapin, which resembles the preceding in its appearance and habits; the painted tortoise; the spotted tortoise or speckled turtle; the wood or fresh water terrapin; the red bellied terrapin; Muhlenburg's tortoise; the geographic, and the pseudo-geographic tortoise, both distinguished by the geometric lines upon their shells; the mud tortoise, found only in the southern counties; the musk tortoise, also called mud turtle, and mud terrapin; the common box, or checkered, tortoise, also called box turtle; and Blanding's box tortoise.

2d, Sauria. The lizard tribe. There are but two species of this tribe, known to exist in this state, viz. the blue tailed skink or lizard, called also the striped lizard, found in the southern counties; and the brown swift, frequenting the woods, in every part of the state. 3d, Ophidia. The serpent tribe. Most of these are harmless, only two species being venomous.

Of the harmless species, we have the common black snake, from three to six feet long; the pilot black snake, or racer, found in the Highlands and Fishkill mountains; the chain snake, also called racer; the milk or chicken snake, also called house snake, checkered adder, &c.; the striped snake; the ring snake, black and red, small; the grass or green snake; the brown water snake, or water adder-this snake has its tail tipped with horn, and is frequently regarded with dread, but without cause; the striped water, green water, or water garter snake; the yellow bellied snake; the small brown snake: the ribbon snake; the red snake, very small, and found under stones and logs; the hog nosed snake, called also deaf adder, spreading adder, &c

The two venomous species are, the copper head, called also red adder, dumb rattlesnake, red viper, &c.; and the northern rattlesnake. The popular belief that the latter add a new rattle every year is erro neous. Instances have been known where there were forty-four of these fibulæ or rattles on the tail of a single snake, and that not of a very large size. They are found abundantly, in the rocky and unsettled portions of the state. The deer and the hog destroy them rapidly-the latter eating them.

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