The Senses of Bees.
Experiments conducted by Sir John Lubbock seem to show that bees have a preference for blue flowers. Besides this curious display of a colour sense, there is some reason to believe that these "busy" insects may possibly possess in a very rude state the power of hearing. Some bees were trained to come for honey placed on a musical box, on the lawn close to a window of the house. The box was made to play several hours daily for a fortnight; it was then brought indoors out of sight, but close to the open window, about seven yards from its former position. The bees did not, however, find the honey, though when it was once shown to them they came promptly enough.
Abolition of Christmas Day.
On December the 24th, 1652, there appeared in a small gazette called the Flying Eagle one of the most curious statements ever published in connection with Christmas Day. It told how the House of Commons had that day been considering the business of the Navy, and how, before it separated, it had been presented with a "terrible remonstrance" against Christmas Day. "In consequence of this," the Flying Eagle went on to say, "Parliament spent some time in consultation about the abolition of Christmas Day, passed orders to that effect, and resolved to sit on the following day, which was commonly called Christmas Day."
The Dancing Bird.
The forests of Nicaragua are the home of a dancing bird, variously called "Toledo" from its whistling note, and "Bailador," or "Dancer," from its curious jumping action. A naturalist has described their remarkable performances. Upon a bare twig about four feet from the ground, two male Bailadors were seen engaged in a song and dance. They were about eighteen inches apart, and alternately jumped two feet into the air, alighting always in the same spot. As soon as one bird alighted the other bird jumped up, their time being like clockwork in its regularity, and each "accompanying himself to the tune of 'to-le-do'—'to-le-do'—'to-le-do,' sounding the syllable 'to' as he crouched to spring, 'le' while in the air, and 'do' as he alighted." The performance was kept up for more than a minute, when the birds found they were being watched, and made off.
Americanisms.
A few words current in the United States are being gradually adopted in England. The number of new words coined in America is said to be very small indeed, as compared with the number of fresh meanings which certain words have been made to bear. Of the former "caucus"—a political committee—and "Yankee" are examples. Of the latter "smart" used for "clever," and "clever" for "amiable," are specimens. But even among the different States of the Union, verbal peculiarities are found. When the new Englander "guesses," the Western "calculates," and the Southern "reckons," but these various terms are all meant in the one sense—namely of thinking or supposing. In the New England States, "ugly" is employed for "ill-natured," and "friends" for "relations." Some of the words in vogue in the Middle States are survivals of the original Dutch colonists—as "boss," an employer or manager, and "loafer," a vagabond. As to the Western States, it has been amusingly observed that "every prominent person has his own private vocabulary." Like the Emperor Sigismund the Great, who was "above grammar," the Western States folk are superior to dictionaries.
Peacock Pie.
On the tables of the squires and nobles was sometimes seen at Christmas and other festive seasons a peacock pie, but so costly was the dish that it was only the very wealthy who could face such extravagance. At one end of the pie the peacock's head, in all its plumage and with beak richly gilt, appeared above the crust, while at the other end the tail with feathers outspread made a brave show. The dish, however, was regarded more in the light of a superb ornament to the table, for it was not very good eating.