TWELVE YEARS IN CHINA. The People, the Rebels, and the Mandarins. By a British Resident. 12mo., Edinburgh, 1860. UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Ancient Part. 21 v. 8vo., London, 1747-1754. VOLNEY, COMTE C. F. Chassebœuf de. Travels through Syria and Egypt, in 1783-’85. 2 v. 8vo., London, 1787. WALTON, WILLIAM, JR. Pres. State of the Spanish Colonies. 2 v. 8vo., London, 1810. WANLEY, NATHANIEL. Wonders of the Little World; or, a General Hist. of Man. 2 v. 8vo., London, 1806. WELD, ISAAC. Travels through States of N. America, and Canadas, in 1795-’97. 3d edit. 2 v. 8vo., London, 1800. WESTWOOD, JOHN OBAD. Introd. to Mod. Classif. of Insects. 2 v. 8vo., London, 1840. WHITE, GILBERT. Nat. Hist. of Selborne. 8vo., London, 1854. WILKINSON, SIR J. G. Manners and Customs of the Anct. Egyptians. 6 v. 8vo., London, 1837-1841. WILLIAMS, S. WELLS. The Middle Kingdom; or, Survey of Chinese Empire. 3d edit. 2 v. 8vo., New York, 1853. WOOD, WILLIAM. Zoography. 3 v. 8vo., London, 1807. CURIOUS HISTORY OF INSECTS. ORDER I. COLEOPTERA--BEETLES. Coccinellidæ--Lady-birds. The Lady-bird, _Coccinella septempunctata_, in Scandinavia was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and is there to this day called _Nyckelpiga_--Our Lady’s Key-maid,[1] and (in Sweden, more particularly) _Jung-fru Marias Gullhona_--the Virgin Mary’s Golden-hen.[2] A like reverence was paid to this beautiful insect in other countries: in Germany they have been called _Frauen_ or _Marien-käfer_--Lady-beetles of the Virgin Mary; and in France are now known by the names of _Vaches de Dieu_--Cows of the Lord, and _Bêtes de la Vierge_--Animals of the Virgin.[3] The names we know them by, _Lady-bird_, _Lady-bug_, _Lady-fly_, _Lady-cow_,[4] _Lady-clock_, _Lady-couch_ (a Scottish name),[5] etc., have reference also to this same dedication, or, at least, respect. The Lady-bird in Europe, and particularly in Germany, where it probably is the greatest favorite, and whence most of the superstitions connected with it are supposed to have originated, is always connected with fine weather. At Vienna, the children throw it into the air, crying,-- Käferl’, käferl’, käferl’, Flieg nach Mariabrunn, Und bring uns ä schone sun. Or,-- Little birdie, birdie, Fly to Marybrunn, And bring us a fine sun. Marybrun being a place about twelve English miles from the Austrian capital, with a miracle-working image of the Virgin (still connected with the Virgin), who often sends good weather to the merry Viennese.[6] And, from the marsh of the Elbe, to this little insect the following words are addressed: Maikatt, Flug weg, Stuff weg, Bring me morgen goet wedder med. Or,-- May-cat, Fly away, Hasten away, Bring me good weather with you to-morrow.[7] In England, the children are wont to be afraid of injuring the Lady-bird lest it should rain.