Bøger af John George Wood

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. BURROWING REPTILES. The Reptiles and their Hibernation.?The Laud Tortoise and its Winter Dwell ing.?The Crocodiles.?Snakes.?The Yellow Snake of Jamaica.?Its general Habits.?Its burrowing powers discovered.?Presumed Method of removing the Earth. The Reptiles are, as a body, not rernarkable for the burrows which they make. Many of them bore their way into the ground, pass a few months in a state of torpidity, and then push their way out again. But the hole which they make in the earth is scarcely to be called a home, inasmuch as the inhabitant merely enters it as a convenient place wherein it may become torpid, and abandons it as soon as the ordinary functions of the system are restored by the warmth of the succeeding year. The common Land Tortoise, for example (Testudo Orceca), is in the habit of slowly digging a burrow with almost painful deliberation, and then concealing itself below the surface of the earth during the cold months of winter. Many Tortoises which have lived in this country have been noticed to perform this act, and I have lately seen a very good example of a burrow which had been sunk amid some strawberry plants, and from which the inmate had just emerged. Many other reptiles follow a similar course of action. The crocodiles, for example, burrow themselves deeply in the mud, and have more than once caused much alarm by awakening out of their hibernation, and protruding their unwelcome snouts from the mud close to the feet of the astonished spectator. Snakes are accustomed, in like manner, to conceal themselves during the period of their hibernation, resorting to hollow trees, holes in the ground, and similar localities. Laborers, while engaged in digging, especially in breaking down banks, frequently unearth a goodly assemblage of ...

""An Account of the History and Antiquities of St. Leonard's, Edinburgh: Its Chapel and Hospital"" is a historical book written by George Forrest in 1865. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the history and antiquities of St. Leonard's, a district in Edinburgh, Scotland. The author delves into the rich history of St. Leonard's, tracing its roots back to the medieval era. He explores the origins of the district's name and its association with St. Leonard, a French saint who was known for his work with prisoners and the sick. The book also provides a detailed account of the Chapel and Hospital of St. Leonard, which were established in the 12th century.Forrest's work is based on extensive research and includes a wealth of information about the architecture, art, and culture of St. Leonard's. He describes the various buildings and structures in the district, including the chapel, hospital, and other notable landmarks. The book also includes illustrations and photographs of St. Leonard's, allowing readers to visualize the district's rich history and heritage.Overall, ""An Account of the History and Antiquities of St. Leonard's, Edinburgh: Its Chapel and Hospital"" is an informative and engaging read for anyone interested in the history of Edinburgh or medieval Scotland. It provides a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era and sheds light on the cultural and social significance of St. Leonard's in the past and present.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Homes Without Hands is a book written by John George Wood and first published in 1865. The book provides a detailed description of the various types of homes built by animals, categorized according to their construction principles. Wood explores the fascinating world of animal architecture, from the intricate structures built by ants and termites to the simple burrows of rabbits and foxes. He also examines the homes of birds, reptiles, and even aquatic animals. The book is richly illustrated with engravings and diagrams, providing a visual aid to the reader's understanding of the animal homes. Homes Without Hands is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the natural world, and provides a unique insight into the ingenuity of animal behavior.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Nature's Teachings, first published in 1877, was one of many books on natural history by J. G. Wood, a Victorian clergyman who was hugely influential in popularising the subject, as well as being the editor of The Boy's Own Magazine. Here he examines the close parallels between nature and human inventions in areas including seafaring (the raft, paddle and oar), war and hunting (barbs, poisons and projectiles), architecture, tools, optics and acoustics, as well as 'useful arts' including sewage disposal. His text contains over 750 figures and illustrations, and he argues that future great discoveries could be made as a result of careful observations of nature. Although a contemporary of Darwin, Wood largely ignored the evolution debates and focused on communicating his enthusiasm for the natural world to a non-scientific audience. His successful publications still make fascinating reading for those interested in Victorian culture and the history of education.