moved me. I did not take a very gloomy view of my situation; for although I would rather a thousand times have been at home with Jessie, still I thought I might be found in time. I kept wondering if I should ever be on land again. I knew that in time the paint must wear off my face, this troubled me, for I had a very pretty face. Yet, I still kept up a brave heart and awaited my fate.

"Before long, some fish swam up to me, but after looking at me for some time, and concluding that I was not good to eat, they went away. I had one consolation; for the first few days I suffered from cold, but now I did not mind it at all.

"I had lain here about two weeks, when one day I saw coming toward me a queer-looking thing, very beautiful, and with long hair. This, as I afterward learned, was a mermaid. She looked at me curiously for a few minutes, then, stooping down, she picked me up and carried me far out into the sea to her home. This was a strangelooking place, and not a bit like the brick houses in the city. It was all white, with a great many little windows. On the front were lovely red and white decorations; and the interior was still more beautiful. "On a kind of throne sat an old man with a long white beard, and a crown upon his head. Meriam, the young mermaid girl, swam up to her father and showed him what she had found. examining me, asked if there had been a wreck. plained to him how she had found me.

He smiled and, Meriam then ex

"From that time I became her constant companion, and I was perfectly happy in the water.

"One day she dressed me in a walking-suit, consisting of brown sea-weed trimmed with coral, and an umbrella-shell for a hat. She told me we were going to see an old witch who lived quite a distance from our house. We went a long way, and at last arrived at a horrid little hut. A cross-looking woman was sitting in front of it; she smiled, however, when she saw Meriam. After we had been there a few minutes, the old lady asked her to go out into her garden. While Meriam was gone, the witch quietly slipped me into her pocket. When it was time to go, Meriam discovered that I was not on the table where she had laid me. Then she began to search for me, but, of course, could not find me. She suspected the old witch, yet dared not say anything. When she was gone, the witch drew me out of her pocket, and looked curiously at me, then threw me aside, and I lay unnoticed for several days.

"One afternoon she came in, looking greatly disturbed, and I saw a paper in her hand. She sat down, and calling her little slave boy, she told him that she had stolen a plaything from the Princess, in expectation of receiving a reward on returning it to the palace. But she had received a message from the King that he knew that she had taken it from his daughter, and wanted it immediately. Then turning to the boy, she ordered him to take me away to the shore. He took me up and carried me out. I wondered what good it would do her to send me away, when, suddenly looking up, I saw Meriam approaching us. The boy bowed and put me in his pocket. She talked with him a few minutes, then passed on. Oh, how I longed to ask her to take me back with her! but I could not, and we passed on. "The boy buried me in the sand, and there I lay, I think it must have been for years. But one day I felt the sand move over my head, and something struck me. I was triumphantly lifted out of the sand by two little girls who were playing there. I was carried to their home, and amused them for some time, when suddenly I was cast aside, and here, I suppose, I shall remain for another age. I do wish I was in the sea again!"

Here I must have fallen asleep, for I can not remember any more of the doll's story. When I awoke next morning, I thought I must have been dreaming; yet, thinking it over, it seemed so real, I can not now believe it was all a dream. As I had left off playing with dolls, I threw Jane into the sea, where she wished to be, in hopes that she would soon find Meriam, and be happy the rest of her life, which I hope she is now enjoying.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COL.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: We have an uncle, who lives a long way from us, and he sends the ST. NICHOLAS to us every year. I like very much to read the letters from your little friends. And I thought I would write you about my father's ranch in Kansas. The ranch is on the south side of the Arkansas, and because there is no bridge, we ford the river. One time, when papa, my cousin and I were going to cross the river, we met a man who was going to cross at the same place with us who had a lot of sheep and lambs, that he was taking across to winter. As he drove the sheep and lambs

into the water, many of the lambs got stuck in the mud because they were too weak to wade.

When papa and Cousin Rob were helping the man with the sheep, I pulled out of the mud fifteen little lambs, and put them into the wagon to let them ride home.

T. B. R.

MAROON, QUEENSLAND.

MY DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken you for a year and four months, and I like you very much, and so does my sister Dolly. I like best the "Spinning-wheel Stories and Mr. J. T. Trowbridge's, especially "His One Fault." But Dolly likes "Davy and the Goblin" best. This is the first letter I have ever written to you. I am a little Australian girl, living up in the bush, seventy-five miles from Brisbane. Mother likes you very much, too. M. A. M. P.

I remain your affectionate reader,

WE gladly put before our readers this clever verse- sent to us as the composition of a little girl eleven years old:

A maiden and a knight one eve
Were wand'ring through a wood;
Her name was May, and she was fair,
And he was brave and good.

It was the month of love, you know,
The moon shed down her light;
He said, "Oh, what a lovely May!"
She said, "A charming (k)night!"

URSULA S. ARNOLD.

Your

SUISUN, CAL., 1885. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have been taking you since 1882. stories are very interesting and useful, for they show where so many people fail in doing what is right, for if some one laughs at them, they will try to please them instead of doing what they know is right. "The Tinkham Brothers' Tide-Mill" shows, if you do what you think is right, you will win in the end; the "Moonraker shows what comes of reading bad books, and "His One Fault shows that if you are forgetful you must always get into trouble. I am always impatient for the end of each month to come, so that I can have you to read. Yours truly, ZAIDEE.

LIZA.

BY JOSEPHINE POLLARD.

LIZA was a little maid,
Born within the woodland shade,
Where the ferns and lichens grow,
Where the maples bud and blow.
Orange dress, with spots of brown,
Was the maiden's only gown;
Not a wrinkle here nor there,
Not an inch of stuff to spare.

She was happy and content,
Where her early days were spent,
Though her wardrobe's only store
Was the simple gown she wore.
For the woods were her delight,
From the dewy dawn till night,
Where the sunshine seldom strayed
To disturb the peaceful shade.

But one day, alas! alas!

Some rude stranger chanced to pass By the place where Liza stood

In the shadow of the wood.

He admired, first, her gown-
Orange 't was, with spots of brown-
And declared it was a dress
Suited to her loveliness.

"Christopher!" he loudly swore,
As away the child he bore:
"He who first the nymph descries
Is entitled to the prize!"
All at once the little eft
Seemed of hope and life bereft,
And she felt her skimpy gown
Was not suited to the town.

Pretty house with front of glass,
Dainty dishes for the lass,
Curious looks,- ne'er made amends
For this exile from her friends;

"

So one day the stranger took
Liza to the very nook
Whence he stole her. Don't you laugh
When you see her photograph!

I am a long distance from home, which is in Pennsylvania. I am going to the best and largest normal school in the republic, and it has seven hundred and fifty pupils, in which Spanish is the language used, but English and French are taught as accomplishments. The customs of the people here are very different from ours. One of them is to take maté. It is a kind of tea made of an herb of Paraguay. The cup from which it is taken is a small species of gourd, and the mate is drawn through a silver tube. The fashion is to pass it around to the friends who come to call. I think it is horrid. Good-bye. From your loving reader,

Paraná, Argentine Republic, S. A.

E. B. E.

PARANÁ, ENTRE RIOS, March 22, 1885. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: This is the first time I have written to you since I began taking you, which was in 1876, and for three or four years I have intended to write to you, to let you know how much I enjoy reading you. I also have had the two first volumes, for they were given to my brother. When we first got you I could only look at the pictures, but each year I loved you more, and now I watch every mail till you come.

WE must thank the following young friends for their pleasant letters: James and Arthur Kingdon, Lily R. B., Florence C. B., Elaina Thayer, "Ethel Rivers," Lottie W., "Bessie Percival," Lily Wells, Christine R., Edith M. Rawson, Tom Sabin, Ada C. C., Helen, Sue Pendleton, Adele Morgenthau, "Abby and Cassy," C. D. Hinkly, Julius and Vincent," Bertie Robinson, A. Nelson, Daniel K. S., Violet Campbell, Josie L., Annie Smith, C. Ingling, Lucy N. B., Clara W., Rita Morris, F. F. A., Willie H. Powell, Frankie Holland, Mollie Allison, Grace Searles, Bessie M., Alice W. Cogden, Robert L. Raymond, Hortie O., and Anna Brendel.

SINCE the organization of the Agassiz Association, one of its most unexpected results has been the marked influence exerted on the methods of instruction and the course of study in many public and private schools. It has been demonstrated that there is a wide-spread desire on the part of the young to acquire a practical knowledge of natural science.

This Association gives great aid to all such persons, but from the nature of the case, the A. A. must operate more in the way of stimulating and encouraging students, and inciting schools to give better scientific instruction, than by actual direct teaching. Probably it would be a very moderate estimate to suppose that the study of plants, insects, and birds has been introduced into more than a hundred institutions during the last five years through the agency of our Society. But in the department of mineralogy the case seems to be different. The desire of learning is quite as strong and general as in any of the other branches, but the number of competent instructors is greatly less. Probably ten teachers feel able to teach the elements of botany from the specimens, for every one who dares attempt practical work in mineralogy. The growing demand for instruction will eventually cause an increase in the number of good teachers; but in the meanwhile, has not our Association, in this branch of study, a very important field for its special work of assistance and encouragement? An enthusiastic mineralogist could easily arrange and conduct through these pages a short course in mineral observation aud analysis, sufficiently extended, to awaken through

out the whole country in the minds of young and old a strong desire and determination to learn about mineral formations, and also to illustrate, for the benefit of all, the right methods of study and of teaching.

The president of the A. A., not being a practical mineralogist, hesitates about preparing such a course himself, and hereby invites any philanthropic specialist in this department, or in its kindred branch, geology, to volunteer to conduct a course of easy lessons in the observation of minerals.

CONCHOLOGY.

Mr. Harry E. Dore, whose generous offer appeared in our latest report, sends this additional word of explanation:

"128 HALL STREET, PORTLAND, OREGON. "I will return shells sent by competing and non-successful Chapters, provided stamps for such return are sent. Perhaps it will be hard to determine which Chapter was successful, unless the quality as well as the number of specimens is to be considered I feel that it is just as wrong to collect young and undeveloped shells as for a sportsman to catch three-inch trout. I never take any but adult mollusks, except for study; and with land-shells this is highly important, as the young ones never have perfectly formed lips. Last week, a ramble of three hours, within three miles from my home, repaid me with over forty examples, all living, of five species of landanother, and each living in a different condition from all the rest. shells, and one fresh-water species, all found within thirty feet of one

"Arionta fidelis, climbing on the trees; Zonites arborea, hidden away under the bark of decayed trees; Mesodon Columbianus, living

in moss; and Macrocyclis Vancouverensis, in marshy ground near a small brook which contained numbers of Goniobasis plicifera. I am always ready to help the members of the A. A., either individually or collectively."

DRAWING.

The following very practical offer of aid should be generally and thankfully accepted:

26 GREENWOOD STREET, NEW HAVEN, CONN.

MR. H. H. BALLARD: DEAR SIR: I should like to offer my assistance to members of the A. A. who wish to make drawings of such things as they collect.

By making a set of working copies of some insect, flower, or other specimen, in progressive stages from outline to color, I could show them how to make drawings for themselves.

I should only request that a few postage stamps might be sent to pay return postage on the specimens and copies.-E. T. FRITSCHE, Designer.

NOTES.

180. A Snail's eggs. I have dissected, among other mollusks,

a snail that I take to be a Paludina decisa. It is about an inch long; aperture dextral operculated; whorls spiral; fresh water; burrows in mud. I was surprised to find inside of its shell, wrapped up in the folds of its flesh, a large number of small shells, only about four times as big as a pin's head.

Now, what I wish to know is, do the eggs of this snail hatch before they are laid? And is it, then, viviparous? Or is it oviparous, like other snails; and if so, how did the small shells get in there?— F. S. Arnold, Poughkeepsie.

181. Water. In answer to the question: "Is water a mineral? I say, it is, since it is an oxide of hydrogen. - Gilbert Van Ingen. 182. Hoop-snake. (a) There are hoop-snakes; I have seen several.-Ambrose S. Wight, Milan, Mich.

(b) I have seen only one hoop-snake, but there are many of them both in Tennessee and Kentucky. Two years ago one was killed near our house. A gentleman coming to our home first saw it rolling like a hoop along the lane ahead of him. He killed it, and we brought it to the house and examined it closely. It was three feet long, and half an inch in diameter. Body round and tapering from middle toward both head and tail. At the end of the tail was a sharp little horn shaped something like this. In this was a poisoned sting. These snakes roll toward an object when angered, and, just before reaching it, unfasten the head and tail, and strike, causing almost instant death. The color is dark, much like a rattlesnake's. I knew of one that rolled and tried to strike a cow. The cow ran out of reach, and the snake struck a small sapling, which afterward died. I am only twelve years old, so I have not described the snake very well; but there is certainly such a thing as a hoopsnake, both my father and his father having seen many of them.-Chesley Alexander, Abilene, Texas.

[In sending such accounts as this, our friends can not be too careful to adhere closely to the facts that have come under their own personal observation. What A. has heard B. say that C. has seen, is generally of little scientific value.

All that Master Alexander seems to have SEEN, is a snake three feet long, half an inch in diameter, tapering both ways, of a dark color, and tipped at the tail with a sharp, horny point. That this creature was a “hoop-snake," that it" rolled," struck at objects, had a poisoned sting, and was capable of causing instant death to animals and perhaps to trees, may be true, but can not yet be accepted as certain. Now, let us hear from every one who has ever seen a hoop-snake with his own eyes. Let each member who is interested in the question ask his or her acquaintances. Let us gather all the testimony possible.]

CHAPTER Reports.

789, Kioto, Japan. We now number 21 active members, and one honorary. I am afraid some do not understand that, in order to follow out your suggestion on p. 50, and the 1st condition of correspondence, on p. 65 of the Handbook of the A. A., U. S. stamps must be used in writing to this Chapter, and not postal cards.--C. M. Cady, Sec.

100, Hartford, Conn., (B) Kindly change the address of this Chapter to Box 657. We have had this year, readings from Kingsley's "Madam How and Lady Why," Torrey's "Birds in the Bush," McCook's "Tenants of an Old Farm," and Abbott's "Rambles of a Naturalist about Home." We have egg and insect collections, and some of the children have found salamanders. We belong to the corps of observers of the migrations of birds, and are trying to become familiar with the notes and habits of those of the Connecticut Valley.-C. M. Hewins.

339, Salt Lake City, (A) The time for our annual report is at hand, and you have not heard from us since the middle of last October. This negligence has not been owing to a falling off in interest, or to the absence of anything to report; for, with the exception of a few set-backs, this has been our most prosperous year by far.

On November 1, our botanist sent to Professor E. L. French, at Aurora, N. Y., a set of 278 plants, which secured the first of the prizes offered by him in August of last year. About the middle of the same month we purchased a $150 microscope of the best English make. This has been of very great assistance to us in original investigation, and in the preparation of talks for meetings.

During the winter, the geologist was busily engaged determining, arranging, and cataloguing the specimens contained in his cabinet. This is six feet high, four feet wide, and has five shelves. The entomologist, C. A. Rand, was studying, classifying, and mounting the insects caught during the spring and summer.

The botanist found enough to occupy his attention in analyzing his plants, sorting out and mounting a sample set, and preparing for exchanges. The three other members, Walter H. Nichols, Fred. Browning, and Wesley Browning, were not so steadily occupied in scientific pursuits; for, after the first enthusiasm, their interest in the objects of the Association had been gradually lessening, until, on May 6 of this year, they withdrew from the Chapter. The remaining three kept up the meetings till Mr. Rand went north, prospecting. Then we stopped them, but shall begin again as soon as he returns, early in the fall. We hope to add fresh recruits before long. The season, this spring, was backward, and the flowers did not appear before the middle of April; so the botanist, during March, collected beetles and cocoons for exchanging with a member of the Brooklyn Entomological Society. In the neighborhood of the city there is a moth, Samia gloveri, similar to Cecropia in size and general markings, and easily mistaken for it by the ordinary observer. The cocoons vary from two to three inches in length, and from one-half to three-quarters of an inch in diameter at the largest portion. The outer coat is coarse and woven of dirty gray and brown threads, closely resembling dried fibers of trees or shrubs. The inner coat is

of soft brown silk. On March 24th, on stumpy willows lining the banks of Jordan River, I found 120 good cocoons. Some were five or six feet above the ground, but the majority were among the roots and lower parts of stems, concealed from all but scientific eyes. For the purpose of raising these I made a light frame, three feet by two by one, covered it with mosquito bar, and suspended it in the garret. The top was made so as to be raised or lowered at pleasure. Besides these cocoons, I obtained by exchange those of Polyphemus, Promethea, Cecropia, and Cynthia moths. The first Gloverie appeared April 29, and the last, May 15; Ccropia, from May 13 to June 1; Cynthia, from June 18 to July 6; the first Polyphemus appeared May 21, and the first Promethea, June 24. I have also raised a number of butterflies and moths from the caterpillars. A good cabinet for insects was made by taking a sound dry-goods box, filling cracks with putty and listing, and putting on a tightfitting door. The boxes, setting-boards, bottles, etc., are laid on a few shelves made for this purpose; and if tobacco, open bottles of benzine, camphor, and disinfecting cones are placed around freely, the dermestes will probably keep away. The cabinet should be hung up a foot or two from the floor. We have found it very helpful and interesting to keep journals of tramps, observations, and captures. By so doing, one learns to write more freely and will observe more closely.

The geologist has in his cabinet some specimens with which members of eastern Chapters are, perhaps, unfamiliar. So-called "hellfire rock" is a dirty white sandstone, which, when scratched in the dark with a sharp tool, gives out a bright red streak, as a match does when rubbed on a rough surface. Cubic crystals of bisulphuret of iron were found imbedded in schist on Fremont and Carrington Islands, in Great Salt Lake. He devoted some time to egg-collecting, this spring, and has twenty varieties, including those of the Californian gull, white pelican, great blue heron, American coot, yellow-headed blackbird, vireos of different kinds, etc. A five days' I wish trip on the lake in June of this year was very successful. we could tell you more of our walks, and what we see and learn in this interesting region, but have only time to say that my brother has taken sixteen trips already this year, and I have taken thirty-two. I can not tell anything in particular about Mr. Rand, who is in Idaho, except that he has been studying and collecting all his spare time. Reading such books as Agassiz's Journey in Brazil, Darwin's Voyage of a Naturalist, and Bates's Naturalist on the River Amazon and the study of Chadbourne's Natural Theology have increased our enthusiasm and taught us how and what to observe.— Very truly yours, Fred. E. Leonard, P. O. Box 265.

EXCHANGES.

A piece of money from Feejee Islands, and eye-stones from Sandwich Islands, for pieces of petrified leaves.-L. Van Ness, 1020 Green street, San Francisco, Cal.

Pressed, unmounted specimens of red variety of Daucus carota.G. van Ingen, 81 Carrol street, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Pentremites, crinoid stems, and oolitic lime-stone, for asbestos, etc. Write first.-John Durkee, jr., Bowling Green, Ky.

Beetles. Wm. D. Richardson, Fredericksburg, Va. Soil from Georgia and New York, coquina, and various Florida specimens, for soil from other States, and a star-fish.- Edith C. Holmes, 14 Grover street, Auburn, N. Y.

Insects.-Write first.-Stewart É. White, 2 Waverly Place, Grand Rapids, Mich.

White holly, fossils, or minerals, for minerals.- Selden Smyser, Windsor, Ill. Box 140.

Pale blue and moss agates, for South American and African shells. - Roy Hopping, Elizabeth, N. J.

A magic lantern and outfit, including 12 colored and ground glass slides; also 12 extra fine slides; also a large list of articles, among which are minerals, fossils, curiosities, coins, Chinese curiosities, books, natural history papers, cards, ores, stones, etc.; also many other articles,- for a good microscope and outfit, of high magnifying power; a telescope, or a photographic camera and outfit, or any other optical or scientific instrument. All letters, postals, etc., answered. Please send for list of articles.-Kurt Kleinschmidt, Box 292, Helena, Montana.

Shells, mica, and Chinese nuts, for insects, shells, or minerals.Morgan Backus, 2119 Buchanan street, San Francisco, Cal. Minerals, for first-class eggs, with data. Send stamp for list. No postal cards wanted.-W. G. Talmadge, Plymouth, Conn.

871

Staunton, Va. (A)

872

Cleveland, O. (D)

873 Pamrapo, N. J. (A)

874

Lee, Mass. (A)

875 New London, Ct. (B) 876 Philadelphia (G1)

879

4.A. E. Dabney (Academy).

6.. Miss J. C. Haserot, 91 State St. 6.. G. Foster.

..12.. Edward C. Bradley, Box 126. ..10.. James N. Sterry.

5..Geo. R. Newbold, Chestnut Hill. 877 East Saginaw, Mich. (A). 6..Sam. F. Owen, Box 527. 878 Woodbridge, N. J. (A)..25.. Miss R. Anna Miller. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. (B).12.. A. N. Thurston, 24 Washington Street. Grand Rapids, Mich. (C). 4..Stewart E. White, 2 Waverly Pl. Englewood, N. J. (A)....6.. Miss Nellie Chater, Box 91. Address all communications for this department to the President, MR. HARLAN H. BALLARD,

880 881

Principal of Lenox Academy, Lenox, Mass.

7.

Reading across: 1. A tribe of Indians. 2. Bashful. 3. A beverage. 4. To imitate. 5. Domestic animals. 6. Dividing. Parted. 8. The art of discerning character from the features of the face. 9. A beverage. 10. A cave. 11. Inhuman. 12. A familiar school-study. 13. The science of sound. 14. Relevant. A fence. 16. Forever. 17. To crawl. 18. A boat with two masts. 19. Like a scholar. 20. Inclination. The central letters reading

downward, will spell the source from which much oil is obtained.

WALLACE COSGRAVE.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

15.

I AM composed of forty-nine letters, and embody in a familiar couplet the same idea that is conveyed in the following quotation from Horace :

"Misce stultitiam consiliis brevem."

My 5-31-20-40 is part of a fork. My 36-24-48-4-11 are garden vegetables. My 18-42-2-22 is to fade. My 30-26-6-37 is a stately

ACROSS: 1. An edifice.

4. The

2. Penetrates. 3. Fruitfulness. sky or heavens. 5. Similar. 6. A council of syndics. 7. A bicarbonate of potash. 8. A tomb. 9. Glittering. The letters represented by stars will, when properly re-arranged, spell a word meaning according to circumstances. "SMALL POTATOES."