golden-winged woodpecker or flicker, sometimes called the high hole. It is one of the earliest birds to come in the spring. Higginson invited us to " come out, for the voice of the high-hole is heard in the land." It leaves late, if at all. I have known them to stay all winter. It is magnificent in coloring, the richest of browns and solid gold, with a bloodred crescent on its neck. Unlike others of his tribe this one finds his "grub" on the ground, and only pecks when he is excavating for a nest. Audubon says "their note is merriment itself, as it imitates a prolonged and jovial laugh."

The yellow-throated woodpecker is sometimes mistaken for the hairy, which they resemble in size. The red on the head is more of a scarlet, while the under parts of the body are a beautiful "delicate yellow. They seem to love the juice of pines, as I have known them to riddle bark of trees where there was no suspicion of larvæ, but where the sap flowed freely. The hairy and downy woodpeckers are so much alike that many persons consider them the same, the chief difference being in their size. All our woodpeckers make their nests in a hole which they dig in a tree usually pretty high up. The nest is sometimes eighteen or twenty inches deep, and in it they lay five or six pure white eggs. The young have no red on their head the first season.-L. N. Houston in Public Ledger. THE COCOANUT TREE-ITS REMARKABLE ADAPTABILITY TO HUMAN REQUIREMENTS. The cocoanut palm is chiefly confined to the sea-board regions of the tropics, and is rarely found far in the interior, although we remember of having seen several very flourishing trees about the town of Santarim, Brazil, at a distance of 600 miles from the sea-board. Many of the South Sea Islands are covered with luxurious groves of these both useful and ornamental trees. How they came there is, to some extent, still involved in mystery, since the currents of the ocean would have to transport fleets of nuts dropped into the surf from the overhanging cliffs of their native homes, before a single one, after completing its far journey, would be cast up high and dry enough by the breakers beating against the lonely shores of these lonely distant coral islands of the great Pacific. Since it is conceded that some of these groups, such as the Marquesas islands, have been settled by the natives of Papua as early as the seventh century, it would be more reasonable to ascribe the introduction of the cocoanut to human intervention than to that of the waves, particularly when we bear in mind the importance of the nut to the natives of Southern Asia on account of its nutritive qualities. To

the natives of many tropical regions it is equivalent to the date of the Sahara or the Mandioc of South America. The following passages from Bonifas Guizot's botany for youth gives us in the garb of oriental, allegorical language, an idea of the immense advantages which the inhabitants of tropical countries derive from this one single species of palms.

Imagine a traveler passing through one of these countries situated under the burning sky, where coolness and shade are so rare, and where habitations in which to take repose so necessary to travelers, are only to be found at considerable distances. Panting and dispirited, the poor wanderer at last perceives a hut surrounded by some trees with straight erect stems, surmounted by an immense tuft of green leaves, some being upright and others pendent, giving an elegant aspect to the scene. Nothing else near the cabin indicates cultivated land. At this sight the spirits of the traveler revive, he collects his strength, and is soon under the hospitable roof. His host offers him a sourish drink, he slakes his thirst; it refreshes him. When he has taken his repose, the Indian invites him to share his repast. He serves up various meats, contained in a brown looking vessel, smooth and glossy; he serves up also some wine of an extremely agreeable flavor. Toward the end of the repast his host offers him certain succulent comforts, and he is made to taste some excellent spirits. The astonished traveler asks who in this desert country furnishes him with these things. 'My cocoanut tree," is the reply. "The water I presented you with on your arrival is drawn from the fruit before it is ripe, and some of the nuts which contain it weigh three or four pounds. This almond, so delicate in its flavor, is the fruit when ripe. This milk, which you find so agreeable, is drawn from the nut; this cabbage whose flavor is so delicate, is the tops of the cocoanut, but we rarely regale ourselves with this delicacy, for the trees from which the cabbage is cut, die soon after. This wine, with which you are so satisfied, is still drawn from the cocoanut tree. In order to obtain it, an incision is made into the spathe of the flowers. It flows from it in the form of a white liquor, which is gathered in proper vessels, and we call it palm wine; exposed to the air it turns sour and is used as vinegar.

By distillation we obtain this very good brandy which you have tasted. The sap has supplied the sugar, with which these preserves are sweetened. These vessels and utensils have been made out of the shell of the nut. Nor is this all; this habitation itself I owe entirely to these invaluable trees; with their wood my cabin is constructed; their leaves

dried and plated form the roof; made into an umbrella, they shelter me from the sun when I walk; the clothes which cover me, are woven out of the filaments of their leaves. These mats, which serve so many useful purposes, proceed from them also. The sifter which you behold was found made to my hand in that part of the tree whence the leaves issue; with the same leaves woven together we make sails for ships; the species of fiber, which envelops the nut, is much preferable to tow for caulking ships, as it does not rot in the water, and swells in imbibing it; it makes excellent strings and all sorts of cable and cordage. Finally, the delicate oil which has seasoned many of our meats, and which is burned in my lamp, is expressed from the fresh kernel." The stranger listened with astonishment to the poor Indian, who by only having his cocoanut trees, had nearly every thing necessary to his existence. When the traveler was again disposed to take his departure, his host once more addressed him: "I am going to write to a friend in the city, may I ask you, charge yourself with my communication?" "Yes, but will your cocoanut tree still supply you with the materials?” Certainly," said the Indian, “with the saw-dust severed from the leaves Í made the ink, and with the leaves, this parchment; in former times it was used to record all public and memorable acts." Selected.

THROUGH the exertions of the Geographical Society of Quebec a survey is about to be made of the country lying between Lake St. John and Hudson Bay. The Dominion and Quebec Governments will bear a large proportion of the cost.

IN 1840 there were only seven vocations outside the home into which the women of New England had entered. Now the women of Massachusetts are employed in two hundred and eighty-four different branches of industry, including the arts and professions.

NOTICE was given to several of the City Departments a few days ago that trade dollars would not be received at the City Treasury after a certain date in the near future. This step is being taken owing to the threatened refusal of the city banks to take the trade dollars.

STAMPS on bank checks will be entirely done away with on Monday, as will also the will be made in the Money Order Departtax on matches. In the post-office, a change ment, and an order can be procured for one hundred dollars, while heretofore fifty dollars has been the limit.

It is reported from various sections of Berks county that, in addition to the Hessian fly, a small green worm has appeared, "which eats off the grain at the head, the latter then dropOld farmers ping to the ground and rotting." say the same worm devastated the wheat twenty-five years ago.

THE Old Testament company of revisers have now completed their last revision and are making up the appendix containing the unadjusted differences between the American The revision will be and English revisers. completed probably toward the close of the year, and will be brought out next year by the Oxford and Cambridge Presses.

It is not to be supposed that while other interests develop so rapidly, agriculture remains stationary. The wheat acreage of the United

THE liquor saloons in fifty counties in Georgia, where the local-option law is in force, have been closed.

THE Marsh National Bank of Lincoln, Nebraska, has been authorized to begin business with a capital of $100,000.

acres in 1871 to thirty-eight millions in 1881, and the corn acreage, during the same period, from thirty-three million acres to sixty-four millions. There has been a like increase in the acreage of hay, rye, barley, and potatoes, while cotton has doubled, the crop in 1871 being three million bales against 6,600,000 in

1882.-American.

NOTICES.

Girard Avenue Evening Meeting, every

The Committee of Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting to visit and appoint meetings within the limits thereof, expect to be in attendance at Schuylkill, on First-day, Seventh mo. 15th, 1883, at 3 o'clock P. M.

VOL. XL.

No, 22.

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LONDON YEARLY MEETING.

(Continued from page 324.)

One speaker" believed that many Friends took much too low a view of the working classes, or they would hardly speak so disparagingly of their power of understanding the truth." He believed that "numbers of these men-thoughtful and intelligent, who were repelled from other forms of Christianity-might find a place among us and be as useful to us as we to them."

Another said he was thankful that the work had gone forward so among the poor," and he " prayed that it might be extended. But the rich had souls to be saved as well as the poor. There were those who were weary of fashionable life, whose souls were longing for something better, and who found in the routine which went by the name of religion a hollowness that repelled them, and who were thus drifting, in consequence, to worse forms of indifference and almost unbelief."

The reading of the "Tabular Statement" showed the number of Friends in the United Kingdom to be 15,113, of whom 7,252 were

In the consideration of the state of the Society, the matter of oversight and the absence, in some of the Meetings, of ministry, claimed serious attention. It had been stated that out of 15,000 members there were 800 overseers, who ought to exercise pastoral care over the Meetings. It was a concern with some that the large number of non-professors who attend Meeting regularly, and hold views similar to Friends, be admitted to membership. One said he was sure "that if the Society would be willing to admit these people they would never repent it, if it were done in a judicious and brotherly way."

Much exercise was called forth on account of the "worldliness" apparent in the Society. It was said that worldliness prevailed under the assumed guise of art, comfort, and convenience. Nothing could lead away our hearts from that which was so pleasing to the worldling and attractive to the natural mind, unless our hearts and minds were changed. Nothing would give to the man of business, his wife, and daughters, the power to resist

Quarterly Meeting, which came before the Yearly Meeting of 1882, and was by it referred to the revising conference, that the word “disowned" should be altered to "disunited," in respect to the disownment of members by the Monthly Meetings, a new clause was introduced, giving the Monthly Meetings liberty to remove from their books the names of members not making a profession with us or attending our meetings if, after communicating with them verbally or in writing, they were satisfied that there was no probability of their resuming attendance. Information must be given to such persons that their names had been removed. This was in lieu of the present paragraph bearing on the same subject. pointed out its usefulness in the case of those who, though birthright members, had never from childhood attended our meetings, and who would not resign because they would not acknowledge their membership.

A clause was introduced giving permission to Meetings for Discipline to allow those habitually at our meetings, who were not in membership, to be present at Joint Meetings for Discipline for men and women Friends.

A paragraph was introduced into the general advices, especially addressed to the poorer members, and advising them, amongst other things, to let their "lights shine in lives of honest industry and patient love."

In the chapter relating to Meeting for Sufferings, it was decided to describe it as a Standing Representative Committee," to be nominated by the Quarterly Meetings, and if approved, to be appointed by the Yearly Meeting. Every member being required to attend at least six times a year.

The subject of marriage claimed weighty consideration. The clause prohibiting the marriage of first cousins was rescinded. In coming to this decision, they felt that such marriages should be, as far as possible, discouraged.

The advice in respect to calling months and days by their heathen names, after some discussion, was omitted from the discipline.

In the matter of intoxicating liquors, those who were "engaged in their manufacture or sale were invited to watch for an opportunity of quitting a business which so often caused great injury to those engaged in it and their families,'

Quite a demonstration followed the statement of one Friend who believed "the time had come for the Society to consider whether it should not give up the practice of drinking strong drink altogether." A paragraph on the subject was adopted.

The report of the Home Mission Committee elicited much interesting expression in

regard to the work and the self-sacrificing lives of those who engaged in it. The question of pecuniary maintenance for those who gave up their business was very freely considered, and cases cited where this had been done at great loss pecuniarily to the individual, Much concern was expressed that Friends who labored in Gospel work should keep on the old-fashioned plan and lay their concerns before the Monthly Meetings-that nothing should be done to invalidate or take away their undoubted right to exercise judgment in respect to the ministry of the members.

The entire discussion is full of interest and gives a very clear idea of the method of work in this direction pursued by our English Friends, but it is too long for insertion in our paper.

The extracts we have given of the proceedings of this Yearly Meeting afford evidence of the deep concern in the minds of some that the Society of Friends shall be a living representative of that faith for which so many of its early adherents were willing to bear persecution, imprisonment, and even death itself in its maintenance. L. J. R.

This view (development) would show us, not only that faith in immortality has been, in its constant and gradual unfolding, faith in a higher kind of immortality, but it would bring new force to this phase of the future life, which is peculiarly grateful to the human heart where all actual knowledge of other realms is wisely refused us. It does not separate it from our life by any great break, by any new or sudden creation, by any fearful chasm, by any startling display of the creative power long silent and unused; but the future, as all the past has been, is an unfolding, a process of life, an event to which each step of mortality leads. And the place and nature we assume there are not to be radically and violently separated from our condition here, for the universe knows no such rude changes or breaks.

Of course, it becomes one to speak without dogmatism about realms and a future life of which even Jesus is reverently silent, beyond the simple fact of faith in their existence; and, in regard to these, all analogies by which we adorn our poetry or illustrate our thought are singularly weak as arguments. The transformations of a gad-fly, or the last change of the larva, or the new life which springs up after or is preserved beneath the snows of winter, or the seed grain which is dropped into the fructifying earth, or any bodily resurrection are all worthless as a type of our