are many little fragments of stone, some of them carried to the very top, any one of which would weigh more than 25 ants. Internally the ant mound contains many neatly constructed cells, the floors of which are horizontal; and into these cells the eggs, young ones, and their stores of grain are carried in time of rainy seasons. The mound itself, and the surface of the ground around it, to the distance of four or five feet, sometimes more, from the centre, is kept very clean, like a pavement. Everything that happens to be dropped upon the pavement is cut to pieces and carried away. The largest dropping from the cows will, in a short time, be removed. I have placed a large corn-stalk on the pavement, and in the course of two or three days found it hollowed out to a mere shell; that too, in a short time, would be cut to pieces and carried off. Not a green thing is suffered to grow on the pavement, with the exception of a single species of grain-bearing grass, (Aristida stricta.) This the ant nurses and cultivates with great care; having it in a circle around and two or three feet from the centre of the mound. It also clears away the weeds and other grasses all around outside of the circular row of Aristida, to the distance of one or two feet. The cultivated grass flourishes luxuriantly, producing a heavy crop of small, white, flinty grains, which, under the microscope, have the appearance of the rice of commerce. When it is ripe it is harvested by the workers, and carried, chaff and all, into the granary cells, where it is divested of the chaff, which is immediately taken out and thrown beyond the limits of the pavement, always to the lee side. The clean grain is carefully stored away in dry cells. These cells are so constructed that water cannot reach them, except in long wet spells, when the earth becomes thoroughly saturated, and dissolves the cement with which the granary cells are made tight. This is a great calamity, and if rain continues a few days it will drown out the entire community. In cases, however, where it has continued long enough only to wet and swell their grain, as soon as a sunny day occurs they take it all out, and spreading it in a clean place, after it has sunned a day or two, or is fully dry, they take it in again, except the grains that are sprouted; these they invariably leave out. I have seen at least a quart of sprouted seeds left out at one place. They also collect the grain from several other species of grass, as well as seed from many kinds of herbaceous plants. They like almost any kind of seeds-red pepper seeds seem to be a favorite with them. In a barren rocky place in a wheat field, a few days after harvest, I saw quite a number of wheat grains scattered over the pavement of an ant city, and the laborers were still bringing it out. I found the wheat quite sound, but a little swelled. In the evening of the same day I passed there again; the wheat had dried, and they were busily engaged carrying it in again. The species of grass they so carefully culti vate is a biennial. They sow it in time for the autumnal rains to bring it up. Accordingly, about the first of November, if the fall has been seasonable, a beautiful green row of the ant rice, about 4 inches wide, is seen springing up on the pavement, in a circle of 14 to 15 feet in circumference. In the vicinity of this circular row of grass they do not permit a single spire of any other grass or weed to remain a day; leaving the Aristida untouched until it is ripe, which occurs in June of the next year, they gather the seeds and carry them into the granaries as before stated. There can be no doubt of the fact that this peculiar species of grass is intentionally planted, and, in farmerlike manner, carefully divested of all other grasses and weeds during the time of its growth, and that after it has matured, and the grain stored away, they cut away the dry stubble and remove it from the pavement, leaving it unencumbered until the ensuing autumn, when the same species of grass, and in the same circle, appears again, receiving the same agricultural care as did the previous crop; and so on, year after year, as I know to be the case on farms where their habitations are, during the summer season, protected from the depredations of cattle. Outside of the fields they sow the grass seeds, but the cows crop it down two or three times, when, finding that there is no chance to carry on their agricultural pursuits, they cut it all away and re-establish the clean pavement. Our cattle did not often crop the ant rice until their increased numbers have forced them to feed on all kinds of grass. That, however, has turned out favorably to the aut interest. For, while the prairies are being denuded of the stronger grasses, we have a delicate little biennial barley (Hordium pusillum) that is filling all the naked places. It rises from 3 to 6 inches, producing fine grain for ant consumption. It matures about the last days of April, and from that time all the agricultural ants are seen packing it home daily through the summer. This species of ant subsists entirely on vegetable seeds. I have sometimes seen them drag a caterpillar or a crippled grasshopper into their hole, that had been thrown upon the pavement, but I have never observed them carrying any such things home that they had captured themselves. I do not think they eat much animal food. (To be continued.) Have the courage to provide entertainments for your friends, within your means—not beyond. NEAR AND FAR SIGHтedness. Until recently "near-sightedness and "long-sightedness" have been explained by assuming in the first case that in consequence of the too great convexity of the cornea and crystalline lens, one or both, the focus is formed in front of the retina, while in the second the rays of light are concentrated behind the retina, because the convexity of the parts just mentioned is too small. The correction of these imperfections by the use of concave glasses in the first instance, and of convex ones in the second, seemed to be all that was needed to show that the explanation was true. It certainly had the merit of meeting the facts, and so has been almost universally accepted by physiologists, and has found its way into every text-book touching upon the optical structure of the eye. That these conditions, if they existed, would produce the effects indicated, no one will doubt; but it should not be lost sight of that the alleged conditions of the cornea and lens were never satisfactorily shown to be attendants of the two abnormal states of the eye of which we are speaking. Recent investigations have proved that both near and long sightedness may be, and in most cases are, the result of wholly other causes. A moment's reflection will make it apparent to any one that, the refracting media being quite normal, if, in consequence of the axis of the eye being too long, the retina is too far behind the lens, the rays will meet in front of this, and thus short-sightedness will of necessity follow. The average length of the axis of the eye is a little less than an inch, viz.: 24:25 millimetres, or about 0.95 inch. Donders has shown that in near-sighted persons it exceeds an inch, and may amount to 1.20 inch and even more, the other diameters being unchanged. In this case the ball of the eye becomes more or less oval or egg-shaped, and when turned strongly towards the nose will fill the orbit more than usual at the outer angle. Concave glasses will, of course, be required to disperse the light sufficiently to bring the rays to a focus on the retina. In proof that too great convexity of the cornea does not produce near-sightedness, may be urged the fact that this convexity is greatest in childhood, but, as Volkman observed, children are rarely near-sighted. permanent change took place in the form of the lens, since this would impair the eye for. seeing objects at a distance, as well as those near at hand. Kramer and Helmholtz have shown that the accommodation of the eye to seeing near objects depends upon a temporary change in the form of the lens, this becoming more and more convex as the object approaches the nearest point of distinct vision. This is proved by watching the relative position of the three images of a candle as seen reflected, 1st, from the front of the cornea; 2d, from the foremost or convex surface of the capsule of the lens; and 3d, from the hindmost or concave surface of this capsule. The image from this last is inverted, and that from the front of the capsule is in the middle of the three. The attention of the person whose eye is observed being directed to a distant point, if it be suddenly changed to a near one, in the same straight line with the first, so that no motion of the globe of the eye will be necessary, the central image will change its size, becoming smaller, showing that the reflecting surface has become more convex, and at the same time will change its place to one side, showing that the front of the lens has moved forward. The first and third images undergo little or no change. It is the loss of this power of changing the form of the lens, a power necessary to the distinct vision of near objects, that chiefly gives rise to long-sightedness in persons growing old. The inability to accommodate, according to Donders, depends upon the lens becoming harder, and therefore less compres sive, and so offering greater resistance to the ciliary muscle, the chief agent in producing the compression required. It When directed to distant objects the accomodating power is at rest, so that the sense of effort is wholly absent. Most persons are, however, conscious of a distinct effort, and those who are becoming long-sighted, painfully so, when the eye is directed to a near object. is commonly believed that near-sighted persons as they grow old acquire the power of seeing objects at ordinary distances, because their too convex refracting media become flattened with advancing age. This may and does happen to a slight degree in a few, but not in the majority of cases. For the most part, near-sighted persons as they grow old find that the near point of distinct vision recedes, while the far point undergoes but little change. This is an important fact in opposition to the theory of flattening heretofore so generally accepted, and is fully explained by the loss of the power of accom In regard to long-sightedness, if the alleged cause of it, viz., the flattening of the cornea and crystalline lens, existed, this would of necessity form the focus, other things being the same, behind the retina; but no proof was ever brought forward that this flattening actually did exist in the majority of cases. In adopting this ex-modation.-Nation. planation, its inconsistency with the fact that elderly persons still see far objects distinctly, It is easier to make a complete sacrifice which seems to have been overlooked by physiologists. will fully satisfy conscience, than a half-sacriThe persistence of this faculty was of itself suffice which falls short of it.-Select Memoirs of ficient evidence to make it probable that no Port Royal. STRENGTH OF WILL TO DO right. defeat of evil allurements, will often render the rest of the struggle easy, or the resolute choice of suitable company, and the rejection of that known to be enslaving, may settle the whole question. But there is one habit which, more than any other, before the business and confusion of the day he entered on, will strengthen the wisdom and the will-i. e., the practice of forecasting the whole difficulties, dangers and plan of the day devoutly in communion with the beavenly Father. They that wait upon the Lord shall While the error of a few is that overstrength of mere will which we call obstinacy or selfwill, the error of the vast multitude is feebleness of will. The bodies of most control their minds. How many eat where reason would say abstain, or drink that which steals away the senses! How many are too feeble of purpose to lay aside an interesting book or pursuit at the hour when it infringes on other duties! what hours most waste in profitless reading! Indeed, there is a fascination and tyranny about the present, no matter what-company, passion or pleasure-renew their strength. As the moulting bird. feelings that we are all ashamed of afterwards. The ancient moralists felt this as much as we do. Seneca says, in language quite as strong as that of St. Paul, that he sees the right and admires it, and the wrong and hates, while yet he practices it. Many persons seem to think it enough to admit all this without attempting to overcome it. In fact, to be weak of will, amiable and easily turned, they think a sort of Christian virtue. Yet it is one of the most radical of vices. For all character is determined by the will, which is therefore essential to all virtue. The glory of every human being is to have a strong will, which need not be self-willed, but bowed ever reverently to truth and justice and eternal law, and the Supreme Lawgiver. But there must be a vital strength of will to choose the right. recovers youth and renewed energy from the What heavy burdens from our bosoms take! We rise, and all the distant and the near That we should ever weak or heartless be, THE BIRD TEACHER. How to obtain this is the question. One clue is the observation that our strength is not the same on all subjects nor in all circumstances and associations. Weakness or strength of bodily health has much to do with this. Exercise Some years ago, when the Australian goldand repose affect it. An overtasked nervous fever was hot in the veins of thousands, and system will often be weak and irresolute, when fleets of ships were conveying them to that farhalf an hour's vigorous exercise or a sharp walk off uncultivated world, a poor old woman landed in the open air will renew it. The hour of the with the great multitude of rough and reckless day will have much influence. On first rising men, who were fired to almost frenzy by dreams in the morning the resolution is clear, compre of ponderous nuggets and golden fortunes. hensive and strong, while at night it is often For these they left behind them all the enjoyfeeble. Hence the most successful men gener- ments, endearments, all the softening sanctities ally plan out the day early, and make their and surroundings of home and social life. For mark while the will is vigorous and undistracted. these they left mothers, wives, sisters and Sleep often restores this faculty. Habit has still daughters. There they were, thinly tented in more to do with it. Every success makes a the rain and the dew and the mist, a busy, future one in the same matter more easy and boisterous, womanless camp of diggers and natural, while every instance of being subdued grubbers, roughing and tumbling it in the by circumstances makes every similar temptation proportionably powerful. Association has much to do with it. In the company of those we respect we are easily led. He, therefore, who would rule his own spirit, and be strong, must attend to these conditions. Habits that secure the most perfect health are hence most favorable to virtue. Sound sleep, vigorous exercise, proper food, fresh air, thus become Christian duties, to be secured at almost any cost. The formation of habits such as shall secure the victory to all good choices, and the scramble for gold mites, with no quiet Sabbath-breaks, nor Sabbath-songs, nor Sabbathbell to measure off and sweeten a season of rest. Well, the poor widow, who had her cabin. within a few miles of "the diggings," brought with her but few comforts from the old homeland -a few simple articles of furniture, the Bible and psalm book of her youth, and a lark to sing to her solitude the songs that had cheered her on the other side of the globe. And the little thing did it with all the fervor of its first notes. And In her cottage-window it sang to her hour by hour at her labor, with a voice never heard before on that wild continent. The strange birds of the land came circling around in their gorgeous plumage to hear it. Even four footed animals, with grim countenance, paused to hear it. Then, one by one, came other listeners. They came reverently; and their voices softened into silence as they listened. Hard-visaged men, bare breasted and unshaven, came and stood gentle as girls; and tears came out upon many a tanned and sun-blistered cheek, as the little bird warbled forth the silvery treble of its song about the green hedges, the meadow-streams, and the cottage-homes of the fatherland. they came near unto the lone widow with pebbles of gold in their hard and horny hands, and asked her to sell them the bird, that it might sing to them while they were bending to the pick and the spade. She was poor; and the gold was heavy; yet she could not sell the warbling joy of her life; but she told them that they might come whenever they would to hear it sing. So, on Sundays, having no other preacher, nor teacher, nor sanctuary-privilege, they came down in large companies from their gold-pits, and listened to the devotional (?) hymns of the lark, and became better and happier men for its music.-Elihu Burritt. THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.-The Western Union Telegraph Company has abandoned the Russian-American telegraph project, after expending, as they all-ge, three millions of dollars in explorations, in the purchase of materials, and in exnorth of the capital of British Columbia. The reatending their lines eight hundred and fifty miles sons assigned, in a formal communication to the Secretary of State, for this step, are, that the success of the Atlantic Cable destroys the hopes of reaping a commercial profit from the new line 8 a means of that connecting links would be established, to excommunication with Europe, while the expectation tend southward from Northeastern Asia into China, India, and Japan, has proved delusive. The Secretary of State, in reply, regrets this decision, without questioning the wisdom of the action of the com pany, and says he does "not believe that the Unieach other, and to the world, for the prosecution of ted States and Russia have given their faith to that great enterprise in vain."-Philadelphia Press. The American department at the Paris Exposition is reported to be less complete in condition than the department of any other country; but this is a natural and almost inevitable consequence, when we goods to Paris with less trouble than many Americonsider that the European exhibitors sent their cans were subjected to in forwarding their packages to the point of departure from our country. The Trustees of the Peabody Educational Fund determined upon a general plan, in session at New Have the courage to prefer comfort and pro- York, 3d mo. 25th. It was resolved that the promopriety to fashion, in all things. tion of Primary or Common School Education should be the leading object, and that in aid of it normal schools should be established in the Southern and South-Western States. Dr. Sears was chosen the General Agent, and intrusted with the whole charge of executing the plan, under the direction of the Trustees. George Peabody sent a letter to the Board, in which he says that in making this noble gift he designed to give absolute power to the Trustees in regard to its distribution. An Executive Committee of five gentlemen was appointed, and the distribution of the fund will be speedily begun. Appleton & Co., book publishers, of that city, have magnanimously donated 100,000 volumes of schoolbooks in aid of the liberality. A Republican State Convention has been held in North Carolina, in which 100 whites and fifty colored delegates, representing fifty-six counties, were assembled. The resolutions adopted were “radical." An Asylum for Orphans, white and colored, has been established in Charleston, S. C., under the management of prominent citizens of New York. It is called the Col. Shaw Orphan Home, and it is ready to receive the fatherless and motherless-without distinction of color. Gilbert Pillsbury (brother of Parker) is the Superintendent, and his wife, the matron, is said to be one of the ablest teachers in all the South; and it is difficult to see how the orphans of South Carolina could be better provided for, either physically or intellectually. There is a prospect that the cotton crop of the present year will be much larger than that of 1866, and not much below the average crop raised previous to the war. Thousands of planters in the South have already discovered that slavery was a curse to the master as well as to the bondman, and that freedom promotes prosperity as well as justice. FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. "TAKE FAST HOLD OF INSTRUCTION; LET HER NOT GO; KEEP HER; FOR SHE IS THY LIFE.” VOL. XXIV. PHILADELPHIA, FOURTH MONTH 20, 1867. No. 7. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY AN ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS. COMMUNICATIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED AND PAYMENTS MADE TO EMMOR COMLY, AGENT, CONTENTS. 97 99 Review of the Life and Discourses of F. W. Robertson. At Publication Office, No. 144 North Seventh Street, Freedmen's School at Lincoln, Va...... Open from 9 A.M. until 5 P.M. Residence, 809 North Seventeenth Street. TERMS: PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. The Paper is issued every Seventh-day, at Three Dollars per annum. $2.50 for Clubs; or, four copies for $10. Agents for Clubs will be expected to pay for the entire Club. The Postage on this paper, paid in advance at the office where It is received, in any part of the United States, is 20 cents a year. AGENTS-Joseph S. Cohu, New York. Henry Haydock, Brooklyn, N. Y. Agricultural Ant of Texas..... POETRY........ The Hebrew Books in the British Museum.. Taste in Arranging Flowers....... REVIEW OF THE LIFE AND DISCOURSES OF recoils upon itself. If we impose on men a F. W. ROBERTSON. BY SAMUEL M. JANNEY. (Continued from page 83.) The first series of Robertson's published discourses consists of those delivered at Brighton, during three years, commencing in 1849. We are informed in the Preface that "these are not notes previously prepared, nor are they ser mons written before delivery. They are simply Recollections;' sometimes dictated by the preacher himself to the younger members of a family in which he was interested, at their urgent entreaty; sometimes written out by himself for them when they were at a distance, and unable to attend his ministry." The sixth sermon in this series is entitled, "The shadow and the substance of the Sab bath." It embraces some very lucid views on a subject that now claims much attention, and the whole of it is well worthy of perusal. The text is, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in respect of a holiday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Col. ii. 16, 17. He observes that peculiar difficulties attend the discussion of the subject of the Sabbath. "If we take the strict and ultra ground of Sabbath observance, basing it on the rigorous requirements of the fourth commandment, we take ground which is not true, and all untruth, whether it be an over statement or a half-truth, burden which cannot be borne, and demand a strictness which, possible in theory, is impossible in practice, men recoil, we have asked too much, and they give us nothing; the result is an open, wanton and sarcastic desecration of the Day of Rest." "If we say the Sabbath is shadow, this is only half the truth. The apostle adds, 'thǝ body is of Christ.' . . . Hence, a very natuural and simple division of our subject suggests itself: 1. The transient shadow of the Sabbath, which has passed away. 2. The permanent substance, which cannot pass. Under the first of these heads he says: "The history of the Sabbath is this:—It was given by Moses to the Israelites, partly as a sign between God and them, marking them off from all other nations by its observance; partly as commemorative of their deliverence from Egypt. And the reason why the seventh day was fixed on, rather than the sixth or eighth, was, that on that day God rested from his labor. The soul of man was to form itself on the model of the Spirit of God." "There is not in the Old Testament a single trace of the observance of the Sabbath before the time of Moses." "The observance of one day in seven is therefore purely Jewish. The Jewish obligation to observe it rested on the enactment given by Moses. The Spirit of its observance, too, is Jewish and not Christian. There is a difference between the siit of Ju |