Scotland; but I have never yet found it in the purely Celtic portions of this game-furnished country, where there are woods seemingly suitable for its occupation. In the autumnal noons, it is gratifying to behold the creature's joy amid the beech-trees flourishing beside the main entrance to the romantic place of Keir, in the County of Stirling, adjoining the much-frequented Bridge of Allan. There it is seen to great advantage, eating the fruit of those umbrageous trees, oceasionally taking long leaps from bough to bough, and thus quitting one gigantic tree for another, without much apparent effort.

The fore feet of this nimble animal have each four toes, with a brief thumb; while the hind feet are much longer and stronger, having each five stout tocs. The cruelty of keeping this innocuous creature in a treadmill-like cage, is now beginning to be understood, and the practice which formerly prevailed of keeping one of them suspended in such restless confinement, as an emblem of trade, at the door of a tinman's shop, has been discontinued. Yet we sometimes still see them in their rotary cages, and always with a pang of regret, that a wild, free creature, should be so "cribbed, cabined, and confined."-CAPTAIN J. R.

SWALLOWS' NESTS.

to the 6th of July, made observations which he regularly published. It appears that for thirty years this vigilant naturalist went to bed at seven o'clock in the evening and rose at midnight, during winter and summer, and that this eccentric habit was for scientific purposes. It seems that the concert is opened by the chaffinch, and the sparrow is the laziest bird, not leaving his nest until five o'clock. In the intermediate hours at marked intervals, which M. de Malle has carefully noted down, other birds commence their natural melody. He has shown on more than one occasion, that different birds have mistaken artificial light for the dawning of day, and that a solar lamp has awakened the little choristers.

KNIGHTERRANTRY OF THE ZETLAND PONY. I was busy beating the bushes, as an indefatigable entomologist, on a fine autumn afternoou, several seasons since, when hearing adjacent to my position the sounds arising from some sort of disturbance, I looked over a hedge, and saw in a paddock hired for grazing by some car-lender of Bridge-of-Allan adjoining, a Zetland Pony of small size, resolutely resisting the attempts of several sturdy peasants to seize his companion in grass-devouring, a large ill-conditioned horse. The tiny steed seemed perfect at the practice, and used his heels nimbly, striking out right and left at the intruders, and, running round his threatened comrade, so as to prevent a suddenly effected seizure of him. The affray was continued close up to a gate, which opened suddenly, and gave egress to the victim, over whose head a boy out. side threw with adroit speed a securing halter, and thus led him away.-Captain J. R.

ANIMALS IMITATING DEATH.

Swallows' Nests have long been objects of commerce among the people of Eastern countries, who consider them as nutritive and aphrodisiac. The weight of these nests annually exported from the great Indian Archipelago is reckoned at about 212,000 lbs., the value being about 150 francs per pound for the first quality, 100 francs for the second, and 70 francs for the third. These nests are also sold in Paris in small quantities at about 6 francs per nest, weighing 8 grammes (two drachms). The researches of Mr. Payen show that a glutinous and alimentary substance forms generally the greatest part of these nests, and is peculiar secretion, nitrogenous, and analogous to animal mucus, admitting sulphur into its com-parently dead, and we left it on the grass. During position, without organization, swelling under the action of cold and especially of hot water, which dissolves the greater part, and is capable of producing a coagulable solution when cold. M. Payen proposes to call this matter "cubilose" (cubile).—that of a fox in the north. A farmer had disMedical Times.

A DEVOTED NATURALIST. Probably one of the most curious examples of the apparently trifling pursuits of scientific men has been exhibited by one of the most esteemed members of the Academy of Science of Paris, M. Dureau de la Malle. He was anxious to ascertain at what hour different birds began their morning song; he, therefore, from the 1st of May

During a visit to Cumberland we found several hedgehogs in Inglewood Forest. One of these, in order to destroy it, we put in the pond. It swam about in a circular direction for some time, and reached the shore. After putting it into the water a second time, it remained motionless, and ap

the night, however, it walked away. The spider will imitate death to save itself, and canaries have been taught by some showmen to look as if they were dead. The most curious case, however, is

covered that he came along a beam in the night to seize his poultry. He accordingly sawed the end of the beam nearly through, and in the night the fox fell into a place whence he could not escape. On going to him in the morning, the farmer found him stiff, and, as he thought, lifeless. Taking him out of the building he threw him on the dunghill, but in a short time Reynard opened his eyes, and seeing that all was safe and clear

galloped away to the mountains, showing more Cumming than the man who ensnared him.Preston Chronicle.

the hollow paper ten or twelve taps (which were very distinctly audible); he then set off as fast as his six (I think) legs could carry him. Whilst he was thus running about I heard another little tapping, apparently proceeding from underneath the small hollow paper hill. My lively friend also heard it, and at once came to a stand; and setting his hinder parts in motion, gave the requisite number of taps, and was off again. I was now curious to see beneath the paper, and tearing it open, (in doing which I unfortunately deprived my little friend of his paper drum,) I found a similar small insect on the inside. I watched the interesting couple for some time, and thought I could divine the cause of the tumult. Exceeding the bounds of prudence, the male, (I presume it to have been,) having discovered from below a pinhole in the paper, had, most indiscreetly, thrust himself through it, and after a ramble on the fine smooth plateau upon which he emerged, he, not having taken proper land marks, was not able again to find his hole of exit. He thereupon sprang his rattle of alarm, and commenced a frantic search for a way of ingress, at which oc cupation I first discovered him. His deserted mate, doubtless in no less an excited state, an

THE NEAPOLITAN NIGHTINGALE. In the course of an interesting letter addressed by the Duke de Cabellino to the Cork Daily Reporter, in which he gives an account of the sufferings endured by himself, Baron Poerio, and other victims of King Bomba's inhumanity in the stifling dens of Monte Fasio, the following incident is narrated:"A nightingale, as if on a mission from Nature, apparently feeling for our sorrows and solitude, used to come to the boughs of a mulberry tree, and with his plaintive song he expressed our griefs so that he became our friend, the very friend of our hearts. We used to throng to the prison bars to listen to, and treasure his loving plaint. Oh, fond fool! he with his tender ditty awakened suspicions among the police that he had communicated with the outer world-a blessing indeed which they trusted had ended for us. They shouted with their voices and hurled sticks, but in the evenings the little nightingale came again and again with his song of solace to us, and his sympathy for patriotism brought his doom-he was shot!" Captain Igglesden has written some good lines on this touching inci-swering with the utmost vigor of her latter-end, dent. to call the wandering loved one back.-N. E. D.

THE DEATH WATCH.

I ex

Upon going into my bed-room, some short time back, I heard what is commonly called the "Death Watch." My inquisitiveness being roused, I determined, if possible, to discover, and have a look at, the author of the ticking. I listened, and after some time traced the sound, as I thought, to my empty hat-box on a chest of drawers. I approached gently, and placed my ear close to the box. Yes! Sure enough, there it was! amined the box on the outside, but saw nothing of life upon it. I lifted the lid; the ticking ceased at once. I examined the inside of the box in every crevice, but found nothing. I shut the lid again and was quict. Again commenced the intermittent ticking; I was certain the sound came from the box, and was puzzled. I again opened the lid and made a most minute search; I tore the joinings of the thin wood apart, and looked there, but found nothing. I replaced the lid, and again the ticking commenced. I scrutinised the outside again minutely, and looking very close, I discovered a little insect, about the sixteenth of an inch in length, semi-transparent, and of a rich cream colour, rushing hither and thither over and about a slight elevation of the paper covering of the box, apparently greatly excited. Every now and then he came to a full stop, and with the nether part of his tiny body struck

ANSWERS TO QUERIES.

INDUSTRIOUS FLEAS (p. 12).-The labour of training fleas for exhibition is very great; and although in the feats which those exhibited appear to perform there may be some deception practised, yet is the strength, docility, sagacity, and activity of the little creatures altogether wonderful. The inquirer on this subject is referred to an article in No. 13 of Household Words, entitled "Intellectual Fleas."

Now we are on the subject of this well-known, but by no means favourite insect, we may relate an anecdote which may serve to raise a smile and enliven the matter-of-fact particulars of which our notes chiefly consist.

FAMILY FLEAS.-When the late Lord Erskine, then going the circuit, was asked by his landlord how he had slept, he replied-" Union is strength; a fact of which some of your inmates seem to be unaware; for had the fleas been unanimous last night they might have pushed me out of bed." "Fleas," exclaimed Boniface, affecting great astonishment, "I was not aware that I had a single one in the house." "I don't believe you have," retorted his lordship, "they are all married, and have uncommonly large families."

Insignificant as the flea may appear to many persons, yet proverbialists, poets, and travellers

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY. ALTHOUGH We live at a very enlightened period, and are disposed to regard rather slightingly the wisdom of our ancestors, there still exist, happily, some few amongst us, who, despite of progress and the march of intellect, are content to tolerate ancient observances. For myself, I honestly admit that I belong to the old school. I confess a memory very tenacious of holidays; I am a very chronicle of birthdays, and anniversaries generally; for Saints' days, great and small, I have a kindness, if not a veneration from the Fast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, to the Feast of St. Valentine, the merriest, if not the wisest, saint in the calendar. For the latter I seem to have a peculiar sympathy, since I can trace back my recollections of it to somewhere about my sixth year-now, alas! almost forty years ago.

trusted." The kindly good-will to their correspondents, evinced in the majority of these missives, was not, I regret to say, universal. I have a distinct impression that a communication of an offensive character was addressed to a nameless somebody, who ranked in the estimation of society as "a stuck-up miss;" and that a debate ensued, whether a green paper pair of gloves should be enclosed to her, as indicating her forsaken condition, or a yellow pair, betokening jealousy. Something I heard about despatching Joe to the post-office the next morning to intercept the letters before they were put into the letter-bag (which was always opened by the head of the household); and then I fell asleep.

I have not forgotten the arch look of my father when the bag was brought in at breakfast the next day. "Plenty of letters this morning-eh, Pursell!" said he, with a knowing look at the servant, as he opened it. Why should there be more letters than usual?" inquired my simple-minded mother. "Only two, I declare," he continued, "and both for myself; not a Valentine for any one, not even for you, my pretty pet; but never mind, lovers and Valentines will come in plenty by-and-by." "I wonder, Charles," said my mother reprovingly, "that you can talk such nonsense to the child;" then, turning to the servant, she observed, that it gave her pleasure to find no member of her household encouraged such idle and unprofitable correspondence. My father laughed again. Pursell, I think, tried to look sympathetic and respectful with his mistress, and knowing with his master; but, finding the combination a difficult one, muttered something about the door bell, and quitted the room. The good humour which reigned in the nursery that evening was quite exuberant, and I was pronounced the best of children.

I well remember the unwelcome reception which greeted me on that eventful 13th of February, as, at my ordinary bed-time, I opened the door of the nursery, and found the servants assembled in full conclave, with the sole exception of the footman, who was, I suspect, mounting guard over the occupants of the dining-room. "And who sent you up so early, miss?" demanded she, who in the nursery held special dominion; with a clutch of the shoulder, half-slap, half-shake, ostensibly directed to the improvement of my carriage. Before I could reply, the good-natured cook, whose diplomacy was of a more suave character, came to the rescue, promising me tea and toast if I would afterwards go quietly to bed, as they were about to write letters to their friends, and could not possibly be interrupted. To this compromise I was fain to accede, and even now I recollect the incidents which seasoned this meal-the whirl of the tea-cups and the fortunes discovered My next recollection of this eventful in the grounds; the "fair young man" pro-anniversary was at that well-known estabmised to the housemaid, and the "dark lishment for young ladies, Acacia House, sailor'" who fell to the lot of the cook. Kensington-kept at that time by the late Unluckily, my open mouth and staring eyes Miss Frigid-now the Montpelier Collegiate revealed an interest too intense in these Institution for Ladies, under the Lady mystic rites; and I was hurried off to bed, Principalship of Madame Surveil. whence I could hear a great deal of laugh- though one of the junior pupils, my former ing, talking, scratching of pens, and a lavish experience enabled me to interpret the signs tearing up of paper. Certain poetical effu- of the times: the eager consultations of the sions (whether original, or copied from the elder girls, and their visible impatience of "Polite Letter-Writer," my literary expe- juvenile society; the vigilant watchfulness rience did not enable me to determine) of their teachers, and the stately pre-occuwere at length read aloud, and met with pied air of Miss Frigid herself, as the day unbounded applause; copies, however, were approached, were none of them mysteries to refused, which was pronounced rather un- me. It was an ordainment of the presiding handsome between friends "as might be deity, that the equilibrium of our minds

Al