is remarkably graceful and active, and can bound for a great distance without feeling fatigue. Some of these pretty creatures may still be seen in Scotland, lying amongst the heather, but they generally prefer a more wooded country. They love solitude, and are never entirely tamed. Other kinds of deer go in herds, different families mingling together. But the roebucks keep to themselves and their fawns, and wish for no other associates. In this we see a beautiful picture of family contentment. How pleasant it is to see families living in love and peace, and seeking their happiness in each other, and by this means being kept from much evil and temptation. Many things mentioned in the Bible about the roe apply equally to the hart and the hind, as I have told you before.

THE PYGARG, or LIDMU, is a kind of antelope, noted for its double-sized horns and great strength. It is about the size of the roebuck, with specks of white in its skin. It is, however, never alluded to but in one verse in the Bible (Deut. xiv. 5), as a clean animal.

THE WILD Ox is a kind of stag.-Deut. xiv. 5. Its proper name is the ORYX. It is a noble and beautiful animal. Its horns are nearly straight, and three feet in length. It has white hair, with various colors marked on it in different parts of its body. It is a very daring animal, and when

pursued can fight well with its horns, and be very fierce.

THE CHAMOIS. Some people suppose that the chamois means the giraffe, but I do not think it very probable, as the giraffe must have been quite unknown in the Holy Land, for it inhabits only very hot regions. The chamois is a kind of small antelope, which lives among high mountains, and walks and leaps along the ridges of steep places with wonderful safety. The chamois generally live together in small flocks, very high in the mountains. They can see, smell, and hear, with remarkable quickness, and are wonderful in escaping from danger. They feed upon herbs and flowers, or young shoots of trees, and their flesh is very excellent for food. Of their skin useful leather is made, and many pretty things are manufactured from their horns.

The chamois hunter must be a man of great patience and caution, otherwise he could never succeed in the chase. He is often led into extreme danger and peril in hunting after these animals, sometimes, indeed, losing life itself. What pains men will take for an earthly possession, yet how slow they are in seeking for the things of heaven, which are far better.

THE FALLOW DEER is often seen in English parks, where it is a great ornament. It is a sort of yellow brown, spotted with white, and has

D

beautiful branching horns. It is neither so strong nor so brave as the stag, but its disposition is more gentle, and its flesh is considered excellent food, and called venison. When tame it will even eat out of the hands of those who are kind to it. Its horns and skin are of great use, but you may read of this in books on natural history. Herds of deer are always led by one male animal, which all the others obey, and give way at his approach. We may learn a lesson from these animals, of obedience and trust. Should we not follow our spiritual leader,-even Jesus, and not wish to go in paths of our own seeking? Yet how apt are we to forget this great guide and leader! Let us pray that we may follow Him fully.

O

Unclean Animals.

PART III.

THE ASS OR DONKEY.

THIS was an unclean animal. It did not part the hoof or chew the cud, and all such were to be regarded as unclean by the Jews. Even to this day in Palestine, though the Jewish law has passed away, the difference between clean and unclean animals, with few exceptions, is still regarded. There are two distinct kinds of asses, and both are frequently spoken of in the Bible.

The wild ass lives in desert places, and is very difficult to tame. It is larger and more graceful than the common ass. In winter it migrates, or goes into a warmer climate, and in summer returns northward. Who taught this wild creature the knowledge that at certain seasons it should change its residence? Surely God gave it the instinct or power to do this. Job makes constant allusions to the wild ass. In one place he says, "who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the

ever, a joy of wild

When the wicked

wild ass? whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing." (Job xxxix. 5-8.) Isaiah also speaks of the fondness of this animal for loneliness, when he mentions the desolations of the land of his people. He says, "the forts and towers shall be dens for asses," etc. (Isa. xxxii. 14.) king Nebuchadnezzar was punished by being made a madman until he owned God's power, "His heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses," etc. (Dan. v. 21.) The Psalmist speaks of God's care for these creatures' thirst: he says, "He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field, and the wild asses quench their thirst.” (Psa. civ. 10, 11.) The Tartars and Persians are very fond of eating the wild ass, and hunt it accordingly. When tamed, which is very difficult, it is as useful, active, and swift, as the horse. It is frequently compared with wicked or rebellious people, in the Bible. Jeremiah says that Israel, in his love for idols, was like "A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure." (Jer. ii. 24.)