Its body is broad and flat, and weighs from thirty to fifty pounds, and the creature's whole aspect betokens slowness and inactivity.

till at length, after many severe conflicts, by dint of courage, industry, and perseverance, they overcame every difficulty, and finished their plan; in order to understand which, it must be observed The children of a settler at the river Mersey that the vane was affixed to a hollow metalic tube, had a pet wombat, which lived with them for some which turned round on an iron pin in the centre time, and used to play with them and follow them of the summit of the pinnacle, and round this at about with great docility and good temper. They the top and bottom was an ornamented scroll (see made it a bed on a box, with a piece of blanket to cut), upon which, with very great art and in- cover it; and it was often seen to scratch the blangenuity, the crows laid their foundation, viz., spars ket snugly round it, and pull it up when slipping and rafters, whose ends rested upon each other, away, in the most cosy and civilized manner posand then others upon them, but somewhat longer, sible. Having also a penchant for making its way especially on the side of the tube directly opposite into any other bed, from which a scrap of blanket to the vane which was intended to remain in the or rug hung down to serve as a climbing ladder, body of the nest; then smaller things were in- it became an object of dislike to the servants, and terwoven therewith, and then pretty tightly the worthy farmer determined, much to the grief round the tube, so that the nest turned round of the children, to part with the favourite, which, with the vane; and let the wind blow from what-like all other favourites, was fast gaining foes ever quarter, it was continually direct against the He carried it away a considerable distance, put it nest, still supported on the other side by the spire down in the forest, and came home with the story and tube above-mentioned, so that the wind could of his success; but ere the evening was ended, a never discompose it, or blow it down, unless it had certain well-known scratching sound was heard at forced away the vane, and perhaps the pinnacle the door, and the delighted children opened it for also. It might, therefore, be deemed a master- their poor, weary wombat, who had found his way piece of structural skill; and it was remarked that home to them again. A second time he was conin the succeeding year there was a severe storm of veyed away, and to a greater distance, but still he snow and frost, when the Tyne was frozen over came back; the third time, the farmer carried him three different times in one winter, a circum- across the Mersey in a boat, and left him on the stance not remembered by the oldest person then opposite bank of the broad, deep river, quite seliving, during which the crows had a comfortable cure then that the business was finally settled. habitation, and having continued their residence His poor friend was, however, still of a different for some time, they all of a sudden, and without opinion, and by the time the boat had touched the any visible cause, quitted their singular building, home shore, the creature had found a huge fallen and returned no more that season. In the mean- tree, which lay half across the stream, and had time the Exchange took fire, and had they been crawled to the extreme end of it, wistfully gazing there at the time, the birds might have been de- upon his departing friends, who, thinking it quite stroyed. An attempt was made in the following impossible that he could cross the intervening year to build again, and the same opposition was portion of the river, went away home. How the made by the other erows; however, in spite of fat thing did cross no one knows, but he arrived this, the same crows built their home on the as usual that night, and, as may be imagined, his weather-cock in the years 1785, 1786, 1787, and kind-hearted friend did not again try to drive him 1788, and in each of these years succeeded in away. Unfortunately, he was at last accidentally rearing their young. burned, from creeping too close to the hot ashes of the hearth, and, in mercy to his sufferings, was killed,

THE WOMBAT.

The Wombat (Phascolomys), like the porcupine, is eaten and relished by some persons, but is Wombats are generally found on rocky places, fatter and coarser, with a strong rank flavour. especially the summits of mountains and gullies, It is a most harmless, helpless, inoffensive animal, where the haunts are mostly inaccessible. Their by no means agile, and falling an easy prey to its chief food consists of the roots of the grass tree, pursuers, if cut off from its retreat to the rocky and other plants; to procure which they leave hollows and crevices in which it lives, and which their rocky fastnesses at night, and visit neighit squeezes into through a smaller opening than bouring marshy flats, where they scratch for their would be supposed capable of admitting its fat, living, like the porcupine and bandicoot. The squat body. Its head resembles that of the bad-skin of the wombat is so thick and tough, that the ger, but with a rounder snout. It has very small teeth of large dogs are seldom strong enough to eyes, strong, bristly whiskers, very short ears, penetrate it, and are not unfrequently absolutely short legs, short tail, and long, coarse grey hair. I pulled out in the effort, so that some of the hun

ters of the bush are in the habit of punishing their dogs for meddling with a wombat; and after a few such lessons, the dogs content themselves with barking round the harmless creature when they find one, and its stout natural coat befriends it like a suit of armour.-My Home in Tasmania. A SEA-BIRD FAR INLAND,

During the first week of the month of November, a stormy petrel was observed to alight upon a bold piece of rock at Bredon, in the county of Leicester, the central part of England. It was evidently worn down by fatigue; but, being perceived by some boys, they threw some stones at it, but could not make it quit the spot. At last a stone, more direct of aim than the rest, hit and knocked it over. It was preserved, and is now in the possession of Mr. John Bostock, of Bredon Lodge.-1859.

anecdote, which we believe to be authentic, will answer the query put by our correspondent:

Combat between a Horse and a Lion-A nobleman, in the early part of the reign of Louis XV., having a very vicious horse, which none of the grooms or servants would ride, (several of them having been thrown, and one killed) asked leave of his Majesty to have him turned loose into the menagerie against one of the largest lions. The king readily consented; and the animal, on a certain day, was conducted thither. Soon after the arrival of the horse, the door of the den was drawn up, and the lion, with great state and majesty, marched slowly to the mouth of it, when, seeing his antagonist, he set up a tremendous roar. The horse immediately started, and fell back; his ears erected, his mane raised, his eyes sparkled, and something like a general convulsion seemed to agitate his whole frame. After the first emotion of fear had subsided, the horse retired to a corner of the menagerie, where, having directed his heels toward the lion, and having reared his head above his left shoulder, he watched with extreme eagerness, the motions of his enemy, The lion, who presently quitted the den, sidled about ANSWERS TO QUERIES. for more than a minute, as if meditating the mode SALAMANDERS (p. 205).-These are a class of of attack, when, having sufficiently prepared himreptiles nearly allied to the frog, from which they self for the combat, he made a sudden spring at differ in having a longer body and tail, and four the horse, which defended itself by striking its legs of equal lengths, so that in general conforma-versary a most viclent blow on the chest. The tion they are more like lizards. They have flat-lion instantly retreated, groaned, and seemed for several minutes inclined to give up the contest; tened heads, and jaws armed with numerous when, recovering from the painful effects of the small pointed teeth, of which there are two rows in the palate. Like the frogs, their young first blow, he returned to the charge with unabated violence. The mode of preparation for this seexist as tadpoles, having gills and tails flattened He sidled vertically. The land Salamanders inhabit the cond attack was the same as the first. water only while they are in the tadpole state, but from one side of the menagerie to the other for a considerable time, seeking a favourable opportusome are altogether aquatic, and these are enabled to swim very quickly by means of their com-nity to seize his prey; during all which time the pressed tails. One remarkable fact connected with the natural history of these reptiles, is their great tenacity of life, and the facility with which they reproduce any part which may have been injured or destroyed. They have been frozen up in ice, and afterwards recovered, and subjected to the action of great heat, without being killed: hence the popular notion that the Salamander was indestructible by fire, which few but the very ignorant now entertain.

There are five species of these reptiles known to exist in England; the largest being the common Salamander of Europe, called by naturalists Salamandris vulgaris; it attains the length of five or six inches, is of a blackish colour spotted with yellow, and is generally found in moist places, under stones, roots of trees, clods of earth, &e., coming out at night for food, which consists of slugs, worms, insects, &c,

The great Salamander of Japan, of which a fine specimen has recently reached this country, was first described by the Dutch naturalist Dr. Von Siebold; its scientific name is Sieboldia maxima; its present length is about two feet nine inches, but it is expected to grow much larger. This creature inhabits the streams and lakes among the mountains of the Island of Niphon in Japan. It is rare in its native country, and this is the first specimen which has reached England alive; it is fed on eels, frogs, worms, &c.-H. G. A.

HORSE versus LION (p. 295.)-The following

horse still preserved the same posture, and still kept his head erect and turned over his shoulder. The lion at length gave a second spring, with all the strength and velocity he could exercise, when the horse caught him with his hoof under his under jaw, which he fractured. Having sustained a second repulse, the lion retreated to his den as well as he was able, apparently in the greatest agony, moaning in a most lamentable manner.

The horse was afterwards shot.

THE EGYPTIAN STORK (p. 295).-The Whiteheaded, or Whale-headed Heron, or Stork of the Nile, to which the scientific name of Baloniceps Rex has been given by Mr. Gould, inhabits the reedy marshes on the banks of the White Nile. beyond the fourth degree of north latitude: it is, consequently, far out of the track of ordinary travellers, and hence a very rare bird; most Europeans have had no opportunity of seeing it hitherto. Thanks, however, to Mr. Petherick, British Consul at Chartoum, at the junction of the White and Blue Niles, the people of this country may easily gratify any curiosity which they may feel with regard to this enormous stork, whose pelican-like pouch gives to the head so ugly and disproportionate an appearance. This gigantic Baleniceps is said to have enormous capacity for devouring fish, and to be able, with its powerful bill, to crunch small crocodiles, crabs, &c. The bird was first described by the Abyssinian traveller, Mansfield, in 1851; but little is yet known about its habits, &c.

De u next chs; ch De in centre of the
Dc;
5 ch De unext chs; 5 ch De u next;
7 ch De u next: 5 ch De unext chs between
the L stitches; 7 ch De u same; 7 ch De u
each of next chs for 8 times; 7 ch De u 2nd
of the chs; 7 ch De u 3 ch; 7 ch De u L
stitch; 7 ch De u the chs between the 2 L
at the point; 5 ch De u same, and fasten off.
Make 5 of these ovals in crochet, which
must be the size of the blank oval engraved.
Trace off the outline of shape of cuff, with
pencil on to the muslin (this pencil outline
is where the dots are worked). Now cut it
an inch beyond this, and run another out-
line just outside, but nearly close to the
first; this latter must be overcast with the
embroidery cotton. Now double the cuff in
the centre, double also in the long way one of
the crochet ovals, and tack in the centre of
the cuff; tack the others on each side, and
with the 40 cotton overcast the crochet
on to the muslin. Do not cut the muslin
away at the back, till all are completed,
otherwise it will pull out of place.

OPEN GUIPURE EMBROIDERY. Materials. - Messrs. Walter Evans and Co.'s. No. 20 Embroidery cotton, and No. 10 and No. 40 Boar's Head. Fine Jacconet muslin, a small blueball, or a fine hard drawing pencil.

Trace off the design. Then with 40 cotton slightly sew the No. 10 cotton round the outline, which is continuous, afterwards overcast with embroidery cotton. The Tshaped bars at the edge are worked with needle and cotton-then overcast. The edge has two rows of overcasting.

we shut our eyes, thus assuming artificial blindness. Diderot used often to talk with his eyes closed, and at such times became sublimely eloquent." There was lately living in the county of York, England, a gentleman of fortune, who, though totally blind, was an expert archer; "so expert," says our informant, "that out of twenty shots with the long-bow he was far my superior. His sense of hearing was so keen, that when a boy behind the target rang a bell, the blind archer knew precisely how to aim the shaft."

The tenacity of the memory of the blind is well known. This characteristic faculty is, according to Father Charlevoix, turned to good account in Japan, where the public records of the empire are committed to memory by chosen blind men. An old blind mat-maker in England can (if he still lives) repeat Thomson's "Seasons," and one or two other long poems, besides having an almost equally ready knowledge of several of the Gospels.

Men of genius have sometimes triumphantly thrown off some of the worst disabilities of blindness. Genius ever devises ways and means of its own. It has a thousand little contrivances unknown to the or

dinary student, who is content enough to travel along the beaten road which others have fashioned for him. Saunderson, the blind mathematician's whole machinery for computing was a small piece of deal, divided by lines into a certain number of squares, and pierced at certain angles with holes large enough to admit a metal pin. With this simple board and a box of pins he made all his calculations; yet, in 1711, he was the friend of Sir Isaac Newton, and by his inCURIOSITIES OF BLINDNESS. terest was elected Lucasian Professor of MaAPPALLING as the deprivation of sight thematics at Cambridge. It is most probable may be, it is not without some remarkable that he never beheld the distant orbs of heacompensations. Other faculties, both of ven, yet with the highest skill he reasoned intellect and of sense, often seem to gain by of the laws which control them; unfolding it; and Dufau, a French writer, affirms and explaining the nature and beauty of that the blind seldom becomes imbecile, and light which he could not behold, and the still less frequently insane. Profound glory of that bow in the clouds which he had thinkers practically admit that vision inter- never seen. Thus also was it with Huber, feres some what with deep cogitation. Malle- the blind philosopher of Geneva. His disbranche, when he wished to think intensely, coveries in the honeyed labours of bees have used to close his window-shutters in the equalled, if not surpassed, those of any other daytime, excluding every ray of light; and, one student of nature. It remained for for a like reason, Democritus is said to have Huber, not only to corroborate truths which put out his eyes in order that he might others had partially discovered, but also to philosophise the better; which latter story, detect and describe minute particulars which however, it should be observed, though told had escaped even the accute observation of by several ancient writers, is doubted by Swammerdam. It is true that others supCicero, and discredited by Plutarch. Speak-plied him with eyes, but he furnished them ing on this point, M. Dufau says:-"When with thought and intellect; he saw with we wish to increase our power of attention, their eyes. Thus he clearly proved that