Chapter XVI: Leading the Army (4)

MY DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I thought I would write and tell you how happy you have made me this winter. I am a little Washington girl, only ten years old, and have been spending the winter in Virginia for my health. It was very lonely there; and nothing interested me so much as your stories. The "Brownies" are so funny!

I am writing this from my home in Washington; but I must tell you what a hard time I had to get here. The steamer I was on was caught in a blinding snow-storm, and had to anchor in the Chesapeake Bay a whole day and night. Then, when we got nearly to Baltimore, a tug came to tell us that we could not get into Baltimore for the ice; so the steamer turned around and went back to Annapolis. From there I took the cars to Washington.

Good-bye. Your constant reader,
JULIA ROCK.

SEWICKLEY, PA.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: The following verbatim copy of a composition by an eleven-year-old boy will interest some of your readers by its originality. It is without suggestion or correction. W.

DEAR LUNCH BASKET,

Do you like to carry lunch? I like to eat the lunches that you carry; sometimes you have better lunch than other times. I like it the best when you have chicken sallad in. I hope you do not ever take anything out of any other basket. I don't know very much to say to-day. Do you like a dog to carry you? I hope you will all ways have good lunches from this time on. Do you like the jam to run out of the bread on to you. I would not think you would, but I don't know what you would like. Would you rather be a boy?

H. B.

We heartily thank the young friends whose names here follow, for pleasant letters received from them: Bessie C. Ketchum, "Yum-Yum" and "Ko-Ko," A. M. L., Susie M., Winnie Jackson, Eddie D. Sherlock, Henry W. Armstrong, Jessie Overlin, Herman Nelson Steele, Estelle K. D., Mark Waterman, Bijou J. McKinnon, George A. Root, Catherine H. L'Engle, Bessie M. Rhodes, Rita C. Smith, Fullerton L. Waldo, Emmett Murray, Mabel H. Chase, Elizabeth B. Kelsey, "Bee," Meg R. M., Myra E. Smith, Dorothy E. B., Nattie, Beth and Cherrie, Florence Ames, Maurice S. Sherman, Maud R., Al. Robinson and Stuart Tatum, Mary A. Evans, P. B. Jennings, Herbert Cutting, Katie B. Baird, Georgie King, Clara, Florence and Ada, Constance P. G., Mabel Thompson, Alice Bussing, James G. R. Flemming, Nellie Montgomery, Blanche E. B., Leigh Hodges, "Isabel Conway," Annie R. F., Bertie Byers, Edith I. Benedict, J. A. Bonsteel.

The Agassiz Association

SIXTY-SECOND REPORT.

IMPORTANT NOTICE.

The Agassiz Association is now so large, so widely known, and so firmly established, that, in order to protect ourselves from the annoyance of frivolous persons who, taken by the novelty of the idea, seek to join us just for the fun of the thing, and then drop away after a few weeks, we have decided to make the gates of admission swing just a trifle less easily. The following circular will, therefore, be sent hereafter to all who seek admission. It will be seen by every one that its requirements are sufficiently liberal:

"PLEASE READ EVERY WORD CAREFULLY.

"The Agassiz Association is a Society for the observation of nature. It is composed of 'Chapters,' which, apart from the common name, constitution, and badge, are free to follow their own pursuits under the direction of the President of the A. A. The smallest number recognized as a Chapter is four, but after a branch has once been admitted, and has continued active for six months, it is not then cut off, though its membership should decline below four.

"There is no entrance fee for Chapters, nor any charge for registration, or for the advertising of 'Exchanges' in ST. NICHOLAS. There are no assessments, nor any "dues." The special classes, occasionally conducted by eminent scientists, are freely open to all members. The only necessary expense is 54 cents for the A. A. Hand-book. Engraved charters can be obtained for $1.25 each, as many Chapters and individual members wish them, but there is no obligation to purchase them. As we make no charges, we appreciate generous orders for the little hand-books, whose sales about cover the expenses of our enormous correspondence--usually nearly every member is glad to secure a copy. _Individuals who join us without organizing a Chapter, are charged a fee of 50 cents in addition to the price of the Hand-book._

"Kindly fill out the inclosed application form and card (_excepting 'No. of Chapter'_), and return them at once. Then, if accepted, the certificate, number, and letter will be sent. It must be made one of your by-laws that your Secretary send to the President a carefully prepared report at least once a year, and should you at any time be compelled to disband, immediate notice must be sent and the charter returned.

"The ST. NICHOLAS magazine is our only official organ, and it should be found on the table of every Chapter; this, however, is not compulsory. In the November, 1885, issue of ST. NICHOLAS, will be found full directions for the annual reports, which are required from every Chapter.

"Badges are no longer to be had from Mr. Hayward, but should be ordered through the President.

"APPLICATION FOR A CHARTER.

"We, whose names are on the accompanying card, hereby petition to be recognized as a Chapter of the Agassiz Association. We accept the constitution, we agree to the conditions of membership as explained in the circular from which this form has been detached, and we faithfully promise to do our best work in our several branches of study, and in all ways heartily to support and further the interests of the General Association. Respectfully

____________________________ _Secretary._"

The only new conditions are the agreement to send an annual report, and to send immediate notice, in case of disbanding. Failure to do the latter causes untold confusion throughout the whole Society, as the disbanded Chapters continue, sometimes for years, to be addressed by the active ones.

NOTES.

Important as are the proceedings of our Chapters, as set forth in their "reports," they must not be allowed to crowd out the records of personal observation, which we have presented until lately under the heading--"Notes." We suggest, therefore, that all Chapters forward promptly to the President whatever items of interest come to their notice from time to time, without waiting for the formal annual report of the Chapter's progress. The most important results of your observations should also be incorporated in your annual report, as being of quite as much general interest as the condition of your treasury. We intend to devote a large share of this page to these "Notes," during the months of July and August, when no Chapter reports are due.

REPORTS FROM THE FOURTH CENTURY.

314, _Lancaster, Pa. (A)_. With the Bedford, Pa., Chapter, we have exchanged at least seven thousand crystals of iron pyrites, for minerals, fossils, etc. Our egg, mineral, fossil, and shell cabinets are all pretty well filled with labeled specimens. We now propose to take up Botany, and desire to collect and mount at least four hundred specimens. Until another year has elapsed, we hope to pursue our studies of the myriad mysteries with which nature has surrounded us.--Edw. R. Heitshu.

320, _Peoria, Illinois_. We like geology better than the other sciences. We have several fine localities in which to seek specimens, and we go searching for them whenever we get a chance. We have several fine trilobites, corals, and other fossils. We are very much pleased with the A. A., and are delighted when we read of the good work it has done.--James A. Smith.

339, _Salt Lake City (A)_. We are progressing very nicely. At the second or third meeting after our summer vacation, it was announced that the type of a defunct newspaper had come into the possession of one of the members, and it was suggested that the Chapter publish a monthly pamphlet.

The suggestion was carried into effect; two members were elected editors and compositors combined. Friends kindly subscribed, and counting $5 generously given by Dr. E. Evans, enough money was raised to buy a cabinet eight feet high and three and one-half feet wide. We are trying to get a library. Two of us are building large boats to take trips and explore Great Salt Lake. We have questions, two-minute talks, papers, select readings, and criticisms.

We mean to try to make this the most successful year of our existence.--Arthur Webb, Sec.

350, _Neillsville, Wis._ The dawning spring wakens us all. We are planning a trip through Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, which is to last all next winter.--M. F. Bradshaw.

354, _Litchfield, Conn._ Our departments of ornithology and zoology exhibit the best results. Many new specimens have been added, and great improvement has been made in preserving them. The library has been increased.--Lewis B. Woodruff.

355, _North Adams, Mass._ At present we have seventeen active and eleven honorary members. We have questions distributed at each meeting which the members are expected to answer at the following meeting. We try to have at least one good essay each week, and occasionally a lecture. Our cabinet is pretty well filled.--M. Louise Radlo.

365, _Hyde Park, Illinois_. There have been fifteen regular and three special meetings during the past year. September 18, 1885, Mr. John F. Gilchrist was elected president, and Mr. S. D. Flood vice-president of the Chapter. Since March 27, 1885, there have been 125 specimens presented. The total number now in the cabinet is 1000. With the aid of the Board of Education, we have purchased a microscope valued at $100. The literary exercises have consisted, as a rule, of debates on subjects in natural science.--Blanche Longmire, Sec.

374. Three of us have revived our Chapter. We devote ourselves to science instead of arguing parliamentary nonsense, as we used to do. We have come to the conclusion that if we want to apply ourselves to science we must drop parliamentary discussions.

Here is an example of our latest resolutions: "Resolved, That any member who does not do his share in the scientific work, or by unseemly mirth distracts the attention of the meeting, shall, after three reprimands by the president, be expelled from the Chapter."

It is hoped by this and other cast-iron resolutions, to banish levity, and meet together as sober, earnest workers. We'd rather have three earnest workers than thirty that take no interest.--Frank E. Cocks.

378, _Ambler_, _Pa._ Our Society is now composed of about sixty members, the teachers and scholars of Sunnyside School. We hold fortnightly meetings; the exercises consist of referred questions, presentation of specimens, readings, occasional debates, and the reading of the _Sunnyside Naturalist_ by the editor. The officers are: Pres., Mary McCann; V. P., Helen Styer; Sec., Carrie A. Lukens; Treas., Anson Smith; Editor, John H. Rex. We seem to be more interested in mineralogy and entomology than in any other branches.--Carrie A. Lukens, Sec.

382, _Brooklyn, N. Y. (F)_. This is our fourth year. We have eight active and eight honorary members. Meetings have been held weekly without interruption, except for summer vacations. Geology has been our subject during the greater part of the time. Each year we go a little farther into it. Our collection, while not large, is by no means a poor one, and our pleasure is enhanced by examination of actual specimens. We have all been benefited by our study, and have now an intelligent general idea of geology. We have received very kind attention from the President of the "Brooklyn Entomological Society," who is an enthusiast in plants and insects. No Chapter is more interested than ours in the growth and success of the entire Association.--D. A. Van Ingen, per B. S.

386, _Pine City, Minn._ We think that keeping live animals is more profitable than only stuffed skins, as we have a live owl, and find it more interesting to watch him than to watch a skull and claws which belonged to another owl. We have, of insects, 980 species; minerals, 110; stuffed birds, 6; animals, 2; heads, 4; skulls, 6; miscellaneous, 20. Total, 1128; and 1018 of them are native in Minnesota.--Ernest L. Stephen.

387, _Baltimore, Md. (E)_. After your kind letter the members took courage and determined, under all circumstances, to continue the club. Our greatest difficulty was in securing a place to meet. In our despair we went to the President of our University (Johns Hopkins), who showed great interest in us, yet could not give us a room under his roof. We then decided to store our collection (which amounts to packing them on my own shelves, in the modest little room known in our family as "Ned's Den"), and accept the invitation of one of our young lady members to meet in her study. This we have been doing ever since.--Edward McDowell, for the Secretary.

395, _Montreal (A)_. Since the organization of our Chapter on January 5, 1883, a wonderful change has taken place. Then only six individuals met to discuss the advisability of organizing a branch here; to-day we have a large collection and a good attendance at the meetings.

Each session of this branch commences on the first Friday in October of each year and closes about the 15th of June of the following year. In this period we usually hold eighteen regular meetings. So far this session, we have had six regular meetings at which a number of excellent papers have been read; among them might be mentioned the following: Origin of Life, by Rev. E. King, M. A.; two papers on Botany, by H. McAdam, Esq.; New and Variable Stars, by W. H. Smith, Esq., President of the Astro-Meteorological Association; Our Insect Friends and Insect Foes, by Rev. T. W. Fyles; Electricity, by Prof. J. T. Donald, B. A.; and Health, its Importance and its Laws, by Dr. Desrosiers, M. D. These papers were fully illustrated with diagrams, specimens, and experiments.

Our collection is steadily increasing, and numbers about 7000 specimens at present, neatly arranged in ninety-two drawers contained in two large cabinets, and an upright glass case, which latter contains the mounted birds and mammals. Our little library, which contains only scientific publications, is nicely arranged in a book-case for the purpose. It includes about 150 volumes and many pamphlets unbound.

One very encouraging feature in our work has been that many of our young people who previously took but little interest in the study of nature have now gained a liking for the study, and a number have made private collections and are carefully studying the different forms in which they are specially interested. One member has carefully studied the life history of _H. luna_, one of our large _bombyces_, while another has been studying the flora of the Island of Montreal, and another is devoting his time to chemistry. This latter subject has been acknowledged by many of the members to be the fundamental and most fascinating study, and the one most elevating to the mind, as it can not fail to lead a student from nature to nature's God, and I confidently believe the science which tends towards that is the study which will eventually take first place in the scientific world.--W. D. Shaw, Secretary, 34 St. Peter Street, Montreal, Canada; Thos. Patton, Pres.

398, _Roseville, N. J._ Our Chapter has been divided into four sections, each having its own Chapter, and in turn instructing the club on its special subject. We have purchased a few standard books, a book-case, and a very handsome cabinet, which we have nearly filled with fine specimens. The leading events of the season have been a social party, and a debate on the comparative utility of wood and iron. We will never say die.--Sara Darrach, Secretary.

400, _Fargo, Dakota._ We have rented a fine suite of rooms. We have eighteen members, and the prospect of as many more. We have a cabinet full of specimens, and are prepared to exchange minerals, shells, Indian relics, etc., with other chapters. We are settled now, and are doing good hard work. With best wishes for yourself and the A. A.--Frank Brown, Sec. Box 1769.

DELAYED REPORTS.

262, _Denver (B)_. It has been a long time since any report has been made by this Chapter, and we have been so far separated that we could not do much for the A. A.; but we hope to do better in the future. About one-half the members have been living in the East for two years, while the rest of us were here. We were united a little over a year ago, and since then there has been a great deal of sickness among us, ending disastrously; but for all that, we have had quite a mass of correspondence with other Chapters in all parts of the country, and have also done some exchanging of specimens which has resulted very favorably for us, and, we think, for those to whom we have sent specimens. We have now a very nice cabinet, well filled with specimens which we value very highly, and we shall soon have to get another, as we have room for no more specimens. We hope to do some good work in the future in mineralogy, which is our particular branch of study.--Ernest L. Roberts, Sec. Box 2272.

295, _Boonville, N. Y._ Our Chapter ran down for a long time, but a few months ago we started it anew and in earnest.

We now have seven active members, and two honorary. We expect more to join at our next meeting. We meet once a week at the houses of members.

Not long ago we went to see an old geologist's cabinet of specimens. He has a great many. He said when he first commenced collecting he lived in an old log-house, and his first cabinet was a log split in two, with a board, that was used for a walk to the spring, nailed on it. If all the members of our Chapter were half as earnest to collect and preserve specimens as he was, we should have some lively times.--W. S. Johnson, Sec.

AN INVITATION.

The New England Meteorological Society invites the assistance of members of the Agassiz Association in New England and Eastern New York, in the observation of thunder-storms during the summer months. Records are wanted of the time of the beginning of rain and of the loudest thunder for every thunderstorm in all parts of New England. More complete records, giving temperature and direction of wind are welcomed from those who will make them. Instructions and blanks will be furnished, on application to

W. M. DAVIS, Sec. N. E. M. S.,
Cambridge, Mass.

EXCHANGES.

Minerals, curiosities, and fossils, for same. Send for list. E. G. Conde, Schenectady, N. Y. (Sec. 891).

Pressed orange-blossoms, orange-wood, Japan plum-wood, fig-wood, Florida moss and other Southern curiosities, for labeled bird-skins, eggs, or nests. Write first.--Percy S. Benedict, 1243 St. Charles Street, New Orleans, La.

Cocoons of the _Cecropia_ and _Promethea_ moths, for cocoons of other moths.--3646 Vincennes Av., Chicago, Ill.

Pressed flowers.--Miss Alice Grass, Sec. 323, Bryan, Ohio.

First-class bird-skins, for Southern skins or eggs. Write first.--L. M. Davies, 203 Newell St., Cleveland, Ohio.

Botanical specimens, for same. Send lists.--Theo. Kellogg, De Pere, Wis.

NEW CHAPTERS.

_No._ _Name._ _No. of Members._ _Address._

950 Swarthmore, Pa. (A) 8 Maria W. Flagg.
951 Cleveland, O. (E) 4 L. M. Davies, 203 Newell St.
952 West Troy, N. Y. (A) 13 Geo. F. P. Michaelis,
Watervliet Arsenal.
953 La Porte, Ind. (C) 5 Mrs. A. C. Loomis, Box 1069.
954 Copenhagen, N. Y. (A) 5 L. L. Lewis, Box 174.
955 Ridgefield, Conn. (A) 5 Roger C. Adams.
956 Alleghany, Pa. (B) 5 A. D. Roessing,
W. P. R. R. Depot.

DISSOLVED.

412 Syracuse, N. Y. (C) B. Burrett Nash.
165 Plymouth, Conn (A) 4 W. C. Talmadge.
390 Chester, Mass. (A) W. J. Stanton.

REORGANIZED.

597 Lawrence, Kansas (B) 4 F. L. Wemple, 1109 Tenn. St.
323 Bryan, Ohio (A) 8 Miss Alice Grass.

Address all communications for this department to the President of the A. A.,

MR. HARLAN H. BALLARD,
Principal of Lenox Academy, Lenox, Mass.

THE RIDDLE-BOX.

The names of those who send solutions are printed in the third number after that in which the puzzles appear. Answers should be addressed to ST. NICHOLAS "Riddle-box," care of THE CENTURY CO., 33 East Seventeenth St., New York City.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN THE FEBRUARY NUMBER were received, too late for acknowledgment in the May number, from E. Muriel Grundy, England, 9--No name, Warrington, England, 9--A. H. Jameson, Accrington, England, 1--Francis W. Islip, Leicester, England, 10--

ANSWERS TO ALL THE PUZZLES IN THE MARCH NUMBER were received, before March 20, from "Clifford and Coco"--Maud E. Palmer--Paul Reese--Maud and Bessie--Xylo--Madge and the "Dominie"--No name--Quincy--Sallie Viles--"Pepper and Maria"--"Baby, Bobby, and Booby"--J. P. B.--"San Anselmo Valley"--Josie Martin--Dwight Merrill--"Blithedale"--"Betsy Trotwood"--May and Philip--Philip and Bobbie Faulkner--"Savoir et Sagesse"--Bertha Gerhard--Nellie and Reggie--"Mohawk Valley"--"Shumway Hen and Chickens"--"R. U. Pert"--B. H.--Lulu May--"B. L. Z. Bub, No. 2"--"Frying-pan"--Francis W. Islip--Hazel and Laurel--M. Margaret and E. Muriel Grundy--"Young England"--

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN THE MARCH NUMBER were received, before MARCH 20, from W. Young, 2--E. Routh, 1--Blanche and Fred, 8--E. H. Rossiter, 1--G. Roome, 1--D. Dean, 1--B. B., 1--F. C. Barber, 2--"The Crew," 1--J. R. Smith, 1--A. and B. Knox, 8--G. Gardner, 1--V. F. Hunt, 1--F. Althans, 1--Nanki-Pooh, 2--R. E. Olwine, 2--"Dazee," 3--G. M. Bond, 1--J. A. Bonsted, 1--F. and M. Mellen, 1--W. W. Q., 1--J. J. E., 1--M. L. Hayward, 1--R. L. Foering, 1--A. G. and E. B. Converse, 1--J. H. Laycock, 1--W. H. Stuart, 1--N. McK., 1--L. Simmons, 1--B. B. Witherspoon, 2--Hilda and Laura, 1--E. L. Du Puy, 1--Mollie Ludlow, 8--"Damon and Pythias," 1--"Tweedledum and Tweedledee," 4--E. De B. Wickersham, 3--M. E. Breed, 1--Howard and Nickie, 2--F. E. Bond, 1--Agnes E. Grunsbine, 2--"Tourmaline," 2--W. K. Cornwell, 3--Ned Mitchell, 3--"February and June," 8--M. G. Fiero, 3--W. R. M., 8--J. Moses, 1--Edith Neil and Mamma, 8--S. and F. Guttman, 5--G. T. Hughes, 2--Lizinka C. B., 1--L. Reeves, 6--Francesca and Co., 8--E. C. Bliss, 1--S. Hubbell, 3--Mamie R., 7--J. R. Holme, Jr., 1--L. A. Hosford, 1--Walter La Bar, 8--Eleanor, Maude and Louise Peart, 5--Two Cousins, 8--Dash, 8--Harry A. Bull, 6--F. M. Wickes, 3--Becky and Floy, 2--Emma St. C. Whitney, 4--Fannie and Louise, 6--N. L. Howes, 2--"Zemie and Felice," 6--"Anonymous," 2--C. D. Mason, 2--Fred T. Pierce, 4--J. H. Miller, 1--L. H. Adams, 1--Effie K. Talboys, 6--E. H. Seward, 6--A. W. Lindsay, 6--A. and E. Pendleton, 8--C. S. Seaver and A. M. Young, 8--Lucia C. Bradley, 8--"Jack Spratt," 4--"Theo. Ther," 8--Annette Fiske, 8--C. and H. Condit, 8--Belle and Bertha Murdock, 7--"Jabberwock," 8--T. Gutman, 4--R. Lloyd, 6--L. Rice, 1--L. L. Lee, 1--Morris, 1--Lillie, Olive, and Ida G., 6--Aunt C. Avis, and G. S. Davenport, 7--J. A. Keeler, 3--Jessie D., 8--Oscar and Rosa, 4--A. R. Pabst, 3--H. B. Weil, 2--B. T. Dixon, 1--"Sairy Gamp and Betsy Prig," 8--Jo and I, 8--Alice Crawford, 1--No Name, Norfolk, 7--Mamma and Pearl, 4--C. Holbrook, 1--Mamma and Fanny, 8--Seb and Barn, 8--Pygro,--One Little Maid, 1--E. Rossiter, 1--M. L. G., 6--F. D., 6--Daisy and Mabel, 8--"Dolly Varden," 4--No name, Warrington, 5.

HALF-SQUARE.

1. The name of a large country. 2. The central part of an amphitheater. 3. Tidy. 4. An insect. 5. Two-thirds of a bird. 6. A vowel.

"SAMBO."

RHOMBOID.

ACROSS: 1. A vessel with one mast. 2. A musical instrument. 3. A fungus growth found on rye. 4. Serving to inspire fear. 5. Of a yellowish red color.

DOWNWARD: 1. In yesterday. 2. An exclamation. 3. Mineral. 4. An imaginary monster. 5. Serving-boys. 6. A girl's name. 7. A common, whitish metal. 8. A boy's nickname. 9. In yesterday.

H. H. D.

CROSS-WORD ENIGMA.

My first is in branch, but not in tree;
My second in land, but not in sea;
My third is in orange, but not in seed;
My fourth is in plants, but not in weed;
My fifth is in first, but not in third;
My sixth is in mouse, but not in bird;
My seventh in smile, but not in pout;
My whole the world would look lonely without.

JULIA BRYANT H.

ST. ANDREW'S CROSS OF DIAMONDS.

. .
. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . * . . . . . .
. . . . * * * . . . .
. . * * * * * . .
* * * * * * *
. . * * * * * . .
. . . . * * * . . . .
. . . . . . * . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
. .

I. UPPER LEFT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In plans. 2. The fine soft hair of certain animals. 3. Prices of passage. 4. An early dissenter from the Church of England. 5. To furnish with a new point. 6. The juice of plants. 7. In plans.

II. UPPER RIGHT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In plans. 2. Marsh. 3. A character in "Oliver Twist." 4. Africans. 5. The daughter of Tantalus. 6. Born. 7. In plans.

III. CENTRAL DIAMOND: 1. In plans. 2. An inclosure. 3. Pertaining to the puma. 4. The goddess of retribution. 5. Pertaining to a feature of the face. 6. Nothing. 7. In plans.

IV. LOWER LEFT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In plans. 2. A boy's nickname. 3. A short staff. 4. Irritates. 5. A Latin word signifying "to be unwilling." 6. Born. 7. In plans.

V. LOWER RIGHT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In plans. 2. To permit. 3. Of a lead color. 4. More than two. 5. Weary. 6. A name by which a. father is sometimes called. 7. In plans.

"SANDY-SIDE."

"DIAMOND" PUZZLE.

From the objects shown in the diamond, construct a "double diamond." (One that will read differently across and up and down.) The two central words are shown in the center of the diamond.

BURIED CITIES.

1. The month of October never is very cold. 2. She would as lief scrub as learn a hard lesson. 3. There was an iceberg engraved on the silver pitcher. 4. You must quit overworking or you will be ill, no doubt. 5. He knew her at once, by her peculiar gait. 6. Can you command a layman to do what is the pastor's work? 7. I love nice wicker-work. 8. The convicts are all sombre men, I should say, when they do such heavy work.

"LOU C. LEE."

DOUBLE ACROSTIC.

My primals spell the Christian name, and my finals the surname of a great and good man, who was born in June, and who died in June. He was connected with a famous English school.

CROSS-WORDS (of equal length): 1. The muse who presides over comedy. 2. Excessive fear. 3. The king of the fairies. 4. A popular operetta. 5. Belonging to the stars. 6. A famous sailor.

"TALLY-HO."

A BERRY PUZZLE.

Each of the twelve little pictures in the accompanying illustration, suggests the name of a familiar berry. Name the berries in the order in which they are numbered.

DIAMOND.

1. In redstart. 2. A meadow. 3. A caterpillar. 4. A snake. 5. To turn aside. 6. An insect. 7. In redstart.

STANLEY W. MERRELL.

PI.

Ni Jeun 't si dogo ot eli hatbeen a teer
Wheil eth thileb nesaso trosmocf veeyr neses,
Stepse lal eth nabir ni stre, dan sheaf eth thear,
Grimminb ti o're hwit tensweses sawaruen.
Gantfrar dan estnil sa atht syro nows,
Writewheh eth tyingpi papel etef flils pu,
Dan edentryl nesil soem stal-eary birno's tens.

BEHEADINGS.

1. Behead a narrow piece of woven fabric and leave a quadrumanous animal. 2. Behead a coarse file and leave a poisonous serpent. 3. Behead an image or representation and leave to peruse. 4. Behead a small, pointed piece of metal and leave to be indisposed. 5. Behead a Mohammedan prince and leave a person. 6. Behead current and leave a small fish. 7. Behead to throw or cast and leave to terminate.

The beheaded letters, read in the order here given, will spell the name of a Sunday which comes in June.

"XYLO."

DOUBLE DIAGONALS.

1 . . . . . . . 3
. * . . . . . * .
. . * . . . * . .
. . . * . * . . .
. . . . * . . . .
. . . * . * . . .
. . * . . . * . .
. * . . . . . * .
4 . . . . . . . 2

ACROSS: 1. Consuming by degrees. 2. A certain time of one's life. 3. By degrees. 4. Daring. 5. One who chaffers. 6. Displayed. 7. Contrition. 8. The science of sounds. 9. Formerly much used in making furniture.

The diagonals from 1 to 2 and from 3 to 4, each name a little song bird.

GILBERT FORREST.

CHARADE.

My _first_, a happy youngster,
Went forth one summer's day,--
My _second_ he was seeking,
For he was fond of play.
And quoth he, somewhat sagely,
"I've not a single sou
To buy my _whole_, so, really,
I'll have to make these do."
He found the magic number;
Then down the road he went
To join his merry playmates,
On game of _whole_ intent.

M. C. D.

METAMORPHOSES.

The problem is to change one given word to another given word, by altering one letter at a time, each alteration making a new word, the number of letters being always the same, and the letters remaining always in the same order. Sometimes the metamorphoses may be made in as many moves as there are letters in each given word, but in other instances more moves are required.

EXAMPLE: Change LAMP to FIRE in four moves. Answer, LAMP, LAME, FAME, FARE, FIRE.

1. Change APE to MAN in eight moves. 2. Change OARS to BOAT in eight moves. 3. Change LEAD to GOLD in six moves. 4. Change WARM to COLD in five moves. 5. Change ONE to TWO in eight moves. 6. Change AGE to GAS in seven moves.

"OLD CARTHUSIAN" and F. W.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN THE MAY NUMBER.

MOTHER GOOSE PUZZLE.

Hark, hark! The dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town;
Some in rags and some in tags,
And some in velvet gown.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

A jest's prosperity lies in the ear
Of him that hears it, never in the tongue
Of him that makes it.

--_Love's Labor Lost_, Act. v., Sc. 2.

PI.

At times a fragrant breeze comes floating by,
And brings, you know not why,
A feeling as when eager crowds await
Before a palace gate
Some wondrous pageant; and you scarce would start,
If from a beech's heart
A blue-eyed Dryad, stepping forth, should say,
"Behold me! I am May!"

_Henry Timrod._

CENTRAL ACROSTIC. Rowena. 1. sh-O-ne. 2. sh-E-ll. 3. to-W-er. 4. cr-A-te. 5. pa-R-ry. 6. pa-N-ic.

GREEK CROSS. Upper Square: 1. Start. 2. Tabor. 3. Above. 4. Roves. 5. Tress. Left-hand Square; 1. Tract. 2. Rumor. 3. Ample. 4. Coles. 5. Tress. Central Square: 1. Tress. 2. Raven. 3. Evade. 4. Sedge. 5. Sneer. Right-hand Square: 1. Sneer. 2. Noble. 3. Ebbed. 4. Elegy. 5. Redye. Lower Square: 1. Sneer. 2. Nacre. 3. Eclat. 4. Erato. 5. Retop.

TRIPLE ACROSTIC. Primals, centrals, and finals, mist-rust-less. Across: 1. MonaRchaL. 2. IntrUsivE. 3. SpinSterS. 4. TrusTlesS.

INVERTED PYRAMID. Across: 1. Dimension. 2. Devours. 3. Nitre. 4. Lee. 5. D.

CONNECTED SQUARES: Centrals, downward, house-w-right; centrals, across, heart-w-heels. I. 1. Echos. 2. Croup. 3. House. 4. Ousel. 5. Spell. II. 1. Ashes. 2. Siege. 3. Heart. 4. Egret. 5. Setto. III. 1. Pshaw. 2. Stela. 3. Heels. 4. Allot. 5. Waste. IV. 1. Carom. 2. Amice. 3. Right. 4. Ochre. 5. Meter.

FINAL ACROSTIC. Finals, Plantagenet. Cross-words: 1. shrimP. 2. symboL. 3. salviA. 4. spraiN. 5. spiriT. 6. siestA. 7. sprinG. 8. simplE. 9. straiN. 10. satirE. 11. straiT.

WORD-SQUARES IN DIAMONDS. I. 1. S. 2. Pat. 3. Sates. 4. Tea. 5. S. II. 1. F. 2. Tap. 3. Fares. 4. Pen. 5. S. III. 1. F. 2. Baa. 3. Fairy. 4 Art. 5. Y.

DECORATION DAY PUZZLE.

Sleep, soldiers! still in honored rest,
Your truth and valor wearing;
The bravest are the tenderest,--
The loving are the daring.

HOUR-GLASS. Centrals, Cleveland; Cross-words: 1. deliCious. 2. sheLlac. 3. fiEnd. 4. EVa. 5. E. 6. iLl. 7. meAns. 8. misName. 9. overDoses.

WORD-SQUARE. 1. Anna. 2. Near. 3. Name. 4. Area.

Transcriber's Note: All apparent printer's errors, dialect, and other (deliberate) mis-spellings have been retained.

Transcriber's Note: Irish characters have been marked in braces, such as {A} for an Irish letter "A", etc. The proper symbols can be found in the HTML version of this book.

End of Project Gutenberg's St. Nicholas Vol XIII. No. 8 June 1886, by Various