The Strength of Insects. Insects are apparently such insignificant creatures that little folk-and big folk, too, for that matterwill be surprised to learn the results of a number of experiments conducted by a scientific Frenchman with a view to test the muscular power of insects. By harnessing some small waggons filled with tiny weights to cockchafers, and also attaching weights to certain swift-flying insects, he was led to the conclusion that the smallest of these animals were able to display the greatest effective force. He then found that a cockchafer is twenty-one times stronger than a horse, and a bee thirty times stronger; for, whereas a horse is unable to exert a stress beyond the sixty-seventh of his weight, a cockchafer can easily draw a load fourteen times its own weight, and a bee secured to a waggon twenty times heavier than itself can put it in motion with little trouble. That is to say, a cockchafer can draw with ease fourteen, and a bee twenty, of its like. The Cedars of Lebanon in Danger. It is stated that the historical once famous cedar forest of Lebanon has dwindled down to a mere thicket of four hundred trees. To save it from further destruction the Governor-General of the province has been compelled to issue a series of stringent regulations to put a stop to the wanton destructiveness of travellers. No tent or other kind of shelter is to be erected within the district of the trees, nor must fire be lighted, or food cooked in its vicinity. No one will be allowed to break off a bough or even a twig from any cedar, and should sheep, goat, or cattle be found pasturing or otherwise at large within the proscribed boundary, they will be at once captured, and will on no account be restored. If some such provision had been in force in our own country many ancient historical monu ments of surpassing interest would now have been standing to the instruction and delight of thousands of Englishmen. Cranes as Carriers. A scientific paper relates a most interesting circumstance respecting those little birds which pass the winter in warm climes. Making southwards from the cold north of Europe, their progress towards the sunny lands would be effectually stopped at the Mediterranean Sea, since they are unable to perform the flight of 350 miles across it, but for a kindly provision of nature. In the autumn, on the first approach of cold, flocks of cranes may be seen coming from the north. They fly low, and as they circle over the cultivated land, they utter a curious cry, as if of alarm. The little "migratory" birds (as they are called) may then be observed to fly up to them to secure a passage across the Great Sea, while the song of those who have already taken their seats upon the cranes' backs may be plainly heard. In this way they manage to escape the cold season, which would kill them off in multitudes. Pearl-Divers of Ceylon. The pearls obtained from the oyster-banks off the western shores of Ceylon are stated to be the finest in the world. They are fished for in a very simple way. As soon as the oysters are matured, the boats from Ceylon and the Indian coast arrive to be enrolled for the fishery. The fleet, which may number from 150 to 180 boats, is divided into two parts, one sailing under red, the other under blue flags, and visits the banks on alternate days. Each boat furnishes its own crew and divers, and is also supplied with a watchman to prevent the oysters from being stolen. Each diver stands on a flat stone attached to a long rope, and after taking a deep breath and closing the nostrils with one hand, is lowered to the bottom, where he collects as many oysters as he can in his basket. Few divers remain below for more than 45 seconds. At a signal, the boats all sail for the shore, where they are unloaded in presence of an inspector, who directs the oysters to be placed in the Government kootoos or enclosed stores. They are then counted and a certain number handed to the boatmen in payment of their services. The rest are sold by auction to the highest bidder. Capturing a Shark. Shark-fishing is a pursuit that would appear to be much more dangerous than amusing. At any rate, in a recent encounter between a huge fish, 13 feet 8 inches long, and II feet round at the thickest part, and a couple of Australian fishermen, it was for a considerable time doubtful with which side the victory would rest. The hook they could to prevent the boat from dipping under. He next sounded, but rising once more, made for the boat, when the lance was sent into him two or three times. Though he was now done for, it took the men an hour to get him quiet enough to tow into port, which was only accomplished after two hours' pulling, and with the help of another boat which had been despatched to their assistance. A SNAKE-CHARMER. sent into him. The weapon held well, its ears opening as soon as a strain was on the line. Finding himself wounded the shark struck the boat with his nose, and sounded, running out nearly 50 fathoms of line. The fishermen then tried to haul in, when he suddenly rose to the surface, made for the bow of the boat, which he seized and shook, like a dog shaking a rat, tearing off big splinters; meanwhile one of the men lanced him, the other pushing the paddle into the shark's mouth. Letting go the boat, he held the paddle, waving it like a feather, but finally dropping it. He again started off just below the surface, towing the boat along at a rapid rate, the fishermen having to pay out the line as fast as The Snake-Charmers of the East. Snake charming is an ancient, if dangerous pro fession. You will remember a passage in the Psalms in which David, speaking of the wicked and their ways, says "they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming so wisely." These charmers are most common ly found in Egypt and in India, and the serpent with which they usually experimentalise is the deadly cobra. Formerly they were looked upon as a kind of magician, but in our day all their performances are regarded as exhibitions for money. When a snake has been secured it is dropped into a basket and the "charmer" begins at once to play on a musical instrument-a species of pipe being generally employed. At first the snake heeds not the dulcet sounds, but makes vigorous efforts to escape. This, of course, is prevented, and by-and-by, after it has become accustomed to the strains, it will be seen to push up the lid of the basket. Gradually it raises itself erect, and then distending its hood, sits upon its tail and sways to and fro in time with the music. It becomes quite tame. This performance is known as "dancing," and it is not uncommon to see several snakes dancing together on the ground, all spell-bound, as it were, by the music. 751 Robert Hamilton, Strathaven, N.B. 10 834 William Ramsay Strathaven, N.B. 11 914 Ethel M. Ginsburg, Chertsey 12 8,3 Marian Steele AGE AGE 916 Viola Hildyard, Clapton 10 918 Edith Kendall, W. Croydon 12 920 Hester E. Bailey. L'pool Rd., L. 12 921 Annie G. Ratcliffe, Blandford 12 923 Susan E. Redford, Putney 752 David Scott 11 835 William Browa 11 915 Emilia C. Ginsburg 753 James Cassels 10 836 William Thomson II 754 Jessie Tennant 10 837 James Barclay 755 Maggie Locke 13 818 Alexander Fleming 756 Maggie Fleming To 83) Agnes Semple 757 John Findlay " 984) Christina Mounts 758 Jeanie Law 10 841 Christina Lambi, 759 George Watt 10 842 Andrew Fleming 760 John Donald 761 John Paterson 10 844 Janet Brownlie 752 Fllen Wilson 10 845 Thomas Lambie 11 846 Alexander McAlpine 10 847 Robert W. Kyle 9 848 Agnes Barr 10 849 Mary Scott 12 850 Robert Hale 13 851 John Mather 11 924 Ethel M. Wyndham, Oxford 1925 Sybil W. M. Wyndham 11 926 Isabella M. Anderson, Finchley 13 927 Florence H. Tait, Wandsworth 9 929 Marguerite Dupuy, Cricklewood 15 10 9 931 Frances A. Bagley, Wolstanton 9 12 852 AMY HALLIDAY, Marylebone, L. 13 932 Isabel A. Vulianny, Eure, France 13 1: 853 John G. Faulkner 11 854 Emily M. Faulkner 8 855 C. Lyon 12 856 Alice Roots, Portman Street, L. 9 857 Topsy Taylor, Paddington St., L. 10 8,8 Lillie Fleck, Munt Street, L. 14 933 Lucie Vullianny ..15 7 531 Ida Mitchel', Athy (Ireland) 13 12 935 Sarah J. Scatehard, Dewsbury 14 9 8 10 839 Melody Miller, Marylebone, L... 8 12 860 Alice Cundy, Castle Street, L... 10 12 861 Edith Burman, Albert Gate, L. 11 9 962 Lucy Pratt, Charges Street, L. 10 12 853 Jessie Rolls, Conduit Street L. .13 14 F64 Emily Banister, Boyle Street. L. 12 14 865 Martha Smith, Gt. Marlboro'St.. L. 13 865 Janet Dalgleish, Savile Row, L. 17 11 867 Lottie Dalgleish 12 868 Harriett Kilby, Piccadilly 10 869 Alice Scarlett, Albemarle St., L. 11 877 Emma Perkin, Paddington St., L. 16 10 878 Mark Drew, Spring Street, L. 18 13 879 Edith Becher, Endsle gh St.. L. 12 13 880 Alice Colston. George Street, L. 16 11881 Harry Dunnill, Gt. WoodstockSt.L 13 14 799 James Hamilton, Avondale, N B. 11 882 Howard P. Becher EndsleighSt. L 16 800 Wil iam McCo'l, Strathaven, N.B. 9 883 Maud Becher 801 ROBERT WATSON 802 Sarah Currie 803 Jane Barclay 804 Ellen Currie " " .. 13 894 Lou sa Lipop, Thomas St., L... 9 13 885 W. Martin, Marylebone, L. 13 Edwards, Marylebone 14 9 886 Bridget 11 887 Mary A. Edwards. Marylebone 16 10 883 Ruby Halliday, Marylebone 10 10 889 Bertha Dunnill, Gt Woodstock 9 15 Street, L. 11890 Alfred West, Not ingham St., L. 12 13 891 Jessie E. Hotime Islington 13 9 892 Alfred Vaughan, Boston Place, L. 16 10 893 Emily Perry, George Street, L... 18 10 894 A. McLennan, Upper Holloway 19 11 895 Janie Roussel, George Street, L. 17 10 896 Elsie Lyon. Thomas Street, L. ..10 11 897 Mary Pope, West Hampstead 14 11 898 Martha Brand, Northumberland 15 899 Arthur E. Foxell, Paddington 16 990) Mary Lipop, Thomas Streer, L. 11 9 901 Carrie Curtis. King's Cross 11 10 902 Maud Scort, George Street, L... 17 8to John Scoular 811 Nicol Hamilton 813 John Barclay 10 823 Annie Orr II 903 Mary A. Warden, Whittington Road, L. 19 10 904 Ada Brand, NorthumberlandSt. L. 14 9 905 Agnes Crompton, Wilmslow 11 906 Rex Crompton 9 907 Horace G. Corner, Hereford 11908 Isabel S Hind, Carlisle 9 909 George E. Hirst, Huddersfield II 910 Edith G. Hirst 9911 Frederic A. St. John, S'hampton 11 912 May L. Hind, Carlisle 937 Ethel M. Padmore, Birmingham 938 John A. Tupman, Otley 933 Kenneth L. Tupman,.. 940 Antonietta Tupman, 941 Cicely A. Tait, Wandsworth 942 Walter F. Legg, Gosport 943 Katherine M. B. Pownall, Southsea 944 LionelE P. Gaskin, Reims (France) 945 Jessie E. L. Grahame, Ayr 946 George T. H. D. Lowe 947 May Mo'esworth, Bideford 951 Irene d'Olszowska, Brusse 952 Gertrude A. Butler, Devizes 953 Ada C. Butler 954 Nellie B. Salisbury, Wells 955 Mabel T. Salisbury 956 Harcourt S. Smith, Wavertree 959 Florence Bennett 98) Edgar A Newman 982 Hugh J. Barton 985 Dorothy A. C. Warren 986 Lucy Baxter 14 987 Elizabeth C. C. Warren 988 Charles H. Kirk 13 989 Martha Smith 6990 Alice M. Hudson, Norwich 15 Γι 9 99t Harriet Lanham, Bunwel 993 John W. Culham, Tacolneston.. 8 1074 Florence Walters 9 994 Rosa M. Cooper, Long Stratten 10 833 Gavin Kirkland 11 913 Hildegarde B. Ginsburg. Chertsey 15 1076 Mary Neal 995 Alice Lanham, Bunwell 12 1405 Emily M. Sisam 10 1512 Gertrude Taudy, Harborne 16 1176 Maggie Turabull 1177 John Mackenzie 178 Maggie Ross 1179 Alfred Craig 1180 Margaret Davidson 1181 David Kerr 1132 James Blair 1183 David Millar 13 1281 Ethel Durant 10 1282 Mabel Durant It 1284 G. C. Bird 10 1285 W. L. Bird 1286 D. L Bird II 1287 J. S. Bird 13 1288 R. Trollop " 13 1239 Edith Whitaker, Shrewsbury.. 16 1401 Harriet Hitchings 10 1290 John Broughton, Stoke Newington 12 1291 Ada Broughton 14 1232 Annie Broughton 13 1293 Leonora Holloway 1184 Richard Binnie 1135 Euphemia Hamill 1186 Archibald McGill 1187 George Gill Melrose 1183 George Chaplin 1189 Adriana Hutchison " 1190 Isabella Davis 1 1191 Daniel Money 10 1402 Florence Fryer 13 1406 Caroline H. Sisain 14 1407 William Sisam 10 14:8 Alfred J. M. Sisam TO .409 Mabel A. Ferminger, Edmonton 12 1294 Edith Blake 11 1295 Lucy Penney 13 1296 Mary Jane Ford 10 1297 Mary Dennis 13 12 8 Kate Dennis 13 129) Η Moore 12 1300 Rosa Brown 14 1301 Gerty Brown 13 1302 N. Moore 12 1410 Elizabeth A. Warren 11 1411 William K. Ferminger 12 1412 James Jackson, Scarborough 7 1413 Robert J. Jackson 1414 Sarah G. Croal, Edinburgh .. 15 1519 Harry H. Pearson, Birmingham 11 12 |