done. The result was that the large heap of larvæ was visited by about three times as many ants as the small one. Hence the inference is plain that ants can call assistance to any task in which they are engaged, that they can form some estimate of the amount of labour that will be required, and can make their views in some manner known to their companions.

11. The manner in which, when on the march, they are directed by their officers, and the promptitude and precision with which a column is sent out to seize any booty indicated by scouting parties show likewise a completeness and exactness of language very different from anything we observe in quadrupeds and birds.-From the Journal of Science.

Questions on the lesson:-What peculiarity of the ant of Texas is mentioned? How does this ant prepare a place for rearing food for itself? What operations does it perform which seem to require reason? What does the laying out of the plot lead to? What is the result of these contests? Of what nature are the roads laid out by the ants? How do the ants make their dwellings of growing leaves? In what various ways have they been observed to overcome engineering difficulties? In mining how are they divided? To save the trouble of climbing each time what is done? What is said of their power of communicating with each other? What interesting plan did Sir John Lubbock adopt to test the ants' power of communicating with each other? What was the result?

Texas, one of the most southerly of the United States of North America.

larva, plural larvæ, an insect in its first stage after issuing from

the egg.

adhesive, sticky.

agricultural, given to tillage.

cement, to join firmly. column, a long body. community, a society. comrade, a companion. expedient, a contrivance. excavate, to hollow out. foraging, seeking for food.

marauding, engaged in robbery. pellet, a small ball.

perpendicular, even up and down.

scouting, bringing in tidings. shaft, the entrance to a mine. spontaneous, growing of themselves.

zeal, earnestness.

OIL-WELLS.

1. Petroleums or rock-oils are found in England, India, France, and several other countries. Near the Cape de Verde Isles petroleum has been seen floating on the surface of the sea. In the Gulf of Mexico also, the bottom of which has often been shaken by volcanic action, seapitch is obtained in the form of a blackish oil, owing doubtless to numerous oil-springs under the sea.

2. The most abundant springs of petroleum have been discovered in America. In 1827, when soundings for saltsprings were being made near Burksville, those engaged saw an oil-spring rising from a depth of 200 feet. Its appearance was accompanied by a noise resembling thunder. The jets rose more than twelve feet above the ground, and the well being near the Cumberland river, the oil spread over its surface to a considerable distance. A torch was applied, when the water was immediately covered with flames, and became literally a river of fire. The flames occasioned serious loss to the owners of the property on its banks.

3. In other parts of America there are numerous wells or mineral oil-springs. In the year 1859, a farmer named Drake undertook the boring of a well. The farm was situated on the banks of a river. When he had reached a depth of 69 feet, instead of water, which he was in search of, he found an abundance of oil. It was collected by the help of a pump and was found to be of excellent quality. Other wells were dug by the side of the first, and with equally favourable results. Crowds flocked to the place and saw with amazement the hard rock pouring forth streams of oil.

4. The number of wells now opened is nearly 2000. The depth at which oil is met with varies from 30 to

400 feet. As it is collected the oil is conducted by rudely made canals to immense tubs, which are carefully placed at some distance from the well. This precaution is needful, on account of the great inflammability of the oil.

5. The demand for these American oils has created a new branch of commerce, and caused the rapid growth of "oil cities" in the neighbourhood of the wells. Rockoils have a peculiar and unpleasant odour, but they are greatly prized for illuminating purposes and for the lubrication of machinery.

Questions on the lesson :-In what countries are rock-oils found? How can it be shown that there are oil-springs under the sea? Where are these springs most abundant? How high did the jets rise near Burksville? What interesting sight was witnessed in the neighbourhood? What number of wells is now open? What are "oil cities?" For what is rock-oil used?

Cumberland River, a tributary of the Ohio, in Kentucky in the United States.

illuminating, furnishing light. inflammability, readiness to

burn.

lubrication, making smooth. precaution, care beforehand to prevent danger.

THE CORAL GROVE.

1. Deep in the wave is a Coral Grove,
Where the purple mullet and gold-fish rove,
Where the sea-flower spreads its leaves of blue,
That never are wet with falling dew,
But in bright and changeful beauty shine,
Far down in the green and glassy brine.

2. The floor is of sand like the mountain drift,
And the pearl shells spangle the flinty snow,

From coral rocks the sea-plants lift

Their boughs where the tides and billows flow;
The water is calm and still below,

For the winds and waves are absent there,
And the sands are bright as the stars that glow
In the motionless fields of upper air.

3. There with its waving blade of green,

The sea-flag streams through the silent water,
And the crimson leaf of the dulse is seen

To blush like a banner bathed in slaughter;
There with a light and easy motion,

The fan-coral sweeps through the deep clear sea.

4. And the yellow and scarlet tufts of ocean
Are bending like corn on the upland lea:
And life, in rare and beautiful forms,

Is sporting amid these bowers of stone,
And is safe, when the wrathful spirit of storms
Has made the top of the wave his own.

5. And when the ship from his fury flies,

Where the myriad voices of ocean roar,
When the wind-god frowns in the murky skies,
And demons are waiting the wreck on shore,
Then far below, in the peaceful sea,

The purple mullet and gold-fish rove
Where the waters murmur tranquilly

Through the bending twigs of the Coral Grove.

brine, the salt sea.

demon, an evil spirit.

dulse, a kind of sea-weed.

mullet, a fish of a red or yellow colour.

murky, gloomy.

rove, to wander about.

spangle, to adorn with what sparkles.

upland, high in situation.

NATURAL HISTORY.

[The Natural History of Selborne, from which the following extracts are taken, was written by the Rev. Gilbert White and published in 1789. The author interested himself in every living thing that was to be found within the limits of his parish, and observed their instincts and ways from day to day during a long life. His book, which is characterised by a singular vividness and freshness of description, has probably done more than any other to make Natural History popular. White's own history is a striking illustration how unnecessary it is to travel far from home in order to make the most interesting and instructive observations.]

SOCIABILITY OF THE BRUTE CREATION.

1. There is a wonderful spirit of sociability in the brute creation. The congregating of gregarious birds in the winter is a remarkable instance of it. Many horses, though quiet with company, will not stay one minute in a field by themselves: the strongest fences cannot restrain them. My neighbour's horse will not only not stay by himself abroad, but he will not bear to be left alone in a strange stable without discovering the utmost impatience, and endeavouring to break the rack and manger with his fore-feet. He has been known to leap out at a stable window after company.

2. Oxen and cows will not fatten by themselves, but will neglect the finest pasture that is not recommended by society. It would be needless to instance sheep, which constantly flock together.

3. This propensity seems not to be confined to animals of the same species. We know a doe, still alive, that was brought up from a little fawn with a dairy of cows; with them it goes afield, and with them it returns to the yard. The dogs of the house take no notice of this deer, being used to her, but if strange dogs come by, a chase ensues.