name of their monastery, and an altar containing their implements of divination. Then followed some of the relatives and servants, the latter bearing trays of refreshments for the mourners. Next came a splendid shrine containing the family tablet of the dead, supported by her nephews and grandchildren, and surrounded by a number of boys and girls carrying baskets of flowers and little banners having appropriate devices. The coffin and mourners then brought up the chief feature of the procession, the former having a richly embroidered silk pall of many colours, with a fringe reaching nearly to the ground, and carried by eight bearers. The cemetery being outside the walls of the city, the procession had to pass through one of the gates, where it was augmented by friends and sympathisers, attracted by respect or curiosity, until it stretched to more than half a mile in length, when it reached the burial-ground. The tomb was shaped like a pyramid, with an entrance for the coffin, which was not interred in a grave-pit, but placed on the surface of the ground. When this last part of the ceremony was performed, the chief mourner uttered the following prayer: "I beg to announce to my parent, that since my mother cast off this world and departed, I shall cherish my grief to the end of my days; and have constantly kept it in my own breast morning and evening, yet sorrowing in vain. Having divined favourable auguries, with thankfulness I come here to a fortunate spot where the wind dwells, and the dragon's pulse rests. On this auspicious day I take up the coffin and place it within the tomb. The form of the dead is there, but the spirit returns to the ancestral hall, where it will remain for thousands of generations. Being now settled in this place which is so beautiful and desirable, may you abundantly illuminate your posterity, that happiness and emoluments may be granted them, obtained by your goodness. Be pleased to regard this." Having repeated this from a written scroll, he burned it, and then presented the sacrificial offerings, saying:-"My parents are reposing quietly in their dark abode, the sextons have finished their work, the cypresses are freshly waving around, and I with sincere feelings prostrate myself, begging to except the sacrifice of clean viands here spread out, and cause happiness to descend, through the merit of the living and the dead, for ever upon this place." Here the burial ceremony ended; the mourners returned to the family mansion, and the procession was dispersed. Then all the relatives of the deceased assembled in the "Hall of Ancestors," where her tablet was formally installed among the congregation of tablets in the lararium. This ancestral tablet was was afterwards placed on the tombstone, with the substitution of the family residence for the place of burial, the date when the interment took place, and the names of those who set it up. No sentimental inscriptions, like those on tombstones in European graveyards, such as lines of poetry, texts, records of labour, or biographical laudations, are ever found in China. Yet the Chinese never cease to reverence the memory of their ancestors, which is so persistent, and involves so much of devotion on their part, that it amounts to a kind of worship, unknown in any other nation on the earth. CHAPTER XXIII.-DEPARTURE FOR NANKING. DURING the burial ceremony at the tombs, Meng-kee observed, with some uneasiness, the Taiping emissary among the crowd of spectators. Their eyes met, and he gave the mandarin a significant glance, as if he would wish to speak with him. Thinking it best to do so, he nodded an assent, and after the service, stepping aside from the throng, whispered to him to meet him there on the following day at noon.* Punctually to the hour, Meng-kee and Cut-sing saluted they could converse without being heard by any eavesdropper, who might inform upon them. The mandarin was the first to open the conversation. each other in the retired Vale of the Tombs. Here "Well, Cut-sing," he asked, in a friendly manner, "how have you and your companions fared since you left the Customs station, where you might have got into trouble if I had not come up in time to your relief?" "Many thanks, honourable sir, to you for your help. I had, indeed, a narrow escape from being sent back to Peking, as our party heard afterwards that many had been punished for having articles from the plundered palace in their possession. It had the effect, however, of making us more careful in our movements, and we resolved to be practically what we had called ourselves, namely, traders; so when we arrived at Tien-tsin we sold all our merchandise, in case some spies might be watching us. then left the city by twos and threes unobserved, and did not meet again until we reached Lin-tsing." We "We stopped there also," Meng-kee remarked, assuming a grave expression of countenance; "and its desolate aspect gave a sad pang to my heart; for there, in my younger days, I had some dearlybeloved friends, and when I went to seek for them their houses were in ruins, while they have either fallen victims in the fight, or fled for their lives. It produced in me such a revulsion of feeling, that I wished I had not espoused a cause that brought such desolation on the land." "Say not so, noble sir," rejoined the Taiping made of chestnut; twelve tsun high to represent the emissary, in his blandest manner and tone of voice; twelve months, four tsun broad to denote the four "such are the chances of war. Lin-tsing was seasons, and twelve fan thick to represent the twelve garrisoned by the Tartar forces, who threatened to hours. The top was rounded to represent heaven, destroy our first northern legion on their campaign and the bottom flat, as the Chinese representation of through the province of Shan-tung, and the Chungthe earth. The tablet was deposited on one of the wang sent a strong force to their relief, which disshelves in the hall, where there were many others persed the enemy and destroyed their stronghold in ranged in chronological order, the number gradually that town. But this and other places will be increasing downward, beginning with the founder of restored when the Taiping rule is firmly established." the family down to the last generation. In the back of the tablet a small square hole was dug out, having a sliding cover, in which a paper was placed giving the dates of the birth and death of the deceased, the number of her children, and where she was buried. An inscription of the same kind wealthy people who can afford to purchase them. "What you state certainly qualifies the conduct of With the Chinese the day is divided into twelve parts, so that one of reckoning by minutes or seconds, but they have a sundial where the hour is divided into eight parts, corresponding to the subdivision of our quarters. From this division of time approximating to the European mode of reckoning, watches and clocks are greatly sought after by the their hours is equal to two of ours. They have no native machine for your army, but it is plain that the peaceable and industrious inhabitants are the chief sufferers in this internecine strife, and the sooner it is brought to a close one way or the other, the better will it be for our distracted country." "There is every prospect of that consummation taking place within a short time. On my way this far along the canal I met with some of our friends who have lately come up the Yang-tsze Kiang, who report that nearly every city and town between Nanking and the seacoast are in possession of our brave troops. The only place of importance not yet captured is Shanghai, where the foreigners have a settlement and carry on a large trade. When that seaport is in our possession we will be able to have numerous war-junks to defend our posts from the attacks of the imperial gunboats. At present these are mostly in the southern harbours, refitting after the damage sustained in fighting the foreign ships, so that the Great River up to Nanking is free from their presence. Now is the safest time we have yet had to navigate that mighty stream." As the wily emissary dilated upon the successful progress of the gigantic rebel movement, our mandarin listened with great attention. He did not altogether trust to the accuracy of the intelligence, but the information picked up on his journey was in the main of similar purport, and favourable to the Taiping cause. From all this he concluded that the movement was reaching its crisis, and it was quite possible that it might succeed in overthrowing the Manchoo dynasty. With these impressions on his mind he spoke on the subject in a more confidential manner than he had yet done. "This news," he said, "corroborates what I have already heard, and the imperialist generals are in great consternation at the victorious advance of your army on the wealthy seaport towns. Under these circumstances I will make no delay to reach Nanking and place my services at the disposal of your chiefs. Now that I have performed my duty in consigning the remains of my lamented mother to the tomb, I am free to take action in the matter. Say, Cut-sing, how would you advise me to proceed, for in this part of my journey you must be my guide." "Honourable sir, you gladden my heart, and may depend upon my assistance in proceeding with safety to the southern capital. You need not make a day's delay, for I have a boat in readiness to convey us comfortably thither, with a retired cabin for the accommodation of your daughter and a female attendant." A slight frown stole over Meng-kee's features at this assumption of Cut-sing's that A-Lee would accompany him. "I have no intention," he replied, "of taking A-Lee into a besieged city, where dangers of many kinds may encompass a maiden." "You need have no fear in that respect, noble sir, for there are many fair women among the Taipings, who would welcome her and protect her from harm in their homes. This you may inform her, that the Chung-wang, our great commander of the forces, has a daughter of about her own age, who will receive her as a sister." "Before I decide on this I must consult her, and will mention what you have stated; meanwhile we must part, you to make preparations for our journey, while I make arrangements to bid adieu to my kindred. The result I shall let you know to-morrow, when we meet in this place at the same hour." On Meng-kee's return to the family mansion he lost no time in having an interview with his daughter. He informed her of all that the emissary had said concerning the success of the Taiping movement, and the likelihood of his obtaining a high post in that service. Then he told her about his resolve to leave for Nanking in a day or two, while she would remain with her kindred in Yang-chow. Here she interrupted him, saying, "Father! dearest father, you must not leave me behind. My fortunes are yours. Besides, do not the Taiping God-worshippers believe in the same tenets of Christianity that we do? And surely there are some good women amongst them with whom I can associate, whose religious observances would accord more with my faith than the heathen rites and ceremonies of this household." Upon saying this, Loo A-Lee buried her face in her father's breast, and gave vent to sobs and tears. "Be calm, my child," he whispered; "this point was discussed between Cut-sing and myself; and, strange to say, he had settled it in his own mind that you were to come with me, by stating that he had engaged a comfortable boat, having a private cabin for your special accommodation." "Then he is not such a disagreeable man as I took him for," she said, lifting up her head and looking at her father through her tears, with a smile upon her face; "he knows that I am an affectionate, dutiful daughter, who would sacrifice her best interests for those of her parent, and share with him all his sorrows and dangers." "I know that well, my beloved child; but was afraid to take you among a community while as yet I can only guess at their social condition from hearsay, and that is conflicting. However, he assured me that there were many ladies among the Taipings who would welcome and protect you from harm. So we shall say nothing more about it, and at once prepare to pursue our journey to Nanking." Excuses were made to their relatives by father and daughter that they intended to visit some friends in the neighbouring town of Kwa-chow at the entrance of the Grand Canal, which were accepted without suspicion. On the following day Meng-kee met Cut-sing according to appointment, when the emis sary rejoiced within himself at the prospect of being on familiar terms with A-Lee, and so enabled to try all his blandishments to win her affections. In due course the party got safely on board the passenger boat, A-Lee having dispensed with the servant hired at Tung-chow, for Cut-sing had engaged a woman favourable to the Taiping cause to attend upon her. As the heats of autumn had passed away by this time, the internal arrangements of the cabins were made comfortable to withstand the winter frosts. In these the Chinese depend entirely for warmth on quilted cotton bed furniture, and long robes, sometimes lined with fur. A-Lee and her attendant occupied the small after-cabin, where she could recline on a cushioned sofa, with a small worktable by her side. Meng-kee and Cut-sing sat in the chief cabin on arm-chairs-these being chiefly used in China-at the sides of a large table, intended for a goodly number of passengers. There they sat smoking their long-stemmed brass pipes, and chatting away in a friendly manner. On this section of the canal there was more traffic than they had hitherto seen. Junks of various sizes were passing to and fro with passengers and pro duce, chiefly in transit between the depôts at its | the number of esculent species is far more numerous junction and the upper reaches of the river. Greater than is usually supposed; but, as accidents are not speed than usual was also maintained by the boat- unfrequent from confounding species altogether, or men in taking advantage of the temporary absence mixing poisonous kinds with those which are wholeof the legitimate authorities, placed there in ordinary some, they are far more neglected in this country. times to check smuggling in contraband articles, than they deserve. Yet many of them are of great among which were firearms and munitions of war. beauty and elegance of form and colour. A practical eye could see that some of the vessels were of foreign build, or as they are termed lorchas, with the unmistakable presence of foreigners in command, who carried on a lucrative traffic with the Taipings. By nightfall our travellers arrived at Kwa-chow. FUNGI. GROUP OF BRITISH FUNGI. THE HERE are a great many of the fungi which are commonly found in Britain that are as wholesome and as palatable as the common mushroom (Agáricus campéstris), but, unfortunately, only a few persons comparatively are sufficiently acquainted with the various kinds to be able to distinguish those which are poisonous from those which are edible. The Rev. M. J. Berkeley, one of our best fungologists, has for many years endeavoured to instruct the public in this matter by able and well-illustrated papers in the "Gardeners' Chronicle," and by other means, more especially by inducing persons to offer prizes for the best collections of the edible and poisonous species. Hence, for several years now exhibitions have taken place in the month of October at the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at South Kensington, and on each occasion very good and interesting collections have been produced. At these exhibitions Mr. Berkeley has been present, and has given an interesting and instructive short lecture on the value of these vegetable productions as food, many of which are exceedingly abundant at a time of the year when there are comparatively few other vegetables. They occur in all parts of the world, but abound most where the air is moist, with a tolerable degree of warmth. These edible fungi vary greatly in flavour, and are very nutritious from the great amount of nitrogen which they contain. During the American Civil War, fungi formed for a considerable time the chief support of the Southern army. While, however, some species afford the most delicious articles of food, others are deleterious even when taken in small quantities. It is probable that Of the British fungi, Mr. Berkeley considers that there are at least forty edible kinds. Among these (besides the common mushroom) are the Parasol mushroom (Agáricus procèrus), a large and most excellent kind, not uncommon on hedge-banks and in dry pastures, and which may be seen sometimes in Covent Garden Market; the Honey-coloured mushroom (Agaricus mélleus), very common on the dead trunks of trees; the Oyster mushroom (Agáricus ostreàtus), always found on the trunks of trees; Agaricus deliciosus, frequently found in pine woods; Agaricus violaceus, of a beautiful violet colour; two species of Coprinus-viz., C. comàtus, a kind very common in gardens, and C. atramentàrius, which grows on the trunks of trees, the juice of which is so dark that it is sometimes used for ink,-and it is also a very good substitute for sepia in drawing, and very commonly this kind is used with others for making ketchup; the Champignon (Marásmius orèades), one of the very best of the esculent fungi, found on hedge banks, in upland pastures, and on sheep commons, particularly in those patches called "fairy rings;" the Boletus edulis, considered by most people an excellent article of food, and in Hungary preferred to the mushroom; the Vegetable Beefsteak (Fistulina hepática), which grows on the trunks of old oak trees, and sometimes acquires a very large size; two or three species of Clavària; the large Puff-ball (Lycopérdon bovista), which is one of the best of fungi, if eaten when quite young, cut in slices and fried; the Morel (Morchella esculenta); and the rare but much-prized Truffle (Tubercibàrium). Every year many accidents occur from the use of fungi,t and Mr. Berkeley says he is "often asked for some general characters by which the bad may be distinguished from the good. It is impossible, however," he continues, "to give any satisfactory answer, and we must trust to experience, without which, indeed, we should be subject every day to trouble in respect to other objects of use. The field mushroom," Mr. Berkeley adds, "assumes so many forms that it is impossible to assign any characters that shall embrace all; and the hot-bed mushroom is different again from these. The bright, rosy tint of the gills, and the absence of any yellow stain when bruised, are the surest indications. The test of a silver spoon is fallacious. As a general rule, no one would eat fungi which have a revolting smell; and if they I have recently seen drawings, made some years ago, which remain quite unchanged. + The following appeared in the "Pall Mall Gazette" of the 26th September, 1873:"Some useful advice on the subject of mushrooms was given by Mr. Justice Denman in the Central Court on Wednesday, on the occasion of the grand jury throwing out a bill of indictment against a gardener who was charged with murdering a fellow-servant by giving her poisonous mushrooms to eat. Although there was no reason to suppose that the prisoner had any felonious intention in giving the deceased the mushrooms, yet three persons were dangerously poisoned by them, and one of them actually died; the fungi being so much like mushrooms that even a skilled witness saw nothing in them to disit was desirable that these facts should be thoroughly well published and tinguish them from those articles of food. Mr. Justice Denman thought known. It appeared that mushrooms growing under trees were dangerous, because, as he (Mr. Justice Denman) supposed, they were fed on decayed roots which were perhaps tainted with poison. That being so, added the judge, let everybody beware of eating mushrooms which grow under trees." [The remarks of the learned judge do noti ndicate either a very accurate or an extensive knowledge of the subject.] leave, when tasted, a hot sensation in the mouth and throat, they should be used with caution. Two, however, which are acrid are yet excellent articles of food, viz., Hydnum repándum and Cantharellus cibàrius. With such species it is a good practice to slice them into hot water, and press the slices in a cloth before stewing." THE OCTOPUS OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. THE octopus is called the eke by the Hervey In the shallow waters of our reefs young octopi Islam, the fee by the Tahitians and Samoans. abound. At this stage of their history they are known as maori, and are eagerly sought for by cuttle-fish which call forth the energy and daring women and children as a delicacy. The large of the islanders, and excite the superstition of a few, fisherman who catches one of these becomes famous are known as eke tapairu, i.e., "divine octopi." The amongst his countrymen. The octopus is a universal article of diet amongst the South Sea Islanders. It has been disputed in Europe whether the octopus ever attacks human beings. No native of Polynesia doubts the fact. A fisherman never goes alone in quest of octopi; he has always a trusty friend in the anchors the canoe, and dives down to the assistance canoe to take care of it. In case of peril, this friend of his companion. A native of Mangaia, well known to dive for cuttle-fish. According to custom, he to the writer, one morning went with a companion had a knife, and a small quantity of slacked lime Professor Bentley (the Professor of Botany at King's College, London) gives the following "general characters by which the edible and poisonous species of fungi may, as a rule (but not an unerring one), be distinguished. Edible mushrooms: 1. Grow solitary in dry airy places. 2. Are generally white or brownish. 3. Have a compact brittle flesh. 4. Do not change colour, when cut, by the action of the air. 5. Juice watery. 6. Odour agreeable. 7. Taste not bitter, acrid, salt, or astringent. Poisonous mushrooms: 1. Grow in clusters, in woods, and dark damp places. 2. Usually with bright colours. Flesh tough, soft, and watery. 4. Acquire a brown, green, or blue tint when cut and exposed to the air. 5. Juice often milky. 6. Odour commonly powerful and disagreeable. 7. Have an acrid, astringent, acid, salt, or bitter taste. It is best to avoid all fungi which have arrived at their full development or show any signs of change; and by soaking doubt-wrapped up in a leaf of the Dracaena terminalis, susful fungi cut in slices for about an hour in vinegar and afterwards washing them in boiling water, they may, it is stated, be rendered harmless." 3. pended from his neck. A stout stake of ironwood was in his hand. On reaching the bottom he saw in a crevice of the coral the eyes of a large octopus glaring upon him, but ere he could attack it, a discharge of sepia hid the sea-monster from sight. Unluckily for him, both his hands grasped the stake. To his horror, he suddenly felt the octopus running up his back and firmly clasping his arms. Being a himself, but to no purpose whatever. To add to very powerful man, he struggled hard to release his terror, one of the tentacula had got across his open eye, so that he had but one (the left) for use. Almost bereft of his senses, he quietly remained where he was, hoping that his companion would descend to his assistance. Moments seemed hours. At length his friend, wearied with waiting, expressed a little cocoa-nut oil on the surface of the sea, and then peering down, perceived the peril the fisherThe Fly Agaric (Agáricus muscàrius, or, as it is now man was in. Diving to the bottom, he put his left generally called, Amanita muscaria) is a very beauti-hand behind his back, and firmly grasping his knife ful scarlet species, studded with white or yellow warts, which is common in beech woods in this country. It is one of the most poisonous of our native fungi, producing intoxication if eaten. Its narcotic properties, indeed, are so strong that in some countries it is employed, mixed with the juice of cranberries, to produce intoxication. With regard to the use of fungi, Mr. Berkeley suggests that in general "they should be eaten with moderation, and with plenty of bread to secure sufficient maceration. In case of accident, a strong mustard emetic should be taken immediately, and medical advice called in. The narcotic symptoms and attendant inflammation of the intestines are too grave to be trifled with by domestic medicine. If, however, medical aid is not at hand, the system must be kept up with chlorine, ether, brandy, and other stimulants; and if diarrhoea and painful colic, as often happens, are urgent symptoms, opium must be given freely. The narcotic symptoms, except from the use of such fungi as the Fly Agaric, are seldom predominant." A number of illustrations of British fungi, very carefully and accurately drawn by Mr. Worthington Smith, will be found in the department of the South Kensington Museum containing the Food Collection (now, I believe, at the branch museum at Bethnal Green). In looking at these drawings, however, the public should bear in mind that they are drawn to a scale considerably above the natural size, though this is not stated, as it should have been, on the drawings. Though several excellent and well-illustrated works on fungi have been published, yet we still want a very cheap illustrated manual for wide circulation amongst cottagers and others, and for placing in every village school, in the hope of thus instructing the masses on a subject of great importance. D. W. in his right hand, quickly severed the tentacula which pinioned the poor man. The octopus, not relishing this treatment, made off. Both natives now rose to the surface and got ashore. The original diver was much exhausted, blood oozing from his eyes and ears. He had drunk large quantities of sea-water. His nervous system received a shock from which it destroyed. A few months afterwards he died. The never recovered. The sight of the right eye was offending cuttle-fish did not exceed six or seven feet in length. In a neighbouring island, the shallow waters of the reef are enclosed with stone fences, like meadows in the north of England. Openings are made, where, at low tide, fishermen, with large scoop nets, catch the imprisoned fish when endeavouring to escape. Occasionally the grated nut of the noble Barring tonia tree is plentifully scattered over the enclosed waters as fish poison, without, however, affecting the value of the fish as food. The smaller fish speedily float on the surface dead; the larger and more vigorous fish are only partially stupefied by The only name in the Hervey dialect for "heart" is "utu," which on account of the similarity of shape, is also the name of the fruit of the Barringtonia tree. the poison. The delight of the natives (in which I have often shared) is to chase these larger fish, and strike them with a piece of stout hoop iron. On the day of an "ora," or "fish-poisoning," Captain —, attracted by the sight of hundreds of men, women, and children enjoying the sport, put on a pair of immense sea-boots, and strode into the midst of the merry throng; but passing too close to a hollow in the coral, to his astonishment, both his legs were suddenly embraced by a large octopus. My friend could not more an inch. The grasp of the fish tightened. Alarmed now for his safety, he shouted lustily for help. Friendly natives soon released him from this awkward predicament by cutting off the tentacula which made him captive. The fish-poison referred to does not sensibly affect the octopus, but slacked coral lime instantaneously kills it. 66 The ancient classical fable of the Lernean hydra slain by Hercules, and which is called his second labour," is doubtless merely an exaggerated description of some actual contest with a gigantic octopus, the bile with which Hercules poisoned his arrows being the well-known sepia, and the ninth, or immortal head, being the true head of the cephalopod. It is interesting to know that while the tentacula possess wondrous strength, the head-which is the only vulnerable part-is soft, extremely sensitive, and easily destroyed by inserting the fingers of the left hand into the mouth, and with the other tearing it asunder. The fish immediately dies, and the tentacula relax. Sperm whales feed exclusively on cuttle-fish. put into the canoe, Oiri remarked, "We will feast on this big fellow when our work is done." This was satisfactory to all parties. They went on diving and caught a great many more, but none comparable to the large one. The sun was now low in the horizon, so the fishermen went ashore to divide the spoil, and expected to feast upon the "eke tapairu" ("divine cuttle-fish"). But the wily Oiri had changed his mind, and said that as he first saw the fish it was his, and he wanted to present it as tribute to his chief. His companions sullenly acquiesced. The smaller cuttle-fish were divided out, and Oiri marched off in triumph. But his triumph was short; for the discontented fishermen remembered that if Oiri first sighted and dived for the great cuttle-fish, it was Viringa's strong hand that killed it. They resolved on revenge. One of the divers (named Atoro) soon after paid Oiri a visit, and earnestly invited him to come over to his part of the island to live awhile with his old friends, the cuttle-fish divers. So pressing was Atoro, and so seemingly kind, that Oiri unwisely consented to accompany him that same evening. It was dusk when they set out. The suspicions of Oiri were aroused by their meeting on the way a number of armed men, all friends of Atoro, cooking taro.† To allay his fears Atoro gave him his wooden sword to carry. Onward gloomily trudged Oiri, pathetically chanting an old song about brother fighting brother on a celebrated battle-field. Ere the song was concluded, Atoro snatched the wooden sword out of his hand, and with it despatched his victim. And for what? Merely for being deprived of a taste of an immense cuttle-fish! WILLIAM WYATT GILL, B.A. The full-grown fish was anciently regarded as a divinity in several of the South Sea Islands. Hence Not long afterwards the gospel of peace was the common name for these large ones, "eke tapairu," brought to Mangaia, and in the inscrutable proor "divine cuttle-fish." At Rarotonga, the cuttle-vidence of God, this same cruel Atoro became one of fish was the special deity of the reigning Makea the early converts. family down to the subversion of idolatry. The superstition gained support from a remarkable circumstance connected with a pool of water near the usual landing-place, where passing vessels fill their empty casks. Although usually clear as crystal, at hands in the open air. certain phases of the moon it becomes so inky that no one can use it. This is doubtless owing to the presence of cuttle-fish, which go there to spawn. From time to time we have heard stories of enormous octopi being seen extending their terrible arms over the shelving coral bottom of the ocean. One day, Ngakian came ashore on the weather side of Mangaia, where he had been fishing, saying that he had just seen a monstrous cuttle-fish at the bottom of the sea, some little distance outside the breakers. He was chaffed for not trying to catch the prize, but he persisted that all he had stated as to its size was true. Knowing the tendency of the native mind to exaggeration I have always pooh-poohed such stories, regarding them as the offspring of fear mingled with superstition. A singular-looking lichen, used by native doctors as an outward application, is called the "octopus," on account of its resemblance to that fish. It is usually five or six inches in diameter. Five men one day went diving for cuttle-fish. A number of small ones had been obtained, when Oiri, one of the divers, caught sight of an immense fellow hiding in a hole at the bottom. Although he repeatedly dived, he failed to secure the prize. Eventually, however, one of his companions stabbed the cuttle-fish with a long pointed stake. On its being The cuttle-fish was not worshipped on Mangaia. + Warriors on a killing expedition ate with their weapons in their AUTUMN VIOLETS. WHEN swallows have departed, And wreaths of crimson leaves How sweetly in the year's decline The autumn violets blow! When all the corn is garnered, If in these later day of ours The autumn violets blow. SARAH DOUDNEY. |