assaults of birds and of certain insect enemies, and also, during the frosts of winter, shield it from the influences of the cold. Then they have a third effect, and one which is far from being pleasing to the entomologist,-at certain times, and with certain persons, they produce a most unpleasant irritation when applied to the skin. This at least was the old version of the influence evidently produced in some way by the caterpillar. The latest statement, however, attributes the stinging to a pungent liquid shot out by the caterpillar when annoyed or disturbed, and attaches no blame to the hairs. Our own observations do not as yet confirm this. When in the least degree alarmed, the "tiger" caterpillar rolls itself up in a manner which enables it to present hairs in every direction; and it will allow itself to be tossed about or even injured without relaxing its folds. In June the caterpillar attains its full size, and has a handsome appearance, its hairs being then of a fine red colour, with grayish silky tips. It proceeds then to the construction of its cocoon, which is composed of hairs mixed with silk, but not woven together very closely. When it first becomes a chrysalis it is quite moist and bathed in an oily fluid. In the course of a day or two it hardens and becomes darker, and in a few weeks the moth appears. This is of a sluggish habit, and is rarely seen upon the wing; but being not uncommon in gardens it is often captured by the friends of insect-collectors, and brought to the latter as a grand prize. However, in such cases, though one feels disappointed, the good intention of the giver compels us to pocket our regret and say nothing about it. JOHN R. S. CLIFFORD. A SISTER'S LOVE. WHO can estimate the power of a sister's love in winning careless, impenitent young men to Christ? It is recorded of Henry Martyn, in the early part of his Christian life, that he wrote in his journal, "On such a day my sister spoke to me about my soul;" and it was a sister's love that brought him to the Saviour, as far as human instrumentality was concerned. There was a sister once, united in the very closest of bonds with a beloved brother. She became interested on the subject of religion. The brother remarked a change in her, and said one day, "Now we can go no more together. I have been robbed of my dear companion. We must separate." As he left the house one morning she put a note into his hand. He immediately judged what it was, and crowded it into a corner of his vest pocket, determined not to read it. After a time he relented; he read it, and found it was still his dear sister, with all her love for him, and it melted his heart. She told him, "My dear brother, I have found the Saviour, but I could tell it to nobody but you first." He was brought to the Saviour. THE OPEN DOOR. WITHIN a town of Holland once A widow dwelt, 'tis said, When prayer was done, her eldest A boy of eight years old, Dear mother, we are told Supplied His prophet's need." "Yes," answered she; "but that, my son, Was long ago indeed." "But, mother, God may do again What He has done before; I will unclose the door." Ere long the burgomaster passed, Where bread may soon be had." He quickly led the boy, And sent him back with food that filled His humble home with joy. The supper ended, little Dirk good Lord," Many thanks, Then shut it fast once more. And sent this full supply. GATHERED PEARLS. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes."-Psa. cxix. 71. AN old and quaint writer remarks, "Stars shine brightest in the darkest night; torches are better for the heating; grapes come not to the proof till they come to the press; spices smell sweetest when pounded; young trees root the faster for shaking; vines are the better for bleeding; gold looks the brighter for scouring; glow-worms glisten best in the dark; juniper smells sweetest in the fire; the palm tree proves the better for pressing; camomile, the more you tread it, the more you spread it. "Such is the condition of all God's children: they are most triumphant when they are most tempted; most glorious when most afflicted; most in the favour of God when least in man's esteem. As their conflicts, so their conquests; as their tribulations, so their triumphs." "As having nothing, and yet possessing all things."-2 Cor. vi. 10. A man of God, in comforting and encouraging a friend, wrote thus :"Say to yourself, I have not parade and splendour, nor giddy juvenile gaiety, nor amusements, nor so much of the kind sympathies of friendship as I could wish; but I have the promises and fidelity of a God, the assurance of a guardian providence, the intercession of a Redeemer, the visions o eternity, and the prospects of paradise." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."Acts xvi. 31. If a Norwegian were to visit one of the West Indian islands, a friend there might attempt to describe to him a delicious fruit that grows there. He might tell his northern visitor that the fruit was globular, of a deep yellow tint, that it belonged to the genus Citrus, that it grew on a tree of glossy green, &c., &c. ; but we question if the Norwegian would get a very definite idea of an orange. But let his host only lead him to an orange grove, and bid him "lay hold" of the fruit for himself, one moment of seeing and tasting would teach him more about an orange than an hour's botanical lecture. You must lay hold of Christ, and taste the sweetness of forgiving love, and receive the blessings of His grace, if you would find out the nature of true faith. If your heart is stubborn and obstinate, cry unto God for His subduing grace. From Him cometh a power that can crush the most inveterate unbelief. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."-Phil. iii. 14. "I will be something," said a youth of ambitious aspirations after fame. So thought our first parents when they ate the forbidden fruit; they would be as gods, and we know full well the result. So determined Napoleon, and ended his life on the dreary island of St. Helena. So have resolved thousands who in seeking renown have done more injury than good. "Seek not honour one of another." "Be clothed with humility." Such are the commands of God, and well would it be for the prosperity and happiness of man if they were better heeded. Be something! Young man, let that alone, care not for it. Adopt a better motto, I will do something. Work; yes, work, but work rightly. Take your directions from the Bible. Imitate a Daniel-a Paul—especially the Saviour. Be a worker with God, and then, yea then, you will receive "an hundredfold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." OUT-OF-THE-WAY PLACES. BY UNCLE HARRY. RE you going to tell us anything about Jersey this evening?" asked James, as the teathings were being removed. "What made you think I should have anything to say about Jersey?" "Ellen has been reading something about it this morning; and she said very likely if I asked you, you would tell us a little about what you saw." obey the commands of her ladyship. When in Jersey, of course I did not do as many do; but, being fond of quiet, out-of-the-way spots, I wandered down many of the curious winding island-roads-mazes, I shall call them; for once get into them, you don't know when or where you will get out." "That would be capital fun: I should like that," said Harry. "I thoroughly enjoyed it too, I assure you. These roads branch off at all angles, and in all directions, and "Well, well, I suppose I must it sometimes happens that the shade is so deep, and the banks so high, to say nothing of the windings, that you may walk for miles without having an opportunity of judging in what direction you have been moving." "Whatever did they make such strange roads for?" "To puzzle pirates, or an enemy, by whom the island was at one time infested, and render fruitless the attempts to conquer the island. On one occasion I met with the noted Alderney cow, so well spoken of all the world over, and had a good view of the trees laden with blossom, or bent with fruit." "Are there any castles in Jersey?" asked Harry. "Yes, there is Mont Orgueil Castle -a most ancient fortification: but old Father Time has hung his green banner of ivy over the hoary battlements. Among other interesting relics are the ruins of St. George's Chapel. In olden time there used to be a pilgrimage thither in honour of the anniversary of this saint; but in later times the day has been kept as a holiday on Easter Monday, when the castle is thrown "open. The view from this castle embraces several of the bays which lie on either side, the richly wooded range of heights which gird the central parts of the island, the village of Grey, an oyster-fishery far below, with its harbour and shipping, -the whole expanse of sea and the distant coast of France,-and, on a clear day, the cathedral of Coutance in Normandy. "Nor did I omit to take a peep at Bonne Nuit, where I wandered amid shades and solitudes completely shut out from the world. It is not a place of great importance, but gives shelter to a few fishing-boats." "Did you gather any seaweed, uncle?" asked Ellen. "I did not; but as I was there at the time of the seaweed harvest, I saw others do so." "A seaweed harvest !" exclaimed Harry, "I never heard of such a thing.' "Seaweed serves as a manure and fuel in Jersey; for lime does not exist there, nor is there much coal. The shores of the island are plentifully covered with marine alga, called vraic, which grows plentifully on the rocks around. It is only gathered on certain days appointed by authority." "What does vraic mean?" asked James. "It is the Jersey dialect for the French varech, which is the same as our word seaweed. "When the vraicking season comes, those families that are not numerous enough to collect the needful supply alone, assist each other." "That is very good of them," said Ellen. "The scene is a very amusing one. I was in the island on the glorious 8th of March, and had a good opportunity of observing the whole proceeding. I could not help laughing at the odd costumes of the men and women-the men with their sou'-westers, sea-boots, and monkeyjackets, huge beards, and well-tarred breeches; and the women, some with queer white head-dresses tied under their chin with a red handkerchief, while others wore the real Jersey bonnet, which looks like a baby bonnet grown up.” 66 'Oh, uncle! but how do the children look ?" |