covery of gold. I am not one of those who his lesson from a very insignificant personage, think, as I confess I do believe a great many and yet a personage wise enough to teach him people still think, even among ourselves, that a more than he had known before-I mean that pound's worth of gold is much more valuable personage whom we know by the name of the than a pound's worth of something else; but earth-worm, for it was the manner in which he, the discovery of gold has been a most remarka- I believe, bores the earth that suggested to Bruble addition to the wealth of mankind during nel the mode of making that very remarkable the period in which we live. But it was the work, the Thames Tunnel, with which his name prophetic eye of Sir Roderick Murchison, not a is associated. Take, again, the case of Mr. Steman of business, not a man engaged in com- phenson. I believe Mr. Stephenson was content merce, but a man who had devoted himself to to learn from the bone whatever he did learn science, that indicated the circumstances, and with respect to the construction of the tubes even the region, under which it was to be ex-with which his name is connected. But there pected that the discovery of gold should take is another name which I hope will always enjoy place. It may be asked, what is the use of the a high place in the history of British art; and science of natural history? It appears to me I am glad to quote it, because it is eminently that its moral uses are almost infinite; but I connected with what I may call the loving obwill venture to detain you for one moment up- servance of nature-I mean the name of Wedgon its material uses. Nay, I will venture to wood; and I don't believe a greater name is to take only one of those material uses - I mean be found in the history of art in this country. this, the use of suggesting to the mind of man Wedgwood was one of those who had begun, that he should copy the finished and exquisite as we may say, from nothing; and I trust there yet simple as well as beautiful, processes by are many that are now beginning from nothing; which the Author of nature in the works of nature has attained his ends. Now, it is not at all difficult if you will permit me to show it, nor need I detain you long- it is not at all difficult to point out what I think are striking instances of this truth - that man in all periods has derived his most valuable inventions from the observation of nature."

ORIGIN OF SOME VALUABLE INVENTIONS.

"I believe there was a time when it was desired, for an important purpose connected with the population on the banks of the Clyde, to introduce pipes of a particular description under that river. The man who solved that difficulty, I believe, was no less a man than Mr. ?

that there are some possibly in this hall that are making their commencement from nothing, but yet that are destined to leave a name honorable in the annals of their country. You all know that the industry and skill of Wedgwood were directed to applying those clays and earthen materials, which in this country abound, to the formation of pottery and porcelain. Well, now, it is recorded in that most valuable work of Mr. Smiles-perhaps as valuable as his Life of Stephenson - which is designated Self Help, as one of the earliest of the stages of Wedgwood's operations, that while he was still a mere laborer and hardly of full age, he used to make earthenware knife-handles in imitation of agate and lemons, and vessels to hold pickles in imitation tortoise-shell, and table plates in imitation of

of leaves and like articles. And I do not believe there is one of those things that proceeded from the hands of Wedgwood, that is not, at this moment, worth, in any shape where it may be exhibited for view, six or eight times the price which Wedgwood himself put upon it. All I can say is, that I saw to-day, in a shop in this town, two little black cups which Wedgwood would have put up at 4s. or 5s., and the price asked for them which was, no doubt, a ask it; but the price asked was £2 10s." moderate price, and the dealer had a right to

Watt. And how did he solve that difficulty Why, it is upon record that he solved that difficulty by learning how to construct the pipe to get water under the Clyde, from observing the construction of the shell of a lobster. Well, now, ladies and gentlemen, we often hear of the part which is performed by lobsters on certain occasions, chiefly festive and convivial occasions. I must say, as far as I know, we often hear of mischief resulting from a too free observation of lobsters upon those occasions. But Mr. Watt observed his lobster to some purpose, and he learnt from the construction of its shell a great mechanical secret, which he applied to the solution of an important problem for the comfort A native of Africa, who visited England a and well-being of his fellow-citizens. Sir Isam- few years ago, when asked what ice was, said, bard Brunel, in placing the Thames Tunnel, took Him be water fast asleep." An ice пар, that.

Natural Science.

COMMUNICATIONS for this Department should be addressed to I. F. CADY, Warren.

For the Schoolmaster.

A Peep into the Dock---No. 4.

waters of the Narraganset. One variety of sponge was pointed out to me several years ago, under the name of "red coral." It is sometimes gathered and dried to serve as an ornament to shell pictures or to fancy picture-frames. I may excite a smile by my simplicity, when I confess that I did not ascertain its true character until the last summer, when I found that it was discoloring the water in INSTEAD of making the dangerous attempt of which I was keeping a specimen for observation, passing the bridge, we will turn our boat to the and that I could wholly remove the coloring matright toward a small, dilapidated and partially ter, which was of a gelatinous nature, by careful sunken wharf just below. We will pass in, a lit-manipulation, and that the remaining framework tle above, between it and the bridge, and allow the consisted of a delicate sponge of a character too current to bear us along, sidewise, until we gain a obvious to be mistaken. Then, by examining a position directly over the submerged portion, where live specimen with the microscope, the spiny prothe water is go shallow as to furnish a good oppor- cessess surrounding the interstices, and the curtunity for observation. Now a turn or two of our rents of water set in motion by its animal activity, boat rope around that projecting stone in front, were plainly visible. and we are ready. Our first glance catches a scene But we have not finished the examination of our of rare beauty. What a blending of colors in the stone. On looking again, and upon the lower unique garden plat upon which we gaze! The edge, as it rested in the water, we notice some conservatories of a millionaire cannot surpass it. semi-conical, rounded, jelly-like masses, having, Green and crimson and lilac, soft and delicate mostly, some shade of flesh color. Examining shadings of brown and pink and purple, investing them more narrowly we discover a circular openthe tresses of feathery moss, gracefully waving ing in the centre, and within this opening the exover their stony bed, furnish a scene fit for a fairy's tremities of several filaments. These little masses home. And were we disposed to be romantic, we are what, several years ago, were popularly demight not seek for fairy forms in vain. Let us nominated "Animal Flowers." They are specicatch that little tuft that looks so soft and feathery mens of the Actinia, wnich are among the most just at an arm's length below. Transfer it to this curious objects furnished for our observation by pail of clear water. Now it expands and reveals the waters of the ocean. They are objects of speits structure. It is like festoonry of delicately cial interest in an aquarium, where their nature tinted beads strung upon threads of gossamer. and habits can be studied to the best advantage. "But where are the faries?" As if fairies could A score of them, which I have kept in the glass become tangible to the dull eye of sense, unaided. jar to which I have previously alluded, have provPreposterous! Go where the keenest edge of hu- ed a fruitful source of entertainment. I began man vision is rendered intense by a hundred thou- my acquaintance with them near the close of the sand fold, and you shall find them clustering upon last summer, under the tuition of an excellent every microscopic spray, numerous as the respon- friend, whose well-earned reputation would scarceses upon the leaves in the Sybil's cave. You shall ly be augmented by the mention of his name in see them clad in gold, and sailing in little wizzard this connection. He first showed me where and boats of almost ethereal delicacy of texture, and how to look for them; which, in fact, are the two of varying form and size. Such will prove the most indispensable things to one who is searching magic revelations of microscopic power.

for the beginnings of knowledge. These are the But leaving this rich display of vegetable beauty, two things never to be lost sight of by the teacher; which "ocean gardens" only can unfold, to be and whether my friend has been made specially to gathered and embalmed by the fairy fingers of "the feel the force of this truth from the position he fair," we will take from its bed the stone on which maintains as teacher of teachers, or has come to grew the feathery tuft. We shall probably find practice it instinctively, neither is its importance upon it a score of specimens of animal life visible less, nor the power of working successfully in its to the unaided eye. Some are millipeds of differ- light less valuable. Previous to this time I had ent colors, and having their backs covered with seen but a single specimen, and this one by no polygonal plates so jointed as to appear like a coat means under the circumstances most favorable for of mail. Of course there will be a supply of small observation. I now succeeded in capturing four. snails, also two or three varieties of little crusta- the largest of which was nearly three-quarters of ceans of a shape somewhat akin to that of the an inch in diameter, and furnished with a double shrimp. On one side we shall probably discover a row of tentacula, which, when expanded, took algroup of serpulae carefully retracted into their most precisely the form of the May pink. The limestone cornucopias. Were we sufficiently skill- form of the others was less characteristic, and ful we should also be likely to detect corallines and would compare equally well with that of a daisy, or sponges, for these also manifest themselves in the sunflower, or any other flower of similar shape.

But as there may be other novices who may be the vessel: the rudiments of new tentacula were disposed to experiment with these curious crea- then visible. This animal perished by accident tures, it may not be amiss to present, somewhat in after having survived the operation fourteen detail, a few results of my own experience; though months."

I can myself scarcely yet claim to be anything "Another actinia was cut asunder on the 9th of more than a novice. In the first place, I have, as November. The basis immediately contracted and yet, succeeded best in finding them, where the tide remained in the same state until the 13th of Janruns with considerable force, attached to the sur- uary, when it shifted its position. So early as the face of stones, near the lower edges, or underneath 15th, two rows of new tentacula were visible, and when they can find there sufficient space. They the animal was in motion. It then fed on muscles, obviously seek these situations to avoid the inten- and the reproduced parts were soon nearly as large sity of direct light, and for the same reason take as those cut off. The upper portion seized and shelter beneath tufts of sea-weed. When placed swallowed part of a muscle, after the operation, in an aquarium, although they will at first attach which passed through and through the opening themselves to the upper surface of a stone, or to for want of a base." the side of the glass, I have found that they will "On the 11th of July, the upper part of an acgradually change their place until they secure a tinia was cut off; new limbs began to shoot out on position sheltered from strong light. It requires the 21st, and two rows of them were seen on the some care to detach them, forcibly, from their 25th. The coloring of the tentacula was faintly place; for although they are able to change their renewed on the 11th of August, and soon afterplace gradually, at will, yet they adhere with such ward it would scarcely be known that an operation tenacity that they allow themselves to be torn had been performed." "In another victim, cut piecemeal rather than quit their hold. The mode asunder on the 7th of August, the third row of which I first adopted to detach them is that which, tentacula was visible on the 9th of September, on the whole, I still prefer. I remove them with a and a fourth on the 19th." "On the 3d of Octoknife by cutting carefully in the same manner as ber it began to eat, and soon after became a perthough they were attached to a surface of wood, fect animal." and I were endeavoring to remove them by taking The same author states that, in another instance, a thin shaving beneath them. They may be re-a new set of tentacula sprung from the lower edge moved by cleaving off a portion of the stone to of the amputated portion, thus producing a sort of which they are attached, with a chisel, but I do double actinia, which fed at both ends. not always succeed in removing them in this way In their normal condition, as these animals have without injury; and, as frequently in other cases, but a single opening, they are obliged to reject the the injury has often occurred where I desired par- indigestible portions of whatever they swallow ticularly to avoid it. The use of the knife, though through the same aperture by which it entered. it requires a little patience, if careful is also safe. When captured they may be kept any reasonable They eat voraciously, and swallow, with little aplength of time if not injudiciously exposed, and the water in which they are placed is kept pure.

parent discrimination, whatever comes in contact with their tentacula. When they are fully expanded and active it is interesting to observe their Their tenacity of life and the power of repro- exquisite delicacy of touch. If any substance duction which they possess are wonderful. So great touches their tentacula ever so lightly they immeis the latter that a mere fragment, left behind in diately attempt to bring it fully within the grasp of removing them from their place of attachment, is their thousand arms, and if it is not unreasonably capable of developing into a perfect animal. I large, within a few minutes it disappears in immum observed this process going on where I had re- barathrum. Were it not for the

moved a specimen, before having any knowledge

"Prima hominis facies, et pulchro pectore virgo,"

of the fact from any other source. I have since read an article in which this power is discussed we could easily understand Virgil's Sicilian monand recognized as a means of reproduction by what ster by considering it a gigantic actinia. However, is called "spontaneous division." The writer some discretion is necessary in feeding these creastates that, "On the 12th of July he cut asunder tures, as they loosen their girdle, and continue to an actinia toward the base. It continued adhering eat like a famished Indian; and then, at their leito the side of the vessel containing it, and was in sure, disgorge their superfluous food to putrify, motion during several days. Then, having detach- and poison the water in which they are kept. I ed itself, it fixed in another place, where it re- have sometimes allowed them to fill themselves as mained stationary. On the 27th it began again to though they had become transformed into a veritmove, and preserved some motion until the end of able beggar's sack, and in the morning found them August, when it became soft and fœtid, and appa- lank and lean as a famished hound, while all rently dead. Fresh sea water was supplied, how-around them were scattered the substantials which ever, and in November its motion was perceptibly constituted their banquet of the previous night. resumed. On the 25th, it climbed to the top of It is better to feed them sparingly except for the

purpose of amusement; in fact they can subsist for a long time with no food except what they take from the water.

Philology.

In view of the exquisite sense of touch possess-dressed to HENRY CLARK, Pawtucket, R. 1. COMMUNICATIONS for this Department should be aded by these creatures, and the slight injury which they sustain from laceration and dismemberment, LITERARY men or lovers of books are invited to it would seem obvious, as in the case of insects contribute to this department. The contributor will be and all the lower orders of animal life, that there expected to communicate his name and address to the is no necessary connection between exquisiteness editor of this department, as above. which need not be of touch and capacity for suffering. They are said published unless at the wish of the contributor. Writers to endure a degree of cold below the freezing point are requested to confine their essays within the usual with impunity, although they are incapable of en- bounds assigned to the department-two printed pages. during any degree of heat above 144°. Intense It will not be convenient to return manuscript.

light with a moderate degree of heat seems highly injurious to them. A fine specimen that I was keeping temporarily in a wash-bowl suddenly lost the whole of its tentacula from exposure to the sunlight, owing to an accidental neglect of closing the window shutter. Another double set of tentacula subsequently appeared, but finally, after the lapse of several weeks, the animal perished from a similar exposure in a glass jar.

It is very amusing to observe the changes of form these creatures can assume. Now they will give the appearance of a flower with a short, stout

stem.

For the Schoolmaster.
The Use of the Comma.

THERE are some general principles concerning the uses of the comma that may be briefly stated. No accomplished writer, however, should be content with aught less than a thorough knowledge of all the essential rules for its employment.

(a) The comma is used to expose clauses and phrases, indicating the grammatical structure of

a sentence.

(b) It indicates grammatical ellipses; particu

After a time this stem will become extend- larly of conjunctions and verbs.

ed to several times its former length: then the stem will remain like a delicate, semi-transparent

membranous sack without any apparent tentacula.

At another time the body of the creature will be contracted at some point as if constricted by a cord, and at still another, it will have assumed the appearance of a rounded mass of jelly adhering to the place of its attachment.

I have, as yet, found no actinia of but moderate size-less than an inch in diameter- and none possessed of brilliant colors. Varities of great beauty and large size are described by authors who have written upon the subject. Very fine specimens are said to be found on the shores of Great Britain, some of which have a diameter of several inches. If the waters of Narraganset furnish specimens of equal interest, I hope my subsequent investigations will reveal the pleasant fact.

I. F. C.

(c) It sometimes, though rarely, shows the place for a stop to be made by the reader when

reading aloud, and may be inserted to prevent am

biguity.

These principles admit of illustration from the examples cited in a work on punctuation which deserves general notice. [Wilson's Treatise on Punctuation] Here follow examples of punctuation in case of the division of a proposition into phrases and clauses:

(a) Homer, the great poet of antiquity, is said to have been blind.

Prudence, as well as courage, is necessary to overcome obstacles.

Books, regarded merely as a gratification, are worth more than all the luxuries on earth.

Awkward in his person, James was ill qualified to command respect.

Punctuality is, no doubt, a quality of high importance. Wealth is of no real use, except it be well employed. All know that as virtue is its own reward, so vice is its own punishment.

Speak as you mean, do as you profess, and perform what you promise.

There is much in the proverb, "Without pains, no gains."

FLOWERS.-Why does not everybody have a geranium, a rose, or some other flower in the window? It is very cheap, next to nothing if you raise it from seed or slip, and is a beauty and a companion. As charming Leigh Hunt says, it sweetens the air, rejoices the eye, links you with On scanning carefully the treatise from which I nature and innocence, and is something to love have just quoted, it has seemed to me that some you in return; it cannot hate you, cannot utter of the examples Wilson gives under certain rules a hateful word, even for neglecting it, for though may be grouped with others, and so I have, out of it is all beauty, it has no vanity; and living, as it design, selected one example under each rule for does, purely to do you good and afford you pleasure, how can you neglect it?

*A single word used as a direct address is separated from the sentence by commas, as, "Idle time, John, is the most ruinous thing in the world." So with a single WHAT the Christian world wants is more love. word used as an adverb: "I proceed, thereby, to point Love rules his kingdom without a sword.

out the proper state of our temper,"

pointing clauses or phrases, without stating spe-ly written paragragh. This, in general, is the ofcifically what kind of phrase or clause is cited, fice of the comma. Cases arise, however, when that I may show the application of the general these are so numerous, owing to the composite naprinciple I have first named.

For one who would gain a general knowledge of the use of the comma, this general statement will be at first more satisfactory than numerous and more specific rules.

I shall now quote three instances where the comma supplies grammatical ellipses; particularly of the conjunction and of the verb. The two first of them illustrates the ellipses of a conjunction; the last of a verb:

(b) Can flattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death? Industry, honesty,t and temperance are essential to to happiness.

The wise man considers what he wants; the fool, what he abounds in.

To supply the ellipses, place and after "dull" in the first sentence and after "industry," in the second sentence; and the verb, considers in the place of the comma in the third sentence, removing the point in each case.

ture of some sentences, that a secondary class of grouping is necessary, answering somewhat in kind, to the secondary accent of long words. For this purpose the semicolon is used; but it is not ordinarily required. Some cases occur, too, where the phrase or clause is so brief that the printed sentence would appear cumbrous were it pointed strictly according to these general principles. both sides of the clause or phrase, is often omitted; Then the comma, belonging at the beginning or at

e. g.:

Burke and Paine were incarnations of the spirit whose conflict has for ages divided the world.

Here the phrase, "for ages," from its brevity, deserves to be enclosed between no special marks of punctuation.

The reader should note that no punctuation is

admissible between the parts of speech so closely connected by rhetorical relation as the subject and predicate; the adjective and substantive; the relative when near its antecedent and the antecedent.

I have next to show the rhetorical use of this point and its office in preventing ambiguity. In When the writer is liable to be misunderstood, the first of the three cases the comma is almost it is desirable for him to insert a comma when he purely rhetorical in force, showing the point at can thus prevent misapprehension; and it often which the voice of a reader should briefly pause. occurs that men accustomed to the delivery of In the second, the omission of the mark would written discourses fall, by force of habit, into the occasion, perhaps, a slight ambiguity; while in the third, rhetorical and grammatical correctness are both confirmed by the insertion of a comma.

(c) These were small states, in which every man felt

himself to be important.

To the wise and good, old age presents a scene of tranquil enjoyment.

way of punctuating their sentences as they would have them to be read. Either of these privileges must of necessity be allowed, but both of them fall without the province of punctuation as a science. Perhaps pupils in common schools may be misled by the faulty punctuation of elocutionists in this respect, particularly in first books on reading.

He applied for that agency, without a recommenda- Much discretion should therefore be employed in

tion.

appointing the place for commas as marks in vocal reading.

The sentences I have chosen were selected quite at random, and of course cannot be considered Poets, by that privilege known as poetic license, complete tests of the full application of Wilson's have been allowed to punctuate their poems acrules. They are, at most, only specimens in each cording to their own taste, since the effect of poeof the three branches under examination, and try depends largely on the manner in which it is serve to show how nearly alike it is possible for read. As a prominent design in the punctuation sentences to be that group themselves out of many of poetry is to secure melody, a free punctuation rules into these few general classes. Each sen- may legitimately be used. tence quoted under each of my topics is an illus- It is far better to use no commas at all than, detration of a special rule in the Treatise. Whether pending mainly upon them, to suffer one's thoughts all the rules can be reduced to three it is not my to be radically or ridiculously changed by the mispurpose now to inquire. placement of a type or the carelessness of a hasty Phrases and clauses constitute the commonest reader. Mr. Wilson cites an odd case of such a grammatical divisions of a sentence. To separate mistake in a notice read in church, which was a sentence into these divisions is, then, an impor- written:-"A sailor going to sea, his wife desires tant requisite to a correct understanding of a loose

↑ Mr. Wilson uses a comma before "and," as in this case. There is difference of opinion among writers as to its proper use in such a case. The judgment of the writer of this paper inclines to its omission.

the prayers of the congregation for his safety." But it was read, doubtless to the great amazement of the people, as if the comma had been removed two words ahead of its place.

The character of cotemporary literature would be elevated were writers to become better acquaint