56 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



peculiar nature, placed a crow's head and beak in the magic caldron 

 when she was compounding the " elixir of life " to rejuvenate the de- 

 crepit Aeson. 



Still another peculiarity of this family of bii-ds is their human-like 

 voice. All of them are easily domesticated, and nearly every variety 

 can, without much trouble, be taught to speak. In some species, par- 

 ticularly the jabbering crow [Corvus Jamaicensus), their voices are 

 so similar to those of human beings that, at a short distance, it is 

 almost impossible to distinguish them apart. 



But, while the ability to articulate probably first caused the crow 

 to be regarded as a prophet, its evil habits, funereal associations, and 

 metaphoric opposition to the sun-god caused it to be looked upon as a 

 prophet only of evil, and as such it has always been regarded in my- 

 thology, legend, and popular tradition. 



It seems curious that the figments of extinct mythologies should 

 come from the dim and misty past, down through the ages, and still 

 exist in the enlightenment of the present day ; and yet we know that 

 the debris oi these effete religions not only survive in the legends and 

 folk-lore of all the lands now civilized, but to a certain extent adulterate 

 their manners and customs, their laws, and even their forms of religion. 



A veneration for old manners and customs and the religion of his 

 forefathers is imbibed by the child almost with his mother's milk ; the 

 sentiment grows with his growth and strengthens with his strength, 

 until, when adult age is attained and the mind should be sufficiently 

 mature to inquire into the truth and propriety of what he has been 

 taught, the judgment has already become so prejudiced, by years of 

 unquestioned obedience and unconscious imitation, that to defend and 

 perpetuate even the errors and superstitions of his forefathers appears 

 to him a solemn duty nearly akin to religion. 







THE ELECTKIC BUEGLAE-ALAEM. 



ELABORATE as are the ordinaiy agencies for the protection of 

 property, they afford but a partial security. Well-lighted 

 streets, careful watchmen, numerous policemen, and strong and in- 

 geniously arranged bolts and bars, are certainly obstacles not easily 

 overcome. But, in his quest of other men's riches, the accomplished 

 burglar has not found them insurmountable. However extensive and 

 vigilant a police force, it can not have all points under its surveillance 

 at once, and this gives the burglar the opportunity which he rarely 

 fails to improve. Bolts and bars are, doubtless, good things in their 

 way ; but the experienced cracksman has a cunning beyond them. In 

 the contest between him and the locksmith, the victory has not always 

 been with the latter, though he has produced that marvel of skill and 



