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VARIETIKS. 



VARIETIES. 



Microscopic PuoTOGRArns. — Some microscopic photographs exhibited at Manchester, 

 Eiig., the other day, excited much admiration. One, of the size of a pin's head, when 

 magnified several hundred times, nvas seen to contain a group of seven portraits of mem- 

 bers of the artist's family, the likenesses being admirably distinct. Another microscopic 

 photograph, of still less size, represented a mural tablet, erected to the memory of Wil- 

 liam Sturgeon, the electrician, by his Manchester friends, in Kirkby Lonsdale church. 

 This little tablet covered only l-900th part of a supeiiicial inch, and contained C80 let- 

 ters, every one of which could bo distinctly seen by the aid of the microscope. 



Cautiox to Builders. — Mr. Branwood, according to the London Quarterly Review, has 

 stated his belief that, by long exposure to heat, not much exceeding that of boiling water, 

 215 degrees, timber is brought into such a condition, that it will ignite without a light. 

 The time during which the process of desiccation is going on, until it ends in spontaneous 

 combustion, is, he thinks, from eight to ten years. Pipes for heating buildings by steam 

 should, therefore, be clear of all wood work, and rest on metal brackets only. 



Buttercups Poisonous. — The Journal de Clumie Medicale relates a case of poisoning 

 from eating the common buttercup. Some children were amusing themselves by making 

 crowns of this flower, when one of them was tempted to cat some of the flowers. Violent 

 pain, stimulating colic, and all the symptoms of poisoning supervened, but fortunately 

 the life of the child was saved. The root of the buttercup is of a very acrid nature, and 

 if chewed will blister the mouth. 



Bees. — A question about " stupifying bees with nitre," may be perhaps satisfied by 

 the following advice : — If you will use chloroform they will find it perfect in its action 

 and preferable to the fungus. The way to proceed is to put two teaspoonfuls of chloro- 

 form into a cup, to soak a bit of rag in it, and to put the rag into the box or hive, of 

 course closing the entrance ; the bees will almost immediately begin to drop, and in less 

 than 10 minutes every bee will be stupified. They will come to themselves in about half 

 an hour. 



Town and Country, — We wish that any hints we can offer might induce our stalwart 

 young men who are struggling for a livelihood in towns and cities, to go forth into the 

 country, throw off the livery of coventional life, put on the frock, and with uprolled 

 sleeves, seize, themselves, the plough, and " greatly independent " live. The prolific 

 bosom of mother earth has enough for all her children who will seek their supplies from 

 her abundancies, for giving doth not impoverish her ; and scattering her blessings but 

 increases her means. 



Striking Rose Cuttings. — I have succeeded well in striking cuttings of the rose this 

 season by disobeying the usual routine, thus : The cuttings were placed in pots as 

 usually practiced, put out into the full blaze of a summer sun and watered six times 

 every day. Cuttings similarly planted and placed in the shade failed almost entirely. 

 Here is a fact for others to try. C. J. W. 



