PELLTONELLA AND POMONELLA. 101 



commuuicatiou upon a certain large parasitic worm 

 whose 'host ' is our famous 'Delaware shad,' and con- 

 cluded by saying that a portion of the fish — which I 

 forbear to name out of respect for the epicures— that is 

 considered the most delicious morsel of all, owes its 

 delicate flavor to the presence of this parasite ! ' I 

 suppose,' said the distinguished naturalist, 'that our 

 shad-loving friends would cease to relish this tidbit if 

 they only knew the facts. But, then, why should they ? 

 — for the parasite is composed of pure shad, and nothing 

 more.' So I say of " 



" Oh, you needn't explain," interrupted the Mistress, 

 "the application is quite obvious. But for the benefit 

 of the rest of the family, if not for your sake, I beg to 

 say that Hugh has strict instructions to use only sound 

 apples for cider." 



" True enough, ma'am," said the farmer ; " and you 

 may be sure that we are all very careful. Miss Abby 

 says that takin' care of win'-falls means cider. Not at 

 all, ma'am ; it means good feed for the pigs and for the 

 cows, too, for that matter." 



"I recant, I recant," cried Abby ; " and so encour- 

 aged, I also will renew my glass." 



