30 QUEER STORIES. 



as long. One of an inch in length that I had 

 the curiosity to examine had forty-five thorns, 

 equal to two papers of number six sharps, that 

 stuck out in every direction, and would pass 

 through an ordinary shoe with perfect ease. 

 This interesting vegetable has no local attach- 

 ments whatever, and readily clings to any part 

 of one's garment. 



Then there are the mosquitoes with which the 

 same careful mother peoples the groves, even in 

 April, industrious little creatures not in the 

 least enervated by the climate. But her grand 

 dependence, judiciously settled indeed, is on the 

 sand flies. Wherever there is not a howling 

 gale — there are the flies in millions, most inde- 

 fatigable and maddening of pests. And finally, 

 to take home with you, to remind you pleas- 

 antly of her hospitalities when you have reached 

 your own room, is the tick ! 



Ties from the outer w r orld began at last to 

 draw. The birdlings in the nest were not ready 

 to come out, and growing impatient I drew 

 upon the knowledge — or rather the ignorance 

 — of the residents and heard some surprising 

 statements, which further observation, however, 

 did not confirm. That the mocking-bird baby 

 lives for three weeks in the nest ; that part of 

 that time the parents carry the nestlings about 

 on their backs ; that when old enough the young 



