JUNE, 1 88 r. 



a large flight of downs, sailing along at all elevations and 

 with considerable speed, shewing there must have been a 

 current of air imperceptible to the senses. They were 

 the plumed seeds of the dandelion emigrating to new 

 locations, where they would have more elbow-room than 

 among their parents. A most determined plant is the 

 dandelion, and gardeners especially wage unequal war with 

 it. Yet the plant is one that is appreciated for its virtues, 

 not only by the schoolboy, who collects it for his tame 

 rabbits, but by more important members of the community. 

 Were it not that it grows so well and universally, and is 

 so readily obtainable, no doubt it would be more highly 

 valued as a table vegetable than it is with us. The leaves 

 make capital greens when young and fresh. Then, how 

 many now-a-days drink dandelion coffee without appreci- 

 ating the fact that they may as well make it as buy it. A 

 friend has recently informed us that he finds the home- 

 made article somewhat more bitter, but certainly more 

 useful, than the purchased. All that is required is to dry 

 the roots and grind them up, when the infusion becomes 

 a beverage that is pleasing to many, and of great service 

 to that section of our animal economy of which so little 

 is yet known the liver. We should like to know more 

 about the liver, and would advise any medical student, 

 who takes up the subject for the benefit of the multitude 

 generally, and returned Indians especially, to go in the 

 first instance where they can get plenty of sound livers to 

 examine ! Why are the sharks, the rays, and the gadidae 

 all so well provided with oil-filled livers ? The vast im- 

 portance of the liver apparently in those fishes, where 

 they occupy such a large proportion of their "room," and 

 monopolise so much of their fighting weight, is a useful 

 subject for consideration and analogical examination. 



