30 SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS [Blu 



meanness. In the domestic world we may often see all the 

 pure springs of home-enjoyment completely neutralised by the 

 bittel waters of discontent, peevishness, vanity, and female 

 selfishness. MA. 



The Diffusion of Blessings. 



The globe of the earth is surrounded with a mass of 

 atmosphere extending forty or fifty miles above the surface. 

 Each particle of air is a luminous centre, receiving its light 

 from the sun, and it radiates light in every direction. Were 

 it not for this, the sun's light could only penetrate those spaces 

 which are directly accessible to his rays. Thus, the sun shining 

 upon the window of an apartment would illuminate just so 

 much of that apartment as would be exposed to his direct rays, 

 the remainder being in darkness. But we find, on the contrary, 

 that although that part of the room upon which the sun directly 

 shines is more brilliantly illuminated than the surrounding 

 parts, these latter are nevertheless strongly illuminated. In 

 the social world, too, there are luminous centres. These are 

 noble souls, who, being especially blessed themselves, diffuse 

 in every direction some of the blessings which they have 

 received. Were it not for them, and their power of spreading 

 brightness, goodness, and joy, the world would be indeed 

 rayless and cold. ' HA. 



The Blusterer's Demeanour and Collapse. 



The blusterer reminds us of the dorr beetle (Scarabceus sterco- 

 rarius), for he is noisy and affects fearlessness, yet is a great 

 coward. The dorr beetle, with a violent and noisy flight, pro- 

 ceeds on its way, or circles around with an apparent fearlessness 

 of harm; yet the instant it is touched, or interrupted in its 

 progress, though in no way injured, it will immediately fall to 

 the ground, generally prostrate on its back, its limbs extended, 

 stiff, and seemingly devoid of life, and suffering itself to be 

 handled without manifesting any signs of animation. In time, 

 finding no harm ensues, it resumes its former state. j. 



