Mem] AND SYMBOLS. 219 



If blood runs in the veins of these devoured ones, how infinitesi- 

 mal must be the magnitude of its component globules ! EL. 



A Caution to Domestic Meddlers. 



Some people do not understand how to co-operate for public 

 ends without interfering with the privacy of domestic life. The 

 seals teach a good lesson in this respect. They can work 

 together at proper times ; but they honour the sanctity of home. 

 They live sociably, and in great numbers frequent the same 

 localities. Although, in the sea, these animals co-operate in 

 numerous herds, and protect and valiantly defend each other, 

 once emerged from their favourite element they regard them- 

 selves on their peculiar rock as in a sacred domicile, where no 

 comrade has a right to intrude upon their domestic tranquillity. 

 If one of them approach this family centre, the chief or, shall 

 we say, the father? prepares to expel by force what he con- 

 siders a foreign aggression ; and there invariably takes place a 

 terrible combat, which only ends in the death of the lord of the 

 rock, or in the compulsory retreat of the indiscreet stranger. 

 This proceeding is well worth the attention of every busy-body. 

 It is full of sense, and shows a discrimination between public co- 

 operation for the common good, and officious interference in pri- 

 vate life, which would do credit to even human beings. MY. 



A Hint to Meddlers. 



If a bee-master is to succeed, he must be very careful not to 

 meddle much with his bees. Bees, like most other corporate 

 bodies, have a great horror of interference from outside, and 

 always like to work their own reforms without the assistance of 

 commissions from other quarters, and think that their own 

 sovereign is quite capable of governing them without seeking the 

 help of other powers. To meddle unnecessarily with them is 

 to prevent their proper working. B. w. 



Memory's Mode of Appropriation. 



Understanding is not essential to memory ; the memory of 

 many things not understood may be vital within us. For the 



