Org] AND SYMBOLS. 255 



The Transfer-inability of Opposites. 



Since the noblest attribute of water is its blandnese, who 

 would be prepared to find that, chemically speaking, it is re- 

 markable for its fiery composition ? When its two constituents 

 are burned in the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe, they produce a flame 

 of extraordinary ferocity. Such is the violence with whicli 

 they combine that it is necessary to keep them from mingling, 

 except in small quantities, unless they are just at the point of 

 ignition. Dr. Clarke placed a brick screen between himself 

 and the dangerous gases when he first experimented on their 

 power, but was nearly killed by an explosion. Perhaps, when 

 the world and all the works that are therein shall be burned up, 

 the ocean may really be the magazine from which fuel may be 

 drawn to support the great conflagration. But let this be as it 

 may in God's good counsel, is it not a startling thought that 

 water, the uncompromising adversary of fire, should be com- 

 pounded of two elements whose conjunction is accompanied by 

 a passionate burst of flame and a terrible eruption of caloric ? 



PO. 



Loss of Organ by Disuse of Function. 



One of the most interesting discoveries of modern science is 

 that of a subterranean fauna, all the members of which are 

 blind. The transition from the illuminated tenants of this 

 upper world to those darkened subjects of Pluto is indeed facili- 

 tated by certain intermediate conditions. Such is the guacharo, 

 or fruit-eating nightjar, found by Humboldt inhabiting, in im- 

 mense hosts, a deep sepulchral cavern in South America, shut 

 out far from the remotest ray of light, coming forth under the 

 cover of night, and invested with superstitious terrors by the 

 natives. Such, too, is the aspalax or mole of Eastern Europe, 

 which habitually lives underground ; and such is the proteus, 

 a strange sort of salamander found in the lakes of immense 

 caverns in Illyria. They are believed to come from some great 

 central inaccessible reservoir, where no ray of light has ever 

 penetrated, and whence occasional floods may have forced the 

 individuals that have been discovered. Investigations in 

 various parts of the world have revealed the curious circum- 



