I4^es^ Ai7ierican Scientist. 14s 



tains, pines are less frequent; and in the central portions ot the 

 valley of the Mississippi, they are extremely rare." 



It has been a pleasure to transcribe the above because it re- 

 minded me of a ride, quite unique to me, through a pine forest in 

 the eastern part of Vermont, many years since. The aroma from 

 the pine trees was delicious and strengthening, and the wind as 

 above alluded to, sighing through the branches seemed to be a 

 mystery to our young horse and he hastened on with inc easing 

 speed as if to distance his pursuer, but the road was level and 

 straight forward, and fearlessly we rode on with the speed of the 

 wind. The grandeur of the tall pines on either side of the way, 

 their fragrance and their music, the apparent apprehension of 

 animal life for its safety, the route never before passed, the novelty 

 of the scene was all recalled by Dr. James' description of ihe great 

 white pine. 



E, E. 



THE FLOWERS HE BROUGHT. 



The music of the rippling brooks, 



And all the sweetness caught, 

 From tarrying in woody nooks, 



Came with the flowers he brought. 



The morning light of May was there 



With all its beauty fraught. 

 And love, a tender bud, and fair. 



Came with the flowers he brought. 



Its presence lighted up the room, 



And hallowed every thought. 

 And to my heart a richer bloom 

 Came with the flowers he brought. 

 San Diego, Cal. E. E. 



BORED B Y ANTS. 



The most dreaded insect invader is the white ant. In Africa, 

 their houses are dome-shaped mounds .often eighteen feet high. 

 These insects erect pyramids one thousand times higher than 

 themselves! These ants on their travels so conceal their approach 

 that their presence is not suspected until the damage is done. 

 They usually tunnel into any object which they attack, often 

 reducing it to a mere ^hell. In this way they have been known 

 to ascend within the leg of a table, devour the contents of a box 

 upon it and descend through a tunnel bored in another leg, all in 

 one night. An officer of the English army while calling upon 

 some ladies in Ceylon was startled by a rumbling sound. The 



