CATCHING THEIR PREY. 



Man is certainly not the only creature 

 sufficiently intelligent to utilize as 

 weapons in the pursuit of his prey, exter- 

 ior objects, as guns, stones, sticks, etc. 



Animals as inferior as. a fish exhibit 

 extreme skill in the art of reaching their 

 prey when at a distance. 



A species exemplifying this character- 

 istic, inhabits the rivers of India. His 

 food consists of the insects which wander 

 over the leaves of the aquatic plants. 

 These insects are far above the fish, and 

 should he wait for them to fall within 

 his reach, his chances of a meal would be 

 slim. 



In the course of ages he has developed 

 a cute trick. He draws in some drops 

 of water and contracting his mouth. 



projects them with so much force and 

 certainty of aim that they rarely fail to 

 reach and bring down his intended vic- 

 tim. His movement are admirably co- 

 ordinated to obtain a precise effect, and 

 that they are not those of a machine is 

 proved by the fact that when he fails 

 the first time, he tries again, and perser- 

 vers until success attends his efforts. 



Another fish, resident in the estuaries 

 of Java, pursues a similar course of 

 action. These facts are unquestioned, 

 many observers having witnessed and 

 described the interesting proceedings. 



The Chinese preserve, in large jars, 

 specimens of the last named fish and 

 amuse themse'lv^es by making them go 

 through with their little exercise. 



Louise Jamison. 



THE OLD PINE. 



It stood in the open meadow. 



Not far from m.y study panes. 

 I used to sit and watch its branches toss ; 



It gleamed in the summer sunshine. 



And dripped in the April rains. 

 And dropped its needles 'mid the autumn moss. 



I loved it best in the winter, 

 For then, 'mid the hail and sleet, 



It still was fair and green, though tipped with snow 

 A gem in the dreary landscape 

 Where the storms and tempests beat, 



A stopping-place for sparrow and for crow. 



The woodmen came with their axes, 



I knew that its life was done ! 

 I heard their blows and saw it reel and bend — 



'Twas only a pine in the meadow, 



A green little forest son, 

 But bv its death I lose a well-loved friend ! 



-Jac Lowell. 



l)G 



