408 



NATURE S TEACHINGS. 



by common consent become a defence against rain and snow, 

 the male sex leaving the parasol to the gentler half of creation, 

 and submitting themselves to the chance of a sunstroke. 



We all know the ingenious Umbrellas of Africa, China, Japan, 

 Siam, &c. ; but there are few persons who know that a common 



HAIRS OF ROSEMARY. 



UMBRELLA. 



magnifying- glass will disclose thousands of beautifully perfect 

 umbrellas on the leaf of the Rosemary. 



Pinch the Rosemary-leaf between the fingers, and a strong 

 and peculiar perfume is evolved, just as when the peel of the 

 orange is squeezed. The reason is the same in both cases, 

 namely, the presence of multitudes of spherical vessels which 

 contain their essential oil, secreted by the plant. 



In the orange they are sunk below the surface of the skin, 

 and are protected by it ; but in the Rosemary they stand on 

 slight footstalks, as shown in the illustration. 



Being very delicate, and liable to be broken at the least touch, 

 they are protected by a series of curiously formed hairs, which 

 extend over them exactly as would an umbrella, and defend 

 them from the elements. 



The surface of a Rosemary -leaf affords a singularly beautiful 

 sight, even with a common magnifying-glass, the tiny perfume- 

 globes gleaming like little pearls in the broken lights that shine 

 through the umbrella-like hairs. 



Now we come to another part of domestic life, namely, 

 Servants. 



There is a diversity of ideas on this subject, as we know by 



