KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 


93 
een 
this had not been washed up on the beach, 
but was growing in its native tide-pool when 
I plucked it. It had never been out of water 
a single minute, and the polypes were in high 
health and activity both before and after the 
observation of their luminosity. 
The above graphic sketch harmonises 
nicely with the paper you have before 
inserted. I have myself witnessed the ocean 
in a state of luminosity, and therefore take 
pleasure in seeing the causes of it popularly 
explained. 
W.E. 
THOUGHTS ON A FEW DROPS OF WATER. 
THE RELATION THAT WATER HAS to all 
bodies endowed with life, in whatever shape 
they may appear to us, is very considerable, 
and embraces an extensive science. 
Water being the vehicle by means of which 
nourishment is conveyed into plants, and the 
means through which nutriment becomes a 
part of the animal tissue, it follows that this 
element is of the highest importance, both in 
the animal and vegetable kingdoms. 
It is impossible to determine with any degree 
of precision, the relative quantity of water and 
solid substances in animals and vegetables. 
Some distinguished experimenters believe that 
there are at least 6-7 water in animals, anda 
more considerable portion in vegetables than 
would at first be imagined. The vegetableand 
animal economy are continually changing. 
Consequently, this great menstruum is neces- 
sary to carry on the work of building up and 
tearing down, for subserving a purpose then 
becoming unfit for use. In the form of per- 
spiration, some plants—for instance, the cab- 
bage, transmit daily a quantity of water, nearly 
equal to half their weight: this takes place 
from the under side of the leaves ; and man per- 
spires, on an average, at least 28 pints per day. 
Hence renovation with this fluid is so neces- 
sary, and extreme thirst so painful. 
We cannot but be struck with the sublime 
character of this extensive and beautiful circle 
of action, to which, in part, the specimen 
before us is subject ; and by which such a va- 
riety of important purposes are accomplished. 
The vast range it embraces is wonderful. Once, 
this little example may have been floating 
high in the aérial regions, presenting all the 
beauties of a crystalline state, or in infinitely 
small particles, collected in large heaps, 
called clouds—at another time, penetrating 
the bowels of the earth, collecting the many 
minerals, with which it is impregnated, in the 
fountain. At one time it was mingling with 
the waters of the great deep, and occasion- 
ally, wafted by winds and currents out into 
fathomless regions—at another, bursting out 
from some of the springs or fountains which 
are found in every section of the globe, placed 
there to meet the immediate wants of its 
inhabitants. At one time it was raisedup 
from the sea, inthe form of an invisible gas, 
and in an insensible manner—at another 
time descending in showers, to water the 
fields which are prepared for it by the sweat 
of the brow. 
In the ocean, it assisted in supplying the 
wants of the million of millions of its inhabi- 
tants ;—on the land, it must have assisted in 
quenching the parching thirst of unnumbered 
millions, the lives of whom have long since 
passed their scene ofactionhere. So adapted 
is the means to the great end! 
Who dares deny that this shows the design 
of a great, intelligent First Cause ? 

THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON. 
IT IS AN ASCERTAINED FACT that there 
are three classes of lunar mountains. The first 
consists of isolated, separate, distinct moun- 
tains of a very curious character. The dis- 
tinguishing characteristic of these mountains 
is this: they start up from a plain quite 
suddenly. 
On the earth it is well known that moun- 
tains generally go in ranges or groups ; but we 
find these isolated lunar mountains standing 
up entirely apart, never having been connected 
withany range. The one named Pico, is 9,000 
feet high. This mountain has the form of an 
immense sugar-loaf; and if our readers can 
imagine a fairly-proportioned  sugar-loaf, 
9,000 feet in height, and themselves situated 
above it so as to be able to look down upon 
its apex, they will have an approximate idea 
of the appearance of Pico. 
There are many other mountains of a 
similar description scattered over the moon’s 
surface; and these mountains not only stand 
apart from each other, but what is still more 
remarkable, the plains on which they stand 
are but slightly disturbed. How singular, 
then, the influence that shot the mountain up 
9,000 feet, and yet scarcely disturbed the 
plain in the immediate neighborhood! The 
second class of lunar elevations consists of 
mountain ranges. Now this is the principal 
feature of the mountains on earth. They are 
rarely found associated in any other manner 
than in vast ranges. This phenomenon is 
also found in the moon, but there itis the 
exception; only two principal ranges are 
found, and these appear to have been origin- 
ally one range. One is called the Appennines. 
It is so well seen, that just as the line of 
light is passing through the moon, you will 
think it is, generally speaking, a crack in 
its surface; buta telescope of ordinary 
power will at once manifest it to be a range 
of mountains. 
The lunar Appennines may be compared 
with the loftiest ranges of mountains upon 

