water a whole year, or perhaps longer, without any visible food. HENRY.-The Acalephæ are superior to the polypi in their structure, are they not? PAPA.-Yes; the larger species are: for though they have no blood-vessels, they have channels for the transmission of fluids; and their bodies are of a fibrous or muscular texture. The sea-anemone avails itself of this in its movements, which it offers by contracting the muscles on one side and elongating them on the other. MAMA. I remember to have seen a very beautiful variety of Actinia at Hastings, called the sea-carnation. It adhered by the tail to the under-part of the projecting rocks opposite to the town, and when the tide was out, had very much the appearance of a long white fig. PAPA.-There are several beautiful species of animalflowers to be found, not only on the rocks of our own coasts, but on those also on the shores of the West India islands. As we are to go back through the pasture to look for polypes in the pond, it is time to return. If we should find any, Anna, you will not expect me to make any experiments upon them; for I cannot justify the cruelty of cutting them to pieces as a certain Naturalist justified his operations upon the sea-anemones, by saying that he multiplied their existence and renewed their Z. Z. had only youth." HYMNS AND POETICAL RECREATIONS. THE VESTAL FIRE. HEATHENS have fabled of a living flame, Whose sacred spark, that first from Heaven came, Albeit of mortal hand it came not there, Must yet be trimmed and fed by mortal care; And lest for lack of tending should expire The hallowed flame of that supernal fire, A virgin priesthood ever in their turns The wandering thoughts to other objects gone, Stol'n from the secrets of eternal truth, Where is the Vestal's eye, the Vestal's care? Is gone in search of some fond imagery That it delights to look on; nor misgives Of what betides the treasur'd charge it leaves. The restless thoughts, the heart that should have stayed Distracted, shared, pre-occupied, has left Through scenes of earthly pleasure while it roves That thou wouldst purify the heart, the thought, THE NIGHTINGALE. 'TWAS night-but the stars were not in heaven, Nor gleamed there so much as a taper's light, 'Twas still-but there was not heard a sound Nor echo of the loitering step, That speaks the living near 'Twas cold-aye, cold as the April suns, That shine so falsely bright, To gather unseen the mist by day, That falls so cold at night. But there came a sound through the damp, dark air, A sound so loud, so clear, It seemed like the musick of other worlds, That sainted spirits hear. Who is it loves on nights like this To breathe so sweet a lay, And waste on the desert air a song, He never sings by day? "Tis the bird of sorrow, the bird of love, He does not sing where the blest forget He does not sing where the summer birds Misgive not of winter's coming. But listen you, when the noise of mirth And chilling dews are on the grass, And flowers, in sadder garments wrapt, O listen then, and a sound so sweet Thou wilt not deem it anything But haply the voice of one who strays So sad as if it remembered yet While numbered with the things of earth, It had its dwelling here. So fond, so pitiful-as if Some loved one left behind. ETERNITY. O COULD my soul but pierce the veil Nor find her utmost efforts fail When reason strives to venture through Could I that path of light explore By pure and happy spirits trod, And, blest with them, with them adore -But mortal eye hath never seen And human ear hath never been Nor hath it entered human thought What there is seen, and heard, and known, A lesson learned through faith alone. O first of lessons,-truth-whose worth To see its glories open thrown, If this be granted me below, VERITA. THE RESIGNATION. LONG have I view'd, long have I thought, And held with trembling hand this bitter draught: 'Twas now just to my lips applied, Nature shrank in, and all my courage dy'd. But now resolv'd and firm I'll be, Since, Lord, 'tis mingled, and reached out by thee. |