inch broad or more, and 83 feet 4 inches long, and stretch it along the wall of a large hall, or round the walls of an apartment somewhat over 20 feet square. Recall to memory the days of your boyhood, so as to get some adequate conception of what a period of a hundred years is. Then mark off from one of the ends of the strip one-tenth of an inch. The one-tenth of the inch will then represent one hundred years, and the entire length of the strip a million of years. It is well worth making the experiment, just in order to feel the striking impression that it produces on the mind. Could we stand upon the edge of a gorge, a mileand-a-half in depth, that had been cut out of the solid rock by a tiny stream, scarcely visible at the bottom of this fearful abyss, and were we informed that this little streamlet was able to wear off annually only one-tenth of an inch from its rocky bed, what would our conception be of the prodigious length of time that this stream must have taken to excavate the gorge? We should certainly feel startled when, on making the necessary calculations, we found that the stream had performed this enormous amount of work in some thing less than a million of years. Croll on "Climate and Time." ENGLISH AS THE SPEECH OF THE FUTURE.The success of the English-speaking peoples as colonists, and their superior prolificness, are not the only reasons for thinking that the English tongue is destined to dominate the world. The flexibility and terseness of the English language has made it the language of international telegraphy, and from statistics just collected it appears to be the great newspaper language. In other words, it about equally divides the news papers of the world with all other tongues combined. The total number of newspapers and periodicals that are now published is given in H. P. Hubbard's forthcoming "Newspaper and Bank Directory of the World," as 34,274, with a circulation of about 116,000,000 copies; the annual aggregate circulation reaching, in round numbers, 10,600,000,000 copies. Europe leads with 19,557, and North America follows with 12,400, the two together making over nine-tenths of all the publications in existence. Asia has 775; South America, 699; Australasia, 661; and Africa, 132. Of all these, 16,500 are printed in the English language, 7,800 in German, 3,850 in French, and over 1,600 in Spanish. There are 4,020 daily newspapers, 18,274 tri-weeklies and weeklies, and 8,508 issued less frequently. It appears that while the annual aggregate circulation of publications in the United States is 2,600,000,000, that of Great Britain and Ireland is 2,260,000,000. Scientific American. A CARNIVOROUS PARROT.-The remarkable bird the Nestor notabilis, or Mountain Kea, of New Zealand, is a parrot of strong frame and powerful bill and claws, which were used, like those of all parrots, for obtaining a vegetable diet, until the colonists introduced sheep and pigs. As soon as this was done, the kea seems to have abandoned vegetable food, and to have taken entirely to flesh eating. He attacks sick, or dying, or disabled sheep, and, with his powerful cutting beak, opens a passage through the back, and eats the intestines. Even healthy animals are sometimes assailed by the Nestor notabilis, and there are sheep-runs in New Zealand where considerable losses have been incurred through these strange birds. The specimen in the Zoological Gardens gave as much trouble to capture as an eagle, tearing the clothes of the shepherd, who knocked it down while pouncing on a lamb, and lacerating his hands. The kea scorns cooked meat, biscuits, fruit, or seeds, and likes raw mutton better than any food. He will tear the skin and flesh from a sheep's head after the furious fashion of a vulture-leaving nothing but the bare skull. He at one time holds the morsels in his lifted claw, after the style of parrots, and at another grips them under his feet while rending with his feet like a hawk. This is a curious example of change of habit, for there is every reason to believe that before sheep and pigs were introduced into New Zealand the kea was as frugiverous in its meals as most, if not all other, parrots. He will now eat pork and beef as well as mutton, and has become, in fact, utterly and hopelessly carnivorous. It is to be feared, after this example, that temptation is often fatal to birds and beasts, as well as man. Had it not been for Captain Cook and the English sheep flocks, the Nestor notabilis would have lived and died innocent of crime; but now its blood-stained carcase is suspended outside many a sheepfold near Otago.Daily Telegraph. RED SNOW.-At a recent meeting of the San Francisco Microscopical Society, Dr. Harkness presented a bottle of red snow, which he had gathered last June on the Wasatch Mountains. The red snow was found on the north side of a spur which rose about 10,000 feet above the sea level. When fresh, the snow has the appearance of being drenched with blood, as though some very large animal had been killed. The red snow is caused by the presence of a one-celled plant called Protococcus nivalis, which reproduces itself by sub-division; that is, the cell divides itself into several new cells. This is done with great rapidity, and a few cells lodged in the snow, under favourable conditions, soon will give it the appearance called "red snow." It was remarked that the phenomena of red snow had been observed from the earliest times, as Aristotle has a passage which is thought to refer to it. The subject was, however, lost sight of until brought up by the investigations of Saussure, who found it on the Alps in 1760. He made chemical tests which showed him that the red colour was due to the presence of vegetable matter, which he supposed might be the pollen of some plant. In 1819, an Arctic expedition under Capt. Ross brought some specimens from the cliffs around Baffin's Bay, and they were examined by eminent botanists, some of whom mistook the nature of the plant, and there was a long discussion as to its proper classification, some holding it to be a fungus, some a lichen; but it was finally set at rest as one of the unicellular algæ. It is of interest also that some of the early examiners pronounced the colour due to animalcules, but this was disproved. Dr. Harkness said that during his last visit to England, he saw the original bottle of specimens brought from the Arctic more than sixty years before, and in which the Protococcus could still be seen with the microscope.--Scientific American. R. J. COLLIS BROWNE'S CHLORODYNE.-This wonderful remedy was discovered by Dr. J. COLLIS BROWNE, and the word Chlorodyne coined by him expressly to designate it. There never has been a remedy so vastly beneficial to suffering humanity, and it is a subject of deep concern to the public that they should not be imposed upon by having imitations pressed upon them on account of cheapness, and as being the same thing. DR. J. COLLIS BROWNE'S CHLORODYNE is a totally distinct thing from the spurious compounds called Chlorodyne, the use of which only ends in disappointment and failure. CHLORODYNE. DR. J. COLLIS BROWNE'S CHLO. GREAT SPECIFIC for CHOLERA, DYSENTERY, The GENERAL BOARD of Dr. GIBBON, Army Medical Staff, DR. COLLIS BROWNE'S CHLO- attacks of EPILEPSY SPASMS, COLIC, FRIENDLESS AND FALLEN. A NEW EPOCH. MARK. UT what about the PAST? The Story is soon told. Many years ago there might have been seen a young woman loitering just under the porch of one of our large Metropolitan Churches. She was a stranger in the big city-had neither kith nor kin nigh at hand, and no place to which to turn called by the sacred name of HOME. Multitudes passed and fro in carriages, cabs, and omnibuses; and as the night wore on, pedestrians hurried homeards with more or less speed, leaving her there in her loneliness and wretchedness to realise the uth that she was alone in London. Yet, she was not alone; for, though no human sympathy was extended to her, the Eye of the reat Father, that never slumbers nor sleeps, was upon this poor waif, and at the moment, perhaps, hen her sense of desolation was keenest, had directed a kind-hearted Christian gentleman to the ot. He served as God's messenger to the forlorn wanderer, and within an hour she found herself nder the care of a Christian lady, who interested herself not only in her temporal, but her spiritual ondition, and at length was instrumental in restoring her to the bosom of her family, far, far away ia country village. This one incident led to the establishment of the Homes of the London Female Preventive nd Reformatory Institution, into which about EIGHTEEN THOUSAND of the same pitiable class have een welcomed. The Institution has just closed a Quarter of a Century's Work, and on the first of anuary, 1883, enters upon a New Epoch, with appliances and workers whose efforts it is earnestly elieved will lead to the rescue and salvation of thousands more. The day is not far distant when he loving Saviour will gather round Him in glory the saved of all nations and of all conditions ; nd then, when the joy of the whole will be complete, is it not allowable to believe that the joy of he Redeemed will be enhanced as they find among their fellows those rescued out of the depths hrough their loving instrumentality. How inspiring the thought! What an impetus to zeal is uch an end! Every Reader is earnestly asked to take part in this work of mercy by sending a Donation, so hat this New Epoch may be entered upon with new energy and zeal. To the friendless, the gates of this Institution may literally be said to be open night and day; and its workers may be ever said o be sounding the "COME" of the Gospel Dispensation. To sustain the Institution about £85 per week is required. Every Reader is asked to contribute subscriptions from 2s. 6d. or collect 1 among friends. About 5,500 meals have to be provided every week; and with the exception of the profit erived from the work of the inmates; the entire work is dependent absolutely on the daily offerings f kind Christian people. CONTRIBUTIONS will be thankfully received by Messrs. BOSANQUET, SALT, and Co., 13, Lombard-street, E.C.; FRANCIS NICHOLLS (of the Committee), 14, Old Jewry-chambers, E.C., or by 200, Euston Road, N.W. EDWARD W. THOMAS, Secretary. LIGHT & LOVE, the Best Localised Magazine, One Penny Monthly. In Nine Sizes, corresponding Page for Page with each other. Prospectus with Specimens of Types, etc., can be had on application to ary Bookseller. London: H. FROWDE, Oxford University Press Warehouse, 7, Paternoster-rowNEW SERIES. Price One Penny. GREATLY ENLARGED SUNSHINE. FOR THE HOME, THE SCHOOL, AND THE WORLD. A Monthly Illustrated Magazine for Young People, Family Reading, & Readers in General EDITED BY THE REV. W. MEYNELL WHITTEMORE, D.D. THE EDITOR'S ADDRESS. SUNSHINE is now entering its Twenty-Second Year. It is as radiant as ever. And it never shines more brightly than when lights up the faces of its many friends, while they joyously exclaim, "I shall take in SUNSHINE as long as I live." Sunshine is intended for the Home. It will help to make the home a happy one. Father and mother, children and servants will all enjoy SUNSHINE. It will banish discontent, make work easy, and act like a cordial for fainting spirits. Sunshine is also adapted to the School. Teachers! I am sure you desire to promote the admission of sound, attractive, cheap and religious literature to the homes of the people. Help me to supersede the trash which is poisoning the minds and perverting hearts of our young people. Ask parents to subscribe for SUNSHINE. Set the children to work to obtain subscribers. Children! jain the ranks of our many friends. Fight under our bright banner, for the Good, the True, and the Loving. Whether you attend day, Sunday, or boarding schools, not only shake hands with us once a month yourselves, but draw all your friends into a pleasant fellowship with us. We want fifty thousand new readers; will you help to get them? Sunshine is also designed for the World. It goes to all parts. Children in America, Australia. on the Continent, and in the South Sea Islands, constantly read it. Wherever you live, Sunshine will make you brighter, better, and more beautiful. Any bookseller will procure it for you; but if there is difficulty in obtaining it, write to Mr. GEORGE STONEMAN, and he will send to you, only then you must send stamps for the postage as well as for the Magazine. Published Monthly by GEORGE STONEMAN, 67, Paternoster Row, London. Sold by all Booksellers and Newsvendors in Town and Country. PAGE WOODCOCK'S WIND PILL'S GOOD for the cure of WIND ON THE STOMACH They are sold by all Medicine Vendors, in boxes at Is. 1 "FOR THE BLOOD IS THE LIFE CLARKE'S WORLD FAMED BLOOD MIXTURE. Trade Mark.-"Blood Mixture." THE GREAT BLOOD PURIFIER AND RESTORER Is warranted to cleanse the blood from all impurities, from whatev cause arising. For Scrofula, Scurvy, Sores of all kinds, Skin and Bloc Diseases, its effects are marvellous. THOUSANDS OF TESTIMONIALS FROM ALL PARTS. In bottles, 2s. 6d. each, and in cases of six times the quantity, 11s. each, all Chemists. Sent to any address for 30 or 132 stamps, by the Proprieto The Lincoln & Midland Counties Drug Company |