too much of heredity here? No doubt its importance cannot be exaggerated. But if, as the author admits, “the early appearance of the sympathies depends upon an early development of mental functions which are properly dormant until later in life," may not the cruelty of children be an incident of ignorance, and not due to the entire absence of pity? As admitted, pity is a state of mind which belongs to the reflective stage of consciousness, when we are able to compare ourselves with others, and, in however indistinct a form, to apply the method of doing as we would be done by. It is quite possible that children know nothing about the pain they inflict by cruelty and torture. They may be governed in their conduct by much the same curiosity that prevails to permit vivisection, and most probably never inflict pain for the sake of creating suffering. Blind Tom, when a boy, used to pinch and torment his brothers and sisters until they cried, and all for the sake of the pleasure he himself received from a new and peculiar kind of sound, his mind being interested in all sounds alike, and passing no intellectual or moral judgments upon their occurrence. It is no doubt much the same with most children until their experience enables them to realize a 'solidarity' of interests between themselves and others. Then they will begin to show sympathy and to shrink from producing pain, not because it is hereditary, but because social environment exerts such a pressure in favor of learning the consequences and moral significance of our actions. At the same time heredity cannot be ignored. But the phenomena of cruelty and pity are much more complex than heredity, while including it. Besides, it may be misleading to say that "the emotion of pity appeared late in the history of the race;" for it may not have been so much the sympathies that appeared late as the extent of their application. So of the individual. Pity may be instinctive, but the complicated range of circumstances which require its exercise may demand more knowledge and experience than are possible to childhood. Indeed, children may very early begin to cry from sympathy at the spectacle of suffering in others, when conscious of it, but are indifferent to its infliction upon animals, most probably because they do not realize any thing about it. Pity will show itself, then, in proportion to the extension of their knowledge of what is reciprocal to their own interests or sense of pain. Hence may we not say of sympathy, both in the race and in the individual, what T. H. Green said of humanity in comparing Greek and modern civilization; namely, that the standard of conduct in this respect was the same to the Greek as to us, but that more persons are to-day included in the right to be judged by it? That is, "the conviction of the brotherhood of all men does not bring a new conception of what is due towards those who have claims upon us, but a new view of the range of persons who have such claims." Certainly it seems a little violent to suppose the absence of sympathy altogether because the extensive conditions under which it is exercised at present were wanting in the earlier history of the race or of the individual. J. H. H. The Purslane-Worm (Copidryas Gloveri Grote). DURING the past season the entire State of Kansas has suffered an invasion of caterpillars of a species not previously known to exist except upon the plains of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and western Texas. This insect has occurred in such numbers as to suggest to many of our citizens the idea of spontaneous generation, and the writer has received many inquiries indicating alarm lest it should prove to be a new edition of the real army-worm,' and become a great crop-destroyer in the year 1888. Such fears, however, are entirely groundless. I have not been able to make the caterpillars eat any thing but purslane; and the insect may be regarded as a friend rather than a foe, since its chief mission in life appears to be the destruction of one of our most troublesome weeds. The eastward progress of this species reminds one of the similar advance of the Colorado potato-beetle. My first acquaintance with it was made in August, 1884, at Deming, New Mex., nearly twelve hundred miles from Lawrence, where I captured some twenty of the moths during my summer collecting-expedition. They were attracted by the lamps at the station-hotel of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Railroad Company. They proved to be a rare species in collections, and were in great demand among my entomological correspondents. My next acquaintance with this insect was from two specimens of the moth captured at the electric lights in Emporia, Kan., by my student-friend and assistant, Mr. V. L. Kellogg. Professor Popenoe of Manhattan observed the caterpillars and bred the moth in 1886. Emporia and Manhattan are each about a hundred miles west from Lawrence, and the first observed appearance of the species at the latter place was in 1887. It remains to be seen whether the purslane-destroyer will become acclimated in a moister and colder climate than that of its original habitat. If it succeeds in adapting itself to its new environment, it may push on to the Atlantic seaboard, and delight the farmers and gardeners of the whole country by assisting to exterminate the hated pursley.' If not, it will disappear from view, as did a certain New Mexico butterfly (Colias Mexicana), which appeared suddenly in Kansas in large numbers in November, 1875, and has not since been observed in the State, having been unable to survive the first winter. Inasmuch as this latter immigrant has already survived one Kansas winter in safety, it is probable that it will become a permanent resident. I would offer the following explanation of the fact that this insect, indigenous to the Far-Western plains, should so long have delayed its invasion of Kansas and its possible march to the sea.' Its native food-plant being a Western species of purslane (Portulaca retusa Engelmann), it did not extend beyond its original habitat until the building of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Railroad had resulted in the western extension of our common Eastern purslane (P. oleracea L.). As soon as the Eastern purslane reached the home of the Far-Western species, forming a sufficiently continuous connection, the purslane caterpillar, finding the two plants equally palatable, began its eastward march. In precisely the same way the Colorado potato-beetle, having for its original food-plant a wild Western species of Solanum (S. rostratum), began its journey to the Atlantic just as soon as the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum) was extended westward to meet the wild Solanum, commonly called the Texas thistle and Santa Fé burr. To the entomologist it will be interesting to know that the scientific name of the purslane moth is Copidryas Gloveri. It was described by A. R. Grote in 1868 as belonging to the genus Euscirrhopterus, but at a later date it was placed by him in the new genus Copidryas. Mr. Herman Strecker has referred it to the genus Eudryas, but the peculiarities of the caterpillar, hitherto unknown, confirm the propriety of separating it from that genus. It belongs to the family Zyganida, and is a near relative of the beautiful wood-nymph' (Eudryas grata) and the eight-spotted forester' (Alypia octomaculata). As both the latter species feed upon the foliage of the grape-vine, it would not surprise me to find the purslane-worm occasionally making use of the same food-plant. I do not, however, apprehend any serious danger of making such a discovery. F. H. SNOW. University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan., Oct. 10. Queries. 15. IS THE TRUMPET-CREEPER POISONOUS?—I should be very glad to hear of any positive evidence in regard to the alleged poisonous property of the trumpet-creeper (Tecoma radicans). This beautiful vine is very abundant in this neighborhood, and there seems to be a pretty general belief that it is poisonous to the touch, the effect being like that of the poisonous Rhus. I have not, however, been able to get hold of any well-authenticated cases of poisoning from this plant. A child of my acquaintance was said to have been poisoned from handling it, but it is not at all certain that the eruption was not a return of a slight cutaneous affection from which the child had suffered shortly before. Such cases as this prove nothing, nor, on the other hand, does the fact that I, and others, have handled the plant with impunity. Our immunity may have been due to our individual constitutions. Every one knows, of course, that there are plenty of people who are not at all susceptible to Rhus-poisoning, and yet no one would hesitate to call either species of Rhus a very poisonous plant. As far as I can learn, the poisonous property of the trumpet-creeper is not generally recognized by botanists. I shall be very glad to hear what the experience of other people has been with this plant. CROSBY'S VITALIZED PHOSPHITES Composed of the Nerve-giving Principles of the Ox Brain and the Embryo of the Wheat and Oat. Is a standard remedy with physicians who treat nervous or mental disorders. The formula is on every label. As it is identical in its composition with brain matter it is rapidly absorbed and relieves the depression from mental efforts, loss of memory, fatigue or mental irritability. Sleeplessness, irritation, nervous exhaustion, inability to work or study is but BRAIN HUNGER, in urgent cases BRAIN STARVATION. It aids in the bodily and wonderfully in the mental development of children. It is a vital phosphite, not a laboratory phosphate or soda water absurdity. 56 W. 25th St., N. Y. For sale by Druggists, or by Mail, $1. BOOK-NOTES. - Funk & Wagnalls will issue this month -D. C. HEATH & Co. will publish this a photographic facsimile of the 1623 Folio week 'Nature Reader; Seaside and Wayside, Edition of Shakespeare.' It is an exact reNo. 1,' by Julia McNair Wright. This is production to the minute details of the origithe first of a series of primary readers in-nal, only the pages are reduced to a crown tended to awaken in young children a taste octavo size. As Donnelly's Shakespeare for scientific study, to develop their powers of attention, and to encourage thought and observation, by directing their minds to the living things that meet their eyes on the roadside, at the seashore, and about their homes. This First Reader treats of crabs, wasps, spiders, bees, and some univalve mollusks. The Second Reader will treat of ants, flies, earth-worms, beetles, barnacles, star-fish, and dragon-flies. The Third Reader will give lessons in plant-life, grasshoppers, butterflies, and birds. Each reader is furnished with Review Questions sufficient to cover the leading facts presented. The books will contain numerous illustrations especially prepared for this series. - In the Italian Grammar' by C. H. Grandgent of Harvard University, published Oct. 6, by D. C. Heath & Co., the author has attempted to put into convenient form and the smallest possible compass all the grammar that the ordinary student of Italian needs. The endeavor has been made to make the book represent the Italian language of to-day, the exercises being taken chiefly from reading-books lately prepared for Tuscan schools. Still as many obsolete forms are given as students of Italian classics will need. - Mr. E. H. Walker, for many years statistician of the New York Produce Exchange, has joined the editorial staff of Bradstreet's, the well-known commercial and financial newspaper published in New York, to which he will give his exclusive services. Mr. Walker is perhaps the best-informed man in the country on the statistics of grain, flour, provisions, live-stock, and kindred lines. He is the author of the only complete records of this kind in the country, and the inventor of the 'visible' grain-supply statement. - Harper & Bros. will issue directly the first volume of an important historical work by Henry C. Lea, who had long ago become famous for his substantial work in the direction of historical literature. The title of the forthcoming work is, A History of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages.' Messrs. Harper & Bros, will also issue within a fortnight two interesting works on the late war. One is a history of the negro troops in the war of the Rebellion, by George W. Williams, the author of the History of the Negro Race in America.' cipher is based wholly on the world-famous - Thomas Whittaker will publish at once Canon Farrar's new volume, entitled 'Everyday Christian Life, or, Sermons by the Way.' Calendar of Societies. Engineers' Club, Philadelphia. Oct. 1-J. M. Cameron, The Carnell Air Injector; Henry G. Morris, Exhibition and Description of a Working Model of a Traveller to carry Wires, Ropes, etc., through Conduits; L. M. Haupt, Remarks upon Experiments with Current Deflectors at Five-Mile Bar. Theatres of New York. DANIEL FROHMAN. The above is the ground plan of a prison con- The Manager. GREAT PINK PEARL Preceded by. $100 A MONTH On an Investment of only $330. A limited amount of Treasury Stock of The Carson River Dredging Company will be sold at $3.30 Per Share, the Par Value being $10. It is believed that the dividends will be 10 per cent. a month on the par value of $10, to commence about January 1st. This would make this investment pay as follows: 100 Shares costing $330 income $100 a month. | product of the Comstock Mines has flowed as 165.00 46 50 25 The stock is registered at American Loan and Trust Co., and listed on the Consolidated Exchange. This Company is the exclusive owner by right of location under U. S. Laws of the Astral & New Era claims on Carson River, near Dayton, Lyon Co., Nevada, each 4,160 feet in length by about 200 feet in width; about 20 acres in each claim. The Company also own all rights to use on these claims the Rae Patent Vacuum Dredge, the Rae Patent System of Sluices and Electric Amalgamators and processes; also the Gould Patent System of Concentra tion. These two claims are pronounced by competent experts to be by far the richest of any on the river, possessing a known wealth running up into the millions. tailings into the Carson River, and that at It is estimated by mill men there and other 66 The "New Era" Claim takes in the East proposed to reclaim, and which are now deposited with the tailings along the bottom of the Carson River, throughout the length and breadth of the claims of this Company. As many inquiries are made requiring explanation as to the basis on which dividends are expected to be paid, the Agent wishes to state that his calculations are from figures furnished by the Company, which are as follows: "These estimates of the value of the half less than the mill men and mining engineers of great experience estimate them. COST OF WORKING DREDGE. One Day of Ten Hours. branch of the River for about one-third of a train of one hundred and fifteen cars is now The Virginia Chronicle says: A daily required to transport Comstock ores over the V. & T. R. R. to the Stamp Mills on the Carson River," and these are even now losing, as conceded by their Superintendents, two pounds of quicksilver to every ton worked, or 2,000 pounds per day, or 60,000 pounds per month. By the improved methods now used at these mills, they are enabled to work with very much less loss than in the past, but the The New York Tribune says; “It is esti- minimum losses of the past amounting to mated that at least ten per cent. of the bullion | MILLIONS upon MILLIONS are what it is "The Astral" takes a portion of the river above the Rocky Point mill dam, where in the lively bonanza times of rich ores, thirteen mills were working crushing this ore and losing in wastage from $1,000 to $10,000 per day in quicksilver and minerals, according to the capacity of the mills. It will therefore be seen that at the above rate, for 24 hours (instead of ten hours), allowing only 300 working days, the profit would amount to the enormous sum of One Million Three Hundred and Eighty-nine Thousand Six Hundred Dollars, which would make a great deal more than 10 per cent. a month on the Company's Capital of one Million Dollars. The above offer of $3.30 per share will hold good until October 27, 1887. SEND ORDERS with Cashier's Check, P. O. Order or Registered Letter to W. S. CHAMBERLIN, Agent, 115 Broadway, N. Y. City. The Science Company, Publishers, 47 Lafayette Place, New York. London agent: G. E. Stechert, 26 King William St., Strand. IVISON, BLAKEMAN & CO., Publishers of School Books. NEW YORK AND CHICAGO. Teachers are cordially invited to address us upon any matter pertaining to text-books. If an improved book or series is desired in any branch, write us,-learn what we publish, our prices, terms, etc. We furnish books for examination with a view to introduction at nominal prices, and these s are returnable if not adopted. An Immediate Success. - White's Industrial | Drawing Revised, although not yet completed has been adopted in important cities like Louisville, Ky., Kansas City, Kan., Eau Claire, Wis., Marshalltown, Iowa, Bridgeport, Ct., Norwich, Ct., Kingston, N. Y., Paterson, N. J., Jersey City, N. J., besides numbers of smaller places in all parts of the country. The first Eight Numbers are sent for examination with a view to introduction on receipt of 50c., or the series (when completed) will be sent for $1.50. sons e author, or another series, continuing the language lesspecial departments of work successfully introduced in the main series by this author. Fish's etics present a complete course in two books for com nools. NUMBER ONE is as novel and ingenious in its mets as it is popular and successful in use. NUMBER TWO is a rational, succinct, and practical manual of business arithmetic, containing the minimum of theory with the maximum of practice. Problems designed to puzzle have no place in this book. language correctly. Smith's Physiologies were adopted August 8th, 1887, for exclusive use in Oregon, until changed by act of legislature, by Wells's Shorter Course in Grammar and Compothe following vote: SMITH'S received 26 votes; all others received sition provides in a single book at a very low price an 3 votes. These books have won an established place as the best. excellent series of lessons which really teach what is so rarely acProfessor Swinton's Readers, Spellers, Geog-complished in larger books, namely, to speak and write the English raphies and Histories, are models of approved methods intelligently applied. They are universally popular with the best teachers and educationists. Those who desire to secure the best results in their schools should introduce no other works in the branches treated by Professor Swinton without first examining those written by him. SWINTON'S ADVANCED READERS provide additional matter for classes which have completed the regular series The National Standard of Penmanship in the United States has undoubtedly been established by the SPENCERIAN COPY BOOKS. With numerous imitators they have had no equal, and to-day with their superior paper, faultless copies, and progressive and systematic grading, they still stand, where they have been for years past, at the head. Among the notable successes in our High School Books may be mentioned Gray's Botanies, Dana's Geologies, Cooley's Physics and Chemistry, Tenney's Zoologies, Elliott & Storer's Chemistry, Byrant & Stratton's Book-Keeping, Day's Elements of Discourse, Logic, Rhetorical Praxis, Art of Elocution. Every pupil in public or private school should be supplied with one of Webster's School Dictionaries, the Primary, Common School, High School, or Academic. OUR BRIEF DESCRIPTIVE LIST SENT FREE ON APPLICATION. IVISON, BLAKEMAN & CO., Publishers, 149 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. 753-755 Broadway, New York. INVALUABLE BOOKS MECHANIC, FOR THE ENGINEER AND CHEMIST. REVISED TO DATE. Nystrom's Pocket-Book of Mechanics Nineteenth Edition, Revised and Greatly Enlarged with "The amount of information it contains upon the subjects to "This is a work of inestimable value to every mechanic, containing as it does rules, tables, and directions in regard to the steam engine which come into use in the every-day practical life of the engineer. For the young its value cannot be estimated, and for the old and experienced engineer and machinist the tables, diagrams, and general information it contains will prove of great value. We commend this book to the attention of all interested in mechanical work of all kinds."— San Francisco Wood and Iron. which it is devoted is simply wonderful." - American Manufac- Elements of Modern Chemistry (Wurtz). turer, Pittsburg. Marks on the Steam Engine. Third Edition, Revised, Enlarged, and Interleaved. The Relative Proportions of the Steam Engine. By WM. D. MARKS. With numerous Illustrations. 12mo. Extra Cloth. $3.00. New Edition, Thoroughly Revised. Translated by W. H. "A valuable work as a class-book, and a 'most interesting and instructive volume for the general reader." - New York School Journal. If not obtainable at your Booksellers', send direct to the Publishers, who will forward the books, free of Postage, promptly on receipt of the price. J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY, Publishers, 715 and 717 Market St., Philadelphia. MACMILLAN & CO.'S NEW EDUCATIONAL WORKS THE PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. By Henry | THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE ENGLISH TONGUE. By John Earle, M.A., Professor of Anglo-Saxon in the University LOTZE'S SYSTEM OF PHILOSOPHY. Part II. Metaphysic. 12mo. $3. A varying number of parts issued at intervals will complete a volume, the subscription for which will be $5.25, subscribers receiving the parts as they appear. The published price of individual parts will vary according to their size and contents. MACMILLAN & CO., 112 Fourth Avenue, New York. |