which oozed, drop by drop, the fluid contained within. On detaching the asterias from its prey, these vesicles collapsed, and became no longer visible. The query is, What were these vesicles? and why were they introduced into the shell, or how could they be so without being injured? The probability appears to be, that they contained a poisonous or paralyzing secretion, by which the vital energies of the mollusk were destroyed; and that they were insinuated by degrees, as the mollusk, clasped in the arms of its destroyers, and absorbing some of the poison poured out upon the edges of the shell, became enervated; when the adductor muscles, that close the shell, would lose, first by degrees, and then more rapidly, their power of contraction; death ultimately supervening. That this is the way in which the process was accomplished seems the more probable, from the circumstance that some of the mactræ examined, although apparently little injured, were either dead or rendered perfectly torpid, the adductor muscles being quite relaxed. Whether these vesicles have been detected and examined by other naturalists, we are not able to determine; but we have a clew, in M. Deslongchamps's account, to the means by which the asterias is enabled to destroy and devour the mollusk of the oyster, and other large bivalve shells.

The use of the suckers in securing prey has been noticed; they are also, it may be added, organs of progression, by means of which the animal glides securely over the surface, or up the perpendicular sides of rocks, however smooth or slippery. In the performance of this operation, the rays are extended to their utmost, the suckers are all protruded through their ambulacral orifices; and, each having independent | power of action, are employed in fixing and detaching themselves alternately, their curious movements reminding one of those of the limbs of a millipede, (Julus terrestris,) a regularly gliding progress being the result. If placed in a large vessel of clear glass, filled with pure sea water, the curious and interesting motions of the suckers of the asterias may be contemplated with advantage. But enough of this animal.

Mark now those large dark-coloured birds, winging their way landwards from the sea. They are cormorants, (Phalacrocorax carbo,) and are returning |

to their roosting place after a fishing excursion, in which, no doubt, they have been very successful. The cormorant is a beautiful bird, and may be as easily reclaimed and taught to catch fish as falcons to take partridges. It has been so employed in China, and has been also trained for the same purpose in England, but for the sake of amusement only.

The cormorant swims with its body immersed; its tail, composed of stiff, elastic feathers, serves the purpose of a rudder, and is an efficient agent in enabling the bird to turn, to dive deeper, or ascend, as it pursues its prey beneath the surface, which it does with great pertinacity, occasionally rising to breathe. The wings in diving are not idle, but are used as vigorous oars, the bird striking the water with them, in order to make rapid way. When scarcely half fledged, the young, if thrown into the water, invariably attempt to escape by diving, and, using their wings as their fully-fledged parents, continue for a long time their subaquatic course. As, however, an account of this bird may be found in most works on ornithology, and among others, in a work entitled, "An Introduction to the Study of Birds,” (published by the Religious Tract Society, 1835,) reference may be made to it.

The evening draws on apace, and we must return. See how gloriously the broad bright harvest moon lights up the dark waters of the sea, throws her radiance over the wide spread corn lands, and silvers the sombre foliage of the trees, and the tall spire of the church, embosomed in their shade. How beautiful is such a night! how lovely such a scene! can behold it unmoved? who gaze upon it, and not feel his heart glow within him, nor experience a profound emotion of gratitude to the God of all power and goodness, whose mercies are over all his works, and who in all his ways claims our warmest adoration! M.

THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL.

Who

THE hammer of the law may break an icy heart; but the sunshine of the gospel dissolves it into tears. Peter was melted by a love-glance of Christ.— Dingley.

BAY OF HONGKONG.

THIS is a noble harbour, about forty miles from Macao. It is formed by the island of Hongkong, which is a small, but lofty island. It is composed of trap, and has a beautiful waterfall on the western side. The word trap signifies a stair, and refers to the perpendicular ledges and escarpments, which are SO frequent in mountains formed of this material. Over these ledges, or down these escarpments or steeps, the moisture that has distilled upon the lofty ridges, often rolls in a headlong current, and then we get a cascade or waterfall, an object that never fails to inspire feelings of sublime delight in the mind of all beholders. The bay of Hongkong was latterly the anchorage of all outside ships, which used formerly to lie at Linton, or in a harbour a few miles from it. The people on the shore are noted for their civility and the absence of all contemptuous feeling or abusive language towards foreigners. In fact, the Chinese inhabitants of this place have not been lessoned by their rulers in the art of thinking meanly of what they do not understand, nor of railing at what they have not seen. In one of my walks, I entered a small village, which lay at the end of my route; the people pressed around the stranger to study his person, and ask his business. A sad contrast to the general cheerfulness and good humour was presented by an opium smoker, who, in broken English, demanded the reason of my coming. The ill-looking cast of his face made me take him for a foe; but I was mistaken, perhaps, for he brought a stool, and sitting down upon one end of it, begged me to rest myself upon the other. But whatever may have been his sentiments, he saw that the kindness and gentleness of my carriage had won the favour of the crowd, and was wise enough to think it would be in vain to resist the popular current. The Chinese are timid, and cautious, and free institutions have not fostered what we call public opinion; but an intense feeling seems, on some occasions, to supply the place of it, and sets in with such a heady and overbearing tide, that the magistrates are obliged to use all their resources to soothe and divert it. This poor victim of intemperance understood the temper of his countrymen, and thought it would be better to lead than to oppose their inclinations. The

Chinese admire a fair complexion exceedingly; and the ear of the traveller, who understands a little of their language, is often saluted, as he passes by, with allusions to the whiteness of his skin. While the stranger and the circle of bystanders were exchanging civilities, a poor woman, at a little distance off us, was observed to be very busily engaged in surveying her own complexion. She had pulled up her sleeve, and seemed to be comparing its fairness with what she remarked in a stranger. A white skin, the characteristic of Europeans, appears to be held in admiration most among those who have it not; a fact that shows that there is a greater approximation to identity in the tastes of different nations, than we might at first be led to suppose. The more carefully and comprehensively we analyze the sentiments and practices of different nations, the more shall we find reason to think and conclude, that God "fashioneth their hearts alike," Psa. xxxiii. 15; and as in water face answereth to face, so doth the heart of man to man." It is always useful to a traveller to remember this; for it constitutes the "mystery" of his profession: it is of the highest importance in China, where we have so many curious opportunities of seeing, that in despite of hearsay, or first impression, God has made all men of one blood, to dwell upon the face of the earth.

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Ducks are hatched in China, as [chickens] in Egypt, by culinary heat, and are reared in boats, or, as is more frequent, in pens, near a splash of water. In this way, the brood can indulge their favourite propensity without giving the keeper any trouble to fetch home the strays. The owner of one of these broods, whom I met in one of my walks, was surrounded by his children, and seemed to be happy enough in his occupations and his cares. Among his sons was a clever boy, who spoke with a spirit and clearness of intonation, that mightily recommends a Chinese to a stranger, somewhat initiated in their language. It seemed a pity that so much talent should be left to run wild without any training, so I asked the father why he did not send his son to school. "Because I have no money," was the reply. "No money!" said I; "why, sell a few of these ducklings, get a little cash, and give it to the seen jhang, or schoolmaster, that he may teach your

ENGLISH HISTORY.

ELIZABETH.

(Continued from page 249.) THE last period of Elizabeth's reign presented many busy scenes, but it was less unquiet than those which preceded it. The first event of importance was the death of Leicester, which took place immediately after the flight of the Spanish armada. When that event was clearly ascertained, the army encamped in Essex was disbanded, and Leicester proceeded towards his castle at Kenilworth. He was taken ill on the journey, and died at Cornbury park, in Oxfordshire. Some have attributed his end to poison, administered by his wife and her supposed paramour, Blount, whom, it is said, he had attempted to assassinate. To the account already given of this nobleman, nothing need here be added, excepting that his character continued enveloped in mystery till the very last. We must, however, remark, that his boldest accusers are popish writers, who have blackened his memory by relating circumstances that involve contradictory improbabilities.

The preparations for resisting the Spanish invasion occasioned a large expenditure; this obliged Elizabeth to apply for a considerable grant, which was made by the parliament; but with that jealous resistance of interference with

the royal prerogative, which her family had ever shown, she refused to allow a reformation of the malpractices in purveyance, which was a right then largely exercised, claiming of provisions and other atricles, for the royal household at low prices: some regulations of the exchequer were also subjects of complaints. The queen, it is true, promised to redress these grievances; but they were allowed to continue.

When the Spanish invasion threatened, apprehensions were felt respecting the more bigoted Papists whose attachment to Popery was stronger than their patriotic feelings. It was necessary to secure some of them from doing mischief; but Elizabeth refused to do more than place them under restraint, and when the danger was over, they were mostly liberated. Among the number were some seminary priests, and others, who were found to be involved in treasonable practices. Six of these suffered death, with some of their abettors, under the law which forbade such characters to enter the kingdom. Many more were in England, but these examples, it was considered, might be sufficient. The nation had then just narrowly escaped from the results of that combination of foreign and domestic enemies, which the Papists themselves called "the great plot;" if that had been successful, by their own