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Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 29.

General Articles
Earlier text: Speak to the Children

The Missionary.

By Anna L. Ingels

California T. and M. Society.

REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1884.

Districts No. of Members Reports Returned Members Added Members Dismissed Missionary Visits Letters Written Signs taken in clubs Review Signs Good Health Inst uctor Other Periodie'ls
No. 1 202 73 17 8 484 633 473 2 77 12 5 9
No. 2 90 40 6 7 116 152 181 2 7 5
No. 3 77 37 3 3 82 47 126 1 5
No. 4 27 5 34 167 35 2 2 2
No. 5 92 44 1 1 80 128 195 2 2
No. 6 10 2
No. 7 161 76 37 3 576 835 620 1 36 1
No. 8 95 43 1 1 1169 191 175 5 48 5 1 24
No. 9 37 17 7 142 20 55 39 1
No. 10 30 18 2 91 43 1
Ships 323 50 1
Total 821 355 72 23 2953 2264 1953 16 220 20 8 102
Districts Pages tracts and pamphlets Periodicals Donation and Membership Sales Periodicals Total
No. 1 28901 5397 $227 35 $16 35 $21 75 $265 45
No. 2 25643 3185 10 45 16 80 49 65 81 90
No. 3 5127 1154 10 05 2 80 33 15 46 00
No. 4 4768 1235 13 78 5 40 44 52 63 70
No. 5 8282 4292 4 75 2 50 22 95 30 20
No. 6 3270 50
No. 7 53155 7756 24 35 25 167 95 192 55
No. 8 91908 8192 24 80 4 30 106 45 135 55
No. 9 18403 2245 45 65 1 50 72 15 119 30
No. 10 1458 1034
Ships 44611 4400 30 50 30 50
Total 285471 38940 $367 18 $80 40 $517 57 $965 15
No State quarterly meeting was held at the close of this quarter, as the missionary officers and workers are so scattered it would be impossible for them to attend.
This report is more complete than that of any previous quarter, in that the societies throughout the State are more generally represented, and in the increased amount of work done. In the following respects the excess over the last report is most marked: No. of members, 52; reports returned, 44; visits made, 559; letters written, 1,203; and pages distributed, 16,531. The faithfulness in reporting shows an increasing interest in the work.
The sum of $965.15 was paid in to the State society during the quarter. Some of the districts are still quite deeply in debt. This is due, in some instances, to the large amount of publications on hand, and in others to the recent renewal of subscription for SIGNS club. We trust the librarians appreciate the advantage of a healthy financial condition, and will spare no effort to relieve the debt of their respective societies.
May God grant that each succeeding quarter find us far in advance of the preceding one, striving with untiring zeal to promote the interests of the truth and upbuild the cause of Christ. ANNA L. INGELS.

Etna Mills, Siskiyou Co., Cal.

By F. T. Lamb; L. H. Church

WE commenced meetings in the Congregational church, at this place, May 28, and have held thirty-one meetings. Thirteen have commenced to keep the commandments of God, and others are in the valley of decision. We are now holding meetings at Oro Fino, a little mining town about eight miles from here. The interest there is good and the school-house is filled to more than its seating capacity every night.
Pray for the work in this county.
F. T. LAMB. L. H. CHURCH. July 18, 1884.
"THERE is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." Prov. 11:24.

North Pacific Conference.

By John Norton Loughborough; C. L. Boyd

SINCE our excellent camp-meeting we have held meetings at Salem and Scio, Oregon. In each of these places we have made it a point to visit all the Sabbath-keepers, thus laboring "from house to house" as well as holding meetings in public. At Salem we sought to learn the exact standing of every member, that we might the more understandingly labor for them, and also that we might fill out the blank of standing which has lately been introduced in other Conferences. This will enable those who may follow us in the work to see at a glance the situation of the church and the condition of each member, and thus they may take hold to labor where their predecessors left off.
Though there had been some confusion occasioned, for a time, by one going out from us, we were glad to find that his boast that he should take many of the church with him, had thus far proved a failure, so far as the resident enrolled members in Salem are concerned. We are much encouraged with the prospect in Salem. If the members of the church are faithful to their vows, and active in the work, we expect yet to see a strong company here, where so many trials and conflicts have been passed through.
At Scio there is still some confusion resulting from the same cause mentioned at Salem. We were glad to meet the brethren at their houses and in meetings, and to have the privilege of correcting some wrong impressions they had received. We were sorry to learn that as the result of the opposition to the leaders in the cause, some persons were letting go of the Sabbath. This is not a new thing, however. Shake man's faith in those who are giving the message and the result is, with many minds, they lose faith in the message itself. It was decided to revive their Sabbath-school and Sabbath meetings, which have been omitted for some time. May the Lord bless the work at Scio.
The cloud of discouragement that has hung over the cause in this Conference seems to be lifting. The prospects are daily brightening. We hope, with God's blessing, to see the work advancing more rapidly then ever before. There is before us, in this Conference, a grand opportunity for doing good. May wisdom be granted to rightly occupy the field.
J. N. Loughborough, C. L. Boyd.

Circulating Signs in Washington

From Washington, D. C.

A WORKER who uses a package of SIGNS in Washington City writes:—
"The paper is read by Catholics as well as Protestants, and it is spoken well of by all. On one occasion the package was broken in the post-office through the carelessness of the clerks, and then thrown into the waste basket. A mail distributor, a member of the Episcopal Church, came in possession of part of one, and became much interested in reading it, and taking it home remarked that the clerks ought to have more respect for such valuable papers than to leave them for destruction.
"Washington is noted for the great amount of its trivial reading; but I have noticed that in handing out the SIGNS, they lay aside their story and daily papers and read it with pleasure, taking a deep interest in its contents.
"This paper should be judiciously circulated for the good of the people. It may be lent and taken up and given to others, and thus each number do a great amount of good. In this way I have found many becoming interested and soon embracing the truth.
"Let us work while the day is ours, for the time will soon come when we can no longer work. It is a great work in which we are engaged, and the people must be warned. We must be faithful if we would secure a right to the tree of life, and ever be with the Lord."

Dupon, Indiana.

By William Covert; M. G. Huffman

THE interest in this place is good. We came here entire strangers four weeks ago, but have many warm friends now. Ten or more commenced keeping the Sabbath this week. This is a new field, and we had much unreasonable prejudice to overcome, but by humble devotion to God, and energetic work, we have succeeded in getting a good start in the work here. Our congregations are not large, but they are quite regular in attendance, and attentive. Although it is in the midst of harvest, there are from fifty to one hundred present each evening through the week.
We received the twenty copies of the SIGNS yesterday at noon. Have taken nineteen short-term subscriptions in less than one day's work.
July 1, 1884. WM. COVERT, M. G. HUFFMAN.

Brauges, France.

By Daniel T. Bourdeau

I CAME to this place eleven days since to help a man who was struggling toward the light. I was among entire strangers, having no one with whom I could stay over night. I had to hire a room at a hotel, and, as a matter of economy, took most of my meals in visiting and doing missionary work from house to house. I soon began holding meetings in a private house; but finding no house large enough to contain the people, I took my stand in the open air, speaking to large audiences, composed mostly of Roman Catholics.
I have gotten up quite an interest; at least four persons have decided to obey. The mouths of some who said at first, "Why do you not go to Catholics?" are closed; and instead of my stopping here only about one week, as I had at first designed, in view of important work awaiting me at other points in France and Italy, I shall have to remain at least one month.
Among the subjects I spoke upon last Sunday, was the Sabbath question. The interest was intense, and at the close of my remarks, I had to go three times to my depository to get a supply of small tracts and papers to hand out, more than a hundred persons reaching out after printed matter on the subject.
Cholera at different points in France is arousing the fears of many. The Italian Government has forbidden French passengers coming into Italy by sea via Marseilles, the route I was going to take. So I shall hold on a while, or go by land.
My post-office address is still, Pasquart 79m, Bienne, Suisse.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Brauges, Saône-et-Loire, France, July 7.

Winning Souls Wisely

“He that winneth souls is wise.”

GEO. R. DREW

By George R. Drew

From England.

I SEE no reason why the coming year should not witness a great advancement for the cause of God in the Old World. Our new paper, the Present Truth, is very much appreciated by the people here, and will, by the blessing of God, accomplish much good. It is wonderful to see the activity of the prince of darkness in getting fresh ideas to deceive the people, and it is astonishing to see how readily his deceptions are accepted. We are all much cheered as we read, from week to week, of the progress of the work in America. I tell you it pays to work for Jesus in trying to spread his precious message. Many of our works sold here have been taken to Egypt, East Indies, and other parts of the world, and there distributed. I have just sent a good supply of tracts and papers to Calcutta and also to Denmark. I can truly say, I thank God for the Third Angel's Message. My address is 32 Grange Road, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England.

GEO. R. DREW

An Invalid's Mission.

SOME years ago a lovely young girl was suddenly stricken with disease. A long illness and the development of spinal trouble made her a helpless invalid. Pain, often excruciating and almost more than she could bear, depressed her sorely until she could not enjoy even the intervals of temporary relief.
The days had no pleasure in them, and the nights were filled with the phantoms of a weary brain that dwelt unceasingly upon her miserable condition. She sought solace in self-pity, until a morbid imagination made the picture all dark, or aglow only with the lurid flames of persecution. She thought of herself as a martyr, always suffering and always dreading inquisitorial dealing. God did nothing for her! His ears were not attentive to her prayer, and she could only cry aloud: "How long, O Lord, how long!" Thus her life seemed slowly ebbing away.
One morning she awoke very early. The fading stars were giving place to the glorious sun; "rosy light sprinkled the dewy lawn," and all nature revived in beautiful array. Birds sang blithely, not with the sleepy twitter of twilight, but with a full gush of pent-up melody they arose to greet the world. Green trees and shrubs waved gently in the morning breeze, while the sun rose higher and higher, until the triune rays of color and heat blended into one glorious white ray, that rested upon the world like a benediction.
Jennie had seen all this many times before, but that day she awoke to a special consciousness of these pleasant surroundings—her eyes were illumined from within. Not able to rise even to a sitting posture, something seemed to be quickening her heart, her brain, her soul. What did it mean? Instead of fretful and impatient waiting and longing, while words of repining were ready to spring to her lips, as a morning greeting to the household, she lay contented, a song of rejoicing and melody in her heart, with the constantly recurring refrain, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"
Heretofore the only question had been, "How long must I suffer and be useless?" Now she realized that, although she could not be of those who assist in drawing water from the "Pool of Siloam," or engage in lighting the great "candelabra" in the court of the tabernacle, she might in great measure be refreshed from the Living Fountain, and stand in the full blaze of the Light of the world.
That lovely morning the "Sun of Righteousness had risen with healing in his wings." Not physical healing. No, no, her helpless body was not stronger, nor more comfortable than yesterday; but some impulse had set her little bark afloat on calm, restful waters, and she was enabled to forget self, and pain, and regret, while she watched and waited to cheer with a smile or help with an oar some fellow-voyager. When her sister came to the bedside, she was surprised with a cheerful smile and pleasant greeting. "Fanny," she said, "I wonder if I may not yet be able to work a little—to do something for others?"
"Work; why, Jennie, nobody expects you to work. What could you do?"
"I don't know yet; but at least I am determined to be more patient, and that will help a little to make others happy."
"Yes, indeed," Fanny tenderly replied. "That will help all of us, and after a while we will talk about your work, and see what may be done."
Jennie was deeply in earnest, and began at once to recall long-forgotten accomplishments with the needle. She soon found her fingers could follow, at first awkwardly and finally with skill and beauty, the mazes of crochet and knitting—then she took up her pen and succeeded in writing an occasional letter. One day she saw a newspaper article which riveted her attention. It spoke of a society entirely of invalids, called "The Shut-in Society." The members were those who would never get out of the house to enjoy walks and talk with friends, but they had established a correspondence with all such invalids throughout the country, and thus a bond of sympathy united and cheered the sufferers.
There was something for her to do. She was well educated, intelligent, and full of humor. This opened a new, interesting field, and has proved a source of real pleasure and comfort to many. Presents as well as words of love have been exchanged, and an electric chain connects this insulated circle of sympathetic invalids.
She looked about upon her comfortable, neat home, thought of the ready, loving attendance that sought to make her forget pain and prevent ennui, that gathered around her the beautiful in nature and in art, while friends and acquaintances cheered her daily life—all this, instead of squalor, unwilling service, and the bare necessities of life grudgingly furnished. Such might have been her lot, she reflected, and with a burning blush of self-reproach, she prayerfully acknowledged that "God had never forgotten to be gracious."
Her light could not be hid. She was known to many as a wise counselor, and her advice was constantly sought.
An important charity had just been inaugurated. Jennie was urged to become the president. At first thought this seemed to be impracticable; but she finally accepted the position, and for several years has fulfilled the duties, and, by means of marvelous executive ability, she works as well through other hands and feet as if her own could do the bidding of her heart. About a year ago a world-renowned violinist came to this city. He heard of the invalid girl who had not left her room nor taken a step for years, and, with characteristic charity, he determined she should not lose the pleasure of hearing his violin. He went to her home and waked the sweetest strains, and poured forth a flood of melody that made her pale cheek and dim eye glow with unwonted luster. The great artist did more. He promised a public concert at no distant day, for the benefit of "The Flower Mission," of which she was president. A pleasant correspondence with the cheery, warm-hearted foreigner brightened the intervening months. The time for the concert approached; and now mystical, unseen hands seemed to be weaving threads of sympathy all over the city. Everybody was interested to make the evening a success, that the "Mission" might be benefited, and the brave Christian worker made happy on her bed of pain. The governor of the State responded to the invitation to be present. The mayor and the board of trade, the churches, the citizens, all came forward to do their part. A committee waited upon the invalid with a request to place a telephone in her room that she too might enjoy the music in the hall nearly a mile distant. This touched her almost to tears. She replied:
"Thank you, gentlemen; I may not be able, through nervous anxiety, to listen to the good artist's violin; but your thoughtful kindness is more grateful than the music to my ear."
She did hear and enjoy it all, however, and the proceeds from that evening's entertainment were placed in the thin, transparent hands, to be distributed among the poor and the sick, bringing comfort, warmth, light, and health to many a household during the dreary winter months.
This is a true story of suffering and triumph. Whence this patience and cheerful activity? For answer we must go back to the morning without clouds, when the suffering Christian hearkened to a voice which said: "Cast thy burden on the Lord. He will sustain thee."—N. Y. Observer.

Molly's Pennies.

The young assistant editor of one of the most important magazines in New York is also the teacher of a class of little ragamuffins in a mission Sunday-school. These children are allowed to bring a penny each on Sunday, for the help of other children still worse off than themselves. Mind, they are allowed, as a privilege—not required, or even expected. It is set before them as an honor to help in the good work; and many of them bring their penny regularly—others when it is convenient—others seldom; but there is scarcely one so poor as not sometimes to produce it.
Among the class is one little mite, perhaps six years old, who always comes well-patched and clean, yet whose whole aspect shows her to be one of the very poorest of those poor. She is not a pretty child. Life has been hard on her, and pinched her little face, and made sharp angles where there ought to be soft outlines and dimples; but she has bright, eager eyes, and she never loses a word the teacher says to her, and he feels that he is one of his most hopeful scholars.
One Sunday of winter, when the times were very hard, he heard a small voice at his elbow:
"Teacher!"
"Well, Molly?"
"Please, sir, here's four pennies, for this Sunday, and three more Sundays."
"Why do you bring them all at once, Molly?" the teacher asked, with curious interest.
"Because, please, father is out of work, and he said there might not be any pennies if I did not take them now," and the thin little brown hand slipped into his a brown paper parcel in which the four pennies were carefully wrapped.
So the good work was not to suffer, however hungry the child's mouth might be before the month was over. The teacher wondered how many of the rich men, playing with fortunes as a child plays with toys, would remember, before making some desperate throw, to provide for the charities they were wont to help, lest there should not be any money in the weeks to come.—Sel.

The Home Circle.

By L. L.

THE RED SPIDER.

BEHOLD, this wondrous, living mite! This speck of animated clay, But just within the realm of sight, When viewed by clearest light of day. How strange to contemplate a form Endowed with functions so complete, With head and heart and pulses warm, And limbs for locomotion, mete; With brains and nerves and sinews, rife; With hearing, sight, and feeling too, And every part instinct with life, Yet scarce perceptible to view, Formed by that Power which made the world, The sun and moon, and heat and light, And through the firmament unfurled The jeweled canopy of night. That same strong hand that hurls the storm, Or holds the elements in thrall, Erected in a living form, This atom so minutely small. If God inspired this grain of earth, To live and move and breathe the air, Then, surely, man, of far more worth, Can trust his providential care. One whom would into being speak, Sustain and feed from day to day, Creatures so helpless, frail, and weak, Would no dependent turn away. Then let us kindly, gently deal With harmless creatures of his care,— All forms of life that pain can feel, As we are spared, so let us spare.

The Art of Gossip

Gossip has been defined as the art of putting two and two together so as to make five.

Fishes that Carry Lanterns.

MANY curious forms of fishes have recently been found in the deep sea. One fish, dredged from a depth of nearly three miles, shows a complete modification of structure. At this distance from the surface the pressure can scarcely be realized. It is estimated that this fish has to contend against a pressure equal to two and a half tons to every square inch of surface. A sealed glass tube, inclosed in a perforated copper covering, has at two miles been reduced to fine powder, while the metal was twisted out of shape. Yet the fishes are so constructed that they can stand the pressure. Their bony and muscular systems are not fully developed; the bones are permeated with pores and fissures. The calcareous matter is at a minimum, and the bones of the vertebræ are joined together so loosely that in lifting the larger fishes out of the water they often fall apart. The muscles are all thin, and the connective tissue seems almost wanting. Yet these fishes are able to dart about and capture prey.
Sunlight penetrates only about 1,200 feet below the surface of the sea; at 3,000 feet the temperature lowers to forty degrees Fahrenheit, and from about a mile from the surface to the bottom, four or five miles, the temperature is about the same the world over—just above freezing. How do the fishes and other forms that live there see? Their eyes are modified as well as their other parts. The fishes that live 500 feet from the surface have larger eyes than those in the zone above them, so that they can absorb the faint rays of light that reach them. In a zone below this many forms with small eyes begin to have curious tentacles, feelers, or organs of touch.
Many of these deep-sea fish have special organs upon their sides and heads that are known to possess a luminous quality. Other organs are considered accessory eyes, so that the fishes have rows of eyes upon their ventral surfaces looking downward, while near are luminous spots that provide them with light. One of the largest of these deep-sea torch-bearers is a fish six feet long, with a tall dorsal fin extending nearly the entire length of the body. The tips of this fin are luminous, and also a broad patch upon its head. Along the sides of the body is a double row of luminous spots. One of the most ferocious of these deep-sea monsters is the chauliodus. Its mouth is fairly overflowing with teeth that protrude in a most forbidding manner. The fins are all tipped with flaming spots, while along the dorsal surface extends a row of spots that appear like so many shining windows in the fish, through which light is shining.
The little fishes called Bombay ducks are luminous over their entire surface, and when numbers are collected together they present an astonishing spectacle. One of the most interesting of these light-givers is the chiasmodus, a fish that attains the length of only thirteen inches. The top of its head is the principal light-giving organ, and the fins gleam with phosphorescent light. It is not alone remarkable as a light-giver; it has a jaw so arranged that it can seize fish twice its size and swallow them. Its stomach has the elastic quality of India rubber. It stretches to enormous proportions, and appears like a great transparent balloon hanging under the fish and containing its prey.
The last expedition sent out by France brought to light some remarkable forms. The dredge off Morocco brought up from a depth of one and a half miles a fish that appeared to be all head or mouth. It was of small size, and the length of the mouth was about four-fifths of the entire body; so that, if the body had been severed behind the head, it and two or three like it could have been stowed away in its capacious pouch. It probably moves very slowly, scooping mud and ooze into its mouth, sifting out the animal parts and rejecting the rest.—Philadelphia Record.

THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.

By Editor

AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY PAPER FOR YOUTH AND CHILDREN, DEVOTED TO MORAL, MENTAL, AND RELIGIOUS CULTURE.
This paper is not devoted to insipid stories and religious fiction, but is filled with a great variety of that kind of reading which tends to the healthful development of the youthful mind. Its pages are made bright by the choicest illustrative pictures, and its columns are always full of useful information.
As a Sabbath-school and Lesson paper, it is suited to the wants of scholars and teachers, and is calculated to increase the interest of all who read it, in thorough Bible study.
TERMS, ALWAYS IN ADVANCE.—Single copy, 75 cents a year; Five copies to one address, 60 cents each; Ten or more copies to one address, 50 cents each.

SPECIAL PREMIUM OFFER.—THE SUNSHINE SERIES.

For every new subscription, accompanied with 85 cents, we will give "The Sunshine Series," consisting of a package of ten beautiful pamphlets of 32 pages each. These comprise a choice collection of sketches, stories, poems, etc., adapted to the wants of children, and contain more reading matter than can be found in many dollar books. Remember, the whole series, 320 pages, and the INSTRUCTOR for a year, for 85 cents.
Address, YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR, Battle Creek, Mich. Or, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

LIFE SKETCHES.

By Editor

THE EARLY LIFE, CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE, AND EXTENSIVE LABORS OF ELDER JAMES WHITE, AND HIS WIFE, MRS. ELLEN G. WHITE.
THE production of this book was the last literary labor performed by Elder White. As nearly the whole of his active labor was performed in connection with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, which he was largely instrumental in founding, the work is necessarily quite a complete history of that people.
The book abounds in interesting incidents, personal sketches, and religious experiences, some of which are quite remarkable, and altogether it forms a volume at once instructive and interesting.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

SABBATH READINGS

FOR THE HOME CIRCLE.

COMPILED BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

THESE are some of the few really good books. For twenty years Mrs. White has been selecting choice, interesting, and instructive stories, the best of which are presented in these four volumes of 400 pages each. It would be difficult to find a better collection. The selections have been carefully made, and none need fear to place them in the hands of the young. They are not, however, designed exclusively for the young, but are adapted for general home reading. All the members of the family circle will find something in them to entertain and instruct. They are just the thing for holiday or birthday gifts. Price per set, neatly put up in box, $2.40.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

HISTORY OF THE WALDENSES.

By Editor

By J. A. Wylie, LL.D.
ILLUSTRATED BY TWENTY FULL-PAGE ENGRAVINGS.
This work describes the conflicts waged by the Waldenses, and the martyrdoms they endured in defense of their faith and their liberty. Recent events have brought the Waldenses to notice, and thrown a new light upon the grandeur of their struggle and the important issues which have flowed from it. To them are we to trace the Constitutional liberties that Italy now enjoys. In their mountain fastnesses they maintained the faith of the early Christians, and by their untiring missionary labors this faith was diffused to all the nations of Europe, thus preparing the way for the great Reformation.
212 pp. Price, 90 cts.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION.

By J. H. Merle d'Aubigné

By J. H. Merle d'Aubigné
This book is indeed a standard in evangelical literature, and is so well and favorably known as to need no description; it is the most complete and impartial history of the Reformation extant; and certainly no one should need to be urged to seek all the information possible concerning the history of one of the greatest revolutions ever effected in human affairs.
Bound in cloth, 5 vols. in one..................................$1.50 Larger edition, illustrated............................................4.00 Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

Fame Like a River

By Sir Francis Bacon

FAME is like a river, that beareth up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid.—Sir Francis Bacon.

Dragons.

By Alonzo Trévier Jones

DRAGONS are often mentioned in the Scriptures, especially in connection with the ruins of cities, as in Isa. 13:22; but the imagination has always supplied any description of them that there might be. Now, however, through the researches of geologists, the veritable dragon itself has been brought to light. From a recent article on the subject, by C. F. Halder, in the Youth's Companion, we extract the following:—
'They ranged in size from that of a snipe up to nearly thirty feet in width, and when flying must have presented an astonishing spectacle. Those discovered in the chalk beds of the State of Kansas had no teeth, the jaws being covered by a horny case, as in the birds; in fact, when they were first taken from the ground, the discoverers did not hesitate to pronounce them a new and strange bird.
'There was a long, bird-like, toothless head; the sternum had a keel like that of birds, and the limb bones were also hollow, and contained air cells. But here a curious fact presented itself, the limbs themselves were those of a lizard, and the strange creatures were found to be reptile-like bats, being a combination of reptiles and flying birds; in fact, forming a link between them. In Europe most of these creatures found have ferocious teeth, and in all but the fiery breath, and double heads are perfect dragons. In one specimen the membrane that formed the wing is perfectly preserved.
'The animal was found in the lithographic slates near Eichstädt, Bavaria. It had fallen upon its back and had been buried up in that position, and preserved for untold ages. The membrane forming the wing is held in place by what corresponds to our little or fifth finger, which, curiously enough, like some of the Japanese finger nails, has grown out so that it is almost as long as the animal's entire body, thus forming a boom for the sail-like wing. If the reader can imagine his or her little finger ten feet long, and from its tip a wing or membrane extending to the ankle, an idea may be obtained of this curious contrivance.
'The hind limbs were also connected by a web that presented a surface like a kite, while the tail had grown out to a prodigious length, almost twice that of the body, and ending not in a point, but in a broad, leaf-like, vertical paddle or rudder that our dragon used to guide himself in the air.
'This membrane was rhomboid in shape, was probably of the same thickness as the wing, and held in position above and below by a series of cartilaginous spines that were flexible enough to allow a movement to and fro. The jaws of this monster were armed with teeth that protruded forward in a singular manner, seemingly utterly useless in either tearing or holding prey.
'The strange sight presented by these bat-like forms can only be imagined. From the cliffs along the shore, they perhaps hung like the bats of to-day, soaring away through the air with clumsy, labored flight. When crawling upon the ground the long finger was probably extended backward at an angle, and their motions could only be compared to the awkward shuffle of the bats.
'The living dracos or flying dragons of the East India Archipelago are also remarkable creatures. Between the limbs they have a membrane that is supported by the much prolonged five or six hind ribs. Their colors defy all description, and, flashing and glistening in the sun, their snake-like tails winding in and out, their curious ruffs trembling, they are dragons indeed.'
A. T. JONES.

SECULAR.

—The cholera epidemic has spread from France to Italy.
—There is to be a convention of trades unions at Chicago, Oct. 1.
—A heavy thunder-storm occurred at Yreka, Cal., on the 25th inst.
—Yellow fever and dysentery are reported as epidemic at Panama.
—The German African Society will send a new expedition to the Congo country.
—Cholera is abating at Toulon and Marseilles, but increasing in the surrounding villages.
—A great fire occurred on the wharf at Wapping, England, last week. Loss, $2,500,000.
—Rear-admiral George F. Emmons, of the U. S. Navy, died on the 23d inst., aged seventy two years.
—A trades unions' demonstration in London, on the 21st inst., numbered over 100,000 men in procession.
—Mrs. Jane Grey Swisshelm, long known in this country as an able writer and lecturer, died on the 22d inst., aged 68 years.
—The Prohibitionists have nominated ex-Governor St. John, of Kansas, for president, and Wm. Daniel, of Maryland, for vice-president.
—Cleveland, Ohio, police courts are forbidden to screen prominent men who commit misdemeanors and attempt to pay fines under assumed names.
—The retail druggists of San Francisco have combined to raise the prices of medicines, but it is thought by some dealers that the effort will be a failure.
—The City Works Department of Brooklyn reported that at the close of the year there were 37,572 brick and stone, and 45,914 frame buildings in the city, with an average of seven inmates to each.
—The railroad lines between Chicago and Omaha are discussing the advisability of closing their individual offices in San Francisco, and establishing a joint office. Only the Rock Island road objects.
—The secret of a proposed Cuban insurrection has been discovered in New York, where the leaders have been buying large quantities of dynamite and other war materials. A depot is to be established at Nassau.
—Upwards of 4,000 acres of grain in Stanislaus County, Cal., were destroyed by fire, on Sunday, July 20. The total loss was about $90,000. The fire was caused by sparks from the pipes of two men who were smoking.
—In an ocean steamship collision off Corunna, Spain, on the 22d inst., about 100 lives were lost. Both vessels went down almost immediately. The accident is said to have been caused by a mutual misunderstanding of signals.
—A New York lady recently left three children, aged 2, 4, and 6 years, at home by themselves. During her absence they went into the barn and commenced playing with matches. The straw was lighted, and all the children were burned to death.
—A distillery and bonded warehouse at Connelsville, Pa., were burned on the 23d inst. The loss in whisky was $50,000 and in buildings $115,000. Much of the liquor was rolled away and consumed by the crowd, and hundreds of drunken men added excitement to the dramatic scene.
—The P. O. Departments of the United States and Canada have agreed that printed matter, lithographs, and chromos, sent by U. S. publishers as premiums to subscribers in Canada may hereafter be admitted to the mails, subject to such regulations and liabilities to customs as the laws of Canada may impose.
—The first successful electric railway in America was started in operation in Cleveland, O., last week, by a street railroad company of that city, which has just completed a mile of road. The experiment was so successful that the company expect to change their entire system, comprising over twenty miles, into the electric railroad. The economy in running is claimed to be greater than that of the cable roads, and the cost of construction less than one-third as great.
—The amended Chinese Restriction Act has been promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury. The intent of the law is that no Chinaman can enter this country except, (1) On a certificate issued by the Custom House, certifying that he was a resident at the date of the signing of the treaty of Tien-tsin, on the 17th of November, 1880; or, (2) On a certificate from the Government from whose territory the applicant had departed, certifying that he belongs to either one of the four privileged classes—teachers, merchants, students, or travelers—and such certificates vised by our minister or consul at that place.
—At the general election to be held Nov. 4, there will be submitted to the people of California a proposed amendment to the State Constitution, providing that the State Board of Education shall compile, or cause to be compiled, and adopt, a uniform series of text-books for use in the common schools, which shall continue in use not less than four years. These books are to be printed by the State, and issued at cost of publishing and distribution. It is also provided that the governor, superintendent of public instruction, and the principals of the State Normal Schools shall constitute the State Board of Education.

Publishers' Department.

By Editor

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