milk, sugar, cake, crackers, and dainty
food of any kind. It will eat meat fast enough, if you allow it to do
so, and a little beef, cut very fine, will make it stronger and do it
good. Always give it plenty of fresh water.

* * * * *

SADIE E. P.--The saw-fish (_Pristis antiquorum_) is most plentiful in
tropical seas, although a few species are found in the arctic regions.
Its weapon is a flat prolongation of the head, and has on either edge
hard tooth-like projections. One species is found all along our coast,
from New England to Florida. It has no other common name.

* * * * *

GORDON C.--Your theory that the peeking and the scolding noise made by a
canary are simply to show its affection for its friends, and really a
sign of pleasure, is very pretty, but we are not sure it is right. It is
true that a canary will not often act in that way when approached by a
stranger, for a new voice frightens it, and makes it shrink into a
corner of its cage, but it will show a great deal of fight, and peck
vigorously, when disturbed by a familiar finger. But either way, if it
is loving or enraged, a canary is always the same dear downy little pet,
and deserves the tenderest care and affectionate treatment.

* * * * *

A. H. SPEAR.--Peter Minuit--more correctly Minnewit--was born at Wesel,
Holland, some time during the later part of the sixteenth century. He
was appointed third Director-General of New Netherland in 1625--Cornelis
May having been the first and William Verhulst the second--and arrived
at Manhattan the following May. To him belongs the honor of having
purchased Manhattan Island from the Indians, as up to this period (1626)
the Dutch had possessed it only by right of occupation. Minuit opened
negotiations with the native proprietors, and purchased the entire
island for the Dutch West India Company "for the value of sixty
guilders"--about twenty-four dollars of our present currency. He died at
Fort Christiana, Delaware, in 1641.

* * * * *

A. L. W., Washington Territory, sends a neat "Wiggle," which we are
sorry came too late to be printed.

* * * * *

DORSEY COATE.--Many thanks for your pretty valentine.

* * * * *

MARY N. C., Cuba.--The beautiful little moth which flew on your table
while you were writing, and which you