d be; but, there has been difficulty,
hitherto, in finding one such example free from the possibility of
error. It may be found, however, that toads can remain for a series of
years torpid. It has been proved that snails, after apparent death of
fifteen years, have become active on applying moisture. A proof equally
distinct is at present wanting in the case of toads. The toad, like
other reptiles, will occasionally cast its skin. The old skin splits
along the back, and gradually parts, until it comes off on each side,
with a little muscular exertion on the toad's part. Then, having rolled
his jacket up into a ball, he eats it!

No reptiles remain now to be mentioned, but four species of Newt. These
little creatures are abundant in our ponds and ditches, and some are
most falsely accused of being poisonous. They are utterly harmless.
Their transformations, their habits, their changes of skin, their laying
of eggs, can easily be watched by any who will keep them in a miniature
pond. A large pan of water, with sand and stones at the bottom, decayed
vegetable matter for food, and a few living water-plants, extracted from
their native place, will keep a dozen newts in comfort. The water-plants
are needed, because a newt prefers to lay her egg upon a leaf. She
stands upon it, curls it up with her hind legs, and puts an egg between
the fold, where it remains glued. These being our reptiles, are they
proper objects of abhorrence? At this season they are all finishing
their winter nap. In a few weeks they will come among us, and then, when

"the songs, the stirring air,
The life re-orient out of dust,
Cry through the sense to hearten trust
In that which made the world so fair"--

may we not permit our hearts to be admonished by the reptiles also?

[From Leigh Hunt's Journal.]

A DREAM, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF.

They stood by her bedside--the father and mother of the maiden--and
watched her slumbers. For she had returned weary from Seville, after a
long absence from this her Lisbon home. They had not gazed on that fair
innocent face for many a month past; and _they_, too, smiled, and
pressed each the other's hand as they marked a radiant smile playing
round the mouth of the sleeper. It was a smile brimful of happiness--the
welling-up of a heart at perfect peace. And it brought gladness to the
hearts of the parents, who-would fain have kissed the cheek of their
gentle girl, but refrai