f a soft nature. The feet of the platypus are five-toed
and webbed, being, like the rest of the body, suited for an aquatic
life. Another singular fact is that the animal has a spur on each hind
leg. This spur is connected with a gland, which resembles those of
serpents, and may contain poison. Certainly it appears as if this spur
is a sort of weapon, though the animal is of peaceful habits.

Before sleeping, the platypus curls round to keep itself warm, and
brings the flattened tail over the back. It is very particular about the
fur, which is kept smooth and clean by means of the beak, and is also
brushed with the feet. Much of the animal's time is passed in diving and
swimming, the food being mostly water insects, or such as are to be
found on the banks of streams. The platypus is an excellent digger, and
forms deep burrows or tunnels, the opening being hidden by the herbage
of the bank. At the bottom there is generally a nest, carefully lined by
the animal with grass and leaves. There the young ones are brought up by
the parents.

J. R. S. C.

A MERMAID'S SONG.

Waly woe, waly woe,
My song is of a mermaid, O!
A tearful little mermaid, who
Dwells deep below the ocean blue,
Sighing many a sad heigho,
And singing songs of 'waly.'

Waly woe, waly woe,
She was not always weeping, 0!
Until she sadly fell in love
With one who sailed the seas above
While she was sporting down below.
Not singing songs of 'waly.'

Waly woe, waly woe,
He was a handsome Prince, and O!
She watched him when the stars were seen
A-twinkling blue and gold and green,
And other pretty colours--so
Began her songs of 'waly.'

Waly woe, waly woe,
Lack-a-day, a-deary O!
For blighted love. But 'tis a fault
To make the sea so very salt
With bitter tears that still do flow
While she is singing 'waly.'

REED MOORHOUSE.

CHINESE PHYSIC.

The Chinese are a clever people, very clever indeed, and in some things
they must be acknowledged to show more wisdom than the nations of the
West; but they are decidedly peculiar in their way of treating the sick.
Progress is not the rule with the Chinese, and, while medical art or
skill is quite different now in England from what it was, the Chinese
have made hardly any improvement. Matters come rather hard on the
Chinese doctors, for we are told that sometimes they are punished