the nut of a tree then extremely
scarce, for before the discovery of the application of electricity the
tree had been burnt for use. By my order large tracts were planted with
these trees, and there are now large enclosures in which herds of
Meleetas are preserved.

The young are very precocious, and can soon be fed on nuts, and
consequently taken from the mother, who remains in milk for a long
time--nearly a year and a half.

Great interest is taken in the Meleetas, and they are treated with much
gentleness, each having a small house to itself, lined with soft down,
and furnished with a perch.

They are very intelligent and grateful, and I well recollect the
astonishment of my favourite when she laid her first egg. She would take
hold of my robe and pull me, that I might look at the novel production,
and she would make all the time a pretty noise like a laugh, seeming to
be astonished and overjoyed.

I sometimes wore long flowing robes, and was often accompanied by this
little creature when I strolled through my grounds. If it was at all
damp she would hold up the hem of my garment with her mouth, that it
might not get wet. When with me in my study, she would crouch down and
remain quiet at my bidding.

The Meleetas resent ill-treatment, though not spitefully. They can only
raise themselves a small distance from the ground, but I have seen one
when offended flutter, fly up quickly, and descend, giving the offender
a smart box on the ear with her wing.

7. Turvee.--An insect whose electricity forcibly attracts and
subdues the power of man.

8. Shooting stars are, in our legends, said to be companies of
good angels, linked in brightness and despatched from one star to
another, on messages of love and peace, sometimes to protect an inferior
world from the too great inroads of legions of evil spirits.

9. Whale electricity.--Of all, the most powerfully
attractive.

10. The Martolooti.--A basilisk, or serpent, possessing
wondrous fascinating power over its prey.

11. Castrenka, or Flower of Grace.--A plant with two branches
only, which spontaneously or at the slightest breath move always
together in a most graceful manner.

12. Chilarti.--A little pet animal, always playful and
smiling.

13. The Tootmanyoso's fruit.--That is to say the Allmanyuka--
the fruit invented by me, of which hereafter.

14. The perfume of the everlasting gulf.--A gulf the waters of
which emitted a delicious fragrance, and when ta