Above the grasses and the convolvuli, the bindweed, with its strong branches, shoots in every quarter. It runs from tree to tree, almost strangles the trunks in its grasp, forms itself into aerial bridges, descends, and constructs ladders for a renewed ascent. Its undulations are charming, and its straight lines astonishing. It touches everything, mingles with everything; the forest is its kingdom.

Artists might not unprofitably go to the woods, and examine the operations of the marvellous creeper, which day and night advances, labouring incessantly at twining and constructing. They would find in this extraordinary plant all the divine forms of Greek art, all the fancies of the mind in all time, but infinitely varied, following two of the eternal conditions of beauty-grace and strength. Callimachus, the artist-sculptor, in the olden days, brought the acanthus-leaf from the tomb of a young Corinthian girl; and this gem of art made him immortal. How many similar flowers there are in the virgin forest; and how the study of the artist would find itself rewarded in the contemplation of the marvellous structures which an affluent nature has reared!

Nor would the artist be the only person benefited by the wealth of the forest. The timbermerchant, the wood-carver, the furniture-maker, the shipbuilder, and the carpenter, who are now confined to their walnut, their oak, and their

beech trees, which are the produce of the north, would find in this rich emporium hundreds upon hundreds of species of hard and lofty trees, which spring up, grow to a great age, and die-useless creations, lost powers, wasted essences.

And then what luxurious varieties of dye-woods, gum and resinous trees, and useful barks, are to be found in these virgin forests! Many have already been noted and classified; but how many are yet unknown, and what quantities of precious sap are wasted beneath the bark! From the fungus which eats into the feet of the forest trees to the flower which crowns them, there is a mine of secrets, and more than one valuable specific.

Amphitheatrically.-Literally, like an amphitheatre--i.e.,

a building of a circular form, with rows of seats all round, rising the one above the other, as they recede from the area. The word graphically describes the appearance of these forests; the various kinds of plants, rising one above the other, like the tiers of seats in an amphitheatre.

Parasites.-From Greek para, upon, and siteo, to feed, a name given to plants, which, like our own ivy, or mistletoe, grow upon, and derive their nourishment from, other trees or plants.

Vampire. The common name of a species of bat, which sucks the blood of persons and beasts when asleep. In some parts of Brazil, the ravages of the vampire-bat are so great as to render the rearing of cattle an impossibility. Febrifugal property.-Febrifugal from Latin febris, fever, and fugo, I chase away, is the name given to those sub

G *

stances which are used as an antidote to fever. Several of the most valuable vegetable medicines are obtained from the forests of South America—e.g., quinine, Peruvian bark, ipecacuanha, &c. Callimachus.-An artist of uncertain country, who is said to have invented the Corinthian column in architecture, and to have taken the idea of the Corinthian capital from observing an acanthus surrounding a tile-covered basket which had been placed over a tomb.

QUESTIONS:-1. In what respects do tropical forests differ from the great woods of Europe? 2. What is the grand characteristic of tropical vegetation? 3. In what respect does a Brazilian forest resemble an amphitheatre? 4. In what way only can we see the full wonders of these forests? 5. What are the three great elements of these forests? 6. What is a parasite? 7. What are vampires? 8. Why are parasites compared to vampires? 9. What is meant when it is said that many of these plants possess a febrifugal property? 10. What lessons might artists learn from these forests? 11. What are two of the eternal conditions of beauty mentioned in the lesson? 12. Who was Callimachus? 13. Who, besides the artist, might be benefited by these forests? 14. What useful products might be obtained from them? 15. Name some that we have already obtained.

LESSON XX.

The Battle of the Baltic.

ad-a-man'-tine, very hard | brand, match, fuse.

(literally, that cannot be subdued, from Greek a,not, and damao, to subdue). an-tic'-i-pate, get first to; be the first to commence the

battle. boom, to make a rolling noise.

brine, the sea.

con-doles', grieves with.
fes'-tal, keeping holiday.
le-vi'-a-thans, huge monsters.
re-pose', rest, peace.
van, the foremost leading
ships.

OF Nelson and the North
Sing the glorious day's renown,

When to battle fierce came forth

All the might of Denmark's crown;

And her arms along the deep proudly shone;
By each gun the lighted brand

In a bold determined hand;
And the prince of all the land
Led them on.

Like leviathans afloat

Lay their bulwarks on the brine;
While the sign of battle flew
On the lofty British line;

It was ten of April morn by the chime:
As they drifted on their path,

There was silence deep as death;
And the boldest-held his breath
For a time.

But the might of England flush'd
To anticipate the scene;

And her van the fleeter rush'd

O'er the deadly space between.

"Hearts of oak!" our captains cried, when each

From its adamantine lips

Spread a death-shade round the ships,

Like the hurricane eclipse

Of the sun!

Again! again! again!

And the havoc did not slack,

Till a feeble cheer the Dane

To our cheering sent us back ;—

[gun

Their shots along the deep slowly boom;—
Then ceased-and all is wail,

As they strike the shattered sail;
Or, in conflagration pale,

Light the gloom!

Out spoke the victor then,

As he hail'd them o'er the wave,

Ye are brothers! we are men!

And we conquer but to save!—

So peace, instead of death, let us bring:
But yield, proud foe, thy fleet,
With the crews, at England's feet,
And make submission meet
To our king."

Then Denmark bless'd our chief,
That he gave her wounds repose;
And the sounds of joy and grief
From her people wildly rose,

As death withdrew his shades from the day:
While the sun look'd smiling-bright

O'er a wide and woeful sight,

Where the fires of funeral light

Died away!

Now joy Old England raise
For the tidings of thy might,
By the festal cities' blaze,

While the wine-cup shines in light-
And yet, amidst that joy and uproar,
Let us think of them that sleep,