We give the common name of one species of this remarkable kind of seashore animals, feeling confident that the figure will appear familiar to some of our readers, who may wish to hear some explanation of some of their peculiarities. Among the numerous objects which attract the attention of a visitor to the sea side, are these singular creatures, whose forms resemble a plant or a flower rather than an animal. When seen under water the illusion is more complete; but when taken in the hand the mistake is discovered.

A close examination, however, by an unscientific eye, does not suffice to discover the nature or habits of the animal, although it is clearly seen to be alive, and an inhabitant of the water. The species most common on our shores has five equal rays, proceeding from a centre, covered with a hard, whitish crust, and furnished on the under side with numerous short, fleshy fibres, like little legs, which keep in rapid motion. As the animal cannot change its form, having no joint in any part of its crust, and there are no distinct signs of eyes or mouth, the inexperienced captor natu rally raises questions about the nature of its food, and even its means and mode of taking and devouring it. If handled carelessly, however, it adheres to the

skin, and causes a painful sensation. If a manual of Natural History is at hand, (as it always should be, with every person likely to need its aid,) a solution. may soon be found of all these myste

ries.

They belong to the fourth and last division of animals: the Radiata, whose parts are ranged around an axis, or upon one or several lines. This division embraces a great variety, at the head of which stands the star-fish. The first class is the Hedgehog-skinned (Enchinodermata,) of which the first order is small-footed, (Pedicellata.) The first species placed under this order by Cuvier is the Asterias,' or Star-fish. They have their skin covered with a hard crust, like a crab or lobster, and the mouth is underneath, in the centre. The feet are small cylindrical tentacula, like short threads, at the end of each of which is a little sucker, or cup, from which the animal exhausts the air at pleasure, and thus adheres to whatever it touches. By this means it moves over the rocks at the bottom of the sea, and easily holds its prey.

WILD PIGEONS.-Flocks of these birds are floating "high in the air" about the country: probably driven hither by the keenness of the Northern wintry winds. -Charleston Patriot.

Education in India.

The history of the measures adopted. by the authorities of India in respect to education, is both instructive and encouraging. Warren Hastings was the earliest Governor-general who gave his official countenance and support to any educational arrangement; but, unfortunately, the very first step which he took, was in the wrong direction. He determined to exert his vast influence in favor of upholding and perpetuating Hindoo and Mohammedan learning; and he even went so far as to found and maintain colleges, at the expense of the British government, for this specific and sole pur pose. Thus the patronage of a Christian people was given to systems of error and blasphemy and guilt, such as have had no parallel in the history of man!

About twenty years ago, the plan adopted by Warren Hastings was slightly modified. It was then conceded that some rays of European knowledge might be admitted to the darkened mind of Hindostan. Still, however, the basis of education, as encouraged by the government, continued to be a learned orientalism;" and the acquisition of the literature and science of the West was altogether a secondary affair.

It was not till 1835, that the public patronage was withdrawn from the absurdities and abominations of Hindoo and Mohammedan learning. By a decree of Lord William Bentinck, it was then distinctly announced that the countenance of the British nation could only be given to the inculcation of truth; and as the systems of the East were made up of the grossest errors, European learning alone should thenceforth be taught in the governmental institutions. This measure constituted a new epoch in the educational history of India. Orientalism began at once to languish, and the rich stores of civilised nations were sought with avidity and delight.

But a new and more difficult question now arose. What was to become of those who might attain to an acquaintance with western civilization? How were they to find employments suited to their talents and acquirements? The answer to these inquiries was seen at once to depend very much on the policy which the government should pursue in the selection of its agents. Having the disposal of thousands of offices of every

kind and grade, it could easily provide places for an immense number of well educated natives. But its prerogative, unhappily, had been but seldom and sparingly exercised in this direction. Down to the present time, indeed, the servants of the government have shown a strange disinclination to encourage young natives of European education. The preference has uniformly been given to unchanged, bigoted Hindoos, in spite of the glaring defects of their intellectual training, and notwithstanding the utter worthlessness of their moral code.

But wiser counsels have at length prevailed. The new Governor-general, Sir Henry Hardinge, has completely reversed the policy of his predecessors. Henceforward the best qualified, intellectually and morally, are to receive the preference, however high, or however low the station which is to be filled. The amazing importance of this regulation will be inferred from the fact, that, while there are not more than a dozen persons of superior qualifications in the higher departments of the Bengal service, there are at least ten thousand employed in humbler offices who can neither read nor write! And, what is not less extraordinary, all institutions, whether governmental or not, are placed upon an equal footing. The graduates of mission seminaries may apply for vacant offices, with the same chance of success as others. "This," says Dr. Duff," is a remarkable feature. It is the first public recognition of missionary and other similar institutions, in immediate connection with the state."

The foregoing facts make a strong appeal to the Christian and philanthropist. -Selected.

To our old Subscribers. With our good wishes and thanks, we send our respectful request to them to aid us in extending the circulation of our Magazine, if they think it worthy of the places at which it aims, in the family library, and among the schools of the country. We think the improvements designed for the coming year, will not leave room to regret any efforts they may feel justified in making in favor of a publication which is conducted at much expense, and is designed to accomplish objects in which all are interested.

BOOKS.

Book, (in Latin, liber), the composition of a man of wit and learning, designed to communicate somewhat he has invented, experienced or collected, to the public, and thence to their posterity; being withal of a competent length to make a volume.

In this sense a book is distinguished from a pamphlet, by its greater length; and from a tome or volume, by its containing the whole writing. According to the ancients a book differed from an epistle, not only in bulk, but in that the latter was folded, ar 1 the former rolled up; not but what there are divers ancient books, now extant, under the names of epistles.

According to 8 Anne, c. 19, the author of any book and his assigns, shall have the sole liberty of printing and reprinting the same for fourteen years, to commence from the day of the first publication thereof, and no longer; except that, if the author be living at the expiration of the said term, the sole copyright shall return to him for other fourteen

years; and if any other person shall print or import, or shall sell, or expose it to sale, he shall forfeit the same, and also one penny for every sheet thereof, found in his possession. But this shall not expose any person to the said forfeitures, unless the title thereof shall be entered in the register book of the company of Stationers.

By statute, eleven copies of each book on the best paper shall, before publication, be delivered to the warehouse kecper of the Company of Stationers, for the use of the Royal Library, the Libraries of the two Universities in England, the four Universities in Scotland, the Library of Sion College, the Library belonging to the College of Advocates in Edinburg, the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, and the King's Inn, Dublin, on pain of forfeiting the value thereof, and five pounds.-Wicholson's Encyc.

New Books.

"Learning to Think," "Learning to Act," and "Learning to Feel."-Three elegant Juvenile books, under these titles, have been published by the American Sunday School Union, in season for Holiday presents; and we take pleasure, in recommending them for the occasion, as well as for purchase and perusal for all parts of the year. They are in the form of familiar dialogues, and contain a great amount of useful and practical lessons for the young, in a pleasing natural style They are rendered more attractive by numerous cuts and finely engraved frontispieces.

"The Solar System," and "The Sidereal Heavens"-Are two other works of similar size, issued by the same Society, which has thus presented two books of more than ordinary value to the young of our country. Public thanks are due for these public favors. These volumes are reprints from originals prepared by the Religious Tract Society of London; and a more judicious selection could hardly have been made. The former of these books presents to us the sun and planets, with a few instructions on the best modes of contemplating them, in their different motions and aspects. The second makes the reader acquainted with the discoveries made among the fixed stars, their arrangement, magnitudes and distances, and what is known concerning double and triple stars, the milky way, the nebula, &c. &c. All this information is conveyed in a far more particular manner than in the geographies, and most o'her books hitherto prepared for the young; and the perusal of these two works cannot fail to instruct as well as to please.

A VALUABLE HOLIDAY GIFT.-The American Penny Magazine, Vol. I., neatly bound, is for sale at this office, and may be ordered through agents, booksellers, &c., 832 pages, with about 200 Engravings, for $2. Vol. II. will soon be bound.

The Close of the Year. How can we reach the end of another year without giving our minds to many interesting reflections? The relations which an editor bears to his readers are of a peculiar nature. A kindly regard, a species of friendship nust exist in the heart of a man, towards those for whom his thoughts and his labors are daily employed. But the case is very different from that of personal acquaintances. He knows the most of them only by name, or by the brief expressions of business letters, requests or directions, often sent through a third person. He endeavors to form ideas of the tastes or circumstances of some of those whose names he sees on his subscription list, and is often influenced in choosing a subject, or in preferring one extract to another, by recollecting an hundred or more readers, in a particular region of country, or by reflecting that the page is to be opened in a thousand families, whose situation may render the choice important.

Many other reflections we might here refer to, which, we can assure our readers, we have made in the course of the now closing year. Some very pleasing recollections must ever be associated with it. Many of the various seeds of useful and ornamental trees, grains and flowers, which we have distributed, are now growing, or their seeds have been gathered for future diffusion; many persons whose faces we have never seen have kindly co-operated with us in an interesting play for the public good; and not a few have thus formed a habit which may be lasting, and the cause of much benefit to themselves and others. We have only room to say here, that we intend to pursue the practice, and wait only for the payment of the annual subscription from some, to supply each with twenty-five seeds of our noble, but much neglected native Catalpa tree, or such other seeds as they may prefer, and which we can procure.

We and our readers have floated another year down the stream of time, and are a year nearer to its end. Yonder ocean is not like the river. The objects we see as we move along the banks will soon be passed; the scenes which engage our attention will disappear, and we shall be on the ocean: a world we have never yet seen will be around us, full of things new and doubtless suprising; and

one of the greatest novelties will be, its unchangeableness. Reflections like these may well render every relation we form in life an interesting one; for almost every relation has some connection with the future world. The thought of those coming scenes has had an influence in many of the lines we have addressed to our readers in the past year. And are we not right in urging them to prefer truth to fiction, when all of us are intimately concerned in the great truths of a future existence, in the fact that we are surrounded by real dangers?

In looking forward to the future, we may safely announce to our readers that there is in prospect for them a great amount and variety of entertainment and instruction. New sources of information, large supplies of variety open to us as we proceed. Ingenious men are pursuing their inventions, and the learned are publishing their discoveries and comparing their opinions, while philanthropists are seeking and finding new ways of usefulness. Science and art are proceeding with wonderful rapidity, and lit erature ought to accompany them. While it is our business to select from the valuable mass the best, in order to scatter it among the families of our native land, we often regret that we are compelled to omit much of what is good.

Our original plan was to introduce several topics each week which we have not yet presented to our friends. Among these are Lessons for self instruction and mutual instruction, in various branches; and some of these we intend soon to lay before our readers.

One of the most interesting discoveries of modern times is the Persepolitan alphabet. The mysterious arrow-headed characters, engraved on the banks of Babylon and the ruins of Persepolis, have been just made legible, by a German Professor; and we shall make them known.

We believe we shall soon surprize our eaders with the results of a project we have long had in view, for the facilitating of pictorial and other illustrations by the press. In due time the public may know something of it for their advantage.

We abridge our second volume somewhat, to prepare for the third at NewYear's: but shall make amends to our readers for the loss in a satisfactory way. With these remarks we wish them all "A HAPPY-NEW-YEAR."