backwards, but stand erect when the animal is irritated, and rattle against each other as he walks. The Indians make many curious articles of dress and furniture out of them.

It lives on vegetables and the bark of trees; is inoffensive in its disposition, but becomes for

midable to any assailant. It kills serpents by forming itself into a ball, and rolling its spines over them. It used to be thought that it had the power of throwing its quills to a distance; but this absurd notion is exploded. It has been supposed, too, that the quills are venomous, because wounds made with them are not easily cured; but it is probably the shape of the quill which causes the difficulty in healing. This animal inhabits Africa and India, and is sometimes found in Italy and Sicily.

A gentleman, lately deceased, had a live porcupine, which he frequently turned out on the grass behind the house, to play with a tame hunting-leopard, and a large Newfoundland dog. As soon as they were let loose, the leopard and dog began to pursue the porcupine, which always at first endeavoured to escape by flight; but on finding that ineffectual, he would thrust his head into some corner, making a snorting noise, and erecting his spines. With these his pursuers pricked their noses, till they quarrelled between themselves, and thus gave him an opportunity to escape.Parley's Tales.

| "IN THE MIDST OF LIFE WE ARE IN

DEATH.” This was powerfully impressed on my mind one day, by a very simple occurrence. The living occupants of a certain room, were myself, a companion,

and several small flies, who were using the aerial portion for a dancing-hall, or something like it. I was amusing myself by gazing on these innocent creatures, engaged in their harmless play, when a loud buzzing announced the entrance of a large vellow wasp. He made several circuits round the apartment, without injuring any person or thing; But suddenly he dashed into the dancing assembly, and seizing one of the happy party, he tightly

lasped his legs round it. I called to my friend to separate them, who immediately struck the rasp, and he and his prey fell to the ground. For an instant he lay there, employing the time in hinding his victim more closely in his embraces.": To then rose and winged his way out of the window, and I dare say soon put an end to the dancing and cinging of the poor fly for ever. A few days after, seeing a wasp on the window-curtain, I went to e what he was doing, when I perceived he was

edily devouring the last remains of another of ese insects, snatched no doubt from his amuse. ment in a moment, and numbered with the dead, like the one whose seizure I had witnessed. Now, my dear little friends, these poor insects, a

iments before their deaths, were as happy and active as you now are. For them there is no hereafter; but there is for you,“either of endless

se

see

joy, or everlasting woe.

Prepare, dear children, for that hour,
When death shall have you in his power :
If he should call for you to-day,
Are you prepared to fly away

To those bright regions of the blest,
Where saints enjoy their endless rest?

W. S.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

Part I. “OUR FATHER, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN." The first important feature to which we would direct your attention in this prayer, is, that in the very commencement of it you are taught to address God as your Father; to address your Creator,-Him who made you, and who made the world and all it contains, Him whom the heaven of heavens cannot containi, Him whom angels worship, and whom archangels adore,-by the endearing name of “Father;” a name by which you may at all times approach the divine footstool, and through Christ lay your case before him, who is ever ready to listen unto your cry. O, be thankful for this great mercy! Be thankful that you have a father in heaven; one who has promised to care for you, and who has prepared mansions of glory for those who love and serve him here.

But you are also taught to address God as your Father who is “in heaven.” In heaven, ruling and watching over the great multitudes of the human race; watching over you, marking your every word and action, yea, and your thoughts also. The pious Psalmist exclaimed, “Thou understandest my thoughts afar off;" and Job

declared that “God's eyes are upon the ways of man, and that He seeth all his goings." God cannot look upon sin with any degree of allowance; and therefore we would have you remember that God knows your intentions, knows whether you sincerely pray, or whether you repeat a mere form of words, without meaning what your tongue utters; and we would entreat you to let the remembrance lead you to self-examination. Humble yourselves before God, and seek to be made holy, even as he is holy; and then shall you be made children of the Most High, and heirs of everlasting life.

D. E. L.

“REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE.” ! Walking out one day, I overtook a countryman proceeding homeward, with apparently another of his own rank, and two little children. These two little creatures ran on merrily before me, looking back occasionally, to see, I suppose, if I were gaining upon them. Suddenly the father, who was behind me, called out, “Push on!' don't look behind! Remember Lot's wife.'” I thought it strange language to use to these mere infants; and yet I said to myself, “ If they are acquainted with her history, it would be putting them in remembrance of the awful consequences of disobeying the commands of God. She wished to return to the scene of wickedness, from which the Almighty in mercy, had called her. As if you, dear children, had just begun to live a godly life, and, seeing