the great tidal wave, and have been denominated secondary waves.

One of the results of the researches connected with the laying of the Atlantic Telegraph, has been the bringing up specimens of the seabottom by means of a simple contrivance "Brooke's deep-sea sounding appaknown as ratus." The first specimen was described as "a fine chalky clay." All the specimens obtained were forwarded to Professor Bailey, and when examined under his microscope they were found not to have "a particle of sand or gravel mixed with them," but to be mites of seashells, perfect in form, and as unworn and untriturated as they were when alive. It is also now an established fact that there is no running water at the bottom of the deep sea. The agents which disturb the equilibrium of the sea, giving violence to its waves and force to its currents, all reside near or above its surface: : none of them have their home in its depths. These agents are, its inhabitants, the moon, the winds, evaporation, and precipitation, with changes of temperature-such as heating here, and cooling there. The waves, even in their most angry moods, are incapable of reaching far down in the sea. In short, there is reason to believe that the bottom of the deep sea is everywhere protected from the violence of its waves, the abrading action of its currents, and the rage of the forces which are ever at play on its surface, by a cushion of soft water.

"The water is calm and still below,

For the winds and waves are absent there;
And the shells are as bright as the stars that glow,
In the motionless fields of the upper air."

The ocean phenomenon of whirlpools appears to be caused by currents encountering submarine obstacles, which cause them to whirl round with considerable velocity. When the movement is rapid, the centre forms the most depressed-portion of the whirlpool, and objects which are drawn within its reach, are engulfed or sucked in at that point. Several small whirlpools, but of sufficient power to whirl round boats of moderate size, occur among the Orkney Islands. Among the Western Islands also, a whirlpool of some size occurs, which is called the Whirlpool of Coryvrechan; it is situated in the narrow channel between Scarba and Jura, and is caused by opposing currents encountering a submarine rock of conical form, which rises abruptly from the bottom of the ocean (which here has a bottom of 600 feet) to within 90 feet of the surface.

The long-celebrated whirlpool in the Straits of Messina

'Deep Charybdis, gulphing in and out"— appears to have owed much of the terror with which it has been invested, to the igno rance and inexperience of the mariners by whom those seas were navigated in ancient times.

One of the most remarkable whirlpools in the European seas, is the Maelstrom, of which we give an illustration. It is situated near the island of Moskoe, on the coast of Norway. This whirlpool is caused by the flood-tide setting, from the south west among the Laff den Isles, which, especially when it meets with a strong gale from the north west, produces a great agitation of the waves, forming a whirlpool, the roaring of which is heard at the distance of many miles. The Maelstrom is dangerous to vessels which may approach too near its disturbed waters; and it is said that whales and seals when caught within its eddies, are unable to extricate themselves from destruction.

"When the dire Maelstrom in his craggy jaws Engulfs the Norway waves with hideous sound, In vain the black sea monster plies his paws Against the eddy that impels him round; Racked and convulsed, the ingorging surges roar, And fret their frothy wrath, and reel from shore to shore."

The waters, like the face of the earth, teem with living creatures: and the bed of the ocean in many parts is scarcely less beautifully clothed with submarine vegetation, than the surface of the dry land is with verdant herbs and stately trees. Some of the algæ, or marine plants, are adapted to flourish only in situa tions where they are within the range of the tides, and consequently are alternately covered by the waters, and subjected to the action of the atmosphere; whilst others inhabit the oceanic valleys, thriving at the remarkabie depth of 1,000 feet below the surface. The extraordinary size attained by some marine plants, in a great degree, however, accounts for this; as an instance of which we may mention the Macrocrystis pyrifera, said to vary in length from 500 to 800 feet, or more. Marine plants, not being subjected to the same vicissitudes of the seasons as land plants, are not liable to similar interruptions in their growth; which accordingly continues in winter as well as in summer, and in some species proceeds with great rapidity.

Such is a brief recapitulation of some of the leading features of the world of waters. Well may we say with the Psalmist: "They that go down to the sea in ships, and occupy their business in great waters; these men see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep." Not that it is requisite for us to "occupy our business in great waters" in order to become acquainted with the wonders of creation as displayed in this department of the natural world: a simple drop of dew on a blade of grass, a flake of snow, a shower of rain falling to the earth, a small portion of water poured from one vessel to another, the process of evaporation perpetually carried on about and around us,--each and all of these, though less striking on account of their familiarity, equally bear the impress of Divine wisdom, power, and goodness. Let us not only

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veteran missionary, the Rev. William Ellis, has just published another remarkably interesting volume, entitled Madagascar Revisited."* It would be superfluous to commend the volume to our readers; but we may introduce it to their notice by quoting an extract or two.

Mr. Ellis thus expresses his judgment of the present state and prospects of the people :

'The changes in the government of Madagascar have been great, and, with the exception of the increase of the army, to which it is reported that 17,000 men were added last year, and for which the Government may have good reasons, these changes appear to have been beneficial. The continued prohibition of the ordeal of the Tangena, which was abolished by the late king, is a decision favourable to the interests of justice and humanity. Persons accused or suspected of crimes were often required to drink this poison, as a means of showing their guilt or innocence. If the sign of innocence did not appear, they were put to death on the spot with great barbarity. If they died under the poison-no unfrequent occurrence-that was considered a proof of their guilt. Nothing could be more fallacious as a means of proving innocence or guilt, nor afford a more convenient mode of destroying life by poisoning

• "Madagascar Revisited." London: John Murray.

an enemy. Yet it was part of their system of belief, as well as their machinery of government: and, when heathenism was supreme, this trial was sometimes demanded by accused or suspected persons, as a means of demonstrating innocence. As part of the system which the heathens now endeavour to maintain, it is still desired, and I have heard the Government publicly asked to re-establish it in the land.

"How darkening to the mind, and destructive to all humane feeling, the native superstitions were, which underlaid and perverted the public and individual life of the nation, may be inferred from the opinions and feelings still cherished in reference to the Tangena, as above described. The heathenism of Madagascar is antagonistic to all that is foreign, and consequently incapable of enlightenment from comIt has opposed all ideas except such as germinated within its own obscure and confined circle of thought-a dreary region of night which admitted of no dawn. Education is co-extensive with Christianity, but is excluded from heathenism. To be able to read is regarded as a mark of sincerity in the Christian, but of incipient apostacy in the heathen.

merce.

"This idolatry existed at the time of my arrival, unaltered in itself; but, unable any longer to persecute, its high prestige was lowered; its power was a thing of the past, and it stood alone in its own weakness, unable

to inspire reverence or trust. In reference to idolatry, I witnessed a great change. It had been again obtruded upon public notice; its symbols carried forth to places of public resort; and its servants encouraged and patronized in high places. Restored in some respects outwardly to its high position, it had been admitted to the palace, and publicly honoured by the Sovereign. But even that change I did not, and do not, deem unfavourable to the highest interests of this infant nation, so long as heathenism can only repeat voices heard from the spirit world, and is not allowed to enforce its claims by the secular arm, and can employ no other force than its own influence over the minds of its votaries. It appeared to me better for both Christian and heathen that heathenism should have perfect freedom of action, and continue to be recognized as the religious system of a portion of the people, so long as it was able to maintain its hold upon their minds, than that it should have been suppressed by royal edict, or even discontinued by public kabary.

"The Christianity of Madagascar will be of a higher order, and a sounder quality, from its adherents having to win their way, and hold every inch they gain in contact, or even in conflict, with all the objections which idolatry can urge against its claims, than if it had been received in obedience to a sovereign's word, or established by government orders. I never desired for the Malagasy Church conversions that did not spring from convictions, nor professions of Christianity that were not based on experience of the truth. Among a people circumstanced as the Malagasy are, where all have equal liberty and protection, I do not fear any injury which heathenism can inflict on Christianity so long as no other means are employed than the zeal and devotedness which its own principles inspire and sustain in the hearts of its votaries.

"This opinion is justified by the state of things in Madagascar at the present time, where, notwithstanding the public recognition and encouragement which heathenism receives, there is no reason to believe that its adherents have increased, or that it has gained any firmer hold on the attachment and confidence of the people, than before the revolution. To me it appears rather that the restlessness of the votaries of the idols, the spasmodic attempts which they make ever and anon to attract notice, and the rumours of projects in favour of heathenism, are indications of a consciousness

on the part of its adherents that its power is departing, and that it has no influence over those who constitute the hope of the country. The manifest intelligence, character, and energy of the Christians, as well as the teaching of the Gospel, are drawing into union with them the youth of the middle and upper classes, at least in the central and ruling province. Christianity is doing this by the knowledge it conveys, the convictions which it lodges in the understanding, and the truth and directness with which it speaks to the conscience and the inner life. There is also a neutral party in Madagascar-men on whose minds heathenism has lost its hold, but who have not accepted Christianity. These, as well as many of the heathen, admit that Christians are better members of society and more trustworthy than the heathen; hence so many of the former are selected in spite of their creed, but in virtue of their character, to fill important offices of trust.

It is doubtless trying to the Christians to be confronted by heathenism at every turn; to meet and mingle with it in every walk of life, as well as to have to maintain a ceaseless strife against the evil of their own hearts; but I believe that the Christianity of Madagascar will be more intelligent, pure, and strong, better developed, and more prolific in all that is good and true, by having to test and try, in contact with idolatry, the strength of its principles, and the vitality of its faith, than it would have been had there been what is called a national conversion, and a general acceptance of Christianty.

"The missionaries feel that on the issue of this conflict the future of Madagascar depends. Hence their aim to make the grand lineaments of Christianity as presented in the Holy Scriptures the one chief subject of their teaching, employing education, with all other auxiliaries, in furtherance of this, and allowing nothing to diminish or weaken the influence of this teaching on the minds of the people. The present is perhaps the most critical period that has ever occurred in the existence of this people; and grateful as the missionaries feel for the liberty and privileges which the present government affords, they cannot forget that changes are not unknown in Madagascar. Though Christians are now included in the families of all the members of the Government, but few of those in whose hands the ruling power actually rests are Christians; and even in relation to the population of the capital, but especially to that of the provinces, the

Christians are only a small minority, and could not physically maintain their position should persecution again arise.

"Should Christianity still extend, and ultimately bring under its influence the leading classes in the country, the Malagasy race may yet be preserved, and obtain a name and a place among the nations; but should the religion of the Bible be again proscribed, and driven to the caverns or the desert, and the Malagasy become subject to the influences for evil, which, in their present condition, would then be brought to bear upon them; and should ignorance, and vice, and the folly and weakness which are their natural fruits, prevail, the people will gradually and surely melt away, and their final subjection and extinction will become only a question of time. My own opinion is, that nothing, humanly speaking, but the moral energy and vital stamina of Christianity can, in their present contact with more advanced races, preserve them from destruction. The Supreme Ruler appears, by sending His Gospel among them, to be giving them another trial, a fresh opportunity of entering upon that course of intelligence, activity, and virtue, which is the path of natural life to communities, as the way of holiness, love, and faith is the path of spiritual life to individuals. To point out that blessed way, to induce them to enter it, to lead them along step by step in it until they become strong in that faith which, working by love, purifies the heart, overcomes the world, and saves the soul, is the great aim of all rightly directed missionary effort.

"But while seeking, and with God's blessing accomplishing, this, the Gospel which the missionary teaches enhances the enjoyment of every earthly blessing, and saves for the present life, as well as for that which is to come.

No one who has felt the least interest in the deeply affecting changes among the Malagasy can feel unconcerned about the prospects of that interesting people. No event in their

past existence has been so remarkable as the

miles from the capital, and they are under the spiritual care of seven English missionaries, and ninety-five native pastors and teachers.

"Thus, it appears, that in four years the number of Christians has been more than doubled, and that the proportion of communicants has increased more than tenfold. Only a small proportion of those united to the Christians in the capital are either aged or very young persons. Most of them are verging towards manhood or middle age. These remarkable and gratifying results are some of the answers to the many fervent prayers that have been offered for the people, the fruits of Christian philanthropy, and constitute the best foundation of hope for Madagascar.

"Besides the efforts above specified, others have been put forth; and although we have yet only twenty schools in Madagascar, this department of our work is about to be ably reinforced. Additional books in the native language have been prepared, and printed at the mission press, whence we expect a supply for the increasing demands which extended education will create. Already the ten thousand copies of the New Testament, and a generous supply of Malagasy Bibles, together with separate portions of the Scriptures, from the British and Foreign Bible Society, have proved an incalculable benefit to the Christians in that country.

"Such are some of the means by which this interesting people have, with God's blessing, attained their present position; and it is on the vigorous and persevering use of these and other instrumentalities employed without interruption on their behalf, that we build our hopes of their preservation, and their happiness in this life, and in that which is to

Our Frontispiece Illustration (page 565), "A FOREST SCENE IN MADAGASCAR," will give additional interest to a second brief extract, in which Mr. Ellis describes a portion of his journey :

Y Y

in flower; while the palms, and the ferns, and other tropical plants, gave the whole scene a splendid and luxuriant aspect.

"The country, after leaving Maromby, was singularly delightful. Of all the beautiful forms which the vegetation of tropical regions presents, the bamboo often combines the most perfect symmetry and grace; and a species of this plant was so abundant in this neighbourhood as to give a peculiar character to the whole scenery. Each plant growing like an elastic cane, an inch or more in diameter at the root, and tapering to a point at a height of forty feet or more, with feathery branches three or four feet in length at the base, also diminishing gradually to a point at the end, bending with a graceful curve before the gentlest wind, its myriad leaflets quivering with every breath of air, was of itself an object of unspeakable interest and pleasure. But the bamboo growing singly or in clusters often appeared covering the entire valley with its bright yellowish-green leaves, or rising in a tuft, and soaring like a plume on the summit of a hill. Occasionally a few rofia palms, or a clump of traveller's trees might be seen rising among the ferns near the water. Altogether, I do not recollect ever having beheld more charming scenery.

"The road to the forest, over which I was

now travelling, was one continuous and difficult ascent, varied only by slight hollows. Each of my former journeys through this region had been made in rainy weather, but the fineness of the day enabled me now to observe the peculiarities of this part of the route much better than I had done before. I had not previously noticed the great height, and the smallness of the trunks of most of the trees, of which but few are deciduous. In the less crowded parts I occasionally saw truly gigantic and venerable patriarchs of the forest; sometimes I also met with a few bamboos shorter, thicker, and less flexible than those which I had seen in the lower districts, and I could not fail to observe the number of plants of the palm, the Pandanus, the Aralia, and the Dracœna species-the two former generally most abounding near the shore, but the latter most frequent near the interior. There were also a number of rattan-like canes, and sometimes creepers covered with blossom, as well as others of an amazing size, and apparently of interminable length, twining like cables up the trunks of the largest trees, and stretching away until lost in the interlacing canopy of leaves and branches high above.”

Our readers will be able to judge from these extracts how great a treat is in store for them in the perusal of "Madagascar Revisited."

HE choosing a name by sound belongs to civilization. It was not so with nations in their infancy. They went by sense. They fixed on a name that described a child, that referred to its personal characteristics, that was an outlet for their piety and thanksgiving, that was owned already by something that they were grateful for and loved.

The Jewish mother (as long ago as the days chronicled in the Bible) rocked her baby on her breast, and as she sat among the flocks and birds and flowers, called it Susanna, lily; or Hadasseh, myrtle; or Zophar, her little bird; or Deborah, the bee that buzzed so closely, it made her little one open its eyes and smile. Or, joyous and poetic in her luxuriant land, the timid sheep were bleating by, and she called her babe Rachel, in their memory; or the rich fruit of the pomegranate overhung her, and gave her food, and she called her baby Tabrimon; or the palm-tree rose straight and tall, and so her child should, and be named Tamar; or the sparrows twittered in her ear, and her child was Zippor; or the dove cooed softly, and he is called Jonah; or the crow showed its sable

plumage, and its name was Caleb; or the light seed sown was wafted by her, and her babe was Julia, the tender, delicate, nestling little thing. Carmi, my vineyard, the Israelites' child became, when they were grateful for that source of happiness and wealth; er Eschol, the full cluster of ripe purple grapes, or, Lot, sweet-scented myrrh; or Peninnah and Pinon, peari; or Thahash, the tender tint of hyacinth, fragrant and pale; or Ulla, a young child, or Saph, the moss growing plentifully at their feet on the bright seashore. And then Hebrew parents mourned over a sickly child, and called it Abel, because they saw it was like breath or vapour, and would soon pass away; or they named it Delilah, weak; or Hagar, timorous stranger; or Jabez, sorrow; or Job, a weeper; or Leah, weary; or Nechɔ, lame. And the robust child, the sturdy, strong young fellow was rejoiced in as Elah, the tall, spreading oak; or Amos, weighty; or Asher, bliss; or Ruth, contentment; or Rebekah, fat; or, more poetically still, Abigail, the father's joy; Eve, the gladdener; Isaac, laughter; Nahum, comforter; and David-sweet and

tender utterance-beloved.