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one.

It inhabits the mountains and is fond of living in herds. It runs very swiftly, in places where dogs cannot follow. The usual way of obtaining them is by shooting them with muskets.

CHAPTER OF WONDERS.

IN the Gentleman's Magazine for June 1836, is a most singular account of some of the wonders of the vegetable kingdom, which we have condensed into the following chapter. The article is said to have been written by Mr. Candolle, a gentleman of science and veracity; but our readers will doubtless find it hard work to believe all his state

ments.

Some of the YEWS in Yorkshire, England, were known in 1155. They are now estimated to be 1200 years old. A few of them, in 1770, were about eight feet and a half in diameter. Some of the yews in Surrey were, at the same period, nearly nine feet in diameter, and were reckoned 1450 old. years Some in Scotland were over 18 feet in diameter, and were considered from 2,500 to 2,600 years old. Stranger still, some yews in Kent were of the same size 200 years ago; and if still living, must be almost 3000 years old.

The largest English OAK ever known was in Dorsetshire; its circumference was 68 feet. It was destroyed in 1775. The Boddington oak was 55 feet round. The Norbury oak was 45 feet round.

Three leagues from Constantinople is

a PLANE, 150 feet round it, with a cavity 80 feet in circumference.

A CYPRESS in the Azores, is 118 feet round it, and another at Alexo is 76 feet. Strabo mentions a cypress in Persia, believed to be 2500 years old; it was so large that it took five men to reach round it.

The BAOBAB, in some places, is thought to be 5150 years old. Humboldt measured baobabs 94 feet round.

A CHESTNUT at Hertfordshire, Eng., in 1789 was 42 feet round. Another in 1791 measured 45 feet. The famous Mount Etna chesnut is 204 feet round.

The WAX PALM attains the height of 180 to 230 feet. The SPRUCE FIR of Norway reaches a height of 150 to 200 feet.

A DRAGON TREE, in the island of Teneriffe, in 1799 measured 45 feet round.

The WALNUT sometimes grows to a very large size. Frederick III. is said to have given a feast on a table made of a single walnut plank, 25 feet broad.

Sir Francis Drake measured a mastic tree which was 102 feet in circumference. There was a tree in Brazil-we believe it was of the same kind-120 feet round it. Evelyn mentions trees in Congo, which made ships or canoes that would hold 200 men each; and one in Lycia, which had a room in it 80 feet in compass, set with fountains, stately seats, tables, &c.

Two pines are mentioned whose contents, when cut to pieces, were the one 397 loads. the other 429 loads of timber.

FISH STORIES.

THERE IS a cataract on the river Liffey, in Ireland, about nineteen feet high. Here, in the salmon season, many of the inhabitants amuse themselves in observing these fish leap up the torrent. They dart themselves quite out of the water as they ascend, and frequently fall back many times before they surmount it. Baskets made of twigs are placed near the edge of the stream, and when they fall back they are caught in them.

The crab-fish annually changes its shell, and when it loses its old one, is only covered by a thin membrane or skin. While in this state it conceals itself in holes in the sand, or under seaweeds. Near to it a hard shelled crab always stands sentinel to prevent the sea insects from injuring the other in its defenceless state.

SOLUTIONS OF PUZZLES.

WE have received numerous answers to the puzzles in our January number. The word or term used-the "whole,” as it is called is "UNITED STATES." We have also received a solution of the enigma on page 80 in our March number. The "little airy creatures," there spoken of are the vowels of the English alphabet. W. H. H. of Connecticut, and J. E. B. of New Hampshire, have also sent us solutions of the puzzle on page 85. The word there referred to is HEALTH.

THE CROCUS.

BY AGNES STRICKLAND.

Oн, pleasant is the hopeful hour,
When from her lowly bed
We mark the early Crocus' flower
Uprear her golden head!

To greet the first soft smile of spring
She opes her joyous eye,
Ere blackthorn buds are blossoming,
Or sky-lark sings on high.

When southern breezes melt the snow
She struggles into birth,
And sheds a bright rejoicing glow,

Like sunshine, on the earth.

We deem the weary winter past,

When from her darksome tomb The merry crocus bursts at last,

In her perennial bloom.

And as her earthward part decays, Her frame of living gold Becomes, to our admiring gaze, More beauteous to behold.

The shapeless bulb in autumn sown Is now a flower of spring;

The same 'tis call'd, yet all will own It is another thing.

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The bulb that slumbered in the ground
Hath felt a quickening change,
And wakes, with bright apparel crowned,
As beautiful as strange.

E'en thus the spirits of the just

In glorious forms shall rise, When God shall summon from the dust His chosen to the skies.

WINDS. These, by their gentle motion, purify the air, and help to purify the water of the ocean. They also help to carry ships, turn mills, &c.

ABOUT THE CAPTURE OF QUEBEC.

My readers have heard, no doubt, of the French war-and perhaps some of their great grandfathers were engaged in it. It was a war which broke out in May 1756, eighty-one years ago, last month. It was called the French war by us, because it was a war in which we and the British fought together against the French in Canada, for at that time we were colonies, under Great Britain, and were obliged to help them fight their battles.

I have told you that the war commenced in 1756. Well, it went on, and lasted till the year 1663. But during this long period many battles were fought, and many important places taken by the English and Americans; but the most important event of this war was the capture of the city of Quebec.

This place, situated on the north-western side of the river St. Lawrence, was deemed one of the strongest in the world. It was defended by a great many cannon, placed in several forts, built upon high rocks. It was thought impossible for soldiers, in any way, to climb up these rocks, or to get possession of the fortifications.

But the British king thought it might possibly be taken; so he sent a powerful army against it, commanded by Gen. Wolfe, a bold, daring young man. It was towards the last of June, when Gen. Wolfe and his army landed on the island of Orleans, a few miles below Quebec.

Here Wolfe had an opportunity to examine the difficulties he had to overcome. He perceived that they were very great, but he declared to his friends, he would either take the city, or die in the attempt. He devised various schemes, and made several efforts, but without success. Montcalm, the French commander, was exceedingly vigilant, and the confident spirit of Wolfe began to be dejected.

But at length a narrow path was discovered, by which the soldiers might climb the Heights of Abraham, and thus overlook the forts, and the town. Wolfe knew that, if he could get possession of these heights, he should obtain a great advantage. Accordingly, he resolved to make the attempt. But it was necessary that the enterprize should be conducted with the greatest secrecy.

In the stillness of night a part of the army landed at the foot of the cliff, which overhung the river. They were ready to climb the rocks by day break. Wolfe was himself among them, and they began their difficult task. Clambering up the steep, they caught hold of roots, bushes, and angles of the rocks, and at length stood safe upon the plain above. Before sunrise the whole army had gained the heights, and were all arranged under their several leaders.

When Montcalm heard of all this, he thought it impossible, and would not believe the story; but he soon found it to be true. Knowing that he must now come to battle, he drew out his men up