degrees colder than that of the still waters of the ocean through which it runs. The cold air seriously affects the vegetation along the whole of this coast; at the same time that the cold stream raises fogs and mists, which not only conceal the shores and perplex the navigator, but extend inland also, and materially modify the climate.

The beautiful and beneficent character of this modifying influence becomes not only apparent, but most impressive, when we consider, as the rain map of the world shows us, that on the coast of Peru no rain ever falls; and that, like the desert of Sahara, it ought, therefore to be condemned to perpetual barrenness. But in consequence of the cold stream thus running along its borders, "the atmosphere loses its transparency, and the sun is obscured for months together. The vapors at Lima are often so thick that the sun seen through them with the naked eye assumes the appearance of the moon's disc. They commence in the morning, and extend over the plains in the form of refreshing fogs, which disappear soon after mid-day, and are followed by heavy dews, which are precipitated during the night." The morning mists and evening dews thus supply the place of the absent rain, and the verdure which covers the plains is the offspring of a sea river. What a charming myth would the ancient poets have made out of this striking compensation.-Edinburg Review.

Labors of the Coral.-The following concludes an article in the September number of Blackwood's Magazine, on the zoophytes and their silent yet immense ocean toils:

"If we wish to form some conception of the marvels which these zoophytes accomplish, we have only to remember that the coral formations in the Pacific Occupy an area of four or five thousand miles in length, and then to imagine what a picture the ocean would exhibit were it suddenly drained. We should walk among huge mounds which had been cased and capped with the stone these animals had secreted. Prodigious cones would rise from the ground, all towering to the same altitude, and reflecting the light of the sun from their white summits with dazzling intensity. Here and there we should come to a huge platform, once a large island, whose peaks as they sank, were clothed in coral, and then prolonged upward till they rose before us like the columns of some huge temple which had been commenced by the Anakim of an antediluvian world. If, as Champollion has said, the edifices of ancient Egypt seem to have been designed by men fifty feet high, here, while wandering among these strange monuments, we might almost fancy that beings hundreds of yards in stature had been planting the pillars of some colossal city, which they never lived to complete. But the builders, as we have seen, were mere worms; the quarry from which they dug their masonry was the limpid wave; and the vast structures which have been calmly upreared in the midst of a tempestuous sea, are the workmanship of creatures which possess neither bodily strength nor high animal instinct. That duties so important should have been assigned to beings so lowly, is one of the finest moral facts science has unfolded. It is the function of the coral polyp, under the present geological dispensation, to counteract the distant volcano, and to repair in some degree, the ravages of the subterranean fires. Its task is to fasten upon a sinking island, and keep its top on a level with the sea."

Australia contains 2,090,800 square miles, an area more than three-fourths as large as all Europe. It has eight thousand miles of sea coast, and is described as "a land where the sky is seldom clouded, and where, for weeks together, the sun looks down in unveiled beauty upon prolific fields; a land with golden mountains, and bowels filled with precious metals."

Editors' Cable.

THE Book of Nature: an elementary introduction to the Sciences of Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Geology, Botany, Zoölogy and Physiology. By FRIEDRICH SCHOEDLER, Ph. D., Prof. of the Natural Sciences at Worms. First American edition, with a Glossary, and other additions and improvements from the second English edition, translated from the sixth German edition by HENRY MEDLOCK, F.C.S., formerly of the Royal College of Chemistry, London. Illustrated by 697 Engravings. Philadelphia: Blanchard and Lea.-A fine octavo of 691 pages: forming one of the best compendiums and most convenient works of reference, upon the subjects on which it treats, to be found in our language. It is worthy of a place in the Library of every teacher and every student of science.

The Legislative Guide, containing all the rules for conducting business in Congress; Jefferson's Manual, and the Citizen's Manual: with copious notes and marginal references. By JOSEPH Bartlett BURLEIGH, LL.D. Second edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co.-A work of nearly 300 pages, containing the Constitution of the U. S., the Articles of Confederation, Abstract of the Census of 1850, and other articles of the highest value to every citizen.

The History of Vermont, from its earliest settlement to the present time. By W. H. CARPENTER and T. S. ARTHUR. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co. 260 pp. duodecimo.-This is one of "Lippincott's Cabinet Histories of the States," a series to be extended till it includes all the States. If we are not mistaken, it will be a valuable series for our School Libraries.

The Ladies' Glee Book: a collection of choice and beautiful Glees for three female voices in English, French and Italian: designed for classes, schools and the family circle. Translated, adapted and composed, with an accompaniment for the piano, by HENRY C. WATSON. New York: Lamport, Blakeman & Law, and George Savage. 1854.

The Michigan Journal of Education and Teachers' Magazine, under the auspices of the Michigan State Teachers' Association. Editors: Prof. E. O. HAVEN, Ann Arbor; Prof. A. S. WELCH, Ypsilanti; Resident, Rev. J. M. Gregory, Detroit. The first number of this work, similar in form and price to our Journal, has appeared. Success to the efforts of our brethren of the Peninsula. Orders and communications should be addressed to the Resident Editor at Detroit.

Western Teachers' Advocate and Family Instructor, Louisville, Ky., vol. I. No. 1.-A fine quarto of sixteen pages, edited by Edward Cooper, A.M., formerly editor of the N. Y. Teachers' Advocate, and published semi-monthly at $2.00 by Hull, Brothers, Louisville.

Huntington's School Visitor, a quarto of eight pages, beautifully printed and finely illustrated, is published monthly by F. J. Huntington, New York, at 30 cts. per year: eight copies, $2.00.

The Schuylkill County School Journal, edited by Teachers in the Public Schools, is published in pamphlet form, in Pottsville, Pa., at 50 cents per annum.

The Conn. Common School Journal enters on its ninth volume with the year. Number one of the new series (under the direction of the State Teachers' Association) is received. It has a corps of ten Editors, and will be an invaluable work. Price $1.00: address F. B. Perkins, Hartford.

The Massachusetts Teacher commenced its seventh volume in January. Published monthly at $1.00: address Samuel Coolidge, Boston.

The Iowa Journal of Education, edited by R. R. GILBERT, has commenced its second volume. Price $1.00: address R. Spaulding, Dubuque, Iowa.

The Annals of Science, being a record of Inventions and Improvements in applied Science, conducted by Prof. HAMILTON L. SMITH, A. M.-This work commenced its second volume with the year: it is to be published monthly at $1.00Address Prof. H. L. Smith, Cleveland, O.

Stems.

ISAAC J. ALLEN, A.M., M.D., formerly a Professor in the Willoughby Medical College, has been elected President of Farmers' College, and is expected to enter at once upon his duties.

Rev. ALEX. DUNCAN, late Pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Newark, has been appointed Superintendent of the Public Schools of that place.

Mr. C. S. ROYCE, Agent of the State Phonetic Association, is teaching Phonotypy to a class in the Union School at Republic, Seneca co.

The number of children and youth, in Ohio, between 5 and 21, as just returned to the Secretary of State, is 811,957: the value of the property in the State on which the school tax is levied is $493,396,848.

NEWSPAPER ITEMS.-The interior of Australia, a barren and sandy desert, has been found to be considerably below the level of the sea. It is now proposed to employ British convicts in cutting a narrow channel from the ocean to the desert, a distance of about 250 miles, when it is expected that the rush of water would be so great as to widen the canal and cause the formation of an inland sea almost as large as the Mediterranean, to the incalculable benefit of a vast extent of territory at present wholly useless.

A Western editor says he once heard ex-senator Corwin remark that, when he first entered an office to study law, he was the subject for ridicule for every student in town, on account of his homespun dress; "but," adds he, "I have lived to see every one of them ten times as ragged as I was at that timeand why? I was economical-and they were spendthrifts."

One of the most astonishing curiosities ever exhibited in this country, can now be seen at the City Hall, Baltimore. It is the body of a man buried six feet in guano, on the Island of Ichaboe. It is petrified and turned to a solid mass of stone, retaining all the minute outlines of a perfect specimen of humanity. It has been examined by physicians and scientific men, and pronounced one of the most marvelous subjects ever witnessed.

The Wheeling Intelligencer says, that twenty-five years ago the father of M. F. Ward, who killed Prof. Butler, of Louisville, was with difficulty restrained from attacking a teacher who had moderately chastised his son. That son is now a confined criminal, charged with killing the teacher of his younger brother. It seems that he is twenty-five years of age, and married. Verily, the influence of a good or bad example reaches far, far into the future.

According to the last census returns, there are in the United States 800 persons over 100 years old—8,000 over 90—56,000 over 80—and over half a million of persons not one year old.

The Rail Road Record says the coal fields of Ohio cover an area of 11,900, and those of Kentucky of 13,500 square miles.

The Executive Committee are making arrangements for holding Teachers' Institutes between the 1st of April and the 1st of June, as usual. President Lorin Andrews and several other Gentlemen have pledged their services for two, three or four weeks each during that time. Correspondence on this subject should be addressed to the Chairman of the Committee, A. D. Lord, Columbus.

Many thanks to the friends of our cause who are making such vigorous efforts to increase the circulation of the Journal. Messrs. Hurtt and Ellis, from Brown co., reported the names of 52 subscribers at the annual meeting; their list is now increased to 62. Several counties which have formerly been marked with a cipher, or with only one or two subscribers, have already sent in the names of six, eight or ten.

We would suggest to all who receive this number in a wrapper, that they may understand that theirs is probably the only copy reaching their post office: now would not a very little effort enable them to secure one, two or three names to accompany theirs?

Those who are voluntarily acting as agents, need not hesitate to forward the names of Teachers, male or female, who express a desire to receive the Journal, but can not conveniently forward the money till the close of their schools.

In accordance with the Resolution passed by the Association, specimen numbers of the Journal will be forwarded to every County Board of School ExamiWe doubt not they will be ready to present the subject to Teachers as suggested in the Resolution on the 37th page.

ners.

Instruction in SURVEYING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING will be given at the Marlboro Union School, during the Spring term, commencing March 14, 1854, and continuing 14 weeks. Field practice with Compass, Leveling and Transit Instruments, accompanied with drafting, platting and calculations, will form an essential part of the course. Tuition per quarter of 11 weeks, $5.50.

Every facility is furnished for the study of the preparatory and collateral branches of Mathematics, Linear, Isometric and Perspective Drawing, Experimental Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Geology, etc., etc., with the additional charge of $1 to $3 per quarter.

For particulars, address A. HOLBROOK, Marlboro, Stark Co., Ohio.

THIRD VOLUME OF THE OHIO JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. The Executive Committee take pleasure in announcing that the third volume of the Journal commenced with January, and will be issued regularly during the coming year. The success of our enterprise thus far is gratifying in the extreme. The two volumes of more than 400 pages each, already published, are a contribution to the educational literature of the country of which the Teachers of no State need be ashamed.

Grateful for the success of the past, for the generous confidence and the patronage extended to the Journal, the Committee feel bound to spare no effort which will render the present volume worthy of a support far more liberal than either of the preceding has received. Will not every Teacher and every friend of Education aid in extending its circulation?

Terms, $1 per copy. The first and second volumes, neatly bound, can be had for $1 25 each: the two volumes, bound in one, for $2 40. If ordered by mail, 25 cents in stamps must be included for the payment of each volume. All orders should be addressed, Journal of Education, Columbus, O.

THE

Ohio Journal of Education.

COLUMBUS, MARCH, 1854.

Boards of School Examiners.

YN addition to the two hundred and sixty-four persons who hold the office of County School Examiners in Ohio, there are probably. separate Boards of Examiners in some sixty or seventy of the hundred towns and cities which have classified Public Schools; so that there are now in the State between four and five hundred persons who hold this responsible office. These Examiners are accustomed to meet, every year, two-thirds or three-fourths of all the Teachers employed in our Public Schools; and probably not less than fifteen thousand Teachers, or candidates for the office, will thus come under their personal influence during the coming year. The influence which these Examiners may exert can hardly be over-estimated. They virtually hold the keys of all the school houses in the State. They are to decide what shall be the moral character, and the attainments without which no person shall enter a school room as a Teacher. They can shut out entirely those who are found destitute of the qualifications they deem essential; they can encourage those who may be deficient in some particulars, to such efforts for self-improvement as shall place them in the first rank as scholars and successful Teachers; and they can stimulate those who are already competent and successful, to renewed exertions for their own improvement, the elevation of their schools, and the advancement of the cause of education.

We believe that the great body of these Examiners appreciate the dignity and the responsibility of their office, and are laboring to benefit the schools of which they are the guardians, by refusing to license those who are found unqualified to teach, and striving to improve those whose abilities and attainments are respectable; and we doubt not that many of them feel the need of some agency to second their efforts.

It will probably be admitted, that one of the most effectual methods of awakening a desire for professional improvement among the members of any calling, is the circulation of Periodicals devoted to the interests of that calling. We would therefore suggest to all the School Examin

VOL. III, No. 3.

5