dispositions undergo a striking change, and their truly brutal nature is evinced by an unusual degree of untractable ferocity. In the wild state they are inferior both to the dog and the elephant in sagacity, although their analogous structure never fails to impress the beholder with a belief that they resemble man in mental character as well as in corporeal form. Two species of African orang-outang seem to have been described by the earlier writers. These were probably the young and old of the same species seen apart at different times, for later researches do not lead to the belief of there being more than one.

"The greatest of these two monsters," says Battell, "is called pongo in their language; and the less is called engeco. This pongo is exactly proportioned like a man; but he is more like a giant in stature; for he is very tall, and hath a man's face, hollow-eyed, with long hair upon his brows. His face and ears are without hair, and his hands also. His body is full of hair, but not very thick, and it is of a dunnish colour. He differeth not from a man but in his legs, for they have no calf. He goeth always upon his legs, and carrieth his hands clasped on the nape of his neck when he goeth upon the ground. They sleep in the trees, and build shelters from the rain. They feed upon fruit that they find in the woods, and upon nuts; for they eat no kind of flesh. They cannot speak, and appear to have no more understanding than a beast. The people of the country, when they travel in the woods, make fires where they sleep in the night; and in the morning, when they are gone, the pongos will come and sit about the fire till it goeth out; for they have no understanding to lay the wood together, or any means to light it. They go many together, and often kill the negroes that travel in the woods. Many times they fall upon the elephants which come to feed where they be, and so beat them with their clubbed fists, and with pieces of wood, that they will run roaring away from them. Those pongos are seldom or never taken alive, because they are so strong that ten men cannot hold one of them; but yet they take many of their young ones with poisoned arrows."

Purchas informs us, on the authority of a personal conversation with Battell, that a pongo on one occasion carried off a young negro, who lived for an entire season in the society of these animals; that, on his return, the negro stated they had never injured him, but, on the contrary, were greatly delighted with his company; and not only brought him abundance of nuts and wild fruits, but carefully and courageously defended him from the attacks of serpents and beasts of prey.

With the exception of such information as has been drawn from the observance of one or two young individuals sent alive to Europe, our knowledge of this species has not increased. We have become aware of the inaccuracy and exaggeration of previous statements, but have not ourselves succeeded in filling up the picture. It is indeed singular, that when the history of animals inhabiting New-Holland, or the most distant islands of the Indian Ocean, are annually receiving so much new and correct illustration, the most remarkable species of the brute creation, inhabiting a comparatively neighbouring country, should have remained for about 2000 years under the shade of an almost fabulous name, and that the "wild man of the woods" should express all we yet really know of the African orang-outang in the adult state.

Africa produces many other species of the monkey tribe. The promontory most familiar to the Mediterranean voyager, called Apes' Mountain, not far from the opposing point of Gibraltar, is so called from the occurrence of these animals; and the rock of the lastnamed fortress is itself the only strong-hold which they possess in Europe. They do not, however, occur in desert countries, commonly so called; that is, the open sandy plains of Africa are altogether unfitted for the dwellings of these pigmy people. Apes of all kinds are a sylvan race. Their structure being such as to render them unfit for the exercise of rapid movements, either on all fours or in an upright position, the inclined and densely intermingled branches of trees are their

favourite places of resort. Their feet in climbing being equally useful with their hands, great additional power and activity are thus derived. Among the shady and otherwise unpeopled arbours which skirt the banks of the yet mysterious rivers of Africa, they dwell in single pairs or in congregated troops, according to the instincts of each peculiar kind; and seated on the tops of ancient trees, or swinging from pendant boughs, they play their fantastic tricks, secure alike from the wily serpent during the day, and the panther which prowls by night.

YOUNG LADIES' GARLAND.

ON CULTIVATION OF TASTE.

A FEMALE of cultivated taste has an influence upon society wherever she moves. She carries with her that secret attractive charm which operates like magic upon the beholder, fixes the attention and softens the feelings of the heart like those benign influences over which we have no control. It is impossible to be long in her presence without feeling the superiority of that intellectual acquirement, which so dignifies her mind and person. Her words and actions are dictated by its power, and give ease and grace to her motions. The cultivation of a correct taste is so joined in affinity with the social affections, that it is almost impossible to improve the one, without affecting the other. For it is seldom that we see this resplendent qualification attached to minds under the influence of moral principles, neglectful of those social feelings which cement society together, and preserve it from jarring innovations. It is needful in every department of life; and more of our happiness is derived from this source, than we are often aware of.

Look at domestic scenes with a discerning eye, and see the movements of a woman of taste. If she is the head of a family, order appears to be the first law which governs and controls her actions.-All her affairs are planned with wisdom; confusion and discord never disturb her mind. Her house is the seat of social

happiness, where the stranger and friend can repose with delight; for neatness and order are the inmates of her habitation.

THE FEMALE HEART.

THE female heart may be compared to a garden, which, when well cultivated, presents a continued succession of fruits and flowers, to regale the soul, and delight the eye; but when neglected, producing a crop of the most noxious weeds; large and flourishing, because their growth is in proportion to the warmth and richness of the soil from which they spring. Then let this ground be faithfully cultivated; let the mind of the young and lovely female be stored with useful knowledge, and the influence of women, though undiminished in power, will be like "the diamond of the desert," sparkling and pure, whether surrounded by the sands of desolation, forgotten and unknown, or pouring its refreshing streams through every avenue of the social and moral habit.

BOTANY.

THE study of this beautiful science is particularly adapted to young females, to whom we would recommend it, as a lasting source of pleasure and amusement. It will be found much less difficult than may at first be apprehended, and the enjoyment experienced in its progress will be such, that difficulties, much greater than those which really present themselves, would be no barrier to the attainment of the science. The nomenclature, which appears at first view so repulsive, soon loses its terrors, and becomes familiar, and the pleasures which result from the application of principles, the exercise which the science requires, and the perpetual contemplation of the variegated and splendid colourings of nature, operate as a species of attraction so irresistible, that the student can neither resist nor control it. No object can be more delightful than to behold a lovely woman indulging a passion for that which is in itself so beautiful and innocent, or than to see her

"Looking through nature, up to nature's God."

What higher source of gratification can there be than to stroll amidst the groves, or wander over mountain heights, and enjoy the magnificent scenery of nature, and inhale the breeze teeming with fragrance and redolent with sweets, while you are in pursuit of a richer banquet, a more delightful spectacle, the fair and exquisite gifts of Flora

"Each bounteous flower,

Iris all hues, Roses and Jassamine."-Milton.

cause.

YOUNG GENTLEMEN'S DEPARTMENT.
SUPERFICIAL READING.

THE evils resulting from a habit of reading rapidly and without deep reflection, should deter every one from indulging that lively curiosity which is its grand For it is an eagerness to reach the consummation that hastens the progress of most readers through a work's design, extracting as they say" the mere essence," and leaving the residue 'untasted, untouched.' Many plunge through volumes in a day, and to appearance emerge uninjured, yet I need not say that this practice soon occasions great confusion of ideas and eventually destroys the mind. Since to heap upon it, as it were, book upon book, battle upon battle, and victory or defeat, without giving the intellect time to grasp at each severally and fix them in her " keeping place,"excludes thought from her true station and renders this store useless and burdensome. The conceptions become rayless and indistinct and language, the echo of the thoughts has all their dimness und obscurity. A habit is acquired of viewing subjects at a distance and with hasty and uncertain glances, than which there is nothing more prenicious to mental discipline, or subversive to intellectual greatness. It blunts all point, obscures every beauty and sacrifices genius to a worthless pleasure. The true value of all knowledge consists not so much in the superfices over which it extends as in the clear and distinct ideas we imbibe from the examination of various subjects; and it is the great object of education to acquire a habit of exercising clearness and truth.