DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Here comes a Jayhawker to have a little chat with you and the circle. I have always lived in sunny Kansas, on a farm. I live about eighteen miles from the exact center of the United States. The prairies, in spring, look most beautiful, the grass so green, and so many pretty flowers, of so many colors. Blue and white daisies come first, and they are eagerly hunted for by us children, as we go to school. We keep our teacher's desk well supplied with bouquets. I like to go to school, and I like to read better. I like the stories, "His One Fault," "Driven Back to Eden," and I don't know what I don't like in them. I am eleven years old. I have three sisters and two brothers. One day at school the teacher asked a boy in my class what they made out of ivory, and he said ivory soap. My teacher is the best teacher I ever went to. I never wrote a letter to a paper or a magazine before. I will stop. Well, good-bye to the readers of the ST. NICHOLAS. I send my love to all, from one who would read all the time if she could. GRACE L.

COLORADO SPRINGS, ColoraDO, Jan. 27, 1885. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: When I was a little girl we used to sing our multiplication table, the States and their capitals, and the kings and queens of England. Gail Hamilton's charming versification this month brought the old rhymes and tunes to my mind again. I wish I could give you the tune, but here is the old rhyming list which we sang, as we stood, hand in hand, before our old teacher, swaying back and forth as we sang.

Very truly your devoted admirer,

L. F.

BOSTON, Feb. 15, 1885. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: We are two little sisters, and our home is in the Far West. We are spending the winter in Boston. Our aunt is very kind; yet we miss our mother, and the rambling life we have heretofore led, so different from the life one leads in the East. Auntie takes the ST. NICHOLAS, and we sit in the parlor and pore over it in the long winter evenings. We hope you will print this, as it is our first letter.

Your ever admiring friends,

WILHELMINA AND AMELIA L.

BUFFALO, N. Y.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: In one number of ST. NICHOLAS you printed a story called "Margaret's Favor Book," and some of us little girls got up a society called the "F. B. S." (Favor Book Society), and we each had a little book, in which we wrote, every night, the favors we had received during the day. We each had a motto which we wrote on the first page of our book, and badges. We had a meeting every Saturday, and the president read aloud all the favors which had been received during the week. But we had to give the society up a little while ago, because most of the members moved away. I thought, perhaps, some of your readers would like to have such a society. I remain your faithful reader,

BLANCHE D. ADRIAN, MICH. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: As I have not seen any letters from Adrian, I thought I would write one. I am a little girl, only nine years old, so you must not expect a very good letter from me. think Louisa Alcott's tales are lovely, and Frank Stockton's are per

I

LA CROSSE, WIS. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: A literal translation of George W. Stearns's letter, in the March number of ST. NICHOLAS, is:

There was a man in the city, and he was very wise, and rushing into thorns, he was deprived of his eyes. I will say that, when he perceived himself to be blind, rushing into other thorns he got his eyes. A free translation is the nursery rhyme :

"There was a man in our town,

And he was wondrous wise," etc.
Yours truly,

GEO. H. S.

CHENANGO FORKS, N. Y. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I wrote these verses when I was nine years old. I was herding fifty cows in the corn-stalks, out in Nebraska, when I thought them out. I am ten now. We children have taken ST. NICHOLAS for four years, and we think it splendid. Your friend, CHAUNCEY C.

THE BRAVE SOLDIER.

The cows were grazing in the field,A soldier crouched behind a shield,When suddenly an arrow flew,

And split the largest cow in two.

The other cows were awful mad,
And said it really was too bad;
The soldier hid behind a stone,

For cows' horns are made of bone.

CATSKILL, April 1, 1885.. DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I am having lots of fun, fooling people.

I told my little sister this morning to say to Papa: "Look on the wall; is not that a funny shadow? — April fool! When Papa came in, she cried, "Aper foo!" which made us all laugh. Three years ago, when we were in Gardiner, Maine, Papa said one morning: "See the boats on the river!" We looked, but did not see any boats. Then Papa said, April fool!" "It is the 31st of March," said Mamma, as she looked at the calendar.

I love you so much, dear ST. NICHOLAS. I run for you the minute you come. Your devoted reader, G. H. C.

"Everybody who sings or hears sung Burns's pretty song of 'Coming Through the Rye' is apt to picture to himself a field of this grain through which the lassies are seen coming. This conception is now said to be incorrect, the reference being to a small stream in Ayrshire called the Rye. It was easily waded, but the lassies in going across would have to hold up the skirts of their dresses. While in this attitude, mischievous lads like Robbie Burns would wade out and snatch a kiss, which the lassies would be obliged to allow, or else let their skirts fall into the water."

LOUISVILLE, KY.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have never seen a letter from Falls City in the Letter-box, and hope that this one may find a place there. Louisville, which claims to have about 120,000 inhabitants, is a very pretty town, situated on one of the widest parts of the Ohio River. We have here the Southern Exposition, which is said to be one of the largest in the world. I am very much interested in all your stories, and wait impatiently for the 26th of each month, which is my "St. Nicholas Day."

I wonder if any of your readers have ever ridden on a tandem tricycle. I guess the Prince of Naples, the Crown Prince of Russia,

and many of your European friends have. I have, at least, and had quite a nice time. As it was my first attempt, I had to learn to keep my feet on the pedals, which seemed quite hard at first. Your constant reader and faithful friend,

MARY S. TOPSFIELD, MASS.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have taken you five or six years, and like you better every year. Last summer I called on Mr. Whittier, and asked him to write in my autograph album. He was in his study, which opens from the dining-room by folding-doors. There was a fine picture of Mr. Longfellow on the wall, and a desk, at which, I suppose, Mr. Whittier writes some of his poems.

I am thirteen years old. I have a pug dog, of which I am very
Your constant reader,
A. E. J.

fond.

lots of old churches and palaces six or seven hundred years old. The other day we went to see a palace which was built by King Louis IX. in the thirteenth century, now the Palais de Justice. Attached to it is La Sainte Chapelle, still the most beautiful in Paris. The windows in it are made of gorgeous colorings, and the floor is made of mosaic, with the emblems of France and Spain on it (le fleur de lis). I also saw Napoleon's tomb at the Hotel des Invalides. I have been to a great many other places, which I should like to tell you about, but it would take up too much of precious space, so I must say good-bye. The May number of your dear magazine I hope to read in my native land. Always your affectionate reader, MARIE L. C.

your

WE can only acknowledge the receipt of the pleasant letters sent us by the following young friends: Lu H., Laura Larimer, Pet Kinne and Teenie S. Haskell, Robert R. Peebles, Tony T., Ernest B., "Goldilocks," Maud, Frousie, Julia Mintzer, Clara E. Veader, Maggie M. Murray, Ellie T. Hitchcock, Mary M. B., J. Alice Gernaud and Roberta Owens, Florence Willard, Louise M. Johnson, H. E. C., Rose, George Nicholas, Thomas Hill, Emily, Elsie H., Oman Ramsden, Bertha Cross, Willie and James Armstrong, Amos P. Fisk, Ethel M., Valliant Turner, Louise Joynes, E. M. T., Charlie Leonard, Grace E. Chambers, Mary Brotherton, "Janet," Lottie G. Day, Josie B. Ervay, Maud H. and Nellie R., G. Beyer, Amy F. C., Lousia Kausch, Sidney M. Hauptman, Charlie Faulkner, Grace Williams, Blanche and Lotta, E. Hagemann, Mable Harvey, Milton Frank, Maria Sykes, G. E. M., Lizzie Parks, Ella Brookings, Orra H. King, M. J. E., Lilian Trask, Will Smiley, Fred. H. D., Gracie I., Clemence Frank, Ethel Watts, and Rex Dickinson.

AWARD OF PRIZES.

THE contest for the prizes offered last November for the best drawings of snow-crystals has not been so spirited as we hoped. Still, some very excellent work has been done, and some very beautiful forms observed. The first prize was easily taken by Chapter 742, Jefferson, Ohio, A. E. Warren, Secretary. We may give engravings of these drawings at a later day.

The second prize was awarded to Miss L. V. Makrille, of Washington, D. C.

Mr. R. H. Keep, of Norwich, Conn., won the third prize, and Mr. C. H. Paddock, of Chapter 613, Winooski, Vt., the fourth. The next five sets were so nearly equal in merit, that it was decided to rank them all alike, and to award a prize of equal value to each one of the five. The names of the successful five, arranged alphabetically, are :

Miss Julia Dwight, President of Chapter 579, Hadley, Mass.; Miss Edith C. Hohnes (a corresponding member of the Central Association of Lenox), Auburn, N. Y.; Miss Alice Heustis, of Chapter 729, Boston, Mass.; Henry A. Stewart, of Chapter 489, Gettysburg, Pa.; Theodore G. White, New-York City.

A study of the drawings received tends to confirm the statement of the books that water crystallizes in six-pointed figures, or at the least, in stars

an extremely fascinating little picture, because he would be led on from making a little touch here to adding another there, till he thought there could n't have been any more lines, and then he has an exaggerated, and almost half "made-up" picture. Merely to catch a glimpse of one of these frail forms before it melts, and then to try to picture it accurately, is more or less unsatisfactory, so far as truth goes. It was very cold sitting outdoors before breakfast, drawing these crystals, but I did not see any other honest way out of it. So I can say truthfully, they are as nearly natural as they could be made by a fellow holding his pencil with almost numb fingers, and a mitten on at that."

Now that boy has the true scientific spirit, and the hearty love for truth that must characterize every earnest student.

It will not do for us to leave the question thus. Next winter we must try once more-all of us. We must get a thousand sketches and lay them side by side. We must have them all made as conscientiously as possible, and that, too, not for the sake of a prize, but from that anxiety to learn the exact truth with regard to a crystal of water, which must be finding its way by this time into the mind of every member of the A. A. who has the least inclination toward mineralogy. By the way, this question was sent in a few days ago: "Is water a mineral?"

What do you think about it?

Before giving a summary of Chapter reports, we have the pleasure of offering an extract from a letter of Professor H. T. Cresson, 224 South Broad street, Philadelphia, who has aided us in the department of Ethnology:

Read also this from Professor Putman-Cramer, of Brooklyn:

"You are, perhaps, aware that we have here an Entomological Society, boasting some forty members, among them some prominent entomologists. As president of that society for the current year, I express, I am sure, the opinions of the society when I say that we should be glad to see any member or members of the A. A. at our monthly meetings, which are held on the first Tuesday of each month in the Polytechnic Institute, Livingstone street, near Court street, at 8 P. M."

This invitation is one that no member of the A. A. interested in entomology, and able to accept, can afford to slight. Even if one is not a student of insect life he can learn much about methods of work, and the ways of conducting scientific meetings, by observing how these things are done by experts.

In addition to the chemists whose offers of aid have already appeared in ST. NICHOLAS, we are pleased to give the address of Mr. Charles P. Worcester, Newtonville, Mass., who will cheerfully answer such questions as may be sent him.

REPORTS FROM CHAPTERS.

275, Washington, D. C.(E). I saw a wasp and a Hessian fly fighting. The fly killed the wasp. At another time I saw a fly,

with red eyes and an abdomen checked with green, attack and kill a good-sized dragon-fly. The electric lights on the dome of the Capitol attract many insects. Our rarest specimens have been caught there. The large water-beetle (Dynasticus marginatus) has been found in large numbers. This is rather high for them. I once saw it stated as a rare incident that one had been found on a two-story house about thirty feet high. I have found as many as twentyfive in one morning at least three hundred and forty-five feet from the ground. Water-scorpions, wheel-bugs and other hemiptera, bees, flies, various neuroptera, and all kinds of nocturnal lepidoptera are found there.-Alonzo H. Stewart, Sec.

286, Stockport, N. Y. One of our members has seen red squirrels and chipmunks swimming.-W. J. Fisher, Sec.

56, St. Johnsbury, Vt. We have been slowly growing since we began with four members, until now we have twenty-four, all active workers. The principal of our academy has given us a fine cabinet, of which we are very proud. -Thornton B. Penfield, Sec.

638, St. Louis (D). Our members are exceptionally united in study. We have raised our initiation fee to one dollar, so that we

may be sure of obtaining members who take a live interest in nature. During less than a year more than fifty essays have been read, seven lectures delivered, and we have had two select readings at each meeting.-Frank M. Davis, Sec.

485, Brooklyn, Ohio. We have now twenty-six members. We are fortunate in having among us a few who have studied special branches, and also in having near us professors who are interested in our work. We are studying zoology. We began with Protozoans, and are taking each of the sub-kingdoms in order. For particular work, our affections are divided between entomology and botany.-F. H. Pelton.

556, Philadelphia (R). I have used the following arrangement for cultivating molds: I take a glazed stone jar, and fill it with rich earth, which must be kept slightly damp. On this I place the "bait"- cheese or bread, or some substance that will mold. This I cover with a small flower-pot. Then I set the whole in a warm place for a few days. Such beauties as some of the common molds appear under the microscope truly make one forget time, place, hunger, and cold. Some which I found growing on blackberry jam were especially beautiful, resembling tea-roses scattered through brown moss.-Wm. E. McHenry, Sec.

600, Galveston, Texas. We have entered upon a new year with new hopes. During the last three months we have had twelve very interesting papers and six select readings.-Philip C. Tucker, jr., Sec. 480, Baltimore, Md. (F). Professor Riley, the entomologist of the Agricultural Department, had kindly promised to show us some part of his collection of insects. It is hard to say which gave us the more pleasure-recognizing old friends among the moths and beetles, or the sight of strange tropical insects, with gaudy wings and monstrous forms. When I remind you that this is a chapter of girls, you will not be surprised to learn that there was a constant chorus of "oh!'s."-Miss R. Jones, Sec.

440, Keene, N. H We have ten moth-proof boxes for insects; also, a compound microscope and an aquarium. We go out on the hills hunting moths and cocoons. The latter we found most easily when snow was on the ground, as the leaves were off the bushes.Frank H. Foster, Sec.

136, Columbia, Pa. Our room is large, and there are blackboards on two sides of it. On these our botanists illustrate their topics by drawings. Our specimens are placed on printed cards. The reports in ST. NICHOLAS Stimulate chapters to renewed energy in hope of seeing their own reports there.-James C. Meyers, Sec.

EXCHANGES.

We wish to exchange soil of N. Y. or N. J. for any other.-W. W. Allen, Sec. 771. Box 12, Sloatsburg, N. Y.

Will some one exchange dried ferns with me?-Wm. Wardrop, Gowan Cottage, Linlithgow, Scotland.

Copper ore, for fossils and insects.-C. F. McLean, 3120 Calumet Avenue, Chicago, Ill.

I am interested in botany and geology, and should like to correspond with some one who would have patience with a beginner who is also an invalid.—Mrs. A. H. Robinson, 13 Gorham street, Madison, Wis.

Alligators' teeth, banana leaves, orange blossoms, Spanish moss, etc., for bird skins or eggs.-Percy S. Benedict, Sec. 331, 1243 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, La.

Correspondence with distant chapters.-Wm. H. Plank, Wyandotte, Kans.

A fine specimen of fossil coral, 3 in. x 1 in., and pieces of petrified leaves and wood.-C. A. Jenkins, Sec. 447, Chittenango, N. Y. We desire to correspond with Western chapters.-James S. Pray, Sec. 686, Lunenburg, Mass.

Marine shells of Northern New England, for those of Southern or Western coast, or for minerals.-H. E. Sawyer, Sec. 112, 37 Gates street, So. Boston, Mass.

THE above cross consists of four nine-letter diamonds, connected in the center by a five-letter word-square. The letter of each of the four diamonds which is nearest to the square helps to form the middle word of the square.

UPPER DIAMOND: 1. In "A. P. Owder, Jr." 2. A projecting part of a wheel. 3. Small fishes of the gudgeon kind. 4. To comfort. 5. Pertaining to sparrows. 6. The act of confining a ship to a particular place by means of anchors, etc. 7. A familiar contrivance for throwing stones. 8. An abbreviation for a certain country. 9. In "Cyril Deane."

RIGHT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In "Royal Tarr." 2. The plural of the yllable representing the second tone in the gamut. 3. Denominations.

To scatter.

4. Asylum. 5. Refreshes. 6. Fumed. 7. Surfeits. 8.

9. In "Alcibiades.

LOWER DIAMOND: 1. In "Rex Ford." 2. An undeveloped

THE central picture is a rebus, and represents a word of nine letters. This forms the central word of the hour-glass. The crosswords are pictured around the rebus.