It is clear that in this point also the ordinary conception of the future fate of the soul agrees fundamentally with the result of observation on the prosperity of the series of germ cells.

As all the forces of nature, known to the ignorant barbarian only by their visible workings, call forth in him certain vague and, therefore, religious ideas, which are but a reflection of these forces in an anthropomorphically distorted form, so the apparently enigmatical conception of the eternal soul is founded on the actual immortality and continuity of the germ plasma.

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COCOS PYNAERTI.

This is an acquisition to the dwarf growing palms, and a graceful table plant.  It first appeared in the nurseries of M. Pynaert, Ghent, and is evidently a form of C. Weddelliana, having similar character, though, as shown by the accompanying illustration, it is quite distinct.  The leaves are gracefully arched, the pinnules rather broader than in the type, more closely arranged, and of a deep tone of rich green.  Such a small growing palm possessing elegant and distinct character should become a favorite.—­The Gardener’s Magazine.

[Illustration:  COCOS PYNAERTI—­A NEW PALM.]

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THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.[1]

  [Footnote 1:  Read May 17, 1890, before the Engineers’ Club of
  Philadelphia.]

By JACQUES W. REDWAY.

INTRODUCTION.

The purport of the following paper is to show that corrosion of its banks and deposition of sediment constitute the legitimate business of a river.  If the bed of the Mississippi were of adamant, and its drainage slopes were armored with chilled steel, its current would do just what it has been doing in past ages—­wear them away, and fill the Gulf of Mexico with the detritus.

Many thoughts were suggested by Mr. S.C.  Clemens, erstwhile a Mississippi pilot, and by Mr. D.A.  Curtis.  Both of these gentlemen know the river.

GENERAL GEOGRAPHY.

The Mississippi River, as ordinarily regarded, has its head waters in a chain of lakes situated mainly in Beltrami and Cass counties, Minnesota.  The lake most distant from the north is Elk Lake, so named in the official surveys of the U.S.  Land Office.  A short stream flows from Elk Lake to Lake Itaska, a beautiful sheet of water, considerably larger than Elk Lake.  From Lake Itaska it flows in a general northeasterly direction, receiving the waters of innumerable springs and ponds, among them Lake Bemidji, a body of water equal in size to Lake Itaska.  After a course of 135 miles the steam flows into Cass Lake, absorbing in the meantime the waters of another chain of lakes, discharged through Turtle River.  From