is very easy after an abundant rain. 3.  The earth about the rose tree is to be disturbed, and then twenty-four sockets of calves’ feet are to be placed in the earth round the stem, and about four inches distant from it.  The hoofs of young calves are the best, and give a vivid colour and agreeable perfume to the roses.  These are to be placed with the points downwards, so that the cups shall be nearly level with the surface of the earth, and the plant well surrounded.  This operation is to be repeated in the November following.  These hoofs, dissolved by the rain or the waterings, form an excellent manure, which hastens the vegetation, and determines the reproduction of flowers. 4.  Two waterings per week will suffice in ordinary weather, and they should be made with the rose of the watering-pot, so that the hoofs may be filled; but, if the atmosphere is dry, it will be necessary to water the plants every evening; and in the latter case it will be necessary, from time to time, to direct the stream of water on to the head of the tree.—­From the French.

American Sea-Serpent.

Mr. Samuel Mitchell has, in his “Summary of the Progress of Natural Science for the last few Years,” given an amusing account of the progress of sea-serpentism.  It was read before the New York Lyceum, and is inserted in the American Journal of Science, although not thought conclusive by its learned editor, Dr. Silliman.  The first sea-serpent was a steam-boat, which, being established at Boston to coast along the shore, and from its powers and capabilities competent to injure the business of small boats, was described as a sea-serpent that had been seen off Nahant and Gloucester, and had probably come there to consume all the small fish in the place.  This was received by many as a serious account, and believed accordingly.

Another sea-serpent history arose from the circumstance, that a small sloop, called the Sea-Serpent, having been passed by another vessel, the captain of the latter, when asked, upon his arrival at home, for news, said he had seen a sea-serpent, and then described its bunches on the back, the action of its tail, and other parts; all of which being understood literally, actually appeared in print, as evidence for the existence of the animal.

Then a piece of the skin of the bony scaled pike was taken for part of a sea-serpent’s hide.  A speckled mother duck, with a numerous brood of young ones swimming after her in a line on Lake Ontario, was described as the sea-serpent itself.  And from such occurrences as these, perhaps, mingled with careless observation of the motions and appearances of porpuses, basking sharks, and balaenopterous whales, appears to have originated every thing that has been said about American sea-serpents.—­Brande’s Jour.

* * * * *

THE GATHERER.

    A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.