the other hand, those apparently of trivial value are diffused over the greater part of the world."

"I do not know exactly what you mean, papa, by types of birds," said Evelyn.

"It is

"Corresponding species," replied Mr. Desmond. thought by some ornithologists that in each region there are, as you remarked, families of birds, which, though essentially different and varying in their habits, according to their geographical situation, are analogous in form or have some one general point of similitude. For instance, the hummingbirds of America correspond with the nectar-feeders of India, or sun-birds as they are called, and with others in the Indian islands, as well as in Africa and Australia; in short, they think that each group has its representative, one that somewhat resembles it in its habits and nature, in each of the principal divisions of the world. And therefore some modern naturalists have proposed to divide the world into zoological provinces ; that is to say, according to the zoological productions of each region."

"But papa," said Evelyn, interrupting him," how could such a division be distinct? there are so many birds that migrate from one region to another, that I think it would be impossible to draw a line, or say to which division of the globe they most naturally belonged."

"I was going to say," replied her father, "that there is one fact which appears to be opposed to that arrangement, and perhaps is not generally known, namely, that those North American birds which seem to have no representative in Europe, or, on the other hand, those European genera which appear to have no corresponding species in America, are almost without exception migratory, and belonging to types of forms characteristic of those regions where they pass the winter. This replies to your remark, Evelyn."

"Yes, papa, very satisfactorily; but I have often wished to know what it is that causes some birds to migrate while others are contented to be always stationary, and I think that what you have just said shows that much might be discovered by close observers."

"I fear it is quite beyond our reach," said Mrs. Des

mond, "to penetrate so far into the secrets of that wisdom which has allotted their peculiar habits to each of the families of living creatures that dwell on the earth; yet the fact which your father has mentioned may be productive of many interesting deductions. It would be a new subject of inquiry, at least not a common branch of natural history, to discover the laws which might be supposed to regulate and circumscribe the dispersion of particular species."

"It would be a pleasing study, and would certainly open a wide field of pursuit," Mr. Stanley remarked, "for travellers, and all who are not tied to one spot as I am.'

"But I wish, papa," said Evelyn, "that you would give some further explanation of what you alluded to about types or representatives of birds."

"I meant to say, my dear, that the corresponding or geographical representations of groups and species inhabiting different localities are, in some cases, very striking-I do not know whether my meaning is clear."

"Oh, yes; I understand that perfectly," exclaimed Evelyn. "Then pray explain it to me," said Mr. Stanley.

Explain it?" Evelyn repeated.

"Yes. There are

tribes somewhat similar in form and habits in opposite regions, but-but-I do not know what they are, so I do not exactly know the whole of what papa meant; and so, dear papa, you must teach both me and my guardian."

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According to Mr. Vigors the naturalist," her father replied, "the ostrich of the African deserts is represented in Asia and its islands by the cassowary; by the emu in Australia; by the rhea in South America, the largest bird in that continent; and by the great bustard in Europe."

"I am as desirous as Evelyn to understand this subject," said Mr. Stanley. "Did he think that was the case with each prominent group or tribe?"

"Just so he used to say that, wherever such representative is wanting, the deficiency is owing to some sufficient cause, which if understood would be found to agree with the harmony of all the works of the creation. Now there are instances of facts decidedly opposite to what I have mentioned of the distribution of corresponding tribes."

“Pray, papa, mention some of them at least," said Evelyn. "The circumstance to which I allude is this: that, instead of corresponding tribes, in some cases the very same species is found in all parts of the world. For instance, the starling is described as inhabiting all parts of the world except perhaps Australia.”

"What can be the reason, papa, of its not being in Australia?"

"The way in which it has been explained is this. In numerous instances the diffusion of animals throughout the various regions of the earth appears to be regulated by that of their prey. Now the starling seeks much of its subsistence on the backs of cattle; but in Australia there were not originally any ruminant quadrupeds, though since they were introduced by the colonists they have increased as if it were their native soil. It is supposed therefore that, as cattle were not, neither were starlings originally natives. The circumstance is a remarkable one, however, and may lead to other curious observations of the same nature, by which you may discover how beautifully things are linked together the diffusion of animals being dependent on their prey-that again being dependent on the peculiar vegetation of each country—and that again dependent on the various soils to which that peculiar vegetation is adapted, and which vary with the different regions of the earth."

"To make such discoveries," exclaimed Evelyn, or even to follow those which others have made, what extensive knowledge is requisite ! One must fly like the birds themselves from one region to another. How delightful that would be!"

"As long as we can have the advantage of the gleanings of our numerous travellers we may be contented to exist without wings," said Mr. Stanley; "for instance, Mr. Fortune's' Wanderings in China,' of which the beauty of this garden has just reminded me."

Mrs. Desmond's garden was indeed rich in flowery beauty, well situated on a sloping bank, at the bottom of which ran a little stream, and beyond it rose a small hill, partly wooded and partly pasture, on which cattle in various attitudes gave a perpetual interest to the scene.

The neatness of the garden, and the taste with which the most beautiful shrubs were intermixed with grass-plats and flower-beds, particularly attracted Mr. Stanley's notice, as well as the strawberry-garden, luxuriant in fruit, and quite irresistible in the hot weather of June.

The principal amusement of that evening was the microscope, in which Mr. Desmond showed many minute insects and also plants, among which was the chara, remarkable for the distinctness with which the circulation of the sap is seen within its stem.

There was a little plant of it in a pond near the greenhouse, and he treasured it more than some which were valuable from their rarity.

Afterwards Mabel and Gerald initiated Evelyn into some of their small plays, such as 'Why, when, and where?' for this the first word selected was "moat," which, as sound is in that play considered in preference to spelling, has so many meanings as to produce a proper degree of puzzle. Moat, a deep ditch of a fortification—mote, a small particle-moat, a mount or sudden rise of ground, &c.

Evelyn quickly entered into the spirit of the play, and distinguished herself in that and other amusements of the same nature by the animation and drollery with which she played her part; and her father and Mrs. Desmond, rejoicing to see her happy and at ease with her brother and sister, joined in some of their plays, and even Mr. Stanley took part in them.

F

VOL. 1.

CHAPTER XIV.

Mr. Desmond's Management of his Tenantry

Walk along the Edge of the Bog - The old Nurse.

THE next morning Mr. Stanley expressed his wish to visit. some of the poor cottagers at Clonallen. So much has been said and written about the wretchedness of the lower Irish, he was anxious, he said, to judge for himself.

"If you have time and opportunity to do so, it will certainly be satisfactory," replied Mr. Desmond. "Yet there are many small circumstances to be considered before you can form a just opinion of their real state, which varies more than you may at first perceive in different localities."

"How do you mean? Surely all who have eyes can see whether people are wretched or comfortable, clean or dirty?"

"Yes, I grant that," said Mr. Desmond: "but you cannot in a short visit penetrate into the nature of the people, nor understand exactly with whom the blame lies that these people are not more comfortable: you cannot at once discover the truth, for you must be aware that in such cases a stranger who wishes to judge for himself must take some time for inquiry."

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Certainly, that is quite true," replied Mr. Stanley, "in regard to individual character; but here my object is to form one general opinion of the whole."

"Yes, I understand your object," said Mr. Desmond; “but I think it impossible. For instance, Evelyn's own tenantry are all really comfortable, for Sir Connor was an excellent landlord, and when he left the country appointed a good agent; yet you may see on some parts even of her property several miserable hovels; because some of the small farmers, who hold more land than they can cultivate for themselves, allow people scarcely beyond beggary to take