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chokes our canals and rivers. It can be obtained in Covent Garden Market; or, indeed, of almost any gardener. It is a pretty, moss-like plant. Almost any weed may, however, be naturalized in the aquarium.. The watercrowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) for instance, may be transplanted from almost any pool during April and May, and placed in the tank; it takes root and flourishes abundantly, as also do most of the pond weeds. Then for fish. The ordinary stickleback, if kept by themselves, are most amusing inhabitants; or the gold-fish, the carp, or the minnow may be profitably introduced. But, in order to keep down the green conferve, a few snails are absolutely necessary. To these may be added water-newts, or efts, or even a good-sized toad; which, by the way, is by no means so repulsive an animal as is by many believed. But you must be careful not to introduce some kinds of water-beetles; but the diving spider (Arga roueta aquatica) will be found a most interesting addition.

As a general rule the best position for an aquarium is at a window where it may receive plenty of light, and yet not be subjected to direct sunshine, unless some provision is made for affording shelter for the fishes, for it must be borne in mind that fishes have no eyelids; it would, therefore, be as cruel to expose them to the rays of the sun, as to place a man whose eyelids were cut off in the same position. We have met with cases where ignorant, though well-meaning persons who have kept gold-fishes, have made a practice of placing the globe containing them in the sunshine, because, as they thought, it made them "so lively," whereas the unfortunate fishes were really darting about in agony, vainly attempting to escape from the blinding glare.

Some persons place the aquarium in such a position as to allow the light to enter it on all sides, while others prefer to darken one or more of the sides, or sometimes allow the light to enter at the top only. Sunshine for an hour or two a day accelerates the growth of the plants.

Repolishing Jewellery, &c. A solution of cyanide of potassium in water is equal, if not superior to any compound that can be used for cleaning jewellery, the liquid cleaning all those parts of the work which neither brush, buff, nor thread could reach. Here is the method:-Dissolve cne ounce of cyanide of potassium in three gills of soft water, turn up the end of a piece of brass or iron wire into a hook, attach it to the article to be cleaned, and immerse it in the solution, shaking it backward and forward for a second or two, then take it out and rinse well in clean water. Wash it with warm water and soap to remove any film of cyanide that may remain; rinse again, dip into spirits of wine, and dry in boxwood sawdust. The advantage of dipping in spirits of wine is the immediate drying of the work without any sticking of the sawdust to it. When done with the solution, put it in a bottle and cork tightly. It may be used again and again for some months. Care should be taken not to wet the fingers with the solution, and not to inhale the odour, as the cyanide is a violent poison.

The Weight of a Sunbeam.Not only does light fly from the sun with a velocity which is a million times greater than the speed of a cannon-ball, but it darts from every reflecting surface with a like velocity, and reaches the eye so gently that, as it falls upon it, it imparts the most pleasing sensations. Philosophers once sought to weigh the sunbeam. They constructed a most delicate balance, and suddenly let in upon it a beam of light. The lever of the balance was so delicately hung that the fluttering of a fly would have disturbed it. Everything prepared, the grave men took their places, and with keen eyes watched the result. The sunbeam that was to decide the experiment had left the sun eight minutes prior, to pass the ordeal. It had flown through 95,000,000 miles of space in that short measure of time, and it shot upon the balance with unabated velocity. But the lever moved not; and the philo sophers were mute!

X. GAMES AND THEIR RULES.

Cricket. This, the most popular | various situations about the field, to of all English games, is played all catch or stop the ball when struck by over the country during May, June, the batsmen. One of the bowlers comJuly, August, September, and Octo-mences bowling either four or six sucber. Cricket may be played by two cessive balls (as may previously have or more persons, with a bat, ball, been agreed upon); if he succeed in and stumps. The grand object of the bowling down the wicket the batsman game is for the batsman to make the retires from the game, and another of greatest number of hits and runs from his party takes his place. If, however, a ball bowled to him by another player the ball is struck by the batsman, he at a certain distance. When a few and his partner keep running to each persons play, the game is called single- other's wicket and back again, until wicket; when a dozen or more play their opponents obtain possession of they are divided into sides, and play the ball and throw it in to the wicketdouble-wicket; and when twenty-two keeper; and one run is scored towards play the game is cricket proper, or the the game every time they change regular match game of eleven a side. wickets. Every run obtained by a blow In the first game the batsman, when from the bat is scored to the batsman he makes a sufficiently good hit, runs making it; but byes, wides, no-balls, from the three stumps-which con- &c., are scored to the credit of his side. stitute the wicket-to the bowler's When the player who commenced stump and back again, and this double bowling has bowled either the four or journey constitutes one run at single-six balls as agreed upon, the umpire at wicket. In the latter games there are two wickets set up, at each of which stands a batsman; and whenever either succeeds in hitting away the ball, the two run from wicket to wicket, and for every time they change places one run is scored to the striker of the ball. In both games the striker is out if the bowler strike his wicket with the ball; or if he himself hit his wicket; or if he hit a ball and it be caught by one of the opposing party before it touches the ground; or if he run out of his ground to hit a ball, and the wicketkeeper "stumps" him; or if his wicket be put down by the ball while he is running for a hit; or if his leg, or any part of his person-except his hands -intercept a ball that would have hit the wicket.

In the full match game the two parties toss up for first innings; and two players belonging to the side that wins the toss go in, one at each wicket. The out-party place themselves in

his wicket calls "Over," and the fieldsmen reverse their positions by taking corresponding ones for the other wicket. The same number of balls are then delivered from the other end by another player, and so on alternately. When all the players belonging to the in-party are out, they change places with their opponents, and bowl to them until their innings are over. When each side has had two innings, the runs are counted, and the party. that has obtained the greatest number is declared the conqueror.

The Laws of the Game, as revised by the Marylebone Club :

I. The ball must weigh not less than five ounces and a-half, nor more than five ounces and three-quarters. It must measure not less than nine inches, nor more than nine inches and one-quarter in circumference. At the beginning of each innings either party may call for a new ball.

II. The bat must not exceed four

inches and one-quarter in the widest part; it must not be more than thirtyeight inches in length.

III. The stumps must be three in number; twenty-seven inches out of the ground; the bails eight inches in length; the stumps of equal and of sufficient thickness to prevent the ball from passing through.

IV. The bowling-crease must be in a line with the stumps; six feet eight inches in length; the stumps in the centre; with a return-crease at each end towards the bowler at right angles.

V. The popping-crease must be four feet from the wicket, and parallel to it; unlimited in length, but not shorter than the bowling-crease.

VI. The wickets must be pitched opposite to each other by the umpires, at a distance of twenty-two yards.

XI. He may require the striker at the wicket from which he is bowling to stand on that side of it which he may direct.

XII. If the bowler shall toss the ball over the striker's head, or bowl it so wide that, in the opinion of the umpire, it shall not be fairly within reach of the batsman, he shall adjudge one run to the party receiving the innings, either with or without appeal, which shall be put down to the score of wide balls; such ball shall not be reckoned as one of the four balls; but if the batsman shall by any means bring himself within reach of the ball, the run shall not be adjudged.

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XIII. If the bowler deliver a ball" or a "wide ball," the striker shall be allowed as many runs as he can get, and he shall not be put out except by running out. In the event of no run being obtained by any other means, then one run shall be added to the score of "no balls or "wide balls," as the case may be. obtained for "wide balls" to be scored to "wide balls." The names of the bowlers who bowl "wide balls

All runs

or

VII. It shall not be lawful for either party during a match, without the consent of the other, to alter the ground by rolling, watering, covering, mowing, or beating, except at the commencement of each innings, when the ground shall be swept and rolled, unless the side next going in object to it."no balls" in future to be placed on This rule is not meant to prevent the the score, to show the parties by striker beating the ground with his whom either score is made. If the bat near to the spot where he stands ball shall first touch any part of the during the innings, nor to prevent the striker's dress or person (except his bowler from filling up holes with saw- hands), the umpire shall call "leg dust, &c., when the ground shall be bye." wet.

[The Committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club think that the umpire should have the power to prevent the batsman injuring the ground with either bat or foot.]

VIII. After rain the wickets may be changed.

IX. The bowler shall deliver the ball with one foot on the ground behind the bowling-crease, and within the return-crease, and shall bowl four balls before he change wickets, which he shall be permitted to do only twice in the same innings.

[In one-day matches it is usual to allow five or six balls for an over.] X. The ball must be bowled. If thrown or jerked, the umpire shall call "No ball."

XIV. At the beginning of each innings the umpire shall call "Play;" from that time to the end of each innings no trial ball shall be allowed to any bowler.

[It is not unusual, however, to allow a trial ball to each new bowler; though not on the wicket.]

XV. The striker is out if either of the bails be bowled off, or if a stump be bowled out of the ground;

XVI. Or, if the ball, from the stroke of the bat, or hand, but not the wrist, be held before it touch the ground, although it be hugged to the body of the catcher;

XVII. Or, if in striking, or at any other time, while the ball shall be in play, both his feet shall be over the popping-crease, and his wicket put

down, except his bat be grounded within it;

XVIII. Or, if in striking at the ball, he hit down his wicket;

XIX. Or, if under pretence of running, or otherwise, either of the strikers prevent a ball from being caught, the striker of the ball is out;

XX. Or, if the ball be struck, and he wilfully strike it again. [In cases, however, in which, after blocking a ball, it flies or rolls back towards his wicket, the batsman is allowed to strike or block it away from the stumps; but he cannot get a run from such a hit.]

XXI. Or, if in running, the wicket be struck down by a throw, or by the hand or arm (with ball in hand), before his bat (in hand) or some part of his person be grounded over the popping-crease. But if both the bails be off, a stump must be struck out of the ground;

XXII. Or, if any part of the striker's dress knock down the wicket;

XXIII. Or, if the striker touch or take up the ball while in play, unless at the request of the opposite party;

XXIV. Or, if with any part of his person he stop the ball, which in the opinion of the umpire at the bowler's wicket, shall have been pitched in a straight line from it to the striker's wicket, and would have hit it.

XXV. If the players have crossed each other, he that runs for the wicket which is put down is out.

XXVI. A ball being caught no runs shall be reckoned.

XXVII. A striker being run out, that run which he and his partner were attempting, shall not be reckoned.

XXVIII. If a lost ball be called, the striker shall be allowed six runs; but if more than six shall have been run before lost ball shall have been called, then the striker shall have all which have been run.

XXIX. After the ball shall have been finally settled in the wicketkeeper's or bowler's hand, it shall be considered dead; but when the bowler is about to deliver the ball, if the striker at his wicket go outside the popping crease before such actual de

livery, the said bowler may put him out, unless (with reference to the 21st law) his bat in hand, or some part of his person, be within the popping

crease.

XXX. The striker shall not retire from his wicket, and return to it to complete his innings after another has been in, without the consent of the opposite party.

XXXI. No substitute shall in any case be allowed to stand out or run between wickets for another person without the consent of the opposite party; and in case any person shall be allowed to run for another, the striker shall be out if either he or his substitute be off the ground in manner mentioned in laws 17 and 21, while the ball is in play.

XXXII. In all cases where a substitute shall be allowed, the consent of the opposite party shall also be obtained as to the person to act as substitute, and the place in the field which

he shall take.

XXXIII. If any fieldsman stop the ball with his bat, the ball shall be considered dead, and the opposite party shall add five runs to their score; if any be run they shall have five in all.

XXXIV. The ball having been hit, the striker may guard his wicket with his bat, or with any part of his body except his hands; that the 23rd law may not be disobeyed.

XXXV. The wicket-keeper shall not take the ball for the purpose of stumping, until it have passed the wicket; he shall not move until the ball be out of the bowler's hand; he shall not by any noise incommode the striker ; and if any part of his person be over or before the wicket, although the ball hit it, the striker shall not be out.

XXXVI. The umpires are the sole judges of fair or unfair play, and all disputes shall be determined by them, each at his own wicket; but in case of a catch which the umpire at the wicket bowled from cannot see sufficiently to decide upon, he may apply to the other umpire, whose opinions shall be conclusive.

XXXVII. The umpires in all

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XXXIX. They are not to order a striker out, unless appealed to by the adversaries;

XL. But if one of the bowler's feet be not on the ground behind the bowling crease, and within the return crease when he shall deliver the ball, the umpire at his wicket, unasked, must call 'No Ball."

XLI. If either of the strikers run a short run, the umpire must call "One Short."

XLII. No umpire shall be allowed to bet.

XLIII. No umpire is to be changed during a match, unless with the consent of both parties, except in case of violation of the 42nd law; then either party may dismiss the transgressor.

lebone Club think it desirable that previously to the commencement of a match, one of each side should be declared the manager of it; and that the new laws with respect to substitutes may be carried out in a spirit of fairness and mutual concession, it is their wish that such substitutes be allowed in all reasonable cases, and that the umpire should inquire if it is done with the consent of the opposite side. SINGLE WICKET. - This game is played in the same general manner as double wicket; with the exceptions pointed out in the following rules :The distance between the wickets is precisely the same as at double wicket, consequently the batsman has twice the ground to go over in obtaining each run. As a remedy for this evil the runs are sometimes made fifteen yards in length, instead of twenty-two; by placing a mark at that distance from the wicket; the striker putting his bat or foot on or over the mark to entitle him to a run.

The Laws of Single Wicket.-I. When there shall be less than five players on a side, bounds shall be placed twenty-two yards each in a line from the off and leg-stump.

XLIV. After the delivery of four balls the umpire must call "Over," II. The ball must be hit before the but not until the ball shall be finally bounds to entitle the striker to a run, settled in the wicket-keeper's or bow- which run cannot be obtained unless ler's hand; the ball shall then be con-he touch the bowling-stump or crease sidered dead nevertheless, if an idea be entertained that either of the strikers is out, a question may be put previously to, but not after, the delivery of the next ball.

XLV. The umpire must take especial care to call "No Ball" instantly upon delivery; "Wide Ball" as soon as it shall pass the striker.

XLVI. The players who go in second shall follow their innings, if they shall have obtained eighty runs less than their antagonists, except in all matches limited to only one day's play, when the number shall be limited to sixty instead of eighty.

XLVII. When one of the strikers shall have been put out, the use of the bat shall not be allowed to any person until the next striker shall come in.

NOTE.-The committee of the Mary

in a line with his bat or some part of his person, or go beyond them, returning to the popping-crease as at double wicket, according to the 21st law.

III. When the striker shall hit the ball, one of his feet must be on the ground, and behind the popping-crease, otherwise the umpire shall call "No Hit."

IV. When there shall be less than five players on a side, neither byes nor overthrows shall be allowed, nor shall the striker be caught out behind the wicket, nor stumped out.

V. The fieldsman must return the ball so that it shall cross the play between the wicket and the bowlingstump, or between the bowling-stump and the bounds; the striker may run till the ball be so returned.

VI. After the striker shall have

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