For instance, last summer I came across two
animals, one that resembled a shrew, another that
looked somewhat like a mouse. Now if I had had a
book like this proposed one on hand, I would
simply have looked up its habits, would have found
its name, would have known how to tame and feed
it, and would have had a new addition to my
menagerie. At least, I could do this if the
animals were simply and plainly described as I
suggested.

G. L. S.

* * * * *

Harold H. C., Cornwall.--The fastest large vessels are the new ocean
liners. Several of these have made runs of over five hundred miles in a
day. The new torpedo-boats can outstrip any of the large vessels for
short distances. Several of them have records of about thirty miles an
hour. Seals cannot breathe under water; they are obliged to come to the
surface frequently.

* * * * *

"B. S." asks: "For how long are foreign ministers to this country
appointed? by whom? and how are our foreign ministers appointed? and
what is their salary?"

Foreign ministers are appointed by the head of the Government, and
generally until their successor is appointed. Our ministers are