dissected, and gave names to the parts they discovered, it is like an unripe grape.

Emily. If the pupil is only a hollow, why does it always look black?

Mamma. From the dark colour of the choroid coat of which I have just spoken; but in some animals, the choroid is not so dark, and then the pupil is lighter also.

Emily. What is the colour of the sclerotica?

Mamma. It is of a dead white, and colourless, and at the anterior part of the eye is in connexion with a membrane called the conjunctina, which gives to this part that appearance which is commonly called the white of the eye.

Emily. Are these coats of the same nature as any thing you have described to us before?

Mamma. Yes, they are membranous, and so form a strong casing and protection for the moveable part of the eye.

Frank. What makes the eye turn from place to place?

Mamma. It is provided with several pairs of muscles, which pull it in whatever direction we want to look. But I have not yet told you of another coat, -it is called the retina, from rete, a net; and this is the last coat proper to the eye; it is white, soft, and tender, resembles in semi-transparency, and colour, the ground glass of which ornamental lamps are constructed, it lines the bottom of the eye, and is a continuation of the optic nerve, which comes, as you know already, from the brain, and passes through a small opening in the sclerotic and choroid coatsthe retina of the membranous expansion of the optic nerve, upon which the images of external objects are

painted or reflected, and thus the sensation of seeing is produced on the brain.

Emily. Do you mean, mamma, that the optic nerve is like the hollow stem of some flowers, the top of which spreads out into a kind of cup?

Mamma. Yes, that is a very good illustration of its form. I have before mentioned the conjunction as one of the membranes. I shall now take a little further notice of it; it ought, strictly speaking, to be considered as one of the coats belonging to the globe. It is a thin membrane, one portion of it lines the inner surface of the eyelids, and turns over the globe, and covers two-thirds of the eye, viz. the anterior portion of the sclerotica and the cornea.

M.

[To be Continued.]

MEMOIR OF ANNIE

Who was born into this world, 14th November, 1831, and taken out of it, 5th March, 1835, aged three years and three months.

It is my pleasing task to present the memorial of a dear child of God-a babe in Christ-a living temple of the Holy Ghost-in all cases a most interesting theme of glory to the Lamb of God. But as this bears much upon a point peculiarly impressed on my own mind, as one of deeply practical import, I consider it more than a common privilege to have the present instance to record; for whilst it exhibits a child in all the loveliness of renewed mature, I cannot but feel it particularly adapted to the serious consideraration of parents, as affording a proof that a child may be sanctified from its first existence, and matured in rapid progress to a fulness of spiritual stature, beyond its infantile power to express, by any other demonstration than the influence of the Spirit on its heart and mind, as exemplified by its actions.

There is a general and almost fatal idea prevalent, that an infant is incapable of spiritual impressions, and that religion cannot be conveyed to the mind before some period which is supposed sufficiently advanced for the reason to operate. But were the same means used as upon those of a different nature, to convey impressions of heavenly character, the

success would be found, generally speaking, as equal at least, to those which are imbibed from others less important.

Much is taught to infants by signs. The beauty or the value of an object, by the way their attention is claimed. Joy or sorrow, satisfaction or anger, by the changes of the countenance, the smile or the frown. Assent or dissent, by the shaking or nod of the head. The withdrawing of provisions forbidden, or the free grant of allowed things. The tender tone and rebuking voice. Much is taught, and much more than unthinking parents suppose, by the scenes exhibited in the daily habit and manner of those by whom they are surrounded, and it is most probable that nothing passes before a child, without leaving some impressions on the mind and feelings, laying a foundation for some future conduct of the child, the reason and energy of which may afterwards be sought for in vain.

The truth is, that the training or care of the soul is not commenced early enough. It is generally supposed a needless attempt, even whilst the most scrupulous attention is paid to the things for the body ; so that the dawning faculties are not only corrupt by natural sin, but become pre-occupied with other impressions, and thus are still further removed from the sweet influences of religion.

But we may consider further, that a child, yea, an infant, may be the peculiar subject of grace, and may be under the influence of a sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost, to turn and bend its affections heavenward, and to impart a sensible perception of invisible things; the new creature attaining a spiritual discernment of them, in its spiritual faculties, even

as the natural mind attains a natural discernment of natural things, and we may perceive the truth applicable, as "that which is born of the flesh is flesh," so "that which is born of the spirit is spirit."

We ought to reflect that, when a child is born into the world, it immediately becomes an object of immeasurable interest. It is announced, as it were, for the strife of the spiritual worlds, and appointed the prize of the victor. I confess, to my mind, this is a reflection that most seriously affects my heart: the little human being is ushered into this world of sin, a natural prey in the jaws of "the strong," and, unconscious of its misery, as naturally turns in all its faculties to the destroyer, who, with malignant purpose to maintain and avow his right, uses every artifice of wily temptation to keep his hold! There is but one Deliverer-but one who can "divide the spoil," through the travail of his soul! The mighty conflict must be undertaken, or the child must bear its own iniquities and endure its own stripes! Can a parent bear this reflection without a trembling soul, and look on, as it were a cold and dead spectator of the fate of his child, as if it were a game of chance, with no present or eternal consequences dependent on its situation? Alas! how many do so, until, bereft of this treasure, they are roused to feel the agony of the irremediable loss !

Has the parent any faith in the assertion of the sacred scriptures, that his child is by nature a child of wrath and under the sentence of death? Has he any faith in the awful fact, that Satan has an usurped right over his child, unless redeemed from his grasp? Has he any faith, that there is a never-dying worm and an unquenchable fire for such as die in their sins?—If