The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-10 00:00:00

PARTIAL 2'o PO/SON.

We have most of us hitherto been in the habit of
looking upon strychnine as a deadly poison. We
shudder at the mere mention of the word. We re-
member the Rugely tragedy, and see before us
Palmer's wretched victim distorted in the agonies of
tetanus. What does the reader say to a discovery
recorded in the pages of the Pharmaceutical
Journal, that there is a class of living creatures
actually in existence who not only partake of this
terrific poison habitually without injury, but who
live upon it as their usual food, and thrive upon
the diet ? The living creatures who ale given
up to this abnormal pastime of devour-
ing strychnine, and who may be regarded as
the opium-eaters of the animal creation, are minute
beings resembling those which will sometimes be-
come developed by the mouldy Stilton. They are,
bovvevpr, yin+ o.•umon cheese-mites, but so different
from them that, when an attempt was made (to be
presently alluded to) to induce some of the respect-
able cheese amateurs to change their diet for a
nurse of strychnine, the poor thing.; died inconti-
nently as well-regulated mites might be ex-
pected to do. The unnatural mites, then, con-
cerning whose habits we have had these few
words to say, were discovered by a gentleman
of considerable chemical attainments, while
engaged in a microscopic examination of certain
efflorescences which appear on the surface of
medicinal extracts, " juices of plants concentrated
to a semi-solid condition." Now, the most remark-
able thing about this was that the preparations
themselves were of a nature which might reasonably
have been expected to produce very injurious results
upon animal life, while upon these mites they ap-
peared to exercise no evil influence whatever. Here
were mites living upon extract of colocynth, which
it must be admitted seems a rather choleraic diet,
others upon taraxacum, and others yet upon
strychnine, the extract of nux vomica.—Dickens's
" All the Year Round."

METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORE'S.

The usual meeting of the Metropolitan Board of
Works was held yesterday at the office of the board
in Spring-gardens, Mr. J. Thwaites in the chair.
The financial statement was presented, which
showed the total cash balances in the hands of the
treasurer to be £59,946 2s 3d ; Government securi-
ties, £69,892 5s lld ; checks ordered but not pre-
sented, £18,273. The Chairman said he regretted
to have to make any communication of a personal
nature. His health had for some time been any-
thing but what he could desire, and on Thursday
week previous he had consulted his medical adviser,
who recommended that he should immediately ab-
stain for a time from all business. If he did not,
the consequences would be of a most serious nature.
The cause of his illness was anxiety and constant
pressure on the brain, but he had himself to blame
in the matter, as the members of the board had
repeatedly and kindly advised him to take this
step, and he would have acted wisely had he taken
such advice. A physician of high standing had
confirmed the statement of his own medical adviser,
and had urged strenuously the necessity of an im-
mediate change, and for at least two months a re-
lease from all anxiety and business. HP muQt adz
the inanlgonoc of the Board to accord him time for
that purpose. Mr. Tite, M.P., said he had no doubt
the Board would receive an announcement of so
melancholy a nature with deep regret, for if at any
time they needed the wisdom, prudence, and judg-
ment of their chairman, it Was at present. He
moved—"
That this Board receives ith great re-
gret the Chairman's announcement of the state of
his health', caused in a great degree by his devotion
to the public service, and hopes that his temporary
release will prove effectual in his restoration to that
career of usefulness which he has so long pursued
with so much advantage to the Board and the rate-
payers of the metropolis." Mr. Bristow, M.P.,
seconded the motion. It was put and carried une.-
mously, as was a subsequent resolution, TI• at it
be referred to the Main Drainage Committee to make
arrangpmpnts during the absence of the chairman!'
Various recommendations of the Building Com-
mittee were adopted. The board adjourned.

THE MONTH OF MAY.— Who dons not hail the
month of May, espeeially the whole tribe of honest anglers ?
What a charming time it is for the enjoyment of the coun-
try. While anglers are preparing their rods, lines, and
flies for their anticipated sport, let us walkout this beautiful
May evening, calm and peaceful as it is, and view the
moonbeams glittering on the winding stream—see the trouts
rise on its surface, and let us inhale the perfume of the
fresh mown grass, and the sweet scent of the hawthorn
bushes.as they w
listenLetusarle in
b tothydeornesponsive songs of the night-
ingaleser
"bosky bourn." Most
enchanting are the sunsets at this time of the year. Batt it
is now evening, and amongst the objects to be noticed one
of the most interesting is the glow-worm. Examine it.
How it sparkles even in the moonlight, and looks, as one
of our poets called it, a " moving diamond." The morning
sun will, however, extinguish its Iamp.—EDWARD JESSE in
Once a Week.

A girl at a party was asked what made her face
look so red, She replied, those horrid chaps.