The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-09-26
GENERAL M1scErLArY.

Migratory Birds--"The Screen Sleepere. Seven
of the migratory birds wero formerly called
1.-THE Seven Sleepers,D because 1t was then sup
posed that many birds, which it is now we'll
known unquestionably migrate, retired to some
secure retreat, and there remained dormant
during the winter. Mr. Yarreil, in his excel
lent work on British birds, proves that the
common quail was the food of the Israelites in
the Wilderness. 1t is the only species that
migrates in enormous multitudes, or indeed
that migrates ut all. The instinct of the bird
was therefore made use of by the Almighty TO
supply the wants of His furnishing people !:
"and it affords, says. Mr.. Yarreli, &c proof of
the perpetuatiOn of instinct through a
period of three thousand years. Tt does not
pervade whole species, but that part of q
species existing within certain geographical
limits; an instinct characterized by {. pecu-
liarity, which modern observers have also no.
ticed, of making their migratory flight by
night. We read in the 10th chapter OF Exodus !:
And 1t came to pass that at even the quails
came up aud covered the camp Thus we $40
the most ancient of all historical works aud
natural history each throwing light on the
other. -
The Honda' Of the Human Hand.-The human
hand is beautifully and wonderfully formed !;
1t has so fine n sensibility, that sensiblity
governs its motions correctly, every effort of
the will is answered so instantly, as il the hand
itself were the seat of that will its actions
are so free, powerful and yet so delicate
that 1t seems to possess q quality instinct in
itself, and we use it as draw breath,
unconSclOusiy, and have lost all recollection of
the feeble and ill directed efforts of it's first ex-
ercise, by which it has been perfected. In the
hand are twenty-nine bones from the mechan-
ism of which result strength, mobility and
elasticity. On the length, strength, free lateral
motion and perfect mobilityaof the thumb, do
ponds the power of the hand, its strength being
equal to that OF all the fingers. Without the
heshy ball of the thumb, tho power of the fin
gers would avail nothing, and accordingly the
large ball formed by the muscles of the thumb
is the distinguishing character otthe human
hand.
j, Il
The paddle-wheel for boats rs seen on the Assy-
rian slabs, and in more than one old European
fresco. The bicycle see|ds to have been known
in China more than two centuries ago and the
velocipede was probably seen even before that
in Europe. Among the ancient painted glass
in and about the once noble church at Stoke
Pogts may be- seen the representation of n
young fellow+@ho is astride the mute but active
horse; he is working his way along with the
air of pider who has introduced novelty
aud is being looked at by admiring spectators.
The Be'loirs BloWer.-Not long ago there died
in Hull an organ bellows blower-one of those
Singular individuals who took great pride in
his aVocation. The ablest organ player in the
land could not think moro of his position or
capabilities than did this blower. On all occa-
sions of special organ performances he was
ready to give his assistance, under the impress
sion that the regular blower at the place of
performance was not equal to the task. Local
organlsts, too, speak of the man as q remark
ably steady blower. However wheczy and i'm
perfect the bellows, he was sure to supply a
steady wind. Illness however, overlook him,
and as his end approached he was conscious of
it, and appeared to have only one want, and
that was that n bellows handle should be
placed by his side in the cotfin-a request which
was actually complied with.
That a AaR Hath one Rib Less Than q UomaR-
This is "a common conceit, derived from the
history of Genesis, wherein it stands delivered
that Eve framed out of a rib of Adam
whence it is concluded the sex of men still
wants that rib our father lost in Eve.
But this will not consist with reason or in
spection; for it we survey the skeleton of both
shall readily discover that u,cn and tconeR have
four-and-twenty ribs. And again,
though we concede that there wanted one rib
unto reason and common observation that his
posterity should want the same; for we observe
that mutilations are not transmitted from
father to son."