Year: 1866

! cient reason in some instances they properly


belong to different birds, but familiar names
and familiar observation is better at this stage


of our knowledge of Natural History than SCI


entifc classification. We must learn to distin-


gnsh objects in Natural History as we distin-
guish foreigners, neigbbors, and friends, by


their looks and ways, and new instances by
comparison with the known. Among the birds,
at least, there is not wanting to every variety
some well defined popularity in flight, nests,
food, or voice.


FACES ON A BATTLE FIELD.-The celebrated
eport of DR.. Chenu on the mortality caused
by war, contains some Interesting information
concerning the appearances presented by some
who die violent death on the field of battle.
One surgeon says, wandering over the battle field
of the Anna, on the third cay after The fight, he
observed with establishment a number of Russian
corp.es whose attitude and expression OF counte-
nance pecisely those of life. Some did GER
tainly present aspect which showed that they
had suffered severely just previous to dis
solution, but these were te in number compared
with those who wore calm and resigned ex-
preston, as thoug b they had passed away in the
act of prayer. Others had smile on their faces,
and looked if they were in the act OF speaking
One in particular attracted mis- special attention ;
he was lying partly on his side, his knees were





and pointing upward, his head thrown back,
and ne was apparently still pray ng-evidently he
10 the act of dong so at the moment when
death laid bis hand upon him. Another medical
relates that after the battle of InkerEann the
dead still wore a smile while others had threat
enng expression. Some lay stretched on their
backs as If friendly hands had prepared them for
burial. Some were still resting on one knee,
their hands grasping their muskets, In some in-
stances the cartridge remained between the teeth,
or the musket was held In one hand, ami the 9TH
er still upitted .s though 10 ward off blow,
or appealing to Heaven. The faces of all were
pale, though cut in marble. As the wind
swept across the battlefield it waved The hair and
gave the bodies such en- appearance Of life that
spectator could hardly help thinking they wera
about to rise 10 continue the fight.


Another surgeon describing the appearance Of
the corpses on the field of Magreta, ssys that
they furnish iUdubltabe proof that may
cease 10 exist without suffering the least pain.
Those struck on the aead generally lay with their
faces the ground. their limbs retaining the po-
slton they in at the instant they were
struck, and most of these still held their rifles
showing that when ball entered the brain il
causes such sudden contrae i0n OF the muscles
that there is not time for the hand to loose its
hold of the weapon before death. Another pc
culiarity observed in the of those who were
wounded IN the brain, was the suddenness with
which they died, even when suspected to be out of
danger During the battle of Solferino Iifs man
was wounded in the head by ball which passed
through the skull and buried itself in the brain.
His wound was dressed, and he stretched on
straw, his head resting on his knapsack, ike his
wounded comrades. He retained the full use of
his faculties. and chatted about his wound, almost
with Indifference, as he TILED his pipe and lsy
smoking it. Nevertheless, before lie had finished
it death came upon him, and be found lying
in the same attitude, with his pipe still between
his teeth. He had never uttered cry, given
any sign thst ne suffering pain