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of Cuvier. This accurate naturalist has, however, separated them consequence of a peculiarity observable in their teeth, from which he derives the name-λopos, signifying a crest; and odwy, a tooth. The remains of the Lophiodon have been found in such numbers and variety on the Continent, that twelve distinct species are pretty well determined; one of them, having attained the gigantic length of nine French-feet. The debris are for the most part enveloped in rocks or earth.

THE SERAB.

"And the parched ground (W) shall become a pool; and the thirsty land, springs of water."-Isaiah xxxv. 7.

THERE is mention made in the 34th chapter of the Koran, of the vapour Serab, and the unbeliever is compared to it. It occurs also in the Bible (Is. xxxv. 7), and has been explained by almost all travellers and commentators, (See Lowth in loc.) Serab is that false appearance which, in the eastern countries, is often seen in sandy plains about noon, resembling a large lake of water in motion, and is caused by the reverberation of the sun-beams, or the quivering and undulating motion of the quick successions of vapour and exhalations extracted by the sun. The Arabic proverb-" The world is like the vapour Serab," is very just, and possesses a singular beauty of which those who have seen the appearance in question, and know the world, can best judge.-Fragments of Oriental Literature.

A LODGE IN A GARDEN.

"It is written in Isaiah i. 8, The daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers.' Vines are of course not much planted in Egypt since the reign of Mahometanism, which forbids the use of wine; but the 'lodges' may still be seen in their gardens and orchards. These are formed of the branches of trees and a slight thatch, being usually of such small dimensions that the keeper can just crawl in and sit or lie down after the eastern fashion. Mournful, indeed, must have been the state of Jerusalem, if all her greatness and glory were reduced to the semblance of so frail and humble a tabernacle!

EASTERN HIGHWAYS.

But

"I was much struck with the narrowness of the high-roads, and the shocking state of disrepair in which they are suffered to remain; and several passages of scripture came to my mind, as being here finely illustrated. Foremost was that of Balaam and his ass. Many, like myself, have wondered how a public way could be so narrow as not to admit of a man passing by an ass; as it is written, 'But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side; and the angel of the Lord went farther, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left; and the ass fell down,' &c. (See Numbers xxii. 24.) in this neighbourhood, a complete picture of such a place was frequently set before my view. The gardens and orchards are embanked, so as to prevent the soil from being washed away by the heavy rains which fall twice a year; and the road between them is generally only a few feet wide, being in some places so narrow that two asses could not pass each other; and much less could a loaded beast pass by a man standing in the middle of the path. The roads are also full of stones; no care whatever being taken to clear away those hindrances which the rain washes down into them; so that the greatest circumspection is requisite for a foot-passenger, lest he stumble and fall; a circumstance which gives much force to the promise made in Psalm xci:, that God's angels' shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.' The ways are frequently so steep, that flights of stairs are made in them; and the beasts have to go up and down the steps with burdens upon their backs; and as the whole country is very mountainous and destitute of level roads, horses are rarely used, in comparison with asses and mules; the latter, which are of a superior breed, being much more sure-footed than the former. This fact accounts for the prophets and great men riding upon what we should esteem an inferior kind of animal, though actually more highly prized in such hilly districts. Fine horses are, however, used by grandees in their cities and plains."-Mac Brair.

DEISM.

Deism is the half-way-house to atheism.-Maxwell.

POETRY.

THE CHRISTIAN'S MOTTO.

"I am thine."-PSALM cxix. v. 94.

I am thine! How sweet the thought
When my heart with grief is fraught,
And the clouds of sorrow roll
Darkly o'er my trembling soul,
Then by faith, I look above,
Trace in all, the hand of love.
Stormy days perhaps are near,-
I am thine! why should I fear?
I am thine! In brightest hours
When my path is strewed with flow'rs;
Oh! the thought, that all I share
Proves my Father's tender care;
That through Jesus reconciled,
He upon my soul hath smiled,
Sweetens every earthly bliss,
Yields the purest happiness.

I am thine! by matchless grace
Meetened for the heavenly race,
Purchased with the costly price
Of my Saviour's sacrifice.
Gratefully thy claims I own,
Feel that I am thine alone:
All I am, and have, shall be
Consecrated, Lord, to thee.
I am thine! for ever thine,
For thy love knows no decline;
Doubtful might my safety prove,
If it rested on my love.

That might droop, apart from thee,
Thou the same must ever be,
Oh! 'tis sweet that thou art mine,
Sweeter still that I am thine.

I am thine! when death is near,
This shall banish every fear;
This shall chase away the gloom
Wreathed around the opening tomb.

179

Brighton.

Clothed in the resplendent dress
Of my Saviour's righteousness,
Calmly, I my soul resign,

Gently whispering, I am thine!

H. M. W.

NOT OF US.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."-2 COR. iv. 7.

WHEN Paul stood forth with dauntless zeal
The Gospel's holy truths to preach,
He scorned its doctrines to reveal

With winning excellence of speech;
The Sent of God, whose single eye
Swerved neither to the left nor right,
Led by the Spirit, faithfully

Bore witness to the promised light,
Content to be the "VOICE" alone
That made his Master's purpose known.

No names of dazzling majesty

On "David's Lord" the seer conferr'd,
When fearfully his hallowed cry

Foretold the kingdom of the WORD.—
Oh! where is human boasting then?
If these ambassadors of Heaven
Esteemed themselves to be but men,

To whom this only grace was given,-
A will to make God's counsel known,
And in his honors veil their own.

SAFE AND SEASONABLE.

WHEN Some who lead us, cause the soul to err,
Whom shall we hear; or which new light prefer?
Which? that which stops the mouth, and bids us fall
Before the Cross, and own that CHRIST IS ALL.

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