In the Jardin des Plantes, at Paris, is a sun-dial bearing this inscription: "Horas non numero nisi serenas" (I count only the sunny hours) - a pretty and appropriate motto. The merry mortal forgets that even sunny hours are numbered by a shadow 1

It is well to know and remember that iron railings should never be inserted into stone with lead; the action of the atmosphere keeps up a galvanic action between the two metals, ending soon in destruction. Zinc is better, and paint formed of the oxide of zinc preserves iron exposed to the atmosphere infinitely better than the ordinary paint, composed of oxide of lead. The new mode of immersing iron railings and wire in melted zinc, called galvanising it (which is an erroneous but convenient term), answers a very good purpose.

The electric light so mnch talked of lately, was tried on the Thames, to light the workmen employed on the new Westminster Bridge, and with a result that appears fatally objectionable. Its light produces shadows so very black, that the workmen were continually betrayed in their movements, and fell off the stages into the water.