my return I saw him in the act of backing out of his shell. It was a singular circumstance that I should have just risen from the perusal of a talented author, who informed me that the crab hitches one of its claws into some crack or fissure, and from this point of resistance gives more power in emerging and withdrawing itself from between the carapace and the tail.'

66

Certainly no statement could more inadequately describe what I had witnessed in both my crabs. Not only was the whole operation performed with perfect ease, but I am much inclined to believe with a degree of pleasure. For a while one of my crabs stood in juxtaposition to the shadow of its former self, and rubbed his antennæ and wee peeping eyes as if awakening from a sleep. He had been lately, there was no doubt, living in an oppressed state, and might probably have surveyed things around him somewhat darkly, but now all was bright and clear again. On turning, the first object that caught his awakened eye was his cast-off vestment, which he seemed to scan as dubiously as a grown man would an exhumed pair of boyish corduroys, and mutter musingly, while stroking his chin, 'Well, come what will, it can never be my case again.'

"On taking it in my hand, the Partane felt quite soft and velvetty to the touch, and exhibited no signs of alarm.

"Since then I have repeatedly had shells of crabs cast in smooth glass globes containing nothing else but clear salt water. This fact, in my opinion, completely subverts the statements of certain writers, who assert that these animals require extraneous assistance when about to exuviate.

"Some writers have questioned the truth of the generally-received opinion that the new parts of the crab are derived from the old: that, for instance, a claw is regenerated within a claw, a limb within a limb, eyes within the eyes, and that on exuviation each is withdrawn from the pre-existing organ as from a sheath. But my operations tend fully to confirm the popular and existing belief.

6

"There is yet one curious point connected with this subject which requires explanation, as it is not generally undertood. I allude to the apparent disproportionate smallness of the glassy bag,' situated at the stump, as compared with the size of the regenerated limb, which is supposed to be folded up within the bag previous to exuviation. On looking at the newly-formed member, we can scarcely believe it possible that the transparent case could by any possibility have held it. The mystery vanishes if the new limb or claw be examined; for, although in shape it is perfect, even to the most minute particular, it remains for a certain period comparatively useless to the animal, from the fact of its being utterly devoid of flesh.

"The new limb, therefore, can be considered merely as an expanded case, which, by a wonderful law of nature, becomes slowly filled up and completed. Immediately after exuviation has taken place, and a claw is introduced in the place of some mutilated stump, if any one will pull off the new member, he can readily confirm the truth of what I have stated, and, moreover, be able to test into how very small bulk the new limb may be rolled.

"As the reader may remember, Goldsmith states that the crab casts its shell 'regularly once a year, at the beginning of May.' Professor Owen fixes the date in the month of August. Professor Bell states, that there is no doubt exuviation takes place annually with great regularity, until the growth is completed, which, in many species, is not before the animal is many years old.' Another professor, treating on the same subject, thus writes, 'We are told that all this coat of mail is annually thrown off in a single piece by the contained animal,the great proficient in Chinese puzzles may well be posed at this greater puzzle.' In fact, all writers whose works I have had opportunity of examining repeat the statement. Mr. Ball, who writes from personal observation, apparently confirms beyond a doubt, the annual moult of Crustacea. This gentleman, we learn, kept a Cray-fish alive for two years in a vase, and found that during each year its exuvium was shed but once.

"It may readily be believed, with such a formidable array of contrary evi

dence, that I offer my own observations with modesty. But at the same time, I feel justified in confidently stating that the moult of the crab (in its comparatively youthful state, at all events) takes place not only once, but many times during each year of its existence. My specimens may, perhaps, be considered exceptions to the general rule, but the facts I relate cannot by any possibility admit of doubt. The cast off shells lie before me as I write. "Here is a set of three belonging to the same animal, exhibiting with marvellous exactness the gradual development of a broken claw. In the first the member appears very diminutive, in the second it is nearly twice its size, while in the third it has advanced to its natural form and bulk. To my regret, I cannot state the exact period that elasped between each successive moult, but I am confident that the trio were cast in the course of a very few months.

"I may here take the liberty of informing the uninitiated, that the appearance of the above objects is extremely pleasing; for, as the exuvium becomes dry, its color changes to a bright scarlet, somewhat resembling that which the crab assumes when placed for a time in boiling water.”

IX.-OPEN COUNCIL.

[As these pages are intended for general discussion, the Editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed.]

MADAM,

To the Editor of the English Woman's Journal.

Will you allow me to offer a few words of explanation in reference to the letter from Miss Faithfull in the last number of your Journal?

In my endeavor to condense within the limits of the short letter published in July, I have, I fear, made my meaning obscure upon the question of the handling by compositors of heated type.

I intended to refer to the heated state of the type, not to that of the hands of the operatives.

I have forwarded to Miss Faithfull copies of the Journal of the Institute of Actuaries containing my Paper on the subject, by which she will see that my caution had reference to the practice which obtains among some printers of drying the types when wet-and it is necessary that they should be wetted, for in that state they can be more easily distributed-upon a stove, and of using them again before they are quite cool, with the view, of course, to save time, particularly in small establishments which do not possess a large stock of type. The result of this injudicious practice is paralysis of the hands and

arms.

The heat of the hands, I apprehend, would have but a slight effect in generating antimonious fumes; at the same time, the frequent cooling of the hands and arms by thoroughly washing them in cold water would doubtless be a safe and easy precautionary measure.

I may mention, in connexion with this subject, a fact which I believe is not very generally known, viz., that the lead of which type is in a great measure composed is affected no less by alkaline than by acid solutions, and great care should therefore be taken that the lye-which is an alkaline mixture composed of potash, pearl-ash, and soda-with which the types are cleaned should be well washed away with cold water.

It would, of course, be preferable to use some preparation-if any could be suggested-which, while acting equally well on the printing-ink, might be free from this objection.

To show the extreme solubility of lead in alkali, I may state that chlorate

of potash, if kept in white glass vessels, which all contain lead, will soon be found to be impregnated with that metal, so much so, that it is found necessary in laboratories to keep certain alkalies in vessels of green glass, which contains iron and no lead in its composition.

Miss Faithfull will see on perusal of my Paper, that I have not failed to refer to the effect of printing operations on the eyes. The weakness of sight of compositors, however, is caused, I imagine, no less by the close application to minute type than by the snuff often taken, for the reasons explained in the Paper, by this class of workmen; and with this evil she will not be likely, in the Victoria Printing Office, to have to contend.

In conclusion, I beg to express my sense of the deep obligations the public owe to that lady for her successful efforts in opening up to females so suitable and remunerative an employment as that afforded in a printing office conducted in such a manner as the Victoria Press under Miss Faithfull's management is likely to be.

I have the honor to be, Madam,
Your obedient servant,

26, St. George's Square, Regent's Park, 3rd August, 1860.

H. W. PORTER.

P.S.-I may take this opportunity of pointing out that the name of Dr. Guy, in my last letter to you, was erroneously printed Gay.-H. W. P.

MADAM,

To the Editor of the English Woman's Journal.

Allow me to ask room in the ENGLISH WOMAN'S JOURNAL for the accompanying notice of the "Penny Readings in Ipswich."

I mention that town because there the plan seems to have been more than usually successful, probably on account of the earnestness with which it has been begun and continued; persons of all classes have manifested their interest and contributed their help.

Why should not ladies assist in this work also? An opportunity would then present itself for the diffusion of knowledge on any subject they deemed most important, and many would in this manner receive instruction who would perhaps obtain it in no other way.

The exercise of any talents we possess, the extension of information we may have acquired, is a duty, a debt we owe to society. May I then ask your help in offering this suggestion to the many earnest-hearted women who are anxious to do their part in this busy worktime in which we live. Yours truly,

BESSIE INGLIS.

London, August 13, 1860.

"IPSWICH PENNY READINGS.

"(From the Ipswich Express.)

"At the close of the Second Session of the Ipswich Penny Readings, the managers rejoice to be able to report the continued success of this new attempt at rational recreation. It would be tedious to enumerate all the persons and institutions that have written for and received information on the subject; but it may be stated that no less than fifty copies of the report of the First Session have been sent to various places; and the Managers have had the pleasure of hearing that, wherever the scheme has been fairly worked, success has been the result. They cannot too often repeat, that its essential feature is to furnish a variety of readings, and, where possible, readers, on the same evening.

"Besides the payment of rent, printing, and other incidental expenses, the readings have realized, during the last three months, for

The Suffolk Hospital

The Shipwrecked Seamen's Society
The Ragged School

Making a total of

"For the Shipwrecked Seamen's Society the managers are happy to learn that a further and much more considerable sum was raised by a reading, at high prices of admission, given at the Corn Exchange, but in which, consistently with a feeling of fair play and equal justice to the other charities, the managers and many of the readers felt that they could not take part.

"As far as the Mechanics' Institution is concerned, it ought not to be forgotten that, in various ways, nearly £42 have been added to its funds by these readings, at a period when a heavy outlay was unavoidable.

"The financial report of the Second Session is appended.

"The managers hope in the autumn to resume the Penny Readings with increased efficiency and usefulness.

To the Editor of the English Woman's Journal. PROTESTANT ORPHAN SOCIETIES OF IRELAND.-THE INDUSTRIAL EMPLOY

MADAM,

MENT OF WOMEN.

In the recent publication of my Essays on the moral aspects of Reform in the Constitution, I had occasion to advert very prominently to this topic, dwelling on the aspects of the Social Evil; and, as I have received letters of thanks for those efforts from two of the leading metropolitan societies for the protection of women,-the same having been now publicly noticed by literary organs and the press,-I think it is only right to give some notice to a recent, very noble Institution in my own city, which I had not an opportunity in my work of doing.

I advert to the Institution, No. 101, Stephen's Green, South, in Dublin, which has been set on foot, through the benevolent exertions of some ladies, for training female servants in connexion with the Protestant Orphan Societies of Ireland." Believing that this Institution presents a nucleus for valuable extension in connexion with the industrial advance and elevation,

and the general interests of women, I do the more cheerfully comply with the wish which was expressed to me by an interested friend to the Institution, to bring its noble intent and labors under the notice of the public. But let its own Report speak for it :

"The first object of this Institution is, to act in connexion with the Protestant Orphan Societies in the different counties in Ireland, in which no training school previously existed; and to offer to the orphans not only a home and instruction, but also superintendence, from the time of their admission, till they have attained the age of 21 years. The young people are kept at the Institution under training for a year, during which time habits of order and industry are carefully cultivated; and, when placed in situations, they are still under the superintendence of the ladies, who correspond with them, receive them again when out of situation, take up their character, and keep a registry of their conduct, which, at the end of the period above named, will be forwarded to the secretary of the committees from which the orphans were originally received. They will thus have the protection of friends, a house, and advice, during their early years of service, and a sufficient time allowed for them to become thoroughly acquainted with the business to which they have devoted themselves. While at the Institution, they are improved in needlework taught to wash, bake bread, and do the general work of a house, and instructed in the kitchen by an experienced cook. Their religious instruction is likewise carefully attended to. An apprentice fee of £8 is to be sent to the Institution with each girl.

"The second object of the Institution is, to extend its benefits to young Protestant girls in general, who, when well recommended, are received upon the same terms as the orphans, should there not be a sufficient number of these to fill the house. There is likewise an advanced class, principally connected with the cooking department, in which young women between the ages of 18 and 25 are received, and instructed for six months, upon paying a fee of £6. There is also a provision made for receiving a class of deaf and dumb girls, who have been educated at Claremont, with a view of preparing them to act as laundresses. For the purpose of instructing the girls, there have been a public laundry, bake-house, and restaurant connected with the Institution. Without these, the object of it, which is the training of the girls in the different departments of service, could not be carried out."

I see a field, a nucleus for valuable extension in this Institution. It shields and shelters orphan women, in the time of greatest danger to their temporal and their spiritual constitution. It instructs, and gives them skill to make an independent living-a solid gift, the germ of independent living. While, to the public and community of a city, it supplies a servant population, taught in morals, and respectable-tried, and capable of being trusted. Let it branch out. Let all denominations have their homes for humbler women's industrial culture; and let the merciful in mercy aid, to shield the innocence of woman's youth from lawless lust of men.

It is my earnest hope, that every city of the empire may yet be so provided. It is my earnest hope, they may by all denominations be supported -supported both by contribution for their first and necessary outlay, and supported by the custom of the local public, that, after that, they may be self-supporting. The education for the house and kitchen may, then, be easily extended. Why should they have no more display of shop, but the café and confectionary, and the restaurant? Many arts might be communicated to women; and the scope of the industrial employment of the sex widened and more largely extended, by such Institutions in the country working in the spheres of their benevolent action.

I have no faith that men will ever work benevolent work, to emancipate woman. But I hail the effort that is made by women. I know the law of life, the law which universally works in life,—that every utilitarian effort which is made to serve a class, or any classes, must be practically worked by themselves. I hail the effort which is made by women, this effort by my country