tree. The side not shown in the illustration appears as does any ordinary piece of oak which grew near the bark, dark in color, and a little rough. A seam in the center shows where was the old wound. This in the healing process was the inside of the wood, while the side shown became the new wood, growing a new bark.

The man who found this "catface" was working on the red-oak log, and noticing a "raise" or growth on one side of it, sawed it off. He peeled the bark from it, and found this specimen of nature's wonderful art in healing. It might also be called "Wood-carving" by Nature." "Catfaces" are moderately common; that which makes this one of especial interest is its peculiar shape and markings. OLIVER SHURTLEFF.

Professor Ward, in his book "Disease in Plants," makes the claim that this is not so much a mode of healing an injury as a diseased condition resulting from the injury. The theory is that the tree tries to cure itself by starting a great number of buds at the point of injury. Each new bud begins to develop a shoot, but soon dies owing to lack of enough food supplies. New buds at the base of this repeat the process next year with the same result, and This each of these again in turn, and so on.

makes a large mass with wood-fibers running in every direction, thus producing the beautiful carved appearance. Professor Ward refers to such growths as burrs and knauers. They are also sometimes called burls or wood-warts. Certain big burls give lumber for veneer-the so-called curly, bird's-eye, or cat's-eye maple, etc., are familiar examples.

A STRANDED WHALE.

THIS picture represents a common finback whale, which stranded at Provincetown, Massa

THE STRANDED WHALE.

chusetts, a number of years ago. It is lying on its back. One of the boys is sitting on the flipper or pectoral fin, and the other is standing on the ridges of the chest which all the finback whales have and the humpbacks also, and are on that account called rorquals, meaning" the whales with reeds or pipes." At the extreme right is seen one of the flukes. The white streak close to the beach shows where the upper jaw is, and the rounded mass between it and the lower jaw is the tongue. You can see a little bit of the whalebone attached to the upper jaw.

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VERY TAME WATER FOWL.

OUR young folks will remember the article "Wild Ducks in Autumn" in November, 1905 Nature and Science. Under the heading the editor put this quotation from the Rev. Herbert K. Job as to cultivating the tameness of water fowl:

"Why should not the great nature-loving public find also interesting and instructive the lives and ways of the water-fowl? In times past these have been thought of largely as targets for the gun. Perhaps they will pardon me for laying bare their lives to scrutiny, as I pro

test to them, upon the first occasion of our future meeting, that I am trying to raise up friends for them - not foes. It will mark a new era in our civilization when the now persecuted wild-fowl can alight at the village pond and feed in peace, the object only of friendly admiration."

Since that number was published the editor had opportunity in Avalon, California, of cultivating an intimate and friendly acquaintance with the gulls of that beach. A large bag full of bread was obtained at the hotel and afforded much amusement in feeding these huge water birds. The gulls, though apparently heavy, clumsy birds, showed skill and quickness in catching the crumbs.

At the right (not shown in the illustration) was a California sea lion swimming toward the shore. He was loudly roaring for a fair share in the distribution of good things.

accept it. He was also offered one thousand dollars for the removal of the vine to the Mid-Winter Exposition. He would not listen to this offer any more than

the first.

Many receptions, luncheons and meetings have been held, neath the shade of the many beautiful, spreading leaves and branches of this grapevine. About three months ago a Christian Endeavor and Epworth League convention was held at Carpinteria, under the big grapevine. People from all over the state of California were there as delegates. The first election was held there over thirty years ago. It was the first election ever held in Carpinteria. Tourists from all around come here to see and to take photographs of the largest grapevine in the world. There is plenty of room for eight hundred people to stand comfortably

under it.

Mr. Jacob Wilson is an old pioneer, an aged and very feeble man, living a lonely life by himself in the old tumble-down cottage partly covered with a mass of leaves, branches and tendrils of the great vine, "La Para Grande." He has lived by himself until lately, as he now has succeeded in renting his house to a family of hard working people.

There was once a larger grapevine in Montesiti, a town about nine miles from here, but it died and was removed, leaving Carpinteria the honor of the "La Para Grande."

Many barrels of wine have been made from the grapes from this great vine.

Hoping that your readers will be interested by this account of the largest grapevine in the world, "La Para Grande," I am, FLOSSIE RASOR (age 14).

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Your little friend,

I invited the girls and boys of Carpinteria. write me regarding this grapevine, and offered as a prize a year's subscription to St. Nicholas for the best description written by a girl, also for the best by a boy. A large number of letters were received. The best from a girl was from Miss Flossie Rasor (published above). That written by Miss Wilma Frances Youngman was almost as good and is entitled to honorary mention.

The best letter from a boy was by Master Jack Bailard. His letter is not published because he mentions no details of history or description not contained in the more extended

letter from Miss Rasor.

At my request, Mr. George G. McLean took the accompanying photograph of Miss Rasor and Master Bailard by the big vine that they had so excellently described. He writes: "It to go took fifteen copies of St. Nicholas around the trunk of the vine."