dence on printed rules, but paying
particular attention to the make of the weapon selected and thoroughly
acquainting themselves with its construction.

SCHUYLER.--1. A vacuum air-brake, of which there are several patterns,
is a kind of continuous brake, operated by exhausting the air from some
appliance under each car, and so causing the pressure of the atmosphere
to apply the brakes. 2. Nos. 4, 5, 13 and 17, Vol. IV are out of print.
3. After indulging in gymnastic exercises, it is said that the hands can
be kept in good condition by rubbing them with alcohol.

M.J.A. AND H.S.D.--Your kind appreciation of the issue in question gives
great pleasure to the publisher. There was no such number this year, in
so far as the illuminated cover is concerned; but in the matter of
stories, you will find that the contents of No. 5, of this volume, far
surpass any other devoted to Christmas literature. It is full to the
brim with good things well suited to the joyous season to which it is
dedicated.

ELECTRA.--1. If the directions for making electric motors presented in
No. 3 are followed to the letter, you will be successful, but, if
substitutions and alterations are made, the result will be that the
apparatus will prove useless. 2. It is not at all likely that the
company will interfere with the miniature telephone. 3. As the elements
in a Bunsen battery are immersed in sulphuric and nitric acids, it would
not he advisable to place it in a sleeping apartment.

C. OGDEN.--1. There are forty-four States in the Union. 2. The famous
River Nile is formed by the union of the Bahr-el-Abiad and the
Bahr-el-Azrek. The first of these, or the true Nile, has its source in
Lake Victoria Nyanza, and the second rises in Abyssinia. The Kagera and
Shimiyu rivers, and the waters that descend from the plateaux from which
rise the snowy peaks of Kenia and Kilimanjaro, unite to form that
wonderful fresh-water lake, Victoria Nyanza, which covers an area of
upwards of 40,000 square miles.

W.F.S.--1. Minorcas, Hamburgs or Leghorns are the best laying fowls,
while Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes or Langshans are the best to raise for
marketing purposes. 2. It will be found both cheaper and more
satisfactory to buy ready-prepared mocking-bird food from a dealer in
bird supplies or a druggist. The food for young mocking-birds should he
meal and milk, and occasionally finely-minced fresh meat. Grasshoppers,
spiders and meal-worms should be given to the old