en
the salts will re-crystallize, each kind preserving its own proper form
and color. Some occur in groups, some as single crystals. If carefully
protected from dust, these form extremely pretty ornaments for the
parlor.

_Alum Baskets._

These may be prepared by dissolving alum in water in such quantity that
at last the water can take up no more, and the undissolved alum lies at
the bottom of the vessel. The solution thus obtained is called a
saturated one. Then procure a common ornamental wire basket, and suspend
it in the solution, so as to be well covered in every part. There should
be twice as much solution as will cover the basket. The wires of the
basket should be wound with worsted, so that the surface may be rough.
Leave it undisturbed in the solution, and gradually the crystals will
form all over the surface. Before putting in the basket, it is best to
further strengthen the solution by boiling it down to one half, after
which it should be strained.

_The Lead-Tree._

Dissolve half an ounce of acetate of lead in six ounces of water. The
solution will be turbid, so clarify it with a few drops of acetic acid.
Now put the solution into a clean phial, nearly filling the phial.
Suspend in the solution, by means of a thread attached to the cork, a
piece of clean zinc wire. By degrees, the wire will become covered with
beautiful metallic spangles, like the foliage of a tree.

UN ALPHABET FRANCAIS.

PAR LAURA CAXTON.

[Illustration: A--ANNETTE A UN TRES JOLI PETIT AGNEAU]

[Illustration: B--BAPTISTE A UNE PAIRE DE GRANDES BOTTES]

[Illustration: C--CECILE EST CHARMEE DE FAIRE ROULER SON CERCEAU.]

[Illustration: D--DENIS PLEURE PARCEQU'IL A MAL AUX DENTS.]

[Illustration: E--EDOUARD VA GAIEMENT A L'ECOLE, AVEC SES LIVRES.]

[Illustration: F--FANCHON FAIT UNE CRAVATE POUR SON FRERE.]

[Illustration: G--GABRIELLE A ETE GRONDEE PAR SON GRAND-PERE.]

[Illustration: H--HENRI VA PATINER SUR LA GLACE PENDANT L'HIVER.]

[Illustration: I--ISABELLE EST UNE PAUVRE PETITE INVALIDE.]

[Illustration: J--JACQUES S'AMUSE TOUTE LA JOURNEE AVEC SES JOUJOUX.]

[Illustration: K--K EST LA LETTRE QUE JEAN TIENT SOUS LA MAIN.]

[Illustration: L--LOUISE DONNE DES LEGUMES A SES PETITS LAPINS.]

[Illustration: M--MARIE A DES MARGUERITES POUR SA CHERE MAMAN.]

[Illustration: N--NARCISSE A TROUVE DES OISEAUX DANS UN NID.]

[Illustration: O--OLIVIER, AVEC SON PARAPLUIE, N'A PAS PEUR DE L'ORAGE.]

[Illustratio