d
his cleverness. On the day after his arrival he began to make such a
noise that it was thought he was hungry, and the _ayah_, or nurse, was
told to feed him. He was then heard to say "Mina wants his dinner."
After he had had some food he said "Mina wants clean water." He calls
out "Ayah" and "Boy," so naturally that at first the servants thought it
was their master calling them. One day he created some amusement by
crying out "Mina wants his breakfast dinner." It appeared he had already
had some bread and milk, and being doubtful as to which meal he ought to
ask for, gave an order comprehensive enough to include both meals, so as
to make sure of one. He is dainty, and will eat only particular food.
One day his curry and rice contained plenty of rice but not much curry,
whereupon his dissatisfaction was promptly evinced by a shout of "No
curry." He gave evidence of soon becoming an excellent linguist, and had
acquired a knowledge of some of the native tongues.

An Historical Cocoa-Plant.

In a greenhouse belonging to the Royal Botanic Society there is a
cocoa-plant which has achieved greatness, for it has actually borne
fruit, and is, according to Professor Bentley, the first that has done
so in England. The fruit gave evidence of reaching maturity and of
ripening its seeds. Linnaeus called cocoa "Theobroma," by which he meant
to imply that it was food for the gods, but Belzoni, writing in the
sixteenth century, regarded it as fitter for pigs than for men. Readers
will be able to decide this knotty point for themselves, despite the
proverbial difficulty of deciding when doctors disagree. Sixty years ago
the annual consumption of cocoa amounted to only a quarter of a million
pounds, but now it has reached a total of probably not less than twelve
millions of pounds.

The International Health Exhibition.

The great Health Show which was opened in May has already proved itself
to be the most prominent feature of the London summer season. It
embraces a display of everything even remotely connected with Health,
and a more interesting and attractive collection it would be impossible
to form. Appealing, as it does, to the taste of all ages, its variety is
certainly charming. Nor is it without its educational value, as the
"bits" of Old London, the historical costumes, and the trades in
operation, abundantly testify. And not the least pleasing circumstance
is that those very exhibits which are of an instructive characte