pecial Notice on page 55._]

OUR LITTLE FOLKS' OWN PAGE.

PRIZE COMPETITION (Vol. XIX., p. 376).

FIRST PRIZE DESCRIPTION OF "RAINY DAY INDOOR OCCUPATIONS AT THE
SEA-SIDE."

While the weather is bright and warm, children seldom lack amusement
during their annual visit to the sea-side; but in this changeable
climate of ours rainy days often occur, when out-door recreation is
impossible, and little folk must be content to seek employment in the
house. Many boys and girls while enjoying the fine days give a thought
to these occasions, and lay in a store of matter for amusement in
readiness for the time when the somewhat limited pursuits of indoor
sea-side life will have lost their charms. It is a very good plan to
make a collection of shells, seaweeds, pebbles, and such marine
treasures while opportunities occur. These may be arranged and sorted at
leisure, and will afford employment for many idle hours.

One almost unfailing source of amusement, within the reach of every boy
and girl, is an aquarium. A great deal of pleasure and instruction will
be found in the study of its various little inmates--no matter if their
home consist of nothing more than a common earthenware pan. An
establishment of this kind, however, demands constant attention,
cleanliness and light being very necessary to the health of the fish.

Shells may be utilised in numerous pretty ways. If for a collection, the
arrangement and classification of each species form a very pleasant
employment. They may also be used to cover boxes, brackets, and such
small articles with very good effect.

Neither does their use end here, for they may be tied in neat bags, and
will then be gladly received by the secretaries of any Children's
Hospitals, for the benefit of the patients.

Seaweeds, if neatly mounted, make very pretty collections, and are
useful in the decoration of albums and Christmas cards. The easiest
method of preparation is to float them on paper, after allowing them to
expand in a basin of water. No gumming is required, but the larger
specimens may be further secured by strips of paper pasted across the
principal parts, after they have been thoroughly dried and pressed. They
may be arranged in books like plants, the proper name and that of its
locality being assigned to each variety.

Some boys seem to think it worth while to polish the pretty pebbles
which are found on some shores, but this process is both tedious and
unprofitable. I