This alternation of generations, whereby the maternal animal does not meet with its resemblance in its own brood, but in its descendants of the second, third, or fourth generation, is totally different from what we see in the ordinary mode of reproduction, and not less distinct from what we call metamorphosis. In ordinary generation among mammalian animals, the young, at the earliest stage of its separate existence, so closely resembles the parent, that there is no difficulty in assigning it to its peculiar species. Birds, though produced from eggs by external incubation, present no intermediate stage of active life, but pass at once into the form of their respective progenitors. And so also with fishes the lowest of vertebrate classes: each speck of spawn passes in time into a perfect fish like its parent-presenting, it may be, very different aspects in its embryotic progress, but still retaining its individuality or oneness of existence. Such is the ordinary mode of reproduction; wonderful no doubt, and surpassingly beautiful in all its harmonies and relations, but not so strange as that of metamorphic life, and less startling still than that of alternate generation.

In metamorphosis, the animal passes through a circle of forms, often differing widely from one another, but still retaining the same vital principle or unity of existence. The successive forms are passively assumed; and in none, save the primitive parent, is there any reproductive or multiplying power. Take the frog, for example, which deposits its spawn in the wayside pool. Every speck or egg of this spawn becomes, under the proper conditions of moisture, temperature, and so forth, a tadpole, which is strictly aquatic; breathes by gills, sculls itself by an oar-like tail, and altogether presents a form so different from that of its parent frog, that no one could possibly predicate its original connexion. By and by an internal skeleton is formed, legs begin to appear, the tail drops off, the gills are replaced by internal lungs, and the tadpole passes into the perfect amphibious frog. Throughout this beautiful transformation everything has been passive, and limited to one exhibition of vitality -from the spawn arose the tadpole, from the tadpole the frog, in whom centered again the active power of reproduction. The tadpole might have been kept in the tadpole state for ages, without giving birth to other tadpoles; and therein consists one grand distinction between metamorphosis and alternate generation. To illustrate still farther, let us take another instance of metamorphosis. The common white butterfly drops its eggs on a cabbage leaf; from each of these, in a few days, springs a voracious caterpillar, having no feature in common with the maternal butterfly. A little longer, and the caterpillar instinctively seeks some sheltered crevice, becomes dormant, passes into a crysalis, which differs as widely from the caterpillar as it does from the butterfly; and from this crysalis springs in time the fluttering insect of another summer. Wonderful, again, but all limited and passive! Neither caterpillar nor crysalis could give birth to others of their kind: with the butterfly alone, of which the others were but metamorphosed forms, lay the power of increase.

Alternate generation differs from the preceding modes of reproduction, inasmuch as the several intermediate forms have the power of increase as well as the original parent. This curious phenomenon has as yet been traced with accuracy only in three or four animals, from which we may select for illustration the common 'jelly-fishes,'' sea-nettles,' or medusa of our own shores. These creatures are of a gelatinous consistence, very

An ovum, on its first escape from the parent, is a small roundish oblong body, floating freely in the water, but capable of locomotion, which is accomplished by means of innumerable cilia, or minute filaments, that cover its surface. By and by a small disk appears at one extremity, and by this it becomes immovably attached to some sea-weed or other substance. This is stage the first. In a few days the egg has become a polype, having a stalk of attachment, and a bell-shaped body, fringed with tentacula or filaments, by which it secures its food from the surrounding water. This is stage the second, in which it is a true polype, acting precisely as the hydra or fresh-water polype, and capable of increase by buds or gemmation. A little longer, and the body of the polype increases in length and thickness, and is marked by numerous transverse rings. These rings become lines of separation, little processes spring from their edges, the separation between the segments become more decided, and instead of a polype we have now a pile of cup-like bodies, seated within one another, each possessing a perfect life and individuality. This is stage the third. By and by the sections of the cup-like pile separate, each becomes a little fringed floater, like an inverted parasol; and from this stage (the fourth) they pass by degrees into perfect medusæ. We say a little fringed floater, for at this stage the creature is only a few lines long, while the full-grown medusa is a million times larger, often spanning a space of several fathoms with its tentacula, and swimming about freely in the ocean. Here, then, if there be no error in the observation, is one of the most curious transformations in nature. A medusa gives birth to a number of ova, which in time become polypes capable of multiplying themselves; and each polype separates into numerous cup-like creatures, which ultimately revert to true medusæ. Had the original ovum merely passed into a polypi-form, the polype into a cup-shaped creature, and this again into a medusa, the transformation would have been one of simple metamorphosis; but that the intermediate stages should be endowed with a power of reproduction, is that which constitutes the marvel.

Other examples of alternate generation might be added, as that of the corinya, or claviform polypes; the salpa, these curious molluscs which are often observed floating in chains of from twenty to fifty in number; and the trematoda—that is, the fluke or liver-worm, which inhabits the liver of sheep in peculiar situations, and especially in wet years, causing much sickness among those animals. Enough, however, has been given to exhibit the peculiar character of the phenomenon-a phenomenon the explanation of which at once enlarges our views of creation, and inculcates humility and caution. In strict philosophy, we cannot regard the medusa, the polype, and the cup-like creatures, as belonging to different species; they are part and parcel of one great specific circle, indispensably necessary to each other, and must

the treatise, however, experienced very harsh treatment at the hands of the great. The true 'Cosmopolitan' (the literary name of the individual), according to our author, was Alexander Seaton, who possessed an estate somewhere on the coast of Scotland at the com

mencement of the seventeenth century. In 1602, while travelling for his pleasure in Holland, accompanied by his wife, he called on a Dutch gentleman whom he had treated with hospitality in his own country; and in the course of this intimacy, had the imprudence to exhibit his skill in the art of transmutation. He pursued his travels to Basle, and afterwards found himself in Saxony; and on his route, so frequently repeated the same indiscretion, that his reputation as a living treasure could not fail to reach the ducal court. The consequence was, that he was seized and shut up in a tower.

The Duke of Saxony attempted to work upon him, first by promises, then by threats, then by torture; but all in vain. The unfortunate alchemist submitted in silence; and after having repeatedly burned his flesh and dislocated his limbs, his persecutors at length gave up active measures in despair, and trusted to the effect of protracted confinement. Michael Sandovigius, who resided at Cracow, was then in Saxony; and being himself addicted to the dangerous pursuit, heard with great interest of the adventure of Seaton. He obtained admission to his prison, and formed a plan for his deliverance, which he ultimately effected by making his guards drunk. He carried him and his wife to Cracow, and then demanded, as the price of his service, to be initiated in the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone. But Seaton, showing him his emaciated body, his shrunk nerves, and powerless limbs, replied that all these things he had endured rather than disclose a secret he had won by study and prayer. He presented him, however, with a portion of the precious powder, by means of which, if we are to believe our author, and not by any scientific merit of his own, Sandovigius became famous as an alchemist. Seaton soon after died; and the persevering friend, thinking there might be some chemical virtue even in his widow, married her, and by this means became possessed of the treatise attributed to his own pen by the ignorance of the learned.

'It is impossible,' says our author, 'to find anything less suspicious or more precise than the adventure which occurred to M. Helvetius of the Hague, first physician to the Prince of Orange, and ancestor of the learned and virtuous Helvetius.' The circumstance is related by the doctor himself. On the 27th December 1666, he received a visit from a person unknown to him, who had the appearance of a respectable Dutch citizen, and whose visit was prompted by a desire the stranger had to remove his doubts, or rather disbelief, by showing him a portion of the actual Philosopher's Stone, and of the precious metal it had created. The one was in an ivory box, and in the form of three metallic lumps, of a sulphur colour; and the other was worn upon his stomach, in fine plates of gold, covered with mysterious inscriptions. Dr Helvetius examined attentively the contents of the ivory box, which the adept informed him were sufficient to produce twenty tons of gold; and on this boast, he thought it could hardly be a dishonesty worth mentioning to pinch slily off a little particle with his thumb-nail. It was in vain, however; but he solicited the adept to make the projection before him the latter was satisfied with having convinced his eyes, and withdrew.

No sooner was his back turned, than the doctor sent for a crucible, and placing it eagerly on the fire, threw in a piece of lead, and when this was in fusion, projected (to use the proper Hermetic term) the stolen powder into the mass. The result was the instant evaporation of both lead and powder. The doctor was astonished; he thought he must have made some mistake in the manner of the projection; and when the adept returned

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some time after to ascertain what impression he had made, he besought him earnestly to give him even the smallest possible portion of the powder. This request was complied with after some difficulty; but with the advice to cover the particle with wax before projection, otherwise the volatile nature of the substance would cause everything to evaporate. Helvetius did as he was directed. He projected the powder thus prepared into six drachms of lead-which he thus converted instantaneously into pure gold! This gold was so pure, that it had the power of transmuting silver; and the prejudices of Dr Helvetius being now completely removed, he published in the following year his 'Vitulus Aureus,' in which the above incidents are related in full. A circumstance is mentioned by Father Kircher in his Mundus Subterraneus,' which may serve as a pendant to the above. About the time in which Helvetius was engaged in his experiments, another stranger called on one of the Jesuit's friends, who had been, ever since his youth, devoted to the Hermetic philosophy.

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'I see,' said the visitor, by your crucibles and furnaces what you are about. But you have no chanceyou will not succeed.'

Assist me, then,' replied the alchemist eagerly. You who talk so decisively must have some knowledge of the matter. Instruct me, and I will obey.'

'Agreed,' said the unknown- let us work together; but first take a pen, and write down the process as I describe it, that we may make no mistake."

So said, so done. The process was fairly written out; and then, with the paper before them, they set to work, and the pupil at length poured with his own hands from the retort a very brilliant oil, which congealed into a mass, and was then reduced to powder. This powder was projected into three hundred pounds of quicksilver, which was straightway converted into gold, much purer than any that was ever dug from the bowels of the earth. At this result the adept was wild with joy, but the stranger looked calmly on, as if the affair had been a matter of no moment.

'You can do nothing for me,' he said in reply to his professions of gratitude and offers of service. I am travelling to and fro for my own amusement; and although I am always ready to aid when I see people at a loss, I want no assistance in return.' The other intreated him at least to stay with him that night; but he would not consent: he must betake himself at once to his inn, naming it, and go to bed.

In the morning the adept went to inquire for him, but he was not known at that inn, nor at any other in the town. No human being but himself had ever seen him; he had utterly vanished-exhaled-evaporated!

'No matter,' thought the adept. Since I have the process in black and white, it signifies little what has become of the man. Three hundred pounds of gold! that is worth at least a hundred thousand crowns. It is a large sum; but it is nothing to what I may-must

and shall have! Let me to work.' And so saying, he spread out the paper before him, and proceeded to the manufacture of the wonderful powder. But he was not as yet so skilful as his teacher, or he was more careless, and the experiment failed. But this was only his first trial alone, and with an untroubled brow he began anew. What should disturb him? He had plenty of money, abundance of time, and an indomitable-avarice. But his second experiment was not more successful, nor his third, nor his fourth. The directions were distinct, the writing was plain—the fault must be in himself. And so, when the hundred thousand crowns were expended, he sold his property, acre by acre, piece by piece, and only stopped when he had no longer a coin for the insatiate crucible. At that moment he was seized with a religious terror, and ran to the Jesuits, who soon explained to him that the stranger was no other than the devil! But many were of a different opinion; and Father Kircher's publication of the circumstances occasioned a literary contest, which raged for a considerable time.

It was supposed that the miraculous powder, if used in another way, would prolong life to an indefinite period; and both these superstitions were derived immediately by the Europeans from the Arabians, although the alchemists professed that Egypt was the fountain of the occult philosophy, which they termed Hermetic, after Hermus or Thoth. However this may be, the very same delusions were productive of much more remarkable disorders in China several centuries before the Christian era. There the infatuation of the princes in their search after the 'Waters of Immortality' and the Philosopher's Stone was frequently one of the leading causes of political revolutions; and it was not only the profligate and depraved who were addicted to this fatal pursuit, but some of the wisest of the emperors. In Europe, however, alchemy, as the name implies, was merely an exalted chemistry, while in China it was the worship or propitiation of spirits. In the latter country it was believed that, in some distant islands (supposed to be Japan), where the people lived a thousand years, the waters of immortal life and boundless wealth were guarded by supernatural beings, and thither more than one deputation were sent by the credulous princes. The priests of Taou, being the great devil-worshippers, were of course the Chinese proprietors, so to speak, of this water, in which they succeeded in drowning the senses of so many of their imperial masters. In the year 133 before Christ, one of these mystics presented the emperor with the ingredients for composing the miraculous draught, telling him first to sacrifice to the spirits of the hearth, and then to throw some vermilion into the goblet, which would become gold, and this gold gave immortal life. The emperor brewed as he was directed, and drank; but feeling no stirrings of immortality within him, he took council of the other philosophers, who had each his own nostrum, consisting of particular sacrifices or temple-building. He tried them all by turns; till, every rite being performed, and every spirit propitiated, he was about to receive the reward of his magnificent labours. The goblet, however, was snatched from his lips by one of his indignant nobles, who drank off the draught. If I am immortal,' said he, your majesty cannot kill me; if I am not immortal, you will of course reward me for opening your eyes to so contemptible a

delusion.'

Twenty years afterwards, when this emperor, it may be supposed, who lived and spent so fast, was still more in need of the Water of Immortality and the art of making gold, he fell as blindly into the snare. An adventurer offered to proceed to the islands of the Immortals, and kidnap one of the inhabitants for his service; on which the imperial dupe (who, by the way, was one of the most talented and energetic of the famous dynasty of Tsin) raised him to the dignity of prince, gave him his daughter in marriage, and sent him forth on his journey to the sea-coast, escorted by the most distinguished nobles of the court. These individuals were not so credulous as their master. They watched the sage narrowly, and on taking leave of him, despatched some trusty spies to hover in his rear. He was traced to a certain mountain with an unpronounceable name, where he was welcomed by a banditti of brother philosophers, and the whole made the welkin ring with their joyous carousals for three or four months, till it was time to return from the islands of the Immortals. One of the gang was made to personate the kidnapped native, and fully instructed in the art of making gold; and in due time the learned cortège arrived in great state at the palace-preceded some few days by the spies. They were received by the emperor and his court as became their dignity; and when they had told their tale, and exhibited their man, the headsman, at a given signal, appeared upon the scene, and made them all immortal in a few minutes.

But to attempt to trace the Philosopher's Stone and Elixir Vitæ of Europe to Egypt, or China, or any other country, would be waste of time, for the superstition is part and parcel of human nature. In all ages the world

has run after some impossible good; and gold-making is one of the most widely diffused of its schemes, only because avarice is one of the most vulgar and universal of its passions.

SMALL COUNTRY PAPERS. We have on divers occasions alluded to the rise in Scotland of small monthly papers, published at no higher price than a penny, and designed principally to furnish a channel for local advertisements. In towns not sufficiently populous to support a weekly newspaper, these minor publications are found to be of considerable use; and being acceptable to readers, they are increasing in number, as well as improving in the quality of their contents. Yet how unequal are the talent and tact with which they are conducted! Some abound in original articles on literary subjects, which must have cost no small degree of labour; while others are filled chiefly with extracts, and exhibit few signs of earnest industry. On the whole, however, these papers are respectably conducted; for we see in them no ministering to mean passions, and few transgressions on the score of taste.

It would, we think, materially increase the usefulness of this interesting class of periodicals if their conductors, who are, for the most part, literary amateurs, were to condense from the metropolitan and other prints, in an original and attractive way, notices of valuable improvements in the arts and discoveries in science; likewise accounts of manufactures springing up in obscure situations through the force of some solitary but energetic to the neighbourhood. If there be a mechanics' institute, spirit-all with the view of imparting a mental stimulus or a mutual improvement society, it should be invited to publish its proceedings in brief. Questions in mathematics and mechanical science should also find a place, in order to excite the minds of youth; and this, we obWould not, likewise, a lady's corner,' with a few coserve, is done in one paper, 'The Alloa Advertiser.' nundrums, help to make the little paper a welcome

visitor at the farmers' firesides?

the cheap country papers is one called by the odd name One of the latest competitors for public favour among of The Pennyworth,' published at Arbroath. The Pennyworth' aspires to be more literary and original than most others of its class, and contains some writings which would by no means discredit periodicals of higher pretensions. We select the following little piece as a speci

men:

THE FUNERAL AT SEA.

when the surgeon of the ship, who had been in close atDeath had been for some days hourly looked for, and tendance on the sufferer, whispered to me that all was over, I felt in noway surprised. The little innocent, a beautiful boy of about four years old, was released from a world of sin and suffering. For weeks previous, the poor child had struggled against a disease which baffled medical skill. The devoted attention of two affectionate parents had been lavished on it in vain; and when the quiet spirit winged its flight to resume its place in another and a better world, I could not but regard the tiny body, beautiful as it was, otherwise than the prisonhouse of that soul which, after a brief but painful sojourn below, had ascended to the mansions of bliss, there to rest with its Father and its God. As I passed the cabin of its parents, when retiring to my own, the partially-suppressed sobbings of the mother were audible; and for some time after, the melancholy event having banished sleep, I could distinctly hear the sound of the father's voice as he slowly and solemnly prayed, that that Almighty Being who giveth and taketh away, would bend their hearts in submission to his will, and make them learn that it was good for them to be afflicted.

The father of the child thus early called to its account had, for a number of years, held a high civil appointment in the Bengal Presidency. His own health had suffered little from the effects of an eastern climate, but the decline of that of a beloved wife, and the alarming symptoms of early disease developed in his only and his dar