THE PIG, THE DONKEY, AND THE DOG. 85

Fig. A shows three perfect circles, none of which is |
zoncentric with or tangent to the others, and seven |
imperfect ares; of:-which it is to be remarked that the |
centres all lie in one straight line, with the exception of |
the two small ares in the upper part of the figure.
Nearly all the mock suns are in the circumference of the
inner large circle.

| In regard to Fig. B, it is curious to observe how at
‘every point of intersection a mock sun appears. Con-
centric halos are very rare, yet there is on record a case
of four appearing together, with the sun as common
centre.

In Wature (June, 1870), there is an account of a
single oval mock sun within the attendant halo. In
regard to the height of these appearances the writer
observed, last spring, the sudden formation of a mock
sun, by the passage of a loose drift of cumulus cloud:
the wind was northerly at the time, and the pheno-
menon only lasted a minute or two. This seems to
prove that cumulus, as well as cirrhus, is at times
composed of ice crystals: but the motion of the cloud
c this occasion indicated an altitude of about three

miles.

In conclusion, it may be remarked that in no field of
‘Natural Philosophy is the prevalence of law, amid con-
flicting forces, more clearly seen than in the study of the |

| THE PIG, THE DONKEY, AND THE DOG.

| premises, for I don’t approve of your greedy ways. Iam
| often at work, and therefore feel happy and contented.

atmosphere. And there is also an attendant sense of
mystery, which, while it stimulates the inquirer, brings
to mind the frailty of man, and causes the devout student
to think upon the words of the Hebrew poet, “Thy
clouds drop fatness.’

Samvent Barper, F.M.S.

DISPUTE once arose between a pig, a
donkey, and a dog, which of the three
was the happiest.

“T certainly am,” said the pig, “for I
do nothing. My mistress gives me my
food regularly. I have a large common to wander over
at my will. I grub up plenty of earth-nuts when I
want them. Many a cabbage, potato, and turnip I pick
up by lounging around peoples’ gardens. When the
weather is warm, I lie in the sun, and sleep. When the
cold and the snow come, I get into my sty, and my
mistress is forced to find me food and shelter. Nobody,
I believe, can be as happy as a pig.”

“Stop,” said the donkey; “not so fast, friend pig.
How about your bacon? People don’t mind your being
lazy, provided you die soon. The fatter and lazier you
get, the sooner the butcher comes. No one can be so!
happy asa donkey. I can work if I like, and if I con't!
like, I can kick. Iam very fond of thistles, nettles, and
prickly plants, which nobody else seems to care for.)
This shows my good taste. Nobody can drive me, when}
I want to stand still. Nobody can make me gallop,
when I mean to walk. I can bear pain if they beat me,
for my hide is a thick one. People often take my part,
and say, ‘What a shame to illtreat a poor donkey!’
Sometimes our two-legged masters put donkeys into the
papers, and make a good deal of fuss about them; but;
nobody bothers much about pigs. There is nothing like
being a donkey for happiness.”

“You are both wrong, friends,” said the dog. “TI only |
of the three can be called really happy. I take care of|
my master’s house, and try and make myself useful to,
others. I often have to warn you, friend pig, off the

As to you, friend donkey, who do every thing in fits
and starts, you are always poor, and grumbling. Nobody
likes you, and few trust you. I have a good roof over
me, and plenty of food, for my mistress knows my value,
and treats me kindly.”

“Thank you, that will do,” said both pig and donkey
together. ‘ You know very well how to trumpet your
own praises, but you don’t know perhaps that you are
only a dog and a servant after all. Your friends pig and |
donkey are independent.”

So saying pig and donkey departed, the former
munching a decayed cabbage, and the latter eating a
fine prickly thistle.

How very hard it is to make pigs and donkeys under-

stand things, and how silly of dogs to speak of prin-

ciples to animals who have not first been taught to |

comprehend them.