have been already mentioned, and we shall therefore merely mention the Silkworm, the caterpillar of an Oriental moth, now naturalised throughout the civilised world, as another example of an Insect to which man is largely indebted.

An extensive group is called HEMIPTERA, or Half-wings, because the majority of them have the fore-wings curiously varied in texture, the basal portions being of a stiff leathery consistence, while the terminal part, separated from the former by an abrupt line, is thin and membranous. The vast tribe of Bugs comes here, all of them repulsive and disgusting from their rank pungent odour, but in many cases adorned with rich colours, and often bearing the most bizarre forms. Here, too, are usually placed, though distinguished by some entomologists, the insects which produce the lac of India, and the splendid dye called "cochineal" of tropical America. The sole possession of the latter insect was an object of jealous care with the government of the Spanish colonies, and so highly was it valued by other nations, that our own East India Company offered a reward of 60001. sterling to any one who should be so fortunate as to introduce it into their dominions. That object has been effected, and cochineal is now cultivated in many countries.

Finally (for we need not stop to describe the few parasitic, darkness-loving, uncomely insects that belong to the wingless orders), we have the order of DIPTERA, or Twowings, including the Gnats, the House and Flesh-flies, whose chief distinction is indicated in their name. This is a populous group, and many of its members display habits and instincts which are highly entertaining; perhaps none more so than those of the common Gnat, from the construction of its tiny boat of eggs, to its emergence from the water, empowered to suck our blood in its merciless practice of phlebotomy.

P. H. G.

A WEEK IN WURTEMBERG.

GERMANY is noted for its books, the annual publication of which has been estimated to equal in number that of France and England united. Leipzig, as is well known, is the great book-mart, the place where, at the periodical fairs, books are exchanged and thence become diffused through every province of Germany. But whilst Leipzig is the centre of circulation, Stuttgart enjoys a pre-eminence also, as one of the chief sources of production. The printing establishment of the Baron Cotta, which is so noted for the beauty as well as the number of its issues, we made the object of a special visit. Cotta's press is not open for the printing of books in general, but is exclusively employed for the works published by his own house. Yet, such is the magnitude of the trade which the enterprise of this one house has gathered around it, that we are induced to insert some of the statistics of its productions, with which its manager has kindly furnished us. The average daily printing is 110,000 sheets, or 220,000 impressions. This gives a yearly issue of upwards of 33,000,000 sheets, or 66,000,000 impressions. By extra work, extending the labour to 11 hours, as many as 300,000 impressions are frequently produced in a day. There are at all times many illustrated works on hand, which require the greatest care and nicety of execution. This renders the above returns smaller than they would otherwise be. The series of the "German Classics" bearing the name of the Cotta press, which is so well known by every German reader, is sufficient in itself to give employment to an immense establishment. The series extends to 570 sheets, and with a yearly issue of 40,000 copies, necessitates the printing of 22,800,000 sheets, or 45,600,000 impressions

COTTA'S PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT.

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annually. The establishment employs necessarily a large number of printing-machines: 1 four-feeder, 2 two-feeders, 7 double-cylinder machines, and 7 single, with 35 handpresses, comprise the working stock; 2000 cwt. of moveable type and 1500 cwt. of stereotype are, we are informed, in use. There is a second establishment at Augsburg, at which the celebrated "Allgemeine Zeitung" is printed. A type-foundry, and all the requisites for the purposes of stereotyping and of engraving, are attached to the establish

ment.

The number of hands in constant employment is 350.

We have already, in a former paper, given an account of the Mission Conference. On the following day we attended the Pastoral Conference. There were present upwards of 150 pastors, the best men in the Church of Würtemberg, with some few from the circumjacent provinces of Southern Germany. They sat, under the presidency of the venerable poet and pastor, Knapp, for four hours; the first half of the time being devoted to addresses, or rather conversational remarks, upon one or two questions of doctrine, suggested by the passages of Scripture read at the commencement, and the remainder of the meeting being engaged in the discussion of matters connected with the position of the Church and the progress of evangelic truth in Würtemberg.

Of such conferences as the above, two are held yearly in Stuttgart; and they are unquestionably the means of doing much, by bringing into personal intercourse those who are engaged in the same great work throughout the country, inciting them to enlarged usefulness and greater zeal, and enabling them at the same time to take counsel together as to the adoption of those measures for the furtherance of the Gospel, which can only be carried into execution by concerted action. Such conferences are numerous also in other parts of Germany, and have carried on their beneficial operation for a considerable period. To them in great measure

is due the rise of the Kirchentag, or great Diet of the Churches, which since the year 1848 has occupied the same position towards Germany generally, as a convention of their collective churches, which the Pastoral Conferences have occupied in relation to the individual countries or provinces in which they have existed.

The Prelate von Kapff, to whom we have referred, is one of the chief ornaments, not of Würtemberg alone, but of the Church of Germany. We met him at Frankfort, where he took a very prominent part in the Kirchentag, and again had the opportunity of seeing him in his own home at Stuttgart. His name is associated with much of what has been done in that city in recent years, to supply the spiritual wants of the population. The appointments in the church being all made by a state power which has scarcely any disciplinary authority, and in the Consistory of which Government officials and even the Roman Catholic ecclesiastical dignities have a voice, it may be conceived that the preservation of true piety in Würtemberg has been due to something else than the care of church authorities. It has, indeed, for centuries been in the largest degree indebted to the existence of the "Pietist Meetings," meetings, that is, for the reading of the Scriptures and prayer, which have been held in private houses, amongst old and young, male and female, rich and poor, throughout the country, and through the instrumentality of which, whilst the men of intellect at Tübingen were entangled in the sophistries of a Rationalist philosophy, the light of the truth was sustained in the land and reflected back to the University, and a stream of holy influence perpetuated which has spread fertility and beauty throughout its course. These still continue very generally through the country; but to supply the wants of the Church in Stuttgart, for example, where other means are needed, a system of eldership has been established,

The

which has been productive of much beneficial result. larger churches have fifteen; the less important, a smaller number of these elders. Each elder has a deacon, who acts as his assistant. The city is divided into districts, and it is the duty of the elder, with his deacon, to visit from house to house, and especially to care for the sick and the poor, and to distribute the necessary assistance. A committee of the elders and the clergy forms the "Poor Commission," who co-operate in the distribution of the public alms. A smaller committee meets weekly to determine the relief which the so-called "Begging-Abolition Society" affords. This Society consists of 3000 families, and collects yearly 10,000 dollars. The payments are made by a general almoner, to whose office all beggars and necessitous persons are directed. This officer has a discretionary power to alleviate want by a small sum; but all further relief in money, bread, or otherwise, can only be given by consent of the committee. The system seems to operate well, and no begging is permitted in the

streets.

Independently of this, there are several Poor and Sick Societies. One,-"The Society of Noble Ladies,”— has 150 contributors and 15 ladies, who visit even amongst the cottages of the most destitute. Another,―a Sick Society,— has 15 male and 50 female visitors, who administer to the temporal and spiritual wants of the sick. There is also what is termed a "Sisters' Association," consisting of 50 young ladies, under 5 married superintendents. On the Sabbath, after the morning and afternoon services, they assemble a number of girls around them, whom they instruct, especially in biblical history and in singing. They visit also the homes of the children, and bring a useful influence to bear upon the parents. From time to time they are all assembled by the Prelate von Kapff for a children's service.

The meetings of the Young Men's Christian Association