=Mountain Climbing.=—The advantages of mountain climbing are manifold. The weight of the body has to be carried up a certain height. To accomplish this the work of the muscles is increased; the breathing must be deeper to satisfy the increased demands for oxygen; fresh air is admitted into the apices of the lungs, which do not, as a rule, participate in respiration. A more powerful action of the heart takes place, but care must be taken that this is not carried too far. Slow climbing, without any unnecessary waste of energy and with appropriate pauses, to allow the heart to recover, is advantageous. One should not talk too much while climbing. The dress should be suitable; the neck must be free and the shoulders not heavily weighted, so that they may be drawn back and the chest fully expanded. =Swimming.=—Of all outdoor exercises for women, swimming is one of the most perfect. It not only calls into vigorous action most of the muscles of the body, but spares many of those muscles which are so commonly overworked, most of the work being performed by muscles which are so little used as to have become weak and flabby. For instance, the extensors of the fingers and the hand, that are so constantly stretched in sewing and writing, are in constant use in swimming, while the corresponding flexors, the slaves of the needle and the pen, are relaxed. Again, the muscles passing from the shoulder-blades to the trunk, on which depends much of the erect carriage and strength of the chest, which have become wasted from disuse while the woman sat at the desk or bent over her sewing, are the very muscles by which the movements of the upper half of the body are executed, while all the muscles of the lower extremity are brought into use. Of especial value is the free movement of the hip-joint, a joint that is seldom moved with any degree of freedom from the time a girl leaves climbing trees, unless she has the advantage of special gymnastic training. The vigorous action demanded of the respiratory muscles greatly increases the chest capacity. The body is lighter than the water, and is perfectly supported by it, so the weight is taken off the spine, and the muscles of the back are relieved from their normal state of tension. The head is the only part of the body that is held up by muscular action, and, in floating, even this is supported by the water. The disadvantages arise from the fact that the temperature of the water is very much below that of the body, so that there is a greatly increased conduction of heat from the body, and, unless this loss is made good by exercise, there is very great danger of a chill. In most persons a prolonged stay in cool or cold water produces a liability to cramp.