The humble bee is a clumsy looking creature, with which most people are acquainted. It builds its nest in hayfields, of moss. The way in which the bees collect this material is curious. One bee settles on a tuft of moss, with its head turned from the place where the nest is to be. It then tears off little bits with its teeth and fore legs, and passes them to the middle pair, and then to its hind legs, when it holds out the bunch of moss as far as it can, to another bee who is placed behind. This bee receives it, and in the same way passes it to the next, and so on till it reaches the nest. This is lined with coarse wax, and contains a few combs, clumsily made. The humble bee is tormented by a kind of mite, which sometimes is found upon them in great numbers. They have recourse to a most amusing contrivance to get rid of them. A humble bee thus tormented will go to an ant-hill, and then kick and scratch till the ants come out to see what is the matter. Before they drive their noisy visiter away, the ants seize upon these mites and carry them off as a prize, and the bee, as soon as it is set free from its enemies, flies away contented! HENRY IV., KING OF FRANCE.--This monarch always made his children call him papa and father, and not the usual ceremonious title of “sir,” or, “your majesty.” He used frequently to join in their amusements; and one day, as he was going on all-four’s, with the dauphin, his son, on his back, an ambassador entered his apartment suddenly, and surprised him in that attitude. The monarch, without moving from it, said to him, “Monsieur l’Ambassadeur, have you any children?” “Yes, sire,” replied he. “Very well then,” said the king, “I shall finish my race round my chamber.” * * * * * WOMEN.--Fontenelle being asked by a lord in waiting, at Versailles, what difference there was between a clock and a woman, instantly replied, “A clock serves to point out the hours, and a woman to make us forget them.” [Illustration] The several varieties of Dogs. The above engraving represents the most remarkable kinds of dogs. The following is a description of them, beginning at the left hand of the top row. 1. Irish Greyhound,--the largest species. 2. Newfoundland, web-footed, fond of the water, and remarkable for his sagacity. 3. Mastiff, a favorite as a guard. 4. Greyhound, the fleetest of all dogs. 5. Esquimaux, used to draw the sledges of the Esquimaux. 6. Large, rough water dog, used in hunting ducks. 7. Spanish pointer, a favorite with sportsmen. 8. Setter, a fine sporting dog. 9. Old English greyhound, now very scarce. 10. Bandog, a rare species, resembling the mastiff. 11. Shepherd’s dog, used in Europe for tending sheep. 12. Bull-dog, the fiercest of all dogs. 13. Cur-dog, active and sagacious. 14. Lurcher, used for killing hares and rabbits. 15. Fox-hound, used for pursuing foxes. 16. Harrier, strong and active. 17. Beagle, used in pursuing hares.