A. The author has been accused of partiality for his hero, but it is up to the average of reliability of such books. Q. How far back does the oldest record of the Chinese extend? A. The history of China dates back nearly 5000 years, but up to the year 2207 it is of a mythical character. Q. Will you please inform me to what zoölogical class the starfish belongs, and give some of its habits. A. The starfish belongs to the class of echinoderms, and the order asterioids. The zoölogical name is _asterias rubens_. A famous English anatomist says starfishes may be considered as mere walking stomachs, their office in the economy of nature being to devour all kinds of garbage which would otherwise accumulate on the shores; they eat also live crustaceans, mollusks, and even small fish, and are believed to be very destructive to oysters. Q. Is it true that the Methodist Episcopal Church forbids its ministers the use of tobacco? A. See discipline questions asked candidates for admission. They are required to answer the question, but the conference may admit them even though the question be answered negatively. BOOKS RECEIVED. CASSELL, PETTER, GALPIN & CO.: “Wild Animals and Birds, Haunts and Habits.” For children the following books contain wholesome reading. They are elegantly bound and handsomely illustrated: “Papa’s Little Daughters;” “Boots at the Holly Tree Inn;” “Two Tea Parties;” “The Mother Goose Goslings;” “Little Folks;” “Fred Bradford’s Debt;” “Bo Peep;” “Living Pages From Many Ages.” Parents or friends desiring handsome books for holiday presents to children will be sure to get what they want in the above list. CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS, New York, publish “History of the Christian Church,” vol. I, by Dr. Philip Schaff; “The Harmony of the Bible with Science;” “The Early Days of Christianity;” “A Popular Commentary of the New Testament;” “The Epistles of St. Paul;” “Webster,” an ode, by Prof. W. C. Wilkinson, D. D.; “Love for Souls;” “Campaigns of the Civil War;” “The March to the Sea, Franklin and Nashville;” “Edward the Third;” “Logic and Life;” “International Revised Commentary, Luke;” “Saltillo Boys;” “Prayer and Its Answer;” “Swiss Family Robinson.” REPORT OF CHAUTAUQUA NORMAL EXAMINATION—1882. _To the members of the Chautauqua Normal Class:_ We present to you the following list of names of those who passed the normal examination. The highest honors are awarded to Emma C. Brainard, Chili Station, N. Y. Mrs. Anna K. Knesal, Slippery Rock, Pa. Henry S. Jacoby, Memphis, Tenn.