“Usertesen,” u-ser´te-sen. P. 206, c. 2.—“Abacus,” ăb´a-cus. A tablet or plate upon the capital of a column, between it and the architrave. “Architrave,” ar´chi-trave. The lower division of an entabulature, resting on the column or the abacus. “Plinth.” The lowest division of the base of a column. A square, projecting piece with vertical face. “Astragal,” ās´tra-gal. A little round moulding which surrounds the top or bottom of a column in the form of a ring, representing a ring or band of iron, to prevent the splitting of the column. It is often cut into beads or berries, and is used in ornamental entabulatures to separate the several faces of the architrave.—_Webster._ “Cavetto,” ca-vēt´to. “Façade,” fa-sād´. Front; front view of a building. SELECTIONS FROM AMERICAN LITERATURE. P. 209, c. 1.—“Gentian,” jēn´shan. The _Gentianus crinita_. A branching plant found in low grounds in autumn. The lobes of the corolla are of a deep sky-blue and beautifully fringed. “Thetis,” the´tis. The selection here given is taken from the first book of the Homeric story. Agamemnon, the commander-in-chief of the Greeks, has compelled Achilles, the favorite warrior, to give up Briseis, his captive. In revenge Achilles has shut himself up in his tent, refusing to take further part in the war. Thetis, the mother of Achilles, has promised to obtain from Jupiter, the king of the gods, a promise to give the victory to the Trojans until Agamemnon shall repent the wrong. Thetis was one of the daughters of Nereus, called here the “Ancient of the Deep,” the god of the Mediterranean. “Santa Filomena,” Saint Fil-o-me´na. In the early part of this century a grave was discovered with a Latin inscription which read “Filomena, peace be with you.” She was at once accepted as a saint, and many wonders worked by her. In a picture by Sabatelli, this saint is represented hovering over a group of sick and maimed, healed by her intercession. Longfellow here gives the title to Florence Nightingale. TALK ABOUT BOOKS.