A. “Though” is often used in English, taking the place of the conditional _if_, especially in the phrases _as though_ and _what though_, which interchange with _as if_ and _what if_; _e. g._: “If she bid me pack, I’ll give her thanks _as though_ she bid me stay by her a week.”—_Shakspere._ “A Tartar, who looked _as though_ the speed of thought were in his limbs.”—_Byron._ Other examples need not be given. These approve the expression as correct, though not much used at present. Q. Will the firing of cannon over water bring a dead body at the bottom to the surface; if so, why, or how? A. The concussion or violent agitation of the water may loosen a body slightly held at the bottom, when, if specifically lighter than water, it will rise. Q. In “Recreations in Astronomy,” p. 163, it is said 192 asteroides have been discovered, with diameters from 20 to 400 miles; and on the next page it is “estimated” that if all these were put into one planet, it would not be over 400 miles in diameter. How can that be? A. Allowing, as the author does, that the density of the masses remains the same, it would, of course, be impossible. We have not the means at hand to either verify or correct the diameters given, and can not locate the error. C. L. S. C. NOTES ON REQUIRED READINGS FOR NOVEMBER. TIMAYENIS’S HISTORY OF GREECE. PARTS 10 AND 11. P. 258.—“Mummius,” mum´mi-us. See Timayenis, p. 251, vol. II. “Delos,” de´los. “Mithradatic,” mith´ra-da=´=tic. For history of Mithradates see Timayenis, vol. II., p. 254. P. 259.—“Sulla,” sul´la. (B. C. 138-78). A Roman general, the rival of Marius. After the close of this war Sulla went to Italy, defeated the Marian party and issued a proscription by which many thousands of his enemies perished. For the two years following he held the office of dictator, which in 79 he resigned to retire to private life. “Epidaurus,” ep´i-dau=´=rus. One of the most magnificent temples in all Greece, that of the god Æsculapius, was situated there. “Peiræan,” pei-ræ´an. Through this gate ran the road to the Piræus, and at the Sacred Gate began the sacred road to Eleusis where the festivals and mysteries were celebrated. “Bithynia,” bi-thyn´i-a; “Kappadokia,” cap=´=pa-do´ci-a; “Paphlagonia,” paph=´=la-go´ni-a. P. 260.—“Chrysostom,” krĭs´os-tom. See Timayenis, vol. II., 319 sq. “Anthemius,” an-the´mi-us; “Isidorus,” is´i-do=´=rus. Eminent architects. P. 261.—“Pompey.” (B. C. 106-48.) Pompey had been a successful general from early life, receiving from Sulla the surname of Magnus. P. 262.—“Soli,” so´li. The word solecism (to speak incorrectly) is said to have been first used in regard to the dialect of the inhabitants of this city. “Pompeiopolis,” pom´pe-i-op=´=o-lis; “Armenia,” ar-me´ni-a.