The author divides the earth into twenty-five botanical regions--but, I forget; you are not like Maria; you don't care about these things." "I am so ignorant," Carmina pleaded.

"Perhaps, I may know better when I get older." A book on the table attracted her by its beautiful binding.
She took it up.

Mrs.Gallilee looked at her with compassionate good humour.
"Science again, my dear," she said facetiously, "inviting you in a pretty dress! You have taken up the 'Curiosities of Coprolites.' That book is one of my distinctions--a presentation copy from the author." "What are Coprolites ?" Carmina asked, trying to inform herself on the subject of her aunt's distinctions.
Still good-humoured, but with an effort that began to appear, Mrs.
Gallilee lowered herself to the level of her niece.
"Coprolites," she explained, "are the fossilised indigestions of extinct reptiles.

The great philosopher who has written that book has discovered scales, bones, teeth, and shells--the undigested food of those interesting Saurians.

What a man! what a field for investigation! Tell me about your own reading.