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NESTING-BOXES fibers. Recent observations have established a great law in reference to the development of nerves, viz., the sensory fibers arise outside and grow into the central nervous system, motor fibers start within the central nervous system and grow outward. This applies even to the highest developed sensory nerves. For example, the fibers of the optic nerve begin in the retina of the eye and grow toward the brain, instead of starting in the brain and growing outward to the eye. Besides sensory and motor fibers there are those that regulate the nutrition and the tone of organs, called trophic nerves; those that carry impulses which stimulate secretion, called secretory nerves; and some others. The twelve pairs of cranial nerves are as follows: The first pair connected with smell; the second pair with sight; the third, fourth and sixth pairs with muscles that move the eyeball; the fifth pair with the teeth, tongue and face; the seventh pair the muscles of the face, the eighth pair the ears; the ninth pair the tongue, as nerves of taste, and with the muscles of the pharynx. The tenth pair (pneumogastric) are very important and widely distributed, going to the heart, lungs, stomach and intestines. The eleventh pair supply certain muscles in the neck; and the twelfth pair form the muscles of the tongue. Besides all these, there are nerves belonging to the sympathetic nervous system. The object of nerves is to connect the different parts of the body with the controlling nervous system. They are simply conductors and not originators of nervous impulses.  Nesting-Boxes. Birds may be attracted about the home by putting up nesting-boxes. If new material can not be had, use waste or worn materials, for birds apparently prefer rusty metal or weather-beaten lumber. When I was a boy, I once secured four HOLLOW-LIMB BOX old shingles and a piece of board, made a rough box with hatchet and saw, and put it up in a tree. Many a pair of bluebirds nested there. Such a shingle-box may be put against the side of a building or on a tall pole or

tree-trunk where cats can not easily climb. Better nail a shingle or some thin board flat on the top, and have it project on every side. If the board projects well out over the entrance, it will prevent the rain BARK BOX from driving in as well as make the roof rainproof. When hollow limbs are pruned from a tree, cut them into sections, and roof, bore and mount them. (See first illustration.) A handsome as well as durable box may be made of bark. It must be made late in June, when the bark peels readily. It is made by peeling off both the outer and the inner bark. Then saw a slice off each end of the stick for the bottom and the top, tack the bark on the BLUEBIRDS' BOX ends, nail on the supporting stick, and finally, in order to make the top watertight, cover it with green bark. (See second cut.) These small boxes are suitable for the chickadee. Chestnut-bark makes strong boxes, that can be covered or roofed with zinc, for larger birds. An objection to many bird-houses is that they are not cat-proof. But a very deep box, without a perch, but with an overhanging cover or roof and with the entrance well up under the eaves, makes access difficult for the cat. The ordinary bird-house for martins or tree-swallows must stand on a tall, slim pole, these birds preferring to be 15 to 30 feet above the SLIDING-COVER BOX ground. Be sure not to make the entrance near the floor. Make a platform round the box, and rail the platform up at least three inches. Regulate the size and shape of bird-boxes by the shape and habits of the different birds. It is better to make them comfortably large than too small. The size of the entrance is most important. One and seven-eighths inches diameter will do for wrens; one and one-fourth for martins; three and one-half for flickers and screech-owls. Both bluebirds and tree-swallows have been known to nest in boxes hung from a wire. Provide every small nesting-box with a sliding cover, or a door, through which you can remove the contents. All the boxes I have mentioned, except shingle and bark boxes, provide for this, and these too