Amateur photographers should inquire of dealers for the Franklin developing clips. By means of these clips plates can be handled throughout development without having the hands come in contact with the solutions used, thereby preventing stains and other objectionable features. They are manufactured by Par-sell & Weed, 131 West 31st Street, New York City, who also make the Franklin lantern slide vise for holding lantern plates when binding. I: is much the best thing obtainable for that purpose. Circulars will be mailed upon request.

The attention of those interested in the equipment of manual training schools is called to the wide range of machines manufactured by the American Wood Working Machinery Company of New York City. An examination of their catalogue shows that this company can fill orders for about every kind of machine needed in woodworking. Scroll, band and circular saws, turning lathes, planers, mortisers in various styles and many sizes. The catalogue of this company will be mailed upon request to those interested in this class of machines. The salesrooms in New York, Chicago, New Orleans and Boston are very convenient to many buyers making it possible for them to have personal inspection of the machines they propose buying.

The large demand for "Oil Stones, How to select and use them." published by the Pike Mfg. Co., Pike, N. H. has required a new edition. This interesting booklet contains much of value to every mechanic. It is mailed upon request, and all readers are recommended to send for it. A new catalogue has also just been issued by this company showing their full line of sharpening stones.

A new catalogue of the Ohio Electric Works. Cleveland, Ohio, shows that this enterprising firm is keeping right up to date in the variety of electrical devices they offer. Send for this catalogue if interested in electrical experimental work.

Drinking water from the barrel cactus is used by the Indians of the desert. The barrel cactus grows among the desert hills west of Torres, Mexico, and the Indians cut the top from a plant about 5 feet high, and with a blunt stake of palo verde, they pound to a pulp the upper six oi eight inches of white flesh in the standing trunk. From this, handful by handful, they squeeze the water into the bowl they have made in the top of the trunk, throwing the discarded pulp on the ground. By this process they secure two or three quarts of clear water, slightly salty and slightly bitter to the taste, but of far better quality than some of the water a desert traveler is occasionally compelled to use. The Indians, dipping this water up with their hands drink it with evident pleasure. In times of extreme drought the Indians use this water to mix their meal preparatory to baking it into bread.