For the Children.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2413, 30 January 1909, Page 9 (Supplement)

For the Children.

THE DOLLS OF ALL AGES. During recent years many discoveries have been made in the mined temples and tombs of Egypt. Among the remains nvere many examples of wooden dolls roughly cut into human shape . from Hat pieces of wood, their laces formed by ~a dab of clay, but rejoicing in the possession ot a luxuriant growth of hair, formed by Jong strings of tiny black beads. \ Among the objects discovered in certain tombs of Greece were some»LL figures which might well he taken, fore little art models but for the fact that they possess jointed arms and legs. Here is a great advance hi the production of dolls, for 'not only these have moveable limbs, but the whole body is admirably moulded, while the.*heads are in some eases of great beauty. The earlier examples must be looked at only from the front, as their backs are absoultoly Hat, hut later forms from Corinth and Athens furnish tie with perfect little models oi the human shape. Turning now to the dolls of modern times, but of far distant lands, wo find a remarkable ingenuity displayed both in the choice of materials and in the methods of their elaboration. The natives of liechuanaland, in Africa, dor instance, make their dolls of bundle of twigs bound with twine, and finished off at either end by small gourds. Arms, feet, and hair are produced by little strings of beads, and the whole forms a figure-with far more resemblance to a dumb-bell than to a human form. The Kaffirs produce truly wonderful dolls of stuffed leather, which doubtless wear extremely well. They are marvellous examples of the patent stuffing industry of the natives, the seams being sewn with great neatness and regularity. The scanty costume of their makers are carefully reproduced. as are also the weapons of the male doll and the wondrous hair ornaments and earrings of the female. There are among the first examples of dolls made by truly savage races. id A WONDERFUL SPIDER. Far up in the mountains of Ceylon there is a snider that spins a web like bright yellowish silk, tile central net of which is oft in diameter, while the supporting lines, or guys, as they are called, measure sometimes 10ft or 12ft. The spider seldom bites or stings, but should anyone try to catch him, bite lie will, and though not venomous, his jaws are as powerful as a bird’s beak. The bodies of these spiders are very handsomely decorateiy."being bright gold or scarlet underneath, while the upper part is covered with the most delicate slatecolored fur. So strong are the webs that birds the size of larks are frequently caught therein, and even tho small but powerful scaly lizard falls a victim. A writer says that he lias often sat and watched the yellow hi ouster—measuring, when waiting for his "rev, with his legs stretched out, fulL- six inches—-striding across the middle of the net. and noted the rapid manner in which he winds stout threads around the unfortunate captive. He usually throws the coils about the head until the wretched victim is first blinded and then choked. In many unfrequented dark nooks of the jungle you come across skeletons of small birds caught in these , terrible snares. dS? RYE DOLLS AND THEIR DOINGS. Three dollies lived in a doll’s house: Matilda, Maude, and Jane— As quiet as the quietest mouse, And not the least bit vain! But. oh. 'twas dreary lying there, Under the window pane! Inside the dolls’ house all was "still— The dcor was shut so tight! The walls were damp, and made one iIL And there was no light. Matilda, Maude, and .Jane blinked, And wished away the night. Now, GolliWogs and Mr. Punch. Inside the cupboard there. By the aid of mystic Mother Bunch — Or Bruin, the toy bear— Opened the cupboard door quite wide. Admitting loto of air. ■'Why, what’s; in here?” cried Punch and _Go!l.. Op’uing the dolls’ house door. A giggle oozed from each wax doll. As it rolled upon the door. A moonbeam lit the whole room up And made Jane’s eyes quite sore. Said Mr. Punch. “Come, dance with me,”. And took her on his arm. While Golliwogs jumped high with glee * And filled Maude with alarm. Matilda quickly soothed her fears And urged her to bo calm. Sudden, the uurs’ry window shook: A tempest raged outside. And Jane at once, poor Punch forsook, For she was terrified. Said she: “I think we’d best retire — These storms I can’t abide!” And when the morning broke at last. And sunbeam dried the rain. Those dollies three were sliunh'ring fast (Maude snored and so did Jane!), And Golliwogs and Air. Punch Sighed for a dance in vain!