One  aaked  how  much  of  the  beam  waa  now  gnawed
through ;  iht  othera  replied  that  there  waa  little  re-
mahiing.  Melaomua  imnwdiately  desired  to  be  re-
moved' to  some  other  place  ;  tbe  inan  took  up  the  bed
at  tbe  Ijead,  the  woman  at  the  foot,  Melsmpaa  himaelf
at  tbe  middle.  They  had  not  got  ouite  out  of  the
bouse,  when  the  toof  fell  in  and  killed  the  woman.
This  coming  to  tbe  eara  of  Iphichn;  he  inquired,  and
teamed  that  Malampna  was  a  aoMthsayer  or  MmttM.
He  therefore,  beins  childless)  conanlted  him  about
having  offspring.  Melampna  agreed  to  tell  him  on
condition  of  hrs  giving  him  the  cows.  The  aeer,  on
[phtclua  aaaenting  to  nis  terms,  then  sacrificed  an  ox
10  Jupiter,  and,  uving-  divided  it,  called  all  tbe  birds
to  the  fcMt.  All  came  but  tbe  valtare ;  bat  no  one
of  diem  waa  aUe  to  tell  bow  Iphielns  ml^bavo  chil-
dren. They  therefore  bronsbt  the  vulture,  who  gave
ibe  reqoisite  information.  Iphiclus  became  the  father
of  a  son  named  Podaiees ;  and  Melampus  drove  the
kine  to  Pylos,  whereupon  Pero  was  given  to  hia
brother.  (OiI.,lI,88T.— 5dM.,ai^c.— (M.,1S.S>5.
