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great deal about it, when another would find nothing."

"What could he find out about it?"

"Why, suppose the creature was covered with feathers, and had large wings, like the kite, a thinking person would directly suppose that the creature flew in the air; but if it had very small wings, like those of the ostrich, he would conclude that it could not fly, but that its wings were only meant to assist it in its flight. If it had webbed feet, he would know at once that it was accustomed to swim on the water, like the swan, the goose, or the duck. If it had four feet with hoofs, like a horse, and no feathers, and if it had no sharp tearing teeth, but only cutting and grinding teeth, he would conclude that it could not climb a tree, not being able to lay hold of the branches; and that it fed on grass or leaves, because if it fed on living creatures, it would have had claws to lay hold of them, and sharp tearing teeth to eat them with."

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You have set me thinking now; and when I go home I shall try to put into practice the lessons you have given me."

Before you go, let me just try your powers of thought, by asking you two or three simple questions. If you heard of a strange creature being found, and that its teeth were the size of a walnut, should you know by that how big it was?"

No; but I should say at once it was a large creature; because a little creature would not have

large teeth. It would eat so little that it would not want them."

"Very good. You have given me a very good answer. But suppose the creature had fins, should you know by that how it got its living?"

"No, I could not tell that. But I should know that it lived in the water; because its fins would be of no use to it anywhere else."

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Very good, again.

And lastly, if it had a thick furry hide, could you tell whether it inhabited a hot country or a cold one?"

"I should think a cold one, and that the thick fur was to keep it warm."

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Capital! Once more, farewell!"

QUESTIONS:-1. What does Charles now want to be able to do? 2. Why? 3. Would you like to be able to do the same? 4. To what is being able to think well a great help? 5. What have thinking men been able to do with all the trees and flowers in the world? 6. The moment a flower is seen, what can these men tell about it? 7. What else have had the same done for them? 8. Supposing a strange creature were found, and it had large wings like a kite, what would you think about it? 9. If it had small wings like an ostrich, what then? 10. If it had webbed feet like a duck, what would you think? 11. If it had four feet with hoofs like a horse, what would you judge? 12. If you found the teeth of some animal to be as big as a walnut, could you tell its exact size? 13. Suppose the animal had fins, could you tell how it got its food? 14. And if it were covered with thick fur, could you tell where it lived?

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LESSON XLIX.

Weather Signs shown by Animals.

an'-i-mals, living creatures.
an-noun'-ces, tells of, declares.
col'-umn, round pillar.
fre'-quent-ly, very often.

in'-di-cates, shows, points to. re-main', stay, linger.

re-peat'-ed, done over again. u'-su-al, common, ordinary.

Bats. When bats remain longer than usual abroad from their holes, fly long distances, and in great numbers, it shows that the following day will be warm and serene; but if they enter their houses and send forth loud and repeated cries, it indicates bad weather.

Bees.—If bees do not remove to a great distance from their hives, it is a sign of rain; if they return to the hive before the usual time, it may be concluded that rain will soon fall.

Crows. The cawing of crows in the morning indicates fine weather.

Fowls. When fowls and chickens roll in the sand more than usual, it tells of rain; and the case is said to be the same when cocks crow in the evening, or at unusual hours.

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Frogs. If frogs croak more than usual; if toads issue from their holes in the evening in great numbers; if the earthworms come out of the earth; if moles throw up the earth more than usual; if the cows look towards the sky, and turn up their nostrils as if catching some smell; if the oxen lick their fore-feet; and if dogs lie on their right side,—all these are signs which indicate rain.

Gnats.-When gnats (midges) collect themselves before the setting sun, and form a sort of vortex in the shape of a column, it marks fine weather.

Owls. If the owl is heard to scream during bad weather, it announces that it will soon become fine.

Sparrows. It is a sign of rain or wind when the sparrows chirp a great deal, and make a noise to each other to assemble.

Swallows. It is a sure sign of bad weather when the swallows fly in such a manner as to brush the surface of the water, and to touch it frequently with the wing and breast.

QUESTIONS:-1. How do bats act at night when the following day is to be warm and calm? 2. But when they go to their houses and make loud cries, what is this a sign of? 3. When bees go long distances from their hives, what is this a sign of? 4. When they come home very soon, what sort of weather is expected? 5. What is the loud cawing of crows in the morning a sign of? 6. When fowls and chickens roll in the dust on the roads, what is that a sign of? 7. When the cock crows in the evening, what sort of weather is expected? 8. Mention the signs in the following named animals that tell of rain-in frogs?-in toads?-in earth-worms?in moles?-in cows?-in oxen?-in dogs? 9. What is the sign when the owl screams during bad weather? 10. What is the sign when sparrows chirp a great deal? 11. What act of the swallows is a sure sign of bad weather?

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Merry Lark, now Singing.

MERRY lark, now singing
In the morning sky,
Far in ether winging,

Like a mote on high;

What is this thou tellest
In thy early note ?

What the strain that welleth
From thy pulsing throat?

Is thy cup of gladness
Running o'er the brim?
Doth no touch of sadness
E'er its brightness dim?

Is thy joy unending

Through the happy year?
Comes no sorrow blending
With thy gay career?

Then, O glad bird, singing
At the gates of day,

Peace to me thou'rt bringing
With thy joyous lay;

He who, on this morrow,
Filled thy heart with glee,

In my hour of sorrow,

Cares He not for me?

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