There are threo kinds of deer, all of which are beautiful and sprightly. The stag, whose female is called the hind, is the most common. His height is about three feet and a half, and his general color reddish brown. He has large and branching horns, by which he is son etimes entangled in the wood, impeded in his flight from hounds and huntsmen, and consequently is overtaken. The flesh of the deer, which is called venison, is valuable meat; and his skin is dressed for clothing. Sometimes the meat of a stag has been found to weigh three hundred pounds. Beside the stag and the hind, there is among the animals called by the name of deer, the buck, whose female is called the doe, the hart, the male of the roe, and the rein-deer, which inhabits the northern parts of Europe and Asia. EXPLANATIONS. Impede. To hinder, to stop. MAN AND THE BEE. Hast thou, said the bee to the man, among the whole race of animals a greater benefactor than I am? Undoubtedly I have, said the man. Who, pray? The sheep; for her wool is absolutely necessary; thy honey is only agreeable to me EXPLANATION. Benefactor. A useful and kind friend The squirrel is a beautiful little animal, equally remarkable for the elegance of its form, the liveliness of its disposition, and the agility of its motions. It is gentle and harmless; though naturally wild, it is easily tamed; and though excessively timid, it soon becomes familiar. Being naturally fond of warmth, it will, when domesticated, creep into a person's pocket, sleeve, or bosom, with the most perfect confidence, Its tail constitutes its greatest singularity, as well as its principal ornament. It is also not less useful than ornamental; for being sufficiently large and bushy to cover the whole body, it serves as an excellent defence against the inclemencies of the weather. It also greatly assists it in clinging and adhering to trees, Linnaeus, with other naturalists, assures us, that in crossing a river, the squirrel places itself upon a piece of bark, and erecting its tail in order to catch the wind, uses it as a sail, and thus commits itself to the mercy of the waves. It would certainly be both curious and interesting to be an eye-witness of one of their voyages, and a benevolent heart could not forbear wishing safety and success to the little navigators. The fact, indeed, would appear incredible, were it not attested by such respectable evidence. If, however, it be true, it exhibite a striking specimen of animal instinct, although not more wonderful than many others, which are displayed in the brute cre ation. The Red Squirrel. The pretty red squirrel lives up in a tree, A little blithe creature as ever can be, He dwells in the boughs where the stock dove broods, Far in the shade of the green summer woods. And from tree to tree with a vaulting spring; But small as he is, he knows ho may want And there makes his nest, and lays up his store: Then when cold winter comes and the trees are bare, When the white snow is falling and keen is the air; In his warm little nest, with his nuts on the shelf. Arabia is a large country of Asia; there are few rivers in it; there are few towns or trees, but there are wide deserts, and a great deal of sand. Only a few of the people live in houses; the greater number live in tents; they have very fine horses; they love their horses very much, and are very kind to them. The horses live with them in the tents, and never kick or hurt the children. |