The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-10-18
A Lesson in Natural History.

N<S''N'A
Our papa had class in Natural His.
tory, and l want to tell you how he
taught us.
The class was me and Susie-no.
mamma says must not write about
myself first, so | will begin again
Susie and memo. that ism it. Susie,
and Roy, and Annie, aud George and
me.
We all went into papa's room. It's
"a very pretty room, and it has SO many
funny and pretty things in it, and
books, so many with lots of pictures.
He laughed a little when we came in,
because we looked so solemn, | guess
i(Susie said we must behave), and said
care you all ready?"
Then he took Annie on his knee-she
is the little one-and | got on the table
hut he made me get down, and then he
began: 1.-The creature | shall tell you
about to-day has neither bones nor
brains, nor eyes nor feet"
"Oh." exclaimed Susie opening her
eyes wide.
''How can it run, them" asked
George, cor does it nave to stay still all
the time?"
''No, indeed" answered papa. "On
the contrary, it is continually travelling,
When it is very cold or very dry it
travels down, but when it is warm and
pleasantly moist it comes up"
"Up and down." repeated Roy, Won
dering. But it is truly a living crea~
ture?h
Yes. 1t is differently made from us,
though, for its heart is near its head,
almost in its neck. If it had bra MS
and could understand, it might be said
to lead a rather exciting life, for it is
continually the object of the chase. Ii
it comes to sight, boys and chickens
quickly dispose of it, and if it stays in
the dark, which it would decidedly
prefer doing, it has enemies There, who
noiselessly follow them, and eat them
up as soon as they are caught. These
enemies are the mOles, who dig away
in the dark under our feet. One mole
has been seen to eat seven and Il piece
of these creatures at one meal, but
perhaps it had An unusually good appe-
tite.
Did we ever see the creatures Of
which you have told us?'' asked
George.
''Many times" said papa, laughing.
''Boys that 90 fishing for minnows in
the spring, and sometimes work in the
garden, get very well acquainted with
them. But the boys do not know what
q very great and useful work they are
performing
81 had no idea that any creature
1,.ni,s or hnnas or
feet, could be very useful. said Susie.
Il have a fancy that 1T must be some
kind of a worm. Surely it isn't a silk
worIp."
no; it is not silkworm. think
it is more useful than a silkworm. That
furnishes us with a beautiful material
for dress, it is true, but this creature
keeps the soil porous and easy to work,
so that it brings forth in abundance
fruit and grain. and indeed plants in
general. Now, as animal life Deepen IS
ON plant life, you can see for yourselves
how great a benefit it unintentionally
| confers.on man as it goes blindly wrig-
Cling through the EARTH"
alt wriggles," cried Susie with de
light. oh, / knew it was a worm.
SillNl J0 ofLlNl 1t rs III NlJCNlSti
from chickens and boys it must be oul
common earthworm. ! have seen the
boys get them for bait when they went
fishing for minnows in the creek. But
/ never had the slightest idea that we
owed so much to that"
Il am glad to introduce you to an
unknown lriend," said papa 81 have
not told you all the good it does, for by
keeping the pores of the earth open,
and letting the gases escape naturally,
and the moisture and fresh air in, il
makes the world far more healthy and
pleasant to live on
Roy had been watching book on the
table most closely for few minutes.
Papa, here is book about them
and by Mr. Darwin, who was such 6
learned man. Only think of his study
inc the little earth-worms with sucl
care, and finding out their habits ant
way of living. | like his caring ST
much for common creatures that We Al
see and know"
Papa looked pleased.
Eyes, he said, land it is a very in
teresting book. He says England woulC
not be half so rich and fertile if it wer,
not for the work of the eartEworms
who are like many small underground
plows, breaking up the clois, and max
ing the earth fine and light. Then tn
roots of the flowers can get through
with ease and get food and moisture
If Annie loves the flowers, she need no
CRY when she sees the worms. even
they do squirm."
Susie laughed at the recollection Q
Annie's disgust.
" But they are ugly, uncle Ned
AZ won't deny that. Now, as yo
have found out my riddle, you may g
until next time. Goodyear
And we all ran away But wasn't
a nice lesson?-Tbc PG11Sy.