The Bossier banner., 1884-11-13
A Lesson in Natural History.

A Lesson Ill NabuFAl HlStOEYs
Our papa had class in Natural His
tory, and I want to tell you how he
taught us.
The class was me and Susie--no.
mamma says I must not write about
myself first, so / will begin again
Susie and memo, that isn't it. Susie,
and Roy, and Annie, and 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 little when we came in,
because we looked so solemn, / guess
(Susie said we must behaye), and said:
'.Are you all readya"
Then he took Annie on his knee-she
is the little one-and l got on the table
but he made me get down, and then he
began: e'The creature l shall tell you
about to-day has neither bones nor
brains, nor eyes nor feet.n
"Oh!" exclaimed Susie, opening her
eyes wide.
'.How can it run, thenP' asked
George, s.or does it have to stay still all
the tinleP"
''No, indeed. answered papa. "On
the contrary, it is continually travelling,
When it is very cold or very dry il
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-
turep"
'.Yes. 1t is differently made from us.
though, for its heart is near its head,
almost in its neck. If it had brains
and could understand, it might be said
to lead rather exciting life, for it is
continually the object of the chase. Il
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
noiselesslv 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 piece
of these creatures at one meal, but
perhaps it had an unusually good appe.
tite. - as
"Did we ever see the creatures oi
which you have told us?" asked
George.
'.Many times" said papa, laughing.
'Boys that go fishing for minnows il
the spring, and sometimes work in the
garden, get very well acquainted with
them. But the boys do not know what
a very great and useful work they are
performing.
81 had no idea that any creature
without brains. or bones, or eyes, OF
feet could be very useful said Susie.
81 have fancy that 1t must be some
kind of worm. Surely it isn't a silk
worm"
NO; it is not silkworm. I think
it is more useful than silkworm. Tha
| furnishes us with a beautiful materia
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 il
| general. Now, as animal life depends
on plant life, you can see for yourselve:
how great benefit it unintentionall,
confers on man as it goes blindly wrig
| Cling through the earth.
'1t wriggles!'' cried Susie with de
light. "Oh, / knew it was worm
and as you said it was in special DANCE
from chickens and boys it must be on
common earthworm. have seen thi
boys get them for bait when they wen
fishing for minnows in the creek. Blu
/ never had the slightest idea that W
owed so much to that"
Il am glad to introduce you to Al
unknown friend" said papa. Il hay
not told you all the good it does, for b
keeping the pores of the earth open
and letting the gases escape naturally
and the moisture and fresh air in.
makes the world far more healthy an
pleasant to live on. -
Roy had been watching book on til
table most closely for a few minutes.
Papa, here is book about them
and by Mr.. Darwin, who was such
learned man. Only think of his study
ing the little earth-worms with sue
care, and finding out their habits an
way of living / like his caring S
much for common creatures that we a
see and know y
Papa looked pleased.
EYES," he said, ''and it is a very il
teresting book. He says England woul
not be half so rich and fertile if it wei
not for the work Of the earthworm
who are like many small undergroun
plows, breaking up the clods, and NAL
ing the earth fine and light. Then ii
roots of the flowers can get through
with ease and get food and moistur
If Annie loves the flowers, she need n
cry when she sees the worms, even
they do squirm."
Susie laughed at the recollection
Annie's disgust.
"But they are ugly, uncle Ned"
''I won't deny that. Now, as W
have found out my riddle, you may
until next time. Good-bye!'
And we all ran away. But wasn't
a nice lessonP P-T The Pnnsq. -