An Alphabet of Quadrupeds.

by Anonymous.

APE.

Apes play many odd tricks, and try to act like men, for they are very fond of imitating every thing they see. They are also very mischievous, and sometimes spiteful, so they should be either tied up in a safe place or well watched.

Apes are a species of monkeys. They live in a country called Africa, where there are a great many forests, and where the trees are much larger than any in the settled parts of America. The apes can climb to the top of the very tallest trees, and cling to the branches in safety. They are very quick in their motions, and can fling themselves from tree to tree with great readiness, holding on with their long arms and legs. In their native woods, they are very wild; they go on all fours; and sometimes visit the Negroes' huts and fight hard battles with the inhabitants, throwing sticks and branches with great dexterity. They are usually of a dull brown color, but some are black, and others grey. They should be fed upon bread soaked in water, and any kind of fruit that may be convenient to give them; they are very fond of nuts and biscuit, both of which may be given them in moderation.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BEAR.]

BEAR.

The bear is found in Europe and North America, but it is among the icy regions around the North Pole, that he attains his greatest size and fierceness. One of his princ.i.p.al modes of attack is the employment of his fore-legs in hugging his enemy, and few creatures can resist the crushing embrace of a large bear.

The people of the cold countries, where he mostly lives, make bedding and clothing of the skins, and either eat the fat or melt it into oil for their lamps. Bears, when at rest, are in the habit of constantly sucking their paws, which curious custom has puzzled many wise men to explain.

The bear is a good swimmer, and often takes to the water; he climbs well, but in descending trees always comes down backwards. His sight is sharp, and his hearing and smelling is excellent. He walks easily on his hind-legs, and in that position can support heavy burdens.

Though his gait is awkward, he can, if he pleases, go at a great pace.

He is said to grow to about his twentieth and live to his fiftieth year. Some bears are black, others brown, and a few grey, but those in cold countries are always white.

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COW.

The cow is a very useful, and well known animal. The cow furnishes us with an abundance of good sweet milk, which we put into our tea and coffee, or make into b.u.t.ter and cheese. The flesh is most excellent food, and is called beef. England is a famous country for beef, which is of such a good quality that the people have an old song about it, called the "Roast beef of old England." The hide is made into leather, and is much used in the making of shoes.

The cow is a very quiet animal, and will hurt no body, it feeds upon gra.s.s, which it swallows and brings up again before digesting it, and chews a very long while, and on that account is called a ruminating animal.

Cows are of different colors, some red, white, black, and others spotted. The cow will live to the age of fourteen or fifteen years, and its age may be known by the rings or knots on its horns, for a new ring grows every year. A great many country people are employed in selling milk to the people of large cities and towns, and are called "milk people." Before the white people came to America there were no cows, but now they are raised in great numbers, especially in the eastern country.

[Ill.u.s.tration: DOG.]

DOG.

Dogs are most faithful, attached creatures. They are of all sizes, from the large Newfoundland dog, as big nearly as a donkey, down to the little lap-dog, no bigger than a kitten. Dogs are of various colors, and their skins of all kinds, the hair sometimes smooth and close, like a grey hound's; sometimes very rough and s.h.a.ggy, as in the Scotch terrier; sometimes smooth and flowing, like silk, as in a spaniel.

They are soon taught to be obedient, and become very clever. The shepherd's dog knows every sheep in the flock. The house dog knows the sound of his master's footsteps. The Newfoundland dog will rush into the water to save any one from drowning. There are many interesting stories about dogs, which will please you very much to read when you are older and better able to understand them.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: ELEPHANT.]

ELEPHANT.

How heavy and clumsy the elephant looks! yet he is very active, and able to do many things with neatness. If you hold a sixpence in your hand, he will take it up in his large trunk, and place it where the keeper tells him. With the same trunk he is able to tear up large trees, and to strike so hard that the blow would kill a man. In foreign countries he is used to ride upon, as we ride upon horses. He is a very good swimmer. He is born chiefly in warm climates. His tusks are ivory, and are very useful for handles of knives, and many other things. His trunk serves him instead of a hand to feed himself with, and to hold and carry what he pleases.

He is very clever, and soon learns to do whatever he is taught. His temper and nature are kind, but when he is teased he becomes very fierce. He eats gra.s.s and hay, but no flesh.

Below is an elephant hunt.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: FISHER.]

FISHER.

This is the name of an animal found in the northern and middle states of our country, and in Canada. He is called the fisher, by the hunters, probably from his frequenting the lakes and river sh.o.r.es. But he does not catch fish like the otter. He robs the traps of the hunter of their captured or dead game, and he kills squirrels, rabbits, and wood chucks. In the picture he is represented as killing a rabbit.

The fisher was formerly abundant in the state of New York, but he is seldom found there now. He was greatly detested by the hunters, on account of his robbing their traps of beaver and other valuable game.

His flesh is unfit for food, and his fur is of very trifling value.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: GOAT.]

GOATS.