mountain pasturages, where dairy-farming is carried

on.

The valleys of the Alps form the natural means of communication.

Some are more accessible than

others. On many of the high roads which link the valleys, it has been found necessary to blow up long ridges of rock, to build terraces, to make stone bridges, as well as to erect hospices. The construction of these roads may be reckoned among the boldest and most skilful works of man.

The Alpine mountains present many peculiarities worthy of notice in the animal kingdom. On the sunny heights, the number of insects is very great; the butterflies are especially numerous. Although the lofty mountains are inhabited by eagles, hawks, and various species of owls, yet the birds are few in comparison with the numbers in the plains. Among the quadrupeds the wild goat is occasionally met with; the chamois is more frequently seen, chiefly in the eastern district. The marmot inhabits the upper Alpine regions. Wolves, bears, lynxes, and wild cats are also found, but these are diminishing in number. Of the domestic animals, goats and oxen are scattered everywhere in large herds. Mules and asses are used as beasts of burden. Dogs are not common; they are used almost solely by the herdsmen, or are kept in the hospices, to assist in searching for the unfortunate wanderers who may be lost in the snow.

The Alpine mountains are rich in singularly beautiful natural scenery, of which the inhabitants of flat countries can scarcely form an idea. Here, the hardened masses of the icy "glacier cover the naked rock, avalanches are hurled into immeasurable abysses, the fall of rocks or mountain-slips overwhelm the dwellings, and cover the fields in the valleys. There, the sun glances upon the scattered silver threads of a waterfall, or "mirrors himself in the peaceful waters of a glassy lake, while his rising and his setting are announced to the expectant traveller by the ruddy glow on the

12

snowy mountain-tops. In his constant struggle with the elements, the Alpine dweller strengthens both body and mind; he opens his heart to the impressions of nature; he gives utterance to his childlike gladness in simple songs, and at the same time defends, with self-sacrificing devotion, his mountain fortresses against foreign aggression.

4 Black Sea, by the Danube.

8

1 system, assemblage. 2 Celtic, that of the Celts, a race of people who in ancient times inhabited Central and Western Europe. The Irish and Welsh are descended from the Celts. 3 North Sea, by the river Rhine. 5 Mediterranean, by the Po and its tributaries, and by the Rhone. 6 means of communication, the means of passing from place to place. "accessible, easy of access or approach. hospices, places of refuge or entertainment for travellers among the Alps, kept by monks, who also occupy them as convents. 9glacier, an immense mass of ice, or snow and ice, formed in the region of perpetual snow, and moving slowly down mountain slopes or valleys. 10 abyss, a hole or gulf which appears bottomless. 11 mirrors himself, is reflected. 12 expectant, waiting and expecting to see

or receive something.

VERTEBRATED ANIMALS.

reg-u-lar'-i-ty

Buo'-na-parte con-fu'-sion

re-sem'-ble

ver'-te-bra-ted reg'-i-ments di-vi'-sions

ar-ranged'

Lucy. FATHER, what shall we learn by noticing the Animals?

Father. Many useful and pleasant things. You will see in what perfect order God's works are arranged.

1 Buonaparte's army was once setting out on a march. There were soldiers with red coats, white

coats, dark-blue coats,-soldiers on black horses, grey horses, and brown horses, all mixed together in a crowd. There were flags in one part, tents in another, cannon, waggons, waggon-horses, and servants. If you had seen them, you would have said, What 'confusion !

But, a few hours afterwards, Buonaparte was there! The red soldiers were all standing in straight lines-the blue-coats were arranged in a square. The waggons were loaded, and placed behind each other in long rows. The flags and cannon were placed at regular distances. Everything was in good order; and the army was beautiful to look upon.

Willie. Ah! I dare say Buonaparte knew all the soldiers and regiments. How I should like to be able to arrange soldiers in such beautiful order!

F. I can give you something better to do than that. The order of soldiers is only man's order ; but amongst the ten thousand animals which God has placed all over the world, there is perfect order ; far more beautiful than Buonaparte could make with his men.

W. There does not appear to be any order at all. Every one seems to grow according to its own fancy! When a boy and an oyster have left off growing, how different they look! Yet they are both animals. Think of an elephant and a sprat; an owl and a worm ; a giraffe and a frog; a wolf and an eel; a star-fish and a sheep; a slug and a peacock; a bear and a butterfly

They may be all brothers, but they seem to me as disorderly in their appearance as the soldiers were before they marched.

F. Yet, do you know that they are all arranged in a much better order than Buonaparte could make? They become different in size and shape-not according to their own fancies, but by the intention of their Maker. No doubt He has a reason for every difference that you have ever noticed in them. Every animal has its proper place in nature, and from the highest to the lowest they are all connected together in perfect regularity. They form, as it were, one long chain; and when you begin to see this, you will find the animals even more beautiful to look upon than Buonaparte's army.

W. I should like to find out what regiment the dog belongs to, and the cat.

F. It will be some time before you will be able to do that properly. I may tell you that all the animals are arranged in four great divisions. I think I will at once lead you to observe these divisions before you begin to notice the animals more closely.

Here

L. Please, father, let us begin directly. is our dog Fan: does she belong to a division? F. Certainly; take her on your lap and notice her.

W. Now, Miss Fan, what are you made of? Flesh, blood, skin, and bones.

L. That is more than all animals have: the lobster has no bones in it.