stalks and leaves make excellent fodder for cattle. The ripe grain is used all over the earth as food for horses, pigs, and poultry. Nothing is better for fattening stock. 11. Green corn, or "roasting ears," hulled corn and hominy, New England hasty pudding, and succotash are favorite dishes with many persons. Then there are parched corn and pop corn-the delight of long winter evenings. 12. Cornstarch is an important article of commerce. Sirup and sugar are made from the juice of the stalk, and oil and alcohol from the ripened grain. Corn husks are largely used for filling mat tresses, and are braided into mats, baskets, and other useful articles. 13. Thus it will be seen how varied are the uses of Indian corn. And besides being so useful, the plant is very beautiful. The sight of a large cornfield in the latter part of summer, with all its green banners waving and its tasseled plumes nodding, is one to admire, and not to be forgotten. DEFINITIONS.-1. Ar'ti ele, a particular one of various things. 2. Cŭl'ti vāt ed, grown. 3. Im pôr'tant, of much value. 5. Fŭr'row, a trench made by a plow. 6. Fa'vor a ble, that which is kindly, propitious. Stream'er, a long, narrow flag. 7. Mois'ture, wet, dampness. Re şults', comes out, ends. 8. Sěp'a rat ed, apart, not connected. 9. Pär'ti ele, a very small portion. 10. Ex'çel lent, good, superior. Fod'der, such food for animals as hay, straw, and vegetables. Põul'try, barnyard fowls. Sue'eotǎsh, corn and beans boiled together. 12. Com'merçe, trade. Al'eo hol, distilled liquor. Măt'tress eş, beds stuffed with hair, straw, or other soft material. Braid'ed, woven or twisted together. LESSON LXXIV. THE SNOWBIRD'S SONG. 1. The ground was all covered with snow one day, And two little sisters were busy at play, When a snowbird was sitting close by on a tree, 2. He had not been singing that tune very long Ere Emily heard him, so loud was his song: "O sister, look out of the window!" said she; "Here's a dear little bird singing chick-a-de-dee. 3. "Poor fellow! he walks in the snow and the sleet, 4. "If I were a barefooted snowbird, I know, And yet he keeps singing his chick-a-de-dee. 5. "O mother; do get him some stockings, and shoes, And a nice little frock, and a hat if he choose: I wish he'd come into the parlor, and see How warm we would make him, poor chick-a-dedee!" 6. The bird had flown down for some sweet crumbs of bread, And heard every word little Emily said: "What a figure I'd make in that dress," thought he, And laughed as he warbled his chick-a-de-dee. 7. "I am grateful," said he, "for the wish you express, But have no occasion for such a fine dress; I rather remain with my little limbs free, 8. "There is One, my dear child, though I can not tell who, Has clothed me already, and warm enough, too. F. C. Woodworth. DEFINITIONS.-1. Chick'-a-de-dee, an imitation of the notes of the snowbird. 6. Fig'ure, shape, appearance. 7. Ex prèss', make known, declare. Hob'ble, to walk with a hitch or hop. LESSON LXXV. MOUNTAINS. 1. The Himalayas are the highest mounThey are in Asia, and tains on our globe. separate India from Thibet. They extend in a continuous line for more than a thousand miles. 2. If you ever ascend one of these mountains from the plain below, you will have to cross an unhealthy border, twenty miles in width. It is, in fact, a swamp caused by the waters overflowing the river banks. 3. The soil of this swampy border is cov. ered with trees and shrubs, where the tiger, the elephant, and other animals find secure retreat. Beyond this border, you will reach smiling valleys and noble forests. 4. As you advance onward and upward, you will get among bolder and more rugged scenes. The sides of the mountains are very steep, sometimes well wooded to quite a height, but sometimes quite barren. 5. In crossing a river you must be content with three ropes for a bridge. You will find the streets of the towns to be simply stairs |