EXERCISE. Write words in place of those italicized in the following: 1. The light webs grew apace. 2. But shortly came the sexton dread. 3. While you have grown so very gross. Write the story in prose. What is meant by geometric game? Why are the quotation-marks around "I'll try the pulpit next"? Why is there an exclamation mark after alas in the fourth stanza? Dictionary Lesson. Find the definition of each of the following words: entered, hopefully, prevent, sexton, sought, pastor, visionary, sanctuary. Compose sentences containing the foregoing words. 42.-Something about the Turtles. 1. STRANGE as it may seem to those who have only seen the "mud turtle" of the North, catching the tortoise in the waters of the West India Islands is most exciting; but before I begin our chase, I must tell you a little about the turtles. They differ very much in size and in kind. 2. The "green turtle," most valued for food, can be cooked in a variety of ways. It makes delicious soup. The shell is washed and scraped, the meat prepared in a most savory manner, laid in and garnished, making a dish handsome enough for one of Delmonico's most famous dinners. 3. Turtle steaks are not to be despised either, and a separate dish of nice little balls; in fact, so many dishes can be made that it would puzzle an epicure to tell of what manner of flesh they are. 4. A turtle sometimes weighs a hundred and seventy-five pounds, and nothing but an old-fashioned brick oven will hold him. I once knew a gentleman who had an oven built on purpose to bake a turtle that had been given to him. He was determined to have it baked, and no range oven was large enough to hold it. 5. The "hawk's-bill" turtle is famous for its beautiful shell, from which combs are made, and all the handsome ornaments so fashionable for years past. The shell is softened by putting it in warm water, then it can be easily cut and filed and sandpapered into any shape required. Do we ever think, when looking at the cuff-buttons and studs, that they once formed part of the house of a turtle, and sped along through the sea water? 6. The "logger-head" is another species, but not so useful as either of its brothers. The shell is of no use, and the meat very coarse, though sometimes used for food. He is a stupid animal, too; for I have heard boys called "logger-heads" when they were slow at comprehending. 7. The turtles are caught in several ways. Sometimes a number are seen together, then a boat is manned, and the chase begins. The turtles will dart swiftly through the water, then slacken their speed, and prepare to come to the surface and blow. Then is the time for action. 8. By shouting and beating the water, the men prevent the turtles from getting the rest they want so much. Again they start forward, and again are kept under water until they are soon exhausted and begin to sink, when the men leap from the boats and catch them. Another way is to harpoon them. 9. Sometimes they are caught in nets, or tracked when they come up on the beach toʻlay their eggs. They are then turned over on their backs, and are powerless. They come up at night to lay their eggs. All are deposited at once in the sand, and covered over so carefully that not a sign of the place can be found. The cunning creatures then go a short distance and scratch the sand about, to mislead the egg-hunter, who, of course never thinks of looking there. 10. The eggs are quite curious to a novice. They are round, with shells like parchment, but quite soft and susceptible to any impression made by the finger. In fact, one impression always remains, and only one at a time, changing from side to side as it is turned in the hand. They are considered a great delicacy by some. The flesh is not smooth like a hen's egg, but grainy and rather mixed. 11. One nest contains two hundred eggs, and sometimes more; and it is no uncommon thing for a hunter to return with six or seven hundred eggs in bags suspended on a pole over his shoulder. Those that escape the hunter are after a while hatched by the sun, and the little baby turtle finds his way to the water as best he can, for the unnatural mother never troubles her head about them any more after she leaves them in the sand, and she would not know them if she were to meet them.-JENNIE LOCKHART. Dictionary Lesson.-Find the definitions of the following words: exciting, garnished, famous, separate, ornaments, fashionable, stupid, comprehending, slacken, harpoon, parchment, susceptible, impression, delicacy, suspended. 43.-Thanksgiving Day. 1. OVER the river and through the wood, The horse knows the way To carry the sleigh Through the white and drifted snow. 2. Over the river and through the wood,- It stings the toes And bites the nose, As over the ground we go. 3. Over the river and through the wood, Hear the bells ring, 66 Ting-a-ling-ding!" Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day! 4. Over the river and through the wood, Like a hunting-hound! For this is Thanksgiving Day! 5. Over the river and through the wood, And straight through the barnyard gate; We seem to go Extremely slow, It is so hard to wait. 6. Over the river and through the wood,— Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done? L. MARIA CHILD. Language Lesson.-What is the pronunciation of Thanksgiving? Why is "Thanksgiving Day" printed with capitals? Explain why exclamation-points are used after some of the sentences. Explain the use of the hyphen in dapple-gray, hunting-hound, pumpkin-pie. Substitute a word for spy in the sixth stanza. |