of honey,
Of berries, too, and roots;
They hug or squeeze their prey to death,
As this their nature suits.

They mate in June-y weather;
Their little ones are cubs;
They sadly mourn when mates are killed,
You'd almost hear their sobs.

They'll try to feed a cub
That's lying cold and dead,
And will not flee, but stand and take
The fatal knife instead.

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They sleep through winter-time,
But prowl in wildest storms,
With hope to find some creature killed,
Or struck with death's alarms.

The bears are white, or black,
Or brown or grizzly gray,
The white 'mong polar snows are found,
Where half the year is day.

Their fur is used for robes,
For coats, sometimes a muff,--
Their meat is prized by some as food,
While some would call it "stuff."

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They nimbly climb a tree,
But "back down," for their frame
Is made so lungs would forward press,
If they head-foremost, came.

* * * * *

_THE BEAR A BLESSING._

To people of Kamtschatka,
The bear a blessing proves;
His skin forms beds and coverlets,
And bonnets, shoes, and gloves.

His flesh and fat are dainties,
And of his intestine,
Is made a mask for warding off
The glare of Sun in Spring.

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'Tis also used for windows,
As substitute for glass;
Of shoulder-blade a tool is made,
That's used for cutting grass.

Norwegians think the Bear is
More sensible than men;
While Laplands call him "Dog of God,"
And dare not him offend.

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_FRUITS_

The fruits of the orchard and garden
Are beautiful, luscious and good,
Partake of them freely, dear children,
But eat them at meals with your food.

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_THE RACCOON._

Come, child, and see our pet Raccoon,--
The Raccoons live in the woods, you know;
But ours was caught,
And caged, and brought
From old Virginia, long ago.

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Oh, no, you need not be afraid.
See, he is fastened with a chain;
For ropes enough
He has gnawed off,
And he is hard to catch again.

He e'en will climb this ten-foot fence,
And, careless where his feet may strike,
He tumbles, bang!
And there will hang,
His rope being caught by vine or spike.

And once the rascal ran away;
Was gone for days, and maybe weeks;
When children came,
And charging blame,
Said, "Your Rac