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 butter 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 grass, 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. [Illustration: 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 shaggy, 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. [Illustration] [Illustration: 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 grass and hay, but no flesh. Below is an elephant hunt. [Illustration] [Illustration: FISHER.] FISHER.