"It is one intestine," replied Mr. Bernard, which converts the food into nourishment. You will now instantly perceive the wisdom of this arrangement. In the cassowary, the food passes very quickly through this short channel, by which means, but a very small portion of its nutritive particles is taken into the system, and the bird is thereby preserved from many diseases, to which it would be liable, if the whole of the food it devoured were converted into fat and nourishment. The ostrich, on the contrary, who can gain but a slender supply of food in the desolate regions which it inhabits, is provided with a colon so long, that every particle of nourishment is extracted, before it has passed this channel; hence, the latter derives as much actual support from her slender supply of food, as the former does from her abundance. _Louisa_. Thank you, papa. I understand what you have told us, quite well, and think it a very curious and a very wise contrivance. _Mr. B._ Now then, tell me, in your turn, Louisa, how history has gone on since we last met. _Louisa_. But, papa, we have not yet concluded the account of our walk. Had we not better finish one subject first? Mr. Bernard agreed to the propriety of Louisa's remark, and she entered with great animation upon the description of the beautiful little cottage, the pretty, innocent cottager, the nice, neat old woman, and the bashful-looking youth, and concluded by expressing her sorrow, that Mary and Henry could not be married; because she was such a pretty creature, she had no doubt they would make the happiest couple in the world. Mr. Bernard endeavour to explain to Louisa, that beauty was by no means the only requisite in a companion, where happiness was the object. "Oh, no! I know that, papa," returned Louisa; "I recollect that Mrs. Horton told us, that the peacock, beautiful as it is, has but few really amiable qualities; but I cannot help admiring pretty people, and if you saw Mary, I am sure you would admire her too; for she looks so good- humoured and so modest, so cheerful, so industrious, and so very pretty, papa, that you could not help loving her. Don't you think so, mamma? _Mrs. B._ I think there certainly is something very interesting in her appearance, and, I assure you, Louisa, I am quite disposed to think favourably of her; but we shall have an opportunity of seeing more of her, probably, and then we can form a more decided opinion of her character. There is always danger in giving way to a sudden prepossession in favour of a stranger. _Edward._ But, mamma, do you think it possible not to feel a prepossession in favour of such a sweet-looking girl as Mary?