“Alas, no, Tom. In spring he robs birds’ nests of their eggs, and that is why the pretty little squirrel is hunted and shot by the game-keeper. In spring, too, he feeds on the tender buds, and so does much damage to trees and shrubs; that is, if his winter stores are used up.” “I should think,” said Frank, “that such a large tail would be very much in the squirrel’s way when climbing and leaping from branch to branch.” “Not at all,” said his uncle, “his huge tail is of the greatest use to him in guiding his body. Without it he could not take such flying leaps among the tree-tops. “Besides this, it often enables him to escape from his enemies. Many a time the game-keeper’s bullets pass harmlessly through his fluffy tail, while Mr Squirrel scampers safely up the tree; and many a time he escapes from the cat by leaving the tip of his brush in pussy’s claws. “A great many of our trees have been planted by squirrels. Many a stately oak and beech tree has sprung from the squirrel’s buried store of acorns and beech nuts. For, as I have already told you, sometimes he forgets where he has buried them, or perhaps fails to find them when the forest is white with snow. So, you see, the little animal is of some use after all.” Questions and Exercises. 1. The squirrel has chisel-shaped teeth suited for gnawing. Name other animals of the same kind. 2. The squirrel’s bushy tail is of great use to him. Why? 3. Make a list of our wild animals (1) which sleep through the winter, and (2) which store up food for winter. VII.—HOW THE FIRE BURNS. It was a cold wet day—so cold and wet that neither Dolly nor her brothers could venture out. They had grown tired of reading books and drawing pictures, and were indeed feeling very dull. They sat looking at the bright fire. Uncle George laid down his paper and said: “Come, let us have a lesson. What shall it be? The rain? The cat? Or shall it be the cosy fireside?” “The fire,” said Frank. “Tell us why the fire burns, Uncle George!” “I will,” said cheery Uncle George. “Just wait until I get some things from the kitchen. Come along, boys.” When Uncle George and the boys came back to the room, they brought a lot of curious articles with them. These were an empty pickle-bottle, a small saucer, a glass bell-jar, a large dish, a piece of candle, some tacks, and a taper. [Illustration: A Baby Cloud] [Illustration: THE BALLOON] “Now,” said Uncle George, “we are ready to begin.” He first lighted the piece of candle and lowered it into the bottle. It burned for a short time, then it went out. “Can you tell me why it goes out?” he asked. “Want of air,” said Tom and Frank at the same time. “But there is air in the bottle,” said Uncle George. “Yes, but not the kind of air the candle wants,” said Frank. [Illustration: Candle burning in Open Jar.]