1 1 66 Rural School Leaflet 



soil, put in some earthworms, and let the children see what happens. 

 The soil should be kept moist, for without water the earthworms soon 

 dry up. 



Observations. — i. Describe how the earthworm crawls. Does it turn 

 over? Compare its movements with those of a snake. 



2. Compare the length of the earthworm's body when extended and 

 when contracted. Of what use is this contractile power? 



3. Describe the home of the earthworm. Watch the earthworm make 

 a burrow and note how long it takes the worm to disappear in the earth. 



4. In what kind of soil do you find earthworms at work? 



5. What is the food of the earthworm? How does it get its food? 



6. Write an English theme on the use of the earthworm to farmers. 



SHEEP 

 E. S. Savage 



Zoologists are not agreed as to the exact origin of the native sheep. 

 Whatever their origin, all members of the wild-sheep tribes are moun- 

 tain- and highland-loving animals. Our domestic sheep have inherited 

 this peculiarity, preferring cool climates and highlands and open ranges, 

 quickly suffering when closely housed for any length of time. 



Our common sheep is a good illustration of the influence of domes- 

 tication. The modern animal has few characters that would indicate 

 its descent from wild species. Sheep have been under subjection by 

 man from the earliest times. Abraham's wealth was measured by his 

 sheep, oxen, and camels. From the fact that sheep have so long been 

 under domestication in many different countries, it naturally arises 

 that we have many different breeds for different climates, uses, and 

 conditions of environment. The breeds of modern sheep are classified 

 according to their uses, whether for the production of wool or of meat. 



The sheep belongs to that large order of quadrupeds known as the 

 Ruminantia for the reason that they are all ruminating or cud-chewing 

 animals. They have incisors — or front teeth — on the lower jaw only, 

 four stomachs, and cloven hoofs. The incisors on the upper jaw are 

 wanting, being replaced by a hard, tough pad against which the lower 

 front teeth are shut, thus cutting off the grass. 



In order to better understand the care, management, and feeding of 

 sheep, it is well to have at least a partial knowledge of the organs of 

 nutrition. The first of these organs are the teeth. They are truly 

 organs of digestion in that they sever the food from its roots when the 

 sheep is grazing, and serve to grind it up and mix it with saliva. This 

 saliva is secreted in the mouth, and aids in digestion. 



