ANIMAL COMPANIONS 59 



bed for your dog? The animal's bed should frequently be renewed, for 

 old straw that it may sleep upon readily accumulates vermin. If the 

 dog sleeps in a kennel, as it should, this should be whitewashed inside at 

 least twice a year. It is important to keep the quarters that animals 

 occupy in sanitary condition, not alone for the sake of their comfort, but 

 because when we make them our companions it is a source of danger to us 

 if they are diseased. 



What becomes of the squirrels in the winter time ? Do dogs like to be 

 out of doors in the snow ? Do cats ? Will your dog run through the deep 

 snow and frolic with you ? Will the cat ? Are rabbits out in the winter 

 time ? What do they feed on then ? 



Senses. -Hide a piece of meat in the schoolroom within easy reach and 

 let in a hungry cat. How long does it take her to find the meat ? Make a 

 similar test at home. When the regular feeding time for the cat comes let 

 her see you with a saucer of milk and then hide it while someone holds 

 her and see how long it will take her to find it. Try a dog in the school- 

 room in the same way and see if he can find the meat as quickly as the cat 

 did. Do not make the task too difficult, but place the meat where it can 

 easily be found, hiding it in the same place for the cat and the dog. Which 

 do you find has the keener sense of smell, a dog or a cat ? 



Place the cat at one end of the room and roll a rubber ball across to 

 the opposite end. Make as little noise as possible in rolling it and let 

 everyone keep very still so as not to distract puss's attention. Does she 

 catch sight of the ball quickly ? Make the same test with the dog. Does 

 he see the moving object as quickly ? Which can see farthest, a dog or a 

 cat ? Devise and try some tests out of doors and at home, with cats and 

 dogs, to answer this question. 



Stand the length of the schoolroom away from the rabbit cage and make 

 some unusual sound like a low whistle. Do the rabbits prick up their ears 

 and stare in your direction ? Stand at the same distance from the squirrel 

 cage and make the same noise, as loud as before. Do the squirrels hear it ? 

 Repeat the test for rabbits and squirrels, varying the intensity of the sound 

 until you can decide which has the keener hearing. 



It is probable that you will not have time for testing more than a single 

 sense. It is better to repeat one test until satisfied that the results are 

 trustworthy than to attempt several. More than one test is suggested that 

 choice may be exercised to suit the convenience of the teacher. This experi- 

 mental work marks a step in advance of simple observation. The method 

 of presentation is important. State the question to be settled to the pupils. 

 Be sure that they understand it. Lead them by appropriate questions to 

 suggest the test that is to be made. Assure yourself that they understand 



