14 INTRODUCTION. 



more than huts formed of the trunks of trees 

 driven into the ground, and fastened together at 

 the top. The branches and leaves of trees are 

 then interwoven. Afterwards they are covered 

 with bark, and some of the holes are perhaps 

 filled up with mud or clay. Such were the mis- 

 erable huts or wigwams of the North American 

 Indians. 



From a very early period in the history of our 

 world, down to the present time, the people of 

 all climates have felt the need of houses to live 

 in, of some kind or other. In hot climates they 

 serve as a shelter from the scorching rays of the 

 sun, or the drenching rains which fall at certain 

 seasons ; or as a defence against wild beasts 

 and reptiles. In cold countries, they help to pre- 

 vent us from freezing, amid the frost and snow. 



Many brute animals, as you know, build them- 

 selves houses. The beaver, the muskrat, the 

 bee, and the ant, are examples. But there is 

 one thing to be observed here which is, that 

 neither the beaver nor any otheranirnal but man, 

 builds its house one jot better now, than it did 

 5000 years ago ; and if the world should last 

 5000 years longer, these animals will, undoubt- 

 edly, continue to build just in the same way. 



