|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 18
LESSON XXV
SLEEP
Of all the wonderful things about us, sleep is one of the most
wonderful. How it comes, why it comes, how it does its kind, helpful
work, not even the wisest people are able to tell. We do not have much
trouble in seeking it, it comes to us of itself. It takes us in its
kindly arms, quiets and comforts us, repairs and refreshes us, and
turns us out in the morning quite like new people.
Sleep is necessary to life and health. We crave it as urgently as we
do food or drink. In our waking hours, rest is obtained only at short
intervals; the muscles, the nerves, and the brain are in full activity.
Repair goes on every moment, whether we are awake or asleep; but during
the waking hours the waste of the tissues is far ahead of the repair,
while during sleep the repair exceeds the waste. Hence a need of rest
which at regular intervals causes all parts of the bodily machinery to
be run at their lowest rate. In other words, we are put to sleep.
Sleep is more or less sound, according to circumstances. Fatigue, if
not too great, aids it; idleness lessens it. Anxious thought, and
pain, and even anticipated pleasure, may keep us awake. Hence we
should not go to bed with the brain excited or too active. We should
read some pleasant book, laugh, talk, sing, or take a brisk walk, or
otherwise rest the brain for half an hour before going to bed.
The best time for sleep is during the silence and darkness of night.
People who have to work nights, and to sleep during the day, have a
strained and wearied look.
The amount of sleep needed depends upon the temperament of each
individual. Some require little sleep, while others need a great deal.
Eight hours of sleep for an adult, and from ten to twelve hours for
children and old people is about the average amount required.
Some of the greatest men in history are known to have been light
sleepers. Most of the world's great workers took a goodly amount of
sleep, however. Sir Walter Scott, the great writer, took eight hours
of sleep, and so did the famous philosopher Emanuel Kant. Children
need more sleep than grown people. They should retire early and sleep
until they awake in the morning.
When fairly awake we should get up. Dozing is unhealthful, especially
for young people.
"Early to bed and early to rise,
Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."
LESSON XXVI
CURIOUS BIRDS' NESTS
Among the most curious nests are those made by the birds called
weavers. These feathered workmen serve no apprenticeship; their trade
comes to them by nature; and how well they work at it! But then you
must admit that Nature is a skillful teacher and birds are apt scholars.
The Baltimore oriole is a weaver, and it makes its nest out of bark,
fine grass, moss, and wool, strengthening it, when circumstances
permit, with pieces of string or horse-hair. This nest, pouch-shaped,
and open at the top, is fastened to the branch of a tree, and sometimes
is interwoven with the twigs of a waving bough. The threads of grass
and long fibers of moss are woven together, in and out, as if by
machinery; and it seems hard to believe that the little birds can do
such work without help.
The tailor-bird of India makes a still more curious nest: it actually
sews, using its long, slender bill as a needle. Birds that fly, birds
that run, birds that swim, and birds that sing are by no means rare;
but birds that sew, seem like the wonderful birds in the fairy-tales.
Yet they really exist, and make their odd nests with great care and
skill. They pick out a leaf large enough for their nest, and pierce
rows of holes along the edges with their sharp bill; then, with the
fibers of a plant or long threads of grass, they sew the leaf up into a
bag. Sometimes it is necessary to sew two leaves together, that the
space within may be large enough.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|