There is another variety for marshy and cold climates--as a kind of oat that grows wild on the banks of the North American lakes, and of which the natives gather abundant harvests." "God has amply provided for us all," said Frank.
"Other varieties grow best in hot, dry soils, as the millet in Africa, and maize or Indian corn in Brazil.

In Europe, wheat is cultivated universally, but prefers rich lands, whilst rye takes more readily to a sandy soil; buckwheat is most luxuriant where most exposed to rain; oats prefer humid soils, and barley comes to perfection on rocky, exposed lands, growing well on the cold, bleak plains of the north.
And, observe, that the grasses suffice for all the wants of man." "Yes," observed Ernest, "with the straw are fed his sheep, his cows, his oxen, and his horses; with the seeds, he prepares his food and his drinks.

In the north, grain is converted into excellent beer and ale, and spirits are extracted from it as strong as brandy." "The Chinese obtain from rice a liquor that they prefer to the finest wines of Spain." "That is because they have not yet tasted our Rockhouse malaga." "Then of roasted oats, perfumed with vanilla, an excellent jelly may be made." "Ah! we must get mamma to try that--it will delight the young ladies." "And, no doubt, you will profit by the occasion to partake thereof yourself, Master Jack." "Certainly; but I would not, for all that, seek to gratify my own appetite under pretence of paying a compliment to our friends." "I know an animal," said Willis, "that, for general usefulness, beats grain all to pieces." "Good! let us hear what it is, Willis." "It is the seal of the Esquimaux; they live upon its flesh, and they drink its blood." "I scarcely think," said Jack, "that I should often feel thirsty under such circumstances." "The skin furnishes them with clothes, tents, and boats." "Of which our canoe and life-preservers are a fair sample," said Fritz.
"The fat furnishes them with fire and candle, the muscles with thread and rope, the gut with windows and curtains, the bones with arrow heads and harness; in short, with everything they require." "True, Willis, in so far as regards their degree of civilization, which is not very great, when we consider that they bury their sick whilst alive, because they are afraid of corpses; that they believe the sun, moon, and stars to be dead Esquimaux, who have been translated from earth to heaven." Whilst chatting in this way, the party had imperceptibly arrived at Falcon's Nest, wherein they had not set foot for a fortnight previously.
Fritz went up first, and before the others had ascended, came running down again as fast as his legs would carry him.
"Father," he cried, in an accent of alarm, "there is a fresh litter of leaves up stairs, which has been recently slept upon, and I miss a knife that I left the last time we were here!".