The  earth  is  spherical  in  shape.  It  is  not  really  round,  but  flattened  at
its  poles.  The  ancients  supposed  that  it  was  supported  by  the  aid  of  tKe
tortoise.  The  earth  was  supposed  to  be  flat,  because  only  a  small  part  of
its  surface  reached  the  eye  of  the  ancients.  The  earth  has  two  motions—
one  on  its  axis  and  another  around  the  sun.  It  has  a  rotation  once  m
twenty-four  hours.  When  the  same  side  of  the  earth  is  directed  toward
the  sun,  it  receives  great  light  and  heat  in  summer,  while  the  other  side  is
dark  and  very  cold  in  winter.  When  the  earth  is  turned  toward  the  snOf
his  light  shines  upon  that  side  which  is  called  day,  while  the  other  side  ia
dark,  which  we  call  night.  The  earth  revolves  around  the  sun  once  in  365|
days.  When  the  sun's  rays  are  directed  perpendicularly  towards  the  equa-
tor, that  part  of  the  earth  is  called  the  torrid  sone,  and  it  is  nearest  to  tlie
equator.  The  earth  has  oue  moon  which  shines  brightly  over  its  surface.
The  earth  is  surrounded  by  a  dense  cloudy  atmosphere,  and  a  blue  canopy
hangs  over  it,  filled  with  innumerable  stars  which  are  stationary  in  the  skj.
