Q. What do we call these figures that have four sides.  A. Tetragons, tetra meaning four.  Q. Are they called by another name?  A. Yes, they are called quadrilaterals, or quadrangles.  Q. How many regular tetragons are among those we have mentioned?  A. One, that is the square, all the others are irregular tetragons, because their sides and angles are not all equal.  Q. By what name would you call the whole of the figures on this board?  A. Polygons; those that have their sides and angles equal we would call regular polygons.  Q. What would you call those angles whose sides were not equal?  A. Irregular polygons, and the smallest number of sides a polygon can have is three, and the number of corners are always equal to the number of sides.

Ellipse or Oval.

Q. What is this?  A. An ellipse or an oval.  Q. What shape is the top or crown of my bat?  A. Circular.  Q. What shape is that part which comes on my forehead and the back part of my head?  A. Oval.

The other polygons are taught the children in rotation, in the same simple manner, all tending to please and edify them.

The following is sung:—­

  Horizontal, perpendicular,
  Horizontal, perpendicular,
   Parallel, parallel,
   Parallel, lines,
  Diverging, converging, diverging lines,
  Diverging, converging, diverging lines.

  Spreading wider, or expansion,
  Drawing nearer, or contraction,
    Falling, rising,
    Slanting, crossing,
  Convex, concave, curved lines,
  Convex, concave, curved lines.

  Here’s a wave line, there’s an angle,
  Here’s a wave line, there’s an angle;
    An ellipsis,
    Or an oval,
  A semicircle half way round,
  Then a circle wheeling round.

Some amusing circumstances have occured from the knowledge of form thus acquired.

“D’ye ken, Mr. Wilderspin,” said a child at Glasgow one day, “that we have an oblong table:  it’s made o’ deal; four sides, four corners, twa lang sides, and twa short anes; corners mean angles, and angles mean corners.  My brother ga’ed himsel sic a clink o’ the eye against ane at hame; but ye ken there was nane that could tell the shape o’ the thing that did it!”

A little boy was watching his mother making pan-cakes and wishing they were all done; when, after various observations as to their comparative goodness with and without sugar, he exclaimed, “I wonder which are best, elliptical pan-cakes or circular ones!” As this was Greek to the mother she turned round with “What d’ye say?” When the child repeated the observation.  “Bless the child!” said the astonished parent, “what odd things ye are always saying; what can you mean by liptical pancakes?  Why, you little fool, don’t you know they are made of flour and eggs, and did you not see me put the milk into the large pan and stir all up together?” “Yes,” said the little fellow, “I know what they are made of, and I know what bread is made of, but that is’nt the shape; indeed, indeed, mother, they are elliptical pan-cakes, because they are made in an elliptical frying-pan.”  An old soldier who lodged in the house, was now called down by the mother, and he decided that the child was right, and far from being what, in her surprize and alarm, she took him to be.