A handkerchief is rolled up into the shape of a round ball. The little girls sit in a circle. She that is to begin the play takes the ball, and throws it to one of her companions, calling out either "Earth!" "Air!" or "Water!" fire being omitted, as that element has no inhabitants. Should any player, however, call out, " Fire !" every one must keep silence. The little girl to whom the ball is directed must, on catching it, reply by giving the name of an animal proper to the element that has just been mentioned. If the word is "air," the answer must be "eagle," "vulture," "hawk," or any other bird. If the word is " water," the reply may be "whale," "shark," "porpoise." If the element is "earth," the answer must be the name of a beast; as " lion," " tiger," "bear," etc. If she that is addressed does not reply promptly, or makes a mistake, and names a bird when she should have mentioned a beast, she is to pay a forfeit. Any one who mentions the same animal twice is likewise liable to a forfeit. The one that receives the ball then throws it to another, calling out one of the elements; and so the play goes round.

Example.

Maria (throwing the ball to Helen) . Earth !

Helen. Panther. (She throws the ball to Louisa.) Air !

Louisa. Woodpecker. (She throws it to Julia.) Water !

Julia. Barbel. (Throws it to Sophia.) Water!

Sophia (starting). Oh ! what am I thinking of ? Turkey — turkey.

Maria. Ha, ha, ha ! Do turkeys live in the water?

Sophia. Oh, no ! I meant turtle. However, I see I am too late. Here is this pencil as a forfeit. (She throws the ball to Maria.) Earth !

Maria. Buffalo (throwing the ball to Harriet) . Air !

Harriet. Mocking-bird. (Throws the ball to Emily.) Water!

Emily. Salmon (throwing the ball to Charlotte) . Air !

Charlotte. Duck.

Helen. Now, Charlotte, that does not seem exactly right. A duck is a bird, to be sure; but does it ever fly in the air ? Earth is its proper abode.

Charlotte. You are very particular. Do not wild ducks fly in the air? and very high too, and in large flocks.

Helen. Then, you should have said " wild duck."

Emily. And ducks also swim in the water.

Maria. Well, I believe we must admit the word "duck" as a sufficiently good answer, whether the word be earth, air, or water; ducks being found in all those three elements.

Helen. But always say "wildduck," if the word is "air."