the feline kind, the shortness is compensated by the greater length of the teeth, and by the talons. In the hog, the variation is even more striking; where the mouth, appearing at first as obstructed by the protrusion of the nose, forms a scoop, following in the track which the latter has ploughed for it, and thus seizing the roots which the snout has loosened or laid bare. These are specimens of peculiar arrangements, and they are only specimens. The adaptations are universal.

The feet of quadrupeds, afford an example of adaptation, scarcely less striking. The arrangements run through all the species, with a wisdom of contrivance, which becomes the more apparent, the more it is examined. Let the foot of an ox be compared, for instance, with that of a horse, in reference to their respective natures and destinations. The horse was intended for hard ground and rapid motions; and the hoof is constructed accordingly, answering its end perfectly in a state of nature, and well adapted for the defence which man has contrived for it under domestication. The place of the ox was on meadow lands, and on soft grassy plains; this, also, is provided for, in the divided and spreading hoof, and in the dew-claws. Compare these, again, with the goat, whose destination is to ascend rocky precipices, and to find a precarious footing on the steep declivities of the mountains, and with the sheep, which must make its narrow track along the sides of the hills; and the adaptations, in these instances, also, will become apparent. Still further, the foot of the camel, which is a broad, elastic, and soft cushion, is perfectly suited to those sands which, as I have elsewhere remarked, every peculiarity of its construction shows to be its intended dwellingplace. The rabbit, was intended to run, as well as to dig and burrow; the mole, only to dig and burrow: let the construction of each be examined with reference to this difference of design, and its wisdom will be manifest. The mouse, and rat, can walk, without difficulty, on surfaces not horizontal, by means of the sharpness of their claws, united to their great strength, and the lightness of their bodies; for the walrus, however, whose destina

tion was also to climb, another provision was necessary, and this was found, not in mechanics, like the other provisions, but in an abstruse philosophical principle. This amphibious animal, equally ponderous and inactive, is compelled to clamber over inclined and smooth rocks, in quitting the sea; and this object is attained by enabling it to produce a vacuum in the sole of its foot, like that, by which children amuse themselves in lifting great stones, with a piece of moistened leather attached to a string. This remarkable contrivance is not confined to the walrus; it is not only found in numerous insects, as has already been mentioned, but in the gekko of India, where it is interesting to remark the different construction adopted in relation to its necessities. Each toe has transverse cavities, opening by slits below, which can be rendered vacuums by muscular action. By this means, it is enabled to run, with considerable speed, up the smooth walls of chunam, with which the houses of that country are usually covered.

Were we to examine the legs of quadrupeds, we should not be less struck with their admirable adaptations; some being formed for speed, others for climbing, others for leaping on their prey, or seizing it; and others, again, for strength to sustain an enormous body, such as those of the elephant. But the field which this opens, is much too extensive to be at present entered upon; and I shall conclude this branch of inquiry, by a short reference to the hair of this order of animals.

It has already been shown, how admirably the feathers of the winged tribes suit their peculiar functions as tenants of the air. The hair of quadrupeds is a covering of a different kind, adapted to their peculiar situation in the plan of existence. In hair, the great variations consist in quality, length, and density; while different qualities, such as hair and fur, are sometimes united. The general purpose is warmth; and the chief proof of intention in the variations, lies in the modifications to adapt this covering to different climates. I have already no

* [Chunam is lime. It here means a cement or plastering of lime.— AM. ED.]

ticed this subject with reference to winter; and I shall merely desire the reader here, to attend to the non-conducting and non-radiating properties of this covering, its ́annual renewals, its variations in quantity, or density, or quality, according to the variations of temperature, and its occasional power of changing color, so as to adapt itself to that of the ground, or to some alteration of climate.

In all these particulars, and a hundred others which might be named, the structure and condition of quadrupeds, clearly exhibit such benevolent design, such a minuteness of attention to their circumstances and wants, as to furnish new and most interesting proofs of an unceasing and universal exercise of the Divine perfections in the works of creation.

TENTH WEEK-WEDNESDAY.

QUADRUPEDS. THE BAT.

IN ascending from birds to quadrupeds, we meet with a family of animals which seems intended to form the connecting link between the two orders, thus completing the chain of animated nature, in this, as we have seen to be the case in other transitions. This family is that of the bat.

It is not one of the least remarkable proofs of the wisdom of the Creator, that each object or being in Nature has been so perfectly fitted for its end, and the station it occupies, that those, which, on the first view, are thought misshapen or disgusting, become, on closer investigation, the sources of pleasurable and instructive contemplation. Each part is found so well adapted to its use, that the changes, which might appear to the superficial observer conducive to elegance or beauty, would but hinder the design, and produce confusion, where all is order and harmony. Of this, the apparently ungainly form of the bat is an exemplification. Daubenton thus describes its structure :-" The elbow is found near the

knee; the forearm is very long, and obliquely extended from above downwards, and from behind forwards, as far as the nose of the animal. The wrist is placed against the ground, and there is but one finger on the anterior extremity, which is the thumb. The knee is raised as high as the lower part of the rump, and the five toes of the hind feet are of equal length, and turned outwards. The arm is extended horizontally, from the front to the back part, and the thigh vertically, from above downwards; the arm is concealed behind the forearm, and the thigh behind the leg; they are, moreover, enveloped in the membranes which conceal the tail, and all the hinder parts of the body. Besides the thumb seen on the anterior extremities, there are four very long fingers, extending from the forearm, enveloped in the membrane, and folded, near the elbow, by their extremity."

While on the ground, these long extremities are of little use to it, and it stands propped on the breast, appearing one of the most helpless and awkward quadrupeds in existence. To move along, many different and very fatiguing actions are required. Its pace is heavy and dragging, and it runs in a grotesque and ungraceful manner. The ears are often very large, and, together with the whole membranous surface, are quite naked; the eyes are small, and too weak to endure the light of the sun; and the wide mouth, reaching from ear to ear, completes the uninviting picture. Were we to look no further, we might deem that the skill which lives through all creation, had been withheld from this feeble and imperfect animal. But when, gaining the aid of some slight eminence, it raises its forelegs, unwraps from about them the numerous folds of its velvet wings, and darts away with tremulous but rapid flight, we see that it is not dependent for change of place, on the motion that has excited our pity; and, on pursuing the investigation, we find, that every part of its structure has been so contrived, by a wisdom far above ours, as to make its existence easy and pleasant. Though the arms of the bat are much elongated, the bones of the fingers exceed their whole length. Over these is stretched the leather-like

membrane, which constitutes the wing; it is only a prolongation of the skin, the back and the belly each furnishing a layer, and yet it appears but a delicate and transparent network. Were the membranes, or bones which support it, compact and thick, their weight would disable the bat from using them; but, becoming thinner as they recede from the centre of motion, they are the instruments of its high and unimpeded flight. The pectoral muscles, which move the wings, are strong, and the breast-bone projects, that these may have an ample space for fixing upon. By means of this construction, the bat is enabled to fly very swiftly. It is gradually aroused from the torpor of winter, at the approach of a milder season, and, slowly recovering the power of motion in the dark recesses of its cave, at length goes forth in search of the insects which have been called into life and

activity by the returning power of the sun. It readily discerns its prey, even at some distance, and darts at it, ascending at times, in the chase, to a considerable height, though, in general, it finds a more abundant supply while hovering near the ground, or skimming the surface of water. Here the softness of its wings is of essential service, as they swiftly cut the air, without making any sound to warn the insect into flight or concealment.

Though in damp weather the bat can remain for days without food, and even sink again into torpor, his appetite is voracious, and he clears the air of swarms of insects, which, if not exposed to that, and similar destructive agents, would multiply so fast, as to encumber it, and render it unwholesome. The small eyes of the bat are less liable to injury than they would be if larger or more protuberant; and they are not made to bear the glare of day, as its season of activity is during the obscurity of twilight, when alone it can obtain food. As if conscious of this, its exertions are, during that period, unremitting, and often continue till the night is far advanced. Notwithstanding its faint power of vision, and even when totally deprived of it, the bat pilots itself through the air with the greatest skill, avoiding every impediment, though no larger than a twig, and accurately