44 



THE STUDY OF ANIMAL LIFE CHAP. 



tinually occur, and the animals flee for their lives, adapt 

 themselves to new conditions, or perish. Cataclysms are 

 rare, but changes are common, and all over the world 

 we may study how vicissitude has its victims or its victors. 

 There is a peculiar pleasure in discovering the ways in 

 which animals circumvent the mercilessness of physical 



FIG. 9. WEASEL ATTACKING A GROUSE. 

 (From St. John's Wild Sports.) 



forces, and keep their foothold against wind and weather, 

 storm and tide, drought and cold. One illustration 

 must suffice : drought is common, pools are dried up, 

 the inhabitants arc left to perish. But often the organism 

 draws itself together, secretes a protective sheath, which is 

 not a shroud, and waits until the rain refreshes the pools. 

 Not the simplest animals only, but some of comparatively 



