620 PRACTICAL ORNITHOLOGY. 



spected. The application of a little rectified oil of turpentine 

 I have always found a more effectual remedy than camphor, 

 spices, old tallow, or solution of corrosive sublimate. As to 

 the arsenical soap itself, it is not to be trusted to entirely, for 

 being applied only to the inner surface of the skin, although it 

 may preserve that part, it does not prevent moths from breed- 

 ing among the down. 



The preparation of the skeleton, vascular system, digestive 

 organs, and other parts of birds, may be deferred until a more 

 convenient season, when, having before me some quires of good 

 foolscap unsullied by the pen, I may have the pleasure of resum- 

 ing my labours. In the meantime, " Good Pupil," go on and 

 l)rosper ; pursue the path on which you have entered ; and if, 

 when we meet again, you should have observed for yourself to 

 some purpose, we may examine those parts of the structure of 

 birds that have not been described in this volume, and com- 

 mence an anatomical collection. For the present, our labours 

 are ended. Happy shall I be to find that they have been the 

 means of exciting a taste for studies which are alike conducive 

 to the health of the body, and the improvement of the mind ; 

 and, above all, of cherishing that admiration of the wisdom 

 and goodness of God, which the contemplation of his works 

 cannot fail in some degree to inspire in every human intellect. 

 It is indeed a solemn thought, that this wondrous world in 

 which we live is the v/ork of that glorious Being whose eye is 

 on all our actions, who knows all our thoughts, who is within 

 and around us, whose we are, and in whose presence may we 

 all finally rejoice, when the small vanities of sublunar existence 

 have vanished for ever ; when the proud philosopher, who knew 

 the names of ten thousand animals, and looked down with con- 

 tempt upon him who could never succeed in gaining the 

 applause of his fellows, or who never tried to gain it, shall 

 shrink into his own utter insignificance, and confess that the 

 humble Christian, who held on " the even tenor of his way,""' 

 careless alike of censure or praise, chose indeed the better part. 



