STUDY XI. 253 



within the reach of the jaws of quadrupeds, whofe 

 head is in a horizontal pofition, and frequently in- 

 clined toward the ground. Their delicate (hoots 

 feetn formed to be laid hold of by broad and flelhy 

 .lips ; their tender ftems, eafily fnapped by the in- 

 cifive teeth ; their mealy feeds eafily bruifed by 

 the grinders. Befides, their bufliy tufts, and elaf- 

 tic without being ligneous, prefent fofc litter to 

 ponderous bodies. 



If, on the contrary, we examine the correfpon- 

 dencies which exift between trees and birds, we 

 (hall find that the branches of trees may be eafily 

 clafped by the four-toed feet of mod birds, which 

 Nature has difpofed in fuch a manner, that by 

 means of three before and one behind, they may 

 be able to grafp the bough as with a hand. Again, 

 the birds find, in the different tiers of the foliage, 

 a (belter againfl the rain, the Sun, and the cold, 

 toward which the thicknefs of the trunks farther 

 contribute. The apertures formed in thefe, and 

 the moffes which grow upon them, furnifli fitua- 

 tions for building their nefts, and materials for 

 lining them. The round or oblong feeds of trees 

 are accommodated to the form of their bills. Such 

 as bear fleihy fruits are reforted to by birds, which 

 have beaks pointed, or crooked, like a pick-axe. 



In 



