33^ STUDIES OF NATURE. 



prolific power. The flighted contaft with the ex- 

 terior air, is fufficient to extinguilh in it the radi- 

 cal principles of life. It is neither matter, then, 

 nor degrees of heat, which are wanting to Man, to 

 imitate Nature in the pretended creation of be- 

 ings ; and this power, ever young and adtive, has 

 by no means wafted itfelf, as it is always exerting 

 itfelf in their re-produdion ; a difplay of omni- 

 potence equally wonderful with that of conferring 

 exiftence at the firft. 



The wifdom with which fhe has fettled their 

 proportions, is not lefs worthy of admiration. On 

 a careful examination of animals, we fhall find no 

 one deficient in it's members, regard being had to 

 it's manners, and the fituation in which it is de- 

 ftined to live. The large and long bill of the tou- 

 can, and his tongue formed like a feather, were 

 necelTary to a bird who hunts for infeéls, fcattered 

 about over the humid fands of the American 

 ftiores. It was needful that he fliould be provided, 

 at once, with a long mattock wherewith to dig, 

 with a large fpoon to colled his food, and a tongue 

 fringed with delicate nerves, to enjoy the relifli of 

 it. Long legs and a long neck were necefTary to 

 the heron, to the crane, to the flamingo, and other 

 birds, which have to walk in marfliy places, and 

 to feek their prey under the water. Every animal 

 has feet, and a throat, or a bill, formed in a moft 



wonderful 



