GENERAL FORM. 251 



in guiding us to sound and logical deductions. 

 They relate more especially to the form or general 

 contour, to the organs by which food is taken, and 

 to those of locomotion. We will now give to each 

 of these a separate consideration. 



(175.) The general form or contour of an animal 

 is that circumstance which first strikes the beholder, 

 and impresses him with its peculiar character as a 

 distinct being. Upon this, therefore, we have 

 already laid great stress ; and the more we become 

 acquainted with natural groups, the more shall we 

 be impressed with the importance of making this 

 one of their primary distinctions. Thus, we see 

 that thick and heavy animals are never naturally 

 associated with such as are slim and agile. The 

 typical ruminating quadrupeds, for instance, are 

 large and heavy ; and to expect that any of the 

 species of oxen should have the light and elegant 

 form of the horse, would be as inconsistent with the 

 order of nature, as to see a mouse slowly and heavily 

 pacing about our kitchen. Again, vultures, among 

 birds, are nearly all characterised by heaviness of 

 body and slowness of motion ; whereas the whole 

 family of hawks are proverbially quick and daring. 

 Among insects, likewise, we see similar habits 

 accompanying similar forms. What beetles are 

 more slow than the 3Ieloe, the genuine Chrysomelce, 

 and the Geotrupidce, — the last, better known to our 

 readers as the " shard-borne beetle with his drowsy 

 hum," immortalised by Shakspeare. In opposition to 

 these, we have the greatest developement of agility 

 and grace shown in the shining Cicindelidce ; and in 

 those glossy little Carabidce which cross our path 



