39 



the locomotion of a swallow differs from that of an 

 engine. 



42. Not only fi*om that of an engine ; bnt also from 

 that of animals in whose members the mechanism is so 

 complex as to give them a resemblance to engines. The 

 dart of the common honse-fly, for instance, in full 

 strength, is a more wonderful movement than that of a 

 swallow. The mechanism of it is not only more minute, 

 bnt the swiftness of the action so mncli greater, that the 

 vibration of the wing is invisible. Bnt though a school- 

 boy might prefer the locomotive to the swallow, he wonld 

 not carry his admiration of finely mechanical velocity 

 into unqualified sympathy with the workmanship of the 

 God of Ekron ; and wonld generally suppose that flies 

 were made only to be food for the more grac^ul fly- 

 catcher, — whose finer grace you will discover, upon reflec- 

 tion, to be owing to the very moderation and simplicity 

 of its structure, and to the subduing of that infinitude of 

 joints, claws, tissues, veins, and fibres which inconceivably 

 vibrate in the microscopic "^ creature's motion, to a quite 

 intelligible and simple balance of rounded body upon 

 edged plume, maintained not without visible, and some- 

 times fatigued, exertion, and raising the lower creature 

 into fellowship with the volition and the virtue of 

 humanity. 



* I call it so because the members and action of it cannot be seen 

 with the unaided eye. 



