60 



Here, again, you may take the matter in brief sum. 

 Whatever is the ship's loss, is the bird's gain ; whatever 

 tendency the ship has to leeway, is all given to the bird's 

 support, so that every atom ^ of force in the blow is of 

 services^ 



Q8. Therefore you have to construct your organic 

 weapon, so that this absolutely and perfectly economized 

 force may be distributed as the bird chooses at any 

 moment. That, if it wants to rise, it may be able to strike 

 vertically more than obliquely ; — if the order is, go a-head, 

 that it may ]3ut the oblique screw on. If it wants to stop 

 in an instant, that it may be able to throw its wings up 

 full to the wind ; if it wants to hover, that it may be able 

 to lay itself quietly on the w^ind with its wings and tail, 

 or, in calm air, to regulate their vibration and expansion 

 into tranquillity of gliding, or of pausing power. Given 

 the various pi'oportions of weight and wing ; the condi- 

 tions of possible increase of muscular force and quill- 

 strength in proportion to size ; and the diiferent objects 

 and circumstances of flight, — you have a series of exqui- 

 sitely complex problems, and exquisitely perfect solutions, 

 which the life of the vouno^est amons: you cannot be lono; 

 enough to read through so much as once, and of which 

 the future infinitudes of human life, however granted or 

 extended, never will be fatigued in admiration. 



* I don't know what word to use for an infinitesimal degree or divi- 

 ded portion of force : one can't properly speak of a force being cut into 

 pieces ; but I can think of no other word than atom. 



