love's meinie. 61 



69. I take tlie rude outline of sail in Fig. 3, and now 

 considering it as a jib of one of our own sailing vessels, 

 slightly exaggerate the Ioojds at the edge, and draw 

 curved lines from them to the opposite point, Fig. 4 ; and 



Fig. 4. 



I have a reptilian or dragon's wing, which would, with 

 some ramification of the supporting ribs, become a bat's 

 or moth's ; that is to say, an extension of membrane be- 

 tween the ribs (as in an umbrella), which will catch the 

 wind, and flutter upon it, like a leaf ; but cannot strike it 

 to any purpose. The flying squirrel drifts like a falling 

 leaf ; the bat flits like a black rag torn at the edge. To 

 give power, we must have plumes that can strike, as with 

 the flat of a sword-blade ; and to g\xQ perfect power, these 

 must be laid over each other, so that each may support 

 the one below it. I use the word below advisedly : we 

 have to strike down. The lowest feather is the one that 



