266 On the Physical Facts contained in the Bible, 
Scripture often makes mention of the migrations under- 
taken by so many animals, particularly birds and fishes. It 
often compares the rapidity of birds of passage, as they cross 
the seas, to the speed of vessels using their large sails as if 
they were huge wings. It shews to us the extensive jour- 
neys performed by these light inhabitants of the air, their 
immense numbers, their fatigues, the consequence of their 
lengthened flight, and the promptitude with which they alight 
when they reach the end of their journey. Everything, in 
the delineation of the manners of these birds of passage, is 
rapid and animated as the movements themselves of the be- 
ings which people the aérial ocean.* 
We have enumerated some of the principal physical facts 
contained in the Bible; we have endeavoured to shew the 
relations they bear to those with which science has re- 
cently made us acquainted It seems that nothing now re- 
mains for us to ascertain. There is, however, one essen- 
tial point of which we have omitted to speak, and with this 
we shall terminate our researches. The Book of Wisdom, 
after having said that the almighty hand of God made 
the world out of nothing, adds, that he disposed all things 
by number, weight, and measure. By this we are led to un- 
derstand, that we ought to consider natural bodies under 
three aspects ; that is to say, under that of their extent, their 
rived from the verb schour, which properly signifies to contemplate. The 
authors of the Bible were not ignorant that the eagle could fix its eyes 
on the sun. The prophets had also correctly observed that when the 
eagle moults he loses almost all his feathers (Micah i. 16). Scripture is 
not less correct, when it speaks of the manners of animals. See, for 
example, Proverbs xxx. 25 to 28; Isaiah xxxiv. 14 and 15. The Pro- 
verbs contain details not less curious on inanimate bodies. Ezekiel (iii. 
9, and x. 1) had remarked, that the diamond was the hardest of stones, 
as the sapphire was one of the most brilliant. Zechariah, likewise, 
when wishing to describe the impenitence of the Hebrews, says that they 
have hardened their heart like the diamond (vii. 12). This prophet was 
also acquainted with the mode of trying gold and purifying silver (xiii. 
9). The 28th chapter of Job contains interesting details on the metals 
and precious stones. 
* See Isaiah xlvi. 11; lx. 8; Hosea xi. 11; Joel ii. 25; also the 
Psalms. 
