43 



COMPARATIVE ANATOMY 



CETACEA. 



It has been well remarked, tliat the most useful 

 and ennobling view of natural history is unques- 

 tionably that which gives the most exalted con- 

 ception of the wisdom, goodness, and power of the 

 Creator: and the branch of natural history best 

 calculated to assist in tracing the works of nature 

 up to nature's God, is probably the physiology 

 of animals. When we bear in mind that the 

 Cetacea are mammalia, and yet inhabitants of the 

 mighty deep, we may safely conclude that the 

 mechanism displayed in the adaptation of their 

 structure to their exigencies will superabound in ex- 

 quisite design and infinite msdom. Even externally, 

 the changes which they undergo are interesting. 

 The extremities are curiously and greatly modified. 

 The upper is converted from an arm or fore foot 

 into a fin, or s\^'imming paw, as it is more accurately 

 called ; and though at first glance the difference 

 between these two appears immense, yet when we 

 examine their osseous structure, the real coincidence 



