80 THE GREASE. 



The body of the first is completely envelop- 

 ed in feathers, which, being oily on their sur- 

 faces, repel water for a great length of time. 

 The legs are defended by a scaly coat. When 

 the fowl is inclined to wash his feathers, he rubs 

 off the oil with his beak whilst in the water ; 

 but as soon as his feathers are dry, he oils them 

 again by rubbing his beak against his rump, 

 which secretes a greasy fluid, and afterwards ap- 

 plies it to every part of his body. 



Fish, which are constantly exposed to wa- 

 ter, throw out on the surface of their bodies a 

 mucus, which prevents the contact of that ele- 

 ment. 



In slight attacks of the grease, a cure may 

 generally be effected by employing such me- 

 dicines internally as will increase the urinary 

 and perspiratory discharges, and by attending 

 to cleanliness and moderate exercise. 



The 



