THE GOODNESS OF GOD. 143 



in one direct line to this country in the proper 

 season. 



When a salmon has been hooked or taken in 

 a net, it immediately discharges the contents of 

 the stomach, as instinct teaches it that it has a 

 better chance of escape with an empty than a 

 full one. 



Some animals will put on the semblance of 

 death when their lives are in danger. For in- 

 stance, the opossum does it ; and the common 

 snake will do this, and also a bird called the 

 landrail, and some beetles. 



Instinct has taught the peacock, when danger 

 threatens it, to expand its beautiful tail, to shake 

 its quills, and to hiss like a serpent, the shape 

 and colour of its head resembling that reptile ; 

 and it must be a bold animal which would attack 

 it in this position. 



When a cat gets into a wood, and tries to 

 conceal herself, that she may find an opportu- 

 nity of seizing her prey, you may hear the 

 screams of blackbirds, and the alarmed cry of 

 numerous other birds, all directing their atten- 

 tion to the spot where the cat is concealed, thus 

 informing the whole neighbourhood of the pre- 



