THE REASON WHY. 271 



"Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness de 



spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield 



their strength." JOEL n. 



1077. Why has the elephant a trunk ? 



The trunk of an elephant serves as a substitute for a neck, 

 enabling the animal to crop the branches of trees, or to raise water 

 from the stream. 



1078. Why do the hind legs of elephants bend forward? 

 Because the weight of the animal is so great, that when it lay 



down it would rise with great difficulty, if its legs bent outward, 

 as do the legs of other animals. Being bent under the body, they 

 have a greater power of pushing directly upward, when the 

 powerful muscles of the thighs straighten them. 



According to Cuvier, the number of muscles, in an elephant's trunk, amounts 

 to forty thousand, all of which are under the will, and it is to these that the 

 proboscis of this animal owes its flexibility. It can be protruded or contracted 

 at pleasure, raised up or turned to either side, coiled round on itself or twined 

 around any object. With this instrument the elephant collects the herbage on 

 which he feeds and puts it into his mouth ; with this he strips the trees of their 

 branches, or grasps his enemy and dashes him to the ground. But this admi- 

 rable organ is not only adapted for seizing or holding substances of magnitude ; 

 it is also capable of plucking a single leaf, or of picking up a straw from the 

 floor. The orifices of the canals of the extremity are encircled by a projecting 

 margin, produced anteriorly into a finger-like process endowed with a high 

 degree of sensibility and exceedingly flexible. It is at once a finger for grasping 

 and a feeler: the division between the two nasal orifices or their elevated sides 

 serves as a point against which to press ; and thus it can pick up or hold a small 

 coin, a bit of biscuit, or any trifling thing with the greatest ease. Knight's 

 Animal Kingdom. 



1079. Why have bats hooked claws in their wings ? 

 Because bats are almost destitute of legs and feet ; at least those 



organs are included in their wings. If they alight upon the ground, 

 they have great difficulty in again taking to the wing, as they 

 cannot run or spring to bring their wings in action upon the air. 

 At the angle of each wing there is placed, therefore, a bony hook, 

 by which the bat attaches itself to the sides of rocks, caves, and 

 buildings, laying hold of crevices, joinings, chinks, &c. ; and when 

 it takes its flight, it unhooks itself, and its wings are at once free 

 to strike the air. 



1080. Why does the bat fly by night ? 



Because it lives chiefly upon moths, which are night-flying 

 insects. 



