THE EEASON TTHY. 337 



" The Lord is good ; his mercy is everlasting ; and his truth endureth to all 

 generations." PSAXH c. 



it up into a certain precise form, whenever it desires to place its wings under 

 the shelter which nature hath given to them, or to expand again their folds 

 when wanted for action. 



In some insects, the elytra cover the whole body ; in others, half; in others 

 only a small part of it ; but in all, they completely hide and cover the true 

 wings. Also, 



Many, or most of the beetle species lodge in holes in the earth, environed by 

 hard, rough substances, and have frequently to squeeze their way through 

 narrow passages; in which situation, wings so tender, and so large, could 

 scarcely have escaped injury, without both a firm covering to defend them, and 

 the capacity of folding themselves up under its protection. 



1321. Why have many of the beetle tribe large strong 

 horns ? 



Because, as they live in holes in the earth, or in excavations in 

 wood, they use their horns to dig out their places of retreat. 



1322. Why has the giraffe a small head ? 



Because, being set upon the end of a very long neck, the animal 

 would be unable to raise it if it were heavy. 



1323. Why has the giraffe a long neck ? 

 Because it feeds upon the branches of tall trees. 



1324. Why has the giraffe a long and flexible tongue ? 

 Because it is thereby enabled to lay hold of the tender twigs and 



branches, and draw them into its mouth, avoiding the coarser 

 parts of the branches. 



1325. Why are the nostrils of the giraffe small and 

 narrow, and studded with hairs ? 



Because the hairs and the peculiar shape of the nasal passages 

 are designed as a protection against the insects which inhabit the 

 boughs of the trees upon which the giraffe feeds ; and also against 

 the sands of the desert, which storms raise into almost suffocating 

 clouds. 



1326. The distribution of animals, or Zoological Geography, is a of great 

 interest, and should be carefully studied in connection with Botanical Geo- 

 graphy (sea 1208). The highest department of the animal kingdom (writes the 

 Rev. W. Milner) commences with the class of Birds, which may be naturally 

 divided into the three great orders of serial, terrestrial, and aquatic. Aggre. 



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