140 PECULIAR ORGANIZATIONS. 



cute. The head of an ox or a horse is a heavy weight, 

 acting at the end of a long lever, (consequently with a great 

 purchase,) and in a direction nearly perpendicular to the 

 joints of the supporting neck. From such a force, so advan- 

 tageously applied, the bones of the neck would be in constant 

 danger of dislocation, if they were not fortified by this strong 

 tape. No such organ is found in the human subject, be- 

 cause, from the erect position of the head, (the pressure of 

 it acting nearly in the direction of the spine,) the junction 

 of the vertebrae appears to be sufficiently secure without it. 

 The care of the Creator is seen where it is wanted. This 

 cautionary expedient is limited to quadrupeds. 



II. The oil with which birds prune their feathers, and' 

 the organ which supplies it, is a specific provision for the 

 winged creation. On each side of the rump of birds is ob- 

 served a small nipple, yielding upon pressure a butter-like 

 substance, which the bird extracts by pinching the pap with 

 its bill. With this oil or ointment, thus procured, the bird 

 dresses its coat ; and repeats the action as often as its own 

 sensations teach it that it is in any part wanted, or as the ex- 

 cretion may be sufficient for the expense. The gland, the 

 pap, the nature and quality of the excreted substance, the 

 manner of obtaining it from its lodgment in the body, the 

 application of it when obtained, form, collectively, an evi- 

 dence of intention, which it is not easy to withstand. Nothing 

 similar to it is found in unfeathered animals. What blind 

 conatus of nature should produce it in birds; should not 

 produce it in beasts ? 



III. The air bladder also of a/sA, [PI. XXIII. fig. 3.] af- 

 fords a plain and direct instance, not only of contrivance, but 

 strictly of that species of contrivance, which we denominate 

 mechanical. It is a philosophical apparatus in the body of an 

 animal. The principle of the contrivance is clear ; the ap- 

 plication of the principle is also clear. The use of the organ 

 to sustain, and, at will, also to elevate, the body of the fish in 

 the water, is proved by observing, what has been tried, that, 

 when the bladder is burst, the fish grovels at the bottom ; 

 and also, that flounders, soles, skaits, which are without 

 the air bladder, seldom rise in the water, and that, with 

 effort. The manner in which the purpose is attained, and 

 the suitableness of the means to the end, are not difficult 

 to be apprehended. The rising and sinking of a fish in 

 water, so far as it is independent of the stroke of the fins 

 and tail, can only be regulated by the specific gravity of 

 the body. When the bladder contained in the body of 



