or NATURE. 225 



.exterior part inclining towards the head 

 forms an acute angle with the body ; the 

 intention being, not to give motion in the 

 line of the legs themselves, but by the 

 combined impulse of both in an interme- 

 diate line, the line of the body. 



Most people know, that have observed at 

 all, that the swimming of birds is nothing 

 more than a walking in the water, where 

 one foot succeeds the other as on the land ; 

 yet no one, as far as I am aware, has re- 

 marked that diving fowls, while under wa- 

 ter, impel and row themselves forward by 

 a motion of their wings, ^as well as by the 

 impulse of their feet : but such is really the 

 case, as any person may easily be convinced, 

 who will observe ducks when hunted by 

 dogs in a clear pond. Nor do I know that 

 any one has given a reason why the wings 

 of diving fowls are placed so forward : 

 doubtless, not for the purpose of promot- 

 ing their speed in flying, since that position 

 certainly impedes it; but probably for the 

 increase of their motion under water, by 

 the use of four oars instead of two; yet 



VOL. 11. Q 



