PLEASURES DERIVED FROM NATURAL HISTORY. 113 



tail, which answers the purpose of a hand, and 

 is invaluable to creatures which frequently in- 

 habit extensive and lofty forests. They are thus 

 enabled to ascend the smooth and slippery trunks 

 of trees when burdened with their young, and to 

 run with incredible celerity along the branches. 

 This peculiarity is not found in the Australian 

 Opossum, because unnecessary, and nothing is be- 

 stowed in vain. Other animals also inhabit the 

 thickly-wooded districts of South America, and are 

 provided in like manner with this important mem- 

 ber; these are a numerous tribe of monkeys, the 

 ant-eaters, the kinkajous, and the prehensile por- 

 cupine. We observe in this a striking instance of 

 adaptation to localities. 



u It has always been my habit/' says an elegant 

 natural historian of New York, " to embrace every 

 opportunity of increasing my knowledge by actual 

 observation, and I have ever found ample means of 

 gratifying this disposition wherever Providence has 

 cast my lot. When an inhabitant of the country, 

 it was sufficient to go a few steps from the door to 

 find myself in the midst of numerous interesting 

 objects; when a resident of the crowded city, a 

 healthful walk of half an hour placed me where my 

 favourite enjoyment was offered in abundance ; and 

 now, when no longer able to seek in fields and 

 woods for that knowledge which cannot readily be 

 obtained elsewhere, the recollection of my former 

 rambles is productive of a satisfaction which past 

 pleasures rarely bestow." 



One of the naturalist's favourite walks lay 



