38 SENSES. 



inward powers of man, when they can accomplish so 

 much with so little external intercourse, or percep- 

 tion. But speaking of the sense of feeling, are not 

 many parts of the body so exposed to be chafed and 

 worn away by severe rubbing, as must be apt to ren- 

 der the delicacy of this sense very painful to us ? 



A. There was an evident foresight of this very 

 difficulty ; and it is curious to see how it has been 

 provided against. The sailor covers his ropes with 

 leather where he knows they will be likely to be 

 frayed. He always carries leather to sea with him 

 for this purpose. But this is nothing to what nature 

 has done. We may notice her contrivance upon the 

 bottom of the heel. It is the scale or crust we there 

 observe, and which is produced altogether by the con- 

 stant rubbing and pressing of the foot in walking, as 

 infants have no such cases upon their heels. We see 

 the same, or what resembles it, in the hands, and 

 wherever the skin is subjected to hard usage. By 

 being tender of the part for a short time, the case dis- 

 appears, and the skin returns to its ordinary state. 

 The leather comes upon the rope, of its own accord. 

 and gradually goes off, as it ceases to be wanted. 



B. What a happy provision, especially for the 

 poor laborer! The rock is made to give him his 

 gloves. 



T. Are there any remarkable varieties in animals, 

 with respect to the senses ? 



A. It is observable that in the fish the organs ol 

 smell are placed on the outside, at the extremity of 

 the muzzle, so as to receive impressions from the 



