Lobster Rattlesnake Birds. 1 07 



resting-place for itself while passing into a higher 

 form of life. The lobster and crab are provided 

 with a solid armor completely fitting all their limbs 

 and joints ; an armor so solid that growth would 



;n to be impossible. Hut nature gives them 

 the power at certain seasons of throwing oft' this 

 solid case, and after a rapid expansion of the body, of 

 secreting another covering adapted to the increased 

 size. 



The fang of the rattlesnake is the perfection of 

 an instrument for his cruel work. It is a tube, but 

 the end is flattened upon one side so as to bring the 

 point to a keen edge ; and the poison, ever ready, is 

 drhen out by the very blow that makes the wound. 

 This fang, - - ial to the anim;il to supplement 



his instinct, is liable to be broken by his savage 

 vs ; but nature has placed the germs of others in 

 the' u-ket, to grow and take the ] the 



one lost. J \\> rattle, which gives the warning before 

 he strikes, rious piece of mechanism, not 



made for the animal ; but being so perfectly fitted 

 for its work, and so in keeping with the instincts of 

 the animal, we cannot but regard this as a special 

 provision that this deadly reptile might not need- 

 lessly destroy life. 



The whole bird tribe is a marvel of special adap- 

 tations. The whole external structure, which cha- 

 racterizes birds, is itself a special adaptation to 

 the external world ; and when we consider the means 

 by which this perfect relationship is secured, 

 we are delighted by the skill manifested in the 



