14 STRUCTURE OF FEATHERS. 



shaft, into a series of filaments, generally placed opposite 

 to each other, and, being associated at the bases, forming a 

 stiff, yet elastic expansion. Springing out of these webs 

 on either side are what are called barbs, which seem to 

 hold them together, and enable them to resist the pressure 

 of the air upon the extended wing. From the upper 

 edges of the barbs, again shoot other filaments, still more 

 minute, which are called barbules, and these in turn are 

 again armed with barbacels, too small for other than mi- 

 croscopic examination. These barbs, and barbules, and 

 barbacels, are shaped like little hooks, and, growing out of, 

 embracing, and supporting each other, form a wonder- 

 fully complex, and yet in its action simple, piece of 

 machinery, and offering a beautiful picture of the unity 

 which ought to prevail in the social and political systems 

 of mankind. And all through nature, be it observed, do 

 we trace these mutual dependencies, this close interweaving 

 of the meshes of that golden net of love, which is cast by 

 the hand of God over everything which he has fashioned, 

 whether animate or inanimate. 



How many lessons they may learn 

 Who to the book of nature turn, 

 And read, with love-instructed eyes, 

 The glories of the earth and skies. 



And this feather, apparently so light and fragile, yet in 

 reality so strong and enduring, which we have been at- 

 tempting to describe, is but one of many hundreds, nay 

 thousands, which go to form the covering of a single little 

 bird ; that bird, one of a species ; that species, one of a 

 genus; that genus, one of a family, or order; and that again, 

 one of a class. How many birds are there in the universe ? 

 We cannot answer this question ; much less can we tell 

 how many feathers ? Who makes them all, and orders 

 these nice arrangements, so that they shall best conduce to 

 the safety, the sustenance, the comfort, and the beauty, not 

 only of birds generally, but of the particular species of 

 bird which they at once clothe, protect, beautify, and bear 

 whithersoever its wants or its pleasures require ? But we 

 may be told, perhaps, that feathers grow, like to flowers, 



