46 



1. As to the shape of their bodies, though it be 

 somewhat different from that of birds, being for the 

 most part not so sharp before, to cut and make way 

 through the air, yet it is better adapted to their 

 manner of life. For considering they have little need 

 of long flights, and that the strength and activity of 

 their wings far surpass the resistance they meet with 

 from the air, there was no occasion for their bodies 

 to be so sharpened. But the nature of their food, 

 the manner of gathering it, and the great necessity 

 they had of accurate vision, and large eyes ia order 

 thereto, required the largeness of the head, and its 

 amplitude before the rest of the body is all well made, 

 and nicery poised Cor their flight and other occasions. 



The make of their bodies is no less admirable : not 

 built throughout with bones, covered over with flesh, 

 and then with skin, as in most other animals : but 

 clothed with a curious mail of a middle "*hature, serv- 

 ing both as a skin and bone too ; as it were on pur- 

 pose to shew, that the great contriver of nature is not 

 bound up to one way only. 



How admirably are the legs and wings fitted for 

 their intended service ? Not to overload the body 

 nor to retard it, but give it the most proper and 

 convenient motion. What for example, can be better 

 contrived for this service than the wings ? Distended 

 and strengthened by the finest bones ; and these co* 

 vercd with the finest and lightest membranes ; aud 

 many of them provided with the finest articulations 

 and foldings, in order to be laid up in their cases 

 when they do not use them ; and yet always ready 

 to be extended for flight. 



2. The structure of the eye is in all creatures an 

 admirable piece of mechanism. But this is peculiarly 

 observable in that of an insect. Its hardness is an ex- 

 ccllent guard against external injuries ; and its outer 

 coat is all over beset with curious, transparent inlets, 

 enabling it to see every way without any loss of time,, 

 or trouble to move the eyes. 



