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can open at pleasure, or shut close lo their body. 

 Lastly, under their skin there is a slimy juice, whick 

 they emit-as occasion requires, to lubricate the body, 

 and facilitate their passage into the earth. By all 

 these means they are enabled, with ease and speed, 

 to work themselves into the earth, which th-jy could 

 not do, were they covered with hair, feathers, 

 scales, or such clothing like any of the other crea- 

 tures. 



How wisely, likewise, are the inhabitants of the 

 waters clotaed ! The shells of some fishes, are a 

 strong guard to their tender bodies, and consistent 

 enough with their slow motion : while the scales and 

 fins of others afford them an easy and swift passage 

 through the waters. 



6. Admirable, likewise, is the sagacity of brute-ani- 

 mals in the conveniency and method of their habita- 

 tions. Their architectonic sk.il herein, exceeds all the 

 skill of man. With what inimitable art do some of 

 these poor, untaught creatures, lay a parcel of rude 

 ugly sticks or straws together ! with what curiosity 

 do they line them within, yea, wind and place every 

 hair, feather, or lock of wool, to guard and keep warm, 

 the tender bodies, both of themselves and their young;? 

 And with what art do they thatch over and coat their 

 nests without, to deceive the eye of the spectators, as 

 well as to guard and fence them against the injuries 

 of the weather ? 



Even insects, those little, weak, tender creatures, 

 what artists are they in building their habitations? 

 How does the bee gather its comb from various 

 flowers, the wasp from solid timber ? With what 

 accuracy do other insects perforate the earth, wo;d, 

 yea, stone itself ? Farther yet, with wiiat care and 

 neatness do most of them line their houses within, 

 and seal them up and fence them without ? How ar. 

 tificially do others fold up the leaves of trees ; others 

 glue light bodies together, and make floating houses 



