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I 



they hare the most commodious sfore.houses, where* 

 in they deposit them. They readily distinguish every 

 plant, which aifords materials for their business ; and 

 are complete practitioners in the arts of separation 

 and refinement. They are aware that the vernal 

 bloom and summer sun continue but for a season. 

 Therefore they improve to the utmost every shining 

 hour, and lay up a stock sufficient to supply the 

 ivhole state, tUl their flowery harvest returns. 



If the master of this lower creation is ennobled with 

 the powers of reason, the meanest classes of sensitive 

 beings, are endued with the faculty of instinct : a 

 sagacity w"hich is neither derived from observation, nor 

 "waits the finishing of experience: which without a 

 tutor teaches them all necessary skill, and enables 

 them without a pattern to perform every needful ope- 

 ration. And what is more remarkable, it never mis- 

 leads them, either into erroneous principles, or perni- 

 cious practices : nor ever fails them in the most nice 

 and difficult of their undertakings* 



Let us step into another element, and just visit the 

 watery world. There is not one among the innumerable 

 myriads, that swim the boundless ocean, but is watch, 

 ed over by the sovereign eye, and is supported by 

 his Almighty hand. lie has condescended even to 

 beautify them. He has given the most exact propor- 

 tion to their shape, the gayest colours to their skin, 

 and a polished surface to their scales. The eyes of 

 some are surrour.dcd with a scarlet circle : the back 

 of others diversified with crimson stains* View them 

 when they glance along the stream, or when they are 

 fresh from their native brine, the silver is not more 

 bright nor the rainbow more glowing than their vivid ? 

 glossy hues. 



But as they have neither hands nor feet, how can 

 they help themselves, or escape their enemies : by the 

 benelicial, as well as ornamental furniture of fins. 

 These when expanded, like masts above, and ballast 

 below, poise their floating bodies, and keep them 

 steadily upright. They are likewise greatly assisted 



