56 



he is disposed to dive, he strikes sail, and at ftnce sinks 

 to the bottom. When the weather is calm he mounts 

 again, and performs his voyage without either chart or 

 compass. 



" Here ate shoals upon shoals of every sjze and form. 

 Some lodged in their shells, stem to have no higher em- 

 ploy, than imbioing nutriment, and are almost rooted to 

 the rocks on which they lie: while others shoot along 

 the v elding flood, and range the spacious regions of the 

 deep. How various is their figure! The shells of some 

 seem to be the rude production of chance, rather than 

 of skill or design. Yet even in these we find the nicest 

 dispositions. Uncouth as they are, they are exactly 

 suited to the exigencies of their respective tenants. 

 Some on the other hand are extremely neat. Their 

 structure is all symmetry and elegance. No enamel is 

 comparable to their polish. Not a room in all the pa- 

 laces of Europe is so adorned as the bedchamber of the 

 little fish that dwells iu mother of pearl. Where else is 

 such a mixture ot red, blue, and green, so delightfully 

 staining the most clear and glistering ground ? 



" But what I admire more than all their beauty, is the 

 provision made for their safety. As they have no speed 

 to escape, so they have no dexterity to elude their foe. 

 So that were they naked, they must he an easy prey to 

 every free-hooter. To prevent this, what, is only clo- 

 thing to other animals, is to them a clothing, a house, 

 and a castle, They have a fortification which, grows 

 with them, and is part of themselves. And by means of 

 this they Live secure amidst millions of ravenous jaws, 



" Here dwell mackarel, herring, and various of- 

 kinds, which when lean wander up and down the ocean ; 

 but when fat they throng our creeks and bays, or haunt 

 the running streams. Who bids these creatures leave 

 our shores when they become unfit for our service ? 

 Who rallies and recalls the undisciplined vagrants, as 

 soon as they are improved iato desirable foetU- Surely 



