CHAPTER LXXXIV. 



THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTOHY. 



tHE wonderful provision of nature in the adaptation of means to end, is nowhere more strikingly 

 illustrated than in the peculiarities of structure which mark the different members of the 

 animal kingdom, adapting each to its environment, providing the means of defense and 

 sustenance; and in that instinctive knowledge of the hidden forces of nature which enables them to 

 perceive the approach of storms, changes of temperature, etc., and seek means of safety. Nothing 

 can be more interesting and instructive than to trace the reason of these peculiarities in animal and 

 insect life, and thus in the book of nature read the wisdom of the Creator. 



The form of question and answer has here been adopted for the reason that the facts can 

 thus be presented in the least possible space, and in the manner best adapted to the understanding 

 of the young. 



ANIMALS. 



i. Why are there so many bodily forms in the 

 tnimai creation t 



Because the various creatures which God has 

 created have different modes of life, and the 

 forms of their bodies will be found to present a 

 perfect adaptation to the lives allotted to them. 



Because, also, the beauty of creation depends 

 upon the variety of objects of which it consists. 

 And the greatness of the Creator's power is 

 shown by the diversity of ends accomplished by 

 different means. 



a. Why do the furs of animals become thicker in 

 the winter than in the summer f 



Because the Creator has thus provided for the 

 preservation of the warmth of the animals dur- 

 ing the cold months of winter. 



3. Why have dogs and other carnivorous animals 

 long pointed teeth projecting above the rest t 



Because as they have not hands to seize and 

 control their food, the projecting teeth enable 

 them to snap and hold the objects which they 

 pursue for food. 



4. Why is the under-jaw of the hog shorter and 

 smaller than the upper one t 



Because the animal pierces the ground with 

 its long snout, and then the small under-jaw 



works freely in the furrow that has been opened 

 in quest of food. 



5. Why have animals with long necks largt 

 throats f 



Animals that graze, or feed from the ground, 

 generally have a more powerful muscular forma- 

 tion of the throat than those which feed in other 

 positions, because a greater effort is required 

 to force the food upward, than would be needed 

 to convey it down. 



6. Why have otters, seals, etc., web-feet t 

 Because, while the feet enable them to walk 



upon the land, they are equally effective in their 

 action upon the water, and hence they are 

 adapted to the amphibious nature of the animals 

 to which they belong. 



7. Why do the external ears of animals of prey t 

 such as cats, tigers, foxes, wolves, hyenas, etc., bend 

 forward f 



Because they collect the sounds that occur in 

 the direction of the pursuit, and enable the ani- 

 mal to track its prey with greater certainty. 



8. Why do the ears of animals of flight, such as 

 hares, rabbits, deer, etc., turn backward f 



Because they thereby catch the sounds that 

 give them warning of the approach of danger. 



