49* 



THE REASON WHY IN NATURAL HISTORY. 



Because the horse was created for speed. 

 Had he the ruminating stomach of the ox, he 

 would be quite unfitted for the labor which he 

 now so admirably performs. 



29. Why has the horse no gall-bladder / 

 Because the rapid digestion of the horse, by 



which its fitness for speed is greatly increased, 

 does not require the storing up of the bile as in 

 other animals in which the digestive process is 

 a slower operation. 



30. Why have oxen and other quadrupeds a tough 

 ligament called the "pax-wax" running from their 

 backs to their heads ? 



Because their heads are of considerable weight; 

 and having frequent occasion to lift them, they 

 are provided with an elastic ligament, which is 

 fastened at the middle of their backs, while its 

 other extremity is attached to the head. This 

 enables them to raise their heads easily; other- 

 wise the effort to do so would be a work of great 

 labor. To the horse, the pax-wax acts as a 

 natural bearing-rein, assisting it to hold its head 

 in that position which adds to the grace and 

 beauty of the animal. 



31. Why have the females of the kangaroo and 

 opossum tribes pouches, or pockets, formed in the 

 skin of their breasts for the reception of their 

 young t 



Because their young ones are remarkably 

 small and helpless; in fact, more so than those 

 of any other animal of equal proportions. Be- 

 sides which, the full-grown animals have very 

 long hind-legs, and they progress by a series of 

 extraordinary leaps. It would consequently be 

 impossible for their helpless young ones to follow 

 them. God has therefore given to female kan- 



garoos and opossums curious pockets, formed 

 out of their own skin, in which they place their 

 little young ones, and bear them through their 

 surprising leaps with the greatest ease and 

 safety. 



32. Why do animals that graze, crop the tender 

 blades of grass, but avoid the tall stems ? 



Because they are tempted by the greatei 

 sweetness and tenderness of the young blades; 

 and in this temptation a very important end is 

 served; for, by avoiding the stems that have 

 grown up, the animals spare the matured plant 

 by which seeds are borne, and by which the sup- 

 ply of food is to be continued. 



33. Why has the giraffe a small head t 

 Because, being set upon the end of a very long 



neck, the animal would be unable to raise it if it 

 were heavy. 



34. Why has the giraffe a long neck t 



Because it feeds upon the branches of tall 

 trees. 



35. Why has the giraffe a long and flexibU 

 tongue ? 



Because it is thereby enabled to lay hold of 

 the tender twigs and branches, and draw them 

 into its mouth, avoiding the coarser parts of the 

 branches. 



36. Why are the nostrils of the giraffe small ana 

 narrow, and studded with hairs ? 



Because the hairs and the peculiar shape ot 

 the nasal passages are designed as a protection 

 against the insects which inhabit the boughs ol 

 the trees upon which the giraffe feeds ; and also 

 against the sands of the desert, which storms 

 raise into almost suffocating clouds. 



BIRDS. 



37. Why are birds covered with feathers f 

 Because they require a high degree of warmth, 



on account of the activity of their muscles ; but 

 in providing that warmth it was necessary that 

 their coats should be of the lightest material, so 

 as not to impair their powers of flight ; and 

 feathers combine the highest warming power, 

 with the least amount of weight. 



38. Why have ostriches small wings t 

 Because, having long legs, they do not require 



their wings for flight ; they are merely used to 

 steady their bodies while running. 



39. Why are ostrich feathers soft and downy t 



Because, as the feathers are not employed fof 

 flight, the strength of the feathers as constructed 

 for flying is unnecessary, and the feathers there- 

 fore consist chiefly of a soft down. 



40. Why have water-birds feathers of a close ana 

 smooth texture ? 



Because such feathers keep the body of the 

 bird warm and dry, by repelling the water from 

 their surface. A bird could scarcely move 

 through the water with the downy leathers ol 





