CLEANLINESS OF ANIMALS. 219 



notable circumstance, when we consider that nearly 

 their whole lives are passed in burrowing in the earth, 

 and removing nuisances ; yet such is the admirable 

 polish of their coating and limbs, that we very seldom 

 find any soil adhering to them. The meloe, and some 

 of the scarabsei, upon first emerging from their winter's 

 retreat, are commonly found with earth clinging to 

 them ; but the removal of this is one of the first opera- 

 tions of the creature ; and all the beetle race, the chief 

 occupation of which is crawling about the soil, and 

 such dirty employs, are notwithstanding remarkable for 

 the glossiness of their covering, and freedom from de- 

 filements of any kind. But purity of vesture seems to 

 be a principal precept of nature, and observable 

 throughout creation. Fishes, from the nature of the 

 element in which they reside, can contract but little 

 impurity. Birds are unceasingly attentive to neatness 

 and lustration of their plumage. All the slug race, 

 though covered with slimy matter calculated to collect 

 extraneous things, and reptiles, are perfectly free from 

 soil. The fur and hair of beasts in a state of liberty 

 and health is never filthy, or sullied, with dirt. Some 

 birds roll themselves in dust, and occasionally, particu- 

 larly beasts, cover themselves with mire ; but this is not 

 from any liking or inclination for such things, but to 

 free themselves from annoyances, or to prevent the 

 bites of insects. Whether birds in preening, and beasts 

 in dressing themselves, be directed by any instinctive 

 faculty, we know not ; but they evidently derive plea- 

 sure from the operation, and thus this feeling of enjoy- 

 ment, even if the sole motive, becomes to them an es- 

 sential source of comfort and of health. 



It may be noted probably by some, how frequently 

 I recur to the causes and objects of the faculties, man- 

 ners, and tendencies of animate and inanimate things. 

 This recurrence springs from no cavil at the wisdom, no 

 suspicion of the fitness of the appointment, nor, I trust, 

 from any excitemenKo presumptuous pryings into paths 

 which are in the great deep, and not to be searched 

 out ; but are humbly indulged, from the pleasure which 

 the contemplation of perfect wisdom, even in a state 



