52 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS. CHAP. II. 



prehensile tails, which distinguish nearly all the Ame- 

 rican species. The skin of this member, on its under 

 surface, is entirely naked, and endowed with such sen- 

 sibility, that it is used by the animal as a fifth hand. 

 It is a well-known fact, that, at the moment of their death, 

 if they happen to be shot in a tree, they coil their tail 

 round the nearest branch, and there remain, after life 

 has departed from the body. The Ursus lotor, or rac- 

 coon, appears to enjoy the same sense in an exquisite 

 degree, examining everything very carefully with its 

 paws. But, in this particular, no creatures seem to 

 equal those of the Vespertllionida, or bat family, which 

 need not collision with any object, to be advertised of 

 its vicinity ; but which, if blinded, will guide them- 

 selves through the most winding and complicated pas- 

 sages, without once hitting the walls, or striking against 

 any impediment which may seem to obstruct their pro- 

 gress. 



(68.) In FISHES, the organs of the senses are de- 

 veloped under some peculiar aspects. Of their eyes, it 

 has been asked, <( Why is the crystalline so round, 

 but to compensate for the refraction of the rays of 

 light ? " thus enabling these animals to see, even 

 through so dense a medium as that which surrounds it. 

 This is, in truth, one of those wonderful provisions 

 made for the particular necessities of every living thing. 

 Another is exemplified in the common eel, which bores 

 cavities in the sand and mud at the bottom of the water ; 

 the eye is, therefore, supplied with a hard and transparent 

 membrane, which it can draw over the pupil at pleasure, 

 thus effectually guarding these organs from injury. 

 The ear of fishes, being far less complicated in its struc- 

 ture than that of other animals, naturalists have therefore 

 been led to conclude that the sense, of which this is the 

 organ, must be proportionably weak. We are also in- 

 duced to suppose that the power of taste is likewise 

 very imperfect : this idea is further strengthened, by 

 the habit, which is almost universal among fish, of 

 B wallowing their food in an entire state, that is, without 



