CLEANLINESS OF ANIMALS. 



ness and lustration of their plumage. All the slug 

 race, though covered with slimy matter calculated 

 to collect extraneous things, and reptiles, are per- 

 fectly free from soil. The fur and hair of beasts in 

 a state of liberty and health is never filthy, or sul- 

 lied with dirt. Some birds roll themselves in dust, 

 and occasionally, particularly beasts, cover them- 

 selves with mire ; but this is not from any lik- 

 ing or inclination for such things, but to free them- 

 selves 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 

 pleasure from the operation, and thus this feeling of 

 enjoyment, even if the sole motive, becomes to them 

 an essential source of comfort and of health. 



It may be noted probably by some, how fre- 

 quently I recur to the causes and objects of the 

 faculties, manners, 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 excite- 

 ment to 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 of 

 ignorance, affords ; and if by any consideration we 

 can advance one point nearer to the comprehension 

 of what is hidden, we infinitely increase our satis- 

 faction and delight. 



