CLEANLINESS OF ANIMALS. 



The perfect cleanliness of these creatures is a 

 very 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 scarabaei, upon first emerg- 

 ing from their winter's retreat, are commonly found 

 with earth clinging to them ; but the removal of 

 this is one of the first operations 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 defilements of 

 any kind. But purity of vesture seems to be a 

 principal precept of Nature, and observable through- 

 out creation. Fishes, from the nature of the ele- 

 ment in which they reside, can contract but little 

 impurity. Birds are unceasingly attentive to neat- 

 ness 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 are never filthy, or sullied 

 with dirt. Some birds roll themselves in dust, 

 and occasionally cover themselves with mire; beasts 

 have the same habit ; but this is not from any liking 

 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 



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