42 BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 



foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, 

 we have no reason to suppose but the former feel 

 as happy when they have formed their habitations 

 at a convenient distance from the hen-ioosi, and the 

 latter, when from their lofty situations they can 

 behold the fowler at a distance, as the frocks and 

 herds which graze our fields, or the domestic fowls 

 which partake of our care and bounty. By this 

 wise and happy arrangement, the harmony of the 

 universe is preserved, and the prodigious multitude 

 of Earth's numerous tenants enabled to exist with- 

 out 'disorder or confusion. 



But if we attend to the internal- structure of these 

 wonderfully complicated and intricately woven ma- 

 chines, called Animals, we will still find more rea- 

 son to admire and adore that Great Supreme, whose 

 omnipotent fiat brought them all into existence No 

 wonder that Galen, at the sight of a human skeleton, 

 should relinquish his former atheistical thoughts; 

 and, that the Psalmist, on the contemplation of his 

 material structure, should exclaim, " I am fearfully 

 and wonderfully made ;" but the greater surprise 

 is, that so many skeletons of animals and animated 

 wonders can be beheld with so much indifference 

 by that creature to whom God has given reflection 

 for the wisest of purposes ; for to what purpose can 

 the thoughts of man be better applied than to the 

 contemplation of the Deity through the medium of 

 his works ! 



" What variety of springs, what forces, and what 

 mechanical motion (says Button,) are % enclosed in 



