44 BOOR OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 



along with it the most indisputable evidence of its 

 Original; namely, that it is beyond the possibility 

 of art to imitate, or the utmost stretch of human in- 

 genuity to comprehend. 



Motion is one distinguishing characteristic of the 

 animal from th'* vegetable kingdom of 'Nature: and 

 this peculiarity will bo found to be absolutely neces- 

 sary ; for if the food or nutriment 01 animals is not 

 brought to them as to plants, by means of roots or 

 other conductors, they must needs go in search of 

 it; and how wisely are they furnished with instru- 

 ments for the purpose, some in the form of liir.bs, 

 some of wings, some of fins, and some of the reptile 

 tribe are enabled to move by the disposition of the 

 muscles and fibres of their bodies ; but what would 

 this power of motion and means of performing it 

 have signified, had these creatures been left to grope 

 in the dark, without ability to distinguish the good 

 from the bad : 



To shun their poison, and to choose their food." 



Might they not as well have remained to perish 

 en the spot which gave them birth, as to have strayed 

 only to get their frames shattered by every interven- 

 ing obstacle: or the vital spark extinguished by 

 mistaking the beautiful plant for the wholesome herb. 

 To remedy such evils, how r ever, Nature, or rather 

 the God of Nature, has not only .provided them 

 with senses, but has taken the utmost precaution to 

 guard from external injury these wonderful pieces 

 of exquisite skill, as well as that seat of all sensa- 



