BOOK OP NATURE LAID PEN. 4? 



made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lower 

 places of the earth. Whether they come into the 

 world in the shape of animals completely toi med, 

 or through the medium of eggs, still the business of 

 generation must remain a mystery, arid be reckoned 

 amongst the number of the dark things of the Creator. 



The provision for keeping the number of living 

 creatures within due limits, is no less remarkable 

 than that for bringing them into being. The most 

 formidable monsters are thinly scattered, or confined 

 to particular spots. The destructive Tiger> for /in- 

 stance, is not very common, and the greatest ren- 

 dezvous of this blood-thirsty animal is said to be a 

 sort of insulated situation, the Sunderbunds or 

 Woody -Islands, at the mouth of the Ganges in India. 

 Long lived animals are observed to have few young 

 at a time ; while those of the greatest utility or such 

 as are used for animal food, abound in every climate, 

 and the short in duration are uncommonly prolific ! 



The instinct displayed by many of the irrational 

 creation for the preservation of their young, is also 

 truly astonishing,, and in some instances has been 

 referred to as examples of the strongest proofs of af- 

 fection. " How often," says our Saviour, " would 

 I have gathered thy children together, as a hen ga- 

 thereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would 

 not !" but there are some of this order who stand 

 not long in need of parental protection and instruc- 

 tion ; for the newly-calved Hippopotamus on the 

 death of his dam, will, at the sight of danger, betake 

 himself to a place of safety in his natural element,, 



