308 



NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



The superior sagacity of animals which hunt their 

 prey, and which, consequently, depend for their liveli- 

 hood upon their nose, is well known in its use ; but not 

 at all known in the organization which produces it. 



The external em^s of beasts of prey, of lions, tigers, 

 wolves, have their trumpet-part, or concavity, standing 

 forward, to seize the sounds which are before them — 

 viz., the sounds of the animals which they pursue or 

 watch. The ears of animals of flight are turned back- 

 ward, to give notice of the approach of their enemy from 

 behind, whence he may steal upon them unseen. This 

 is a critical distinction, and is mechanical ; but it may be 

 suggested, and, I think, not without probabihty, that it 

 is the effect of continual habit. 



[Heads of the hare and wolf, showing the different manner 

 in which the ears are turned. — Am. Ed.] 



The eyes of animals which follow their prey by night, 

 as cats, owls, &c., possess a faculty not given to those 

 of other species, namely, of closing the pupil entirely. 



