224 ON VARIOUS PARTS 



which is most excellently described in 

 Willughby's Ornithology. 



Every part and proportion of this bird 

 is so incomparably adapted to its mode of 

 life, that in no instance do we see the wis- 

 dom of God in the creation to more advan- 

 tage. The head is sharp and smaller than 

 the part of the neck adjoining, in order 

 that it may pierce the water ; the wings are 

 placed forward and out of the centre of 

 gravity, for a purpose which shall be noticed 

 hereafter ; the thighs quite at the podex, in 

 order to facilitate diving ; and the legs are 

 flat, and as sharp backwards almost as the 

 edge of a knife, that in striking they may 

 easily cut the water : while the feet are 

 palmated, and broad for swimming, yet so 

 folded up when advanced forward to take 

 a fresh stroke, as to be full as narrow as the 

 shank. The two exterior toes of the feet 

 are longest; the nails flat and broad, resem- 

 bling the human, which give strength and 

 increase the power of swimming. The 

 foot when expanded, is not at right angles 

 to -the leg or body of the bird: but the 



