222 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



1. The covering of different animals, (though 

 whether I am correct in classing this under their 

 anatomy, I do not know,) is the first thing which 

 presents itself to our observation ; and is, in truth, 

 both for its variety and its suitableness to their 

 several natures, as much to be admired as any 

 part of their structure. We have bristles, hair, 

 wool, furs, feathers, quills, prickles, scales ; yet 

 in this diversity both of material and form, we 

 eannot change one animal's coat for another, 

 without evidently changing it for the worse ; — 

 taking care, however, to remark, that these cover- 

 ings are, in many cases, armour as well as cloth- 

 ing ; intended for protection as well as warmth. 



The human animal is the only one which is 

 naked, and the only one which can clothe itself. 

 This is one of the properties which renders him 

 an animal of all climates, and of all seasons. He 

 can adapt the warmth or lightness of his covering 

 to the temperature of his habitation. Had he 

 been born with a fleece upon his back, although 

 he might have been comforted by its warmth in 

 high latitudes, it would have oppressed him by its 

 weight and heat, as the species spread towards 

 the equator. 



What art, however, does for men, nature has, 

 in many instances, done for those animals which 

 are incapable of art. Their clothing, of its own 

 accord, changes with their necessities. This is 

 particularly the case with that large tribe of quad- 

 rupeds which are covered with furs. Every 



