176 COVERING OF ANIMALS. 



well known it will cool quickest in the shade. The 

 African, therefore, derives a double benefit from his 

 color in his own climate ; though, in a different situ- 

 ation, the provision would cease to be beneficial. We 

 see here another violation of nature in his removal. 



T. Having spoken of several particulars in which 

 the wisdom and goodness of the Creator are exhibit- 

 ed in covering and protecting the body with an evi- 

 dent accommodation to the wants of men in different 

 situations, and to the peculiar circumstances of dif- 

 ferent animals ; — we will close our observations of 

 an anatomical kind, by glancing at one further mark 

 of Divine goodness, viz. in the remedies naturally 

 provided. 



A. There are few cases in which prospective 

 contrivance is more conspicuous ; or in which we 

 have more occasion to admire the providence of God, 

 and his tender care for our preservation. One of 

 the most striking is the provision for the union of broken 

 bones. From the situation and structure of the bones 

 if they are broken, the injury must be irreparable, un- 

 less theys hould be capable of taking the cure princi- 

 pally upon themselves. The whole thickness of the flesh 

 would have to be separated in the first instance ; and 

 then how to unite them, if this was to be a business 

 of ours, would surpass our ingenuity. The provision, 

 as is well known, consists in there oozing out from 

 the broken extremities of the bone a soft fluid matter 

 that soon turns into bone, and unites them together 

 more firmly than before the fracture. 



