Parti. in the Creation. 149 



ble, and argumentative of Providence, that there 

 fhould be fuch an Unguent, or Pap, prepared, 

 fuch an open Veflel to excern it into, to receive 

 and retain it ; that the Bird fl^^ould know where 

 it is fituate, and how, and to what Purpofes to 

 ufe it ? And becaufe the Bird is to live many 

 Years, and the Feathers in time would, and 

 mufl neceffarily be worn and fhatter'd, Nature 

 hath made Provifion for the cafting and renew- 

 ing of them Yearly. Moreover, thofe large 

 Bladders, or Membranes, extending to the Bot^ 

 toms of the Bellies of Birds, inro which the 

 Breath is received, conduce much to the alle- 

 viating of the Body, and facilitating the Flight : 

 For the Air received into thefe Bladders, is by 

 the Heat of the Body extended into twice, or 

 thrice, the Dimenfions of the External, and fo 

 muft needs add a Lightnefs to the Body. And 

 the Bird when (lie would defcend, may either 

 comprefs this Air by the Mufcles of the Abdo- 

 men, or expire as much of it as may enable her 

 to defcend fwifter, or (lower, as (lie pleafes. I 

 niight add the Ufe of the Feathers in cheri(hing 

 and keeping the Body warm ; which, the Crea- 

 ture being of fmall Bulk, mull needs (land in 

 great Stead againft the Rigour of the Cold. And 

 for this Reafon we fee, that Water-Fowls, which 

 were to fwim, and fit long upon the cold Wa- 

 ter, have their Feathers very thick (et upon their 

 Breafts and Bellies, and befides a plentiful Down 

 there growing, to fence againft the Cold of the 

 Water, and to keep oft' its immediate Contad. 



L c; ^ Thac 



