268 ON THE HUMAN FACULTIES 



the body. While to the latter is given alight 

 thin plumage, most frequently to be distinguished 

 by those beautiful and variegated colours, which, 

 decomposing the rays of caloric and light, serve 

 to migitate the prevailing heat of the climate. 



In fishes and reptiles, we find their skins well 

 protected by thick and close scales in the one, 

 and by a dense cuticle, or a shelly coat of mail, 

 in the other; while the insect and smaller tribes 

 have their skins completely incased, or if exter- 

 nally less protected, their haunts are out of the 

 reach of injury, or they find a ready retreat in 

 proportion to the danger which assails them, 



But man is brought into the world a naked 

 and defenceless creature, totally incapable of 

 supplying his most common wants ; and for a 

 considerable time after his birth, would perish 

 from the inclemency of the weather, but for the 

 protecting care of his own species ; while he is 

 afterwards, during frequently a long life, depend- 

 ent upon his own exertions, or upon those of his 

 species, for the supplies and gratifications which 

 so bountifully have been conferred upon every 

 other part of the animal kingdom. 



To make up for this natural deficiency, his in- 

 ventive powers are called into action ; and by 

 instruction and experience, he not only acquires 

 the means of protecting his person against the 

 inconveniences of his own climate, but also, by 

 his ingenuity, he contrives to adapt his constitu- 



