CAPACITY FOR FALLING 83 



phase of our subject, and it must be left to the 

 reader to extend and amplify our suggestions, 

 which do not pretend to be more than a brief out- 

 line of a few salient features concerning the study 

 of animal life. 



V. CAPACITY FOR FALLING 



There is another branch of animal locomotion 

 that is worth some amount of consideration, and, 

 for want of a better title, we may call it the 

 capacity for falling. For much of the informa- 

 tion in this and the succeeding section I am 

 greatly indebted to my old friend Mr. James Aird 

 of Girvan. 



It is very interesting to observe and examine 

 the many ways and means Nature has provided 

 for Mammals, Birds, and Insects by which to 

 protect themselves from injury when falling. 

 Many living things spend the short period of their 

 existence in a number of falls and tumbles. It is 

 said of walking that it is a series of escapes from 

 falling. The most common means provided is by 

 the falling body compacting and curving itself in 

 a part of, or a whole circle, thus avoiding falling 

 plump upon the centre of gravity. There is another 

 means provided, when the fall is upon the centre 

 of gravity, by an arrangement of muscular springs, 

 whereby the shock, if not altogether prevented, is 



