Ji ON THE STUDY OF NATURE, 



In the vegetable Creation we observe the same re- 

 gularity as in animals. There is scarcely a plant 

 that is not rejected as food by some animals, and ar- 

 dently desired by others. The Hors;r yields the 

 Hemlock to the Goat ; and Monkshood^ which kills 

 the Goat, is said not to injure the Horse. Plants thus, 

 which afford only the natural nourishment to some, 

 are avoided by others as injurious. Poison is indeed^ 

 only a relative term. Several plants that are noxi-^ 

 ous to Man^ are greedily devoured by some of the 

 insect tribes. Thus does every creature enjoy its al- 

 lotted portion ; and all this was contrived for the 

 wisest of purposes. Had the Author of Nature form- 

 ed all the plants equally grateful to all kinds of 

 animals, it must necessarily have happened that some 

 species would have had an enormous increase, whilst 

 others must have perished for want of food. But as 

 every species must of necessity leave certain plants 

 to certain animals^ we find that all are able to obtain 

 their due share of nourishment. 



All animals are calculated, in every respect, in the 

 best possible manner, for the climates in which they 

 have to live, and for their separate and peculiar 

 modes of life. In the dreary Northern regions, the 

 dark animals becomie white, to evade, by their re- 

 semblance to the prevaling colour of the country, 

 the quick sight of their enemies. Their clothing 

 also, becomes, during winter nearly double wdiat it 

 is in the Summer. In the torrid climates the Sheep 

 loses his fleece, and is covered with hair. The Ca- 

 mel that traverses the burning sands of the deserts, 

 is formed with soft spungy feet which the heat can- 



