14 



with respect to the results produced by 

 their operation, it may be affirmed that 

 animals as far surpass mankind, as man by 

 his rational faculties and sentiments be- 

 comes in other respects superior to them. 



OF THE PROPENSITY FOR CONSTRUCTION. 



How very curious is it, that at certain 

 seasons of the year animals should be seized 

 with a propensity to build nurseries for their 

 young and storehouses and habitations for 

 themselves, without foreknowledge that 

 they may be wanted for future inhabitants, 

 or at future seasons. Some birds begin to 

 build before they procreate, and the sterile 

 labouring bees in constructing a storehouse 

 for their community, do not neglect to pro- 

 vide necessaries and accommodations for 

 the young of the common-parent of the 

 hive. How very curious also are the struc- 

 tures which many animals erect without 

 previous plan or design, and in some in- 



