12 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTOEY. 



telope ; the huge, unwieldy Whale, or the tiny- 

 creeping Mouse. How much, in the fleet and 

 bounding step of the Gazelle, and the slow move- 

 ments of the Ant-eater; in the gay and lively 

 actions of the Squirrel, or the dulness of the 

 Sloth. So likewise in the singular provision of 

 the pouch amongst the Marsupials, whose young ? 

 brought forth at an early period, require some 

 special protection in their then utterly defence- 

 less state, and again in the extraordinary forms 

 of the Echidna and the Duckbill. 



The covering of the members of this class too, 

 is a subject deeply interesting, regarded either in 

 connection with their own economy, or in relation 

 to man. The spiny covering of the Porcupine con- 

 trasts strongly with the woolly coat of the Sheep ; 

 the thick, almost naked skin of most of the Pachy- 

 derms, with the long, silky hair of the Llama. The 

 smooth and closely adpressed hair of the Seal, points 

 to its fitness as a clothing for an animal whose life 

 is chiefly spent in the water ; while the smooth and 

 naked skin of the more aquatic Whale, is evidently 

 best suited to the almost fish-like habits of the 

 Cetaceans. 



These are a few of the subjects of interest, rapidly 

 sketched, which are to be met with in studjdng the 

 forms and habits of the members of this class, and 

 viewed in connection with the circumstances under 

 which they severally live, attest "the wisdom of 

 God in Creation/' 



