284 



LIVE, IN ITS HIGHER FORMS. 



pursued, it voids a considerable quantity of water, which 

 is generally, but erroneously, supposed to be the urine. 

 This water is limpid and pure, containing no traces of the 

 usual component elements of the urinary secretion. It is 

 contained in a sac, which has also been mistakenly 

 believed to be the urinary bladder. This is the reservoir 

 to which I have alluded. When, therefore, the Frog is 

 happily placed in a damp atmosphere, or in water, the 

 skin absorbs a quantity of water, which there is every 

 reason to believe is secreted into the bladder just men- 

 tioned, where it is kept in store until the dryness of the 

 skin requires a supply for the purpose of respiration, when 

 it is again taken up and restored to the surface by which 

 it had been first absorbed." * 



Thus in ten thousand instances the Christian philosopher 

 is reminded of the loving-kindness of the Lord, which is 

 over all His works. Every creature that He has made is 

 sustained in life, and health, and comfort, and abundance, 

 for its appointed time, by His ever-watchful and beneficent 

 care. And nothing is neglected, nothing forgotten : — the 

 Proteus in its dark cavern, and the Frog in its stagnant 

 pool, are as lovingly remembered as the Eagle in the 

 clouds, or the Lion in his lair. " He openeth his hand 

 and satisfieth the desire of every living thing." 



" If, ceaseless, thus the fowls of heaven He feeds, 

 If o'er the fields such lucid robes He spreads, 

 Will He not care for you ? 3 T e faithless ! say ; 

 Is He unwise ? or are ye less than they ? 



"Brit. Rept.,"p. 179. 



