284 
LIFE, 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 evert 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 f ye faithless ! say ; ' 
Is He unwise 1 or are ye less than they ? 
* “ Brit. Rept.,” p. 179. 
