80 
LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
the distribution of the colours ; into what elegant 
forms are they thrown — lines, and bands, and spots, 
and rings, and eyes : think that the whole surface 
is a mosaic, the most minute, the most elaborate, 
and the most perfect, that can be conceived. Think 
that every atom of coloured dust is a feather of 
regular and prescribed shape, a feather having pro- 
jecting points, and longitudinal ribs, and a little 
quill or footstalk, a socket into which it enters, and 
an organization by which it is fastened there ! The 
subject is not new, and an allusion to it may seem 
trite, but I can never look at the shining motes 
that adhere to my finger after having touched their 
beautiful wings, or take up two or three upon the 
point of a needle, without feeling a fresh emotion 
of wonder and admiration. Then look at the struc- 
ture of the wing itself, divested of its fairy plumes : 
composed of the most filmy gossamer, transparent, 
elastic, and firm withal ; furnished with hollow ribs 
radiating to every part ; possessing a wide-extended 
surface to compress a large column of air in flight, 
provided with powerful muscles to give it rapid and 
vigorous motion, and yet the whole so light that we 
can hardly hold it in our hand. Strength and 
buoyancy, the two great requisites for active aerial 
motion, are here in perfection. O Lord ! manifold 
are thy works ; in wisdom hast thou made them all. 
There are prairies not very far distant of many 
miles in extent ; the residents on which suffer 
greatly in dry seasons from the scarcity of water, 
a want that in a hot climate is peculiarly felt. 
There are no springs in the prairies, and the inha- 
bitants depend on the rain-water, which, owing to 
the tenacity of the soil, does not soak into the 
ground, but accumulates in the hollows until evapo- 
