BIRD-FLYING. 
59 
ference to their habits and modes of exiftence, and with 
inftindts that lead them to feledt for their habitations 
fltuations that, in their firft efforts to fly, precipitate them 
into fpace, thus calling into immediate requifition the 
weight-fun&ion of their organifms, the refult being pro- 
jeSlile-force locomotion. Again, we have the creature 
entirely fupported on the winds. Then we find a com¬ 
bination of wind-fupport and projedtile-force flotation. 
Under another modification, the bird, by a fort of rudder- 
principle, fails with and upon the wind, being carried 
along and floated by its force. By another mode, the 
bird, floated in the force-atmofphere, as a veflel is floated 
on water, propels itfelf in fubftantially the fame manner as 
fiflies propel themfelves; or the bird combines proje&ile- 
force flotation with wing-propulfion; or the bird fubmits 
itfelf meekly to the wind-forces of the air, and fetting up 
a pajfive refinance (as individuals and governments fome- 
times do), conquers the forces of Nature, and compels the 
winds to move it forward upon a pathway felecfled by 
itfelf and upon which it deflres to travel! a miracle of 
locomotion in the air poflible only to a bird. To this 
we may add the flying of bats and butterflies, or animated 
parachutes, and, to crown all, the Dragon-fly , or ReaSlive- 
Paffive Locomotion ! 
Under fuch circumflances, is it to be wondered at 
that the fecret of aerial locomotion has for fo long a time 
eluded the grafp of man ? 
