nature has bestowed on this and similar kind of rudiment of eyes, which have not of perceiving light; as if in compliance general model for the bodily structure of als. - Blumenbach.

e Albinoes,* white hair, or feathers, and pe

⚫ of a defect in the colouring matter of the of the skin, which is always connected fect in sight, arising from the deficiency e of what is called the mucous pigment. ch thinks that this deficiency is hereditary

the mammalia, so as to form a constant White animals, as in the rabbit, mouse, and 1 that, in the same way, the ferret, whose and red glassy eyes are well known, is I from the polecat.

ne spotted dogs, rabbits, &c, a mixture of coe iris of the eye ?

e the variations of the iris are connected olour of the hair.

the muscle of the eye-ball in certain carniI cetaceous animals called the retractor of the

e it enables the animals which possess it to globe back into the orbit.

THE MUSCLES.

the heel of the badger covered with long hair? se the heel itself cannot rest on the ground; the structure both of the bones and musde lower extremity of this animal approachlerably to that of man. - Notes to Blumen

to the squirrel, opossum, &c, grasp objects by fore-paws?

Albinoes are not only quadrupeds and birds, but the hu

in walking or running. Birds, which have a larger quantity of respiration, have the activity and strength of muscles necessary for flying. Reptiles, in which respiration is more feeble, are condemned to crawl; and many of them pass a part of their lives in a kind of torpor. Fishes require to be supported in an element nearly as heavy as themselves, in order to exert their proper motions in swimming.

Why are digestion, circulation, and respiration called organs of involuntary motion? Because they go on continually, without intermission from exhaustion, like the voluntary, which require repose and sleep to recruit themselves.

Why do otters remain under water for some time? Because of certain vessels which serve to receive part of the returning blood, and to retain it until respiration can be again performed, and the lesser circulation be thereby again put in motion. - Blumenbach.

FEELING.

Why is the feeling the most general of the external senses?

Because it resides in the membrane that covers the whole body, called the skin.

THE EYE.

Why do certain animals see in the dark?

Because their eyes are usually of a large size, to admit a greater number of rays, and that part which is called the choroides, reflects, instead of absorbs, the light.

Why is a certain variety of the rat and the mole blind?

Because in both these animals, a hairy curtain, in which there is no fissure, is continued over the shrivelled eyes.

Why may the blind rat be said to have eyes, although it does not see?

Because nature has bestowed on this and similar animals, a kind of rudiment of eyes, which have not the power of perceiving light; as if in compliance with some general model for the bodily structure of such animals. - Blumenbach.

Why have Albinoes,* white hair, or feathers, and peculiar eyes.

Because of a defect in the colouring matter of the coverings of the skin, which is always connected with a defect in sight, arising from the deficiency in the eye of what is called the mucous pigment. Blumenbach thinks that this deficiency is hereditary in some of the mammalia, so as to form a constant breed of white animals, as in the rabbit, mouse, and horse; and that, in the same way, the ferret, whose white skin and red glassy eyes are well known, is descended from the polecat.

Why have spotted dogs, rabbits, &c, a mixture of colours in the iris of the eye? Because the variations of the iris are connected with the colour of the hair.

Why is the muscle of the eye-ball in certain carnivorous and cetaceous animals called the retractor of the eye?

Because it enables the animals which possess it to draw the globe back into the orbit.

THE MUSCLES.

Why is the heel of the badger covered with long hair? Because the heel itself cannot rest on the ground; although the structure both of the bones and inuscles of the lower extremity of this animal approaches considerably to that of man. Notes to Blumenbach.

Why do the squirrel, opossum, &c, grasp objects by their two fore-paws?

Because they want a separate thumb to act in opposition to their fingers, which are sufficiently long and moveable.

Why are carnivorous animals unable to grasp any object? Because that toe which is in the situation of a thumb is parallel with the other toes.

Why is Five said to be the most favourite number of Nature?

Because at least the half of all known plants have the parts of fructification in fives, or in a number which is the product of five. The radiated divisions of animals are likewise in fives - as the sea-stars, medusæ, madrepores, &c. Throughout Cuvier's whole vertebral division, five is the leading number. For example, we have five fingers to the hand, and five toes to the foot, in common with most of the mammalia. We have five principles, constituting the higher order of vertebral animals, Man - viz, I, inert matter; II, the attractive principle; III, the living principle; IV, the sentient principle; V, the intellectual principle. - Our five senses seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling, need not be added, for no one has overlooked this fact. - Professor Silliman.

Why do animals and plants return to their native earth?

Because, after death, their bodies are gradually destroyed by fermentation, putrefaction, and the chemical affinities of their elements, and thus internal organization is destroyed.

Why are apes called four-handed animals ? Because, instead of having a great toe parallel with the others, they are furnished with a real thumb, that is, a part capable of being opposed to the other toes.

Why do apes live in trees?

Because their four hands enable them to climb

with the greatest facility.

Why are the hands of apes much less useful than the human hand?

Because the thumb is small, short, and weak, and the other fingers long and slender; and the great superiority of the human hand arises from the size and strength of the thumb.

Why does the ourang-outang walk but imperfectly in an erect position?

Because parts of his toes are remarkably curved in their shape; whence he holds the branches of trees more firmly.

Why have many species of the ape-tribe cheek-pouches? Because they may place small reserves of food in them, while living in trees.

THE BAT.

Why are bats supposed to perceive external objects, without coming actually in contact with them ?

Because in their rapid and irregular flight amidst various surrounding bodies, they never fly against them; yet it does not seem that the senses of hearing, seeing, or smelling, serve them on these occasions, for they avoid any obstacles with equal certainty when the eye, ear, and nose are closed: hence naturalists ascribe a sixth sense to these animals. It is probably analogous to that of touch. The nerves of the wing are large and numerous, and distributed in a minute plexus (network) between the integuments. Theimpulse of the air against this part, may possibly be so modified by the objects near which the animal passes, as to indicate their situation and nature. - Notes to Blumenbach.

Why does the bat tribe fly?

Because the fingers of the fore-feet, the thumb excepted, are in these animals longer than the whole body, and between them is stretched a thin membrane or web, for flying. Hence they are as little capable of