Chapter XI: Book IV: Of Animals in general (6)

[uu] The Food of the _Castor_ being oftentimes, if not always, dry Things, and hard of Digestion, such as the Roots and Bark of Trees, ’tis a wonderful Provision made in that Creature’s Stomach, by the digestive Juice lodged in the curious little Cells there. A Description of whose admirable Structure and Order may be found in _Blasius_ from _Wepser_; concerning which he saith, _In quibus Mucus reconditus, non secus ac Mel in Favis.——Nimiram quia Castoris alimentum exsuccum, & coctu difficillimum est, sapientissimus & summè admirandus in suis operibus rerum Conditor, D. O. M. ipsi pulcherrimâ istâ & affabrè factâ structurâ benignissimè prospexit, ut nunquam deesset Fermentum, quod ad solvendum, & comminuendum alimentum durum & asperum par foret._ Vid. Blas. Anat. Animal. c. 10. _Confer etiam Act. Erud. Lips._ Ann. 1684. p. 360.

Most of our modern Anatomists and Physicians attribute Digestion to a dissolving _Menstruum_; but Dr. _Drake_ takes it to be rather from fermentative, dissolving Principles in the Aliment it self, with the Concurrence of the Air and Heat of the Body; as in Dr. _Papin_’s _Digester_. _Vid._ _Dr. Anat. vol. 1. c. 14._

[ww] _All carnivorous Quadrupeds have the smallest Ventricles, Flesh going farthest. Those that feed on Fruits, and Roots, have them of a middle Size. Yet the ~Mole~, because it feeds unclean, hath a very great one. ~Sheep~ and ~Oxen~, which feed on Grass, have the greatest. Yet the ~Horse~ (and for the same Reason the ~Coney~ and ~Hare~) though Graminivorous, yet comparatively have but little ones. For that a ~Horse~ is made for Labour, and both this, and the ~Hare~, for quick and continued Motion; for which, the most easie Respiration, and so the freest Motion of the Diaphragme is very requisite; which yet could not be, should the Stomach lie big and cumbersome upon it, as in ~Sheep~ and ~Oxen~ it doth_, Grew, ib. Chap. 6.

[xx] The _Dromedary_ hath four Stomachs, one whereof is peculiarly endowed with about twenty Cavities, like Sacks, in all Probability for the holding of Water. Concerning which, see _Book VI. Chap. 4. Note (a)._

[yy] To assist in which Office, they swallow small angular Stones, which are to be met with in the Gizards of all granivorous Birds; but in the Gizard of the _Iynx_, or _Wryneck_, which was full only of _Ants_, I found not one Stone. So in that of the _Green Wood-Pecker_ (full of _Ants_ and _Tree-maggots_) there were but few Stones.

[zz] _In most carnivorous Birds, the third Ventricle is Membranous; where the Meat is concocted, as in a Man: Or somewhat Tendinous, as in an ~Owl~; as if it were made indifferently for Flesh, or other Meat, as he could meet with either. Or most thick and tendinous, called the Gizard; wherein the Meat, as in a Mill, is ground to Pieces._ Grew, _ubi supra_, Chap. 9.

[aaa] It would be much too long a Task to insist upon it here as it deserves, and therefore concerning the whole Business of Rumination, I shall refer to _J. Conr. Peyeri Merycolog. seu de Ruminantibus & Ruminatione Commentar._ where he largely treateth of the several Ruminating Animals, of the Parts ministring to this Act, and the great Use and Benefit thereof unto them.

[bbb] There are too many Particulars to be insisted on, observable in the Passages of the _Chyle_, from the Guts to the _Left Subclavian Vein_, where it enters into the Blood; and therefore I shall only, for a Sample of this admirable Oeconomy, take notice of some of the main and more general Matters. And,

1. After the Food is become Chyle, and gotten into the Guts, it is an excellent Provision made, not only for its Passage through the Guts, but also for its Protrusion into the _Lacteals_, by the _Peristaltick_ Motion and _Valvulæ conniventes_ of the Guts. 2. It is an admirable Provision, that the Mouths of the _Lacteals_, and indeed the _Lacteals primi generis_ themselves are small and fine, not wider than the _Capillary Arteries_ are, lest by admitting Particles of the Nourishment grosser than the _Capillaries_, dangerous Obstructions might be thereby produced. 3. After the Reception of the Aliment into the _Lacteals primi generis_, it is a noble Provision for the Advancement of its Motion, that in the _Mesenterick Glands_, it meets with some of the _Lymphæ-Ducts_, and receives the Impregnations of the _Lympha_. And passing on from thence, it is no less Advantage. 4. That the _Lacteals_, and _Lymphæ-Ducts_ meet in the _Receptaculum Chyli_, where the Aliment meeting with more of the _Lympha_, is made of a due Consistence, and Temperament, for its farther Advancement through the _Thoracick Duct_, and so into the _Left Subclavian Vein_ and Blood. Lastly, This _Thoracick Duct_ it self is a Part of great Consideration. For (as Mr. _Cowper_ saith) _If we consider in this Duct its several Divisions and Inosculations, its numerous Valves looking from below upwards, its advantagious Situation between the great Artery and ~Vertebræ~ of the Back, together with the Ducts discharging their refluent ~Lympha~ from the Lungs, and other neighbouring Parts, we shall find all conduce to demonstrate the utmost Art of Nature used in furthering the steep and perpendicular Ascent of the Chyle._ Anat. Introduct.

[ccc] These, although noble Contrivances and Works of God, are too many to be insisted on, and therefore I shall refer to the Anatomists, particularly Dr. _Willis_ _Pharmaceut._ Dr. _Cole_, in _Phil. Trans._ Nᵒ. 125. and Mr. _Cowper_’s elegant Cuts in _Anat. Tab._ 34, 35. and _Append. Fig._ 39, 40.

[ddd] In the _Thornback_, and some other Fishes, it is a very curious Provision that is made to supply the Paucity and Brevity of the Guts; by the Perforation of their single Gut, going not strait along, but round like a Pair of Winding Stairs; so that their Gut, which seems to be but a few Inches long, hath really a Bore of many Inches. But of these, and many other noble Curiosities and Discoveries in Anatomy, the Reader will, I hope, have a better and larger Account from the curious and ingenious Dr. _Dowglas_, who is labouring in those Matters.

[eee] _Quibus bestiis erat is cibus, ut alius generis bestiis vescerentur, aut vires natura dedit, aut celeritatem: data est quibusdam etiam machinatio quædam, atque solertia, &c._ Cic. de Nat. Deor. l. 2. c. 48.

[fff] Among Reptiles that have a strange Faculty to shift for Food, _&c._ may be reckoned _Eels_, which, although belonging to the Waters, can creep on the Land from Pond to Pond, _&c._ Mr. _Mosely_ of _Mosely_, saw them creep over the Meadows, like so many Snakes from Ditch to Ditch; which he thought, was not only for bettering their Habitation, but also to catch Snails in the Grass. _Plot_’s _Hist. of Staffordshire_, c. 7. §. 32.

And as early as the Year 1125, the Frost was so very intense, that the _Eels_ were forced to leave the Waters, and were frozen to Death in the Meadows. _Vid._ _Hakewill_’s _Apol_. _l. 2. Chap. 7. S. 2._

[ggg] _Enumerare possum, ad pastum capessendum conficiendúmque, quæ sit in figuris animantium & quam solers, subtilisque descriptio partium, quámque admirabilis fabrica membrorum. Omnia enim quæ intus inclusa sunt, ita nata, atque ita locata sunt, ut nihil eorum supervacaneum sit, nihil ad vitam retinendam non necessarium. Dedit autem eadem Natura belluis & sensum, & appetitum, ut altero conatum haberent ad naturales pastus capessendos; altero secernerent pestifera à salutaribus._ Cic. de Nat. Deor. l. 2. c. 37. See _Book IV. Chap. 4._

[hhh] It would be endless to give Instances of my own and others Observations of the prodigious Sagacity of divers Animals in Hunting, particularly Hounds, Setting-Dogs, _&c._ one therefore shall suffice of Mr. _Boyl_’s, viz. _A Person of Quality——to make a Trial, whether a young Blood-Hound was well instructed,——caused one of his Servants——to walk to a Town four Miles off, and then to a Market-Town three Miles from thence.——The Dog, without seeing the Man he was to pursue, followed him by the Scent to the abovementioned Places, notwithstanding the Multitude of Market-People that went along in the same Way, and of Travellers that had occasion to cross it. And when the Blood-Hound came to the chief Market-Town, he passed through the Streets, without taking notice of any of the People there, and left not till he had gone to the House, where the Man he sought rested himself, and found him in an upper Room, to the wonder of those that followed him._ Boyl. Determ. Nat. of Effluv. Chap. 4.

[iii] There are many Stories told of the Craft of the _Fox_, to compass his Prey; of which _Ol. Magnus_ hath many such, as, feigning the barking of a _Dog_, to catch Prey near Houses; feigning himself dead, to catch such Animals as come to feed upon him; laying his Tail on a Wasp-Nest, and then rubbing it hard against a Tree, and then eating the _Wasps_ so killed: Ridding himself of _Fleas_, by gradually going into Water, with a Lock of Wool in his Mouth, and so driving the _Fleas_ up into it, and then leaving it in the Water; By catching _Crab_-Fish with his Tail, which he saith he himself was an Eye-Witness of; _Vidi & ego in Scopulis Norvegia Vulpem, inter rupes immissâ caudâ in aquas, plures educere Cancros, ac demum devorare._ Ol. Mag. Hist. l. 18. c. 39, 40. But _Pliny_’s fabulous Story of the _Hyæna_ out-does these Relations of the _Fox_, _Sermonem humanum inter pastorum stabula assimulare, nomenque alicujus addiscere, quem evocatum foràs laceret. Item Vomitionem hominis imitari ad sollicitandos Canes quos invadat._ Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 30.

[kkk] This do _Ducks_, _Woodcocks_, and many other Fowls, which seek their Food in dirty, moorish Places. For which Service they have very remarkable Nerves reaching to the end of their Bills. Of which see _Book VII. Chap. 2. Note (e)._

[lll] _Swine_, and other Animals that dig, have their Noses made more tendinous, callous, and strong for this Service, than others that do not dig. They are also edged with a proper, tough Border, for penetrating and lifting up the Earth; and their Nostrils are placed well, and their Smell is very accurate, to discover whatsoever they pursue by digging.

[mmm] The _Mole_, as its Habitation is different from that of other Animals, so hath its Organs in every respect curiously adapted to that way of Life; particularly its Nose made sharp, and slender, but withal tendinous and strong, _&c._ But what is very remarkable, it hath such Nerves reaching to the end of its Nose and Lips, as _Ducks_, _&c_. have, mentioned above in _Note (kkk)._ Which Pair of Nerves I observed to be much larger in this Animal than any other Nerves proceeding out of its Brain.

[nnn] Predacious Creatures, as _Wolfs_, _Foxes_, _&c._ will discover Prey at great Distances; so will _Dogs_ and _Ravens_ discover Carrion a great way off by their Smell. And if (as the Superstitious imagine) the latter flying over and haunting Houses be a sign of Death, it is no doubt from some cadaverous Smell, those Ravens discover in the Air by their accurate Smell, which is emitted from those diseased Bodies, which have in them the Principles of a speedy Death.

[ooo] Thus _Hawks_ and _Kites_ on Land, and _Gulls_ and other Birds that prey upon the Waters, can at a great Height in the Air see _Mice_, little Birds and Insects on the Earth, and small Fishes, _Shrimps_, _&c._ in the Waters, which they will dart down upon, and take.

[ppp] Mr. Ray gives a good Account of the Nidification of the _Chrysaëtos caudâ annulo albo cinctâ. Hujus Nidus Ann. 1668. in sylvosis prope Derwentiam, ~&c.~ inventus est è bacillis seu virgis ligneis grandioribus compositus, quorum altera extremitas rupis cujusdam eminentiæ, altera duabus Betulis innitebatur,—Erat Nidus quadratus, duas ulnas latus.—In eo pullus unicus, adjacentibus cadaveribus unius agni, unius leporis, & trium Grygallorum pullorum._ Synops. Method. Avium, p. 6. And not only _Lambs_, _Hares_, and _Grygalli_, but Sir _Robert Sibbald_ tells us, they will seize _Kids_ and _Fawns_, yea, and Children too: Of which he hath this Story of an _Eagle_ in one of the _Orcades_ Islands, _Quæ Infantulum unius anni pannis involutum arripuit (quem Mater tessellas ustibiles pro igne allatura momento temporis deposuerat in loco ~Houton-Hed~ dicto) cumque deportâsse per 4 milliaria passuum ad ~Hoiam~; quâ re ex matris ejulatibus cognitâ, quatuor viri illuc in naviculâ profecti sunt, & scientes ubi Nidus esset, infantulum illæsum & intactum deprehenderunt._ Prod. Nat. Hist. Scot. l. 3. p. 2. p. 14.

[qqq] See in _Book VII. Chap. 1. Note (l)._ the Characteristicks of the _Wood-Pecker-kind_.

[rrr] _The Contrivance of the Legs, Feet and Nails [of the ~Opossum]~ seems very advantagious to this Animal in climbing Trees (which it doth very nimbly) for preying upon Birds._ But that which is most singular in this Animal, is the Structure of its Tail, to enable it to hang on Boughs. _The Spines, or Hooks——in the middle of the under side of the ~Vertebræ~ of the Tail; are a wonderful Piece of Nature’s Mechanism. The first three ~Vertebræ~ had none of these Spines, but in all the rest they were to be observed.——They were placed just at the Articulation of each Joynt, and in the middle from the Sides.——For the performing this Office ~[of hanging by the Tail]~ nothing, I think, could be more advantagiously contrived. For when the Tail is twirled or wound about a Stick, this Hook of the ~Spinæ~ easily sustains the Weight, and there is but little labour of the Muscles required, only enough for bowing or crooking the Tail._ This, and more to the same purpose, see in Dr. _Tyson_’s _Anat._ of the _Oposs._ in _Phil. Trans._ No. 239.

[sss] See before _Chap. 2. Note (z), (aa), (bb)._

[ttt] _Quid dicam quantus amor bestiarum sit in educandis custodiendisque iis, qua procreaverint, usque ad eum finem, dum possint seipsa defendere?_ And having instanced in some Animals, where this Care is not necessary, and accordingly is not employed, he goes on, _Jam Gallinæ, avesque reliquæ, & quietum requirunt ad pariendum locum, & cubilia sibi, nidosque construunt, eosque quàm possunt mollissimè substernunt, ut quàm facillime ova serventur. Ex quibus pullos cùm excluserint, ita tuentur, ut & pennis foveant, ne frigore lædantur, & si est calor, à sole se opponant._ Cic. de Nat. Deor. l. 2. c. 51, 52.

To this natural Care of Parent-Animals to their young, we may add the Returns made by the young of some towards the old ones. _Pliny_ saith of _Rats_, _Genitores suos fesses senectâ, alunt insigni pietate._ Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 57. So _Cranes_, he saith, _Genitricum senectam invicem educant._ L. 10. c. 23.

This St. _Ambrose_ takes Notice of in his _Hexameron_, and _Ol. Magnus_ after him, _Depositi patris artus, per longævum senectutis plumis nudatos circumstans soboles pennis propriis fovet,——collatitio cibo pascit, quando etiam ipsa naturæ reparat dispendia, ut hinc inde senem sublevantes, fulcro alarum suarum ad volandum exerceant, & in pristinos usus desueta membra reducant._ For which Reason this Bird is denominated _Pia. Vid. Ol. Mag. Hist. l. 19. c. 14._

Hereto may be added also the conjugal Στοργὴ of the little green _Æthiopian Parrot_, which Mr. _Ray_ describes from _Clusius_. _Fœmellea senescentes (quod valdè notabile) vix edere volebant, nisi cibum jam à mare carptum, & aliquandiu in prolobo retentum, & quasi coctum rostro suo exciperent, ut Columbarum pulli à matre ali solent._ Synops. Meth. Av. p. 32.

[uuu] The most timid Animals, that at other Times abscond, or hastily fly from the Face of Man, Dogs, _&c._ will, for the sake of their young, expose themselves. Thus among Fowls, _Hens_ will assault, instead of fly from such as meddle with their Brood. So _Partridges_, before their young can fly, will drop frequently down, first at lesser, and then at greater Distances, to dodge and draw off Dogs from pursuing their young.

[www] The _Opossum_ hath a curious Bag on purpose for the securing and carrying about her young. There are belonging to this Bag two Bones (not to be met with in any other Skeleton) and four Pair of Muscles; and some say Teats lie therein also. Dr. _Tyson_, _Anat._ of the _Oposs._ in _Phil. Trans._ Nᵒ. 239. where he also, from _Oppian_, mentions the _Dog-Fish_, that upon any Storm or Danger, receives the young Ones into her Belly, which come out again when the Fright is over. So also the _Squatina_ and _Glaucus_, the same Author saith, have the same Care for their young, but receive them into different Receptacles.

[xxx] See _Book VIII. Chap. 6._

[yyy] See _Chap. 13. Note (c)._

[zzz] There is manifestly a superintending Providence in this Case, that some Animals are able to suck as soon as ever they are born, and that they will naturally hunt for the Teat before they are quite gotten out of the Secundines, and parted from the Navel-String, as I have seen. But for _Chickens_, and other young Birds, they not being able immediately to pick till they are stronger, have a notable Provision made for such a Time, by a part of the Yolk of the Egg being inclosed in their Belly, a little before their Exclusion or Hatching, which serves for their Nourishment, till they are grown strong enough to pick up Meat. _Vid._ _Book VII. Chap. 4. Note (a)._

[aaaa] _Qui ~[Infantes]~ de ope nostrâ ac de divinâ misericordia plus merentur, qui in primo statim nativitatis sua ortu plorantes ac stentes, nil aliud faciunt quam deprecantur._ Cypr. Ep. ad Fid.

[bbbb] I might name here some of the Species of Birds, the whole Tribe almost of Insects, and some among other Tribes, that are able to subsist for many Months without Food, and some without Respiration too, or very little; But it may suffice to instance only in the _Land-Tortoise_, of the Structure of whose Heart and Lungs: See _Book VI. Chap. 5. Note (b)._

[cccc] _Inediam diutissimè tolerat Lupus, ut & alia omnia carnivora, licèt voracissima; magnâ utique naturæ providentiâ; quoniam esca non semper in promptu est._ _~Ray~’s_ Synops. Quadr. p. 174.

To the long Abstinence mentioned of Brute-Animals, I hope the Reader will excuse me if I add one or two Instances of extraordinary Abstinence among Men. One _Martha Taylor_, born in _Derbyshire_, by a Blow on the Back fell into such a Prostration of Appetite, that she took little Sustenance, but some Drops with a Feather, from _Christmas 1667._ for thirteen Months, and slept but little too all the Time. See Dr. _Sampson_’s Account thereof in _Ephem. Germ. T. 3. Obs. 173._

To this we may add the Case of _S. Chilton_, of _Tinsbury_, near _Bath_, who in the Years 1693, 1696, and 97, slept divers Weeks together. And although he would sometimes, in a very odd manner, take Sustenance, yet would lie a long Time without any, or with very little, and all without any considerable Decay. See _Phil. Trans._ Nᵒ. 304.

[dddd] They are admirable Instincts which the _Sieur de Beauplan_ relates of his own Knowledge, of the little Animals called _Bohaques_ in _Ukraine_. _They make Burroughs like ~Rabbets~, and in ~October~ shut themselves up, and do not come out again till ~April~.——They spend all the Winter under Ground, eating what they laid up in Summer.——Those that are lazy among them, they lay on their Backs, then lay a great handful of dry Herbage upon their Bodies, ~&c.~ then others drag those Drones to the Mouths of their Burroughs, and so those Creatures serve instead of Barrows, ~&c.~ I have often seen them practise this, and have had the Curiosity to observe them whole Days together.——Their Holes are parted like Chambers; some serve for Store-Houses, others for Burying-Places, ~&c.~ Their Government is nothing inferior to that of ~Bees~, ~&c.~ They never go abroad without posting a Centinel upon some high Ground, to give notice to the others whilst they are feeding. As soon as the Centinel sees any Body, it stands upon his Hind-Legs and whistles._ Beauplan’s _Description of ~Ukraine~_, _in_ Vol. I. _of the_ Collection of Voyages, _&c._

A like Instance of the Northern _Galli Sylvestres_, see in _Chap. 13. Note (g)._

As for the Scriptural Instance of the _Ant_, see hereafter _Book VIII. Chap. 5. Note (d)._

[eeee] I have in _Autumn_, not without Pleasure observed, not only the great Sagacity and Diligence of _Swine_, in hunting out the Stores of the _Field-Mice_; but the wonderful Precaution also of those little Animals, in hiding their Food beforehand against Winter. In the Time of Acorns falling, I have, by means of the _Hogs_, discovered, that the Mice had, all over the neighbouring fields, treasured up single Acorns in little Holes they had scratched, and in which they had carefully covered up the Acorn. These the _Hogs_ would, Day after Day, hunt out by their Smell.

CHAP. XII.

_Of the Cloathing of Animals._

Having in the foregoing Chapter somewhat largely taken a view of the Infinite Creator’s Wisdom and Goodness towards his Creatures, in ordering their Food, I shall be more brief in this Chapters in my View of their _Cloathing_[a]; another necessary Appendage of Life, and in which we have plain Tokens of the Creator’s Art, manifested in these two Particulars; the _Suitableness of Animals Cloathing to their Place and Occasions_; and the _Garniture and Beauty thereof_.

I. The Cloathing of Animals is suited to their Place of Abode, and Occasions there; a manifest Act of Design and Skill. For if there was a Possibility, that Animals could have been accoutred any other Way, than by God that made them, it must needs have come to pass, that their Cloathing would have been at all Adventures, or all made the same Mode and Way, or some of it, at least, inconvenient and unsuitable. But on the contrary, we find all is curious and compleat, nothing too much, nothing too little, nothing bungling, nothing but what will bear the Scrutiny of the most exquisite Artist; yea, and so far out-do his best Skill, that his most exquisite Imitations, even of the meanest Hair, Feather, Scale, or Shell, will be found only as so many ugly, ill-made Blunders and Botches, when strictly brought to the Test of good Glasses. But we shall find an Example remarkable enough in the present Case, if we only compare the best of Cloathing which Man makes for himself, with that given by the Creator for the Covering of the irrational Creatures. Of which it may be said, as our _Saviour_ doth of the Flowers of the Field, _Mat_. vi. 29. _That even Solomon, in all his Glory, was not arrayed like one of these._

But let us come to Particulars, and consider the Suitableness of the different Method the Creator hath taken in the Cloathing of Man, and of the irrational Animals. This _Pliny_[b] pathetically laments, and says, _It is hard to judge, whether Nature hath been a kinder Parent, or more cruel Step-Mother to Man._ For, says he, _Of all Creatures, he alone is covered with other’s Riches, whereas Nature hath given various Cloathing to other Animals, Shells, Hides, Prickles, Shag, Bristles, Hair, Down, Quills, Scales, Fleeces; and Trees she hath fenced with a Bark or two against the Injuries of Cold and Heat. Only poor naked Man_, says he, _is in the Day of his Birth cast into the wide World, to immediate crying and squalling; and none of all Creatures besides, so soon to Tears in the very beginning of their Life._

But here we have a manifest Demonstration of the Care and Wisdom of God towards his Creatures; that such should come into the World with their Bodies ready furnished and accommodated, who had neither Reason nor Forecast to contrive, nor Parts adapted to the Artifices and Workmanship of Cloathing; but for Man, he being endowed with the transcending Faculty of Reason, and thereby made able to help himself, by having Thoughts to contrive, and withal Hands to effect, and sufficient Materials[c] afforded him from the Skins and Fleeces of Animals, and from various Trees and Plants: Man, I say, having all this Provision made for him, therefore the Creator hath wisely made him naked, and left him to shift for himself, being so well able to help himself.

And a notable Act this is of the Wisdom of God, not only as the more setting forth his Care and Kindness to them that most needed his Help, the helpless irrational Animals, and in his not over-doing his Work; but also as it is most agreeable to the Nature and State of Man[d], both on natural and political Accounts. That Man should cloath himself is most agreeable to his Nature, particularly (among other Things,) as being most salutary, and most suitable to his Affairs. For by this Means, Man can adapt his Cloathing to all Seasons, to all Climates, to this, or to any Business. He can hereby keep himself sweet and clean, fence off many Injuries; but above all, by this Method of Cloathing, with the natural Texture of his Skin adapted to it, it is that grand Means of Health, namely, _insensible Perspiration_[e] is perform’d, at least greatly promoted, without which an human Body would be soon over-run with Disease.

In the next Place, there are good political Reasons for Man’s cloathing himself, inasmuch as his Industry is hereby employ’d in the Exercises of his Art and Ingenuity; his Diligence and Care are exerted in keeping himself sweet, cleanly, and neat; many Callings and Ways of Life arise from thence, and, (to name no more,) the Ranks and Degrees of Men are hereby in some Measure render’d visible to others, in the several Nations of the Earth.

Thus it is manifestly best for Man that he should cloath himself.

But for the poor shiftless Irrationals, it is a prodigious Act of the great Creator’s Indulgence, that they are all ready furnished with such Cloathing, as is proper to their Place and Business[f]. Some covered with Hair[g], some with Feathers[h], some with Scales, some with Shells[i], some only Skin, and some with firm and stout Armature; all nicely accommodated to the Element in which the Creature liveth, and its occasions there[k]. To _Quadrupeds_ Hair is a commodious Cloathing; which, together with the apt Texture of their Skin, fitteth them for all Weathers, to lie on the Ground, and to do the Offices of Man; and the thick and warm Furs and Fleeces of others, are not only a good Defensative against the Cold and Wet; but also a soft Bed to repose themselves in; and to many of them, a comfortable covering, to nurse and cherish their tender Young.

And as Hair to Quadrupeds; so Feathers are as commodious a Dress to such as fly in the Air, to Birds, and some Insects; not only a good Guard against Wet and Cold, and a comfortable Covering to such as hatch and brood their Young; but also most commodious for their Flight. To which purpose they are nicely and neatly placed every where on the Body, to give them an easie Passage through the Air[l], and to assist in the wafting their Body through that thin Medium. For which Service, how curious is their Texture for Lightness, and withal for Strength? Hollow and thin for Lightness, but withal, context and firm for Strength. And where ’tis necessary they should be filled, what a light and strong medullary Substance is it they are filled with? By which curious Contrivances, even the very heaviest Parts made for Strength, are so far from being a Load to the Body, that they rather assist in making it light and buoyant, and capacitate it for Flight. But for the Vanes, the lightest part of the Feather, how curiously are they wrought with capillary Filaments, neatly interwoven together[m], whereby they are not only light, but also sufficiently close and strong, to keep the Body warm, and guard it against the Injuries of Weather, and withal, to impower the Wings, like so many Sails, to make strong Impulses upon the Air in their Flight[n]. Thus curious, thus artificial, thus commodious is the Cloathing of Beasts and Birds: Concerning which, more in proper Place.

And no less might I shew that of Reptiles and Fishes[o] to be, if it was convenient to enlarge upon this Branch of the Creator’s Works. How well adapted are the _Annuli_ of some Reptiles, and the Contortions of the Skin of others, not only to fence the Body sufficiently against outward Injuries; but to enable them to creep, to perforate the Earth[p], and in a word, to perform all the Offices of their Reptile State, much better than any other Tegument of the Body would do? And the same might be said of the Covering of the Inhabitants of the Waters, particularly the Shells of some, which are a strong Guard to the tender Body that is within, and consistent enough with their slower Motion; and the Scales and Skins of others, affording them an easie and swift Passage through the Waters. But it may be sufficient to give only a Hint of these Things, which more properly belong to another Place.

Thus hath the indulgent Creator furnish’d the whole animal World with convenient, suitable Cloathing.

II. Let us in the next Place take a short View of the _Garniture_[q], and _Beauty_ thereof. And here we shall thus far, at least, descry it to be beautiful; that it is compleat and workman-like. Even the Cloathing of the most sordid Animals, those that are the least beautified with Colours, or rather whose Cloathing may regrate the Eye[r]; yet when we come strictly to view them, and seriously consider the nice Mechanism of one Part, the admirable Texture of another, and the exact Symmetry of the Whole; we discern such Strokes of inimitable Skill, such incomparable Curiosity, that we may say with _Solomon_, Eccl. iii. 11. [God] _hath made every Thing beautiful in his Time_.

But for a farther Demonstration, of the super-eminent Dexterity of his almighty Hand, he hath been pleas’d, as it were on Purpose, to give surprizing Beauties to divers Kinds of Animals. What radiant Colours are many of them, particularly some Birds and Insects[s], bedeck’d with! What a prodigious Combination is there often of these, yea, how nice an Air frequently of meaner Colours[t], as to captivate the Eye of all Beholders, and exceed the Dexterity of the most exquisite Pencil to copy?

And now, when we thus find a whole World of Animals, cloathed in the wisest Manner, the most suitable to the Element in which they live, the Place in which they reside, and their State and Occasions there; when those that are able to shift for themselves, are left to their own Discretion and Diligence, but the Helpless well accouter’d and provided for; when such incomparable Strokes of Art and Workmanship appear in all, and such inimitable Glories and Beauties in the Cloathing of others; who can, without the greatest Obstinacy and Prejudice, deny this to be _GOD_’s Handy-work? The gaudy, or even the meanest Apparel which Man provideth for himself, we readily enough own to be the Contrivance, the Work of Man: And shall we deny the Cloathing of all the Animal World betides (which infinitely surpasseth all the Robes of earthly Majesty; shall we, dare we, deny that) to be the Work of any Thing less than of an infinite, intelligent Being, whose Art and Power are equal to such glorious Work!

FOOTNOTES:

[a] Concerning the Cloathing of Animals, _Aristotle_ observes, _That such Animals have Hair as go on Feet and are viviparous; and that such are covered with a Shell, as go on Feet, and are oviparous_, Hist. Anim. l. 3. c. 10.

[b] _Cujus ~[Hominis]~ causâ videtur cuncta alia genuisse Natura, magnâ & sævâ mercede contra tanta sua munera: ut non sit satìs æstimare, Parens melior homini, an tristior Noverca fuerit. Ante omnia unum Animantium cunctorum alienis velat opibus: cæteris variè tegumenta tribuit, testas, cortices, coria, spinas, villos, setas, pilos, plumam, pennas, squamas, vellera. Truncos etiam arboresque cortice, interdum gemino, à frigoribus, & calore tutata est. Hominem tantum nudum, & in nudâ humo, natali die abjicit ad vagitus statim & ploratum, nullumque tot animalium aliud ad lacrymas, & has protinus vita principio._ Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 7. Proœm.

Let _Seneca_ answer this Complaint of _Pliny_, although perhaps what he saith might be more properly noted in another Place: _Quisquis es iniquus æstimator fortis humana, cogita quanta nobis tribuerit Parens noster, quanto valentiora animalia sub jugum miserimus, quanto velociora assequamur, quàm nihil sit mortale non sub ictu nostro positum. Tot virtutes accepimus, tot artes, animum denique cui nihil non eodem quo intendit momento pervium est, Sideribus velociorem, ~&c.~_ Senec. de Benef. l. 2. c. 29.

[c] _Mirantur plurimi quomodo tutè, & sanè vivant homines in horrendis frigoribus plagæ Septentrionalis; hancque levem quæstionem ultra 30 annos audieram in Italia, præsertim ab Æthiopibus, & Indis, quibus onerosus videtur vestitus sub Zonâ terridâ.——Quibus respondetur,——Gaudet Indus multiplici plumarum genere, magìs forsan pro tegumento, quàm necessitate: rursus Scytha villoso vestitu——Ita sub polo Arctico adversùs asperrimas hyemes——opportuna remedia faciliter administrat ~[Natura]~. Ligna videlicet in maxima copia, & levissimo pretio, & demum Pelles diversorum animalium, tam sylvestrium quàm domesticorum._ Then he gives a Catalogue of them, and saith, _Quarum omnium experti pellifices ita ingeniosè noverunt mixturas componere, ut pulcherrimum decorum ostendat varietas, & calidissimum fomentum adjuncta mollities._ Ol. Mag. Hist. l. 6. c. 20.

To this Guard against the Cold, namely, of Fire and Cloathing; I hope the Reader will excuse me, if I take this Opportunity of adding some other Defensatives Nature, (or rather the great Author of Nature,) hath afforded these northern Regions: Such are their high Mountains, abounding, as _Ol. Magnus_ saith, through all Parts; also their numerous Woods, which besides their Fire, do, with the Mountains, serve as excellent Screens against the Cold, piercing Air and Winds. Their prodigious Quantities of Minerals, and Metals, also afford Heat, and warm Vapours, _Mineræ septentrionalium regionum satìs multæ, magnæ, diversæ, & opulentæ sunt_, saith the same curious, and (for his Time,) learned Archbishop, _l. 6. c. 1._ and in other Places. And for the Warmth they afford, the _Volcano_’s of those Parts are in Evidence; as are also their terrible Thunder and Lightning, which are observ’d to be the most severe and mischievous in their metalline Mountains, in which large Herds of Cattle are sometimes destroy’d; the Rocks so rent and shatter’d, that new Veins of Silver are thereby discover’d; and a troublesome Kind of Quinsie is produc’d in their Throats, by the stench, and poisonous Nature of the sulphureous Vapours, which they dissolve, by drinking warm Beer and Butter together, as _Olaus_ tells us in the same Book, _Chap. 11._

To all which Defensatives, I shall, in the last Place add, the warm Vapours of their Lakes, (some of which are prodigiously large, of 130 _Italian_ Miles in Length, and not much less in Breadth;) also of their Rivers, especially the Vapours which arise from the Sea. Of which Guard against severe Cold, we have lately had a convincing Proof in the _great Frost_, in 1708, wherein, when _England_, _Germany_, _France_, _Denmark_; yea, the more southerly Regions of _Italy_, _Switzerland_, and other Parts suffer’d severely, _Ireland_ and _Scotland_ felt very little of it, hardly more than in other Winters; of the Particulars of which, having given an Account in the _Phil. Trans._ Nᵒ. 324. I shall thither refer the Reader. But it seems this is what doth ordinarily befal those northern Parts; particularly the _Islands_ of _Orkney_, of which the learned Dr. _Wallace_ gives this Account: _Here the Winters are generally more subject to Rain than Snow; nor doth the Frost and Snow continue so long here, as in other Parts of ~Scotland~; but the Wind in the mean Time will often blow very boisterously; and it Rains sometimes, not by Drops, but by spouts of Water, as if whole Clouds fell down at once. In the Year 1680, in the Month of ~June~, after great Thunder, there fell Flakes of Ice near a Foot thick._ _Wall._ Account of _Ork._ Chap. 1. _p. 4._ From which last Passage I observe; That although in those Parts, the Atmosphere near the Earth be warm, it is excessively cold above; so as to freeze some of those Spouts of Water in their Descent, into such great, and almost incredible Masses of Hail. And whence can this Warmth proceed, but from the Earth, or Sea, emitting Heat sufficient to stave off the Cold above? Consult _Book II. Chap. 5. Note (c)._

[d] _Sicut enim si innata sibi ~[i.e. Homini]~ aliqua haberat arma, illa ei sola semper adessent, ita & si artem aliquam Natura fortitus esset, reliquas sanè non haberet. Quia verò ei melius erat omnibus armis, omnibusque artibus uti, neutrum eorum à naturâ ipsi propterea datum est._ Galen. de Us. Part. l. 1. c. 4.

[e] Concerning _insensible Perspiration_, _Sanctorius_ observes, That it much exceeds all the Sensible put together. _De Stat. Med. Aph. 4._ That as much is evacuated by _insensible Perspiration_ in one Day, as is by _Stool_ in fourteen Days. Particularly, that, in a Night’s Time, about sixteen Ounces is commonly sent out by _Urine_, four Ounces by Stool; but above forty Ounces by _insensible Perspiration_, Aphor. 59, 60. That if a Man eats and drinks 8 _l._ in a Day, 5 _l._ of it is spent in _insensible Perspiration_, §. 1. Aph. 6. And as to the Times, he saith, _Ab assumpto cibo 5 horis 1 l. circiter perspirabilis——exhalare solet, à 5a ad 12am 3 l. circiter; à 12a ad 16am vix selibram_, Aph. 56.

And as to the wonderful Benefits of _insensible Perspiration_, they are abundantly demonstrated by the same learned Person, _ubi supra_; as also by _Borelli_ in his second Part, _De Mot. Animal_, Prop. 168. who saith, _Necessaria est insensibilis Transpiratio, ut vita Animalis conservetur._

[f] _Animantium verò quanta varietas est? Quanta ad cam rem vis, ut in suo quæque genere permaneant? Quaram aliæ coriis tectæ sunt, aliæ villis vesticæ, aliæ spinis hirsutæ: plumâ alias, alias squamâ videmus obductas, alias esse cornibus armatas, alias habere effugia pennarum._ Cic. de Nat. Deor. l. 2. c. 47.

[g] From _Malpighi_’s curious Observations of the _Hair_, I shall note three Things. 1. Their Structure is fistulous, or tubular; which hath long been a Doubt among the curious. _Fistulosum ~[esse Pilum]~ demonstrant lustratio pilarum à caudâ & collo Equorum, ~&c.~——præcipuè setarum Apri, quæ patentiorem ex fistulis compositionem exhibent. Est autem dictus Apri pilus Cylindricum corpus quasi diaphanum——fistularum aggere conflatum, & speciem columnæ striatæ præ se fert. Componentes fistulæ in gyrum situatæ in apice patentiores redduntur; nam hians pilus in geminas dividitur partes, & componentes minimæ fistulæ——libersores redditæ manifestantur, ita ut enumerari possunt; has autem 20, & ultra numeravi.——Expositæ fistulæ——tubulosæ sunt, & frequentibus tunicis transversaliter situatis, veluti valvulis pollent. Et quoniam Spinæ, in Erinaceis præcipui, ~&c.~ nil aliud sunt, quam duri & rigidi pili, ideo, ~&c.~_ And then he describes the _Hedgehog_’s Spines, in which those Tubes manifestly appear; together, with medullary Valves and Cells; not inelegant, which he hath figur’d in _Tab. 16._ at the End of his Works.

That which this sagacious, and not enough to be commended Observer, took notice of in the Structure of Hair, and its Parity to the Spines; I have my self observ’d in some Measure to be true, in the Hair of _Cats_, _Rats_, _Mice_, and divers other Animals; which look very prettily when view’d with a good Microscope. The Hair of a _Mouse_, (the most transparent of any I have view’d,) seems to be one single transparent Tube, with a Pith made up of a fibrous Substance, running in dark Lines; in some Hairs tranversly, in others spirally, as in _Fig. 14, 15, 16, 17._ These darker medullary Parts, or Lines, I have observ’d, are no other than small Fibres convolved round, and lying closer together than in other Parts of the Hair. They run from the Bottom, to the Top of the Hair; and I imagine, serve to the gentle Evacuation of some Humour out of the Body; perhaps the Hair serves as well for the _insensible Perspiration_ of hairy Animals, as to fence against Cold and Wet. In _Fig. 14, 16_, is represented the Hair of a _Mouse_, as it appears through a small Magnifier; and in _Fig. 15, 17_, as it appears when view’d with a larger Magnifier.

Upon another Review, I imagine, That although in _Fig. 14, 15_, the dark Parts of the Pith seem to be transverse; that they, as well as in the two other Figures, run round in a screw-like Fashion.

[h] See _Book VII. Chap. 1. Note (d) (e)._

[i] See _Chap. XIV. Note (c)._

[k] It is a Sign some wise Artist was a Contriver of the Cloathing of Animals; not only as their Cloathing varies, as their Way of Living doth; but also because every Part of their Bodies is furnish’d with proper suitable Cloathing. Thus divers Animals, that have their Bodies cover’d for the most Part with short, smooth Hair; have some Parts left naked, where Hair would be an Annoyance: And some Parts beset with long Hair; as the Mane and Tail; And some with stiff, strong Bristles; as about the Nose; And sometimes within the Nostrils; to guard off, or give warning of Annoyances.

[l] The Feathers being placed from the Head towards the Tail, in close and neat Order, and withal preened and dressed by the Contents of the Oil-Bag, afford as easie a Passage through the Air, as a Boat new cleaned and dressed finds in its Passage through the Waters. Whereas, were the Feathers placed the contrary, or any other way (as they would have been, had they been placed by Chance, or without Art) they would then have gathered Air, and been a great Encumbrance to the Passage of the Body through the Air. See _Book VII. Chap. 1. Note (b)._

[m] In _Book VII. Chap. 1. Note (e)._ there is a particular Account of the Mechanism of their Vanes, from some nice Microscopical Observations, and therefore I shall take no farther Notice of it here.

[n] _Vid._ _Borell. de Mot. Animal._ Prop. 182. Vol. I.

[o] See _Book IX._

[p] For a Sample of this Branch of my Survey, let us chuse the Tegument of _Earth-Worms_, which we shall find compleatly adapted to their Way or Life and Motion, being made in the most compleat Manner possible for terebrating the Earth, and creeping where their Occasions lead them. For their Body is made throughout of small Rings, and these Rings have a curious _Apparatus_ of Muscles, enabling those Creatures with great Strength to dilate, extend, or contract their _Annuli_, and whole Body; those _Annuli_ also are each of them armed with small, stiff, sharp _Beards_, or _Prickles_, which they can open, to lay hold on, or shut up close to their Body: And lastly, Under the Skin there lies a _slimy Juice_, that they emit, as Occasion is, at certain Perforations between the _Annuli_, to lubricate the Body, and facilitate their Passage into the Earth. By all which Means they are enabled with great Speed, Ease, and Safety, to thrust and wedge themselves into the Earth; which they could not do, had their Bodies been covered with Hair, Feathers, Scales, or such like Cloathing of the other Creatures. See more concerning this Animal, _Book IX. Chap. 1. Note (a)._

[q] _Aristotle_, in his _Hist. Anim. l. 3. c. 12._ names several Rivers, that by being drank of, change the Colour of the Hair.

[r] For an Example; Let us take the Cloathing of the _Tortoise_ and _Viper_; because, by an incurious View, it rather regrateth, than pleaseth the Eye: But yet, by an accurate Survey, we find the Shells of the Former, and the Scales of the Latter, to be a curious Piece of Mechanism, neatly made; and so compleatly, and well put, and tack’d together, as to exceed any human Composures: Of the Latter see more in _Book IX. Chap. 1. Note (c)._

[s] It would be endless to enter into the Particulars of the beautiful _Birds_ and _Insects_ of our _European_ Parts; but especially those inhabiting the Countries between the Tropicks, which are observed as much to exceed our Birds in their Colours, as ours do theirs in their Singing.

[t] The _Wryneck_, at a Distance, is a Bird of mean Colour; neither are indeed its Colours radiant, or beautiful, singly considered: But when it is in the Hand we see its light and darker Colours so curiously mixed together, as to give the Bird a surprizing Beauty. The same is also observable in many Insects, particularly of the _Phalæna kind_.

CHAP. XIII.

_Of the Houses and Habitation of Animals._

Having in the last Chapter, as briefly as well I could, surveyed the _Cloathing_ of Animals, I shall in this take a View of their _Houses_, _Nests_, their _Cells_ and _Habitations_; another Thing no less necessary to their Well-being than the last; and in which the Great Creator hath likewise signalized his Care and Skill, by giving Animals an architectonick Faculty, to build themselves convenient Places of Retirement, in which to repose and secure themselves, and to nurse up their Young.

And here, as before, we may consider the case of Man, and that of the irrational Animals. Man having (as I said) the Gift of Reason and Understanding, is able to shift for himself, to contrive and build, as his Pleasure leads him, and his Abilities will admit of. From the meanest Huts and Cottages, he can erect himself stately Buildings, bedeck them with exquisite Arts of Architecture, Painting, and other Garniture, ennoble them, and render them delightful with pleasant Gardens, Fountains, Avenues, and what not? For Man therefore the Creator hath abundantly provided in this respect, by giving him an Ability to help himself. And a wise Provision this is, inasmuch as it is an excellent Exercise of the Wit, the Ingenuity, the Industry and Care of Man.

But since Ingenuity, without Materials, would be fruitless, the Materials therefore which the Creator hath provided the World with, for this very Service of Building, deserves our Notice. The great Varieties of Trees[a], Earth, Stones and Plants, answering every Occasion and Purpose of Man for this Use, in all Ages and Places all the World over, is a great Act of the Creator’s Goodness; as manifesting, that since he has left Man to shift for himself, it should not be without sufficient Help to enable him to do so, if he would but make use of them, and the Sense and Reason which God hath given him.

Thus sufficient Provision is made for the Habitation of Man.

And no less shall we find is made for the rest of the Creatures; who although they want the Power of Reason to vary their Methods, and cannot add to, or diminish from, or any way make Improvements upon their natural Way; yet we find that natural Instinct, which the Creator’s infinite Understanding hath imprinted in them, to be abundantly sufficient, nay, in all Probability, the very best or only Method they can take, or that can be invented for the respective Use and Purpose of each peculiar Species of Animals[b]. If some Creatures make their Nests in Holes, some in Trees, some in Shrubs, some in the Earth[c], some in Stone, some in the Waters, some here, and some there, or have none at all; yet we find, that that Place, that Method of Nidification doth abundantly answer the Creatures Use and Occasions. They can there sufficiently and well repose, and secure themselves, lay, and breed up their Young. We are so far from discovering any Inconvenience in any of their respective Ways, from perceiving any Loss befal the Species, any decay, any perishing of their Young; that in all Probability, on the contrary, in that particular Way they better thrive, are more secure, and better able to shift for, and help themselves. If, for Instance, some Beasts make to themselves no Habitation, but lie abroad in the open Air, and there produce their Young; in this case we find there is no need it should be otherwise, by Reason they are either taken care of by Man [d], or in no Danger, as other Creatures, from Abroad. If others reposite their Young in Holes[e] and Dens, and secure themselves also therein, it is, because such Guard, such Security is wanting, their Lives being sought either by the Hostility of Man, or to satisfie the Appetite of rapacious Creatures[f]. If among Birds, some build their Nests close, some open, some with this, some with another Material, some in Holes, some in Trees, some on the Ground[g], some on Rocks and Crags on high (of which God himself hath given an Instance in the _Eagle_, Job xxxix. 27, 28.) And so among the Insect and Reptile Kinds, if some reposite their Eggs or Young in the Earth, some in Wood, some in Stone, some on one Kind of Plant, some on another, some in warm and dry Places, some in the Water and moist Places, and some in their own Bodies only, as shall be shewn in proper Place; in all these Cases it is in all Probability, the best or only Method the Animal can take for the Hatching and Production of its Young, for their Supplies, Safety, or some other main Point of their Being or Well-being. This is manifest enough in many Cases, and therefore probable in all. It is manifest that such Animals, for Instance, as breed in the Waters (as not only Fish, but divers Insects, and other Land-Animals do) that their Young cannot be hatched, fed, or nursed up in any other Element. It is manifest also, that Insects, which lay their Eggs on this, and that, and the other agreeable Tree, or Plant, or in Flesh, _&c._ that it is by that Means their Young are fed and nursed up. And it is little to be doubted also, but that these Matrixes may much conduce to the Maturation and Production of the Young. And so in all other the like Cases of Nidification, of Heat or Cold, Wet or Dry, Exposed or Open, in all Probability this is the best Method for the Animal’s Good, most salutary and agreeable to its Nature, most for its Fecundity, and the Continuance and Increase of its Species; to which every Species of Animals is naturally prompt and inclined.

Thus admirable is the natural Sagacity and Instinct[h] of the irrational Animals in the Convenience and Method of their Habitations. And no less is it in the Fabrick of them. Their architectonick Skill, exerted in the Curiosity and Dexterity of their Works, and exceeding the Skill of Man to imitate; this, I say, deserves as much or more Admiration and Praise, than that of the most exquisite Artist among Men. For with what inimitable Art[i] do these poor untaught Creatures lay a parcel of rude and ugly Sticks and Straws, Moss and Dirt together, and form them into commodious Nests? With what Curiosity do they line them within, wind and place every Hair, Feather, or Lock of Wool, to guard the tender Bodies of themselves and their Young, and to keep them warm? And with what Art and Craft do many of them thatch over, and coat their Nests without, to dodge and deceive the Eye of Spectators, as well as to guard and fence against the Injuries of Weather[k]? With what prodigious Subtilty do some foreign Birds[l] not only plat and weave the fibrous Parts of Vegetables together, and curiously tunnel them, and commodiously form them into Nests, but also artificially suspend them on the tender Twigs of Trees, to keep them out of the reach of rapacious Animals?

And so for _Insects_, those little, weak, those tender Creatures; yet, what admirable Artists are they in this Business of Nidification! With what great Diligence doth the little _Bee_ gather its Combs from various Trees[m] and Flowers, the _Wasp_ from solid[n] Timber! And with what prodigious geometrical Subtilty do those little Animals work their deep hexagonal Cells, the only proper Figure that the best Mathematician could chuse for such a Combination of Houses[o]! With what Accuracy do other Insects perforate the Earth[p], Wood, yea, Stone it self[q]! For which Service, the compleat Apparatus of their Mouths[r], and Feet[s], deserves particular Observation, as hath been, and will be hereafter observ’d. And further yet; With what Care and Neatness do most of those little sagacious Animals line those their Houses within, and seal them up, and fence them without[t]! How artificially will others fold up the Leaves of Trees and Plants[u]; others house themselves in Sticks and Straws; others glue light and floating Bodies together[w], and by that Artifice make themselves floating Houses in the Waters, to transport themselves at Pleasure after their Food, or other necessary Occasions of Life! And for a Close, let us take the scriptural Instance of the _Spider_, Prov. xxx. 28. which is one of the four little Things, which, v. 44. _Agur_ says, is _exceeding Wise: The Spider taketh hold with her Hands, and is in Kings Palaces_[x]. I will not dispute the Truth of our _English_ Translation of this Text, but supposing the Animal mention’d to be that which is meant; it is manifest, that the Art of that Species of Creatures, in spinning their various Webs, and the Furniture their Bodies afford to that Purpose, are an excellent Instinct, and Provision of Nature, setting forth its glorious Author.