to have been satisfactorily answered. It should, however, be taken into consideration that the cherubim are symbols not solely of physical, but of all governing powers, and that, therefore, in order to interpret rightly any act of theirs, the circumstances attending upon it should be carefully examined. If we consider the passages in the Apocalypse here alluded to, we shall find that when praise is to be rendered to God as Creator and Upholder of the universe, they then are stated to proclaim his Triune Deity, by saying-Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. This they do as the physical powers, under God, upholding the universe, especially as fire, light, and air; all of which, in passages of Scripture above noticed,2 appear to represent the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity. But when they are introduced as representing the governing Powers of the universal Church, as they are when they fall down and worship the Lamb, the case is altered; for those they then represent are amongst the redeemed.

One of my objects in treating so much at large upon this mysterious subject, was to counteract that tendency, often observable in the writings of philosophers, to ascribe too much to the action of second causes, and the mechanism of the heavenly powers; as if they were sufficient of themselves, and without the intervention of the First Cause, to do all in all, and keep the whole machine and all its parts together and at work. Instead of regarding him as receding farther and farther from our observation,3 my desire is to bring him nearer and nearer to us, that we may see and acknowledge Him every where, as the main-spring of the universe, which animates, as it were, and upholds it in all its parts and motions

Lives through all life, extends through all extent,

Spreads undivided, operates unspent.

1 Revel. ubi supr.

2 See above, p. lxiv.

3 See above, p. xxiv.

Maintaining his own laws by his own universal action upon and by his cherubim of glory. WITHOUT HIM THEY CAN DO

NOTHING.

I cannot conclude this Introduction without returning my grateful acknowledgments to the Board of Curators of the Hunterian Museum, for their kind permission to have drawings taken of such subjects in that suberb collection as might answer my purpose; and to Messrs. Clift and Owen, the conservator and assistant-conservator of the museum, for their readiness, on all occasions, to show and explain to me such articles under their care as I had occasion to inspect; to the friendly attentions of the latter gentleman I am particularly indebted, not only for his exertions to serve me in the museum, but for his valuable information on numerous scientific subjects, on which I had occasion to consult him, which his deep knowledge of comparative anatomy, and familiar acquaintance with the classification of the animal kingdom, enabled him to give me. To the gentlemen connected with the British Museum and that of the Zoological Society, I have to make similar acknowledgments for the kindness and information with which my inquiries on several subjects have uniformly been answered.

As one half of this work was printed before the publication of Dr. Roget's admirable Treatise, it will not be deemed wonderful that, in some instances, we have treated of the same subject. The history, habits, and instincts of animals, are so intimately connected with their physiological structure, especially their external anatomy, that it is scarcely possible, in order to prove the adaptation of means to an end, to treat satisfactorily of the former without occasional illustrations from the latter. After the doctor's work appeared, I removed many things of this kind from my MS., upon which

he had enlarged. The moult of Crustaceans, however, seemed to me, and to every friend whom I consulted, so necessary to make the history of that Class complete, that, though mostly derived from the same source as that of my learned Co-nominee, I did not expunge it.

THE

HISTORY, HABITS, AND INSTINCTS

OF ANIMALS.

CHAPTER I.

Creation of Animals.

Is no part of creation are the POWER, WISDOM, and GOODNESS, of its beneficent and almighty Author more signally conspicuous than in the various animals that inhabit and enliven our globe. The infinite diversity of their forms and organs; the nice adaptation of these to their several functions; the beauty and elegance of a large number of them; the singularity of others; the variety of their motions; their geographical distribution; but, above all, their pre-eminent utility to mankind, in every state and stage of life, render them objects of the deepest interest both to rich and poor, high and low, wise and unlearned, so that arguments in proof of these primary attributes of the Godhead, drawn from the habits, instincts, and other adjuncts of the animal creation, are likely to meet with more universal attention, to be more generally comprehended, to make a deeper and more lasting impression upon the mind, to direct the heart more fervently and devotedly to the maker and giver of these interesting beings, than those which are drawn from more abstruse sources, though really more elevated and sublime.

The history of the animal kingdom naturally commences with the creation of animals, and the great events preparatory to it, for when the ALMIGHTY CREATOR, in his wisdom, and by the word of his power, had first brought into being, and after

wards set in order, the heavens and the earth; had caused the latter to bring forth grass, and herb, and tree, and then had placed his sun in the former, that by constant irradiations of light and heat from that central fountain, the life,' and motion, which the FIRST MOVER had begun by the incubation of his Spirit, and which now manifested itself in the vegetable kingdom, might be maintained till it had run its destined course. When all things were thus prepared, his next care was to people and enliven the earth with a different and higher class of beings, in whom-to organization, and life, and growth, and reproductive powers,-might be added sensation and voluntary motion. Unpeopled by animals, the verdant earth in all its primitive and untarnished beauty, though inlaid with flowers exhibiting, in endless variety, every mixture and shade of colour that can glad the sight; though fanned by gales breathing Sabean odours, to gratify the scent; though tempting the appetite by delicious fruits of every flavour, still would be a scene without the breath of life. No motions would be seen but of the passing clouds, of the fluctuating waters, and the waving boughs; no voice heard but of the elements.

Was a single pair placed in this paradise, though at first it would seem that there was gratification for every sense, and joy would possess the heart, and admiration fill the soul with pleasure; yet after the novelty of the spectacle had ceased, and the effect of its first impression was obliterated, a void would soon be felt, something more would seem wanting to animate the otherwise lovely scene; a longing would arise in the mind for some beings, varying in form and magnitude, furnished with organs that would enable them to traverse and enliven the lower regions of the atmosphere, others that might course over the earth's surface, and others that could win their easy way through its waters, so that all, by their numbers, and the variety of their motions, might exhibit a striking and interesting contrast to the fixed and unconscious vitality of the vegetable kingdom.

But it was not the will of the beneficent Creator to leave such a blank and blot in his creation; before he created man in his own image, and enthroned him king of the new-made world, he decreed that his dominion also should be an image. of his own, over innumerable creatures of every form and grade, each in its place intrusted with a peculiar office and function, and furnished with organs adapted to its work, contributing to its own and the general welfare; so that all should

1 See Appendix, note 1.