selves, and we gather fruits for everlasting life. Let us, therefore, never be slothful or idle in doing good; but let us acquit ourselves of the duties of life with zeal and fidelity.

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MAY XII.

HOW PROVIDENCE HAS PROVIDED FOOD FOR ANIMALS.

FROM the elephant to the mite, there is no earthly animal which can live without food and nourishment; from the eagle to the gnat, no bird can do without it; from the leviathan to the smallest worm, no reptile can subsist without eating; from the whale to the oyster, there is no animal in the waters, to which food is not necessary. But, in forming these creatures thus, God has at the same time ordained, that there should always be an abundant great variety proper for their sustenance. As many species of animals as there are, so many sorts of food are there for them. There is no beast on earth, that does not find the food adapted to its nature. We may, in this respect, divide animals into three chief classes. The first comprehends those that feed on the flesh of others: Some, like the lion, love only the quadrupeds; others, birds, as the polecat; others, again, only fish, like the otter; and, lastly, some love only insects, as several of the birds do. There are some exceptions in all these; but in general, it is certain, that each species has its particular food designed for it by the Creator. The second class includes the animals which seek their food amongst vegetables. Some animals prefer

prefer grass; others fruit trees; and amongst those which love the same plant, there is still a very remarkable difference. Some only feed on the root, others on the leaf; some love the stalk or body of the plant; others the marrow or seed, or the whole fruit; there are some also which eat the whole plant. Those that feed on minerals belong to the third class; they are mostly insects; and it is rather difficult amongst them to ascertain what food such and such sort in particular require; because those little animals cannot be so easily observed as others. It is known, however, that some of them feed on earth, others on stones. And if we consider that there is scarce any beast or plant, which does not serve as food to some animal, we shall easily conceive that it must be the same in respect to the mineral kingdom; and that there is nothing there which does not serve directly or indirectly as food for some insect. I here comprehend the words of David : “The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord, and "thou givest them their meat in due season. “Thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things "living with plenteousness." The cares of Divine Providence are evident proofs of that eternal goodness which extends over the whole universe. Reflect on the prodigious number of animals which exist. How many millions of species of birds and insects, and how many hundred millions of each sort! How many millions of animals live in all parts of the earth! How many hundred millions of each kind find dwelling and food in the forests, the fields, the mountains, and valleys, in the caves and hollow parts of rocks, upon trees, and in trees, in turf, in stones, &c. What innumerable shoals inhabit the ocean! What immense numbers of fish swim in the sea,

and in rivers? All these creatures find their daily food. How inexpressible the multitude! How astonishing the variety of insects which every where surround us, millions of millions repeated! Insects in the air, in plants, in animals, in stones; insects in other insects! All of them constantly find their daily food. How infinitely also does the wisdom of the Creator shine forth, in his manner of providing for all these animals? He gives them all the food fit for them, and adapted to their nature; for each kind of food does not indifferently suit all animals: A particular sort is required for quadrupeds; another for birds; others still for fish and insects. This distribution of food is a means wisely ordained by the Creator, to afford sufficient food for each species of animals, and to prevent any of 'the sustenance, which the earth produces, from being useless. But if God so provides for animals void of reason, what will he not do for man! Such is the conclusion we may, and ought to draw, from seeing the plan of Divine Providence, which gives to all the beasts of the earth every thing necessary for their support. Oh man of little faith! anxious, restless, discontented man! go and reflect on the goodness with which the Lord sustains the lives of animals; and let that teach you to be content, and trust in God. Behold the birds in the air; the fallow-deer on the rocks, and in caves; the fish in the sea; the animals in the fields and in the forests; every thing finds food and habitation fit for it. Great in the smallest things, as well as in the largest, God does not disdain or neglect the lowest worm. it possible, then, that man alone should not be the object of his paternal care?

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MAY

MAY XIII.

THE SENSES OF ANIMALS.

IN all animals the organs of the senses are disposed in a manner conformable to their nature and design. It is by their means, that they take in knowledge of objects, either near or distant, and that they are enabled to provide necessaries, and to guard against dangers. By the feeling, animals form an idea of corporeal objects, as soon as they touch them. This sense, in beasts, as well as in mankind, has its seat under the outward skin, the extremities of which are covered with a multitude of nerves and sinews. It cannot be exactly ascertained what revolutions the feeling goes through in the greater number of beasts. It is even doubtful, if insects are not endowed with another sense, and if their horns may not be organs of an unknown sense which men are entirely deprived of. Birds, fish, serpents, and some other animals, appear not to have it. The organs of taste are principally the tongue and the palate, which receive the impressions of relish; but the papilla are the immediate instruments of it, as likewise of the touch. There is, accordingly, much analogy between these two senses. The smell has for its organ the membrane which lines the nose. It is by means of a collection of small nerves there, that they perceive part of the odorous vapours which swim in the air. Animals, who require a nicer and keener smell, are therefore endowed with a greater perfection of this organ. Worms appear entirely without any, and perhaps also fish and insects; but it is possible, that, in the latter, the horns may be the organs of smell.

By means of this sense, beasts find all that is necessary for the preservation of their life; birds and reptiles their food; and many animals are warned by it of the approach of their enemies. The hearing conveys to animals the fluttering and vibrations of the air. The construction of the ear is not the same in all beasts. Some, like the lizard, have two drums. Some are deprived of several parts which most other animals have. It is thought, that neither birds nor fish have that part which is called the snail, or shell, and that insects and worms are absolutely deaf. The eyes are the organs of sight. Except the cuttle fish, the hedge-hog, and perhaps a few others, all reptiles are without eyes. Almost all insects, on the contrary, have more than two. Most of them have them in profusion, generally collected into two orbits. The spider and scorpion have eight eyes. In one fly there has been reckoned 16,000 eyes, in a scarab 6362, and even 34,650 in a butterfly. The number and position of those eyes make the insects amends, for not being able to move or turn them. The fish have none of the watery humour; but their chrystalline is almost entirely round. All the organs of the senses are evidently disposed, in a manner conformable to the make of animals, and their several wants. As the eyes of most insects are immoveable, nature, to supply the defect, has given them horns, by means of which they discern dangers, which would escape their sight. The eyes of fish are disposed with equal wisdom. A full projecting eye would not suit them, for which reason their cornea is quite flat; but, to remedy this defect, the Creator has given them a crystalline perfectly spherical whereas, in animals that live in the air, it is lenticular, and consequently flatter. Although

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