wings, and in what manner the pend themselves in the air. Father. I am glad to find in ing desire for knowledge but other things which we have on upon, you will be better able to

Son. I thank you; but will more now?

Father You were just obser are much pleased with the sing and does it not strike you with ad that the tender throats of such sm and those of the male particularl able to form such shrill and vari while a great ox, or bull, can only roar. It is observable farther, t have to fly through the woods, tl vided with a membrane to prote which we have not: and also, that are placed more within, and covere thers, to guard them against the pres

Son. I do not perceive that birds teath to chew their food.

to more favorable climates, a on the change of the season.

Son. That is truly amazing! find their way over different seas?

Father. They have that kn we call instinct. "The stork knoweth her appointed time; a and the crane, and the swallow time of their coming."

DIALOGUE XXI.

OF FISHES.

Father. To what shall we next turn our attention? Suppose we now take a view of the inhabitants of the watery world. What think you of creatures living in an element which would be fatal to us, and which could not live upon the earth as we do? Water is the dwelling-place of millions of fishes.

Son. How diversified are the divine works! Father. So exclaims the Psalmist-" () Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all! the earth is full of thy riches! So is the great and wide sea, in which are things creeping innumerable!" The structure of fishes is entirely opposite to what is proper for the flying of birds. Dif

ferent means must necessarily be applied to make birds and fishes move upwards and downwards in their different elements. A smooth,

long body, thick before, and gradually diminishing in bulk behind, is the best formed for swimming-and of this form are fishes. Son. How do they breathe?

Father. Not as we do; for the air comes in through the mouth, and goes out through the gills.

Son. Have they senses?

Father. The nostrils show they have the use of smelling. Their feeling too is finer than ours, because they sooner perceive the changes of the weather. Neither is their sense of sight prevented by the water, for which purpose their eyes are differently constructed from ours,

Son. Of what use are the scales of fishes? Father. To preserve them from being bruised or crushed by bodies striking against them, and to guard them against the cold.

Son. How do they dart forward so nimbly in the water?