Ferdinand. You were surprised, Louisa, to find that bats were considered of the class Mammalia; but I think it is much more extraordinary that whales should be ranked under the same head with men. I always thought they were great, large fishes.
Mr. B. They differ from fishes as much as bats differ from birds. Like them, they bring forth their young alive, and suckle them with their milk. They breathe by means of lungs, like land animals, being totally destitute of gills. But here come your mother and Edward: let us move our table, and make room for them by the fire. They will find it very comfortable, after their employment in the cold.
Louisa jumped up, and, in her usual bustling manner, was preparing to obey her father, but suddenly recollecting the advice which he had just given her, she corrected herself, and, with the greatest gentleness, removed every obstacle; set two chairs for her mother and brother, in the place she thought most comfortable; and, to her great surprise, found the business effected as soon, or sooner, than it would have been with the greatest noise and bustle.
Her father perceived her caution, and gave her a smile of approbation, which filled her with delight.
Whilst Mrs. Bernard and Edward warmed themselves, the children continued their conversation.
"Pray, papa," said Ferdinand, "to what order do mice belong?"
Mr. B. To the fourth, Glires: but, unless you know the peculiar characteristics by which each order is distinguished, you will never be able to recollect the answers I have given to your desultory questions this evening. I have, in my pocket-book, a short account of each order, which I yesterday wrote out for Louisa, and which I should wish you to copy neatly, into a book devoted to the purpose of observation on natural history. Mr. Bernard then gave to Louisa a paper, containing the following account:
The Primates, which is the first order of the class MAMMALIA, have four parallel front, or cutting teeth, in each jaw; except in some species of bats, which have either two only, or none. They have one canine tooth on each side, in both jaws. The females have two pectoral mammae, or breasts. The two fore feet resemble hands, having fingers, generally furnished with flattened, oval nails. Their food is both animal and vegetable. The principal animals in this order are, man, the ape and lemur tribes, and the bats.
2nd. The Bruta have no front teeth in either jaw: their feet are armed with strong, blunt, and hoof-like nails. Their form is, to appearance, clumsy, and their pace usually slow. Their food is principally vegetable. None of the animals of this order are found in Europe: they consist of the sloths, the ant-eaters, the rhinoceros, elephant, and manati.
3rd. The Ferae have generally six front teeth, of a somewhat conical shape, both in the upper and under jaw: next to these, are strong and sharp canine teeth; and the grinders are formed into conical, or pointed processes. Their feet are divided into toes, which are armed with sharp, hooked claws. This tribe is predacious, living almost entirely upon animal food; and consists of the seal, dog, cat, weasel, otter, bear, opossum, kangaroo, mole, shrew, and hedgehog genera.