"And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good."—Genesis i.
1134. Why is the lachrymal secretion of the horse's eye thick and glutinous?
Because, as his eye is large, and constantly exposed to dust on journeys, it is provided with a viscid secretion, which cleanses the eye, and more instantly and securely removes the dust, than a watery secretion would.
1135. Why does the lower bill of the sea-crow project beyond the upper one?
Because the bird obtains his food by skimming along the water, into which he dips his bill, and lifts his food out.
1136. Why do the mandibles of the cross-bill overlap each other?
Because the bird requires a peculiar bill, to enable it to split seeds into halves, and to tear the open cones of the fir-tree.
1137. Why are the tails of fishes so much larger than their fins?
Because their tails are their chief instruments of motion, while their fins are employed simply to direct their progress, and steady their movements.