| CHAPTER IX.
CONSTITUTION AND CHARACTER OF THE INDIAN MIND.
ADAPTATIONS OBSERVED IN THE FORMS OF ANIMAL LIFE.
In stocking the earth with its living inhabitants
the Creator has adapted the form and the
physical constitution of the animals of each
several species to the character of the locality
which they are intended to inhabit, and to the mode
of life they are to lead. In other words, every being
is endowed with powers and qualities suited to the
functions which he is designed to fulfill.
Thus the giraffe, being appointed to feed on the
leaves of trees, is provided with long legs and a
long neck, in order to enable him to reach his food
and the chamois, having to obtain his sustennance
from grass growing in the clefts of the rocks and
on steep declivities, has hoofs fitted expressly to
facilitate climbing, and muscles to enable to
lift himself up to any shelf among the rocks that
he can reach, or to let himself drop down a descent
where any other animal would be killed. Birds
| |
|
