This would indeed be impossible, by feeling, Father; the arms which should reach to the stars must be very long.

By the eye, too, we may often give a very shrewd guess, as to the real temper and disposition of our fellow creatures; deceit is often unmasked by the eye; a blind person would be lost here.

It is wonderful, Father, to think of the different kind of eyes. Now there is the little mite, we saw through the microscope, he has eyes, but he cannot see farther than a little part of an inch before him.

True; and perhaps Newton is but a mite contrasted with an angel.

Should we be so happy as to reach heav en, and nothing, but our wilful rebellion against the good God can shut us out of it, -perhaps, our organs of vision will be, in some unknown and inconceivable way, immensely superior to what they now are.

That is a delightful thought, Father; I should like to have eyes by which I could sce the people in the moon, and all the fine landscapes there. Do you think that this will ever be the case?

It is not impossible, that in a better state, we may be enabled to see distinctly much farther than the moon. It is said in the Scriptures, "Eve hath not seen, nor hath

ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, what God hath prepar ed for those who love him."

CONVERSATION III.

OF ANIMALS.

You said, Father, that you would talk more fully about the living creatures, which are on the face of the earth.

I will now. Let us go for a walk, and we shall find some of the subjects of our conversation.

Are not some plants very much like animals?

Indeed they are, Frank; the vegetable and the animal kingdoms approach very near to each other. It is sometimes difficult to say, where the one ends, and the other begins.

One should think, Father, that the sensitive plant in our garden, knew that we touched it; how it shrinks in an instant!

It does; but still, in general, the difference is very great between plants and animals. Plants are stationary, animals move where they please.

The number and variety of animals, Father, appear to be very great.

They do; and there is a beautiful chain, or gradation, in the animal world, from the little creature which the eye cannot discern, up to man; and from him perhaps, to the

highest angel which lives and exults in the divine presence.

But man is the principal animal in the lower creation.

Assuredly; and he makes all the other creatures subservient to his interest.

In Thomson's Hymn, Father, which you gave me to learn, he says of man, that he is "at once the head, and heart, and tongue" of the creation; and the poet calls on him to crown, with his homage, the general song of praise.

He ought to do so; but, alas! he does not. God complained of his ancient people, that they were more ungrateful and stupid than the ox or the ass. If it be reasonable that a servant should serve his master, it is much more so, that man should serve the Being who formed him, and who supports him every moment.

Are not animals divided into five classery Father?

They are often thus divided; but Dinn us, of whom I have often told you, ranged them more scientifically, recollect what the common divisions are Quadrupeds, birds, amphilicus tamany fishes, insects and reptiles.

QUADRUPEDS, are a large and useful clacc of animals; they have all four feet, as the name intimates; they bring forth their young

D

alive, and suckle them.

There is a great

variety in this class of animals. There is the porcupine, which is covered with quills; and there is the seal, which has fins, as well as four feet how different are these from the

horse or the cow.

And are they not formed, Father, according to the situations in which they are to live, and the way in which they are to get their food?

They are; the pig and the mole have long anp sharp snouts to turn up the ground, in search of roots which they eat. The lion has a thick strong jaw, to break in pieces the bones of his prey. The dog has a thin long nose, that he may trace the object of his pursuit at a considerable distance. The teeth and the stomachs of quadrupeds also, are suited to their respective habits.

This

is likewise the case with their legs and their feet. The legs of the elephant were, no doubt, formed to bear its massy weight; and those of the deer and the hare, it is equally evident, fit them to escape from their enemies by flight.

And the claws of the cat, Father, to seize on the mice or the rats.

True, Frank; things could not have happened thus by chance. His hand who is infinite in wisdom, is every where displayed. But what did you say was the next class?