Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/85

52 himself. or rather looked on while he used them. Strange to say, they are didactyle, each being terminated by a minute hand or claw of two fingers. They are set, moreover, with radiating hairs, so that in all respects they are the very representatives of the anterior feet of the Prawn, which I shall presently have occasion to describe, though placed at the opposite end of the series. And this resemblance is not one of structure only, but of function also; for these feeble limbs are the cleansing brushes, with which the Broad-claw washes his person, applying them, with the greatest ease, to the whole surface of the abdomen, and inferior region of the carapace, while the fingers of the little hand are used to pick off adhering matters, that cannot be removed by brushing.

I do not then consider it an useless exercise to seek for the reasons of any organization that seems unusual or abnormal. When once these members that I have been speaking of are seen in natural action, their purposes become evident, and the perfection of their contrivance becomes admirable; and we may use them as a fresh occasion of ascribing honour to the Infinitely Holy, Wise and Good God, all whose works praise Him.

Each shell, each crawling insect holds a rank Important in the plan of Him, who fram'd This scale of beings; holds a rank, which lost, Would break the chain, and leave behind a gap Which nature's self would rue." author:Benjamin Stillingfleet