have been made of the eapacity of the ark, as compared with the room requisite for the pairs of some animals, and the septuples of others; and it is remarkable that the well intentioned calculators have formed their estimate upon a number of animals below the truth, to a degree that might appear incredible. They have usually satisfied themselves with a provision for three or four hundred species at most; as in general they show the most astonishing ignorance of every branch of natural history. Of the existing mammalia, (animals which nourish their young by breasts,) considerably more than one thousand are known; of birds, fully five thousand; of reptiles, very few kinds of which can live in water, two thousand; and the researches of travelers and naturalists are making frequent and most interesting additions to the number of these and all other classes. Of insects, (using the word in its popular sense,) the number of species is immense; to say one hundred thousand would be moderate. Each has its appropriate habitation and food, and these are necessary to its life; and the larger number could not live in water. Also, the innumerable millions upon millions of animalcula must be provided for; for they have all their appropriate and diversified places and circumstances of existence. But all land animals have their geographical regions, to which their constitutional natures are congenial; and many could not live in any other situation. We cannot represent to ourselves the idea of their being brought into one small spot, from the polar regions, the torrid zone, and all the other climates of Asia, Africa, Europe, America, Australia, and the thousands of islands; their preservation and provision; and the final disposal of them; without bringing up the idea of miracles more stupendous than any that are recorded in scripture, even what appear appalling in comparison."* * *
"The persons of whom we are speaking have probably never apprehended any difficulty with respect to the inhabitants of the waters, supposing that no provision was need-
