The web of relation is shown in _habitat_, shown in hybernation. When
hybernation was observed, it was found, that, whilst some animals became
torpid in winter, others were torpid in summer: hybernation then was a
false name. The _long sleep_ is not an effect of cold, but is regulated
by the supply of food proper to the animal. It becomes torpid when the
fruit or prey it lives on is not in season, and regains its activity
when its food is ready.
Eyes are found in light; ears in auricular air; feet on land; fins in
water; wings in air; and, each creature where it was meant to be, with a
mutual fitness. Every zone has its own Fauna. There is adjustment
between the animal and its food, its parasite, its enemy. Balances are
kept. It is not allowed to diminish in numbers, nor to exceed. The like
adjustments exist for man. His food is cooked, when he arrives; his
coal in the pit; the house ventilated; the mud of the deluge dried; his
companions arrived at the same hour, and awaiting him with love,
concert, laughter, and tears. These are coarse adjustments, but the
invisible are not less. There are more belongings to every creature
than his air and his food. His instincts must be met, and he has
predisposing power that bends and fits what is near him to his use. He
is not possible until the invisible things are right for him, as well as
the visible. Of what changes, then, in sky and earth, and in finer
skies and earths, does the appearance of some Dante or Columbus apprise
us!
How is this effected? Nature is no spendthrift, but takes the shortest
way to her ends. As the general says to his soldiers, "if you want a
fort, build a fort," so nature makes every creature do its own work and
get its living,—is it planet, animal, or tree. The planet makes itself.
The animal cell makes itself;—then, what it wants. Every creature,—wren
or dragon,—shall make its own lair. As soon as there is life, there is
self-direction, and absorbing and using of material. Life is
freedom,—life in the direct ratio of its amount. You may be sure, the
new-born man is not inert. Life works both voluntarily and
supernaturally in its neighborhood. Do you suppose, he can be estimated
by his weight in pounds, or, that he is contained in his skin,—this
reaching, radiating, jaculating fellow? The smallest candle fills a mile
with its rays, and the papillæ of a man run out to every star.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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