338 THE FOUNDATIONS OF ZOOLOGY 



for natural theology? If we are to find a basis for teleology 

 anywhere, must we not seek it in nature rather than outside 

 nature ? 



No one supposes that the scientific study of philology, and the 

 proof that the life and growth of language are natural, has any 

 bearing upon the reality or the value of language. He who fears 

 that the discovery of mechanical explanations of the order of 

 nature would destroy the proof that nature is a language, seems 

 no more reasonable than one who, having enjoyed and profited by 

 good books, should assert that these books have lost their use and 

 their power to please and to instruct, through the discovery that 

 they are made by machinery in printing-offices. 



As modern zoologists find no reason to believe the laws of their 

 science are any less mechanical than those of physics and chem- 

 istry, Agassiz's conviction that natural history is a language has 

 failed to commend itself to them because he holds it essential to 

 assert that these laws are nothing but categories of thought, and 

 because he holds that things physical cannot also be ideal. 



As the modern man of science, while convinced that nature is 

 orderly, does not know whether it is "arbitrary" or "necessary," 

 he has failed to be convinced by Berkeley, who holds that, since 

 a language must be arbitrary in order to be a language, none who 

 do not admit that nature is arbitrary can hold it to be a language ; 

 although he himself asserts, in another place, that it is necessary. 



It is no new thing in history for beliefs to suffer because their 

 supporters have held to be essential certain opinions as to matters 

 of fact which have proved erroneous. 



"Every man is not a proper Champion for Truth, nor fit to 

 take up the Gauntlet in the cause of Verity: many, from the 

 ignorance of these maxims, and an inconsiderate Zeal unto Truth, 

 have too rashly charged the Troops of Error, and remain as 

 Trophies unto the enemies of Truth. A man may be in as just 

 possession of Truth as of a City, and yet be forced to surrender." 1 



Science tells us that the things that take place in nature are 

 neither less nor more than one who knows the data has every rea- 

 son to expect. With this the work of science ends; and here I 

 must end my work on the Principles of Science ; for these prin- 



1 Browne, " Religio Medici," 7. 



