RECAPITULATION. 199 



I foresee already that some of the most striking 

 illustrations may be drawn from the morphology of the 

 vegetable kingdom, especially from the characteristic suc- 

 cession and systematic combination of different kinds of 

 leaves in the formation of the foliage and the flowers of 

 so many plants, all of which end their development by 

 the production of an endless variety of fruits. The in- 

 organic world, considered in the same light, would not 

 fail to exhibit also unexpected evidence of thought, in 

 the character of the laws regulating chemical combina- 

 tions, the action of physical forces, the universal attrac- 

 tion, etc., etc. Even the history of human culture ought 

 to be investigated from this point of view. But I must 

 leave it to abler hands to discuss such topics. 



SECTION XXXII. 



RECAPITULATION. 



In recapitulating the preceding statements, we may 

 present the following conclusions : 



1st. 1 The connection of all the known features of nature 

 into one system exhibits thought, the most comprehensive 

 thought, in limits transcending the highest wonted powers 

 of man. 



2d. The simultaneous existence of the most diversified 

 types under identical circumstances exhibits thought, the 

 ability to adapt a great variety of structures to the most 

 uniform conditions. 



3d. The repetition of similar types, under the most 

 diversified circumstances, shows an immaterial connection 



1 The numbers inscribed here cor- may at once refer back to the evi- 

 respoud to the preceding sections, in dence, when needed, 

 the same order, so that the reader 



