On NaiuraL and Moral Philosophy, 379 



the most astonishing of all productions, the 

 only one which wc admit to exist without an 

 adequate caiisc, it will be expected tliat a si^ 

 railarity of plan, and of means adapted to the 

 end, will be exemplified in the provisionary 

 furniture of every part of the natural and moral 

 creation. — In the material universe, though 

 infinite forms exist, and constitute an infinity 

 of specie^, yet every species has an appropriate 

 character, has a specific end to subserve, and 

 by some latent constitution, of which we car> 

 give no other account, than that it is tlie will 

 and gift of its author, is furnished with powers, 

 which enable it uniformly and invariably to 

 sustain its part in the creation. — We acknow- 

 ledge this appropriate character in every species 

 of the* fossil, the mineral, and the vegetable 

 kingdoms. .Vnimal life with its faculties, and 

 functions presents so diflferent a scene, that we 

 know not how to consider the beings of this 

 order as mere varieties of material form ; yet in 

 the individuals ot any species of the animal 

 kingdom, except man, we observe an almost 

 perfect uniformity of character to a similar 

 cause as in a fossil or vegetable species, viz. 

 to a latent constitution, originating with their 

 birth, unfolded in their progress, from which 

 every impulse and movement issues; and short 

 of which or beyond which they cannot go, 

 3 b • 



