COMPENDIUM. 279 



nances, that zoophytes are supplied with food. Their structure is adapted 

 for their office. 



As if the young animals could dispense with sustenance for a season, 

 they have infinitely fewer than in maturer age, and this peculiarity charac- 

 terizes the greater proportion. The Tubularia, with its double row at 

 last, is scantily provided in the beginning. The nascent Actinia has sel- 

 dom more than eight, twelve, or twenty, while the full complement is not 

 under an hundred ; nor are those of the Cristatella in greater proportion. 



If we may be permitted to take such an example, the progress of the 

 evolution of these important organs is best illustrated in the metamor- 

 phoses of the planula of the Medusa to a Hydra. 



It is unnecessary to recur to the functions of the cilia, so profusely 

 fringing the tentacula of the animals of the zoophytes, as long as their 

 peculiar office is unknown. Naturalists of distinguished eminence, indeed, 

 have assigned them a very important office, nor have they confined it to one 

 exclusively. But we can affirm no more than that buoyant particles are 

 directed towards the vicinity of the animal while they are in action. 



Various parts of the animal frame of every creature, are void of any 

 certain known functions. We assume that they are for one or for other 

 purpose ; and thence does opinion pass current. But I doubt whether we 

 can speak of the service of the lobe of the ear ; of the true object designed 

 from the hair of the head or of the beard ; or of the nails on the fingers 

 and toes of mankind. It is the same with the parts of many animals. We 

 forget the state of original man, that in which he truly comes from the 

 hands of Nature. He is naked, forlorn, and, unless for the protection of 

 a parent, who in a state of nature is a savage, and leads a savage life, no- 

 thing could preserve him. Every trace of civilization belongs to a later 

 age and a better epoch. Strip him of civilization what is he ? — a savage 

 again ! 



Yet, in so far as we can penetrate the vast design, the Creator has 

 done nothing in vain. So we may justly conclude, that all the parts of 

 the animal frame have been intended for some specific purpose. Never- 

 theless, that by the progress of time and the change of circumstances, the 

 exercise of their original functions may have now become less essential. 



