160 The Principles of Organic Architecture. 



God ; they make us conversant with the multiplex organic forms 

 through which life from its highest to its lowest phases performs 

 its appointed functions in this world ; and they invite us to survey 

 the master-piece of the Divine Architect in man, his visible image 

 and likeness. 



Of late years, among several others of note, Prof. Owen of 

 London has distinguished himself by his published writings in the 

 department of Homology. In 1848 he published his great con- 

 tribution to this branch of science, entitled, " On the Archetype 

 and Homologies of the vertebrate skeleton." This was followed 

 in 1839 by his work "On the Nature of Limbs." Lately he has 

 published a concise summary of his views, in a cheap form, in one 

 of the volumes of " Orr's Circle of the Sciences," which is described 

 by a competent critic as a " little book both accurate and intelli- 

 gible, and almost rendering any popular attempt in the same 

 direction superfluous." The subject has also been philosophically 

 and skilfully handled in McCosh and Dickie's " Typical Forms 

 and Special Ends in Creation," which, to a thinking reader, is 

 really a valuable work. Dr. Ogilvie's book is much smaller and 

 less ambitious than that of McCosh's, and aims at being more 

 popular ; and, we may add, more Zoological in its treatment of 

 the theme. The author's great object is, as he states in his intro- 

 duction, " not to advance new truths, but rather to gain additional 

 currency for such as have a fair claim to be already established^ 

 and in particular to convey an idea of the laws of organization to 

 those who, without making natural history a special object of 

 study, may wish to have a right comprehension of its general 

 scope. His style is very perspicuous and vigorous. Every page 

 of the book gives evidence of independent thought and personal 

 investigation. In nine chapters he treats of the various plans on 

 which Animals are formed ; of the Vertebrate type and its modi- 

 fications in Fishes, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals ; of the Articu- 

 late type, with its relations to the Vertebrate, and its special 

 modifications ; of the Molluscan and Radiate types ; and of the 

 mutual relations of the leading types of organization. Chapters 

 eight and nine treat of the co-extensiveness of type and design 

 with organic matter, and their bearing on Natural Theology. In 

 the Appendix there is a valuable list of recent and accessible 

 works on the various branches of Zoology. The work is illus- 

 trated wnth many admirable wood-cuts ; and altogether it is a 

 most acceptable addition to the student's library of Natural 

 History. 



