ITS CONNECTION WITH RELIGION. 109 
impressively to our senses, and their periodical 
movements excite, at the moment, a greater degree 
of wonder ; but all enquiry into their precise nature 
is futile. We know not whether those distant worlds 
are inhabited by mortals or by spirits ; whether they 
are the abodes of imperfect beings like ourselves, or 
of spirits exempt from sin. All this is hidden from 
human research. But with natural history the case 
is different: the objects of which it treats are con- 
tinually before us: we can, in a great measure, 
distinguish their properties, examine their structure, 
and explore their economy : the most minute parts 
of their organisation can be investigated, every 
nerve traced, and every substance analysed. And 
if our knowledge of the system upon which they are 
formed, has hitherto borne no comparison with that 
which we have acquired in other physical sciences, 
it is only because the minds of men have dwelt upon 
minute details, instead of searching for universal 
principles. 
(57.) It may be thought unnecessary, perhaps, 
in a work of this nature, to advert to those reflections 
which arise in a religious mind, on contemplating 
the works of nature, and which, upon some occasions 
must force themselves on the notice of the mere 
worldling. One of the first impressions which arises 
on studying natural history, but more particularly 
animals, is, the conviction of design in their creation. 
And this design not only relates to the formation 
of an animal to effect a particular purpose, but is 
equally manifest in the peculiarity of its structure, 
the season when it is most active, and the means by 
which it effects its allotted object. The moment we 
