HABITATIONS OF MOLLUSKS. 27 



now remains to account for the extraordinary fact that the 

 stony exudations of testaceous animals condense only on 

 those parts where they are essential to their welfare. But 

 here investigation ends — the microscope has done its office. 

 It seems as if maternal nature delighted to baffle the wisdom 

 of her sons ; and to say to the proud assertors of the suffi- 

 ciency of human reason for comprehending the mysteries of 

 Creation and of Providence^, " Thus far canst thou go, and 

 no further." Even in the formation of a shell, or its insigni- 

 ficant inhabitant, your arrogant pretensions are completely 

 humbled ! 



" Proud, scornful man ! thy soaring \^dng 



Would hurry towards Infinity : 

 And yet the nlest, meanest thing 



Is too sublime, too deep for thee ; 

 And all thy vain imaginings 



Lost in the smallest speck we see. 

 It must be so : — for He, even He 



Who worlds created, formed the worm; 

 He pom-s the dew who filled the sea, — 



Breathes fi'om the flower who rules the storm : 

 Him we may worship, — not conceive ; 



See not, and hear not, — but adore ; 

 Bow in the dust, obey, believe ; 



Utter his name, and know no more." 



Bowking's Matins and Vespers. 



