Philosophical Character of Decandolle. 215 



This derangement of the normal structure may be ascribed 

 — either to the abortion of certain organs — to their alteration 

 in form and appearance — or to the adhesions between organs 

 of the same or of different descriptions. 



The existence, then, of rudimentary parts, is only a conse- 

 quence of those general rules, which the divine Author of 

 Natm-ehas thought fit to impose upon himself in all the arrange- 

 ments of the universe, and can in no wise be regarded as in- 

 consistent with the idea of design, if we only can shew, that 

 the whole proceeds upon a consistent plan, and that plan a 

 wise one, inasmuch as each organ, in the great majority of 

 cases, and in its perfect and developed form, is subservient 

 to some beneficial purpose. 



As a consequence, of that general analogy which runs 

 throughout the whole of organized nature, and of the inter- 

 ference of causes which in their main result are productive of 

 good, we find parts existing in a rudimentary or abortive state 

 in one species, Avhich in others serve some manifestly import- 

 ant office ; neither would it be any objection to the idea of 

 design, if it could be proved, that in this rudimentary condition 

 they were absolutely useless, although it must be considered 

 as an additional evidence of provision, when, as in many in- 

 stances, we are able to shew, that they become subservient to 

 a new purpose, by being unfitted to their primary one. 



Thus the parts of the calyx in many composite flowers de- 

 generate into a pappus, or down, which, being of a light and 

 feathery texture, serves to waft the seeds attached to it to a 

 great distance, and in this manner to disseminate the species ; 

 thus the nectaries, which are regarded as degenerated stamens, 

 secrete honey, and by this means attract insects, by whose 

 entrance into the flower, the pollen is dispersed and lodged 

 upon the pistils. 



Perhaps, had not one of the seed-vessels of leguminous 

 plants been constantly abortive, the seeds would have all been 

 so stunted in their growth, as to have been unfitted for supply- 

 ing nutriment to animals. 



These, and other facts that might be alleged, prove, that the 

 degeneration or abortion of particular organs, often serves 

 some wise purpose with reference to the plant itself, or to 

 other beings ; and that the same may be the case in other in- 



