CiiAP. I. RECAPITULATION. 135 



27th. The parallelism between the gradation among animals and the changes 

 they imdergo during their growth, exhibits thought, as it discloses everywhere the 

 most intimate connection between essential features of animals which have no 

 necessary physical relation, and can, therefore, not be understood otherwise than 

 as established by a thinking being. 



28th. The relations existing between these different series and the geographical 

 distribution of animals, exhibit thought ; they show the omnipresence of the Creator. 



29th. The mutual dependence of the animal and vegetable kingdoms for their 

 maintenance, exhibits thought; it dispk'uvs the care with which all conditions of 

 existence, necessary to the maintenance of organized beings, have been balanced. 



30th. The dependence of some animals upon others or upon plants for their 

 existence, exhibits thought; it shows to what degree the most complicated com- 

 binations of structure and adaptation can be rendered independent of the physical 

 conditions which surround them. 



We may sum up the results of this discussion, up to this point, in still fewer 

 words : — 



All organized beings exhibit in themselves all those categories of structure and 

 of existence upon which a natural system may be founded, in such a manner 

 that, in tracing it, the human mind is only translating into human language the 

 Divine thoughts expressed in nature in hving realities. 



All these beings do not exist in consequence of the continued agency of physical 

 causes, but have made their successive appearance upon earth by the immediate 

 intervention of the Creator. As proof, I may sum up my argument in the fol- 

 lowing manner; 



The products of Avhat are commonly called phj'sical agents are everywhere the 

 same, (that is, upon the Avhole surface of the globe,) and have always been the 

 same (that is, during all geological periods) ; while organized beings are everwhere 

 different and have differed in all ages. Between two such series of phenomena 

 there can be no causal or genetic connection. 



31st. The combination in time and .space of all these thoughtful conceptions 

 exhibits not only thought, it shows also premeditation, power, wisdom, great- 

 ness, prescience, omniscience, providence. In one word, all these facts in their 

 natural connection proclaim aloud the One God, whom man may know, adore, 

 and love ; and Natural History must, in good time, become the analysis of the 

 thoughts of the Creator of the Universe, as manifested in the animal and vegetable 

 kiny;doms. 



o 



It may appear strange that I .should have included the preceding di.«quisition 

 in that part of my work which is headed Classification. Yet, it has been done 



