282 THE WORLD OF THE SEA. 
the vase, neither could communicate to the other its intention to 
move ; the consequence was that the one which had the feebler hold 
was compelled to give way when the stronger chose to alter its 
position ; and when the conqueror, after dragging the other end to 
the place where it wished to rest, came to a halt, it was easy to see 
how reluctantly the vanquished half obeyed its stronger companion, 
and fixed its sucker. 7. If several incisions were made, causing 
the leech to be cut up into a number of isolated portions, each 
would live, and even for a considerable time. These fragments 
have been preserved without nourishment for ten months; and 
Carena and Rossi declare that they have kept these isolated por- 
tions for even two years. At the end of that time, as well they 
might, they showed evident signs of emaciation; but we may 
well believe that if they had been fed, if, for instance, by some 
means or other, drops of blood had from time to time been 
introduced into the fragment, its existence might have been 
prolonged indefinitely ; and who can say that it would not in time 
have replaced the amputated organs ? 
The contemplation of this theory cannot but fill the mind with 
great thoughts of the mysterious laws of life, and of the unsearchable 
wisdom of him who is the Life of life. Linnaeus, when making his 
immortal inventory of the treasures of the kingdom of Nature, was 
asked, What was the great end of natural history? The phi- 
losopher replied, “The glory of God.” It is indeed true that the 
observation of the detail of life conduces to raise the thoughts to 
the Creator, but a great thinker has said with much reason that 
theory is the only true chain by which we ascend to God from 
Nature. However much we may admire the works of God in 
themselves, it is only when we grasp the laws which govern the 
whole that we gather a true idea of the immensity of his mind. 
It is theory, the faith of science, which foresees the conclusion, 
while experience and observation follow with slower pace, and fill 
in the outline which theory has mapped out. Theory sees the 
end from the beginning: she is the spirit of philosophy; and 
gathering the praise of wondering men, she sweeps onward to the 
throne of God, to present the offering to him who created all 
things for his praise. 
