4- 1 4 PALEONTOLOGY 



important truth, viz., that the phenomena of the world do nut 

 succeed each other with the mechanical sameness attributed 

 to them in the cycles of the epicurean philosophy ; for we are 

 able to demonstrate that the different epochs of the earth were 

 attended with corresponding changes of organic structure ; and 

 that, in all these instances of change, the organs, still illustra- 

 ting the unchanging fundamental types, were, as far as we could 

 comprehend their use, exactly those best suited to the functions 

 of the being. Hence we not only show intelligence evoking 

 means adapted to the end ; but, at successive times and 

 periods, producing a change of mechanism adapted to a change 

 in external conditions. Thus the highest generalizations in 

 the science of organic bodies, like the Newtonian laws of 

 universal matter, lead to the unequivocal conviction of a great 

 First Cause, which is certain! v not mechanical. 



