ITS CONNECTION WITH RELIGION. 109 



impressively to our senses, and their periodical 

 movements excite, at the moment, a greater degree 

 of wonder ; but all enquiry into their precise nature 

 is futile. We know not whether those distant worlds 

 are inhabited by mortals or by spirits ; whether they 

 are the abodes of imperfect beings like ourselves, or 

 of spirits exempt from sin. All this is hidden from 

 human research. But with natural history the case 

 is different : the objects of which it treats are con- 

 tinually before us : we can, in a great measure, 

 distinguish their properties, examine their structure, 

 and explore their economy : the most minute parts 

 of their organisation can be investigated, every 

 nerve traced, and every substance analysed. And 

 if our knowledge of the system upon which they are 

 formed, has hitherto borne no comparison with that 

 which we have acquired in other physical sciences, 

 it is only because the minds of men have dwelt upon 

 minute details, instead of searching for universal 

 principles. 



(57.) It may be thought unnecessary, perhaps, 

 in a work of this nature, to advert to those reflections 

 which arise in a religious mind, on contemplating 

 the works of nature, and which, upon some occasions 

 must force themselves on the notice of the mere 

 worldling. One of the first impressions which arises 

 on studying natural history, but more particularly 

 animals, is, the conviction of design in their creation. 

 And this design not only relates to the formation 

 of an animal to effect a particular purpose, but is 

 equally manifest in the peculiarity of its structure, 

 the season when it is most active, and the means by 

 which it effects its allotted object. The moment we 



