CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS. 185 



discriminated from one another by some peculiarity of form or 

 disposition. We have already seen, that of several kinds of ani- 

 mals, especially those that are widely diffused, the varieties pro- 

 duced by difference of soil arid climate, in conjunction with other 

 circumstances, are innumerable, and baffle every effort of re- 

 search. By this time, however, we have learned to observe, that 

 amidst the infinitely diversified productions of creative power, 

 various degrees of utility are not less conspicuous, than variety 

 of form, and difference of faculties : composing one general and 

 uniform plan, in every part of which, wisdom, order, and fitness, 

 are eminently displayed. 



V 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

 CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS. 



" Hail ! Source of Being ! universal soul 



Of heaven and earth ! Essential presence, hail ! 



To thee I bend the knee : to thee my thoughts 



Continual climb : who with a master-hand 



Hast the great whole into perfection touch'd 1" THOMSON. 



WE are now come to the conclusion of our survey of the won- 

 drous works of the Deity, as displayed in the quadruped race , 

 and it is with reluctance, we take leave of so beautiful, so varie- 

 gated, and so magnificent a view. At the close of our excur- 

 sions, however, let us not have to reproach ourselves with hav- 

 ing uselessly rambled through so material a part of the immense 

 fields of creation. The object of all physical research ought to 

 be moral and intellectual improvement ; and indeed the study 

 of Nature, as displayed in any part of the wondrous works of 

 creation, exalting our admiration, is peculiarly adapted to in- 

 flarne our love for the Architect of the universe, the self-existent 

 Author of all existence. Our love of the Creator cannot, how- 

 ever, be more appropriately displayed, than by the exercise of 

 universal benevolence towards his creatures. This important 

 moral truth we have every where endeavoured to inculcate ; and 

 let it be impressed on the mind, and kept in memory, that 



u The poor beetle that we tread upon, 



In corporeal suffering feels a pang as great 



As when a giant dies." 



This effusion of poetry speaks no other language than that of 

 accurate philosophy; for there is every reason to believe, that the 

 sensations of many of the most diminutive insects are as ex 



Q 2 



