CONCLUSION. 303 



riety exists in the conformation of the species, 

 which irresistibly confirms what every department 

 of nature unites in proclaiming, that nothing is 

 formed without an intelligent, consistent, and infi- 

 nitely comprehensive plan. We do not know if 

 there be any other class of animals, from the mi- 

 croscopic insect whose world is a blade of grass, up 

 to the quadruped that ranges the woods and the 

 forests, which in this respect teaches lessons of 

 more varied and edifying instruction. The earth, 

 the air, and the waters teem with feathered inhabi- 

 tants, and, in reference to all these elements, the 

 peculiarities with which the Creator has distin- 

 guished the various tribes is amazing, whether we 

 consider the wisdom and beneficence of the con- 

 trivances in themselves, or the consummate skill 

 with which they are suited to the respective situa- 

 tion in which these tribes are intended to exist. 

 Consider, for example, the productive powers and 

 the corresponding instincts by which Providence 

 has secured the preservation of the respective spe- 

 cies. The egg is itself an admirable production; 

 and how mysteriously is the chick developed, till it 

 bursts its own shell at the appointed and appro- 

 priate moment, rejoicing in its new existence ! 

 The nest, too, sometimes so artificially formed by 

 the mother-bird, and her tedious and self-denying pe- 

 riod of incubation, as well as her maternal care of 

 the callow brood when hatched, are instances so 

 full of intelligence and forethought, that it seems 

 as if the hand of the Deity himself were visibly 

 displayed, tenderly guiding her unconscious path. 



Nor is it possible to overlook the means and 

 adaptations by which the life thus mysteriously be- 

 stowed continues to be preserved. To all the spe- 

 cies, however .diversified, food of some kind is ne- 

 cessary; and therefore all are furnished with or- 

 gans of swallowing and digesting suited to their 

 respective wants. But these organs would be alto- 



