TRANSMUTABLE. 157 



"Thus we can hardly believe that webbed feet 

 of the upland goose, or of the frigate-bird, are 

 of special use to these birds; we cannot think 

 that the same bones in the arm of the monkey, 

 in the fore-leg of the horse, in the icing of the 

 bat, and in the flipper of the seal, are of special 

 use to these animals!" (Page 200.^) 



Will Mr. Darwin kindly inform me first upon 

 what grounds he calls these bones the same. 

 Secondly, I should like to know if he can shew 

 me any structure more perfect than the limbs he 

 has alluded to, or any other means by which the 

 functions they perform could be more perfectly or 

 beautifully executed. If he cannot, why should 

 not the same great plan be adopted to perform a 

 similar function in each ? No special use ! Shades 

 of Payley and Bell, why do you not rise and point 

 to the masterly arguments which you have left 

 in language, which for force and truth, has never 

 been excelled ! No special use in the bones of the 

 horse's fore-leg, because they are formed on the 

 same type as the arm of the bat, or the mon- 

 key! Why what is the use of bones? One 

 would almost be justified in supposing that Mr. 

 Darwin was ignorant of the use of the skeleton. 

 Could he attach those exquisite muscles which 

 move the arm of the monkey to anything but 

 bone? Could he have given support, or elas- 

 ticity in motion, or freedom of action, to the 

 horse, without every bone in its fore-legs? Could 

 he have attached the web of the bat's wing 

 without bones? or could the seal have got along 



