NATURAL THEOLOGY. 57 



which is arched and sustains a portion of the brain. 

 In the back part of the socket, a large quantity of 

 fat is deposited, on which the ball rests as upon a 

 cushion, so as to enjoy easy motion in every direc- 

 tion ; and it is because this cushion is apt to be wast- 

 ed by disease, the eye usually appears sunk after a 

 long sickness. The eyebrows are described by Socra- 

 tes as a thatched pent house, to prevent the sweat and 

 moisture from running down into the eye. The eye- 

 lashes are another additional protection. 



B. What is most striking, there is such a number 

 of these protections, the lid, the socket, the brows, 

 the lashes, the tears, displaying an extraordinary de- 

 gree of care and solicitude, proportionate to the im- 

 portance and delicacy of the organ ; not one of 

 which, moreover, as we can see, -has the least tenden- 

 cy to produce another, and therein presenting the 

 more evidence of design. But notwithstanding the 

 perfection of this wonderful mechanism, has it not 

 been said that there is a certain spot on the part 

 where the image is formed which is insensible ? 



A. It is supposed to be the spot where the nerve 

 enters the eye ; but the manner in which the defect is 

 remedied is a new proof of the wisdom with which our 

 eyes are made. There is the same little blind spot, 

 it is said, in both eyes. But it is stated, that if one 

 eye should happen to be insensible, the same difficulty 

 cannot occur in the other at the same time ; or both 

 spots cannot blind us at once ; so that we shall never 

 be conscious there is any such spot, when both eyes 

 are open. The contrivance is this. The nerve, 



