Perfect MacJiiucry. 73 



nerve. The knowledge implied in the structure of 

 our bodies, which fits them so perfectly to our 

 wants, is the same in kind as we possess, but infi- 

 nitely higher in degree. It is of the same kind, 

 because we can understand the work and approve 

 of it. It is higher, because we feel conscious that 

 we never could have devised it. 



We need not spend time in pointing out the C 

 adaptation of each part of the body, in form, to its 

 function. Every part is so well adapted to its office, 

 that no contrivance of man could improve it. He 

 can discover no new principle in science that might 

 have been introduced to bet _;e. We do 



not suppose that the most ardent believer in human 

 improvement expects the time will ever come when 

 human science can suggest a single improvement in 

 the mechanical structure or chemical laboratory <f 

 the human system. This wonderful machine is a 

 model towards which he can always work, but which 

 he can never equal. This he is ready to acknow- 

 ledge, whatever may be his belief as to how it came 

 into existence. The more we dissect and examine, 

 the more every part meets our commendation. We 

 would not dare to alter a single joint, nor add a 

 nerve or tendon ; and when the chemical or vital 

 process is beyond our ken, as it often is, the result 

 worked out in the healthy body is the exact result 

 which is needed for the perfection of the machine. 

 We feel sure that the hidden machinery is wisely 

 adjusted, although so minute as to be beyond the 

 reach of our microscopes. We have first a frame- 



4 



