92 Natural Theology. 



The mole cannot pursue insects in the air, nor the 

 whale seek his food upon the land. The structure 

 of both determines where they must live. But in 

 addition to the peculiar structure and functions of 

 each animal, by which, like a plant, he is fitted to 

 the world, there is given to each one an instinct in 

 harmony always with his structure, by which he 

 becomes an active thinking agent, and thus volun- 

 tarily adapts himself more perfectly to the world. 

 Instinct simply supplements structure and func- 

 tions, putting them to the best use, and making a 

 higher type of life possible than could be manifested 

 by structure and function alone. The bee has a 

 structure fitting it for gathering honey, and the 

 rings of the body have the function of secreting 

 wax. Instinct is needed to impel the bee to gather 

 the honey, and to form the scales of wax into the 

 honey-comb. And it is impossible to conceive of 

 any complexity of structure in the bee, or perfection 

 of function by which the varied results of the bee- 

 hive could be secured. But instinct, utilizing the 

 structure and function, exactly harmonizing with 

 them, secures perfect results most admirable adap- 

 tations. 



We wish now to inquire more fully what this 

 instinct is, and how far it is proof of design in the 

 creation of these animals. We have no intention 

 of completing the subject here, for we must refer to 

 instinct again, in treating of special adaptations and 

 the mutual relations of the animal and vegetable 

 kingdoms to each other. 



