114 Natural Theology. 



We have thus given some of the more common ex- 

 amples which show that, in addition to that machinery 

 of structure and those chemical and vital changes 

 common to all animals, by which they are fitted to 

 the world, there cannot be a single species found 

 among the complex animals, where there cannot be 

 pointed out some special adaptation, by which it 

 occupies a particular place, or performs some func- 

 tion peculiar to itself. These adaptations remind 

 us of the ingenuity of man ; they often suggest con- 

 trivances to him ; they are never such that he could 

 improve upon them for the purpose intended. We 

 might enter the vegetable kingdom with the same 

 result, but enough will appear respecting this in our 

 general discussion. 



We have selected examples at random. But we 

 might add, that the whole progress of science is 

 simply a more perfect unfolding of adaptations, 

 general and special ; and our work with them is 

 done, when we have shown that each species has 

 received the special care of the Creator. And 

 this brings us next to notice the preservation of 

 species. 



We regard each species as a distinct and original 

 creation. It embodied some distinct idea ; but, for 

 our present purpose, no particular theory of the origin 

 of species is needed. The first provision for the pre- 

 servation of species which attracts our attention 

 is the multiplicity of germs produced. It seems as 

 though there had been a calculation of chances, and 

 those organic beings whose conditions of life expose 



