128 Natural Theology. 



made by animals under the guidance of instinct, and 

 that therefore their creation proves nothing higher 

 than instinct in their Creator, we answer that instinct 

 even, cannot be regarded, by any fair consideration 

 of that attribute, other than the power of seeking 

 ends under an impulse. It often knows nothing of 

 those ends ; and, in many cases, when its work is 

 most perfect, it knows nothing of the relation of the 

 means to the ends. It does certain things as the 

 common mechanic might bore a hole, or make a 

 mortice, where it had been marked by the master- 

 builder, without knowing anything of the place the 

 timber was to occupy in the structure. But if there 

 is any wisdom apparent in the choice of ends, and 

 in the choice of means to secure those ends, that 

 wisdom belongs to a being of higher rank than one 

 of instinct. We must refer that wisdom back to the 

 Being where it belongs, and not be misled by the 

 number of secondary agents that He calls into action 

 to work out results under His guidance. 



The first relation of plants that demands our 

 attention is to the earth and air. It is from both of 

 these that the majority of plants draw their support. 

 The root, as though loving darkness, plunges into 

 the earth ; the branch, with its leaves, seeks the 

 light. This polarity of the tree is striking, appear- 

 ing as soon as the germ begins to develop. Both 

 branch and root are formed from cells of originally 

 the same nature, for, under proper conditions, the 

 root may put forth buds and leaves, while the branch, 

 under the influence of darkness and moisture, deve- 



