156 Natural Theology. 



nature as a physical and intellectual being. We 

 think it can be shown that the power of producing 

 varieties is the great means of adapting species to a 

 wide geographical range, and to the wants of man 

 as he increases in civilization and capacity to enjoy 

 the beautiful and good. If this can be shown, we 

 take the production of varieties from the category 

 of chance, and show in it the highest, far-reaching, 

 wise, and benevolent design. 



Accepting, then, the common definition of varie- 

 ties in the organic kingdom, we regard them as 

 forms produced by the variation of species. The 

 cause of this variation has never been explained. It 

 was formerly referred to soil and climate, but pro- 

 bably the only account that will ever be given is : 

 such is the nature of species. 



It is a law written on the plant and animal, that 

 in their development there shall be variation from 

 the original stock, but only in certain directions. 

 On this point we quote the language of a distin- 

 guished scientific man* who has lately written much 

 upon this subject. It would be difficult to find in 

 the writings of any other author all that we really 

 know on this subject condensed into so few words : 



" The former [variation] has never yet been shown 

 to have its cause in external influences, nor to occur 

 at random. As we have elsewhere insisted, if not 

 inexplicable, it has never been explained ; all that 

 we can yet say is, that plants and animals are prone 

 to vary, and that some conditions fa^&r variation." 

 * Professor Asa Gray. 



