184 THE LAW. 



fessor Agassiz, " which must have been adopted from the 

 beginning, but also the manner in which these plans were 

 to be executed : the systems of form under which these 

 structures were to be clothed, and even the ultimate details 

 of structure which, in different genera, bear definite rela- 

 tions to those of other genera ; the mode of differentiation 

 of species, and the nature of their relations to the surround- 

 ing media, must likewise have been determined ; for the 

 character of the classes is as well defined as that of the four 

 great branches of the animal kingdom, or that of the fami- 

 lies, the genera, and the species. Again, the first repre- 

 sentatives of each class stand in definite relations to their 

 successors in later periods ; and as their order of appearance 

 corresponds to the various degrees of complication of their 

 structure, and forms a natural series closely linked together, 

 this natural gradation must have been contemplated from 

 the beginning." In other words, the evolution of life in all 

 its successive phases is but the realisation of a pre-deter- 

 mined plan ; and whether primary or secondary means be 

 employed in its enactment, the harmonious unity of their 

 action implies alike omnipresence in space and omniscience 

 in time. 



[Function.] 



As to function ; earth, air. and water ever seem to have 

 had their varied tenantry. Burrowers, creepers, runners, 

 leapers, fliers, floaters, and swimmers, make their appear- 

 ance in every epoch. Simple and lowly they may be, yet 

 still in their respective grades perfect, and fitted by the 

 nicest organic adjustments at once for the functions they 

 had to discharge and the element they were destined to 

 inhabit. From these organs we also clearly perceive, that 

 some families were designed to feed on vegetables, others to 



