PREFACE. IX 



from it all those particulars of the natural 

 history both of animals and of plants, and all 

 description of those structures, of which the 

 relation to final causes cannot be distinctly 

 traced ; and have admitted only such facts as 

 afford manifest evidences of design. These 

 facts I have studied to arrange in that me- 

 thodized order, and to unite in those compre- 

 hensive generalizations, which not only con- 

 duce to their more ready acquisition and re- 

 tention in the memory, but tend also to enlarge 

 our views of their mutual connexions, and of 

 their subordination to the general plan of crea- 

 tion. My endeavours have been directed to 

 give to the subject that unity of design, and 

 that scientific form, which are generally 

 wanting in books professedly treating of 

 Natural Theology, published prior to the 

 present series ; not excepting even the un- 

 rivalled and immortal work of Paley. By 

 furnishing those general principles, on which 

 all accurate and extensive knowledge must 

 substantially be founded, I am not without a 

 hope that this compendium may prove a 



