.32 FINAL CAUSES. 



cised in darkening the walls of this camera 

 obscura, and thus preventing all reflection of the 

 scattered rays, that might interfere with the 

 distinctness of the image ? 



But we farther observe in the eye many ex- 

 quisite refinements of construction, by which 

 various defects, unavoidable in all optical instru- 

 ments of human workmanship, are remedied. 

 Of this nature are those which render the organ 

 achromatic, which correct the spherical aberra- 

 tion, and which provide for the adjustment of 

 its refracting powers to the different distances of 

 the objects viewed; not to speak of all the 

 external apparatus for the protection, the preser- 

 vation, and the movements of the eye-ball, and 

 for contributing in every way to the proper per- 

 formance of its office. Are not all these irrefra- 

 gable proofs of the continuity of the same design ; 

 and are they not calculated still farther to exalt 

 our ideas of the Divine Intelligence, of the 

 elaborate perfection impressed upon His works, 

 and of the comprehensive views of His pro- 

 vidence? 



These facts, if they stood alone, would be suffi- 

 cient to lead us irresistibly to this conclusion : 

 but evidence of a similar kind may be collected 

 in abundance from every part of living nature to 

 which our attention can be directed, or to which 

 our observations have extended. The truths 

 they teach not only acquire confirmation by the 



