130 NATUEAL HISTORY . 



direct our attention to the form, we see evidence of 

 the highest intellectual power in considering ab- 

 stract geometrical relations. Such arguments can 

 be repeated almost without limit, and if there is 

 failure to convince, it seems to arise from the defect 

 in the method of studying the proof, rather than 

 from its nature. If asked, then, why this argument 

 from adaptation has not been more convincing, we 

 answer, it has not generally been studied in the 

 right way. It has been studied in I}o6ks rather than 

 in the field. The effect of this we shall notice 

 farther on. 



We are inclined to reverse the order of the argu- 

 ment presented by Paley, and give the vegetable 

 kingdom precedence make it the strongest link in 

 the grand chain of proof. He remarks that u a 

 designed and studied mechanism is in general more 

 evident in animals than in plants, and it is unneces- 

 sary to dwell upon a weaker argument when a 

 stronger is at hand." There are many points of the 

 whole subject that have changed their relative 

 importance, in fact their whole bearing, since his 

 day. The unity of plan in the whole vegetable and 



