LIFE ON THE EARTH. 217 



long periods has been manifested in a countless 

 host of varying structures, all circumscribed by one 

 general plan, each appointed to a definite place, and 

 limited to an appointed duration. On the whole the 

 earth has been thus more and more covered by the 

 associated life of plants and animals, filling all ha- 

 bitable space with beings capable of enjoying their 

 own existence or ministering to the enjoyment of 

 others; till finally, after long preparation, a 'being 

 was created capable of the wonderful power of mea- 

 suring and weighing all the world of matter and 

 space which surrounds him, of treasuring up the 

 past history of all the forms of life, and of consi- 

 dering his own relation to the whole. When he 

 surveys this vast and co-ordinated system, and in- 

 quires into its history and origin, can he be at a 

 loss to decide whether it be a work of Divine thought 

 and wisdom, or the fortunate offspring of a few atoms 

 of matter, warmed by the anima mundi, a spark of 

 electricity, or an accidental ray of sunshine 



