CONTENTS. 321 



Instances of longevity from Pliny 294 



Instances of longevity in modern times 295 296 



Professor Silliman's account of a very aged man in the state of New York 296 398 



In Women the operation of the causes of death often retarded 298 



Circumstances which favor longevity in Man and other animals 299 300 



Table of longevity of Quadrupeds, their period of maturity, and number 



of young 300 30 1 



Great longevity of Birds and Fishes 301 303 



Length of the life of Reptiles. Remarkable Toad 303304 



Shortness of the life of Insects 304 



Great diversity in the longevity of Plants 305 



Actual duration of life in Man and other animals 305306 



Benevolence of the provisions of nature in this respect 306 



CHAPTER XV. 



OF THE PROGRESSIVE SCALE OR CHAIN OF BEINGS IN THE 

 UNIVERSE. 



Mutual connection and dependence of all created things 307 



Man the chief link in the chain of animals 307308 



His structure and powers adapted to the rank which he holds 308 



Uniform plan of gradation in nature 308 



Gradation from Man downwards, through the Monkeys, Bats, &c 808 309 



Instances in which individuals of different classes approach each other in 



structure and powers 809 



All substances possessed of powers, qualities, &c., exactly proportioned to 



the relations they maintain in the universe 310 



Unity of design in the universe an argument for the unity of God 310 



No being superior to man could exist in this world 310 



Conclusion .. 311 



