THE LYTHOPHYTES AND SPOiNGES. 



839 



We are left somewhat at a loss with regard 

 to the precise manner in which this multitude 

 of cells, which at last assume the appearance 

 of a plant or flower, are formed. 



If we may be led in this subject by analogy, 

 it is most probable, that the substance of co- 

 ral is produced in the same manner that the 

 shell of the snail grows round it; these little 

 reptiles are each possessed of a slimy matter, 

 which covers its body, and this hardening, as 

 in the snail, becomes a habitation exactly 

 fitted to the body of the animal that is to re- 

 side in it ; several of these habitations being 

 joined together, form at length a considerable 

 mass; and as most animals are productive in 

 proportion to their minuteness, so these mul- 

 tiplying in a surprising degree, at length form 

 those extensive forests that cover the bottom 

 of the deep. 



Thus all nature seems replete with life ; 

 almost every plant on land has its surface 

 covered with millions of these minute crea- 

 tures, of whose existence we are certain, but 

 of whose uses we are entirely ignorant ; 



while numbers of what seem plants at sea, 

 are not only the receptacles of insects, but 

 also entirely of insect formation. This might 

 have led some late philosophers into an 

 opinion, that all nature was animated ; thai 

 every, even the most inert mass of matter, 

 was endued with life and bensation, but wan- 

 ed organs to make those sensations percepti- 

 ble lo the observer: those opinions, taken 

 up at random, are difficultly maintained, and 

 as difficultly refuted ; like combatants that 

 meet in the dark, each party may deal a 

 thousand blows without ever reaching the 

 adversary. Those, perhaps, are wiser, who- 

 view nature as she offers ; who, without 

 searching too deeply into the recesses into 

 which she ultimately hides, are contented to 

 take her as she presents herself; and storing 

 their minds with effects rather than with 

 causes, instead of the embarrassments of sys- 

 tems, about which few agree, are contented 

 with the history of appearances, concern- 

 ing which all mankind have but one opi- 

 nion. 



END or GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY or THE EARTH AND ANIMATED NATVPE. 



