ORGANIC DEVELOPEMENT. GOl 



machine, are in constant operation, adapting 

 them to their various purposes, and combining 

 them into one efficient and harmonious system, 

 it is impossible not to be deeply impressed with 

 the extent and the profoundness of the views of 

 Omniscient Providence, which far exceed the 

 utmost boundaries of our vision, and surpass 

 even the powers of the human imagination.* 



The clearest evidence of enlarged and provi- 

 dent designs may be collected from observing the 

 order in which the nascent organs are succes- 

 sively brought forwards, and added to the grow- 

 ing fabric : such order appearing, in all cases, to 

 be that best calculated to secure the due per- 

 formance of their appointed functions, and to 

 promote the general objects of the system. The 

 apparatus first perfected is that which is imme- 

 diately necessary for the exercise of the vital 

 actions, and which is therefore required for the 

 completion of all the other structures ; but pro- 



* " Si Ton applique," says Cuvier, when speaking of the ana- 

 tomy of insects, " a chacune de ces especes, par la pensee, ce 

 qu'il seroit bien impossible qu'un homme entreprit de verifier en 

 efFet pour toutes, une organisation a-peu-pr^s egale en complica- 

 tion a celle qui a ete decrite dans la chenille par Lyonet, et 

 tout recemment dans le hanneton par M. Straus, et cependant 

 plus ou moins difFerente dans chaque insecte, rimaginatiou 

 commencera a concevoir quelque chose de cette richesse ef- 

 frayante, et de ces millions de millions de parties, et de parties 

 de parties, toujours correlatives, toujours en harmonie, qui con- 

 stituent le grand ouvrage de la nature." (Histoire des Progres 

 des Sciences Natuielles, iv. 145.) 



