144 PHYSICAL SCIENCE BK. in 



together, the rains descending and the river floods 

 rising, and the seas hurrying in hot haste from their 

 place all agencies in concert bent upon the one 

 aim, the destruction of the human race ? The last 

 is the truth. Nature finds no difficulties in com- 

 passing her ends, especially when she hastens to 

 make an end of herself. At the creation of things 

 she economises her efforts, putting forth her energy 

 in small imperceptible increase : for destruction she 



3 comes with sudden and irresistible might. How 

 long a time is needed to bring the embryo child 

 to the birth! How great the toil called for in 

 rearing the tender infant ! How careful the nurture 

 through which the frail body is at length brought 

 to manhood ! But how insignificant the effort 

 needed to undo it all ! Cities take centuries to 

 establish : an hour brings their ruin. Ages rear 

 the forest : a moment turns it to ashes. To 

 its stability and vigour this universe of things 

 calls for great and constant protection ; quickly and 



4 suddenly dissolution comes. Deviation by nature 

 from her established order in the world suffices for 

 the destruction of the race. 



So when that day of fate comes, many causes will 

 be at work in fulfilling its decrees ; and as some, in- 

 cluding Fabianus, think, such a change will not come 

 without a shock to the whole universe. In the first 

 instance there will be excessive rainfall, a dull leaden 

 sky with never a glimpse of the sun. The clouds 

 will be unbroken, the gathering moisture will cause 

 thick darkness, and there will be no winds to lick 



5 it up. Hence the crops will be diseased, the grain 

 ere it be grown will wither without fruit. All tillage 

 of man's hand will be ruined ; marsh grass will 

 spring up over all the plains. Presently the stronger 



