THJi aii-:NEIlAL STRUCTURE. 13> 



symmetry in its proportion, and of beauty in its aspect ; 

 how the bones are covered, the bowels concealed, the rough- 

 nesses of the muscle smoothed and softened ; and how over 

 the whole is drawn an integument which converts the dis- 

 gusting materials of a dissecting-room into an object of at- 

 traction to the sight, or one upon which it rests at least 

 with ease and satisfaction. Much of this effect is to be 

 attributed to the intervention of the cellular or adipose 

 membrane, which lies immediately under the skin; is a 

 kind of lining to it ; is moist, soft, shppery, and compressi- 

 ble ; everywhere filling up the interstices of the muscles, 

 and forming thereby their roundness and flowing line, as 

 WftQ as the evenness and polish of the whole surface. 



All Mdiich seems to be a strong indication of design, and 

 of a design studiously directed to this purpose. And it be- 

 ing once allowed that such a purpose existed with respect 

 to any of the productions of nature, we may refer, with a 

 considerable degree of probability, other particulars to the 

 same intention ; such as the tints of flowers, the plumage of 

 birds, the furs of beasts, the bright scales of fishes, the paint- 

 ed wings of butterflies and beetles, the rich colors and spot- 

 ted lustre of many tribes of insects. 



There are parts also of animals ornamental, and the 

 properties by which they are so, not subservient, that we 

 know of, to any other purpose. The irides of most animals 

 are very beautiful, without conducing at all, by their beau- 

 ty, to the perfection of vision ; and nature could in no part 

 have employed her pencil to so much advantage, because 

 no part presents itself so conspicuously to the observer, or 

 communicates so great an effect to the whole aspect. 



In plants, especially in the flowers of plants, the princi- 

 ple of beauty holds a still more considerable place in their 

 corrposition — is still more confessed than in animals. Why, 

 for one instance out of a thousand, does the corolla of the 

 tulip, when advanced to its size and maturity, change its 

 color '^ The purposes, so far as we can see, of vegetable 



