SECT. XXXIX. 5. i. GENERATION. 401 



part of the earth has been formed out of organic reqrements ; 

 as the immenfe beds of limeftone, chalk, marble, from the (hells 

 of fifh ; and the extend ve provinces of clay, fandftone, ironftone, 

 coals, from decompofed vegetables ; all which have been firft 

 produced by generation, or by the fecretions of organic life ; he 

 concludes that the world itfelf might have been generated, rath- 

 er than created ; that is, it might have been gradually produced 

 from very fmall beginnings, increafing by- the activity of its in- 

 herent principles, rather than by a fudtien evolution of the 

 whole by the Almighty fiat. What a magnificent idea of the 

 infinite power of THE GREAT ARCHITECT ! THE CAUSE OF 

 CAUSES ! PARENT OF PARENTS ! LNS ENTIUM ! 



For if we may compare infinities, it would feem to require a 

 greater infinity of power to caufe the caufes of effefts, than to 

 caufe the effects themfelves. This idea is analogous to the im- 

 proving excellence obfervable in every part of the creation ; 

 fuch as in the progreflive increafe of the folid or habitable parts 

 of the earth from water ; and in the progreflive increafe of the 

 wifdom and happinefs of its inhabitants ; and is confonant to 

 the idea of our prefent fituation being a ftate of probation, which 

 by our exertions we may improve, and are confequently refpon- 

 fible for our actions. 



V. i. The efficient caufe of the various colours of the eggs 

 of birds, and of the hair and feathers of animals, is a fubject fo 

 curious, that I [hall beg to introduce it in this place. The col- 

 ours of many animals feem adapted to their purpofes of con- 

 cealing themfelves either to avoid danger, or to fpring upon their 

 prey. Thus the fnake and wild cat, and leopard, are fo colour- 

 ed as to refemble dark leaves and their lighter interfaces j birds 

 refemble the colour of the brown ground, or the green hedges, 

 which they frequent ; and moths and butterflies are coloured 

 like the flowers which thev rob of their honey. Many inftances 

 are mentioned of this kind in Botanic Garden, Part II. Note 

 on Rubia. 



Thefe colours have, however, in fome inftances another ufe, 

 as the black diverging area from the eyes of the fwan ; which, 

 as his eyes are placed lefs prominent than thofe of other birds, 

 for the convenience of putting down his head under water, pre- 

 vents the rays of light fro-M being reflected into his eyes, and 

 thus dazzling his fight, both in air and beneath the water ; which 

 mull have happened, if that furface had been white Jike the reft 

 of his feathers. 



There is a (till more wonderful thing concerning thefe colours 

 adapted to the purpofe of concealment ; which is, thar the eggs 

 of birds are fo coloured as to refemble the colour of the adjacent. 



VOL. I. D D d objects 



