34 LESSON IV. 



present a beautiful principle of order and uni- 

 formity. Prove if you quite understand what I 

 mean, by applying it to these shells. 



Child. There is a very great variety of pat- 

 terns and shapes, and yet they are all alike in 

 many respects. 



Teacher. They have undoubtedly all a ge- 

 neral resemblance, which enables you at once to 

 determine that they are shells ; but more than 

 this, do you not observe that some are more alike 

 than others ? 



Child. There are some that are very much 

 alike in shape. 



Teacher. Yes, and yet differ in other re- 

 spects ; but is this all that you observe 1 



Child. No, there are some that appear ex- 

 actly alike. 



Teacher. Thus when you look at a collection 

 of shells for the first time, you are struck by their 

 general similarity, and you at once call them all 

 shells. After a little inspection, it will be evi- 

 dent that among them, some have a few points 

 of resemblance, and that others are quite alike in 

 all respects. Thus you begin to perceive that 

 the variety which at first almost bewildered you, 

 is limited by a principle and, while your eye is 

 gratified by the diversity, your judgment is satis- 

 fied by the order you find preserved. Tell me 

 a similar circumstance in some other natural 

 objects. 



Child. Flowers afford one. All roses are 

 alike in general appearance, but the Moss Rose 

 is easily distinguished from the China Rose. 



