ORGANIC DEVELOFEMENT. 539 



formation by the union of certain elements ; which 

 elements are themselves successively formed by 

 the gradual coalescence or juxta-position of their 

 constituent materials. On contemplating the in- 

 finitely lengthened chain of means and ends, and 

 of causes and effects, which, during the construc- 

 tion and assemblage of the numerous parts com- 

 posing the animal machine, are in constant ope- 

 ration, adapting them to their various purposes, 

 and combining them into one efficient and har- 

 monious system, it is impossible not to be deeply 

 impressed with the extent and the profoundness of 

 the views of Providence, which far exceed the re- 

 motest boundaries of our vision, and surpass the 

 utmost powers of human imagination.* 



■ The clearest evidence of enlarged and provident 

 designs may be collected from observing the order 

 in which the nascent organs are successively 

 brought forwards, and added to the growing fabric; 

 such order appearing, in all cases, to be that best 

 calculated to secure the due performance of their 

 appointed functions, and to promote the general 

 objects of the system. The apparatus first per- 

 fected is that which is immediately necessary for 



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

 of insects, " k chacune de ces esp^ces, par la pensee, ce qu'il seroit 

 bien impossible qu'un homme entreprit de verifier en eftet pour 

 toutes, une organisation a-peu-pr^s egale en complication k celle 

 qui a ete decrite dans la chenille par Lyonet, et tout recemment 

 dans le hanneton par M. Straus, et cependant plus ou moins difte- 

 rente dans chaque insecte, I'imagination commencera k concevoir 

 quelque chose de cette richesse effrayante, et de ces millions de 

 millions de parties, et de parties de parties, toujours correlatives, 

 toujours en harmonic, qui constituent le grand ouvrage de la nature." 

 (Histoire des Progres des Sciences Nuturclles, iv. 145.) 



