22 FINAL CAUSES. 



or assuming, at their contact with solids, certain curvilinear 

 forms, which are susceptible of precise mathematical deter- 

 mination. In different circumstances, again, we behold 

 these particles suddenly changing their places, marshalling 

 themselves in symmetric order, and constructing by their 

 union solid crystals of determinate figure, having all their 

 angles and facets shaped with mathematical exactness. 



The forces by which dissimilar particles are united into 

 a chemical compound have been termed Chemical *Bffinities; 

 and the operation of these peculiar forces is as definite and 

 determinable as the former. They are now known to be 

 regulated by the law of definite proportions; a law, the dis- 

 covery of which has conferred on Chemistry the same cha- 

 racter of precision which appertains to the exact sciences, 

 and which it had never before attained. The phenomena of 

 Light, of Heat, of Electricity, and of Magnetism have been, 

 in like manner, reduced to laws of sufficient simplicity to 

 admit of the application of mathematical reasoning, and to 

 furnish the accurate results derived from such application. 



Thus, to whatever department of physical science our re- 

 searches have extended, we every where meet with the 

 same regularity in the phenomena, the same simplicity in 

 the laws, and the same uniformity in the results. All is 

 strictly defined, and subjected to rigid rule: all is subordi- 

 nate to one pervading principle of order. The great Creator 

 of the universe has exercised in its construction the severest 

 and most refined geometry, has traced with unerring precision 

 the boundaries of all its parts, and has prescribed to each 

 element and each power its respective sphere and limit. 



Far different is the aspect of living Nature. The specta- 

 cle here offered to our view is every where characterized by 

 boundless variety, by inscrutable complexity, by perpetual 

 mutation. Our attention is solicited to a vast multiplicity 

 of objects, curious and intricate in their mechanism, exhibit- 

 ing peculiar movements, actuated by new and unknown 

 powers, and gifted with high and refined endowments. In 

 place of the simple combinations of elements, and the sim- 



