DEVELOPEMENT OF VEGETABLES. 83 



functions require that a large surface should be 

 expanded to the air and light, is spread out in a 

 thin layer upon a framework of fibres, like rays, 

 connected by a network of smaller fibrils, and 

 constituting what is often called the skeleton of the 

 leaf 



In all these vegetable structures, while the 

 objects appear to be the same, the utmost variety is 

 displayed in the means for their accomplishment, 

 in conformity with the law of diversity which, as 

 has been already observed, seems to be a leading- 

 principle in all the productions of nature. It is 

 more probable, however, judging from that portion 

 of the works of creation, which we are competent 

 to understand, that a specific design has regulated 

 each existing variation of form, although that design 

 may in general be placed beyond the limited sphere 

 of our intelligence. 



§ 4. Animal Organization. 



The structures adapted to the purposes of vegetable 

 life, which are limited to nutrition and reproduction, 

 would be quite insufficient for the exercise of the 

 more active functions and higher energies of animal 

 existence. The power of locomotion, with which 

 animals are to be invested, must alone introduce 

 essential differences in their organization, and must 

 require a union of strength and flexibility in the 

 parts intended for extensive motion, and for being 

 acted upon by powerful moving forces. 



The animal as well as the vegetable fabric is 

 necessarily composed of a union of solid and fluid 



