264 TELEOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY. 



the human mind, we are compelled to conceive for each of 

 these groups an abstract conception, or type of mechanism 

 according to which we find that, however varied the teleo- 

 logical anatomy of the constituent species of any group may 

 be, all of these species, nevertheless, possess a mechanism 

 referable to, and explicable by, the type of the group to which 

 they belong. 



In like manner, we find that the constituent organs and 

 textures in a group constitute a formal series, in such a 

 manner that, irrespective of their teleological differences, our 

 scientific instinct compels us to express their relations in 

 morphological laws, by which those relations may be inferred, 

 and their character defined. 



Organic morphology tends at present in four different 

 directions : — 



1. In the direction of questions bearing on the existence 

 of a central type for each organic kingdom, or of one for both. 



2. Towards group types. 



3. To investigation of the types of organs. 



4. To the investigation of the types of textures. 



It is greatly to be desired that the teleological and 

 morphological departments of anatomy should be kept distinct 

 in their prosecution and application. The satisfactory ad- 

 vancement of both is entirely dependent on their respectively 

 distinct methods of investigation ; and many obstacles have 

 been opposed to the progress of the science of which they are 

 the common elements, by incomplete conceptions of their re- 

 spective objects and relations. 



It is also much to be regretted that, in the present phase 

 of our science, morphological anatomy threatens to overshadow 

 the teleological aspect of the subject. Every question in general 

 zoology and anthropology is now apt to be treated morpholo- 

 gically ; so that there is a marked tendency to permit the pur- 

 ine or final cause of organised structure to be overlooked. 



