188 FUNCTIONS AND INSTINCTS. 



And, when we further consider the multiplicity 

 of aspects in which the subject must be viewed, 

 in order to get a clear and correct idea of the 

 co-operation of so many causes seeming often at 

 variance with each other; we may further affirm 

 without fear of contradiction, that the whole 

 must be the plan and the work, as the primary 

 and only intelligent cause, of a Being infinite in 

 power, wisdom, and goodness. 



There are two circumstances in the above 

 account of the proceedings of these animals, that 

 more particularly demonstrate Divine interposi- 

 tion. One is the precaution to which they have 

 recourse when they build a circular reef in the 

 sea, that they leave an opening in this part for 

 the entrance of the tide and its reflux, so that a 

 constant renovation of the waters takes place, 

 without which they could not proceed in their 

 operations, for want of their necessary aliment. 



The other is, not only that they erect their 

 buildings in the form best calculated to resist 

 the action of the ocean, but also erect break- 

 waters to strengthen the weakest points, and 

 those from which the greatest danger is to be ap- 

 prehended. 



It is clear that beings so little organized, with 

 scarcely any sense or feeling, are not sufficient 

 of themselves to take these precautions, they 

 must be directed and impelled by some power 

 acting upon them ; which, foreseeing the want, 



