LENGTH OF THE YEAR. 33 



seen that their periodical constitution derives its 

 use from the periodical nature of the motions of 

 the planets round the sun ; and that the duration 

 of such cycles in the existence of plants and 

 animals has a reference to the arbitrary elements 

 of the solar system : a reference which, we main- 

 tain, is inexplicable and unintelligible, except by 

 admitting into our conceptions an intelligent Au- 

 thor, alike of the organic and inorganic universe. 



CHAPTER II. 

 The Length of the Day. 



WE shall now consider another astronomical ele- 

 ment, the time of the revolution of the earth on 

 its axis ; and we shall find here also that the 

 structure of organized bodies is suited to this 

 element ; that the cosmical and physiological 

 arrangements are adapted to each other. 



We can very easily conceive the earth to re- 

 volve on her axis faster or slower than she does, 

 and thus the days to be longer or shorter than 

 they are, without supposing any other change to 

 take place. There is no apparent reason why 

 this globe should turn on its axis just three 

 hundred and sixty-six times while it describes 

 its orbit round the sun. The revolutions of the 

 other planets, so far as we know them, do not 



w. 5 D 



