520 HISTORY OF PHYSIOLOGY. 



acquire its practical value only in the hands of a 

 person intimately acquainted with anatomical de- 

 tails, with the functions of the organs, and with 

 their variety in different animals. It is only by 

 means of such nutriment that the embryo truth 

 could be developed into a vast tree of science. But 

 it is not the less clear, that Cuvier's immense know- 

 ledge and great powers of thought led to their 

 results, only by being employed under the guidance 

 of this master-principle : and, therefore, we may 

 justly consider it as the distinctive feature of his 

 speculations, and follow it with a gratified eye, as 

 the thread of gold which runs through, connects, 

 and enriches his zoological researches : gives them 

 a deeper interest and a higher value than can 

 belong to any view of the organical sciences, in 

 which the very essence of organization is kept out 

 of sight. 



The real philosopher, who knows that all the 

 kinds of truth are intimately connected, and that 

 all the best hopes and encouragements which are 

 granted to our nature must be consistent with 

 truth, will be satisfied and confirmed, rather than 

 surprized and disturbed, thus to find the natural 

 sciences leading him to the borders of a higher 

 region. To him it will appear natural and reason- 

 able, that, after journeying so long among the 

 beautiful and orderly laws by which the universe is 

 governed, we find ourselves at last approaching to a 

 source of order and law, and intellectual beauty : 



