82 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



pinge on the bottom of the eye at A, B. It will be further seen 

 that the rays coming from B are refracted to a, those from A to b, 

 and that the image is therefore represented inverted.] 



as the lenses of a telescope are constructed, for 

 the refraction of rays of light to a point, which 

 forms the proper action of the organ ; the provi- 

 sion in its muscular tendons for turning its pupil to 

 the object, similar to that which is given to the te- 

 lescope by screws, and upon which power of 

 direction in the eye the exercise of its office as an 

 optical instrument depends ; the further provision 

 for its defence, for its constant lubricity and moist- 

 ure, which we see in its socket and its lids, in its 

 glands for the secretion of the matter of tears, its 

 outlet or communication with the nose for carry- 

 ing off the liquid after the eye is washed with it ; 

 these provisions compose altogether an apparatus, 

 a system of parts, a preparation of means, so ma- 

 nifest in their design, so exquisite in their contriv- 

 ance, so successful in their issue, so precious, and 

 so infinitely beneficial in their use, as, in my opi- 

 nion, to bear down all doubt that can be raised 

 upon the subject.^' And what I wish, under the 

 title of the present chapter, to observe, is, that if 

 other parts of nature were inaccessible to our in- 

 quiries, or even if other parts of nature presented 

 nothing to our examination but disorder and con- 



21 Again we have reference to the structure of the eye; which 

 shows the necessity of throwing our observations on tliis organ 

 mto the Appendix. 



