248 



NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



vious, that it seems impossible to notice the dif- 

 ference without acknowledging the design. I am 

 at a loss to know how those who deny the agency 

 of an intelligent Creator dispose of this example. 



There is nothing in the action of swimming, as 

 carried on by a bird upon the surface of the w ater, 

 that should generate a membrane between the 

 toes. As to that membrane, it is an exercise of 

 constant resistance. The only supposition I can 

 think of is, that all birds have been originally 

 water-fowl, and web-footed ; that sparrows, hawks, 

 linnets, &c., which frequent the land, have, in 

 process of time, and in the course of many genera- 

 tions, had this part worn aw^ay by treading upon 

 hard ground. To such evasive assumptions must 

 atheism always have recourse ! And after all, it 

 confesses that the structure of the feet of birds, in 

 their original form, was critically adapted to their 

 original destination! The web feet of amphibious 

 quadrupeds, seals, otters, &:c., fell under the same 

 observation. 



IX. The five senses are common to most large 



