258 EVIDENCES OF A DESIGNING PROVIDENCE. 



the power of checking the putrefaction of animal substances, 

 even when applied in very small quantity ; this is due, however, 

 not to the acid, but to a certain ingredient in the tarry matter, 

 which is mixed up with it, and which, when separated under the 

 name of creosote, is now well known as a valuable medicine, 

 especially for the relief of tooth-ache. The discovery of the 

 influence of this substance in controlling putrefaction, would be 

 of great value, if it were not, that, by no subsequent process of 

 cooking, can the tarry flavour communicated by it to the meat, 

 be got rid of. 



404. Having thus passed in review some of the most im- 

 portant products, afforded by the secreting processes of Plants, 

 for Man's use and benefit, and having been obliged to confess our 

 almost entire ignorance of the processes they serve in the Vege- 

 table economy, we might proceed to the next division of our 

 subject ; but it would be wrong not to pause here for a moment, 

 to contemplate the important inferences which may be drawn 

 from the foregoing details, in regard to the Power, Wisdom, and 

 Goodness of the Almighty Designer. His Power is scarcely 

 anywhere more remarkably displayed, than in the immense 

 variety of products, which are elaborated out of the three 

 simple elements oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon, by processes, 

 which, as far as we can understand them, appear to be of the 

 most simple description. His Wisdom is strikingly evinced in 

 the diffusion of these products over the whole globe ; so that 

 there is scarcely a country, which does not naturally contain 

 those, which may be most useful to its inhabitants. And his 

 Goodness is peculiarly manifested in the adaptation of these pro- 

 ducts the formation of which (we can scarcely doubt, although 

 we cannot understand) must have an object as regards the plants 

 themselves to the use of Man, in ministering to those various 

 wants, which have sprung out of his condition as a rational 

 being, endowed with higher faculties and more varied powers of 

 enjoyment, than those of the beasts which perish, and yet de- 

 pendent for the most favourable use of these, upon the judicious 



