92 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS RESPECTING THE 



cephalopod, one with a few new nodulosities and corrugations 

 upon its shell, would, on this theory, require the particular 

 care of that same Almighty who willed at once the whole 

 means by which infinity was replenished with its worlds ! 



I have here contemplated the question as one remaining to 

 be settled by science. We must not, however, overlook that 

 the decision is exposed to great prejudice, in consequence of 

 our minds being prepossessed by a more or less distinct con- 

 clusion in favour of organic creation by some kind of special 

 exercise of divine power. This is the idea which first rose in 

 the human family, being that which the unassisted mind is 

 apt to form out of the appearances presented to it ; precisely 

 as, with regard to the heavenly motions, the geocentric theory 

 was that which the appearances first suggested, and therefore 

 was first embraced by man. This idea of the organic creation 

 has rested almost undisturbed to the present day, because, till 

 a recent period, science came little near it, and means for 

 testing its soundness scarcely existed. It is different now, 

 when, besides the cosmical arrangements being seen to have 

 been brought about under natural law, the same influence is 

 traced through the whole series of geognostic changes since 

 the beginning of our planet's existence. But yet, this know- 

 ledge being recent, the ancient idea of the creation of organisms 

 continues to have that hold upon our minds which early im- 

 pressions and long-continued habits tend to give to even the 

 most unphilosophical convictions. It is necessary to keep this 

 in view, if we would enter upon the inquiry in a philosophical 

 spirit, and with the pure desire to arrive only at such a con- 

 clusion as the balance of evidence may justify. 



In intimate connexion with the ancient idea, is the supposi- 

 tion found resting in many minds, that to presume a creation 

 of living beings by the intervention of law, is equivalent to 

 superseding the whole doctrine of the divine authorship of 

 organic nature. Were this true, it would form a most im- 

 portant objection to the law theory ; but I think it is not only 

 not true, but the reverse of the truth. As formerly stated, 

 the whole idea of law relates only to the mode in which the 

 Deity is pleased to manifest his power in the natural world. 



