FORM AND ACTION. 3 



ture as a clothing for animals, but there is an evident difference in 

 the quality or texture of the same material, according to the breed 

 or variety of the species : compare the coat of the cart-horse with 

 that of the racer, or rather contrast it with the satin dress of the 

 Arabian, and this difference will at once be manifest. Though 

 there are, however, these striking and obvious distinctions as re- 

 gard the species, a great deal concerning texture or quality of coat 

 depends upon climate, soil, domestication, &c. 



The outward form of the animal is regulated by the construction 

 of the interior of its body ; and since we take this in all cases to be 

 that which is best suited to answer the ends of its creation, it fol- 

 lows that no other form or shape for that peculiar to the animal 

 could have been substituted. The form of the fish is that best 

 adapted for suspension and swimming in water ; that of the bird 

 for suspension and flying in air ; that of the quadruped for fleetness, 

 or for travelling under heavy burthens upon land ; that of man in 

 his capacity as 



" Lord of the creation." 



But form admits of division into size or magnitude, and shape or 

 symmetry ; and as we have seen that the shape of every animal 

 is that which proves most conducive to its design, so we shall find 

 on investigation that the size of the animal, so far from being an 

 affair of chance or accident, has likewise been considered. The 

 animal creation presents examples of every conceivable variety 

 and degree of magnitude — -from the mite, discernible only through 

 the microscope, to the stupendous elephant and astounding whale. 

 Shall we call this a freak of Nature 1 rather, shall we not discover 

 in it design ? yea ! and design most ingeniously worked out to 

 answer the various ends for which the different creatures were cre- 

 ated. Was not the elephant made of gigantic size in order that 

 he might possess surpassing strength, to enable him to travel under 

 enormous burthens ? On the other hand, was not the mouse formed 

 diminutive to render it light and agile, and apt to run into holes, 

 and chinks, and corners, to elude its pursuers 1 



This brings us to the consideration of a law of Nature regarding 

 magnitude, — that great bodies move comparatively slowly or with 

 difficulty— a law which, though not strictly measurable by an arith- 



