ON THE STUDY OF NATURE. 5 



benevolence of its author. If we examine with the 

 most accurate discrimination the construction of 

 bodies, and remark even their most minute parts^ we 

 see clearly a necessary dependance that each has 

 upon the other ; and if we attend to the vast concur- 

 rence of causes that join in producini^ the several ope- 

 rations of Nature, we shall be induced ro believe 

 further^ that the whole world is one connected train 

 of causes and effects, in which all the parts, either 

 nearly or reinotely, have a necessary dependance on 

 each other. We shall find nothing insulated, no- 

 thing dependant only on itself. Each part lends a 

 pertain support to the others, and takes in return its 

 share of aid from them. 



Previously to entering furtlicr into the subject, we 

 will examine for a mo nent that part of every animal 

 body called the Eye, which, though one of the most 

 conspicuous, is not still the most surprizing part of 

 the body. Here we have exhibited to us nicety of 

 formation, connexions, and uses, that astonish us. 

 We see it placed in a bony orbit, lined with fat, as 

 an easy socket in which it rests, and in which all its 

 motions readily take place. We find it furnished, 

 among many others, with those wonderful contrivan- 

 ces the iris, pupil, and different humours ; and thnt 

 incomprehensible mechanism the optic nerve, wliich 

 affords to the brain, in a manner grer.tly beyo;id our 

 conceptions, the images of external objects. — How 

 admirable is the construction of the Skeleton ; every 

 particular bone adapted peculiarly to the mode cf 

 life and habits of the animal possessing it. The 

 muscular system is still more entitled to our wonder ^ 



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