150 CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS. 



gesting, for respiration, for seeing, for hearing, for smelling, for 

 walking, for flying, for the performance of every animal function 

 and of every motion. All the parts of the complicated ma- 

 chine are perfectly appropriate, completely adapted to their re- 

 spective uses, and all disposed with the most exact organization. 



Thinking this general view of the animal frame sufficient to 

 demonstrate the agency of an all-wise and almighty mechanist 

 in its formation, we shall, in conformity to our original design, 

 limit ourselves chiefly to this general exhibition, and only men- 

 tion two or three particulars which might possibly escape atten- 

 tion, although too important to be left unnoticed. 



Of the covering of animals, we have had an opportunity of 

 contemplating the perfect adaptation to their various circum- 

 stances of living. We shall therefore only remark, that the furs 

 of all animals are known to grow thicker and warmer in winter 

 than in summer, and in cold than in hot climates. Animals 

 also which constantly live on dry land, such as bears, foxes, 

 hares, &c. have the hair closer set on the back than on the belly, 

 — an arrangement admirably adapted to fortify them against the 

 rains and storms from above ; while the fur of the beaver, and 

 the feathers of water-fowl, are thicker and warmer on the belly, 

 and peculiarly contrived for resisting the attrition and penetra- 

 tion of the cold and watery fluid to which they are so much ex- 

 posed ; and it may be seen that the covering of fishes is equally 

 well calculated for their situation. The most unequivocal marks 

 of an all-wise and benevolent design are obvious throughout the 

 whole of this arrangement. 



If we examine the heart of a dead animal, we cannot fail to 

 perceive that the wisdom of the Creator is there displayed be- 

 yond all the powers of human comprehension. From the soft- 

 ness and extreme delicacy of the heart, and the complexity of 

 its mechanism, we should suppose it liable to frequent derange- 

 ments, and to be injured by the slightest causes ; and in fine, we 

 should from its texture conclude, that its regular and uniform 

 motion could not long continue. This wonderful machine, how- 

 ever, goes with greater regularity than any watch, at the rate of 

 about four thousand one hundred and fifty strokes every hour, 

 night and day, for eighty or ninety years together in man, and 

 much longer in some animals, and continues its action for this 

 length of time without disorder or interruption. 



The examination of the eye might alone convince the infidel 

 and the sceptic of the existence of a Supreme Intelligence, and 

 of his indubitable agency in the system of Nature. This is evi- 

 dent, from the exquisite mechanism of its structure, the existence 

 of its powers, its commanding situation, so suited to its exercise, 

 and the manner in which it is placed in a deep bony socket for 



