. 520 



have first to infer the greater part of the organization from such 

 parts as alone remain, and then further to infer from analogy the 

 habits and functions discharged, and lastly the former conditions of 

 existence of the creatures so restored. If then we occasionally fall 

 into error when speculating on the use of the organs of living spe- 

 cies, how much more easily may we be deceived in regard to the 

 fossil ! 



In answering this objection, it cannot be denied that the data 

 supplied by palseontology are less complete ; but they are never- 

 theless abundantly sufficient to establish a very close analogy be- 

 tween extinct and recent species, so as to leave no doubt on the 

 mind that the same harmony of parts and beauty of contrivance 

 which we admire in the living creature has equally characterized 

 the organic world at remote periods. If this be granted, it is 

 enough ; the geologist can then bring new and original arguments 

 from fossil remains to bear on that part of natural theology which 

 seeks to extend and exalt our conceptions of the intelligence, 

 power, wisdom, and unity of design manifested in the creation. 



It can now be shown that the configuration of the earth's surface 

 has been remodelled again and again ; mountain chains have been 

 raised or sunk, valleys have been formed, again filled up, and 

 then re-excavated, sea and land have changed places, yet through- 

 out all these revolutions, and the consequent alterations of local and 

 general climate, animal and vegetable life has been sustained. This 

 appears to have been accomplished without violation of those laws 

 now governing the organic creation, by which limits are assigned to 

 the variability of species. There are no grounds for assuming that 

 species had greater powers of accommodating themselves to new 

 circumstances in ancient periods than now. The succession of 

 living beings was continued by the introduction into the earth from 

 time to time of new plar>ts and animals. That each assemblage of 

 new species was admirably adapted for successive states of the 

 globe, may be confidently inferred from the fact of the myriads of 

 fossil remains preserved in strata of all ages. Had it been other- 

 wise, had they been less fitted for each new condition of things as 

 it arose, they would not have increased and multiplied and endured 

 for indefinite periods of time. 



Astronomy had been unable to establish the plurality of habitable 



