293 



" We can scarcely select any example of diversity of external conforma- 

 tion and of function, superinduced upon an essential unity of organisation, so 

 appropriate as that which is afforded by the comparison of those different 

 modifications of the limbs or members, and especially of the anterior pair, by 

 which the several species of "Vertebrated animals are adapted to the most 

 diversified modes of life. No Comparative Anatomist has the slightest hesita- 

 tion in admitting that the pectoral fin of a Fish, the wing of a Bird, the paddle 

 of a Dolphin, the fore-leg of a Deer, the wing of a Bat, and the arm of a Man, 

 are the same organs ; notwithstanding that their forms are so varied, the uses 

 to which they are applied so unlike each other. For all these organs not only 

 occupy the same position in the fabric, but are developed after the same manner ; 

 and when their osseous frame-work is examined, it is found to be composed of 

 parts which are strictly comparable one with another, although varying in 

 number and in relative proportion. 



"Thus, commencing from the shoulder-joint, we can almost everywhere 

 [i. e., in the anterior limbs of all the creatures just named] recognize without 

 difficulty the Humerus, it being only in Fishes that this is so little developed 

 as not to intervene between the scapula and the bones of the fore-arm ; next 

 we have the radius and ulna, whose presence is always distinguishable, although 

 one of them may be in only a rudimentary condition ; then, beneath the 

 wrist-joint, we find the bones of the carpus, which are normally ten in num- 

 ber, forming two rows, but which may be i*educed by non-development to 

 any smaller number — three, two, or even one ; next we find the metacarpal 

 bones, which are normally five, but are sometimes reduced among the higher 

 "Vertebrata to four, three, two, or one ; while in Fishes they may be multiplied 

 to the number of twenty or more ; and lastly Ave have the digital bones, of 

 which there are normally five sets, each consisting of three or more phalanges, 

 but which are subject to the same reduction or multiplication as the meta- 

 carpal. It is entirely from the differences of conformation which these osseous 

 elements gradually come to present in the course of their development, that 

 those special adaptations arise, which fit their combination in each case for the 

 wants of the particular species that possesses it ; enabling it to be used as an 

 instrument for terrestrial, aquatic, or aerial pi'ogression ; for swimming and 

 diving, for walking and running, for climbing and flying, for burrowing 

 and tearing ; or for that combination of refined and varied manifestations 

 which renders the hand of Man capable of serving as an instrument where- 

 with to execute the conceptions of his fertile intellect." 



As further illustrations, the proboscis of the Elephant, which constitutes 

 so wonderful an instrument of prehension, is, properly, no special organ but 

 an extended nose ; and an approach to a like extension is presented by the 

 Tapirs among existing Mammals, as well as by various extinct animals of the 

 same order. " So, turning to the Vegetable Kingdom, we find that [apparently] 

 special organs, such as tendrils, pitchers, fly-traps, etc., are evolved out of the 

 more general type of the leaf, and are not introduced as additional to the 

 ordinary fabric." 



To me, I confess, it seems unsound and dangerous to rest the proof of design 

 upon the existence of supposed anomalies introduced into the general plan for 

 a special purpose. Sooner or later the supposed anomaly is sure to be explained 

 away. It is well to take warning on this head from the mistakes of the last gene- 

 ration. To illustrate my meaning — Paley, in reference to the compensation of 

 certain supposed deficiencies in the organisation of the Bat, writes thus : — "These 

 inabilities are made up to her by the contrivance in her wing, and in placing 

 a claw on that part the Creator has deviated from the analogy observed in 

 winged animals. A singular defect required a singular substitute." But, in 

 Nature, we have learnt, by this time, nothing is singular. The Bat's supposed 



