234 THE REIGN OF LAW. 



nice gradations. In the fourth place, there are, so 

 to speak, some gaps in the scale, which suggest 

 that some Species have either been lost, or have 

 not yet been discovered. In the fifth place, each 

 of these Species,, however nearly allied to some 

 other, appears to be absolutely fixed and constant, 

 there being not the slightest indication of any 

 mixture — of any hybrid forms. In the sixth place, 

 there is the most wonderful adaptation of special 

 organs for the performance of special functions, 

 and for the relation of these organs to particu- 

 lar structures in the vegetable kingdom. In the 

 seventh place, there is a development, for which, 

 in extent and variety, there is no parallel in the 

 world, of structures designed for mere ornament, 

 and entirely separate from any other known or 

 conceivable use. 



A few words on some of these characters will 

 show their separate and joint bearing on the idea 

 of Creation by Law. 



In the first place, then, the absolute distinctive- 

 ness from all others of this Family of birds, coupled 

 with its immense extent, gives the idea of some 

 common bond, some physical cause, to which such 



