DESIGN IN NATURE 277 



world, adapted not only to the existence of man, but 

 also to the gratification of his innumerable desires, 

 could be established. 



A world which contains an almost infinite number 

 of different objects which may contribute to the 

 physical and mental well-being of man — a world fur- 

 nished with many forces which he can use as instru- 

 ments to accomplish his purposes — a world of infinite 

 but harmonious complications of materials and 

 forces, which, the better they are understood, the 

 more they serve the highest purposes of intelligence 

 — such a world cannot be separated from the idea of 

 an intelligent Creator. 



If we inquire concerning the possibility of the ex- 

 istence of living beings upon the earth, and more 

 especially as to the possibility of man's existence and 

 welfare here, with the idea of creation by chance on 

 the one hand, and according to intelligent purpose on 

 the other, I feel sure that we shall find the weight of 

 facts to be greatly in favor of the latter. 



For this purpose I will now consider the kinds and 

 relative quantities of simple substances that enter 

 into the composition of the earth. 



About seventy elements are well known to the 

 chemist. Of this number, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen 

 and nitrogen are necessary in the composition of 

 every living organism. In addition to these, in most 

 animals, calcium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, sulphur, 

 chlorine, and, perhaps, some other elements are nec- 

 essary. In plants additional elements are found. 



The human body contains sixteen elements, most of 

 which exist in very small relative quantities. The 

 soft parts of animals are composed almost exclusively 

 of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. In addi- 

 tion to these four elements, the earthy part of bones 

 contains calcium and phosphorus, while shells are 



