204 Miscellaneous Objections, &c. Chap. vij. 



blances, and indeed on any view, it is incredible that an animal 

 should have undergone such momentous and abrupt transforma- 

 tions, as those above indicated ; and yet should not bear even a 

 trace in its embryonic condition of any sudden modification ; every 

 detail in its structure being developed by insensibly fine steps. 



He who believes that some ancient form was transformed sud- 

 denly through an internal force or tendency into, for instance, one 

 furnished with wings, will be almost compelled to assume, in oppo- 

 sition to all analogy, that many individuals varied simultaneously. 

 It cannot be denied that such abrupt and great changes of struc- 

 ture are widely different from those which most species apparently 

 have undergone. He will further be compelled to believe that 

 many structures beautifully adapted to all the other parts of the 

 same creature and to the surrounding conditions, have been sud- 

 denly produced; and of such complex and wonderful co-adapta- 

 tions, he will not be able to assign a shadow of an explanation. 

 He will be forced to admit that these great and sudden transfor- 

 mations have left no trace of their action on the embryo. To 

 admit all this is, as it seems to me, to enter into the realms o£ 

 miracle, and to leave those of Science. 



