Evaporation, and Steam-Boiler Explosions. 35 



Now, water is doubtless the only known liquid which could 

 by possibility answer these definite mechanical conditions ; 

 hence we say, that there is a peculiarly clear evidence of de- 

 sign, first, in making a fluid which could, under our cosmical 

 conditions, undergo the raining round, and secondly, in its 

 being on the earth in so exactly the quantity best meeting 

 the aggregate organic needs. Ether, quicksilver, or any 

 other known fluid, could not, in any possible arrangement of 

 quantity, supply this primary cosmical necessity. Now, 

 when we reflect how many are the instances in which the 

 terrestrial elements, simple and in combination, exist in 

 strict adaptation to organic needs, both qualitatively and 

 quantitatively, the cumulative evidence of design much ex- 

 ceeds that furnished by a locomotive or a cotton -mill. Not 

 only is organic life framed in strict relation to the earth, but 

 the earth is also primarily constituted in strict relation to 

 organic life. Let whoever doubts this, study the extremely 

 slender a priori chance that a drop of rain of any known 

 liquid should ever fall upon the earth, and let him but pic- 

 ture the total lack of all land life which must have followed 

 any cast of the die other than that really existing. Life 

 without fluid circulation is totally inconceivable by the mind 

 of man, and exactly to determine the appropriate kind and 

 quantity of liquid, as has been done in the real frame 

 of nature, was a problem of pure and absolute intellection, 

 transcending the grasp of every mind save the all-wise creat- 

 ing Designer. 



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