D) REMARKS ON THE FIGURES OF PLATE XXIII. 
the integer 9, so will we find, that all the plus additions to 
the proportional 5, will be but approaches to its equation 
with 9. For 5+1, 5+2,54+48 are proportional plus 
advances to the quantity 5+4, which is nine and the 
integer. In the very same way we find, that all the plus 
increase of the seventh cervical unit in series is but an 
approach to the plus condition of the first thoracic quan- 
tity, or costo-vertebral structure ; and thus it happens that 
we have fig. B plus a thoracic quantity, and, consequently, 
minus a cervical vertebra, solely occasioned by the circum- 
stance of the seventh unit of series equating itself to its 
own original costo-vertebral quantity. 
The lumbar region which succeeds the thoracic quan- 
tities is hke the cervical region which precedes the thorax, 
for in the loins, as in the cervix, we view a series of minus 
forms whose plus “anomalies” are simple equations with 
the thoracic series. In fig. C, the first lumbar unit 1 / a, 
occasionally assumes the plus condition of 1 / a, in fig. D, 
and thus simulates or equals the quantity next above it, 
marked 12 da. The same proportion which 5 bears to 9, 
we find that the cervical or lumbar osseous quantity bears 
to the thoracic archetype; and just in the same way as 
5+4=9, so is a cervical or lumbar vertebra plus the costal 
quantity, equal to the thoracic original. 
In reality, therefore, these cervical or lumbar ribs are, 
when existing in series, the simple persistence of original 
quantity, and, regarded as such, they cannot be named 
anomalous or abnormal to the prime model. For it is 
most true, that when they do appear in series upon the 
lumbar or cervical vertebree, as for example, 1 / a, of fig. D, 
and 7 a, of fig. B, they are not now, (so to speak,) more un- 
friendly to the order of series than are the normal osseous 
quantities marked 1 d a, of fig. A, or 12 d a, of fig. C. 
All plus structural quantities express the full sentence 
of unity and uniformity. All mimus structural quantities 
will, therefore, (while following in series with plus struc- 
tures,) evince their own present design, when they shall be 
compared with the plus originals; and this will fill up 
hiatus, as well for serial forms as for serial and flowing 
interpretations of the natural design. Since it is true, 
that the anomaly in form is ever attended with the gap 
and dislocation of false interpretation, so will the reconcil- 
iation of anomalies to the general law of formation fill up 
vacuity in the serial order of ideas. There is a gap or 
hiatus in the wall of anatomical reasoning, and its typical 
embodiment is represented in that condition of develop- 
ment which a cervical or lumbar minus series evinces in 
relationship with the plus thoracic quantities. A cervix 
or loins, considered as an anatomical fact, isolated and per 
sé, is an idea separated and cut apart from natural inter- 
course, and lying, as it were in cold obstruction, produces 
nothing. But when a cervix or lumbar region is weighed 
in comparison with plus thoracic quantities, to which the 
order of natural series relates both, then it is that we are 
enabled to read the creation of minus quantity in the 
neighbourhood of plus, as pregnant of design and fruitful 
of ideas. 
The operation of a law in Nature is the only manifesta- 
tion which we have of a designing will and potency*, and 
when the mind contemplates the demonstration of this 
force or law, or general life and agency which stirs through 
all creation, and reveals its boundless presence with im- 
measurable and countless instances of itself, which is uni- 
versality of purpose and nihil supervacaneum, then admi- 
ration gives the force a personification and material finite 
shape, clothing it in the imperial robes of the following 
definition; “Deus est ens uniforme, organorum mem- 
borum partiumque expers+;” or.else discourses of it as 
“Hee opifex rerum, sui generis, docta, a nullo edocta, sal- 
tus non facit, nihil frustra nihilque supervacaneum agit t;” 
or, when assigning a place to it, describes that zAarés 
c > / 
0 Koopos Oeov ov déxeraL. 
* Effectivement, il ne saurait etre ici question de merveilles, mais de l’action du temps, mais de progres dans le rapport de moins a plus.— 
Geoff. St. Hilaire, Principes de Philosophic Loologique, Disc. prelim. p. 22. 
+ Newton, Optices Questio, 31, p. 412. 
t Seneca, 111, 29. 
