16 



is not, then, absolutely useless, for its use is changed.* The 

 ostrich and apteryx, however, neither fly nor swim, and as yet 

 no new use has been acquired. Hence, shall we say that their 

 wings are actually absolutely useless ? In one sense, yes ; but 

 perhaps in another sense, no ! if such an alternative be allow- 

 able. For flight the wing is absolutely useless : it has no actual 

 use, but it may still retain a potential use ; for many instances 

 have occurred which have led naturalists to consider that 

 rudimentary organs may be capable of sucli development as to 

 acquire functional power (as in the case of mammre of male 

 sex, androgynous flowers, &c.), or perhaps even of a develop- 

 ment into some new direction, as may be the case of the penguin, 

 where a normal use has, according to such hypothesis, been 

 displaced by another with corresponding modification of form. 



We may therefore consider the uses of organs under the fol- 

 lowing heads : — 



1. When the organs have their functions in full vigour, — as 



the Avings of the majority of birds. 



2. When the organs are becoming gradually atrophied, — as 



in domesticated birds ; and their uses consequently en- 

 feebled. 



3. When the use is entirely gone, — as in the wings of the 



apteryx. 



Obs. — In case 2, with perhaps 3, the organs are presumably 

 capable of redevelopment with their nses restored. Whether 

 an organ may become so atrophied that it is absolutely inca- 

 pable of redevelopment is unknown ; but the probability is that 

 such is the case. 



4. When the organs are adapted to an entirely new use, — as 



in the wings of the penguin. 



N.B. Never forgetting, in any case of rudimentary organs, 

 that they maj^ represent anterior and not 'posterior conditions 

 of organs with full functional power. 



Design No. 3. — I now pass on to the third instance of 

 design : the spiritual element. Having considered organs and 

 their uses, w^e must regard the beings that use them, — the 

 spiritual part of creation or life. And the pertinent question 

 at once arises — " Why have animals existed at all or, What 

 is the object and design of life?^^ Let these questions be put 

 touching any living object, plant or animal, that has ever lived, 

 and no answer is forthcoming ! Take man into consideration 

 and the answer becomes pLain enough. We must answer the 

 higher question first — " Why am / here or, " Why does my 



=^ We must not forget the other alternative, that the wing of the penguin 

 ma]/ represent the anterior condition intended for flight. 



