TWO PATHS, ONE GOAL. 



109 



tliis wealth of learning and labour is but for the unravelling of 

 mysteries locked up in the functions of one animal species. 

 There are some 1,500 millions of this species at the present 

 time ii J habiting this planet, and every tissue and organ of 

 eacli of these individuals might be subpoenaed as a witness for 

 the immanence and universality of purpose in the world of 

 man. Surely a staggering mass of testimony for purpose is 

 forthcoming and must be estimated ! 



4. Great as is the strength of the chain of evidence for 

 purpose in Nature, it is but half of what we may adduce in 

 open court. It is impressive to see how organisms are adapted 

 to their needs and surroundings, but we double the strength of 

 the evidence at one stroke if we show the close correlation 

 between the environments and the organisms which inhabit 

 them. We may take as an illustration, but not as a proof, of 

 purpose, the making of a garden. It may require a few months 

 or many years to bring a garden to its particular kind of 

 perfection. It may be a piece of ground reclaimed from 

 primeval waste, and no more than a few simple clearances 

 of ground and sowing of hardy plants and planting of a few 

 trees are possible or desired. Or it may be an extensive, 

 luxuriant, and varied domain, for the perfecting of which half 

 a lifetime of man is insufficient, and the higliest skill required. 

 But preparation of the ground piece by piece, levelling, draining, 

 enriching of the soil, division of the space into others appro- 

 priate for ditlerent purposes, are all in their measure present in 

 the making of a garden. The conditions of nature — sunlight, 

 warmth, moisture, natural composition of soil, level, exposure, 

 and shelter — are all required to contribute to the ideal result, 

 and can all be utilised or checked according to the ]:)urpose in 

 view. When all the preparation and planning of the cnviron- 

 onents or the garden itself have been carried out, there still 

 remains the equally difficult task of adapting the seeds and 

 plants to the conditions already foreseen and produced, and 

 the period in the life of the garden must be taken into account, 

 and appropriate plants grown ; the seasons of the year and the 

 climate of the place will determine nuich tliat is done, or that 

 will be possible in future years, to bring the garden to its ideal. 



If this slight analogy be followed, it is seen to be a very fair 

 picture of the double process of anticipation, preparation, and 

 making of this globe for the plants and animala that are to be, 

 and of the plants and animals that shall in their suited time 

 and place occupy the environments so slowly but wisely pro- 

 vided. To unfold the great plan as a grand whole is impressive. 



