288 



ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF FINAL CAUSES. 



I have also remarked, that these birds carry in their crops the food 

 they take to their young, to which they seem much attached ; for I have 

 seen them constantly providing food for young ones as full grown, and 

 apparently as capable of foraging, as themselves. 



ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF FINAL CAUSES. 



BY M. GEOFFROY ST. HILAIRE, PROFESSOR OF NATURAL HISTORY, PARIS*. 



We have recourse every day to the philosophy of final causes for 

 explaining every thing, and we fail not to affirm, with regard to the 

 teeth, that they are evidently made for dividing and grinding the food. 

 We wish not to confine ourselves to say exactly that which is, — to 

 specify merely that they are very well fitted for such an office ; — it is 

 doubtless more marvellous to explain the facts in this manner. But 

 why, I ask, are not pangolins/ant-eaters, tortoises, birds, &c, furnished 

 with teeth ? " Is this," it is replied, " of any consequence ? These 

 creatures are doubtless provided with other cutting instruments ? " 



This remark was suggested to me by a monstrous calf exhibited 

 alive at Paris, as an interesting rarity of which we now possess the 

 skeleton at the Jardin du Roi. Its monstrosity consisted in a second 

 deformed (informed jaw, grafted (entee) upon the extremity of the 

 under jaw, which was in other respects regular. The grinders of the 

 grafted jaw occupied its sides, and were consequently directed outwards. 

 The animal showed much dexterity in using these as a cleaning instru- 

 ment either upon the right or the left side ; and it was in fact said, 

 from the great ease with which this calf managed this supplemental 

 organisation, that it was provided with two combs skilfully combined, 

 and marvellously adapted for its use. 



The possessors of this curious monstrosity turned this dexterously to 

 account, in increasing the proceeds of their speculation. They knew, 

 or at least they said, that one organ being wanting, it was wondrously 

 supplied with another. They fed it solely with milk, but with great 

 difficulty, being obliged to pour it into the gullet by means of a bottle 

 with a long neck ; yet, said they, by how many other advantages is this 

 slight inconvenience redeemed ? The animal, however, left to itself, 



* Translated from the French work " Systeme Dentaire," by the Editor, as a 

 specimen of the wild theories now prevalent, and which, to any plain man, must 

 carry with them their own refutation. 



