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 s§nse, yes ; but 
perhaps in another sense, no 1 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 such development as to 
acquire functional power (as in the case of mammae 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 wings 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 uses 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 may 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 , we 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 I here ?” or, “ Why does my 
* We must not forget the other alternative, that the wing of the penguin 
may represent the anterior condition intended for flight. 
