263 
which conspire to support the probability of evolution ; * but 
it will be needful to allude to certain features only which bear 
upon the subject of this paper. 
In the first place, then, I would lay down this proposition, 
which I think will be found of universal application, — that 
there is in all probability no such thing in this world as abso- 
lute perfection. 
In stating this, I would observe that our ideas of perfection 
can only be relative. As we say, in speaking of intellectual 
and moral attributes, that perfection resides in the Deity alone, 
which may therefore represent the limit to which we are con- 
tinually endeavouring to approach, but can never reach ; so in 
the works of nature our conception of the perfect is never 
realized. Here and there individuals may appear to far out- 
shine their like in beauty, symmetry, adaptations, &c., and to 
represent as nearly as may be possible our notion of perfection. 
But an observer cannot but admit such cases are comparatively 
few ; and even these, when subjected to a rigid examination 
externally and internally, i. e. anatomically, are usually, if not 
always, found only relatively perfect. For, e. g., when we 
examine into the structures of animals and plants, we find what 
affords one of the strongest arguments of evolution, namely, 
an abundance of rudimentary and useless organs. 
The word ({ useless 33 is, of course, open to the usual charge 
that we have no right to call anything useless, for it may 
hereafter be shown to have some purpose of which at present 
we are ignorant. Now this, to be sure, appears a just objec- 
tion ; but, in reply, I would observe that the word useless, like 
perfection, is relative only ; and in thus describing nature 
as never being absolutely perfect no irreverence is admitted, 
as I believe it to be the indirect result of God's will. In sup- 
port of this view is the fact that these rudimentary organs are 
sometimes capable of development, and so of rendering active 
service, as in the case of the mammae of the male sex; and the 
explanation of their existence is that they either represent 
organs once necessary, i. e. in their ancestors, but which organs 
are now superseded by new and equally admirable contrivances, 
as is shown in the homologous organs of the vertebrata ; or 
they have been produced through the laws of evolution, in 
* A belief in the doctrine of evolution does not necessitate acquiescence 
in any or all of the causes proposed, however probable natural selection 
or inherent principle of development, or any other or all combined, may 
be, and however much such provisional hypotheses may assist in under- 
standing it. 
VOL. IV. 
T 
