OF THE BllUTE CREATION. 
757 
This is one of the mysteries of mysteries — the replacement of 
extinct species by others. It appears to be a very inadequate con- 
ception of the Creator, to assume it as granted, that his combina- 
tions are exhausted upon any of the theatres of their former exer- 
cise ; though in this, as in all his other works, we are led by ana- 
logy to suppose that he operates through a series of intermediate 
causes, and that, consequently, could it ever come under our cog- 
nizance, there would be found to be a natural, in contra-distinction 
to a miraculous, purpose. 
The conclusion to which we naturally arrive from this argument, 
is — that each animal was created, first, for its own sake, to receive 
its portion of that enjoyment which the universal Parent is pleased 
to impart to every creature that has life — to bear its share in the 
maintenance of the general system of co-ordinate relations, whereby 
all families of living beings are reciprocally subservient to the use 
and benefit of one another. 
Under this head only can we include their relations to man, 
forming, as he does, but a small, although a most noble and exalted 
part of the vast system of universal life, with which it hath pleased 
the Creator to animate the surface of the globe. 
But this is not the only conclusion which we arrive at from the 
geological inquiry concerning the history of the inferior animals. 
There is another, and a very important one too. It is a very com- 
monly received opinion, that death was inflicted on the entire animal 
creation as a penal dispensation consequent upon the sin of our 
first parents. We believe that the Scriptures afford no authority 
for such an opinion, or that it is affirmed or alluded to by any one of 
the inspired writers : “ but it crowds the pages of poets*, and the 
* Thus we read in Milton : 
Of man’s first disobedience, and the fruit 
Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste 
Brought death into the world , and all our woe. 
Par. Lost , i, 1. 3. 
And again : 
Discord, first 
Daughter of sin, among th’ irrational 
Death introduced, through fierce antipathy : 
Beast now with beast ’gan war, and fowl with fowl, 
And fish with fish ; to graze the herb all leaving 
Devoured each other. 
BuchlancCs Inquiry concerning Death. 
Our immortal Milton, the finest poet and the worst divine, must have held 
very singular zoological opinions, since the major part of them, as they do 
still, kept to their former food. We recommend those who wish to become 
better acquainted with the subject to read “ Buckland’s Inquiry concerning 
Death.’* 
