The Harmony of Creation. 649 
their flowers begin to blow and swim upon the surface till 
they receive their impregnation and then sink down. 
The long downy filaments which are appended to the 
numerous seeds of the Gossypias, or cotton plants, are in- 
tended to favour their transport by aérial currents to dis- 
tant regions. These filaments, provided in such lavish 
profusion, serve to clothe the greater part of the human 
family. The seeds of the Ura crepitans are shot to a con- 
siderable distance with an explosive sound. Marine cur- 
rents carry seeds over the broad bosom of the ocean from 
continent to continent. Among these the Guilandina 
bondué, a leguminous plant, is particularly mentioned as 
having been raised from a seed found on the west coast of 
Ireland. On the shores of the Orcades a sort of fruit, 
commonly known by the name of Molucca or Orkney 
beans, are found in large quantities, particularly after 
storms of westerly wind. These beans are the produce of 
West Indian trees, and find their way from the woods of 
Cuba and Jamaica by means of the Gulf Stream. 
Space does not permit a continuance of a subject which 
from its very nature is inexhaustible. We cannot but ob- 
serve, however, the admirable and perfect harmony which 
exists in all constituted Nature, whether we view the 
laws which govern inorganic or organic matter, or which 
rule the law of Nature in its comprehensive sense, or the 
moral government of the world. The affections and attach- 
ments of the brute creation are enlisted expressly for the 
continuance of the species. Did space allow, many inte- 
resting examples might illustrate these laws of Nature. 
In animals the parental affection and filial attachment 
last no longer than the necessity. As soon as the young 
are independent, coldness, or even enmity, takes the place 
of former tenderness. This limited extent of animal feel- 
ing is in perfect harmony with the limited sphere of animal 
existence. 
The services which the quadrupeds render to man are 
not accidental: they are of paramount importance ; -with- 
out them man never could have become a civilised being. 
The existence of animals in general depends upon the 
vegetable kingdom; and as among the animals each higher 
grade of organization rests upon the foundation of an in- 
ferior type, so without his domestic cattle man must have 
remained stationary. Most of the actions of mankind— 
actions which are common to all nations and to man in all 
ages—are traceable by the true philosopher to instincts 
