fROSPECTIVE CONTRIVANCES. 
146 
CHAPTER XIV. 
PROSPECTIVE CONTRIVANCES. 
I can hardly imagine to myself a more distinguishing 
mark, and consequently a more certain proof of design, than 
preparation, i. e. the providing of things beforehand which 
are not to be used until a considerable time afterwards: for 
this implies a contemplation of the future, which belongs 
only to intelligence. 
Of these prospective contrivances, the bodies of animals 
furnish various examples. 
I. The human teeth afford an instance, not only of pros¬ 
pective contrivance, but of the completion of the contrivance 
being designedly suspended. [PI. XXVIII. fig. 1 and 2.] 
They are formed within the gums, and there they stop; the 
fact being, that their farther advance to maturity would not 
only be useless to the new-born animal, but extremely in its 
way; as it is evident that the act of sucking, by which it is for 
sometime to be nourished, will be performed with more ease 
both to the nurse and to the infant, whilst the inside of the 
mouth, and edges of the gums, are smooth and soft, than if 
set with hard pointed bones. By the time they are wanted, 
the teeth are ready. They have been lodged within the 
gums for some months past, but detained as it were in 
their sockets, so long as their farther protrusion would in¬ 
terfere with the office to which the mouth is destined. Na¬ 
ture, namely, that intelligence which was employed in cre¬ 
ation, looked beyond the first year of the infant’s life; yet, 
whilst she was providing for functions which were after 
that term to become necessary, was careful not to incom¬ 
mode those which preceded them. What renders it more 
probable that this is the effect of design, is, that the teeth 
are imperfect, whilst all other parts of the mouth are 
perfect. The lips are perfect, the tongue is perfect; the 
habits of the animal must vary according to local circumstances. The 
same species, or one so like it that the difference is not distinguishable 
by any description or drawing that I have seen, is common among the 
rocks on the deserts of Southern Africa, where, within the distance of a 
hundred miles, there is neither tree nor shrub, except a few stunted heaths 
or shrivelled everlastings, thinly scattered over the barren surface. In 
such situations, where I have hunted and taken them, it would certain¬ 
ly be no easy matter for the babyrouessa to find a peg to hang its head 
ppon.”— Barrow's Voyage to Cochin-China. —Ed. 
N 
