THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 22/ 
is unique and special—bones and feathers, ex¬ 
ternal shape and internal organs, its habitat and 
manner of reproduction. In all these regards the 
special hand of a Superior Designer is so evi¬ 
dent that it would be folly to dispute with one 
who might be so dull as to call it in question. 
“ But perhaps the most striking peculiarities 
of the bird are the gift of wings and the man¬ 
ner of their use. This fact is so marked that 
the distinguished Duke of Argyle, in his trea¬ 
tise on the Reign of LaWy has given the largest 
space to the elucidation of this striking testi¬ 
mony in favor of a divine mind and hand in 
the creation of a bird. And no wonder, for it 
is one of the most marvellous things in all the 
riches of Nature, extorting even from Solomon 
the confession that among the three or four 
things which he did not understand was the 
‘ way of an eagle in the air.’ Those who would 
enjoy a rich treat, and get clearer conceptions 
of the Infinite Wisdom in the works of crea¬ 
tion, should get the duke’s excellent work, and 
read those pages in which he so beautifully and 
forcibly describes the wings and motive-force of 
various birds. What he writes of the humming¬ 
bird is too good to be omitted, and is therefore 
