BUCK LAND AND CUVIER. 
197 
“ The result of his researches/’ Dr. Buckland writes, 
“ as recorded in the £ Ossemens Fossiles/ has been to 
show that all fossil quadrupeds, however differing in 
generic, or specific details, are uniformly constructed on 
the same general plan, and systematic basis of organisation, 
as living species ; and that throughout the various adapta¬ 
tions of a common type to peculiar functions, under 
different conditions of the earth, there prevails such 
universal conformity of design, that we cannot rise from 
the perusal of these inestimable volumes without a strong 
conviction of the agency of one vast and mighty intelli¬ 
gence, ever directing the entire fabric, both of past and 
present systems of creation. Nothing can exceed the 
accuracy of the severe and logical demonstrations, that 
fill these volumes with proofs of wise design, in the 
constant relation of the parts of animals to one another, 
and to the general functions of the whole body. Nothing 
can surpass the perfection of his reasoning, in pointing 
out the beautiful contrivances, which are provided in 
almost endless variety, to fit every living creature to its 
own peculiar state and mode of life.” 1 
Of Buckland, as of Cuvier, it may be truly said that both 
men wrote and studied with the same high object in view, 
and that both, in the course and by the means of their 
studies, were alike impressed with an assurance of the 
existence of one Supreme Creator of all things, and, to 
quote the words of Boyle, with “ the high veneration man’s 
intellect owes to God.” 
The following extracts from the “ Essay,” as Buckland 
modestly called it, serve to illustrate the general argument 
of the whole, and the special examples by which the 
argument was enforced. The section which is devoted 
1 Bridgewater, vol. i., p. 141. 
