... Natural Theology: Or, Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity, Collected from the Appearances of Nature |
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action adapted admissible laws amongst animal appears arteries birds blood body bones called cannon pinion cartilage cause cavity centre CHAPTER chyle consequence constitution contraction contrivance degree Deity direction earth effect eggs elastic elytra existence farther fibres fish fixed flowers fluid force gastric juice gland head hinge-joint human insects instance instrument intelligence intestines joint lacteals larynx less ligament light lungs means mechanism membrane mesentery motion mouth mucilage muscles muscular Natural Theology nature necessary nerves nictitating membrane object observed organ oviparous pass perceive plants PLATE principle proboscis produced properties purpose quadrupeds radicle reason relation resemblance retina ribs round seed sense shell side socket species spine spissitude stomach structure substance supply suppose surface teeth tendons terrestrial animals thing tion tube valves variety vertebræ vessels watch whilst whole wings
Popular passages
Page 5 - I knew to the contrary, it had lain there for ever: nor would it perhaps be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer. But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place, I should hardly think of the answer which I had...
Page 253 - It is a happy world after all. The air, the earth, the water, teem with delighted existence. In a spring noon, or a summer evening, on whichever side I turn my eyes, myriads of happy beings crowd upon my view. "The insect youth are on the wing.
Page 253 - Swarms of new-born flies are trying their pinions in the air. Their sportive motions, their wanton mazes, their gratuitous activity, their continual change of place without use or purpose, testify their joy, and the exultation which they feel in their lately discovered faculties. A bee amongst the flowers in spring, is one of the most cheerful objects that can be looked upon.
Page 258 - But if you had occasion to describe instruments of torture, or execution, — this engine, you would say, is to extend the sinews ; this to dislocate the joints; this to break the bones; this to scorch the soles of the feet. Here, pain and misery are the very objects of the contrivance. Now, nothing of this sort is to be found in the works of nature. We never discover a train of contrivance to bring about an evil purpose.
Page 6 - Ignorance of this kind exalts our opinion of the unseen and unknown, artist's skill, if he be unseen and unknown, but raises no doubt in our minds of the existence and agency of such an artist, at some former time, and in some place or other. Nor can I perceive that it varies at all the inference, whether the question arise concerning a human agent, or concerning an agent of a different species, or an agent possessing, in some respects, a different nature.
Page 124 - I am writing. If we cast our eye to the upper part of the stem, we see a material, made for the purpose, used in no other class of animals, and in no other part of birds, tough, light, pliant, elastic. The pith also, which feeds the feathers, is, amongst animal substances, sui generis — neither bone, flesh, membrane, nor tendon...
Page 172 - Not to take notice of her covering it from the injuries of the weather, providing it proper nourishment, and teaching it to help itself; nor to mention her forsaking the nest, if, after the usual time of reckoning, the young one does not make its appearance. A...
Page 258 - Evil no doubt exists, but is never, that we can perceive, the object of contrivance. Teeth are contrived to eat, not to ache ; their aching now and then is incidental to the contrivance, perhaps inseparable from it: or even if you will, let it be called a defect in the contrivance ; but it is not the object of it.
Page 255 - This same perception of ease oftentimes renders old age a condition of great comfort; especially when riding at its anchor after a busy or tempestuous life. It is well described by Rousseau to be the interval of repose and enjoyment between the hurry and the end of life. How far the same cause extends to other animal natures cannot be judged of with certainty. The appearance of satisfaction with which most animals, as their activity subsides, seek and enjoy rest, affords reason to believe that this...
Page 258 - If he had wished our misery, he might have made sure of his purpose, by forming our senses to be so many sores and pains to us, as they are now instruments of gratification and enjoyment: or by placing us amidst objects so ill suited to our perceptions, as to have continually offended us, instead of ministering to our refreshment and delight.