wife afferts, but, I think, without any grounds of exact computation, that the number of fpecies of infects, reckoning all forts of them, may not be short of ten thousand*. And in this vast variety of animal forms, (for the obfervation is not confined to infects, though more applicable perhaps to them than to any other clafs,) we are fometimes led to take notice of the different methods, or rather of the studiously diverfified methods, by which one and the fame purpofe is attained. In the article of breathing, for example, which was to be provided for in fome way or other, beside the ordinary varieties of lungs, gills, and breathing-holes, (for infects in general refpire, not by the mouth, but through holes in the fides,) the nymphæ of gnats have an apparatus to raise their backs to the top of the water, and fo take breath. The hydrocanthari do the like by thrusting their tails out of the water. The maggot of the eruca labra has a long tail, one part fheathed within another, (but which it can draw out at pleafure,) with a starry tuft at the end, by which tuft, when expanded upon the surface, the

*Wif. of God, p. 23.

2 B 2

+ Derham, p. 7.

infect

infect both supports itself in the water, and draws in the air which is neceffary. In the article of natural clothing, we have the skins of animals invefted with scales, hair, feathers, mucus, froth; or itself turned into a shell or cruft in the no less neceffary article of offence and defence, we have teeth, talons, beaks, horns, ftings, prickles, with (the most fingular expedient for the fame purpose) the power of giving the electric fhock, and, as is credibly related of fome animals, of driving away their pursuers by an intolerable fœtor, or of blackening the water through which they are pursued. The confideration of these appearances might induce us to believe, that variety itself, diftinct from every other reason, was a motive in the mind of the Creator, or with the agents of his will.

To this great variety in organized life the Deity has given, or perhaps there arises out of it, a corresponding variety of animal appetites. For the final cause of this we have not far to feek. Did all animals covet the fame element, retreat, or food, it is evident how much fewer could be fupplied and accommodated, than what at present live conveniently together, and find a plentiful sub

fiftence.

delights in.

fiftence. What one nature rejects, another Food, which is naufeous to one tribe of animals, becomes, by that very property which makes it nauseous, an alluring dainty to another tribe. Carrion is a treat to dogs, ravens, vultures, fish. The exhalations of corrupted fubftances attract flies by crowds. Maggots revel in putrefaction.

CHAPTER XX.

OF PLANTS.

I THINK a defigned and studied mechanism to be, in general, more evident in animals, than in plants and it is unneceffary to dwell upon a weaker argument, where a stronger is at hand. There are, however, a few obfervations upon the vegetable kingdom, which lie fo directly in our way, that it would be improper to pafs by them without notice.

The one great intention of nature in the ftructure of plants, feems to be the perfecting of the feed; and, what is part of the same intention, the preserving of it until it be perfected. This intention fhews itself, in the first place, by the care which appears to be taken to protect and ripen, by every advantage which can be given to them of fituation in the plant, thofe parts which most immediately contribute to fructification, viz. the antheræ, the stamina, and the ftigmata. These

6

parts

parts are ufually lodged in the centre, the receffes, or the labyrinths of the flower; during their tender and immature ftate, are fhut up in the stalk, or sheltered in the bud: as foon as they have acquired firmness of texture fufficient to bear expofure, and are ready to perform the important office which is affigned to them, they are disclosed to the light and air, by the bursting of the ftem or the expansion of the petals after which they have, in many cafes, by the very form of the flower during its blow, the light and warmth reflected upon them from the concave fide of the cup. What is called alfo the fleep of plants, is the leaves or petals difpofing themselves in fuch a manner as to shelter the young ftem, buds, or fruit. They turn up, or they fall down, according as this purpose renders either change of pofition requifite. In the growth of corn, whenever the plant begins to fhoot, the two upper leaves of the ftalk join together; embrace the ear; and protect it till the pulp has acquired a certain degree of confiftency. In fome water plants, the flowering and fecundation are carried on within the ftem, which afterwards opens to let loose the impregnated feed.

2 B 4