or wisdom of God. We allow that the question | the cravings of a pressing appetite. The Sacred Reis not altogether unattended with difficulty. And we can conceive it possible, that God might bring back the captivity of Israel before converting them to Christianity, and as a means of their conversion. But for the reasons stated, we think this is not the actual purpose of God. We think it is not the way revealed in his Word-in which, it seems pretty clearly taught, that God will first turn their hearts unto himself, in the countries of their dispersion, and then turn their captivity in answer to their believing prayers. In short, we think these two things may be gathered from the prophecies of Scripture, namely, first, that it shall not be peaceably, and with the consent of those Gentiles who have so long trodden down Jerusalem under their feet, that the Jews shall obtain possession of it, for Gog and Magog are destined to fall with a great slaughter on the mountains of Israel; and secondly, that it shall not be while persisting in unbelief, but after the veil is taken away from their heart, and it shall be turned to the Lord, that he will restore his people to their own land. And hence, all who desire their restoration, should fervently pray, and use all other proper means for their conversion. Not only for their own sakes, and from principles of brotherly love and holy compassion, should Christians seek the good of Israel-but they should do it also, for the sake of the world at large, for the most blessed consequences are to result from their recall. Their fall and diminution proved the riches of the Gentiles, and how much more their fulness? The casting away of them was the reconciling of the world, and what then shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? LENTILES. BY THE REV. WILLIAM PATRICK. THIS word occurs four times in our English translation, although mentioned by Cruden in his Concordance only twice. Both in the English and Hebrew it usually assumes a plural form, the seeds of this pulse being so small that they are never named, or thought of, or used as food, individually, but collectively. The words in the original are adaschim and amash. The original Hebrew idea is to be sought for in the radical adi, the mouth, the avenue by which the lentile, once the staff of life, finds its way to sustain and nourish the body, as in Psalms xxxiii. 7, and ciii. 5. Another radical (aded) signifies "support," as in Psalm xx. 8, so that we may justly conclude that the Hebrew adaschim alludes to some plant commonly used for food, as we now use wheat, oats, and pease. It also appears, from the Hebrew words adi and ade, that the adaschim was used as an ornament, or to deck and adorn the person, probably for beads or necklaces, as we now sometimes use the seeds of laburnumn and other leguminous plants. It is with perfect propriety, therefore, that our translators have rendered the word "lentiles;" the seeds of which being ground into a meal or flour, and seethed or boiled, are used to make a pottage of the colour of chocolate. Travellers tell us that this sort of mess is still very common in the East, and, with a little manteca or suet added, forms a very agreeable repast. This was, no doubt, Esau's "red pottage" (Genesis IV. 34), for which he sold his birth-right to satisfy cord tells us, that "Jacob sod pottage; and Esau came from the field, and he was faint. And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage and Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles." During the time that David was employed in suppressing the rebellion of his son Absalom, some kind friends brought to him, in the wilderness, certain supplies of food for himself and friends, and among these lentiles are especially alluded to. The list of articles provided is curious (2 Sam. xvii. 28, 29): "Beds, corn, beans, lentiles, parched pulse, honey, butter, basons, earthenware, wheat, barley, flour, parched sheep, and cheese of kine." David also (2 Samuel xxiii. 11), in his last words, where he professes his faith in God's providence to be beyond sense or experience, in giving an account of his great men, mentions gathered together in a troop, where was a piece of that Shammah defeated the Philistines, "who were ground full of lentiles"-a strong proof that lentiles were sown by themselves as a distinct and separate crop, and not along with other grains, as we now sow vetches. In Ezekiel's (iv. 9) celebrated type of the siege, in which he indicated the time from the defection of Jeroboam to the captivity, and in showing the hardsiege, he names" wheat, barley, beans, lentiles, millet, ness of the famine, predicted by the provisions for the and fitches," which were to be baked up together and used instead of "barley bread"-thereby indicating that bread for common use was not usually made of such materials, but more commonly of barley. It has been supposed that the lentile is a species of the genus cicer, which has a rhomboid, turgid two-seeded legume -the seeds being called red cich or peason. The more probable opinion, however, is, that the Ervum lens of Linnæus, named by the English the flat-seeded tare or lentile, is the plant indicated. It is one of the leguminous tribe of plants, and has a long knotty legume or pod, columnar, obtuse, and protuberant with seeds. It vated. It rises with weak stalks about eighteen inches is an annual plant, and the least of the pulse kind cultihigh, with pinnate leaves at each joint, composed of several pairs of narrow leafets. The seeds or pease are flat and round, and a little convex in the middle; they are sometimes used for soup, but in these days of mercantile enterprise and luxury, more frequently for cattle. The lentile of Virgil (Eclogue iii. 100), was probably the Ervum ervilia or officinal tare-the flour of the seeds being sometimes used in medicine abroad. Dr Shaw's Travels (page 140, second edition), it will be seen that the natives of Barbary still make a pottage of a red colour, of lentiles boiled and stewed with oil and garlic-a mess similar to that for which Esau, thence called Edom, foolishly and wickedly sold his birth-right, which implied several peculiar and truly valuable privileges: In 1. Respect and a degree of authority; as is manifest from Gen. iv. 7; also xxxvii. 29, 37, and xlix. 3. 2. A double portion; Deut. xxi. 7. 3. A special blessing; Gen. xxvii. 4. 4. Hereditary right to the priesthood; Numbers viii. 16, 17. 5. A type of Christ; Exodus iv. 22. Hence, Esau is justly called profane (Heb. xii. 16), for despising such sacred and exalted privileges. ON THE BURNING OF THE CHURCHES Like spectral shapes in ghostly dark array; The ancient sacred relics swept away; And sounds of woe did fill the flowing gale; Thou sacred house of pray'r, And in thy ruins we love thee-love thee still, O yet again our broken hearts shall thrill O God, when thus forlorn, Soar we, by faith and hope, on wings of love, And harpers harp around thy throne above, An house not made with hands-A TEMPLE IN THE BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. THE LATE REV. ROBERT FINDLATER, MINISTER OF THE CHAPEL OF EASE, INVERNESS. BY THE EDITOR. PART II. IN May 1814 Mr Findlater was visited with a severe dispensation of Providence, in the loss of his venerable and pious father. The event made a deep impression on his mind; but, if he grieved, it was a chastened grief, for such was the consistent and heavenly-minded course of him whose death he mourned, that he had no reason to sorrow as one who had no hope. On the contrary, he felt assured that his father had entered into rest that blessed, peaceful, eternal rest, which remaineth for the people of God. Not many months "At this moment the scene was truly sublime. The assembled populace were driven back from the fire by the intensity of the heat, and looked on with mixed feelings of astonishment and apprehension. Exactly at that period of nesitation and dread, a circumstance occurred, trifling in itself, but strikingly poetical, which made a deep impression on the spectators. A snow-white pigeon, no doubt an inmate of the tower, flew around the burning edifices; and, like the dove from the ark, could not find where to rest its foot in security. After several bewildered evolutions, the emblem of peace rested on the Steeple Church, latterly on a tree within the grounds, and eventually sought refuge in its wonted habitation-the tower."-Dundee Courier, after, in January 1816, he was bereaved of his affectionate mother, of whom he could say, with unhesitating confidence," She is now happy, and put in possession of the inheritance of the saints in light." These heavy and successive trials seem to have had a salutary, quickening effect upon his mind. He laboured, if possible, more unweariedly than ever, and the results were, under the Divine blessing, of a very satisfactory nature. A thirsting for the Word, and a longing for the return of the Sabbath, began to be felt. The preacher seemed to be more fervent, and the people more attentive. Some persons who travelled from Glenlyon to Lawers were the first who exhihited symptoms of awakening. These were the first-fruits of a glorious harvest. The number of inquirers gradually increased. At length, a communion season in the autumn of 1816 was a time of peculiar refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The dews of the Spirit's influences descended in a copious shower. Mr Macdonald of Urquhart and Mr Russel of Muthil assisted Mr Findlater on that memorable occasion, and we cannot do better than give an account of this commencement of the revival in his own words : us. "Mr Russel preached an admirable English sermon on Thursday. Mr M'Donald preached after him. A more attentive congregation I never witnessed. All was attention and concern. The people kept quite quiet : but after Mr M Donald was done, and the congregation dismissed, one young woman was so deeply affected she could not suppress her feelings. She was brought into my house. Mr M'D. spoke to her a little, and she got quiet. After taking a bit dinner we crossed the lake. A great number followed us; and there was a similar general impression as in the forenoon. We also had an extra sermon on Friday evening on the other side, in the tent, as the church could not contain the people who assembled. Many were bathed in tears, and deeply affected with the word preached. Mr M'Gillivray joined us on Friday evening, and preached an excellent sermon on Saturday. But the Sabbath was the great day with The whole services were in the open air. I thought proper to give to Mr M'Donald the action sermon, to which he readily consented. It may be really said, he came to us in the fulness of the Gospel of peace. There was a vast congregation collected, reckoned between four thousand and five thousand; for I spread the information far and wide. He preached two hours and twenty minutes from Isa. liv. 5,-' For thy Maker is thine husband.' I may say, during the whole sermon there was hardly a dry eye. Eagerness to attend to the word preached was depicted on every countenance, while tears were flowing very copiously, and literally watering the ground. The most hardened in the congregation seemed to bend as one man; and I believe if ever the Holy Ghost was present in a solemn assembly it was there. Mr M'Donald himself seemed to be in raptures. There were several people who cried aloud; but the general impression seemed to be, a universal melting under the word. The people of God themselves were as deeply affected as others; and many have confessed they never witnessed such a scene. will be a day remembered through the ages of eternity, as many, I trust, have enjoyed eternal good. There was no doubt joy in heaven on the occasion. I could compare it to nothing but the days of the apostles, after the day of Pentecost. I attempted to preach in the evening, from a sense of duty. Mr M'D. preached all day on Monday,-his colleague having given up his diet to him at breakfast,-from Luke xvi. 2,-' Give an account of thy stewardship.' It was no ways inferior to the last, though there were not so many who It of Dunkeld, to answer to a very serious charge; but we shall give the details in his own language: cried out. Several were pierced to the heart, and some came to speak to him after sermon. I have seen and conversed with some of them myself, and have every "Next week, on my return from Muthil, I had an reason to believe that they are under the gracious oper- order from the Presbytery of Dunkeld to attend a meetations of the Holy Spirit. Some of them probably I ing, called for the purpose of inquiring into certain remay never see or hear of in this world; but it is a glori-ports unfavourable to the interests of religion, particuous consideration, that real good is done in the conversion of sinners and in the edification of His people. Mr M'Donald's own soul was much refreshed; indeed, he could not conceal it, and took a parting look of the interesting spot with pleasing regret. I accompanied him on Tuesday to Dalnacardoch; and we often alluded to it. It must be peculiarly gratifying to him, as the work in a general way seems to stop in his own congregation; for there is not such a public impression as formerly at home. The Lord has honoured him much, and I trust will honour him more and more." Nor were the effects of the Spirit's working limited to that sacramental occasion. Immense multitudes flocked to hear Mr Findlater from the surrounding country, and scarcely a sermon was preached by him without being followed by tokens of the Divine approval. The whole district now was in a state of excitement; religion became the theme of general conversation, and there were few families without one, and some families two or three, professing a deep concern about the salvation of their souls. The work made gradual but quite perceptible progress, and the occasional visits of Mr M'Donald were blessed to the awakening of numbers, and the exciting of strong and deep impressions. This latter effect, however, was not limited to Mr M'Donald's ministrations-it pleased the Almighty to honour Mr Findlater with similar success. Thus, to quote an instance from the published Me moir : "On Mr M'Donald's return from Edinburgh by Breadalbane, he was expected to preach on the 23d November; and Mr Findlater circulated the information in the full expectation and dependence of his preaching. In consequence, however, of some accident Mr M'Donald met with, he was prevented from coming forward as expected. A large congregation assembled from several distant parishes. Mr Findlater's anxiety was great on Saturday and Sabbath morning, and though quite unprepared as to previous studies, he deemed it his duty and call in providence to go to the tent with no ordinary feelings, and preached to the large assemblage collected, from John, i. 29.- Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' Such was the holy unction with which he spoke, and the deep interest manifested by the congrogation, in the solemn truths delivered, and his truly pathetic address to the different classes of his hearers, that I never witnessed a more affecting scene. There was not so much of that crying aloud and agitation of the bodily frame, as had been sometimes felt and seen under Mr M'Donald's preaching; but the greater part of the congregation seemed to be melted into tears a gentle sweet mourning heard in every corner. This day will be long held in traditionary remembrance in Breadalbane-a day, the results of which will never be forgotten, and may not be ascertained till the great day will declare it. It was truly a time of reviving and refreshing to many from the presence of the Lord. God mercifully granted the latter as well as the former rain, and refreshed his heritage." Considerable opposition was manifested to this remarkable outpouring of the Lord's Spirit. The darkness which prevailed around, and the determined hatred to evangelical religion, now became more apparent than Mr Findlater was summoned by the Presbytery ever. larly in the Highlands of Perthshire, and connected with the Presbytery of Dunkeld. All the Highland ministers and missionaries on the Society, and the royal bounty, were called to appear, and we were all called upon to give an account of our respective charges. The unfavourable reports were: That many of the people in some places, and under the preaching of some individuals, were much agitated and convulsed, things very much to the discredit of religion; that Mr M'Donald had preached in parishes without the request or consent of the ministers, and forced himself; that he exercised his ministry in a vagrant manner; that at last Sacrament here I had so many strangers assistants that the parish ministers were overin compliment to one individual, the most of the service looked, and not permitted to open their mouths; that was in the English language, to the loss of the edification of the bulk of the congregation; that tokens had been given to several strangers, without lines of character, and to people who do not choose to communicate in their own parish churches. All these charges were pointedly and decidedly stated, and the burden of answering them lay on me, which I did the best way I could, and fully convinced the Presbytery they were all groundless. An overture, however, was made to the Presbytery, grounded on the decision of last Assembly, to report Mr M'Donald, as exercising his ministerial functions in a vagrant manner, and to be transmitted to next Assembly. This overture, however, bytery of Dunkeld has been roused to act in favour of was unanimously rejected. Thus the zeal of the Presthe interests of religion now. May it be directed to a right end, and exercised in a proper manner! We must therefore be on our guard against any enthusiasm or fanaticism appearing among us, and were cautioned so by the Presbytery. I wrote Mr M'Donald last week giving him an account of the meeting, and asking him, if he goes to Edinburgh in May, to preach a Sabbath for me; which I hope he will find convenient to do." It ought to be a subject of lively gratitude to God that such indifference to the cause of truth and righteousness is now scarcely to be found in any Presbytery of Scotland. The recent revivals with which the Lord has blessed various parts of our country, have been hailed, on the contrary, by many Presbyteries and Synods, and publicly acknowledged as grounds of holy thanksgiving to Him with whom alone is the residue of the Spirit. The many encouraging instances of true conversion which occurred under Mr Findlater's ministry at Lochtayside tended much to bear up his mind amid the arduous and toilsome labours for which his peculiar position called. He sought to discharge the work which the Almighty had set before him, as one who must ere long render an account; and, in doing so, he was preparing for another and a more extensive sphere of usefulness, to which, in the course of Providence, he was called. Having paid a visit to his friends in the north, he was urged to preach in the chapel of ease at Inverness, which was then vacant; and such was the favourable impression produced by his discourses, that he received a unanimous call from the managers. After earnest prayer for the Divine direction, and consulting with his friends, he agreed, though reluctantly, to accept the call. The honour which the Lord had put upon his ministry at Lochtayside, and the warm attachment | of the people to him, rendered it a matter of considerable self-denial to leave his interesting charge; but, considering the unexpected, unanimous, and apparently providential manner in which the invitation was given to him, he did not think himself justified in refusing to comply with what appeared to be a call from his Master to labour in a different part of his vineyard. town. On his new charge Mr Findlater entered in June 1821. It was a large and an important one, often exceeding eighteen hundred persons; especially in the forenoon Gaelic service. His reception was very gratifying, and every day he seemed to rise in their estimation. He did not forget, however, the flock which he had left, but regularly paid them a yearly visit assisting at the sacrament, either at Killin, Lochtayside, or Glenlyon. With several of them he kept up a correspondence, and a number of them went to Inverness for some years, during the sacramental week in that His ministrations were highly prized, also, by his new flock. He laboured among them with an apostolic ardour, which commended him to their hearts as "à workman that needed not to be ashamed." In various parishes, near the scene of his former labours, attempts were made by the people to have him brought among them, as their pastor. This was particularly the case in Killin, Comrie, and Moulin, where the parishioners almost unanimously petitioned in his favour, and though unsuccessful, their efforts sufficiently showed the high esteem in which he was held. He received pressing calls to either of two parishes, in Lewis and Sutherlandshire; but he did not feel it to be his duty to comply with either-more especially, as he was occupying a very large sphere of usefulness, and labouring among an increasingly attached people. He continued among them, “commending the truth to every man's conscience, in the sight of God," until it pleased God to bring his labours on earth to a close, and to summon him to the possession of his everlasting reward. brief but affecting notice of the last days of this eminent servant of Christ, we extract from the published Memoir,* to which we are indebted for the materials of this imperfect Sketch; and we sincerely trust, that a work characterised by such warm, experimental piety, and written in a clear, perspicuous style, as well as containing so much interesting information as to the revival of religion in a large district of Perthshire, will meet with the encouragement from the public which it so well deserves. The narrative of Mr Findlater's last illness and death is thus given by Mr Findlater's brother, who is himself the author of the Memoir which we have thus been recommending: The "In August 1832, he paid his annual visit to Breadalbane, and assisted at the sacrament at Glenlyon, on the 26th, and on Tuesday thereafter preached in Ardeonaig. During this visit, he felt his spirits a good deal refreshed, as he generally did on similar occasions; and it appears it was a source of joy and refreshing to a goodly number from different parts of the country, who cordially welcomed him as a messenger of good tidings. On his return home on the 31st he found that the mysterious and awful visitation of the cholera— which he always anticipated would, in its alarming and Memoir of the Rev. Robert Findlater, late Minister of the Chapel of Ease, Inverness. Together with a Narrative of the Revival of Religion during his ministry at Lochtayside, Perthshire, In 1816-1819. By the Rev. William Findlater, Minister of Durness, Sutherlandshire. Glasgow: William Co 1840. desolating course, visit Inverness-had broken out. The first decided cases appeared on the 24th. On the Sabbath following, the 2d September, he improved the visitation by preaching in the forenoon from Psalm evi. 29,Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions; and the plague brake in among them.' In the afternoon, from Joel ii. 14, Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him, even a meat-offering and a drink-offering unto the Lord your God'-subjects peculiarly appropriate. On the first appearance of this awful disease, and during its progress, the feelings excited in the minds of the inhabitants, and depicted in their countenances, none could adequately describe but those who were eye-witnesses. The common sympathies of our nature with those in affliction, and the ties and tender affections of friendship seemed, in some cases, to be totally cut asunder,—all seemed to be absorbed with their own individual cases. Several families fled to the country. Though rather timid and sensitive as to visiting the sick, in cases of contagious fevers, he deemed it his duty to remain at his post, publicly and privately exhorting his people to improve the visitation. Prayer-meetings were frequent in various quarters of the town, each night, in places and by persons of whom it could not be said that He united with prayers were wont to be made.' them, entering in some measure into the spirit as well as into the letter of the noble and patriotic resolution of Nehemiah, 'Should such a man as I flee?' as will be seen in the following extract of a letter which communicated to the writer his unlooked-for and much-lamented death. It was written by one of the managers of the chapel, whose friendship and fellowship with him whose death it records were endeared by more than earthly ties, and whose spirit is now rejoicing together with his. Inverness, 8th September 1832. 'MY DEAR FRIEND,-I feel it a very distressing task to have to communicate to you the melancholy tidings of the death of your very dear brother, and our very dear friend. He returned to Inverness from Glenlyon by the Caledonian coach, on Friday night last, in his usual health and spirits, and preached two animated sermons on Sabbath-very applicable to our present situation-went about on Monday and Tuesday as usual, and attended a prayer-meeting with us on Tuesday evening, when he appeared to be deeply impressed in prayer. He was taken ill at three o'clock on Wednesday morning, since which time he was constantly attended by Doctor Bailie (late of India) and doctors Nicol and Fraser of this town; but their exertions were of no avail! Our valuable friend died at ten terred in the chapel yard burying-ground at one o'clock minutes to two o'clock (p. m.) yesterday, and was inthis afternoon. His death is an awful visitation to this town, and is the cause of much distress to all who knew him. The feeling of consternation in Inverness is in describable !-every one expecting his own case to be the next and I cannot but feel grateful to God, when I open my eyes in the morning without alarm. We have cause to rejoice that many among us are alive to it, and meet for prayer in every quarter of the town night after night. That the Lord may be gracious, and spare sinners until they are made acquainted with His Son, which is life eternal,' and that you and yours may trial, is my ardent prayer. I am, &c. be supported from Heaven under the present heavy ALEXANDER M'KENZIE.' Subsequent information from a friend also stated, that during his illness his mind was generally collected; yet that owing to the stupor and spasms that were symptoms of the disease, he often could hardly reflect, or connect a thought, but at intervals. His mind, however, was meekly submissive, and resigned to the will of Heaven, if it should please God that by this visita- | dencies, it is obvious that the study, if pursued aright, tion be should be called hence. To a friend who menis not without an important influence in cultivating qualities, both of head and heart, of high importance in the performance of our social duties as members of society. tioned to him he hoped he would recover, he replied, We are not warranted to expect miracles,-the overrulings of the Almighty God are in accordance with the course of his Providence.' After some time he added, 'As a man, as a minister, I have had many comfortson this however I would rest, He is a just God and a SAVIOUR. To the doctor who came in soon after, and whom he immediately recognised, he said, I gave orders to keep me awake this night, if the stupor and sleep should continue.' The doctor remonstrating against this, he answered in his usual firm and decided manner, it is an awful thought-an immortal soul going into eternity, in a perpetual stupor of sleep!' To the Rev. Mr Cwho also adopted the truly heroic resolution of Nehemiah, and whose affectionate and assiduous visits were so consolatory, he said after prayer, Tell my people-tell them, to make sure of an interest in Christ-that a death-bed is not the time!' The last words he was heard to utter distinctly, to a pious visitor, were, Now is the need of Christ!-how precious!' The fatal symptoms of the disease were now rapidly hastening his end. In a few hours he gently reclined his head, and his spirit was received by God who gave it! Precious indeed in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." MORAL AND DEVOTIONAL EFFECTS OF THE STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY.* In treating of the mental effects of the study, and of the pleasures with which it is connected, I have endeavoured to enumerate the principal points-not to bring them forward in detail, and with all their fitting illustrations. In like manner, I shall now attempt to indicate the existence of many veins of precious metal, but not to work any one of them until the mine be exhausted. In one word, it shall be my object rather to suggest trains of thought, than to bring them forward at full length, or attempt to pursue their several rami fications. It has been already observed, that natural history enlarges our sympathies with all the beings that have life; thus taking our thoughts from the circle of petty cares and selfish exertions which, in the race of worldly competition, is apt to narrow around us. By thus giving us an interest in things beyond ourselves, an interest uncontaminated by even the remotest prospect of gain or loss, it prevents SELF from assuming an undue preponderance as a motive to action, and predisposes the mind and affections to take part in what relates to the well-being of our fellow-creatures. Its effect in this way is much increased by the habitual tenderness which it generates towards the inferior animals. Humanity to them becomes a constant and active principle of action; and it is scarcely possible that this feeling could exist in full developement, and corresponding activity, and be accompanied by cruelty to cur fellow-creatures, or indifference to their suffering. Natural bistory, therefore, tends to render men humane. In a former place, I have noticed the cheerful and active frame of mind inseparable from this pursuit. If to this we add its unselfish and humane ten From a work newly published, "On the Study of Natural History as a Branch of General Education in Schools and Colleges." By Robert Patterson, Vice-President of the Natural History Society of Belfast. When enumerating the intellectual effects and pleasures attendant on the pursuit, those arising from skill in the structure, and care in the preservation, of animals, were mentioned; but the mental effect is not limited to the production of a transient emotion of pleasure, it is the prelude of a long train of thought, and of the most grateful and reverential feeling towards the Great First Cause. The structural arrangements, admirable as they are, should never be regarded merely as examples of mechanical skill-as evidences of the operations of an Intelligence-as proofs of the existence of a God. They testify not only his existence, but his wisdom, his goodness, and his omnipotence, and should ever be studied with a direct and constant reference to them. The naturalist who, in this humble and truthseeking spirit, explores the world around him, will ever feel what the poet has expressed" These are thy glorious works, Parent of good—Almighty!" If viewed in this light, the actions of the inferior animals become elevated into so many manifestations of the Almighty Intelligence from whom they derive their being. Hence Bennet says, in a brief but happy metaphor, "When I see an insect working at the construction of a nest or a cocoon, I am impressed with respect; because it seems to me that I am at a spectacle where the Supreme Artist is hid behind the curtain." The instinctive actions of animals, for the nourishment, protection, or defence of their young, will, of course, be referred to HIM by whom such instincts were bestowed; but there are examples of Providential care even more striking-where the young, instead of being thrown on the care of a parent, are gifted for a time with certain organs, which are withdrawn when once the purpose for which they have been given is accomplished. Thus, along our rocky coasts we see the stones covered, for miles, with small white conicalshaped bodies, so minute and so numerous, that fifty of them may sometimes be counted in a superficial space of an inch square. What millions must there be in a few hundred yards! These are known by the name of acorn shells, or Balani, and remain immovably fixed to the rocks on which they are seen. But they were not always thus; in their young state they were diffused throughout the waters, not only by the aid of tides and currents, but also by a striking and beautiful arrangement, under which they became active agents in their own removal to new localities. On their exclusion from the ora, instead of being helpless and quiescent, they swam freely about, by means of organs well adapted for the purpose; and they enjoyed ample power of vision from two pedunculated eyes; at a certain period, they fastened themselves to the rock, lost for life the capability of changing their habitation, the density of their shelly covering increased, and the sense of sight, no longer requisite, was extinguished. "Thus an animal, originally natatory and locomotive, and provided with a distinct organ of sight, becomes permanently and immovably fixed, and its optic apparatus obliterated." Who can read of these things and not be convinced that the study which supplies such evidence of the • Zoological Researches, by J. V. Thompson, p. 78. |