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mould have done for them all？ And why； again； （for we must push the
argument a little further；） why have not all the butterflies； at least all who
feed on the same plant； the same markings？ Of all unfathomable
triumphs of design； （we can only express ourselves thus； for honest
induction； as Paley so well teaches； allows us to ascribe such results only
to the design of some personal will and mind；） what surpasses that by
which the scales on a butterfly's wing are arranged to produce a certain
pattern of artistic beauty beyond all painter's skill？ What a waste of
power； on any utilitarian theory of nature！ And once more； why are
those strange microscopic atomies； the Diatomaceae and Infusoria；
which fill every stagnant pool； which fringe every branch of sea…weed；
which form banks hundreds of miles long on the Arctic sea…floor； and
the strata of whole moorlands； which pervade in millions the mass of
every iceberg； and float aloft in countless swarms amid the clouds of the
volcanic dust； … why are their tiny shells of flint as fantastically various
in their quaint mathematical symmetry； as they are countless beyond the
wildest dreams of the Poet？ Mystery inexplicable on the conceited
notion which； making man forsooth the centre of the universe； dares to
believe that this variety of forms has existed for countless ages in
abysmal sea…depths and untrodden forests； only that some few
individuals of the Western races might； in these latter days； at last
discover and admire a corner here and there of the boundless realms of
beauty。 Inexplicable； truly； if man be the centre and the object of their
existence； explicable enough to him who believes that God has created
all things for Himself； and rejoices in His own handiwork； and that the
material universe is； as the wise man says； 〃A platform whereon His
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Eternal Spirit sports and makes melody。〃 Of all the blessings which the
study of nature brings to the patient observer； let none； perhaps； be
classed higher than this： that the further he enters into those fairy
gardens of life and birth； which Spenser saw and described in his great
poem； the more he learns the awful and yet most comfortable truth； that
they do not belong to him； but to One greater； wiser； lovelier than he；
and as he stands； silent with awe； amid the pomp of Nature's ever…busy
rest； hears； as of old； 〃The Word of the Lord God walking among the
trees of the garden in the cool of the day。〃
One sight more； and we have done。 I had something to say； had time
permitted； on the ludicrous element which appears here and there in
nature。 There are animals； like monkeys and crabs； which seem made
to be laughed at； by those at least who possess that most indefinable of
faculties； the sense of the ridiculous。 As long as man possesses
muscles especially formed to enable him to laugh； we have no right to
suppose （with some） that laughter is an accident of our fallen nature； or
to find （with others） the primary cause of the ridiculous in the perception
of unfitness or disharmony。 And yet we shrink （whether rightly or
wrongly； we can hardly tell） from attributing a sense of the ludicrous to
the Creator of these forms。 It may be a weakness on my part； at least I
will hope it is a reverent one： but till we can find something
corresponding to what we conceive of the Divine Mind in any class of
phenomena； it is perhaps better not to talk about them at all； but observe
a stoic 〃epoche；〃 waiting for more light； and yet confessing that our own
laughter is uncontrollable； and therefore we hope not unworthy of us； at
many a strange creature and strange doing which we meet； from the
highest ape to the lowest polype。
But； in the meanwhile； there are animals in which results so strange；
fantastic； even seemingly horrible； are produced； that fallen man may be
pardoned； if he shrinks from them in disgust。 That； at least； must be a
consequence of our own wrong state； for everything is beautiful and
perfect in its place。 It may be answered； 〃Yes； in its place； but its place
is not yours。 You had no business to look at it； and must pay the
penalty for intermeddling。〃 I doubt that answer； for surely； if man have
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liberty to do anything； he has liberty to search out freely his heavenly
Father's works； and yet every one seems to have his antipathic animal；
and I know one bred from his childhood to zoology by land and sea； and
bold in asserting； and honest in feeling； that all without exception is
beautiful； who yet cannot； after handling and petting and admiring all
day long every uncouth and venomous beast； avoid a paroxysm of horror
at the sight of the common house…spider。 At all events； whether we
were intruding or not； in turning this stone； we must pay a fine for
having done so； for there lies an animal as foul and monstrous to the eye
as 〃hydra； gorgon； or chimaera dire；〃 and yet so wondrously fitted to
its work； that we must needs endure for our own instruction to handle
and to look at it。 Its name； if you wish for it； is Nemertes； probably N。
Borlasii； （18） a worm of very 〃low〃 organization； though well fitted
enough for its own work。 You see it？ That black； shiny； knotted lump
among the gravel； small enough to be taken up in a dessert spoon。
Look now； as it is raised and its coils drawn out。 Three feet … six … nine；
at least： with a capability of seemingly endless expansion； a slimy tape
of living caoutchouc； some eighth of an inch in diameter； a dark
chocolate… black； with paler longitudinal lines。 Is it alive？ It hangs；
helpless and motionless； a mere velvet string across the hand。 Ask the
neighbouring Annelids and the fry of the rock fishes； or put it into a vase
at home； and see。 It lies motionless； trailing itself among the gravel；
you cannot tell where it begins or ends； it may be a dead strip of sea…
weed； Himanthalia lorea； perhaps； or Chorda filum； or even a tarred
string。 So thinks the little fish who plays over and over it； till he
touches at last what is too surely a head。 In an instant a bell…sha