The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

XEL A TZONS OF ORGANISMS. 187nection with facts manifestly abating thestruggle for existence. In view of this problemDr. Hooker has said,-" The adjustmentof the parts of the flower to the form andhabits of the insect or bird, and of these tothe flower, is so accurate, that it is in vainto speculate whether the plant was adaptedto feed the animal, or the animal adapted tofertilize the plant."* This suggestion of theneedlessness of speculation is natural from ascientific point of view, and we may do wellto remember the warnings against risks attendingthe search for final causes, whichhave been sounded from the days of Spinozato the present time; but there is a probleinhere which science can not leave in abeyance.The facts are undoubted, and the naturalcauses must be sought. The parts of theflowers are adapted to the forms and habitsof the insects; the insects are adapted to thework of fertilizing the plants; the question is,How are these two things secured ? The inquirywhich has awakened general interest asto the development of species in the historyof distinct orders such as orchids, insects, pig-* Botany, (Science Primers) by Dr. J. D. Hooker, C.B., P.R.S.,p. 79.