I Can hardly imagine to myfelf a more diftinguifhing mark, and, confequently, a more certain proof of defign, than preparation, i. e. the providing of things beforehand, which are not to be ufed until a confiderable time afterwards; for this implies a contemplation of the future, which belongs only to intelligence.

Of thefe profpective contrivances the bodies of animals furnifh various examples.

I. The human teeth afford an inftance, not only of profpective contrivance, but of the completion of the contrivance being defignedly fufpended. They are formed within the gums, and there they ftop: the fact being, that their further advance to maturity would not only be ufelefs to the new-born animal, but extremely in its way; as it is evident that the act of fucking, by which it is for fome time to be nourifhed, will be performed with more eafe both to the nurfe and to the infant, whilft the infide of the mouth, and edges of the gums, are fmooth and foft, than if fet with hard pointed bones. By the time they are wanted, the teeth are ready. They have been lodged within the gums for fome months paft, but detained, as it were, in their fockets, fo long as their further protrufion would interfere with the office to which the mouth is deftined.