“A chemical operation could not be followed with greater art of diligence than is seen in hatching a chicken; yet is the process carried on without the least glimmering of thought or common sense. The hen will mistake a piece of chalk for an egg; is insensible of the increase or diminution of their number; does not distinguish between her own and those of another species; is frightened when her suppositious breed of ducklings take the water.”
The author puts it clear that egg hatching is a natural process that cannot be fully explained by man because it is beyond his understanding. For instance, the hatching process is complex because it entails chemical operations that take place within the egg to form an embryo, which develops into a chick. It is not surprising for a hen to sit or brood the eggs of other birds because it mistakes them to be hers. However, it only gets frightened when it realizes that it is raising ducklings, which drink water differently as compared to chicks.
“The preparation of the nest before the laying of the egg”
It is an instinct within birds to prepare nests before they start laying eggs. The author notes that birds are naturally intelligent and they do not need to observe what their parents do for them to know how to survive. Therefore, a bird naturally knows that it has to put up a nest where it lays its eggs, broods and brings up her chicks.
“How will they caress them with their affectionate notes; lull and quiet them with their tender parental voice; put food in their mouths; cherish and keep warm; teach them to pick, and eat, and gather food themselves; and, in a word, perform the part of so many nurses, deputed by the sovereign Lord and preserver of world, to help such young and shiftless creatures!”
The writer gets astonished on how animals are naturally good parents. For instance, animals know that their young ones must eat first. Therefore, they put food in their mouths until they can feed on themselves. Additionally, animals ensure that their young ones are kept warm at all times until they can generate and sustain constant body temperatures. The author concludes that it is God's work and, that is why animals are naturally aware of what they are supposed to do for them to survive.
“We see not so much as one tree, or shrub, or herb, that hath a farm and strong stem, and that is able to mount up and stand alone without assistance, furnished with these tendrils”
Roy is surprised how comes a plant like a pea or a bean without strong stems can survive. Surprisingly, those plants have tendrils that coil around other plants or objects to get the needed support naturally. The peas and beans only require support when they reach a certain height where they can no longer support themselves.
“The Cuscuta Europoea is a parasitical plant. The seed opens and puts forth a little spiral body, which does NOT seek the earth to take root but climbs in a spiral direction, from left to right, up other plants, from which, utilizing vessels, it draws its nourishment."
The author continues to explain natural theology using the parasitic plants. The parasitic plants do not need own stem to survive since they use spiral vessels to feed and support themselves. The parasitic plant is unique from most plants because it does not need the soil to form its roots. The plant can form roots while hanging as long as it has support.
