It thus comes very much to Pope's solution:
| Why has not man a microscopic eye? |
| For this plain reason: man is not a fly,— |
and in view of his subsequent admissions, Helmholtz's flourish about returning the eye to its maker looks very like theatrical clap-trap, unworthy of such a man.
[131] Life of C. Darwin, ii. 234. Erasmus Darwin to C. Darwin, November 23, 1859.
[132] Animal Locomotion (International Scientific Series), p. 180.
[133] Origin of Laws of Nature, p. 69.
[134] Lectures on Evolution (Cheap Edition), p. 37.
[135] Philosophical Basis of Evolution, passim.
[136] By a Final Cause is meant the predetermined result or end, towards which a work of intelligence is directed, the end being the ultimate cause of the whole act. Thus the obtaining a light is the Final Cause of striking a match: while the striking of the match is the Efficient Cause producing the light.
[137] Grammar of Assent, p. 69.