Information Related to "The Scientific Evidence: A Critical Choice"
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The Scientific Evidence:
A Critical Choice
by Cecil Maranville
Consider the powerful words of the
apostle Paul: "Ever since the creation of the world (God's) eternal power and divine
nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things
he has made" (Romans 1:20, New Revised Standard Version throughout this article).
Paul's words remind us that we can look at the miracles of the world around us and
see compelling evidence of God's handiwork, understanding not only that He is the
Creator but glimpsing some of His nature and character.
Let's take a glimpse at a particular flower, an orchid with the scientific name of
Coryanthes. Although the scientist's language is a little technical, it's
important that you read the account in the author's own words as he describes his
findings and those of another scientist, a Dr. Cruger. The incredible story is worth
reading.
A Built-in Bee-bath Bucket
According to a famous writer and observer of the wonders of nature: "This orchid
has part of its labellum or lower lip hollowed out into a great bucket, into which
drops of almost pure water continually fall from two secreting horns which stand
above it; and when the bucket is half full, the water overflows by a spout on one
side. The basal part of the labellum stands over the bucket, and is itself hollowed
out into a sort of chamber with two lateral entrances; within this chamber there
are curious fleshly ridges. The most ingenious man, if he had not witnessed what
takes place, could never have imagined what purpose all these parts serve
(emphasis added throughout).
"But Dr. Cruger saw crowds of large humble-bees (bumblebees) visiting the
gigantic flowers of this orchid, not in order to suck nectar, but to gnaw off the
ridges within the chamber above the bucket; in doing this they frequently pushed
each other into the bucket, and their wings being thus wetted they could not fly
away, but were compelled to crawl out through the passage formed by the spout or
overflow.
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Table of Contents that includes "The Scientific Evidence: A Critical Choice"
Other Articles by Cecil Maranville
Re-published from an earlier version
God's existence: