Of Vegetation. 3 1 9 



which is fupcrior to vaft comprc fling forces ; 

 1 and it is by the infinite combinations, action 

 and re-action of thefe principles, that all 

 the operations in animal and vegetable 

 bodies arc effected. 

 * Thcfc active aercal particles arc very fer- 



viceable in carrying on the work of vegeta- 

 tion to its perfection and maturity. Not 

 only in helping by their clafticity to diftend 

 each ductile part, but alfo by enlivening and 

 invigorating their fap, where mixing with 

 the other mutually attracting principles they 

 are by gentle heat and motion fee at liberty 

 to afiimilate into the nonrimment of the re- 

 fpective parts : u The (oft and moift nourifh- 

 ;e merit eafily changing its texture by gentle 

 " heat and motion, which congregates 

 " homogeneal bodies, and fcparates kete- 

 u rogencal ones." Newton's Opticks, qu. 

 31. The fum of the attracting power of thefe 

 mutually acting and re-acting principles 

 being, while in this nutritive ftatc, fuperior 

 to the fum of their repelling power, where- 

 by the work of nutrition is gradually advanc- 

 & ed by the nearer and nearer union of thefe 

 principles, from a leffer to a greater degree 



of coniiftency, till they are advanced to that 



vifcid 



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