20 THE NAUTILUS. 



of that form of organic life exists) than in regions where limestone 

 was absent. 



I am not prepared to confirm or deny such statements, for I have 

 found land shells, both large and small, white and almost black, 

 banded and bandless, with all the intermediate states and conditions, 

 abundant and rare in limestone regions, and equally as abundant, 

 rare and variable where limestone was apparently absent. There is 

 undoubtedly a very close relationship between organic life, its form, 

 and the elements composing the soil, which all creatures eat as food 

 in a more refined state, and the elements composing the atmosphere 

 that we breathe into our lungs and blood and which becomes a part 

 of our body and being, and both of which are absolutely necessary 

 to the existence of all forms of life, including man. 



I think, therefore, we must seek for a solution of the problem of 

 the origin of organic life, and the great diversity of form and action 

 it presents for our study and consideration, in the chemical combina- 

 tion of the elements, for it is certainly true as Tyndall tells us, that 

 " all matter is alive." In fact matter is the home of life, it is found 

 nowhere else. Both are necessary to a demonstration of any kind, 

 inseparable and truly immortal twins. 



In his Essay on Man, the greatest of all philosophical poems, Pope 

 expresses this thought in these inspired words : 



" See matter next with various life endued, 

 Press to one centre still the general good. 

 See dying vegetables life sustain ; 

 See life dissolving vegetate again : 

 All forms that perish other forms supply 

 (By turns we catch the vital breath and die). 

 Like bubbles on the sea of matter born, 

 They rise, they break, and to that sea return. 

 Nothing is foreign ; parts relate to whole. 

 One all-extending, all-preserving soul 

 Connects each being the greatest with the least. 

 Made beast in aid of man, and man of beast, 

 All served, all serving, nothing stands alone. 

 The chain holds good where it ends unknown." 



For all of the above reasons Mr. Smith's arrangement and analy- 

 sis of the rocks of Santa Catalina Island, as given in our preceding 

 paper, may be useful to those interested in this phase of the study of 

 life. 



