162 TJ.fi as a Physical Phenomenon. 



eal perfection as to excel the most complete work of art. 

 Are we to be told that this exquisite gem, found within 

 the walls of tbis cell, results solely from accretion of 

 matter, while the envelope in which it is contained is the 

 result of organization or of vitality? 



But the " form of organic bodies is determinate, while 

 a determinate form in minerals is not essential." 



Properly viewed this is an absurd proposition. Matter 

 has two determinate methods of uniting; in the form of 

 the crystal, and in the form of the cell. We might with 

 equal propriety select out the crystals, and say that because 

 the remainder of matter is not invariably arranged in cells, 

 therefore a determinate form is not essential to living 

 structures. 



It is also said that organic bodies are determinate in 

 size, and that minerals are not. Are not the diamond, the 

 calc-spar, the emerald and the garnet as determinate in 

 size as the pine, the oak, or the cedar ? 



u They differ in chemical composition. The compound 

 chemical substances contained in or derived from organie 

 bodies are not imitated in the laboratory of the chemist, 

 and must result from some force not known to ordinary 

 chemistry." 



This might have been a plausible proposition before 

 Wohler produced the organie compound urea, from inor- 

 ganic elements in the laboratory or before tartaric acid, 

 oxalie acid and other vital compounds were made with- 

 out the intervention of any vital process. 



"They differ in structure." " Organic bodies are com- 

 posed of different parts having specific relations to each 

 other. They are also heterogeneous as compared with the 

 homogeneous structures of inorganic' bodies, and from this 

 heterogeneous structure arises the tendency and necessity 

 during the life of an organized body of undergoing cease- 



