296 ZOOPHYTES. 



We may be assured, that although we cannot discover the purpose, 

 none of Nature's provisions are vain. 



8. Life. — The increment, the perfection, and symmetry of animals, is 

 not the necessary concomitant, or the inevitable consequence of the mere 

 formation of an ovum in the parent. 



Concurring circumstances, — the institution of the vital spark, nutri- 

 tion also, and progressive evolution, are indispensable. 



Previous to birth there must be preparations for discharge of the vital 

 functions after it, otherwise the nascent animal, liberated from its prison, 

 would quickly perish. 



We know not how these are carried on. But, it is evident that there 

 are either different kinds of life, or gradations of the same kind of life. 

 Thus there is the dormant or passive life of the ovum, until impregnation ; 

 and active life after it. We discover the dispersion of life throughout an 

 animal, by the evolution into entire forms of its sundered parts : and we 

 behold the unnatural growth of diseased portions, by some new vital 

 energy, destructive of mankind as well as of all other beings. 



Perhaps no important distinctions subsist between the life of zoo- 

 phytes and that diffused throughout the rest of the animated world. But 

 the most important functions, seen and explicable in the higher orders, 

 such as digestion, circulation, and respiration, are extremely obscure. 



In certain respects, the humbler products are more privileged than 

 the chosen works of the Creation. Life- often seems less destructible. 

 Many can endure wounds and lacerations which would be fatal to the 

 others ; and important parts of their frame may be removed, not only pre- 

 serving life, but the integrity of the original being may be restored. 



Animals so endowed, enjoy indemnity, from a kind of vis insita, 

 awakening the energies of active life for the restoration of lost organs. 

 But how this shall be accomplished, how the new organization shall re- 

 semble the old in its evolution, must rank among the profoundest mys- 

 teries. 



How does Nature guard against excess or defect ? 



Can we avail ourselves of the theory of germs ? Can we presume 



