So Appendix. 



Such inferences are rational, because they are necessary to 

 account for the phenomena. Natural phenomena constitute the 

 evidences, from which the inferences are drawn, and upon which 

 they are based. They are not mere assumptions, as the material- 

 ists alledge, but rational interpretations of natural phenomena — 

 logical conclusions drawn from competent evidence. Every 

 man's consciousness testifies to himself, of the existence of an 

 intelligent spirit within him, which acts in a manner very differ- 

 ent from the ponderable elements of the body. Such evidence 

 is all which the nature of the case admits of, and to reject it, 

 because it is not equal to a geometrical demonstration, would be 

 absurd. If such evidence be rejected, neither intellectual nor 

 physical science can have any foundations to rest upon, or evi- 

 dence to support them. If such evidence be rejected as unreli- 

 able and untrue, there can be no truth in any thing, that is 

 called science, beyond mere abstract mathematics. 



Caloric is the great stimulant of nature, without which 

 neither chemical nor vital action can take place. Chemical 

 action originates spontaneously and de novo, under proper cir- 

 cumstances, and when the temperature is right, to stimulate it ; 

 but will not operate very actively, when the temperature is much 

 below summer heat. 



Chemical action, fermentation, putrefaction, and decompo- 

 sition, are all cases of the spontaneous action of the elements 

 and forces of nature, when the heat is sufficient, and all the cir- 

 cumstances favorable. The vital forces, co-operating with the 

 physical forces, carry on the machinery and processes of the ani- 

 mal economy ; and why cannot the same forces, acting under 

 favorable circumstance, form spontaneously the proper elements 

 into living germs and organisms, and thus originate plants and 

 the simoler forms of animals } It is as easy to conceive how 

 such elements and forces can originate and form de novo plants 

 and animals, as it to conceive how they can be propagated and 

 developed from eggs, sperm, seeds, germs or mere buds. No 

 matter how animals and plants may be propagated or produced, 

 the processes are mysterious: — beyond the reach of scientific 



