MAGNETISM, THE LIFE OF THE WORLD—DEWAR. 61 
fect samples of vegetation, with feathered branches shooting out 
on every side. The construction is by the same polar law. A 
rising piece of ice forms a pole, on which the drifting particles of 
snow orice congeal and arrange themselves by the magnetic 
force from the pole. 
The lead tree hung in solution is formed in a similar way, and 
it is our belief that coral is only a similar mineral growth, 
formed entirely independent of the coral insect, which we con- 
sider only a parasite of it. In fact, we think we would be quite 
as justified in saying that the aphis makes the rose bush, as that 
the coral insect makes the coral. 
All matter then has life. It may be inert, as in a block of 
stone, but change its condition by crushing it and put it in a 
suitable solution and position, and it will give life to a lofty tree 
by the exercise of its inherent atomagnetic law. Thus far we 
have been dealing with what may be called mineral life. 
PLANT LIFE. 
In tracing the connection between plant life and magnetism, 
it must be borne in mind that there is no theory of plant life 
before the world. It is considered an enigma undiscoverable by 
man. In suggesting magnetism as the life of the plants, we at 
least are not irreverent in doing so, as magnetism is a law of 
nature ; and, as we have said before, if magnetism guides and 
controls some materials, why should we look for another law, if 
its action can explain all the phenomena of plant life. Magnet- 
ism is the only force we know of which directly controls any 
class of matter, and as plant life as well as any other must 
necessarily be controlled by some law, it is surely our bounden 
duty to test the laws of magnetism first before we seck for 
any other ; and in our opinion, there is no need to do so. 
In examining all plants, we find them to have a trunk or 
stalk, roots, and branches. Holding a plant in our harids, and 
observing that the roots are dispersed from one end and the 
leaves from the other, we naturally say the foree must be from 
the centre either way; that is, from the trunk or stalk. Is this 
according to magnetic law? Yes. Taking a magnetised bar of 
iron, and scattering filings over it, we find they adhere princi- 
