t ^72 ] 



thing whatever. It fcems clearly evident, that it 

 is a combination of principles derived from animal 

 fubftanccs by the chemiftry of nature. When 

 animal fubftance has been thoroughly putrified, 

 almoft the whole becomes volatile, and is fo far 

 attenuated, fubtilized, and refined, as to be ren- 

 dered capable of entering the roots and fibres of 

 the minuted plants. 



It feems then, that as the animal kingdom is 

 entirely fupported by the vegetable, fo is the ve- 

 getable by the animal, and each is reciprocally 

 the fupport of, and is fupported by the other. 

 The matter of each is efTentially the fame, each 

 is indued with the principles of life and augmen- 

 tation, though appearing under very different 

 forms; each mutually tranfmutable into the other 

 by the mere unaffifted operations of nature. 



Hence it feems to appear, that the wifdom and 

 goodnefs of Providence have ef^ablifhed the means 

 of fupporting and upholding the prefent fyfl:em of 

 the univerfe, till time fhall be no more, by con- 

 ftant, uniform, uninterrupted powers or laws, which 

 aift unceafingly for the mutual confervation of the 

 whole. Every atom of matter, whether animal or 

 vegetable, feems to teem with life, yet contains 

 within itfelf the feeds of corruption and decay. 



In 



