332 Mr Carpenter on the Difference of the Laws 



from the most complicated and restricted to the most simple 

 and universal statement of the phenomena of the universe ; and 

 in so far as this is attained in every science, giving us the means 

 not only of explaining new phenomena as they arise, but of 

 predicting otherwise unexpected occurrences, that science may 

 be regarded as perfect. 



Summary of Sections 9-20. 



The object of these was to shew that there is nothing essentially different 

 in the character of the laws regulating vital and })h3'sical phenomena, either 

 as to their comprehensiveness, their uniformity of action, or the mode in which 

 they are to be established by the generalization of particular facts. Matter, 

 in that form usually denominated inorganic, is possessed oi properties vih\ch ren- 

 der it capable of performing a great variety oi actions, and of developing many 

 powers ; and the nature of the properties determines tiie conditions of action, 

 or, in other words, the laws of physical phenomena. According to our means 

 of observing the actions dependent upon the different properties in an insu- 

 lated form (whether that insulation be natural or artificially contrived) are 

 we able to arrive at the fullest knowledge of these properties ; and where the 

 combinations, under which natural phenomena so frequently occur, are placed 

 (as in meteorological science) beyond our power of analysing, although we 

 may, through the assistance afforded by collateral sciences, determine most 

 or all of the laws in operation, we are unable to apply these laws to the com- 

 plete explanation of individual phenomena, or to the prediction of unexpected 

 occurrences, owing to our ignorance of the mode in which they are combined, 

 and the relative parts they play in the production of the effects in question. 



On the other hand, living organized waiter is possessed of properties (appa- 

 rently superadded to those of inorganic matter) which render it capable of 

 performing a great variety of actions, and of giving rise to many powers ; and 

 the nature of the properties determines the conditions of action, or, in other 

 words, the laws of vital phenomena. The peculiar difficulties which beset the 

 investigation of these laws have greatly retarded our acquaintance with them, 

 and, until a comparatively recent period, led to the belief that the inductive 

 process was not applicable to their elucidation. It is obvious that these dif- 

 ficulties are in many respects similar to those which present themselves in the 

 science of meteorology ; but we have not in the science of life the same assist- 

 ance which meteorology has derived from the collateral branches of philoso- 

 phy, since to whatever degree the physical properties of matter are concerned 

 in the actions of life, it would be absurd in the present state of our knowledge 

 to deny the existence of a class of vital properties essentially distinct from 

 these, and never manifested but by matter in that form which is denominated 

 organized, and which the skill of man can never hope to produce or imitate. 



21. When we compare the constant changes which we en- 

 counter in living organized beings, with the inert state of in- 

 organic matter, we are compelled to conclude, that to whatever 



