On the Vital Principle. 229 



taft, is certain ; but it is by no means certain 

 that this union is effefted by an interpofed fluid*, 

 becaufe the phsenomenon admits of a more pro- 

 bable explanation, which comes under the next 

 obfervation. 



The feconddireft proof of the life of the blood j 

 is, that the blood becomes vafcular, like other liv- 

 ing parts: and " Mr. Hunter has a preparation, 

 ** in which he thinks he can demonftrate veflfels 

 *' rifing from the centre of what had been a 

 " coagulum of blood, and opening into the 

 *' ftream of the circulating blood:};." That fuch 

 an effort fhould take place, in the centre of an 

 effufed fluid, not affected by external impulfe, is 

 inconceivable, except on the fuppofition that the 

 blood is a rational as well as a living fluid, and 

 pofiefled ofmufcular fibres, or fome fimilar organs. 

 And granting the blood to be rational, it is much 

 more likely that the firft attempt towards a re- 

 union of feparated parts (hoyld be made at the 

 orifices of the divided vefTels where the operation 

 would be eafieft, than in the centre of the fluid 

 effufed between themj that is, there will be an' 

 elongation of the divided veflfels. And that ihis 

 does adually take place, appears from Dr. Mon- 



* Jt is well known that if the oppofite branches of two 

 healthy trees be tied together, they will coalefce, although 

 no incifion h'<i«J been made in either, nor any part of their 

 bark removed. 



t lb. p. 200. X Id, Jb. 



0^3 ro's 



