64 



CHAP. I. Maternal Ovum. 



1. THOSE who wish to know of what constituents the 

 textures of animals are formed, may consult the systems of 

 chymistry, in which their analysis, to a certain extent, might be 

 found. But to us, who are just entering upon a different inquiry, 

 chymistry can furnish but little aid ; our research is not concern- 

 ing the proportions of fat, earth, salts, &c.; but it entertains con- 

 nection with their result: we have not now to consider the visible 

 fabric in its elements; it shall suffice for us to notice, with respect 

 to these elements, their tendencies, and some few of their 

 phenomena which are exhibited under different alliances. 



2. There is no distinction more obvious than that between 

 the living and the dead states. If we wish to know in what this 

 difference consists, it will be necessary to express so much of the 

 difference as we are capable of perceiving, trusting afterwards to 

 our inferences for supplying what is further to be desired. 



3. As, in the definition of the organic life, the processes of 

 digestion, circulation, respiration, secretion, &c. are said to consti- 

 tute it; so, in the absence of these, the organic life ceases ; this cri- 

 terion of the difference between the living and the dead states, can 

 be neither overlooked nor doubted. Organs then, during life, in a 

 state of action, at the period of death fall into a condition of rest. 

 Is there no other difference between the living and the dead states, 

 but that the one is matter in motion and the other matter at rest? 



4. It must be replied, that the difference, so far as we have 

 traced it, consists in this, viz. that in the living state there is the 

 presence of an efficient cause of these actions, of a peculiar nature, 

 and giving rise not to mere motion, but to peculiar motions con- 

 nected with other phenomena, which it will be our future business 

 to consider: in the dead state there is no such efficient cause; if 

 its properties are retained in the textures, its form is inefficient. 



5. That this cause is one which belongs neither to the 

 mechanical nor the chymical constitution of the textures is shewn, 

 to the very utmost extent of observation, by the fact that these 

 processes, characteristic of organic life (before mentioned), cease, 

 while the mechanical arrangement and chymical constitution of 

 the textures remain. In the ordinary instances of death, scepti- 

 cism may urge, it is possible that some change takes place either 

 in the chymical constitution, or in the material arrangement, which 

 occasions the cessation of the actions. As in a piece of machinery, 



