68 



all the characteristics of the most complicated state of life are 

 manifested. These processes in the crustaceous ova are more con- 

 spicuously applicable to my purpose; these ova are detached 

 totally from the parent, and are at this period in the simple con- 

 dition which has just been remarked, they are afterwards exposed 

 to the operation only of a single external cause, viz. heat, and the 

 spirit begins to manifest its complexity, the textures are elected, 

 evolved, and arranged. 



26. The respective causes, corresponding with the individual 

 changes, are not conferred from without, they are therefore in- 

 herent in the ovum; when they are not exhibited, as in their earlier 

 stage, their combination prevents an individual recognition, and 

 they are said then to be latent. 



27. This state is a predisposition to after-life. 



28. The organic spirit of the ovum possesses either all the 

 properties of the organic spirit of the parent, or other properties 

 having a relation with the external causes by which the identical 

 properties of the organic spirit of the ovum are subsequently 

 assumed. This question is not to be discussed here: but the proof 

 of one or other of these alternatives is this, viz. that the ovum be- 

 comes, in a general way, which is sufficient for the purpose, the 

 similitude of the original from whence it was derived ; that is, a 

 substance nearly homogeneous and destitute of any visible arrange- 

 ment, is capable of attaining all the complication of the structures, 

 as bones, cartilages, ligaments, membranes, muscles, nerves, arteries, 

 visceral organs, skin, hair, &c. and the same thing obtains with 

 respect to vegetables. Let it be remembered that the tendency of 

 the matter is to dissolution, and consequently its parts could never 

 unite but for that which prevents dissolution and counteracts the 

 force of a natural tendency, viz. the organic spirit. This is the 

 antecedent to these visible phenomena; or this is a governing 

 agency, amidst concurring causes; and this it is whose history we are 

 now to trace. 



29. It has been said by some, that the primordium of every 

 individual of the human race was contained in Adam, or in first 

 parents, and that the succession of persons has been maintained by 

 an evolution of original seeds. To this opinion I cannot assent, in 

 consideration of the following circumstances: 



1. An entire ovum is but the assemblage of a very few organic 

 particles. As the rudiments of procreation hold but a very insigni- 

 ficant proportion to the rudiments of the whole body, so we cannot 

 imagine that a single ovum, which was developed into the first 

 offspring of the primo-genitors, should contain the identical elements 

 of an endless perpetuation of the species. 



2. It is contrary to analogy to suppose even that the identical 

 embryon of the third, was contained in the first, generation; for the 

 ovum, in its primitive condition, contains none or but very few of 

 the identical parts, which make the future animal : these are per- 

 petually changing, and increasing hy the processes of growth; and 



