89 



52. But if it should still be required to shew that the growth 

 of the foetus is not a mere development of the same system of 

 organization existing in miniature as that which is afterwards mani- 

 fested, if it should be required to prove this, we shall not be dis- 

 appointed if we rest the proof on the following grounds. The off- 

 spring in every instance of connection between varieties of a species 

 partakes as much of the organization of the male as of the female. 

 How, I would ask, conies this mixture of organization? There is 

 no union of organization between the maternal ovum and the cause 

 of fecundation ; and if there were such an union, the mere textures, 

 independent of a principle of life, on either side, would tend to 

 decomposition. So that it is necessary we should admit the or- 

 ganization, which resembles in the offspring that of the male pro- 

 genitor at least, to be accomplished by the force of properties which 

 are distinct from organization. Further, there is no apparent 

 nucleus of organization in the first stages of the human foetus ; it is 

 a mere cloud : and if there is supposed organization here, it will 

 scarcely be supposed in the male semen ; and if there were organiza- 

 tion in both, it would be altogether inefficient, but for the govern- 

 ment of the properties of life. Enough of this. 



53. The agreement or harmony spoken of (at 49) will be 

 more happy in its success, and less objectionable, by reason that 

 there is nothing in it, no agency supposed, which has not been 

 demonstrated a priori. 



54. Without seeking for additional proofs, we have only to 

 recollect those which have already been adduced in numerous 

 paragraphs; where the total inefficacy of the organic materials, 

 their tendency, &c. independent of the properties of a princi- 

 ple of life, have been stated; and in which also it has been 

 shewn that the sensible materials are laid down by the force of an 

 affinity, which subsists between them and spiritual properties, pre- 

 existent, which have respectively assumed their spheres, and act in 

 them accordingly. From this principle it is to be inferred that the 

 mode of organization is as follows. 



55. A combined organic spirit, subsequently to fecundation, 

 begins then to separate its properties; those whose affinity is to 

 form the heart, are not at once perfect relative identities, but be- 

 come such by many preparatory changes. Changes of the same 

 kind are taking place in the organic spirit destined to form the 

 other parts. Matter is aggregated according to the states of the 

 principle in its different seats, each change bringing the constitu- 

 tion nearer and nearer to the condition of foetal existence. While 

 one set of properties are engaged in the preparatory changes neces- 

 sary to the formation of the heart, others are occupied in the same 

 way with respect to the blood-vessels. Change succeeds to change; 

 all the properties working with each other, and preserving their true 

 relations in every stage ; until, finally, a permanent formation is at- 

 tained, and the foetus, hitherto living like a vegetable, deriving the 

 materials of growth by a root, connected with a source of nutrition, 

 o 



