98 



94. The processes of life having been commenced by fecunda- 

 tion, this entire concurrence is necessary to their support. 



95. The fecundated ovum, without heat, remains inactive, a 

 mere pre-disposition to embryonic existence ; its combined spirit is 

 not developed, and its properties do not assume their spheres, but 

 by the aid of progressive nutrition. 



96. The spirit, as is proved by the subsequent organization, 

 the general resemblance to its originals, is perfect in its possession 

 of constituents in its first condition. It depends for the maintain- 

 ance of its identities &c. upon heat, and the material of growth, 



97. The tendency of the spirit, when its properties have 

 begun to be active, is again to return to its state of rest; its activity 

 is maintained by the perpetual supply of its properties, which 

 expire, or change their form if deprived of the source of assimilation. 



98. The changes of the combinations of the properties of the 

 spirit are numerous: they are strikingly preparatory up to the 

 period of foetal maturation, and less conspicuously so throughout 

 the stages of after-life. 



99. As the combinations are changed, or as the properties of 

 the spirit are altered in their respective spheies, so the effects im- 

 putable to them are modified. The peculiarities of combination 

 give rise to the distinction of active and latent properties. 



100. The materials of nutrition furnish common constituents : 

 the properties of the spirit render them peculiar; by them they are 

 appropriated, and made conformable with final purposes. 



101. The material of nutrition possesses all the properties of 

 every kind, and of every stage, of organic spirits. The spirit of 

 the fecundated ovuin assimilates from this material, and the visible 

 constituents with which it is allied are separated from an apparently 

 homogeneous fluid, and are aggregated in the several seats. 



102. The textures are according to the spiritual properties of the 

 fecundated ovum, with the aid of the concurrence before-mentioned, 

 which latter is according to the spiritual properties first conferred 

 on the radicles, viz. on the maternal ovum and the seminal fluid. 

 It is by this law that the resemblance of every kind is perpetuated in 

 the succession. Thus all the varieties of oviparous animals are 

 preserved by their eggs, though the vital processes are maintained 

 in them by a common cause, viz. heat; thus, also, all the species of 

 viviparous animals are perpetuated with a minute resemblance to 

 their originals, though they should all feed on roots or flesh, or both. 



103. According to the changes of the active properties of the 

 spirit, the visible materials of the embryon are laid down: this is 

 done by a natural and common affinity, without any sort of mystery 

 in the business. The textures are conformable with the spiritual 

 properties ; the former exist where the latter are, the former are 

 changed as the latter are modified. 



104. From the views which have hitherto been exhibited, it 

 appears that the government of all the embryonic processes is 

 assignable to the spiritual properties of the ovum; that these pro- 



