140 



aftinify, although they have no influence on those of their own tex- 

 tures, where this affinity is preserved. 



42. That one of the above modes, or both of them, comprise 

 the manner of absorption seems probable from these further con* 

 siderations: 1st, that absorption is peculiar to the living subject ; 

 and, 2nd, that with life none of the secondary agencies cease but 

 those mechanical ones which arise from it, the influence of chymical 

 means or the force of capillary attraction being thus in this process 

 of absorption apparently precluded. To pursue this topic any 

 further not being consistent with a design of mere general indication, I 

 shall return to the considerations more especially belonging to growth. 



43. While the several orders of the structures increase in a 

 regular manner, the arrangement which they preserve during such a, 

 complication of agencies is not the least striking or important cir* 

 cumstance. This arrangement, as well as the election of the ma<- 

 terials, has been assigned in a general way to the influence of the 

 organic spirit. As this much has been established in the articles on 

 the ovum, we shall reserve the more precise examination of the in- 

 fluence which belongs to the vital, chymical, and mechanical depart- 

 ments, as a preliminary to the application of the doctrines, to the 

 structures respectively. 



44. We have seen how the mutations of the nature of the spirit 

 in the several spheres govern the selection of the organic particles ; 

 we have glanced at the laws of spiritual assimilation and endea- 

 voured to connect this process with the formation of the solid 

 fabrics. We are now to consider another act of growth illustrated 

 in the instances of regeneration. 



45, We find that the regenerative powers are liable to con- 

 siderable variety. In the higher order of animals they are exerted 

 comparatively but to a trifling extent; in them the most remarkable 

 specimens are exhibited in the union of divided parts, in the exten- 

 sion of bone, by which an interspace, probably of two, three, or 

 four inches may be filled up, and in the healing of extensive ulcers, 

 &c. We have also illustrations of a faculty of growth, not yet con- 

 sidered in the occurrence of tumors, &c. But among the lower 

 tribes the industry of naturalists has discovered specimens of the 

 following description; if the leg of a lizard be cut off, an entire 

 leg will be re-produced ; if the head of a snail be cut off, the entire 

 bead will be re-produced, furnished with the same organs as the 

 original one, as eyes, mouth, &c. The former fact I have witnessed 

 to a considerable extent; that is, I have seen as much as half the 

 leg of a newt, which was amputated close to the body, re-produced : 

 the whole would most probably have been regenerated, but the 

 animal, from some foreign causes, at this time died. The latter ac- 

 count I take upoiv trust; and, upon the same authority, a class of 

 animals may be adverted to which are said to be propagated by 

 cuttings. In vegetables a power of production, in effect similar, is 

 still more extensively exercised : thus, a tree, in its general character, 

 and in all the complexity of arrangement, resembling the original 



