168 



jfction of arterial blood to the influence of this spirit: from the 

 former, the latter assimilates itself. The truth of this account 

 must be rested on the proofs cited in the chapter on the Condition 

 of the Spirit. 



26. Now if life is maintained by a reciprocation between the 

 properties of blood and the organic spirit in every sphere, in the 

 way of assimilation described, it follows that the existence of the 

 organic spirit is in no sphere dependent upon an habitual receipt 

 of properties from another seat, for if life were diffused to all seats 

 as from a centre, there would be no need of the presence of blood 

 to maintain the life of respective seats. But the processes are 

 incompatible upon the supposition even that the spirit in distant 

 seats is identified by certain auxiliary properties derived from a 

 centre ; for that which is maintained by assimilation being once 

 formed ,depends upon its pabulum (the blood), and is independent 

 of a source, supposing it } to have been originally derived from one. 



27. If it be said that a limb will not preserve its life though 

 arterial blood be injected into it, I reply, that it is very certain 

 that it will not after the principle of life has become extinct: but 

 I am inclined to think that if a transfusion of arterial blood into 

 the amputated limb could be made before its life had become 

 extinct, from stoppage of the circulation, or conversion of arterial 

 into venous blood, its life would be preserved in a ratio to the 

 truth of the imitation. We have no direct fact upon this point, 

 and the experiment, though difficult, would require attention to 

 many more particulars than are here suggested. We find, however, 

 that by oxygenating the blood (or inflating the lungs) after decapi- 

 tation, the organic life may for a considerable time be maintained, 

 notwithstanding the separation of that which was considered a 

 source of spiritual properties: thus far the analogy; but as this 

 fact, to the extent to which it is assumed, is undecided, we must 

 rest our proofs upon the doctrines and connections just referred 

 to. We may, if we please, multiply our analogies, tending to the 

 same conclusion; we may advert to some animals, among whom, as 

 is well known, a detached portion will not only live, but originate 

 growths. This must happen from some laws of conversion be- 

 tween their life and their structures which are not common to the 

 Mammalia, which we profess to be considering. 



28. The phenomena of the ovum not only agree with, but 

 help to confirm this supposed independence of the existence of 

 the organic spirit of one sphere of that existing in any other. The 

 development of the growths is preceded by an unfolding, or a 

 series of changes in the combinations of the integral properties of 

 life. The forms of life separate and assimilate : their first separa- 

 tion is no weak proof of their independence respectively ; it proves, 

 and the results of the several combinations prove, a difference 

 which precludes the supposition of a common source. Thus, then, 

 the properties of the spirit in the ovum, having relations among 

 themselves, afterwards preserve certain relations; the respectife 



