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structure of the liver, and constitute the functional life : such a 

 relation subsists between these two sets of properties, in the assimi- 

 lating and the acquired ; while the latter, or the properties obtained 

 from the distant seat, being only certain properties of life, and not 

 an assimilating principle, do not produce themselves from the blood 

 of the structure to which they are transposed, but merely unite with 

 the assimilating spirit of this seat and expire with it, requiring to be 

 renewed from their own source. These united properties, the 

 identified functional life, by its relation with venous blood, separates 

 bile; the laws of which separation will be hereafter spoken of under 

 the head of secretion. The bile thus produced is mixed with chyme, 

 and assists in those changes by which it is converted into chyle. 

 The use of bile is either wholly confined to the processes of the ali- 

 mentary canal, or else it gives some properties, independent of its 

 colouring principle, which being combined in the lacteal fluid have 

 a reference to some future offices in the animal economy, which 

 arise out of the relations of blood. The kind of investigation (ana- 

 lytical or synthetical, or both) which would enable us to decide upon 

 these present difficulties, is imperfectly sketched in the preceding 

 pages. Chymistry has detected certain substances, belonging to 

 bile, in its department : the chymical investigation, so far as it has 

 been honestly conducted, is no doubt laudable, as is every sincere 

 attempt to augment the sum of our intellectual wealth; but as the 

 chymical investigation has not yet elucidated a single question upon 

 which we have any interest in being informed, the exhibition of its 

 results may here be dispensed with. 



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