237 



state alternatives, to be at a future time decided upon, when 

 minute research shall have become more familiar than it is at 

 present; for which end the summary I propose will serve as 

 indications. 



48. 1. Particles composing the solid structures are withdrawn 

 from the fluid nutrient material, and deposited in the sphere of the 

 spirit, by a property belonging to it, which has been called the 

 affinity of aggregation. 



49. 2. The aggregation of solid matter is connected with the 

 process of spiritual assimilation., The mode in which the formation 

 of the structures is connected with the process by which life itself is 

 preserved, may, \ am aware, admit a diversity of opinions; in the 

 discussion of which, we should perhaps find that the evidence was 

 inadequate to a settlement of either. Premising this doubt, 1 have 

 supposed the elements of life in the nutrient fluid to be in alliance 

 with matter, peculiarized by other properties; that, by the affinity 

 subsisting between the living and the elementary spirit, the latter is 

 converted into the former, and the material particles with which 

 the elements were allied, at the same time separated from their 

 other connexions. But I am aware that the spirit may not operate 

 in this way; that a causation of another kind may take place : as, 

 elementary life constituting the properties of certain substances; 

 these elements of life being withdrawn from their combinations and 

 immediately changing their form, may leave, -as particles composing 

 structures, those substances with which they were before combined, 

 and which they helped to constitute: or, it may be suggested, in 

 addition, the deposition of organic particles may be an act of life 

 distinct from its own assimilation; it may result, and its extent 

 and instances limited; from uninvestigated relations of the functional, 

 or regular dependent life, &c. 



50. 3. The particles laid down and forming tbe structures 

 either remain permanently where they are deposited, or else are 

 removed, within periods, regulated by their proper laws. That they 

 are not permanently fixed, appears to be indicated by the pheno- 

 mena of febrile diseases, wherein the bulk of the body is observed 

 to be speedily and greatly reduced, and afterwards its original size 

 to be rapidly restored. And that the particles are fixed for a time 

 seems to be demonstrated by the locality of the same spherules 

 being preserved, when they are viewed under the microscope. The 

 laws then by which particles change or retain their place are to be 

 still further investigated. 



51. 4. If particles remain fixed for a time during health, al- 

 though they may be removed under disease, and replaced on the 

 return of health, then it is to be inferred that new particles are not 

 produced by the assimilation of every new quantum of the elements 

 of life, but that the quantum of life is related with a quantum of 

 the properties of the structures; that if the quantum of life is 

 diminished, as by disease, the quantum of the structures is also 

 diminished, the proper bond of cohesion having ceased ; that if* 



