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with which it was before connected ; having decided upon this mat- 

 ter, we are next to specify the precise properties which produce the 

 change. Thus a fluid medium contains solid particles, which help 

 to compose its fluid bulk: some of these particles of the fluid leave 

 their fluid state and become solid; why do they leave their fluid 

 state? something produces this change in them: what is it? here 

 we ask for the cause. If the instance of causation were of the sensi- 

 ble kind, we should proceed as above. We should first define the 

 identity of the particle in its original state. We should then exa- 

 mine those substances which were foreign or additional to its original 

 identity; or we should ascertain that it possessed no additional pro- 

 perties, but, on the contrary, that some of its original ones were de- 

 ficient, which, leaving the particle to be identified by its remaining 

 causes, would explain the history of the change, which we should 

 endeavour still further to confirm by the synthetical process, viz. 

 by that of adding to the changed substance the properties in which 

 it differed from the original ones, with a view to restore its identity. 



6. To take another example, supposing it to have been ascer- 

 tained that the particles composing the textures retain their place; 

 but for a time; are particles unsettled from their cohesion, and re- 

 moved by the influence of vital properties, constituting a function of 

 the absorbents? How we are enabled to reason upon this matter 

 has been partly shewn in the aiticle on Growth ; but a perfect ana- 

 lysis would require, 1st, that the constitution of the particles in 

 their fixed state should be ascertained ; thus we should come at the 

 knowledge of the precise properties which held them in cohesion. 

 2nd, The properties by which the particles are identified in their de- 

 composed state must be ascertained; thus, we should understand 

 the precise properties which determined, or were the causes of the 

 change: unless, as is sometimes the case, the properties vanished iii 

 the act, or assumed another form, or another combination, having 

 only a transitory relation with the properties belonging to the or- 

 ganic patricles; in which case, the acting properties, or the cause of 

 the separation of particles from others with which they cohered, 

 would not be discoverable in the particles which would remain 

 identified by their own causes, the subjects of a causation which had 

 passed away, and with which they are no longer related. 3rd, Sup- 

 posing the precise properties concerned in the aggregation to be 

 ascertained, an investigation conducted upon the same principle 

 would then be required to decide whether these were properties 

 which belonged to absorbent vessels, or whether they were obtained 

 from any other source? If an affirmative of the former were upon 

 just grounds to be pronounced, some ingenuity may afterwards be 

 expended in settling the laws by which the interchanges of processes 

 are regulated, between the constitution of the organic particles, the 

 assimilating life with which they are in alliance, the functional pro- 

 perties of the absorbents, their assimilating life, and their structure. 



7. As we have no senses for this work, we must be content 

 with the suggestions offered with a view to the attainment, at some 



