CHAPTER III. 



MINERAL LIFE. 



Minerals not dead. Mineral life alow form of vegetable and animal Life. 

 Iron filings have life. Compass needle has life. Philosopher's tree. 

 Coral. Candy. Mineral life. Atomagnetism. Atoms of lead, 

 sugar, and coral, Magnets Greater always influences the less. 

 Explanations of Philosopher's Tree. Cause of beautiful forms in 

 enow flakes. 



THE title of this chapter may seem curious and incompre- 

 hensible to many, but we do not think it difficult of explanation 

 or incapable of being understood. 



Minerals have been looked upon as dead matter, but as we 

 have said before, every atom in this universe has life, but it 

 must be in a certain position and condition to show it. 



Mineral life is indeed the lowest form of life. It is not so 

 complicated as either vegetable or animal life, yet it is caused 

 by the same law. The experiment of the iron filings shows 

 that they are possessed of life. A low form of life it is indeed, 

 yet one that infallibly directs them when to attract, and when to 

 repel. The compass needle has similar life, and man although 

 possessed of the highest form of life on this earth, has to 

 depend upon its guidance, and to stake his life upon its 

 warnings. 



But there are other forms of mineral life. We all know or 

 have seen the philosopher's tree. A piece of zinc is suspended 



