MINERAL LIFE. 11 



in a solution of sugar of lead, and in a short time the atoms of 

 lead will be seen deposited on the zinc ; which will then appear 

 to shoot out branches and leaves in the form of a tree. If 

 these particles of metal are not possessed of a certain principle 

 of life activity, what leads them to arrange themselves in such 

 a beautiful manner ? 



We have another fine example of growth in a similar manner 

 in the coral erroneously supposed to be formed by insects, 

 but shown by us in another chapter to be the result of natural 

 growth from water, saturated with suitable material. 



All confectioners too in making crystalized candy, see the 

 operation of the same life in the formation of it, although they 

 do not understand it otherwise than as the process of 

 crystalization. 



Mineral life is also exhibited in every snow flake that falls. 

 The beautiful forms which they exhibit, all springing from a 

 centre being caused by the same law. 



Mineral life is only one form of atomagnetism ; and it shows 

 that all these various substances, the particles of lead, the coral, 

 the sugar, and the snow, are all magnets. For instance, in the 

 philosopher's tree, the piece of zinc first obeys the atomic law, 

 and draws all the small atoms of lead in the solution to itself 

 as the greater body always influences the less. But being a 

 magnet also, it has polarity, and as particle after particle is added 

 to it, its force is continually becoming stronger, so that it shoots 

 out branches and leaves as though possessed of vegetable life. 



Thus, in conclusion, while minerals have life, it is not a form 

 of it fitted to produce seed, but in other respects it is like the 

 vegetable and animal life, inasmuch as it reproduces its kind 

 from suitable material. 



