ORIGIN OF ANIMAL LIFE. 21 



the so called creation of minute animals, is as natural as the 

 growth of weeds from the ground in spring. 



Let us then explain how animal life may he produced from 

 mattor without an egg. 



In all life and growth water is necessary. Water is a 

 combination of the two great classes of matter, vegetable and 

 mineral, or as it is commonly called oxygen and hydrogen. 



In mineral life and growth, an excess of mineral atoms in 

 watery solution is requisite. 



In vegetable life and growth, both mineral and vegetable 

 atoms in watery solution are required. 



And in animal life, an excess of vegetable atoms in watery 

 solution is essential 



It may be asked why an excess of vegetable atoms should 

 form animals, and not vegetables ? Because in vegetable life, a 

 certain quantity of mineral atoms, and a certain position and 

 condition are required ; and should these not be obtained, an 

 animal results. For instance, if we moisten some hay seeds 

 and expose them on a warm floor for a few days, animal life 

 will teem all over them. Why is this 1 Because the requisite 

 amount of mineral matter could not be obtained. If they had 

 been placed in the ground, grass would have grown. Thus the 

 difference in the production of animal and vegetable life, is 

 chiefly one of condition and position of matter. 



Let us explain how these minute animals are formed. 

 Every atom is a magnet. The water and heat in the atoms of 

 hay, initiates an action, which leads them to form an attraction 

 of like to like. A number of these atoms being brought 

 together, an action commences in the centre as a stomach, a 

 mouth opens to take in other atoms ; and thus an animal is the 



