20 



And, 2dly, having shown this uniform subordination of parts 

 \ve observe that in the true order of creation, the most simple, or 

 elementary, is the first in order of time, and the most perfect the 

 last ; this being the synthetic order, is the reverse of that laid 

 down in the synopsis, page 3d, and is easily explained by turn- 

 ing to it and casting the eye upon the 3d part under the term 

 nature, which is the 18th from the beginning it being headed 

 matter, and divided into solid, liquid and aeriform. The aeriform 

 branch being the last, is the most simple in the scale there given 

 and admits of but one degree more of analysis, by dividing it 

 into oxygenious, hydrygenous, and etherial elements. These 

 are the true ultimate elements of matter, by the relations and com- 

 binations of which all material bodies are composed. These 

 simple elements constitute the materials of which the sun and 

 all the planets of the solar system are composed, while they en- 

 ter into and constitute the materials of the smallest organized 

 bodies that grow on the earth. These three kinds of matter 

 operated upon by the three kinds of motion calorific, mechan- 

 ical, and organic, produce three kinds of organization, viz : min- 

 eral, vegetable, and animal, thus constituting the whole material 

 world. 



The process of creation, as stated above, must be traced syn- 

 thetically to accord with the order of time ; thus we begin with 

 these simple elements, of the origin of which we have no idea, 

 except that they are under the dominion of the Creator. Wheth- 

 er he created them out of nothing, or whether they have ever 

 existed as the vestments of Him who inhabiteth eternity, belongs 

 not to the human mind to inquire. Our legitimate inquiry be- 

 gins with the embrionic formation of the present material world. 

 The first division is the mineral kingdom. Its formation com- 

 menced first in order of time. Its 1st synthetic divisions are, 1st. 

 primary strata ; 2d, transition ; Sd, that which has been called 

 secondary strata. The next kingdom in order of time is the 

 vegetable, it had its formation in and grows up out of the min- 

 eral kingdom, and is inseparably connected with it. Its divisions 

 **e, 1st, annuals, or plants ; 2d, endogeneous ; 3d, exogeneous 



