INTRODUCTION. 15 



parted to their organization by sub- 

 sequently coming in contact with, and 

 imbibing oxygen from, the atmosphere. 

 The action of this oxygen upon the 

 blood, or sap, imparted to them a new 

 kind of vitality, which enabled them 

 to maintain the uniform temperature 

 which they had received while vege- 

 tating in the waters. 



That the whole surface of the earth 

 was covered with water, for a long 

 time, and that the waters were inhab- 

 ited, is clearly indicated by the discov- 

 ery of shells, and the remains of marine 

 animals, on the highest mountains. 

 That some kinds of animals were 

 formed before others, is a fact also 

 generally conceded. 



A certain temperature may chem- 

 ically combine some elementary particles 



