68 01UGIN OF THE 



and the vital principle ; but at first so saturated 

 with carbonic acid, as to require its removal be- 

 fore any animal, dependent on atmospheric action 

 for life, could exist. 



And now the still waters teemed with animal- 

 cula ; and these animalcula were the seminal 

 germs of organic life of the lowest orders. And 

 the seminal germs of plants were formed, and a 

 vegetable world sprang into existence, the rapid- 

 ity of whose growth was almost incredible, for 

 the gases were abundant, and the waters still 

 warm. There were no changes of temperature 

 to check their growth. The bud needed no 

 glutinous covering ; the seed, no hardened shell ; 

 the tree, no scaly epidermis, to protect it from 

 the winter's cold. Scarce had, the bud been 

 formed, ere it was expanded ; or the seed, before 

 it would vegetate anew. 



The still, murky atmosphere yet shaded the 

 earth with dense clouds ; and, there being no 

 winds, the sun's light had not yet fully penetra- 



