MATERIAL UNIVERSE. 71 



escaped waxed strong and increased in size; 

 some, attaching themselves to the succulent 

 plants, were nourished by their juices ; others, 

 deriving sustenance from other species which 

 they devoured, or, attaching themselves to 

 them while living, were sustained and matured 

 by the vital fluid which was thus yielded to 

 them. The waters were at rest. Food alone 

 was required, to bring to maturity the new- 

 formed germ. No mother's warmth was needed 

 to bring forth the embryo egg, (if the egg was 

 necessary,) for the waters afforded the requisite 

 heat ; no calcareous shell, to protect it from 

 a change of temperature. As the animals grew, 

 the tender and succulent plants furnished food 

 for some, and the teeming waters, rich with liv- 

 ing materials, contributed to the sustenance of 

 others. 



The elementary atoms, being endued with 

 attraction and life, were brought together, and 

 arranged in every kind of living form which the 



