32 PROPERTIES OF MATTER 



This power of decomposing the most minute 

 particles of matter, which the assimilating or- 

 gans possess, and of converting it to the nature 

 of the system to which it has been applied ; 

 although obvious to the most simple observa- 

 tion of the most common observer, has been 

 further ascertained by experiments. Mr. ABER- 

 NETHY procured a rabbit, six weeks old, and 

 fed him with'a quantity of young cabbage and 

 lettuce which had grown on flannel, sprinkled 

 with distilled water; the animal, it was found, 

 preserved his health, as perfectly, as if he had 

 been placed in a warren. 



Dr. FORDYCE enclosed in glasses, filled with 

 common water, several gold and silver fish ; at 

 first, he changed the water every twenty-four 

 hours, and afterwards, every three days; on 

 this food alone, the fish continued to live and 

 to grow for fifteen months. As Dr. FORDYCE 

 suspected that it was possible, animalcules 

 might have previously existed in this water, he 

 exchanged the well for distilled water : after 

 adding air to it, to prevent the possibility of 

 insects getting access within the vessel, he care- 

 fully closed it up : the fish, however, grew and 

 performed all their natural functions as perfect- 

 ly, as if they had been swimming in a reservoir. 

 The fact is equally proved by those animals 

 who live principally upon carrion, upon rotten 

 cheese, and the exuviae both of animals, and 



