PHYSIOLOGY OF ORGANIC LIFE. 139 



of the spine and cranium, cease to act; and the 

 whole of the system becomes in the most per- 

 fect state of paralysis that can be conceived, or 

 described; and that condition of the system is 

 induced, which is known under the appella- 

 tion of death. 



It is not, however, the mere separation of 

 the fruit from the tree on which it grew; or, 

 the mere division of the orange, or the apple, 

 into parts, which constitutes death ; although 

 this separation diminishes, it does not de- 

 stroy its living and preservative property ; the 

 living property of different parts of animals, 

 is proved to exist for some time after they 

 have been separated from the system, to which 

 they belonged ; it is proved to exist in teeth, 

 from the success which attends their trans- 

 plantation ; in the blood, by its transfusion from 

 one animal to another; and in eggs, by their 

 evolution. The heart of a turtle, or of a frog, 

 will retain its irritability, and power of contrac- 

 tion, for several days after it has been com- 

 pletely torn out of the system, to which it be- 

 longed. The whole external surface of the 

 animal is often frozen nearly to a state of pe- 

 trifaction, and, nevertheless, continues to 

 retain its preservative and living powers. 

 Under various circumstances, the different 

 organs are found to recover their particular 

 organic actions, as the vernal season advances ; 



