PHYSIOLOGICAL OBJECTIONS OF DR. CLARK. 105 



general aim was, I can honestly declare, to convey 

 the doctrine of the epigenesis of animals, as M. 

 Serres calls it, as an illustration of my subject, 

 considering myself entitled to do so by the position 

 which it has attained in the world. It is, of course, 

 unfortunate for this, as it is for many other doc- 

 trines, that it should have aji opponent ; but this 

 circumstance is fortunately, on the other hand, no 

 adequate ground of condemnation in the judgment 



exist in the embryo state . . . Another &ct in support of the 

 opinion, that the distinctive forms of bodies are produced by elec- 

 trical action is, that crystals, and the twigs and leaves of vege- 

 tables, all terminate in points or sharp edges, so that the electrical 

 action can proceed no further in increasing the growth, or, in 

 other words, in propelling fresh portions of matter for the exten- 

 sion of the plant, or the crystal, beyond the pointed or edged 

 termination." In a letter of Mr. Crosse to Mr. Leithead, it is 

 stated that, in one of his experiments, there grew, in the inside of 

 an electrified jar filled with hydro-sulphuret of potash, a mineral 

 fungus, three-fourths of an inch in length and one-fourth of an 

 inch in diameter, " in the shape of a common trumpet-moutJied 

 fungus, which is found on trees." " In one experiment," says Mr, 

 Weekes, in a recent letter to myself, "a singularly beautiful 

 electro-vegetation was produced, a forest in minature, which, by 

 aid of a good lens, presented many extraordinary appearances, 

 and continued to interest me during many months," It may suit 

 the reviewer and others to scoff at such " resemblances ;" but 

 scoflSng will not annul, in my mind, the apprehension that there 

 is here some relation of a very interesting kiud, the investigation 

 of which may yet g^ve us a deeper insight than we now enjoy 

 into the mysteries of organic being 

 /3 



