PAN. 619 



yoke of the stern, absolute law, that "no organism is, nor 

 has one ever been, created, which is not microscopic;" that 

 "whatever is .larger has not been created, but developed;" 

 that the "first organic points are vesicles;" that "the whole 

 world of organic forms originates from infusoria." To Des- 

 cartes, the starry spaces of ether were vortices in which 

 whirled the molecules of powdered fire, called planetary and 

 sidereal systems, suns, and worlds, and thus must be devel- 

 oped the "mechanical theory of planetary motion," and the 

 "architecture of the heavens." To the genius of Cuvier, 

 "life is a vortex, into which individual molecules are con- 

 tinually entering, and from which they are continually de- 

 parting;" and thus must arrive the theory of cell-formation 

 and the doctrine of "utricles." Fatal, beautiful, divine 

 despotism ! and so at last it is demonstrated that no organ- 

 ism has been or can be created, which is not microscopic ; 

 that the whole organic world originates from infusoria ; and 

 that throughout the realms of vitality the first organic is a 

 point, a vesicle. 



Strange is this whirl and flow, strange this vibration and 

 libration of the cell ! Life is a perpetual wonder, a constant 

 miracle, an eternal becoming and ceasing, a wasting by de- 

 composing powers, a reproduction by recomposing forces 

 fresh arrivals from all the kingdoms of nature, with as constant 

 surrender of exhausted particles again passing away under the 

 irresistible affinities of chemistry and the quick and nimble 



geli on the TJtricular Structures in the Contents of Cells. IV. Link's 

 Report on Physiological Botany for 1844-45. Ray Society. 



The British Desmidiese. By John Ralfs. The drawings by Ed- 

 ward Jenner. 



Manual of British Algse. Harvey. 



British Diatomacese. Smith. 



Berkley's Cryptogamic Botany. 



Also, Queckett on the Microscope, and the works of the animal 

 and vegetable physiologists generally. Hither has the whole new- 

 direction of science turned, and names like Robert Brown, Brisseau, 

 Mirbel, Amici, and Mohl mark the commencement of a new and 

 richly-blessed epoch." 



