THE PATH OF EVOLUTION 



earthy nitrates, and of ammonium salts, which, with 

 soluble sulphates and phosphates, are supplied by the 

 sap juice to the protoplasm in which the corpuscles 

 are imbedded, of which protoplasm the cell exteriors 

 are constituted, and with which they are filled. From 

 these inorganic molecules are derived the Sulphur, 

 Phosphorus and other elements that are built up by 

 the protoplasm into the albumen of which it is itself 

 composed, and which grows thus by its own accre- 

 tions. The formation of the higher organized mo- 

 lecules, in their respective order, Dextrine, Starch 

 and Cellulose, or woody tissues, then follow, to be 

 arranged in common with innumerable other mo- 

 lecular groupings of the elementary atoms according 

 to the plan of organization of each variety of plant.* 

 In all the above syntheses, or the formation of 

 the higher complex combinations of molecules peculiar 

 to the manifestation of life, from the simpler, inor- 

 ganic molecules of the mineral or aerial world, de- 

 void of life, the immediate presence of light and 

 warmth, the educts of the Ether, are absolutely 

 essential. 



* Ibid., ft seq. 

 248 



