438 CHARACTER OF VEGETABLE VITALITY. CHAP. XI. 



rica.* Phaseolus vulgaris, and Impatiens Bal- 

 samina where brought originally from India ; and 

 Datura Stramonium) which is now naturalized in 

 Europe was brought originally from India or Abys- 

 sinia. Buckwheat and most species of Corn and 

 Peas came also from the east, and along with them 

 several plants found among Corn only, such as 

 Centaurea Cyanus, Agrostemma Githago, Ra- 

 phanus Raphanistrum, and Myagrum sativum. 



CHAPTER XI. 



EVIDENCE AND CHARACTER OF VEGETABLE VITALITY. 



Criterion THE best and most satisfactory evidence of the 

 principle, presence and agency of a vital principle as inherent 

 in any subject is perhaps that of its rendering the 

 subject in which it inheres capable of counteract- 

 ing the laws of chemical affinity. This rule, which 

 seems to have been first instituted by Humboldt, is 

 obviously applicable to the case of animals, as is 

 proved by the process of the digestion of the food, 

 and its conversion into chyle and blood ; as well as 

 from the various secretions and excretions effected 

 by the several organs, and effecting the growth and 

 developement of the individual, in direct opposition 



* This most useful plant was first brought into Europe by Sir 

 W. Ralegh, in 1623. 



