PROCEEDS FROM LIFE. 263 



true of every organized being as such, yet the mat- 

 ter of which that being is composed is not lost by 

 the death of the organized being, any more than if it 

 had been matter in an inorganic state. That alone 

 would suffice to show that there is something more 

 than matter, or the common properties of matter, 

 in the organized being. But there is further proof; 

 we know of no instance in which an organized being 

 is produced, unless from a former organized being. 

 It is true that beings of that kind often appear under 

 circumstances where we cannot trace the steps. 

 When any organic matter begins to be disorganized, 

 or, as we say, begins to putrefy or rot, we always 

 find that, if it is exposed to the air, or if the air has 

 access to it, under circumstances favourable to the 

 growth of organic beings, those beings, varying in 

 kind with the decaying substance, are found upon it 

 and supporting themselves on its substance. Some 

 of these, even when they have attained their full 

 size, are so small that the eye cannot distinguish 

 the individuals ; and they are often found in places 

 to which we can trace no visible opening. But still 

 they never make their appearance except in situa- 

 tions favourable to their growth. When the bodies 

 of large animals are left dead upon the surface of 

 the earth, or buried at a small distance under it, in 

 warm weather, they are very soon found full of 

 maggots. But even with that small difference in 

 the circumstances, there is a difference in the mag- 

 gots. Above ground they are the larva of air-flies ; 

 but if below ground, they are the larvae, of beetles. 

 If, too, before they have been affected by any thing 

 else, the bodies are buried to a great depth in the 

 earth, or if they are far in the sand, or covered with 

 quick-lime, or coated with any of the pungent resins, 

 which are hurtful to most of the minute animals, 

 maggots do not make their appearance. As little 

 do they appear when the body is under water ; for, 

 so far as we know, though there are many small 



