8 rm.Losoriiy or ZOOLUCY. 



small -indeed, but possessing a power capable of develop- 

 ing in succession the destined phenomena of existence. 

 By means of this power , the germ is able to attract towards 

 it particles of inanimate matter, and bestow on them an ar- 

 rangement widely different from that which the laws of 

 chemistry and mechanics would have assigned them. The 

 same power not only attracts these particles and preserves 

 them in their new situation, but is continually engaged in 

 removing those which, by their presence, might prevent or 

 otherwise derange its operations. 



1. LIMITED IN ITS TOWER. But there is a limitation 

 of this power in the exercise of its functions, to the pro- 

 duction of a body of a certain magnitude, form, structure, 

 composition and duration. 



A. Magnitude. -r-in. each particular species, it is re- 

 stricted in its efforts to the production of a being of a de- 

 terminate size. When this size has been attained, some- 

 times by a slow, sometimes by a more rapid growth, the 

 body remains for a time, as it were, stationary as to fyulk. 

 The absorption and ejection being equal and opposite, 

 counterbalance each other. There is a proportion like* 

 wise preserved between all the parts, between the roots 

 and the stem, the limbs and the trunk. 



B. Form. In each species, this power is restricted to a 

 determinate form. Hence it is, that s the external shape 

 being the same in all individuals of tbc same species, it 

 becomes an easy matter to recognize them. The seed of 

 a fir-tree never expands into the shape of the ash, nor does 

 the germ of the sheep evolve the appearance of the ox. In 

 the various stages of their existence, certain organized be- 

 ings are destined to undergo a variety of changes in size 

 and shape ; but these, however complicated or numerous, 

 all pave the way for the assumption of the destined forms 



,of the individual. In consequence of the uniformity of 



