MAN AND NATUKE. 293 



phenomena to which its surface is subjected. Here, as 

 we have elsewhere explained in speaking of climate, 

 the great chemistry of nature conies into play. Nor 

 has he yet gone far below the surface into the chemistry 

 of life that mystery of organisation by which vitality 

 is given, and its acts and instincts are carried on. But 

 though there is yet much beyond his reach, chemistry 

 in the hands of Man is one of the highest labours of 

 the human intellect. It becomes the interpreter of 

 nature and natural laws a science through the re- 

 sources of which he not only analyses the endless exist- 

 ing forms of matter, but under the guidance of laws 

 almost as well- defined as those which govern the plane- 

 tary motions, creates numerous new and energetic 

 compounds, which, as far as we know, have no proto- 

 type elsewhere in creation. This progress of Man in 

 the great province of scientific chemistry is indeed of 

 very recent date, and we can yet liardly discern all its 

 issues. But enough has already been done to show 

 how much of future power will be gained from this 

 source over the material elements around him. No 

 field of discovery can be more fruitful in prospect, 

 enlarged as it is by connexions, ever becoming closer, 

 with ah 1 other departments of physical science. 



We have hitherto, in prosecution of our subject, 

 been chiefly occupied with the outline of what Man 

 has effected by his action on the inanimate world. An 

 outline it may well be called, for how impossible to 

 describe those complex connexions which exist between 

 human life and the forces to which this life is subjected ! 



