NEWPUBLICATION. 75 



bear in mind that we shall sooner or later reach those ultimate 

 facts of which no account can be given, except that they bear the 

 sole impress of the fin<2;er of Deity. 



Professor Draper evidently belongs to the sanguine class of phi- 

 losophers, if we may be permitted to judge of character from many 

 expressions which he has recorded. There are no mysteries in an- 

 imated beings, says Prof. D., which time will not reveal. Admit 

 it, and admit also that physical agents are the prime movers of 

 organized atoms or beings, from beginning to end, we still assert 

 that not a whit of this mystery would be removed, rather we are 

 inclined to say, that it would be increased. Undoubtedly organized 

 beings are subjected to conditions ; the living cell as well as man 

 was adapted to pre-existing physical agents. There is a terrestrial 

 plan, and the physical agents, ponderable and imponderable, must 

 mould and shape that plan ; so far as movements are concerned, 

 they may exalt and sustain those movements, they may give a 

 higher degree of sensibility ; still they cannot originate the small- 

 est spark of vitality, though if need be and if proper conditions 

 exist, they may blow it into a flame when once the spark has been 

 struck out. 



We have, perhaps, dwelt too long upon the introductory chapter. 

 We proceed, then, without farther comment, to the subjects of the 

 first chapter of the work. It is entitled, " On the action of the 

 sunbeams in producing organized bodies." Light is here shown 

 to be the agent in developing the green color of vegetables ; it 

 directs their growth. Leaves placed in carbonated water in sun- 

 light decompose the carbonic acid : the oxygen is disengaged and 

 escapes in bubbles : the carbon enters into combination with other 

 principles or elements already in the tissue of the plant, and forms 

 with them the mucilage or some other compound, which adminis- 

 ters to its growth. Living leaves in air, perform the same func. 

 tion, absorbing the carbonic acid, where it is decomposed as before, 

 and even more energetically than when immersed in carbonated 

 water. 



Chapter IL treats of the flow of sap in plants. It is due to the 

 carbonization of water in the leaves by the light of the sun. 



We shall condense Prof. D.'s views on this subject, as it will 

 enable us to economize both our time and space. 



1. Capillary attraction is the physical cause of this movement. 

 The constitution necessary for capillary attraction to take place, is 



