II. THE SWALLOW. 6 1 



distinct metallic perfections; how tlie galena 

 had become grey and brittle under prolonged 

 subterranean heat, and the gold yellow and 

 ductile, as it was rolled among the pebbles of 

 amber-coloured streams. 



60. By the denial to these structures of any 

 individually reproductive energy, you are forced 

 to accept the inexplicable (and why expect it 

 to be otherwise than inexplicable ?) fact, of the 

 forrfiation of a series of bodies having very 

 similar aspects, qualities, and chemical rela- 

 tions to other substances, which yet have no 

 connection whatever with each other, and are 

 governed, in their relation with their native 

 rocks, by entirely arbitrary laws. It has been 

 the pride of modern chemistry to extricate 

 herself from the vanity of the alchemist, and 

 to admit, with resignation, the independent, 

 though apparently fraternal, natures, of silver, 

 of lead, of platinum, — aluminium, — potassium. 

 Hence, a rational philosophy would deduce the 

 probability that when the arborescence of dead 

 crystallization rose into the radiation of the 

 living tree, and sentient plume, the splendour 

 of nature in her more exalted power would not 

 be restricted to a less variety of design ; and 



