10 THE VITAL FUNCTIONS. 



series of the most refined and artificial opera- 

 tions is required in order to bring about the com- 

 plicated and elaborate arrangements of elements 

 which constitute both animal and vegetable 

 products. Thus in the very outset of this, as of 

 every other inquiry in Physiology, we meet with 

 evidences of profound intention and consummate 

 art, infinitely surpassing not only the power and 

 resources, but even the imagination of man. 



Much as the elaborate and harmonious me- 

 chanism of an animal body is fitted to excite our 

 admiration, there can be no doubt that a more 

 extended knowledge of that series of subtle pro- 

 cesses, consisting of chemical combinations and 

 decompositions, which are continually going on 

 in the organic laboratory of living beings, would 

 reveal still greater wonders, and would fill us 

 with a more fervent admiration of the infinite 

 art and prescience, which are even now mani- 

 fested to us in every department both of the 

 vegetable and animal economy. 



The processes, by which all these important 

 purposes are fulfilled, comprise a distinct class of 

 functions, the final object of which may be 

 termed Nutrition, that is, the reparation of the 

 waste of the substance of the organs, their 

 maintenance in the state fitting them for the 

 exercise of their respective offices, and the appli- 

 cation of properly prepared materials to their 

 developement and growth. 



