. 7. INTRODUCTION. 5 



tree is an individual; not the trunk, nor a branch, nor 

 the fruit of that tree. For the first of these is, by itself, 

 an object of natural-historical consideration, the others 

 only in as far as they are parts of the tree. 



In water and other fluid bodies, individuals are at least 

 not observable. Water and other fluid bodies produced 

 by Nature, though whole masses of them (which may, 

 nevertheless, consist of individuals) are without individu- 

 ality, on all accounts remain natural productions, and, as 

 such, objects of Natural History. 



. 7. ORGANIC AND INORGANIC NATURAL PRO- 

 DUCTIONS. 



The most conspicuous difference which presents 

 itself in Natural History, is that which exists be- 

 tween bodies either organic or organised) and inor- 

 ganic. 



An organised body is composed of organs ; that is to say, 

 of vessels and instruments suitable to the subsistence, in- 

 crement, and reproduction of themselves and of the whole. 

 During a certain variable period of time, called Life, 

 the organised body is beyond the reach of those powers 

 which affect inanimate matter, if removed from that condi- 

 tion. Matter, in as far as it forms a part, or is the pro- 

 duct, of an organised body, is called organic matter ; and 

 a body consisting of it, an organic body. An inorganic 

 body consists of inanimate (not organic) matter. Here the 

 powers actuating it, have finished their effect, and are 

 therefore in equilibrium ; it exists in itself in an invariable 

 state, and can be altered only by external force. Certain 

 products of organised bodies, as resins, &c. are not orga- 

 nised themselves ; that is to say, do not consist of organs ; 

 yet they do not cease to be organic bodies, because tljey 

 ponsist of organic matter. However, they are not by 

 themselves objects of a natural-historical consideration 

 (. <*) 



