Evolution of the Mechanic Arts. 201 



f erior to that of man, yet easily controllable by him, so long 

 as he remains a man and does not descend to a level below 

 the beast of the field. 



As to materials for the hand of the mechanic, of min- 

 erals we have iron, and all the other metals, of the qualities 

 of which, and of their alloys, we have only begun to dream ; 

 coal, and other fuels, of which we are yet only intelligent 

 enough to get in extreme cases some ten per cent, of their 

 dynamic capacity ; innumerable rock and stone formations 

 suitable for a variety of xises ; and earths and plastic sub- 

 stances, capable of being softened, molded and hardened, 

 all of which are so disposed as to be readily accessible and 

 reducible for mechanical treatment and uses. 



Next to the storehouse of minerals, stands the vegetable 

 storehouse, containing wood and timber of infinite variety. 

 Other forms of vegetal life furnish fibrous substances for 

 ropes, material for wicker-work, basket-work and straw- 

 plaited wares, and especially hemp, cotton and flax; to 

 these add gums, dyes, medicines, and also a practically un- 

 limited variety of foods already discovered and brought 

 into use as fuel for the human mechanic engine ; besides 

 which, the earth contains enormous possibilities, evidently 

 unlimited, for the production of other vegetable foods of 

 which we now know nothing, since we have hardly begun 

 the improvement and development of Avild plants beyond 

 their wild stage, and mostly depend upon those handed 

 down to us by our barbarous ancestors. 



Next we have the storehouse of animal supplies, scattered, 

 like the vegetable supplies, abroad throughout the world, 

 made accessible wherever man can live, and especially 

 adapted to his needs in each of his many habitats. The 

 animal-supplies come from the many kinds of land animals, 

 fishes and water animals, birds, insects, worms, including 

 the silk-worms, and all kinds of products dei'ived therefrom. 

 Permeating all these, in sk}^, air, water, solid earth, tree, 

 plant and animal, we have that mysterious energy with 

 which we are only now becoming acquainted electricity; 

 which may well seein to be a power stolen from the gods 

 themselves, so incomprehensible, so omnipotent, so omni- 

 present, so all-penetrating and pervading is it. 



To these make that most important addition fire, im- 

 portant in its relations to the family hearth, to religion and 

 the altar fire, but especially to the mechanic arts, and with- 



