54 LIFE AND ORGANISATION. 



Meanwhile, we must explain in reference to the subject of this 

 article, that although we have it in view to indicate the 

 progress and spirit of modern science in its researches into 

 organic nature, we must limit ourselves mainly to Animal life ; 

 referring to that of the vegetable world only in illustration 

 of the former. Even under this limitation we cannot go into 

 anything like a complete review of the topics embraced under 

 the name of Animal Physiology. Whoever takes up the 

 massive volume of Dr. Carpenter a work of great excellence, 

 and the most complete we possess will see how much is 

 comprised in this wide domain, how profound the subjects 

 offered to human thought, how large the voids yet left for 

 future enquiry. What we may reasonably attempt, is to pLace 

 before our readers a summary view of such questions and dis- 

 coveries in this part of science as are of highest import in 

 themselves, and best indicative of the scope and spirit now 

 given to its pursuit. 



It will be obvious, even to those who give only casual 

 thought to these questions, that many of them tend to take 

 a metaphysical form ; while not a few are of a nature wholly 

 to transcend the present faculties of man. The attainments 

 actually made by these "faculties, in their more exalted use, 

 furnish reasons for not drawing hasty and arbitrary lines in 

 limitation of further progress. But certain barriers there are 

 which the highest genius is the first to recognise and submit 

 to ; seductive though the speculations may be which here first 

 press upon the reason. Not less boldness and mental power 

 are shown in well defining the boundary of research, than in 

 adventuring wantonly over and beyond it. 



What we have already said on the abstract principle of Life, 

 as appended to material organisation, will show that this, the 

 great and elementary point with which we are here concerned, 

 comes under the class of questions just spoken of. Notwith- 

 standing all that has been done and it is vast in amount 



