536 THEORY OF EDWARDS. 



de Chim. et de Phys. t. iii.) And Miiller observes, 

 that " since all organic processes are dependent 

 chiefly on nervous influence, it cannot appear 

 wonderful if the reciprocal action between the 

 organs and the nerves is a main source of animal 

 heat." (Elements of Physiology, p. 86.) 



As if with a view of reconciling these conflict- 

 ing hypotheses, Dr. W. F. Edwards maintains, 

 in a recent article on Animal Heat, contained in 

 the Cyclopedia of Anatomy and Physiology, that 

 it depends first, on the condition of the blood; 

 secondly, on the developement of the nervous system ; 

 and thirdly j on muscular contraction; because the 

 temperature of animals is in proportion to the 

 richness of their blood, and the degrees of ner- 

 vous energy, muscular power, &c. At the com- 

 mencement of the same article, he observes, that 

 "Physiologists have not been able to discover 

 the cause of animal heat, for the same reason 

 that natural philosophers have not yet discovered 

 how heat is produced in the inorganic world." 

 But if it be true that caloric is absolutely every- 

 where present, either in a combined or separate 

 state, and cannot be traced to any more compre- 

 hensive principle, it must be allowed to possess 

 the essential attributes of a primary physical 

 cause. Moreover, I have proved that it has the 

 power of moving itself, and of generating motion 

 in other bodies ; that if the air, the ocean, and 

 the solid ground were deprived of this active 



