THE PURIFICATION OF THE BLOOD, ETC. 57 



long time without producing any apparent 

 effects beyond the preservation of the body 

 itself — that is, without causing growth or 

 development. This phenomenon is manifested 

 in the eggs of birds, reptiles, and insects, etc., 

 and in the seeds of plants. In order to render 

 the vital principle energetic, certain stimulants 

 and certain conditions are requisite, as a due 

 degree of warmth, of moisture, etc., to which 

 the body in question requires to be subjected. 

 From the moment of that subjection a series of 

 progressive phenomena commences, until full 

 development is accomplished. Who, looking at 

 the egg of a bird, and untaught by experience, 

 would dare to predict that from it the peacock, 

 long there immured, should become developed 

 in all its glory ? Who, looking at the egg of an 

 insect, would, unless taught by experience, 

 suspect that a gorgeous butterfly, or magnificent 

 moth, lay there, sleeping in a little tomb ? But 

 because experience has taught us these things, 

 the mystery is forgotten ; yet the mystery still 

 remains. Again, who, looking at a grain of 

 wheat, would suppose that from its own decay 

 it could afford nutriment to a vitalized germ, 

 stimulated into activity by the properties of the 

 soil, by moisture, and by the heat and light of 

 the sun — blade, stalk, and ear, coming forth in 

 their due season ? Types these of man's great 

 resurrection ! 



It may be received as a general rule, that 

 unless a due stimulus be applied within a given 

 time to these germs of organic being, sleeping 



