ORGANIC AND INORGANIC MATTER COMPARED. 71 



bodies, whether living or in a state of decay, 

 display the luminosity of phosphorescence. 

 Among plants, the marigold is an example 

 point; while in the animal kingdom mo.-:, it 

 not all, of the lower marine animals are lumi- 

 nous. We have seen the shore studded with 

 innumerable stars, each luminously blue, giving 

 out from itself a decided pale blue light. On 

 examination, these stars were a species of beroe. 

 We need not here advert to the glow-worm, 

 nor to the effulgence of the ocean in warmer 

 latitudes — an effulgence resulting from the 

 congregated myriads of marine animalcules, 

 Crustacea or acalepha?, spread out over leagues of 

 the briny deep. The flash of the diamond, and 

 the glowing effulgence of animal phosphorescence, 

 have nothing in common with each other. 



While organic matter increases, attains to 

 maturity, and declines, it produces inorganic 

 matter; nay, even crystals, which, once formed, 

 are governed by the laws of inorganic matter. 

 Silex, or flint, secreted by the plant itself, forms 

 the exterior incrustation or bark of grasses, 

 reeds, and canes (Etidogens.) Nay, even spi- 

 cules and crystals of silex have been discovered 

 within the hollow of cane joints. We have 

 often heard persons of some information ask, 

 how, and from what source, a plant, rooted in 

 a soil destitute of silex, can acquire this 

 deposit ; but silicium, or silicon, is a chemical 

 basis everywhere abundant, and when united 

 with oxygen the product is silex, or silica (a 

 non-classical word.) It is therefore by its own 



