46 



PHYSIOLOGY OF LIFE. 



co-extensive with the science of metals, and that of fossils 

 (both as geologically applied) ; of crystallization ; and of 

 vegetable and animal physiology, in all its distinct 

 branches. The nature of the present essay scarcely per- 

 mits the space sufficient to illustrate our meaning. The 

 proof of its probability (for to that only can we arrive by 

 so partial an application of the hypothesis), is to be found 

 in its powers of solving the particular class of phenomena, 

 that form the subjects of the present inquisition, more 

 satisfactorily and profitably than has been done, or even 

 attempted before. 



Exclusively, therefore, for the purposes of illustration, 

 I would take as an instance of the first step, the metals, 

 those, namely, that are capable of permanent reduction. 

 For, by the established laws of nomenclature, the others 

 (as sodium, potassium, calcium, silicium, &c.) would be 

 entitled to a class of their own, under the name of bases. 

 It is long since the chemists have despaired of decomposing 

 this class of bodies. They still remain, one and all, as 

 elements or simple bodies, though, on the principles of 

 the corpuscularian philosophy, nothing 'can be more im- 

 probable than that they really are such ; and no reason 

 has or can be assigned on the grounds of that system, 

 why, in no one instance, the contrary has not been proved. 

 But this is at once explained, if we assume them as the 

 simplest form of unity, namely, the unity of powers and 

 properties. For these, it is evident, may be endlessly 

 modified, but can never be decomposed. If I were asked 

 by a philosopher who had previously extended the attri- 

 bute of Life to the Byssus speciosa, and even to the crus- 

 taceous matter, or outward bones of a lobster, &c., whether 



