MECHANISM OF NATURE 



Our science can resolve our ox and tree into the 

 elements that compose each ; and each has elements 

 that the other also possesses. 



And each has built up these same elements into 

 a very different form. 



Because ox and tree grow up before our eyes, 

 which perceive the organs of their growth, we know 

 they are alive. But we cannot see organs of as- 

 similation and growth in a stone, neither can we 

 perceive any increase or decrease of volume. 



Ox and tree are continually wasting away and 

 continually building up, and when they cease to 

 build up they are dead, even so the stone. 



Ox and tree have been alive and built up into 

 their form so has the stone and ox and tree shall 

 again dissolve into the elements that composed 

 them so shall the stone. 



The ox shall dissolve more rapidly than the tree, 

 and the tree shall dissolve more rapidly than the 

 stone. 



Then has life built up each and death shall re- 

 solve each. 



PROPOSITION XV. 



Every transmission of force from one body to 

 another body requires time; all growth requires 

 time, and universal life and death require time. 



Because we can perceive no manifestation of 

 force which is really instantaneous, we have long 



52 



