AND ANIMAL LIFE, 395 



vital before we employ this agent, when these 

 chemical combinations are entire, and that it loses 

 its vitality on the application of this power, we 

 are almost necessitated to allow that vitality is the 

 result of these combinations, as it no longer exhibits 

 any of its properties when these are destroyed. 



CCCCLXX. In Chapter VII. on Torpidity, 

 I have dwelt at considerable length on the par- 

 ticular influence of cold in retarding the oxyge- 

 nation and circulation of the blood ; and have also 

 endeavoured to shew in what manner warmth 

 tends to restore the enfeebled powers of life. 

 The diminution and increase of animal and orga- 

 nic functions were, in these instances, the diminu- 

 tion and increase of vitality. 



CCCCLXXI. Nothing in Nature can be attri- 

 buted to chance. Harmony and beauty are ob- 

 served in the grand outlines of design, perceived 

 in those creations within the grasp of our facul- 

 ties ; and since the Supreme Being has thus won- 

 derfully constituted our frame, and given it es- 

 tablished laws, it is somewhat probable that oxy- 

 gen is the instrument which principally tends 

 to accomplish his intentions. Regarding oxy- 

 gen as a primary principle of vitality harmonizes 

 with the figurative language of Scripture, in 

 which it it is stated, that after God had created 

 man " He breathed into his nostrils the breath of 

 life.' 



