THE BREATH OF LIFE 



scion or of the stock will reveal the secret, as it 

 would in the case of chemical compounds. In in- 

 organic nature we meet with concretions, but not 

 secretions; with crystallization, but not with as- 

 similation and growth from within. Chemistry 

 tells us that the composition of animal bodies is 

 identical with that of vegetable; that there is noth- 

 ing in one that is not in the other; and yet, behold 

 the difference! a difference beyond the reach of 

 chemistry to explain. Biology can tell us all about 

 these differences and many other things, but it can- 

 not tell us the secret we are looking for, — what it 

 is that fashions from the same elements two bodies 

 so unlike as a tree and a man. 



Decay and disintegration in the inorganic world 

 often lead to the production of beautiful forms. In 

 life the reverse is true; the vital forces build up 

 varied and picturesque forms which when pulled 

 down are shapeless and displeasing. The immense 

 layers of sandstone and limestone out of which the 

 wonderful forms that fill the Grand Canon of the 

 Colorado are carved were laid down in wide uni- 

 form sheets ; if the waters had deposited their ma- 

 terial in the forms which we now see, it would have 

 been a miracle. We marvel and admire as we gaze 

 upon them now; we do more, we have to speculate 

 as to how it was all done by the blind, unintelligent 

 forces. Giant stairways, enormous alcoves, dizzy, 

 highly wrought balustrades, massive vertical walls 



228 



