34 



heat, and the variations in the elastic and electric tension, and 

 in the hygrometric condition of the vast aerial ocean, are all so 

 intimately connected together, that each individual meteoro- 

 logical process is modified hy all the others, and these mete- 

 orological processes of the atmosphere are the controlling causes 

 on w^hich depends the agricultural and pastoral pursuits of 

 the inhabitants of extensive tracts of continents." 



It can but be concluded, from these ideas so forcibly and 

 fully expressed by the profound and acute author of Cosmos, 

 that electricity is in some way, not yet understood, not 

 only intimately connected with, but dependent upon the* 

 operations of nature as explained by the gradual diminu- 

 tion of the mobile forms of matter, and that some of the 

 organic chemical elements must be concerned in electric 

 phenomena. 



According to Whewell, 'Hhe identity of electric and chem- 

 ical forces is a ivell proved truth, from which future specu- 

 lations must advance as a starting point." The identity of 

 organic aud chemical elements being also an admitted 

 truth — the identity of chemical, vital, electric and nervous 

 forces can not be denied. 



Terrestrial physical conditions must have been so far 

 modified, and the formation of solid matter upon this 

 sphere must have proceeded to a certain extent when or- 

 ganic life began to exist upon it. This organic life must 

 have advanced with physical conditions through age upon 

 age of change, during the wdiole formation of the rocky 

 strata of the earth's crust, before the period arrived for the 

 present highest type of physical organization, combined 

 with the highest development of nervous or brain power 

 as existing in man, to take its appointed place in the crea-^ 

 tion of God. There must have been the same fitness and 

 adaptation in and between organic and inorganic, animate 

 and inanimate nature, always. If these gradual changes 

 in the forms of the matter of this globe have taken place, 

 the perfect adaptation of all things at all times can not be too 



