20 DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS OF ORGANIZED BODIES. 



whilst that of one of the higher animals resides in the sum 

 of all its organs. 



3. The very simplest Organized fabric is further dis- 

 tinguished from Inorganic bodies by marked differences in 

 regard to intimate structure and consistence. Inorganic sub- 

 stances can scarcely be regarded as possessing a structure, 

 since their perfection consists in their homogeneousness and 

 their solidity. It is the essential character of Organized 

 fabrics, on the other hand, that they are formed by a com- 

 bination of solid and liquid components, so intimately 

 combined and arranged as to impart a heterogeneous cha- 

 racter to almost every portion of their substance ; and in all 

 the parts which are most actively concerned in the vital 

 operations, softness of texture seems an essential condition, 

 those parts only being so consolidated as to acquire anything 

 comparable to the density of mineral bodies, which are 

 destined to possess the simply physical property of resistance, 

 so as to be subservient either to support, to protection, or 

 to mechanical movement. A comparison between the pulpy 

 portion of the leaves of Plants and the heartwood of the stem, 

 between the membranous tissues of the Coral-polypes and the 

 stony masses which they form, between the firm shell of the 

 Crab or the Oyster and the substance of the included body, 

 or between the solid bones of Man and the flesh which clothes 

 them, will serve to* illustrate this principle. It is in such 

 solidified portions of the Organized fabric, that the greatest 

 resemblance exists to Inorganic bodies; but even these 

 portions all pass through the condition of soft tissue, the 

 consolidation of which is effected by the deposit of some 

 hardening material (generally carbonate or phosphate of lime), 

 in its interstices. It is by the reaction which is continually 

 taking place' between the solid and the liquid parts of 

 Organized structures, that their integrity is maintained. For 

 we shall find it to be a result of their peculiar composition, 

 that they are prone to continual decay ; and this decay would 

 speedily destroy them altogether, if it were not compensated 

 by new formation. The materials for their reproduction 

 must always be presented to the tissues in a liquid state, and 

 all the dead and decomposing matter must be reduced to the 

 same form, in order that it may be carried off; so that the 

 intermingling or mutual penetration of solids and liquids, in 



