288 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



in it, or, to speak more exactly, has become latent. This 

 adult animal is thus brought into a condition, through 

 which a great number of germs have passed, as for 

 instance, almost all seeds, and even the bird's egg. The 

 egg in the body of the mother participates in the life 

 of the individual which gives it birth ; it then becomes 

 individualised, and life ceases to be manifested in it by 

 sensible phenomena, but it is not on that account to be 

 regarded as dead. Once laid, the egg may be preserved 

 for a very long time, provided it be placed in certain 

 circumstances of drying, cold, &c. 



If, however, it be placed under a hen which is sitting, 

 or if even it be merely introduced into one of those 

 apparatuses which the ancient Egyptians knew so well 

 how to construct on a large scale, life will soon be 

 manifested within it, and the germ will revive from 

 its torpor and become developed. In this egg, therefore, 

 life must have been for a long time present, although in 

 the latent state. This explanation must not be regarded 

 as too rash; for the physical world presents us with many 

 very similar facts. The heat which is expended in melt- 

 ing ice, or in converting a liquid into vapour, disappears 

 so thoroughly, that the thermometer can no longer detect 

 its presence ; but it is not, therefore, destroyed, it is only 

 concealed ; that is to say, it has passed into the latent 

 state. 



The phenomenon which we observe when Rotifers, 

 Paste-eels, and Tardigrades, are desiccated, is of a pre- 

 cisely similar character. In all living organisms a certain 

 quantity of water is necessary for the exercise of the 

 functions, that is to say, for the manifestations of life. 

 By removing this water, we suspend these manifestations. 

 In most animals, such suspensions cannot take place 

 without injuring the organism to so great a degree as to 

 prevent the accomplishment of its functions, in which 



