DISCOURSE OF W. B. TAYLOR. 339 



The elevation of inorganic matter (carbonic acid, water, and 

 ammonia,) to the vegetable plane of power, introduces naturally 

 the consideration of the still higher elevation of vegetable organic 

 matter to the animal plane of power. "As in the case of the seed 

 of the plant, we presume that the germ of the future animal pre- 

 exists in the egg; and that by subjecting the mass to a degree of 

 temperature sufficient perhaps to give greater mobility to the mole- 

 cules, a process similar in its general effect to that of the germi- 

 nation of the seeds commences. - - - During this process, 

 power is evolved within the shell, we cannot say in the present state 

 of science under what particular form ; but we are irresistibly con- 

 strained to believe that it is expended under the direction again of 

 the vital principle, in re-arranging the organic molecules, in build- 

 ing up the complex machinery of the future animal, or developing 

 a still higher organization, connected with \vhich are the mysterious 

 manifestations of thought and volition. In this case as in that of 

 the potato, the young animal as it escapes from the shell, weighs 

 less than the material of the egg previous to the process of incu- 

 bation. The lost material in this case as in the other, has run down 

 into an inorganic condition by combining with oxygen, and in its 

 descent has developed the power to effect the transformation we 

 have just described." The consumption of internal power does not 

 however stop with the development of the young animal, as it does 

 in the case of the young plant. "The young animal is in an 

 entirely different condition : exposure to the light of the sun is not 

 necessary to its growth or its existence: the chemical ray by 

 impinging on the surface of its body does not decompose the car- 

 bonic acid which may surround it, the conditions necessary for this 

 decomposition, not being present. It has no means by itself to 

 elaborate organic molecules ; and is indebted for these entirely to its 

 food. It is necessary therefore that it should be supplied with food 

 consisting of organized materials; that is of complex molecules in 

 a state of power. - - - The power of the living animal is 

 immediately derived from the running down of the complex organ- 

 ized molecules of which the body is formed, into their ultimate 

 combination with oxygen, in the form of carbonic acid and water, 

 and into ammonia. Hence oxygen is constantly drawn into the 



