f84 OF THE FORMATION 



ther, and vary according to circumftances : The 

 roots of a tree, when expofed to the air, piifh out 

 branches and leaves ; and thus the organic par- 

 ticles of vegetables obtain a local eftablifliment, 

 become fixed, and produce individuals in many 

 different ways. 



The fame phaenomenon is exhibited in ani- 

 mals whofe organization is lefs perfed:, as in the 

 frefh water polypus, and others, which are ca- 

 pable of reproducing by the divifion of their 

 parts. Thefe organized bodies, inftead of fingle 

 animals, may be confidered as bundles of orga- 

 nized beings united by a com.mon membrane, 

 as trees are compofed of an- infinite number of 

 minute trees *. The vine-fretters, which pro- 

 pagate individually, likewife contain diffimilar 

 particles ; becaufe, after producing their young, 

 they change into barren flies. Snails mutually 

 communicate diffimilar particles to each other ^ 

 and, therefore, each individual is fruitful. Thus, 

 in every mode of generation with which we are 

 acquainted, we find, that the neceffary union of 

 the organic particles cannot be effeded but by 

 the admixture of different particles, to ferve as 

 a common bafis, and to fix or deftroy their ac- 

 tivity. 



According to this general idea of fexes, we 

 may fuppofe, that the diflindion of fex extends 

 through all Nature ; for fcx^ in this fenfe, is 

 nothing but that part of bodies which furnifhes 



organic 



* See Chap. II. 



