PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 437 



we should have clearer conceptions of radical and essential distinction be- 

 tween species; and it seems to me the more we push our investigations in 

 this direction the more certainly shall we arrive at satisfactory results. 



To appreciate the theory I wish to present, the following illustration is 

 introduced from the labors in organic chemistry of an eminent American 

 savan : 



A portion of primitive rock was taken and triturated to a fine powder. 

 To this was added the ash of lichens growing upon the rock, thus forming 

 artificial soil. In this soil he placed the seed of plants higher in the scale 

 of vegetation than the cryptogamia. This he did repeatedly, each time 

 ascending in the vegetable scale. Clover was finally introduced; aftei'- 

 wards he grew wheat. Now man, the highest of the animal scale, could 

 not have derived his sustenance from clover or any of the plants low in the 

 botanical scale; but the cereal, the highest of the seed bearing plants, is, 

 in temperate climates, his chief source of food. • All the way up from lichen 

 to wheat, some lower mammal is adapted to live upon each lower plant. 



Still further to illustrate our hypothesis, let us suppose that, primarily, 

 there was a single species of plants created, and this of the lowest type — 

 a mere cell, capable of eliminating oxygen from carbonic gas, and solidify- 

 ing carbon into vegetable tissue. At the same time the simplest type of 

 phytiferous animals was created capable of inspiring^ oxygen, and throwing 

 off carbonic acid gas. We already know enough of the physiology of life 

 to decide that these two would be mutually dependent i>pon each other. 

 The plant absorbing carbon, yielding oxygen, and giving food to the ani- 

 mal, the latter absorbing the oxygen, throwing off carbon, and bequeathing 

 its dead and effete organism to enrich the soil for the growth of future 

 plants. Let us suppose a carnivorous animal to be introduced; we have 

 now an animal a little higher in its powers than the vegetable feeder, and 

 remotely dependent upon plants for its sustenance. We are sufficiently 

 acquainted with the grand laws of nature's economy, growth, supply, re- 

 dundancy and waste, to know that a new and another species of animals 

 must be introduced, which we will call scavengers, in order the first circle 

 of life may be complete. 



The creation of a plant involves the necessity of three species of animals, 

 performing as many distinct functions, to be created simultaneously, in 

 order to preserve the continuation of life, and the harmony of its phenomena. 



If there had been a blind force operating upon matter, which at some happy 

 and auspicious moment developed life out of the inanimate, and from mat- 

 ter gave a vegetable cell, how could it have proceeded further ? What 

 direction should this blind force impel its power ? If death then began its 

 reign, whence the conservating force to develop an animal ? 



We cannot conceive of a circle of life, composed of varied members, each 

 mutually dependent upon each other, acting in harmony, each in its own 

 sphere, to carry forward and preserve some important and noble result, 

 without supposing intelligence directing the power, a forehand design to 

 be accomplished by the force employed in creation. 



All monads are alike dependent upon currents in the water to bring them 

 cod. We cannot assign to so low a form of life, sagacity, instinct, or 



