II 



will ever be denied us, to arrive at a knowledge of the true elements oi 

 bodies, and that many of those substances, which the imperfection of our 

 means of decomposition or analysis obliges us to consider as such, are 

 frequently compound substances, and subject to their laws. 



After what has been stated on the elements or constituent principles of 

 substances, let us now see in what manner the combination of these ele- 

 ments gives existence to all beings, and what are the general differences 

 existing among the great classes into which they are divided. 



III. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ORGANIZED AND INOR- 

 GANIZED BODIES. 



Much attention has been bestowed of late on the difference which exists 

 between organized and inorganized bodies. The latter have been observ- 

 ed to be very different from those which are endowed with life, in the ho- 

 mogeneous nature of their substance, in the complete independence of 

 their molecules, each of which, according to the observation of Kant, has 

 in itself causes to account for its peculiar mode of existence, in that pow- 

 er of resisting decomposition which they owe to the simplicity of their 

 structure, and in the absence of those peculiar powers which free organic 

 bodies from the absolute dominion of physical laws. The characters 

 which distinguish organized beings from inorganized substances, are, the 

 multiplicity, and volatility of their elements, the necessary union of flu- 

 ids and,solids, the nutrition and developement from the diffusive combina- 

 tion, while the growth of inanimate bodies takes place from the mere 

 juxtaposition of particles, theorigin of living bodies in generation, their 

 destruction in deathf. We are about to enter into a detail of those cha- 

 racters, to appreciate all their differences, for knowledge is to be acquir- 

 ed only by comparison; and the greater our accuracy in comparing, the 

 more precise and extensive-will be the knowledge we obtain. Several mo- 

 dern authors have proved, that it is impossible to obtain an accurate idea 

 of life, except by comparing those bodies which are endowed with it, 

 with those in which life has never existed, or has ceased to exist. This 

 comparison, I hope, will be fruitful in interesting results, and will furnish 



* The subjoined table by Magendie, displays very satisfactorily the most perceptible 

 differences existing between the two great classes of beings. Godman. 



INORGANIC BODIES. 



Form. Angular. Volume indeterminate. 



Composition. Sometimes simple. Rarely formed of more than three elements. Con- 

 stant. Each part can exist independent of the rest. Capable of decomposition and 

 recomposition. 



Laias governing them. Entirely submissive to the laws of attraction and chemical 

 affinity. 



LIVING ORGANIZED BODIES. 



Form. Rounded. Volume determinate. 



Composition. Never simple. Having at least four elements, frequently eight or ten. 

 Variable. Each part, more or less, dependent on the rest. Capable of decomposition, 

 but not of recomposition. 



Laws governing them. Partially submissive to the law* of attraction and chemical 

 affinity. Partly controuled by an unknown power. 



Of living bodies there are two classes. 



Vegetables Which are fixed to the soil. Have carbon as the chief base of their com- 

 position. Composed of four or five elements. Receive their aliment ready prepared 

 from around ttiem. 



