OF NUTRITION; OR, WHY WE GROW. 49 



the young plant built up of the molecules of starch ? 

 . . . . The portion of the starch, &c. of the 

 tuber, as yet unaccounted for, has run down into 

 inorganic matter, or has entered again into combi- 

 nation with the oxygen of the air, and in this 

 running down, and union with the oxygen, has 

 evolved the power necessary to the organization 

 of the new plant." 



A similar view has been argued by Professor 

 Le Conte, of the South Carolina College, Columbia.* 

 " It is well known that in the animal body there 

 are going on constantly two distinct and apparently 

 opposite processes, viz. decomposition and recom- 

 position of the tissues ; and that the energy of life 

 is exactly in proportion to the rapidity of these 

 processes. Now, according to the ordinary view, 

 the animal body must be looked upon as the scene 

 of continual strife between antagonistic forces, 

 chemical and vital ; the former constantly tearing 

 down and destroying, the latter as constantly build- 

 ing up and repairing the breach. In this unnatural 



* See the American Journal of Physical Science, November, 

 1859 ; or the Philosophical Magazine, February, 1860. 



4 



