8 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 
small indeed, but possessing a power capable of develop- 
ing in succession the destined phenomena of existence. 
By means of this power, the germ is able to attract towards 
it particles of inanimate matter, and bestow on them an ar- 
rangement widely different from that which the laws of 
chemistry and mechanics would have assigned them. The 
same power not only attracts these particles and preserves 
them in their new situation, but is continually engaged in 
removing those which, by their presence, might prevent or 
otherwise derange its operations. 
1. Limtrep In 1Tts powER.—But there is a limitation 
of this power in the exercise of its functions, to the pro- 
duction of a body of a certain magnitude, form, structure, 
composition and duration. . 
, A. Magnitude—In each particular species, it is_ re- 
stricted in its efforts to the production of a being of a de- 
terminate size. When this size has been attained, some- 
times by a slow, sometimes by a more rapid growth, the 
body remains for a time, as it were, stationary as to bulk. 
The absorption and ejection being equal and opposite, 
counterbalance each other. There is a proportion like- 
wise preserved between all the parts,—between the roots 
and the stem,—the limbs and the trunk. 
B. Form.—In each species, this power is restricted to a 
determinate form. Hence it is, that the external shape 
being the same in all individuals of the same species, it 
becomes an easy matter to recognize them. The seed of 
a fir-tree never expands into the shape of the ash, nor does 
the germ of the sheep evolve the appearance of the ox. In 
the various stages of their existence, certain organized be- 
ings are destined to undergo a variety of changes in size 
and shape ; but these, however complicated or numerous, 
all pave the way for the assumption of the destined forms 
of the individual. In consequence of the uniformity of 
