PiiiLosopiiY OF Botany. 267 



isms may be explained in the plainest manner, as the neces- 

 sary consequences of mechanical natural processes. 



This theory is known as the monistic or mechanical, or also 

 causal, because it applies only mechanical causes, operating 

 with necessity (caustp efficientes) in the interpretation of 

 natural phenomena. 



On the other hand, the supernatural hypotheses of creation 

 coincide with that totally opposite view of the universe, which, 

 in contradistinction to the former, is called the dualistic, 

 often also teleologic or vital, because of its alleged govern- 

 n:ent of conditions after a design planned upon usefulness and 

 efificiency (causae finales). 



The manner in which science attempts to vindicate the mo- 

 nistic theory leads to the following considerations : 



Chemistry shows us that all known bodies may, by analysis, 

 be resolved into a limited number of elements or primary sub- 

 stances ; such not furthermore resolvable bodies are, e. g., car- 

 bon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, or the divers metals, like 

 potassium, natrium, iron, gold, etc. At present we know of 

 about seventy-five such elements. The majority of them are 

 rather itnimportant, and of unfrequent occurrence; only the 

 lesser number is generally distributed, and forms not only 

 most inorganic objects, but also all organic bodies. 



If we compare those elements which compose the bodies of 

 organisms with those elements which are found in the inor- 

 ganic substances, we are impressed with the fact that there 

 appears no element in the bodies of animals and plants, which 

 could not also be found outside of them in lifeless nature. 

 There is absolutely no organic element. 



Be it here incidentally remarked that all these so-called ele- 

 ments are (most probably) only dififerent combination forms 

 of homologous atoms of one absolutely simple primitive sub- 

 stance, " the ]\Iass." The differences between elements recog- 

 nized at the present day, originate probably in the circum- 

 stance that these mass-atoms are arranged in different num- 

 bers and positions; and their atom-groups or molecules stand 

 in dififerent relations to the universal ether which fills space. 

 The group-wise arranged mutual affinity of the elements, 

 speaks for this hypothesis, which, however, has not yet been 



