^68 Philosophy of Botany. 



experimentally demon stralcti. It is furthermore supposed 

 that these chemical elements formed j^rior to the formation of 

 planetary systems, in the evolution of star systems, under con- 

 ditions of heat, higher than now artificially producible. 



The chemical and physical differences existing between 

 organic and inorganic bodies have therefore their material 

 origin not in the distinct nature of the component elements, 

 but in the dififerent way and manner in which they are aggre- 

 gated mto chemical combinations. 



This distinct way of composition conditions, consecutively 

 certain physical peculiarities, especially in reference to their 

 density, which at once appear to open a wide chasm between 

 these two groups of bo/dies. The formed inorganic or lifeless 

 natural objects, the crystals and the amorphous rocks are of a 

 degree of density which we call solid in contradistinction to 

 the fluid state of tli.e v/ater or the gaseous state of the atmos- 

 pliere. 



It will be remembered that these different states of aggrega- 

 tion of the inorganic bodies are not at all due to their ele- 

 mentary nature, but are depending upon certain degrees of 

 their temperature. Every one of the inorganic solid elements 

 may be converted by raising its temperature into the fluid or 

 molten, and by further increase to the gaseous or elastic fluid 

 state. Likewise every gaseous body — e. g., carbonic acid — by 

 sufficient reduction of temperature or increased pressure can 

 be condensed to the fluid, and furthermore to the solid, state. 



In distinction from these three conditions of density of the 

 inorganic substances, we find the living bodies of all organ- 

 isms, of plants as well as animals, in a quite peculiar fourth 

 state of aggregation. This one is neither solid like a stone, 

 nor liquid like water, but keeping the middle between these 

 two conditions, of what may be called a firmly liquid or tumid 

 consistency. In all living t)odies, wntli no exception, is a cer- 

 tain quantity of water bound up in a peculiar way with solid 

 substance, and just by this characteristic combination of w^ater 

 with solid substance comes about the soft, neither hard nor 

 fluid, consistency which, for the coming into existence and the 

 mechanical interpretation of the phenomena of life, is of great- 

 est importance. 



