56 On the Vitality of Matter. 



became of a mealy consistence. It was closely covered in il 

 glass vessel, and a drop of the water was examined twenty- 

 four hours after, when it exhibited innumerable animalcules 

 in great activity." 



From these examples, they conclude that sensation and 

 voluntary motion reside in matter ; that however minutely 

 the parts are dissociated, they still possess a principle of vi- 

 tality ; " that death does not destroy their susceptibility; and 

 that life and matter are coexistent, and from everlasting to 

 everlasting." 



These data, and the inferences deduced from them, being 

 at variance with those visible facts, and those unerring, in- 

 variably recurring rules called the laws of nature, an inquiry 

 respecting them is justified — 



I. Whether there is not a fallacy in those appearances 



which are assumed as first principles ? 

 II. Whether life exists in brute matter ? And 

 III. Whether inert matter, or particles specifically animal 

 or vegetable, can spring to life, in natures remote from, 

 and opposite to, their own origin ? 



I, Is there not a fallacy in those appearances which arc 

 assumed as first principles ? 



Microscopic discoveries are peculiarly liable to error. 

 They require great acuteness and accuracy of sight, and the 

 contradictory conclusions made by the most exact observers 

 with the microscope, render it of doubtful validity. As it 

 would be unfortunate to build a principle in physiology upon 

 an optical illusion, those appearances which have been ad- 

 duced should be received with great caution, because, if the 

 first point is wrong, every succeeding step must be errone- 

 ous, and all further reasoning upon it would be confirming 

 the deception, 



A fallacy may therefore be suspected in those appearan- 

 ces which were considered as voluntary motions. It is wor- 

 thy of remark, that the monads were viewed through the re- 

 fracting medium of water, and that many of the fibres retain- 

 ed their thread shaped forms, while others, still farther divi- 

 ded, were reduced to points or globules. Being so attenua- 

 ted as to be scarcely visible, the progress of decomposition 

 producing a further separation of parts, and moving them by 

 chemical action, might easily cheat the senses with the ap- 

 pearance of animation. While the motions accompanying 



