On the Vitalihj of Matter. 61 



through all its changes ; it is the same specific and entire 

 being ; and its race is continued subject to the same invari- 

 able laws. It is not a casual association of atoms, at one 

 time part of a horse, at another, part of a serpent. If the 

 chrysalis were attached to the side of a piece of tortoise shell, 

 or other substance similar to hair, and on bursting its cere- 

 ments, the shell should become its head or its painted wings, 

 then the case would be parallel to the horse-hair snake. 



It is further stated, as will be kept in mind, that vegeta- 

 bles after death arise with the locomotion of animals. Also 

 that the monads of animal remains revive in vegetables, or 

 animals, as chances occur. The atoms of a chesnut leaf 

 were animals while in the water, but upon being dried upon 

 the sides of the glass, became vegetables, with appropriate 

 forms and colours : and finally, that a drop of water in which 

 a vegetable (potatoe) had been boiled, discovered innume- 

 rable atoms in great activity. This is an anomaly in the 

 experience of the whole world, boiling heat being destruc- 

 tive of life ; but in this instance the vital principle is stated to 

 have triumphed over its vegetable origin — over death — over 

 the destruction of fire — and, surpassing even the fabled Phe- 

 nix, to have awaked to life and animation. 



The examination of this subject has been extended far 

 beyond my original design ; but on a review of the whole 

 argument it appears that the following are undeniable posi- 

 tions : 



1st. That life is not inherent in matter, because it is in 

 proof that the material elements of animal and vegetable 

 remains continue insensate for ages after death — that the 

 presumed fact of their revivification rests upon the slender 

 evidence of microscopic observations — that the phenomena 

 adduced to establish it were probably optical illusions, occa- 

 sioned by chemical action and disturbance — or were owing 

 to some other cause than material innate vitality. 



2d. That the order which prevails throughout the visible 

 creation proves that all things are governed by immutable 

 laws, which have been the same from the beginning, and 

 which forbid the revolting idea that inert matter springs to 

 life in odious and degraded shapes, remote from its generic 

 origin ; and that animals cannot change to vegetables, nor 

 vegetables to animals ; nor apimals to others of opposite 

 genera ; else 



