Comparative Physiology. 209 



always termed monstrosity ; and the designation mutilated 

 would not appear so much out of order here at least, though 

 transformation would be a better term for both the ascending 

 and descending series, mutilation being, perhaps, indicative 

 of a still more imperfect form of developement, as in cut or 

 otherwise mutilated leaves, petals, stems, &c. Sometimes the 

 monstrosity of fulness of flower takes another direction, and 

 perfoliate flowers are produced ; a branch starts from the flower 

 as in geum, and forms a flower above. This and the full flower 

 are both in the descending series, the nutritive function of 

 growth having overcome the higher function of reproduction. 

 Even in the fascicled appearance of j)ine leaves it is normal for 

 them to be produced in that way ; and, though the circular de- 

 velopement prevails over the longitudinal or vertical, it cannot 

 be so properly called abortion as where accidental deviation from 

 a normal form points out that something is wanting. Abortion 

 or mutilation, at all events, I should think an improper term 

 for a perfectly formed flower. 



After these preliminary and introductory remarks, he com- 

 mences the subject of General Physiology in Chap. I. On the 

 Nature and Causes of Vital Action. He introduces the sub- 

 ject in the analysis of contents, where he distinguishes between 

 physical phenomena resulting from the physical properties of 

 matter, and vital actions from the vital properties of mat- 

 ter. " These vital properties depend on the peculiar state 

 in which the component particles of the organism, or living 

 being, exist, and this state is induced by an action of organisa- 

 tion upon inorganic matter, by a preexisting structure. This 

 peculiar state is such that spontaneous decomposition has a 

 peculiar tendency to take place, but is kept in check by the 

 renovation characteristic of vital action. Vital action depends 

 on organised structure and a stimulus." It appears, therefore, 

 that he considers life as the result of the state, or foi^mation, 

 of the living being ; and that it is continued by the power of 

 a living being to communicate its peculiar state, or form, to 

 inorganic matter, and thus produce its like. We are more ac- 

 customed, however, to conceive that there is a separate living 

 power, which is influenced in its actions by previous form. We 

 may conceive that the pi'oduction or bringing together of matter 

 in a certain form produced life ; but it savours more of acci- 

 dent (and not of purpose or wisdom), than to suppose that 

 a separate vital principle was made to act in a general way on 

 matter, besides the particular form which Avas independent of 

 that principle. The former appears at least more liable to be 

 attributed to accidental congregation of atoms than the latter. 

 Whether life is the result of form, or form the result of life, it 



p 3 



