CANTO i. PRODUCTION OF LIFE. 21 



With strong REPULSION parts the exploding mass, 

 Melts into lymph, or kindles into gas. 

 ATTRACTION next, as earth or air subsides, 

 The ponderous atoms from the light divides, 240 



Approaching parts with quick embrace combines, 

 Swells into spheres, and lengthens into lines. 

 Last, as fine goads the gluten-threads excite, 

 Cords grapple cords, and webs with webs unite; 

 And quick CONTRACTION with ethereal flame 

 Lights into life the fibre-woven frame. 



Attraction next, 1. 239. The power of attraction may be divided 

 into general attraction, "which is called gravity; and into particular 

 attraction, which is termed chemical affinity. As nothing can act 

 where it does not exist, the power of gravity must be conceived as 

 extending from the sun to the planets, occupying that immense 

 space ; and may therefore be considered as an ethereal fluid, though 

 not cognizable by our senses like heat, light, and electricity. 



Particular attraction, or chemical affinity, must likewise occupy 

 the spaces between the particles of matter which they cause to ap- 

 proach each other. The power of gravity may therefore be called 

 the general attractive ether, and the matter of heat may be called 

 the general repulsive ether; which constitute the two great agents, 

 in the changes of inanimate matter. 



And quick Contraction, 1. 245. The power of contraction, which 

 exists in organized bodies, and distinguishes life from inanimation, 

 appears to consist of an ethereal fluid which resides in the brain and! 

 nerves of living bodies, and is expended in the act of shortening 



