38 Additional Notes. 



preface to the natural orders, and Amenit. Acad. VI. 279. This mode 

 of reasoning m<iy be extended to the most simple productions of spon- 

 taneous vitality. 



There is one curious circumstance of animal life analogous in some 

 degree to this wonderful power of reproduction; which is seen in the 

 propagation of some contagious diseases. Thus one grain of vario- 

 lous matter, inserted by inoculation, shall in about seven days stimu- 

 late the system into unnatural action; which in about seven days 

 more produces ten thousand times the quantity of a similar matevial 

 thrown out on the skin in pustules! 



The mystery of reproduction, which alone distinguishes organic 

 life from mechanic or chemic action, is yet wrapt in darkness. Dur- 

 ing the decomposition of organic bodies, where there exists a due 

 degree of warmth with moisture, new microscopic animals of the most 

 minute kind are produced; and these possess the wonderful power of 

 reproduction, or of producing animals similar to themselves in their 

 general structure, but with frequent additional improvements; which 

 the preceding parent might in some measure have acquired by his 

 habits of life or accidental situation. 



But it may appear too bold in the present state of our knowledge 

 on this subject, to suppose that all vegetables and animals now existing 

 were originally derived from the smallest microscopic ones, formed by 

 spontaneous vitality? and that they have by innumerable reproduc- 

 tions, during innumerable centuries of time, gradually acquired the 

 size, strength, and excellence of form and faculties, which they now 

 possess? and that such amazing powers were originally impressed on 

 matter and spirit by the great Parent of Parents! Cause of Causes' 

 Ens EntiumJ 



