363 i 
1872.] [Price. 
Let us go back a stage in the being of this life, whose source and nature 
we are invited by Dr. Huxley to investigate. From a vitalized ovum, 
seemingly but a speck of jelly, the fotal being is developed into a body, 
with every part prepared to begin the hardening process of breathing life. 
Until birth it derives its nourishment from the mother by the umbilical 
cord attached to its navel. In due time it is expelled, by nature’s timely 
effort, that child and mother may continue to live. The physical liga- 
ment that united them is severed, and the separate life begins. The 
child now breathes for itself, and takes food into its own stomach. Still 
the nourishment comes from the mother, and nature has provided it, as 
wanted, in her breast. At those fountains the child drinks by a process 
its instinct has already taught it. Its food is that adapted to enter into 
its circulation and nourish its life. The lacteal ducts absorb the milk and 
carry it into the current of life. Why this should all be, we readily un- 
derstand ; but how this harmonious process takes place, with such sure 
observance and beneficent end, we cannot penetrate. We say that nature 
and instinct do that we so admiringly behold. But if nature had an 
Author, then it was God who does it, tocontinue our race. Yet He re- 
tains the secret He chooses not to reveal. 
But we must recede yet further to reach the physical beginning of life. 
In animals and vegetables of highest organization, we find that there are 
two sexes requisite to the reproduction of life. We will take the illustra- 
tion from the vegetable kingdom, whence the inference may be made to 
the animal, including man. When the sun’s varmth revisits us, and 
spring has come with her showers, we have also the flowers. These are 
not only for our pleasure and refinement of taste, but they are nature’s 
bridal habiliments. The two sexes may be found in the game blossom ; 
or in separate blossoms on the same, or different trees. The base of the 
pistils contains the female ovules, made but to perish in sterility unless 
they shall receive the pollen formed in the anthers of the stamens ; but 
are not permitted to perish, for the breezes are ever transporting the dust 
of the pollen to the awaiting ovules ; and the busy bee and insects, as they 
flit from flower to flower, assist in nature’s requirement. Inthe speck of 
male dust is the beginning of life, to find its necessary receptacle in the 
female molecule of matter. The ovules are fructified ; the flower fades 
and dies, for it has fulfilled its office ; but the seed grows and matures, and 
is the germ of another life, that shall be like unto the parent. All thisis 
watched, aud surely observed; it is beautiful to behold, and. of most 
beneficent purpose, for without it all vegetable and animal life would 
cease upon the earth. But the ultimate secret who can find out? Why 
the pollen should be requisite to fructification ; how it should have the 
power thus to impart life, man has never found out, and probably will 
never discover. We have looked upon the renewed vernal life of the 
vegetable kingdom with sympathy, and in that sympathy we have invested. 
nature with our own feelings, and she has seemed to us sensient of joy.. 
And now, returning to ourselves, as subjects of the like process, we behold: 
