LAWS OF PHYSICAL FORCE. 327 



concerning the kinds of forces employed in the economy 

 of nature. 



It is an obvious fallacy to assert such close analogy to 

 exist between the functional energies of living beings, and 

 the force of steam in an engine. The distinction in the 

 two cases is plainly seen by reference to the two kinds of 

 force called into action by each of them — the first being 

 a series of organic energies, that connect and sustain the 

 successive motions through the complex structure of the 

 said beings, the other being simply the elastic force that 

 drives the engine. To support this alleged analogy, its 

 authors should be enabled to bring some sort of proofs 

 that the vital forces do result solely from the chemical 

 forces evolved in the living system ; but this is not sus- 

 tained by any known facts, or deductions from facts. No 

 *^ new philosophy ^' is required to teach us that all organic 

 beings depend for their existence on solar heat, as also 

 on the due supply of proper food. We also know that 

 " the nutritive materials for sustaining life " contain a 

 large portion of carbon, in the forms of gelatine, fibrine, 

 saccharine, starch and other analogous bodies in com- 

 mon food ; but these facts afford no explanation as to the 

 origin, development, and final decay of " nature's living 

 progeny.^^ 



The vital forces, from the first germ to the close of life, 

 exhibit, in a clear plan, a train of connected and harmoni- 

 ous actions, in guiding and controlling the chemical and 

 mechanical forces that are exerted in carrying on the 

 functional powers of life — showing that the vital force was 

 adapted to and designed to control the others. 



The marvellous energy of the heart far exceeds the 

 force of any hydraulic engine of the like size ; the forces 

 exerted by the peristaltic and other internal muscles, as 

 also the chemical forces acting through the lungs, sto- 

 mach, and general circulations, are alike inexplicable upon 



