34 Prof. Henry on the Conservation of Force. 
equilibrium, like a stone poised on a pillar, which the slightest 
jar will overturn; they are ready to rush into closer union wit 
the least disturbing force. In this simple fact is the explanation 
uced by yeast and other bodies, which being themselves in a 
state of change, overturn the unstable equilibrium of the organic 
molecules, and resolve them into other and more stable com- 
pounds. Fermentation, then, consists simply generally in the 
running down from one stage to another of organic molecules, 
changing their constitution, and at last arriving at a neutral state. 
There is, however, one fact in connection with the running down 
of the organic molecules which deserves particular attention, 
librium in the form of heat, sometimes even of light, or perhaps 
of the chemical force, or of that of the nervous energy, in what- 
ever form of motion the lattter may consist. It is a general truth 
of the highest importance in the study of the phenomena of Na- 
ture, that whenever two atoms enter into more intimate union, 
heat, or some form of motive power, is always generated. It 
may, however, be again immediately ekparided in effecting a 
change in the surrounding matter, or it may be exhibited in the 
form of one of the radiant emenations. 
Balance of Nature—The term balance of organic nature was 
first applied, we think, by Dumas, to express the relations be- 
tween matter forming animals and vegetables, and the same 
matter in an inert condition. We shall appiy the term “ bal- 
again destined to appear in another form, and to exert its effects, — 
perhaps in distant parts of celestial space. 
To give precision to our thoughts on this subject, let us sup- 
pose that all the vegetable and animal matter which now forms 
a thin pellicle at the surface of the earth were removed—that 
nothing remained but the germs of future organisms buried in 
the soil and ready to be developed when the proper influences 
