Bede 
J. D. Dana on Spontaneous Generation. 409 
class are the most stable of compounds; the rocks, the earth’s 
foundations, are made of them. But evanescence and unceasing 
teal descent ; and it is the natural downward course of inorganic 
lorees ;—while passing towards the latter is as truly an ascent; 
itis the counter-movement of life. E 
- The plant through its vital functions may take carbonic acid, 
and from it, continue to elaborate the organic products constitut- 
ing vegetable fibre, until a whole tree of such material is made, 
amd then produce the higher material of the flower and seed. 
The animal may then go to the plants and use them in making 
still higher class of products, muscular fibre and nerve. A: 
all this is done, now turn over the material to the action of 
meal and physical forces,—and the work of years of life is 
“oon pulled down from its height, and one part after another de- 
sends towards that state of comparative inactivity, the condition 
ofan oxyd, Chemistry makes organic products by commencing 
with those of a higher grade than the kind to be made, but not 
otherwise, Albumen is a prominent material of the egg; and 
Femistry has not succeeded in making dead albumen, much less 
ing, rad 
The very relation of life to chemistry is therefore evidence 
that chemistry cannot make life; it works in just the reverse di- 
fetion. And in this reciprocal relation one of the profoundest 
WS of nature is exhibited. It leads the mind to recognize one 
eg for both, and not to imagine that one side in the cycle 
generated the other go 
of a ere is another consideration, which, if it has not the = 
‘ monstration, may help the mind to understand the exten 
enn aon aoe genta ing as 
ion from dea 
Ne Of perfection, there is @ loss of latent force; for the gas is 
"highest condition of aaced cabs force in inorganic 
tod 
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