210 ZOOLOGICAL PHILOSOPHY 



These, I think, are truths against which can be set no known facts- 

 and no authoritative observation. 



The following is a summary of the principles set forth in this chapter : 



L Life is an organic phenomenon which gives rise to many others; 



this phenomenon results exclusively from the relations existing between 



the containing parts of the body, the contained fluids moving in them, 



and the exciting cause of the movements and changes there occurring ; 



2. Consequently life in a body is an order and state of things which 

 permits of organic movements, and these movements constituting 

 active life result from the action of a cause which excites them ; 



3. Without the stimulating and exciting cause of vital movements, 

 life could not exist in any body, whatever the state of its parts ; 



4. The exciting cause of organic movements acts in vain if the state 

 of things in the parts of the organised body is so disordered that these 

 parts can no longer respond to the action of this cause nor produce 

 the special movements called vital. Life would then be extinct in 

 the body, and could no more be restored ; 



5. Lastly, in order that the relations between the containing parts 

 of the organised body, the fluids contained in them, and the cause 

 which excites vital movements in them, may produce and maintain 

 the phenomenon of Ufe, the three conditions named in this chapter 

 must be completely fulfilled. 



Let us now pass to an examination of the exciting cause of organic 

 movements. 



