PHYSIOLOGY. 219 
Plants no doubt belone to the lowest order of or- 
vanized bodies. Their evolution fron seeds to a 
certain size, the formation of the flower and of the 
fresh seeds, which are again changed into plants ok 
the same kind from wiih they arose; is a con- 
tinual circle of formation, existence and decay, 
which proves clearly, that plants are living, | or- 
ganized bodies*. 
S22 . 
Organized bodies, in general, exhibit ‘differens 
powers, which may be divided into two chief or- 
ders: those which are solely produced by their or- 
gans, and when life ceases continue for some time 
after; and those which in the organs depend ‘en- 
tirely on life. To the first belong, 
Elasticity, (¢/asticitas), or the tendency of a flexi- 
ble body to recover its former figure with some de- 
gree of force after extension or compression. 
Contractility, (contractilitas s. vis mortua), or the 
dead power, which consists in the elongation and 
contraction of certain parts. 
To the second order belong, 
trritability, (irritabilitas), when different aa 
* We speak of lite here 1 in its most extensive signification ; 4 
for philosophers attribute life to animals only, considering 
consciousness as essentially connected with it, of which we 
have no proofs in plants. In these to consider life as merely 
an organic power, appears to be not at all sufficient. Between 
them and animals, which approach plants in their characters, 
&ce. it 1s indeed not very easy, throughout, to draw an ac- 
curate line of distinction. 
produce 
