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of a metallic engine, and the living organisms, are so widely 
different in the two cases, that one could hardly expect to 
see their close analogy, asserted by any writer on the laws 
of physics, except under strange illusions, 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 
necessive 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 which is not sustained 
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, 
adepose and other analagous bodies in common food ; but 
these facts afford no explanation as to the origin, develop- 
ment 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 harmonious 
action, in guiding and controlling the chemical and me- 
chanical 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 fhe 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 
