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approaching the subject; and these general observations may, 
we trust, the better prepare some of our readers, for carrying 
into successful practice, the experiments of their predecessors; 
although they may be unable to investigate those laws and 
processes essential to the development of organic nature. 
The importance of attention to this subject will be better 
understood by looking through its effects. These are an 
increase of organic, out of inorganic, matter; — of vegetable, and 
hence animal, life, out of the inorganised substances of the earth. 
In regard to animal or vegetable life, Liebeg’s general remarks on 
nutrition are appropriate. He says, “ The continued existence 
of all living beings is dependent on the reception by them of 
certain substances, which are applied to the nutrition of their 
frame. An enquiry, therefore, into the conditions on which 
the life and growth of living beings depend, involves the study 
of those substances which serve them as nutriment, as well as 
the investigation of the sources whence these substances are 
derived, and the changes which they undergo in process of 
assimilation. A beautiful connection subsists between the 
organic and inorganic kingdoms of nature. Inorganic matter 
affords food to plants, and they, on the other hand, yield the 
means of subsistence to animals. The conditions necessary for 
animal and vegetable nutrition are essentially different. An 
animal requires for its development, and for the sustenance of 
its vital functions, a certain class of substances which can only 
be generated by organic beings possessed of life. Although 
many animals are entirely carnivorous, yet their primary 
nutriment must be derived from plants; for the animals upon 
which they subsist receive tlieir nourishment from vegetable 
matter. But plants find new nutritive material only in inor- 
ganic substances. Hence one great end of vegetable life is to 
generate matter adapted for the nutrition of animals out of 
inorganic substances, which are not fitted for this purpose.” 
Hence, we recognise the necessity of vegetable life, before 
animal life can find support. On the third day of creation 
the Almighty clothed the earth with vegetables ; He sub- 
sequently created animals to exist upon them. 
We shall now bring under notice, numerous facts which have 
arisen out of the use of Guano as manure ; and from these, 
draw general conclusions for the guidance of future practice. 
