ON THE ORGANIZATION OF LIVING BEINGS. 1 
613 
ganic kingdom, on the other hand, we find the condition totally opposite ; 
for every living being, from the highest in the animal creation down to the 
lowest cryptogamic plant in the vegetable, presents a distinctive character 
for every species, with limited variations amongst individuals. Here the 
form, instead of being circumscribed within planes and angles, generally 
manifests rounded outlines and convex surfaces.” 
The above is extracted from paragraph 14 of the ‘‘Principles 
of General and Comparative Physiology,” by Dr. Carpenter, who, 
in reference to this quality of “ form,” says, — 
“ Wherever a definite form is exhibited by mineral substances, that form 
is bounded by straight lines and angles, and is the effect of the process 
termed crystallisation. This process results from the tendency which 
evidently exists in particles of matter, especially when passing gradually 
from the gaseous or fluid to the solid state, to arrange themselves in a regu- 
lar and conformable manner with regard to one another ; and there is, per- 
haps, no inorganic element which is not capable of assuming such form, if 
placed in circumstances adapted to the manifestation of this tendency among 
its particles. But, on the other hand, if particles be not placed in circum- 
stances favourable to this kind of union, and the simple molecular attraction, 
or attraction of cohesion, is exercised in bringing them together without any 
general control over their direction, an indefinite and shapeless figure is as- 
sumed. Neither of these conditions finds a parallel in the organised creation. 
From the lowest to the highest of living beings the shape is determinate for 
each individual, not only as a whole, but even as to each of its component 
parts ; and instead of being circumscribed within angles and right lines, 
organised fabrics usually present a rounded outline and convex surface,” 
&c. &c. 
Can any thing be more palpable than this 1 But to proceed, Mr. 
Ferguson says, page 203, 
“ Again, with respect to size, it has been ascertained that the volume of 
inorganic masses entirely depends upon the number of particles constituting 
them.” 
Once more, he says in the same page — • 
“ The limits, with respect to size or extent, are least obvious in the vege- 
table kingdom and the lowest animals. A tree may extend itself almost in- 
definitely ; and some kinds of sea weed attain the length of many hundred 
feet, and yet their growth receives no check. The same remarks have also 
been made of those immense masses of coral, of which are composed so 
many islands and reefs in the Polynesian Archipelago.” 
For the original of this we must turn to paragraph 15 of Dr. 
Carpenter’s work, who says — 
“ With regard to size, again, nearly the same remarks apply ; since the 
magnitude of inorganic masses is entirely dependent on the number of parti- 
cles which can be brought to constitute them.” * * * 
“ And, as in the former case, the size to which the inferior members of the 
animated kingdoms may increase, seems but little restricted in comparison 
with that of the higher*classes ; so that it is of no uncommon occurrence for 
some species of sea weed to attain a length of many hundred feet ; and in 
those enormous masses of coral which compose so many islands and reefs in 
the Polynesian Archipelago,” &c. &c. 
