45 
kingdom, but receiving, by direct agency, the breath of the 
Immortal, constituting him, also, thereby immortal. This 
distinction was not bestowed upon the inferior animals. Of 
course the same argument applies here, as between plant and 
animal, with the additional force of the highest conceivable 
dignity — that of not only claiming to be, but of being, im- 
mortal — the crowning gift of the Eternal, to the master of 
earth. 
The separation of plant and animal appears, then, so 
prominently marked that, however closely they may externally 
approximate, the line of separation is as completely im- 
passable as if the one were of earth and the other of the 
planet Neptune. So, likewise, between man and the rest of 
the animal creation. The natural impossibility of inter- 
mixture between the leading divisions of animate nature, must 
denounce all theories based on an unknown, or unacknow- 
ledged, or speculative source of life, either as mere ingenious 
hypothetical schemes or premeditated infidel teachings. 
Some of our comparative anatomists, however, struggle 
hard against these marked distinctions. Anything like an 
impassable barrier is abhorrent to them. Unity of organiza- 
tion is their hope. Even then — is the question of life solved? 
And the chemist, framing organic compounds from inorganic 
mixtures, thence argues for the production of vitality ; as if 
a dead organism were more likely to start into life than a 
dead electrical spark ; as if by mixing, and moulding, and 
transferring forces (always ignoring vitality as a force) this 
vitality could be generated ; — hence, if so produced, subor- 
dinate ; hence, an inferior power. Life, the inferior power of 
earth ! indeed, not a power at all, but the offspring of 
involuntary inorganic combinations — the child of blind chance 
— unmeaning in its lower form, irresponsible in its highest ; 
unmeaning, as an essential quality — irresponsible, as of the 
unintelligent. 
May I venture to beg you to look upon so short a paper as 
this, on a subject of such extent and deep importance, as only 
a text for discussion — towards educing some little order from 
the mass of confusion with which a modern materialistic 
section of philosophy is overlaying the origin of life on the 
globe ? 
On the motion of the Chairman, the thanks of the meeting were voted to 
Mr. Wheatley for his paper ; and a paper On the Triunity of Life, by 
Dr. Edward ' Haughton, of Great Malvern, was afterwards partially read by 
the Secretary,' and the thanks of the meeting were voted to the author. 
[Dr. Raughton’s paper is not here printed, as it was not completely read, 
