ON LIFE AND ORGANIZATION. 
81 
cheesy substance found in tubercles. At no very distant time I 
mean to write an account of glanders, as it prevails hereabouts. It 
is very common, and in almost every case traceable to neglected 
bronchitis. 
ON LIFE AND ORGANIZATION. 
By Mr. W. F. Karkeek, Truro. 
[Continued from p. 27.] 
A third character , by which the living body is distinguished, is 
derived from the peculiar disposition of the materials of which it 
consists. That disposition is always regular and determinate, con- 
stituting arrangement. This arrangement is termed structure ; the 
process by which it is effected is called organization : hence the 
body in which it is found is said to be organized. 
The simplest form in which we see life displaying itself requires 
a structure of solids and fluids ; the solids forming meshes or cells, 
in which the fluids are contained, and a mutual action and reaction 
appearing to exist between them. This is the simplest effort at 
organization, and is nearly a description of the lowest orders of 
animals and plants. For instance, the medusce, those jelly-like 
masses that are observed floating on the sea, are little more than a 
double sac, containing, in its intervals, an immense quantity of 
watery fluid. Their only function is nutrition, which is equally 
performed by the external surface answering to the skin, and the 
internal representing the digestive organs. 
In looking through all animated nature we see a variety of or- 
ganization, corresponding to the variety of climate, soil, & c. & c. 
These differences are connected with the different habits and man- 
ner of living which belong to different species ; and at any one place, 
the various species, both of animals and plants, have many rela- 
tions and mutual dependencies arising out of these differences. 
Compare a Dutchman with one of the Neapolitan lazaroni, or an 
Englishman with an Arab of the desert. Observe how in the for- 
mer the whole outline may be described by circles or curves gra- 
dually falling into one another ; how the interstices between the 
muscles are filled in, and the whole figure is round and plump : while 
in the latter every thing is hard, dry, and angular, the muscles start 
forth abruptly from the skin, and on the least exertion display them- 
selves, as if dissected off by the knife of the anatomist. This con- 
trast is beautifully marked by Sir Walter Scott, in his description 
of the trial of strength and sleight of hand between Richard and 
Saladin, in the tale of the Crusaders. 
