ANNUAL ADDRESS. 
53 
our every day use in the evolution of vegetable and animal 
life ? The misery and crime which ever result from the pres¬ 
sure of population upon subsistence, may yet be remedied by 
the creative power, which Deity has shared with us in com¬ 
manding the forces of nature, when lie created man in his 
mental image. 
Light, coming from the unfading sun, which beams glori¬ 
ously upon us to-day—from chemical combustion, and other 
sources, has especially to do with animal and vegetable life, and 
is eminently a “ vital force.” Plants ever seek the light; and 
turn their leaves and boughs towards this source of life. When 
it is excluded, the plant turns white, and frail, and at length 
dies. In the coal mines of England, and the subterranean vaults 
of all mining countries, the workers become exhausted by the 
absence of light ; and have to be relieved by relays frequently 
made. Yet the aristocracy of cities seem to be utterly igno¬ 
rant of these facts ! Ben Franklin was kind enough to inform 
them, in Paris, when they slept all day, and sat up all night, 
that there was a better and a cheaper light than that from 
lamps—the Sun ! Palaces are built wdth windows, in seeming 
acknowledgement of this fact, but then shutters are placed out¬ 
side, and shutters inside, and then curtains of various folds and 
stuffs, till the light is effectually excluded ! Hence the disease, 
exhaustion and death of cities ! Do not these need science , 
light, and life ? 
Air, one of the vital forces, is a compound ; in its purest 
state, according to Humboldt, of 20.8 parts of oxygen,.and 79.2 
of nitrogen, in simple mixture. Silliman has it 20 of oxygen to 
80 of nitrogen in bulk. Atmospheric air, in addition to these 
elements, contains 2000 to 5000 parts of carbonic acid gas, 
small quantities of carburetted hydrogen gas, ammoniacal va¬ 
pors, and carbonate of ammonia ; also fluids and solids near 
the earth. 
The influence of air upon the vitality of vegetables is well 
known, which through the leaves throw off, and receive, many 
•elements from the air. Experiments, made in Germany, show 
