Psychology of Flowers--Progress of Matter towards Organization--Vital Force--Spontaneous Generation--The Vegetable Cell--Simplest Development of Organization--The Crystal and the Cell--Primitive Germ--Progress of Vegetation--Influence of Light--Morphology--Germination--Production of Woody Fibre--Leaves--Chlorophylle--Decomposition of Carbonic Acid--Influence of Light, Heat, and Actinism on the Phenomena of Vegetable Life--Flowers and Fruits--Etiolation--Changes in the Sun’s Rays with the Seasons--Distribution of Plants--Electrical and Combined Physical Powers 357 CHAPTER XV. PHENOMENA OF ANIMAL LIFE. Distinction between the Kingdoms of Nature--Progress of Animal Life--Sponges--Polypes--Infusoria--Animalcula--Phosphorescent Animals--Annelidans--Myriapoda--Animal Metamorphoses--Fishes--Birds--Mammalia--Nervous System--Animal Electricity--Chemical Influences--Influence of Light on Animal Life--Animal Heat--Mechanical Action--Nervous Excitement--Man and the Animal Races, &c. 383 CHAPTER XVI. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. The Changes produced on Physical Phenomena by the Movement of the Solar System considered--Exertion of the Physical Forces through the Celestial Spaces--The Balance of Powers--Varieties of Matter--Extension of Matter--Theory of Nonentity--A Material Creation an indisputable fact--Advantages of the Study of Science--Conclusion 403 INDEX. 413 BOHN’S BOOKS. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE. INTRODUCTION. The True is the Beautiful. Whenever this becomes evident to our senses, its influences are of a soul-elevating character. The beautiful, whether it is perceived in the external forms of matter, associated in the harmonies of light and colour, appreciated in the modulations of sweet sounds, or mingled with those influences which are, as the inner life of creation, ever appealing to the soul through the vesture which covers all things, is the natural theme of the poet, and the chosen study of the philosopher. But, it will be asked, where is the relation between the stern labours of science and the ethereal system which constitutes poetry? The fumes of the laboratory, its alkalies and acids, the mechanical appliances of the observatory, its specula and its lenses, do not appear fitted for a place in the painted bowers of the Muses. But, from the labours of the chemist in his cell,--from the multitudinous observations of the astronomer on his tower,--spring truths which the philosopher employs to interpret nature’s mysteries, and which give to the soul of the poet those realities to which he aspires in his high imaginings.