2. _Its Electrical Condition._--With the electrical changes in the state of the atmosphere are connected various transitions from heat to cold, dew, rain, hail, snow, clouds, winds, thunder-storms, auroræ boreales, haloes, parhelia, etc. In this point of consideration the atmosphere bears upon organic life. The solid globe itself may be regarded as a vast electrical or galvanic apparatus, and all the vital functions of animal bodies involve electric or galvanic phenomena. Magnetism appears to be essentially identical with electricity; both are most intimately connected with light and heat; and not only electric sparks, but all the phenomena of electricity, can be obtained from a common magnet. It is not here our purpose to enter into a philosophical treatise on electricity and galvanism; a little consideration, however, will lead us to infer that the general diffusion of this subtle electric fluid, if the term fluid be at all applicable, is essential to the maintenance of organic life, and that electrical changes are perpetually taking place in organic bodies. This fluid is derived from the earth, or its circumambient atmosphere, and its currents obey definite laws, which have been elucidated by the experiments of some of the most profound philosophers of modern times. After what we have briefly said respecting the electric condition of our globe, and the electrical phenomena which are involved in the processes of the vital functions, to say nothing of electro-magnetism, it must surely be apparent, that even as the air is in itself necessary to our existence, so the diffusion of that subtle matter, now quick, now slowly acting, now energetic, and now darting from the clouds to the solid earth a vivid flash, creating a momentary light in darkness--is equally essential; this is a point which, by the world at large, is but slightly taken into consideration. Remove this subtle element from the earth, and what would be the result? Perhaps the globe would deviate from her course; perhaps an alteration in her polar axis would take place. Perhaps--but why enter into such speculations? This is certain--animal and vegetable life, as at present constituted, could not exist: but all is ordered aright; the organization of matter, and the senses of living beings, are involved in the presence of an element, variable, it may be, in its phases, but mighty in its effects. Here animals and plants play their part transversely, for each other's benefit; animals produce electricity, by means of the vital operations of their organization, and this produce, given to the earth and air, is abstracted by plants. They antagonize each other, and the result is harmony.