Be the cause of crystallisation what it may, it presents to us in appearance a near approach in inorganic nature to some of the peculiar conditions of growth in the organised creation. In one, we have the gradual production of parts and the formation of members due to peculiar powers of assimilation, each individual preserving all its distinguishing features; and in the other, we have a regular order of cohesion occurring under the influence of a power which draws like to like, and arranges the whole into a form of beauty.
This appears to be the proper place for correcting an error too prevalent, relative to the formation of crystals, the development of cells, and the yet more fatal falsehood of referring the great phenomena of Life to any of the physical forces with which we are acquainted.
The Crystal forms, by the accretion of particle to particle, along lines determined by some yet unknown power. There is no change in the character of any particle—like coheres to like; the first atom and the last of the series being identical in character.
The Plant grows, not by the gathering together of similar particles of matter, but by the absorption of a compound particle—by that one which must be regarded as the primary nuclear atom or cell. After this absorption—in virtue of a power which we call life, excited into action by light—the compound particle is decomposed, and one constituent is retained to effect the formation of a new cell, whilst the other is liberated as an invisible air. Here we have a change of chemical constitution effected; and this takes place through the whole period of vegetable growth, from the development of the plumule up to the formation of the latest leaf upon the topmost branch of the most lordly tree.
Life has been referred to electricity and to chemical power—as the effect of a known cause. Without doubt, during the operations of life the whole of the physical powers are necessary to the production of all the phenomena of growth in the vegetable and the animal world. But these powers are ever subsidiary to vital force, and are like attendant spirits chained to do an enchanter’s bidding.
Life is a force beyond the reach of human search, and he who fancies he has a hold upon the principle which produced biological phenomena, has committed himself to as wild a pursuit as he who rashly endeavours to catch a morass-meteor.
Subtile as are the forces of light, heat, and electricity—that of life, vitality, is infinitely more refined, and it must for ever elude the search of the philosopher.
Man is permitted to test and try all things which are created, and to apply to useful ends the discoveries which he may make. But man can never become a creator; and he who would attempt to give sense to an inert mass of matter, by electricity, heat, or light, will prove himself as ignorant of nature’s truth as is the senseless mass upon which he works.
“So far shalt thou go, and no further,” was said equally to the great tide-wave of human intellect, as to the mighty surge of the earth-girdling ocean.
It must not be forgotten that a striking difference exists between the productions of the mineral and the other kingdoms of nature. Animals and vegetables arrive at maturity by successive developments, and increase by the assimilation of substances, having the power of producing the most important chemical changes upon such matter as comes within the range of their influence; but minerals are equally perfect in the earliest stages of their formation, and increase only, as previously said, by the accretion of particles without their undergoing any change.