mer indeed seems in some measure to resemble
the latter, as it probably occasions the minute particles of
the fibre to approach into absolute or adhesive contact, by
withdrawing from them their repulsive atmospheres; whereas
the latter seems only to cause particles of matter to
approach into what is popularly called contact, like the
particles of fluids; but which are only in the vicinity of
each other, and still retain their repulsive atmospheres, as
may be seen in riding through shallow water by the number of
minute globules of it thrown up by the horses feet, which
roll far on its surface; and by the difficulty with which
small globules of mercury poured on the surface of a quantity
of it can be made to unite with it.]

[Footnote: _Spontaneous birth_, l. 247. See additional Note,
No. I.]

"IN earth, sea, air, around, below, above,
Life's subtle woof in Nature's loom is wove;
Points glued to points a living line extends,
Touch'd by some goad approach the bending ends;
Rings join to rings, and irritated tubes
Clasp with young lips the nutrient globes or cubes;
And urged by appetencies new select,
Imbibe, retain, digest, secrete, eject.
In branching cones the living web expands,
Lymphatic ducts, and convoluted glands; 260
Aortal tubes propel the nascent blood,
And lengthening veins absorb the refluent flood;
Leaves, lungs, and gills, the vital ether breathe
On earth's green surface, or the waves beneath.
So Life's first powers arrest the winds and floods,
To bones convert them, or to shells, or woods;
Stretch the vast beds of argil, lime, and sand,
And from diminish'd oceans form the land!

[Footnote: _In branching cones_, l. 259. The whole branch of
an artery or vein may be considered as a cone, though each
distinct division of it is a cylinder. It is probable that
the amount of the areas of all the small branches from one
trunk may equal that of the trunk, otherwise the velocity of
the blood would be greater in some parts than in others,
which probably only exists when a part is compressed or
inflamed.]

[Footnote: _Absorb the refluent flood_, l. 262. The force of
the arterial impulse appears to cease, after having propelled