organic action. Upon the connection between current force and magnetic force, I need not dwell.

Concluding Remarks.

The conclusion to be deduced from the foregoing arguments is the following:-That the force connected with crystals and organised bodies is identical, viz.-a polar force; and it remains now to point out the real distinctions that can be established between the formation of the crystal on the one hand, and the development of an organism on the other. This distinction is manifested in the mode of growth. In the crystal there is the simple addition of similar parts, the only condition being a supply of material, usually in the form of solution, for its growth and increase; whilst in the organised body, on the other hand, the growth is accompanied, not by a mere addition of similar parts, but the substance (the food) must be formed, and undergo transformation, before it can be added to the structure of the organism; and not only that, but for the perfect development of the individual there must be a series of changes, the food must become sap or blood; and it is from this sap or blood that the perfect tissues are formed. Crystallisation may be said to consist in the deposition of homologous parts, according to the laws of symmetry, whilst in organisation, the parts, previous to their deposition, must undergo a series of transformations; so that life may be said to consist of a series of constant changes of organic matter, which result in the development of an individual organism.

Now, the real point for consideration is this, are we justified, from the mode of growth alone, in drawing a real and essential difference between organisation and crystallisation? To answer this question satisfactorily, we must consider the object we have in view.

In the classification of things as individuals, for the purpose of Natural History, our divisions are generally conventional, things are usually divided according to external differences and resemblances-forces are not alluded to, or are overlooked, and therefore we are apt to conclude, that a greater distinction exists in the nature of things themselves from the manner we view them, than exists in reality. In Physics and Chemistry,

forces are considered in an abstract manner, whereas, in Natural History, the objects themselves are studied; all that which cannot be perceived by the senses belongs not to its domain, the properties of bodies are considered abstractedly, but only as characters. It may, however, be stated, that if the same plan were pursued in regard to Natural History as in Physics and Chemistry, the mind would deal in abstractions so wide and general that no positive knowledge would by this means be obtained. To the justness of this observation no one can refuse assent. My object has been to show that between crystalline force and organic force no essential distinction can be drawn; but the mode in which these forces are manifested may at the same time present such differences as to lead, for the purpose of classification, to a distinction as individuals.

Hitherto I have confined my observations to the growth and development of organised bodies, and have assumed, as with a crystal, the pre-existence of organic matter; the question, however, arises, What is the primary form and constitution of organic matter; or, in other words, can organic matter be formed from inorganic matter? The primary form of organic matter has usually been considered as a nucleated cell; but I believe at the present day that this is not essential; the microscope alone cannot teach us what are the essential constituents of "viable matter"-this the chemist must do. When the chemist can tell us the constitution of organic matter in its first stage, at its first formation, then we may have some hope of being in a condition to answer the question satisfactorily. What the chemist has analysed are compounds formed during the process of organisation during the changes that take place in the growth and development of an organism. This will not answer our purpose; and until we can get some clear notion concerning the real constitution of the primary form of viable matter, we are stopped at the very commencement of the inquiry.

Professor Graham* has found it necessary to divide substances into crystalloids and colloids, and considers "the

*On Liquid Diffusion applied to Analysis. Medical Times and Gazette Aug. 3, 1861.

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colloidal to be a dynamical state of matter; the crystalloidal being the statical condition. The colloid possesses energia. It may be looked upon as the probable primary source of the force appearing in the phenomena of vitality. To the gradual manner in which colloidal changes take place (for they always demand time as an element), may the chronic nature and periodicity of vital phenomena be ultimately referred." Let us take a portion of colloidal matter, and assume, for argument's sake (although no opponent might grant it) that, under certain conditions, this might become a portion of viable matter, and form a cell. Here we get the first starting-point. of an organism. But what are our difficulties? Let us compare it with the development of a crystal. For the mere growth of a crystal we should only require a solution containing similar substances, but for the cell to grow and become a living organism, we should require the influence of another cell, either a germ-cell or a sperm-cell, and also to know the kind of food it would require for its development. To become a plant it would require a certain kind; to become an animal another kind; so that, for the perfect development of this cell into any particular kind of organism, it would require to be placed under different circumstances during its earliest stages, so as to produce the different forms and varieties that are observed in the organic world. A knowledge of the "conditions of existence" is therefore the great desideratum.

I do not feel the difficulty that is generally entertained regarding the supposition of the origin of organic matter from inorganic matter; it is usually, perhaps, from pre-existing organic matter, but I believe it may arise without assuming this mode of origin. The conditions for its development is the great difficulty. The germ, whether from pre-existing organic matter, or from other sources, if exposed during its earliest stages to certain conditions, may become developed into what we may term a different organism to that of its parent. It would be in the earliest stages, perhaps, that the differences would be more readily taken up. We know that a cell with or without a nucleus may be predicated as the starting-point of the whole range of the organic kingdom. And as we have no reasons for supposing that different forces are called into

action, excepting in the higher grades of development, but what exist in the inorganic kingdom, that there is no real and essential difference between the force connected with organised bodies and that connected with crystals, these facts would go far to prove the non-necessity of a fresh act of creation for each individual organism, as we should be compelled to assume the same necessity for each individual crystal.

On the Condition of the Salmon Fisheries of England and Wales in 1861; with a Notice of some of the Modes of Fishing, especially those practised in the Severn and Wye; and Remarks on the Natural History of the Salmon. By Sir WM. JARDINE, Bart., F.R.SS. L. & E., &c.

Introductory Remarks.

In the twenty-fourth year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, a Royal Commission was appointed "To inquire into the salmon fisheries of England and Wales, with the view of increasing the supply of a valuable article of food for the benefit of the public."

The commissioners appointed were Sir W. Jardine, Bart. ; Joshua Fennell, Esq., one of the Inspecting Commissioners of the Fisheries in Ireland, and George Kettilby Rickards, Esq., Counsel to the Speaker of the House of Commons; and they were efficiently assisted throughout by Frederick Eden, Esq., as their secretary.

These gentlemen met by arrangement at Gloucester on the 10th September 1861, and afterwards visited and inspected personally all the principal rivers and salmon fisheries in England and Wales, and took evidence thereon. They asked and received answers to 18,000 questions, printed in a Blue Book of 545 pages, and laid their report, for presentation to her Majesty, before the Home Secretary in the February following. This might have sufficed; but as blue books are fitted neither for railway reading nor for perusal from the pillow, and 18,000 questions would trench severely on time and the memory, and as the phraseology and limits of a report made under these circumstances

must be somewhat strict and concise, it has been thought that the information obtained, if given in another form, combining some notes upon the different modes of fishing employed, and on the natural history of the several species brought under observation, might not be unacceptable. An attempt to do so has now been made.

No subject has been more legislated upon than that of the regulation of the salmon fisheries of Great Britain and Ireland; and while this indicates the importance attached to them, it has been at the same time mainly caused by the want of a correct knowledge of the facts relating to them, by ignorance of the habits and natural economy of the species, and by parties looking at one or two insulated points only, instead of viewing the subject and the various interests connected with it as a whole.

In the early state of all countries the wild animals, birds and fishes, were killed for food, or to assist in clothing, indiscriminately at all times, and without regard to the seasons of breeding. The thinning out of these, sometimes their entire extirpation, invariably followed the increase of population in the older countries as well as in the new; and thus it was that their great economic value was early appreciated, and laws and regulations were framed for their protection during the breeding seasons, and to check what had become an abuse of the gifts of nature.

As wealth increased, other agencies came into operation. The immense extension of our manufactures and mining operations, and the various scientific appliances to these and to agriculture, all had their influence on the number of wild animals, while the machinery employed in mills and inland navigation especially interfered with that of those inhabiting the waters. As wealth advanced, so in proportion did luxury; game and fish must be had; as the facility for transport increased, the demand enlarged with it, and new contrivances for capture, "improved machinery," followed, to keep up with the extended calls. But a farm will only produce to a certain amount, even with the greatest care and culture that has its limit; and if we look at the poultry and fish shops of London and the great manufacturing towns of Great Britain, and calcu