Now bear in mind that I speak in this way only in order to conform to your own course of reasoning, for the term 'Vital Principle' is at variance with the actual assertions of science.

Life will manifest itself as soon as the brain, or the heart, or any one of the organs which have the capacity of working spontaneously, shall have absorbed the quantity of water it needs.

Organized matter has inherent properties which manifest themselves without the assistance of any foreign principle, whenever they are surrounded by certain conditions.

Why do not M.Fougas' muscles contract yet?
Why does not the tissue of the brain enter into action?
Because they have not yet the amount of moisture necessary to them.

In the fountain of life there is lacking, perhaps, a pint of water.