V. Plant, Animal, Man

In the plant we have material substance transformed by the forces raying inward to the earth. This is the living substance. It is continually interacting with the lifeless [matter]. We must conceive that in the plant, living substance is perpetually being separated out of the lifeless. It is in the living substance that the plant form then appears as a product of the forces raying in towards the earth. Thus we have one stream of substance. Lifeless substance transforms itself into living; living transforms itself into lifeless. In this stream the plant-like organs come into being.