FORCE AND FORM. 



responds to the difference between living matter and the 

 matter which results from its death. Just as by chemical 

 analysis we learn the composition of calc spar, so by 

 chemical analysis we ascertain the composition of living 

 matter. It is not probable that there is any real differ- 

 ence in the nature of the molecular forces which compel 

 the carbonate of lime to assume and retain the crystalline 

 form, and those which cause the albuminoid matter to move 

 and grow, select and form and maintain its particles in a 

 state of incessant motion. The property of crystallising is 

 to crystallisable matter what the vital property is to albu- 

 minoid matter (protoplasm). The crystalline form corre- 

 sponds to the organic form, and its internal structure to tissue 

 structure. Crystalline force being a property of matter, 

 vital force is but a property of matter." It might be objected 

 that crystalline force keeps particles still and compels them 

 to assume a constant form, while vital force prevents them 

 from assuming any definite form at all and keeps them 

 moving, -form being assumed only when the matter is with- 

 drawn from the influence of the vital force ; but these and 

 any other objections raised to the physical theory of life are 

 accounted absurd and frivolous. It has been asserted posi- 

 tively that there is but one true theory of life the physical 

 theory. Its advocates seem to think that any objections 

 raised to this ought not to be listened to, because they 

 assert prophetically that by the rapid advance of molecular 

 physics, the truth of their theory will some day be fully 

 established. 



