VITALITY. 



89 



very imperfect, to study still more carefully the phenomena 

 of the simplest known forms of living matter than to affirm 

 boastingly, that not only these phenomena but those mani- 

 fested by the highest form living matter is known to 

 take, undoubtedly, result from the influence of mere force 

 which never made a brick or formed a wheel, but yet is 

 held capable of constructing those most wonderful and most 

 beautiful mechanisms which could never have been con- 

 ceived by the most vivid imagination, but which are being 

 revealed to us in new multitudes day by day in glorious 

 perfection. Surely, these no more result from the fortuitous 

 or force-impelled aggregation of atoms than pictures, statues, 

 mills, or ships do. 



If, then, we take a general survey of the phenomena 

 peculiar to living things, I think we shall find ourselves 

 compelled by the facts to accept some such inferences as 

 the following :- 



In all living beings there exists matter in a peculiar 

 state which we call living. This living matter manifests 

 phenomena which are different from any phenomena proved 

 to be due to the operation of any known laws. It moves in 

 a manner which cannot be explained by physics. Changes 

 are effected in its composition which cannot be accounted 

 for, and various substances are formed by it which may 

 exhibit structure, properties, and a capacity for acting in a 

 manner which is peculiar to living beings, and cannot be 

 imitated artificially or satisfactorily explained. It takes 

 up non-living matter in solution, and communicates its 

 wonderful properties to it. Having increased to a certain 



