324 now TO WORK 



other. But is not this begging the question, and is it not a mere 

 assertion instead of a demonstrated truth to say that all the forces 

 operating in nature are but different modes or forms of what has 

 been called primary energy or motion ? It is hardly yet proved that 

 all the forces now recognised are mutually convertible, nor is it 

 known how many forms or modes simple primary energy or motion 

 may put on, while it is certain that many phenomena familiar to 

 us cannot be explained by what we know of the forces of matter. 

 How then can we be in a position to affirm that there is no power in 

 nature capable of giving rise to vital phenomena but some form of 

 force ? 



It is evident that vital power does not correspond to any pro- 

 perties manifested by ordinary inanimate bodies. For it is capable 

 of being transferred from complex particle to particle. Moreover, 

 it not only controls the manifestation of ordinary forces but gives 

 rise to the formation of certain compounds and structures which are 

 destined to come into use, not as soon as they are formed, but at 

 some future time. A fully formed organ is not first represented by 

 a microscopic germ of precisely similar structure, but by a mass 

 without structure at all, and the fully formed tissues are preceded by 

 the production of several less elaborate structures. It will therefore 

 be seen that ' vital power ' governs not only the present changes 

 which present matter is to undergo, but prepares in advance for 

 changes which are to occur at a future time. The formation of struc- 

 tures is, as it were, prepared for long before the compounds are pro- 

 duced out of which those structures can alone be made. While 

 ordinary force seems for the most part to affect masses from the 

 surface, vital power acts from the very centre of the most minute 

 particles new power seems as it \vere to be for ever springing 

 anew from the centre of particles of matter already under the influence 

 of this power. While ordinary force may change its form, it cannot 

 cease or be annihilated ; but there is no evidence to show that vital 

 power changes its form, while, as far as is known, it does cease, and 

 without undergoing conversion into any other kind of power or 

 force. No one has yet proved that when living matter dies the vital 

 power changes its form, and becomes converted into any kind of 

 force which is set free ; and although it has been asserted that more 

 force is taken up in the formation of a brain cell of a man than in 

 the formation of a vast quantity of vegetable tissue, there is no 

 evidence in favour of such a hypothesis. It is but an authoritative 

 dictum. 



Numerous facts and arguments thus seem strongly in favour of the 

 vie\v that there exists in relation with every particle of matter that 



