62 THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



of perpetual existence, with apparently undiminished 

 powers in spite of an almost infinite number of divi- 

 sions and subdivisions, surely there are few who will 

 believe that such a force can exist. The doctrine 

 is absolutely inconceivable, it cannot be realized in 

 thought. Dr. Bence Jones has well said J , c We know 

 now that in all living things no separate or peculiar 

 matter is present. The stuff which takes part in 

 the living actions and the forces which are inherent 

 in that stufF are there, and indestructible and in- 

 separable. Inorganic matter and inorganic force al- 

 ways exist together in living things ; so that if a 

 separable living force be also present, then we must 

 admit that two totally different laws of force must 

 be in action at the same time in the same matter. 

 The unity of nature will at least be preserved by our 

 hesitation to admit the assumption of a force capable 

 of creation and annihilation, until some very conclusive 

 evidence be obtained that there actually is in living 

 things such a force or forces capable of being separated 

 entirely from the matter of which they are made.' And 

 in addition to this kind of argument, we may well ask 

 whether there is the need (such as the advocates for 

 the existence of a peculiar and independent c vital 

 principle' suppose) for a special force to effect the 

 transformation of physical forces within organized 

 structures ? The phenomena presented by living 



1 Croonian Lectures ' On Matter and Force ' at Royal College of 

 Physicians ('British Medical Journal,' May 16, 1868, p. 471). 



