236 THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



animal, it is first converted into chyme ; then, having 

 been absorbed from the intestinal canal and submitted 

 to the action of certain parts of the lymphatic system, 

 it is converted into fully elaborated chyle, which is 

 afterwards poured into the proper vascular system. 

 Now when, during this process, does the solution of 

 dead organic matter assume the qualities of Life ? when, 

 or at what stage, does it become a living fluid ? is it, 

 in fact, ever anything else (even in its most elaborated 

 condition of blood-plasma) than a mere organizable 

 solution of organic compounds, capable of acting as 

 pabulum for already existing living matter, and of 

 permitting the de novo origination of new centres of 

 growth and Life ? Certain it is that at some stage 

 the passage from the not-living to the living must 

 be effected ; and the process is probably not more 

 abrupt than that reverse process by which living matter 

 again reverts to not-living materials, such as are cast off 

 in various excreted fluids. Starting with dead organic 

 and inorganic matter, imbibed as food, we pass, in all 

 living animals and plants, through fluids of various de- 

 grees of elaboration, till we find these food ingredients 

 becoming converted into actual Living Matter. The 

 animal or plant is nourished, and grows by the occurrence 

 of such a process. We contend, however, that the fluids 

 concerned cannot be said to live. The property, or 

 aggregate of properties, designated by the word c Life '" 

 does not pertain to the fluids themselves, though their 

 constitution is such as to favour, under the influence 



