THEORY OF LIFE 117 



postulated by the theory; nor is the concern with 

 the movements of ions or colloidal particles in or 

 through a solution. 



The critical concentration postulated by the 

 theory is merely a local condition of ionization in 

 which the concentration of ions, the crowding of ions, 

 is such that some atomic domains overlap. It means 

 a condition of crowding of atoms and ions that is 

 not relieved by any surrounding conditions. 



The critical concentration of ions postulated is a 

 critical condition in respect to: 



1. The concentration of ions, as described; and 



2. The relations of specific ions, in that the proxim- 

 ity of some atom or ion with normal or acquired 

 electropositive tendency (that is, some atom or nega- 

 tively charged ion that will readily part with an 

 electron) to hydrogen ions, preferably to a Hz+'ion is 

 required. (See pp. 108 and 109.) 



Concerning the occurrence of the postulated condi- 

 tion — a local condition — one must assume: 



1. Undoubtedly there were innumerable simul- 

 taneous and repeated occurrences on the early, 

 lifeless earth. 



2. Undoubtedly, the condition was of repeated, 

 frequent occurrence during geologic time. 



3. The condition is producible in the physical 

 chemistry laboratory. 



X 



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