THEORY OF LIFE 133 



Since the constitution, or pattern, of the Z-system 

 that may develop is determined by the conditions 

 (as postulated) which first give rise to it, and these 

 may be simple or complex, various degrees of com- 

 plexity of pattern may result. The Y-system would 

 show complexity of organization to correspond. 



Extremely complicated systems may result, given 

 sufficiently complex conditions at the initiation of 

 the process and continued favorable conditions in 

 the medium. 



The process involves (1) addition to (a) the Z- 

 system, and (b) the Y-system; (2) transformations 

 and transmutations (a) of ultimate units organized 

 into the Z-system; (6) probable change of atoms from 

 one element into another (as possibly from nitrogen 

 to carbon) as the Z-system integrates itself; (c) 

 chemical transformations. 



From the first and throughout the process is one 

 of "selective appropriation"; that is, the dual-system 

 takes from its medium only what it can incorporate, 

 leaving the rest. 



It would appear, then, that a condition of a critical 

 concentration of ions, as postulated, would lead (1) to 

 the formation of a new and different unit; (2) to 

 further collisions and "growth" of the new unit; 

 (3) to the setting up of a dual-system. 



The new unit formed, the Z-system, it must be 



