138 WHAT IS LIFE 



the pattern would become so rigidly established that 

 very little, if any, variation would be possible. When 

 in the chain of successive dual-systems this equihb- 

 rium is reached, all the dual-systems that follow 

 necessarily would conform to this rigid pattern. This 

 equilibrium at once preserves the pattern and is 

 fatal to further change of pattern. If the pattern 

 be very simple, the duplication of dual-systems would 

 be nearly exact; a complex pattern still would permit 

 some variations in the individual dual-systems. 



Very readily a dual-system might develop into a 

 compound such that if it gave off only a part of 

 itself, that part (under suitable conditions) would 

 continue the process and develop into another com- 

 pound dual-system. 



Once it is established, then, the dual-system will 

 increase in both size and complexity until the limit 

 of complexity that is permitted by the constitution 

 (pattern) of the Z-system and the limit of size per- 

 mitted by mechanical laws, are reached — provided 

 that the environment be and remain favorable. 



If for any reason the environment (physico- 

 chemical constitution, temperature, and pressure) 

 becomes unfavorable, the process will stop, obviously 

 with the disruption of the dual-system. The two systems 

 necessarily will separate, and the dual-system as such 

 will cease to exist. Unfavorable physicochemical 



