466 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



a fact which was known before Mendeleeff s time purely as a result of 

 experimental work on these elements. The movement of oil drops and 

 the interchange of substance in osmosis are certainly quicksand founda- 

 tions upon which to build inter-relationship theories of the animate and 

 the inanimate. This superficial connection fails to stand the test of 

 adaptation and coordination — to name two characteristic features of the 

 vital substance. Indeed, our knowledge is so remarkably extensive that 

 we can not as yet state the simplest vital manifestation in terms of 

 science. 



But this does not make a discussion of this kind any the less valuable. 

 The impetus to research that it gives is productive of the highest good 

 to mankind, for if the results do not solve the problem, the scope of the 

 problem becomes so much clearer. The whole, which is made up of 

 many coordinated components, eludes the grasp, but the individual com- 

 ponents are gradually revealing many of their secrets to the untiring 

 scientific explorer. With the physiologist ever attentive in his study of 

 the human mechanism, with the chemist carefully analyzing and syn- 

 thesising the more complex forms of matter so intimately associated with 

 life's activity, with the scientific philosopher investigating the laws com- 

 mon both to animate and inanimate substance, who would venture to 

 foretell the outcome ? 



The present situation may be summed up in some such way as this : 



1. (a) Chemistry and physics may possibly contain all the necessary 

 factors, our ignorance being due to our inadequate knowledge of these 

 sciences, especially chemistry ; or ( o ) There may be an outside factor. 



2. Whilst no definite theories as to the origin of life can as yet be ad- 

 vanced, it is not unreasonable to suppose that in process of time, with 

 consequent development, a better insight into (a), or an idea of (b) 

 will be obtained. Fancy may well picture even the acquirement of new 

 faculties, which will bring within range many of nature's present secrets, 

 unattainable by present methods. 



3. At present we know of no better way of pursuing our search than 

 through the sciences. But here we are only safe when we apply them 

 to the things we can grasp. The application of scientific methods to 

 the spirit world (the methods of Crookes, Lodge and others) have thus 

 far been barren of result. Science, as we understand it, rules in the 

 world of matter, but it does not beyond. Whether this " matter " is but 

 a manifestation of the "spirit," whether there is any relationship be- 

 tween them, or whether, indeed, they spring from the same source, time 

 may, and time may not tell. Our duty is to plod the weary way, irre- 

 spective of where it leads to, or what the outcome of it may be. Patience, 

 diligence and truth are our guiding stars. 



