1G4 Life as a PI Phenomenon. 



It may be said that the sudden destruction of the snow 

 flake, or the more startling decomposition of gunpowder 



are unlike tlie ceaseless transformations which from hour 

 to hour and from year to year may be observed inaliving 

 being of the higher orders. The cases are however alike. 

 and the tart that one is an instantaneous change while the 

 other is a succession of changes does not destroy the ana- 

 logy. 



But are there no gradual decompositions in the mineral 

 world that correspond not only in the result but in time 

 with those of living structures? 



These ceaseless internal changes are the manifestations 

 of an evolution of force, and force is never evolved with- 

 out change in the relations of particles. Every contrac- 

 tion of a muscle, every exercise of the mind implies 

 evolution of force with corresponding destruction of living 

 tissue ; that is, a breakingup of the relation^ of atoms with 

 each other and resolving live matter hack to its mineral 

 elements. If much force is evolved much organized 

 matter is resolved, and all the varied manifestations of 

 life depend on the amount of force. 



The laborer who employs muscular force requires a large 

 amount of material to replace the tissues broken down in 

 maintaining the necessary movements. The student who 

 labors severely with his brain may find On the following 

 morning that phosphates in large quantity are eliminated. 



Let us turn to the mineral world, and see if similar in- 

 ternal change- accompany the evolution of force. 



Let us pour into a cup a solution of sulphate of copper; 

 place in the cup also a strip of zinc and one of copper. 

 The solution will remain for an indefinite time unchanged. 

 But connect these strips by means of a wire, at once 

 force is evolved, and we call that force electricity ; ami 

 just in proportion to the evolution of this force is the de- 



