RESULTS OF LIFE 253 



to all the phenomena connected with complex bodies. These principles 

 are as follows : 



The first deals with a universal and ever active factor, which more or 

 less rapidly destroys all existing compounds. 



The second concerns a power which is incessantly forming combina- 

 tions, increasing their complexity and adding new principles to them, 

 according as the circumstances are favourable. 



Now although these two powers are in opposition, they both derive 

 their origin from laws and forces which are certainly not opposed, 

 but which work out very different effects on account of the very 

 different circumstances. 



I have already established the fact in several of my works, ^ that, 

 by means of nature's laws and forces, every combination and every 

 compound substance tends to be destroyed ; and that this tendency 

 is greater or less, faster or slower in its realisation, in proportion to the 

 nature, number, proportions, and closeness of combination between the 

 principles composing it. The reason of this is that some of these 

 principles in combination have been forced into that condition by 

 an external force, which modifies them while fixing them ; so that 

 these principles have a constant tendency to liberate themselves ; a 

 tendency to which they give effect, on the advent of any favouring 

 factor. 



Hence, but Uttle attention is necessary to convince us that nature 

 (the activity of movement established in all parts of our earth) works 

 unceasingly towards the destruction of all existing compounds, the 

 liberation of their principles from the combined state by constantly 

 bringing forward factors which make for such liberation, and the re- 

 storation of these principles to that state of freedom, in which they 

 recover their special faculties and which they tend to preserve for 

 ever ; this is the first of the two doctrines enunciated above. 



But I have shown at the same time that there also exists in nature 

 a peculiar, powerful, and ever active cause, which has the faculty of 

 forming combinations, of increasing and varying them, and which 

 incessantly tends to add to them new principles. Now this powerful 

 cause, which is comprised by the second of the two doctrines cited, 

 resides in the organic activity of living bodies, where it is always 

 forming combinations that would never have existed without it. 



This special cause is not found in any laws adapted to hving bodies, 

 and opposite to those which regulate other bodies ; but it takes its 

 origin in an order of things essential to the existence of life, and 

 especially in a force which results from the exciting cause of organic 

 movements. Hence the special cause, which builds up the complex 



* Mémoires de Physique (t d'Histoire naturelle, p. 88 ; Hydrogéologie, p. 98 et seq. 



