Vitality and Organization of Protoplasm. 51 



upon as processes in sharp contrast to modes of mechanical energy-con- 

 catenations." 



The organized living substance is not, as has been so generally taught, 

 a mere machine actuated by externally transmitted energy; but it is it- 

 self the very source of specific modes of energy, differing altogether from 

 the mere mechanical kind. Its functional reintegration is not due to 

 mechanically transmitted modes of motion; but to its phyletically in- 

 wrought power of regenerating its own specifically efficient integrity. 

 And its functional reactions on external stimulation are nowise the equiv- 

 alently converted energy of the stimulating influences; but an intrinsic 

 response of its own generically accumulated wealth of organized power, 

 qualitatively and quantatively incommensurable with the stimulating 

 energy, which merely arouses to action its indwelling potentialities. 



When I first expressed this view, the introduction of other than purely 

 mechanical mode? of energy, and especially of hypermechanical vitalistic 

 modes, was considered scientific heresy, not deserving serious attention. 

 Principally through the persistent efforts of Ernst Mach, other modes 

 of activity or manifestations of energy, than the purely mechanical, are 

 now allowed to play a part in the actuation of natural phenomena, even 

 of the physical kind. In keeping with this more comprehensive view, and 

 with manifold biological results and considerations recently arrived at, 

 thoughtful investigators, among whom Driesch is most prominent and 

 outspoken, have under various guises been led to make again use of vital- 

 , istic modes of interpretation. They have become aware that vital phe- 

 nomena are actuated by specific energies of their own, and not by me- 

 chanically transmitted modes of motion. 



In this connection Eugen Albrecht in his ^'Vorfragcn der Biologie" 

 1899, says : "All vital hypotheses mentioned testify, by dint of their 

 mere existence that beyond the physico-chemical analysis there must lie 

 problems, uncertainties, which we feel without being able to express 

 them in current mechanical terms. It seems to me that in all these 

 vitalistic attempts a hitherto unsolved question makes itself more or 

 less distinctly discernible; a question which in its full import does not 

 occur and can not occur to the rigorous mechanist, which, however, per- 

 haps constitutes the essential ground and real object of the contention. 

 I mean the problem of the living form." 



The power of the living substance, and therewith of organisms com- 

 posv5d of it; the power to reintegrate or regenerate its structure and 

 form, underlies all other vital manifestations. It insures the main- 

 tenance of the identity of organic beings, without which neither their 

 structures nor functions could retain any permanency; but would from 

 moment to moment degenerate toward complete dissolution. The re- 

 integration of living individuals, after fimctional or abnornjal deteriora- 

 tion is an immistakably observable vital manifestation, which obviously 

 indicates that the organic individual is an integrant whole. And it 

 evidently constitutes a mode of energy not operative in inorganic nature ; 

 energy being defined as the capacity of performing work. Its specific 



