THE POISON OF THE MURRY 



in a series of continual transformations, in which the 

 energy of metabolism and its reactions terminates in the 

 continuous creation of substances which, possessing at 

 least a temporary usefulness, reserve it for the organism 

 in which they are formed, sometimes losing it or modify- 

 ing it when exteriorisation takes place. Such is the 

 case with the poisons. 



So, the assimilation involved in maintenance brings 

 about a succession of phases, produces substances in 

 series which act one upon another as much by their 

 peculiar composition as by their molecular texture. A 

 degree of regulation is established which, making all 

 these parts dependent one upon another, causes them all 

 equally to work together to preserve life. To serve 

 the individual as a defence against the external world 

 is not the sole purpose of the toxic substance of the 

 poisons: in the first instance, and principally, they 

 serve itself in the interior nutritive exchanges of its 

 individual life. It is, as it were, a derogation for them 

 to employ themselves externally: their essential and 

 primary use is within the organism. 



The murry, waving about in its tank, has its true and 

 complete appearance. Its evil-looking little head is not 

 the only feature to be taken into consideration : the large 

 strong supple body acquires the predominance which 

 befits it. It is, indeed, always a venomous creature; 

 but above all it is an equilibrated creature, in which 

 everything is arranged to ensure existence. The har- 

 monious winding to and fro in the water is a picture of 

 the harmony established in it, in the interplay of its 

 organic parts, established that it may live without too 

 many difficulties. Its poisonous bite is only a side-line, 

 an accident. The main consideration is contained in 

 the work of the vital processes, a work that never ceases, 

 carried on within it, in which the continuance of exist- 

 ence endeavours to preserve, and to defend against 

 attack, what the life of construction, in all forms of living 

 flesh, has succeeded in building up. 



* 55 



