450 ELECTRICITY IN THE PHENOMENA OF ANIMAL LIFE. 



vital activity to tliat of a single element of a voltaic battery, when 

 once we recognize in the living cell the special part which 1 have 

 assumed it to play. - - - 



1 believe that these general considerations will suflice to render intel- 

 ligible, and in a provisional way to justify, the mode in which I con- 

 ceive of the mechanism of life, with the aid of the physical and chemical 

 forces of nature only, and without invoking any mysterious or extra- 

 natuial cause. - - - 



[The remainder of M. Solvay's discourse is devoted to an examina- 

 tion of the phenomena of animal growth, rei^roduction, evolution 

 (moditication of species), and psychical activity, in the light of the 

 views which he holds and advocates. But it is not possible to present 

 this latter i^art of the discourse in intelligible abstract within the limits 

 assigned, and reference must be made to the original in its complete 

 form. 



The author concludes by saying: "I await now, as the result of the 

 most rigorous course of experiment pursued in the broadest and most 

 extensive manner, an impartial and thorough examination of the scheme 

 which has been the subject of much of my thought for so many years.'" 



Any one interested in the line of thought and of research suggested 

 by this discourse would do well to address a request for a copy of the 

 original discourse iti cxteii^io to IM. Ernest Solvay, seuateur, 43 Kue des 

 Champs Elysees, Bruxelles, Belgium. — J. W.M.j 



