THE ORGANIC REALM 571 
most firmly grappling; the stablest, and the most unstable, 
of all common elements. From the interplay of such oppo- 
‘sites extraordinary resultants should appear. 
If localized wills are to gain progressive expression through 
masses of matter we should expect that the materials used 
would have both mobility and fixity. That is to say, we 
should look for a constant flow of particles,,and at the same 
time relative permanence in the arrangements into which 
they temporarily enter; for only thus could change be added 
to change. Furthermore, if such a will were to be free to 
oppose outside influences as well as to yield to them promptly, 
the material through which it responded should have unusual 
stability associated with an instability resembling that of 
explosive compounds. Accordingly, since the properties of 
a compound result from the properties of its constituent 
elements more or less modified by mutual influence, it may 
not be altogether fanciful to suppose that the solidity of 
carbon, the fluidity of hydrogen, the stability of oxygen, 
and the instability of nitrogen may be especially significant 
as properties which in combination largely account for the 
almost paradoxical properties of living substance which is 
characterized by permanence with constant change, and sen- 
sitiveness with resistance; and having withal such an exceed- 
ing delicacy of balance that an infinitesimal force is suffi- 
cient to release energy in one direction rather than another. 
Of course a complete explanation of the chemico-physical 
properties of this living substance, if ever attainable, must 
be vastly more complex than might appear from the vague 
suggestions given above as to possible connections between 
a few important facts. The’purpose of these hints is merely 
to indicate how increasing .knowledge of matter may help 
us to understand the conditions under which life is possible, 
and so be of profit in our dealings with the world in which 
we live. It seems only reasonable to assume that the prop- 
erties inherent in the materials of which all living bodies are 
composed should make possible and largely determine the 
activities they all exhibit. 
Whatever may be the explanation of the fundamental 
properties of protoplasm, they are indeed, marvelous to 
