40 LIFE AND DEATH. 



phenomena of every kind — viz., the kinetic theory, 

 which ascribes everything in nature to the movements 

 of particles, molecules, or atoms. 



The living and the physical orders are here reduced 

 to one unique order, because all the phenomena of the 

 sensible universe are themselves reduced to one and 

 the same mechanics, and are represented by means o( 

 the atom and of motion. This conception of the 

 world, which was that of the philosophers of the Ionic 

 school in the remotest antiquity, which was modified 

 later by Descartes and Leibniz, has passed into 

 modern science under the name of the kinetic theory. 

 The mechanics of atoms ponderable or imponderable, 

 would contain the explanation of all phenomenality. 

 If it were a question of physical properties or vital 

 manifestations, the objective world in final analysis 

 would offer us nothing but motion. Every pheno- 

 menon would be expressed by an atomistic integral, 

 and that is the inner reason of the majestic unity 

 which reigns in modern physics. The forces which 

 are brought into play by Life are no longer to 

 be distinguished in this ultimate analysis from 

 other natural forces. All are blended in molecular 

 mechanics. 



The philosophical value of this theory is undeniable. 

 It has exercised on physical science an influence which 

 is justified by the discoveries which it has suggested. 

 But to biology, on the other hand, it has lent no aid. 

 It is precisely because it descends too deeply into 

 things, and analyzes them to the uttermost, that it 

 ceases to throw any light upon them. The distance 

 between the hypothetical atom and the apparent and 

 concrete fact is too great for the one to be able to 

 throw light on the other The vital phenomenon 



