48 WHAT IS LIFE? 



the motion of smoke or of the leaves of the trees. Let 

 us consider the motions of the molecules called clouds 

 in their every varied form, and then ask, how can it 

 be possible for a rigid system to interpret Natural 

 phenomena, which ever vary, and vary always in 

 an irregular manner ? 



It is very important that we should recognize this 

 fundamental error of the physicist, as a great deal 

 hinges upon it. 



Arising from this rigid mode of procedure comes the 

 conception that atoms are minute objects of constant 

 shape and volume. All atoms, at least of the same 

 species, are of the same dimensions. They are also 

 often regarded as simply inert and passive objects 

 simple magnitudes. 1 Question is this so ? Proceed- 

 ing with this fundamental order of thought, simply to 

 satisfy mathematical science, the physicist attempts 

 to build up the forces of Nature, and Nature will not 

 respond. There is something to be admired in the 

 bull-dog courage the physicist shows in fighting Nature 

 against such odds. He is like a mad bull charging a 

 solid castle called Truth. He charges and re-charges. 

 He has now been at the work since the time of Newton 

 for over 200 years. He makes no progress. One can 

 almost picture the poor creature bleeding, and the 

 nervous tremor arising from the repeated failures. 

 How much midnight oil has been spent to solve these 

 problems by the insufficient weapons of the science 

 of mathematics ! 



Professor "W. M. Hicks, in the Presidential Address, 

 British Association at Ipswich, 1895 (Mathematical 



i See " The New Chemistry," Professor Cooke, LL.D., 10th edition, 

 1892, p. 64. 



