n6 THE MECHANISM OF LIFE 



true, then we must clearly understand that there exists 

 naturally a break in the sequence of evolution, a chasm 

 between the organic and the inorganic world never to be 

 bridged over. If, on the contrary, the latter view be correct, 

 then it strongly argues for a continuity of development, a 

 gradual chemical elaboration, which culminates in those high 

 compounds which, under surrounding influences, manifest those 

 complex changes called vital. 



"Surely it is not a matter of indifference or of mere words, 

 if the extreme aim of physiology avowedly be the detection ot 

 the different functions dependent on the vital exertions of a 

 variety of ultimate organisms, and the discovery of the 

 specific stimulants which naturally incite these functions into 

 play. Or, on the other hand, if it be understood to consist 

 rather in the careful investigation of the succession of chemical 

 differentiations and their accompanying physical changes, 

 which give rise to the formation of a variety of tissues that 

 are found to possess certain specific properties, to display 

 certain definite actions due to a further flow of chemical and 

 physical modifications." 



In 1871 there appeared a memoir by the Dutch savant 

 Harting entitled Recherche de Morphologie synthetique sur 

 la production artificielle de quelques formations calcaires 

 organiques. This memoir, says Professor R. Dubois, had 

 cost Harting more than thirty years of work. "Synthetic 

 morphology is yet only in its infancy, let us hope that in a 

 time equal to that which has already expired since the first 

 artificial production of urea, it will have made a progress 

 equal to that of its older sister, synthetic chemistry." 



In the Comptes Rendues of 1882 is the following note 

 by D. Monnier and Karl Vogt : — 



"1. Figured forms presenting all the characteristics of 

 organic growth, cells, porous canals, tubes with partition walls, 

 and heterogeneous granules, may be produced artificially in 

 appropriate liquids by the mutual action of two salts which 

 form one or more insoluble salts by double decomposition. 

 One of the component salts should be in solution, while the 

 other salt must be introduced in the solid form. 



