io6 VITALITY. 



occur, we only know the fact of its occurrence. If the 

 state just preceding movement is to be attributed to ante- 

 cedent phenomena, the state of rest might with equal pro- 

 priety be attributed to the very same antecedent phenomena. 

 It is doubtful if the word phenomenon is at all applicable 

 to the supposed change in the relations of the particles of 

 living matter which results in actual movement. Is it 

 correct to speak of a condition or state which cannot be 

 rendered evident to the senses, as a phenomenon? A 

 certain change common to every kind of living matter 

 occurs just prior to the movement of its particles, which 

 universally distinguishes this from every other known state 

 of matter. As the movement is peculiar, its cause must be 

 peculiar, and it seems more reasonable to attribute this to 

 some peculiar power manifested by living matter only, than 

 to an antecedent phenomenon which is different in its 

 essential nature from every other action or change to which 

 the term phenomenon has been applied. In truth, when 

 we enter upon the consideration of the 'cause of the 

 changes in living matter, we soon get beyond the limits of 

 observation and experiment. It may of course be said that 

 such discussions are therefore futile and out of the province 

 of science. But if this view be accepted we must cease to 

 enquire almost as soon as we have commenced to in- 

 vestigate. In that case the consideration of the growth, 

 formation and action of the simplest being, and of every 

 elementary unit entering into the formation of the tissues 

 of every living creature, must be as a sealed book. And 

 it would be absurd to attempt to describe the processes 

 of growth, formation and secretion, as they occur in living 



