H4 VITALITY. 



living matter. Each successive series of nuclei seems to 

 acquire new power, although there are no characters by 

 which it could be distinguished from any pre-existing or suc- 

 ceeding series. That there is a difference is, however, 

 proved by the difference in the results of living. Moreover, 

 at the same time that the new centre acquires new powers, 

 it retains by inheritance some of those possessed by the 

 germinal matter that preceded it, and hands these down to 

 the new centres it originates. It would, therefore, appear 

 more in accordance with the facts to conclude that the 

 powers exhibited by the last of a series of masses of germinal 

 matter were somehow retained in relation with the matter 

 of every one of its predecessors, and thus handed down 

 from generation to generation, than to assume that the new 

 powers were acquired in consequence of the different series 

 being successively exposed to different external conditions. 

 But this last view is really untenable, because we have 

 abundant evidence of the transmission of peculiar pro- 

 perties and powers, through a vast number of successive 

 units during a considerable period of time, and though 

 sometimes dormant for a while, they are yet at last mani- 

 fested so distinctly that no doubt could be entertained as 

 to their actual transmission from particle to particle. 



Increased Action. Increase in formative and constructive 

 power seems to be associated with the most limited change 

 in germinal matter, while rapid change increased vital 

 action seems to be invariably connected with decadence 

 in power. How can such phenomena be in any way due 

 to the influence of the ordinary forces associated with 

 lifeless matter ? No form or mode of force yet discovered 



