NOT A FORMATIVE POWER, 



difference between the two cells due to some life-power 

 resident in that part of each which consists of living 

 matter ? Is it conceivable that by any changes effected in 

 energy acting under any supposable alteration of conditions, 

 the germ of a cabbage could be made to form the embryo 

 of a dog, or the latter, develop the form of the elephant ? 

 Can it be supposed that energy could so change the liver 

 cell as to make it take part in intellectual action, or cause 

 the brain cell to secrete a particle of biliary matter ? The 

 repeated efforts of some philosophers to force people to 

 believe in the constructive and metabolic power of ordinary 

 energy are wearying. It is impossible that more than 

 a very small fraction of thinking persons can bring them- 

 selves into the mental state which must precede their con- 

 version to the new views, and prepare them for that further 

 development which will render them capable of denying 

 the existence of everything that cannot be weighed, measured? 

 or thrown upon a screen. And that small but successful 

 fraction would be ever troubled by the reflection that the 

 authoritative denial of the existence of power did not 

 necessarily or immediately demonstrate its non-existence, 

 or ensure its annihilation. 



Words of many syllables, of ancient origin, and mag- 

 nificently comprehensive have been freely used, have 

 excited wonder, and may have afforded solace to some 

 minds. But their meaning has not been defined with 

 accuracy, and people who desired to learn have been 

 confused. New words may be coined, and terms may be 

 changed, but the things are not to be modified by 

 changing the meaning of the names by which they have 

 been known. Nor can the qualities of things be transmuted 



