THE ORGANIC REALM 571 



most firmly grappling; the stablest, and the most unstable, 

 of all common elements. From the interplay of such oppo- 

 sites extraordinary resultants should appear. 



If localized wills are to gain progressive expression through 

 masses of matter we should expect that the materials used 

 would have both mobility and fixity. That is to say, we 

 should look for a constant flow of particles, and at the same 

 time relative permanence in the arrangements into which 

 they temporarily enter; for only thus could change be added 

 to change. Furthermore, if such a will were to be free to 

 oppose outside influences as well as to yield to them promptly, 

 the material through which it responded should have unusual 

 stability associated with an instability resembling that of 

 explosive compounds. Accordingly, since the properties of 

 a compound result from the properties of its constituent 

 elements more or less modified by mutual influence, it may 

 not be altogether fanciful to suppose that the solidity of 

 carbon, the fluidity of hydrogen, the stability of oxygen, 

 and the instability of nitrogen may be especially significant 

 as properties which in combination largely account for the 

 almost paradoxical properties of living substance which is 

 characterized by permanence with constant change, and sen- 

 sitiveness with resistance; and having withal such an exceed- 

 ing delicacy of balance that an infinitesimal force is suffi- 

 cient to release energy in one direction rather than another. 



Of course a complete explanation of the chemico-physical 

 properties of this living substance, if ever attainable, mast 

 be vastly more complex than might appear from the vague 

 suggestions given above as to possible connections between 

 a few important facts. The purpose of these hints is merely 

 to indicate how increasing knowledge of matter may help 

 us to understand the conditions under which life is possible, 

 and so be of profit in our dealings with the world in which 

 we live. It seems only reasonable to assume that the prop- 

 erties inherent in the materials of which all living bodies are 

 composed should make possible and largely determine the 

 activities they all exhibit. 



Whatever may be the explanation of the fundamental 

 properties of protoplasm, they are indeed, marvelous to 



