EXTRACT XL.D. 

 ON LIFE. WHAT IS IT? 



ON still further studying this most cryptic subject we have 

 become impressed with the idea that life, whatever it is in 

 essence or reality, operates on matter by the mode of force 

 or energy known as nervine, and that the dynamics of 

 vitality consist of, so far as we can prove, or scientifically 

 imagine, the conversion of nervine into proper vital energy 

 and the physiological play of that energy on organisable 

 matter, with the transcendental result of the materio- 

 dynamic evolution of a living unit, uni-cellular or multi- 

 cellular, with all that belongs to it characteristic of a specific 

 and generic living being. 



Vital energy, or life, having organised a definite organism, 

 energises it by the dynamic influence of nervine energy, 

 along definite lines of materio-dynamic circulation depen- 

 dent on specific organic arrangements, histological and 

 anatomical. 



Life is, therefore, inseparable from this materio-dynamic 

 connexus, and is synonymous with its functional operations, 

 or activities, which, when it ceases to actuate or administer 

 them, lapse temporarily, or permanently ; temporarily, when 

 the systemic nervous system is in functional abeyance, and 

 permanently, when the sympathetic nervous system ceases 

 to functionate. 



It is, thus, made up of nerve energy in union with 

 organised matter, which it inspires, so to speak, and 

 vitally administers, in conjunction with that inscrutable, 

 but absolutely existent and persistent entity, the individual 

 ego, or self-conscious and reasoning being, or essence an 



