68 THOUGHTS ON NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. 



be used as required. Nature does it, and it should 

 not be beyond the powers of science. Experiments 

 have been made in this direction by the writer, but 

 his resources, and abilities as an experimenter, are 

 not equal to the task. The question is, however, of 

 such overwhelming importance that he hopes that 

 some organized attempt may be made by the 

 Scientific Societies for its solution.] 



But to return to our main subject. Nature's 

 method is the electro-magnetic, cell mode, she is 

 constantly forming non-living, as well as living cells; 

 and if the adage " all cells from cells " is true, as no 

 doubt it is, the living cells must have proceeded from 

 the non-living. The mistake has been in not carry- 

 ing the cell theory into inanimate as well as animate 

 nature, thus making the cell theory true to nature. 

 Electricity is material motion and stress within an 

 envelope. If the enveloping matter is not sufficiently 

 strong, has a weak spot, a breach occurs, and the 

 electricity rushes into what, if the insulation is 

 sufficient, becomes another insulated container of 

 electric power (say a reservoir or cell), and this 

 process is continually going on in Nature, and must 

 do so, is inevitable from its constitution and motion; 

 and is one of its most constant processes. Cells, or 

 containers, of many shapes and sizes are continually 

 being formed and broken up, both in inanimate and 

 animate nature. The whole business, including the 

 electrical stress, is caused by portions of matter in 

 motion. 



We know that all things that have reached the 

 molecule stage are more or less magnetic, and conse- 



