250 THE WORLD-ENERGY 



noticed. It is this: Each particular object as being 

 but a partial, one-sided manifestation of the universal 

 potency exhibits a relation of dependence upon other 

 objects. Each lacks what another has, and has what the 

 other lacks. And precisely for this reason must their 

 fused union approximate toward an equilibrated total. 



This is exhibited qualitatively in the tension toward 

 such fusion as that arising from what is usually known 

 under the name affinity. It is evident that the result- 

 ant or product of affinity must present characteristics 

 radically different from those exhibited in either of the 

 one-sided phases or "elements" between which the 

 affinity exists. 



It is well worth noting, too, that the very fact of 

 affinity with all its complexity of development com- 

 pletely negates the assumption that the "elements" are 

 "simple." And, not only so, but in their manifold com- 

 binations these "elements" become wholly unrecogniz- 

 able. The truth is, indeed, that it is only in their com- 

 pounds that the elements attain their full realization. 

 Their "affinity" for each other, so long as they are held 

 asunder, is their potentiality. The compound formed 

 by their combination is that potentiality developed to 

 real potency. And to form some approximate concep- 

 tion of the marvelously complex potentiality of the so- 

 called elements, one need only trace out the multiple 

 and extremely varied oxides ; or glance through a vol- 

 ume giving the amazingly manifold series of known 

 carbon compounds, and then reflect that in no two 

 cases is the " affinity" the action and reaction of 

 precisely the same degree, and hence that in no two 

 cases are the resultants of precisely the same character. 



