AND ITS SELF-CONSERVATION. 261 



and variety into which this absolute unity unfolds itself. 

 The continuous, let us repeat, does not exclude the dis- 

 crete. On the contrary, the discrete is a necessary mode 

 of the continuous. Hence, physical energy, chemical 

 energy, vital force or energy, and the energy of reason or 

 of will, are all only so many modes, so many degrees, in 

 and of one and the same total, divine World-Energy. 



And now let us observe that in the physical aggrega- 

 tion about a center, in the chemical compound, and in 

 the living unit, we have in each case alike a limited unit. 

 But there is this difference, that in the first class of units, 

 so far as they are regarded as mere aggregations of the 

 extended, division may be carried to any degree without 

 change in the character of the unit; while in the second 

 class mechanical division with the same result may be 

 carried as far as the " molecule," but can be carried no 

 further without changing the character of the unit; and 

 finally, ifi the third class division means in general the 

 death of the living being, which is a result quite different 

 from the mere division itself. In the first case any given 

 quantity of matter is a totality wholly indifferent to 

 division (though even here a crystal proves an excep- 

 tion as, doubtless, ultimately does every "particle "of 

 matter). In the second case a given quantity of matter, 

 so far from being an indifferent totality, is known to have 

 a perfectly definite limit, beyond which, if division is car- 

 ried, the character of the unit is radically changed. In 

 the third case any division threatens the existence of the 

 unit. 



And yet here a most significant exception presents 

 itself. The living being, as we have seen, is itself a 

 process. Here, indeed, is found the radical distinction 



